Memorial Day Weekend Prep {Part 5}

So I am a day late, but here it is - the final day for our Memorial Day Weekend Prep. Today is all about your favors. It's always nice to send your guests home with something. It doesn't need to be extravagant or expensive, but thought and stylish is always appreciated. 


Sending your guests home with simple treats is easy to put together ahead of time. You can put just about any candy in these Chinese food containers, and you can pick those up at your local DollarTree (3 for $1). Choose one color to keep it simple and cut down on time putting it together. I like tying a piece of twine around the boxes



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My favorite favor treat for the end of the night has to be s'mores. Set them out out before your guests have left and let them roast them up in your backyard or enjoy them when they get home. Your packaging doesn't have to be as involved as this one below. A simple clear cellophane bag with a large thank you for coming tag like the one at the bottom of the page is all you need to add some style to your favor. I like removing all commercial tags and wrapping for a cleaner look, but this small Hershey bar is at home in this package.



elizabethannedesigns.com



erinlowrance.wordpress.com

Memorial Day Weekend Prep {Part 4}

Well, apparently miracles can happen. One, I am back here again today. Two, the forcast for Saturday looks promising despite the abundance of rain this week.

Today we are on Part 4 of the Memorial Day Weekend Prep, and it is all about entertainment this weekend.

It's true, that all you need are good friends, food, and little aclohol to have a good time. Being outside is great enough (even better if you live in the north where this time is sacred!). But if you want to kick it up a knotch try some of these ideas. Set up a tent outside for the day for the kids to play in. They'll get a break from the sun and keep busy all day long. If you're lucky enough to have a tire swing, I'm sure it will be about 5 minutes before someone jumps on. There is nothing like swinging on a real tire swing, even at 25! Hang a sheet and pull out a projector to watch a movie outside. This one is definitely on my summer bucket list. But if you don't have a AV guru husband like I do, throw a blanket in the back of a van and catch a drive in movie. They're rare but they do exist, and I can't wait to take my daughters to one! And never underestimate those old school games that you know you've played. Keep a small bucket filled with random games, and your guests will never be bored - especially when they're a little bit tipsy.


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Hanging out over a fire after the sun has gone down and the kids have gone to sleep is one of my favorite things to do in the summer. This is probably because I don't get a chance to just sit when my kids are running around, but it's probably true if you've been hosting also. Grab some marshmallows and skewers and roast away.

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I always love to throw up a photobooth at every event, and this weekend is no exception. Keep it simple instead of spending hours and hours making a stream backdrop (I know this from personally experience), and hang a white sheet and attach a few festive accents. If you don't have time to cut printable props, you can stop by your local...you guessed it - DollarTree! They have tons of fun items you can use and you don't need to go overboard.

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Memorial Day Weekend Prep {Part 3}

OK, I am really amazing myself. It's day three and I'm still here. I hope you are too!

Today is all about decor. I love crafting and spending hours perfecting every little detail for any party or get together, but to be honest, it's rare that I actually have the time to do anything. So when I want to throw a casual get together, I look for ways to dress up my space that are time efficient (because with my two girls - 2 and 4 - I have to be quick!) and that are also budget friendly (my husband does not appreciate all the adorable odds and ends I find the way that I do).

If you don't want to spend a lot, I suggest you go to your local DollarTree and pick up some of the patriotic ribbon they have there. There are about 5 or 6 different patterns, and I fell in love with all of them but came home with 4. They all mix together and will make all the difference when setting up. A simple glass vase, cup, or jar can be tranformed to match the event with just a few inches of ribbon. Cut and glue or tape and you're ready to go.

I'll post a picture of the four patterns I scooped up later today.


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A favorite of mine are those paper lanterns you made in grade school. Who knew that the simple craft could linger with you later in life? You can use contruction paper that you have on hand or, for an extra glam touch, choose a patriotic scrapbook paper. Simply fold the paper in half length-wise and cut straight slits on the fold. Glue or staple the two ends together, and add a small handle for easy hanging, and you're good to go. You can even use your kids for this one - unless they're mine...

blog.homeseasons.com

You can use any spare cans or tins around to add a little extra flare to your space. I would opt for a small bunch of flowers in a few smaller cold uans on my front steps and around the backyard. Larger items on their own stand out as do smaller groupins. You can use white craft paper and a small bit of ribbon to wrap the cans or a fancier paper, if you have on hand. If you have old paint cans, they can make a big statement. Give a function to this decor by using them to hold utencils, napkins, or food. They can do double duty! 

