TOP POSTS :: Best of JUNE

Ahhhhhh the dog days of summer! We are about half way through summer and we have been enjoying some summertime fun here and you may have noticed that I have cut back on new content for the blog a little bit. I figured most people are doing the same as me . . . enjoying the summer and plus I have a bazillion things on my home to-do" list that I have been working on. Plus it gives me lots of new content for the fall on the blog- YAY! Have you been working on any home projects? I am in the middle of a bathroom reno & installing new floors in there this week and I am finally painting all of the trim WHITE on the upstairs hallway which looks soooooo much better than the old dark wood! Can't wait to share with you all.

So lets take a look back over what you all were reading in June & viewed the most. I would also like to say THANK YOU to all who stop by to read, comment from time to time & send me emails. I SEE IT ALL! So thanks again. xoxo

:: TOP POSTS for June 2015 ::


  FREE Father's Day Art Print + Dessert Table Idea

 


RECIPE :: Cincinnati Chili Dog + 5 BBQ Essentials

  DIY CRAFT :: For the Dog + Chili Pics
 

So now you are all caught up on some of the most read posts here on my blog. Hopefully you will just add me to your BlogLovin feed so you don't miss any posts. =) You can find it on the top right sidebar here - super easy to do!
See you next time!

Are you loving the "eye candy" here? 
 

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Looking forward to seeing you again! :)

RECIPE :: Cincinnati Chili Dog + 5 BBQ Essentials

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

Summertime is finally and officially here and to me that means the beginning of the grilling season. I love cooking on the grill and the many amazing creations you can whip up in the summertime that are made easier by grilling. To me, grilling just tastes better and there is definitely a freshness to it that you can not get cooking in your kitchen. My favorite thing about cooking out in the summer is the FOOD! There are so many options when grilling out and I love pairing up fun side dishes, yummy desserts and making it as elaborate or as simple as I want.

     

I love to entertain and I love to make any event into something fun even if it is a simple BBQ. I'm really into the whole 'less is more' lately, when planning a BBQ, a party or any event. Maybe I am finally learning to make it easier on myself , I don't now but it is so much easier when you shoot for simple. My motto now is 'make it simple, but make it memorable!' You can do both with just a few items. So I put together this simple "5 BBQ Essentials" for this summer. These are my must-haves to have some entertaining fun!

• Outdoor tableware items - all of the stores have super cute summer tableware items in stock right now, so grab a fun outdoor tablecloth, some plastic baskets, basket liners, glasses and a few summer decor items. Remember to coordinate them to pull your BBQ look together.

• Activities - plan to have a few activities to keep people entertained while they are waiting to eat or to do afterwards. Some of my faves are a fun bean bag toss game, horseshoes or grab the kids and color on the driveway with a new box of colored chalk! I particularly still enjoy that one! ;)

• Decor - find seasonal items that you can use for multiple occasions. For instance, I grabbed these stars and accordian fan decorations at Target about a month ago and can use them for Memorial Day, 4th of July, summer BBQs and also birthdays as the colors work well for all of them. I also like to pick up fun table items like little pinwheel picks to place in food or colored cups to put side dishes in when having a BBQ. Keep your eyes open for these type of items to have on hand.

• Drinks - I think the summer months bring out the best drink ideas. Maybe that's because they taste the best, right? ;) Serve up your favorite cocktails and mocktails or if we are keeping up with the simple theme, grab some fun drinks at the grocery to enjoy with your BBQ. Just choose various colors to add some pop, to your decor.

• Food - as we all know, planning a BBQ can be as elaborate or as simple as you want. For this post, I went super simple to prove it can be done. I decided on a simple regional hot dog recipe (which I will share in a minute), grabbed some cole slaw, a bag of chips and pre-made desserts! What? Yup my goal was to not make a thing. Aside from chopping an onion, heating up the chili and grilling the dogs, I managed to do it! ;)

I would be curious if any of you have your own regional hot dog recipe. Ours has been around for as long as I can remember and it is definitely a fave in this area! 

Here is the super easy recipe for the Cincinnati Chili style Hot Dog:
you will need hot dog buns, hot dogs, Cincinnati style chili, shredded cheddar cheese, mustard and chopped onions.
(The combination of franks and these toppings may not be Kosher.)

