lizard & ladybug

Fab Finds Friday (Valentine's board)

2012-01-27T10:51:00.000-05:00

LOTS of FAB finds can all be found on my Valentine's Day board on Pinterest.

There are so many great ideas, it's hard to shared every.single.one on Facebook

(although, I try)..so I keep pinning and pinning.

Head over to Pinterest and check out my board.

If you're on Pinterest, leave your info, I'd love to follow along :)

Jelly Pals & Sleeper Peepers giveaway

2012-01-26T10:17:00.000-05:00

I've got 2 fun products to share today...

Both are from Streamline, a NY based company that started out importing & exporting better watches. Since the early nineties they've taken a turn towards the junior market. Streamline has something for everyone. Fun, whimsical designs for everyday use at affordable prices.

This Jelly Pals Ice Pack ($4.95) is just adorable!

It's cute, squishy and practical. It even glows a little in the dark :)

Pop them in the fridge and use them as a traditional ice pack.

You can also use them as a wrist rest while you're working at the computer!

The Sleeper Peeper Eye Mask ($6.95) is perfect to help little ones nap

when they are away from home. It's cute & really soft.

Want to win these cuties? Leave me a comment saying you do!

Deadline to enter is Jan 31st, midnight est.

If you can't wait & want to buy these now, click on the picture on the right. Enter 21649 at checkout and save 15% (discount code is good until Feb 15th)

Good Luck!

Super simple 100th Day of School treat

2012-01-23T18:36:00.000-05:00

If your kids are celebrating their 100th day of school soon & you want to send a cute treat...this one is so so simple.

Everything Bagel pretzels (from Rold Gold) and pretzel sticks.

Add them together and ... see the 100??

Cute, right?!

You can either put them in snack bags for each of the kids

OR put them in a big bowl and let the kids make their own '100' for fun :)

The lizard will be taking these to school this week for his celebration!

We have a winner!

2012-01-23T10:18:00.000-05:00

Thanks to everyone who entered the ORE Originals giveaway....

Congrats to

Jessica who said

This is such a great giveaway, My niece is starting school in the fall, and I would love to give her a lunch kit like this, so cute!!!

Send me an email (jbandsam@gmail.com)with your mailing address

& I'll get your goodies mailed out ASAP.

Fab Finds Friday

2012-01-20T07:44:00.000-05:00

Welcome to another Fab Finds Friday!

I hope you've all have a great week. The lizard & ladybug have both been sick this week. The lizard stayed home from school 3 days. He hated missing but there was no way I could send him when he feels so bad. The ladybug is taking some medicine for a cough that makes her 1000x more hyper than normal. So being cooped up in the house with one trying to rest & one bouncing off the walls = ARHGHGHG!

I'm ready to pull my hair out!

Anyhoo..I wanted to share a few (FREE) things.

Amy of Living Locurto shared this great Celebrate party collection.

It has everything you need to make a party extra special.

Check it out HERE.

This adorable playroom subway art from Anything but Perfect.

Angela has a BOATLOAD of freebies HERE.

Over the Big Moon has lots of great freebies too.

My favorite (right now) are these kitchen printables!

I hope you all have a great weekend!!

And if you want to send some 'germ-be-gone' thoughts my way, I'd appreciate it :)

Wordless Wednesday (almost)

2012-01-18T07:22:00.000-05:00

The lizard helped make our grocery list :)

I don't know what's cuter..the way he spelled 'soup' or that he correctly spelled 'ham'.

I don't eat meat (& we keep kosher) so ham has never been on our list :)

a gift to myself

2012-01-17T07:52:00.000-05:00

Some of you may know my birthday is coming up...(in 13 days, to be exact).

I've been looking around for fun ideas for my 40th Fiesta - here's my Pinterest board.

I wanted something special to wear, like jewelry.

I'm not a flashy jewelry person. I like simple, classic & unique.

