Sweetest Pin - Shamrock Door Decor (Wreath)

This weeks Sweetest Pin is all about St. Patrick's Day!  

I have seen some beautiful wreaths out there, but this one is my absolute favorite!

Blue Sky Confections

I have been smitten with real shamrocks since high school, when my friend's mom gave me a shamrock plant.

Does anyone have a shamrock (oxalis) plant?  If you do, you would know that the leaves open and close with the sun.  Something I had never experienced before.  It makes me smile!  I will share with you my real shamrock plant on my porch soon.

So, when I saw this amazing take on a wreath by Blue Sky Confections, my heart skipped a beat!

She made this amazing door hanging with trimmings from her yard.  I am sure you can do it with faux plants too.

What do you think?  What is your favorite thing about 

St. Patrick's Day?

My Thrift Shop Finds - Crystal Bowl, Owl Salt and Pepper shakers

Woohoo, I found some amazing finds at Goodwill, two Antique shops, and another fun thrift shop recently.

I fell in love with these owl salt and pepper shakers.  I entertained at Christmas time, and I realized I needed a good salt and pepper shaker set.  My grandmother always loved owls, so it is fun to think of her when entertaining.

This never used picture frame was $1.99 at Goodwill.  It is cute like this, but I really like is the shape.  I have had my eye on frames with this shape, and they are much more expensive.  

I plan on spray painting this a fun color!  Stay tuned.

The darling crystal bowl goes perfectly with my new collection of bowl and three piece server.  See the post here. And the spoon is perfect for serving sliced can cranberries.

I can't wait to have an excuse to use them all together!  

What new finds have you found lately?

Our Family Olympics Party

I recently showed you some amazing Olympic Party ideas, after my husband (who always thinks my birthday party themes are over the top) suggested we have an Olympic Opening Ceremony party!

Here's the post:  12 Olympic Party Ideas {Family Friendly Fun}

Well, we did have our own little celebration with just the family that night.  We kept it simple 

(I thought it was, my husband still thought it I went a little overboard with the details!)  :)

But, the kids helped decorate and it was a lot of fun!

We looked up the Olympic colors online, and the girls went to town making their own paper chain!

The map and the flags were used at my daughter's 

Around the World Birthday Party.  You can see them here.

The candle holders I have used in the past for mantle decor, and made great holders for my Olympic torches.

To make the torches, I simply took red, orange and yellow tissue paper and smooshed (is that a word?) them enough to look like flames.  I had bought battery operated tea lights at the dollar spot at Target recently.  I wasn't sure what to use them for - and I got my chance.  It really made the torches GLOW!

We needed some snacks, so I simply took ice cream cones that I had in my pantry, and filled them with Doritos.  

I made a quick holder out of the top of an egg crate.

And you can too, here are the simple instructions:

Materials needed:

Top of egg crate

aluminum foil

knife

Ice cream cones

chips

Cut the top off the egg crate, and wrap it in aluminum foil.  Could be tissue paper, wrapping paper but I was thinking something quick!

After wrapping, I cut 4 "x" shaped cuts with my knife.  I repeated, and put the cones in the holder.  

I filled them with Doritos and waited for the right time after dinner for everybody to say "I'm hungry!"  

It was a fun treat and a fun night!  Plus, it only took 30 minutes to set up.  That was definitely NOT over the top!

Are you doing anything for the closing ceremonies for the Olympics?  What has been your favorite sport to watch?

Easy Sundried Tomato Pesto Pasta with Chicken

I recently found this Sundried Tomato Pesto at the store.  I thought I would give it a try.  It sounded like a nice departure from the typical spaghetti dinner.

Here are the Ingredients:

- 1 jar of sundried tomato pesto

- Penne pasta (or your favorite shape)

- splash of olive oil

- 1/2 lb. of ground chicken (or turkey)

- frozen peas, cooked

- sprig of thyme (I used mine from the pot on my kitchen counter)

Cook pasta per package directions.  Drain and mix in 2/3 of the jar of Sundried tomato pesto.  Adjust with quantity of pasta.  Add splash of olive oil to help blend ingredients.  Add ground chicken and cooked peas.  Stir altogether, top with sprig of thyme for garnish and serve immediately.  

I made this a second time and substituted the ground chicken for tuna.  It was okay, but I prefer the ground chicken.

This was great for a weeknight meal, with ingredients you can easily have on hand.

