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Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Dining Room Update & Gift Ideas

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This post is sponsored by Cost Plus World Market. All opinions are mine alone. #worldmarketnj

A few weeks ago I was excited to tell you all about the Grand Opening of the new Cost Plus World Market store in Shrewsbury, NJ.   You can read about it here if you missed it. Last week, I was lucky enough to be invited to browse in the new World Market store and add some World Market flair to my home!

Was it fun?  Oh yes!  I can't wait to go back, in fact. There is so much to look at and it was hard not to buy everything!  But I'll show you a few of the things I did get!

You may remember my white china cabinet from posts way back when. It is a solid, happy little piece but it isn't working for me anymore. I have accumulated a lot of pretty serving pieces, etc and I am running out of space. 

I fell in love with the Emerson bookcase online and knew it was exactly what I was looking for when I went to World Market. She is huge with deep shelves and I knew she would work perfectly to hold my pretty things. 










The dark wood shelves compliment my wedding china perfectly and I'm so happy to have the china out where I can see it instead of stowed behind doors!


piper-platinum-emerson-bookshelf

 I preferred this bookcase over others because of its interesting details. It has these cool handles at the top and a step rail at the bottom. Very different and industrial which is what I needed in my traditional dining room! 


world-market-emerson-bookcase

details-handles-rustic-industrial

world-market-emerson

To say I adore it may be an understatement!

I also picked up a few other things!  This sweet, little vintage sign looks perfect in my bay window in my kitchen.  This window ledge is my baking area and I think this sign adds just the right touch.


kitchen-sign-vintage-pies


baking-center-window-sign


The food aisles are so fun to browse through and I scooped up some holiday treats, including some chocolate coins and  Christmas chocolates!  They look so pretty nestled in my milk glass candy bowl.


chocolate-christmas-stocking-stuffers

I also picked up a few other gifts while I was there.  My mom and aunt will love these sweet smelling French milled soaps and hand creams.




It was so fun to add some new pieces to my home for our holiday guests and to find new and different gifts to give!


Have you spruced up your home for the holidays?

What The Flock!

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"Oooh, I love all the flocked trees on the Internet!" I said.
"Oooh, there are so many DIY versions!" I said.
"Oooh, I know! I'll DIY flocking! What could go wrong?" I said.




I used two methods. One used shredded Ivory soap bars mixed with liquid starch and hot water. This turned into a slippery, gloopy mess that laid on the branches like bird poop. I also tried using powdered laundry detergent, also mixed with starch and hot water. This went on almost clear but then dried to a white, snowy effect. We all decided we liked this look the best.

But it was seriously the biggest PITA DIY I have done in a while. I will never do this again. It was SO messy!  And the smell! My whole house reeked of soap for days. In fact, I bet I have brain damage. It was that bad. Now I'm brain damaged and I can't even say it was worth the fewer IQ points.

We spend a chunk on our trees because we buy them from a family outfit and the trees are gorgeous.  I decided that this flocking made my beautiful, natural tree look fake. Not that there is anything wrong with a fake tree but when you have a real tree you kind of want that recognized. I mean I'm laying out $70 so we can all join hands and sing about its branches or something.  Covering it up with laundry soap no longer makes sense to me, despite my damaged brain.  Why did that ever make sense now that I read that sentence?

And here is the worst part.




I have actually created stuff I need to vacuum. I can't blame it on those darn kids. I can't blame it on the dog. It is me. All me!  I created something that literally needs to be vacuumed daily. And God forbid anyone actually touches the tree!  I will leave a trail of fire behind me as I run to prevent anyone from even breathing on the stupid tree!  It will moult and I am not real keen on vacuuming in the first place, let alone in the second and third place.  And if you even so much as sneeze near it, you are out. done. goodbye. Leave your dessert and then get out.

