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- 10 Best Bridal Shower Ideas
  August 19, 2019Four years ago we were planning my son’s summer wedding. It was a fairly large wedding with just under 200 guests and we had over a year to plan it, but we were quite busy the whole year. My two daughters were bridesmaids as were the bride’s two cousins, her maid of honor was her high school best friend. We all assumed that the maid of honor would do her duty and plan both the bridal shower and a bachelorette party. The bridesmaids offered their help about 7 months before the wedding; the MOH said she’d get back to them. We were all shocked when one month before the wedding the MOH told the bridesmaids that the bride didn’t want the shower nor party, and she, the MOH, didn’t have time to plan them. A week later as we were putting welcome bags and favors together a discussion about a shower and bachelorette party ensued; the bride was waiting for her MOH to throw both. We didn’t have a choice but to break the bad news to the bride, thankfully she didn’t quite have a melt down! Instead she called a meeting with her bridal party for the next day, I was invited along. It was an awkward meeting, but the MOH agreed she could make time to plan the parties, that is until she sent a text to the bride later that evening quitting! She stated she was just too busy to take on MOH duties and didn’t like the bridesmaids. This unnecessary drama was upsetting, but the bridesmaids stepped up to the plate. The MOH was replaced by the bride’s cousin and another cousin was appointed bridesmaid, thankfully the gown fit the new bridesmaid and the old MOH returned it! Once the dust settled we realized we had 2 weeks to plan and execute a bridal shower and a bachelorette party; and we didn’t even have a guest list! Undaunted the girls set to work with the help of their mothers. Together with various friends and relatives we were able to throw both events without anymore hitches! Thank goodness for Party City! Thankfully when my daughter got married the following year her bridal party planned her bridal shower and bachelorette party well in advance. The Las Vegas themed bridal shower was held at our house in honor of the Las Vegas wedding. The bachelorette was in Las Vegas and didn’t require a whole lot of planning other than transportation. The bridal party was very much on the ball and got everything done. Their drama didn’t start until the day before the wedding! But that’s a different story! I hope no one else has to go thru the wedding drama we did, but if you do rest assured you can still plan and throw a great party at the last minute. Whether the bridal shower you’re planning is last minute or not here are some ideas to help you get started. *clicking on product links will take you to our Amazon affiliate. Southern Blue Celebrations A Paris/Chanel Bridal Shower is perfect for the bride who is a fashionista, is off to Paris on her honeymoon, or both. You can get inexpensive Paris themed decor, like the Eiffel Tower, at Ross, TJ Maxx, discount stores and on Amazon. You can change up the colors, but keep the black, it’s tres chic! Serve dainty finger food, French macaroons, and don’t forget the champagne! My Wedding Favors An Italian Themed Shower for a bride who loves to cook, is going to Italy for her honeymoon, or both! Set up food stations: Pasta Bar, Italian Soda Bar, Bruschetta Station, Wine Bar, and even a Gelato Bar. You can decorate with herbs planted in tomato sauce cans, and jars of assorted pastas, they can double as party favors and game prizes! We did an Italian themed “Despidida del Soterra” (good-bye to singleness) when my daughter got married. We served different types of pastas and sauces and lots of breadsticks and garlic bread. Happy Wedd Beach themed parties are always fun. It’s the perfect bridal shower theme, specially if the honeymoon’s at some romantic tropical island like Hawaii or Bora Bora. Decor can be dreamy and bright, calling to mind tropical breezes and gentle ocean waves. Use shells, wind chimes, and sandcastles to create a romantic background. Serve fresh salads and seafood. For dessert offer tropical fruit mousses or sorbets. The Glamorous Housewife Nothing screams romance more than a vintage garden tea party. If you’re bride is a romantic it’s the perfect bridal shower theme for her. Have it outdoors if weather permits. Instead of tables and chairs lay out a pretty cloth to sit on and make it a picnic. You’ll have ready made decor with the surrounding trees and flowers, enhance them with pretty lanterns you can hang from low tree branches. Wildflowers in vintage bases add romance. Serve tea sandwiches, scones, and other tea party fare on vintage china and teas in silver or pretty china teapots. Don’t forget to line serving platters with paper doilies for added cuteness! A Well Crafted Party A Las Vegas theme is popular for bachelorette parties, but it works for a bridal shower as well. The girls had one for my daughter, her wedding was in Las Vegas. Decorating was easy and inexpensive; lots of playing cards, dice, and crap table/blackjack printed felt used as tablecloths. Serve fun foods such as sliders, chips, dips, and mini tacos. Paige’s Party Ideas Pamper the bride and her guests with a spa bridal shower. It’s a great way to unwind and visit with her friends before the big day. You can set up DIY stations for facials and mani-pedis. Your supplies can serve as decor and favors. Serve fresh salads and infused water and play soothing background