BRONZE BUDGET BRIDE

From the moment you enter Iris Jewelry Designs you won't be able to stop yourself from saying, "Wow! I want to buy that and that...and that...oh and that and that...also that piece right there..." as you browse the selection.



At www.IrisJewelryDesigns.Etsy.com you will see gemstone necklaces; sterling silver necklaces; gold necklaces; gemstone earrings; gold earrings; silver earrings; gold and silver long necklaces and sterling silver bracelets. The collection itself is nature-inspired yet modern and very unique. Just look at this pair of Pink/Purple Druzy Earrings...it's fantastic. I didn't know what Druzy Jewelry was before I came across this Etsy shop but now I know I absolutely love it.



Valentine's Day is next Tuesday and I don't know a woman alive who doesn't love jewelry. It's not to late to place an order today at Iris Jewelry Designs and you'll get a free upgrade to PRIORITY MAIL SHIPPING on orders that are $30 or more to make sure that your package arrives in time. Just don't forget to enter "Priority Upgrade" in the 'message to seller' section when you are checking out.



Again, during our 2000 Fans Celebration - Week Of Giveaways you will have a chance to win a Silver or Gold Swarovski Necklace and Earrings Set from Iris Jewelry Designs! That's so awesome. So be here, with your friends, ready to enter to win, win, win February 20th - 26th!

These beautiful pedestals were created by the husband/wife team, Travis and Laura, who are avid entertainers. They both love the idea of being able to bring family and friends together for an event and host several themselves each year. They needed an outlet for their creative talents, stumbled upon Etsy and Adaura was born.

At www.Adaura.Etsy.com you will find beautifully crafted, unique pedestals in colors ranging from black to white and fun decorations for your next event.



Amongst them you'll see lovely teal blue as well as soft green cake pedestals and romantic red stands like this Heart Shape Cake Stand which would make a nice home for your Valentine's Day cake.



One of my favorite item that sells at Adaura, which I've features here before, is this Black 5 Tier Wooden Cupcake Tower but every piece in the shop is a work of art...beautiful, each and every one of them!



You are so lucky to get the chance to win this White 12" Wooden Cake Pedestal from Adaura during our 2000 Fans Celebration -  Week Of Giveaways, February 20-26th! Isn't it lovely? Yes, yes it is and your wedding cake will look gorgeous sitting on top of it.

Yes, you can find Adaura at www.Adaura.Etsy.com but I'd love for you to become a fan of Adaura here on Facebook and follow on Pinterest as well.

There is so much to be said about Favors By Dorinda and all good, trust me. The talent behind the dynamo Dorinda astonishes time and time again. Her candy creations are by far some of the most amazingly creative and unique you'll see on the market.



Just look this Wedding Satin Candy Cake that is covered in white Satin, beads, pearls, has a bride & groom topper and it sits on a silver base. Oh and how could I forget, it's adorned with delicious Hershey's chocolate dressed in custom wrappers created by, of course, Dorinda.



I love the Tuxedo Candy Cake which is covered in black and white Satin. This candy cake comes with a top hat and a real bow tie. Use it as a groom's cake, a surprise for Father's Day or a gift for any occasion...I know that any man will be thrilled to receive it especially since it's accented with delicious Hershey's miniature chocolates.



The Candy Wrappers you'll find at Favors By Dorinda are one-of-a-kind. They are sure to have your guests smiling from ear to ear and keep in mind that Dorinda is happy to take custom orders.



With Valentine just around the corner Favors By Dorinda have beautifully wrapped chocolate bars and a Valentine Bear Candy Cake that's just $20.



Looking for a Baby shower gift...Favors By Dorinda have got you covered too. Check out this beautiful Hello Kitty Candy Cake, it's soooo cute. You can also find keepsakes, gift baskets and so much more at www.FavorsByDorinda.com!

Want to know where else you can find Favors By Dorinda? On Facebook at Facebook.com/FavorsByDorinda, on Twitter at Twitter.com/FavorsByDorinda and you can visit her blog at FavorsByDorinda.blogspot.com!

For our 2000 Fans Celebration - Week of Giveaways, Dorinda has donated a $50 Gift Certificate that will be up for grabs February 20-27th. Now do you see why you don't want to miss this celebration? The fun begins in just 2 weeks, so mark your calender!

These buttermints are super cute and takes a little work to make but they would make such cute wedding favors...the kind that will have guest talking. So why not give them a try now that you have the recipe?

You'll need:

• Small plastic candy mold, such as a mini peanut butter cup mold or other mold that would make a good cupcake bottom shape
• Piping bag fitted with a small closed star tip

  Candy:

• 1/2 cup butter softened
• 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp whipping cream plus 1- 1/2 for thinning batter
• 1/2 tsp mint oil - such as LorAnn (my favorite flavoring oils)
• 2-3 drops liquid green food coloring
• Granulated sugar for rolling candy pieces in
• Nonpareils for decorating

Directions:

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter well.  Gradually add powdered sugar.  Mixture will be very dry.  When combined, add whipping cream and mint oil and mix again.  The mixture should become smooth and pliable - almost like play-doh.

Divide the candy dough in half.  Return half the dough to mixer and add green food coloring; mix again and cover the candy with plastic wrap.  Set aside.

Pinch off small pieces of white (uncolored) candy and roll in granulated sugar.  Press into candy molds and remove.  Place molded candy on a parchment lined cookie sheet.  Repeat process until all candy has been used.  Let candies stand uncovered for 30 minutes.

While waiting for the white candies to dry, remove plastic wrap from green candy portion and mix on low speed in stand mixer. Add 1 to 1 1/2 tbsp whipping cream until candy is of piping consistency. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with star tip.  Pipe green candy on top of cupcake bottoms and sprinkle with nonpareils.

Allow mini cupcake candies to air dry for 1 hour.  After 1 hour drape a large tea towel over them and let them stand overnight.  The next day cupcake butter mints should be dry to the touch.  Display them on reception tables or package them in decorative bags.  Can be frozen for 3 months.

Note: Fruit flavored oils could also be used with this recipe for a "butter cream candy" instead of "butter mint candy". 

Makes 30-40 candy cupcakes

photo credit: Sol Bijou