decorations

New Years Eve Fun

Hello friends! I hope you’ve all had such a splendid holiday season with lots of time with those you love most! With the new year in just a few days, I wanted to share with you some of my favorite last minute New Year’s Eve decorations, treats and traditions!

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 First up: Decorating! My favorite part of any party.

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Black & White New Years decorations by  Tomkat Studios using the Cricut

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Glitter Party Hats by Studio DIY

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Tissue Garland with Photos from the past year  Brit + Co

Activities to make the party more fun!

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Sparkler holder from Best Day Ever

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Balloon Count Down via How Does She?

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Count Down Chain by Sugar Aunts

Treats to sustain you into the new year!

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Ice Cream Bar by Baked Bree

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Sparkling Mocktails from Modern Parents Messy Kids

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Personal Pizzas via Normal Cooking

How are you celebrating New Years Eve this year? Would you rather have a calm gathering with your family or get a baby sitter and go out on the town with friends? Jeffrey had an awesome idea for our 2015. He thought it would be nice to have a Happy Jar. We’ll put out a jar and write down great things throughout the year that have made us happy. Next year on New Years Eve we’ll go through the jar to see what wonderful things, big or small, happened to make our 2015 great!

July 4th Finds

Hello fellow Americans! (If you’re not American, you can still read this post, and are encouraged to celebrate July 4th because it’s everything that’s awesome about America!) Last year I celebrated the 4th quite leisurely. I was rather large with a lil bean in my belly and wasn’t too interested in festivals or 90 degree weather. I spent the day doing my nails (poorly), watching The Sandlot and taking some treats over to our neighbors for the block party. We couldn’t see the fireworks last year because they moved locations but there were still plenty of massive fireworks being set off. I think the states that ban fireworks may have bigger household fireworks BECAUSE it’s illegal.

July-4-2013This year, we will be celebrating (with lil bean out of my belly) in St. Louis after a week visiting our family in Oklahoma! Depending on the weather, we want to check out the 4th of July parade and festival at the park, go to the zoo and watch the fireworks. All of these things will be new adventures for Sophie and I’m super excited! This week’s Friday Finds are things that I’d love to make for our 4th but will have to hold off until next year!

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  1. Vanessa’s awesome food blog, called One Sweet Appetite, has the cutest popcorn cone printables! I’m not sure why I think popcorn is an ‘American’ food but I feel it definitely has it’s place on the 4th!
  2. I’ve had this super cute streamers decoration, from Style Me Pretty, pinned for years and think it would be an inexpensive way to dress up an outdoor party for the 4th!
  3. Lorie, at Be Different Act Normal, has the CUTEST bunting idea for the traditional 4th of July pie! It’d be super simple to make them out of washi tape using red & white stripe and blue & white polka dots!
  4. I love the extremely patriotic cake that Rachel made over at Bubbly Nature Creations! I would have to do yellow cake because that’s the only cake I ever make (it’s my husband’s fav!) I think the covered pretzels are a great salty addition to the sweet cake!
  5. How does this not have July 4th in America written all over it?! Sherri made this Pinterest inspired bandana tablecloth and has a great tutorial at Made from Pinterest!

I’m a little jealous I won’t get to celebrate by mixing two of my greatest loves: crafts and America, but I’m super pumped to be going on an adventure and doing something new! If you have little ones, I thought this 4th of July scavenger hunt that Heather put together was a super cute idea!! Who doesn’t love scavenger hunts?! What are your plans for July 4th? Any traditions you will be partaking in? My Dad always used to have the best firework show in our neighborhood! Next year I kind of want to decorate my bike and ride it around town! I’m a dork like that.

Shelly

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