Jac o' lyn Murphy

Whatever Floats your Boat! Wooden Boat Centerpieces for all

2013-05-23T04:00:00.000-07:00

Boats for Baby Showers...

Yachts for a Ladies Luncheon...

Simple Sails for a Gorgeous Wedding...

Centerpieces for whatever occasion

Floats your Boat!

available in ETSY

Father's Day is a Picnic with World Market!

2013-05-21T07:00:00.001-07:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of World Market. All opinions are 100% mine.

Father's Day is coming up and we usually celebrate with a few other families.

Because the dads love to "man" the grill,

we let them do that and the moms take care of everything else.

As usual,

I hit World Market for our traditional

Dad's Root Beer Display

(see here and here)

and other fun things we could give Matt and help him enjoy his big day.

There was SO much to choose from,

my head was spinning with ideas for Father’s Day Gifts.

Should I go with BBQ & Grilling, Outdoor Furniture & Decor, Home Bar?

Finally, I thought a Picnic was the way to go...

Something for when the kids call him

DAD...

or POPS...

SIR...

or KING...

Cheers to you Matt.

We also got you a little something to enjoy,

while you watch your beloved San Francisco Giants...

Cost Plus World Market is celebrating this year with a Dad's Day Sweepstakes.

Each week for 4 weeks they are giving away a

$1,000 Gift Card for you and one for your Dad!

You can enter and Nominate your Dad here.

Ok, I know I was there for Father's Day and NOT myself but...

so many things caught my eye and a few may have ended up in my cart too.

There is no better place for Summer Inspiration than World Market!

A Rockin' Father's Day

2013-05-21T04:00:00.000-07:00

"Don't be fooled by the rocks that I've got"...

They are not real rocks,
they are
Father's Day Party Favors

Mini Solar Rock Lights

for all...

Dads Rock or Dad's Rock...

either way it is true!

also on Homework, Whimsy Wednesday, Southern Lovely, Someday Crafts

Mermaid Party...what a fun TAIL!

2013-05-20T04:00:00.000-07:00

The mermaids are ready to make a SPLASH this weekend...

They will be swimming and celebrating,

then FIN-ally diving into their fruit salad...

Happy "Mer-morial" Day!

Mermaid Tail Toppers available HERE.

also on Skip to my Lou, Todays Creative, Project Inspired, Homework, Whimsy Wednesday, Southern Lovely, Someday Crafts

Red, White and BEE-lue with Martha Stewart Jewelry

2013-05-17T04:00:00.000-07:00

I definitely consider myself a beginner at jewelry making.

I know how to open a jump ring and attach charms to chains, but that is about it.

Well, look at what this novice did with

Martha Stewart's new jewelry line!

I was honored to sample the amazing new

Martha Stewart Jewelry line
that is sold exclusively at Michael's.

A box filled to the brim with gorgeous products arrived at my door

and

I could not wait to get started making some fun things to wear this summer.

I pulled out the

Red, White and Blue Jewelry Enamels...

a few of Martha's charms...

and got to work.

It is so easy,

you simply mix the enamel with the activator according to the instructions...

and apply with a toothpick...

then just wait a few hours for the enamel to dry...
that is it!

I attached the charm to a jump ring and then onto the chain necklace with toggle clasp.

(all compliments of Martha)

The sky is the limit on what you can create and the color combinations.
Next time you are at Michaels, browse the Martha Jewelry section you will be amazed.

Thank you Martha,
your jewelry line and I are going to have a

BEE-utiful friendship.

Martha Stewart Jewelry is made by Plaid Crafts

follow them on their blog, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter
for tons of inspiration on everything creative!

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Plaid and the Blueprint Social.
This project and love of Martha Stewart Jewelry are 100% my own!

also on Tidy Mom, TT&J, Six Sisters, Its Overflowing, Too Much Time, Be Different Act Normal, Sundae Scoop, Monday Funday, Sunday Showcase, Skip to my Lou, Project Inspired, Southern Lovely, Someday Crafts

Rock Climbing Favors with a Bang!

2013-05-16T04:00:00.000-07:00

These Rock Climbing Party favors do it all...
Snap, Krackle, Pop
and Light Up...

Pop Rocks and Light Up Carabiners for all the guests,

I know they will have a BLAST hanging out!

also on Bloom Designs, Tidy Mom, Shabby Nest, TT&J, Six Sisters, Its Overflowing, Too Much Time, Be Different Act Normal, Sundae Scoop, Monday Funday. Sunday Showcase, Skip to my Lou, Project Inspired

Wheel-y Big Retirement Wishes

2013-05-15T04:00:00.000-07:00

Our Retirement Card to

Mrs. Wagner is

Full of Hot Air!