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Don't forget that the containers you use to serve food and drinks also dress up a space. Choosing a red bucket instantly stands out in your space and brings the theme to the table. I try to keep my dishes for parties white for easy use with any theme, and I have a super big vintage galvanzied bucket that we inherited when we moved into our home that has never failed to look great with any party. A wrapping of ribbon, a patriotic pinwheel, or other item attached to the bucket can give it the patriotic feel if you think it needs a kick up.



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This one takes a little more time, but I love the way it looks and would definitely spend the time, if I had it. In reality, I don't think I would paint them red, white, and blue. I'm pretty sure I have a pin of similar cans in metal glowing at night, and those are great to reuse every night. - OK I got off my lazy butt and looked the pin up. I found two great ones on my Spring and Summer board - check this one out for a not so bright patiotic look of frosted jars with simple stars, or this one for a simple painted can with leaf shapes glowing. At night, either one will look great against the dark.


sasinteriors.net

 If it's not too windy this weekend, you can try this one underneath one of those simple tents you can get at your local pharmacy. I had four last summer, and let me tell you, they don't stand up to wind. But you can easily drape lengths of crepe paper from one end to another underneath. The added benefit of being underneath the tent? A smaller space will instantly make your decor look more dramatic.


sasinteriors.net

And finally, the paper lanterns with lights are great and budget friendly for this weekend. For $1 and two AAA batteries, you can get a simple white lantern from the DollarTree. These are great for tying thin ribbon around the top or bottom to match the red, white, and blue theme for this weekend. If you have more time, you can hand draw stars or fireworks (both will look great in bunches no matter what your drawing skill level is) in red or blue marker instead. Turn them on when it gets dark and you will have a soft glow in your backyard.

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Whew! Don't forget to come back tomorrow! I think I just might make it back for day four!

Memorial Day Weekend Prep {Part 2}

It's day two of the Memorial Day Weekend Prep, and to be honest, I am completely suprised that I am back here for day two!

Today is all about your food for this weekend, and I am not a great cook. If a recipie has more than 5 steps or ingredients, I usually loose interest right away - thank God for Rachel Rays special section of recipies with just 5 ingredients! So here are some simple ways to serve up some patrioticness this weekend without spending all your time inside.

I love using paper cones to serve individual size portions of just about anything. You can use simple wax paper (DollarTree has a roll), and it's perfect for serving anything colored red or blue this weekend. I'm thinking watermelon balls and blueberries, but just about anything will do. Wax paper will hold up against anything wet, so that's a plus. Use more festive paper to make cones for serving sides like potato chips, fries, grilled potatoes, the possibilities are endless! You may want to  line with some wax paper to ensure they hold up if they will be sitting for a while.

 
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To add a special touch to a simple grilled food, I love the idea of wrapping these hot dogs in patriotic paper. While that might take too long before people start digging in, you can also wrap each one in a patriotic patterned napkin that has been folding to 1/3 or 1/2 its width. This is easy to do as you go, serves the purpose of giving everyone a napkin, and looks great. Make sure to place the hot dogs on the flap if your plating them so they stay wrapped while waiting. You can use this with your burgers and any other sandwiches you're serving this weekend.

These bottle labels look great, but if you have a big crowd, try grouping your bottles on a simple tray or vintage wood box and use one label for that instead.


livinglocurto.com

I have to admit that I bought one of these fabulous parfait bowls around Christmas as an early gift to myself under the assumption that I was actually going to use it. I still haven't touched it, but hopefully th at will end this weekend! I love this super easy desssert of layering whipped cream with fresh fruit. It's simple to make, makes a big design impact of the table, and looks great being served. Don't have a big enough crowd to make a huge on like this? Go for indiviual sized serving instead using clear cups or use my favorite, saved jars!


