A STAR SPANGLED Giveaway worth over $700

Jen Carver here from Banner Events with a special star-spangled giveaway just in time for your 4th of July celebrations! I am so excited to be teaming up with Oriental Trading Company, Anders Ruff Custom Designs and several other amazing companies (see below) for a fun nautical themed 4th of July shoot this year! In honor of our collaboration, we thought we'd help you plan your own sparkling event by offering you the chance to win over $700 in prizes perfect for your next celebration!

Without further adieu, here are the contest sponsors & prizes!

1. Oriental Trading Company (Prize: 2- $25 OTC gift cards-- $50 total value.) As the nation's largest direct merchant of value-priced party supplies, arts & crafts, toys & novelties, and a leading provider of school supplies, home decore and giftware, Oriental Trading Company is a fantastic source for all things party & crafts! If you love to have fun AND save money, be sure to check out the tens of thousands of products they offer for every season and every celebration. Finding creative ideas for creating personalized party favors or coming up with a unique event is so easy when you shop their huge assortment of exclusive birthday party themes for boys or girls. Oriental Trading's website and catalog are full of fun, new and exciting ideas and products! Do you know what else I love? Every purchase is backed by a 110% "Lowest Price Guarantee", which means they are committed to offer you the best value for your dollar! Two winners will receive: a $25 gift card to use towards products from Oriental Trading Company.



Connect with Oriental Trading Company: Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~Instagram

2. Banner Events (Prize: $75 of online event planning services.) From concept to conclusion, at Banner Events we believe in taking the hassle out of event planning so you can BE a guest at your own party! Our specialty is bringing beauty, fun and whimsy to children's birthday party designs and dessert tables. One winner will receive: Online event planning services to include an inspiration board based on one party theme (winner's choice) with ideas for: decor, food, drink, desserts, favors, entertainment, & activity/games plus a suggested vendor list with contact information & links. {One month notice required. Expires one year from ontest end date. No tangible goods will be sent.}



Connect with Banner Events: Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~Instagram

3. Anders Ruff Custom Designs (Prize: 5- 4th of July Printable Packages. Total value: $62.50.) Anders Ruff creates unique and stylish customized printable party invitations and decor for events, holidays and special celebrations. Their clients include A-list celebrities, major corporations & top-selling magazines. Five winners will receive: Choice of complete 4th of July printable package. Winners can choose from: Nautical 4th of July Collection, 4th of July Pinwheels Collection or Happy 4th of July Collection.



Connect with Anders Ruff: Facebook ~ Twitter ~Pinterest ~Instagram

4. DecoArt (Prize: Social Artworking Masterpiece Painting Party for 4- $150 value.) With the most complete line of acrylic paints and specialty finishes in the world, DecoArt allows you to imagine, create & discover new possibilities for crafting, DIYing and home decorating. Not only do they offer a variety of products, but quality products. You can use DecoArt products and know you are using a product that will last. One winner will receive: A Statue of Liberty Social Artworking Party for 4, which includes:
4 - 16x20 canvases, paint,4 - Easels, paint brushes, water pails, aprons, transfer paper, tape, wax paper
*To learn more about DecoArt's "Social Artworking", please visit: (http://www.social-artworking.com/)



 

Connect with DecoArt: Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~Instagram

5. American Crafts (Prize: $50 worth of patriotic crafting supplies). American Crafts creates innovative, well-designed products for scrapbookers & paper crafters. American Crafts is known for fresh, clean product design and friendly, personalized customer service. Products feature bright, vibrant colors and a contemporary feel, inspiring crafters to record their memories in a fun, sophisticated, and stylish way. One winner will receive: a $50 prize pack of patriotic American Crafts supplies.



Connect with American Crafts: Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~Instagram

6. 4 Kids Cakes (Prize: 1 dozen fondant cupcake toppers. $25 value.) 4 Kids Cakes is a small Mom-owned business dedicated to providing custom cakes,
cupcakes, & cakepops (+ other yummy desserts like macarons & chocolated covered Oreos). Specializing in fondant & chocolate sculptures -
if you can think it, they can create it for you in cake! One winner will receive: 1 dozen fondant cupcake toppers, shipped U.S. One month notice required. No orders in June.)



