Jenny Meier

Color Coordinating with Kuler

2013-04-29T12:30:00.002-07:00

Hi everyone,

I am so excited to share with you a handy little tool I am in love with. Introducing Kuler made by Adobe. This tool will solve all of your decorating dilemmas. Simply go to the following site. (https://kuler.adobe.com/) and all of your dreams of color coordinating will come true! Kuler let's you perfectly coordinate a color palette for a party, a room, a project, just about anything you can imagine using color theory formulas. With set color combination formulas like monochromatic and complimentary you can never make a mistake!

1. Create an account for free and login.

Here is the opening screen. Notice all of color combinations others have made below. Next click on Create on the left side of the screen under the search box.

2. Play with the color wheel. You have several choices. I personally like the monochromatic option which provides different shades of one color, but you may like the triad or compound options. Try them all and see what color combinations you can make. After you find a set of colors you love, you can save it! Some combinations have the cutest names, like Vintage Beach or Italian Bistro.

3. Finally you can upload a favorite image and voila! Kuler will instantly analyze the colors from the image and give you the pefect color palette. Simply print the colors from your printer and take it with you to the store to color match items you want in your room or event. Better yet, use Kuler on your smart phone and just take your smart phone with you!

The colors match the image!

I hope you have enjoyed this post and will try out a new tool online for your next project. It is so easy to use. You'll be decorating like a pro!

Happy Planning!

~Jenny Meier~

Subway Art for Military

2013-04-16T13:07:00.004-07:00

I have seen this done in many homes, but I have yet to try it myself. I wanted to capture all the places my hubs has been so far in his military career as well as create a memory of some of the moves we have made together. You can create your own for FREE at picmonkey.com Here we are...

Now we have a long way to go, as this is just the first 6 years of this army career and 2 of these years we have been together. We pray for a long, safe journey. I wonder where we will go next????

Wishing all military families a safe journey home!

~Jenny Meier~

Last Minute Easter Party

2013-03-29T08:28:00.002-07:00

This Easter many of you will be hosting gatherings for your friends and loved ones. I have compiled the top three tips for you to have the best Easter party ever. Even now, you can pull together a well-styled event everyone will enjoy.

1. Use what you have! Don't buy anything unless you really have to! Look around your kitchen and recycle glass jars or aluminum soup cans for storing utensils, party napkins, or even flowers!

{source}

2. Don't forget dessert! You can whip an easy dessert within 30 minutes, no need to start from scratch when you can use that cake box you have sitting in the pantry. These desserts look delectable and can you believe they were made using a mix?!

{source}

3. Mix and match! Don't worry about buying a party kit or running to Party City. Simply, mix your plate sets and see what you can acheive with the colors you have at home. Better yet, borrow a dinner set from a friend and layer different colors together.

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Once you have flowers, dessert, and place settings, you are ready! Call all your friends and potluck a great Easter party you whipped up in no time at all!

HAPPY PLANNING!

~Jenny Meier~

Happy Easter!

2013-03-29T07:11:00.003-07:00

Wishing you and your loved ones a HAPPY EASTER!

Love,

~Jenny Meier~

Super Hero Party

2013-03-27T07:06:00.000-07:00

So, my gal pal Maria just celebrated her son's 4th birthday in Super Hero Style. Both her sons are wild about super heroes, so this was the perfect theme!!

She decided to style the entire event with a vintage comic book party kit she found on etsy.

She even managed to find these adorable straws to make this kool-aid and water station.

Since Maria is also an avid baker, she whipped up some yummy red velvet and confetti cupcakes. Guests even sneeked into the kitchen for more! To find her yummy recipes, you can find them here. She decided on a pb and j station for the kids. How thoughful!

Here we have IRON MAN generously offering candy from mason jars!

The whole super hero entourage adorns the living room cabinet.

One of her best finds was at Office Depot where she made this giant-size poster of son. She took the photo herself! Can you believe she paid only $3.00? The trick is you have to order it in black and white and print it on drafting paper. It is LIFE-SIZE so kids can easily play "Pin the mask on Parker" ! Genius.

Maria thought of everything. She even had a photo booth ready for kids and adults to play Super Hero!

I am so happy the hubs and I were able to be there for Parker's big day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARKER!

