City of Creative Dreams

The Beautifully Creative Inspired Link Party #91

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Fri, 26 May 2017 13:00:00 +0000

Welcome to The Beautifully Creative Inspired Link Party - this is a weekly party where bloggers and readers can be inspired by creative, informational and fun posts from tons of blogs around the web. You will find yummy recipes, awesome creative projects and more. It is also a great way to meet and mingle with bloggers you find here. Best of all, the posts you share at this link party will be shown on different blogs each month! Can you say “Show me the Traffic!”

We are so glad to have everyone (new visitors and returning party goers) joining us this week. This wouldn't be a party without you. Let's dive into this party and see what you have been up too!

Guess what! This spot right here could be yours. You now have the chance to guest host for the month. No long commitment, share your blog with others and an easy peasy party. Send a email to cityofcreativedreams@hotmail.com if your interested.

Shanice @ City of Creative Dreams

Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest - Instagram - Google+

5 Fashion Trends That Can Help You Find Your Individuality

DIY Marble Breakfast Tray

LIVE LOVE LIFE LATELY

What If I Was Given $10,000

Mini Coffee Cake Muffins - Brooklyn Farm Girl

Green House - Grandma's House DIY

MODERN FARMHOUSE FRONT DOOR DECOR - Repurpose and Upcycle

MUSHROOM STROGANOFF RECIPE - SeeLindsay

I hope you have some time, I would love to hear from you. Leave a comment to say how much you enjoyed my post or even say hi, follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram page or even subscribe. I will do the same! Have a wonderfully creative weekend!

What If I Was Given $10,000?

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Thu, 25 May 2017 13:00:00 +0000

I love a good what if question, I pretty much live by what if questions, most of my project came from that very question because it is a part of creating and using your imagination. So when I received the question: What if I was given $10,000 loan? I couldn't resist sharing what I would do. I totally wish this was happening to me right now and it wasn't even a question because right now, I am currently searching for a place for me and my family and having that amount of money could do wonders for me! Don't worry I am popping all the unnecessary items that I truly desire and removing the items from my shopping cart.

All jokes aside, I am truly frugal when it comes to money. Unlike most young people my age, I see the value in every dime, nickel, quarter and dollar. As I journey and grow, I have thought about a personal loan, once or twice, at least since I truly want to buy a home someday. If I was granted that money I would put the money towards the home renovations/or home furniture because I already know that my future home would be older and in deep need of a Shanice touch.

The money would really be going towards making the home feel like a home. I may have bought a shell aka foundation but all the personal touches to me make the home a home. There are some many personalities from our family members and lives. There is no home alike and that is what I love. The designer bug in me would set aside a budget for each part of the home. There are six of us, two families in one home and in my dreams aka hopefully, this happens, that mean two homes in one.

Let's dive into my dreams for a second and let me introduce you to my family's upper half of the house for my siblings and my mom.

A kitchen with plenty of storage, living room with a big couch, double sink bathroom, and own laundry room. The bedrooms, large bed for my mom, storage for my little sister to hold all her crafting things, private bedroom for my little brother and a bunk bed for the sisters to share.

Space for all!

Take a walk with me and come downstairs to my house! Since I want my own place but not too far from helping my family, a basement apartment seems to be the perfect compromise. I love a stone feature and a brightly lit space. Island have been a love of mine in kitchens and this table plus island feature are totally up my alley. My own bathroom would be a dream and an office/ craft studio would be fantastic even if it's smaller than my imagination.

A simply comfortable bed and a tad bit larger closet than the one that I currently have would be great. Most importantly a bedroom for my son that has all the bells and whistles to keep that bedroom as organized as possible and a big boy bed for my growing boy.

I am not showing you all my dreams in one shot but enjoy the sample taste of it. If you want the whole entire full dinner course, you will have to check them out on my Pinterest page because I never stop dreaming. Now that I have shared what I would do, it is your turn. I ask you this, what would you do if you were given $10,000 loan for anything in your home? Share below!

LIVE LOVE LIFE LATELY

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Wed, 24 May 2017 13:00:00 +0000

Can you believe that summer is almost here? I can't! I am not even ready for this to be happening. I remember when I couldn't wait for it to be here and now that it is within arm's reach I am completely backing out lol. There is so much going on that I am in a tailspin, looking for a new place, designing huge blog changes and have four classes to do gifts for the last day of school this year. Ahhh! But knowing me I always make it through and will look back at this stressful moment with a great big smile.

DIY Marble Breakfast Tray

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Tue, 23 May 2017 13:00:00 +0000

Are you going crazy for marble? I am! I wanted a cute tray for me and my son when we have breakfast in bed or when we have a movie night at home. I saw these wooden trays over at Micheals Craft Store and wasn't sure if I was going to buy it until I realize there are two sizes. Perfect! The larger one for me and the smaller one for my son. But what was I going to do with it? Did I want the whole thing to look marble or did I want to just paint it white and call it a day? It took a while to decide and finally, it hit me. You already saw a sneak peak of what is looked like in my Ultimate Guide to Breakfast in bed and now you get to see how I created it.

Here is what it looked like before.

Since I wasn't going for a raw look in my tray, I thought why not do a little marble and a little stain.

I choose a dark walnut. This is the first time that I am using this type of stain and this brand claims to be fast drying and drip free which is perfect for this small project. I actually do love this concept of having a drip free stain. I bought it at Michaels Craft Store and it really works nicely.

I used a cloth and wiped the stain on the handles of the tray a couple of times until the handles were the dark color I was hoping for. It did not take too long to dry, I gave it about five minutes but it really didn't need that long.

For the side of the tray, I went with a simple white acrylic paint. I wanted the stain handles to really pop and the white paint does just that!

