Our first Mason Jar project was a delicious cookie mix that loved ones can make on their own. In this next idea, we filled one of our Mini Mason Jars with scrumptious cupcakes that can be enjoyed right away!
Here’s what we did:
Took some ready-made cupcakes
Cut the cupcakes into small pieces so that they could be easily layered in the mini jar
Picked out our favorite colored frostings
Placed alternating layers of cupcakes and frosting in the jar til we got to the top (in this case it was 2 layers of cake and 2 layers of frosting).
If you’re making a large amount of these, a simpler way to make the cake layers is to bake one large cake and cut that into pieces instead of using individual cupcakes.
As an added touch, finish each jar off with some Baker’s Twine and a Wooden Chevron Spoon for a ready-to-eat dessert that you can give out as a gift, party favor, or after-dinner treat!
Now that the product launch is over, the celebration can really begin! I’m starting out our summer of fun with an exciting series of posts inspired by a new favorite of ours: Mason Jars! What I love the most about these jars is that they are so versatile and there are so many ways to put these vintage style jars to use. In fact, Life Hacker recently challenged readers to “Hack Something Using Mason Jars,” and the responses were awesome! It’s just one example of many how a little bit of creativity can turn these ordinary jars into something extraordinary.
So, my dear Blossomers, for the next thirty days we’re going to be sharing 30 different ways that these versatile jars can be used. Many of them will be great pins we’ve found on Pinterest, but we’ve also got a few ideas of our own. Let’s start off day one with one of these of our own creations:
Day 1: Cookie Mix in Mason Jar
Who doesn’t love the smell of cookies baking in the oven? Cookie mixes in a Mason Jar make a great DIY gift for every occasion. Our friend Kate over at the Sugar Therapy blog came up with a cookie mix recipe that fits perfectly into our new Mini Mason Jars.
1. Gather your ingredients:
1/4 cup flour, combined with 1/4 tsp baking soda and a pinch of salt
2 tbsp packed brown sugar
1 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 -tbsp oats
3 heaping tbsp mini chocolate chips (or similar sized candy of your choice)
2. Layer the ingredients into the jar in the order listed above (flour goes at the bottom, brown sugar on top of that, etc.)
If you find yourself at the receiving end of one of these delicious favors, here’s how you turn your cookie mix into a yummy treat:
Yield: 4 mini cookies
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Combine 2 tbsp butter, 1/4 tsp vanilla, and 1 egg yolk
3. Stir all ingredients into the dry mix until evenly combined
4. Form four small balls of dough and place at least 1-2 inches apart on cookie sheet
5. Bake for 4-5 minutes or until golden brown
We’re taking this Very Vintage Affair to the next level with a 2nd product launch filled with brand new products! It is with great pleasure that we introduce you to the latest and greatest in Event Blossom favors and accessories. See some of these new items in the collage below:
Personalized Chevron and Dots Goodie Bags
Personalized Mason Drinking Jars
Framed Mini Chalkboard Place Cards
Personalized Paddle Fans
Rosette Paper Fans
Personalized Mini Mason Jars
Cupcake ‘n’ Treats Tote Boxes…
…Plus so much more – click on the picture to see them all.
This is Event Blossom’s biggest product launch yet and we couldn’t be happier to have all you Blossomers joining us on this adventure. With so many new products and designs, you can bet that we’re going to keep this excitement up all summer long! Starting tomorrow, we have a whole season of fun planned.
Hello, Blossomers. I have returned to the blogosphere and the world of social media. Have you missed me? I’ve most definitely missed you. Where have I been, you ask? I, along with the entire Event Blossom Team, have been hard at work on this exciting product launch that I’ve had to keep secret for far too long – any extended period of time is an awfully long time for me to keep such fun things from you. It took every bit of restraint to not give away everything as I counted down the days to the big release, but the wait is finally over and the day has come…
Without any further ado, allow me to invite each and every one of you to Event Blossom’s biggest product launch yet:
I’m sure you recognized some of our most popular products in our previous teaser photo. Those products are the lucky bunch that will now be offered with our 79 brand new Vintage Design Labels. Yes you read that right, 79 BRAND NEW DESIGNS.
Brides and Mommy’s-to-be will have an even bigger variety to choose from when planning their dream wedding or baby shower. Click the image below to see all the new vintage designs.
And we’re only getting started. More summer surprises are in store for you, and we can’t wait to share them. Stay on the lookout for our little love balloon, it’ll lead you to all the exciting things we’ve got planned.
Hello, Blossomers! I know it’s been a terribly long time since we last spoke but I promise that I’ve got some great posts that I can’t wait to share with you. In the meantime, I thought I’d give you a small sneak peek into our offices.
Welcome to California: Sunshine and Palm Trees everyday!
