Fiesta Time

It's quite fitting that Cinco de Mayo falls on a Saturday this year. More fiesta time with less hesitation to imbibe one more margarita-- knowing that the office bell doesn't ring in the morning (just Church or something like that). But, anyways, it's party time. If you're having a few friends over with no extraordinary plans in mind, no need to hustle and bustle over the setup, just pull out the salted rims, gauc and chips and maybe a sweet treat like these adorable cacti cookies.

If you're feeling extra festive, then maybe a few of my decor ideas will lend a hand. I pulled together some of the cactus plants I had laying around the house to spruce up my table along with a colorful woven tablecloth from my latest travels to Mexico. A clever use of some extra terra-cotta pot saucers made for the perfect app size plates. A fun centerpiece idea, a piñata! If you don't have the time to make my DIY version, I'm sure the party store has a few Cinco de Mayo worthy paper pieces in stock. The mini margarita glasses were a Homegoods, as were the tassel trimmed napkins. Find more alike pieces linked below. Enjoy!

Creep It Real Bar Cart

I love Halloween. I love candy, dressing up in ridiculous and creative costumes, seeing kids dress up as their icons, decorating with monsters and blood and all that scary stuff. No parties happening over here at the Nord house, but I absolutely decked out our bar cart for my own interest. I went with an underworld theme, using a RIP garland from Target, faux bones from the party store, along with my DIY bloody pumpkins, and more. I couldn't pass up a spider web either! Happy Halloween! xo RCN

A Thank You...In A Jar

Recently, my parents sent me 30 gifts for turning 30. All were wrapped separately and in different ways. A few numbered, a few in pursy lip print cloth napkins, some surrounded by confetti and pom poms, covered in ribbon, metallic and silk, and then a couple in colored jamming jars. My Mom tends to give me a lot of inspiration and creative ideas. My 30 gifts for 30 was just another one of those times. Who doesn't love reusable gift wrap!? The jars, colorful, and stuffed with paper confetti had me thinking...what an utterly adorable thank you gift. Maybe not even thank you, but a small congratulations gift. Hell, stuff some cash in the jar for the happy newly married couple and make it a big whopping win. A.C. Moore, Michael's, Jo Ann Fabrics, and really, any local craft store carries multiple options of jars and stuffing. Stuff with your gift of choice and clasp closed for the one/s you love! xo RCN

Pretty Paper Soaps

I always appreciate a beautiful bar of soap, especially one that smells nice. Recently, I have been obsessing over bars of soap. So weird, but not really, right? A friend came over my house for drinks a couple weeks ago and brought me an aloe scented soap. I would not have expected a thing for just coming over for drinks, but what a thoughtful and posh gesture? I loved it! 

For Valentine's Day I decided I wanted to wrap up soaps myself, as a Valentine's gift for our Moms, Mom Mom, and sisters (Sorry Shaina and Courtney - we didn't mail them to you at school, but I'll make you something cute next time I see you!).

Whole Foods Market has a nice selection of organic Good soaps, all unwrapped and ready for a personal touch. The assortment includes scents from Wild Strawberry to Peppermint and Praire Rose. I shopped at both A.C.Moore and Jo Ann in search of pretty pink and purple paper to wrap the soaps. Shopping for patterned paper and ribbon to complete the wrapping was thoroughly enjoyable. I am a paper goods junkie! Scrap booking paper is usually reversible with different patterns on either side, perfect for mix and matching the wrap and name tags. I also suggest vellum or sheer paper for a more refined elegant approach. The final touch of adding a bow, sticker initials, and faux floral trim goes a long way in making the gift look sweet and charming. Have a lovely Valentine's Day. Kiss, kiss, smooch, smooch!! xo RCN

Minnie Cakes

I am a huge Disney fan. I have many wonderful memories from childhood, visiting Disney World. My parents have taken my sisters and I a few times as kids and teens. The High School I went to had a senior class trip to Disney that I will never forget, as well. I have dreams about the Jasmine pajamas I wore as a little girl, and when I see Sunflowers, I often think of Pocahontas. That is how much I love Disney, or maybe just how much I wish I was a princess of some sort.

Lucky for me, my girlfriend Kelcey and her Mother Dianne, generously invited me along on a girl's trip to the parks this weekend. So, it's a girl's weekend in Orlando and that means a few things in addition to princess time...Harry Potter, boozing around the world, a lot of talking, walking, The Hulk and Minnie Mouse. 

Since I am a guest on the trip, I felt it was best to bring some goodies in tow. Prosecco in one bag and Minnie cupcakes in the other. I spent a little extra time on the decorating, and not so much on the baking of the cupcakes. This batch, is purely boxed and Betty. I am not ashamed! The decorations were fun in the making, and Betty Crocker taste quite great. Take a peek at the pics below to see the tricks to creating the bow. Everything else is as easy as shopping for "minnie" Oreos, mixing food dye, and piping the icing onto the cupcakes with a Wilton icing bag and 4B tip. If I stumble upon Minnie in Magic Kingdom, I will be sure to post! xo RCN

Slice red Fruit Roll-Ups or Fruit by the Foot into 1" x 1/2" rectangles.

Then fold each rectangle in half onto itself and pinch the ends together, creating a little dimple, like picture below.

Take two folded pieces of the Fruit Roll-Ups and overlap the dimpled edges of each onto one another, and squeeze together. Continue to manipulate until it bulges at the middle and creates a clear shape of a bow with center knot.