Enjoy your new life of leisure,

and you can use the blow up tire to lounge in the pool ;)

also on Southern Lovely, Someday Crafts, Bloom Designs, Tidy Mom, Shabby Nest, TT&J, Six Sisters, Too Much Time, Its Overflowing, Be Different Act Normal, Sundae Scoop, Monday Funday, Project Inspired

Wait until he OPENS this Father's Day Card!

2013-05-14T04:00:00.000-07:00

We will be telling lots of

POPS that they are the TOPS...

We will CAP off the Father's Day Festivities

with these fun cards and bottle openers...

Grab a six pack of them on Etsy!

also on Project Inspired, Homework, Whimsy Wednesday, Southern Lovely, Someday Crafts, Bloom Designs, Tidy Mom, Shabby Nest, TT&J, Six Sisters, Its Overflowing, Too Much Time, Be Different Act Normal, Sundae Scoop, Monday Funday, Sunday Showcase, Skip to my Lou, Todays Creative

Call your Mother! Mother's Day Centerpiece

2013-05-13T04:00:00.000-07:00

Whatever they call you or you call her,

I hope it was a great Mother's Day!

Our Mother's Day Centerpiece...

also on Skip to my Lou

Happy Mother's Day!

2013-05-12T04:00:00.000-07:00

My momma is the best!

Peggy at her baby shower

1968

Family Share...great Mother's Day Reading!

2013-05-11T17:01:00.000-07:00

I was recently introduced to the fabulous new website and resource

FamilyShare.com.

It is full of interesting articles touching on everything from

Kids' Activities and Family Time to Fitness and Money Management.

It is a whole network of information on how to strengthen yourself and your family.

They have everything covered and I love that the search box is labeled

"search for solutions".

Want to train for a marathon-there is an article for that...

Need tips on how to pack for a move-there is an article for that...

Looking on tips for your child to survive the 1st year in college-there is an article for that...

Since Mother's Day is tomorrow,

I read up on

Kicking Mommy Guilt to the Curb,

How there are NO perfect Mothers and

analyzed what kind of mom I really am.

I learned some new things, had a few laughs and I am now ready to enjoy my day!

If you have a specific question or topic you would like more information on

they have a great questions and answers page,

where you can get answers and help others.

Check out FamilyShare.com and their Facebook Page

(where they have over 4 million followers!)

Happy Reading and Learning!

The Birthday Recipe...

2013-05-10T04:00:00.000-07:00

Is there a secret recipe to a great birthday?

Well, the ingredients are all ready for a fabulous

Birthday Cooking Party-

The place cards...

and a bowl full of

50 fun facts that are the key to the birthday girl's happy life...

two of my favorites...

(Teddy is the family dog!)

Doesn't everyone have a little Deadhead in them??

(and I swear I didn't post this today because it is my birthday,
it is just a coincidence!)

also on Tidy Mom, Monday Funday, Marvelous Mondays, Under the table and dreaming, Project Inspired

Bright and Sunny Graduation Party

2013-05-09T04:00:00.000-07:00

With a future this BRIGHT,

the Middle School Graduates will need

some sunscreen!

They will be DIVING into a great party

to celebrate...

Hats off to the Graduates!
(and when the hat is off they can use the lotion)

also on Bloom Designs, Tidy Mom, Say G'day, Tatertots and Jello, Be Different Act Normal, Six Sisters, Too Much Time, Its Overflowing. I heart naptime, Monday Funday, Marvelous Mondays, Under the table and dreaming, Skip to my Lou, Todays Creative, Project Inspired, Homework, Whimsy Wednesday, Southern Lovely, Someday Crafts, Six Sisters

A Pitch Perfect Graduation! Gifts for the Girl Graduates

2013-05-08T04:00:00.000-07:00

My daughter and her friends LOVE the movie

Pitch Perfect.

Great music, funny characters and hysterical one-liners...

She is giving some BFFs

necklaces with classic Pitch Perfect quotes for their

Middle School Graduation...

Fun little gifts for girls with a lot of HEART...

Stay Pitch Perfect in High School,

you are Aca-awesome!

available on Etsy!

also on Southern Lovely, Someday Crafts, I gotta create, Bloom Designs, Tidy Mom, Say G'day, Tatertots and Jello, Be Different Act Normal, Six Sisters, Too Much Time, Its Overflowing, I heart naptime, Monday Funday, Under the table and dreaming, Skip to my Lou, Todays Creative, Project Inspired, Homework, Whimsy Wednesday

Catching some Zs with ZzzQuil Nights

2013-05-06T20:00:00.001-07:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of ZzzQuil. All opinions are 100% mine.