I'm loving hand stamped, washer-style pendants.

In fact, I made some for Mother's Day a few years ago.*

While searching online for my own hand stamped cutie, I decided to try making one (again).

*my first attempt left me frustrated & needing to wash out my mouth with soap.

This time went much better.

Here's what I started with.

I got my stamp set here. The washers came from Lowes (~$1.20/3)

Oh, grab a Sharpie too!

I picked 9/16th size washers because I liked the size

(and I had lots of letters to add)

I kind of eyeballed the placement of the letters, that's why they are a little wonky.

After I filled in the letters using the Sharpie..it looked like this

Dampen a paper towel with rubbing alcohol to remove the 'extra' marker

I plan on trying it again, to see if I can even out the names.

And to make better impressions of all the letters.

But you get the idea.

I'll probably hang it on a simple ribbon

(maybe with a bead) and give it to myself as a gift :)

Have a great Tuesday!

and don't forget to enter the O.R.E Originals giveaway HERE

planning WAY ahead

2012-01-16T08:42:00.000-05:00

I already have a few big deals in the works...

my 40th, the husband's grandfather's 90th and Valentine's Day.

BUT I had a few discussions with the lizard & ladybug this weekend and they agreed to have a Super Hero Party.

Now, their birthdays aren't until May but I figured I'd get cracking early :)

I've seen some really really great ideas for Super Hero Parties. Since it's going to be a combo party..I need to make sure it's not to 'girly' or 'boy-y'

I've even created a Pinterest board to start saving my ideas.

Here are some of the great ideas I've found:

Maria of Love & Sugar Kisses created these adorable cupcake toppers

(she's also making some goodies for my 40th Fiesta).

The ladies of Anders Ruff created this SUPER party.

These adorable capes and masks.

I love the idea of individual capes & masks!

My thought is to have a pool party & have the capes double as towels.

Can any of you make these??

I don't ~~can't~~ sew :)

There you go, this is what I was doing last night.

Instead of ALL the other things I needed to do, I was searching for Super Hero ideas.

I hope your weekend was a little more productive than mine :)

Great giveaway from The Organized Parent

2012-01-12T07:40:00.000-05:00

I'm loving this giveaway!!

It's from ORE Originals. It's company that started off creating recycled-rubber bulletin boards that were designed, assembled and shipped right out of a garage! The bulletin boards Lisa created were the foundation of her basic collection of fun solutions to enhance everyday life.

In 2003, after the birth of her son, Lisa was inspired to add a collection of baby products.

Today, ORE Originals sells a variety of home organization products, bath accessories,

personal totes and a line of baby products.

The giveaway today includes 4 adorable products.

The Silverware Set ($8.95)

I love that it comes in a re-useable carry case!!

Lil' Diner Tabletop Splat Mat ($6.95)

Super cute & practical too.

Kiddie Apron ($15.95)

How adorable is this?

Classic Lunch Sack ($15.95)

It's a great size for lunch.

And easy to clean too!

*Each item will have the BOWMEOW pattern.

Want to win all 4??

Just leave me a comment telling me you want to win :)

(make sure you leave you email too)

If you just can't wait and want to grab these goodies.

Click on The Organized Parent button on the right.

Use code 21648 at checkout and get 15% off!

(the deal is good until Jan 31st)

Giveaway ends..Wednesday January 18th - midnight EST

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-11T09:49:00.000-05:00

How we spent the last day of the lizard's Winter Break....

yes, it was warm enough for shorts :)

Have a great HUMP day!

XOXO Tic Tac Toe (freebie)

2012-01-10T07:49:00.000-05:00

I just can't help myself...

all the Valentine goodies around have inspired me!

I grabbed these cute containers (10/$1) at Dollar Tree

knowing that I could use them for something.

I came up with XOXO Tic Tac Toe & these containers are perfect for holding the 'pieces' (m&m's, kisses, whatever candy you choose)

*better make sure you add extra candy :)

So so simple & really cute (if I do say so myself).

