DIY Colorful Summer Place Card Holder

Whenever I watch TV shows, they always seem to have these beautiful outdoor dinner parties, where everyone hangs out under a giant tree covered in string lights, on a long table where everyone has their own gorgeous place setting. There are, of course, candles all over the table and these amazing platters filled with delicious, vibrant, colorful food. It’s a far cry from my usual summer party- paper plates and hot dogs on the BBQ. So, I set out to take my BBQ and make it a little bit fancier.

This summer, create a one of a kind experience for your guests by making them this DIY place card holder that doubles as a party favor. It’s really easy to make with only paint, wood blocks, and wire. I’ve got the DIY over on the Giggles Galore blog so head on over there for the full DIY.

After the BBQ is done, your guests can take this place card holder home with them to put on their desk as a picture holder, note holder, recipe card holder- really, anything their heart desires! It’s a great way to show your friends how much you care about them, while also getting to flex your creativity muscle. So head over to the Giggles Galore blog for the full tutorial. Then, take a trip to the craft store to grab your supplies, pop on a summer rom-com and grab your glue gun- we’re about to get crafty!

So head on over to the Giggles Galore blog now to see the post and make your own! You definitely want to whip this up before the summer ends.

Flamingo Pool Party

Toady I did something that I have not done for a very, very long time. I did something just for fun, with the sole purpose of being the type of person I want to be. You see, I host a lot of parties and do a lot of projects on this blog, but I’ve gotten to the point where I feel a little glum about it. A lot of pretending happens here and while it can be really fun (and it truly fuels me, if I’m being honest!) sometimes I really want to have actual fun. I see a lot of other people going out to real events, with real people. So, while it can be fun to create my own events, actually having someone to celebrate them with is even better.

So, when my husband suggested we fill up the pool and take a dip with Hailey, I got super excited and decided that I didn’t need a huge pool or a bunch of friends over to enjoy a tropical/ flamingo pool float/ colorful adventure. I just had to grab my supplies, set them up, and enjoy a tiny party all for myself. 

Our flamingo pool float, that my sister and I named Javier, was blown up as a chair to lounge on after a dip in the pool. It also provided a great photo op! Hailey wasn’t really in the mood to be in the pool for very long, so it was nice to have Javier for her to sit on and still have the pool party fun.

I used a small folding table next to the pool to hold the essentials- cell phones, glasses of water, and mini flamingo pool floats. I also dressed it up with some tassel garland (left over from Hailey’s half birthday party!) plus mini flamingo ornaments and tropical leaves from my baby shower. I’ve had these mini flamingo pool floats for so long- I’m not even sure when I first got them, but they came to my bachelorette party, Mexico, and even my wedding! I love keeping them in my purse and then blowing them up when the need arises. Which for me, is anytime!

We don’t have a pool in our backyard, so I had purchased this mini one from Target that holds 3 adults. It was perfect for us and Hailey! I love the fun tropical pattern too. We keep ours inflated and store it in the shed, so it’s ready to go for the next pool party.

Hailey and I put on our fun, tropical bathing suits and added some festive accessories, like a big flower headband for Hailey and earrings and sunglasses for me. Everything was super easy to set up- it only took a few minutes to gather up all my supplies and then a few more to decorate the space. I was super happy while we splashed around in the pool- it was really fun to make an ordinary experience like hopping in the inflatable pool just a little but more festive.  

I know that to some having so many pictures of the impromptu pool party seems like I wasn’t in the moment truly having fun, but for me that’s how I celebrate! I love to look back and have nice photos of events. I could snap a few cell phone pictures but then I wouldn’t feel that moment of being back there. Hailey’s getting SO big and so quickly that I want to preserve every single moment with her. 

While an amazing, huge, Pinterest-worthy party can be fun and envy-inducing, it’s also important to enjoy the less noteworthy, everyday things that happen. By adding a little bit more fun to the everyday, you’ll be able to enjoy every minute instead of waiting for something important to happen. Well, my friends, YOU are important and that is worth celebrating!

What type of mini party will you be celebrating? Is there anything you want to see for inspiration? Perhaps a Christmas in July party? Halloween tea party? Face mask party? Let me know in the comments below and I’ll try to make it happen!