Once everything dries, it is time for the marble. I bought the marble adhesive from Dollarama however you can get it anywhere from the hardware stores to Amazon.

Peel the back of the marble paper.

It is the last and most simple thing to do last yet it makes it all the worth wild because of how great it turns out. Simply use a hard flat surface and angle it against the paper to get the air bubbles out.

There are a few finishing touches you can choose to do such as adding a clear gloss to the stain and painted areas. I have not done that personally, but maybe further down I will.

All done! Bon Appetit!

5 Fashion Trends That Can Help You Find Your Individuality

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Mon, 22 May 2017 13:00:00 +0000

People choose to express themselves in many different ways, and fashion is definitely one of them. However, it can be hard to find your own style and individuality with so many different trends out there. Just remember that all trends have taken inspiration from somewhere so don’t be afraid to take inspiration from others as you form your unique style. Here are some trends that can help you find your style in what you wear.

Loosening the Pants

Pants have long been tailored to slim the body and hug it in ways that flatter curves. However, that skinny look is finally starting to move out of the limelight. Designers are starting to return to a relaxed silhouette. This look does not mean that the pants are not tailored at all. Instead, they are made to flatter the body, just not with ultra-tight fits. This style pulls from the lounging fit of athletic wear, but it is done with much more class and style.

Belting Coats

The belted coat of the 1970s has once more become popular among designers. This style is no longer popular and restricted to just trench coats. Shorter coats and sports coats are starting to reflect this style once more. It adds a layer of sophistication to an outfit that harkens back to older years with a timeless elegance that can hardly be beaten. This style also goes against the popularity of oversized coats that originally came about in the 1950s. They slim the body and accent curves in the right places to flatter a silhouette gracefully.

Cover those Eyes

Wearing sunnies is a great way to express your individuality. There are many styles to pick from, and they are made to frame and flatter the face's natural shape. Some traditional types of sunglasses that remain continually popular are the round, vintage sunglasses and oversized aviator sunglasses. These shapes serve to be the most popular in today's fashion, and they can easily accessorize any wardrobe.

Vivacious Shades of Red

One of the most common colors that showed up on European runways this season was red. It represents so many things, from passion to aggression. It also makes for a standout color that can hardly be missed anywhere else. Red is being found in all kinds of clothing articles, from fiery pops in shirts to darker shades in coats and pants. It is also common now to combine shades of red together instead of leaving one shade to stand alone or to accent it with other colors. For example, a dark cherry shade might be the backdrop for a bright red paisley print. This color will also serve to brighten up any neutral wardrobe that is full of black, gray, and navy tones.

Splicing Together Types of Shoes

Once more, the trend of sportswear has made a comeback from its hay day in 2015. However, it has not become popular in all articles of clothing. Relaxed-fit pants might harken back to this style, but shoes have taken it to a whole new level. Hybrid shoes are becoming ever so popular. A hybrid shoe is one that functions both as a dress shoe and has athletic overtones. Running sneakers have long been known as business casual fare, but these new shoes are taking the cake and becoming more than just business casual. They are extremely comfortable to wear and make any outfit pop with class and style. These shoes are also a great way to add some color to an otherwise dreary outfit pallet.

Conclusion

European fashion is leading the way in 2017 with some of the best, on-trend styles. These styles pull from historical favorites and make statements that can hardly be beaten anywhere else. They make people stand out from the crowd with class and elegance that another fashion season has not yet been able to compare.

Guest post courtesy of Mia Morales.

The Beautifully Creative Inspired Link Party #90

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Fri, 19 May 2017 13:00:00 +0000

Shanice @ City of Creative Dreams

Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest - Instagram - Google+

Ultimate Guide to Setting Tables

Red Heart Cinnamon White Chocolate Chunk Brownies Recipe

LIVE LOVE LIFE LATELY

Interior Design Trends for Millennials: High Style, Low Budget

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Interior Design Trends for Millennials: High Style, Low Budget

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Thu, 18 May 2017 13:00:00 +0000

There has never been a time when house improvement and interior design TV shows were as popular as today, and we have the generation of millennials to thank for that. However, although they have a perfectly carved sense of taste and style, millennials are not willing to spend their entire budget on home décor. And while they will not search for premium solid wood dining room tables as their parents did, they will find an equally eye-pleasing alternative that comes at a much lower price. So, how to tap into this high style – low budget décor adventure? Let’s give it a shot.

Functionality as an imperative

Most of the millennials, especially the ones who are just starting their independent lives are living in small apartments or houses. Therefore, functionality is imperative. Furniture pieces that have more than one purpose are always welcome, but not at the cost of style. Here’s an example: ottomans are very popular to use instead of coffee tables these days. Besides looking glamorous, these pieces can also be used as storage.

The Most Popular Design Approaches

There is no doubt that millennials love keeping up with everything trendy, and they are really fascinated with certain interior design styles that fit into their budget and tastes. Here are some of them:
• Scandinavian: This approach is based on minimalism, functionality, clean lines, neutral colors and the use of natural materials (e.g. wood and stone).
• Industrial: This style includes not necessarily authentic furniture pieces, and it combines metal and rustic wood. Exposed bricks and pipelines are just what you need if you’re living in a rented apartment you don’t have the chance to fully redecorate.
• Eclectic: Throw everything you have in a pile, and that’s it. Well, not really. Eclectic is a mixture of two or more styles that doesn’t look chaotic. Ideal for millennials moving into half-decorated apartments.

Neutral Background

Neutral paint colors are perfect, not only because they tend to look more expensive and elegant, but also because they combine well with every style. This means that if one year you are in the mood for Scandinavian décor, feel free to change your mind the following and transform everything into industrial design, without repainting the entire place.

