Palace Cakes Review

What's this? a bakery inside that vacant building. I need to check this out.  Every week day morning  I take the train into Portland and would always wonder what was going to go into that vacant building. Then one morning a bakery appeared. Well, I finally went in.  I had seen on Palace Cakes Facebook page that they had carrot cake in the case.  My man loves carrot cake so I walked up to get him  a slice.

Oh my, look at all those delicious cakes. Coconut Chiffon, Enriched Uranium, and a Lemon Chiffon. That lemon cake looked really good but I went for a slice of coconut for me.

Marcus sliced off generous size pieces while telling me about the cakes. He was very informative, friendly and you could tell was passionate about Palace Cakes.  He told me the coconut cake didn't really taste like a Mounds coconut but more like freshly shaved coconut. He was so right. Look at that beautifully shaved coconut skirting the cake.  

 Now when I say a generous slice I mean generous.  I shared my slice with 2 co-workers.  Kelsey thought the frosting was too sweet. Coleen and I both thought she was nuts ;)  We both really enjoyed this slice.  The cake was moist and the whole slice tasted just like fresh coconut.  If you follow me on Instagram you'll know I had some for breakfast the next day, the slice was that big, mmmm

Onto the carrot cake.  I'm not a carrot cake fan , even though I love carrots fresh out of the garden, but I tried some. I can't very well do a review if I don't try it right. I was pleasantly surprised.  This was really good carrot cake. Very moist, fresh carrot flavor but not overwhelming and the frosting had a great spice bite at the end.

 I asked my man what he thought of the cake and he didn't say much.  He didn't have too. His empty plate said it all.

If you live in the Portland metro area I highly recommend visiting Palace Cakes.  I plan on keeping an eye on their Facebook and Instagram so I can see what will be gracing  their case that day.

Valentine's Breakfast

Guest party from 4kids Cakes:

This year I wanted to surprise my kids with a Valentines Day breakfast.  Normally I am all about planning a party way in advance, but this one I decided to do totally last minute - as in 3 days to plan.  Kim from Small Moments is a rock star when it comes to printables & created this set for me on the spot.  I couldn't have been happier with the results!

We have a tradition of having heart shaped waffles for breakfast on this holiday each year, but I wanted to come up with a twist.  Red Velvet Waffles with a cream cheese frosting syrup started off our menu.  I used a super simple recipe from DuncanHines.com (or you can use your own recipe).  

Hashbrowns, eggs, & bacon folded into the shape of hearts were offered.  On the sweets table, we included mini donuts, french macarons, rice krispy treats, hot cocoa, and the yummiest marshmallows from MadysonsMarshmallows.  The giant ombre ones are not only gorgeous, but so delicious!

For our table settings, I went the quick and easy route.  Plates, cups,napkins  and silverware are from the party section at Walmart. The roses are from their valentines department. Topping off their plates are cookies from my favorite cookie gal - Alison @ Sweet Themes. Milk and Hot Cocoa with more marshmallow's from Madyson's Marshmallows were their drink options.  I adore the bottle wraps Kim made for our plastic milk bottles.

The surprise went off without a hitch - I made everything when kids were either sleeping or at school.  It was a crazy couple of days, but SO worth it!  One of our kids asked me why I did it - the answer is simple.  Just because I love them.  Valentines Day can be about more than a significant other.  So lucky to be a mom to these kids & do a quick party just because :)

Waffles:

1 pkg. Red Velvet Cake mix

4 eggs

2 cups milk

Whisk together & follow your waffle maker instructions.  Super easy. Even cuter in the shape of hearts!

Cream Cheese Frosting Syrup:

1 pkg. cream cheese

1 stick butter

1 cup. shortening
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 T. vanilla (I prefer clear vanilla for this)

1 cup + whole or 2% milk

1/4 tsp. salt

16 oz. powdered sugar

Blend cheese, butter, and shortening.  Add remaining ingredients.  You can add more milk to get desired consistency of a thick syrup.  Poor over waffles & enjoy!

