Here's what I've got, babe...

When I was told that I wouldn't be involved in any aspect of my 30th birthday, my mind started racing... But, but, what about the decor?! The layout of the house?! The events of the evening?! THE FOOD?!?! One of my biggest, ahem, concerns, if you will, was the food. I am a picker—a mini cupcake, poppable appetizer, finger food kind of gal. On top of that, I like to snack on the healthier side. Talk about a challenge for late night party food! My party planners proclaimed a big ol' "Challenge Accepted!" and delivered the most Pinterest-esque finger food spread I had ever seen. I would be doing a serious injustice to the party-planning and foodie world if I didn't provide a breakdown of every single delectable dish on that table. Eat your heart out, Martha Stewart. Pepperoni Twirls from Dizzy, Busy & Hungry {You see those little pockets of heaven off to the left? Yea, those were a foodie favorite. And the perfect late LATE night snack as you wrap up in the wee hours of the night {morning, whatever}. Tip: serve with warm marinara sauce!} Inspired by Mediterranean Cucumber Cups from The Three Little Piglets {Only, sprinkle in some pepperoncini's, layer with hummus on the bottom, and then fill to the brim with your med-mixture.} Antipasto Skewers from The Weary Chef & Satay Chicken Skewers from The Nest {My one input on food was: finger, fancy & skewered. Nailed it!} Spinach Dip Bites from Lil Luna {Okay, so these weren't the h e a l t h i e s t thing on the menu, but there's spinach in it, so it half counts, right!? Besides, the flavor combo is way worth it, and the mini size keeps you from OD'ing...if you have restraint.} Giada's Mini Eggplant Parmesan from Food Network {Like savory little pizzas without the heavy crust, but still with a crunchy crust! These were a top contender for "must-have-again" favorite.} Inspired by Asian Crab Salad Croustades {sans crab} from The Passionate Cook {I love anything with an Asian flair {it's in my blood, ya know} and these were so incredibly fresh and, to quote Katy Perry, "Japanesey" {not an actual word and makes my skin crawl, but there you have it}—they were a win, win!} Bloody. Mary. Shrimp. Shooters. from Man Titlement {I added the periods for emphasis - because, Y A ' L L. Three of my favorite things in one: bloody mary's, mini-everything and seafood. Now this is a shot this 30-year-old will do!} I wish I could tell you there was a place you could purchase these delicious mini cuppycakes, but I can *hopefully* say that they will be coming to a local bakery at s o m e point in my lifetime, because these beauties deserve to be in a window front. And in my belly, on demand. I wish I had a picture of the intricately stunning cake, but alas, that IS in my belly. Photo cred: Renee Hollingshead Photography Food spread: Courtesy of my foodie of sis who missed her calling as a critic {or chef}, my Ma who broke out of her normal food-box, and my besties who can always whip up something Pinterest-worthy! Cake/Cupcakes: Erin Horton Poff - coming soon to an Etsy shop near you... (right?!) ;-) #recipe #health #hostessinspo

It's a hot Summer day, you hear a lawn mower in the distance, you smell a grill firing up, your mouth starts salivating, and all you can think is... B E E R. But not just any beer—a light, crisp, refreshing, citrus Summer beer. I remember the first time I tasted Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy. My senses were tuned in to all of the above, I took a sip out of this brightly colored can, and suddenly - Summer was literally dancing in my mouth. It sounds gross—it's not—it's delicious. But, sometimes you don't feel like drinking a beer {I know, the S H A M E, the horror! But it happens.}, yet you still want that citrus-shandy taste. That's when these cupcakes were born. And while I was making them, they just kept evolving. "Aha! I'll use lemon cake mix." "What if—what IF—I put a lemon Oreo on the bottom?!" And thus, in a beautifully 350 degree ceremony, lemon Oreos married Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy, and this beautiful baby was born. First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. While you're preheating, drop a lemon Oreo into each cupcake liner. {Let's talk about liners for a quick second. Did you know that you're supposed to remove the white liner inside of the Reynold's Foil cupcake liners? They are only placed there during manufacturing to ensure the foil doesn't stick, but they should be removed before baking. A little naive baking tip for you ::naive, party of one::} Second, douse your lemon Oreos with the Summer Shandy-induced lemon cake batter until they fill 2/3 of the cupcake liner. Third, bake those babies for about 18-20 minutes, until their tops are golden brown. Fourth, once cooled, glaze your cuppycakes to perfection. Seeing as how this glaze is a bit thinner and messy {thanks a lot Summer Shandy! I'm just kidding—please never leave me.} it would be quite difficult to pipe, so I just flip my cake upside and d u n k - just like a true Oreo should be dealt. The best part about glazed cupcakes? The drippage. "Oh, let me get that for you..." Baby got back. Or bottom, whatever—she's got it. I now pronounce you Oreo & Shandy—you may gobble the cupcake. Summer Shandy Lemon Oreo Cupcakes Makes 18-24 cupcakes Total Time: Approximately 30 minutes Ingredients 1 Box of Betty Crocker Lemon Cake {or any lemon cake mix. I don't discriminate against cake mixes - I'm not that sophisticated of a baker...} 1 Package Lemon Oreos 1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil 3 Eggs 1 Cup + 2 Tbl of Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy {you're welcome to use any citrus Summer beer... but I DO discriminate with my Summer Shandy. Sorry, Sam Adams.} 1 Tub of Cream Cheese Icing Instructions Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 12-cup muffin pans - I like to use a sturdy liner like Reynold's Foil Cupcake Liners, because this cupcake is no joke. Plop a lemon Oreo into each cupcake liner. In a large mixing bowl, mix the lemon cake mix, 1/2 cup of vegetable oil and 3 eggs. Then slowlyyy pour in the Summer Shandy. Yes, it will fizz and bubble like you just sloshed around a bottle of beer—no worries, just let it settle. Then slowly fold it into the mixture until smooth. Fill your cupcake liners about 2/3 of the way, pouring the cake mixture over your Oreos. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. While your cakes cool on a wire wrack, whip up your icing. Combine the tub of cream cheese and two tablespoons of Summer Shandy in a bowl and then pop in the freezer to harden a bit. When your cakes are completely cooled, dunk them cake-side down into the Summer Shandy cream cheese glaze. Flip upright and let settle—I suggest placing them upright onto some parchment paper to catch drippage. Or place it in your hand to catch drippage, but that might make it difficult to continue dunking. Your call! Take a bite and TELL me that doesn't taste like a Summer Shandy! {Best kept in the fridge, like the real beer, duh.} #recipe

