instead of packing....

There are a gazillion bagillion things I should be doing!!  

Packing, de-cluttering, packing, cleaning..and did I mention packing? 

We are 1 week away from closing on our new house.  

1 WEEK PEOPLE!!!

So what's a gal to do when she has an entire house of crap to pack????

That's right!!  I was hanging out at the pool! 

The upside is that the husband brought home 15 more boxes from work.  

Looks like I'm gonna have to pack something now!

I have some FAB finds for you all tomorrow...

plus I'll announce the winner of the Elmer's giveaway!

trolling for party ideas

I'm already planning our house-warming party...(and avoiding packing).   

Here's what I had in mind:  ice-cream, popsicles, cook-out, pool party. 

Grillin' & Chillin' is kind of the feel I'm shooting for. 

If you were planning a party with any of those themes...

what types of things would you have?  

I'm looking for everything from decor to eats.  

(to avoid packing)

Here's something to get you started...

I ordered these super cute petal boxes from Party Starters.  

*I admit it..I'm totally planning this party around these boxes :)

4th of July on the brain

I love the 4th!  The colors, the food, the fireworks.  

We are having a family get together at my mom's this year (as usual).  

As soon as I saw this post on Celebrations at Home 

featuring printables from Kori of Paper & Pigtails, I decided on a theme.

Red, White and Q 

(as in bbq)

 

I've been gathering ideas (mostly in my head) of goodies I want to use.  

Mason jars, pinwheels, push pops, flags.

Are you planning a 4th of July gathering?  

What types of fun things are you planning?

our weekend

We spent the weekend at the beach.  Just a quick, one night get away.  

The kids had a blast and the trip wore them out 

(which I really enjoyed).  

While we were there, I made sure to decorate a little for Father's Day.  

I got these adorable printables from Catch My Party 

(designed by Love Party Printables). 

 Luckily, the dresser made the perfect display.

Tonight is the lizard's pre-k graduation.  

I really waited until the last minute 

so I'm hoping I can pull of a cute 'One Smart Cookie' display 

as a treat to the graduates :)

Here are a few shots from our beach get away...

I hope you have a great Monday!

'stay cool' treats for Summer

The lizard's school year is winding down.

(yes, I know most FL kids are out already...

long story short - the school got a new building & was closed for 3 months.  

We are making up the lost time now) 

His pre-k graduation is Monday evening.  

I'm hard at work getting everything ready for that.  

In the meantime, I thought it would be fun to send treats for all the kids to enjoy!  

 ice pops, stay cool this Summer tags and yarn

get your tags here (courtesy of eighteen25)

Easy, cute and inexpensive!

 These would also made great favors for any type of summer party!

A sponge ball tutorial

I'm on a water/splash/pool party kick.  

I may have to plan a party just to get it out of my system!

Inspired by The Purple Pug, LAUGH loud SMILE big and One Charming Party - I made these.

Here's how.

I used Dollar Tree sponges (10/pack) and some rubber bands 

(also from $ Tree).  

I cut each sponge in half.  Then in half again.  

Giving you 4 even pieces from each sponge.  

I took 3 sponges (12 pieces) and twisted.  

It would help to have an extra set of hands for this step.

Next, I wrapped a rubber band around the pieces several times.  

Then 'fluff'.  

 

They are super easy to make.  

Apparently, the lizard thinks his school friends would like some too.  

Time to head back to the store!

*I initially just used 2 sponges (8 pieces) which looks like this. 

Just as cute :) 

I would love to know if you make these...and I'd love to see pictures too 

(you can post them to my Facebook page)

sharing this idea here:

Fab Finds Friday

Hey y'all!!  I'm in full Pirates & Polka Dots panic.  Tomorrow is the party and it feels like I have a bagillion things to do.  BUT...I did find some pretty fab things I want to share today.

#1 Fancy Fox Designs

Holly (who I happen to know) makes some of the most beautiful jewelry.  

I love the Mother's bracelets 

and the Children's bracelets 

  and the Sports Themed ones

 

You may have guessed - I LOVE all of it!!  

Check out Fancy Fox Designs and I know you will fall in love too!

#2

Shindig Parties to Go 

Amanda designs some of the cutest printables around.  

Her latest creation is this adorable Summer Time collection. 

(this is just a teeny peek)

Click here to get the whole set!

 

It's so colorful and fun & FREE!

There are so many options with this set, I may need to have another party just to use this set!

#3

Hostess with the Mostess

ok..so this site may not be new to you BUT this New Summer BBQ Theme  is just plain FAB! 

When I first saw the post, I immediately decided my 4th of July theme.  

 

Red, White and Q 

(get it..Bar B Que?)

The pictures are great, the ideas/tips are brilliant and the freebie printables are perfect!

If you haven't seen the Summer BBQ Theme yet, you must check it out!!

I hope you all have a great weekend! 

I'll be up to my eye patch in Pirates & Polka Dots tomorrow.  

ARRRGGGGHHH! 

just had to share

I know I usually share FAB Finds on Friday..

but I just had to share this one early!

Jessica from Party Box Design posted the super cute 

Popsicle Party printable set.

  

....it's all FREE!

 All you need are the popsicles!

click here to see the entire set.

Instant party!!

 

I'm dishing it today...

So excited today...my Back to School Bash is in the mix on Catch My Party!!


