My Spring Decorating Tips

Happy Easter everyone! After my post about my Christmas decorations, I had some inquiries about where I get all of my decorations.  I've actually been collecting my decorations that are here for about 6 years, since I moved to the US.  This is probably why we always had soooo much stuff to move when we were on the road.  I always had a pretty good collection wherever we were traveling as well as here when we got the house.  This doesn't include probably 10 years of stuff that is in Saskatchewan, waiting to come down here and get thrown into the mix.  

I guess my main "secret" for buying decorations is Shop after the holidays! People get excited about going to Walmart and getting a 75% off bag of candy after halloween, but I am scouring the stores for  deals on decorations and home decor.  You bet that tomorrow I will be out first thing in the morning looking to get the best Easter decorations for less than half the price of what they were on Friday. Some of my favorite "post Holiday sale" stores are:

Kohls

Michaels

Target

Walmart (but in recent years they have less and less for a shorter time)

Pier One 

CVS

Walgreens

JC Penney

Hallmark

Zulily

here in Florida we also have Steinmart.

Another trick is don't be a snob about where you buy stuff.  While I am a bit picky about brands when it comes to food, I don't discriminate when it comes to off brand or store brand when it comes to much else.  Check out all the Dollar Stores in your area.  Here we have about four different ones and you can find some great, high quality looking items at all the stores.  

Another item, a favorite in all my seasonal decorating are florals and stems.  "Fake" flowers and plants are so beautiful now and places like Hobby Lobby, Michael's and Joanne's have aisles and aisles of more colors and types than you could ever imagine.  A lot of them will also be seasonal items and will be cheaper after the holidays, but, year round, if you watch for sales and coupons, you can usually get 50% off most every couple months.  You can also repurpose some of the florals for different occasions.  The red from your Christmas florals work great at Valentines day, and white is universal for Christmas, spring/Easter and even 4th of July/ Canada Day.  

I also watch clearance sections (especially at places like Michaels) for items that have been damaged a bit in shipping or just from normal wear and tear in the store.  The "Welcome Bunny" on the wreath on my door had a bit of a broken arm but was easily glued and the girl bunny on my blanket ladder has a bum foot and she doesn't stand right.I stuck a coaster under her foot for now, but she can be easily fixed as well. I paid less than half price for both of these items. 

Those are some of my favorite tips.  If you have anymore good ones for me, or if you have any more stores that you frequent for "day after" sales, please let me know below! 

Cutest teapot ever.  I got this one from Steinmart with my 20% off birthday coupon. 

Sasafras mats are fantastic too, I have one for every season and occasion and usually pay about $8 for each insert.

The table runner is from Kohls, post Easter a few years ago. 

I got these beautiful bunny platter and bowl and Marshalls after Easter last year.

This cloche is from Target clearance (for $5) and can be used for every single occasion.

I got this crate at a garage sale, and the flowers and bunny were all 50% off at Michaels. 

The HELLO pillow is from Target Dollar Spot. 

You can also use your pets to decorate haha.

This adorable tray is from Steinmart.  I plan on going back to get more of the set this week. 

Fab Friday Faves 4.19.19

Hello all!  Happy Good Friday, and Happy Easter!  We have a very severe storm  rolling in right now, complete with a tornado warning, I'm pretty excited, we haven't had much for storms this year.  It has been a super quick week, I spent a day at Animal Kingdom at Disney World with Lindsey, Dave and the kids, which is so much fun.  It was my first time to Animal Kingdom and we had a great day walking around, going on rides and meeting characters. I am going to make my Easter Dinner today, since I will be stuck inside anyway while it storms all afternoon (fingers crossed the power doesn't go out!)

Everyone have a great weekend with your loved ones, no matter how you celebrate!

All of my pets in the spirit of Easter.

A few photos from my day at Animal Kingdom.  We had such a great day and I got to hang out with some of my favorite kids, meet so many new characters and finally try the coconut rum version of the Dole Whip! Also, the Tree of Life is so amazing, pictures don't do it justice.

Josh and I went to the Tampa Bay Blueberry Festival on Saturday.  We picked A LOT of blueberries (one of my favorite snacks) and got to explore the Keel and Curley Winery and try some delicious wine, cider and beer.  I also realized that I really miss picking berries!