Step 1: place a hot dog, I am using Hebrew National hot dogs here, on the bun

Step 2: top with the prepared Cincinnati style chili

Step 3: add mustard

Step 4: add a heaping mound of the shredded cheddar cheese and trust me, the MORE, the better! AND once you add some more, go ahead and add even more! That's how we roll with our dawgs! ;)

Step 5: finish off with some diced onions
(The combination of franks and these toppings may not be Kosher.)

I picked up all of the ingredients for this at my local Kroger but I am sure you can find them at most places. However right now you can save up to $2 on Hebrew National products at Kroger and Kroger banner stores this summer, so grab them up. I picked up the Beef Franks and the Reduced Fat Beef Franks as they are a premium cut of beef. They also have Bun-Length Beef Franks available if you'd like those. All varieties do not contain fillers, corn syrup, artificial coloring, flavors or by-product. Good to know right?

If you liked this recipe, you can also check out even more recipes at Hebrew National hot dogs on their Facebook page.

What recipe have you whipped up using Hebrew National hot dogs? Please comment below and share how you top yours . . .

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Then join me over on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter & Instagram so you never miss out on an exclusive deal or any behind the scenes photos!

Check out my designs, artwork & decor in my Etsy shop! 

CRAFTS :: Top 10 Craft Project Ideas

     

Today I am sharing with you what the most popular CRAFTS were on the blog! This list is THE Top 10 that YOU selected . . .meaning you looked at these the most and I can't say I blame you! This list has a lot of easy, fun & practical crafts that you can pull off in a matter of just a few minutes with some! Make sure to PIN this so you can have all of these in one place for future reference and make a couple of these fun ideas when you find the time!

If you want to find out how simple it is to make each of these, simply click on the link for all of the fun details! So let's take a look back and see what the TOP 10 CRAFTS were . . .


TOP 10 Craft IDEAS of 2014: 

 

CRAFT :: Easy Picnic Utensil Holder with P&GEveryday

 DIY CRAFT :: Crayon Wreath

 DIY CRAFT :: School Locker Chalkboard Initial

  DIY CRAFT :: Teacher Appreciation Gift - Mini Note Stand

 CRAFT DIY :: Paper Mache Letter Word Art

CRAFT :: Glam Headband Holder

CRAFT :: Fall Flower Topiary

 

 DIY :: Easy BBQ S'More Kits

 DIY CRAFT :: Fathers Day Thumbprint Art

 DIY CRAFT :: Spring Pick-Me-Up Baskets

  



CRAFT :: Hand Lettered Thanksgiving Pumpkins

Well that was fun wasn't it? I love taking a look back and was wondering what YOUR favorite craft is from this TOP 10 list? Let me know below . . .

 

 

Are you loving the "eye candy" here? 

Then join me over on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter & Instagram so you never miss out on an exclusive deal or any behind the scenes photos! 

Check out my designs, artwork & decor in my Etsy shop! 

Looking forward to seeing you again! :)

DIY :: Easy BBQ S'more Kits

Easy BBQ S'more Kits
by Melissa

      

It’s bbq season and I can’t wait to start planning all our parties! Memorial Day is coming up and that will be our first “real” bbq of the season!

I always try to have a little something for people to take home with them as a treat after a party.  

This idea came from our camping days and how much fun we all have eating gooey s’mores! 

I had a ton of these “cookie tins” left over from my Christmas cookie exchange and I did not want them to go to waste.  

I turned over the lids using the silver side.  On my Silhouette machine I created these cute “S’more” Camp Badges.  Don’t have a Silhouette, no sweat!  You can purchase some camping theme stickers at your local craft store and use those to embellish the lid. 

Inside – marshmallows, chocolate and some graham crackers – just enough for each guest to have a yummy treat.   Other ideas instead of s’mores – granola, trail mix, pretzels or even cereal.

They are easy to stack and put out on the tables.  If you don’t’ wait to give them out at the end of your party, have your guests use them during the party!  Set up a safe campfire and each person gets their own S’more package.  

I hope you are planning some great gatherings this Spring and Summer!

Until next time – Party On Friends and have S’more Fun!

 

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Guest Contributor: Melissa Newell

Melissa Newell has been planning and executing parties for over 20 years - parties have always been a passion of hers.

 

 Melissa’s motto is Go Big or Go Home! She celebrates with her children every chance they get - making each day a celebration of Life!

Creativity on a budget and the attention to the smallest of details is what she is known for.

You can follow Melissa

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