Bottle It Up

If you could bottle up a scent from any experience, what would it be? 

Perfumes from CB | I Hate Perfume found via Bancroft and Ivy 

I recently had the opportunity to listen to Gretchen Rubin, the author of The Happiness Project, speak on creating personal happiness. One of the topics she discussed was cultivating your sense of smell. We often take our sense of smell for granted, although it's our sense that remembers best.

So stop, and literally, smell the roses. In her research, she found that your level of happiness can affect your sense of smell. Basically, focus on good smells and embrace them.

If I could bottle up a few scents they would be the first day of school, a special donut shop, and the moments after a summer's rainfall.

Please share some of your special smells!

Sweet Links

Holding On To Love Print on Etsy

Watercolor party bags featured on Design*Sponge

How to make mini crepe paper flowers on Oh Happy Day!

Big quotes about the benefits of living in a small space on Apartment Therapy

Happy and colorful illustrated maps featured on Candidly Red and Unstitched

Pretty lady product packaging on The Dieline

Truffle Mac and Cheese? Yes, Please! Recipe on yumsugar

I want: turquoise flats from Target

Best Costumes Write-in: The Help

The Help, my favorite movie of 2011, received several major Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actress (Viola Davis as Aibileen Clark), and Best Supporting Actress (Jessica Chastain as Celia Foote), but I was a little surprised that it didn't receive a nomination for Best Costumes. The costumes and visuals of Mississippi in the 1960s really brought it to life. 

Photos by Dale Robinette for Dreamworks via IMDB 

Pretty Nightstands from Urban Outfitters

I've been sans nightstand ever since my IKEA nightstand suffered a massive collapse a few months ago. I should have seen that one coming.

To my delight and surprise, I recently found two lovelies that have really struck my fancy, the GiGi Nightstand and Brass Leaf Side Table from Urban Outfitters. 

They sure are pretty and one of them might just be mine soon. I've never bought furniture from Urban Outfitters so I'm interested to know what the quality is like. Which one do you like the best?

Winner :: Fancy Flamingo Valentine's Garland

A big congrats to Christine M. for winning the Fancy Flamingo Giveaway! I know that she will absolutely LOVE her new Valentine's Day Garland. 

Remember, Fancy Flamingo is offering 15% off your purchase with code CIRQUEDUSWEET through the end of January, so head over to her Etsy shop and buy your favorite. 

Thanks to everyone who participated! For giveaway rules, please see the original post here. 

Happy Birthday, Tex!

Today marks my dog Tex's 5th birthday. We're not exactly sure what happened the first two years of his life or why his original owners abandoned him, but we do know that he was born in Waco, Texas on January 23! These adorable dog treats from Avenue Barket were gone in about 5 seconds. He's such a spoiled little pup. 

Ding Dong Ditched

My sweet tooth tastes range from places like Dude, Sweet Chocolate (a local Dallas chocolate shop) and Sucré (heavenly macaroons) to the lower end of the sweets spectrum, like junk food you can get at a convenience store. Case in point: I enjoyed every minute of devouring a fried Twinkie at dinner last night.

Much to my dismay, Hostess Brands (the maker of Twinkies, Ding Dongs, Ho Hos, Wonderbread, etc.) recently filed for bankruptcy. In my feeble attempt to help Hostess out during this time, I bought some Ding Dongs and "Ding Dong Ditched" someone, inspired by an idea I spotted on Tip Junkie.

A big thanks to Kathleen and Alli for helping me out on this one!

Flower School

If you're interested in learning how to make a beautiful floral arrangement, you should definitely consider taking one of the new classes that the lovely Bows and Arrows floral and design studio in Dallas is offering this spring. How gorgeous is this bride's bouquet?

Photo courtesy of Bows and Arrows

Sweet Links

Photo by Hak Lonh via Oh Joy!

My swoon level would be off the charts if a darling delivery girl brought me huge heart balloons for Valentine's Day. It's too bad I don't live in LA to get one of these arrangements from Geronimo Balloons. Watch their Valentine's balloons campaign video and hear my new-to-me favorite French love song ("Boum" by Charlie Trenet).

Target unveils 'The Shops at Target' - via The Budget Babe

The lineup of speakers at Alt Summit is absolutely incredible.

I don't watch Downton Abbey but I'm beginning to think I should - Design*Sponge

Love this 'do: The Sock Bun tips by Jenna Sais Quois

If you have any sweet links or blog post ideas, feel free to send them to me at allison@cirquedusweet.com

GIVEAWAY :: Fancy Flamingo Valentine's Garland

I'm absolutely tickled pink to announce the first giveaway here on Cirque du Sweet. My friend Jackie of Fancy Flamingo creates darling burlap pennant garlands and generously donated a sweet Valentine's Day banner as a giveaway to one of my lucky readers!

Fancy Flamingo garlands are perfect for photo props, decorations, showers, children's rooms, parties, sororities, colleges, holidays and basically anything your heart can dream of with a custom order. Now through the end of January, you can get 15% off any Fancy Flamingo order with the code: CIRQUEDUSWEET

How To Win the 'Love' Garland!

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. 

To enter, you must do the following: Visit Fancy Flamingo on Etsy and let us know what your favorite garland is by posting a comment on this post.

For up to three additional entries:

- Like Cirque du Sweet on Facebook

- Like Fancy Flamingo on Facebook

- Follow Cirque du Sweet (@cirquedusweet) on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway with a link to this post (example: "Win a Valentine's Day banner from Fancy Flamingo on Cirque du Sweet! http://bit.ly/wW6PdH)

Winner will be determined by Random.org

Winner will be announced on Tuesday, January 24 on Cirque du Sweet 
Entries will be accepted until Monday, January 23 at 11:59 p.m. CST

Individuals may enter up to 4 times via comment (required), Facebook (additional entries), Twitter (additional entry)

Banner is donated by Fancy Flamingo

No purchase necessary 
Open to U.S. residents only
Void where prohibited

Happy Birthday, Dad!

In honor of my Dad's birthday, here is the recipe for his "world famous" pancakes:

1. Buy a box of Hungry Jack pancake mix

2. Follow the directions on the back of the box (use milk instead of water)

3. Enjoy!

Since he is quite the pancake connoisseur, we sent him some really good pure Vermont Maple Syrup for his birthday. You can't have good pancakes without incredible syrup, that's for sure. 

Happy Weekend! Now, go enjoy a cocktail...

La Vida Loca at Primebar in Dallas

Tequila, Agave Nectar, Fresh Juice, Black Lava Salt

Fitness Flair for January

Fitness Reads : When it's time to get down to business with fitness I always find great tips from magazines like SELF.

New Shoes : I still have another couple months or so to get out of my Nike Free Run+ shoes but sporting new kicks is a great way to get pumped about working out.

Hair Care :  Washing my hair every day is brutal to my already not-so-perfect mane. I'm starting to use Batise dry shampoo on less sweaty workout and off days so that my hair is more healthy.

Fresh Fruit : It's now time to indulge in sweet fruits of the season (like yummy pears and clementines) instead of cookies.

Fitness BFF : I track my weight and occasionally my calories using the My Fitness Pal app.

Run with Ruffles : My new lululemon running skirt has ruffles and that makes me happy.