Summer decor on the cheap!

I'm working on making our outside more inviting since my husband and I are both teachers, we basically live for July & August. Unfortunately, with the lack of work during those months comes with a lack of paycheck! So, my summer projects have to be pretty inexpensive. This little area cost me almost nothing, which makes me love it even more!

So, I saw this post on DecorChick saying that Lowes had indoor/outdoor rugs on sale for $34. I have been searching for one, but refused to pay a ton for a rug I was putting outside! So, I stopped at Lowes on my way to work (yes, at 6:45 AM) and found the rug. I took it to the register where it rang up for $17!!! HOORAY! 

I then hit the Dollar Tree and picked up 4 bunches of gerber daisies, which I put in metal buckets left over from Caileigh's party. 

The lantern as a battery powered candle in it, which flickers! I found this a month or two ago on clearance at HomeGoods!

The sign is made by me. I used a scrap piece of wood from Hubby's work bench and used some stain I had from another project. I made the stencil for the letters & ice cream cone from my cricut. 

Linking to:



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{My Parties} W is for Wicker Beading & Wings Over Haiti

I recently hosted a Lisa Wicker Designs party. Her handmade jewelry is amazing- it's beautiful, unique and made with quality materials. Lisa was kind enough to donate proceeds from the party to Wings Over Haiti. I learned about Wings Over Haiti from a co-worker. He is from Haiti and is part of this team helping to build a school there. My coworker has taken students from my school to Haiti to volunteer & my classes have collected over 9 bags of school supplies to donate. Check out the videos on the site to see the amazing work they are doing there!!


Lisa & I decided to go with black, white and turquoise to go along with some of her favorite summer jewelry pieces.

Gotta try this... {Pie Cupcakes}

TOMKAT has posted an awesome idea... One of the problems with living in "blogland" is that you come across awesome ideas usually 10 times per day per hour. In order to keep myself sane, I am just going to keep a "gotta try this" list on my blog and get to them when I can... Hopefully, it's sooner than later that I can try this delicious looking idea.... Check it out here ... Another place to check out is The Sugar Fairy, who was gracious enough to share the recipe!!

oh, Happy Valentines Day!!

cupcakes!!

There's S'more Cupcakese (thanks, Bakerella)

There's Easter Basket Cupcakes:

 There's giant cupcakes:

Today there will be margarita cupcakes..Here is the recipe from Hostess with the Mostess

INGREDIENTS

Cupcakes:1 box white cake mix
8 oz margarita mix (liquid)
2 oz tequila
1 oz Grand Marnier
3 egg whites
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 Tbsp grated lime zest

Lime Buttercream Icing:
8 Tbsp butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 Tbsp lime juice (approx 2 fresh limes)
1 Tbsp margarita mix
1 tsp lime zest
5 cups powdered (confectioners’) sugar
cane sugar & fresh limes (for garnish)
*****

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350º and prepare muffin pans.

2. Combine margarita mix, tequila, and Grand Marnier in a large glass and stir well.

3. In large bowl, combine cake mix, egg whites, lime zest, vegetable oil, and margarita mixture from step one. Stir ingredients together, then beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed for approximately 2-3 minutes.

4. Spoon the batter into prepared muffin pans. Fill each cup/liner about 2/3 full.

5. Bake at recommended temperature on cake mix box (usually 325º – 350º) for 20 – 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.

Icing:
6. In a large bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, lime juice, margarita mix, and lime zest. Beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

7. Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and continue beating until smooth. If icing is too thin, add more powdered sugar, a couple tablespoons at a time.

8. Spread icing generously on each cooled cupcake* or use a pastry bag to frost. Sprinkle cane sugar around the edges of the cupcake for a “salt rimmed” look and garnish with lime wheels & wedges.

*Make sure to remove cupcakes from pan and cool completely before frosting.

Tip: Leftover frosting makes a great dip for fruit!