Vendor Credits:

Styling: Christina of 4KidsCakes.com

Photography: CCsDesktopDesign.com

Printables: SmallMoments.bigcartel.com

Macarons, Mini Donuts, Rice Krispie Treats: 4KidsCakes.com

Marshmallows: MadysonsMarshmallows.com

Sugar Cookies: SweetThemesBakery.com

Macaron Pedastals: facebook.com/pages/Maison-du-Bonbon/

Milk Bottles: PartyOnDesigns.com

Straws: HooplaEvents.net

Hutch & Desk: facebook.com/ReNewFurnitureFinds

Meeting Amy Atlas Events

Last week I recapped my experience at BASH. Actually I just barely scratched the surface with that post.  There's so much more to tell you that over the next few weeks BASH recap posts will be popping up here and there among the party fun.  One of the items I hinted too was how I talked to Amy Atlas. Remember when I said, " you should have seen the way I talked to Amy Atlas". Let me explain. 

Amy Atlas for those of you who don't know is THE dessert table guru.  She started the whole thing really.  BASH admin, Michelle from Maddy Cake Muse brought Amy Atlas to BASH to talk to all of us about how she sets her stunning dessert tables. We got to hear all her little tips and tricks.  I of course focused on her shoes.  I'm my most comfortable in heels so of course I zoomed right in on her pair. 

 After hearing all the great information Amy Atlas had to impart on us, Michelle, the BASH admin told us all to please let Amy eat before we started bombarding her with questions.  Per human nature people didn't listen and Amy had to answer questions and do photo's with people as she made her way from the stage to her table to eat.  She was so gracious about it.  I was standing talking to Swishprintables when BAM, Amy Atlas was right there in front of me! Now in the party world Amy Atlas is a BIG celebrity. So what do I say to her in a matter fact-tell it like it is voice, " Have you been able to eat?" Amy responded, not yet. To which I said, "You need to eat! (my arms opening in a wide body-guard stance) I'll run interference for you and when people try to approach you I'll say Back Off, let the woman eat".  Amy laughed and made her way to her table where she was able to get some food.  I think the people around me were a little stunned about how I just talked to Amy Atlas.  No question for her, no star struck look or oh my gosh can I get a photo with you. Noooo, I was all in your face conversation.  It's the extrovert in me. 

Of course I got a picture with her later at her book signing.  I didn't buy a book but that's because I already have it! The colours burst from this book and I LOVE that.  I am such a colour person.  When it was my turn to get my picture with her I asked her is she ever got something to eat that night and we had a good smile over that. 

One of the most amazing eye-opening experiences I had at BASH was not in one of the classes and was all about timing.  If my BASH roomie and I hadn't have slept in, if we would have skipped breakfast we wouldn't have had the opportunity to have breakfast with Amy Atlas.  My roomie and I joined 4 other party girls for breakfast and had just sat down after ordering when Amy Atlas walks in and asks if she can join us. HELLO! of course you can.  You could feel everyone's excitement at the table and as Amy Atlas says she needs to find a chair, me, Ms. Extrovert jumps up and says, "go order your breakfast, I got the chair" Amy Atlas, if you're reading this and need a personal assistant, I'm on it ;)  
This is what conferences are all about. Little pockets of chance encounters filled with meaningful conversations.  I touched a little on the conversation last week. 

The conversation started off with Amy Atlas asking us how we liked the conference, did we get a lot out of it and our thoughts on her presentation.  She likes to learn what works and what doesn't so she can improve on her presentations.  Then the conversation took a meaningful turn.  Amy Atlas began telling us about the struggles of being a mom and a successful business woman.  I could see everything Amy Atlas was saying resonating deep with all the women at the table.  Except me. I don't have kids and my man is totally fine with all the time I spend on Fizzy Party. He has hobbies that he spends a lot of time on too so he gets it.  The conversation was also about perfectionism and how even though you're not telling your kids to be perfect, they see you obsessing, stressing, hyper focusing when you're planning a party, doing a photo shoot etc. that everything HAS to be perfect.  Tears were welling up in these women's eyes as Amy Atlas spoke of how deeply this perfectionism can affect your kids.  Kids shouldn't have to be worrying about perfectionism. 

All the women at the table, except me, told stories of how their perfectionism has affected their kids.  It was also discussed how being a perfectionist can lead you to be so focused you don't live in the moment and enjoy the party.  All this talk of perfectionism, I couldn't relate.  I'm just not like that. If I do a photo shoot of my party and get the pictures back and there's a straw or candy a little off, I just say, meh.  I don't feel stressed before my parties like I heard a lot of the party people saying they are.  I'm not stressed during the party either.  I'm enjoying the party, I'm living in the moment.  I told all the women at that table I wish I could give you a little piece of my meh attitude.  