I would love to hear if you try it, and know what you think.  What is your favorite meal to make on a weeknight?

My Valentine's Day Mantle & Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy  Valentine's Day!  

I wanted to share with you my Valentine's Day mantle.  I gave you a sneak peek on my Vintage Inspired Wreath post, but here is the full reveal.

Do you remember my Thrifty Post about my cat?  I think he fits perfectly amongst my Valentine's decor.  My husband wasn't so sure...

I hope you have a wonderful day with the one's you love!

And remember:

My Valentine's Day Chalkboard and 3-minute bunting

I gave you a sneek peak of my Valentine's day mantle, but I also wrote a fun message on my chalkboard in my kitchen.

The previous owner painted chalkboard paint on the side of my pantry, and it is a perfect backdrop for seasonal messages!

When I wrote my message, I still needed a little pizzazz (haven't used that word for years!)  Not sure if should, but I will stick with it!  

So, I created a Quick, 3-minute bunting of materials left over from my grandmother's 80th Vintage Garden party.

3-Minute (or less) Bunting

 Take a strip of fabric or ribbon.  This was already precut.

 Cut your second material for the actual buntings.  I used this wired burlap.  

I wrapped the wired burlap over the fabric strip.  The wire was perfect, because I didn't even glue it.  

I attached my bunting with these amazing little strips- I use Command Adhesive on everything.  I like these little ones- you can't see them but they work really well.  I just pull them off when I am done, and no damage to the wall!

Super simple, adds a little pizzazz to my decor.  How are you decorating for Valentine's Day?


I was not sponsored by 3M Command Adhesive for this post.  But, if they want to me a package I won't complain!!  Ha!

Vintage Inspired Valentine's Day Wreath

Vintage Inspired Valentine's Day Wreath

Love is in the air, and I needed a wreath on my fireplace mantle to go with my Valentine's day decor.

There are so many beautiful wreaths floating around out there, but it took me awhile to figure out what type to do.  I told myself I have to use materials I have at home.  I have yarn, fabric flowers galore, tons of ribbon, felt, some fabric, and the list goes on. 

Then I found inspiration!  Flamingo Toes Sweetheart Wreath

I bought this spool of burlap twine for my Grandmother's 80th birthday party.  We did this beautiful vintage inspired garden theme.  It was perfect.  

So I wrapped this cute little wreath I got at the Dollar Spot at Target for .30 cents!  I bought 3, not knowing what I was going to do with them.  Centerpieces, and wreaths later- it was time to make a Valentine's Day wreath.

So, this took quite sometime to wrap this mini-wreath.  All of you wreath-wrappers know out there!  I watched TV, I sat at the table, and set it down to get the kids off to bed.  

So the rest got finished late, and that is where my progress photos stopped!

I got stuck on what to decorate this lovely (but plain) wreath with.

Then I found my red polkadot ribbon!  It was the perfect setting with an old skeleton key from my father-in-law.  I love the key - Key to my heart, for Valentine's Day! 

The best part is, this wreath is glue free (mainly because I have no idea where my glue gun is!).  But, this makes it so flexible.  I just untie the bow and top ribbon and it's ready to go for another wreath.  Yes, this is why I couldn't find my glue gun, flexibility!

Here's a sneak peek with my Valentine's Day mantle! Remember the cat I talked about in my Thrift Shop Finds Post?  There he is.  Be sure to check back soon to see the full mantle pictures!

How are you decorating for Valentine's Day?

Happy Valentine's Day!

12 Olympic Party Ideas - Kid Friendly Fun

My husband who always thinks my themes for parties are a bit over the top, suggested we have a Winter Olympics opening ceremony party tonight.  What a fun idea!

Maybe some of my party planning is rubbing off on him! Here are some lovely ideas from other bloggers to get you ready!

DECOR

Make an Olympics Banner from a Dropcloth

Make an Olympic paper chain.  Perfect craft for the kids!

Easy torches  set the mood.

Patriotic Free Printables set the tone.

FOOD

Serve patriotic healthy snacks



Fun and tasty Cheetoh torches



Awesome Pretzel olympic rings





Everyone needs a medal



ACTIVITIES


Play a game  during commercial breaks!


Or two, during the next commercial break!


Keep the kids busy with this fun project by Activity Village



Fun coffee table game - ring toss!


Are you doing anything to celebrate the Olympics?

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