Christmas in July. . . . .Holly Jolly, Merry and Bright

Ho, Ho, Ho. . . . .

we LOVE Christmas at Shabby Chicks. . . .

and it wouldn't be July if we didn't have Christmas in July!

Today's theme is a Bright, COLORFUL,

Holly Jolly Christmas theme.

But first, welcome to my blog readers AND my facebook readers.

If you haven't stopped by facebook.com/shabbychicksnaples, 

please do!

Alrighty then, let's do this:)

While this theme isn't for everyone. . . .

(it is non-traditional and some don't like that)

it IS fun and festive.

Here is a simple way to add the brights to the Holidays...

simply frost those sugar cookies with pretty, bright color.

Who says Santa has to wear red!

What about a lime green Santa?:)

Okay, okay. . . .no haters.

To each his own, right?

What about the tree?  

You can add beautiful bright ornaments to any tree.

But if you have a big white tree like I do. . . . or like the one in this picture,

look at what you can do:)

You can make ornaments or buy them in brights or jewel colors.

All stores carry them these days.

This is what we did one year to add a punch of color. . . .

I had some bright glass bulbs and supplemented with a bunch of plastic 

bulbs from the dollar store.

Put them in a large glass vase with white twinkle lights and voila. . . .

instant, easy decorating.

Here are a bunch of other looks.

a few more ways to add color. . . .

colorful pompoms. . . .strung on fishing line or strong thread and they make a cute garland.

Colorful paper rings. . . .another of our traditions.

Who says snowflakes have to be white?

Cut out some colorful paper snowflakes:)

 I love this idea. . . .gift wrap wall hangings!

You could wrap current framed photos or art and hang them up as packages, 

or buy some blank canvases in various sizes.

After Christmas, unwrap the canvases and mod podge

 some favorite photos from the Holidays on them.

painted pine cones, brightly colored ribbon and colorful felt ornaments are cute ideas too!

You've probably seen tons of sites teaching how to make these

ornament wreaths.  If not, there are a couple of ways.

If you want a smallish wreath, you can un twist a wire hanger, 

thread ornaments on to it and twist back up.

Instant ornament wreath.

If you want to make a bigger, fancier ornament wreath,

here is a link for a you tube how-to video. . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjHKsG-L4Z8&feature=youtu.be

hint. . . .it's really easy:)

one of my favorite finds this year is the ornament "Ho Ho Ho".

This could be done so many ways. . . .threaded on wire or

glued on over sized letters.

Notice the colorful packages above and in the following pictures.

See these trees?

They are made from cupcake liners!

here's the link with instructions. . . .

http://papercrave.com/how-to-make-cupcake-liner-flower-tree/

here are two fun snowman ideas. . . .

on the left, wrap 3 cardboard boxes in batting and using hot glue, stick together.

add a scarf, some black pom pom buttons, a black hat and HELLO. . . .Frosty!

Don't you LOVE the snowman appliances?

These are window decals that you can find in various stores around the Holidays.

SMILE:)

don't forget the brightly colored gift tags. . . . .

Ready for some FUN Holiday treats?

Okay, I will say that today's theme calls for fun festive treats that are a bit

on the kid side:)

Most are self-explanatory too. . . . . .YAY!!!

Rice Krispie Tree. . . .

Color those Krispie treats green,

add m & m ornaments and you have an easy, yummy tree.

 Dressed in colorful candy scarves and top hats, these stylish, easy-to-make snowmen are sure to liven up any holiday gathering.

What you'll need

bag of 8-inch pretzel rods

• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• mini chocolate chips
• orange decorators' gel
• fruit leather (various colors)
• gummy rings
• gumdrops
• How to make it:  Melt 1 cup white chocolate chips as directed.  One at a time, dip the end of one 8-inch pretzel rod in the melted chocolate and use a plastic spoon or knife to spread the chocolate two thirds of the way down the pretzel.  Place on waxed paper and press on mini chocolate chips for eyes and buttons.  Use orange decorators gel to add a carrot nose.  When the chocolate has hardened, stand the pretzels in a mug or glass and tie on strips of fruit roll-ups for scarves. For each hat, stretch a gummy ring over the narrow end of a gumdrop and secure it on the pretzel with a dab of melted chocolate.
• source...spoonful.com

This is an oldie but goodie that we always did when my girls were little. . . .

and an awesome idea for a kid's party.

