{Fab Finds} An Eco-Friendly Napkin!?!

Yep, there's a fun, new Eco-friendly napkin option out there for your next shindig. MyDrap tear-off napkins! After seeing these "prettier than paper and less pricey than linens" napkins in the June issue of Better Homes and Gardens, I was intrigued and had to check them out for myself. MyDrap tear-off napkins come in five different sizes (from cocktail and dinner to placemats) and are offered in 22 different colors/patterns. These unique napkins are made from natural cotton fibers, are biodegradable and recyclable for other uses, and can be washed and reused up to 6 times. Pretty cool, huh!



There are some great color and pattern options available. The trick is just finding the one that you want. I was able to find some here and here.



Each size comes on a roll of 12-50 individual napkins. Just tear off as needed and toss in the wash after each use (up to 6 times).



These are definitely going on my list of items to try. Has anyone tried them out yet?

A Cupcake Shooters Container Giveaway!

A few weekends ago I had the privelege of getting together with a group of amazingly talented women that are local to the Northern VA, DC, MD area. It was a lunch date filled with inspiration, motivation, and information, not to mention GREAT company! One of these fabulous women was Kate of CupKate's Event Design. I liked Kate from the beginning, but I LOVED Kate after she introduced me to a fabulous new cupcake concept: Cupcake Shooters! I am not sure where I was when these popped up, but I am so glad that I know about them now. Thanks Kate!


Aren't these a brillant idea! What a fun twist on the traditional cupcake for your next Shindig. They could be the main dessert attraction or stand on the sidelines as a fabulous party favor. My own kids tried them out and gave rave reviews. They loved the "fun" factor and I loved the fact that they eliminated the usual crumbly, icing- covered mess that a "normal" cupcake leaves in our house. Major bonus! In addition to offering amazing full party design, custom dessert tables and online event consultation, CupKate's Event Design is now selling push-pop containers over at Etsy. Now you can make your own Cupcake Shooters for your next Shindig!


CupKate's Event Design is this week's Giveaway sponsor and will be awarding one lucky follower with 2 dozen push-pop containers! Here's how you can ENTER TO WIN:

Become a follower of Sheek Shindigs (if you aren't already) and ...

1. Become a follower of the CupKate's Event Design blog, here, and leave a comment that you did so.
2. "Like" Sheek Shindigs on Facebook and leave a comment that you did so.
3. "Like" CupKate's Event Design on Facebook and leave a comment that you did so.
4. Post a link to this Giveaway on your Facebook page and leave a comment that you did so.

This giveaway will be open to entries from now (March 16th ) until Wednesday, March 23rd at 11:59 pm. You must be a Sheek Shindigs follower (or become one) to be elegible to win. Each person may enter up to 4 seperate times. A random winner will be chosen and announced on Thursday, March 24th. So...go check out these fun push-pop containers at the CupKate's Event Design Etsy shop and enter to win!

Good Luck!

Not Your Average Ring Pop!

I recenlty saw a Facebook post from one of my fellow party girls (thanks Christi of P is for Party!) that I knew I had to share with all of you. Need a fun way to accessorize your next Shindig? How about adding some couture candy jewerly from Artesanal Sweets! These definitely are not your average "ring pops"!


Chef Natascha de los Angeles of Artesanal Sweets is a New york City native born into a family of chefs and artists. With 10 years of French fine dining experience and a life time of exposure to haute cuisine and fine arts, Natascha and Artesanal Sweets "offers couture cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and candy jewerly that are not only visually exciting, but unbelievably fresh and delicious".




Let's be honest. Would you really even care how these beauties tasted if you got the chance to host one on your finger for the night? Not me. "Delicious" would just be a bonus! You can visit Artesanal Sweets and see more of their amazing offerings, here.

HAPPY Cupcake to Go {Local} GIVEAWAY!

If you follow regularly, you know that I absolutley LOVE finding local talent that I can share with my followers to help them make their Shindigs as fabulous as possible. Today's featured business will do just that! Let me introduce you to Northern Virginia's newest Cupcake Shop "on wheels":

"HAPPY Cupcake To Go is a full service cupcake shop "on wheels", where the creativity is put in to the customers' hands and the convenience is unmatched! With HAPPY Cupcake To Go, you have the option of choosing delectable cupcakes from a vast array of irresistible flavors or you have the ability to be creative and customize mini cakes for your special event or occasion. From simple and sweet, to layered and filled, or piped and topped; the ideas are endless. To top it off, all cupcake orders will be delivered right to your, or your recipient's, doorstep". What an amazing idea, right? One less thing to have to run out and pick up the next time you are planning or hosting an event. Talk about convenience!