~Jenny Meier~

p.s. If you liked this post, please let me know. Your words are so encouraging!

Framing 101

2013-03-24T10:55:00.002-07:00

Hello Friends!

Frames are the best for making any picture into something really worth looking at, but let's face it, frames are expensive! If you dare to get your art or photo professionally framed, get ready to pay a hefty price. For a tiny watercolor piece, the hubs and I found at Mont Saint Michel in France, we were looking at $55.00 dollars! We ended up framing it ourselves for $6.00 and let me say it looks great!

So first we must think really differently about framing if we are going to be creative and save money.

1. Try to find frames in unexpected places. For this first wall gallery, I found three of the frames for a total of $4.00 at a thrift mall! All I did was paint them all the same color to match! The tiny frame on left, I bought new at Wal-mart for $3.00 Basically scour your neighborhood thrift store or yard sales for some great deals. Don't wory if they don't match, you can always paint them later.

2. Throw away the glass! All of the frames in this gallery do not have glass. Who needs glass anyway? For this gallery wall, I wanted to be able to fill the wall not the frame. The idea was to create a huge piece out of several small pieces. I simply inserted a mini bunting, a jute wrapped wreath, some craft paper, and even spoons! I could easy change out the accessories depending on the season.

3. Don't be afraid to mix and match...Wall galleries do not have to be the same color or shape. This wall gallery in my living room is a combination of black and aqua.

4. Frame a sticker? Why not? You've all seen those adorable vinyl sayings and shapes. JoAnn's sells them as well as Hobby Lobby. I have seen antique keys as well as butterflies, the list goes on and on. Here, I decided to write my own message on a piece of vinyl chalkboard sticker, then I simply framed it with an empty frame (remember, throw away the glass). I can change the words anytime I want!

4. Washi tape it! I bought a beautiful hand-painted piece from Paris, but it didn't fit in the matboard! I simply added a bit of washi tape and voila, instant art!

5. Finally, go frameless! You don't need a frame to frame a picture. I used an old window along with some clear contact paper on the back to make the pictures inside appear as if they were floating. I added a little bit of washi tape to trim out the "frame" and I was done! So easy.

So there you have it, 5 easy ways to frame. I hope you have enjoyed this post. Please write to me and tell me if you found this post useful. Thanks for reading and as always,

HAPPY PLANNING!

Jenny Meier

DIY Breakfast Bar

2013-03-04T17:53:00.001-08:00

We spend so much time in the kitchen these days; we really needed a place to both eat and work. After scouring the internet for inspiration, I finally settled on this breakfast bar design. I could have gone for a breakfast nook or table, but then it really wouldn't have given us the functionality of a work station too.

With this design, my husband and I can either work or eat or both! It also doesn't take up a lot of room in the kitchen. We boght the cabinets from Lowe's as well as the counter top for about $250. The counter top just sits on the cabinets. No need for nails or glue. It comes off just as easily when we will need to move again. I had already painted the chairs white and they actually belong to my dining room table. I just borrowed them since they are not in use.

I added this little storage box from Target to keep the power strip out of sight, but still easy to reach when we want to turn on the speaker system. We especially enjoy watching hulu.com or the foodnetwork.com while we eat!

When it is time to work, I like to keep my office supplies handy and organized. This is a shot of the left drawer.

The right drawer contents with clear storage and contact paper drawer liner also from Target.

I keep paper in the lower left cabinet and my labeler, external hard drive, and scrap paper in the lower right cabinet. (Right cabinet not shown) One thing to remember is that if you are buying these cabinets, make sure the doors open in opposite directions, otherwise you will have two cabinets that open up the same way! Oops...(I did this). Again, I used contact paper to line the shelves.

Finally, my iphone snuggles nicely in this hanging basket my mom gave me. I can my charge my phone with a near by outlet. Notice the washi tape label? I have to thank Jen Jones of iheartorganzing for giving me that tip!

The placemats are from Target too and the little heart wreath I found at the Goodwill. I glued a doily to the back and perched the whole thing on top of a skewer. Don't forget every breakfast bar needs some LOVE! If you like this post, please let me know. I'd love to hear from you and listen to how you have created a breakfast bar or similar project in your kitchen!

