Holiday Dining decor - giveaway!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Dollar General. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's the most wonderful time of the year - or should I say the most "entertaing" time of the year! It's a time for parties, family and friends coming over and stopping by and special holiday meals.

Adding a splash of color and holiday cheer to your dining decor can be easier and maybe less inexpensive than you think! Especially if you can pick some items at Dollar General.

Dollar General Holiday décor is resonably priced and they have many items to create many different looks. From tablecloths, placemats and runners to start layering your look to chargers for under your plates and many items to add a little sparkle to your table.

You know I love items that are versatile so I couldn't help but snatch up some red glittered poinsettas. They have a clip on the back and I knew they would easily be clipped onto some fabric napkins and used later on the Christmas tree or even added to a wreath! See - versatility!

I created my Holiday table with the help of these items from Dollar General: Silver Chargers, silver trim, red poinsetta clips and 2 containers of mini ornaments.

My look came together quickly and easily and even my neighbor was surprised at what I pulled off for so little money. I started with a red tablecloth and ran the silver trim down the center of the table.

Then I placed the silver chagers at each seat, a white plate and to add little dramatic flair some black fabric napkins with the red poinsettas on top. Some sparkle, color and drama for the Holiday season!

I finished off my look with a centerpiece fitting for the season! I filled the bottom of a large glass vase with sugar and added some pine boughs. The smell was wonderful and it brought a little of the outdoors in. Then in true Christmas tree style I hung the mini Christmas balls from the pine boughs. A fun mix of red and silver.

GIVEAWAY!!! Would you like a $20.00 gift card to shop for some Dollar General Holiday décor? Become a fan of Dollar General on Facebook and leave a comment to this question - What Holiday Memories can Dollar General help you create this year? enter below! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Christmas crafting for kids - Kiwi Crate

If your kids, grandkids, cousins or kids you know like to craft and be creative then may I suggest Kiwi Crates. We have recently discovered these and we LOVE them! 

A Kiwi Crate is DIY projects designed for kids ages 3 - 7, nicely packaged and shipped right your door - no stress with all the materials needed included (and it comes addressed to your child too)!

We tried out the Crafty Christmas crate and it certainly gets 2 thumbs up from my kids! Even my older ones wanted to get involved. My favorite thing about Kiwi Crate is that my little 4 year old can DO IT! He had such a sense of accomplishment and "big kid" status being in control of his own project. 

He had freedom of expression and all the materials he needed to complete it but also to get creative with. The ribbons that were included for various embellishing purposes for the DIY projects he turned in "vines" that were attached to his Gingerbread house to "you can climb up to the house" he said. LOL. I loved it. He glued them himself with a perfectly sized glue bottle for his little hands and places ribbons, pom poms and felt pieces just where we wanted. 

Kiwi Crate has subscription plans so you can have them delivered monthly to your door addressed to your child! What a fabulous gift idea that keeps giving and arriving at their doorstep throughout the year. I also love that you can get started right away. With all the supplies needed right inside the box they don't have to wait or gather all the supplies. 

We love Kiwi Crate and would highly recommend them! They were even listed in Redbooks gift list recently too!

MustHaveStaches - giveaway!

It's no secret that I love photo props and especially a good ol' mustache! ha ha ha...

Check out these CUTE mustache gloves!! How fun to pop on a mustache for photos! I love them and my 12 year old daughter really LOVED them!! She's excited to wear them to school!

MustHaveStaches wants to give YOU a pair of gloves! 

I had a little fun with mine. Ok so many more than a little. Plus MustHaveStaches also sells some cute photo props and of course - other mustache products! 

Enter for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Get your 'stache one this season with MustHaveStaches! (too much fun right?)
My photo on instagram

What I wore - fashion giveaway - Mikarose

(giveaway below!)

Oh nelly! I'm getting fancy on you today! I often share my style tips when I share my "what to wear" posts. A lot of what's in my (tip #1) closet is some basics that are versatile and wearable wear round.

Yes I have bold pieces and patterned pieces and items that I switch out with the seasons but I love a wardrobe that's easy and affordable too. One that I can keep adding too (ha ha ha). 

And one of the basic pieces is the little black dress. We've heard it all our lives as women. And honestly I didn't ever really own one until a few years ago but I did have some great black skirts that fit well (tip #2 - a great option for the little black dress) and I could pair several tops with those skirts (again with the versatility).

This dress is new and it's from MikaRose. And guess what?! you get the chance to win a $50.00 gift card to their shop!(you'll find the giveaway at the bottom!)

I love the 3/4 sleeve and I love that it's long enough and not too short. It's got some great detailing like gathers and pleats without being too over done. 

I paired it with black heels and really wasn't sure what type of accessories but soon realized that (tip #3) black is perfect backdrop to really make my accessories POP! I went for glam pairing it with some shiny gold and pearl combination for a necklace and large crystal earrings. 

