I can't believe we're already at the end of this marvelous blog party! We've had so many inspiring projects linked up...thank you! And our guest bloggers have done a knock-out job with the projects they've contributed.

Thank you so so much to all of you who have participated!

If you've missed the first four days, you can find them (plus the linky parties) here:


FOOD & DRINKS
CRAFTS & PRINTABLES
KIDS ACTIVITIES
HOME DECOR

Today's theme is SUMMER ENTERTAINING! Woo hoo! I love all of the ideas available for entertaining in the warmer months...the colors, the food, the activities...all of it.

So today I wanted to share some of my favorite entertaining ideas with you. I found all of these party ideas on Pinterest (are you surprised?).


This Lemonade Party by Lisa Storms for Fiskars is absolutely darling...I'm amazed by all of the ways she was able to incorporate her theme into her decorating...so cool...


That darling little banner just screams summer...and ummm...lemon cupcakes? Oh yeah.

I have always thought that holding a party among the trees, or in a forest clearing would be so cool. Wouldn't it just be amazing to lead your guests out to a beautifully decorated table in the middle of nowhere with chandeliers and decorations hanging from the trees? Oh my gosh, even just thinking about it gets me a little giddy...


This beautiful party from Postcards & Pretties is a wedding party, but it would be just as fantastic for a lunch or brunch. Oh man, I just may have to do something like this...the wheels are a turnin' my friends...


Next up is this BBQ Hot Dog bar from Jenn Sbranti at Hostess with the Mostess. Oh heck...so cool.




I love the " - bar" idea...sundae bar, dessert bar, hamburger bar, whatever...such a fantastic idea. What I really love about this hot dog bar is that there are little recipes for famous hotdogs available on the table...so guests can make the perfect hot dog with out guessing. You really must check out all of the photos from this terrific party...

Now it wouldn't be summer without pool parties, right?


This darling little pool-side party from Party On Designs (I found it at Kara's Party Ideas)...could easily be adapted for older kids, or even adults. I love the water bottles, the way they wrapped the silverware, and little containers with the brightly-colored candies...oh my gosh, everything is just so pretty!

And finally, this Community Potluck party from Martha Stewart would be so much fun!


How great would it be to just gather a few neighbors and have an outdoor potluck...oh my gosh, my "to-do" party list just keeps growing & growing.

For more summertime entertaining ideas, make sure to visit these amazing blogs today!




How about you? Do you have any amazing summer entertaining ideas you like to share? Cuz we wanna see 'em!

Link up your SUMMER ENTERTAINING ideas below...




Thanks so so much for partying with us!



We hope you've loved this party as much as we have! Thank you so much to all of you who have contributed to it's success!

Today is DAY 4 of our awesome summer blog party! Thank you so so much to everyone who has linked up! I have found so many awesome ideas in the linkys...and next week I'll be sharing some of my favorites with you! 


Do you have a project you want to share? The themes for the different linkys and blog posts are below... add your project and check out all of the rest of the amazing inspiration!

SUMMERTIME FOOD & DRINKS
SUMMERTIME CRAFTS & PRINTABLES
SUMMERTIME KIDS' ACTIVITIES

Today's theme is HOME DECOR!

I'm so excited to show you my project today...I actually started working on this back in February, but because of, well...life...I'm still not quite done. So today I will give you a quick little glimpse. I'll go into more detail a little later...

So here's what I started with...this was our front hallway...

As you can glean from the photos, this is a pretty small area. And it was soooo dark. My husband replaced the old tile floor with gorgeous slate a few years ago (I LOVE the slate...but it didn't help lighten the area up much). The only light in the area comes from the front door...

The brown door on the left up there (1970s builder's grade...lovely) leads to the garage...

OH...and here's a small glimpse of what you see when you walk in the front door (I could not find the right camera lens for this photo, so you'll have to use your imagination)...


The faux wood-grain on the doors is really classy, don't you think?


There's the wall and the garage door again...

I replaced the builder's grade doors with new white 6-panel closet doors...and I painted the pantry door (I LOVE this door now...MUCH more on that next week).


And remember that plain old wall that you saw as soon as you walked in the house? Well, it's not plain anymore...I used the Tobacco Leaf & White and painted this stencil on...I ADORE this wall. And the coolest thing? The stencil is almost the exact shape as the mirror (from Home Goods)...isn't that cool? I bought them at two different times...never intending to use the stencil on this wall (it's the one I used for my little computer table), but I love it here.

Now I love love love the contrast of the dark slate against the bright hallway. When I walk into my house I'm so happy...I just love what I see.

I'm so looking forward to sharing some of the details with you!!! I hope you'll love them as much as I do...

For more ideas for SUMMER DECOR, make sure to visit these amazing blogs today!

So here we are on day 3 of our awesome Summer Blog Party!

Here are the links for the first 2 days in case you missed them...and don't forget to link up your projects, too!

SUMMERTIME FOOD & DRINKS
SUMMERTIME CRAFTS & PRINTABLES


Today is all about activities for the kids!

Now summers, although fun, exciting, relaxing, etc. can also be really frustrating...(am I telling you anything you didn't already know?)...especially if you're home all day with your kids.

Sometimes it's hard to keep them entertained...to keep them from fighting with each other (or you)...or to keep them engaged in something other than watching TV. So, hopefully, today we can help...

Next time your kids are getting crazy, have them grab a couple of neighborhood friends and go on a scavenger hunt!

I designed this little printable to fit 4 on a sheet...and I've included a list of items that can probably be found in most neighborhoods. I've also left a few lines blank for you to fill in any other items you may like your kids to find (like maybe, 3 or 4 weeds from your garden?).

Just download 'em, print 'em out and your kids will be set for at least half and hour...that'll leave only 23 1/2 more for you to fill...(smile).



Just click on the image and you will be taken to Scribd...you can download the printable from there.

For more ideas for KIDS ACTIVITES, make sure to visit these amazing blogs today!

So, how did you like all of the amazing recipes our fantastic guest-bloggers brought you yesterday?

Have you linked up your own summer food & drink recipes yet? The link parties will be going on all week, so make sure you do! We can't wait to see even more amazing inspiration!

Today's theme is Crafts & Printables...so I decided to make some fun Independence Day printables...yay!


I've created everything you'll need for your 4th of July party...invitations, mini flags, cupcake toppers & tags...


Just add the food & fun and you're all set!


Wouldn't these cupcake toppers look great attached to a handful of sparklers for your guests?

You are limited only by your imagination...



Just click on the printable image (below) you would like to download...



...and ENJOY!

I would LOVE to see how you use your printables! Share your photos in my new flickr group!

For more summertime crafts & printables, make sure to visit these amazing blogs today!

Woo hoo! I'm so excited that the Ready 4 Summer Blog party is finally here!



To download this recipe, simply click "download"...


Here are a couple tips I have learned from making this a number times...

*Make sure your cream cheese is really really really soft...like, really soft. If it's not completely softened there will be clumps of cream cheese in your dessert...
*Also be sure to completely freeze your dessert...it's much better that way.
*The finer you can chop your mint, the better...it will give you a much more even flavor.
*And...(here is where I've adapted the recipe)...I like A LOT more pretzals & lime in my dessert...so I've doubled these amounts. Again, the recipe is fantastic without doing this, but I like it just a little tangier and saltier...yum.


I hope you enjoy this yummy treat as much as we do!


For more summertime food & drinks, make sure to visit these amazing blogs today!