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Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Pomegranate Moscow Mule



Looking for the perfect holiday cocktail?  I think I may have found it!  I made this last week for our Thanksgiving dinner and it was a hit!  I purchased my Moscow mule mugs last spring and look for any excuse to use them - I think they are so pretty. 
 
 


{ Recipe inspired by this one from the Cookie Rookie }

{ Makes 4 }

Ingredients:
- 5 shots of vodka
- 1 cup of pomegranate juice
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 1 lime juiced)
- 2 bottles of ginger beer (24 oz. total)
- Pomegranate seeds and lime slices for garnish

Directions:
- Combine vodka, pomegranate juice, and lime juice in a pitcher and stir.
- Fill cups with ice.
- Pour ginger beer into cups (divide evenly)
- Pour juice/vodka mixture into each cup.
- Gently stir with swizzle stick and garnish with pomegranate and limes
- Enjoy this refreshing cocktail!

* Also delicious as a non-alcoholic beverage
* If you aren't sure how to work with pomegranates, check out this easy tutorial
* To get more juice out of your limes, microwave them for 25-35 seconds before juicing. 







 






 I enjoyed this cocktail so much - I think I'll be making it again for Christmas!

I'm sharing this post with:
- Linda of Coastal Charm at her Show and Share Party
- Judy of DIY by Design at her Fall into Fall Party

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Easy Holiday Centerpieces


I am feeling extra festive and ready to decorate for the Holidays this year.  It may have something to do with the snow and cold weather that we've already had.  It's felt more like January than November for the last couple of weeks.  I also didn't decorate at all last year since we moved into the new house a few days before Christmas.  I'll be getting my Christmas tree next weekend and can't wait to pull out all of my ornaments and other decorations.
A few years ago, I posted this Holiday Centerpiece idea.  It is one of the most pinned posts from my blog.  I thought I'd put together an updated version (with much better photos!).  This idea is so simple to put together and inexpensive too.

Supplies:
- Clear glass vases of various sizes
- Berries or branches (I used Michigan Holly and American Holly; rose hips also would work and I also think pine branches would be beautiful)
- Floating candles



{ Michigan Holly }

{ American Holly }

American Holly will dry out quite quickly, so put branches in a vase of water if you are not using immediately. 

Arrange branches in vases.  No need to be too careful here - just push them in until you have a good amount in each vase.

Add water to each vase until branches are completely submerged.  Once you add the water, the colors of the berries and leaves become more vibrant and beautiful.  So pretty!


I was going to add the floating candles right away, but I think the vases looks so pretty even without the candles.  I took a few more pictures than I was planning on! 






Just think of all the places you could use these.  On a dining room table as traditional centerpieces, on a buffet table, a sofa table, a coffee table, and maybe even a single one in your powder room if you are having a party. 








 I finally added the candles...
Aren't they festive?  I just love how they look.



Have a wonderful week and a great Thanksgiving!

I'm sharing this post at these great parties:
- With Linda of Coastal Charm at the Show & Share Party
- With Lisa of Shine Your Light at the Best of the Nest Party
- With Judy of DIY by Design at the Fall into Fall Party


Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Minted Winner!


Thanks to everyone who stopped by to enter the Minted giveaway!  I used random.org to select a winner.  Comment #12 is the lucky winner.
 
 
Congrats to Lauren who blogs over at Wayfares & Worksheets.  Have fun shopping at Minted, Lauren!
 
Thanks to Minted for sponsoring this wonderful giveaway!

Monday, November 10, 2014

$200 Minted Credit Giveaway!


Can you believe Christmas is a little more than 6 weeks away?  I am a firm believer in waiting until after Thanksgiving { one holiday at a time, please! } to get out my Christmas decorations, but one thing I am starting on is my Christmas cards.  I absolutely love the Holiday Cards from Minted and am so excited to be able to offer you a $200 credit to Minted for your own Holiday Cards!
 
 
What I really like about Minted are the quality of the cards and the many options.  Each card has a different back option - insert one of more of your own photos or choose a patterned background that coordinates with the design of the card.  Several shapes as well as different weights of paper are also options you can select.  You can even change the wording on many cards - Holiday, Christmas, or New years are a few options.
 
 
Don't even get me started on the address wrapper - I love it!  Such a simple touch but I love how it ties together the design of your card.
 
 
Another thing I appreciate about Minted is the hundreds of Non-Photo Holiday Cards they offer.  I LOVE receiving photos cards from friends and family at the holidays, but, since I don't have kids { and I'm pretty sure no one wants to receive a card with my portrait on it :) } I only look at the non-photo cards.  And there are many....pretty sure I spent over an hour pouring through all of them and debating which one to order. 
 
If you like to send out photo cards, Minted does offer beautiful photo cards as well as Holiday Booklettes.  How cool is that?  Check out the booklette designs HERE.  It would be really fun to receive one of these in the mail!
 
 
 
Below is a small selection of card designs that caught my eye.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
If you run out of time during the Holidays, don't worry, send out New Year's cards instead!
 
 
 
See what I mean about the beautiful options?  I had trouble narrowing down my choices for this post!  Now for the giveaway...
 
$200 Minted Credit Giveaway
To enter:  Head over to Minted and pick out your favorite Holiday Card design.  Come back here and leave me a comment about your favorite design.
 
For additional entries:  Include a link to this giveaway in a blog post, on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.  Leave a comment on this post for each thing you did.
 
I will pick a winner (at random) on Wednesday, November 19th. Good luck!