Crafts

DIY Creative Station for the Family

22 · Jan 2, 2017 · Leave a Comment

It’s a new year and time to organize, organize, organize! Time to take down that lovely tree and pack it up for another year. Time to give away what no longer works in your home and make your space fresh and full of life. I always love this time of year. The time of fresh starts and organizing your home to make it (and yourself) the best it can be! One thing I really want to embrace for the new year is to take time to be creative. Just sit down, grab a sheet of paper, a few creative supplies and let myself go for a little while. With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to create a DIY Creative Station that will inspire the whole family!

Now, I typically don’t have a problem being creative and playing around with all kinds of fun goodies and gadgets, but… I have a really hard time sharing with others! You would think that at my age I would have learned that simple rule. But I like to keep my stuff nice and organized and if I open that space up the the family, it turns into total chaos! How sad is that? I’ve deprived them of all of the fun tools and creative goodies that I get to play with everyday. Now, I’m not a total troll. They already have a simple station with basic things they need to complete homework projects and stuff, but that’s about it. AND, it sure isn’t dressed-up in an inspiring way.

This months Michaels Makers Fresh Start Challenge is a great way to give my family a bit of a creative fresh start and create a safe space for them to use.

What is your family in need of? Do you need an updated homework station? A new calendar to organize activities? Do your kiddo’s rooms need a little organization help? Is your kitchen in need of a FRESH START? Whether it’s planning the family schedule, cleaning out your pantry or getting the kiddos ready to head back to school, Michaels has everything you need to help you get organized this year.

One thing that I love at Michaels is all of the amazing organization tools, I’m kind of a box and basket nerd. I love to find things that can keep you organized and also dress up your space. I especially love the new rolling carts from Cre8ted Space at Michaels

Doesn’t it remind you of school? As a kid I always envied my teacher and her lovely rolling carts. I know, I’m a bit of a nerd that way. This new cart at Michaels kind of had that vibe ( FYI they are on sale this week!) BUT, I wanted to dress it up in my own special way. I grabbed my favorite Mod Podge and some extra large paper from Mambi…

It was a cinch to Mod Podge (or Decoupage) the paper right onto the removable shelve from the cart.

It took no time at all for the Mod Podge to dry and harden to create a lovely surface for my new cart. I LOVE IT!!

I then grabbed one of my favorite Heidi Swapp® Wall Art Words, (that’s the “Create” you see here) and glued it to the front of the cart. Actually, I used Heidi’s Color Shine spray to dress-up our “Create” first.

I knew for the top of my cart I wanted one of those amazing Recollections™ Storage Desktop Carousels. I’ve been wanting one of those for years!

I filled it will all kinds of great creative supplies that the whole family can use. Now, keep in mind… My kiddos are a little older and can handle having Sharpies and scissors out. If your kiddos are younger you should find more age appropriate supplies.

I found some great boxes to store other things like paper and paint to round out the creative cart.

It’s PERFECT!!

This lives right in our kitchen. The place where we spend most of our time and it’s ready to help inspire us to be creative at any time of the day.

Looking for more organization inspiration? Make sure you visit the Michaels’ blog, The Glue String, to see the rest of the Michaels Makers’ organization project ideas.

Here are more great ideas from the other amazing Michaels Makers!

An InLinkz Link-up

I Will NEVER Go Grocery Shopping Again

16 · Dec 21, 2016 · 1 Comment

Yep, it’s true! My days of grocery shopping are over and boy, I couldn’t be happier! This is my “yee haw, no more playing Frogger in the isles with other shoppers, no more wasted time wandering the store looking for items on my list, no more standing in line waiting to checkout while I’m in a rush!” I’m done.

Now don’t get me wrong; there are times when I enjoy a nice trip to the store when it’s on my terms. Not when I’m rushed for time and my fridge is empty and apparently so is everyone else’s fridge. It may seem strange, but my husband and I enjoy a nice stroll through the store together at times. They are our grocery shopping dates and I LOVE that time hunting and gathering for our family together. I wish all shopping trips were like that. Sadly, they are not.

I especially find the heading to the market around holiday times challenging. The store is extra crowded with everyone madly trying to gather all of the necessary ingredients to help make their family’s holiday magical. Strangely enough, there doesn’t ever seem to be a whole lot of holiday cheer in those isles. Just a whole bunch of shoppers feeling the pressure of the season and wanting to get this shopping trip over with as fast as possible. Not my favorite.

I know many people have started grocery shopping online through various different stores and even though I’m not a huge fan of grocery shopping, I was leery. I’m pretty picky about my produce and what if they give me subpar fruits & veggies? Would we be charged for the service? Will I be getting the best deal when I don’t have the option of shopping the different brands and sale prices? What about price matching, how does that figure into the equation? Will it still be a pain trying to navigate their websites? So many questions and quite honestly, I was just a little too intimidated to try the process. I guess I’ve been conditioned to think that there is always a catch. If it’s seems to good to be true, than it probably is. Negative, I know, but that’s is just how we are conditioned these days. Am I wrong?

