"MOM, HE'S BAAACK!" Much to my kids delight, our Elf on the Shelf has joined us again. My kids are so excited that they even made him a little welcome back sign. This time my plan is to have Zac (the name we chose for our little Elf) encourage healthy habits, good social skills and wonderful manners! All of his missions are simple and easy to recreate. They also offer 'teachable moments' to talk to your children about kindness, respect and character development. What do you need to get started? Just download these FREE printables - , and . Cut out each mission and tape it to a craft stick. There are sixteen ready-made missions and a blank page to create your own. The possibilities are endless! Ready to get started? Mission 1 - Healthy Habits A little reminder to take … [Read more...]
A Pomegranate Pear Cocktail for the Holidays
The holidays are quickly approaching and if you are anything like me you tend to over-prepare with lists, menus, and your favorite recipes compiled, right down to pre-dinner cocktails ... which of course require pre-holiday sampling, especially whilst decorating. Well, let me share a very festive cocktail with you that will make the perfect addition to your holiday bar cart. The best part is that part of it can be made a day or two ahead of time, the rest is put together in no time at all, bringing out your inner mixologist and impressing your guests. A Pomegranate Pear Cocktail Ingredients (per cocktail) 2oz Vodka 2oz pear puree - 2 pears and 2oz simple syrup 2oz pomegranate juice garnish: pomegranate arils, fresh pear slices, fresh mint … [Read more...]
Sparkling Wine Types for Holiday Entertaining
The holidays are here and it's time to break open the sparkling wine! Celebrating this time of year with family and friend's is one of life's joys. But what exactly should you serve your guests when you are entertaining at home? Walking into a wine store and trying to figure out which bottle of sparkling wine to choose can be overwhelming. Luckily, hosts have many options when it comes to what to pour for their guests. Champagne? Prosecco? Cava? Sparkling wine? Maybe Moscato d'Asti? Here I am going to give you a brief lesson in Sparkling Wine 101 and some of the fabulous choices: Champagne Only sparkling wine made in Champagne, France, using the Traditional Method, is allowed to be called Champagne. These wines undergo a second fermentation, in the bottle, which is called … [Read more...]
How To Choose the Best Size Chandelier for your Dining Room.
Picking the right light fixture for your dining room, foyer or entry hall can be confusing and difficult. Then, once you have figured out the right size, then you have to decide the perfect height. There are universal rules for you to consider to make the process easier. (PC: HGTV) Follow these easy tips to ensure your room is well lit and comfortable for your guests to enjoy. If you've just moved into a new home and haven't picked out dining room furniture, but want to start with a lighting fixture, simply add the length and width measurements of the room together. The number you get is the right size diameter a chandelier should be. For example, if your dining room is 12′ x 12′, a 24″ diameter chandelier would look great. But If you already have a table, it is … [Read more...]
Good Manners for the Holidays in Four Easy Steps (Prep your kids with games that ACTUALLY work)
‘Tis the season for giving, being grateful and holiday gatherings. Are your kids ready? Does your child know how to accept a gift gracefully? How to be a great host or guest? Write a kind thank-you note? Or do you sometimes feel as if you go to a family gathering with your fingers crossed – “Please let my child behave today”? We all have those moments when our children embarrass us by not behaving properly. The possibilities of what can happen at a holiday gathering are endless! The best way to try to relax and enjoy the festivities is to offer your kids a pre-holiday refresher 101 course on being a good host and guest. Don’t fear. Help is here! Prep your kids with these four game-changing rules to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable. Play these simple games to equip your kids … [Read more...]
A Perfect Dinner Party – for your Teen!
At a certain point, the themed birthday parties of grade school no longer fit the bill when you teen wants to celebrate a special day. It's time to think outside the box. Why not help your teen throw a dinner party ? We've done this with great success and you can too. Here are some basic guidelines for throwing a Teen Dinner Party. Have the kids "dress up" - it's a special night (or day) and teens love to show off their style, so encourage guests to dress up. Decorations don't have to be fancy. Simple white tablecloths, small flower arrangements, candles (battery operated), little holiday lights, and a pre set table all have a sense of grown-up elegance. Splurge on "wow" for the appetizers but keep the main course full of easy kids favorites. We filled … [Read more...]
