Easy DIY Advent Calendar

November 30
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December is just around the corner and in my house that means time to begin one of my favorite traditions…the countdown to Christmas morning!  An advent calendar is such a wonderful way to countdown the days to the evening the big man pays a visit, building the anticipation as the cheerful tags disappear one by one!  When my boys were little we started this tradition by hanging little bags and boxes filled with tiny trinkets and candy…little tokens to open each morning leading up to Christmas Day!  Back then it was so easy to find inexpensive goodies that the kids were thrilled over…stickers, bouncy balls, a Hot Wheel car or a piece of candy!  The candy is still a hit but as the boys have grown it has been increasingly difficult to find small items that they would appreciate that won’t break the bank!  The days of giving stickers unfortunately are over for me, so the past few years I’ve really struggled to find useful or fun little items to fill up the 24 days in our advent!  This year I came up with a new twist that helps me save money AND time!  Let me share with you a new idea for our old tradition and a really easy way to create it!

advent calendar with a twist!

How to Create a Cozy Hot Cocoa Bar

November 27
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The moment cool temperatures set in…it’s time for hot cocoa!  Even on a chilly summer evening my family has indulged on the toasty drink to warm our bones!  But now hot cocoa season is in full swing and it can be so easy to serve this sweet, warm treat to family and friends on a blustery day!  I often keep a tray filled with the fixins’ for the chocolatey sip in my kitchen at all times during the fall and winter, making it easy to serve up a quick cup…and it looks festive too!  Today I’d like to share some fun ways to create a pretty cocoa station with the help of my friends at Oriental Trading!  The holiday season and hot cocoa go hand in hand…you can have so much fun adding some festivity to a simple cup of cheer to make spirits bright!  So get ready for some easy DIY projects from the craft room and the kitchen to create a winter treat that won’t disappoint! Get warm & cozy…

toast the season with a hot cocoa bar!

A Moroccan Soiree!

November 20
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There are two things I love to do when having a dinner party…dining outdoors and serving up some Moroccan delights!  My husband lived in Morocco as a child while his father worked for the government.  They were fortunate to have a cook during their time there and learned to love the native cuisine!  When we got married, one of our most cherished gifts from his parents was a Moroccan cookbook, but written inside on many of the pages were the original recipes of the talented lady who taught them to love the food there!  We’ve been making those recipes ever since…in fact, I’m not sure we’ve actually ever tried one of the recipes from the actual book!  My boys have grown up like my husband, loving the flavors and the tradition of dining Moroccan!  I’m so thrilled to share with you today another party I styled for Black Twine…a Moroccan soiree!  You can grab the blueprint for the party with all the time-saving tips, links to get the goodies and even get some of my family’s favorite recipes…straight from well used pages of our cherished book!  Come share the fun…

dine in the outdoors…Moroccan style!

Whimsical & Colorful Thanksgiving Table

November 16
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Adding some whimsical touches to any celebration is one of my favorite things to do!  Not only can it bring some extra fun to the festivity, it lightens the mood and can make your event comfortably casual without losing the “wow” factor!  Now that the holiday roller coaster has taken off…I’m always looking for ways to simplify my gatherings so that I can fully enjoy family and friends AND not get stressed about the next party on the calendar!  Last week I shared some colorful displays in my dining room and those bright colors & DIY projects were the inspiration for my table this year!  The best part?  Most of the tabletop is disposable!  After we’ve stuffed ourselves with the feast I can collect the paper products and fill up the trashcan rather than my sink…that alone is worth celebrating!  See some of the whimsical fun I had with paper plates, containers, tags…and the unexpected elements that helped make the table shine!

whimsical, colorful, joyful…

How to Create a Hanging Centerpiece

November 13
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I am able to share this blog post with you today courtesy of FTD!