The High-Low Mix

Even when focused on one specific design style, millennials love mixing in different elements, just to spice things up a bit and bring their own personality into the décor. The high-low mix can also be associated with their tendency to complete some inexpensive flea market kitchen finds with quality Whirlpool appliances they usually find on sales. Ikea is also a very popular brand since it isn’t expensive and it has a versatile offer. The third thing connected to high-low is what it actually sounds like: mixing furniture of different height to get a unique sense of dynamics into the space.

Recycled, Reused, Repurposed

Have we mentioned that, besides being prone to save money, millennials are a very eco-conscious generation? In fact, in most cases, they would rather repurpose an old piece of furniture than buying a completely new one? And who do you think started the whole pallet DIY craze? This is the generation that will find two chairs and join them into a French bench, just because it looks classy; or build a nightstand out of an old suitcase.

Personalization

Finally, a customized interior is very important to the members of this generation. And while they don’t care about designer sofas, they do find it crucial to reconfigure some pieces by painting, decoupage or a similar technique. Also, photographs, art prints, and other items with quotes from their favorite books and movies are often included.

As you can see, our dear millennials may lack cash, but they surely don’t lack the resourcefulness and some neat interior design tricks. Take a few hints from what we’ve gather from their ideas and turn your place into a luxurious trendy accommodation on a shoestring budget.

Guest post courtesy of Tracey Clayton.

LIVE LOVE LIFE LATELY

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Wed, 17 May 2017 13:00:00 +0000

Restaurants, sunny but cold days and work. Sounds about right to me. Life gets busy so making sure I fit in some friends time is always best. So a dinner at a local restaurant to eat ribs, fries and wings paired with great conversation is a great start to the month. Another way I like to hang out is going to a Tim Horton's to get a white hot chocolate. One thing I love is a drive around the city because of the beauty of the environment, as a passenger I get to really view everything, the lush trees and blue skies.

Red Heart Cinnamon White Chocolate Chunk Brownies Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Tue, 16 May 2017 13:00:00 +0000

I have to confess something, my guilty pleasure is a white chocolate brownie from the restaurant Moxies. I had one sample at the mall many years ago and I was hooked. I never leave that restaurant without one, it is paired with ice creams and chocolate sauce and oh my I think I went into a food coma just now. My main point is that since I am a lover of baking things and giving them my own personally touch, I thought why not try something new than the classic cupcakes I am usually doing. I wanted to brighten my horizons and make a brownie.

My from scratch approach did not turn out the way I imagined so I bought PC's Blonde Brownie mix from Superstore. Knowing me, I never leave a power mix without giving it my own special hack and this brownie was going to get a huge makeover.

This powered mix is very simple to follow. All you really need is butter, one egg, and water.

I felt like adding a little something, something to make it my own. I have used red hot cinnamon hearts in many of my hacked recipes because it truly makes baked goods extra delicious. I always recommend giving the candies a twirl in a blender before adding it to any baked goods. You don't want to be responsible for any surprise broken or chipped teeth.

Mix all the ingredients all together.

Once all the ingredients are mixed and the mixture looks like a bowl of pink, the direction's next steps are to add in their chocolate chips but I wanted my own white chocolate chunks instead into my mix that I bought from Bulk Barn.

Pour the mixture into a pan, I placed a wax sheet before pouring mine.

After 30 minutes in the oven, the brownies were complete!

You have no idea how hard it was to resist from eating this pan while taking pictures. It is so delicious! It is moist and gooey which is perfect. There is no overwhelming amount of the candies taste nor the chocolate chunks. There is the right amount of everything.

I am in deep with this brownie. I think it may even bump out my original first place brownie... yummy! Alright enough talking, I am off to eat some more.

Ultimate Guide to Setting Tables

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Mon, 15 May 2017 13:00:00 +0000

Wedding season is fast approaching and planning for one if not the easiest. I completely hear that! You might be thinking 'Why do I need to even know tabling settings? Can't we use the same fork and spoon for my entire meal?' To be completely and utterly honest with you... those were my exact thoughts. I personally haven't been to any fancy party that I would need to remember what spoon is needed for what. I thought only princesses had to deal with things like that, boy was I wrong when I studied for wedding planning.

The table setting is more than just a plate, fork and cup. Yes, those are all the things you would need for a meal but there is actually a lot to think about and consider.

Meal Courses

How many courses will you be serving? That is the number one question to consider. You would not place the table for seven courses when you are only having burgers and fries for dinner and you wouldn't have a simple setting when you are having seven courses for dinner. What is on the menu? Knowing the line up for what is being served will help to decide on how to set your table. Those are things you have to think about before even starting anything.

The Occasion

You have to think about what you are setting the table for. Are you planning a wedding, are you having a few friends or family over or having a huge family event? This helps to determine the style you want to go for your table. To keep it simple you may want a classic paper napkin to pair with your plastic cups for a backyard grill night. For a larger event such as a wedding, you may want to keep it more fancy and have charger plates, linen napkins, and wine glasses.

Even though we might not be personally putting together the table settings for your big special day, that doesn't mean you won't have the chance to host a small get together one day. Regardless of the occasion, it is still something worth knowing because you never know when you will be in the situation where you need to know it. Let's say for a hypothetical reason, you are dating a new guy or girl and find yourself helping set the table. Or your in-laws are coming over for the first time and you want to impress them. What are you going to do? In case this situation or much more just so happen to pop up in your life, this infographic will give you the proper rules to get your table setting for any occasion.

Source: Partselect.com

With this, you will look like you have been doing this for ages! The neighbors will drool over how stylish your decor is, while your mother in law will silently applaud you about your table setting. It may not be with words but you will know you have dominated your table setting. Yes, you will be the talk of the town, all because you set your table right. Believe me, you may think no one will notice but they do and they will remember that time when you had the party and your table was on point.

