{DIY}Ballard Designs Inspired Beverage Tags

Jen at I Heart Organizing is hosting her monthly High/Low Organizing Challenge and I was inspired to  join in(it starts Friday if you want to join in too).  This month's challenge is storage and I'm focusing on beverage storage.

These Ballard Designs beverage tags have been calling my name since I first spotted them in their catalogue.  You know I love a good party and having some rustic, yet classy beverage tags for our beverages would make my parties even gooder better!

But at $15 for a set of 6 (plus shipping), they were a bit steep for my budget.

After making my Calligraphy Eggs for Easter with this rub-on transfer kit from Grafix, I figured I could use the same technique for my tag impostors.

I picked a font that I liked and did a practice print on a sheet of paper.  The images had to be printed in reverse onto the matte side of the transfer film.  I found the wooden tags at Michael's for .29c each.

I followed the directions in the kit to create the design and applied it sticky side down to the tag.  I used that wonky craft stick to gently rub the top of the design and bond it to the surface.  (It broke midway through my project.)

Then I peeled off the backing and I had my first tag.

The process went pretty quickly and it was much easier on a flat surface than on an fragile, hollow egg.

I added some twine to each one.

I had a few left over and made some coffee beverage tags too.

Since I already had the twine and transfer paper, the whole kit and kaboodle only set me back about $2.50.  Now I just need a reason to throw a party!

Linking up with:

I Heart Organizing High/Low Challenge

Wicked Awesome Wednesday

What's On Your Work desk Wednesday

Wow Us Wednesday

Thursday Favorite Things

Thrifty Thursday

Catch A Glimpse

Say G'day Saturday

Creative Corner

Sunday Showcase

Creative Inspirations

Friday Favorites

Junkin' Joe

Handmade Hangout

Home Sweet Home

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{Recipe} Heavenly Baked Carrot Cake Oatmeal

I made this recipe for Easter breakfast and the whole house did smell heavenly as it baked.  It tasted just as good too.  I liked that I had all of the ingredients on hand already.

 That it happened to be dairy, gluten, soy & oil free was a happy coincidence!

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cup rolled oats (certified gluten-free if necessary)

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp sea salt

1 1/2 cups loosely packed shredded carrots

2 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk (or dairy free milk of choice)

1/3 cup pure maple syrup

2 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger (or 1/2 tsp dry) {I used the frozen Dorot brand}

1/4 cup raisins

1/2 cup halved walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Lightly grease 2.5 quart baking dish.

2. In a large bowl mix together oats, cinnamon, baking powder and salt.

3. In a medium bowl whisk together wet ingredients: carrots, almond milk, maple syrup, vanilla & fresh ginger.

4. Add wet mixture to dry mixture, stir to combine

5. Pour mixture into prepared pan and press down with a spoon to push the oats down. Sprinkle raisins and walnuts over top and press lightly again.

6. Bake uncovered for around 35 minutes until lightly golden around the edge.  The oatmeal will still be soft or wet in some spots but will firm up as it cools.  

Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

We ate ours plain but it can also be topped with maple syrup, whipped topping of your choice or yogurt.

It's delicious hot or eaten cold right out of the fridge.
Linking up with:
Inspire Me Tuesday
Thursday Favorite Things
Thrifty Thursday
Catch A Glimpse
Say G'day Saturday
Saturday Night Fever
Creative Corner
Sunday Showcase
Friday Favorites
Junkin' Joe
Welcome To The Weekend

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Crazy For Navy {Master Bedroom Inspiration}

We need to paint our master bedroom and I'm thinking of going bold with navy. I've pinned some inspiration photos that I like.

What do you think?

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It makes me a little nervous but excited too.

I guess that's a good thing and like my husband says, "it's only paint".

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{Thrifted} Tees..Yes Please!

I found all of these t-shirts on my last thrifting adventure at Goodwill.  They are either from LOFT, Gap or Old Navy. I really love LOFT t-shirts so I'm always on the lookout for them.

The best part was that my bill came to $5.35 for all five of them!

I think that's pretty tee-riffic!
Linking up with:
Thrifty Things Friday
Thursday Favorite Things
Catch A Glimpse

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I'm Over at a Glimpse Inside

Today I'm hanging out with the uber creative Allison of A Glimpse Inside.  

We're getting up close and personal and I'm revealing what's in my handbag.

Secrets, I tell ya!!

Stop over and see me, won't you?

You know you're a little curious!

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{Travel}College Visit...Family, Food & Fashion

Happy Monday! 

We just had a 3 day weekend which was nice but too short for spring break.

Last weekend we visited College Girl for her runway show.

