FabSugar

7 Cupcake Decorations Celebrating 35 Years of Star Wars

Anna Monette Roberts — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:22:37 PDT

Grab that frosting from a galaxy far, far away (or just sweet stuff from your local galaxy store) ready, as this Friday, Star Wars celebrates its 35th anniversary. It's the perfect excuse to invite friends over for a cupcake-filled viewing party to commemorate one of the greatest space films ever made. No need to be a cupcake master - most of these items require little to no effort. Let the cupcake wars begin!

Shop Minted's Amazing Custom Kids' Prints For a Cause!

Kate Stahl — Thu, 24 May 2012 09:27:02 PDT

Minted has been one of our favorite stops for party invitations and holiday cards for some time, but the company's new collection of limited-edition and customizable kids' art has us really flipping out. Minted sources the prints from artists around the world, and all are available in multiple colorways and sizes. Not only are they totally incredible and affordable (most start at $15 to $20), but also, if buy one before the end of May, then 50 percent of your purchase price will go to support for Every Mother Counts, Christy Turlington's advocacy group that promotes global maternal health. Keep clicking to see 10 of our favorite Minted prints, but if they don't inspire you, then there are literally more than a hundred other options to choose from!

18 Spring Activities to Get Your Geek on

Laura Marie Given — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:42:00 PDT

Whether you prefer to be in the kitchen or on the road, we've come up with several creative ideas to keep you busy this Spring. Looking for some new pastimes? From DIYs to nerdy day trips, we've got 18 fun, geeky ideas to get you through the season.

Have a documentary marathon: Not sure where to start? Check out Frozen Planet, a seven-part series from the team behind Planet Earth, to learn more about climate changes (and adorable animals!) in the Poles.
Become an amateur astronomer: Pick an especially clear night and look at the stars with the 5 Stars Astronomy Guide App. It's simple: hold your phone to the sky and you'll learn all about the constellation in front of you.
Host a Comic-Con party: Get your pals to dress up as their favorite comic book characters and go for bold, bright decorations. Keep your favorite comic-inspired flicks playing in the background and serve drinks in these Vintage DC Comic Tumblers ($125 for 6).
Try a coding class: Do a bit of research to find local coding classes at a community college. Sign up solo or invite your Internet-obsessed pals to join so that you can help each other learn the HTML ropes.

Keep reading for more geeky things to do.

5 Simple Tips to Trim Your Wedding Guest List

Laura Marie Given — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:00:39 PDT

From long-lost aunts and uncles to your father-in-law's best friend's cousin, it's easy to let your wedding guest list spin out of control. It's tough to pick and choose who to invite - where do you draw the line? Still, when it comes to watching expenses, cutting the guest list can be one of the quickest ways to keep costs low. Whether you're narrowing it down in hopes of a more intimate ceremony or simply doing your best to save money, here are five stress-free steps to help you trim your wedding guest list:

Consider your budget and venue. Before you analyze your guest list, take a step back and talk to your fiancé about your highest priorities as a couple. Are you hoping for a specific venue? Worried about staying under budget? Those guidelines will help you decide how long your list can be and whether you need to cut back in other areas.
Agree on a fair split point. Keep things equal by compromising on a guest list ratio. Is it important that your guests are split 50/50, bride's side and groom's? Or do you have tons of mutual friends, making it more of a joint effort? It's important to have an open dialogue about your expectations so that you can avoid any drama or resentment later on - both between each other and among your family members.
Cut by category. Divide your guests into groups: immediate family, closest relatives, extended relatives, family friends, friends, acquaintances, kids, etc. Once you've both classified your lists, see if you can trim the list by removing entire categories. Maybe you can both nix the young kids, the acquaintances, and the co-workers. Keep going until exceptions start to pop up, then evaluate each possible guest individually.
Stick to the present. If you haven't seen someone in a long, long time, they can probably be considered for your cut list. (Think childhood friends and old acquaintances.) A good rule of thumb: You should invite the people who know your fiancé - the people who have spent time with you as a couple, who play a part in your present lifestyle.
Hold to your hard-and-fast rules. Tight on space? If you've decided that only your bridal party and engaged pals can bring plus-ones, you should try to stick to that rule. It's the best way to avoid offending your loved ones, and an easy way to limit extra add-ons.

These simple, straightforward tips are just a starting point - complications are bound to come up. Reach out to both sets of parents for advice, because even if you don't adhere to all their suggestions, it's a great way to double-check your list and come to a settling point. Plus, throughout the process, remember to be practical, considerate, and sensitive. Even more important? Step back and enjoy it: you're bringing together all the people you love to celebrate one of the most special days of your life.

Photo by Matthew Moore Photography via Style Me Pretty

Tips For Entertaining Your Kids at a Wedding

Kate Stahl — Fri, 04 May 2012 11:34:00 PDT

Kids and weddings don't always make the most natural partners. Brides often dislike pint-size guests' affinity for screaming out at inappropriate times and their tendency to hog the spotlight (don't they know she's the star!?), while kids can find the hours-long events mind-numbingly boring. Finding a way to make everybody happy can be tough, but follow our advice and odds are, the whole family will enjoy your next wedding - and the bride won't regret adding your children to the invite.

Before you go, communicate! Prepare your child for the day's events. Will the reception be short or long, and will they be expected to sit quietly and pay attention? How long do you plan on staying at the reception and is it outdoors or in? Let your kids know in advance what's coming, and they'll be more likely to be on good behavior.
Bring along quiet activities for the reception. Soft books for young children or a noise-free, inconspicuous hand-held video game for older ones can be a lifesaver for ceremonies, especially if they include lengthy religious services.
Think food. Hopefully the couple has thought ahead to order kid-friendly meals, but just in case, pack extra snacks for kids who might not like the steak or chicken options, or prepare for your kids to fill up on wedding cake.