 **************************************************
Amanda at Serenity Now - A Mommy's Solution to Staying Sane is hosting a party.  A great party to get to know each other/mingle/chat...

all without having to get dressed up :)  

Oh..and FYI - Amanda is HI-larious...check out the rest of her blog 

(including her love affair with Mr Darcy  - not the one you think)

Now..onto me!

The topic of the 'dishing it' party is Summer Rewind.  

Best activity you participated in this summer  

Running a 5k on July 4th.  

I went by myself (at god awful early in the morning) and did it!  

I even got a kick ass cup for my efforts

Did your family go on any trips this summer?  

We didn't go away for vacation...I HATE to fly and having a 4 and 2 year old makes it (almost) impossible for me to not feel guilty getting D-runk before getting on a plane.  The husband would have his hands full & that's just wrong :)  We did, however, spend the night at a Disney resort *one of the great things about living ~20 mins from the 'Happiest Place On Earth' is that you can drive home when you need to.  The kids had a blast & we'll be going back again and again and again.

  Best new recipe you tried.

peanut butter brownie trifle..rot your teeth out good!

Coolest crafty thing you made or home decor thing you tried. 

I would say it's the subway art I just did.  I can't believe I've never done it before..it's so simple.  There are so many possibilities - I can't wait to make some more.

Best book or magazine issue you read. 

Run Like a Mother...since I started running (this past January), I've fallen in love with it.  Oh..I hate the 'I'm going to die' feeling you get the first few minutes or so...but I'm hooked.  This book touches on 'real' running (from marathoners and newbie runners alike) - peeing on the side of the road, chub rub and all.  Loved it!!

Coolest new (to you) blog you've found.  

There are so many...

I really enjoy *less cake {more frosting} *Random Thoughts of a SUPERMOM  *froufroubritches &  *the celebration shoppe

Your best post of the summer was...? 

I don't know that there was a best 

but my faves were of the kid's Sesame Street combo party

What's left on your summer to-do list? 

get some sneakers for the lizard (w/velcro)...he starts preK on Monday :( 

and get a new camera :)

Now it's time to mingle.....

5 dollar...5 dollar footlong

I have wanted to try my hand at 'subway art' for a while now.  

After seeing the subway art showcase at 

Tatertots and Jello, I was inspired to do it!  I chose a canvas, spray painted it blue & got to work.  I picked summer as my theme.  

I tried to choose words that mean 'summertime' us.  

I used my cricut to cut the letters and I was ready.

(I used lime green paper, which is hard to tell in the picture)

I used Mod Podge to hold down the letters and then I covered the whole canvas.

Man I love a product it's ok to make a mess with :)

I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. 

What I love most is that it's so simple.  There's no wrong way to do it.  

Vinyl letters would make a perfect choice (less mess).  

You can use glass, canvas or wood for your 'board'.  

You choose the words so it's totally personalized.  

I already have some ideas for more pieces of art...

I'm thinking football season (Go Noles) and Halloween (just to start)

   

PonyTails And FishScales       

    

What we did this weekend...

We were in the pool - A LOT!  

The lizard and ladybug discovered jumping into the pool over the last few weeks.

 Today the lizard took the next big step (or should I say splash) - the diving board!  

 The ladybug is usually the daredevil.  

Not today.  She stuck with what she knows.

Give her a week & she'll be doing flips from the diving board 

(and giving me a heart attack)!  

Happy Monday!!

*********************************************

**It looks like I have 100 likes on Facebook..I have a give away (so exciting)** 

It's a little goodie from Polka Dot Market.

Stay tuned once I figure out how to do a give away for details!!

*********************************************************

stop by Buttons by Lou Lou to see what's going on 'At My House' 

(this is one of my favorites)

Don't forget -- -- A 25% discount if you use the code LADYBUG25!  

Head over to The Twinery to do some shopping. 

Chic Chick Carnival

I'm participating again this week in the Chic Click Carnival at Tip Junkie!  

The great thing about this kind of carnival...there is no regret after eating funnel cakes, candy apples and cotton candy & then hoppin' on the Tilt-a-Whirl.  

This carnival is a way to meet some new 'peeps'.  

I joined in last week and proclaimed my 'fave peep of the week'.  

Well I've found another great one!  

It's hard not to when there are so many FAB blogs out there.

Here's the deal..

This is not simply a linky party, the purpose of the “Chic Click Carnival” is to introduce yourself and one fellow peep you found 

using the Visit Our Peeps widget.

so...I'm Staci - mom to the lizard (4) and ladybug (2).  

I like chick lit...and sugar-free vanilla iced coffees (from McDonald's)

Here's a post I'm pretty proud of :)

Onto my 'peep'....it's Pumpkin Petunia (the name alone!)  

Jo-Ann has a great site with tons of party inspiration

She seems like a fun chick with lots of great ideas! 
I mean...come on, Jo-Ann even put a pretty dress on the sandwich platter!

Enjoy!

A big FAT giveaway!

Party Starters is officially ending a week-long birthday bash with a super giveaway.  Pam has announced she is now offering DIY cake slice Kits (such a great idea).  

According to Pam - "I know there are people out there who are crafty, but short on time, who want easy affordable Do It Yourself party favors.  Every box in the kit comes un-assembled, but includes adhesive. Just fold on the scored lines, peal of the plastic tape liner and assemble! Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy!!"

Come on...anything that's Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy has gotta be great!

What makes these kits even better is Pam teamed up with Brandi from Tweedle Dee Designs.  Brandi created this super cute Vintage Summer Picnic Collection

 

Head over to Party Starters and check out all the details (and how to enter)!