music. With treatment like this everyone will be ready for the wedding on time! Learn how to make your own bath salts click here! They make great favors, pack them up in small jelly jars, too cute! The Hostess with the Mostess For the bride who loves to cook and bake or the bride who needs to learn how, a kitchen/cooking shower is a great idea. You can plan on a cooking/baking demonstration as part of the event. Have each guests bring their favorite recipe written on a recipe card to share with the bride. Decorate with kitchen utensils and gadgets, they can double as favors or the bride can take them home for her own kitchen. You can serve the bride’s favorite foods or just about anything you like. Pretty My Party For the elegant bride plan a Breakfast at Tiffany’s shower. It’ll be extra special if she happens to be an Audrey Hepburn fan too! Your colors are set, Tiffany blue and white of course! Decorate with strands of faux pearl necklaces, over sized “diamond” rings, and other bling. You can set up a breakfast or brunch buffet, don’t forget the Mimosa or Bloody Mary Bar! Amanda Erickson Design For the bride going on a honeymoon cruise send her off in style with a nautical themed bridal shower. Decorate with fishing nets, lighthouses, anchors, oars, and other seafaring gadgets. Serve fresh seafood and salads, and set up a Bloody Mary Bar. Brooklyn Limestone Throw a Floating Umbrella Garden Party, it is a shower after all! I just love this idea of using umbrellas for decor, it looks so fun! I think it’s a great idea for a spring bridal shower. You can make it a tea party and serve finger foods and tea cakes. Use bright colors to make it fun.... Read more...
- DIY Citronella Jars – Pretty & Inexpensive
  August 5, 2019This month we hosted an 80th. Birthday Party for my Mom in her Texas home. Guest seating was outdoors and mosquitoes were a concern. To keep these nasty bugs away my mother had her yard man spray mosquito repellent and we incorporated these Citronella Jars in our centerpieces, it worked out well, no one got any mosquito bites that night. These jars are so simple and inexpensive to make and will fit any party theme or decor. I’ve used them for outdoor barbecues, birthday parties, and pretty much any outdoor event. I find them much prettier than store bought citronella candles and torches, cheaper too! You can use ribbons to match your color scheme or for a more rustic look use burlap ribbon or twine. I fill the jars with fresh herbs that are have natural mosquito repellent and citronella essential oil. I try to use herbs from my garden when possible making these jars even more economical. Mosquito repelling herbs include Lavender, Mint, Lemon Balm, Basil, Catnip, Rosemary, Lemon Thyme, and Lemon Verbena. There are other plants and herbs that have natural mosquito repellent qualities, but I like to use the ones I listed as I have them in my garden. I like to use 2-3 different herbs and choose herbs with leaves that look good together. I add lemon and lime slices for color and a floating candle at the top to keep the herbs from floating over the jar rim. If you use homegrown herbs each jar cost about $2 or less to make. I got the Citronella Essential Oil from HEB for just a bit over $5. I made a dozen jars and still have more than half the bottle of essential oil leftover. I got the Mason Jars (about $1 each) and floating candles (6 for $4) from Walmart. If you need to buy fresh herbs you can buy small amounts for about $2 – 3 a package in the produce section of most grocery stores, but if you need to make a lot of jars you will probably get a better deal at your local farmer’s market. If you can’t find a farmer’s market nearby consider buying pots of herbs from the garden department of Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot, or your local garden shop; it’s less expensive than buying sprigs from the grocery store and you can plant leftover herbs to use next time. Here are directions for making your own Citronella Jars, the best part it you can reuse the jars for other events, just change the ribbon to fit your decor! Materials: Quart Sized Mason Jar Sprigs of Fresh Herbs – Lavender, Rosemary, Mint, or any other mosquito repelling herbs 5 drops Citronella Essential Oil 1 Lemon – sliced in circles (optional) 1 Lime – sliced in circles (optional) Ribbon or Twine 1 Floating Candle Directions: 1. Snip sprigs of herbs to size you want; rinse off any soil. 2. Place herbs in mason jar and fill jar half way with water (herbs will float). 3. Add Citronella Essential Oil to water and shake gently to evenly distribute the oil. 4. Add more water to fill the jar. 5. Add lemon and lime slices. 6. Gently push herbs and fruit slices into the water and place floating candle on top. 7. Tie ribbon or twine on the jar. 8. Light candle when needed. When it’s very hot outside store jars indoors or in a cool area to keep the candle from melting. Herbs will last in the jar for several days depending on the temperature. When the herbs wilt just toss them out, wash the jar in warm soapy water to remove oil residue, and make another batch when you need them. Make these jars in a well ventilated area and avoid inhaling the Citronella Essential Oil, it’s unsafe and has been reported to cause lung problems. Wear gloves when handling this oil as it can cause allergies in some people. Keep the jars and citronella oil away from children and pets. It is safe to use around children and pets but ingesting large amounts of the oil is very harmful.... Read more...
