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!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Thankful Tablecloth

I adore this tablecloth idea from Becca of Blue Cricket Design.


She started an ordinary drop cloth and wrote all that they were thankful for this Thanksgiving. This is perfect for older kids & for your little ones too! What a fun family project!


This idea would also be great as a table runner &/or napkins. For Becca's tutorial, click here.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Holiday Cards

I know it is early but I just ordered my holiday cards from Shutterfly! They are 40% off until November 16th and they have FREE SHIPPING!

Stationery card
View the entire collection of cards.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Free Thanksgiving Printables

Have you seen these cute Thanksgiving printables from Brandy from Simply Creative Insanity?


Brandy's free collection includes:
2 inch party circles
Turkeys
Turkey Toes
M and M's
Gummy Bears
S'mores Kits
Turkey Fold Over Food Labels
Thankful Banner Lettering
"I'm Thankful For" Fill in the Blank Cards
Turkey Circles
5x7 Apple Cider Sign
8x10 "Neighbors Have S'mores Fun" Sign


For the free download, click here.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Two free wishes

My boys have set their alarms today for 11:11 AM & 11:11 PM for their once in a lifetime chance of two good luck wishes on November 11th. I think I might make a few wishes myself. What are you going to wish for?


photo source

Thursday, November 10, 2011

San Tan Auction

For all you locals, our Room Makeover basket is up for grabs at the San Tan Elementary auction tonight from 5-8 pm! Package includes 4 hours of design services, $150 gift certifcate to Lowes, $100 to Home Goods, $100 to By the Yard, & $25 for Abloom Boutique! If you are in the area, come by & place a bid!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Girls room

Not much time for parties or crafts these days, just happily working on client design projects. One of my favorite projects is a girls bedroom update. What do you think of our the silver croc I threw in for fun?

Monday, November 7, 2011

Basket Lanterns

I am so LOVING these basket lanterns for fall celebrations that I think I might have to make a few for myself. I want to line up several different sizes for my table centerpiece. Has anyone seen some cute baskets out there?


(photo via Tatertots & Jello)

Friday, November 4, 2011

Marshmallow Pumpkins

I have a confession to make, I am not a great baker. So when I see an idea like these White Marshmallow Pumpkins that makes me look like one, I am ALL over it! Kori from Paper & Pigtails created these beauties with marshmallow, chocolate & lollipop sticks!


I am SO making these but I am planning on using pretzel sticks instead of a lollipop stick for the stems & maybe a little sugar crystals for sparkle. For directions, please visit Kori's post on Pizzazzerie.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Dia de los Muertos

Día de los Muertos is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and around the world in many cultures on November 1 & 2. For those of you who aren't familiar with the holiday, it focuses on gatherings of family &friends to pray for & remember friends & family members who have died. Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods & beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts.


I wanted to share some of my favorite tributes around the blogging world honoring Dia de los Muertos including this fabulous altar created by local artist, Kathleen Escobedo from Esco Studio(who also just happens to be my Mom). For all you locals, she currently has 5 altars showing at the Vision Gallery in Chandler at the Day of the Dead exhibition.



I also love these fabulous cookies from The Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle. The colors are amazing & all the fantastic details truly make them a work of art.


I am slightly obsessing over this pin art from Kathleen at Twig & Thistle. The simple, intricate beauty of the thread and pins is truly amazing!

What is your favorite?