This is perfect for classroom treats, playdate favors, Valentine parties..you name it!

Feel free to download your own games HERE.

(print them on heavy cardstock)

Enjoy!

my weekend

2012-01-09T07:43:00.000-05:00

The weather was gorgeous here this weekend. Mid 70's and sunny! Perfect weather to be outside.. I, on the other hand, spent most of Sunday working on my 'craft cave'.

This is what it's looked like for a while...

Last week, Michaels had their storage stuff 50% off and I couldn't pass up the bargains.

I picked up a few pieces.

I also snapped up a Martha Stewart cubbie storage for $39 at Home Depot.

This is what it looks like now...

Slowly, but surely the room is coming together. It will take a little more time to get the room the way I want it...I need shelves and whatnot..but for now, it's more and more like a craft room!

The lizard and ladybug call it my 'office'.

Now if I could just make some moola while I'm in there :)

I hope you all had a productive weekend too!!

Fab Finds Friday (40th Fiesta ideas)

2012-01-06T07:53:00.000-05:00

Today's finds are totally selfish!

I'm planning my 40th (EEK) Fiesta

and have been spending WAY too much time looking for fun ideas.

Here's my Pinterest board, if you want to follow along :)

The party will be Superbowl Sunday so it's going to be very casual - since that's how I roll :)

Here are a few fun things I've put on my 'wish list'

I saw this shirt from Oodles Decals on Etsy and fell in love.

Not sure how I feel about being 'vintage' but the shirt is cool!

This multicolor charm bracelet from Caya's Cowgirl Creations is super cute & just my style!

These Beer Margaritas from Rachael Ray would be perfect.

Has anyone ever tried these?

A few of the goodies I've already decided on...

this Fiesta printable set from paper & cake

and Maria from Love & Sugar Kisses is making cupcake toppers for me :)

The countdown is on...a little over 3 weeks from now, I'll be starting a whole new decade!!!

Can you feel my 'OMG, I'M GETTING OLD' stress??????

wordless Wednesday (nostalgia)

2012-01-04T08:36:00.000-05:00

For me, New Year's means it's time to renew, declutter, organize. We started with clearing out our garage this past weekend. I found some of my old Barbies. btw, none of them had hair. I apparently wanted to be a hair stylist back in the day.

I had clothes

some furniture (all blow up)

even this 'fancy' tv :)

and of course, Ken

(ignore the naked Barbie in the background)

The best part of all was watching the ladybug enjoy them as much as I did.

Does New Year's make you want to prioritize, reorganize and declutter?

Next project for me is my craft room...I will be sure to share my progress :)

Have a GREAT Wednesday!

FranklinCovey planner winners....

2012-01-03T08:12:00.000-05:00

I hope you are all having a great start to 2012!

It's finally COLD here in Florida!!!

I know, I know..cold to me is mild to others :)

The 2 winners of the FranklinCover wire planners are

mommywilson who said

Here is what I am doing for 2012! http://www.mysimplerlife.com/2012/Decluttercalendar2012.pdf This is someone elses creation, but I am going to follow it. Simple tasks each day. Not overwhelming!

and

susan who said

You are an inspiration for helping me get organized and simplify my life. I love your blog. 2012 will be a better year for me because of you. I would love to win the franklin planner....use one years ago and would definitely benefit again from using one.

Congrats!!

Send me your address & I'll get your planners out ASAP!!!

More fun things coming up this year!

A new blog design, more giveaways..and lots lots more!!

Happy Tuesday!

Fab Finds Friday (NYE inspiration)

2011-12-29T18:37:00.015-05:00

I can't believe this will be my last post in 2011!!

Where has this year gone?

Today's finds are all about New Year's Eve...and last minute party ideas.

Whether your celebration is HUGE or low-key (like ours),

I hope you find a little inspiration today.

