Do you smell that? Mmmm...that's the smell of fresh baked sugar cookies and gingerbread men coming out of the oven. Do you see that? Wow! I can see twinkling lights and stockings hung by the fire. I'm daydreaming, of course, but it's Christmastime!! It's time to pull out the totes of Christmas decorations. It's time to dig through our favorite cookbooks and find those yummy recipes we make year after year. It's time to make memories with our kids and make some new Christmas ornaments for the tree. Today I've got ten DIY ornaments you can make with your kids. They're easy enough for all ages. So, pick your favorites, make a list, head out to the craft store and pick up the supplies needed to have an afternoon of ornament making. {You may already have the supplies in your craft closet if … [Read more...]
9 Fun and Easy St Patrick’s Day Crafts for Kids
Having five kids forces me to get creative with keeping them busy each day. One of my most favorite ways to do that is to have them help me with decorating the house for each holiday. We decorate for Valentine's Day, Easter, Christmas and even St. Patrick's Day! Why would you NOT add a few rainbows around your home to help brighten your day? {Trust me, they'll make you smile!} Today I have 9 St. Patrick's Day crafts that you can do with your kids that will have your home leprechaun ready in no time! And, there's even a couple crafts for gift-giving and wearing. /1/ Rainbow Pots O' Gold - A simple terra cotta pot, a rainbow of paint colors and a bag of candy will make the perfect gift or table place setting! /2/ Lucky Clover Patch - Make this craft now and add a clover each … [Read more...]
11 Lovely Valentine’s Day Decorating Ideas
We're entering the season of LOVE. Do you decorate for Valentine's Day? Of course, I don't decorate quite like I do for Christmas or Halloween, but I do love to hang a few hearts and add splashes of red and pink here and there. It's fun! Today I've gathered 11 ideas to get you started. /1/ Heart Doily Decoration - Do you have a favorite spot in your home? Show it how much you love it with a few strands of heart doily garland. /2/ Embellished Mason Jar - Something tells me you've got a few Mason jars lying around. Simply add a heart shaped doily a bright heart and wrap it bakers twine. Easy-peasy! /3/ Felt Heart Trees - Trees are no longer only for Christmas decor. Fancy up a few styrofoam trees with felt hearts and you've got yourself a Valentine's Day … [Read more...]
Recession-Chic: Throwing a Fabulous, Yet Frugal Wedding for Next to Nothing
Sometimes, less is truly more. In these hard times, saving a few bucks is a necessity. What's a bride-to-be to do when money is already stretched thin? Recession-chic weddings, the trend of 2010, can be just as classic - but for a whole lot less! Elegance comes in many forms with or without money in hand. Here are a few tips to help you throw a fabulous, yet frugal wedding -- on a budget that's next to nil! The Trend of 2010: Learning How to Plan a Wedding on a Budget Frugal wedding tip #1: Repurpose a used or vintage gown. Sure, some dresses are outdated design and cut-wise. If you're a modern girl, you want the clean look without fuss; if you're more on the traditional side, you want that classic look to fit a little better. Solution? Re-purpose a consigned or vintage dress, which … [Read more...]
DIY Beach Bags for Every Budget
Every Summer I feel the need to buy a new beach bag. There's just something about a fresh bottle of sunscreen, a fluffy new beach towel, a new magazine and a great big, new beach bag to throw it all in! As you can imagine though, these things can really add up. If you're like me, you have a Summer budget to maintain while the kids are out of school. With a bit of fabric you already have at home or a quick trip to the fabric store {or the hardware store?}, you can whip up a new beach bag in no time. Today I've gathered a handful of DIY tutorials that will help you have your new bag and be soaking up the rays by the seashore in no time! Honeymoon Beach Bag - You don't really need to be going on your honeymoon to make this bag. But, if you were headed out on your honeymoon, this would … [Read more...]
Is Private School Tuition Tax Deductible?
Parents who choose private school education for their children may wonder (especially around tax time!) if the costs can be deducted on federal or state taxes. While some states (most recently, Louisiana) do offer some school tuition tax relief for families enrolled in private schools, the federal government does not make private school tuition tax deductible for all children, but there may be options for those with special needs diagnoses. IRS Deductions and Private Education According to the Internal Revenue Service, a student with special needs who has been diagnosed by a qualified medical or behavioral specialist, whose diagnosis and condition requires an education that cannot be provided by the public school and that is not funded by the school district may qualify for a … [Read more...]