Frosted Christmas Trees!

Simply use ice cream cones, tip them upside down and frost with green icing.

then DECORATE:)

This one is SOOOO cute and delicious!

Santa Hat Brownies!

Make the brownie recipe of your choice, top with your choice of white icing or cool whip, then a Strawberry for the hat.

Really cute, don't you think?

And having a ballerina in the family,

I really love the "Sugarplums":)

cause what kid wants to eat a regular sugar plum:)

Dip a marshmallow in tinted white chocolate and add sprinkles.

Yum. Cute. Genius!

Do you make a gingerbread house?

We do. . . .or lately we've used the gingerbread mini house kit.

Well, it might take a bit of searching on your part but if you buy

 pastel or non-traditional candies,

look what you could make!

Okay, this is it.

Last idea for today.

My favorite "gift" for the neighbors.

My girls took these gifts to neighbors for years andit was always a hit.

Only thing we did different was we eventually quite making the cookies from scratch

and bought them.

And our tag read "From our family to yours. . . Merry Christmas"

Get it?  Our family to yours?  Gingerbread family???

heeheehee

Okay, but it is a good idea;)

Check back tomorrow to see what the theme will be.

Pink Christmas?

White Christmas?

Rustic Christmas?

Traditional?

Beach Christmas?

Hmmmmmm. . . . .

See Ya!

xoxo. . . .Suzanne

Wish Lists, Grinch Punch and Crap Brownies

hahaha...yes, you read it right.

crap brownies.

but you have to read more to get to that yummy subject!:)

a few things i forgot to add to my Christmas in July post,

that i had to pass on today.

i stumbled on a FANTASTIC site for printables.....

you know what those are, right?

print out yourself some incredibly cool

lists and other stuff that some clever person made to help you TRY to be

organized.  notice i said "try":)

well, Bekah has some of the best i've seen,

including these two for Holiday shopping.

aren't they great?

stop by pinchalittlesavealot and check her stuff out......

you'll be so HAPPY you did!

next up.....Grinch Punch, from Taste of Home.

my aunt margaret used to subsribe me to the magazine every year.

as much as i look through millions of other cookbooks all year,

i can honestly say i tried the most from taste of Home!

and now i found about about Grinch Punch for the Holidays!

looks yummy, right?

trust me...it is!

here's the recipe:

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup sugar
• 6 tablespoons plus 1-1/2 teaspoons water
• 1/3 cup evaporated milk
• 1/2 teaspoon almond (i use vanilla) extract
• 12 drops neon green food coloring
• 1 bottle (2 liters) lemon-lime soda, chilled
• 2 pints vanilla ice cream

Directions

• In a large saucepan, combine sugar and water. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved; remove from the heat. Stir in milk and extract. Transfer to a bowl; cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.
• Just before serving, transfer milk mixture to a punch bowl. Stir in the food coloring and soda. Top with scoops of ice cream. Yield: 4 quarts.

you can find more recipes in this AMAZING cookbook by clicking on the picture.

and now, the moment you've been waiting for......

CRAP Brownies!

hahahaha...doesn't that crack you up?

hey.....i didn't name them.

i found them on one of my FAVORITE sites......

Artsy Fartsy Mama:)

they look so GOOEY and so YUMMY!

Basically, you bake a pan of brownies and let cool.

melt a tub of marshmallow creme 20-30 sec.

and spread over the top and cool.

melt choc frosting 10-15 sec and spread over cooled marshmallow.

and that's it!

but don't just go by this.

you HAVE to go visit her amazing blog ARTSY FARTSY MAMA

and see her hysterical pics for yourself.

THEN make the crap brownies.

or maybe make them first and eat the whole pan while you read her blog:)

SEE YA!!!!!!