The Beautifully Creative Inspired Link Party #89

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Fri, 12 May 2017 13:00:00 +0000

Guess what! This spot right here could be yours. You now have the chance to guest host for the month. No long commitment, share your blog with others and an easy peasy party. Send an email to cityofcreativedreams@hotmail.com if you're interested.

Shanice @ City of Creative Dreams

Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest - Instagram - Google+

Ultra Amazing Breakfast in Bed Checklist

Increase Beauty of a House using Canas Awnings

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7 Color Tips for the Neutral Lover

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Thu, 11 May 2017 13:00:00 +0000

The best way to create an elegant and serene space is by using a neutral color scheme. However, you must be careful because if not executed correctly, a neutral color palette can have a terribly dull and boring effect. But if muted tones are used in the right way, the end result can be spectacular. These soft hues enhance the soothing ambiance and help you in creating relaxing space.

Build Character

I cannot stress enough on the significance of using multiple textures in a neutral room. This is what’s going to prevent the neutral space from falling flat. Bring in those textures that contrast well to add dimension and enhance the visual appeal of the room. Have a variety of surfaces and finishes such as matte or shiny and smooth or rough.

Add a leather seat while rest of the sofas are all microfiber or have a marble top table. Painting a wall with textured paint or having a wooden floor would make them stand out and improve the overall look.

Add Depth

Sticking to neutral colors DOES NOT mean you have to use pale shades only. There is a broad spectrum of shades of any neutral color ranging from the lowest to the highest saturation level. Try to use as many shades of your neutral color as you can to add depth.

It is best to utilize lighter shades primarily for décor and use darker tones for accent pieces to compliment the overall look and add more dimension to your home.

Play with Pattern and Shapes

Eliminating the focus on the color brings geometric elements to the forefront. Incorporating different shapes and attention-grabbing patterns creates visual interest in the space. Choosing the geometrics in accordance with your muted theme would further complement the room.

Introduce patterns through upholstery, paneled walls, animal print rugs, outstanding artwork or motifs on the floor. Add few unusual furniture pieces with unique shapes to break the monotony of straight lines. Always ensure to use striations in the right proportions to avoid making space feel too busy.

Mix Up Materials

Having a combination of different materials would make your neutral abode look outstanding. Always use a variety of materials that go well together. Include both natural and unrefined materials to jazz up your rooms. There are plenty of choices available in the neutral family such as tiles, marbles, wood, stone, metal and glass.

Green Effect

Don’t forget to add plants in your home. Plants not only have a positive impact on your health but also add warmth and liveliness to a toned-down space. Bring all those nooks to life with the help of natural or artificial plants.

Make it Sparkle

Elevate the neutral tones with the addition of shiny and reflective pieces. Include metallic accessories such as lamps or picture frames to boost up the overall look. Step up the shimmer game with the help of some mirror magic. Along with bringing sparkle to your peaceful haven, a mirror can be the perfect focal point of the room.

Dash of Color

If you want to uplift your toned down space, you need to incorporate a bright hue in your color scheme. The good thing about the neutral palette is that you can get away with any bright color you like. The pops of color would cheer up the serene space that you have created.

There are many options while picking up your perfect neutral color. You can either go for soft hues to create a calming atmosphere or rich neutrals to add drama and flair to your space. The above tips would show you how to use the neutral palette to design a space that is not boring.

Guest post courtesy of Sadia Suhail.
Check out more of her work here: www.Alrug.com

LIVE LOVE LIFE LATELY

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Wed, 10 May 2017 13:00:00 +0000

Did you see the cute breakfast in bed, my little man and I had over the weekend. Life flies by with all the things that we are doing, work, getting lunches ready for school, getting dinner ready, get little man in the bath and in his pj's then brush teeth, story and finally bedtime. There are so many things all happening that it is easy to forget to stop and smell the roses. That's why taking the time to make breakfast with my little man and having just the two of us eating breakfast in bed felt necessary. I am no gourmet chef but I know how to make a nice presentation. Note to self: slow down and take a breather once and a while. Can't always juggle so many plates.

Increase Beauty of a House Using Canvas Awnings

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Tue, 09 May 2017 13:00:00 +0000

Awnings are unquestionably a beautiful addition to the beauty and appearance of a house. It not only adds a lot of grace, elegance, and style to the house, but also provides shade from the rays of the sun making the house more energy efficient. While choosing the right type of awning, one would get many options. While modern awning materials are made of acrylic-synthetic fibers, the classic choice of an awning is the one made of canvas.

Like any other awning type, the canvas awnings do a great deal in protecting the house from the burning heat of the sun. When it comes to getting some shade from the scorching rays of the sun, there is hardly any replacement to the classic canvas awning. Apart from this, there are many other benefits of canvas awnings, which still make them one of the most reliable and preferred choices of awnings over the durable acrylic-coated or acrylic synthetic fabric awnings.

Great Designs and Prints

The best part of the canvas awnings is that they are available in many designs and patterns, which will let you improve the aesthetics of the house without compromising on anything. The canvas awnings are available in solid colors, stripes, and various prints, which let you match them with the color scheme of the house to get the best looks.

Protects the Trim Work

A common problem faced by most homeowners is worn out trims and ledges of windows, thanks to the consistent exposure of the trims and ledges to the sun and the rain. This is where canvas awning can prove to be beneficial. As these awnings protect the trims and ledges from direct exposure, they help in delaying the wearing out process largely.

Absorb Heat Better

Thanks to the heat absorbent capability of canvas, the canvas awnings can give a cooler and effect than other awnings, which are available in the market. As a result, it provides better energy efficiency during the summers. Other types of awnings are not as effective as canvas awnings in this aspect.

