I am obsessed with anything miniature.  If a “mini” version exists, you know I have to have it.  When I was little, all I wanted in the world was a dollhouse.  Mini furniture, mini people…and all so realistic!  As we speak, I have a set of miniature glass animals on my desk that never fail to amuse me.

That’s why, when I saw these mini wedding cake pans on Amazon, I could not stop thinking about them.  I can’t wait to host a bridal shower or engagement party and make a tiny cake for each guest with these adorable tins.  Better yet–gather the bridal party together and make a night of baking and decorating the cakes to surprise the bride with.  Who wouldn’t love such a sweet treat?!

Why not extend the bachelorette party with your girlfriends to a whole weekend instead of just one night? It’ll be a chance to relax with the girls, reminisce about your single days and celebrate the upcoming wedding. Check out HolidayGoLightly for planned destinations that include all types of trips, from adventurous tours like going surfing on Oahu to taking a relaxing sunset sailing tour at Martha’s Vineyard. Budget Travel also has its own magazine on traveling specifically with your girlfriends, and their website has great articles, including how to be sensitive to your bridesmaids worries about cost, an article titled, “How to Plan a Bachelorette Party” and a ton of featured deals for you and your girlfriends.

After you’ve figured out what you’ll do, send out these fun, chic cards to invite them all over for a memorable time!

This Spa Days Bachelorette Party Invitation would be great for–what else?–a spa themed weekend getaway! Or, if you’re having an elegant gathering involving museums, parks and maybe some shopping, send out these Lovely Butterfly Bachelorette Party Invitations.

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And, for an adventurous weekend including a few wild nights out, check out this Party Girl Bachelorette Party Invitations.

I’m a Food Network junkie, so over the weekend I watched Giada make a beautiful baby shower lunch that included these tomato, basil and watermelon skewers that look absolutely scrumptious. I was enthralled by this simple recipe, and I couldn’t really figure out why. Then, halfway through the episode it occurred to me that whether it’s a baby shower or a bridal shower, all shower food should embody the three qualities that these lovely little skewers exemplify: delicious, beautiful and memorable.

This means that anyone preparing a shower should focus not only on taste, but presentation as well. You don’t have to create off-the-wall recipes to give your shower a unique and stylish flair. Keep your food simple, and then give it some elegance through creative presentation ideas. Take these finger sandwiches, for instance. You can make classic cucumber, tuna or ham and cheese sandwiches, and then turn them into something incredible by skewering an olive or half of a cherry tomato on top with a toothpick. It doesn’t get much easier, or elegant, than that!

You can always add some original recipes to the mix as well, but that doesn’t mean you can forget about the presentation. These green tea cupcakes are certainly unique, but it’s the artfully arranged frosting and cute little flower on top of them that makes them truly memorable as a part of the celebration.

Summer showers (the wedding kind) are a great way to incorporate the warm season into a fun bridal party. With sunny skies and long days, there are a variety of things you can do outdoors from picnic planning and a beach weekend to having an overnight camping soiree. Here are a few ideas that will inspire your memorable and momentous summer time with the girls! (Photos from left: MarthaStewart.com, TheKnot,  Full Bloom Bridal Shower Invitations from Wedding Paper Divas, MarthaStewart.com, daisy magnets from WeddingThings.com)

I just had my third and final bridal shower. I must say they were all tons of fun and I’m so grateful that I have friends and family who wanted to do this for me. If you’re throwing a shower for someone you love, here’s a great idea for you and her guests.

Taking inspiration from my post on Kara’s cupcakes, why not match your shower invitations with cupcake favors? Here’s a few that would go together nicely!

I’m fortunate to have had two bridal showers, one with friends and the other for my fiancé and me with family. It was touching to see the effort displayed by all the people I loved-the handmade favors, the decorations, and the sweet gifts. One of my friends brought a miniature Christmas tree and had everyone write their advice and wishes for me on white cards with tiny ornament bulbs attached.

The creativity and the thoughtfulness wowed me and brought tears to my eyes. Although I never really enjoy being the center of attention, I admit that it was nice to feel so loved. When I look back on those two events now, what really strikes me is the details that made the event come together. My cousin decorated my shower with red and pink streamers and kitchen supplies, and friends each brought their own favors and games to the party. I think that these little touches really made me feel special. When I look at all the bridal shower and bachelorette party invitations it brings back great memories of my showers.

If you have a friend in mind who’s getting married soon, make party invitations part of the theme. It’s a great way to help make the bride-to-be feel like a queen! The Hearts bridal shower invitation in Lime is so timely with Valentine’s Day coming up and reminds me of falling in love. You know when you can’t stop thinking of that certain someone and find yourself doodling hearts nonstop? The Martini bachelorette party invitations are perfect for girl’s night out. I wish I saw them before my friend got married. They’re so ultra-hip and so “Sex in the City!” And if you really want to keep with the theme, get some great matching shower favors. My friends were so sweet to spend the time to make my favors. But for those of you who can’t, matching mint tins are really cute way to add something extra to the shower.