Sneak Peak at Holiday Entertainment in Downtown Denver...

For those of you in Denver, a sneak peek of the events with dates has been compiled at Live Downtown Denver.  Dates and details have been included for some of the bigger city events, as well as smaller festival type events. Be sure to check it out and mark your calendar early.

 The City and County Building Illuminations Ceremony

The Parade of Lights

The Southwest Ice Rink 

New Years Eve Fireworks

The 7 Year Itch!

When my friend gave this to me on my 7th Anniversary this summer, I had the best laugh and knew I had to it with you. If 

you have a friend or family member, with a great sense of 

humor, this is super fun Anniversary gift.

Another...New Christmas Cricut Cartridge!

The newest holiday release by Cricut is this Limited Edition cartridge that features Scandinavian Christmas Cards. I can't wait to get my hands on this one. With the colors I have pictures in my head right now, it reminds me of a sweater for some reason. Maybe it's the pattern or layered texture?

Obsessed With Scrapbooking made this card using the Christmas tree as an example.

Creative Critterz used this same tree to make a bright and colorful Rosette.

Very Beautiful, Non Traditional DIY Reception

This past weekend, my family was invited to a reception to celebrate the wedding of our nephew Jason, to his new wife Becky.  They have been together for several years and are considered the artsy and creative ones of the family. When the invitation came and I read that they were going to have the party at the bike shop, with a gourmet hot dog stand, my mind started wondering about what exactly we could expect.


When we arrived,  I immediately knew I had a great blogging opportunity to show off this fabulous DIY party.

Let me start with the venue.

The groom works at Erico Motorsports, so when they were looking for a venue his boss offered the showroom. It's very non traditional, but had wonderful seating inside and out.

I'm not a motorcycle gal or Vespa kind of girl, but I'm married into a Ducati type of family. There is an old Ducati stored at my in laws house, that my husband dreams of restoring some day.  If he could have a choice of any high end motorcycle, it would definitely be a Ducati. Needless to say, the Nemnich guys had a good time checking out the museum quality motorcycles.

Many of the their friends actually drove their Vespa's to the shop. It made for conversation while waiting in line for our dinner.

Dinner was super yummy. When I seen the menu posted at each table, I was shocked to find that the majority of the hot dog options were wild game meat.

I've eaten wild game on occasion, but definitely not Reindeer, Wild Boar or Pheasant.  They had hired Biker Jim's Hot Dogs to bring in his cart and cater the dinner.

 I was a bit hesitant, but after my husband raved about the Reindeer dog, I decided to give it a try.

 

Jim suggested it with sauteed onions (cooked in coke), a dash of cream cheese and a touch of horseradish. I have to say, it was one of the best dogs ever. Biker Jim's just opened a restaurant near Coors Field and apparently has a Yak hamburger that is the best burger ever.

No on to the fun part...The Table Decor! 1st each table was topped with a different vintage sheet and the menus were all framed in various frames from thrift stores. The table center pieces consisted of a bottle with a bird on branches, crochet covered rocks and these light mason jars. Very simple and very earthy.

For dessert they had created their own 3 tier dessert trays to serve mini cupcakes. Each piece was made by gluing together various serving pieces, plates, glasses and candle holders together. They were all different and my favorite part of the decor. 

As with everything else, the live performers of choice were completely different and something I'd never seen before. The group Land Lines was described to us as a Chelo Rock Band.

After all was said and done, it was a nice evening with the family. The 3 of us had a great time...

Congrats and Thank You to Jason and Becky!

Girlie Pink & Black Lamp and Mirror Upcycle!

I was super excited to surprise my niece on her 12th Birthday. She's been talking about wanting a Pink and Black room for awhile now, so I've been making her things here and there to add to her room. For her Birthday yesterday I surprises her with this new lamp. 

Here is the before photo. 

I was able to buy this at a 50% off day at the Goodwill, so I paid about 4.00 for this lamp and that did include the lampshade. Most bases and shades are sold separately, but on occasion you can score with a set that already matches. Everything about this lamp was fine structurally, it was just faded, a bit dirty and the trimming was old and brittle.

 The first thing I did was paint the base with Krylon Glossy Black.

After removing the old trim, I added this black velvet ribbon to the top. 

Next I purchases this hot pink Florette ribbon by the yard at Hobby Lobby and used hot glue to add it to the base of the shade, making sure I didn't cover up the beads hanging from the edge.


I also wanted to give her a mirror, so I also purchases this mirror at the Goodwill for $4.00. 

Most of my mirror can be removed from the frame, but this one could not. So I had to fit paper in between the seam of the frame and tape it in place until I had covered the entire mirror. Then I uses the same glossy paint as above. Here it is on her wall. 

This awesome frame I did not paint or make. I actually bought it from Hobby Lobby on clearance. Ciara thought I had bought it for her room redo, but nope...I new exactly where it was going. 

When I was in her room, hanging these things I looked around and felt pretty happy to see all the little things up I had give her over the past year. The painting above my daughter painted this summer for herself and decided to give it to her cousin. 

However, these two paintings I specifically painted for her last year. I'm not a painter, now do I pretend to be one, but thanks to Canvas and Cocktails I've been able to make some great gifts for my friends and family. I was brave enough to paint these at home even! 

Last, but not least I had totally forgot about this vinyl decal I had bought her. I think it all comes together and looks great. Best of all, she was super excited when she got home last night. As usual, I had a blast.

"Nordic Holiday" Paper Line By Basic Grey

A Cherry on Top has another great holiday line by Basic Grey. This Christmas/Winter Line is called Nordic Holiday.  Some of the papers look like a comfy sweater. I think it's great for the Christmas and Winter in general. Here are some of the patterns. 

Fall Goodies Have Arrived....Can you say PUMPKIN!

Yes, it's September and September means that Pumpkin makes a comeback. A comeback in all sorts of delicious ways. Today alone, I've seen ads for Pumpkin Spice Latte's and Pumpkin Frozen Custard at Culver's. For those that know me well, Pumpkin is a key word in my vocabulary during the Fall. I love pumpkin in all forms. So keep your eye's open and pick up a pumpkin favorite today!! 

Starbucks: Pumpkin Spice Latte or Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate.  

Espresso, pumpkin-flavored syrup and steamed milk. Topped with sweetened whipped cream and pumpkin pie spices.

 

If a drink isn't your thing at Starbucks, try a piece of Pumpkin Loaf. It's the next best thing to mine! I'm very picky when it comes to pumpkin bread and this the best store bought I've had. I love it!

Culvers: If you have one in your area, you can try one of these goodies. 

Einstein Bagels Offers Pumpkin Muffins, Bagels, Cream Cheese as well as drinks and here is a coupon link if you are interested.  COUPON

 I've not "Officially" seen any of these advertised yet, but be on the lookout.