Protects the Furniture from Fading

Everyone loves enjoying the outdoors sitting out in the patio of the deck. However, the flip side of this is the fading and faster wearing out of the furniture, which gets exposed to the elements continuously. The only way to save them is to move them indoors, when they are not in use. Canvas awning can save you from the inconveniences of this backbreaking task. With canvas awnings atop the patio, the furniture will not be exposed to sunlight or mild showers and will retain their shine for long.

The same is applicable for furniture items kept in the interior as well. As the canvas awnings protect the rays from entering through the windows, the furniture kept by the side of the windows is protected automatically from getting faded out under the effect of the scorching rays of the sun.

Higher durability

Unlike wooden awnings, canvas awnings are not prone to termites attack or rot on being exposed to the elements over an extended period. Even though, treated woods have a durability, which is quite impressive, that still cannot match the durability of a good quality acrylic-coated canvas awning.

Inexpensive Replacements

It is obvious that canvas awnings also need replacement after a decade or so. However, what makes them the preferred choice in the awning is that the replacement of canvas awnings is less expensive as compared to the expense incurred while replacing the wooden or metal awnings. In fact, the replacement cost of canvas awnings is lesser than the initial installment cost of other types of awnings, which include the wooden or metal awnings.

Hence, these were some of the benefits of the canvas awnings.

Guest post courtesy of Hayley Potter.

Ultra Amazing Breakfast In Bed Checklist

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Mon, 08 May 2017 13:00:00 +0000

Waking up in the morning on a weekend, wearing my PJs and cuddling up in my covers on my mattress and never wanting to leave is my favorite part of getting up. It's that short time in the morning where I am just waiting for the day to start. Mine mornings mostly always starts with little pokes in the back and a little voice telling me that it is "Morning time" even when I pretend that I am still sleeping. That is what I love about a weekend. What makes it extra special is breakfast in bed! Who doesn't love breakfast in bed?

Since I don't personally have someone there making it for me, me and my little man head to the kitchen for some teamwork in creating out special breakfast. Not only does is make cooking breakfast a lot more fun, it always brings us two together for some family bonding. It's a messy job but someone has to do it. Here are my breakfast in bed checklist and essentials to make it ultra amazing.

1. Fluffy Blanket

A blanket that is fluffy is always going to be number one. The goal is to be relaxed and what is more relaxing than a cloud holding on to you. Add a cute bed frame for support, it has to hold up your pillows and hold your back. You also cannot forget a cozy mattress that is not too hard and not too soft on top of that... then, my friend, you have arrived on the comfy train.

2. Pajamas

You can't have breakfast in bed without pajamas. I love pajamas, I would wear it all day if I could and now thinking about it, I mostly likely have like a billion times. I've been told that I like to make my son's pajamas like when he wears blue, I wear blue. I never really notice until someone points it out. What can I say, we have similar taste. I am a lover of shorts so I tend to wear that the most, however, I have graduated to silk pajama pants on those colder nights.

3. Pancakes, Bacon and Fruit

My mouth literally drooled just thinking about it. To me, this is a classic essential breakfast, A simple fluffy buttermilk pancake next to some crispy bacon... yummy! It is only natural that I have bacon with my breakfast, as a proud Canadian, I do admit I wish I had this type of breakfast all the time. Bacon, bacon, bacon! Of course to add a healthy balance to the meal I had to have some fruit on the side along with some fruit juice.

4. Food Tray

Lastly, I am gotten in the love of having a food tray. Not only does it keep the food from going everywhere and with the little one, it tends to happen even when you think it wouldn't. I recently gave the one in the picture a facelift. I really wanted a food tray that was something I personally made and created. I would go on and on about that, however, you will have to see that post for yourself when it's ready.

Overall, my little man and I enjoyed our breakfast in bed. I even accidentally sprayed whipped cream on him so I guess not only the little ones make a mess. What is your breakfast in bed essentials? Is it bacon, being with a loved one, or just a simply coffee with a donut? Whatever it is for you

The Beautifully Creative Inspired Link Party #88

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Fri, 05 May 2017 13:00:00 +0000

Shanice @ City of Creative Dreams

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Froggie Counting Game

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Thu, 04 May 2017 13:00:00 +0000

Froggie wants to get home, but there are so many lily pads and flowers on the way! Here’s a simple game you and your kindergarten child can make together to practice important math skills. Your child will work on counting and using a number line, while having a good time, too!

What You Need:

Two empty matchboxes
Two small “frogs” (you can get plastic ones at any party store, or make little ones yourself from ¾” circles of green construction paper glued onto a bottle cap)
Plain white banner paper
Markers
Cardboard shoebox lid or soda pop tray
Tempera paint and brush
Craft foam sheets (green for leaves and other colors for flowers); Alternative options: (1) Construction paper or (2) Draw and color the leaves and flowers.
Glue
One die

What You Do:

Cut or help your child cut out small leaves and flowers from the foam sheets.
Use plain white butcher paper to line the box lid or cardboard tray, and glue it down securely. This will be your “game tray.”
Use tempera paint to paint the outside of the “game tray.” Then paint the outside of each matchbox in a different color.
Glue the matchboxes down on one end of the “game tray.” The goal will be to help the froggies hop into their matchbox “homes.”
Now help your child draw two routes from the far end of the box to the matchbox. To form each route, help your child draw a “hopping path” of 1” leaves, broken up every 3-4 leaves or so by a flower or two. Try to twist and turn your path so that you have at least 20 leaves to land on. Number the leaves on each route with block numbers from 1-20.
Take turns rolling the die. Froggie can advance by whatever number shows up…but if he hits a flower, he must back up to the nearest leaf, or fall in the muck!
The goal is to be the first one to get to the froggie house at the end of the tray

Throughout kindergarten, a key math skill is the ability to match abstract numbers to real objects in sequence. Children can recite numbers by rote, but there’s nothing like seeing and touching real objects to bring understanding to the subject. The other benefit of this activity is the process of creating it: kindergarteners get lots of practice with scissors, markers, and fine motor coordination as they learn to write. With luck, froggie will sleep safe and sound at the end of this game—and your child will feel that much more secure in her math skills, too.

