Glam and Chic Birthday Desserts

A couple of weeks ago we celebrated my mother in law's 60th birthday and threw her a big surprise party.  It was so much fun to plan and one of my tasks was to arrange for the birthday desserts.  Our theme had a touch of Hollywood Glam so we wanted something that was sophisticated and maybe even a little bit sparkly.   

Chamilia Jewelry Review and G!veaway

A Chamilia representative contacted me a few weeks ago to see if I would be interested in reviewing a silver snap bracelet and one bead.  It took me less than a second to decide whether or not I would like to, mainly because I am already a fan of Chamilia Jewelry.

For those that don't know Chamilia is a jewelry company that specializes in charm bracelets, necklaces and earrings.  I was first introduced to this company last Christmas when I opened up a little green box from my father-in-law to see a beautiful silver bracelet and a few charms he had hand picked for me specifically, which makes the bracelet all the more special.  The beads actually mean something.  In addition the bracelet is made of sterling silver.  I have fairly sensitive skin so the cheap metals just don't cut it.

 

There are so many beads and color choices to make your bracelet or necklace truly one of a kind.  I've started out with pink and silver beads but I've decided to add other colors. I want three of each color with silver charms in between.  Thus when asked which bead I would like to review I decided upon one last pink bead, the Double Baguette.  This bead is as pretty as the photo shows it to be and compliments the others that I have quite nicely.  In fact I think it is my new favorite.

The only thing I could possible want more out of my bracelet is a way to make the beads stay in one place as I have yet to fill it up.  When I was preparing for this review by looking through the Chamilia Website I found that they have bead locks!  They have a good variety to choose from and don't distract from the actual charm beads.

I think a charm bracelet like this makes a great present.  Now my husband and other family members can added to my bracelet with beads that are personalized to me on special occasions or holidays.

I find it to be of high quality craftsmanship and expect that this bracelet will be one that lasts throughout the year and won't irritate my sensitive skin.  It's classy and beautiful.  In short, I love it!

Best part of doing the review is that Chamilia has graciously offered to give one of YOU a Silver Snap Bracelet and one bead of your choice (up to $60) to get you started.  That's a $125 worth of product!   All you have to do is enter for your chance/s to win this prize package.  Like I said, it makes a great gift whether for you or someone you know.  

This give away will be open from today and close at midnight on November 5th.  Good Luck!

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Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Chamilia. I have received a promotional item for sharing this post. Opinions expressed are 100% my own based on previous experience with Chamilia and have not been influenced in any other way.

Pintastic Monday #15

Welcome to our 15th edition of Pintastic Monday where bloggers come together and Pin on another's latest and greatest.  Please make sure you are pinning at least two other projects to help make this party successful.  

Thanksgiving Crafts

Does anyone else have a hard time finding Thanksgiving crafts?  I know I sure do which makes me sad because Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday.  I love the colors, the crispness in the air, the gathering of family, and of course all of the pumpkin pie.  A couple of years ago in our craft club we made these wood block letters and it is still one of my favorite Thanksgiving crafts to date.

They are pretty easy to make.

Supplied Needed:

- (Eight) 4" 2 x 4's

- (Two) 6" 2 x 4's

- sandpaper

- acrylic paint and brushes

- paper letters and ModgePodge OR vinyl letters

Step 1:  Go to Home Depot and have the nice boys cut your 2 x 4's into the sizes you need, or you can cut them yourself.

Step 2:  Sand your blocks until they are as smooth as butter or whatever texture you prefer.

Step 3:  Paint your wood blocks.  I used four colors:  gold, orange, grey, and yellow to match the decor already in my home. 

 

*If you look closely you will see that I have a slight champagne glitter finish on top of all of my blocks.  I used a DecoArt Dazzling Metallics Elegant Finish.  You can find it in the acrylic paint section of your craft store.  Brush on one or two coats on top of your color after it has dried.*

Step 4:  After your paint and finish have thoroughly dried apply your paper letters on using ModgePodge or use your vinyl letters.  I made my blocks before Silhoutte's time.  If using ModgePodge it may take a couple of coats.

That's all there is to it.  After your blocks are cut I would say you could do this Thanksgiving craft in an hour, two at the most depending on how quickly you sand and paint. 

What Thanksgiving crafts have you done?  Since I finished this one a couple of years ago I'm looking for new ideas that I can do now to fill my crafting itch. 

