Napkin Bow...

Holiday and vacations are over... 

I'm sad.. 

but happy to be home...

and I am unprepared for my son's birthday this weekend.. 

I have these cute little favor boxes.. 

but no clever little ideas of what to put in them... 

Arrrgghh.. 

Since the party will have mostly grown ups.. 

and the fun, little cute gifts that would work beautifully for 

little ones.. 

will not work for them.. 

Maybe candy.. 

even grown ups need excuses to eat some candy!

Meanwhile.. 

I love this napkin bow idea.. 

(not for our buzz lightyear party :)

but maybe for my bestie's bridal shower.. 

via Martha Stewart.. 

Everyone needs a little bow sometime too!

S'more Cups...

These little cups are great for a summer treat...

just like eating s'mores by a campfire!

They are super easy to make.. 

just get the mold from Joann's.. 

fill with a little bit of melting chocolate.. 

next some graham cracker crumbs.. 

and throw in two or three little marshmallows.. 

and then cover in chocolate.. 

after about fifteen mins in the fridge.. 

they are ready to go.. 

And what better way to give them.. 

then in these super cute.. 

Martha Stewart cups.. 

with their bright colors

and scalloped edges.. 

I would make these candies just to use these liners.. 

Love!

Happy Summering!

Nest Bowl...

This weekend I under-took one of my Martha craft inspirations...

The nest bowl.. 

Got a bowl at the dollar store.. 

some yarn and glue at Joann's.. 

Martha said to use double-sided tape.. 

but I thought glue might be easier and last longer.. 

I just put glue all over and started wrapping the yarn around.. 

Easy-peasy 

Maybe not perfection.. 

but it is cute.. and I love the color of the yarn.. 

I think I might add another bit of yarn 

around the top of the bowl.. 

We will see.. 

Happy Easter Crafting!

Easter Plans....

I love Easter.. 

it's so fun.. 

so many colors.. 

so many different springy decorations.. 

fun food.. 

umm.. glazed carrots... amazing.. 

deviled eggs.. 

need I say more.. 

Every year I like to think of new

decorations.. 

or new crafts.. 

and Martha is just the perfect resource... 

Here are a few of my inspirations.. 

I adore this little bowl.. 

I think it would be easy and cheap to make...

a dollar store bowl.. 

and some fun string/yarn!

This is, I think my favorite idea.. 

Doily baskets.. 

I need to find some cheap cloth doily's ... 

hmmmm.. 

And these little Daffodil Candy cups.. 

would be so adorable around the table in different colors.. 

the more I think about this one.. 

the more I want to do it.. 

also, 

it's so cheap and easy.. 

Happy Spring!

Going Green...

I have a special place in my heart 

for St. Patty's Day...

and it's well on it's way.. 

Here are a few things that I want to try

this year...

All found from fabulous Martha.. 

Lime squares with Pistachio

graham-cracker crust.. 

yummm

Simple and cute cupcakes... 

A stout float... 

Maybe something a little hearty...

like cheddar topped shepherds pie...

I think this year I need to actually pick

the things to make our family traditions.. 

I think that I will try a few things 

then pick the best!

A little cherry and chocolate cookies...

I was excited when I saw 

what looked like and easy recipe

in the latest martha stewart magazine.. 

a perfect cookie recipe for Valentine's cookies..

(thank god I tried it before the day of!)

Cherry-chunk cookies.. 

yummm!

Anyhoo.. 

for some reason the cookies 

came out extremely flat.. 

and burnt.. 

part because my oven just

started running extremely hot lately.. 

(please don't break oven!!)

but apparently other people were 

having problems with the recipe too, 

so I don't feel so bad.. 

Anyways,

I went to my old faithful cookie recipe

from this fun little baking book 

that has a deceiving cover.. 

looks like something you would never use.. 

but I love it!

and I just added the cherries and chocolate

and perfection.. 

A perfect Valentine's cookie.. 

except for the part where I bought

cherry flavored cranberries accidentally instead of cherries.. 

(that's what shopping while sick and with a toddler will do to you!)

Recipe for never-fail fluffy cookies.. 

from Nestle..

2 1/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter (softened)

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

375 degrees 

(or 350 if your oven is crazy!)

and 9 to 11 mins.. 

ta-da

Happy Baking!

Valentine Baking...

My true love 

lies in baking...

I love the whole experience.. 

the smells..

the little tastes here and there.. 

beautiful product afterwards.. 

and the fun of giving it away.. 

I love it.. 

even when it comes from a box 

and only takes 30 mins.. 

In fact, 

sometimes that is the best kind!

Here are some Valentine baking inspirations 

from Martha Stewart, of course!

Handwritten sentiments, 

on chocolate and nothing else!

Romantic Pecan Linzer Cookies... 

Fancy Heart Pops.. 

For something more simple, 

but just as lovely.. 

Cupcakes!

xoxox

Holiday Hair...

I have always loved a pretty up-do, 

but I always have trouble pulling it off myself.

I stand in front of the mirror for endless minutes

and bobby pins hanging out of my mouth..

exasperated! 

This year though,

I have found some great ideas

that might make it much more

do-able.

