Backyard Fun and Games

Summer is all about one thing, hanging outside in the sun. When the day isn't bringing afternoon storms, you can typically find me sitting on the back deck, making dinner on the grill, and engaging in a little fun. That's what summer is all about, right? More often than not, our friends are joining in on the fun which makes the day that much better. I wanted to share some of my favorite outdoor games with you today so hopefully you can kick your weekends up a notch too. These are great when playing with a group or even just with one other person. They make a great addition to your back yard BBQs and even to your more formal affairs. Pick up a few of these or try making them yourself to add a playful element to your next get together.

Have a great Wednesday!

Party DIY {Geometric Calendar}

I've been dying for a good calendar for months now. I have my standard agenda that I use everyday for meetings and appointments, but I've been looking for a piece to display around the house that is both beautiful and functional. After many unsuccessful searches, I decided to create this beauty. I love the mix of pattern, color and functionality. It's a calendar that can be displayed around the house with pride. While I have been using it as a calendar, it has another purpose as well. I created one of each number in each color and the green board is actually painted with chalk board paint. You know what that means? This calendar can actually be made into a countdown calendar. Change the chalkboard portion to read "days till vacation" or "days till Christmas". You can countdown from 99 days adding a little pizzaz to remembering important events. Give it as a gift to a newly engaged couple painted in their wedding colors with a box of chalk. It will allow them to countdown the days till they walk down the aisle, go on their honeymoon, experience their first holidays together, etc. My favorite part about this creation is it's ability to be customized to each creators needs. I could continue with how awesome I think it is, but instead, I'll just give you the step by step and let you get to making your own.

:: Supplies ::
(3) Acrylic Paint in Complementary but Contrasting Colors
(1) Martha Stewart Colored Chalkboard Paint
(21) 4 x 2 Thin Wood Boards (I purchased mine at Michaels)
(1) 8 x 10 Thick Wood Board
Number Stencils
Sponge Brush
(3) "C" Hooks
Drill
Honeycomb Stencil

:: Directions ::
1. Lay honeycomb stencil over large piece of wood. Paint and set aside to dry.
2. Using your chalk board paint, paint 1 piece of wood. Set aside to dry for 1 hour.
3. With the remaining two colors, paint 10 4 x 2 pieces of wood in one color and 10 in the remaining color. Let dry.
4. After 1 hour passes, paint a second coat on chalk board piece of wood. Let stand for 24 hours.
5. Using your number stencils, paint each number (0-9) on the pieces of wood with the opposite color.
6. Drill a hole in each 4 x 2 board slightly bigger than the diameter of your "c" hook. Place number boards on larger board where desired. Mark spot where you drilled the whole. Screw in "c" hooks.
7. Once chalk board paint has cured for 24 hours, condition with chalk. Write name of month or what you are looking forward too, add number and start counting!

Have a crafty Tuesday!

Color Me {Summer Berry}

Recently, I've been seeing all of these posts on Facebook about people picking their own produce, everything from citrus to vegetables to berries. It looks so fun and I've been dying to do it for awhile now. I finally did some research the other day and found a place not to far from our house. There we can pick organic blueberries, blackberries and strawberries, and I'm already imagining what to do with the loot. I'm thinking pies, cobblers, and tarts galore. I may event finally try my hand at canning and make some berry preserves to give as gifts. The thought of finally going picking has me inspired for summer parties too. The bright, vivid colors of the berries spring thoughts of a pretty, relaxed afternoon gathering. Pink, navy, red and deep burgundy will fill the room accompanied by soft neutrals like ivory and gold. It would make a great scheme for a formal affair as well. Whether you make it formal or casual, the organic combination of berry shades is perfect for all your warm weather get togethers.

Have a great Monday!