I am a worrier.

I worry about everything

my kids, work, money, life.

Of course it frequently happens at night, right before I would like to go to sleep.

I try to distract myself by watching TV, reading and making lists,

to clear my mind but there are nights that I just toss and turn to no avail...

I was recently given the opportunity to try ZzzQuil from the makers of Vicks NyQuil.

They are a name I trust so I was excited to give it a try and finally

Catch some Zzzs!

I had never used a sleep aid before so I wanted to know a little more about it.

ZzzQuil is a non-habit forming product for occasional sleeplessness, it is not for colds or pain and is safe and effective when used according to package instructions.

Its active ingredient, diphenhydramine HCI, helps reduce the time it takes for you to fall asleep and is intended for adults and children 12 years and older.

The company sent me the most unexpected "sleep package".

I was so thrilled to open the box to find a beautiful new robe,

a bottle of The Body Shop Deep Sleep Dreamy Pillow Mist and

a gift card to purchase ZzzQuil.

I can tell they take sleep seriously!

I loved the packaging, sleek and simple.

The liquid caplets were easy to swallow,

and I took them about half an hour before I wanted to go to sleep.

The experience was great, I nodded off soon after

(without the aid of the TV for the first time in years)

and I sleep through the night which was a treat as well.

They have a great Facebook page full of fun information and hysterical ads...

follow them HERE

If you try ZzzQuil,

share your experience using the hashtag #ZzzQuilNight

Thank you ZzzQuil,

you are right, "Sleep IS a beautiful thing".

Spring Forward with Scotts Florida Select Mulch!

2013-05-06T17:00:00.001-07:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Scotts Miracle-Gro. All opinions are 100% mine.

Our yard always seems to be a work in progress.

I like to keep things simple and pretty, but since our yard is small,

I want to make sure the plants flow together but still stand out on their own.

I have seen a lot of inspiration around the web,

and it seems I am always drawn to the landscaping with mulch.

It just makes the yard look "done".

In our quest for sustainable gardening,

I use Scotts Florida Select Natural Eucalyptus Mulch.

It is natural, made in the USA (100% Florida grown Eucalyptus) and effective in preventing weeds naturally (by blocking growth and access to sunlight).

It is an easy way to add definition and beauty.

I love Scotts Nature Scapes mulch color and texture options!

Not only do they help maintain moisture and create a groomed landscape all year long,

it is such a fun way to change up the entire look of the yard...

Florida Select Mulch is easy to use and in minutes, with a few simple gardening supplies such as a shovel and gloves, plants and your mulch, you are finished.

Spread it 3 inches deep and keep mulch several inches from tree trunks and house foundations. You can apply it around trees, shrubs, flowers or vegetables after the seeds have germinated and plants have developed (do not use it before they are ready!)

A 2 cubic foot bag will cover 8 square feet of bedding area.

And the best part is I love the smell!

I know that sounds weird, but it brings me right back to my days of living in San Francisco and walking through the gorgeous Eucalyptus trees in The Presidio.

Happy Mulching!

Chiclets Cupcakes for Quatro de Mayo

2013-05-03T16:30:00.000-07:00

The running joke in our family

is that my husband and his brother like to celebrate

Cinco de Mayo early.

Their holiday is Quatro de Mayo.

(full story here)

Para Pablo y Mateo...

Chiclets Cupcakes!

also on Tatertots and Jello, Todays Creative, Project Inspired, Two Cup Tuesday, Homework, Whimsy Wednesday, Southern Lovely, Someday Crafts, I gotta create, Bloom Designs

It's FRIDAY he's THIRTEEN! Candy Flag Cupcake Toppers for Jack

2013-05-03T04:00:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe my baby is a teenager!

Wishing you a day filled with Cupcakes and Sushi!

The edible flags were made out of these...

also on Diana Rambles, Tatertots and Jello, Todays Creative, Project Inspired, Two Cup Tuesday, Homework, Whimsy Wednesday, Southern Lovely, Someday Crafts, I gotta create, Bloom Designs

Go Speed Racer!...Go Kart Party

2013-05-02T04:00:00.000-07:00

They are 12 years old and have

"the need, the need for Speed..."

Whatever hubcap you get,

it should be a good time.

Churros Breakfast Tacos for Cinco de Mayo

2013-05-01T04:00:00.000-07:00

Quick and Easy for
Cinco de Mayo Mañana

Churros Taco...

pancakes buttered and sprinkled

with cinnamon sugar...

then filled with whipped cream and strawberries...

Ole!

also on Wildly Original, Bloom Designs, Homework, Tidy Mom, Shabby Nest, Tatertots and Jello, Project Inspired, Two Cup Tuesday, homework

90th Birthday...90 Nicknames?!

