DIY Wreath...

Every year, each child wants a different themed birthday.. 

or maybe it's just my party-throwing self 

that likes having different themes.. 

Regardless...

It means different decorations for each party.. 

which can get a bit pricey.. 

so I love a good, cheap DIY 

to get the party started.. 

I saw an idea of using a pool noodle for a wreath..

I just happen to have some left over from the summer

from the dollar store.. 

So it was fate.. 

I cut the noodle to the size I wanted and taped it together.. 

I wrapped the wreath with some crepe paper 

in our construction theme colors.. 

and then I added some tools from the dollar store

with twine.. 

And there you go.. 

a wreath for just under $ 4 

and the kids get the toys after the party.. 

everyone's happy!

Thanks for looking!

Fall Cravings...

I was just beginning to feel ready for fall... 

the sweet breezes.. 

and leafs crunching..

and spices everywhere..

But Southern California has declared war

and has finally delivered the warm... 

(rather hot!)

summer that I had been waiting for 

and decided wasn't coming about..
bleh!

But Alas!... 

at night when it's a bit cooler 

I can still dream.. 

Some fall inspiration...

since I just can't shake it.. 

A chevron Pumpkin from lovesome

(image from Lovesome)

From World Market..

I have been drinking this almost every night.. 

with a splash of vanilla soy or coconut milk.. 

Tonight I made Spaghetti with Butternut Leek Parmesan Sauce..

by SkinnyTaste.com.. 

one of my favorite sites for recipes.. 

It was so yummy.. 

(image from skinnytaste.com)

And this song has been haunting me..

Teacher's Gift...

My older son will be starting preschool next week.. 

So this week we were saying good bye to our 

wonderful daycare family.

I put together a little "thank you" gift..

for the teacher's there.. 

I found the cute cup with the writing at the dollar store.. 

and the plastic mason jar at target.. 

and then I filled them with some goodies.

A quick and easy gift idea!

Favorite Things Friday...

Here are a few of my favorites lately... 

Pumpkin Nut Muffins from SkinnyTaste.. 

I kinda am in love with this website.. 

great recipes!

I might have added chocolate chips to my muffins though.. 

I blame it on the kids ;)

(image and recipe from SkinnyTaste.com)

Summer reading is.. 

Wait for it.. 

Harry Potter.. 

I had never read them.. 

I'm on the third book so far.. 

I can't wait to read them to my boys.. 

I just got a sample of Soy Renewal Beach Spray 

in my IPSY bag.. 

and I love this product.. 

Love it!

Happy Weekending!

DIY...Elastic Hair Ties..

I have been eyeing those elastic hair ties from afar.. 

I saw them at Anthropologie.. 

and almost bought them.. 

when they were on sale.. 

even then.. 

I couldn't stomach the $8 for three hair ties.. 

So I saw a few tutorials on Pinterest.. 

too easy!

And there are some great shops selling the 

fold-over elastic.. 

I got mine from.. 

Headbands Etc and More.. 

and she offers free shipping on orders of $20 or more.. 

great deal!

She had quick shipping and offered great colors, 

even a few glitter ombre colors.. 

I used my Silhouette machine to cut 

the notecards out.. 

and then stamped them festively.. 

perfect little gifts!

I was able to make six sets of the red, white, and blue ties...

for approximately $3.20.

Here are some other sets I made up:

So much fun!

DIY... Simple Fourth of July Tags..

Here's a quick and easy DIY

to fancy up your Fourth of July givings

or tablescapes.. 

First punch out tags in red, white, and blue.. 

and then punch out tags to layer on top of them..

I am going to layer the tags with the festive colors underneath.. 

so I liked the neutral kraft on top.. 

but any color would be fine.. 

Next punch a star in the top tag.. 

Layer the tags on top of each other.. 

and then punch the hole for the string at the top.. 

I used eyelets to keep my tags together.. 

but you could just glue them together.. 

and then I laced them with red twine.. 

