With the holidays fast approaching, many people are planning on a bit of entertaining in the coming months. The family will be visiting, friends want to celebrate the season, and everyone loves a good wine and cheese event, right? If you are planning on party hosting and serving a cocktail or two, there are a few basic bar essentials that you may want to invest in. Sure, you can drink wine out of your kid's plastic juice glass but it takes something away from the ambiance of the evening! My husband and I have been slowly stocking our bar … [Read more...]
André Rieu CD “Shall We Dance”: Review and Upcoming Concert Tour
October 9, 2017 by · 6 Comments
This André Rieu CD review has been sponsored however all opinions expressed here are my own. Music has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I joined my elementary school band when I was 10 and learned very quickly to appreciate just about every style of music. Whether it is a slow and melodic classical piece or an upbeat show tune, there are very few styles of music than I don't enjoy. I was recently given the chance to preview André Rieu's newest album entitled "Shall We Dance" and it is truly amazing how … [Read more...]
Simple Holiday Party Ideas to Help You Celebrate in Style
October 4, 2017 by · 5 Comments
Have you started planning your holiday entertaining already? Are you stressing out about plans that seem way too complicated? It shouldn't be that hard, right? Well, I am going to share a few simple holiday party ideas that might help. That means you can focus on what's REALLY important: relaxing! Having friends and family over for a holiday get together is a great way to remember the truly important things in your life. You don't have to be a celebrity decorator or waste your entire holiday budget to throw a great party! This post … [Read more...]
Cheap Halloween Ideas for Loads of Frugal Fun
September 29, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
Halloween is coming up soon and WOW, is it not a cheap holiday! Have you seen the price of some of the costumes? Not to mention the cost of that Halloween candy! A mom could seriously go broke trying to give her kids a fun Halloween. If you are working on a budget and looking for cheap Halloween ideas, I thought I would put together a few that may help. Some of these you will have to implement this year to save on NEXT YEAR's Halloween fun. But, over the long term, these Halloween ideas will help save you money on an evening of spooky fun … [Read more...]
Teenagers and Technology: Negotiating their Expensive Wish List
September 11, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
Teenagers and technology seem to go hand in hand nowadays and it can be a pricey combination. When my children were small, their wish list was relatively easy to handle. They wanted small things that were fairly inexpensive. I bought tons of LEGO (ok, not THAT cheap!) and art supplies (thank you, Michaels coupons!) and they were happy as clams on Christmas and Birthdays. But, now I have teenagers and all of a sudden my gift budget just isn't going to make a dent in the wish list they have in their heads. The primary desire of my teenagers is … [Read more...]
Easy Cake Decorating Tips for Beautiful Homemade Cakes Every Time!
August 31, 2017 by · Leave a Comment
A cake is a perfect dessert for just about every celebration. From birthdays and weddings to baby showers and office parties, serving cake brings people together over a delicious dessert! Homemade cakes give your dessert a personal touch and these easy cake decorating tips will make your dessert spectacular! These tips are being shared from Janice Murfitt, a highly qualified cake decorator, cookery writer and editor, food journalist, and home economist who specializes in cake making and decorating. If you are interested in making homemade … [Read more...]
Pairing Music and Wine is a Feast for the Senses
August 15, 2017 by · 4 Comments
This post about pairing music and wine was sponsored by Cambria Winery as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. All opinions expressed in my post are my own. My husband and I are passionate about music. Our house is filled with instruments, stereo systems, and a speedy internet connection for buying concert tickets to local shows. Our tastes in music differ widely but we have learned to take turns controlling the radio dial on long car rides! There is just something about music that speaks to us on a deeper level. When I … [Read more...]
Simple Tips for Hosting a Wine and Cheese Party
July 17, 2017 by · 6 Comments
These tips for hosting a wine and cheese party have been sponsored but all opinions expressed here are my own. My husband is always suggesting that we have company over but the idea of entertaining often stresses me out so much that it is no longer fun. Why? Because I plan things that are way too complicated! Fancy cocktails and lots of appetizers sound delicious but they are very time-consuming for the hostess to whip up! I have been giving some thought to hosting a wine and cheese party to help simplify our entertaining. If the idea … [Read more...]
Love Great Science Fiction Novels? Read Micro: A Novel By Michael Crichton
July 10, 2017 by · 1 Comment
I have been on vacation for the last two weeks and it has been heavenly! I have had plenty of time for walks, spending time with family, and reading a few great science fiction novels! Before I left, I picked up an intriguing book by Michael Crichton called Micro: A Novel and it was an amazing story! I thought I would share a quick review of it with you in case you are looking for some summer reading inspiration! Micro: A Novel By Michael Crichton and Richard Preston Purchase this Michael Crichton Novel on Amazon Title: Micro: A … [Read more...]
How to Protect Electronics during Summer Fun!
June 1, 2017 by · 4 Comments
Summer is here and we have loads of things planned in the coming months. We will spend plenty of time in the garden and hanging out at the pool. Our visit to see family up north will include kids on trampolines, a trip to the beach, and plenty of time in a hot car. My teens are connected to their phones constantly and knowing how to protect electronics during summer fun can save a ton of money on repairs and replacement. If you have electronics that you are trying to keep safe during summer fun, I thought I would share a few tips that might … [Read more...]