2013-04-30T04:00:00.000-07:00

When you live 90 years,

you are bound to accumulate a few nicknames...

The troops will be ascending on Michigan this summer to celebrate

Doc Malaney's big day.

It should be quite a salute.

Let's Pig Out BBQ

2013-04-29T04:00:00.000-07:00

BBQ Season is upon us!

The Cooks and their guests

are going to

Pig Out in style...

and the party wouldn't be complete with out a

Pig Pyramid...

Oink, Oink!

also on Pint Size Baker, Project Inspired, Homework, Whimsy Wednesday, Wildly Original, Bloom Designs, Tidy Mom, Shabby nest, Tatertots and Jello

Caramel, Caramel, Caramel! and not one bit of guilt

2013-04-27T14:33:00.003-07:00

I have never really had a sweet tooth...

until recently.

I have been trying to watch what I eat
and reduce sugar whenever I can...

but at night, after a long day,

I want just a taste of something sweet.

It is hard, it seems sugar is in everything.

Right before bed, my defenses are weakened
and I am apt to grab some sugary treat and just worry about it tomorrow.

And then an answer to all my wishes arrived...

The most amazing box of Werther's Original SUGAR FREE Caramels.

I am a packaging junkie and this was a fabulous display complete with a hologram,
as you moved the box it looked like the caramel was being poured over the candies.
Once I saw that my excitement increased even more to get inside that box!

It was filled to the brim with decadent, delicious candies...

Classic Caramel

Caramel Coffee

Caramel Apple

Caramel Cinnamon

Aren't they beautiful...I love the swirls!

These caramels are so rich, smooth and satisfying,

you would never guess that they are sugar free.

I love the variety of flavors and with only 8 calories each I can have a more than a few.

I put some out in a bowl and my kids LOVED them,

they had no idea they were sugar free.

Now I have them stashed everywhere,
in the car, in my purse, in the cookie jar...

My dad was diagnosed with diabetes a few years ago.

I knew these fabulous Werther's Sugar Free Caramels,

would be something he would love.

They are perfect to help in his quest to control his sugar intake.

I filled a candy jar for him and sent it off as an early Father's Day Gift.
I have him hooked now too :)

The Wether's Original Sugar Free Facebook page is a lot of fun.

It is very informational and they are constantly posting coupons and hosting give aways.

You can like them HERE.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Summer Camping with dio and $100 Amazon GIft Card

2013-04-26T12:03:00.001-07:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of dio. All opinions are 100% mine.

Ah, Summer is just a few short months away.

The Murphys will be hitting the road on a

Camping Adventure.

(or "glamping" if my daughter and I get our way)

We are just starting to plan the When, Where and What to bring.

To help the family visualize all the details and finalize our trip

I enlisted the help of dio.

dio is a new creative and social experience that lets you visually make and explore anything. You create your "space" and then add rooms and objects to that space.

In our Summer Camping Space, our rooms are the places we would like to go and I have added fun objects and practical tips that will add to the "Camping Experience". dio spaces can be filled with pictures, videos, text and interactive objects. I have just started to play around with it all and I can't wait to get the rest of the family's input on what to add.

Once the trip is over, I can make a new space with our actual pictures to share with family and friends. Kind of our own virtual slide show.

Since dio is interactive, you can hang out with others who share your interests and explore what people have created. I am signed in under Alexis Murphy so feel free to follow me.

Dio is giving away a $100 Amazon Giftcard to a lucky active dio user, you just need to join (for free) and leave a comment with the email address you used to sign up. For another entry, tweet a message about the place you create and include @dio places with a #discoverdio hashtag. Check Contest Rules for more specifics. You can also Like dio on Facebook for inspiration.

Ok, I've got to know...what will you use dio for?

Bar Mitzvah in an "Insta"- Instagram Themed Party

2013-04-26T04:00:00.000-07:00

Smile, you are on Instagram!

A fun, contemporary Bar Mitzvah with an Instagram Theme...

Complete with an

"iPhone" displaying fun facts and pictures on the front...

and evening party detail on the back...

(they were printed in the blank space below the likes)

#ItIsGonnaBeAGreatParty

The kids aren't the only one obsessed with Instagram,
I am too. Follow me here

also on Shabby Nest, Tidy Mom, Say G'day, Tatertots and Jello, Six Sisters, be different act normal, Its overflowing, Too much time, Sundae Scoop, Monday Funday, Sunday Showcase, Skip to my Lou, Today's Creative, Project Inspired, Homework, Whimsy Wednesday, Bloom Designs, Tidy Mom, Shabby Nest