{DIY} Paper Shoe Favor Box

Okay, now this is so creative! These paper shoes were originally designed by Ellen Hutson. Wouldn't they make awesome favor boxes! They are so cute and a printable template makes them simple to make. Dressed up with sparkly red paper, these paper shoes would look great at a Wizard of Oz party. Or, use pretty pink paper for a princess party (say that 5 times fast!).



Skip to My Lou made a Halloween version: A witch's shoe.



You can click here for the paper shoe template and here for the paper shoe lining template.

Fab Find: Back to School with Living Locurto

I can't believe that I am already saying (or typing) this, but it is time to start thinking about Back to School. This week's Fab Find is in honor of all of the school supply shopping that you have in your future. Meet Living Locurto!

Living Locurto features a fun mix of party ideas, menu plans, DIY crafts, recipes, and free printables from its creator, Amy Locurto. Learn more here. One of my favorite features of Living Locurto is the "Free Printables" page. Amy features some of her original designs as well as others that she has come across on the web, all FREE. Just download, print, and enjoy. And yes, she has some great Back to School printables to help get you and the kids back on track for the fall. Check them out:

Morning Routine Cards. These are fabulous. You can choose images for boys or girls, download, and print. There is an After School set as well.



Star Wars Tags and Stickers. You can laminate the tags for school backpacks. Just punch a hole in the top, add a ribbon and you’ll be set to go. Print the “Property of” labels on sticker paper and use on books, note books or lunch boxes. Your Star Wars lovers will love YOU for it!





And, for the girls, School Is Sweet Cupcake Tags and Labels




I hope that you and your little ones enjoy.

Operation Shower

For those of you who aren't aware of the amazing organization, Operation Shower, please take a moment to check them out. Operation Shower is a non-profit organization that recognizes and honors the sacrifices military families make by producing and coordinating unit-wide baby showers and "showers in a box" for pregnant or expecting military families in a deployment or high stress situation. For the past two months, Sheek Shindigs has been working with our local community to help raise $$ and donations for Operation Shower. We have raised almost $350 so far as well as many boxes of items to be donated to their "showers in a box". Horray! If you would like to make a monetary donation or donate new items to this worthy cause, please visit them online here (tell them that Sheek Shindigs sent you). If you live locally and would like more information on how to contribute to our efforts contact us! Thank you for your support!




Above pictures are from Operation Showers recent Red, White, and Coo Shower.

Sweet {Summer} Treats

Today I picked up the August issue of Family Fun and was happy to find some FUN summer "treat" ideas.

These "Sweet Sandals" are really cute and sound super easy to put together!



Frozen Flower Pops will satisfy a sweet tooth and cool your kiddos down after playing out in the heat. And, they just make me smile ;)



Frozen Fruit Bites combine sweet fruit and a refreshingly tart cheesecake-like filling into kid-sized treats. They could also pass as "dainty" desserts for adults as well! In fact, these may be the "adult" snack for my upcoming Popsicle Party next week...yummy!

Local Love: Magpie's Cake

I recently read about Magpie's Cake on one of my favorite local blogs, the ritzy bee. Magpie’s Cake offers the Washington DC Metro area a unique, fresh interpretation of cake creation. Drawing on her background as a classical ballet dancer, Chef and owner Maggie LaBaugh creates confections which display symmetry, elegance, detail, and sophistication. With the subtle yet unmistakable mark of haute couture, Magpie’s Cake is the cake for those who will not settle for “off the rack”. Magpie's Cake is yet another gem within the DC Metro area.







For more information on Magpie's Cake, click here.

3 Ring Circus Baby Shower

This elephant 3 ring circus baby shower photographed by Gertrude & Mabel is Adorable!! I love, love the circus awning above the dessert table! The colors are great and all of the details are even better.







For more pictures, click here. Enjoy!

Customized Chocolate Bars

For all of those chocolate lovers {and gifters} out there, check this out! Chocri, a German chocolate company that is now in the U.S., allows its customers to customize their own chocolate bars. You begin by picking a base chocolate. Then, you have over 100 toppings to choose from, including fruit, spices, nuts, confections, decor, and grains. After you have created your customized chocolate bar, you give it a personalized name and it is packaged and delieverd to your doorstep. Did I mention that Chocri only uses organic, fair trade chocolate from belgium? And, for every 5 bars that you order you get 1 for free! What a fun, YUMMY way to add your personal touch to favors or a hostess gift. Have fun creating!

Above image from Amy Atlas. Thanks for the post on Chocri, Amy!