Inside Out Zipper Pull for BooHoo Breakfast

21 Sunday Aug 2016

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Want to try something different for your Boo Hoo Breakfast?  Try this take home craft.

Sometimes getting information about your child’s day is like pulling teeth.  A simple “how was your day?” gets you nowhere!  This idea came out of that frustration we all sometimes have as moms.  Last year I made this craft as a take home for the parents who attended our Boo Hoo Woo Hoo Breakfast.  I based it on the memory spheres from the Disney Movie, Inside Out.  Even though that was last year’s big summer movie I think the feelings still apply, so we’ll our chair people decided to do it again this again this year.

The card attached to the loot bag includes a list of questions to ask your child in order to build their zipper pull.  They can add a colored bead that corresponds to a memory of Kindergarten.  Maybe the first day, the first week or the first month.  The back of the card includes the directions of how to assemble the zipper pull.

Supplies include:

loot bags from Dollar Tree

unlined 4 x 6 index cards

pony beads, Yellow, Blue, Purple, Red and Green

long pipe cleaners

lanyard hooks

stapler/staples

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The kids and I sorted all the pony beads putting  10 yellow (joy) in each bag and 5 of every other color (sad, angry, fear, gross), 1 lanyard hook, one pipe cleaner.

I printed the questions on the front of the index card and the directions on the back, then attached the bag to the card with staples.

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Printables are below:

Inside out Zipper Pull Toppers 1

Zipper Pull Directions

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Rio 2016 Spirit

06 Saturday Aug 2016

Posted by in DIY, Holidays, Home

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It’s time for the Olympics.  I love the Olympics.  I have amazing fond memories of watching the Summer Olympics with friends in the neighborhood.  Staying up way past bedtime to watch while our parents chatted on the front porch.

For that reason, and the fact that I stumbled upon 4th of July clearence at JoAnn’s, G and I tackled this craft with her friend yesterday.

It was so simple.  Start with  paper plates, dessert size (approx 6 3/4 inches).  Cut around the the center of the plate where it starts to curve up.  You’ll want to cut through the side of the plate as well, so you can intertwine the rings later.

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Pull out your paint-  We used acrylic since it’s going to be outside for the duration of the Olympics, it should be relatively water proof. Yellow, Blue, Green, Red and Black.  We  painted the both sides of the plate.  The back of the plate is the side that we decided would face out.  The paint coverage was better since it doesn’t have that coating making it hard for the paint to stick.

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This is the banner that originally inspired me — 50% off at JoAnn’s ($7)

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After the rings were dry, we added glitter glue to our rings for a little more pizzazz.  Then we taped the the rings together in the proper order paying special attention to the over under weaving of each color by looking at the rings on Wikipedia.

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After tying the rings to the banner using twine,  I hung it by extending the length of the banner with additional twine and wrapping and cinching it under the vinyl wrap covering the pillars on our porch.

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Ta Da!

I hope you enjoy the Rio 2016 Olympics with your family as much as we will.

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Derby Day!

09 Monday May 2016

Posted by in DIY, Outfits, Thrift Store Finds

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Saturday was the Ketucky Derby and we were invited to a Derby Party — the whole family had a blast!  The invitation said hats required, like I need an excuse to wear a hat.:)

  I whipped up one for me and one for G the morning of the party using a hat we already had and a Thrift Store find ($4.99), a wide ivory grosgrain ribbon that I found in my stash of ribbons, blush pink silk roses I bought at The Christmas Tree Store for $10.00 and a hot glue gun.

The outfit was inspired by OP.  I love the idea of layering a shorter dress or tunic with a pair of shorts that just peek out from underneath.  I bought the navy and ivory Paper Crane tunic, along with 3 other dresses (to be revealed soon) at Marshall’s.  Each was $19.99.  The navy shorts (you can barely see them, but they’re there) are J.Crew 4″ Chino Short.  I only go with 4″.  I don’t know why but they are the perfect length for me.  The belt and watch are from Target, the sandals are Nine West (TJ Maxx), the purse is a Thrift Store Find from last year (also seen here), necklace is from my ridiculous JCPenney jewelry buy last fall (also seen here).

 

My Top Rated Playlist

26 Tuesday Apr 2016

Posted by in Running Music

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I downloaded the whole Marianas Trench Album, Astoria.  It plays like a musical.  I really love it–Track 1 to 17.

These are the ones that made My Top Rated Playlist, which, if you are new to the series, is my running playlist.  If you’re looking for some new songs, try these:

Track 3    Yesterday    bpm 154

Track 6    This Means War   bpm 96

Track 10    Shut Up and Kiss Me   bpm 96

Track 11    Who Do You Love?   bpm 107

Boho? Bring it!

19 Tuesday Apr 2016

Posted by in Outfits, Thrift Store Finds

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This has been one of my favorite outfits this spring.  I bought the top at JC Penneys on clearance for $15.00.  It’s made by Alyx and they call it a bubble top because it has a loose elastic bottom which makes it poof perfectly.  The bell sleeves have lattice trim adding interest to an otherwise plain white top.  This top will get me from spring and through summer easily.  I see jean shorts and sandals. These jeans are GAP 1969 (also seen here and here) and quite old at this point — 3 years maybe (similar here).  The boots are Ivanka Trump (also seen here) and I have worn the heck out of them, and love that they go all the way to my knees.  The belt is the Thrift Store Find.  I can’t remember how much it cost, but if it was more than $5 I would be very surprised.  It is totally unique, which is why I browse thrift stores all the time.  Sunglasses are RayBan 55 mm Aviators gold matte with brown lenses.