So, in case you haven't caught what I'm laying down here I'll spell it out.  Flocking is flocked up. I will either buy real flocking powder (which I will never do because it is too darn expensive) or buy a fake flocked tree (which I also don't see myself doing because I like a real tree. Not that there is anything wrong with a fake tree.).



Even Pixie is fed up.

holiday christmas decorations
"This is for the flocking birds."

Now here is a DIY that was successful!  Glitter ornaments!  We'll talk more about these later.



Cheers!
Jenny

Holiday Home Spa Ideas

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HolidayGlow #CollectiveBias



The holidays are a joyful time but all the shopping, preparing, entertaining, and decorating can be stressful as well.  By January we can be frazzled and fatigued. THAT is not joyful. It is so important to give yourself a little extra special treatment during the hustle and bustle to keep yourself feeling and looking your best. Here are some of my home spa ideas that keep me feeling pampered!

Holiday Home Spa Ideas!


Aroma-therapy Steam Facial
Add a few drops of your favorite scented oil, mine is lavender or sweet orange, to a small sauce pan of almost boiling water.  Hold your face over the pan and enjoy the scent as the warm steam hydrates your skin. You'll be glowing! Be careful to keep your face far enough away from the steam so as not to burn yourself.

Warm Hair Conditioning Treatment
The winter can be so drying to your skin and hair. Rejuvenate your hair with a warm, soothing treatment. I recommend using Pantene Advanced Care Conditioner for this treatment as it really leaves hair so smooth, soft, and silky.  Warm a large dollop of the conditioner in the microwave for a few seconds and then stroke it through your hair until all your hair is covered. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes and then rinse. This is the best when it is done by your favorite person and they throw in a little scalp massage.



Create new nail polish colors
Blend two or more nail polishes to create new colors, shimmers, and effects.  You'll feel glamorous and put together when you go out to a party or out with friends.


Give yourself sexy legs
Switch out your soap or shaving cream with olive oil or hair conditioner. Your legs will be soft and silky when you are done.  You'll feel pampered and pretty!  Venus Swirl razors work SO well (believe me, I know a good razor) and the pretty design feels luxurious in hand.


Smooth your lips
Mix a bit of sugar and honey to create an exfoliator for your lips.  Leave it on for a few minutes before scrubbing your lips and then rinsing it off. Your lipstick will go on smoothly and your lips will be super kissable under the mistletoe.

Don't neglect your regular routine
Time is crunched and you need to get up and out quickly. It is tempting to cut out your regular beauty care to give yourself a few extra minutes but I try not to do this. I want to feel my best and cleaning and  moisturizing is essential. I may leave my house without makeup if I'm pressed for time but I NEVER leave without my daily moisturizer with sunscreen, Olay Total Effects 7 in One. You may think you don't need sunscreen during the winter but it is still important.  Keep wrinkles at bay!



7. Whip up a detox smoothie
I don't have an official recipe and there are tons of recipes on the Internet. But when the rich food of the season starts taking a toll, I treat myself to a smoothie made with frozen strawberries, blueberries, almond milk, and honey. It feels clean, refreshing, and as though I am doing something good for my body. The fruit is filled with antioxidants too.

You can find everything you need, including the products mentioned, at your local Costco in the health/beauty aisle!  I like being able to stock up on my favorites before the craziness starts! We visit Costco at least 2x a month so it is convenient that so many great brands are available.



By the way, I encourage you to try my favorite moisturizer, Olay Total Effects 7 in One. It really does make my skin feel beautiful.  What are some of your favorite ways to pamper yourself?  How will you keep yourself going through the holidays?


Christmas Link Party: Home Tours (Week 2)

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Guys, last week's link ups were fabulous!  I loved all your Christmas tree and ornament ideas!  Here are some of my favorites!

 Major Hoff Takes A Wife


 My Sweet Things



 Twelve on Main


And now it is onto this week's link party!  HOME TOURS!  Everyone's favorite, I think!  Here are the rules and your hosts!