Dine and Dish via foodieview.com

I love fresh fruit, and I love grilling fruit. Whether you are going to grill your fruit or not, adding fruit on a skewer will look great on the table and taste super yummy. My choice this weekend? Serving french vanilla ice cream in jars with fresh strawberries, blue berries, and bananas on toothpicks instead of skewers.

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If you have the time, you can prepare berry ice cubes for your weekend. They look great and flavor your water, but instead of serving these in an ice bucket, use these to chill a water pitcher instead. You will need fewer to make an impact, and it'll look sweet!

twoshadesofpink.blogpsot.com

Enjoy and come back for more tomorrow!

Memorial Day Weekend Prep {Part 1}

To help you get ready for the official summer kick off, Dulce Detalle Designs is bringing you this 5 part Memorial Day Weekend Prep! Each day we will feature a different party aspect and bring you some inspiring and quick/easy/sanity-saving ideas to make your weekend a little more enjoyable.

So we start this Monday with Memorial Day Tablescapes. From this weekend on and for the rest of the summer, most of us will spend the weekends gathered with friends and family outside. Why not start the season with a fabulous table?

White is always a good base to start with for any event. White tablecloths, dishes, or clear drink glasses can be paired with different style items to create completely different looks. For Memorial Day, I especially love mixing white with different shades of red and blue (like the turquoise in this picture). I love the white on white look of this table with a simple runner. Grab a roll of white craft paper or wrapping paper (from your local dollar store) and a red and blue marker or paint (if you have the time) to make a simple runner like this one. You can even leave a small box of crayons for your younger guests to keep busy while you eat!

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While going with a star spangled banner theme is not my favorite patriotic theme, I do love the idea of individual place setting buckets filled with what you'll need. A bottle of water or your drink of choice, napkins, utencils, and some sparklers and matches would make my bucket complete. Target and the DollarTree always have buckets for $1 or you can opt for another favorite money saver - cans! Any size will do, and they can be sprayed a color or simply wrapper with some festive paper (and maybe a personalized tag - IF you have the time)

southernliving.com

I love the display idea for these white napkins. Grouping all the napkins together on a red plate pulls the simple touch together and makes it stand out on the table. If you don't have time to do each napking, you can always tie a ribbon or piece of twine around the entire plate and napkins together.

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Another great runner idea I love are these stars together. You can use just about anything to create your own last minute runner, including a pack of patriotic napkins (lunch size). Tape the backs of them together, or if you are using a heavier material like a placemat, gule each section together.

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Revelations from a late night working

If you have a job and kids, chances are you are no stranger to the late nights and all nighters. Lately, it seems like late nights are a part of my everyday life. So far this week the earliest my head made it to the pillow was 1AM - and I am lucky I made it to the bed! The couch has turned into the makeshift crashing grounds for my dead lifeless body at what I call the "crackhead hours".

It came to my mind last week, after a most unproductive late night, that these late nights aren't leaving anytime soon. To be exhausted and successful, I would have to change how I worked late at night.

Here are my latest late night revelations that I am hoping will alter my night owl ways:

1. Making a to do list when I'm still able to form words and ideas that make sense is critical to accomplishing anything late at night.

2. Getting the kids to bed on time (sounds like an easy task but trust me, it's harder than you think in my house!) is like a fresh pot of coffee. The possibilities in those hours of alertness are endless.

3. I don't mind being the only person up at 2AM in the morning working on anything - creating, doing laundry, cleaning, it doesn't matter. I thrive on those late nights working in the quiet that only 2AM can bring.

And here is a peak at what was keeping me up last night:

Obsession for the day

It's been a while since I was able to sit and watch Rachel Ray. This morning I was able to catch some before diving into my day, and I instantly fell in love with her centerpiece on her table.

I don't think it's any suprise that orange is a favorite color of mine, and orange and turquoise is one of my favorite color combos for the spring and summer. This simple centerpiece is so easy to recreate with any glass base. I just so happen to have an unused bottle of glossy turquoise spray paint in my closet that will hopefully today grace the surface of one of my many glass containers.

May the Fourth be with You!

It's National Star Wars Day. While this may not be the most official national day to come our way, we couldn't pass this one up.

So here is a little Star Wars inspiration for you! How cute is this card? This could easily be changed to a thank you card or an invitation for any Star Wars event.

Enjoy your day ,and May The Fourth Be With You!

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