Geez Louise! The 4th of July is less than a week away!? Where did June go? I need to make a ton of stuff for next week and haven't even started!  Eek!

Well, to get into the spirit of things, I thought I would share with you my mantle decor today.

I usually have my lanterns up that were props from our wedding, and I just change something about them to tie in with the current theme.  This holiday, I tied flag ribbon to the tops of them. 

Then, I framed this adorable printable from Hostess with the Mostess.  We are also using her printables for our 4th BBQ, which I can't wait to share with you!


Finally, I made this flag banner and it was so easy!  In a few minutes you can have a custom flag banner for your 4th festivities.

Here's how:



What you need:

• Mini American flags (Thank you, Target dollar section! A pack of three for a dollar!)
• Bias tape or ribbon

Instructions:

1. Remove as many flags as you want to use from their sticks.  I pulled mine off pretty easily.
2. If you are using bias tape, space out your flags evenly, sandwich them between the tape, and pin.  If you are using ribbon, space the flags out evenly and pin.  
   
3. Sew down the bias tape or ribbon as close to the edge as possible.
   
4. Done!  So simple and you have a cute and non-cheapy looking (albeit cheap) banner!
   

Hi!  I'm Allie, over from The Random Crafter.  Alyssa was so kind to let me share this simple wreath with you today on her adorable blog.  Hope you enjoy the tutorial on making a burlap wreath which can be dressed up for any season!

Finished Burlap Wreath

Burlap Wreath Supplies

Burlap wreath in progress

Finished Burlap Wreath

Who else out there has a sweet tooth? I sure do.  Half the time my breakfast consists of a cup of coffee and a cookie/brownie/insert baked good here.  My sandwiches at lunch are always paired with chips and a cookie. I know I have my mom to blame thank for this.  She always has some sort of goodie in the pantry, and I definitely inherited her love of desserts.

This recipe was shared at: huckleberry love, create with joy, seven thirty three, pursuit of functional home, whats cooking with ruthie, lady behind the curtain, mama bzz, mamal diane, blackberry vine, jam hands, make ahead meals for busy moms, debbiedoos, or so she says, just us four, the better baker, 1840 farm, blissfully ever after, miz helens country cottage, mercy ink, golden reflections, lil mrs tori, cherished bliss, chef in training, the stitchin mommy, crafty scrappy happy, the best blog recipes, recipes for my boys, chocolate chocolate and more, house of hepworths, buns in my oven, today's creative blog, the 36th avenue, dj's sugar shack, romance on a dime, memories by the mile, pint sized baker, inside bru crew life, mandy's recipe box

I was going to start off this post with something along the lines of "Italian food and Mexican food are my two favorites", but then I started thinking about barbecue, yummy sandwiches, and the list goes on.  So, scratch that...I just love food.

Why would I say anything about Italian and Mexican food?  Well, today I bring you one of our favorite meals, which happens to combine the two: Taco Pasta.  It may sound a little strange, but this dish is divine!  The first time I made it, we were so in love that I made it weekly.  I have since branched out and made it a little less often, but it still is one of our top go-to recipes for dinner. 

Here's how to make it:

 Ingredients:

Attention Target Shoppers! Can you tell where I buy my groceries? :)

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 3/4 package of tube pasta (I use gobetti)
• 1 packet of taco seasoning
• 1 C. of water
• 4 oz. (1/2 of a block) of cream cheese
• 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese (I use cheddar/jack)

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. While pasta is cooking, brown the ground beef in a skillet. 
3. Once the ground beef is browned, add in water and taco seasoning.  Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce is thickened and reduced a bit.  Then, add in the cream cheese and stir occasionally until melted.

   I know this looks gross, but its soooo good.

4. Drain the pasta and pour it into a 8x8" baking dish.  Add in half (3/4 C.) of the shredded cheese and mix together.
   
5. Add the ground beef mixture to the pasta and stir to combine thoroughly.
   
6. Top with the remaining shredded cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
7. Enjoy!
   

Hope you love this recipe as much as we do!

Summertime is here and despite June gloom (the morning marine layer in So Cal), this week was full of fun in the sun.  On Thursday we were out on a boat to celebrate a friend's birthday, and last night, hubby and I went down to the beach with our dinner to watch the sunset.

Two days in a row at the beach reminded me of the two yards of coral jersey knit material I had back at home and gave me the inspiration to make a swimsuit coverup.  I spotted a few tutorials on how to make a knockoff VS wrap and it looked too easy not to try.  Here it goes...




What you need:

• 1.5-2 yards jersey knit material (enough to wrap around your body 1 1/2 times)
• Coordinating thread
• Bias tape, ribbon, or whatever you want to use for straps.

 Instructions:

1. Fold your material in half width wise (or hamburger style if you prefer that terminology, like I do).  At the top corner (opposite of the fold), cut at a rounded diagonal for under arms.  Note that you are cutting out both under arms at the same time.  I used a camisole for a template to cut out the shape on mine.
   
   
   
2. Measure how long you want your straps to be.  I also used a camisole and cut my bias tape to the length of the straps, adding an inch for seam allowances. 
3. If you are using bias tape like I did, sew it shut with a straight stitch and a 1/8 inch seam allowance.
4. Pin your straps in place at the very top and bottom of the cut out for the under arms.  Make sure that your straps don't twist.
   
5. Sew back and forth over your straps to make sure that they are reinforced.  If you do not have a sewing machine, you can hand stitch the straps on, no problem!
6. Once you have both straps sewn on, you are done!  A 10 minute project and you are ready to hit the beach!
   

How to Wear it:

1. Bring the wrap behind you.
2. Wrap one side in front and slip on the strap.
   
   
   
3. Wrap the other side over and slip on that strap.
   
4. Done!

Normally I am a stickler for unfinished hems.  I cannot stand them!  However, I wanted to make this quick and easy and the material I used didn't fray at all, so that made me feel better about it.  You really can't tell once its on.  That being said, if you're like me and would rather it be hemmed, then by all means, go ahead!

Hope you enjoyed this swimsuit coverup tutorial!  Now I am off to the pool in mine!

Living Well Spending Less

Or So She Says...

The Jenny Evolution

This tutorial was shared at: create with joy, savvy southern style, made to be a momma, mamal diane, emmy lane, cherished handmade treasures, sweet bella roos, 504 main, crafty scrappy happy, life on lakeshore drive, house on the way, serendipity and spice, boogieboard cottage, craft o maniac, little miss celebration, happy hour projects, shaken together life, five simple things, wait till your father gets home, seven thirty three, white lights on wednesday, lady behing the curtain, raegun ramblings, the blissful bee, funky polkadot giraffe, and sew we craft, cornerstone confessions, not just a housewife, memories by the mile, hope studios, crafty confessions, nap time creations, uncommon designs, the plaid and paisley kitchen, prototype mama, blissfully ever after, dear creatives, craftionary, see vanessa craft, the jenny revolution, sparkles and a stove, a glimpse inside, the train to crazy, the girl creative, house of hepworths, i gotta create, katherine's corner, naptime is my time, the ny melrose family, polkadots on parade, fluster buster, powerful mothering, be betsy, him & her, sugar bee crafts, cherished bliss, coastal charm, handmade cuddles, the dedicated house, watch out martha, i should be mopping the floor, three mango seeds, sumos sweet stuff, flamingo toes, the foley farm, i heart naptime, sew country chick, six sisters stuff, i am only 1 woman, or so she says, petals to picots, serenity now, thirty handmade days