Connect with 4 Kids Cakes : Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~Instagram

7. Make it Mine Couture (Prize: $25 shop credit. Shipping is winner's responsibility.) Make It Mine Couture is an online children's boutique with hand~made children's clothing, accessories and embroidery designs. All items are custom made. One winner will receive: a $25 shop credit. Shipping not included.



Connect with Make it Mine Couture: Facebook ~Etsy

8. Ribbon Revelry (Prize: a 4th of July ribbon grab bag. $50 value.) Looking for ribbon to coordinate with your next craft, party or home decor project? Ribbon Revelry has ribbon & craft supplies galore, with new inventory being added frequently. One winner will receive: a grab bag of 4th of July ribbon valued at $50.)



Connect with Ribbon Revelry : Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~Instagram ~Etsy

9. Autumn Lynn's Chocolate Sins (Prize: a $25 shop gift certificate) Autumn Lynn's Chocolate Sins specializes in custome colored & flavored chocolates to match any theme for birthdays, weddings & more! One winner will receive: a $25 gift certificate for the shop.



Connect with Autumn Lynn's Chocolate Sins: Facebook

10. Designs by SK - (Prize: 3 red, white & blue paper lanterns & red & white baker's twine. Retail value: $20.) Stephanie Knieriem is the owner & event stylist behind SK designs. With a design degree under her belt, she is all about the details! She can make all your parties & events amazing! No theme is off limits. One winner will receive: 3 patriotic paper lanterns & red & white baker's twine.)



Connect with Designs by SK : Facebook ~ Instagram

11. Cupcake Wishes Birthday Dreams (Prize: 1- Yarn Pom Pom garland & 1- personalized printable party pack from the shop valued at $60.)   Cupcake Wishes & Birthday Dreams can create the party of your dreams! Specializing in children's theme parties, showers & girlfriend gatherings, they create custom partyware, offer party space design & fun, decorative cupcakes. One winner will receive: a yarn pom pom garland and a personalized printable party pack from the shop. Cannot be combined with any other offers, promos or giveaways.)


Connect with Cupcake Wishes Birthday Dream: Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~Instagram

12. Katarina's Paperie (Prize: one set of invitations and matching notecards from the shop--a $30 value.) Katarina's Paperie is an online boutique that provides handcrafted party designs, pretty accessories and creative packaging to make your every day entertaining and living beautiful & celebrations extra special. One winner will receive: one set of invitations and matching notecards from the shop.


Connect with Katarina's Paperie: Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~Instagram

13. Party On Designs (Prize: 4th of July Party Pack. Total value $38.45 ) Party On! Designs specializes in taking your party theme to a BOUTIQUE style party ... That's right, the Party is ON!! Birthday party ideas, candy buffets, party styling, event planning, dessert buffets for weddings, corporate party events, baby and wedding shower planning & hosting. We design all items from cupcake toppers, party banners, thank you tags, favor gifts, party signs and much, much more. One winner will receive: (3) red/white/blue star balloons, (2) iron on – personalized star with initial, set of 8 party favor tubes with flags for sparkler favors, set of 20 wooden swizzle sticks, perfect for cupcake toppers, drink markers, cake pops & more.



Connect with Party On Designs: Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~Instagram

14. Mady By A Princess (Prize: 1-Set of 18 Limited Edition Patriotic Sparkle Sticks™ valued at $27.) Made by a Princess Parties in Style specializes in party products for all occasions including baby and bridal showers, weddings, birthday parties, and more. They offer a huge selection of shower games with many designs and colors to choose from to match your theme. One winner will receive: 1 set of 18 Limited Edition Patriotic Sparkle Sticks™.