Plus I'm sharing my own little NYE kit :)

If you're still looking for decorations, Piggy Bank Parties has 3 great collections!!

They are a deal, only $5.00!!

If you're not stalking Oink! The Blog of Piggy Bank Parties...you really should be!

It's one of my FAVES!

Looking for a fun, festive dessert?

These New Year's Eve Midnight cupcake from Confessions of a Cookbook Queen are perfect!

How adorable are these?

Click here for the recipe & instructions.

Looking for something fun to do with the kids?

Mique of 30 handmade days is sharing this great resolution activity printable.

Click here to get yours.

I've already printed some for our NYE!

Another great activity for the kids comes from The Idea Room.

New Year's Eve Countdown Activity Bags.

Click here for the instructions (and free printables) along with Amy's activity ideas.

Here's my contribution.

A NYE kit for the kids.

Borrowing this idea from One Charming Party.

I got a few aluminum pans w/lids from Dollar Tree.

The graphic is from Graphics Fairy - enlarged to (sorta) fit the pan.*

You could use any color paper and hand draw a clock too :)

I'm filling the pan with candy, noise makers, masks &

anything else that will keep the kids entertained.

If you wanted, you could add clock hands and have the kids countdown to midnight.

Lots of ways to use this simple NYE kit.

I wish you all a very very Happy New Year!!

New Year's Eve (flashback)

2011-12-29T08:08:00.000-05:00

I plan to share lots of great 'new' New Year's finds tomorrow...

but in the meantime, here's another look at our NYE party from last year!!

Here are some of the highlights.

The table before the 'real' food.

I had a branch (already painted from Halloween) that I added black and white poms to (thanks to Kristy - The Purple Pug for that idea). I used a cake stand to hold the paper fortune cookies we made (got that idea from Home Confetti).

Oreos baked inside brownies = Black and White brownies

My 'countdown' cupcakes. I used black card stock and metallic pen.

Dipped a marshmallow in clear sprinkles (for the sparkly effect)

and added it all to a lollipop stick.

The cupcakes are Funfetti (of course)!

Champagne 'bubbles' (donut holes) - thanks to Kim - Party Frosting!

I used my New Year's printable (attached to card stock & a dowel) as centerpieces.

They are standing in jars of black eyed peas:)

A can of Rotel and black eyed peas became our 'lucky' salsa.

The pasta was festive because I used bowties and curly noodles. haha

A little bubbly. I punched 2" circles of silver card stock then used a 1" punch.

The glasses ~~cheapo plastic~~ came apart so I could add the 'bling'.

I can't have people leave without something.

Some reNEWing hand scrub for the girls, chocolate bars for the guys

and some snazzy sunglasses (since we were whooping it up during the day)

The kids LOVED counting down and yelling 'HAPPY NEW YEAR'.

They loved it even more when the saw their bubbly :)

Kiddie Cocktails (cherry Caprisuns with a few cherries)

Everyone had a fun time. The weather was great..the company was great & it was early enough for everyone to get the heck out so I could get to bed early :)

Cheers to a fabulous 2011!!

------------------------------------------

I hope you're all having a great last week of 2011!!

Hanukkah party (flashback)

2011-12-27T07:49:00.000-05:00

Tonight is our Hanukkah party and I'm in full prep mode!

Don't forget my FranklinCovey weekly planner giveaway.

Enter HERE!

Here's a look at our Hanukkah party last year!

_______________________

I wanted to share some of our Hanukkah party before next week...

Here are some highlights:

all of the printables are from Frog Prince Paperie (love them)

yes..dreidels (part tres)

chocolate chip cookies and blue candy canes = yummy menorah

jelly filled donut bites

ravioli, fried cheese and more donuts

Star of David made by the lizard (popsicle sticks and crayons)

the glass bottle (Starbucks coffee drink) filled with blue colored rice

all the kid's crafts.

Noodle art/jewelry, coloring pages & crayons.