HAPPY PLANNING!

~Jenny Meier~

Aqua Pantry Reveal

2013-03-03T15:58:00.002-08:00

After reading all the wonderful tips on iheartorganizing, I decided to take on the challenge of really sprucing up my pantry. I had alredy started the project months ago by demolishing my existing pantry... Here is the before pic.

As you can see, she's not much to look at. In fact, I don't think this was a pantry at all. You can see the deep set cubbies and the the long section for a broom I suppose. I could not see anything past the first row and I really didn't want my broom next to my food. So, although this is a rental home, I decided that a little home improvement wouldn't hurt.If you want to change something, don't be afraid to ask your landlord first. If you are willing to foot the bill like I did, he or she just might say yes!

I completely gutted all of the shelves by banging them down with hammer. It felt really good! You can still see where the shelves were before. Luckily my landlord left the matching paint in the storage area, so I simply painted the entire inside the same color. I would have liked to use a stencil, but I wasn't too sure I should go that far!

After painting the entire inside, I added a closet shelving system from Lowe's. This part set me back $70 even with a military discount. I am not sure why it was so expensive. You could probably find a cheaper version, but I didn't pay for shelves since I used the same shelves that were in the original pantry design. I screwed everthing in with a screw driver and screws. I've got muscles!

So, altogether I made three shelves that are rather strong. The drawers were free on freecycle.org! You can see how open the new pantry looks. I can actually see what I have in my pantry.

I found the aqua placemats at the Goodwill. They were the perfect color!

I made these little labels from frames I found at another thrift store for 99 cents! I used velcro to attach, just-in-case I decided to change the label later.

I placed my oil in large ziplock bags to prevent an oil marks on my pretty placemats.

The baskets were only .99 cents from Lowe's since they were discontinued. I also made the labels using wooden chalkboard tags I found on etsy.com at this store.

Again, I am so happy with the results. The best part is I did it all myself!

HAPPY PLANNING

~Jenny Meier~

Gingerbread Girl Tutorial

2012-12-08T11:28:00.000-08:00

Hello and Merry Christmas everyone,

What I have for you today is a sweet little treat you cannot eat! Instead you can add this little "girl" to any gift, a tree, or adorn a door. I had so much funny making these for my gifts, I thought you might like to see how to make them too! I hope you enjoy making this Cheery Gingerbread Girl.

Materials: Paper, pencil, cardboard, ribbon, ribbon, puff paint, glitter pain, scissors, floral wire, black marker, red marker, buttons, glue gun, etch knife, eraser, and chalk.

First trace the stencil onto cardboard paper using the template.

If your cardboard is thick, you will need a to scour the outline with an etch knife.

After you scour, cut out your gingerbread girl shape.

Use an eraser to remove any pencil marks.

Cut out your ribbon. You will need 4 pieces, 2( 3-4 inches) and 2 (2-3 inches) long.

Draw the face using your markers and chalk. I also used chalk to outline the whole gingerbread. Looks like icing!

Glue the ribbon to the "ankles" and "wrists" of the gingerbread girl.

Outline the edges with glitter glue and add icing to the ribbon. Finally, attach a ruler and ribbon using a glue gun. To hang, attach floral ribbon using either clothes pins or just glue it the back using your glue gun. There, she's done and ready to give or just make you smile.

Happy Christmas Planning!

~Jenny Meier~

Coffee Filter Wreath

2012-12-03T14:45:00.004-08:00

Merry Christmas Everyone,

So, I just finished one project using coffee filters I now I am ready for another one! This one is a little different, I took the same coffee filters as the DIY Christmas Card and envelope project, only this time, I decided to use them in a different way. Here is a Coffee Filter wreath tutorial just for you!

I started off with this wreath I purchased at Michael's after Christmas. Price $3.00 I did have to pluck off all the little decorations on it. underneath all the decorations was a sparkly twig wreath.

Then I took my trusty flat coffee filters ( I don't drink coffee) and cut out a spiral, like so. The next two pictures show you how to turn the filter around starting with the middle of the spiral, not the end. Work your way around while placing a little bit of glue as you go. My glue gun has seen better days!

