Turn a Recycled Water Bottle into a Game Day Noise Maker {Super Bowl Party Craft}

There is just six more days left to kickoff and even though our team did not make it to the Super Bowl this year, we will mostly likely be tuned in next Sunday anyway. {or at least I will be checking it out during the opening ceremony, half time, and of course the commercials}


To add some excitement to game day for my little guy, I decided to put together a super easy noisemaker that actually combines a couple of projects I have posted in the past. These can be put together in no time {costing next to nothing using recycled water bottles} and it is something the little ones can even help make as well.

The Sunday Showcase Party {No. 86}

Welcome to The Sunday Showcase Party

I have been missing taking a peek at your projects for the past couple of weeks
and can not wait to catch up.


{Country Living}
There are some exciting changes in store for the New Year and I'll be slowly implementing them through out the next couple of months ...
For starters, after taking into consideration the combination of feedback from readers and sponsors, all giveaways will now be posted in a separate post instead of being linked to the Showcase Party Link Up.

Ideas & Inspiration for Organizing and Putting Together a Linen Closet

Hello my friends. A big thank you to you all {for everything}. I am happy to be back and hope the New Year has been treating you all well.

I had plan to work through January with an organizing theme as many of us are geared up and ready to go with the fresh start of a new year. Even though February is right around the corner - if you are like me you could use some inspiration year round to continue that motivation.

One of the first projects I hope to begin soon is our linen closet. We are lucky to have a closet located right in the middle of our second floor hallway, however if you open the door right now you would be a little confused as to what it actually is. We use it more for storage than anything else
and unfortunately the items being stored in the space are not linens.

So this weeks inspiration and ideas post is centered around linen closets - containing some inspiring photos and creative projects ideas.

{Organizing and Putting Together a Linen Closet}

{source: Martha Stewart}


{source: House and Home}


{source: California Closets}


{source: House to Home}

Did you know about Gift Card Weekend? {and a chance to win a Sephora Gift Card}

This post brought to you by Gift Card Weekend. All opinions are 100% mine.

Gift cards have become a popular go-to gift for the holidays and one of the most requested items of the season. Each year our family has a little fun with an extra white elephant exchange consisting solely of gift cards. It's so exciting to end up with a gift card to your favorite store and even more enjoyable redeeming it for an item you have had your eye on.

So did you know there is an official Gift Card Weekend to redeem those sought after cards?

Gift Card Weekend is a once-a-year event where participating retail partners have gotten together to give featured offers for their gift cards that are redeemed from January 6-8, 2012.

Gift Card Weekend participating retailers include  Lowe's, JCPenny, Sephora, Regal Cinema, Subway, Applebee's, Bass Pro Shops, Adidas, Buca di Beppo, Spa Finder, Marriot and Giant Eagle. So if you receive a gift card from one of these retailers your in luck!

To build some anticipation to the biggest gift card savings weekend, Gilbert the Gift Card Machine will be giving away more than 100 Sephora gift cards a week leading up to Gift Card Weekend.

Just like Gift Card Weekend on Facebook for a chance to win - then stick around throughout the month for more giveaways! You can even share with your Facebook friends to receive an extra chance to win.

♦ For more details check out Gift Card Weekend ♦
♦ and don't forget to like their Facebook page ♦
You may end up winning a little gift for yourself this season!

Walgreens {very} Last Minute Beauty Gift Ideas #CleverBeauty #spon

Thanks to Walgreens for underwriting this post. I was paid as a member of the Clever Girls Collective, but the content is all mine. Visit http://www.walgreens.com/beauty.

Merry Christmas my friends! I hope by the time most of you read this, all your holiday shopping will be complete {and wrapped} - though if you forgot to check your Christmas list twice, you're in luck as all Walgreens stores are still open.

I always like to add a little beauty stocking in for all of the girls on my list - as it's fun and exciting to share some of my favorite girly products with those I adore this time of year. {plus it gives me a reason to replenish my own beauty bag with a few gifts for myself}

I'm always impressed with the variety of products and brands available at my local Walgreens and really like the fact they always have some promotions being offered. So naturally Walgreens was one of the stops during my holiday shopping trip.

Clothespin Snowflakes {Handmade Ornament No.25}

Happy Friday my friends. This week has quickly passed by - with just one more day to go! I have one last handmade ornament to share today and they are so easy - you could even add them to your to-do before the holiday arrives.


