{Practice Serendipity} Resolutions...taking chances...

If there is any resolution I could give myself this year...it would be 2012 is a year for taking chances...

Do you make New Year's Resolutions? I don't get too caught up in them, mostly due to being such a believer in living life by Serendipity. I think every year it is a nice idea to have a fresh start and reflect on the previous year...learning from any past mistakes to become a better person, and live a happier life. I don't think that everything just happens by Serendipity either...I believe that you must read the signs to find your Serendipity. Any chance that comes along - GRAB IT! Never be afraid of where that chance may lead...as you may regret not taking it. Regrets bring dwelling...and no good can come from dwelling on past mistakes. Mistakes are welcomed in our house..they make us learn, they make us stronger.  One quotation that comes to mind "When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us". so with that said...stop looking at the closed door...if a chance comes along that could change your life...Let it!

Back in March I took a big leap of faith and started this little venture...I had alot of Eureka moments and reasons for pursuing this different direction in my life which are too many to fit in this little post...Maybe I will save that one for the one year mark. I have had alot of Inspiration along the way...some key people who inspire me...my children being the biggest. Martha Stewart is idol to many...and she is also one of mine...and Amy Atlas for her inception of sweets tables. But there are two others who I adore and have quoted phrases in their lives that fuel me. I live alot of my life by quotation as you may have previously read. Those two people are...Mr. Steve Job's...who sadly we lost in 2011 - RIP and Mr. Walt Disney (and his mouse), whom I became fascinated by at the very young age of 4. I LOVE the Disney brand on a million levels. I have to say if there were one dream job for me...it would be working for Disney. The first time I ever visited WDW and walked through Walt's life attraction...I could not contain the overwhelming tears...I did not get to visit the World until I was a young adult...and being there for the first time...I felt like I was a kid again (for real). I still feel that way...and have made up for my non-visits as a child by going every year since and sometimes twice. :)

This is one amazing quotation that fuels me: "The only way to do great work is to love what you do,” “If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.” Steve Jobs

So, Do what you love and you will never have to "Work" another day in your life. :)

This print is available through: Society6

The other: "If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream and a mouse". Walt Disney 

Big things come from small beginnings. :)

So in short...I will resolve to taking even more chances in 2012...I would love to make this venture a full-time thing....and so "She saw that she could...So she did".  I can't wait to see what this year brings. I look forward to working together with many talented Party Peeps who are willing to take chances too. :) Here's to risk and taking chances!  xoxo Catherine

{Cake Love} Rainbow Masterpiece!

I have 3 words! Taste the Rainbow! WOW....this is the most amazing cake...I am in LOVE. This masterpiece is by Rise and Shine Bakery via Flickr. Now who is brave enough to replicate this 7 layer giant?! Piece of cake right? LOL. For those of you who are...what an amazing centerpiece for a Rainbow inspired party! For lots of rainbow party inspiration...check out our gallery on Pinterest here!

{Pinterest} Bubble Gum Party Inspiration + New Gumball Invitations

We have been using Pinterest for several months....and I think we can all agree Pinterest is quite addictive! Super place to store all of what inspires you. We love a fun bubble gum party...here is some inspiration from our Bubble Gum Board...pop on over and follow us for Tons of inspiration. Check out our Gumball Invitations...coming soon to our shop along with the rest of the collection. Follow all of Serendipity Creative Studio's Pinterest here.

Favorite bubble gum pins - jinkyart, cookies - The cookie Jar for Tomkat Studios

Serendipity Creative - Bubble Gum Party Board

Coming soon to the shop - {Gumball Collection}

{Fab Finds} Color + Decor Inspiration

We love this color palette. Coral or Crimson red with a vintage pink and Golden yellow. It looks beautiful paired with black furnishings and a crisp clean white hotel bedding set (black stripe detail) or this beautiful toile bedding set from Horchow. Pair with some damask details, beautiful  and rustic accessories...and you have yourself a pretty parisian theme with a more updated look. Walls would be beautiful with Ben Moore's lotus or other similar yellow for a dramatic effect. Or you could also choose a soft antique pink shade which would be very pretty paired with the black furnishings.

Inspiration Board by: Serendipity

Bedding and Lamp - Horchow
Bed, pillows, artwork, Parisian Clock, Mirror, Vases, Damask Chair and night stand - Pier 1 Imports
Eiffel Tower Candle Holder - Homegoods/Homesense
Paint - Ben Moore - Lotus

A pink quilt and coral or crimson or yellow chunky soft knit throw would be beautiful at the foot of the bed. Topped off with a white bed tray.

{Fab Finds} Color Inspiration + Paris Theme

{ 1 }  Pear and Raspberry fruit crush from Belvois Fruit Farms

{ 2 }  Heart chipboard postcard from Set Editions { via wit + delight }

{ 3 }  Bonjour Bebe card from Lazy Oaf

{ 4 }  2-Pack textile bags from H&M Home
eatdrinkchic

{Fab Finds} Color Inpsiration - Turquoise/Aqua

I adore shades of Turquoise. They make me dream of lazy breezy days on an island soaking up the sun. Decorating with Turquoise is so effortless and has a calming effect on all who surround themselves with it. It is beautiful paired of shades of celery green. Great for a coastal beach theme. Turquoise/Green beach glass and bottles look beautiful mixed in with this design. Hope you enjoy some inspriation. I will be dreaming of being on the beach today! {Click for larger image.}

Leather Sofa - Pottery Barn, Turquoise Swing Bag - Coach,

Vintage BLUE Canning Jar CHANDELIER - LampGood's Etsy store. (How cool is that?!)

