Happy Monday and Half Birthday Party

All this flitting around the internet looking for party supplies had me longing for a party. Alas, the next birthday is months away, but there is a little man named Harry who will be turning the ripe old age of 6 months shortly.  When my minimen were little, I thought of celebrating six months, but as a new mom and then a mom of a toddler and a newbie, I had no time or energy to bake, let alone throw a party.  So this will be perfect, Auntie A - close your eyes, its gonna be a surprise.  I am finishing up on the details for "Happy Half Birthday Harry", and boy is it gonna be cute.  Since this isn't a full blown birthday, just a fun moment to remember in baby's life, it will be simple and easy.  Just a reason for the family to get together and enjoy Harry together. 

I want to show you how you can throw something cute together in an instant.  Honestly, everything started less than a week ago. With this lovely from Rifle Paper Co.

Add a few colored party goodies from HeyYoYo

More ideas, just a little play on the half theme.

The 1/2 pic above is going on the cake and a onesie. We'll have a cute dot backdrop in the card colors.

Since Harry just started his delicious adventure with purees, the food is for the grown ups. We'll serve mini cupcakes, half sandwiches, madelines half dipped in chocolate, apple slices and the cake.  I am taking half of a two layer round cake and setting it on its side,  like a rainbow shape.

OK. That's all the hints for now. Preview is over, I've said too much. Party to come soon.

Don't forget to enter to win my 100th post goodies! Remember you get to leave a comment for each of the four ways to win.  COMMENT = ENTRY TO WIN

Cakestand Extravaganza...the finale, a giveaway and THE 100TH POST!

Hi - I know you are thinking, "how could she possibly have any more cakestands?" Well, I do.  And if you wonder if I am tired of them yet.  Nope, not in the slightest.  I have an affinity towards metal.  So here is the final roundup, for now... (pssst...read all the way to the end for the giveaway...)

I just love the vintage look of the decorating cake stand.  Classic.  Simple. and I wouldn't have to transfer the cake to the plate, saving the cake from doom...Ateco 12" cake stand Williams Sonoma

Metal cake stand Sur la Table

 Cake stand square at Fishs Eddy

 
 
Cake stand 2 tier server dotcomgiftshop
 

 
 
Galvanized cake stand farmhouse wares
 

 
Since this my 100th post.  Yay! Happy 100 to me...I wanted to do something special.  A giveaway!! Yep, the first ever, here.  Now, I couldn't decide whether to do a book, a cake stand, or some of my little garlands.  I am terrible making decisions like this for goodies, so lets do ALL THREE! Yep, all three.  A party pack, you could say.
 
Here are the goodies:
One of my favorite books:  The Best Bake Sale Ever Cookbook  by Barbara Grunes, so you can make some yummy treats...

 
...that you will display on this shiny new darling tiered cake stand (from Sur la Table)
 

 
No party is complete without a little garland...mine of course! One Fancy garland, 3" wide, extra fluffy, in unbleached muslin (a Hank + Hunt fave), for hanging. TA DA - instant party! (also pictured in the blog banner above)
 

To enter -  you get one entry for each of the following:
1. Just leave a comment to say hi and what you'd like to see more of on the blog.
2. Follow me on Twitter and leave me a comment saying you did so.
3. Twitter about this using #hankandhuntgiveaway and leave a comment...
4. Follow this here blog (please!) or let me know you already do, yep, one last comment.
 
That's four chances to win! So what are you waiting for? it's free stuff people!!!
 
 
 
 
 
 

Cakestand Extravaganza Ultimate Wishlist

These darlings today are gorgeous, fantastic, drool-worthy.  I wish they were mine. Alas...they are incredibly indulgent, and I do think my hubby would kill me if I bought them. 

First up is the fabulous Clara French.  I think these are my favorite cake plates ever.  I have yet to see anything remotely comparable. If you have never seen these two sister's work (where have you been? These girls have been everywhere in the blog world), go NOW to their site.  It's like walking into a french boutique or heaven.  A-D-O-R-E.  How they get the incredible drips off the side I will never know.  But they are perfect, and owning one is right up there on the lovely goals list, next to meeting Martha.  I sigh out loud when I see these.  But I did learn that you can rent them, and they ship.  Luckily for me, my inlaws are in Seattle, so for the next family party, I am so renting one (which I can pick up at the studio and save a bundle in shipping.)

Have you seen the site Origin Crafts? They have tons of entertaining wares.  TONS.  Here are some that I would love to have on my marble island in my all white kitchen, holding my morning muffins.  Ahhh.  Dreaming again...

