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How to Make a Simple Christmas Ornament Garland
If you love the look of the Pottery Barn mercury glass Christmas ornament garlands, but don't feel like spending $50 for one, I've got you covered. These garlands are so simple to make! You can get everything you need at Walmart or on Amazon for a fraction of the...
My Parties: Ray of Sunshine Baby Shower
When my twins started daycare, there was an assistant teacher in the two-year-old room who quickly became a family favorite. Miss Stephanie also moonlighted as our babysitter and later as my party assistant. And now, she and her husband Greg are expecting their first...
Guest Party: How to Style a Lush and Natural Fall Tablescape
One of my favorite party collaborators, Brandi from Barefeet Imagery, is our guest hostess today! Brandi is sharing how to style a lush and natural fall tablescape. It's just right for a relaxed but luxe Thanksgiving or any fall dinner party. And even if you're just...
How to Make Pumpkin Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies — Perfect for a Cookie Exchange
It’s amazing where trying to re-organize your pantry will lead you. Pulling everything out made me realize I still have three cans of pumpkin that I had to do something with. So I turned to an old favorite recipe, pumpkin gingerbread thumbprint cookies. This recipe...
Tutorial: How to Make Thanksgiving Leaf Placecards
I made these leaf placecards for our Thanksgiving dinner, and the process is so quick and simple. I’m sharing the tutorial with you today. I've also got a template that you can easily customize using Canva. Here's how to make Thanksgiving leaf placecards for your...
How to Style A Brown & White Thanksgiving Tablescape
When the holidays roll around, I like to try to do a little something new with each holiday tablescape — without spending a fortune on all new table settings. I’ve found the trick is to use about 70% of what I have, and then add in a few new things. Bonus points if...
How to Make No-Bake Ghost Brownie Bites
I’ll never tire of excuses to eat brownie bites. Here’s an easy way to dress up brownies for Halloween: no-bake ghost brownie bites! Bonus: the kids can help. Extra bonus: no baking! No-Bake Ghost Brownie Bite Supplies Brownie bites White cake frosting Candy eyes...
How to Make Halloween Candy brownies
Are you a frosting person? I definitely am, but we are a house divided (on frosting). So I hit on the idea of baking candy corn, candy eyes, and sprinkles into homemade brownie bites to make Halloween candy brownies. Halloween Candy Brownie Supplies Box brownie mix...
How to Style a Halloween Skeleton Tablescape
If getting your kids to eat dinner on Halloween night is a struggle for you the way it always was for me, set a table your kids can't resist. Posable skeletons are pretty inexpensive, and they make a fun and unexpected centerpiece for a Halloween skeleton tablescape....
3 Ways to Style a Vase in Vase Party Centerpiece
The fun thing about designing centerpieces for a children’s party is that because you’re designing for kids, the centerpiece can be just about anything. But if you choose flowers, you can still create a fun little surprise by doubling up your vases. Here are three...
Easy Movie Night Party Favor + Free thank You Tag Template
Years ago, my daughters went to a birthday party and came home with the cutest party favor. I thought I’d re-create it for you here with a couple extra ideas thrown in. The favor was a popcorn box filled with movie theater-size candy. And yes, both my girls were smart...
Quick & Easy 4th of July Saltine Cracker Toffee Recipe (With Sprinkles!)
I'm not sure how Christmas Crack got it's name, but I could for sure eat it all year long. So why not? Here's how to make 4th of July Saltine Cracker Toffee. All you need to do is switch to white chocolate chips and add patriotic sprinkles. Amazon link in this...
How to Make 4th of July Star Wands
If you saw my Stars & Stripes 4th of July tablescape, you got a peek at my 4th of July star wands craft. My girls had fun decorating these at the dining table, and I think they'd be fun for making with your kids. Can't you see them waving these wands at your...
My Parties: How to Style a Stars & Stripes 4th of July Party
Today I’m sharing some 4th of July family party inspiration with you. This is how we set our table for Memorial Day this year, but everything we did would work just as well on the 4th of July. Since this was just for our small family, I kept things pretty simple and...
How to Make Patriotic Layered Jell-O
If you're looking for a no-bake dessert in the heat of the summer, give layered Jell-O a try. It takes several hours to assemble, but most of that time is just waiting for the Jell-O to set up in the fridge. You can even make your Jell-O "fancy" by pouring it on an...
My Parties: How to Style a Disco Birthday Party Your Teens will Love!
Do your kids ever have trouble choosing a birthday party theme? This year, as my twin daughters’ 17th birthday approached, they could NOT agree on a theme. They finally hit on the idea of a disco birthday party, which was an idea I’d never would have come up with for...
How to Make Easter Bunny Cupcakes
I am all about an easy, DIY party dessert. These Easter bunny cupcakes are totally easy, and very much a DIY. It's great to have a few DIYs up your sleeve to help minimize your party costs. If you've splurged on a cake or decorated sugar cookies, your party budget...
My Parties: How to Style a Bunnies & Bows Easter Tablescape
My best rule for party styling is: use what you have. That's just what I did for this bunnies and bows Easter tablescape: I leaned into what I already own and only bought a few new items. Here's hoping this Easter tablescape will inspire you to create your own lovely...
How to create an Easter centerpiece from grocery store flowers
One of my party goals has been to improve my flower arranging skills. I put together this Easter centerpiece from grocery store flowers and I’m walking you through this easy DIY. Flowers can be so expensive and while I love them, it’s hard to spend so much money on...
Party Plan Club: Introducing the 2022 Party Plan Themes!