~Back~

~Front~

What you have are these pretty little rosettes. Glue a gem, pearl or tiny bead in the middle to form the center of the flower.

Glue all of your flowers to the wreath. I made different size flowers for variation. Then I hung the wreath using jute.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Please send me a comment!

Happy Christmas Planning!

~Jenny Meier~

Christmas Card and Envelope Tutorial

2012-12-01T12:54:00.004-08:00

Hello everyone!

It is Christmas time and giving time. I made my own Christmas card this year based on a photo I took while the hubs and I were in France. I took some great pictures I wanted to share for Christmas, only they were not very "Christmasy." I decided to head on over to www.picmonkey.com. They have a great little holiday app to make any photo more frosty-looking.

~Before~

~After~

See all the snow! It was August when we were there....

To make your Christmas card envelope, here is what you need: Christmas photos, scissors, coffee filters (the flat kind), ribbon, doilies, and a candle lighter (to singe the edges of the ribbon)

Step 1: Place the card inside the coffee filter. My cards are 4 X 5

Step 2: Cut the coffee filter on one side only. The other side will remain closed.

Step 3: Add your trim! I decided on a doily and ribbon.

Now they are ready!

Merry Christmas Planning!

~Jenny Meier~

Christmas table

2012-11-18T14:41:00.000-08:00

I like to show you my Christmas table. Yes, I know it is a little early and we haven't even had Thanksgiving dinner, but I like to get a head start on Christmas. I already have my cute little tree up, so I couldn't resist decorating the rest of the house for Christmas. Now, jeep in mind, this design comes from items I already own or were given to me.Let's start with the centerpiece....

You may have seen this little guy in other posts, but I reuse him again and again simply because red is great for more than one holiday, think Forth of July, Valentine's day and just about any patriotic holiday red is my go to color. For Christmas however, this little bouquet needed something more, so I added a few thin Candy Canes my mother gave me. Also notice the vase, it is actually made from a recycled jar and an old sweater!

Here's a little peek at the quilt. I love this quilt, I use it a lot. I will never tire of polka dots.

Here's a little close-up of the dishware; would you believe I received the entire set for FREE! One year I hosted Thanksgiving dinner, but I didn't have any dishware, so I asked for dishes on freecycle.org and was given this entire set! Ask and you shall receive! Thank you so much!

The entire set is rimed in 25 carat gold. What a blessing!

Real candy canes are best, but they wouldn't last very long at my house!

Happy Planning!

~Jenny Meier~

Family of Four

2012-11-04T12:38:00.005-08:00

Here is a little preview of a family photo shoot.

Thank you Morgan Family for sharing your afternoon with me!

~Jenny Meier~

Day of the Dead Party

2012-10-21T14:22:00.005-07:00

Hello everyone! What I have for you today, is a party dedicated to the Mexican celebration called Dia De Los Muertos or The Day of the Dead. The Mexicans celebrate the Day of the Dead to honor ancestors who have passed away. Although this holiday is normally celebrated on November 1st, I decided to use this theme to celebrate my husband's birthday, especially since he is obsessed with skulls. Fortunately, the Mexican sugar skull is quote intricate in design and attractive to the eye. Enjoy!

I decided to create a tortilla soup bar complete with all the toppings, guacamole, cabbage, cheese, cilantro, lime, sour cream, and chips. I also served Mexican street corn, taquitos, and fresh fruit. For drinks, I made Limeade. I offered red and green Salsa for dipping.

Here is the menu in Spanish. Please note an accent belongs on the u for menu and o in limon.

For dessert, my wonderful girlfriend Maria from Munchie Monkey made these delectable cupcakes with Belgium chocolate chips and Mexican Chocolate. Visit her blog to find more yummy treats.

We planned several games including hitting a pinata filled with my husband's favorite candy.

This is a game similar to bingo. It is called Loteria.

I created this banner with the word, "Muerto," or "Death, " for Dia de Los Muertos.

I nabbed this adorable paper at Hobby Lobby with a 40% coupon code I found online. Here are the skull shapes I made on picmonkey.com Feel free to copy and paste these for printing your own banner.

I hope you enjoyed the party! Please let me know if you have ever created your own Day of the Dead Party.

Happy Planning!