DIY Washi Tape Place Card

Summer is here, and that means constant get-togethers, picnics, and BBQ's. Essentially, we're all just looking for reasons to be outside with friends, with a glass of rosé or a sangria in hand. Sometimes it's fun to go beyond the usual paper-plate-and red-solo-cup combo we're used to, and whip up something a bit more elegant for our girls. What could be better than a simple summer tablescape featuring these washi tape placecards? They're really cheap to make and hella easy. Put that glue gun away girl- you don't need it for this project!

*This post contains affiliate links.

You will need:

2.5 inch circle punch (similar here)

Colored cardstock (similar here)

Washi tape (similar here)

Glitter letters (From Michaels, similar here)

Directions:

1. Cut your circles out of your colored cardstock

2. Add washi tape to the top and bottom of your circle.

3. Fold over your excess washi tape. You can also cut it off if you want to, but it wasn't necessary. If you want the back to be neat, cut another circle from cardstock and glue it on the back.

4. Starting from the middle, add your glitter letters to spell out your friends' names. I placed them down gently, then adjusted them once all the letters were on to make sure everything was straight.

5. Press down on your glitter letters to seal them onto your place card.

That's all folks! Add them to your letter place card holders (DIY coming soon!) and place them on your summer tablescape for your friends to enjoy. They're so cute and can be put at a desk or on a cork board after the party is over! This summer I'm all about the easy crafts projects and this one is no exception! It's no mess too. Perfect!

So, what do you think about these placecards? Will you be whipping them up for your friends? Let me know how you plan to use them in the comments below!

No Cook, No Fuss Fourth Of July Party

This summer, I decided that I’m going to make every celebration as easy as I possibly can. That means less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the outdoors with a drink in hand, laughing with my friends. Usually my husband John does most of the cooking (ok, all of the cooking!) and most events leave him stuck in the kitchen most of the day. He doesn’t necessarily mind cooking, but he does get frustrated having to spend the whole day running around- back and forth to the stove, the oven, and the grill while still trying to hang out. Because this is the fate of pretty much every party host since the beginning of time, I decided that I wanted to create a no-cook Fourth of July party. I figured where better to start than Trader Joe’s! I’ve been a fan of Trader Joe’s for a while now (and this post is in no way sponsored by them) so I thought it be a great place to go and get some ready-made, delicious, fresh options for a Fourth of July party. 

*This post contains affiliate links.

Before we get into the food, let’s talk about the table setup. For starters, I decided that I’m tired of always having crappy disposable plates and cups that are terrible for the environment and always manage to blow away. In addition, everyone always ends up losing their cup and using a whole bunch of extra ones- which makes it even worse for the environment. Because of this, I decided that I was going to use only reusable items and keep the party smaller so that I can have a nice intimate gathering with my guests where we could actually talk instead of spending the entire time trying to cater to a huge group and just spending the whole party cooking. 

Related: Use This, Not That: Eco-Friendly Party Swaps

Before I bought any party supplies, I searched my house for appropriate red, white and blue items. First, I grabbed an affordable tablecloth that I had purchased from Amazon. The table runner was from Home Goods and it was perfect for adding a pop of blue to the table. Then I added a red star table runner I had purchased years ago from H&M on top so there’s also a pop of red. On the sides of the table where the runner did not extend, I used reusable napkins as placemats. The red stripe plates were from Target as part of their Hearth & Hand collection and were ideal for adding the perfect nautical touch to the table spread. I used my regular utensils from my dinner set and added a red napkin, folded in half to keep it simple.  Then I scattered some blue tea light holders with battery operated tea lights to add a little light and romance as the sun goes down.

Now, onto the Trader Joe’s stuff that I purchased for this party that I’m so excited about! I originally went to Trader Joe’s for only a few items, including flowers and a pie. I managed to find red, white and blue flowers that were only a few dollars each and added a nice touch to the table. When I went to the bakery section, I found a pie which couldn’t be more perfect for the Fourth of July. It’s strawberry rhubarb (YUM) and it has stars on the crust (what?!). I grabbed those two items and continued about my normal shopping trip, when I realized there were so many easy and delicious options that were ready-made that would be perfect for a Fourth of July party. So, I decided that I was going to grab them and I changed this event from just a regular Fourth of July tablescape to a Trader Joe’s easy-to-do party theme. Because let’s be honest, if we can find a great shortcut, we want to do it!