Now that fall is officially here, it is time to start decorating for the chillier months! Autumn brings about the holidays of dinner parties and family gatherings so decorating your table for fall is an absolute must! If you are looking for a way to impress your guests and create a stunning display, consider making a hanging centerpiece. Not only are they easy to make, but they leave room on the table for plenty of food and other decor elements!  Check out the floral fun…

DIY Hanging Centerpiece for Your Fall Table

How to Create a Charcuterie Buffet

November 9
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With Thanksgiving right around the corner I’m sure most of us have food on the brain!  Holiday menus dance in our heads like sugarplums and we dream of all the turkey legs, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie that will be piled high on our plates soon!  But equally as fun as the huge, holiday meal are the nibbles to graze on while we await the main event!  Charcuterie boards are so on-trend and are a casually elegant way to serve up nibbles at any event, party or holiday celebration!  Not only are they easy to prepare…they look so beautiful without much effort and they can satisfy the tastes of all your guests!  Today I’m thrilled to have collaborated with my friends at Amalfi Decor to bring you some festive ideas for how to set up a charcuterie buffet…a fun way to take the concept of the charcuterie board and give it a twist! If you’re planning to have guests in for the holidays, a charcuterie buffet might be just right for you!

Charcuterie for the holidays!

Easy Ideas for a Colorful Thanksgiving!

November 6
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Now that November is here and the Halloween decorations are packed away we’re in what I call the “calm before the storm”..the few weeks in which I can enjoy the change of pace nestled in between two over-the-top holidays!  I thoroughly enjoy both Halloween AND Christmas…but have to admit that I also love the quiet break between them!  I still decorate for Thanksgiving…but it’s often with sparse displays of pumpkins and gourds and not a lot of fanfare!  And while my Thanksgiving decor is normally minimal, this year I decided it might be time to change it up a bit–not with quantity but color!  With the help of some simple DIY projects and easy treats & decorations, I added some holiday fun to my dining room that I can build on as Thanksgiving Day approaches!  I’m so excited to share these colorful and EASY ideas!

colorful ways to make turkey day bright!

Fall Fun with a Tailgate!

November 2
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Tailgate parties and fall seem to go hand-in-hand!  Whether it’s to celebrate a big game or just a fun way to serve up some goodies, tailgate festivities can be some of the most memorable ways to enjoy the season!  And aside from having some tailgate fun, my family also loves to indulge on the fruits of the season…apples!  Each year we load up the car with family and sometimes friends and head to the local orchard in search of our favorite pickings to make my grandma’s apple pie!  When we get home we peel and cook those beauties into a dozen containers full of pie filling to keep in the freezer all year long!  So this year I thought what fun it would be to combine our favorites…tailgating AND apple pie!  I’m teaming up today with one of my favorite companies to bring you some fun-filled ideas to host an apple pie party…tailgate style!  fun to eat fruit will put any edible logo or message onto fruit so that you can add something special to your event or gathering!  I LOVE the darling detail the fall inspired apples brought to my party…let me share with you the fun!

tailgate, apples, pie…oh my!

Quick & Easy Halloween Treats!

October 30
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Quick Halloween treats are perfect when Halloween is just around the corner…and can you believe that those ghosts and goblins will be upon our doorsteps tomorrow!?  If you’re in need of some easy, fun and tasty treats for your Halloween festivities, not to worry!  I’ve got some super simple treats that are as easy as they are yummy…and perfect for after school snacks, classroom parties, or Hallow’s Eve desserts!  When you’re in a pinch for time, semi-homemade goodies are such a life saver!  You can add festive decorations to make your purchases look amazing…or bake something from a box and have some holiday fun!  Let me share with you some of my favorite quick tricks that will create very sweet treats!

whooooo’s ready for some Halloween “boos”?  quick Halloween treats just for you…

How to Create a Flower Chandelier

October 26
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I am able to share this blog post wi u courtesy of Pro Flowers!

Please enjoy this tutorial on how to create a flower chandelier…

Flower chandeliers are quickly becoming a notable design element for many of life’s celebrations, both big and small. Whether you’re planning a bridal shower, hosting an outdoor dinner party or celebrating a birthday, taking your floral displays to new heights not only looks amazing, but smells amazing too.  If you’re thinking of creating a floral chandelier for your next event but aren’t sure how to get started…pro flowers has everything you need to know!  Their step-by-step guide and video tutorial will guide you through making a flower chandelier for any occasion.  please enjoy this blog by Pro Flowers!

pretty, aromatic, unique…a flower chandelier!