Owner, Kristin Idle, knows first hand the pleasure of convenience. With a family that is always on the go, years of experience in project planning and marketing, a love for baking, a knack for detail and style, and a sweet tooth that won't quit!, starting a business that meshed all these qualities into one seemed natural... and so became HAPPY Cupcake To Go!


HAPPY Cupake To Go offers a heavenly variety of "standard" cupcake flavors as well as a Seasonal Happy Dozen and Mini Cupcake options. All cupcakes are baked fresh on the day of your order, using only the finest ingredients to ensure that the quality of each cupcake is unmatched. Here is a little glimpse at some of the yummies that HAPPY Cupcake To Go offers:





HAPPY Cupcake To Go is sponsoring this week's local GIVEAWAY! If you live in Fairfax, Loudoun, & Prince William Counties (VA), you are eligible to win a GIFT CERTIFICATE from HAPPY Cupcake To Go for 4 Dozen Mini Cupcakes and FREE Delivery! (Gift certificate is valid until 6/30/2011 and is limited up to 2 cupcake flavors)

This GIVEAWAY will be open until from now until Tuesday, February 21st at 11:59pm. One random winner will be chosen and anounced on February 22nd, 2011. To enter to win:

Become a follower of the Sheek Shindigs blog (if you aren't already) and...

1. Visit the HAPPY Cupcake to Go website, here, and leave a comment back at this post with your favorite flavor(s)

2. "Like" Sheek Shindigs on Facebook and leave a comment that you did so here

3. Follow HAPPY Cupcake To Go on Facebook and leave a comment that you did so here

4. Post about this Giveaway on your Facebook page (with a link) and leave a comment here letting us know that you did so

** You may have a total of 4 enteries to win!! **

Good Luck!!

Clara French Ceramique

Prepare yourself: What you are about to see is pure bliss. Your eyes will not want to look away and your party planning instinct will kick in!

Meet Clara French Ceramique. Clara French Ceramique "creates chic cake stand designs in lush colors to beautifully compliment any celebration". Oh yes, they certainly do! When I came across their products I just couldn't look away. Such a refreshing change from the standard white cake plates. You could easily plan an entire dessert table around one of these gems. I think I have a new item to add to my "wish list".





Want to see more? Visit the Clara French boutique, here.

Fab Find: Affordable Valentine's Accessories

It's time to start getting ready for those Valentine's Day celebrations! This week's Fab Find will help you accessorize your Love Day celebration without breaking the bank! Target's Dollar Spot is a great source for favors and party accessories any time of the year. I was so happy to find that my favorite Valentine accessory from last year was back in the Dollar Spot the other day. Last year I used these cute little mailboxes at my Valentine's Day party. The kids LOVED them! In fact, my daughter still plays with her's from last year.



These will be returning in one of this year's Love Day celebrations. Each child will be asked to bring a valentine for every child attending. We will decorate mailboxes, line them up, and let everyone "deliver" their mail. At only $1 per box, they are a great find!

I also found these cute "Live, Laugh, Love" vases in the Dollar Spot. They would be perfect on the party table with flowers, candy, or just as they are.



What fun accessories are you using this Valentine's Day? I would love to hear from you!

Fab Find: Lupin Handmade

I love a good Etsy find. Especially when it's an Etsy shop that inspires me! This week's Fab Find is full of inspiration. Lupin Handmade, which is based in England and has been in business since 2007, sells handmade felt brooches, flower headbands, animal masks & other fun stuff. I was recently searching online for felt masks when I came across Lupin Handmade's bird mask.





Beautiful, right! While it wasn't the type of mask I was looking for, it certainly has inspired me. I love the whole idea of the mask, the colors, and all of the ideas that come along with it. I think that Lupin Handmade has a new customer! To see more of Lupin Handmade's work, visit their Etsy shop, here.

Fab Find: Minted New Year Cards on Sale

I came across this week's Fab Find while visiting a friend and fellow blogger's site, A Wedding Story. When I saw Beth's post about the 20% off sale that Minted is having right now on all of their beautiful holiday and New Year cards I knew that I had to share {thanks Beth!}. Yep, for those of you that didn't get around to sending out holiday cards this year, there is still time for you to make your mark!



Minted offers some fabulous photo card options. Check these out:







Stop by Minted now through January 10th to and recieve 20% off all of their New Year cards. No more excuses!

Fab Find: Holiday Cake Pans

This week's Fab Find comes from Williams-Sonoma. Have you seen their holiday cake pans? If you want to WOW your holiday guests without too much effort, check them out (Okay, it does require some effort and creativity to decorate the cakes once the come out of the pan but even a simple dusting of powdered sugar will result in an impressive finished product).