While I waited for my plane in the Phoenix airport I flipped through Instagram (@fizzyparty) and came across a great post by Amy Atlas.  She said, "@Fizzyparty, thanks for spreading the 'meh'- Miss Party Mom  and I were grabbing your energy.  Who really cares about the straw anyway, right. Here's to more messy, non-makeup, tear filled women, warm hearted breakfasts with sky high pancakes and lots of syrup". 
I was so touched when I read that.  

I took away a lot from this chance encounter and it has me focusing my goals for Fizzy Party. 

Honey Strawberry Sugar Scrub

Last year I didn't spend nearly enough time with my friends. I let the months slip by and before I knew it it was 2015.  So I decided to have more mini parties focused on crafting, baking and learning new things.  This last weekend 3 friends and I made honey strawberry sugar scrubs.  My friends really looked forward to this get together.  I got the recipe from Tried and True. 

As we made the scrubs everyone commented on how wonderful it smelled. 

No mini party is complete without food and I took the opportunity to try another new thing for me, making scones. I made strawberry scones from Baked by Nature to go along with the strawberry theme. 

I used a heart shaped cookie cutter to shape the scones. They turned out delicious. Warm them up in the oven or microwave and they're just as good the following morning. 

I love loft house style sugar cookies so when I saw a recipe for them from Two Peas and Their Pod, I had to try it. I found the dough was super sticky, which she tells you it's sticky but I didn't realize how sticky. I ended up using more flour on my surface then I thought and I think it caused the cookies to taste a little too floury. 

My friends thought these little cherubs were so cute!  I love little details at my parties. 

I served a wonderful tasting strawberry bubbly soda to tie in the theme. 

Tried and True doesn't tell you how many 8 oz Mason jars her recipe makes so I'll tell you :) It makes 5.  This scrub make your shower smell wonderful and leaves your skin so soft. 

My friends birthday is coming up and couldn't make it this weekend to create a scrub with us so I made her a little fun birthday box. 
Tried and True has a free printable on her site for this scrub but I wanted a different look, so I had Painting Paris Pink create this adorable printable. Painting Paris Pink is offering this printable for free, just click here.  

Have fun hosting your own mini sugar scrub making party. Your friends will love it! 

BASH Recap

If you follow party blogs you've probably been reading over the past week on those blogs about this conference called BASH.  BASH is a conference geared toward people in the party industry.  Now I'd been kicking around for over a year the idea of attending a blog conference but couldn't decide which one would be the best fit.  BASH was it! It was the conference I had been waiting for.  Not only would every class be geared toward the party industry but all the people attending would be party people! People I have been collaborating with, chatting with online and following for years.  I think I was more excited to meet the people attending then the classes and guest speakers.

The classes were amazing. I know it got a lot of us thinking, kicked us in the butt to stop thinking and start doing and maybe even had us changing direction from where we thought we were headed.

Class Review:

One of the kick me in the butt classes for me was the accounting class from Sweeter CPA. I learned A LOT in this class and I'm starting the process to implement some of what I have learned. The unexciting but necessary part of blogging.

Now before this conference I have to admit, I didn't know who The Alison Show was. The moment she was announced as a class speaker I looked her up to see what she was all about and knew I wanted to take her class. This is one of the classes that has me thinking about a different direction than the one I've been thinking about. We'll see what comes of it. One of the great take away's from this class was that Alison has been exploring her brand for 7 years and has just recently really focused in on it. So good to hear because Fizzy Party was born just 3 years ago and I feel like I'm still exploring where I want to take it.

Monetizing your blog by Creative Juice.   All about ads, affiliate links and product reviews. As you may have noticed there are no ads on my blog and very few posts about product reviews. I have done the occasional review and always give you all my honest opinion but I plan on not making reviews a big part of this blog. When blogs do too many reviews it takes away from why I started following them in the first place, to see party inspiration. This class does have me thinking and I'll go into more detail a little later on.

So you want to write a book taught by Creative Juice, Lynlee's and The Marshmallow Studio.    Not that I have plans to write a book, what would I even write one on?  But I have been kicking around the idea of a magazine so I took the class. Books are like magazines, right? I'm a magazine whore. No really, I am. My step-daughter even commented once about how much I love magazines. We'll see if I actually create one. I've heard they are expensive to create. I better start saving.

Loralee Lewis, the class I almost didn't take. I was about to take the other class being offered at the same time but something guided me to this class and boy am I glad I took it. Lorelee Lewis' style is not mine which is why I almost didn't take the class. Her work is beautiful but I like bolder, brighter, glitzier things. This class had all of us in tears. We were all so touched by her words and humbleness. I'm going to have to make this a separate post I can tell. There's just too much to say.