~Jenny Meier~

Fresh Fall Tablescape

2012-10-01T17:19:00.001-07:00

Welcome fall! Today is October 1, 2012 and to celebrate, I wore my orange sweater to work and made this fall inspired tablescape. The bouquet was placed in a tall mason jar. I used a basket liner to cover the mason jar. It worked perfectly!

You don't need to decorate with leaves and dead branches!

I headed over to my neighborhood craft store and snagged a bunch of spring flowers that were still perfect for the season. I grabbed a mix of orange, yellow, and white to create this adorable bouquet.

I spread a homemade burlap tablecloth and then placed some teal trim I found in the ribbon isle. I place my best china down and then adorned each bowl with a perfect little gem of a gourd. Knives, forks and spoons were placed gingerly in an old soup can and a candle rests inside a tin bucket.

I hope you like this rustic, yet fresh take on FALL. Enjoy. P.S. The bouquet is on sale in my shop, don't forget to Like Us on Facebook for a 10% discount.

HAPPY PLANNING!
~Jenny Meier~

FREE DOWNLOAD and an Organized Fridge

2012-09-23T14:47:00.004-07:00

I was so excited this weekend to find sitting outside my door a box from ~~Santa Clause~~ Target! I had ordered these placemats after reading an amazing blogpost from itsanorganizedchaos.com. I was so inspired by her idea, that I had to try it myself. I bought 4 packs of 4 placemats. I think I paid around $45.00 which included shipping. I knew I didn't really need that many, but I wanted to have extra just-in-case. If you want to purchase them, click here. They are on sale now for $8.39. They also come in RED!

Here is the adorable pattern up close. If you decide to buy these, please take them out of the package and let them air out. They have a funny smell when they come out of the package.

I followed the directions at itsanorganizedchaos.com and viola, instant beauty in my fridge!

Here is what I would like to add to the project, a little of my own creativity. You will need: a label maker, electric tape in a coordinating color, and a pair of scissors.

Using the FREE templates below, cut out the little banners. Place them on top of the electric tape and cut out the shape. I made 2 different designs just for you, just click on the template for a FREE DOWNLOAD.

The great thing about electric tape is that it peels right off! You can stick the electric tape on anything and you don't have to worry about damaging the item underneath. We rent our home, so this is an ideal way to create a label without damaging the refrigerator.

Enjoy!

Happy Planning

~Jenny Meier~

Cozy Craft Corner

2012-09-16T16:11:00.001-07:00

It's finally here! My craft corner is complete. I am so excited. I had seen so many beautiful craft spaces on Pinterest, I was longing to create one of my own. I struggled so much with where to put my supplies. We have 2 guest rooms and I didn't want to make one of them into a crafts room just in case I needed it when visitors came to stay My craft space needed to be somewhere that was easily accessible just-in-case I felt crafty. I have a linen closet in the hallway I wasn't using, so this would be the place. The inspiration for this space came from these adorable colorful bins at Lowe's. They were around 8 dollars each. I also placed contact paper on the shelves for added color. Follow me on the rest of the cozy craft corner tour...

Top 2 shelves: Camera, Fabric.....

Lower shelves: Sewing, Flowers, Sewing Machine

Shelf 1: I used paint chips to create "petal labels." These were made with your basic label maker.I place my camera, tripod, and any props I need in this bin.

Shelf 2: This shelf contains the bin where I store fabric pieces, lace, etc.

On the left of this shelf, I have placed ribbon, scissors, and markers in separate mason jars.

Shelf 3: This shelf contains items I need to sew, plus a small train case for my hot glue gun and glue

Glue guns are a non-negotiable!

Shelf 4: This shelf contains items I need to make my flower bouquets including vases and various stems. I also have my paper cutter in this area.

Floor: I placed a little woven mat on the bottom to hold my sewing machine.

Door: I placed a small hook on the door to hang my paint chips.

Since the closet did not have enough room for everything, I designated a spot near the closet for all of the rest of my supplies. I found this card catalog at a thrift store. Ribbon, beads, even my business cards are placed here. You can see that some of the labels are colored. These colors correspond with the same ribbon color.

More supplies....envelopes (I use for thank you notes) fit perfect here!

So, there you have it, my cozy craft corner. Remember you don't a craft room, just a small space you can call your own.