All other finds - Pier 1 (dangerous store for me! I shall sneak these in one by one until the hubby notices them...sometimes that takes a long time. LOL)

{Inspiration} Vintage Carnival + Freebie!

I adore all things carnival + I love all things vintage as you may know. When the two of these meet...oh what a beautiful theme it will be! I have a ton of design projects happening at once...occupational hazard...too many ideas keeping me up at night. Vintage Carnival partyware and invites in the works for birthday and wedding. Check out this fun freebie for donut printable labels below!

Download DIY here

{Parties} Inspiration for all things girlie girl + pink!

Pink Pink and more pink! Ballet and Pink party inspiration.

{Cake Love} Holy Sweetapolita! Ruffles + Inspiration + Recipe

When they said Let them eat cake...they had to have been talking about this! Ruffles, Ruffles and more ruffles. This cake in vintage coral is screaming please somebody eat me! This ruffle technique is quite simple once you get the hang of it. You can read more about this technique from Martha Stewart here. If you’re a visual person, you may benefit from, watching a quick and helpful ruffling tutorial on YouTube, done by Melody from Sweet & Saucy Shop in California. This coral inspires old fashioned lazy days of  summer. Sitting on the front porch sipping pitchers of pink lemonade with fresh scents of peonies and apricots breezing in the air! What a beautiful centerpiece it would make to a vintage dessert table.



Here’s the recipe:

Rich & Dark Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup Cacao Barry Extra Brute Cocoa Powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup strong black coffee (can be hot)
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

Method:
Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare 2 x 9″ (or 3 x 8″ for slightly shorter layers) cake pans with butter and flour or parchment paper. In bowl of electric mixer, sift all dry ingredients. Add all remaning ingredients to bowl with the dry ingredients and with paddle attachment on mixer, mix for 2 minutes on medium speed (you may need the plastic splashguard that comes with mixer) and pour into prepared pans. Batter will be liquidy.
Bake for 20 minutes and rotate pans in oven. Cakes are done when toothpick or skewer comes clean–approximately 35 minutes. Try not to overbake. Cool on wire racks for 20 minutes then gently invert onto racks until completely cool.
*If doing the ruffly cake, you will likely want to increase the cake recipe to add a third 9″ layer.
*This cake is sturdy enough to be used under fondant, stacked, etc. but also moist and tasty enough too go on its own with almost any type of frosting, glaze, etc.
*boiling hot, moderately hot, and cool coffee, all work well.

Swiss Meringue Buttercream    
    
Just a note that you will need approximately 3 times the Swiss Meringue Buttercream recipe for this Rich & Ruffly cake. Because it does take some time to make, Make in batches of 3, because it freezes so well and saves time.

Ingredients:
5 large egg whites (30g each–total 150g)
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons superfine granulated sugar
1 pound (4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, cut into cubes
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Pinch of salt


Method:

Wipe the bowl of an electric mixer with paper towel and vinegar, to remove any trace of grease. Add egg whites and sugar,  and simmer over a pot of water (not boiling), whisking constantly, until temperature reaches 140 degrees F, or if you don’t have a candy thermometer, until the sugar has completely dissolved and the egg whites are hot.

With whisk attachment of mixer, begin to whip until the mixture is thick, glossy, and cool. Switch over to paddle attachment and, while mixing on medium speed continously, add softened butter in chunks until incorporated, and mix until it has reached a silky smooth texture (if curdles, keep mixing and it will come back to smooth).  Add vanilla and salt, mix well. You can also add a wide variety of flavourings, extracts, and more.

Keep in airtight container in refrigerator for up to one week, leaving out at room temperature when needed, rewhipping in mixer for 5 minutes.
Can freeze for up to 6-8 weeks.
Makes approximately 5 cups of buttercream.

YUMMY!
Recipe for Swiss Meringue Buttercream adapted from Martha Stewart

{Inspiration} I adore this Goldilocks and the three bears party!

While searching for a table setting idea for an upcoming Eloise at the Plaza party...I came across this amazing Goldilocks and the three bears party from the Frog Prince Paperie. I was instantly smitten by every last tiny detail. Absolutely adorable!

Check out the rest of the party details and images here.

{Wedding} Breakfast at Tiffany's Inspiration

Who does not love or dream of Tiffany's?! There is something absolutely beautiful about the classic tiffany blue that makes us girls swoon. Visions of Audrey Hepburn decked out in the little black dress and signature shades walking on fifth avenue! I heart NYC and all things tiffany blue and classic. What a beautiful wedding theme this would make or even a gorgeous birthday party. I am definately incorporating this theme into my upcoming Eloise at the plaza party...or another dessert table in my future.

cake love!

tiffany blue mixed with hints of yellow it totally works!

colour inspiration

{Wedding} Woodland Theme Inspiration

This theme inspiration comes from a whimsical invitation design that is a favorite of mine. The Woodland theme is great for an off the beaten track wedding, but can be incorporated for any soiree! Many things come to mind when I see these green shades...Fairies, red riding hood, Alice in Wonderland, and even the spider monkey scenes high in the hills of forks from Twilight (which we all know are really in Canada!). :) I see a red riding hood or woodland fairy party collection and or dessert table in my future. ;)

Also a woodland invite favorite of mine.

The celery green and pale purple with violet is gorgeous combined together. Fairy woodland!

The rocks make very fun and whimsical place holders or you could write numbers on them for the tables. Invites - Martha Stewart invites.

Beautiful posies with earthy tones. The green theme is also beautiful with a pale purple/violet color scheme as well!

A perky design...out of of the box and perfect for a woodland theme or any rustic theme...would be super also for a vintage barn or boathouse theme wedding or party.