We’re all abuzz over Spring and Summer. Southern Californians do not usually fare well in the cold — I am certainly no exception to this. But the clouds have lifted, the rains have (hopefully) ended, and we’re looking at sunshine all the way through the next few months. Naturally, this puts all of us into a super creative mood. What better way to channel all this creative energy than to spruce up our office with some springtime decor?
We’ll start with some vases…or a milk bottle (or 2, or 3…)Add some flowers…Voila! Instant decor!
There’s nothing like some flowers on your desk to brighten a work day. How do you personalize your workspace, Blossomers? We wanna know!
Beautiful gowns, sharp tuxedos, shining accessories, and memorable speeches.
No, I am not talking about a wedding. Although I will always enjoy weddings above all other events, I’d like to talk about another event that will be taking place this Sunday no more than an hour and a half (in good traffic) from where I sit: The 85th Annual Academy Awards. Yes, this weekend I will be setting up shop in front of my television and watch as Hollywood’s finest make their grand entrance onto the red carpet and listen as winners of the esteemed Oscar give their acceptance speech before a combined live and television audience of millions. Talk about pressure. Excuse me while I take a moment to visualize the moment I receive an Academy Award for Best Actress…
The Lovely Julia Roberts TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images
My vision would have me accept this honor with grace and with an incredibly eloquent speech thanking everyone I had ever met. The reality of course is that I would probably stumble across the stage (heels and I don’t get along), and I would proceed to give a speech comprised mostly of the not-so-eloquent sounds of “umm” and “uhh…” And since we’re talking reality now, I must admit that I am not an actress nor have I been asked to be in any major motion pictures. Surprising, right??
The many Oscars won for The Lord of the Rings trilogy. DEAN TREML/AFP/Getty Images
The point is, I am not well equipped to give any sort of speech at an event of such magnitude. Maybe that’s why I enjoy Awards Season so much; I get to watch and admire those who are much more well-spoken in front of an audience than I am. As much as I enjoy seeing all the gorgeous ensembles and catching up on the latest trends, the thing that I love the most is listening to the speeches and catching some profound moments in Hollywood history.
Alas, it all has to end. The Academy Awards brings a close to this season, but I’m not too broken up about it. Actually, I’m quite excited because it means my absolute favorite season is just getting started: wedding season. You know what that means? More speeches! If you’re anything like me, public speaking can be an incredibly daunting task. If you’re expected to make a toast or give a speech at a friend or family member’s wedding — well, you can already feel the nerves setting in. Never fear, I have a few tips that I’ve gathered to help you write that perfect toast!
Having trouble getting started? Just remember that it’s for the bride and groom. It’s their wedding, let them be your inspiration. Another thing to remember, this day is a celebration of love between two people. Even if you are closer with one over the other, make sure you include both of them.
Practice! Practice alone in your room, practice in front of a close friend, and practice whenever you get a chance. The better you know your toast, the less chance your nerves have of taking over.
Keep it short. A toast shouldn’t really be longer than a couple of minutes. Unless you have a very engaging speech written and no short amount of confidence in your public speaking abilities, keep it short, simple, and sweet.
Avoid these references: those crazy college parties, any past relationships, and inappropriate jokes. I don’t think these need any further explanation, do you?
Any speech stories, extra tips, or comments in general?? Post them in the comment section below!
First stop, wedding toasts. Next up, your Oscar acceptance speech! I’ll see you on the (pretend) red carpet.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Blossomers! We wanted to celebrate this day by sharing the love with one of our retailers. I know you’re going to LOVE our friends from:
Kara is always such a delight to work with!
Tell us the story behind Candles & Such. How did it all begin? It all began with a candle. My mother has made her own candles ever since I can remember. In 2003 I started helping her sell them at local craft shows. We decided to expand and offer candle accessories and other small little gifts. Our booth became so popular we had to start renting two spaces. We sold out at every show. The craft shows were seasonal and customers started calling in the off season wanting more candles, a few even called asking if they could order them to use as wedding favors. That’s when I had the idea that she needed a website. As I was researching personalized labels to use for the candle favors I realized that with our website we could offer more than just her candles. Unlike our craft show space, our website had unlimited space. I started attending bridal shows to research the wedding industry, attended webinars about e-commerce and building a website. By 2005 our first website was live, designed by me, and our first order came in about two months later. The high point for us was when her candle tin favors were featured in Parents Magazine in 2009.
Fast forward to 2013, we still offer her candles but we also offer over 5,000 other party favors and gifts. She is now retired, although she will always be making candles. It’s been an amazing experience working with my best friend and sharing the success of our business together.
You have a great reputation for providing excellent customer service. What do you believe is the key to creating a positive experience for your customers? I believe the key is that you need to remember your customer is a person, not just a “sale” or a client. We take the time to get to know our customers. In our industry we are providing something small but important for a very special occasion in their life. Whether it’s a wedding, a 1st birthday party or a baby shower, they are celebrating a significant milestone. These little favors are a key part of their event so we take the time to make sure each customer is taken care of. A large percentage of our business is repeat customers, we are very proud of that.