Party DIY {Cards for Dad}

Happy Friday y'all! I'm so glad we finally made it to the weekend. It's time to take a few days, sit back, relax and find something to celebrate. Like most of you, this weekend I will be celebrating my dad. I hate to brag, but my dad is pretty awesome and I am beyond excited to head to Jacksonville for the weekend to spend some time with him. I know he's got a weekend planned full of lunch at a great local brewery/restaurant, Engine 15, and probably some fun by the pool or at the beach. I can't wait to give him his gift either. I think I may be more excited to give it to him than he is to get it! One thing is safe to say though, the one part about Father's Day I always dread is picking out a card. They always seem to hit two extremes, young children giving cards or sentimental cards. Somewhere along the line they forgot the people in the middle who like to give cute, funny, sweet cards that won't make you cry but still let dad know you care. That's why this year I've decided to make my own! This one has a nautical feel for my dad, but you can customize to whatever dad's interests may be. Say your dad loves the outdoors, find a small rock and use the saying "Dad, you rock." If dad is a major sports guy write "I got a hole in one with you for a Dad." If dad is a fisherman, "You're a reel great dad." The possibilities are really endless, just make sure you make it something your dad will get.

I hope you all have a fun weekend! What do you have planned for dad?

Indulge In {Fruity Ice Cubes}

It's no secret that Florida is hot. Really, really hot. And this past week has been hotter than normal. With the heat index hitting 110, I found myself constantly searching for ways to stay cool. I'm usually one to avoid ice in drinks, but I couldn't pile it in my glass fast enough. With the heat though, the ice cubes were melting left and right making my cocktails watery, something you never want. To solve the problem, I decided to make my mixers into ice cubes. This way, when the Florida sun melts it away, my drink won't lose any flavor! My favorite thing about this concept is you can do it with just about whatever you want. I layered cranberry and orange juice to go in my vodka soda, but you could also do lime zest and juice for margaritas or chopped mint and simple syrup for mojitos. These spirited ice cubes are simple to make and give big impact to a party. Here's the how to for my layered cran orange cubes...

:: Ingredients ::
Orange Juice
Cranberry Juice

:: Directions ::
1. Pour cranberry juice into ice tray just enough to fill half the cube portion. Place in the freezer and freeze till solid, approximately 6 hours.
2. Top each cube with orange juice and freeze overnight till solid. Remove from tray, mix into cocktail and serve!

Party DIY {Beachy Wine Charms}

I have to say, yesterday was one of the best days in a while. Nothing all that exciting happened except I took a much needed day of work and got to lose myself in some of my favorite things. Crafting, cooking, and catching up on some of my favorite blogs filled the day. I've been feeling a lack of inspiration lately because of a busy work schedule, but felt re-inspired after yesterday. One of the day's creations were these summery sea inspired wine charms. They were easy to make and super customizable. I love the idea of creating them as a gift for your favorite friend, tailoring to a specific holiday or using letter charms to monogram for a newlywed (or engaged!) couple.  You can always make them for your everyday too like I did. Here's the how-to...

:: Supplies ::
Bracelet Wire
Wire Cutters
Colored Beads of Choice
Charms

:: Directions ::
1. Using your wire cutters, trim wire into small circles.
2. Bend one end over forming a closed loop. String three beads, a charm, and three more beads via the other side. Bend the other end into a "U".
3. Put around base of wine glass, and put through loop.

Have a great Wednesday!

Real World Soiree {Sunny Disposition}

Happy Tuesday friends. I hope everyone's Monday was productive and happy. If it wasn't, I've got something that will put you in quite a sunny disposition today, a bright yellow and gray wedding from this past weekend. I was privileged over the past few months to work on a wedding for a wonderful couple. Katie and Brian wanted to host an event they knew all their guests would enjoy. Bright yellow buds, chevron stripes, tissue paper pom poms, and a color coordinated candy bar helped to create their fun, relaxed vision. My favorite touch was the statement wall behind the sweetheart table. A ceiling to floor gray curtain was adorned with a chevroned "S" flanked by yellow and white tissue paper fans that created a huge focal point in the room. My other favorite elements include the super fun kids table, photo booth, and cigar bar. Hope you all enjoy a few images I captured from the big day!