All-Natural Egg Dyes

Thanks to bhg.com for this great "green" idea!

Pink
1 cup pickled beet juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar

Lavender
1 cup grape juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar

Brown
1 cup strong coffee and 1 tablespoon vinegar

Blue
Cut 1/4 head of red cabbage into chunks. Add cabbage to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 tablespoons vinegar. Let cool to room temperature. Remove cabbage with a slotted spoon.

Bluish-Gray
Mix 1 cup frozen blueberries with 1 cup water. Bring to room temperature. Remove blueberries.

Dark Pink
Cut 1 medium beet into chunks. Add beet to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 tablespoons vinegar. Let cool to room temperature. Remove beets.

Yellow
Remove the peel from 1 orange. Add peel to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 tablespoons vinegar. Let cool to room temperature. Remove orange peel.

Have a colorful Easter!!!

Cake Balls...the newest crave!

These have got to be the cutest thing-on-a-stick I have ever seen! I am going to attempt to make something like these for the kids on Easter. I got the recipe from www.bakerella.blogspot.com

Wish me luck!

Cake Balls Recipe:

1 box cake mix (cook as directed on box for 13 X 9 cake)

1 can frosting (16 oz.)

Wax paper

Yellow candy melts (1 lb. pkg.)

Lollipop sticks

Edible ink pens
After cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble into large bowl.
Mix thoroughly with 1 can frosting. (I use the back of a large spoon, but it may be easier to use fingers to mix together. But, be warned, it will get messy. Also, you may not need the entire can of frosting, so start out by using almost the entire can and add more if you need to.)

Roll mixture into quarter size balls and place on wax paper covered cookie sheet. (Should make 45-50)

Melt chocolate in the microwave per directions on package. (30 sec intervals, stirring in between.)

Dip the tip of your lollipop stick in a little of the melted candy coating and insert into the cake balls. (Insert a little less than halfway.)

Place them in the freezer for a little while to firm up. Once firm, carefully insert the cake ball into the candy coating by holding the lollipop stick and rotating until covered. Once covered remove and softly tap and rotate until the excess chocolate falls off. Don't tap too hard or the cake ball will fall off, too.

Place in a styrofoam block to dry.

Once dry, draw faces with an edible ink pen and allow ink to dry!

Note: I think cake pops are a little more difficult to make than the cupcake pops because of trying to get the candy coating smooth. So, If you haven't made them before, check out this post for red velvet cake balls and this one for cupcake pops.


Here's what I used to decorate:Pink Candy MeltsYellow Candy Melts White Candy Melts Pastel Confetti Sprinkles Sanding SugarsLight Corn Syrup Paper Lollipop Sticks Styrofoam BlockParamount Crystals

Small Paintbrush

Toothpicks

To decorate:
Shape the cake balls into an egg shape.
Dip in candy coating color of your choice.
Let sit in the styrofoam block until dry.
When dry, use a small paint brush to paint on a thin layer of corn syrup in a line around the egg. Do one line at a time. Right after you paint on the syrup, sprinkle on one of the sanding colors until all of the corn syrup is covered. Use a bowl sprinkle over.
Repeat with varying designs and colors.
You could probably also do this with the melted candy color, but this time I was experimenting and tried the corn syrup.
For the confetti sprinkles, either dab a little bit of the candy color with your toothpick and glue on the sprinkle shapes or use a little bit of the corn syrup to act as the glue. The corn syrup will take a little longer to dry. Dry completely.

Going Green....

I just love the month of March! The hints of spring, flowers blooming, and the smell of fresh rain, it's just so refreshing! What better time to "go green", and bring some of the outdoors, indoors! Not only is it economical....it always freshens any room! It's also amazing how long fresh cut branches last! Combine a variety of leaves and branches, or just make a statement with a single blooming branch.

Using fresh fruit for centerpieces always is stunning! Whether you use a few lemons, or cut them and add flowers, the citrus scent is always so nice! My favorite fruits to use are: lemons, limes, oranges, cranberries, and apples!!

Flowers are always a nice "pop" of spring, but you don't always need to buy bunches at the store! Visit your local Lowe's or Home Depot, and check out the variety of 6 pack annuals. Keep them in their plastic container, and just line your container with plastic wrap, and top with moss. This is always a great, and unusual centerpiece that lasts much longer than store bought flowers!


March 26-27, I am having a Spring Fling Decorating Event at my house! Come get decorating tips, and see first hand decorating ideas! I will be having prizes as well as specials on your favorite Southern Living at HOME products! Contact me for a personal invitation! Friends are welcome!

Southern Living at HOME fresh ideas!

This past weekend, I attended an event in Concord, CA, and got so many new ideas for our new Spring line of products! It's so awesome to be able to get so many creative ideas! Thanks girls for letting me copy! ;)

The art of the Throw

Nothing warms a chair, bed or sofa like an artfully arranged cozy throw. Here are some Do's and Don'ts to make your throw look just right....

*Don't fold a throw in half--it looks far too formal and proper.

*A throw is a popular, updated dash of color and texture and should look casual and vibrant.

*The art of a throw is in the actual motion of throwing. Unfold the throw, ridding it of any folds and wrinkles, and find a point just off-center. Do hold the throw, allowing it to hang, and just flick the wrist, tossing the throw on a sofa or chair. Leave the throw just as it landed.

*Do use a throw to cover mars, rips, or other imperfections in fabric. A throw can be a marvelous decoration and covers a multitude of shortcomings.

(Article by Pam Milam... www.reinventedrooms.com)

January Blues...

Happy New Year! There is nothing better than flipping the calendar, and starting a fresh new year! Ok, let me ask you, how many of you took down your Christmas decorations, and forgot where things went? Does it feel a little bare? And I don’t know about you, but after 2 seasons of decorating, I’m kinda in a slump. And then, there is question, how or what do I decorate with? It's too early for spring, not quite Valentines day...so what to do?

Personally I love white! Yes, I know, it's really not a color, but it always seems fresh and new, and CLEAN! If you just can't live without color, red and blues always will do!

Adding things to your decor like little hints of spring...lemons, limes, greenery, etc., always adds a pop of freshness, and life to the duldrums of winter.

We also have our NEW Spring Southern Living at HOME catalog with tons of ideas as well! Feel free to check out my website and view the online catalog! I would love to LIVE in the rooms of these pages!! :)

A Little Something...

Tis the season for Holiday parties, dinners, and get-togethers. It is always a thoughtful gesture to bring a little something for the host, to show your appreciation. It doesn't have to be expensive or elaborate, remember, it's the thought that counts!

Hostess Gift Ideas:
A gift for your hostess need not be extravagant, but a little creativity does go a long way toward making the present surprising and special. Here are some ideas:

*A bottle of wine, cider, or Champagne

*An ornament

*Flowers (you can even deliver or drop them off before the party)

*Goodies, Coffee, Tea, etc.

*Dish towels

*Picture frame

*Candle

*Note cards

*CD of party or holiday music - purchase or make your own on iTunes!

*Entertaining items - spreaders, wine corks, napkins, etc.

*Gift Cards

Preparation is the key. Try to have some items in your gift closet, and even wrapped for those last minute dates! The presentation of the gift is also important...remember....ribbon can make anything pretty!

Happy Holidays!