Guest post courtesy of Holly Jachowski.

LIVE LOVE LIFE LATELY

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Wed, 03 May 2017 13:00:00 +0000

Last week has been pretty fast and furious. If I say so myself! I am not sure if you could tell by that intro but I went to see the movie not just once, but twice because I had to watch one with family and one with my number one girl. Plus, how can you not see that movie twice. A small tip about me is that I am a super fan of that movie franchise, I mean if I could choose a movie to be in, it would be that one. Not a walk on role or anything like that, I want to be apart of the crew, I want some action on the road and possibly be someone's child or little awesome sister but enough about that dream.

Since it has been cold, I grab myself a Tim Horton's cup of white chocolate hot chocolate because I knew my short week towards my mom's surgery was going to be a busy one since I was now stepping back into the stay at home mom role as my mom recovers. Everything went well! Now back to work as usual.

Facing Fashion Fears Living Life Out Loud

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Tue, 02 May 2017 13:00:00 +0000

Have you ever saw an outfit or piece of clothing in the store and thought, yes, I want that, however, when you get home you are too chicken to actually wear it out. There is a million reason why that particular clothing sits in the back of your closet or under a stack of folded clothing and that's because you are comparing yourself to a mannequin or a flawless Pinterest picture, or you don't feel the right size or your awkwardly skinny... the list can go on and on.

With that doubt, you automatically put yourself in the bubble... I like to think about it like a comfort bubble. There is a line drawn in the sand. We all have one, certain colors we like to wear, certain styles, certain patterns and all those different from what you are used to in collecting dust and haven't seen light. In other words, our Pinterest page is more adventurous than we are. Believe me, I know it, you can see it for yourself on my page. I pin like crazy but never actually go out and try it out... until now, Dia&Co. inspired me to face my fashion fears.

What is my style? Personally, I like tees and tanks that either has words on it or simple classic colors such as grays, blues, blacks, and whites. I am not a huge fan or patterns or flashiness. I love pants and not jeans and loose clothing instead of tight. Also, shoe wise I am a running shoe in the day and thin high heel in the night type. What I have been admiring fashion wise is long past your bum sweaters, thicker heel boots and leggings so I tried it.

I took out the patterned long sweater that I bought a Blue Notes and that has been sitting under a stack of clothing out and put it on for the first time.

It also has a hood attached to it which makes it even more stylish and cool.

I paired the sweater with a black patterned tee shirt.

I don't remember when these legging walked into my life but it was another thing, I never wore.

The zipper is my favorite part of these leggings!

Now for the shoes! I love these boots, it has been something I wanted to try out and wear all fall season. I saw everyone wearing this style and wasn't a 100% sold on if it would work with me but it does and worth every penny at Payless.

If you don't go out there and try it then you will never know if you will love it. Get out there and face your fashion fears. What is the worst that can happen? You actually might love what you're wearing! What are you waiting for, there are plenty of clothing out there just begging for you to wear them. All you have to do is take it off the rack and wear out in the town. Happy living life out loud!

Writing Your Own Wedding Vows? Stop and Read This Before You Continue

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Mon, 01 May 2017 13:00:00 +0000

Many people have a feeling that when they write their own wedding vows it makes their wedding ceremony more of a personal experience. For some people, writing your wedding vows can be a piece of cake, but for others it's a nerve-racking, awful experience. It's not a terrible experience because you have nothing good to say, it's terrifying because you don't want to sound like a total chump at the altar but you also don't want to sound completely cheesy and irrelevant either.

Writing Your Own Vows

Writing your own vows means speaking from your heart, speaking about what comes to your heart about your dearly beloved. This isn't something that you search the internet for or pray that your best friend can help you with. This is a task that you have to take care of all on your own.

Where To Start

The first thing you should do when you sit down to write the greatest thing you'll ever write, is to make a list. Make a list of all the things that make you happy, your favorite thing about the other person, and three of your favorite memories together.

This will give you a good starting ground. You don't have to include every little thing you've written down, but pick from things here and there. Also, it may be helpful to know if you want to write your vows with your fiancé or separately. Writing them together may give you more uniform vows, whereas writing them separately gives you a great element of surprise on your big day.

Things To Include

· How did you realize that you are in love?

· What is the one thing you admire about your other half most than anything else?

· What are the memories that you have about yourselves?

· What do you think getting married means to you?

· What will be different when you move in?

· What will remain as usual?

· What was your expectation of a wedding when you were small?

Write about the past, present and future. This gives you a broad spectrum of things to cover, while showing that you expect to be with your fiancé from here on out. You'll find things you didn't know you wanted to include.

Things To Not Include

Where there is a list of things to include in your wedding vows, there is also a list of things not to include. You don't want to bring up things that have bad memories attached to them, like exes or death. This may sound like a no brainer, but you'd be surprised how people try to make "funnies" out of things like that and fail.

Now You're Ready To Write

Now that you've got your list, you can start writing your wedding vows. When you sit down to write your vows, be sure that you have no distractions. If you need music instead of dead silence, that is ok. But generally, you want to have a clear mind to get what you need written, done.

It's Okay

Once you've written your vows, read them aloud. You are going to have to do this when you stand before your family and God, so you should probably see how it sound. If you feel like a total idiot reading them aloud, good. That's normal. Reading aloud will also give you the opportunity to see if you need add anything or take anything out. Don’t forget those serious moments, funny ones and other inside jokes that define you as a couple.