What do you like best about Event Blossom products? Any favorites? I remember the first time I saw the products on Event Blossom’s website and I couldn’t have been more excited. I loved the unique favors and the clean and modern design of the personalized labels. I couldn’t get the items on my website fast enough. I felt the product line synched well with what we wanted to offer our customers and I was right, they are some of our best sellers.
It’s hard to pick a favorite but I do love the Sweet Shoppe Candy Boxes. The boxes are top quality and I love all the different label designs and options that are available. The Lollipops are another favorite of mine. I have personally used the Candy Boxes, the Lollipops, the Lip Balm, the Mint Tins and the Candy Jars. When helping customers I almost always direct them to Event Blossom’s products because I know they will get a quality product. I really like the new Kid’s Birthday Designs, the Milk Bottles and the Candy Tubes. I think they will be best sellers this year.
Happy Valentine’s Day! What sort of ideas would you suggest to a bride who wants to have a Valentine’s Day wedding Valentine’s Day makes me think of candy and chocolate. I think a Candy Buffet that offered candy hearts, small chocolates, red and pink M & M’s, and some Personalized Lollipops would be a fun way of incorporating Valentine’s Day without going overboard with Hearts everywhere. Of course the Sweet Shoppe Candy Bags would be the perfect way for friends and family to tote around their treats!
We had a little debate over here and I’d love to hear your input: Valentine’s Day weddings/proposals, classic or cliché? I think Valentine’s Day will always be a classic day for weddings and proposals. It’s not cliché but it’s also not a big surprise if a man wants to propose that day. If he really wants to surprise her he shouldn’t do it on Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day isn’t the only day that couples can go out of their way to show their love for each other. True romance happens on the most random of days.
We couldn’t agree more with that last notion — random acts of romance on random days are the best kind! Thank you again, Kara, for being a part of our Quick Q+A! Want more of Candles and Such? Find them on Facebook and Twitter.
One more time — Happy Valentine’s Day, Blossomers!
-Kim
As I mentioned last week, the Event Blossom Blog (now known as “The Blossomer”) turned a year old. Starting a blog was incredibly exciting for me, but it was also a little bit frightening. I’ve always enjoyed writing, but I hardly ever shared my work — that was just too scary. After a year of blogging, those fears have subsided. I still get butterflies every time I hit the “publish” button, but I think that I’ll always get that feeling. It’s a good thing, in my opinion. That being said, there are some things I’d like to share about what I’ve learned so far.
Things I learned in my first year of blogging for a business:
Research is always a good first step. First and foremost, take a look at some blogs in your industry. A quick search on Google will turn up a ton of results for you to peruse. This will give you an idea about what others are blogging about, how their content is set up, and maybe even some topics that haven’t been discussed yet or could be built upon further.
Find your voice. Are you already an avid blog reader but not sure what kind of blogger you are/would be? Go through your favorite blogs. Identify what it is about the posts that you enjoy and keep you coming back for more. Most of the time, you like things that are like you in some way. So if you’re not sure what your style is, try out different ones you like until you find the style that’s right for you. If something doesn’t work or it just doesn’t feel right, re-evaluate and give it another go. When it comes down to it, be yourself and write in a way that comes naturally.
Content is king. This isn’t an original saying; I’ve read it many times over in different blogs, books, and a variety of other publications. Just as in customer service, you want to always try and see things from the customer’s point of view. What kinds of topics are they interested in? What kind of information would they be seeking? What content would be the most helpful and/or valuable to them? These are the questions you need to ask when planning out your content strategy.
Get an outsider’s perspective. Whether it’s your boss, colleagues, or best friend. It’s always good to get fresh eyes to edit and review your posts. They may see spots that could use a bit more elaborating or others that could be trimmed down. And staring at the computer screen for any extended period of time will cause anyone to make a small spelling or grammar error — it’s best to have someone take a quick look for those little slips while you rest your eyes. I also recommend including others in on brainstorming future posts; you never know where a great idea will stem from — and don’t forget to give credit where it’s due!
Take notes, keep an eye on your site stats, and make adjustments where you see fit. You’ll learn new things with every post, comment, and page view. For example, I always write down a few notes when a post has significantly more hits than the others – what the topic was, how it was different from the others, and why it may have caused a bigger surge of traffic. Remember, blogging, just like business, is always evolving and changing. Be aware and adapt when necessary.
Press “Publish!” Ultimately, you can’t really predict which posts or topics will be a hit. But you’ll never know if you don’t put it out there for your audience to decide.
Happy Blogging!
-Kim
P.S.
What did you think of these tips? Fellow bloggers feel free to share any advice you may have in the comments below.
