Tips & Tricks Tuesday! - Pintrest!

Hope you all had a great Memorial Day weekend! We are BEAT! SOOO much yardwork to do! We also have the wedding planning in high gear! (see here for latest post on wedding blog)

So... on to tips and tricks! ... I know I have seen some of you find Pinterest already but for those that don't know another way to suck your life away and stash more things that you'll never find time to do (but GOSH aren't they fun to find?!?) you SOOO need Pinterest!

Pinterest is a place you can save pictures in different categories just by clicking "Pin It" on your web browser tool bar when you are on a website where you found something cool (after installing).  You can follow people (like me!) and look for other great ideas! PERFECT for making an inspiration board for your next event!

Here are my boards (link) - On Pinterest already? leave your Pinterest link in the comments here so others can find you!!!

taking a break ;o)

Powerwashing, staining the deck and yard-work - I am POOPED! gonna take a night or two off of blogging... what are you guys getting into this weekend?!

Butterfly party ideas/inspiration

This time of year, I love all the traditional themes of spring! Here are some ideas/inspiration for a butterfly theme! Don't forget about this (here) older - but still fresh! Frosting for a butterfly theme.

This setup is so darling - I love how the paper butterflies are used around the table and as if they are flying up from the table! Source

Create a butterfly mobile - you can even hang one on each side of the party table to frame.  Source and tutorial found via designdazzle blog

Wrapped candy boxes with a butterfly detail served up in fake grass - Adorable! Source

Butterfly details can adorn any favor... coordinating paper wrapped around playdough containers and a few gems added to the body of the butterfly make these a perfect take-home! Source

Add butterfly candies (see some here or here) or cut out of fondant and add to desserts...

Fruit drinks - ideas and inspiration!

Wow - sinusitis is KILLING me this week! ugh - with a little nose spray (ew!) I am starting to feel a little better!

Here are a few ideas to inspire you to add some fruit in a new way to your party spreads!

Fruit puree ice cubes - genius!!! Fantastic way to not water down your drinks, add color and flavor! YUM! Source and recipe

Frozen melon margarita pops! Just make sure to keep these "hidden yummies" away from the kids - adults only! Source and recipe

Simple way to incorporate fruit into your drinks - grapes on kabobs! Because of grapes high water content, they are easily frozen and make great "ice" too! Source

Dig out some strawberries and transform them into margarita jello shots! hello?!? yum!!! Source and recipe found via edible crafts blog

Miscellaneous Monday!

Here is my Monday dump of ideas with no particular rhyme or reason ;o)

You won't believe this... a balloon over a glass makes an instant vase! Such an inexpensive way to help decorate your next event! Add some rhinestones or ribbon for a little extra touch! Source and tutorial

A great pinwheel decorations to add tons of color and pattern! Source and tutorial found via gordon gossip blog

Inexpensive way to do tons of lighting - wax candles made using balloons! Source and tutorial

Need inexpensive ways to display candy, macaroons, cookies, etc? Dollar store trick! Source and tutorial

Shopping Saturday...errrr ummm posted Sunday ;o)

WHEW! What a weekend! My bff of over 20 years (gosh I am getting old!) is on a cross-country drive and stopped off here yesterday and we all hung out in D.C.  - weather was BEAUTIFUL! and it was great to see him and his partner.  So... that's why I am late in posting ;o)

So here are my finds at local stores (but national chains) that might help you stash away for your next event!

Have you seen these zebra marshmallows yet?! 1 less step to impress your guests at your Safari or Zoo themed party!

Found: Wal-Mart
Section: Baking
Price: $2.48

Tabletop Tiki torches - great decor for any outdoor party, not just a Luau!

Found: Wal-Mart
Section: Seasonal
Price: $4.97

Plushes always make great decorations and favors - Here are Nemo, Hello Kitty & Charlie Brown

Found: 5 and Below
Section: Toys
Price: $5?

Games are always a must to keep the kids busy! Pirate bingo with talking controller would be adorable! (sorry Staci, I'm a few days late ;o)

Found: 5 and Below
Section: Games
Price: $5

Candy tins for your vintage party! Atari stick, PacMan, Ghostbusters and 70's peace van!

Found: 5 and Below
Section: Candy
Price: $2.49

Top secret camo candy bottles! Kids at your Army or Spy themed party will love these in their favor bags!

Found: Big Lots
Section: Candy
Price: $2

Hello Kitty bags - Cut them up - each will make 2 placemats, or wrap around a dowel, put outside and use as a flag or string together for a banner!

Found: Target
Section: $1 bins
Price: $1

Teacher gift ideas/End of school

Time of year that parents start getting anxious about how to keep the kids busy and the kids are getting anxious about being out of school!!! ... since my mom was a school teacher, it's important to me to always recognize the teachers! Here are a few adorable ideas that will hopefully inspire you!

Pencil treats are always a classic! Source and tutorial 

Super functional gifts are always appreciated! These cups with cute flags could be a great option! Source and free download

I am a sucker for chalkboard paint... check out this seed package gift idea. Source and tutorial

LOOK CLOSELY!!! Edible chalkboards - GENIUS!!! source and tutorial

Nature theme ideas/inspiration

You know I would have a nature themed party for every party if I could!

Here are a few ideas/inspiration to incorporate into your next event! (Don't forget about this older - but still fresh! - nature inspiration here)

Nature inspired color pallet, moss and rock accents and a graphic background - I am sold! Keeping a table to just a few colors really helps pull the theme together - different textures and patterns keeps it from being boring! Source

With any any setup, incorporate plants, moss and branches and instantly tie it into your natural theme... Source

Use different heights of wood to display items and a wood grain inspired background to print buffet cards. Source

Rustic garden items paired with wood and moss make this chocolate bar over the top! I love the juxtaposition of the nature elements with the silver pieces - swoon! Source

Citrus inspired ideas/inspiration

A great grown-up theme for this time of year is Citrus - decorating with fruit is not only inexpensive, but eye popping too!

Start with a simple, colorful invite... Source

Decorate with lots of orange, yellow and green... Source

Decorate with fruit - put in bowls, vases or just around on the tables.  Source and tutorial found via host-it-notes blog

Slice oranges and lemons in half and make candles! Source and tutorial

Perfect favor - citrus inspired cookies! Source and tutorial

Brunch/Breakfast bar ideas/inspiration

I love hosting brunch! It's a great way to have company and keep the price down, but amount of food/choice high! I also will eat breakfast at dinner OFTEN!

Here are some ideas to inspire your next brunch. Don't forget about older (but still fresh!) ideas for brunch here.

A donut dunking station!!! ummm... hello?!? heaven! You could set this up for a dessert bar too - don't limit donut eating people! Source

What could top that?! A biscuit bar!!! Whew, I am so hungry right now! Source

A pancake bar would fill bellies far and wide on not much budget, for sure! Source

What about a cereal bar? I love this idea - display one of each kind of cereal in a frame - so adorable! Source