It's Christmas season! Woo Hoo! And what better way to kick off this festive time but with a Christmas Link Up! I am partnering with some of my favorite bloggers to provide you  with 4 weeks of holiday ideas!

Week 1: Christmas trees
Week 2: Home Tour
Week 3: Gifts
Week 4: Holiday Food and Recipes

Your hosts:
I hope you'll visit a few of these blogs too!

Rules of the link up: 
1. Please link to a specific post on your blog, not your blog’s home page.You may link up to 3 posts per blog.

 2. Please leave a comment for your host, remember it's a party!

3. Please be sure to visit a couple of other blogs and leave comments.

 4. No Etsy stores, giveaways or other link parties allowed.

5. Please link with a text link or party button to your host.

6. By submitting a link, you’re giving us permission and granting us the right to feature your project and photos on this blog, website and on social media. We will always give proper credit and a link back to your post.

 7. Each week, a few of our favorites will be featured on our blogs. Features will also be pinned to our Christmas Link Up Pinterest Board for even more exposure! If you were featured, be sure to grab a button!

I can't wait to see what  you link up!!



DIY Letter to Santa Tree Ornament

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Ok, first things first. One of Amazon's daily deals today is a Silhouette Portrait for half price!!  Now back to our show.....



All couples argue, right?  Money, kids, in-laws...everyone has an issue that never seems to get resolved. Our issue?  Glitter. And there is never a more tense time in our household than during the Christmas holiday season when I am glitterfying everything that isn't walking and Jim is going to work look like a Bratz doll.


See, I love glitter. The more the better. Yes it gets around faster than a stomach flu in a kindergarten class but I don't mind. I love seeing everything sparkle, especially during Christmas. Jim, on the other hand, never learned to appreciate it. He really HATES it. And this is how I know he truly loves me because he puts up with it and he knows he'll never win this fight. Glitter will go on.

These cute little letters to Santa ornaments were so easy to make!

1. Tear white paper on either side to the width you'd like your ornament to be. I used two sizes, one about 3 inches and one about 6. You can tear your length to about 6 inches too.

2. Roll up your paper into a tube. I found rolling it around a pencil made it easier. Tie with a ribbon to hold the rolled paper together.

3. Dip easy end into glue and then sprinkle with super fine glitter. My color is platinum and it is a silver color with a tinge of gold.


4. Let dry.

5. Cut a little gift tag out of card stock. Using a metallic marker, write "To Santa" the tag and glue to the ribbon end.


6. Glue a sprig of evergreen (real or fake) to the paper roll under the ribbon if you wish.

So cute, right?  Kids could do these easily too.



And while Jim may not love glitter, he's stuck with it just like he's stuck with me! And I'm way tougher to get rid of than a little glitter.

Oh and don't forget that homemade pompoms make darling ornaments too if you need to plump up your tree!


Stay sparkly!
Jenny

Christmas Link Party!

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It's Christmas season! Woo Hoo! And what better way to kick off this festive time but with a Christmas Link Up! I am partnering with some of my favorite bloggers to provide you  with 4 weeks of holiday ideas!

Week 1: Christmas trees
Week 2: Home Tour
Week 3: Gifts
Week 4: Holiday Food and Recipes

Your hosts:

I hope you'll visit a few of these blogs too!

Rules of the link up: 
1. Please link to a specific post on your blog, not your blog’s home page.You may link up to 3 posts per blog.

 2. Please leave a comment for your host, remember it's a party!

3. Please be sure to visit a couple of other blogs and leave comments.

 4. No Etsy stores, giveaways or other link parties allowed.

5. Please link with a text link or party button to your host.

6. By submitting a link, you’re giving us permission and granting us the right to feature your project and photos on this blog, website and on social media. We will always give proper credit and a link back to your post.

 7. Each week, a few of our favorites will be featured on our blogs. Features will also be pinned to our Christmas Link Up Pinterest Board for even more exposure! If you were featured, be sure to grab a button!

