Mountain Dew Cake and Simple Celebrations

My brother is a Mountain Dew kind of guy. For his June birthday, I made him a Mountain Dew cake. I assumed it would taste terrible because Mountain Dew and cake didn't seem like a yummy union, but it was actually tasty. The soda made the cake super moist and it was citrus flavored, light with lemon. The icing was also made with Mountain Dew.

Fresh, Fresh Flavors

This cake was quick and easy because it used a boxed cake mix, we're not talking about "put on an apron and bake from scratch" sort of recipe. It's easy, easy. *Note: I used vanilla pudding mix but any will work.


For his celebration, we kept simple but still special. Simple celebrations offer the chance to feel the true spirit of celebrating. I'm a big top show type of party person, but I still double love the simple moments too.




Here's a list of SIMPLE ideas to pin to your memory:

~ confetti: always fun and festive
~ add a matching candy in a dish next to your cake
~ compliment your cake and desserts with matching style of drinks instead of boring soda, water, punch, or tea.
~ balloons: classic. You can't go wrong.
~ artsy, creative candles. There are endless choices of candles on the market. Have you seen the colored flame candles? Fun!
~ garland and banners. You can take nearly anything and create garland with it.
~pinatas
~ pin the tale on the donkey

These simple ideas take no time at all and they add that extra pinch of SPECIAL to your day. They're timeless and classic. All of these ideas are the OBVIOUS party ideas that have been done over and over again because they WORK.

Sometimes,
taking it back to the basics
makes the most sense.

I used some of these ideas from my list for Kyle's party...

Fun candles:
Coordinating drinks that would compliment the cake flavor and color:

Candy jar of Lemonheads served with the Citrus cake.

A birthday banner made MINI! I've seen these mini cake banners all over the internet and finally joined in...

I created a quick garland of balloons.
It was very party-ish. ;)

I easily attached balloons to ribbon using mini clothespins.
Super Cute!

The party highlight was Kyle's pinata. He got to bust a pinata on his 27th birthday. I don't think guys ever outgrow the love of destroying things.


The boys were excited to fill it! My Mom bought the pinata and candy.



The kids got first hits.

The MONEY makes this a pinata made for an adult.

Who says money doesn't come from trees?

Stuffing his pockets...but not with candy.


The boys got the coins and candy, but they had to give all the bills to Uncle Kyle.


Because what else is a big sister supposed to get her little brother who has everything? {wink}

100 1's.
Maybe on a different birthday
I will do one hundred 100 dollar bills...
but that's not likely.

Boys will be boys.
Taking the pinata game to a new level:

I used many simple elements to make a special event. Each of these classic and well-used ideas take only minutes to create. I have shared other 5 minute Party Ideas in a previous post as well if you're wanting more ideas...




My brother has made my birthdays special before too, which I shared an example about a long time ago in the post "He Rocks My Socks". Kyle and I have always made a good TEAM. I love him like crazy even when he drives me crazy. He's a super cool guy and I'm LUCKY to be his sister.

I've heard before that
beauty is found in simplicity
and that is a peaceful truth.



PS!!!!
In other news,
I MUST share with you all:
One of my Neapolitan cake photos was used on Bon Appetit Magazine website TODAY!

Hello Happy Girl (me). ;)

This post is linked to: Under the Table & Dreamin, It's a Blog Party, Think Pink Sundays LambAround, DIY Showoff, DIY Living, Seasonal Sundays, It's so Very Cheri, Strut Your Stuff at Saturday Mornings, Met Monday, Making the World Cuter, Motivate Me Mondays, Market Yourself Mondays, A2Z Tips & Tutorials, Lettered Cottage How To, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tuesdays at the Table, Topsy Turvy Tuesday, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, We're Organized Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday, Swing into Spring, Works for Me Wednesday, Show and Tell, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Blog Hop Thursday, Transformation Thursday, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, Friday Favorites, VIP Party Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up