Pet Photo Contest: Your pet could be featured on an Evite Invitation!

There’s something so special about our pets. They’re just furry family members, and we love to photograph them as much as we do our kids! If you feel the same about your fur-babies, you’ll love this “puppertunity” to show their adorable mugs to the world. Evite is holding a photo contest, and they want to …

A Waggin’ Good Wedding

Parties, and especially weddings, these days, are such a fun way to express personal style in unique ways.  One way is to incorporate pets into your celebrations, like with these darling new pet themed invitations, from Evite! Recently, my friend Alicia was married in Orange County. Alicia and Mike incorporated their favorite adorable pooch, Mr. …

Make a super cool girl scout cookie sale trench coat!

Cookie season will be upon us before you know it; make this cool “Cookie Pusher” trench for your favorite scout! You’ll need: Cookie Menu Long Oversized Coat Two or three varieties of your favorite cookies Safety Pins Instructions: Pin the menu to the inside of the coat Pin the packages of cookies to the opposite …

Recipe: Lavender Essence

Lavender essence is an elegant and unexpected addition to many traditional recipes. I use this to enhance cocktails, desserts, and to make simple syrup. Be sure to use only organic, culinary grade lavender buds. Lavender Essence 1 cup organic culinary grade lavender flowers 2 cups water Bring water to boil, and add the lavender buds. …

We Tie Dyed Our Fourth of July!

Summer is here, and with it comes the Fourth of July. This is a favorite holiday on our block.  We’re super lucky to live on a street with awesome neighbors; together, we all have nearly thirty children! For the holiday, the families all gather right out in the street. We pull out our shade canopies, barbecues, and …

Carnival Roses; how do they make those?

 Perhaps you’ve seen these technicolor dream roses in the floral section at your supermarket; or maybe you’ve been the lucky recipient of these beauties. Maybe this is the first time you’ve seen one; in which case, I’m delighted to introduce you to the Carnival Rose. Carnival Roses are stunning to look at; they boast so …

Peaches and Cherries are my JAM!

 There’s nothing quite as delicious, and nostalgic as homemade fruit jams, and this one is simple to make, with just a few ingredients.  The completed jam boasts a beautiful, coral-pink color, and tastes delectable on toast, in baking recipes, mixed into beverages, and even as an accompaniment to roasted chicken or pork.   Homemade fruit …

All signs point to SUMMER, at our awesome summer kickoff festival!

The days are getting hotter, and time spent in the classroom is winding down in our town. That means it’s time for our school’s annual Summer Kickoff Festival.  This is a fantastically fun event that’s held each year by our PTA, right on the school grounds.  Every year in June; all the families come out …

My Favorite Chili Cook-Off Recipe! Smoky Chipotle Carne Asada Chili

Recently, I entered a chili cookoff at our school’s annual summer festival, and let me tell you, chili recipes, and what makes a good one, or a bad one, is a HOT topic! My favorite chili is definitely of the “less beans, more meat” variety, and I love spicy, or unexpected ingredients.  Here’s a favorite …

Dirty Drinks, with Ice Cream and a Cherry on Top!

Ice cream fountain drinks are a cool way to beat the summer heat, and we’ve amped up your favorite classic soda-shop recipes, turning them into creative cocktails, with whipped cream and a cherry on top! Our first culinary concoction is a Cherry Lemon Fizz with Mango Sorbet. It’s a cool, refreshing glass of YUM! Trader …

Party like a Rock-A-Saurus Rex, made with concrete for crafting!

Where does a T-Rex Party? Anywhere she wants to! My Rock-a-Saurus Rex is all dressed up and ready for fun in her flirty ruffled apron and miniature paper party hat. Even though it’s only been a couple of months, I feel like I’ve been waiting ages for the release of Maker’s Mix from Beacon Adhesives.  This …