Then I received an email asking if I would be interested in checking out the new Walmart Grocery program. Again, I was about to say, “no thanks, not for me. I have developed a strong glass half empty attitude when it comes to grocery shopping and Scrooge like, I plan on keeping it for years to come!”

I then sat back for a moment and thought, “how bad could it really be?”

The world is ever changing and if I refuse to evolve and get stuck in my ways, how will I ever progress. This could be a real opportunity for my family to have more time together. I will have more time and less frustration in my life for sure. It’s O.K. to let go of some of my controlling nature and not get so freaky about my veggies. I mean really, we could all use a few extra items off our plates, right?

I threw the question out to you guys on Facebook and several of you came back with really positive replies so I decided to give it a go.

First off, the website is super user friendly AND they have an app. I decided I wanted to do all of my Christmas meal shopping via Walmart Grocery and completely avoid the crazy Holiday crowds.

Not only did I avoid the crowds at Walmart, I shopped IN BED!!

I made a list of all of my recipes and using the search option on the website I quickly found all of my items and scheduled a time for pick-up the following day between 9-10 am.

The next morning at 9:00 am I received a message on my phone that my order was ready to pick-up. I dropped my little guy off at the bus and while sitting at the bus stop, I checked-in on the app and let them know I was on the way.

They then track you via GPS and know exactly when you arrive. Um, crazy awesome! They have designated parking at the store clearly marked and easy to find.

Before I could even pull out my phone to dial the number on the sign, Kim (my personal shopper) came out of the door with my order in hand.

She was SUPER SWEET and we chit chatted about the amazing weather we were having that morning. She even had a welcome kit with all kinds of goodies in it for me.

That’s pretty classy Walmart, well played. It had a bottle of water, some snacks, a nice lotion… it was amazing! They didn’t know I was a blogger and that I was scoping them out, they give the goods to everyone.

Kim was so good about explaining the program to me and letting me know all of the perks. Like for example, if they are sold out of an item they will… Well, I’ll let them explain it for you. They’ll do it better anyway.

How cool is that? Kim even explained about the fabulous Savings Catcher at Walmart.com that does all of the price matching at area stores for me! Did you hear that? THEY DO IT FOR ME! If it can get even better… Kim went through all of my produce with me to make sure they were acceptable. I didn’t even have to ask!

Walmart Grocery Produce acceptance process

So here’s the bottom line…They have no mark-up on their prices, they don’t charge for the service, they let me check to make sure my fruits and veggies are up to par, they price match for me, they even load them in the car for me. I’m totally sold and will never go grocery shopping (unless I WANT to) EVER AGAIN!Sometimes, something is truly GOOD without any catches! In true Dickens fashion, I have come to find that there is good in the grocery shopping world and I can actually save TIME and money at Walmart!

Cheesy Salsa and Green Onion Dip Recipe

10 · Dec 20, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Everyone loves a good party dip and no, I’m not talking about your crazy uncle. I’m talking about those scrumptious treats that go so well with veggies and chips. It’s not an everyday thing, it’s one of those tasty treats that you enjoy when celebrating with family and friends. I’ve even attended parties focused solely on a dip recipe. Ever been to a “12 Dips of Christmas” party? It’s a great way to enjoy all kinds of goodies in one night. I’m a kind of girl that really loves to have a little taste of everything rather than sitting down to one meal so that kind of party really appeals to me. With that in mind, I thought together, with my favorite Old El Paso friends, I would put together a great dip that everyone will love!

This Cheesy Salsa and Green Onion Dip will be the perfect addition to your next get together! The fact that it’s a cinch to make and you can make it ahead of time is another bonus!

• You can find the full Cheesy Salsa and Green Onion Dip Recipe at Old El Paso •

Here’s what you’ll need…

You can get the full list of ingredients at the link above.

1st important item, make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature. Then add it to your mixing bowl and whisk until nice and smooth.

Next, add your green onion.

Then add the Old El Paso Taco Seasoning.

Next up, add the Old El Paso Thick n’ Chunky Salsa & the Old El Paso Taco Sauce.

Finally you’ll add the cheese and mix it well.

Serve with your favorite veggies and chips!

Disclaimer // I am an Old El Paso Ambassador and this post was sponsored. As always, I will never post about a company or product that I don’t truly believe in!