Rethink Layers

29 Tuesday Mar 2016

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DSC05358DSC05355DSC05354First this is an older photo — we do NOT have any snow on the ground. 🙂

So this idea came to me when I saw this outfit and I thought “I can pull this together with what I already have in my closet”–just a new twist on layering .  The plaid press is GAP last year (also seen here) and the sweater dress is probably at least 2 years old from Kohl’s, of course, on clearance (also seen here)  Boots are my over thee knee suede, belt is Merona from Target (also seen here and here) .  Bag is Steve Madden from TJ Maxx (inspired by this blogger and her coach bag from 2009).

BuffaLove

25 Friday Mar 2016

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The star of this outfit is the buffalo plaid jacket, without question.  It is a Thrift Store find.  I bought it for $12.99, a complete steal.  I love it and have worn it often this winter and now into the spring.  This day I wore it over a monochromatic combo of black and charcoal grey.  The faux leather leggings are from Target.   I wasn’t sure about them at first, but under a long tunic top — I they look great!  The sweater vest is sooo old.  A TJ Maxx find from long ago (also seen here) and the boots were my fave footwear purchase of last year (seen here and here) inspired by the one and only OP.  Hat and gloves are from my local supermarket–believe it or not.   Happy Friday!

Aunt Jenny’s Quick Placek

21 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by in Recipes

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I make this placek at least once a year and Easter is sometimes the only time.  The recipe came from my Great Aunt Jenny.  I still use the original recipe I got from her in my teenage handwriting on an old Birthday card they had at their home on Cudaback.  Aunt Jenny and Aunt Stella always had time to babysit, always had a candy dish filled with candy, always had the tabletop photo album turned to the picture of you and your siblings when you came to visit and never let you leave with out a 10 dollar bill to “buy yourself a hamburger”.

Placek is usually very dry which makes it unappealing to some people.  This version is a little moister than traditional the Polish bread, but still dense and delicious.  And if it was good enough for Aunt Jenny, it should be good enough for you and your family. 😊

Quick Placek

1/2 c. butter softened

1 1/2 c sugar

2 eggs

4 c. flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 1/2 c buttermilk

1 c. yellow raisins

Crumb Topping (mix with your fingers)

1/2 c. flour

1/2 c . sugar

4 tblsp butter

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Pour boiling water over the raisins and let them soak for 20 minutes, his plumps them up nicely for the bread.  Drain, let dry and cool on paper towels. I blot them too.

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Grease and flour 2 loaf pans. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream butter, sugar and eggs together. Beat well.

Mix the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda.  Add slowly to the egg mixture, beating very slowly at first, alternating with the buttermilk.  Increase the beating speed, beat well.  The batter will be heavy. This is a double batch.  Not sure I would recommend a double batch.  It’s a lot of batter.

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Fold in the raisins.

Pour the batter into the pans.

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Sprinkle the tops with the crumb topping.  Let it rest for 20 minutes before baking (I tend to press it into the batter a bit then let it rest.   Otherwise the topping tends to fall off, and that is the best part!).

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Bake for 1 hour or until well done.  Mini loafs took about 40 minutes.  Check them at 30 minutes.

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Merlot, Anyone?

03 Wednesday Feb 2016

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This was my school Holiday Party outfit.  These coated leggings (also seen here) are so perfect for those days when the cookie tray got the best of you. 🙂 I folded the cuff under just once to make them just a tad shorter.  What do you think of my new flats??  I love them–snake skin (OP Inspired) with a navy suede trim and honestly so comfortable.  They are Sam Edelman (similar here).  I know I will wear them with everything!  The shirt was a JCPenney find, Joe Fresh (sad to say, I can’t find a link anywhere to buy).  I like the color and the length. I’ve bought a few things in this merlot color so it will blend into my wardrobe nicely and the tunic length makes it so versatile; tie front, full tuck, half tuck, no tuck.  They all work.  The faux fur vest (also seen here) is from BJ’s, of all places, I bought it over a year ago, maybe 2.  The necklace (looks like 3 but it’s all one) is also from Penny’s I got it for a steal at $7, regularly $24, back in October (along with this beauty for $3, reg. $30).

DIY Chalkboard Balloons

28 Thursday Jan 2016

Posted by in DIY, Light Bulb!

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I originated this project for our Boo Hoo Breakfast.  I scoured pinterst and the internet looking for tips.   What kind of marker should I use?  What’s the best way to get the letters on the balloon?  Can you buy balloons and have them inflated later?  I was hoping someone else had already figured it out and worked out the kinks.  Nothing.  So I had to figure it out on my own.  I wanted to use these balloons at the entrance of the banquet hall where we have the breakfast to welcome our new Kindergarten Parents to the school.  I’ve since done it for G’s Birthday and I’ll do it again for her belated party this weekend.

First pre-buy  balloons at Dollar Tree.  The $1 price includes the balloon and inflation. Buy the balloons to take home and decorate. Save the receipt and take them back for inflation after you’ve finished decorating.  I use the same exact process that I did for my Chalkboard project (seen here).  Print on paper, chalk the back of the paper, trace with a pencil onto the balloon.  Here I used a chalkboard pen, but I’ve found that a paint pen works well too.  Sharpies tend to dry out, so stay away from them if you can.  But in a pinch they work too.

I used chalkboard fonts, GrutchShaded and Pea Ellie Bellie.  The Dingbats are Happy Day Dingbats.