Friday, December 30, 2011

Happy 2012

We are spending the weekend with our BFF's as we do every year for our New Year's Eve Sleepover.


I hope you are spending your NYE with the people you love the most in the world! Cheers to a happy, healthy & prosperous new year!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Water Cooler

We installed my new water cooler in my office today just in time for New Years Eve! CHEERS!


(spotted on P is for Party)

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

NYE Printables from TKS

When I saw these darling NYE printables from Kim of TomKat Studio last night, I of course had to use them for our New Years Eve celebration. I used the circle tags for our sparklers


& wrapped the same tissue around the poppers


I made some chocolate dipped marshmallows & added another cute circle tag


they are so easy to make & the kids love them!


I attached the large tags to simple black bags to package up all the goodies!


I am making the banner tonight! You can download the complete TKS NYE collection here.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Printable 2012 Wine Tags

I always like to bring a bottle of champagne as a small gift for our hostess for New Years Eve & these tags from Jessica Jones will be the perfect addition!


You can download yours free here.

Printable 2012 Party Hats

Did you see these cute printable party hats by Ellinee on Pizzazzerie? Of course I am printing these off this morning & adding a little sparkle of my own for our New Years Eve dinner with our BFF's.


How are you celebrating your NYE?

Friday, December 23, 2011

Holly Jolly Holiday

Wishing you all a holly, jolly holiday!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Arizona Snowman

I was driving out on my way to work & spotted this Arizona snowman in my neighbors yard. Of course I had to stop & snap a quick pic.


Happy Holidays!

Monday, December 19, 2011

Reindeer Donuts

I am taking a little blogging break from working on reindeer donuts for my son's hot cocoa class party tomorrow.  I found the recipe on Love From the Oven but she actually made the donuts.  Instead, I bought a bag of Hostess mini chocolate frosted donettes which made it a whole lot easier. The antlers were made from mini pretzels, a red peanut m&m for the nose & 2 dots of black gel icing for the eyes.






They are easy to assemble & so cute!  One tray done, one more to go!



Christmas Treats

I wanted to share a few sweet little treats we made this weekend. I made these Santa Strawberry Hats I saw here for our friends annual Santa party last night & they were super easy & everyone loved them!


I also made this marshmallow pops with the jumbo marshmallows and candy cane sticks! The kids went crazy for them! I forgot to take pictures of the party trays them but at least I got a couple shots. :)


What sweet treats are you cooking up this holiday

Friday, December 16, 2011

Pop of Color

Want a quick and inexpensive transformation? Paint is an easy, low cost design solution. For my clients daughters room, we added a pop of pink around her headboard for a new & fresh look.


As you can see from the before photo below, the white headboard got lost against the white wall. Now, the pink outline really makes it pop against the wall.


Have you tried any painting projects lately?

Nativity Cookies

Did you see this edible Nativity Cookie display by Dani Fiori on Martha yesterday?


I seriously want to take a cookie decorating class-who's with me?

Thursday, December 15, 2011

GingerKid Kit

I am always looking for fun, family gifts that are inexpensive but personal. I put together a few of these GingerKid Kits (yes, that's "GingerKids" at my son's request because some families have boys & girls & we do not want to discriminate).


I picked up a bunch of these "Really Big" Gingerbread Men from Trader Joes. And they're right, they are really big, 12" cookies which makes it easier for little hands to decorate. They come with their own frosting and decorations.


Of course, I had to add a few more sprinkles. I started with clear cellophane bags and added gingerbread men, snowflakes, christmas trees, m&m's and other christmas colored sprinkles.


I topped each bag with these cute & free Gingerbread printables from TomKat Studio.

They are all packaged up and ready to deliver this weekend! What gifts are you making this holiday?

Linked to: Weekend Wrap Up, Show & Tell Saturday, Whipperberry, Tip Junkie, Today's Creative Blog and Somewhat Simple

Monday, December 12, 2011

The Busiest Time of Year

The holidays are my busiest time with my design clients...I am working on several projects including this fabulous courtyard project with Josh Turnbull from Bloom Landscape.


I am afraid my postings will be a little on the light side these next few weeks. I hope to be back to regular posting soon & hope you all are enjoying this wonderful holiday season!

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

GlamLounge

I started working on a very exciting project this past week! My client wants a ladies bar/lounge for her girlfriends-very chic, glamorous & sophisticated. We are calling it the "GlamLounge"! I have found the perfect fabric for the drapery panels & it is going to be FAB-U-LOUS! And as you know, every GlamLounge needs a little sparkle.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Christmas Bells

Don't you think these simple tissue bells strung together make a fun holiday garland!


(photo via House Beautiful)

Monday, December 5, 2011

Glittered Santa Boxes & Snowmen

How jolly are these Santa Boxes from Martha Stewart? I LOVE them for favor boxes & that special small gift.