Suzanne

Christmas in July...What is your Holiday Decorating "Personality"?

now please.....no hate mail about it being only summer.

I KNOW it's only summer.

it's summer all year round where i live.

and it is one HOT summer this year,

so let's forget about it and think of something "chilly", ok?

what i thought i would do is look at Holiday decorating "styles".

do you have one?

or are you more of a "fly by the seat of your pants" kind of gal?

maybe your decorating is whatever your kids draw, create or want to hang on the tree.

that's what mine was, for YEARS!

i love it still.....

although now i change it up sometimes.

i'm sure when i have the empty nest, i'll bring back the kiddie tree,

just because:)

anyway, let's get started with the decorating PERSONALITY quiz.

 are you a traditional, red and green kind of person?

i'm not so much.....but i do love it when i see it.

and one of these days i'm going back.......

because i really want a red tree some day.

i know.......a red tree is NOT traditional.

hahahaha

but at least it's red:)

okay, if you go the red and green route,

you are classic, traditional, conservative and reliable.

you are okay with change to a certain extent.

but not too drastic.

decorations may change and get an update.....

but they must stay RED and GREEN.

and your lights are always white.

they look best with the red and green theme.

well, what do ya think?

am i close?  a little bit? maybe???

now, what if you use colors like

 orange, turquoise, fuschia, purple and lime in your decorating?

hmmmmm......

well, to start with ,

you would ALWAYS use multi colored lights.

the more color, the better.

you are non-traditional, obviously.

you like to try new things and you LOVE change.

you are adventurous, free-spirited, confident and outgoing.

people like being around you with your FUN outlook on life.

okay, okay.....what about all those people who have a single color scheme.....

like Pink?

well, obviously you are a bit non-traditional too,

although not necessarily "modern".

you may be vintage and classic, but just LOVE pink!

you believe in surrounding yourself with people and things that you LOVE,

that make you happy.

you don't care what others think.....you like it.

it is important to you that your choices in life reflect the real you.

you love pretty things and aren't afraid to be a lady

you are very warm and approachable and make friends easily......

especially if they like pink too:)

so pretty.....in pink:)

"i'm dreaming of a white Christmas....."

yes, let's talk about those who love their whites.

(including metallics)

that's the style i have these days.

but trust me, it isn't cold.

not at all.

mixed with creams and a bit of glittery metallics,

it's my Vintage glam" look:)

but i promise to be unbiased in my personality description here:)

white christmas lovers are......

non traditional, to start with.

i mean a giant white tree?.  definitely non-traditional!

they like beautiful things and love the idea of a 

snowy white Christmas.

they are confident, happiest when decorating their home,

a bit controlling in that they like decorations to

"go with" or coordinate with the decor.

know what i mean?

but in a good way, of course:)

they are dreamers.....and they are doers.

(had to stick that one in there:)

elegant too...did i say that?

heehee

okay, before i sign off,

just a few odds and ends.

this year, i am sticking with craft paper that i embellish real pretty

for my gift wrapping. 

i think.

if i get my act together:)

something like this......

although MUCH less professional looking:)

nice, huh?

and speaking of gift wrap, 

if the kiddies are getting cabin fever,

summer is a great time to have them make your Christmas wrapping paper.

we used to do this all the time.

just buy solid paper and stamps/sponges.

let them have at it with a bit of paint and you have great gift wrap!

 or if they are a bit older, maybe they can cut out some

COOL paper snowflakes.

lastly, any idea how these ADORABLE penguins were made?

penguin instructions

well, follow the link under the photo but here's a hint.......

they come from a soda bottle.

i'm not even giving more hints because you're going to LOVE

Lucy and her VERY creative blog!

so go meet her and look around awhile!

Be Blessed.......

Suzanne

Ho, Ho Ho...

...It's a Pink and White Christmas in July!

Happy Pink Saturday!!!!!

 

 

Thank you to Beverly from How Sweet The Sound for hosting us.

Yes, this is a "re-post".  