My mother in law and niece came along so it was fun to give them a tour of the campus since it was their first visit. Before the tour we met up with College Girl for a quick lunch at one of our favorite places. I didn't take any food photos this trip (shocker!) but we did enjoy a lot of great meals.

We had to take them to this particular library on campus (I never noticed the pretty gold mosaic on the sign before).

It's really old and reminds us of Hogwarts.  There are so many nooks and crannies tucked away for studying and it smells like old books...it's pretty special.

One of my favorite things to do is hang out at the campus hotel bar for a nightcap.  It was so nice out that we stopped in after our touring and sat outside on the balcony for a drink before dinner.   The sun was shining and we got to do a lot of people watching from our perch.

(Ok, one photo of food..the Chex mix is pretty delicious here!).

We all got ready for dinner (and I took an elevator selfie of the hubs and me) and met at the restaurant. We had a great meal and then took the short walk over to the runway show.

My daughter was on the design team for this menswear line.  She designed and constructed all of the accessories as well as worked on the construction of the entire line with the team. 

 The team is walking down the center of the runway. It was exciting to see this come together because they'd been planning/working on this since last summer.

She also designed two entire looks of her own.   Here's the first one.

Here is the second look (this model is actually is her sorority big sister too).

All of the second level designers and models.

A close up after the show.

This is one of my favorite shots--a daddy/daughter hug!

One of all of the girls.  What a fun night! We were blown away by all of the talented designers.

The next morning my hubby and I were up early so we decided to take a walk around campus.

It was eerily quiet but it was Sunday morning on a college campus.

I love walking around the campus and discovering new things.

We ended up at another favorite spot for coffee before heading back to the hotel to get ready for breakfast with the gang.  

After breakfast and some shopping it was time to head home. I was sad to leave but it was a great trip and she'll be done in less than a month!

Linking up with:
Outdoor Wednesday
Catch A Glimpse
Alphabe-Thursday

Oh The Places I've Been
Inspire Me Tuesday
Thursday Favorite Things

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{Recipe} Zucchini Bites

I had a couple of zucchinis in the fridge and was looking for a different way to prepare them (I usually roast or saute them).  

This recipe sounded good and looked easy.

 Start by shredding 1 cup of zucchini (I used most of a medium sized zuke).  Squeeze out the excess moisture from the shredded zucchini with paper towels.

 Mix the zucchini with 1/4 of a chopped onion, 1/4 cup of bread crumbs, 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese & 1 egg. Stir well to combine. Add salt & pepper to taste.

 (If you're not using a silicon pan like mine, spray a mini muffin pan with cooking spray first).

 Scoop the mixture into the mini muffin pan and press down each one with the back of a spoon. 

 Bake at 400F for 15-18 minutes until golden brown on top.

Serve immediately.

 Makes 12 bites.
Each one = 1 WW P+ (but so are two). :)  Three = 2P+

Delish!
Linking up with:
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Catch A Glimpse
Saturday Night Fever
Creative Inspirations
Junkin' Joe
Home Sweet Home

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Non-Candy Easter Basket Ideas For Kids & Teens

Easter is almost here (it's on Sunday!) and Easter baskets are getting ready to be filled. Here are some non-candy ideas for the Easter Bunny.  Everything can be found at Target unless noted otherwise.

For Kids:

Spring is (usually) happening so some new outdoor activities are always welcome. 

Bubbles

Sidewalk chalk

A new jumprope or outside toy.  

(The Easter Bunny has been known to leave a hula hoop near the baskets).

Summer will be here soon so some new swimming related items would be fun like this stripe-y beach towel.

My kids seemed to go through goggles like crazy so they'd need a new pair every year. 

I love this fun polka dot style.

A new bathing suit.

Some fun sunnies.

Brightly colored flip flops look cute sticking out of the basket.

A new dvd, cd or book.

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Easy to grow seed packets like Forget-Me-Nots.

Fruit Loop Necklace

When  my kids were really young they used to get Fruit Loop necklaces.  

For  Tweens, Teens & Older:

My kids aren't big sweet eaters so they appreciate some salty/savory snacks in their baskets.

Fancy almonds.

Fancy nut butters

 A nice big jar of raw almonds.

Other crunchy snacks

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Some new hot tea.

Nail polish and/or make up

Hair ties

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Gift cards are always welcome!

Of course, a little bit of sweet is a nice treat so they'd always get some candy too.

What's your favorite Easter basket treat?

Other Easter Posts I've Done:

Easter Ideas & Memories

Easter Baskets

Easter Egg Garland

Bunny Village

Calligraphy Eggs

{Pinned} Spring Wreath

Linking up with:

Wow Us Wednesday

Catch A Glimpse

Welcome To The Weekend

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