Connect with Mady By A Princess : Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~Instagram

15. Ten23Designs (Prize: 1- set of nautical vinyl decals. A $20 value.) Ten23 Designs specializes in custom & personalized decals, custom rubber stamps, wooden monograms and more. We also offer a line of personalized gifts & goodies such as engraved jewelry, embellishments. One winner will receive: a sheet of nautical vinyl decals to be used to embellish cups, vases, bottles, home decor + many other possibilities.



Connect with Ten23Designs: Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~Instagram

16. Petite Party Studio (Prize: 2- $25 credits to their shop). Rebecca & Shannon are the designers and stylists behind Petite Party Studio. At Petite Party Studio you can find all of the latest trends in celebration supplies & decor along with finding DIY and inspiration ideas on their blog. See it all here at www.petitepartystudio.com. Two winners will each receive: a $25 credit to use towards products in their shop.



Connect with Petite Party Studio: Facebook ~Twitter ~Pinterest ~Instagram
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a Rafflecopter giveaway

$40 Discount Party Supplies Giveaway!!

As an event planner, I scour the internet daily looking for high quality party goods that are on trend, but are also budget friendly with quick shipping.

I was thrilled when I came across Discount Party Supplies while searching for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse themed party goods. Their tag line is: "Fun parties delivered fast." Perfect, right?

Here are some of the fun products I selected.

 

 

I loved that I could find a great mix of licensed character products and classic products with coordinating patterns and colors.

Navigating their website was easy with search tab categories such as: "themes", "boy parties", "girl parties", and "1st birthday parties". They even have a "clearance" section, perfect for some great deals.

I love that they display "popular party themes", including many newly released themes right on their home page! For instance, these new themes are bound to be popular with new movies coming out!

Despicable Me 2:

Superman:

Monsters University:

DiscountPartySupplies.com also has a great Pinterest page based around popular party themes.  Be sure to check it out for great ideas for making your next party theme the best!

 

WIN $40 in free product!!

 

Want to win $40 to select your own favorite products from DiscountPartySupplies.com?

 

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Please note:   “Giveaway ends June 5, 2013 at 11:59 PM EST. Open to Residents of the US  & Canada only. Prizes cannot be shipped to PO Boxes. Winner will be selected by Random.org and be notified by email. The winner has 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected. Please note that Banner Events is not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. I have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner. I will contact the sponsor regarding your prize. The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. I will make every effort to assist you obtaining your prize. The product provided for the review was free of charge from the company. The product offered for the giveaway is free of charge, no purchase necessary.   Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Blogger & Instagram are in no way associated with this giveaway. By providing your information in this form, you are providing your information to me and me alone. I do not share or sell information and will use any information only for the purpose of contacting the winner.

 

The opinions expressed above are 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Easy Whoopie Pie Recipe

 

It's no secret that my husband is pretty amazing.  He cooks.  He cleans.  He can style a mean beautiful pony tail.  He even bakes.  And when I say he bakes, I mean people beg for his recipes.  So today on the blog, I thought I'd share one of his most prized recipes that many people request-- Whoopie Pies.  Some people refer to these as "Homemade Oreos" or "Cake Mix Cookies".  Whatever you call them, they are delicious, and I doubt you will be able to eat just one.

Last weekend, he whipped up 4 dozen of these beauties for a little church Senior Recognition night we hosted for the high school grads in our congregation.  They were gone in a flash, and I was left with a list of people who had requested the recipe.  So here it is.  Are you ready?

Josh Carver's Whoopie Pies

Ingredients:

• 1 box cake mix (our favorite is Pillsbury's Devil's Food Cake, but you can substitute other cake flavors for variety)
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
• 1 T. of water

Mix all ingredients together.  Roll into balls.  Place on greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 ° for 10 minutes. 

After removing from oven, use a spatula to gently flaten cookies as needed.

Yield:  approximately 24 individual cookies (or 12 pairs)

Frosting:  Use your favorite frosting recipe or a storebought can of ready made frosting.  Pipe frosting on one cookie and put another cookie on top to make a 'sandwich'.  Voilà !

Credits:

Event Styling:  Banner Events
Graphic printables (graduation):  Anders Ruff Custom Designs