There you go, 

cute tags for the Fourth!

Fourth of July Crafts...

With two little boys at home

I try and think of some fun and easy activities that we

can do together... 

and this week I have been pin crazy

for Fourth of July crafts.. 

here are a few that I think I will be doing.. 

The first is a rolling ball paint craft 

from My Shae Noel

(image from My Shae Noel)

A fun paper plate activity.. 

(Source and image unknown)

This one looks like fun.. 

as long as they don't spit in the straws instead of blow...

(image and idea from Mama's little Muse)

Blueberry star dyeing... 

(source says from Stylist.com)

I can't wait!

Weekend Sale...

       

       

Enter Code:  

Merci15

For a special 15% off sale this weekend.. 

Happy Weekending!  

Red, White, and Blue

Get ready for some red, white, and blue...
It's time to think of ideas for the Forth of July..

Here are a few fav's from Pinterest...



I have wanted to do some painted mason jars
and this looks like such a cute project...

(Image from Uncovet)

I love these little berry bowls.. 

so simple for a party..

(Image from Catch My Party)

Here are two cute edible wand ideas...

a bit safer than sparklers.. 

(Image and idea from Weelicious)

(Image and idea from Party Bluprints)

 And one for the grown ups...

a festive Sangria.. 

(Image and Recipe from Punchbowl)

A Cute, Simple DIY...

I found this great and super easy DIY

on Pinterest today...

from Two Twenty One.. 

(image from Two Twenty One)

I have a million corks.. 

not from drinking wine, of course!

=)

I just need to get some larger candle holders!

The Main Event Simi Valley

If you are up for some fun this weekend

Head out to the Main Event in Simi Valley.. 

Hope to see you there!

A Few Favorites...

Here are a few of my favorite things from the last few weeks.. 

I love this scrub as a fun Mother's Day gift... 

you can make your own Mother's Day gifts right?!

From The Idea Room

(image from the Idea Room)

I think that I have found my next project... 

These painted bottles are so cute.. 

From Eighteen25

(image from Eighteen25)

And lately I have been eating this.. 

so good.. 

I think that I put way more feta in mine though =)

From Skinny Taste.. 

(image from Skinny Taste)

Farmer's Market Birthday Card

A simple little birthday card

with a sweet theme.. 

I love the baker's twine.. 

I just got it.. 

Strawberry Cupcake Timeless Twine 

from Bella Creationz.

Pinterest To Do List...

I always had a growing to do list.. 

but Pinterest has only kept it growing.. 

and at an alarming rate

I might add.. 

Here are a few of my summer to do's:

This fruit salad from The Pioneer Woman.. 

(image from The Pioneer Woman)

This cute apple tote.. 

for a friend or for me.. hmmm.. 

from Craftystylish..

(image from Craftystylish)

These s'more pops from

Tip Junkie..

(image from Tip Junkie)

And I must try these nails 

from Luxe Life.. 

(image from Luxe Life)

I need to find a good neon pink!

Any summer to do's??

Flea Market Makeover: Mirror

For a while now, 

I have been wanting a mirror

to use as a menu board.

I usually shop for the week's dinners in one trip

and then lose my list of dinners during the 

week sometime.. 

So I wanted a cute menu board to keep me sane!

I found this mirror at the Ventura Flea Market

for $20.. 

and after a little spray paint job.. 

it was perfect!

I really like how it turned out.

So now just to get my menu together.. uh!

and

 I need to buy some vinyl 

and get "Menu" written across the top!

Peep Treats...

Here's a cute little Easter favor/gift.. 

that's super easy and fast to get together.

Just some edible grass

(I got mine at World Market)

and a few Peeps!

I printed up the cute phrase..

"You're one of my favorite Peeps"

and closed it with a kraft paper topper.

I hope everyone's spring break is nice and relaxing.

I just hope that there is no rain on Sunday, 

so the Easter bunny can happily hide his eggs 

outside!