2015 wedding season returned with a b a n g! Creations' biggest year yet {LOVE that I get to say that every year!} started out with romantic, soft, twisted & twirled do's - and yes, the braid stuck around, too ;-) As we enter the busiest of the two major wedding seasons {Spring & Fall}, I wanted to share a recap on some of my favs of 2015 thus far! Hopefully they will give you some inspiration as you plan out your trial, bridesmaid 'do, mother-of-the-bride coif, and even guest style for your 2015 Fall special event! CONGRATS to all of my gorgeous girls in 2015!!! 3.28.2015 - Lindsay + Alex Photo credit: Michael Moss The inaugural wedding of 2015 was also the w i n d i e s t day of the year. These girls wanted soft, romantic, cascading curls - and why not!? But all I'm thinking of is the First Look that happens pre-ceremony, and girls walking down the aisle with wind-blown hair all awry. Product people, product. Nothing made me happier than seeing the last pictures of the evening - hair all intact. {Shoutout to the best assistant on the block. I could never get this far with weddings without you! You can't have her - don't even think about it.} 5.2.2015 - Keri + Chase Second stylist: Amber Mortimer{@hairguroo} Photo credit: Mike Busada With a 12 woman wedding party, plus moms & grams', my trusty sidekick & a newly coveted second stylist was essential. On the most gorgeous day of the year {seriously, everyone couldn't stop saying it - it was that gorgeous}, we rocked the socks off these intricate styles. The bride kicked off a 2015 trend of natural, flowing, effortlessly-looking curls, that kept her looking like her, but elevated. Talk about a g o r g group of girls! 5.9.2015 - Jen + Erik Photo Cred: This Rad Love {Sarah Williams} Prep meets polish. You'd think this wedding was set in Charleston, with it's southern charm & classic color palette, but it was set quaintly on the outskirts of DC. Each girl had their own take on a polished yet graceful 'do - soft and sweet and natural. The hair really was an accessory to pull the whole look together! {Creations a la Nikki did all styles except the last on the right} 5.24.2015 - Mallory + PJ Photo cred: Carly Fuller The style you choose for your wedding day, or your BFF's wedding day, should scream "you"...but just slightly fancier. Each of these girl's styles was the epitome of who they are: simple, classy, flirty, fun, edgy...and even Kardashian ;-) 5.31.2015 - Karisa + Jake Photo Cred: CJK Visuals {Caitlin Kellagher} What do you get when you pair a romantically twisted updo with a baby's breath flower crown? An ethereal bride <3 The girls' styles were youthful & fun - just like them. The perfect start to Summer wedding season - aka, amen for updo's! Stay tuned for the latter half of 2015's wedding looks - when the DMV humidity finally dwindles, the air gets crisper, and the do's get even softer. P.S. Coming soon... How to prep your hair for your bridal trial and How to prep your hair for your actual big day! Psst...some more DIY wedding-worthy styles: I Like Big [Hair] Buns {And I Cannot Lie} Beach-Waved Bob Tutorial #hair #weddinghair #style #hairstyle