Thanksgiving Countdown Printable

Who is ready for a free Thanksgiving Countdown printable?  November is one of my favorite  months.  I get to celebrate my birthday, Thanksgiving, get together with family, and think about all of the things I'm grateful for.  I always have a hard time finding Thanksgiving Decor, so, last year I created this cute little Thanksgiving Countdown printable.

25 Ways to Show Gratitude

As November approaches (I know it snuck up on me too), so does the holiday season.  I love this time of year.  Not only is it pretty with all the falling leaves and yes even snow but there is something in the air.  People tend to be more giving and kind.  Families gather and celebrations commence.  It is a time for reflection on all we did and received throughout the year and a time to set new goals.  

Pintaststic Monday #14

Welcome to the 14th edition of Pintastic Monday where bloggers come together to find some "Pinspiration."  I know this week's edition is again a little late.  I just go back from a fabulous surprise party for my mother-in-law and have some awesome blog posts to prove it.  

DIY Envelope Pillows for Halloween

Are you ready for Halloween?  This year I can say that I am... almost.  A couple of weeks ago I shared this tutorial over at eighteen25 and now get to share it here with all of you.  I must start with a confession though.  Before this year I have never really decorated for Halloween.  I've been figuring out my style and how to incorporate that into my holiday decor.  

Simple Homemade Halloween Costumes

How is it October 15th already?  I haven't even thought about simple homemade costumes for this year.  Halloween in the past has been one of my least favorite holidays.  Since moving here however we have made friends with those that LOVE Halloween and as a result been invited to a couple's party in the past.  Simple homemade Halloween costumes are becoming more important as I'm still not 100% in love with the holiday and hate spending money on costumes for me and the husband.  I'm sure that will change as we have kids.

Pintastic Monday Link Party #13

I know, I'm a little late.  Things have been a little crazy here.  None the less, Welcome to Pintastic Monday!  Where bloggers come together and have a Pin Party.  Last week we had all sorts of Pin Worthy posts.  

Fabric Pumpkins Makeover

I know these fabric pumpkins are one of the oldest tricks in the book, but c'mon they are still pretty cool.  After making my twine pumpkin out a roll of toilet paper and now posting this project you're going to think I have an obsession with toilet paper.  I like to think of it as "Food Storage."  When the world is coming to an end and we are grabbing our most valuable possessions you can bet I will call out, "Honey, grab the pumpkins!"  Ok that's not the real reason I use tp but it is pretty funny if I say so myself.  Toilet paper is one of those perfect forms for pumpkins and inexpensive.  Fabric pumpkins were one of my very first craft projects as a newly wed several years ago.  Here is what they looked like then.

Pintastic Monday #12

   Happy Monday all!  Welcome to Pintastic Monday where bloggers come together and pin one another's latest and greatest projects.  October has started crazy and chaotic but that's how I like it. Thank-you to all who have participated in last week's Halloween Edition.  It is open all month long so I hope you will continue to come back and link up your Halloween/Fall related projects.  You can find that collection here.

Coolest Birthday Cake, Superhero Style

This weekend I made the coolest birthday cake in the history of my baking career.  Ok, that's not hard to do since I  have only made two fancy birthday cakes ever.  Still I was pretty darn proud of myself.  When I got married I never planned on going wild and crazy with birthdays, cakes, and parties, but let's admit it, Pinterest has forever changed parties in general and made possible the coolest birthday cake.  Since it's just the husband and I, I get to make one cake a year.  Go big or go home, right?  

Simple Halloween Crafts and the Wrapped Letters

Who doesn't love simple Halloween crafts?  I know I sure do.  That's what I thought I got myself into when I decided to do these yarn letters and spell BOO.  Boy was I wrong.  These letters went from simple Halloween crafts to complicated, time consuming, headaches pieces of art in a matter of minutes.  Still I think they turned out pretty darn good.  

Pintastic Monday - Halloween Edition

Welcome to our Halloween Edition of Pintastic Monday, where bloggers get together and pin each other's posts.  As with all of the holiday edition parties the rules are a little different.  This link party will stay open until October 31st so be sure to continue to add all of your great Halloween ideas.  There will be two collections, 1 for Halloween Posts only and the other for all the rest of your projects.  The second collection will close on Friday like usual.  Please link up as many Halloween posts as you want, even if you have linked them up to a previous party!  Happy Pinning All.

Be sure to stop by my co-host's, Just Dawnelle, blog as well and tell her hi!