If you don't have a stash of wooden clothespins they can found at any dollar store and easily transformed into pretty snowflakes. I used a few to embellish some packages though these can easily be made into ornaments or used in number of different decor ideas as well {I like that snowflakes can be left out throughout the winter and a last a little longer than other seasonal decor}

Inspiring Holiday Features from The Sunday Showcase Party

Each week I enjoy taking a peek at everyone's ideas and projects - though this time of year is my favorite as the Sunday Showcase Party is filled with warm cozy decor and cheerful festive ideas.

Here are some inspiring holiday features I hope you enjoy~

Decorated Christmas Shed Submitted by
Christine at Three Pixie Lane


Snow Covered Side Entry Submitted by
Debbie at Debbiedoos


Make Your Own Icicle Lights Submitted by
Ruthie at Do It Myself


Christmas Centerpiece Submitted by
Tracy at A Comfy Little Place of my Own

Monogram Feather Ornament Place Card {Handmade Ornament No.24}

Hope everyone has enjoyed, and hopefully found some inspiration, in the past 23 ornaments shared the past week for the Handmade Ornament Series. I am happy to be concluding the event with my take on two last minute holiday ornaments that I created for the season.

The first is an incredibly easy project that serves a few different purposes. They of course are ornaments that would look great on a tree, but I decided to make them into place cards for my holiday table. The individual monogram makes them great personalized favors for our dinner guests to take home as well.


I love the use of feathers lately and the natural look, sophistication and glamor they can add to decor {plus I just adore anything with a monogram on it}. Using the ever so popular clear glass ornaments makes this project inexpensive and super easy - plus if feathers really aren't your thing a multitude of other fillers can be substituted!

Mini Photo Canvas Ornaments featuring Cameron from Homemade {Handmade Ornament No.23}

Thanks for stopping by and joining us for the

Handmade Ornament Series
This week we are sharing last minute ornament ideas for the season

Please welcome our next guest,
Cameron from Homemade

{Handmade Christmas Ornament No. 23}

How to Make a Preserved Boxwood Wreath Topiary

I love the classic look of wreath topiaries not only for the holidays, but throughout the year, and boxwood is one of my favorites. A quick web search will show just how expensive some of the pre-made versions can be, however with a few supplies you can easily create your own, even if you don't have a lush boxwood bush right in your backyard.

The Sunday Showcase Party with UPrinting Giveaway {No.85}

Welcome to The Sunday Showcase Party

~Please Note the Guidelines Below Prior to Submitting Links to This Party~

This week I am delighted to welcome back UPrinting.

UPrinting.com is a leading online printing company that provides high quality printing at the most affordable prices. Their signature, easy-to-use website and the famous Free File Review {a complimentary proofing service which requires no upfront payment} make ordering a breeze.


{Source: Not on the High Street}
They carry a variety of products to cover all your printing needs, including custom printed posters available in bulk printing, large format and mounted posters ranging in various sizes including custom sizes as well.

How cute would a customized poster be for your next party, event, or simply to add a personalized touch to your home's decor.

40 Breakfast Casseroles {Holiday Christmas Brunch Recipes} Saturday Inspiration & Ideas

Hope everyone is enjoying their last weekend before the holidays. {We have been busy with our last minute preparations for our company next week and I'm so excited!}

One of our holiday traditions is a Family Christmas Morning Breakfast/Brunch. We rotate who is going to host each year between my sisters, brother and myself. {I just love gathering together before the days festivities and seeing the excitement Santa has left behind in the kiddies eyes}

We each bring a warm homemade casserole so it was only fitting this week I gather some scrumptious recipes to showcase for this weeks Saturday Inspiration and Ideas.

Do you wake up to a special breakfast Christmas morning?

{40 Breakfast Casserole Recipes}

Bacon and Hash Brown Egg Bake
{source: Betty Crocker}


Hash Brown Casserole with Bacon, Onions, and Cheese
{source: Cooking Light}


Sausage-Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole
{source: Southern Living}

Button Drop Ornaments featuring Melissa from Serafina and Stella {Handmade Ornament No.22}

Thanks for stopping by and joining us for the

Handmade Ornament Series
This week we are sharing last minute ornament ideas for the season

Please welcome our next guest,
Melissa from Serafina and Stella

{Handmade Christmas Ornament No. 22}