Friday Favorites: 7-1-11

         
This photo of Bridgeport is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Well, we leave soon for 4 days in the Sierras and surrounding areas to celebrate the 4th of July with family and friends.  Call me crazy, but I am actually looking forward to the 7 hour drive up the 395 with the family.  We used to do this every year or so when I was growing up, and I have sweet memories of driving past miles of desert while looking up at the majestic row of Sierras on my left, all the while singing Kenny Rogers and John Denver in the car--I know, cheesy but fun.  I love all the ghost towns, mining history, and even the silence and sadness of Manzanar along the drive.  It is a California history lesson drive!  I think the boys will do great in the car.  Unlike when I was little, we now have DVD players, iphones and all kinds of entertainment gizmos to help along the way.  There will also be several games of the Alphabet Game, I-Spy and other car games, I'm sure.  We are hoping for some good naps from the boys too!

In typical Chiara fashion, I have decided I need to arrive bearing some gifts, so I am crafting a ton of 4th of July flowers and accesories today.  I also need to go to the grocery store, do laundry, pack, and run some other errands.  No problem!  Ha, ha.  I do it to myself.  I'll admit it.

Now, I have fun news!  A mentor in our church ministry is helping with the launch of a new maternity line.  It is gorgeous!  If you are pregnant or know someone pregnant, you have to check out these beautiful, modern and fun outfits.  It is called Jules Ford Maternity, and it just launched today.  If you know of a hip, trendy pregnant momma out there, go browse!




Have a wonderful 4th of July!  Here is a fun grouping of Friday Favorites to start your weekend off right!



Okay, this idea is so simple, but it adds so much UMPH to the final presentation--I love that!  She's {Kinda} Crafty gives us simple ice cream cone sleeves for the 4th of July!  Take the idea anywhere, though.  Get paper that works for a birthday theme, baby shower, or wedding.  SO fun!



I love a good scavanger hunt with the kids, and this one is perfect for my color learning 2 year old and adapts/scaffolds to shade differentiation for my 5 year old!  Get some fun paint sample cards and make a scavengar hunt game to find things in the different color shades.  You can take your camera phone or a camera and take pictures of your finds!  Sun Scholars brings us this fun idea. . . make sure to check out this blog for fun ideas with the kids this summer!



Impress Your Kids gives us a fun way to turn sidewalk chalk into PAINT!  All you need is the chalk and water.  It is so colorful, and what kid doesn't like to paint with a brush?  This would be hours of fun!



Crazy Wonderful made a sunburst mirror that I love!  My friend, Amanda, forwarded this project to me, and I laughed at how well this would fit right into my house.  I have the same candlesticks and orchids at my home.  I love the modern sheen on the mirror mixed with the traditional decorating pieces.  It might be a bit time consuming, but this is a very affordable and beautiful project!



Bake at 350 fancied up her ice cream sundaes in special glasses.  My favorite touch is the cookie accent on the rim.  What a fun idea!



Two Peas and Their Pod made lemon-blueberry bars.  Enough said.  Summer fruits in a dessert are my absolute favorite, and I am always a fan of anything lemon.  YUM!



I'll take sugary over rich chocolate usually, but there is always a need for a decadent chocolate dessert recipe for parties.  My mother in law makes this exact recipe, but she uses Ghiradelli's brownie mix instead of the from scratch brownies.  The trifle is always SO good.  It is rich, so it feeds a lot of people.  Chef in training shared her version here.  She gives a homemade brownie recipe, which I am wanting to try sometime soon.  The Heath bar crunch gives this dessert great texture and taste! 




Southern Scraps made a darling tank.  She gussied it up with flowers and ribbon.  I need to do this.  I am in need of some new tops, and this would be so cost effective and fun! 



Of course, I'll end with a couple of fun party theme ideas.  Our Daily Obsessions highlighted a milk and cookies baby shower.  It is so simple and fun.  You could add lattes or coffee and milk mixtures to the menu if you wanted.  I love the cookie bar idea for the party.  Since the menu is so simple, you could really concentrate on the varieties of cookies and the presentation.  SO smart!



Beth Kruse threw a bubble themed party for her son's 2nd birthday.  It is so cute.  For older kids, you could throw in "pop" ideas too--like pop the bubble?!  Pop rocks, soda pop, bubble gum, pop tarts, etc.  That is a lot of sugar, but you get the idea.  Her party was PERFECT for these young toddlers, and they had a BLAST!  She had a bubble station, bubble paint art, bubble shaped melon ball skewers, and so many amazing details.



Have a great weekend, everyone!  Happy 4th of July!