Happy Memorial Day!

New Cupcake Stand!

Although I LOVE my Crate & Barrel cupcake stand, I'm always on the look-out for new ones to add to my collection.  While browsing one of my favorite blogs, The TomKat Studio, I came across this one.  Kim, the fabulous editor and designer of The TomKat Studio, posted where to find it.  I couldn't resist a new stand for only $19.99.  However, when I ordered it through Wilton, I received the disheartening email that it was out of stock.  After a little searching, and a few emails conversations with Kim and the team at Wilton (they are awesome!), I found the same stand at Amazon.  Hallelujah!  It was like Christmas morning when I came home from work three days later to find it on my doorstep!

A big thanks to Kim for your ideas and inspiration - if you're not following her blog, you should be!

Life is Sweet,

Ashley

{Hand-Painted} Welcome Sign

I love browsing Etsy to get inspiration for my own hand-painted creations. And let's face it, to buy cute handmade items, too!  A photo of dandelion wall decals was the inspiration for my Spring "Welcome" Sign. 

You can purchase your own for $20.00 (plus S&H)!  Please email Ashley at thesweetlifestudio@gmail.com  for order inquiries. Be sure to specify the colors you'd like to use (for the dandelions and for the text). 

Because all of our guests deserve a "sweet" welcoming! 

Ashley

{Colorful} First Birthday Cupcakes

Like I said before, I LOVE our nieces!  I wanted Ella's first birthday cupcakes to be cute, colorful, and fun - just like her! 

I love you, Little Ella!

"Auntie" Ashley

"The" Cupcake Stand

My Crate & Barrel cupcake stand always gets rave reviews!  It's cute, modern, and very practical.  I received mine as a wedding gift {next to my KitchenAid Mixer it's easily my favorite gift}.  It assembles easily and stores just as well.  Mine is stainless steel, but Crate & Barrel currently carries one in white.  If you're in need of  the perfect cupcake stand, or if you need a great gift for a new bride, consider purchasing one for $29.95 at Crate & Barrel. 

All Things Pink!

I have two nieces that I absolutely ADORE!  Meet Madison Rae, my first-born niece.  She's spunky, smart, hilarious, and oh-so-girly!  

I love you, Madison Rae.  You make life sweeter!

"Auntie" Ashley

{Hand-Painted} Anthropologie Inspired Cross

In an effort to create something special for my niece {and Goddaughter's} baptism, I decided to paint a cross to match her nursery.  Her bedding was handmade by a family member from tablecloth fabric found at Anthropologie {GENIUS}!  Below is the fabric and actual cross I painted.  I must say, it looks pretty darn cute in little Ella's nursery! 

LIKE THIS IDEA?

 I can paint one of a kind crosses, picture frames, or canvas upon request! Email Ashley at thesweetlifestudio@gmail.com.  Be sure to include a link to the fabric (or inspiration) as well as detailed instructions, and I will get back to you with a price quote.

Funfetti & Polka-Dots

Who can resist Funfetti and Cream Cheese?  When it comes to cupcakes, simple is best!  Especially when one has so many other party details to tend to.  Funfetti (yes, out of the box) never fails.  I like to make a quick cream cheese frosting to put a homemade touch to the cupcakes.  Easy polka dot sprinkles finish these cupcakes off.  The ones above were used for a Baby Shower, but I can see them easily working for Easter or any Birthday celebration.

My "go to" cream cheese frosting recipe comes from none other than Martha herself.  Find it here!

Life is Sweet,

Ashley

{Baby Shower} Pacifier Cupcakes

Chocolate-Chocolate Cupcakes with Candy Pacifiers

"Pacifier" Ingredients:

Life Savers

Wilton Royal Icing (in tube - found at Michael's)

Jelly Beans

Wedding Cupcakes - Crystal Cove State Beach

From as far back as I can remember, I have loved watching The Food Network.  When other kids were probably dying to finish their homework so that they could go play outside, I was always dying to sneak up to my parents' room and watch Great Chefs on the TV in their bedroom.  This was before  Everyday Italian, The Barefoot Contessa, and even before  Emeril's infamous "BAM!" took off.  One side of me loved to play outside with the other kids on my block until the street lights came on, but the other side of me loved drawing, painting, and working with ceramics.  In college I developed a  love for baking, however, dorm life didn't allow me to practice my skills very often - in fact, not at all.  However, I bravely  (or should I say, ambitiously) volunteered to bake the cupcakes for my friends' beach wedding in the summer of 2007.  I was only twenty years old.  Luckily, my friends were very trusting and did not need much convincing that I was capable of the task.  And  thankfully, the cupcakes were a big hit.  I could not have been more thankful for how they turned out!

The wedding was held at beautiful Crystal Cove State Beach in Orange County, California.

For the Bride:  Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Frosting

For the Groom:  Funfetti with Lemon-Cream Cheese Frosting

Homemade candy shells as decor - yummy!

You never know what you are capable of until you try. 

Life is Sweet,

Ashley

Welcome to The Sweet Life Studio!

I am pleased to announce that after much thought, I have decided to start a blog!  I am an artistic person by nature, and I've always considered myself as one who "dabbles" in all things artsy.  My primary occupation is teaching and I love what I do.  However, I can never seem to escape the desire to simply create.  I also love to share my ideas with others.  You'll find lots of different goodies on my site, from cupcakes to homemade decor.  Hopefully The Sweet Life Studio will inspire you to "dabble" in some of these areas yourself!

Ashley