It happens every year, most people have just barely finished their back to school shopping and stores already have their Halloween merchandise out.  That is how I found out about these $10.00 Halloween decorative cupcakes that my mom spotted at her local TJMaxx/Homegoods and shared with me via text .  While it seems early to be buying Halloween decorations (it’s not even fall yet), I will admit that I am ready for some pumpkin cupcakes!

I recently sent a friend a package and included these cupcake shaped paper clips.  I bought the pack of 30 paper clips, which includes 15 of each shade of pink, from paper source for $5.95

Cupcakes plus cookies are the perfect pair in this cupcake recipe for cookie cupcakes with raspberry fluff frosting.  Ez Pudewa from Creature Comforts adapted from the September issue of Everyday Food Magazine so that they were gluten free.  I have yet to try baking cookies into cupcakes but since I love both cupcakes and cookies I will be adding these to my to-bake list!  The gluten-free version of this recipe can be found in the Creature Comfort’s blog post while the original version is on the Martha Stewart website.

Did you know today, Thursday August 25th, is National Banana Split Day?  Join in the celebration and make one of these Banana Split Cupcake recipes from Tastespotting!

This year kids can really go back to school in cupcake style!  On a recent trip to the mall I noticed Gap Kids has tons of cupcake items.  There website only offers this grey longs sleeved cupcake graphic T for $26.99.  The stores have a few more cupcake itmes like a short sleeved Tshirt that reads “let them eat cupcakes.”

While reading one of my favorite blogs, Paper Crave, I noticed a post about a recipe book complied by over 50 bloggers.  All proceeds from the cook book, titled Recipes to Help, go to The American Red Cross.  Cupcake recipes included in the book are a recipe for chocolate cupcakes with nutella, almond butter, and vanilla cream cheese frosting by Good Life (eats) and derby cupcakes from The Polka Dot Chair.  The book is available in print or as a e-book, each are $10.00.

I’m impressed by these  creative and upcycled DIY Party Animal Candles.  Jenny from Hank + Hunt posted the full instructions The Sweetest Occasion.   She used gold spray paint to give the candle holders a uniformed appearance.  I think they make perfect cupcake toppers for a child’s birthday party, maybe one that’s circus themed?

Are you busy back to school shopping for the little cupcake lover in your life?  Have you been looking for a cupcake backpack to send your child back to school in cupcake style?  Stephen Joseph has tons of fun cupcake products including two different cupcake backpacks.  Both bags cost $26.99 but one is quilted while the other, named the go-go bag, is vinyl with appliqued designs.  Be sure to check out the other cupcake items on the website including lunch boxes, stainless steel water bottles, there’s even a nap mat.

After noticing these by the checkout line at my local Wal-Mart I realized that filled cupcakes must be the latest trend in cupcakes.  This is because Betty Crocker created these FUN da-middles cupcake mixes with filling.  Four flavors are currently available including chocolate cake with vanilla filling, white cake with vanilla filling, and white cake with chocolate filling.  These have come out at the perfect time with school starting back up these would be great to bring to a class room party, bake sale, or as a special after school treat!

Real Simple always has great ideas in their New Uses for Old Things section, especially when it comes to cupcakes!  If you are looking for an easy solution for cupcake transportation why not try this DIY gift box cupcake carrier.  Simple cut X’s into a shirt box and insert cupcakes.

I went to Target today and saw these two cupcake notebooks in the seasonal back to school supply section.  Since they are only $1.00 each they are hard to resist and are definitely not just for students!

I am so excited that today I found these Cath Kidston cupcake liners at my local TJMaxx.  I love TJMaxx just because you never know what you might find there and they always have something different.  The pack of 100 liners, which includes four different patterns, are also available on the Chronicle Books website for $9.95.  Or stop by your local TJMaxx and test your luck to see what cupcake find might be in store for you.

I love these trendy cupcake toppers by Fiskars.  The bright colors make them really fun and after reading the directions they seem easy to make if you have the right tools.  My favorite are the pinwheels although I know the mustache toppers are really popular right now.

If I was a coffee drinker I would definitely make these caramel frappucino cupcakes that Sweet Tooth made for a friends’ birthday.  These cupcakes consist of mocha cake filled with homemade caramel sauce, topped with whipped cream frosting then drizzled with more caramel sauce.