I told you all on FB I was going to bring real raw emotions to this post so lets get to it.
I was surprised how many of the party people were nervous about meeting fellow party bloggers and the speakers.  I couldn't understand it. What was there to be nervous about? We're all just people. I found it all rather silly. Then someone reminded me, "You aren't an introvert".  They were right. I can walk into a crowd of people I don't know and have no problem striking up a conversation.  You should have seen the way I talked to Amy Atlas! I'm thinking that needs to be another post too.  So now, not only am I surprised about how nervous most of the attendees are but they're mostly introverted too!  What? You're party planners, stylists, bloggers and you're introverted! Really? I didn't see that one coming. Now I understand why so many of them are bothered when they get a negative comment or their numbers on social media go down. As an extrovert I just let that stuff roll right off me.

Perfectionism. It runs rampant in the party world.  By the end of the conference I saw how different I was from so many of the attendees. The last morning of the conference a small group of us were having breakfast when Amy Atlas came by and joined us. The conversation turned toward perfectionism and how kids pick up on this and how it affects them.  Everyone at the table was agreeing except me. I couldn't relate.  Not because I don't have kids but because I'm not a perfectionist in the way these ladies are. I remember a post in a party group I belong to, someone had posted a picture of glasses with straws in them and a whole conversation took place about how they all hated when that happened and how much it bugged them.  I didn't understand what everyone was talking about and had to ask.  The straws weren't all perfectly precisely lined up.  I hadn't seen it. It just didn't bother me. I like things to be neat and somewhat perfect but it just doesn't really bother me is everything in a picture isn't perfectionism.  When every party I look at is absolutely perfect it's almost boring to me. There's nothing that catches my eye and makes me want to stop and take notice. I wanted to give these women a little piece of me so they could relax a little and just go, meh. So the straw isn't lined up to the millimeter with all the others. By the end of our breakfast conversation I was actually glad I couldn't relate to these women's perfectionism and happy to be an outsider in that part of the party world.

At the conference I got asked a lot, "then why do you do it?" and "why don't you plan parties for other people?"  This was another big difference between me and the other attendees. For most of the attendees at the conference, their party planning, styling, blogging is their full time work. They have clients to find, ads all over their blogs, do a lot of product reviews and are affiliates for a few companies. It's how they make money to pay the bills. The electric company isn't going to take a styled party as payment. Cash needs to be made.  I have a full time job outside of Fizzy Party.  I don't do styled parties as a business. I'm honestly not sure if I want to take on clients. I know I don't want to at this time, unless it was for a magazine. "Why don't you plan parties as a business?" because I don't see a market for it where I live. Portland is a very DIY, don't throw big blow out parties kind of city.  And I'm such a "oooh this is a super fabulous idea" last minute person.  When you have clients you can't wake up the morning of the party at 5 a.m. and start crafting your amazing idea. Well you can but you can't really bill the client for that and now you've just lost money if you simply HAVE to have that amazing idea. "Then why do you do it? Why do you put in the long hours of posting to social media, styling, photographing and blogging about your parties?"  Because I love throwing parties and inspiring others.  I'm not saying I wouldn't love for Fizzy Party to bring in some income so I could turn around and throw more parties.  But I don't want party planning/styling to be a full time job right now. It doesn't give me vacation pay, sick pay, insurance and a retirement account. I'm still exploring where I want to go with Fizzy Party and by having a full time job I have the flexibility to explore the brand.

I have SO much more I want to share but if you made it this far, you're fabulous! and I won't keep you any longer. But seriously, come back and read more about the Lorelee Lewis class and how I talked to Amy Atlas.

I would absolutely adore your thoughts on this post.

VIP Swag Bag

Shortly after buying my BASH ticket there was a post letting us know if anyone wanted to contribute to the VIP Swag bags to let the admins know.  Lets just say my interest was piqued. But what to make?   I didn't want to put my tulle poms in the bag because I was putting those on the mini swag bags I was handing out as part of my business cards.  And these VIP bags were going to the party girls who's work I admired and had been following for years!  After much consideration I decided to make masks. The theme for BASH was a travel one and the masks would fit in perfectly. A little taste of travelling to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. 

I set about creating 50+ different masks. I ordered the masks from Mardi Gras outlet , used various crafting supplies I had on hand and of course, hit the sales.  Every surface in my living room and dining room were covered in masks. My man is simply wonderful when I go all craft crazy and take over the house with my projects.  He's become accustomed to finding glitter everywhere, I do mean, everywhere, feathers floating around and rarely being able to actually eat at the dining table. 