Keep reading for more ways to entertain pint-size wedding guests.

Everything You Need to Host a Festive Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

Laura Marie Given — Wed, 02 May 2012 10:30:18 PDT

With Cinco de Mayo fast approaching, it's time to start gathering materials for your festive holiday fiesta. Whether you're planning a low-key get-together with friends or an all-out, over-the-top bash, we've rounded up some of the best party picks that Etsy has to offer. From cheeky invitations to bright, traditional decorations, here are 13 must-have items for a festive Cinco de Mayo affair.

5 Secrets For a Perfect At-Home Cocktail Party

Camilla Salem — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 06:35:48 PDT

Hosting a cocktail party out of your home is intimate and charming but can sometimes be a source of great stress. The truth is that a little bit of planning and preparation can go a long way. Who wants to spend the party worrying about things like running to get more ice or salvaging burnt hors d'oeuvres? We've got five tips to help you host a smooth soiree.

Make sure to have enough ice.
The last thing you'll want to do is run to the store for more ice while your guests' drinks run dry. Make sure to get enough ice ahead of time for the number of guests you're inviting. Also fill your ice trays earlier in the day for backup.

Stock a variety of mixers and garnishes.
You may be set on serving a signature cocktail for the evening, but just in case it's not everybody's style, keep a variety of drink mixers on hand. We recommend tonic water, cranberry and orange juice, a variety of sodas, and margarita mix. Set out basic garnishes like lemon peels, lime wedges, and maraschino cherries, but don't be afraid to get creative as well: fresh herbs and berries would be fun and pretty. You may want to have a few bottles of wine and a six-pack of beer in the refrigerator just in case your guests don't drink hard liquor.

Don't forget about music.
Sometimes it can take a while for lively conversation to develop, and nothing is more awkward than a silent room. This is where background music comes in very handy. Spend a little bit of time developing a playlist for the evening that matches the mood you're trying to set. Choose calmer songs for the beginning of the evening, and as people start to warm, the music can, too!

For more tips, keep reading.

Starter Guide to Planning a Baby Shower

LilSugar — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 01:43:24 PDT

Planning a baby shower can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. All you have to do is organize a gathering that makes the mommy-to-be happy and feel celebrated. Location scouting, invitations and worry aside, it's always more fun than it sounds. We've dedicated the entire month of April to planning showers of all kinds, but if you've been nominated (or volunteered) to plan a baby shower for a friend or relative you should start with the basics. For some of the most important things to consider when you start planning,

Guest list: For decades baby showers have been "ladies only" events, but times are changing. Many expectant parents opt for co-ed affairs. I suggest talking to the mommy of the day about what she's comfortable with and who she wants to be invited. It's pretty traditional to include the future grandma, extended family, closest friends and close co-workers.
Location and venue: First, make sure the growing mommy-to-be will be comfortable. My favorite baby showers are those in a home, whether it's grandma's house, your house or the mommy-to-be's home. If you prefer to do it elsewhere, consider a cute park, spa, teahouse, restaurant, dessert spot or even a bar or lounge (mommy can't drink, but bar baby showers have become popular with the increase of co-ed showers).
Theme and decor: After you've planned the location start thinking about the party's colors, flowers, decorations and theme. You should think about the new mommy's personal style and whether or not she's announced the sex of the baby. Is mama's taste classic or modern? When in doubt, go simple and whimsical.
Invites and games: If you're looking for something simple, but adorable, check out our LilSugar baby shower downloads. You can easily personalize the invites and games to include all your party details and print them on your home printer for free.

Source: Flickr User madaise

"How Much Space Should I Give Him?"

Tres Community — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 03:05:00 PDT

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

I met this guy two weeks ago and we hit it off immediately. We chatted, exchanged stories, and he came back to my place - where he then told me that he and his girlfriend recently broke up and he's trying to move out of their shared apartment. The next day I decided to text him. I told him that it was nice to meet him and that we should hang out again, since he said their relationship was 100% over and irreparable. When he responded with a similar statement, I invited him to a shindig I was throwing the next day at my place because he'd told me that he wanted to meet some new people. I didn't think he would show up, but he actually did.

He stayed for a few hours but because I didn't want to seem too aggressive, I didn't try for a one-on-one conversation until a couple hours into the party. He referenced hanging out again, then we hugged and he left. I didn't hear from him, so I texted him last weekend to see if he wanted to meet us all out, but he said he was just getting out of work so he planned to make it an early night.

I totally respect his situation and I know he has a lot to deal with, but at the same time, I don't want to just sit back and let the possibility of something good pass me by. Any advice for what I should do as a next step? My friends have told me everything from "Wait a few weeks and then text" to "Just drop it" to "Just text and say hey." I feel like this is a fine line to walk and I really don't want to mess anything up by being too forward. I also don't want to be immediately put in the "friend zone," which is usually where I land. What should I do?

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously to Group Therapy for advice, and check out what else is happening in the TrèsSugar Community.

You're Invited! 10 Unique Birthday Party Invitations

LilSugar — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:02:20 PDT

You're invited to a party! When it comes to celebrating your tot's birthday, only the best will do. Mama takes her time to plan the perfect kiddie soiree - from the decorations to the cake, there's a lot to do. Birthday party invitations give your guests a hint of what to expect at your munchkin's birthday celebration - and moms know how important first impressions can be! Check out these 10 unique birthday party invites, and let's get ready to party.