imPRESS press on manicure

I signed up for Influenster, a great way to earn FREE stuff by earning badges to test out products. The first box I qualified for included (among other things), an imPRESS manicure by Broadway Nails. In my life I've had acrylic nails put on maybe 2-3x total, and never had them refilled. I just prefer natural nails for a couple of different reasons.

I gotta admit I was skeptical at first, since I was never a fan of "press on nails", but afterwards, I gotta say, minus the shade of polish, i was impressed! It took maybe 5 minutes for me to put on all 10 nails, I didnt have to wait for them to dry, and MOMS (and busy women in general) know we usually don't have a lot of free time! I think these would be perfect for a last minute night out, and I'd like to combine a color with a pattern next time.

Check out their website: www.impressmanicure.com and please note that I did receive this item complimentary to test.

While this blog is meant to display fun children’s parties and related ideas, I love anything related to entertaining and wanted to share this list I found of Top Ten Tips for Party Hostesses. I did some paraphrasing, but found this list of great tips here.

10. Make a list – check it twice!
Worst feeling in the world is being five minutes away from the start of the party and realizing you forgot to get that extra package of cutlery you know you’ll need.
9. Prep the food.
The more you have done before the guests arrive, the better.
8. Don’t play the bartender.
Another way to keep you free to mingle with your guests. Consider hiring someone to come and fix drinks for your guests throughout your event. Or allow the guests to serve themselves!
7. Make introductions.
Everyone isn’t as outgoing as one of my best friends, who can easily spark up a conversation with any stranger. You can introduce each guest as they arrive, or introduce each guest to a small group of partygoers with similar interests/backgrounds.
6. Get the party started.
Find some way to entertain your guests whether its music, games, or even some form of live entertainment.
5. Accommodate everyone.
Try to have something for everyone. If you plan to serve alcohol at the party, consider having non-alcoholic drinks and water readily available as well. Maybe you have a guest who is a vegetarian and wont touch the sliders you spent hours putting together.
4. Set the stage.
Ensure the setup and décor of the party space encourages the action you want to take place at your party. Want people to dance? Make sure there’s enough free space available.
3. Check in with your guests.
Don’t let “Hiiiii” and “Thanks for coming!” be the only conversation you have with your guests.
2. Mix and mingle.
Everyone who came to the party is there because of YOU. Make sure you allow plenty of time to interact with your guests.
1. Give a gift
Let your guests leave the party with a little something to remember the event by. It doesn't have to be anything expensive. One great idea is a cd full of songs related to the theme of the event.

SUPER Monday!

While I'm finalizing plans for my little guy's upcoming (in November, lol) 4th birthday, I've been trying to think of ideas for the theme. I'll probably end up having it at the zoo since he loves animals, but I thought I'd share another possible theme - SUPERheroes!

I'm a huge fan of supporting small businesses, and all of these great finds can be purchased on Etsy.




Gotta get the party started with the perfect invite, and I think these DIYs are adorable!

My little guy would love these finger puppets! Check them out @ WeeKnit.

These are favor boxes, but I think they'd make a great centerpiece! Favor Cakes makes these in a variety of themes.

Another option for favors? Lollipops! Love these sucker covers!

EAST COAST ROCKS!!

So I'm part of an AWESOME group of party lovers at Children's Party Network and we recently wrapped up a challenge to benefit Project Night Night, a sweet charity that donates books, stuffed animals, and blankies to homeless children. It was the East Coast vs the West Coast, and we split up in teams to design tablescapes to raffle off to benefit PNN. Our theme was black & white with some colorful comics thrown in. I was SPEECHLESS when I saw the finished setup from the East Coast ladies .....

I provided the pouches of confetti. I was excited just to be a part of this!

SO many great details ... where to start?!

didn't Kristy do a fabulous job getting this all put together?!



Go HERE to place your vote & check out more pics, and also to check out the adorable submission by the West Coast team!

Easy Peasy Holiday Craft

As soon as I spotted this crafty creation on AllYou it immediately got my attention. Looks pretty simple to make ... possibly time consuming, but it definitely would be worth it for me. All you need is a mirror, some paint, ornaments, a glue gun, masking tape, and a drop cloth.