Then I changed it up layering on some silver, adding a leopard clutch and a feathered headband (tried something new). (tip #3 - think of all the color options for heels and accessories you can play with because the black is a blank canvas)

MikaRose is modesty reinvented. So many times I have to layer under what I wear so it's not sleeveless or cut to low. Plus I have a terrible time finding dresses and skirts that are long enough and not too short. MikaRose has "fixed" all those problems and offers many styles and items that I can wear without all the trouble. Can I get an Amen to that!? tee hee hee...

Enter below to do some shopping with MikaRose! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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linking up here:

The Pleated Poppy - what I wore

Transatlantic blonde - What I wore

Watch out for the Woestmans - What what I'm wearing 
Real Girl Glam - Real Girl Style

Velata giveaway - Fondue for you!

Oh my yumminess!!! you are in for a scrumptious giveaway today! 

 Velata would like to give 1 lucky reader a Velata warmer and 2 bags of Chocolate (enter below)! 

 What is Velata? It's a modern and EASY spin on fondue! It's genius! I've tasted it and used it first hand too! You can see my first experience with Velata here. 

Think of how amazing this would be during the Holidays when people stop by, for family gatherings, holiday parties and to give as a gift that keeps giving yummy chocolate the year through! Your girlfriends will LOVE you! 

As a family we always have a fondue meal for Christmas Eve or New Years Eve. My kids are super excited for it this year because this year - we have Velata! (I'm excited too!)

You can find a Velata consultant near you, browse all their warmer styles and chocolates and keep up with all their latest ideas too!

and here's the giveaway! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

and just in case you needed some more "eye candy" or another reason to LOVE Velata....tee hee hee

Blog linky party - Make it Monday #58

There are 2 sections to LINK UP in! please select the right one! 

WOW! Anyone else having a hard time getting out of "holiday mode"? Seem like there was 4 Saturdays in a row! :) For those of you who got creative it's time to link up - craft, cook, refashion and more! Show us what you got!

LINK UP! 

1. share a direct link to your tutorial
2. no shops or selling

3. include a MAKE it MONDAY logo button or link on your blog somewhere or post

<a href="http://www.brassyapple.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v714/mycreations/Blog/makeitmondaylogo.jpg" /><br /> </a>

Let's see it! I love to further promote some of the projects and share them on the Brassy Apple Facebook Page

DIY holiday gifts - black friday/cyber monday sale

A fun way to create a handmade holiday or whip up some unique gifts for friends and family! Pop over to the You Can Make This $5.00 SALE!!! It's going on right now through cyber monday!

You  can snag a bundle pack from Brassy Blossom (her two ebooks for crafty girls ages 6 - 12+) at a 2 for the price of 1! And you can snag my Hat Offs ePattern on sale too!

Download Sewing Patterns Today!

I hope everyone is enjoying this long Holiday weekend! I've got LOTS of great giveaways for you starting again next week!  See you then and see you tomorrow for Make it Monday!

Wrap gifts with jewelry - DIY

It's fun to add a little sparkle to the gifts we give. Whether it's Christmas time, birthdays, bridal showers, etc. I love it when the embellishments we add or receive on the gifts are actually useful too!

Adding a Styled by Tori pendant and/or necklace is a great way to do both! You get the sparkle and beauty plus the function! and what women wouldn't want to receive a new piece of jewelry too!

supplies:

gift bag

pendant and necklace toppers or chain

Tulle, ribbon, lace, etc to embellish the bag

I created 2 different versions with 2 different looks!

Look #1 - Just the pendant:

Step 1: Thread a strip of tulle or ribbon through the pendant and tie to the bag. Let the pendant hang down a bit.

Step 2: Add strips of lace, tulle, ribbon, create a bow and more! Trim the ends as necessary, insert your gift inside and you have a beautifully decorated bag that has a gift on the outside as well as the inside!

Look #2 - The entire necklace:

Step 1: Add the pendant to the chain and open the back clasp. Place the pendant in the center of the bag and decide how low you want it to hang.

Step 2: With some clear tape or washi patterned tape secure the ends of the necklace to the inside of the bag - folding the ends of the necklace up and over the top edge of the gift bag.

And you are done! 2 different looks 2 different ways! Dress your gifts and packages and accessorize your friends at the same time! 

(full disclosure here)

Holiday Travel Tips and Games!

 Tis the season for many things and one of those is traveling. Do you travel over the river and through the woods to Grandmas house? Wherever your travels take this Holiday Season I wanted to share some travel ideas with you and have YOU share yours too!

Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Kia Motors

1) SING: Call me old fashioned but one of my favorite ways to pass the time traveling with my kids is SINGING! Now, I can't carry the best tune but when you are singing at the top of your lungs and laughing and giggling with your kids it doesn't really matter does it? (wink, wink) Even if we are singing their same favorite Christmas songs over and over again. So stock up some favorite CD's and sing your heart out!

2) BREAK it UP: This is one of my kids favorite things for roadtrips - The Mary Poppins Bag. 