I had so much fun trying to come up with 50+ different designs. I wanted to make sure no one saw the same one when they posted them all over social media. I also wanted to show case how I could create a mask for just about any party theme they had in mind. You know, so when a party planner, stylist, blogger needed a mask for their party, they'd know who to contact. (Insert subtle hint)  

 Package presentation is everything in the party world and I knew exactly what products I wanted to use. The packaging couldn't be too big because the masks were going in the VIP bags along with a lot of other products. I contacted Nashville Wraps  to see if they would be willing to partner with me. I love their products and knew a lot of the party people did too. Many of the party people attending the BASH Conference also sell items and I wanted to expose them to the wonderful products of Nashville Wraps. I used the gold ribbon on many of the masks and wrapped the masks in  gold polka dot tissue paper because it resembles confetti which is part of my logo.  

After wrapping the masks in the tissue paper and adding my business card I tucked the masks into plastic bags and packed them up to ship off to Arizona. 

If you were one of the VIP's who received one of my masks I would love to see which one you received.  Tag me in your pictures on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.  And if you're interested in masks for your party, send me an email at Tiffany.fizzyparty@gmail.com 

Tissue paper, gold ribbon and plastic packaging bags provided by Nashville Wraps.

Pre-BASH Conference Recap

A few weeks ago I attended my first ever blog conference.  BASH  Conference is specifically geared to party planners, event stylists and party bloggers.  So of course this was one conference I HAD to attend. My blog after all is about parties!  If I wasn't a party planner, stylist or party blogger I wouldn't have attended because all the classes were geared toward the party industry.  That would be like me attending a food bloggers conference. HA HA! Can you see me at a food blogger conference? I don't even cook!

I'm going to break up the conference recap into two posts because there was so much information and because I was in Arizona for a week. Lucky me, my parents have a house there :) They're getting tired of the Oregon damp wet grey winters and I can't blame them. Sun and blue sky's in the winter months, sounds good to me.

1. My feet on the famous Portland Airport carpet. This carpet made CNN, The Huffington Post  and has it's own Twitter page. Keep Portland Weird. You see why I had to take a picture.  2. Off I go! I feel I should disclose this plane picture was taken in Phoenix, the sky is not that blue in Portland in January. 3. Gorgeous Mt. Hood. I picked the perfect seat on the plane. Not only did I get this great view but my seat mates were two very fun older women. I say older because both are retired. I've got YEARS before I can retire.  4. The view from my parents backyard in Phoenix.

As I mentioned above, I was in Arizona for a week instead of just 3 days for the conference.  I flew in early to spend time with my parents and to visit a few party bloggers who lived in the area.  My first visit was to Tikkido's  for some delicious wood fired pizza in the outdoor oven she built.  Tikkido has the perfect outdoor set up. It's what I'd love to have except it would need to be under a cover or covered for more than half the year. It rains and or is damp a lot in the Portland area. I had a lovely visit with Tikkido and her neighbors who she also invited over for pizza.

1. BellaGrey Designs  flew in a day before the conference so we could visit some of the party shops owned by party bloggers.  2. This was the first time I met BellaGrey Designs in person but we felt like old friends because we've been chatting for what seems like years online. 3. The TomKat Studio recently opened her shop in a mall in Chandler, Arizona. It's full of bright fun party items. 4. If I had my own Fizzy Party office this pillow would be sitting in a comfy chair in it. It's bright and peppy and little did I know how true this saying would be after attending BASH.

The other shop BellaGrey Designs and I visited was Petite Party Studio which is just down the road in Gilbert, Arizona.  Petite Party Studio's shop is located in the historic downtown area.  The shop is cozy and warm and not only carries party goods but has other items on hand as well.  The owners are super fun and you just know they love what they do.

1. Party girls don't travel light. 2. BellaGrey Designs and I went for the VIP BASH tickets which included a limo ride from the airport to the Wigwam resort. We got to ride with 6 other party stylists, bloggers and planners. 3. The view from our room. Isn't it gorgeous! We never did get a chance to use the pool or hot tub but it was a wonderful way to start each day with that view. 4. Being a VIP we got a great swag bag filled with fun party items. I made the masks, all different, for the VIP bags. That's another post.

Come back on Wednesday to hear all about the conference and my thoughts on it.