HAPPY PLANNING!

~Jenny Meier~

Grocery Shopping at the Commissary

2012-09-01T03:11:00.001-07:00

I go grocery shopping every week just as most people do. I find that the experience can be fun as long as I am prepared with my trusty list. Unfortunately, my old list was inefficient. I found myself missing items on my list especially since the commissary has been turned upside down! Well, not anymore! I created a map of the new floor plan of the commissary in Fort Benning, GA. Now, all I have to do is plan my meals at the bottom of the list, then write the ingredients I need in each "isle." You can also circle the item if it is already in the isle. Please feel free to print and share this list with other commissary shoppers. Enjoy!

If you don't shop at the Fort Benning Commissary, you can still use this as a template for your own grocery store. Simply write the ingredients you would find in each of the "isles."

Happy Planning!

~Jenny Meier~

1-2-3 Ready to Read?

2012-08-31T18:53:00.002-07:00

Hi Everyone! As some of you know I am a certified teacher and doctor of curriculum and instruction. I have been teaching for over 10 years and I would love to share a little tip I always use when I organize books in my classroom. If you have children of different ages, you will also have children with different reading abilities, right? Well, this is an easy way to make sure all of your children choose the right reading book when they are ready.

It all starts with 1. Go to your local library and pick out books for your kiddos while they are at school.

2. Once you found books you think your children might like to read, check out the back of the book where you will find the reading level. In case you don't know your child's reading level, never fear! It is actually not too hard to find out. Have your child read one page to you. If he or she misreads 1 word, then the book is probably level-appropriate. If he or she misses 2 or more words, the book will probably be somewhat difficult.

In general, Level 1 will be for First Graders, Level 2 for Second Graders, and Level 3 for Third Graders and so on. If you are unsure about a book's reading level visit Accelerated Reader to find the reading level.

Here is another example of a level 2 book from a different publishing company.

Look closely, this particular book has the letters"RL" for Reading Level.

3. I made labels for three baskets and then placed the appropriate book in its basket.

4. I placed each basket on a low bookshelf for children to easily reach.

5. Finally, I made a reading nook complete with a lamp, cozy pillows, and a blanket. Instruct your children to choose from a certain basket to practice reading at his or her level. He or she can move to the next basket (level) when he or she is ready.

I really believe that reading should be fun! When children can find books at their reading level, they will surely enjoy reading.

Happy Planning!

~Jenny Meier~

School Supply Car Kit

2012-08-28T17:10:00.001-07:00

As a parent, do you often rush out the door, jump in the car and head straight to school? Suddently, one of your kiddos says, "Mom (or Dad), I ran out of paper!" or "My gluestick dried out and we're making paper chains in school today!" You can avoid the morning mayhem by being prepared for your kids. Create a School Supply Car Kit with essential items and your child will be prepared all year long.

I headed to my local craft store and scored an electronic cartridge and supply storage bin for $17.99 with a 40% coupon from JoAnns. If you get the JoAnns app, you can get coupons on your phone.

Even if you don't have a storage bin, you can always use a shoe box, it will work just as well.

I placed essential items in the compartments provided including, pencils, paper, erasers, and glue. Choose items that either dry out or run out!

Since the kit is rather flat, it slid nicely underneath the driver's side seat.

Just in case you forget the supplies are tucked under your seat, make a little reminder using a label maker and a clothespin.

I hope this tip helps relieve some of stress on your way to school! Come back soon for more back-to-school tips.

Happy Planning!

~Jenny Meier~

Blue Doors

2012-08-27T04:46:00.004-07:00

I have already completed a post on French windows and now it is time to present French doors, specifically BLUE DOORS. I found so many beautiful shades of blue in and around Paris. I hope they inspire you to create your own welcoming entry way for family and friends. You can achieve these beautiful colors simply by choosing from a variety of shades by Valspar online. It will match the colors of a picture for you! Recently, I painted with Valspar's Valley View. Enjoy!

Mont St. Michael

A letter box in Normandy (3 residents)

On a walk in Paris

Happy Planning!

