Author:Lori

Coffee Bar Styling for Fall!

September 19
12 Comments

A coffee bar is a wonderful addition to any breakfast or brunch gathering!  If you’re hosting any kind of event during the wee morning hours, coffee is a drink most guests will appreciate!  You can include other beverage alternatives too…but the basic idea is to set up a self-serve station that’s easy!  Today I’m sharing how I used my patio buffet to create an outdoor coffee bar to celebrate fall!  The great thing about this kind of treat table is that you can honestly set one up anywhere…a countertop or any piece of furniture that will hold the goods will do.  Add in some simple pastries for guests to indulge on and maybe a seasonal decoration or two and you have a morning treat that will start the day on a sweet note (and a kick of caffeine)!  So let’s raise a cup of joe to fall AND styling a simple coffee bar!

hello coffee bar…hello fall!

Fun with S’mores!

September 12
18 Comments

Fun with s’mores isn’t over just because summer is winding down!  In fact, my family actually eats more of this gooey treat during autumn than any other time of year!  When the temperatures begin to drop we look forward to gathering around a fire & roasting those mallows to then squish them between chocolates & cookie crackers! (not to mention eating them!)  We’re lucky to have a pretty lengthy fall around here so I love coming up with new ways to enjoy this sweet treat all season long!  Today I’ve pulled together three fun ways to serve them with a twist along with tutorials & recipes to help make it easier!  I’m even sharing a couple decorating favorites AND a simple hack should you encounter a baking disaster! 🙂  Let’s stock up on the traditional supplies…and add s’more ooey gooey delight to your fall festivities!

let’s have s’more fun with s’mores!

Back to School Ideas!

August 29
16 Comments

Back to school season is upon us!  Some kids still have a few days of summer vacation left and some have been back in the classroom for a while now…but no matter what date the first day of classes are, you can serve up a festive breakfast to celebrate the school year!  Even if you don’t have littles in the house anymore you can still set a more grown up table with some grab-and-go goodies for the older kiddos in your life!  By using simple school supplies you might already have around the house you won’t even have to shell out any dough…unless you’re actually purchasing pastries from the baker!  Today I’m so excited to show you these simple ideas along with some of my blogger friends who will be sharing their recipes for some wonderful back to school goodies!  So let’s start the school year right…

back to school is as easy as one, two, three!

Cinnamon Ice Cream!

August 22
14 Comments

Cinnamon ice cream is one of my family’s favorite summertime treats!  Actually, we often make this indulgent recipe throughout the year…and since cinnamon is the main flavor, it’s wonderful to serve during autumn AND the holidays too!  The inspiration for this yummy dessert was sparked after sampling something similar in an ice cream parlor in Indiana.  It was a favorite place for my mom to go when she was a kid, and it’s still operating today!  Because this shop is so far away, we concocted our own version to make whenever we got the craving!  Today I’d like to share this easy recipe with you…and also a sweet way to serve it!  Summer might be winding down, but there’s always room for ice cream!

we all scream for cinnamon ice cream!

Pina Colada Cupcakes!

August 7
8 Comments

Pina Colada Cupcakes…sounds like a perfect summer treat doesn’t it?  If you love the summertime cocktail AND love a good cupcake, this yummy bite will be for you!  Today I’m sharing the recipe for this festive dessert…and I’m even sharing a sweet and easy way to serve it!  It doesn’t take a lot to make an ordinary day feel like a celebration so let’s get right to it…

cheers to pina colada…cupcakes!

Pool Party Decorations!

July 25
17 Comments

It’s pool party time!  We’ve now experienced our first official heavy-duty heatwave so pool-time fun is on everyone’s minds!   And not to fret if you don’t have a swimming hole in your backyard…you can still get in on summertime fun!  Today I’m sharing some easy ideas for pool-inspired decorations, invitations, and treat ideas for any kind of summer celebration!  I  may not have a yard fit for a pool…but that won’t discourage me from using the splish-splashy theme for a treat table on a hot summer evening!  So today I’ve got some easy inspiration that will still remind guests of poolside festivities!  I’m also sharing how easy it is to gather your friends together using Paperless Post.  A super convenient way to customize invitations for ANY kind of party!  AND as a special bonus, you’ll also find the links to some of my favorite foodie bloggers who are sharing recipes for pool party munching!  So let’s make a splash into…

pool party fun!

Campfire Popcorn!

July 18
12 Comments

Campfire popcorn…sounds fun doesn’t it?  Whether you love to camp, glamp, or just pretend in the backyard, adding popcorn to the mix enhances the adventure!  When my boys were little we used to have plenty of backyard “camping trips”…however, I’m not sure anyone ever lasted in the tent all night!  We don’t pitch the tent outside anymore but we do enjoy many evenings by the fire pit and recently had a blast popping corn right over the flames!  There’s something exciting and a little nostalgic about cooking over a campfire.  It can bring back those memories of long summer nights and simple fun!  So today I’m really excited to partner with Grand Rapids Popcorn to share this joyful way to spend a summer evening under the stars and moon with family and friends!  Get the fire roaring…and see how much fun campfire popcorn can be!

simple pleasures…campfire popcorn!

Baseball Snack Table made Easy!

July 12
14 Comments

Baseball season seems like it rarely ends around our house!  Both boys played ball in school and my youngest is still in the midst of the summer season and often plays much of the year ’round in some form.  AND in our neck of the woods we have our very own hometown team the Toledo Mud Hens to cheer on!  So needles to say, baseball has been welcome in our home for years!  One of the great things about baseball (or sports in general) is that you never outgrow the fun!  Everyone from players to fans can get in on the excitement and can enjoy a good baseball-themed snack or two!  Today I want to share a super easy snack table that would be perfect for pre-game fun, a birthday party, or just a TV game night with friends.  And if you have a player in your family or know one nearby, you’ll already have all the decorations you need!  Let’s get ready to munch, crunch and cheer our favorite team on to the win!  I promise this easy snack table won’t strike out!

root, root, root for the home team…

and baseball snacks!

Fourth of July Holiday Roundup!

July 2
10 Comments

The Fourth of July holiday is days away…and I’m not gonna lie, I’m totally not ready!  The rain this season, summer baseball, and home improvement projects have taken over my time…but I’m not the only one in this boat!  So if you’re like me and feeling unprepared, I have a fun roundup of holiday cheer in store!  I’ve gathered up some of my favorite Fourth of July party ideas, crafts and recipes from the past to share with you today!  They’re easy, festive, and delicious I promise!  I’m also sharing my last-minute “celebration” idea that is so simple you could whip it together in seconds!  So, the clock is ticking…red, white & kaboom time is near!

Fourth of July holiday cheer is here!

Easy Mimosa Bar Styling!

June 27
12 Comments

An EASY mimosa bar?  Now you’re speaking my language!  You know how much I love to entertain AND I love it that much more when it’s practically effortless to decorate for a party!  Mimosas are such a delicious and wonderful drink to serve for practically any celebration…they’re light, bubbly, and easy to customize!  You can make them in mocktail form so they’re a perfect sip for the mom-to-be too!  I’m so thrilled to partner with Cotier Brand to bring to you some easy, mimosa bar inspiration for your bubbly bar!  They’ve created a kit that I’m completely giddy for and I can’t wait to share it with you!  I promise it will make your bar look so beautiful and they do most of the work for you!  So let’s pop the bubbly and get ready to serve up the fizzy fun!

easy mimosa bar…happy hostess!