If you've read what you've written out loud and found that you totally hate what you've written, it's ok to go back and either revise or re-write your vows completely. Normally when you write from the heart, it is more meaningful and special rather than a perfectly written novel.

Before and After

Once you've got your vows personalized, written, and where you want them. Keep them somewhere safe. If you choose to share your vows with your fiancé, be sure that you read them aloud to each other. Personally, I think the element of surprise is pretty great. The one big thing that I suggest though? Keep your hand written vows in a safe place before and after the wedding. When you're up at the altar, more than likely you won't remember a word that was said. Keeping your vows after, will give you a chance to read them and cherish them.

Writing your vows doesn't have to be a terrifying, awful experience. You can write your vows in as little as five minutes and they would probably still be personal and special. But if you really want to wow your fiancé, take the time to add sentiment to your vows. You know you're winning if you evoke laughs, tears, and smiles. Don't fret, just breath. Happy planning.

Guest post courtesy of Kayla Rigler.

The Beautifully Creative Inspired Link Party #87

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 13:00:00 +0000

Shanice @ City of Creative Dreams

Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest - Instagram - Google+

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How to Transform Wood Lips and Glasses Photo Props

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6 Fresh Kitchen Lighting Ideas For Building A Sparkly Kitchen

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6 Fresh Kitchen Lighting Ideas For Building A Sparkly Kitchen

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 21:00:00 +0000

Kitchens are always one of the best rooms when it comes to stunning interior design. There are so many different elements you can play around with to create the perfect kitchen. A central component of all great kitchens is the lighting. You can do so much with the lighting in this room, and the effects you can create are marvelous.

So, we thought it would be a fun idea to look at six of the best and most trendy kitchen lighting ideas to help you build a kitchen that shines brightest.

LED Strips

Using LED strips in your kitchen is a great idea to add some interesting light effects to your cabinets and counters. What you should do is install them in the gap between your work surfaces and kitchen units. When turned on, they’ll produce a marvelous strip of bright light that goes all the way around your kitchen work surface. It creates a wonderful floating effect between the counter and cabinets, making it look like your work surfaces are constantly hovering. However, the effect is best seen when the rest of the kitchen lights are turned off. Then, you see the brilliant bright line all around, caused by your LED kitchen lights, it’s incredibly futuristic and gives your kitchen a real modern look and feel. Perfect if you’re after a contemporary design for your new kitchen.

Metallic Light Fixtures

Another great idea is to turn your attention to your light fixtures, light shades - call them what you will! Give your kitchen a bit of a metallic touch with metal fixtures that are highly reflective. Use copper ones, silver ones, gold ones; any ones that you like, just make sure they fit the design of the rest of your kitchen. The benefit of using these is that they create a magnificent shiny effect that no other fixtures can replicate. When the lights are turned on, the fixtures almost glow like there’s a fire burning inside them. It’s beautiful, and you get the added benefit of light fixtures that look great even when the lights aren’t turned on. Metallic fixtures are very visually pleasing and will ensure your kitchen looks good throughout the day.

Lights Above Work Areas

One of our favorite lighting ideas is to install some lights right above your work areas. To do this, you should install them underneath any cabinets or units that are above your work areas. You can use small circular LED lights or a long bar light that runs all the way underneath a cabinet. Either way, you’re still creating the same effect. These lights will light up your work areas, giving you more light to enjoy while you prepare meals. But, aside from the practical benefits, they mainly make your kitchen light up and look much better. You can turn these on while your main lights are on to illuminate the room and make everything stand out clearly. Or, keep them turned on when the main lights are off, and they give a wonderful dim lit effect that’s comforting and homely. The great thing is, you can hide these lights with panels that hand below the cabinets, which only helps to add to their discreet effect. Plus, use dimmable bulbs and you can improve the effect these lights have on your kitchen. They’ll help set the mood incredibly well, and the atmosphere will become unbelievably cozy. For the most homely and warm effect, combine these dimmed lights with a few candles.

Statement Lighting

Next, turn your attention to the main light in your kitchen. If you’re feeling fancy and want to be quite flashy and bold, then you should consider statement lighting. We feel as though the kitchen is the perfect place to make a statement with your lighting, as there are so many designs that will work. You could consider clustering lights together in the middle of your ceiling to provide bright lighting and great visuals. Or, one of our favorite ideas is using a chandelier. It will grab people's attention, and certainly makes your kitchen shine. You can get classic chandelier lights as well as modern ones to suit any type of kitchen design.

Dining Area Lighting

If your kitchen also includes a table or breakfast bar where your family eats, then it poses another opportunity for some great lighting. Install some lights above your dining area and make sure they only illuminate the table/breakfast bar. The effect you’re going for is something that brightens up the area that you eat, almost like a ray of sun is beaming down through your roof. When you turn all the other lights off in your kitchen, the dining area should be the only part not encased by shadows. To add to this, you could ensure the lighting is dimmable! This will help you create the most amazing mood lighting in your kitchen when eating dinner, it’s perfect for date night!

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting is a brilliant way to highlight some of the best design features of your kitchen. Do you have a gorgeous kitchen unit that needs its time in the spotlight? Is your cooker one of the standout features of this room? With small LED lights you can draw attention to your best features and create a wonderful look. The lights are small and circular, usually placed above the feature in question. Brilliant whether dark or light!

Give all six of these lighting ideas a go if you want to do something different in your kitchen. They’re all designed to help your kitchen stand out more and embellish its best features. You’ll be amazed at what a difference good lighting can make to your kitchen. It can take it from being a drab and boring room to something you’ll almost never want to leave. Your whole family will start bringing sleeping bags in there and spending the night in the kitchen because it looks so great! Regardless of whether you’re building a new kitchen or restyling your current one, always pay attention to the different lighting ideas you can use.