Tips & Tricks to Finding Great Cookware + Bonus Shakshuka Recipe

17 · Dec 13, 2016 · Leave a Comment

Over the years, cooking has become quite a passion for me and I’ve become a bit of an accidental expert on cookware in the process. Nothing feels better than working on creating a meal for your family and then having them melt after taking their first bite. I have so many memories of my Mom in the kitchen working on creating all kinds of tasty combinations for the family. She is a fearless cook and I’ve inherited her spunky way of cooking. No recipe is too daunting & no ingredient is too hard to find (thanks to the internet.) Frankly, most of the time we fly without wires and make up the recipe as we go. We love to experiment and play around with tasty ingredients and come up with something new and exciting.

The thing is, a cook is only as good as their cookware! Over the years, I have found some great tips for finding great cookware. Nothing is going to turn out right when using pots and pans that aren’t truly meant to stand up to the rigors of the kitchen. I remember my first set of cookware and how light it was. I could barely stir anything without holding on for dear life, in fear that the pot was going to go flying off the stove. I would constantly burn dishes because my cookware was about at sturdy as a foil pan. It didn’t conduct heat well and all around it was horrible. After doing some research and going through all kinds of trial and error, I have found the key to finding a good pot, pan, skillet or bakeware. When it comes to cookware here are a few things I try to keep in mind.

Don’t be stingy! You don’t need to buy the most expensive pot or pan but, you do get what you pay for. Cookware is an investment. You want these items to last for years and not have to replace them time after time.
A good piece of cookware is going to have a nice heavy feel in your hand. You want something that has a nice solid base that is made out of a metal that conducts heat well. Copper is one of the best.
Don’t fall for fads. There is a reason that the classics are so good.
What is the clean-up like? Are you going to have to spend all kinds of time hand washing your cookware or, can you stick it in the dishwasher? Not all cookware is created equal in this category.
If your budget is small, go for a couple of the basics that can get you by as you add to your collection. Here are a few that I would suggest.
- A set of French skillets
- 3 1/2 Quart Saucepan
Once you have those few items, then I would invest in,
Good bakeware in the kitchen is essential as well. Again, make sure they have a nice heavy feel to them. You don’t want something flimsy standing in the way of great baking. You can start small here as well. Here are a couple of my suggestions. Once you have those you can build up your collection.

I have used many of the cookware & bakeware items that I’ve listed and I LOVE them!! Like truly, madly, deeply love them. They come from a fabulous company called Anolon. Anolon makes some of the best cookware for the home and social chef. Whether you’re an experienced home cook or just getting started, these pots and pans are a true gem in your kitchen. They have that nice heavy feel to them, you can tell that with their solid base they are going to cook evenly. I especially love their Anolon Nouvelle Copper line. All of the pots and pans have copper layered in the base of the pans which promotes fabulous cooking. Remember, copper is one of the best metals to cook with.

They are hosting a great sweepstakes! Go check out their Facebook page to enter the Holiday Hosting Sweepstakes!

You can also find all kinds of great info, recipes, and deals on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Youtube & Tumblr.

One of my favorite pots is their Anolon Nouvelle Copper 3.5-QUART COVERED STRAINING SAUCEPAN…

It’s perfect for all kinds of sauces, small batch soups and it’s lovely to use when needing to drain your pot. Look at that fabulous lid and the handy pour spout. This is truly one of my go-to pots!

Another favorite is my Anolon Advanced Bakeware 12-CUP COVERED MUFFIN PAN…

It’s nice and heavy to promote even baking and it has silicone handles that provide great grip when removing your item from the oven or carrying your muffins or cupcakes to an event. It even has a nice cover for when you are traveling and it tucks nicely under your pan for storage at your event. No more lost lids!

Another all-time favorite that I’ve used in my kitchen a bunch is the Anolon Nouvelle Copper 3-QUART COVERED SAUTE PAN WITH HELPER HANDLE. I make all kinds of stuff in this favorite go-to. I know that I can be fearless with any of these pots and pans because they are going to give me the best results. Here is my Sauce Pan in action as I make Shakshuka, a lovely Israeli egg dish perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Shakshuka Recipe from Heather Thoming on Vimeo.

This Anolon Nouvelle Copper Nonstick 3-Quart Covered Saute is great for the stove top or in the oven, so it’s perfect for a dish like Shakshuka. It’s truly non-stick but can give a good sear thanks to their premium nonstick technology. You can even use metal utensils on the non-stick surface and not destroy the pan. It’s also oven safe up to 500˚.

So, take my advice. Invest in a good set of both cookware and bakeware and your time in the kitchen will be so much more enjoyable. No more frustration because you don’t have the right tools for the job. You might even discover a passion for the kitchen that you never thought you would have!

Shakshuka

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This simple Israeli dish served with bread will soon become a favorite in your home. It's easy to prepare for any time of the day and packs all kinds of amazing flavor!