.... I wonder how heavy this baby is?

Gifts in a Jar

image from Flickr.

Looking to save some money, but still send gifts the recipient will love? Consider putting together a Gift in A Jar. They're inexpensive, easy enough to make that even the little members of the family can be involved, and they're something that most, if not all, recipients will use! Just add the ingredients in a mason jar, and tie a card with the baking instructions onto the jar.

Squawkfox has an awesome recipe for Smores in a Jar.
Ingredients:
Layer in a large wide mouthed 1 quart mason jar:

•1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (one sleeve of crackers, crushed)
•1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows.
◦•1 1/2 cups chocolate chips or mini Hershey Kisses or M&M’s
•1/3 cup brown sugar

Combine all items (reserve marshmallows) in the jar with a 1/2 cup melted butter and 1 tsp vanilla. Press mixture into a 9in baking pan and cover with marshmallows. Bake at 350F for 15 minutes, let cool completely, and then cut into bars.

Also, found over at Squawkbox: a recipe for chocolate chip muffins:
This recipe makes a single batch of muffins.

Ingredients:
Layer in a large wide mouthed 1 quart mason jar:

•1/3 cup sugar
•2 cups all-purpose flour
•1 teaspoon salt
•2 teaspoons baking powder
•1 cup chocolate chips, or substitute raisins, dried cranberries, or nut.
Combine sugar, flour, salt, and baking powder. Place in quart mason jar. Add chocolate chips.

Mix 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup melted butter and 1 egg in a bowl. Gently mix in the ingredients from the jar, then spoon the mixture into muffin pans. Bake for 20-25 mins.


Hot Chocolate in a Jar is a pretty popular choice, here's something with a little extra spice, found here.

Cinnamon Hot Chocolate Jar Mix Recipe

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups nonfat milk powder
1 cup icing sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup nondairy creamer
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup miniature marshmallows
optional: 2 or 3 cinnamon sticks to decorate the jar
You will also need 3/4 cup of hot milk.

In a large bowl, thoroughly stir together milk powder, sugar, cocoa, creamer and cinnamon. Gently stir in marshmallows. Pour Cinnamon Hot Chocolate Mix into an airtight jar. Can be stored in a cool, dry place for about three months.


Chicken noodle soup in a jar? Pefect for this time of year. Also found at Squawkbox.
This recipe makes a pot of soup.

Ingredients:
Layer in a 1/2 quart (2 cup) glass jar:

•1/4 cup of red lentils
•2 tbsp dried onion flakes
•1 1/2 tbsp chicken bouillon granules
•1/2 tsp dried dill weed or dill seed
•1/8 tsp each celery seed and garlic powder
•1 cup medium egg noodles
•1 bay leaf
In a 2 cup glass jar, layer from bottom in the order listed above.

In a saucepan, bring 8 cups of water to a boil. Stir in soup mix from jar. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes. Remove bay leaf and stir in 1.5 cups of mixed vegetables, and 2 cups of cooked, diced chicken. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Hope the ideas above gave you a little inspiration? Kitchenlink has a HUGE list of recipes and ideas for Gifts in a Jar. Go check it out!

LOVE this time of year!

I love almost everything about this year - holiday music, holiday parties, continuing family traditions, all the great sales .... lol. I think the only thing I dont love about this time of year is the weather. I hate waking up to frozen windshields and icy roads! But I digress - I wanted to do a couple of posts this month relating to my favorite things about the holidays. Lets start with Christmas tree ornaments. I scoured the internet to find some of the ornaments I'd love to have hanging from my tree!

No longer will you only find these creatures under the sea! Find them at Pier1

Oh NO SHE DIDNT complain about the weather and then choose a sno-cone?!

Lol yep I did. & I'll take one of these!

Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE video games? Well, mainly Super Mario. Check this guy out. On sale at Amazon for $14.99.

I love ANYTHING Sex and The City. On sale here for $49.99 for the set of 4.

Have yourself ... a Couture Christmas! Love the bling!

Is there any other word for this ornament besides .... YUM?

Ok I'm done. Maybe next I'll tackle the stockings!