Now, how about some lovelies from Etsy?  Yes, well, since you asked so nicely...

Dogwood cake stand by WhitneySmith

English countryside vintage 3 tier cupcake stand PinkBurlesque

Tree slice cake stand by jessedirk

Medium wave cake stand by vesselsandwares

Cakestand Extravaganza Cupcake Edition

Itty bitty bites of heaven.  Small bits of happiness.  I heart cupcakes.  So lets celebrate proper displays.  Yes, the first option is just to cluster them on a plain, regular cupcake stand. Probably the best option for parties.  But what if I ran into the cupcakery to grab a few or even just a single, icing topped minicake of perfection?  Does this not deserve the same attention to detail as its larger brethren? Do you leave that poor dear in a box? Although, most of my single cupcake purchases never make it to the car...if they, by some miracle, make it home, surely I would display it in prestigious manners such as these:

(Above cupcake tray by clayswan)

These babies are on their way to my house, but don't worry, she has more.  I picture a minicupcake in all its teeny glory...Set of 2 Miniature Ceramic Plates by MiniatureSweet

Cupcake plate by Michelle Miller at Cakespy (found via Dirty Laundry) The next trip to Seattle to visit the inlaws and these will be mine...

Cupcake stands, set of 6 by farmhouse wares and yes, I have these, too.

What about a sherbet dish, put the cupcake in the bowl or flip it over.  How cheerful are these colors?
Set of 4 1950's Sherbet Dishes by merchantofkismet

Tiny cake stand by vesselsandwares

Fluted and blue cupcake dessert by E Isabella Designs

Felt cupcake stand sweetiepiebakery

Cupcake Pedestal by lurearts

Cakestand Extravaganza White Edition

Come one, come all, to a gathering of cakeity goodness.  I keep finding lovely little cake plates wherever I turn.  A girl can only have so many before her husband starts questioning why she bought another one. I almost got through to him when I explained that it is like a tool.  Different ones, for different situtations, right?  It almost worked.  It didn't work with shoes either...Oh, and brides-to-be/newlyweds...I learned this one the hard way, don't ever let him know how much your purse costs...or else each time you come home with a new one, it means trouble.  Apparently, purses are not compareable to tools either. Small Pedestal Cake Plate - Origin Crafts


But I really do think the mighty cake plate is a tool.  I bet if we asked Amy or Martha they would agree.
And in a sufficiently stocked tool chest, one needs the basics.  The kind you can pull out at a moment's notice and voila...Here are the white ones.

Speaking of Martha, these are from Macy's,

yes, they are ALL on the must have list...

Studio Cake Stand Pottery Barn

Décor Bon Bon Cake Plate Rosanna

Vintage Pedestals

and Sinatra Cake Stand Crate and Barrel

 

Milk Glass Cake Stand Fishs Eddy

Scalloped Cake Stand Williams-Sonoma

 

Angelina Cake Stands at Shoestring Home

Cakestand Extravaganza Mini Posts

 Goodies as promised.  I think I found too many.  Ok, I know I did.  So we're gonna do this all week.
Let's see...red.

Cute little cake plate to elevate that non-diet goodness...A Fabulous Fete

 Flittin' around Crate and Barrel and saw this little sushi plate. Cute.  With cupcakes on it??? Simply adorables (not a typo, this is verbage straight from the short person's mouth). 

Lovely cupcake stands from OliviaDru, handmade in your color? Yes, please. 

 EXTRA - so, there's a sushi plate up there...then yesterday I see these from Ticings. Too cute! Is it just me or do you think she has the very same sushi plate in the pic?

Anyhoo, more cakestand extravaganza to come...

Cake Banners

I think if there were a competition in my head on cake decorating, simple would win over elaborate every time.  Top it off with a nice little banner, and those gorgeous perfect bakery goodies are hereby customized.  Who says you have to bake 'em?

I can’t begin to explain how much I love these by ReadyGo. I love that they are illustrations of banners, the incredible colors (she does grey!!!) and of course that she appreciates the name Henry (always a plus in my book…no seriously!) I was gonna save these for later…I want to use them in my new fall shop photos in September, but why wait?

Cake Banners

Cupcake Flags

Happy Birthday Cupcake Flags

I am loving the slice of tree with doily. LOVING. IT. Check out Nadia’s fab blog here. She even has her wedding on there, using her own awesome cake toppers, gorgeous! See her Etsy shop here.