Aren't they cute? The snowman is super adorable & you can find the diy here.


Click here for clip art & all the details.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Christmas in Disneyland

Just returned home from a fun family weekend in Disneyland!  We love visiting Disneyland over the holidays!  I love all the lights, decorations, my family-it is truly magical!



Thursday, December 1, 2011

Holly Jolly Lanterns

I think these Santa & Snowman paper lanterns would be the cutest addition to your children's party this season!  I would hang a group of them over my kitchen island or buffet table.  I would also love to find reindeer lanterns to go with Mr. Claus!




Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Santa Hat Cake Pops

I can not get over the presentation cuteness of these Santa Hats with CAKE POPS as the pom pom from Amanda at Shindig Parties to Go!  Seriously UH-DORABLE! 

You know I have to make these, right?  I think I might make the whole hat edible-perhaps use an ice cream cone?  Oh the possibilities....I SO love the holidays! 

Christmas Mantel

What happens when two fabulous stylists work together on a Christmas mantel decorating challenge?  Heather Sanders from The Restyle Group & Destiny Alfonso from A Place for Us didn't just come up with one fabulous design, try three different & wonderful styles! 




I am OBSESSING over the cuteness of these pillows from MonMell Designs


Which is your favorite look?


For all the fabulous details, visit Heather's blog here.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Christmas Cones

I am LOVING these Christmas Candy Cones from BHG. They would make such cute party favors & would look adorable in a Christmas display.


For complete instructions, click here.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Ornamental Cocktails

Instead of serving your cocktails in an ordinary glass, why not serve them in Christmas ornaments for a festive touch?


I started with clear, plastic empty ornaments I found at Michaels. I washed the ornaments & filled them with chilled Adult Chocolate Milk (which is a rich, creamy, ADULT version of chocolate milk). You can also make blend ACM with vanilla ice cream for another sweet treat. Cute, easy & a fun way to get your party started!

UndertheTableandDreaming Tip Junkie handmade projects 
Todays Creative Blog

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Christmas List

I love making lists. They help me stay focused & I like the feeling of accomplishment when you cross something off. I found this Christmas List from Frog Prince Paperie & it is the perfect way to help get a jump start on the holidays.


This weekend, we are decorating our home for Christmas & making gingerbread houses with Grandma! I can cross 1, 3 & 8 off our list! To print your own Christmas list, click here.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving

I am so thankful for all of you & your support! You make it possible for me to do what I love every day! Happy Thanksgiving!


(photo via Well Grounded Life)

Monday, November 21, 2011

Small Business Saturday

First there was Black Friday, then Cyber Monday. November 27, 2010 was the first ever Small Business Saturday. Small Business Saturday is the day we celebrate the Shop Small movement to drive shoppers to local merchants across the U.S.


Small businesses are critical to the nation’s overall economy. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there were nearly 28 million small businesses in the United States last year. Over the past two decades, they created 65 percent of new jobs. Their importance to local communities extends even further. For every $100 spent in locally-owned, independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures, according to the small business advocacy group The 3/50 Project.

Shop SMALL! For more details,visit their website here.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Powdered Sugar Bears

Surprise your little ones with this sweet bear treat made from powdered sugar mini donuts.


Here are the simple directions from Party Pinching: The bottom is just a Hostess mini donut. The head is an Entenmann's donut hole. The ears are Smarties, the paws are mini marshmallows -( use a black edible marker for the paw prints) the nose is a mini m&m and the eyes are chocolate jimmies pushed in the donut. The scarf is a fruit roll up. Attach everything with white canned frosting :)

(photo via Party Pinching)

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt

I spotted this Scavenger hunt for Thanksgiving on Gordon Gossip this morning. What a fun way to walk off some of your turkey dinner & make room for pumpkin pie! Click here for more details.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Cranberry Chili Pork Tacos

These pork tacos from Heather of Whipperberry are a family favorite! It is one of those quick & DELICIOUS crockpot meals that everyone raves about & it could not be any easier!


Cranberry Chili Street Tacos

3-4 pounds of pork shoulder or butt roast
1 can of jellied cranberry sauce
1 jar of chili garlic sauce {found in the Asian section of your market)
2 tablespoons of brown sugar

In a medium bowl combine the cranberry sauce, brown sugar and chili garlic sauce, set aside. Place the pork in the slow cooker and cover with the cranberry chili mixture. Turn the slow cooker onto low and cook for 8-10 hours.

Once the meat is finished, remove from slow cooker and shred, then put it back into the lovely sauce in the slow cooker. Wrap a stack of corn tortillas in some wet paper towels and cook in the microwave for one minute. Fill tortillas with pork, avocado & top with your favorite toppings!

YUM!