The Railway Cake Pan



The Gingerbread Man Cakelet Pan



The Gingerbread House Bundt Cake Pan



Have your picked your favorite yet? Visit Williams-Sonoma to find the featured cake pans as well as others.

Fab Find: Cupcake Carrier

This week's Fab Find is a tried and true Sheek Shindigs favorite. The Progressive Cupcake Carrier will make your life so much easier when you have to transport (or even just store) cupcakes for your next shindig. This tiered carrier can hold up to 24 cupcakes (or a layered round cake). It features cool little finger indents on each side of the individual cupcake holders to allow for easy cupake removal and it collapses to half its original height for easy storage.



I have used my Cupcake Carrier many, many times over the past year and can proudly say that I haven't had any cupcake casualties yet! This would make a great holiday gift for your favorite hostess, baker, or fellow mom (yep, great for transporting cupcakes to the classroom for birthday or holiday celebrations).



And don't forget about yourself. If you don't already have one, add it to your holiday wish list! For more details, check it out here.

Fab Find GIVEAWAY: Homemade Happiness

This week's Fab Find includes a great Giveaway! If you recall, some of the printables that I used for my son's Pirate {and Polka Dot} Party were from the adorable Homemade Happiness.

Homemade Happiness offers great printables for your partying needs with an etsy shop and a Dutch shop as well (did I mention they are based out of the Netherlands?). I especially love their Woodland Party Line!

Party Hats...

Cupcake Toppers...
Finger Puppets!

They also have these super cute cookie pouches. Love them! And what about their printable Pin the Tail on the Donkey!



Homemade Happiness is giving away 2 free printables of your choice. You can choose from their etsy shop or their Dutch shop, which are suitable for US printing.

To enter to win, simply:

1. Become a Follower of Sheek Shindigs if you aren't already
2. Visit either or both of the Homemade Happiness shops and pick one or two of your favorite printables
3. Leave a comment on this post with what your favorite items are.

The winner will be announced on Friday, November 12th. Good luck!

Fab Find: Mrs. Prindables

As the holiday season approaches I am always on the hunt for great hostess, teacher, and holiday gifts. This week's Fab Find offers a unique option for your gift-ing needs. Mrs. Prindables offers gourmet caramel apples, confection gifts, and gift baskets to it's customers. These unique creations can be ordered, packaged, and delievered directly to you or your special someone. They also offer fabulous party favor packages. I LOVE their Petite Apple Favors!! Here is a sampling of what they offer:

Triple Chocolate Caramel Favors

Triple Chocolate Apple Favors

Tuxedo Apple Favors

Holiday Gift Baskets

They even offer Halloween Treats!

Stop by and check Mrs. Prindables out!

Fab Find: Nick Jr.

Yep, that's right. Nick Jr. is this week's Fab Find. Don't look so surprised! You should bookmark this site for more than games and previews to your preschooler's favorite shows. Nick Jr. has a printables section that includes printable invitations, party accessories, crafts, and coloring pages with your child's favorite characters.

Michelle of Emma's World recently hosted an Olivia the Pig Birthday Party for her daughter and used Nick Jr. for the straw toppers and treat bags. Aren't they cute!



So, next time you are planning a character specific party, stop by Nick Jr. and check out their printables. You may be surpirsed by what you can find.

Fab Find: A Glitterville Halloween

For those of you who are not familiar with Glitterville Studios, you really should "introduce" yourself. Their creations are nothing short of A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Really! Glitterville's products offer a fun, whimsical alternative to some of the most traditional entertaining pieces. And, there are some items that are just as random as they are creative. I especially love the Glitterville Halloween line. I dare you to hop over to their site and just take one peek. You won't be able to leave.

This Spider Cake Plate will make even the most modest cake look irresistable.

Giltterville's paper mache Crowdilla, Punchy the Pumpkin Punch Bowl, Mr. Bones is a Double Dipper, and Classic Stacking Silhouette Cake Plates will add whimsy and WOW to your Halloween Shindig.

In addition to their Halloween line, there is a Birthday, Everyday, and Christmas line. Happy {Glitterville} browsing!

Finley and Oliver's Cupcake Shirts

I just recently read about a designer (Grace) and her adorable product line, Finley and Oliver, on the TomKat Studio blog. You MUST check out the Finley and Oliver Cupcake T-shirts (and all of Grace's other products, for that matter!). These fun, whimsical shirts make me smile AND a little hungry for a cupcake! They would be a great addition to a cupcake-themed party or just for a birthday boy or girl to wear. I may just want to design a whole cupcake party around the shirts, now. Love them!