But...today is the last day in July...

and I haven't been involved in a 

Christmas in July party this year...

so I thought I would post this again...since there is some pink in here...

and because I am hopping on a plane to Maine this morning

to see my girl perform in Sleeping Beauty

and bring her home to the Shabby Chicks nest:)

If you saw it last year,

feel free to move on.

If not,stay for a bit and get in the Holiday spirit!

Merry Christmas in July!
Today is July 25 and you know what that means...6 months until Christmas day. Yippee!!! Pour yourself a steaming mug of pink hot cocoa and let's get festive! Never heard of pink hot cocoa??? That's okay...let me be the first to introduce you. If I had a recipe I would share it but instead we buy ours at Sur La Table...and it is sooooo good! And before I get started, I want to apologize for the fact that I am cramming so much into one blog post. First up is the whole pink/white theme, then some family traditions we have always done or ones I wanted to do. I hope you leave feeling joyful and looking forward to the Holidays rather than dreading them. Thank you to Maggi for hosting this blog party!!!

Okay, red & green are traditional colors and they are beautiful, but how about a festive pink or white theme? Think soft, fluffy, delicate, simple, elegant, fun, pretty...how nice does that sound? Of course, it goes without saying that the overall decor of your home would probably need to be light and/or neutral to really pull this off so if you have that, go for it. I promise it will be one of the prettiest Christmas decors on the block! We did this for years and whenever friends came over to the house, they all thought it was so magical and wintry. I remember the first year we did this while my husband was out of town and when he came home, he loved it...surprise, surprise!!! hahaha Anyway, I have some photos I found while cruising around on the internet to inspire you. I cannot afford to buy new decorations every time I am in a new phase and you are probably the same, so I'll give you a few cost-savings tips to help you pull it off.
Here are some things to start looking for when you're planning your look:
White twinkle lights
Tulle...pink, white...lots of it and it is cheap. (Makes great gift wrap, too!
Those bags of fluffy white fake snow
White "snow" in a can
White and/or pink cardstock for rings and paper ornaments...lots of hanging paper chains like in the movie "Elf". Everyone loves when we do this!
Crystals in any shape or form...garland, beads
fishing line...for hanging things from the ceiling, chandelier...
white spray paint for pinecones and branches to make white "trees" or to paint any artificial Christmas trees you have
pink bottle brush trees...buy or dye your own
white or soft pink feather garlands
white,silver,pink ornaments
Clear ornaments...Number ONE decorating tip
silver mercury glass...check Target or yard saleswhite candles
fabric remnants in white silk or satin for centerpieces
cheap snowflake decorations...mini ones to embellish packages or tie on
various items such as candlesticks
cherubs and angels...these are mine:-)

Sometimes I think a bit of greenery for contrast is pretty
For flowers...pink or white poinsettias, white amaryllis or my favorites~~paperwhites.

Now that you've decorated, how about a "White Christmas Party"? This is such an elegant party and you can do it up or keep it simple and have a sweet dessert party.
Think about it...layers of white fabric or tulle on your table, as well as snowflakes, candles in little votives, tall paperwhites in silver spray-painted pots...
The menu:
White chocolate cheesecake bites
Green grapes...plain and sugared
White cheeses and crackers
White chocolate dipped strawberries or anything else dipped in white chocolate, such as pretzels, fortune cookies, white chocolate dipped candy canes...
snowflake or star cookiesbrownie pops
snow punch

Decorating Tip #1:
Clear ornaments. You can do ANYTHING with these, from painting them...even simply painting dots on them, embellish them with scrapbook images, stickers or rub ons, fill with colored shreds or pieces of fabric in your color theme, swirl paint on the inside, fill with artificial snow, and my new favorite...decoupaging scrapbook paper on them. SO pretty!!!

Decorating Tip #2:
Use what you have. As I said, I can't afford to buy tons of new stuff each year. I find the prettiest arrangements often include what I have around me...in the case of Florida, that means seashells. White starfish are perfect additions to a Christmas tree or arrangements mixed with ornaments Do you have pine cones where you live? Take the kids to gather pine cones. We used to bake them to make sure there was NOTHING still living in them and then use glue with colored glitter or spray paint them white for your white Christmas. Gather long twigs to spray paint and tie large plastic crystal drops (Joann's or Michael's) from them with fishing line. (Works for other holidays, too) Cheap and easy...I like it!