I received one of my favorite contest wins in the mail yesterday.  It was a Canadian contest so I had it sent to mom and then she sent it to me.  This stuff is so amazing!  I don't know how it works really yet but it smells amazing and is so light and smooth.  It reminds me a lot of my very favorite brand ever, Eminence.

 Josh and I picked up this Palm Harbor version of Monopoly at Walmart the other day.  It really is kinda strange that Palm Harbor has it's own version, we are a small city of only about 60 000 people. Really cool though!


Today I'm linking up with:

/ Bright on A Budget / A Little Bit of Everything / / Simply Sweet Home / Style Elixir / 

Fab Friday Faves 4.12.19

Happy Friday, everyone! It has been a couple weeks, and not just since I did a FFF, its just been a couple weeks, not in the greatest way.  I've been waiting on some test results for 17 days now, and I've had a migraine that entire time as well.  Super fun.  It hasn't all been bad though... check out some of my favorites of the last two weeks!



Today was hair day!  It was long overdue (as usual) and Serena did an amazing job (as usual!)  I feel like a new woman!



Yesterday was National Pet Day, and of course I have to brag on mine, because they are the best.  My main gal, Smudge and my amazing foster buns, Thomas and Oreo.  They have captured my heart!



Last weekend, Josh and I joined out neighbors Joy, Candace and Yvan and some of their friends and for a camping trip at Ginnie Springs.  It is about 2.5 hours north of here, near Gainsville and is soooo beautiful.  The water is crystal clear and always 72F and with the 90F temperatures it was so perfect. We spent most of Saturday swimming in the springs and tubing down the river followed by a delicious camp dinner, a campfire, and marshmallow roasting.  We had such a great time and we both really fell in love with with all the springs and the vibe in the area.



two weekends ago, Josh and I went to Busch Gardens for the Food and Wine Festival.  The Food and Wine festival was great with dishes and drinks from all the different regions of the US.  Pictured is the Griddled Cheesecake Handheld which is apparently from "the Boardwalk" Region (NJ, MD) where I lived for several years.  Ummmm, how did I never have this before then?  It is Griddled poundcake with cream cheese filling with a raspberry coulis. So delish!  There were many great dishes but we ate them all too fast to take pictures.
We walked around about half the park, looking at the animals and Josh went on a roller coaster.  We also got to see Joe Nichols and Justin Moore perform later that night, they both out on awesome shows.  Sadly both our phones died before then haha.  And yes that is Oscar, Big Bird and Elmo behind us in the first picture.

On Monday, my friend Jessica and I went to see the New Pet Sematary, as we are both Stephen King super fans.  I loved the movie by the way!  We had a great Mexican lunch before the movie and the very talented (and fellow crazy sheller) Jessica brought me some beautiful jewelry made from some of her finds.  I love them all.



I got my Easter nails done last week as well.  I was feeling some super springy, pastel colors and I love them!

And of course, the most exciting thing that happened is ...

The birth our first niece, Eleanora Lynn!  She is the most beautiful precious baby ever and we are so happy that she and mommy are healthy and got to go home today. We can't wait to meet her and snuggle and spoil her!




Today I'm linking up with:

/ Bright on a Budget / Simply Sweet Home / 
 / A Little Bit of Everything / Style Elixir / 

*Recipe* Singapore Noodles

I forget where I first had Singapore Noodles... I think it might have been in North Battleford, SK about  9 years.  And after that first time, I was hooked.  Any chance I get, I order these when we are out but I have never actually tried to make them, thinking it would be difficult.  But, I finally got tired of not being able to find these ANYWHERE near the house here in Florida (I should say, no where that delivers on GrubHub or DoorDash).  So, I decided to give it a try and it was not difficult at all. And it turned out exactly like from a restaurant so I was super excited!  I think one of the tricks is to not over cook the rice noodles, and to use the right ones to begin with.  They are Vermicelli Rice noodles and I had to get mine on Amazon here.  Also, use whatever protein you like.  I used shrimp and a precooked pork belly from Trader Joe's, but you can use chicken, or ground meat, tofu to make it vegetarian,  whatever you like.  Other than that, easy peasy and Delicious!

