Let Them Eat Cake...

We never set out to be a "wedding blog," as there are so many fabulous wedding blogs out there that we just can't compete with! However, we do love hearing from brides---and it always tickles us when a bride-to-be emails us to let us know that something on the Babs Blog has served as inspiration for her upcoming nuptials. What a lovely compliment, and we thank each of you brides! Lately, we've been getting emails asking for little snippets of wedding ideas.  We thought we'd start with cake...because cake is amazing.  :)  These cakes below are from brides.com----check out their cake gallery online for more inspiration.

Even if you aren't planning a wedding, these cakes (and the others in the online cake gallery) could really inspire other things, too:  Showers, dinner parties, or even entire decor schemes!  Enjoy...

(Warning:  You'll probably need a piece of cake after checking these out...)

Saturday Eye Candy...

Need a little weekend inspiration?  Or just something pretty to stare at?  We love this fun party via Hostess with the Mostess.  The colors and the attention to detail are just perfect.  For the details and more photos, check out the Hostess blog!  Have an inspired Saturday!  :)

Today's Obsession...

Okay, we kind of hate the word "obsession." It's so over-used. We are especially tired of reading a certain (to remain nameless) fashion magazine that uses the statement "we're obsessed with..." a hundred or so times per issue. It's exhausting. And, consequently, the words "obsession" and "obsessed" are somewhat meaningless now. That being said, we can't think of a better word for how we feel about Amy Butler's rug line, so you'll have to indulge our vocabulary just this once!  :)  We've loved Amy Butler's fabric for quite some time, but these rugs bring her line to an especially wonderful new level. Yes, ladies, these are rugs that will undoubtedly inspire entire rooms!  They are not only pretty, but they look to be exceptionally well made and sumptuous, if we can go that far.  The hardest part?  Well, first of all, you'd have to decide on which one (or two) would look best in your home.  Secondly, you have to be able to make an $800.00-$1,000.00 investment.  (Sigh).  Start saving your pennies, ladies... 

A Whiter Shade of Pale...

Our apologies for being so absent from the blog lately. Life is busy, busy, busy. Busy in a good way, though! Both of us have fun projects in the works and are trying to keep it all together on the work/school/home fronts. :)  We'll be sharing more of that in the future, but in the meantime, we thought we'd show you a few photos of rooms using white in such a lovely way.  If you want more, check out Traditional Home's website.  (Lots of eyecandy to see on this site, by the way!)  And please be patient:  we'll be back soon with some "meatier posts."  

Happy Tuesday!

She's Crafty...

The truth is, both of us have little secret dreams of just being able to stay home and be crafty 24/7.  Or at least have a beautiful room in each of our houses just dedicated to the creative process.  It would have to be pretty, organized, pretty, chockfull of crafty-type-tools, and pretty.  So, you can imagine our delight when we stumbled across Alicia Paulson's craft studio on Better Homes and Gardens' website.  Ms. Paulson runs a crafty business from her home, and her studio is to die for.  We love all the storage and organization, but mostly we love that it is a pretty space that seems to be all about creative inspiration.  We apologize for the poor photo quality above, but since you'll want to head here to check it out anyway, you'll be able to see this photo and others in their full glory.  If you are lucky enough to have a room in your home dedicated solely to the creative process, you'll appreciate some of the organizational tips you can glean from Ms. Paulson's studio.  Enjoy!

Why We Love 'Sunset'

We simply must, must, must mention one of our favorite resources here...

You see, we have taken it for granted that everyone out there knew about Sunset Magazine and the wealth of information that can be gleaned from the Sunset website.  Clearly, though, as Sunset Magazine is aimed at people in the western part of the U.S., some of you are missing out!  

We love both magazine and website for the endless information on gardening, homekeeping, crafty ideas, travel locales, food, wine, etc.  Want to know how to make a water feature in your backyard?  Check.  Want to know how to create a raised bed garden on a very small amount of land?  Check.  Want to know how to create a sparkling chandelier on a budget so that you can eat outside under candlelight?  Check.  How about finding out what the best wine for the buck is, or how to whip up a gourmet steak, or how to can peaches?  Check, check, and check.  And, to our utter delight, it seems that Sunset Magazine is becoming increasingly savvy about design trends for the home.  We love this resource, and we think you will, too!

Pretty In Pink

Need a little Thursday inspiration? Or perhaps just a little something pretty to stare at?  Check out this fabulous pink party via Hostess With The Mostess.  While the party was for a one-year-old, we actually think the ideas here would be fabulous for your next baby or bridal shower...or a grown-up birthday party.  Check out all the fabulous details and ideas here.

Budget Schmudget...

Being on a budget is not always everyone's favorite thing, but budgets do tend to inspire creativity, you must admit.  Many of you (and us, too) are learning to do more with less and, instead of griping about it, are relishing the opportunity to be thrifty, creative, and wise with your choices.  We think this is a really positive thing right now, and even after the wrinkles of the economy are ironed out, we hope people will still choose to be creative and thrifty!  

Paint is probably the number one way to do a cheap, yet chic, transformation in your home.  One of us is lamenting the absolutely boring dining room she has, but she knows the budget won't allow for new furniture.  So...how about paint?  Check out these four dining rooms below and notice the impact that painted dining room chairs can have on a space.  Such an inexpensive change with dramatic results!

(via Canadian House & Home)

(via PointClickHome.com)

(via Canadian House & Home)

(via PointClickHome.com)

New Favorite Food Blog!

We have a new favorite food blog and we just had to share with y'all!  Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes is a blog that gives delicious, easy-to-whip-up recipes that are healthy.  If you happen to be a Weight Watchers fan, Gina gives points values to all the recipes.  Even if you're not a Weight Watchers point-counter, you'll appreciate the variety of healthy recipes on this site.  We like the fresh ingredients being used and the fact that these recipes will please husbands and children, too.  Enjoy!

The End is Near...

The end of summer, that is.  This coming weekend is Labor Day Weekend---also known as the summer's last hurrah.  Different people love Labor Day for different reasons.  Some love Labor Day because it affords a day off of work at the beginning of the week.  Some love Labor Day because it means one last summer BBQ or one last summer trip to the lake.  Or, if you're like many husbands, you love Labor Day weekend because it signifies a grand kickoff to college football games.  (One of us will be spending this Labor Day weekend dressed in bright orange, cheering on Oklahoma State as they play Georgia this coming weekend.  It's pretty obvious she loves her husband very, very much as orange is totally not her color.)

Whatever your reason to love Labor Day weekend, it can be agreed that great summer fare adds to the occasion.  Martha Stewart has some fabulous Labor Day recipes for you to try out before summer is completely gone.  Check them out here.  And, regardless of what college team you are rooting for, have a fabulous Labor Day weekend.  (Unless you're an O.U. fan, says Kari's husband...)