Decorating Tip#3:
WREATHS!!!* Shell wreaths, button wreaths, "snowball" wreaths, ornament wreaths...use small toys your kids have gathered as well as other special mementos. Lots of ideas!

Decorating Tip #4:
Create little vignettes of things that compliment each other, even if they aren't really holiday items. Just add a little snow and voila! Also, hang stockings everywhere. Instant decorating. (The same goes for gift-wrapped boxes)
Sigh...Yes, I'm dreaming of a White Christmas:-)

Christmas traditions and ideas for the family:(This is our house)
My family loves Christmas and we are always on the lookout for some new ideas and traditions, so I can't wait to visit the other blogs to get some. We did have some pretty neat ones of our own and a few I found recently that I would definitely do if I could.

~Christmas tree in every room: Family room-family tree, living room-mommy's pretty tree, kids rooms-their theme (Barbie, sports...), master bedroom---hate to say it but this is where the dogs sleep so this is where the doggy tree is:-)

~Gingerbread houses...make great decorations and wonderful gifts to give. Think of the sweet lady who used to make these with her children and now lives alone. What a way to sweeten the Holidays for her!:-)

~Gingerbread Cookies. Have a gingerbread cookie party for the kids or do what we did one year. On Christmas Eve, my kids delivered gifts to neighbors. Inside, gingerbread men unfrosted with all of the toppings...frosting, candies...and a tag that said "From our family to yours...Merry Christmas!" Gingerbread families...get it??? hahaha

~When the tree goes up all of the stuffed animals in the house or at least the special Christmas ones were placed under it to wait for Santa.

~Thanksgiving Shopping Party: I had a friend who held an open house the day after Thanksgiving, to kick off the Christmas season. She had leftover turkey sandwiches as well as cookies and a few other goodies. She sent out invites telling her friends to stop in for some Christmas cheer in between shopping. it was always a big hit!

~Make up "Christmas Survival Kits" for friends, other busy moms... Buy empty paint cans at Home Depot and decorate with paint, ribbon, cardstock... Fill with a candle, a favorite Holiday book, bath salts, hot cider mix and a few yummy chocolates.

~Always, always, always make copies of your children's Christmas letters to Santa. I did this...thank goodness. I will always cherish the letter from Jordie to Santa asking for only 4 simple things when she was 5...a limo, a puppy, a rainbow and a unicorn. Hooray for puppies:-) I think Santa decided she needed an outlet for her creative mind and she got an art easel!:-)

Taylor just asked for every Barbie ever made...and I am NOT kidding. She did serious research into this every year. One list asked for Mermaid Barbie, Nutcracker Barbie and the Prince, Sleeping Beauty Barbie...and the Prince, Wedding Barbie, Chocolate Barbie, Citrus Barbie, Disco Barbie, Teacher Barbie, Marie Claire Barbie, Spanish Barbie and drum roll please...King Kong Barbie. No kidding! hahaha

~Celebrate the 12 days of Christmas with a tiny gift each day to your kids. They will soooo look forward to this and it helps with the wait for the big day.



~Christmas rings...we made 25 rings each year and on each one, I wrote something special and festive we would do. Each day, we took off a ring and would go for a ride in the convertible with hot cocoa to look at Christmas lights,
make gifts for family, go shopping for other children from the "Angel Tree" at the mall, watch a Christmas movie, have dinner by the tree, sleep by the tree...silly little things that made their day! The 25th ring said Merry Christmas!

Well, obviously I could go on and on but I've probably lost my party guests already. hahaha Guess I'll just have to spend the next 6 months adding in all the stuff I forgot!. Lucky you!!!:-) Hope you liked my early Christmas and be sure to visit the others at Maggis party hop. Thank you so much for stopping by and have a jolly Christmas in July, from my family to yours!!!
Hugs, Suzanne