Favorite Things To Do For 4th of July!

Happy Friday you guys!!!

I'm back today for another Friday Link Up!

This week, I'm linking up with THREE different groups.

Make sure to check them all out at the bottom of this post!

It seems my five favorites are all holiday weekend themed recently.
Last month I posted about my Five Favorite Memorial Day recipes.
And since it's now the Friday before the 4th of July, I'm posting about my
FIVE FAVORITE THINGS TO DO FOR 4TH OF JULY!

While watching fireworks seems pretty typical for 4th of July,
I'm shockingly NOT including that in my list today!
I'm still planning to go see them somewhere in Los Angeles
but wanted to talk about other fun things to do this holiday weekend!

ONE

It's been HOT in LA and I've been loving my pool.

It's forecast to be scorching this weekend,

 so you'll probably find me here at least once!

TWO

I prefer to cool off in the pool over going to the beach,

but I'll deal with the sand to see a sunset like the one above.

If you throw in a beach bonfire, I'll be there even faster!

THREE

Summer holiday long weekends and grilling just go hand in hand to me.

I have absolutely no clue what I'll be making on it just yet,

but you better believe at least one meal I make will be grilled this weekend!

FOUR

And you can't forget a festive dessert to round out your grilled meal!

I made this Fruit Pizza for my aunt's birthday AND 4th of July last year.

It's really that good and can easily be made ahead of time.

FIVE

Lastly, make a batch of seasonal cocktails like my Blackberry Whiskey Punch!

Depending on the number of people you'll be celebrating with,

the above recipe can easily be doubled or halved.

Hope you all have an amazing and safe 4th of July weekend!!!

Now for more Friday Link Up Fun, check out the blogs below!

Andrea and Erika's blogs from Friday Favorites.

April and Christina's blogs from 5 on Friday.

Karli and Amy's blogs from oh hey friday!

Favorite Memorial Day Recipes!

Happy Friday you guys!!!

I'm back today for another Friday Link Up!

This week, I'm linking up with THREE different groups.

Make sure to check them all out at the bottom of this post!

Since it's the Friday before Memorial Day,
and I'm sure lots of people will be hosting or attending BBQ's
I figured today I'd share with you guys my

FIVE FAVORITE MEMORIAL DAY FOODS!!!

Dad's Lemon Pepper Chicken
I just made this last weekend and love it just as much as I did as a child.
It's so easy and would make a great addition to any BBQ.

Homemade BBQ Sauce and Spice Rub
Maybe you're looking for more of a BBQ flavor?
Then whip up some spicy BBQ sauce or rub for some chicken or ribs!

Inez's Turkey Burgers
These turkey burger have SO much flavor!
And not only are they super easy, but can be prepped ahead of time too.

Asian Quinoa Salad
This would make an amazing side dish for any Memorial Day event.
And if there's leftovers, it can be enjoyed for a few days after!

Pizza Quinoa Bites

These would make a great appetizer.

And since they taste like pizza, kids will probably love them too!

Hope you all have an amazing and safe Memorial Day weekend!!!

Now for more Friday Link Up Fun, check out the blogs below!

Andrea and Erika's blogs from Friday Favorites.

April and Christina's blogs from 5 on Friday.

Karli and Amy's blogs from oh hey friday!

DIY: Pom Pom Cone Cards

If you've followed my blog for any time,

you're probably already aware I make my own cards.

Proof can be found here, here and here.

And I'm always on the lookout for new card ideas.

While waiting in line to check out at a store recently,

I saw a gift bag out of the corner of my eye,

and immediately knew I wanted to use the idea,

to turn it into a bunch of different greeting cards.

So not too long after seeing the gift bag,

I went to Michael's to purchase some pom poms,

and got to work on creating my cards.

Let me show you how simple they are to make!

The Goods:

Pre-folded Cards or Card stock

Pom-Poms (I used two different sizes)

Textured Beige Scrapbook Paper

Hot Glue Gun

Hot Glue Sticks

Cut a bunch of isosceles triangles out of the beige paper.

I cut two different sizes because I had plans to use two sized pom-poms. 

Using your glue gun, secure the cones to the paper however you desire.

Next continue by adding three (or more) pom-poms to create your ice cream cones.

And that is it folks!

Super easy, yet super cute card for someone special's birthday!

DIY: Valentine's Heart Banner

If you've read my blog for awhile, 

you're probably already aware I love to decorate.

(Proof can be found here, here and here!)

And if I can DIY the decoration, that's even better!

While I have quite a bit of Valentine's Day decor already,

I wanted something new and different this year,

and I'm a fan of DIY banners so that's what I set out to make!

After a little research online and very little thought,

I decided on a super simple heart banner in two different red patterns.

Take a look below to see how I made it! 

The Goods:

Scrapbook Paper*

Heart Stencil

Craft Rope or Twine

Slim Utility Knife

Scissors

Pencil

*I used two different red patterns, but use whatever you'd like!

Depending on the length of your banner,

trace as many hearts as you'll need.

I used five of one patterns and four of another,

and actually originally traced and cut out eight of each.

It was WAY more than I needed because of the size of my stencil.

On the reverse side of the patterned paper, 

draw little lines where you'll make cuts for your rope. 

Using your slim utility knife,

cut slits over the lines you just drew.

Slide the rope through one slit and then the other,

alternating between the two red patterns.

Lastly, hang your banner for all to see! 

2015 Christmas Decor Home Tour

It's almost Christmas and I am SO excited!
I love everything about the holiday season,
but I especially love to decorate my apartment
and make it super festive!

I shared my Christmas Decorations last year,
and had planned to sorta scale back this time around,
but once I get started decorating,
I JUST CAN'T STOP!

And today I'm here to share it all with you guys!
Let me warn you - this post is VERY picture heavy,
so grab some kind of warm yummy beverage,
sit back and take a peek into my home!!!

The decorations start before you even get inside!

DIY PEACE Decorative Sign made in 2014.

Of course both side of my front door are decorated.

DIY Yarn Wreath made in 2013.

Christmas has taken over my living room!

As much as I love a real tree,

I went with a fake one this year.

because it's just easier with the two cats!

Just a few of my favorite ornaments, 

including a DIY Thumbprint Reindeer one from 2013.

I went a little pine cone crazy this year!

See - more pine cones!!!

My grandma hand painted the Nativity scene for me years ago.

More pine cones!!!

I love a decorated mantel with a nice fire.

Just makes it seem more Christmas-y to me!

My little collection of nutcrackers, DIY Ribbon Tree and House Rules.

Those three make ANY sort of decoration much cuter!

Found this sucker super cheap last year 

and couldn't wait to pull it out of storage this December!

Of course I have holiday dishes!

And other holiday touches around the kitchen.

HO, HO, HO towel was a gift from my mom.

And how cute is this Santa spoon rest?

The guest bath is festive with some lights...

A cute reindeer towel...

And can't forget the snow globes!!!

Head down the hall and the decorations continue.

A garland over the den french doors and ornaments over my bedroom door.

If the guest bath has some decoration,

you bet my bath has some too!

Oh hi there Santa!

Lastly, some festive flannel sheets to keep me warm and toasty at night!

And finally a panorama of the living room, where most of the decorating happens!

I hope you've enjoyed taking a look at my Christmas decor.

Wishing you all a fun, safe and happy holiday season!!!