Guest post courtesy of Amy Webb.

LIVE LOVE LIFE LATELY

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 13:00:00 +0000

Hello everyone! I don't put up too many pictures of my myself but I felt very inspired to do so. Created my own mini photo shoot which was fun! I used to do this a lot when I was younger, turning my bedroom into a photo studio and becoming the photographer with a simple count down on the camera. I also didn't have a tripod like I do now, boy does things change. The only thing missing was so music.

Other than that, my week had some health scares that I am figuring it out, work, work and more work and spending time with my little man, of course. One of my guilty pleasures are these PC Ginger cookie chips. I was totally the one who was against this idea but man am I am a fool because I can't stop eating it! A simple thin cookie is genius! Honest, 100% my opinion, you have to try a cookie chip... anyone will do!

How to Transform Wood Lips and Glasses Photo Props

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 13:00:00 +0000

Ready to party? I think not... you haven't gotten your party photo props! This is the trend for parties everywhere to have a photo booth with fun and awesome props for anything from weddings to big events. Pictures last forever so why not add some sparkle to your photo with cute props. Most out there are paper ones that you throw away once and never really have to look at again or it wears and tears after a while. The ones I bought is wood, I got it on a buy one get one free offer at Micheals Craft Store.

I love this idea of having wood versions because it lasts a lot longer than paper ones. I personally don't think the party has to stop with this one set of props, you never know when you will need it again. I obviously love the blank slate you get with these wood ones because you can do anything you want to bring it to life. Here is what I did with mine:

For the lips, I choose the simple lip style. I really focused on this one the most because it is really a great canvas to create. Plus come on, I couldn't say no to these lips!

Color wise, I thought going red would be too classic so I went with something different, something you do not see every day in your typical photo prop. Rose gold anyone? I used Deco Art Dazzling Metallic Rose Gold craft paint with standard regular kids paint brush.

Once dry it will look like this!

I could have left it as if, but where would the fun be in that! I took out a black thin tip marker and began to lightly outline the lips. This way it will show up in the photos even bolder.

Next, I started from the middle and worked with the curve of the lips to give it that extra pop of character. It wouldn't be lips without a crease.

As for the glasses, I keep it very simple that way the lips would really shine in the photos. I choose Deco Art Dazzling Metallics Silver to give the glasses a well-needed shine.

It really doesn't take long to transform these. I had this done in less than 10 minutes. You can truly make it your own when it is a blank slate to play with. It's perfect since no two parties are ever the same, you can save money simply by getting wood photo props and paints.

Trends in Swimming Pool Design for 2017

noreply@blogger.com (Shanice Bannis) — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 13:00:00 +0000

People have always used swimming pools the same way, but that doesn’t mean the technology and design behind pools should also stay the same. New technologies concerning the building, design, and shape of pools are constantly emerging. Science has advanced and it will continue to advance as long as people enjoy good and innovative swimming pools. Here are some trends in swimming pool design for 2017. Take a look.

Knife-edge pools

This type of pool is similar to an infinity pool, but a knife-edge pool has a sharp end over which the water flows and creates a disappearing-edge illusion. This type of pool has slots and pumps that collect the water that overflows and bring it back into the pool. This way, you get a continuous flow that creates a never-ending effect. If you’re going for luxury, this is what you should choose, especially if you have a beautiful view to enjoy from your pool.

Beach entries and tanning ledges

If you have kids who like to spend time in the pool, then you should consider adding a beach entry and a shallow end to your pool. You can mimic a gradual entry into the ocean with a sloped pool floor. This is good for your kids because there will be no more sudden dives into the deep end. Another good thing you can add is tanning ledges. If you miss those vacation days near the ocean with cooling water splashing over your body and sun gently keeping you warm, then tanning ledges are just for you. With those features, you can recreate the ocean experience of lying in the shallows while enjoying the sun. You will enjoy relaxing on them, and your kids will love playing there.

Water features

Water features are a rising trend amongst pool owners. Owners ask to have rocks and cascades incorporated into their pools because they look idyllic and harmonious. People choose to have fountains, water walls and especially waterfalls that are relaxing and create a spa-like atmosphere.

Different pool shapes

Lagoon shapes that have been popular for the last 10-15 years are slowly getting out of fashion. Now people decide to get new pool shapes such as rectangular pools with clean and straight lines that go well with modern and minimalistic backyards. Still, kidney shaped pools are going strong because they seem to fit into most of the spaces and backyard designs.

Small pools

Today, houses are getting bigger while yards are getting smaller, so many people choose to have small but functional plunge pools. For this reason, enormous pools are becoming things of the past and small pools are taking over the scene. Plunge fiberglass pools can fit any backyard and make it look stylish and luxurious. With them, you can turn any corner of your yard into an oasis of peace and relaxation. You will not be able to do laps in them, but they are perfect if you’re looking to have a place to relax after a hard day of work. They are also more affordable and easier to maintain than regular pools.

Technology integration

With our busy way of life, more and more people choose to have technology integrated into their pools, which provides an easy way of controlling and maintaining pools. Now you can have your pool connected with your smartphone so you can control lighting, pumps, temperature and cleaning equipment wherever you are. This saves a lot of time and is handy and easy to use.
Now that you know new trends and must-have design features, you can turn your backyard into a luxury relaxation oasis fit both for adults and kids who like to splash around and relax in the water.

________________

Guest post courtesy of Diana Smith.

Hi, I am Diana Smith. I am a full-time mom of two beautiful girls interested in home decor and latest DIY projects. On my free time, I enjoy exercising and preparing healthy meals for my family. Follow me on Twitter and Google+