I'm excited!

Here goes:

I adore the tutorial that Cup of Jo found 

on Martha Stewart weddings.. 

I love the images of each step..

a much needed visual aide for hair impaired me!

(if only I had gorgeous red hair!)

Also, 

Maryjanes and Galoshes did a guest post

on Style Please!

with some great inspirational pictures

and tips

I definitely need all the help I can get.. 

and I hope for a successful up-do this year!

Happy Thanksgiving...

I hope that everyone 

is off to wonderful and fun 

Thanksgivings!

And in case you

are just attending and not hosting.. 

(Which would be me and not me at the same time.. 

We are hosting brunch..

and going to the in-laws for dinner..

and then another dinner on Sunday.. 

My goodness.. )

I found a few hostess gifts that 

look just delightful.. 

of course,

courtesy of Martha Stewart.. 

Scented sugars.. 

I have been meaning to make some 

vanilla sugar for myself

But I haven't gotten around to it yet.. 

These just look so cute.. 

with a little ribbon around them.. 

and a fun tag.. 

A breakfast Basket.. 

I thought this was super cute.. 

A breakfast basket for the family 

preparing dinner.. 

They are probably running around 

like crazy people.. 

and a little scone never did anyone harm!

I would complete it with a side 

of starbucks though!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

O.M.G.

I love you root veggies.. 

you are too cute!

(Martha Stewart)

Halloween Diy Dollar Store Style...

So I am a person of many holiday decorations.. 

they just happen to be mostly for Christmas.. 

This year I am expanding my Halloween decor.. 

but trying to remain in a decent budget..

so that means one thing...

trip to the Dollar Store.. 

This trip I found this fun hurricane glass

and some frightening skull heads.. 

I already had the glass beads and

mini silver ornaments.. 

so a nice little addition for only two bucks.. 

It turned out pretty cute.. 

but I thought that it needed a little something extra.. 

so I spiced it up a bit.. 

Just some black paper,

a martha stewart punch, 

and some ribbon.. 

all which I already had.. 

so really still two bucks.. 

Ta-da!

A fun little pumpkin....

I just love the idea of doing a pumpkin 

just a little bit different.. 

carving a pumpkin is still fun.. 

but here's a few other cute ideas.. 

i love this ribbon one.. 

love..

found at Blue Cricket Design.. 

From the fabulous Martha.. 

Turnip Jack o Lanterns.. 

amazing.. 

The cutest things ever... 

peekaboo mini pumpkins.. 

I need these everywhere..

I adore these lace patterned pumpkins..

but i just can't imagine making them myself.. 

If you are having people over here are some cute ideas.. 

Flying place cards.. 

and from family circle..

a beautiful, simple centerpiece..

Enjoy!

A little good old fashioned red, white, and blue

Well, Memorial Day is coming up.. 

to me that screams a good ole barbeque..

even if it's just me and the hubby (and of course the babe)

But even if it's just us.. 

I got to put up some decorations

(especially since they will double for fourth of July)

So Ms. Martha.. 

what decorating ideas to you have for us this year?!

I love this star garland.. not too hard.. probably wouldn't 

bother sewing it though.. 

just glue.. shhh don't tell

I just love these sort-of napkin rings.. 

so simple to make.. 

And I adore this garland.. 

Who doesn't love sparklers.. 

well I have been a bit afraid of them burning 

my hands.. 

but these paper ones are safe for all hands

big and small..

And to end the night I was thinking of trying this recipe from foodnetwork

for a Watermelon-coconut cooler.. 

What I know sounds crazy right.. 

But I think that I can handle it.. 

(image-foodnetwork)

Directions

Blend 8 cups frozen cubed watermelon with 8 ounces lemon vodka, 7 ounces simple syrup (see No. 17) and a 17.5-ounce can coconut juice. Serve with watermelon wedges.

Easter Brunch..

So I'm considering having an Easter brunch at my house this year.. and just invite everyone.. I wonder if grown ups will do an Easter egg hunt.. last year.. I got everyone to decorate Easter eggs.. and it was fun..

I remember one year for Easter my parents took us to a park.. and before we had got there they had hidden Easter eggs and prizes all around the park.. and they had found this hole.. and they placed traces of the the Easter bunny around the hole... it was amazing and magical.. I want magic for my son for every holiday..

So in case I do have this Easter brunch.. I have been searching for Tablescapes to make the day festive.. and I have found plenty of inspiration..

Save the Date for Cupcakes.. had such beautiful ideas. and so colorful..



I just love the cupcake in the egg holder.. what a cute idea..

Of course.. i always turn to Ms. Martha for some ideas..




























I love the vintage butterflies.. could put them anywhere..


Almost makes me think of St. Patty's day.. but so springy


I think this is closest to what I will actually do.. hmm..
could even put the butterflies in this .. on little wire.. so
they float above it..



Cute idea for favors.. so precious..


And this is way out of my league.. but pretty nonetheless...


Now I will have to start planning the menu..
I'm sure it will be potluck style.. but I would like to make a few fun things myself..
Getting hungry just thinking of the possibilities..