Thanksgiving Place Cards

Today, I am over at Melissa Creates "attempting" to be crafty and share a fun Thanksgiving place setting you can easily do yourself if you're hosting this year.

Last year, I clogged the kitchen sink with potato peels and almost legit had a heart attack over such a thing. So why not add to my list of stresses and craft something while I am at it, right? But if I couldn't  do it easily, I wouldn't share with someone as crafty, and sweet as Melissa, so there you go.

Head over to Melissa Creates and see for yourself. XOXO, Nichole

Surprise! Party like it's 1983

Several months ago, my best friend's mom emailed me that she would like to throw my best friend, Amy, a surprise birthday party in November. After plotting, and scheming for quite some time, I am proud to say we mostly pulled it off!

To start, we needed a theme. Initially I was against an 80's party, because as we approach 30, obviously so are many of our friends, and we have been there, done that {and did it up right last year, for another friend's 3-0!}. But then Amy's mom found some cute products turning 30 this year as well,  and no matter how hard I fought it, I knew we were meant to throw an 80's par-tay! We partied like it was 1983, ya'll. Or what I imagine it was like in 1983. I was born in '84, after all.

The board that inspired it all; designed by Hannah



{SURPRISE!!}

A little back story about the B4FE; she is like my sister. My mom affectionately refers to her as the fourth daughter, and/or fifth child. She is the friend I told you all about who had lost a ton of weight. She looks amazing, and worked her ass off to get where she is! I'm jealous and proud of her all at the same time. Being friends as long as we have been means we have had our ups and downs, and adjustments in life, but I hope we're always besties and I hope she knows how much I freakin' love her face! Plus, I like parties, so of course I was excited to help! ::end mush, here::

{Menu Tent Cards: Lillian Hope Designs}

I have to tell you this was the easiest, and cheapest DIY for the entire party! 

We used the garland at one of the food tables, and as part of the backdrop for photos.

I concocted this sign with...duct tape. Zebra duct tape! Found in the $1 aisle at Tar-jay.

 

Photos hanging from balloons. We ran out of helium, but the idea was still fun

Beer Punch: Beer, Lemonade Concentrate, Vodka. Mix Well.
"Tink" because we wanted a signature drink, and Amy was once obsessed with all thinks TinkerBell

Youngest sister, my beautiful momma, and yours truly

///

 Happy Birthday, Amy!!

Gifting: Monster Mix for Halloween

If yesterday's post of pumpkin carving for Halloween didn't prove to you just how un-crafty I can be, then today's project may do the trick. You see, I love giving {and receiving, ahem}, but a lack of time and a creative mind so many of my fellow blog friends possess, means I want something easy, pretty, and quick to whip up. At the end of the day, however I still want to give a treat when, and where I can.

Enter the easiest  Halloween treat you can gift to others: Monster Mix! Monster Mix is really just a festive term for trail mix. Of course "monster" makes it legit as far as Halloween is concerned. My love for trail mix began when we gave it as a favor for our wedding, two years ago. I may *also* have something like 70 mason jars floating around our casa from said wedding, as well. The funny thing is when we were planning our day, finding mason jars was a j.o.b. itself, and so I saved those babies, having no clue they'd become such an epidemic for trendy, pinterest projects. 

Feel free to create your own Monster Mix, or take the easy way out and buy it from the grocery. It's all about the presentation anyway, right? I purchased ribbon for $1.09 from Michaels to add some color.

I'm bringing a few of these festive treats on Halloween morning to the office. Because really, what better way to soothe our work woes on a holiday than with a JAR full of nuts, and chocolate? 

Do you give treats to friends, family, or co-workers for Halloween?

Enjoy!
Nichole

Getting Craftsy!

I have hundreds of various pins of DIY crafts and lovely cakes I would just l.o.v.e. to make. But truth be told, I am not a crafty kid. I most definitely need some help.

Enter Craftsy: An online site with a wide selection of online crafting classes from the best instructors from around the world. I don't necessarily have time to go to a class, but I like the whole online class concept.

My Craftsy Wish List: 

1. Paper Arts {professional gift-wrapping tips, pop-up greeting cards and learn to spice up your living space with trendy paper decor}.
2. Clean & Simple Cake Design
3. Shoot It! {A Product Photography Primer}

Check out all of the other great Craftsy Classes by clicking here.

What classes would you take?

XOXO,
Nichole