Ingredients

• 4 oz (110g) dried rice noodles
• (optional) chopped cilantro for garnish

sauce

• 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1/2 tbsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp pepper

stirfry

• 2 tbsp peanut or vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1/2 lb shrimp, pealed and deveined
• 1/2 ground meat or other protein
• 1/2 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tsp minced ginger
• 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced

Directions

• Place Vermicelli noodles in large bowl and cover with boiling water. Soak according to package directions , drain and set aside. 

• Combine the sauce ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.

• Heat 1/2 tbsp oil in large, nonstick skillet and heat over medium high heat. Add the eggs, stir to scramble the eggs until just cooked through, transfer to plate. 

• Add the remaining 1/2 tbsp oil to skillet. Add ground pork or whatever other meat you are using and cook through. Transfer to plate with the eggs. 

• Add the remaining oil, onion, garlic and ginger. Cook and stir for 2-3 minutes, until the onion starts to get soft. Add the shrimp and bell pepper.  Cook and stir until shrimp turns white. 

• Add the noodles, sauce mixture and meat and eggs. Toss with tongs to mix everything together.  Serve immediately. 

thanks to Omnivore's Cookbook for the recipe! 

Fab Friday Faves 3.29.19 (actually all of March)

HI everyone! And a very happy Friday! This month has been a whirlwind and has been great.  I had my birthday, we've done some great events and, on St. Patrick's Day, after a day in Dunedin, my parents dropped in for a surprise visit.  They stayed nine days and we had an awesome time and did a bunch of yard work that would have taken Josh and I weeks.  Since I've been so busy, and not blogging at all, I've decided to show you some of my favorite things from the whole month.   I really am going to try to be better and blog more in April, because I have a few recipes and events I'd like to share!  For anyone wondering how Josh and I reacted to my parents coming thousands of miles and surprising us, here is the video.  I've need been very good at surprised reactions, I get really tongue tied and think I'm losing my mind. 

Before I forget, happy 28th anniversary to my parents this weekend as well! 

Onto a few of my favorites from the month! 

Mom bought me this flamingo when we first bought the house and he has faded a lot in three years, so I decided to repaint him.  I think he is now a she, but regardless I think he looks beautiful. 

I found this horse conch around Christmas and its kinda broken but still nice enough to use, so I put some succulents and moss in it and it turned out beautifully! 

These were my St. Patrick's Day nails, couldn't make myself go any greener, but they are really cute! 

One of my favorite events was in town on St. Patricks day weekend again, the Safety Harbor Bloomin' Chalk Fest.  I love this event, the artists are SO talented and the murals are so colorful and beautiful.  These are just some of them that I got good pictures of and the photos don't even do them justice.  I believe this is a circuit, so if they come to your town, definitely check it out! 

While we were at the Chalkfest, we stopped for lunch at Barfly, a newish restaurant in the heart of downtown Safety Harbor.  The Grouper Sandwich and burger were both amazing and they have an awesome beer selection.

Just a couple pictures of me and Smudge and I celebrating St. Patrick's Day. 

I took a jewelry class a couple weeks ago, also in Safety Harbor, at Francie's Studio Fifth Avenue. It's a cute little gallery that I have been checking out for a few years now and she does some great four person classes most weeks.  I did the twisted metal class, where I learned to shape and hammer copper wire into some beautiful pieces of jewelry.  My main piece was my bracelet, but I made the pendant and earrings from some of my practice pieces and scraps.  So much fun, I am going to do her fused glass class in the near future.

Like I said, my parents arrived on St. Patrick's Day, and aside from them doing a TON of yard work  for us, we managed to have some fun and enjoy the yard. (sneak peak of the starting of the seawall transformation behind them).

Again in Safety Harbor (apparently I've spent all of my time there lately?) Is Cafe Vino Tinto.  I have walked by here a lot of times, but I never realized how beautiful it is.  The cutest, most zen place I've seen in a long time.  Not to mention the coffee is delicious and well priced.  Their food looked yummy too.  Check it out if you haven't yet!

Of course mom and I did a fair amount of shelling during their time here, we didn't find anything crazy but she still managed to take home a huge bag full.  ;)

We had to of course take in a Blue Jays Spring Training game in Dunedin, this one against the Orioles and the Jays won!  It was a great game, and it was the first evening game I have been to.  It was amazing not to get scorched in the sun!

Today I'm linking up with:

/ Style Elixir / A Little Bit of Everything  / Bright On A Budget / Simply Sweet Home /