With Independence Day around the corner I was itching to craft something red, white and blue! I really do enjoy American flag decor (it is blue and covered in stars, duh!) but I like it to be subtle and even somewhat understated. Let’s face it, sometimes we can get a little too…shall we say “redneck…
Fresh + Fruity Watermelon Mojitos
Happy FIRST day of SUMMER! ☀️ As the summer temps start creepin’ up there, I start spending more and more time relaxing near the pool and drinking mojitos. Mojitos are one of my favorite summertime (or anytime!) cocktails. On one of these hot afternoons while listening to my “Country Summer” playlist, I was inspired by one of my…
Easy 3 Ingredient Old Fashioned Lemonade
We have all heard the proverbial phrase “When life gives you lemons…make lemonade.”? Today I am taking this advice quite literally. “Life” in this scenario is my dear friend Anya who happens to have several lemon trees and who gave me a 20+ pound box full of fresh lemons! Needless to say, Cornelia (my cornflower…
How-to Make Homemade Hummingbird Nectar (+ tips for cleaning your feeder)
Hummingbirds are beautiful little creatures and watching them flit about at our hummingbird feeder while relaxing on the patio is an enjoyable pastime for both me and the kitties. 😉 Obviously they are a little too flitty and none to willing to pose for a photo, so these adorable cartoon hummers are standing in. More About Hummingbirds…
Easy Piña Colada Cupcakes with Fluffy Coconut Frosting
There is nothing better than relaxing on the patio, enjoying a warm breeze and sippin’ a cool cocktail. Unless that cocktail is in cupcake form! 😀 These deliciously fruity cupcakes are inspired by one of my favorite summertime sips – the piña colada! Warm coconut notes meet fresh and tangy pineapple chunks all topped with a fluffy…
Throw a Tropical Patio Party inspired by Pineapples and Flamingos
Hey party people! You may have noticed that the hot party and home decor trend of this summer season is all things “tropical”. Particularly pineapples and flamingos. Everywhere you turn from Target to Sur la Table, pineapples and flamingos adorn everything from tableware to bedsheets. Do a search for “pineapples” or “flamingos” on Target and you…
The Most Awesome Ever Sugar Cookies
These sugar cookies…OH EM GOODNESS these sugar cookies. These are my ALL time favorite cookies. To start, my mother has hoarded this recipe for years, and I don’t mean that lightly. She was very hesitant to give up this recipe and I had to literally beg her (and promise her 60% of all profits ?) to…
Mini Garden Makeover – On a Budget!
Happy first day of spring! You know what that means – FLOWERS! It’s time for a mini garden makeover (on a budget)! Confession! I hate sticking to a budget. Who does? Also, plants and I are not friends. I am a total “black thumb.” So why on earth am I planting a garden? I have…
Green Chef Box Review
There are dozens of subscription boxes out there – makeup, geek paraphernalia, toys for pets, clothing, lifestyle, bedroom toys, health & fitness, the list goes on. There’s even one for Single Ladies. Barf. The most popular is probably meal boxes. If you’re unfamiliar with how they work, you subscribe to a weekly box of fresh…
No-Bake Rainbow Marshmallow Pudding Pie (with Lucky Charms!)
Today is National Cereal Day! What what! Cereal is the preferred food group for most kids, and let’s be honest, it still holds up pretty well as an adult. I can put away a few bowls from time to time while watching My Little Ponies in my jammies… for dinner. (BFD is the BEST!). Today we…
Fresh Squeezed Lemon Banana Bread
LEMONS! ??? So. Many. Lemons. One of the most AWESOME things about living in the greater Phoenix area is the abundance of fresh citrus fruit. While most places are battening down and bundling up to get through winter, winter in Arizona means beautiful weather and bucket loads of citrus! Arizona is one of only four citrus-producing states in the…
13 Glamorous DIY Gift Ideas for Galentine’s Day
Omigosh! Omigosh! Omigosh! Galentine’s Day is almost here!! What’s Galentine’s Day? It’s only the best day of the year!! Galentine’s Day was coined by Leslie Knope on the popular TV series Parks and Recreation and occurs every February 13th. Galentine’s is all about getting together with your favorite lady friends and telling stories, sharing laughs, supporting one another and celebrating friendship! Because…
DIY Galentine’s Day Sweet Stuff Coupon Book
It’s the time of year for pink and hearts and glitter and chocolate and flowers! Yay! I’m talking about GALentine’s Day! It’s time to toss out cliche Valentine’s traditions and celebrate what this holiday is really about…LADIES. I’m just kidding, it’s about LOVE, baby. But that includes the sweet platonic (or not so platonic) girl love…
Tangy BBQ Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Possibly my favorite foodie day of the year — the Super Bowl — is upon us. That means it’s time to eat all things buffalo with reckless abandon. Ten-hut! During my grad school days, this rendition of buffalo chicken pizza became one of my go-to recipes for procrastinating and avoiding studying cooking a relatively easy…
Spicy Buffalo Chicken Sliders
Alright, I have to admit that this recipe originally came from Buns In My Oven and I became totally obsessed with it. I think I made these little meatball sliders once a week for a good half a year. Over time, I evolved it a little bit to fit my taste buds and preferences, so here…
Homemade Candied Pickled Jalapeños
I am *obsessed* with this syrupy combo of spicy & sweet. These non-traditional pickled candied jalapeños start with jarred pickled peppers, rather than fresh ones, for a quick-and-dirty rendition on the classic “cowboy candy.” Traditional candied jalapeños are made with fresh jalapeño peppers and require some degree of careful canning to ensure food safety and all of that goodness….
No-Sew Pet Collar Bow Ties
Everyone likes getting dolled up for the holidays. Even our furry friends! Okay, maybe THEY don’t really care, but we certainly think they look cute! But decking out your doggie can get expensive quick! Martha Stewart’s designer collars are cute, but dang girl, $15 for a collar!? Are you kitten me right meow?! If your little…
Merry & Bright Mulled Cider Sangria
Oh em goodness! Do I love me some sangria. This mulled cider sangria puts a wintertime spin on a summertime drink by adding the cozy spiced flavors of the holidays to my favorite cool and refreshing cocktail. Sangria is generally something you see consumed poolside or with a tiny colored umbrella. But as far as I am…