~Jenny Meier~

Back-to-School Teacher Gift: Mason Jar Hand Sanitizer

2012-08-19T15:23:00.002-07:00

Back-to-school is quite an event. Children love to receive new supplies for school as do teachers! Don't forget your child's teacher this year. Why not make her a sweet Mason Jar Hand Sanitizer Dispenser? She can place it right on her desk. Welcome your child's teacher back-to-school with this easy peasy project you can make with no drill!

Step 1: Take your large screw (a large nail is okay too) and place it in the middle of the lid. Make sure the lid is screwed tightly on the mason jar. Hammer the screw into the jar. You may have to wiggle the screw out.

Step 2: You will see a round hole in the jar. If the hole is not big enough for the pump, you will have to take your hammer and screw and repeat Step 1. You can also widen the initial hole using a can opener if necessary.

Step 3: Take the pump from your hand sanitizer and place it in the hole you just made. If the tube underneath is too long, simply cut it to size. Pour the sanitizer inside the jar and screw on the lid. Use a glue gun under the cap of the pump to secure the pump to the lid. Add a little ribbon of your choice.

Step 4: Place back-to-school goodies in a basket along with the Mason Jar Hand Sanitizer you just made. Present the gift basket to your child's teacher next week!

HAPPY PLANNING!

~Jenny Meier~

French Windows

2012-08-18T12:43:00.001-07:00

I love architecture, especially windows and doors. This first post will be all about windows (I'll be doing a feature post on French doors very soon). What I noticed about French windows, is that they are always covered with flowers and adorable shutters on each side. I want to frame the following pictures for my home.

Versailles, France

I also learned something new about windows in France, something really cute I think. The term we use for window-shopping is actually "window-licking" in French. The French say, "lèche-vitrine."

I thought of myself with my nose pressed up against a window filled with sweets. I suppose I was so close I could actually have been licking the window. What a great word for describing our hunger for what's just on the other side of the window. Here are a few of my "window-licking" adventures in Paris.....

Try a tower of macaroons at your next event!

Oops! I am in this shot!

Let me know if you enjoyed this post. Have you been window-licking in your area?

HAPPY PLANNING

~Jenny Meier~

Sweet Sign Tutorial and Free Printable

2012-08-11T07:53:00.002-07:00

As promised in my last post about French Sweets, I have for you a sweet little sign you can drape across any wreath you have at home.

~BEFORE~

Look around your house, chances are you have a wreath just like this. If not you probably have on lurking in your Christmas supply. This wreath was actually a Christmas wreath I dissembled and then added two little hair accessories to the side using shoe clips. They can be removed if I want to redesign the wreath later.

Here is the letter S I designed

I simply printed out the heart letters, then cut them out and arranged them face down in order to spell the word S-W-E-E-T. Then I took some skinny ribbon about 1/8 inch wide and placed it on top of the letters. Finally, I took some clear tape and adhered the letters to the ribbon. That's it! It took less than 10 minutes to make and I didn't spend a penny.

~AFTER~

Place the banner across your wreath. You can tie the excess ribbon around the wreath or let it hang. Now here is your chance to make your own Sweet Sign! Helpful Hint: If you have any empty picture frame (no glass inside) you can also make a sweet sign on top of that. Be creative!

Free Sweet Sign Printable Click Here

You can print these in color (aqua) or grey if your printer does not have colored ink.

HAPPY PLANNING!

~Jenny Meier~

French Sweets

2012-08-11T07:35:00.002-07:00

I really couldn't mention France without saying something about all of the delectable sweet offerings at the pâtisseries.

Here is a colorful display of macaroons. You could choose from a variety of flavors from pistachio to raspberry. My father-in-law mentioned these are the equivalent of an American Oreo with a creamy filling in the middle. I would definitely say that one bite of these is far better than any Oreo. The following post will be a how-to tutorial on making your very own sweet sign to display whatever yummy you plan to make.
TIPS:
Maria over at Munchie Monkey recommends the Martha Stewart Recipe. She advises; however, to leave the eggs out over night to get them to room temperature. When you fold the eggs whites into your mixture be sure you do so very slowly.

One last thing...if you are really serious about making these, invest in a macaroons silicon baking sheet.
Macaroons tend to stick, and this sheet should help you in releasing these tiny pillows of goodness.

Happy Planning!

~Jenny Meier~