It's all about breaking the trip up into a visual timeline for the kids with a surprise from the Mary Poppins bag when we reach those milestones. Check out the link for all the details and ideas.We also love to print off a map and laminate it so the kids can track our progress and follow the roads from starting point to our final destination place. 

3) CREATE! As a kid we didn't have DVD players in the car so I remember counting train cars, checking out the farms and pastures and playing road sign games as we went along. I love to continue that tradition with my kids too (as long as they will hold out - LOL)

Free Road trip Bingo Game Printable from Homemaking expert

Road Trip Binder - full of games from Gluesticks

Cloud picture game - from ME

DIY chalkboard/magnetic games - from ME

4) TECHNOLOGY - oh for the love of technology. Sometimes we just need a little quiet. That's when I break out the movie. I like to snag a redbox (something they haven't seen) or if we are traveling to a special event and I can make it work, I like to have the movie have something to do with where we are going or what we are doing or the season (ex. Polar Express if we are headed for a train ride).

Now it's your turn! Do you have a favorite way to pass the time when traveling? (kids or not - share your ideas!) What about road trip snacks? Do you have favorites or ideas of how you pack/organize them? Share in the comments! I'll share my favorite road trip snacks in the comments section as well! 

Happy Traveling!

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This post was sponsored by the Kia Influencer Network

25 Christmas ideas - magic and traditions

The Christmas season is so full of magic don't you think??

Some of my blogging friends shared some of their Christmas traditions that brings a little magic into their season and their families! Maybe you'll find one that you will want to start in your family too! 

Cook it -
Mom it Forward - Reindeer Cookies
The R House - Gingerbread Houses 
Moore Sprouts - Peppermint Marshmellows
Moms who think - Monkey Bread

All together -
Bridgey Widgey - Letters to Santa Party
The Crafty Blog Stalker - Ornament Exchange Party 
Loralee Lewis - Reindeer Games 
Little Pumpkin Grace - North Pole Breakfast
The Mason family - Christmas party games

Childhood memories - 
Not Just a Housewife - Small Fireplace
Housewife Eclectic - Christmas storybook
Brassy Apple - Countdown w/ stories 
Simple as That - Holiday photo traditions checklist

Enhance the magic -
The R House - The North pole express
Artsy Fartsy Mama - Santa Key w/ printable
The R House - Visiting Reindeer
 Brassy Apple - Mr. Peeps
Melissa Goodsell - Reindeer Food
Passionate Homemaking - 12 days of Christmas for your husband

Reason for the season -
Brassy Apple - Christmas Jar
The things I love - 25 days of Scriptures chain
Toddler Approved - Nativity Tradition
The Mother Huddle - Christ centered Christmas
The Paquettes - Shepherds pouches
I am Momma hear me roar - First gift of Christmas

Make magic do good - kids book giveaway!

You know I love kids books and creating activities from them too! 

Think of all the fun possibilities the Make Magic. Do Good. kids book from Dallas Clayton could hold! 

And you have the chance to win a FREE copy of this new book! 

If you haven't ever read any of Dallas Clayton's books you are in for a treat! His THANK YOU book is one of my kids favorites! So they were super excited to see this book arrive in the mail and recognized it as being one of his books (that's a compliment to the author for sure)!

Make Magic. Do good. is a book of poems by him. They are funny and meaningful. They encourage kids to do just as the title says - Make magic, use your imagination, dream, explore and do good. Be the good in the world and have fun doing it! Be awesome, be yourself and dream BIG! I loved it and so did my kids. Win, win my mind! 

GIVEAWAY!

Give your kids some "magic" that lasts longer than the Holiday season! Enter below! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck! Thank you Dallas for offering the giveaway!
(just had to share this pic of my little guy! hilarious!!)

Blog linky party - Make it Monday #57

There are 2 sections to LINK UP in! please select the right one! 

It may be a Manic monday but it's always better when you can start it off with some inspiration to craft, cook, refashion and more! Show us what you got!

LINK UP! 

1. share a direct link to your tutorial
2. no shops or selling

3. include a MAKE it MONDAY logo button or link on your blog somewhere or post

<a href="http://www.brassyapple.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v714/mycreations/Blog/makeitmondaylogo.jpg" /><br /> </a>

Let's see it! I love to further promote some of the projects and share them on the Brassy Apple Facebook Page

 

Here's the top three most clicked on links from the two categories from last weeks Make it Monday link up party! 

Refashion/Sewing category: 

1. Cute Wallet - Christy's Cuties

2. Anthro bracelet knockoff - Flamingo Toes

3. Pattern drafting: A line skirt - Once upon a sewing machine

DIY/Creativity category: 

1. Snowball and lantern - Alderberry Hill

2. Mason Jar Luminaries - Ginger Snap Crafts

3. Mason Jar Pumpkins - I gotta create

See you tomorrow for a giveaway for your kids!