Author: Heather // WhipperBerry

Recipe type: Main Dish

Cuisine: Middle Eastern

Serves: 3-4 servings

Ingredients

2-3 teaspoons olive oil
½ of a large white or yellow onion
1 cup of diced sweet peppers
salt & pepper
2 tablespoons cumin
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 large can of plum tomatoes whole, diced or crushed
5 eggs
feta cheese

Instructions

In a medium to large oven safe sauté pan over medium-high heat, add your olive oil and let it heat until it starts to shimmer.
Add your diced onion & peppers and let cook for 2-3 minutes stirring occasionally.
Turn down the heat to medium. Add the cumin, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper & tomato paste. Cook for another 4-5 minutes stirring occasionally.
Add the tomatoes. If they are whole tomatoes crush them with the back of your spoon or with a potato masher. Let simmer for 8-10 minutes. Again, stirring occasionally.
Remove pan from the heat and add 5-6 eggs. Place in a 375˚ oven for 7-10 minutes or until the eggs are set to your desired taste. Traditionally they are pretty soft, but it's up to you.
Top with feta and serve with a nice loaf of bread or pita.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Anolon. The opinions and text are all mine.

Find the Gifts you know they’ll Love on eBay this Season

12 · Dec 8, 2016 · Leave a Comment

This holiday season, I’m swapping gifts with another blogger who loves to entertain for eBay’s holiday gift exchange. I’ve partnered with eBay to create this post! Enjoy!

Gift giving is my love language! I adore giving and yes, receiving gifts. Naturally, Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. I remember the first Christmas that my husband and I shared. I spent months searching for the “perfect” gifts for him. Gifts that I knew that he would love and gifts that he didn’t even know he wanted.

As a person who loves to sit and try to figure out all of the clues when watching “Sherlock,” the concept of a “perfect” gift is a mystery I love to solve. As far as I am concerned… The Christmas game is afoot!

It’s no fun to just go and buy a generic gift that anyone with a pulse would mildly appreciate. The challenge is to know your friends and loved ones so well, that you can find something truly thoughtful that they will adore.

This holiday season I was invited to participate in eBay’s holiday gift exchange.

Did you know that eBay has all kinds of fabulous items direct from the manufacturer that are brand new and they have that lovely “Buy it Now” button that makes things so handy. It’s quick and easy and there is no bidding required. Did you also know that the world’s top brands sell new items directly on eBay at some of the best deals?

But, back to the gift exchange… I was invited to be a part of a secret gift exchange this season. I’ve been paired up with another blogger whose identity is under wraps. All I know is that they love to entertain. My challenge was to visit eBay and find some items that this hostess might love when she is hosting some of her fun gatherings. Now, this challenge wasn’t that hard because I love to entertain as well. I knew without a doubt that the gift they are waiting for was on eBay.

Since this is a blind gift exchange, I had to rely on my experience as a hostess. I know that some of my key ingredients for the perfect event are to have the right tools, the right decor & the right mood. I found items that would be perfect for all three areas on eBay!

Generally when I’m entertaining I am doing the majority of the cooking. I make sure to have some great recipes on hand and one of my favorite cookbooks is by Ina Garten, “Make it Ahead.” A staple in the entertainers tool kit in my opinion. Found it on eBay. Another one of my favorite kitchen tools when I’m prepping for a party is my KitchenAid Mixer. I honestly don’t know what I would do without that perfect tool in my kitchen. In my opinion, every good hostess needs to have one in their party tool kit.

You also need to have the right dishes & serving platters. That’s the fun part, making your party look beautiful. I found all kinds of fun serving items on eBay that any entertainer would love to have in their pantry. Not only do they serve a purpose for serving the food, they can be part of the all important decor for the event. The serving utensils are just as important as the cute gems you can set on the table to dress things up.

Next, you have the mood… No one wants to walk into a party and feel like they are waiting at the dentist for a filling! You need to turn down the lights, have beautiful candles to fill the room with soft light and a heavenly scent. You need to have the perfect music playing in the background on a stylish Bluetooth speaker. I found all of that on eBay as well. It’s perfect!

Now that I’ve found all of these great gift items for the entertainer, I have to pick one for my mystery hostess. I decided that…

No entertainer who loves to plan and prepare for parties should be without a KitchenAid Mixer! Shortly, my mystery gift exchange partner will receive a new KitchenAid Mixer on her doorstep from eBay and I can’t wait to see what she has picked out for me!! Stay tuned, I’ll be sharing what I receive on Facebook & Instagram.

What are you on the hunt for? Who do you need to find the perfect gift for this year? Find the gifts you know they’ll love on eBay this gift-giving season.

Crafts

• You can find the full Cheesy Salsa and Green Onion Dip Recipe at Old El Paso •

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