White lunch sacks to make luminaries are there too.

We had a fun night.

Ate way too many donuts :)

Next week, more holiday goodies..

I hope you all have a great weekend!!

Fab Finds (last minute holiday prep)

2011-12-23T07:03:00.000-05:00

Today's finds are all about FUN!

The Party Animal

Leg Lamp Cupcakes

I don't know about you, but A Christmas Story is one of my ALL TIME favorite Christmas movies!! Right up there with Christmas Vacation.

These cupcakes are just too funny!

How great would these be Christmas Eve

(during the 24 hr showing of the movie) or on Christmas Day??

I love that Nicole is sharing the printables too.

*I've already printed mine :)

The Celebration Shoppe

Peppermint Cookie Bark

This looks DELICIOUS!

Chances are (if you're like me) you have the 3 ingredients to make this simple treat.

Perfect for a Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas Day brunch..

or any time really!

Kim is offering adorable printables too.

Just 'like' her on Facebook :)

The Paper Cupcake

Magic Reindeer Food

Make sure to get this adorable freebie bag topper!

Charlotte is a sweetie & mad skills too. Check out her Etsy shop :)

Here's my last giveaway this year!

2 of you will get a FranklinCovey Wire-bound Planner

price $24.95

The Simplicity for Moms Wire-bound Weekly Planner is great!

Adding a few spaces to the Simplicity Planner Pages creates the best way to keep track of everyone's schedule. Classes, doctor visits, games, car pools etc...

There are also forms for kids' critical information so it's easy to grab.

Plus, they have a great look too!

To enter:

1. tell me what you're doing to get organized in 2012

Winners will be picked Dec 30th midnight est.

US residents only.

If you want to go ahead and get your planner now, click on The Organized Parent button.

use code 21620 at checkout at get a $3.50 flat shipping rate!

(code is good until Jan 15, 2012)

Good Luck!

wordless Wednesday (almost)

2011-12-21T07:43:00.000-05:00

Happy Holidays

from my family to yours!

*cards from Shutterfly

Super easy last minute gift (freebies)

2011-12-19T07:23:00.000-05:00

Are you looking for a really Really REALLY easy gift?

Of course you are!

Do you have access to sugar and soap?

And a clear container (glass or plastic)?

Then you too can make

semi-homemade Soap Scrub!

Here's what I used:

1. extra fine sugar

2. peppermint soap (the moisturizing kind) from Bath & Body Works

3. 4oz glass jars

*I chose these jars because the opening was the perfect size & they weren't too big.

I would also suggest a clear container so your 'giftee' can see all your mixing :)

I filled my jar ~2/3rds full with sugar.

Then I started pouring in the soap (no exact amount).

Use a knife to mix it together..trust me, it makes it easier.

I ended up with the consistency of thick molasses.

You can adjust the soap to sugar ratio to your liking.

Put on the lid & your gift is done.

Add a cute tag.

I found mine at The Celebration Shoppe

(it's free from Kim's Facebook page..so go LIKE if you haven't already!)

I used a 2 1/2" punch and added my own little tag to the top.

Here's the link to my tags if you'd like to use them.

I hope you all have a great Monday!

Holiday Sparkle & Cheer

2011-12-15T07:13:00.000-05:00

You may remember, I recently signed on with Pamela Smerker Designs

(home of Party Starters and PS Harvey).

Basically, Pam creates great designs & I get to 'craft' with them.

I LOVE IT!

She recently sent me party shapes from her Holiday Sparkle and Cheer collection.

First off, I love the colors.

There's something so fresh about pinks, greys & blacks for the holidays.

I knew I had to come up with some fun ways to use the tags.

Cupcake toppers/food stakes are a perfect way to use them

but I wanted to do something a little different.

My first thought when I saw the 'cheers' tag was drinks!

So I cut my shape (using a paper cutter) and added a hole (using a hole punch).