I can't wait to see what  you link up!!



Free Christmas & Holiday Printables

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This is a post and run! I fiddled with making some holiday printables this weekend and thought I would share. Click on the links under each picture to download and print. They are all sized for 8x10.  Stick them in a frame and voila! Christmas!

Enjoy!



 







 

How To Create A Pie Tasting Bar! Holiday Entertaining

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ShareTheJoyOfPie #CollectiveBias

Create a sweet pie bar complete with mini tasting servings of your favorite flavors and whipped topping!

 It is so easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of the holidays, isn't it?  Shopping, wrapping, baking, planning...it is overwhelming at times. Slowing down on an afternoon with friends after a full day of shopping is the perfect way to savor the season and what better way to do that but with a sweet treat!  A pie tasting party is the perfect way to share the joy of pie!




I want my pie bar to be delicious but easy and affordable so buying my pies at Walmart makes sense.  I only ever buy Marie Callender's® Dessert Pies because I think they taste the best and the closest to homemade. There are so many varieties to choose from too!

 I found them in the frozen dessert section of the freezer aisles. I also scooped up a few cans of Reddi-Wip® whipped topping with which to crown my sweet tastings!


If you cannot keep your pies refrigerated on your pie bar I suggest choosing the non-cream pies such as the fruit or nut flavors. I chose Dutch Apple, Cherry Crunch, and Southern Pecan. Ok, fine..I bought a Razzleberry one too but that one is just for us! (Shhhhhh)


The next step is to create a pretty presentation. I want my guests to feel pampered and special after battling crowds!  One of my favorite tips for entertaining is to use good quality wrapping paper as a runner/table covering. It looks pretty, saves your tablecloths from stains, is affordable, and can be thrown away for easy clean up.


Next, after baking and cooling the pies, I cut them into squares instead of wedges. This allows me to easily slide pieces of pie into my cute little cups. I like to use clear cups so we can all see the gorgeous fruit and fillings.


pie-whipped cream-christmas-entertaining

 If you don't have a tiered dessert tray on which to serve your pie tastings you can place the cups onto pretty platters instead. I think it is helpful to label the flavors so everyone knows what they are tasting and can go back for their favorites easily.

pie-whipped cream-christmas-entertaining

Don't forget to provide a large can of Reddi-Wip® whipped topping!  It is the perfect complement to Marie Callender's® Dessert Pies.



pie-whipped cream-christmas-entertaining
pie-whipped cream-christmas-entertaining

In addition to the pie selection, be sure to include some festive beverages!  Eggnog with a flurry of cinnamon and glistening champagne are always holiday favorites.

pie-whipped cream-christmas-entertaining




If you happen to have pie leftover the next day (but really, who has leftover pie?) I have a super easy recipe for you!  Cherry Crunch Pie Ice Cream!

cherry-crunch-pie



Cherry Crunch Pie Ice Cream

1 pint high quality vanilla ice cream
1/4 Marie Callender's Cherry Crunch Pie or about 1.5 cups

Directions:
1. Soften the vanilla ice cream in a large bowl or beat it in a stand mixture using the paddle attachment until soft.
2. Break up the pie into small pieces and stir it into the softened ice cream.
3. Spoon cherry crunch pie ice cream into an air tight container or in a dish covered with plastic wrap. Freeze until firm.

pie-whipped cream-christmas-entertaining

My daughters DEMOLISHED this ice cream!  It was so delicious and I am planning on using the Southern Pecan Pie next time.


pie-flavored-frozen-dessert

You can find a ton of ideas to share the joy of pie, recipes, and print money savings coupons here .  What would your favorite pie flavored ice cream be?

You can stay in touch with ConAgra Foods on Facebook, Twitter: @ConAgraFoods, Instagram: @ConAgraFoods, and Pinterest,

Cheers!
Jenny