The 2022 Party Plan Club launched in January, and I'm excited to finally introduce the 2022 Party Plans here on the blog! The club is all about making it faster and easier for you to get from party theme to fully planned party! If you don’t know what I’m talking...
Easy pumpkin chocolate chip cookie recipe (Our Family Favorite!)
My mother makes pumpkin chocolate chip cookies each fall and they are coveted by all. (I believe my brother still receives a batch in a care package at least once a year.) This year, I've got canned pumpkin left over from our pie baking party, so guess what we're...
How to Make Grinch Nutter Butter Cookies
Tis the season to make Christmas cookies (and also do ALL the other things). So let's make cookies easier! Here's how to make Grinch Nutter Butter Cookies. They are fun for your How the Grinch Stole Christmas movie night, classroom treats, or… if you have a special...
How to host a Christmas cookie decorating party
Each year since the girls were elementary-school age, we've decorated Christmas cookies with their godmother. We've tried this a variety of ways -- including baking and decorating in the same day (whew! don't do it!) -- and I think we've finally got Christmas cookies...
How to Make Grinch Soda Floats
Tis the season of special treats, and this past week, I couldn't stop singing "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch..." I don't know why the Grinch has captured my attention, but it seemed only right to combine treats + the Grinch, which led me to making Grinch Soda Floats....
My Parties: How To Host a Friendsgiving Pie Party
I've wanted to host a pie baking party for my daughters and their friends for a few years now. This party was delayed when Baby A got sick and then again when Covid hit last year. So we were awfully excited to finally get to host our Friendsgiving Pie Party. The idea...
How to Have a Stress-Free Christmas
I know you’re thinking “stress-free” and “Christmas season” in the same sentence?! That can’t be! If you’re anything like me, there is always so much I want to do and make for Christmas, plus traditions to share with family around the holidays. My to-do list is so...
How to Style a Thanksgiving Table with Pumpkins, Leaves & Candles
Last year, when we couldn't have Thanksgiving dinner with family, my sister-in-law invited us to use her mountain home for the weekend. It was so good to get out of our house at that point in the pandemic. There is something so relaxing about being even an hour away...
How to Style a Skeleton & Gravestone Halloween Candy Table
Back in September, I published an early Halloween candy table and now that Halloween is almost here, I wanted to try the same idea in a second style. Mainly, I wanted to play with my posable skeleton. Here's how to style a Halloween candy table, skeleton style. This...
Recipe: Easy Brie, Pecan and Fig Halloween Appetizer
Last weekend, I was invited to a neighbor's Halloween-themed girls' night out, which was so fun. We were all asked to bring appetizers. You know the advice to never try a new recipe for a dinner party? I threw caution to the wind and dreamed up a new recipe for the...
How to Make a Halloween Charcuterie Board by Party Pinching
Today, I'm thrilled to welcome my friend Norene from Party Pinching to the blog. Party Pinching is just what it sounds like: easy-to-execute, budget-friendly ideas to make your parties pop. Her blog and Instagram are amazing for cute party food ideas. Today, Norene...
How to Make Christmas Tree Brownie Bites
Any excuse for a brownie bite! I loved the fun ghost brownie bites I made for Halloween last year, and it occurred to me that I could just as easily make Christmas tree brownie bites. Christmas tree brownie supplies Brownie bites Green cupcake frosting Mini M&Ms...
How to Make Turkey Cookies for Thanksgiving
I'll probably never be a cookie decorator with a piping bag full of royal icing, BUT, I can swipe on frosting and add googly eyes! And you can too and so can your kids! Here's how to make turkey cookies for Thanksgiving, even if you're like me and have no decorating...
What Party Supplies Are Worth the Money?
What party supplies are worth the money? That’s a question I hear a lot from party planning moms. "What should I spend my party dollars on?" and "Where should I save my money?" I’m going to help you figure it out, but I'll warn you upfront: you may not like the first...
How to Add a Ribbon Bundle to a Wreath
Each month in the Party Plan Club, I suggest ways to decorate your door for whatever party theme we're focused on that month. (We also cover color palette, invitations, decor, dessert tables, activities and party favors — find out more here.) I always say that front...
Easy ghost desserts for Halloween
I love a cute desert and don’t mind paying for them, but I’m also very much into saving a little money. One of the easiest treats for your Halloween party is to find pre-made desserts that are white or beige. A little melted chocolate, some googly eye candy plus...
Ideas for an Off-to-College Breakfast Table Setting
In August, our twins started college, which is impossible, since it was just a few years ago that they were neck-less wonders toddling around with socks on their hands like it was the funniest. thing. ever. (Seriously, these girls were neck-free for years. It was like...
Disco Barbie Birthday Party Ideas
We are all about the Barbie movie, and if your daughter is too, then here are some disco Barbie birthday party ideas to get your party started. I've covered Barbie party decor, food, place settings, activities and party favors. Come on Barbie, let's go party! I have...
How to Plan a Birthday Party for Twins
I’m a mom of twin girls, so I know that planning two birthday parties in one can be a little overwhelming. And, if you have boy/girl twins, birthday party planning becomes that much more complicated. So I’ve rounded up my best ideas on how to plan a birthday party for...
29 Ideas for Party Favor Packaging
The post I could not stop writing about my favorite birthday party favor ideas started me thinking about fun ideas for party favor packaging. Here are my go-to party favor container ideas. 1. Bow and Tag My all-time favorite way to give a party favor is just by adding...
How to make candy dipped ice cream cones
When we had our 4th of July ice cream social, I had the idea to make candy dipped ice cream cones, but everybody wound up making ice cream Sundays instead. Still I had the candy melts, so here’s how to make candy dipped ice cream cones. Candy Dipped ice Cream cone...
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