Forever 21 always seems to be up on the latest trends which is why they offer several cupcake items.  Here are some of my favorite cupcake finds, such as the Sweet Little Cupcake Shirt, pictured above, that comes in charcoal or cream for $14.90.  I also like the cupcake love boyshorts that are $3.80.  There are also these sweet cupcake ankle socks that come in heather grey or yellow and are only $0.95!!  The website has more cupcake tee shirts, young girls cupcake shirts, jewelry, buttons, and a tote so check it out!

I have this cupcake book of labels by Gailson.  It’s great when you need to write a small reminder note and don’t want to use a whole post-it note.  The book that costs $5.00, consists of 80 labels in two different sizes and eight different patterns.  The line offers other cupcake products including a magnetic pad, mini sticky notes, a mini journal 6 pack, or gift notes and thank you notes.

One year for my sister’s birthday she had a boston cream pie cake from the Cakery in San Luis Obispo, California.  Her cake was so good it makes me think these Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes by Sugar Plum would be a delicious mini version.

Disney has some of the cutest cupcake ideas! I know we recently blogged about Disney’s Family Fun Cupcakes but another Disney creation has caught my eye. Remember squirt from Finding Nemo?  Well these Squirt Happy Turtlecakes look as cute as the turtle in the movie!  Made from candy, listed below, this cupcake is completely edible and kid friendly. For the four step instructions head over to Disney Family!

• Cupcakes
• Frosting
• Sour Peach Gummi Rings candies
• Gumdrop candies (red and green)
• Spearmint Leaves candies
• Mini chocolate chips
• Wooden kitchen skewer or toothpick

Oh, Hello Friend: You Are Loved is one of my favorite daily blog reads.  Dani has amazing style, a beautiful Etsy shop and I love reading her posts, some of my favorites were about her engagement and wedding! And I check every monday to see what the weeks’ good cheer deals are.  The good cheer deals are discounts and specials to different websites and Etsy shops.  I was excited when I saw her post for a DIY: Summer Succulent Garden that included a cupcake liner garland. I really like her color choices and think the cupcake liners add a nice pop of color to the little garden.I’m thinking about making my own garden to give my mom as a birthday gift in a few weeks.  Of course I will be baking cupcakes for her as well!

As opposed to heavy chocolate cupcakes these lemon cupcakes with lime & ginger whipped cream sound light and perfect for summer.  These cupcakes were created by Rachel from The Pleasure Monger.   If you’re not a ginger fan I’m sure you could make these cupcakes without the ginger in the whipped cream for a purely citrus cupcakes.

I noticed in an issue of Martha Stewart Living this Erhman Tapestry Cupcake pillow.  While it’s not my taste, especially at $78.00,  I’m sure someone out there would be interested in this pillow.

My friend recently brought to my attention a new theme among cupcake apparel: Monster devouring cupcakes.  The Monster Face Tee shown to the left is from Delia*s and is $19.50.  The Domo-kun Nom Nom Nom Cupcakes Babydoll seen to the right is from ThinkGeek is $19.99 and shows a monster eating cupcakes!

Pop Tarts were always a last minute, rushed breakfast option when I was growing up.  Even though they lack nutritional value they were always delicious!  Continuing with the breakfast cupcake posts, these Pop Tart Cupcakes by Cookies and Cups look amazing!  According to the directions you simply hollow out a vanilla cupcake, fill with strawberry preserves and top with buttercream frosting.  Garnish the frosted cupcakes with a swirl of strawberry preserves and sprinkles and you have your strawberry pop tart cupcakes.  I wonder what other pop tart flavors could be transformed into cupcakes.

We have shared with you several versions of kids cupcake bedding before and here is another option.  The Company Store’s kids line called Company Kids has a cupcake party percale bedding set for sale on their website.  Choose from twin or full sizes and flat sheets, fitted sheets, pillow cases, and a comforter cover.  While on the site don’t forget to look at the girls’ snug-fit cupcake pajamas available in sizes 2T-6 for $19.00.  Or there’s a short sleeve cupcake tee on sale for $9.99 available in sizes XS-M.  And perfect for kids going back to school is the cupcake appliqued messenger bag that is $22.00.

I love this polka dot cupcakes towel from Pier 1 Imports that I was given for my birthday.  It’s bright and cheery and looks great hanging on the handle of my stove.  If you want your own cupcake towel you can buy the red like I was given for $7.16.  There is also a blue sparkler cupcake towel for only $3.38.