Special Occasions
Event Planning Basics {8 Great Tips for Co-Hosting a Party}
Let’s face it. Sometimes it is just easier to do things ourselves! That said, there are often times where we find ourselves collaborating with others, whether it be friends or family, for big event or party. How do you mesh two (or more) sometimes conflicting styles in order to come together long enough to pull it all off? If you’ve ever found yourself in this situation (or will be in that situation soon), you won’t want to miss these 8 tips for successfully co-planning & co-hosting your next party over at P&G Everyday. Pin It
Under the Sea {Mermaid Party Inspiration}
If you’ve been following this blog for any amount of time, you probably realize that we take parties seriously here in the Soukup household! Princess has been planning her owl party since last November even though her birthday isn’t until August. Trouble isn’t quite the obsessive-compulsive planner that her big sister is turning out to be, but she definitely has an opinion when it comes to picking her themes. This year, for her big 4th birthday party, she is ALL about mermaids. Here is our mermaid party inspiration: Photo Credits: {Be sure to check all the links below for many, MANY more amazing party ideas!} 1. Mermaid Party Dessert Table ... read more
Earth Day Party Ideas
Earth Day is coming soon! I am a firm believer in being a good steward of the planet, taking care of the resources we’ve been given, and trying to teach my kids to do the same. If you’re looking for some fun ways to celebrate the planet, be sure to check out these fun & thrifty Earth Day Party Ideas I put together over at Home Made Simple! * * * How do you celebrate Earth Day?
Simple Easter Birthday Brunch
I have always loved having my birthday in the Spring. It is such a green and fresh and cheery time of year! And if my birthday so happens to fall on Easter–which it does every now and then–well, then, even better! Now I don’t normally throw myself a party, but since this year was the big 3-5 (when did I get so old?!) AND my sister & her family were coming AND it was Easter, hosting a simple brunch to celebrate the day just seemed like the perfect fit. With only eight of us, I tried not to go too crazy on the menu. (Though Husband would probably tell you ... read more
DiY Mason Jar Candy Pedestals
I love to do crafts, but to be honest I don’t always have a lot of patience–or extra time–to invest into lengthy, time-consuming projects. I am all about squeezing in a little craftiness when you can! Luckily, these little candy jar pedestals, (of which I’ve been seeing various versions all over Pinterest), were a perfect project for that! The total time invested, not including the drying time, was probably about 15 minutes, split into short increments over the course of 2 days. It seriously could not have been any easier. What I really love about this project, however, is that though I wanted to make them to display Easter candy, they ... read more
DiY Felt Monogram Easter Basket {Free Printable Pattern}
I am thrilled to be participating today in A Little Clarification’s Spring Fling, which is being hosted and organized by my adorable bloggy friend Claire! What better way to kick off the festivities than with my very favorite craft medium of all time? With all the purging we’ve been doing lately, this year I really wanted to supply my girls with cute baskets that would be easy to store after Easter was over. Obviously that meant creating them out of felt! Did you know that in addition the the little acrylic felt craft sheets you can also buy thicker, nicer, real wool felt by the yard in the fabric section? It ... read more
Vintage Fish Fry Party Ideas
Got a kid or husband who loves to fish? Be sure to check out these fun ideas for a vintage fish themed party I recently came up with over at Home Made Simple! * * * What’s the best party theme you’ve ever hosted?
Irish Pub Pasties {Recipe}
We have a great little Irish pub in my town called The Celtic Ray, and as St. Patrick’s Day approaches I thought it might be fun to come up with my own interpretation of one of my favorite items on their menu–the Pub Pasty (pronounced PAH-STEE). For those of you not familiar with this yummy little treat, a pasty is a hand-held pie filled with savory meat or vegetables & spices. The traditional pub version is usually dipped in batter, then deep fried. My home version uses ready-made rolled pie crusts which makes them super easy (and a lot less messy!) They were an across-the-board hit with the whole family, ... read more
DiY No-Sew Burlap & Bunny Bunting {and Table Runner}
I just couldn’t start working on our Easter decorations without turning to my two favorite craft mediums: burlap & felt! I knew I wanted some sort of bunting to decorate my dining area hutch, as well as a runner to decorate the table for my Easter birthday brunch. In my head I had envisioned something simple and semi-natural, but our felt choices were a little brighter then I had in mind. The girls–armed with their brand new low-temp glue guns (watch out!)–helped make the first version, which featured very colorful bunnies, chicks, & eggs. They loved it and begged me to let them hang it in their room, which ... read more
Cream of Cabbage Soup {Recipe}
It is Worden Farm time for us again which means lots & lots of yummy fresh veggies all season long. This year I opted for on-farm pickup rather than box delivery. I love able to choose, and the girls absolutely adore going out to the farm. It is quite a drive which means we don’t usually make it out there every single week. However, that just means we get double the number of vegetables the following week! If you are not currently part of a local farm co-op, I highly recommend it. (Here in SW Florida, check out the Worden Farm membership options; otherwise check out LocalHarvest.org to find a farm ... read more
Easter Brunch Inspiration
I am having a little trouble believing that Easter is already right around the corner…..wasn’t it just Christmas? But all denial aside, this year my 35th birthday just happens to fall on Easter AND my one and only sister will be visiting with her family, which to me seems like the perfect two excuses to host a lovely little Easter/Birthday/Spring brunch. A brunch is, after all, my very favorite kind of party! I’m not really into the super-cutesy or bright and plastic-y Easter decorations, but I do love fresh tulips and birds and all things green, yellow, & burlap, so I’m thinking that is the direction I will go. And ... read more
This is Love
Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. {1 Corinthians 13: 4-7} Our homeschool memory verse this month is this passage from 1 Corinthians 13. Teaching my kids always seems to make me see things in a whole new light, so even though I have heard this verse countless times in my life, it has impacted me differently ... read more
Be My {Frugal} Valentine 2013: 15 Fabulous Gifts Under $15
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, which of course means it is time for the 3rd Annual LWSL $15 gift list! I have to say, though, that many of the awesome gift ideas I posted last year are still available, so be sure to check out that list as well! As always, I was amazed at what fabulous things can be found for under $15 when you really start looking. And if you would rather make your V-Day gifts, be sure to check out all my handmade gift ideas here! Gifts for Him: 1. Braided Leather Bracelet-Last year I featured the black version, this year I’m digging the brown. ... read more
Valentine’s Day Embroidery Hoop Art {Easy Embroidery for Kids}
We are in full Little House mode over here, and I gotta say, I am loving every minute. As I told Husband last night, our girls may never score a 1600 on their SAT, but my oh my, will they be able to sew, bake, & pickle like nobody’s business! Last week, inspired by one of the projects in the Little House Craft Book, Princess and I took it upon ourselves to learn embroidery. It was something I have never done before either, so we learned together. She was completely hooked almost immediately. I was frankly amazed at how quickly she picked it up! She proudly completed a practice sampler, ... read more
Gilded Hoel {Holiday Home Tour 2012}
I’m having a hard time finding the right words to say this morning….my heart is breaking for the families of Newtown, and like the rest of the country, my thoughts and prayers are with them today. So in the absence of words or anything profound to say, I give you only pictures…..a tour of my own holiday decorations this year. Every year I hit the after-Christmas clearance sales to stock up on a few new Christmas decorations, but last year I stumbled across an assortment of “Gilded Noel” ornaments and decorations at Target (for 75% off!) that I just loved and I went a little crazy. It was the perfect ... read more