- 5 Fun Unicorn Crafts
  July 22, 2019Unicorns seem to be all the rage these days! You see these magical creatures on everything from t-shirts to backpacks to sunglasses. And why not? They’re adorable! I myself have recently gone bonkers making unicorn crafts and selling them on Etsy and Facebook. Any they’ve been selling like hotcakes! But you don’t have to spend lots of money indulging your love the the magical unicorn there are many DIY unicorn crafts you can make for very little money using supplies you already have at home. To help you get started here are 5 adorable unicorn crafts you and your kids can make at home. Unicorn Mason Jars These are one of my best sellers. They make great centerpieces for unicorn themed parties! They’re easy enough to make at home all you need are mason jars pretty much any size, I usually make them in pint and quart sizes, or any empty jar you have at home like a pickle jar, rubbing alcohol, acrylic paints in any color you want, I use Apple Barrel paints, a paint brush, and craft foam to make the horn, ears, and flowers, I use foam sheets with adhesive backs but you can use regular sheets and just glue them on. All you do is clean the jar’s outside surface with rubbing alcohol (this allows the paint to stick better) and let dry completely. Paint the jar in the color you want, you may need to do 3 or more coats but let paint dry between coats. Then cut out the horn, ears, flowers, and eyes and stick them on the painted jar. How easy is that! It’s a great way to recycle those jars you’ve been stashing in the kitchen! Unicorn Gift Bags Here’s another best seller that’s so easy to DIY. Unicorn gift bags! Who wouldn’t love to receive a gift wrapped in this adorable gift bag? You can use any size bag, yes even a lunch bag! Or a plain kraft bag with handles you can buy at the craft store. Just cut out the horn, ears, eyes, and other embellishments from card stock or construction paper and glue them on the bags. Hey these unicorn bags make great favor bags for unicorn parties too! Unicorn Book Marks These book marks are too cute! Here’s a tutorial from The Inspiration Edit! I’m sure you and the kids will end up making a bunch to keep and to give away! Hey it’s a great activity at a unicorn party too! Unicorn Pencil Holder Here’s a great way to recycle tin cans. Turn them into Unicorn Pencil Holders! Here’s a tutorial from Crafts On Sea. Unicorn Masks Here’s a fun craft from Simple Mom Project. Unicorn masks! Click here for instructions and template! ... Read more...
- DIY Fizzing Toilet Bowl Cleaning Tablets
  July 8, 2019Cleaning the toilet bowl is probably one of life’s most unpleasant tasks. I know I hate cleaning my toilet bowl and am always looking for ways to make the task easier, faster, or at the very least a bit more pleasant. That’s why I decided to try this DIY Fizzing Toilet Bowl Cleaning Tablets. They’re pretty easy to make and doesn’t really need a bunch of costly ingredients. In fact most of the ingredients are already in your kitchen or can be purchased inexpensively at Walmart or other discount store. This article contains affiliate links. After trying these toilet bowl cleaning tablets I can safely say that they aren’t really going to leave your toilet bowl spotless without any effort (elbow grease) on your part. They will however leave the toilet bowl and the bathroom smelling very nice. These toilet bowl cleaning tablets work best if your toilet bowl isn’t super dirty and have rings around it. Trust me if you have built on rings inside the toilet bowl no tablet, spray, or cleaner will magically remove them. The only way to get rid of those rings in my experience is a good old fashioned scouring with a pumice stone! I prefer using a Pumie, that’s a pumice stone attached to a handle so you can scrub without getting your hands too close to the toilet bowl surface. So before you toss in one of your DIY fizzing toilet bowl cleaning tablet don a pair of disposable gloves , grab a Pumie and scrub! Once you’ve got the rings out of your toilet bowls these DIY Fizzing cleaning tablets will easily keep the bowl clean and fresh when used weekly. In short they’re a great way to maintain the freshness of your toilet bowl and bathroom! I keep a jar in each bathroom and toss them into the toilet every few days just because I love the smell! I used Neroli essential oil to scent my tablets because I love the citrusy scent of Neroli, but you can scent your tablets with your favorite oils! Other essential oil scents that would give your bathroom and toilet bowl a fresh scent would be: bergamot, lemon, and orange blossom for a citrusy scent; eucalyptus, tea tree, and peppermint for a minty pine scent; or lavender, ylang ylang, or rosemary for that calming scent like you find at the spas. Or you can mix and match these and other oils to get the scent that you love! To make these fresh smelling Fizzing Toilet Bowl Cleaning Tablets here’s what you’ll need: 