I grabbed some twine and..

super cute drink tags!

Another fun idea, adding the tags to a candle.

I happened to have this peppermint candle so I added the 'sparkle' tag using glue dots.

I love how it turned out.

These may show up as a few gifts this holiday season!

Speaking of gifts, using the 'for you' tag on a jar full of candy was a no brainer!

(I picked up lots of these jars from Dollar Tree).

Fill a jar with store bought or homemade goodies,

add one of these tags,

tie up with a bow & you have a fun neighbor, teacher, friend gift.

Check out Pamela Smerker Designs for more great ways to use these printables!

Or get you own HERE & start creating!

Don't forget to enter the Diaper Dude bag giveaway HERE!

Elmer's winners announced & another fun giveaway

2011-12-13T07:35:00.000-05:00

Thank you to everyone who entered the Elmer's giveaway...the 2 lucky ducks are

Cineca @ Dreamin' N Details who said....I'm a new fan of Elmer's on FB

Karina who said...I "like" Elmer's on Facebook as Ana Karina

send me an email with your mailing address.

I will make sure your prize packs head out asap!!

Now onto today's treat..from The Organized Parent.

Know someone expecting a baby?

Or someone who just had a little bundle of joy?

I bet they (or you) would LOVE this Diaper Dude diaper bag!

It's a diaper bag designed by Chris Pegula, a design-oriented dad who was looking for a hip bag that was easy to use. So the Diaper Dude was born :)

This diaper bag has sporty messenger styling with tons of storage!

I love that the messenger style (over the shoulder)

gives you the option of NOT putting the bag down!

It's a cool looking, functional bag!

I know the husband would've gladly carried this diaper bag.

If you want this bag...here's how:

1. Like The Organized Parent on Facebook (leave a comment that you did)

2. Tell me the craziest thing you carried/carry in your diaper bag.

You have until Sunday December 18th at midnight to enter.

(US residents only)

If you think this would be perfect for the holidays..

you can click on the Diaper Dude picture (on the right).

Use code 21511 at checkout and save 15%!!

looking for inspiration..

2011-12-12T07:45:00.000-05:00

I have LOTS of other things going on right now..

but that hasn't stopped me from gathering ideas for my big 4-0 coming up in January.

We're planning to have my party the same day as Superbowl Sunday.

a '40th Football Fiesta'.

I've even created a Fiesta 40th board on Pinterest to save ideas.

*if you aren't on Pinterest, let me know & I'll send you an invite*

There are a few things I REALLY REALLY want to have...

1. Mexican Food

2. FAB cake/cupcakes

What fun ideas would you include at YOUR party?

Fab Finds Friday (Holiday Parties)

2011-12-09T07:38:00.000-05:00

So..today's finds are kinda selfish.

The lizard will be out of school for 2 weeks around the holidays.

I'm considering having a 'Winter Fun-derland' playdate

(since our Little Turkey playdate was a success).

I've been collecting play date ideas for a while..

here are some of my favorites parties

(that have given me some FAB ideas)

Frog Prince Paperie

Penguin Christmas Party

Paula created this super cute party for her sweet daughter.

There are so many details, it's hard to choose just one favorite!

Here's a peek.

(totally going on my 'to make' list)

click HERE to see the rest of this fun party.

Shindig Parties To Go

Candy Christmas Dessert Table

Amanda created this adorable & festive dessert table using some very cute printables.

They are her own design :)

The rice krispy treats are my fave!

click HERE to see the entire table and all the details.

As a bonus..Amanda is sharing some Christmas Hershey's Kiss Printables for free

Anders Ruff

North Pole Christmas

This North Pole Christmas collection is just plain adorable!

I love the colors, the old school feel and it just looks like FUN!

The hot chocolate bar is on my party 'wish list'

click HERE to see every last details.

Don't forget to enter the Elmer's giveaway HERE!

Have a GREAT weekend!!