I went to the drink section and grabbed some Red Stripe beers and Spiked Seltzer, both of which had a great nautical red, white and blue theme to them. I think one of the best parts about this is that you don’t even need cups, so it’s one less thing to wash, less waste if you’re using plastic cups, and everyone will know which drink is theirs because it’ll just be in front of them or in their hand. Plus, having the option of a beer or a spiked seltzer means that you’ll have something for everyone. They’ve also got great rosés and craft beers if you chose to go that route too. Or to really celebrate the 4th, you could pick an American beer!

I decided to keep the food super simple just like everything else. I made a salad with mixed greens, fresh strawberries, blueberries, and feta cheese to keep with that red white and blue theme. You can also add nuts like sliced almonds if you want to! I added Trader Joe’s vinaigrette on the side so that people could serve themselves and the salad wouldn’t get mushy.

I also decided to make a really simple cheese and charcuterie platter since we all love a good cheese! I started by using a goat cheese log covered in blueberries- again, going with the theme.  I served them with bread crisps, which ended up being really good. Usually these types of crackers end up being rock hard and not good (at all) but these were really soft and crispy, the perfect texture to hold the goat cheese and meats. They also work great for avocado toast too! 

I picked up a meat platter in the refrigerated section and everything was pre-sliced and ready to go. I personally don’t eat these types of meats (I pretty much just eat chicken and turkey!) but I figured it be great for everyone else to enjoy. Trader Joe’s also has tons of ready-made salads, sandwiches, and pasta salads so you could grab some pre-made meals for your gals. Just place them on a pretty platter and everything’s ready to go with no fuss and no cooking!

Aside from the fact that everything so simple to do, Trader Joe’s is actually very affordable and I prefer getting pre-made things from their supermarket over others. For starters, Trader Joe’s is usually smaller than most supermarkets, and I think that’s what makes it better. Instead of wandering the aisles looking at 1 million different brands and getting overwhelmed, you’re able to see everything laid out really nicely and neatly. You know where all the pre-made stuff is and you have a choice of only the best items, so you never have to worry that the things that you purchase are going to be bad for your guests. I also love that they have a great selection of craft beers and that you’re able to mix and match your own set, which is perfect for trying new ones out. 

Ever since baby Hailey came around, I find that I want to keep my events as simple as possible. In the end, it’s all about spending time with friends- having fun and getting to hear about each other’s day. We’ve all become busy and have our own full lives, so we need to take a break from all that to relax and unwind. The opposite of relaxing is spending the whole day cooking for everyone! So, run out to your local Trader Joe’s and grab some pre-made meals for your friends. Then kick back and relax- it’s all been taken care of!

What are your favorite pre-made Trader Joe’s products to serve your guests? Will you be skipping the cooking at your next summer event? Let me know in the comments below!

DIY Snow Cone Earrings

Now that I’ve officially switched over to my summer wardrobe, I’m looking for some fun accessories that can spice up my outfits. I find that a lot of times I wear the same outfit over and over, but I love to switch out my accessories in between. Since we all know I love to DIY anything I can get my hands on, I decided to make these snow cone earrings out of just printer paper and styrofoam balls! They’re great because they can be made in any color of your choosing. They can even be made for Fourth of July in red, white, and blue. They’re so fun and are sure to get the attention of everyone around you. The full DIY is over on the Giggles Galore blog so head on over there now to see it! 

Let me give you a quick overview of the steps, because it’s extremely simple. All you’re doing is painting the Styrofoam balls, tracing the snow cone wrapper template, adding the earring pieces and gluing it all together. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

This project would be so fun to make with older kids or teens, or even by gathering up your girlfriends. Grab some rosé and get to crafting! These are now some my favorite earrings that I own and I can’t wait to wear them all summer long. They’re sure to cool off a hot summer day!