2 Glass bowls – 1 large and 1 small 2 Cups Baking Soda 1/2 Cup Citric Acid powder (you can find this in the canning section of most markets or order it from Amazon) 1 Tsp White Vinegar 2 Tbs Hydrogen Peroxide 30 drops of essential oil – your choice – I love Neroli Essential Oil Candy or soap molds – I prefer silicone molds that come in various shapes and sizes like hearts and roses. (I usually use the baking or candy molds but keep a set to be used just for making non-food items and one set I use strictly for food like the wine gummy bears I love! – I guess you can use a set to make everything just be sure you thoroughly wash them between uses.) Once you’ve gathered your supplies it’s time to make your fizzy tablets! Here’s how! Place baking soda in the large glass bowl and using a fork or whisk break up any clumps. You want the powder to be fine and powdery not hard and clumpy. Stir in the citric acid powder and set the bowl aside for n ow. In the small glass bowl mix the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. Slowly, and I mean slowly like one drop at a time, add the vinegar mixture to the baking soda mixture. Again do this very slowly, just a little liquid at a time. If you add too much of the liquid mixture you the baking soda and citric acid will react and you will have a big mess on your hands and no cleaning tablets. That situation is not salvagable! Add the essential oil of your choice and mix gently. Again add oil drop by drop. Scoop powder into your molds. Don’t overfill the mold as the powder will expand as it dries. So fill it about 3/4 full and gently press the powder into the mold with your finger. Let dry overnight. Gently pop out each tablet and store in a sealed glass jar. Be sure you label them and keep them out of children’s reach! Keep the jar in your bathroom and pop one in your toilet whenever you want to freshen it up! ... Read more...
- 4 Tips to Finding the Best Cakes on the Planet
  June 12, 2019All occasions, including weddings, birthdays, holidays and anniversaries, are incomplete without a cake. Whether you are getting a cake for an event or as a dessert, your choice will determine if it was a worthwhile investment. This is why some people predictably choose the same type of cake every time they are asked about their preferred option. Factors such as the theme, flavor, and design are vital when seeking the best birthday cakes. Choose a neutral flavor Unfortunately, it is difficult to find a flavor that everyone will agree is the best when used in cakes. For example, If you are to buy a flavor that is favored by everyone in a family of four, you may be forced to buy four different flavors to make everyone happy. This may not be a realistic approach if you are purchasing a birthday cake that will be eaten by several people. Some flavors are considered neutral and acceptable by most people. Consider vanilla, chocolate, hazelnut, strawberry, butterscotch, coffee, and blueberry. If in doubt, ask the cakemaker for his or her opinion. You may also request for more than one flavor if you wish. If you have doubts about the flavors, you may sample some of the cakes to help you decide. Pick an ideal theme and shape Before anything else, a cake is always judged by its outward appearance. A cake may be tasty, but if it is not attractive, it will create a bias that will affect people’s perception of its taste. This is why a cake needs to be appealing before it is cut. Having a theme will help you appreciate the cake even more. For example, if you want a birthday cake for your son, friend, spouse, or even yourself, consider a theme that is telling of the person. You may pick a child’s favorite cartoon, a fashion theme for someone interested in fashion, or a sports theme for your favorite game. Pick the right size If a tasty cake is not enough for all your guests, it may not be considered the best, both by those who were lucky to have a bite and those that missed out. It is essential for you to review the number of guests when ordering a cake. Understandably, cake may not always be enough, especially if you are hosting cake lovers. However, everyone deserves a taste. Find out cake trends Cakes have changed significantly, especially in the recent past. A few years ago, cakes were pretty basic. All one needed to do was decide the flavor and size, and pick it up at an agreed time. The flavors were limited to a few choices, the icing and finish were left to the baker to decide, and creativity was not as it is today. Today, more options are available when it comes to cake decorations. If it has been a while since you last ordered a cake, it may be best to look at the current trends before deciding on the perfect cake for your birthday. It is always best to order your cake early. This will give you the time to get the best person to bake the cake, and also for you to scout for the best cake.... Read more...

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