We have two White Four Poster Beds in our store right now! You too can get this look!
Our beds are both Queen Size!

Need a sweet idea for Valentine's Day cards for the kids classmates? I don't know about you, but I'm tired of the pre-made Spongebob and Barbie cards (which seem to be too babyish for my 9 year old). This year we wanted to do something different, big and fun. I found this idea in Family Fun magazine. It's called "Rock Candy". iPods for everyone! And you can customize the playlist. How cute? and best of all they are soooo easy to make.

Here is a list of what you will need:



Tape
2 (14 inch) pieces of string
2 Hershey kisses or mini peanut butter cups
1 box of conversation hearts (and we need 25 for our class!)
Aluminum foil
4x7 inch strip of pink paper (or color of your choice)
Glue stick
Go to the following link for the wheel and playlist printable!
http://a.familyfun.go.com/Resources/global/printables/templates/RockCandy_3.pdf

Directions:

Tape each end of a piece of string to a kiss or peanut butter cup. Tie on the other piece of string, then tape the loose end to the candy box.
Wrap each candy in a small circle of aluminum foil (to make the earphones)
Wrap the pink paper strip around the candy box and secure it with a glue stick (or tape)
Print and Cut out the scroll wheel and playlist and use a glue stick to attach them to the box.
Finish it off by having your little one write a valentine message on the back of the iPod. Enjoy the "music" ! ~ xo Nancy

Great Valentine's Day Chocolate Treat Idea!

3 cups cold milk
2 pkg. (4-serving size each) JELL-O Chocolate Instant Pudding
1 tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP French Vanilla Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
1 baked 9-inch square brownie layer, cooled, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 5-1/2 cups) If you don't have time to bake the brownies, the bite size ones at Costco work great!
1 pt. (2 cups) raspberries or Strawberries

BEAT milk and dry pudding mixes in large bowl with wire whisk 2 min. or until blended. Gently stir in 1 cup of the whipped topping.
PLACE half of the brownies in 2-qt. serving bowl; top with layers of half each of the pudding mixture, remaining whipped topping and raspberries. Repeat all layers.
REFRIGERATE at least 1 hour.

Store leftovers in refrigerator ( Ha Ha!).

Nancy

Valentines Day is coming near! Where is the best place to purchase roses? Costco! Did you know that you can buy two dozen roses for $15.99 at their store and they last, and are gorgeous! Place them in a vintage pitcher or teapot and create a wonderful centerpiece! Tie a ribbon around the bottom of the bunch and tada! The person receiving them will look like a beauty queen! Need to send roses? Checkout Costco's website!

Nancy

Creating a Gracious Dining Room

Does your dining room lack pizzaz? Is it basically the place that collects the mail? Do you never use it? Well.....start using it! Even on a small budget you can use some of the ideas in this picture to create a place that you will want to use all the time. More and more people are "staying in" trying to conserve those precious dollars. Create cozy, elegant settings for you and your family to come home to!

Do you have a table that's top isn't the best? Use a wonderful tablecloth! Don't have a wonderful table cloth? Ask a relative if they have any tablecloths that they don't use....ask your grandmother and invite her and a couple of friends over for tea in your new room!

Paint the walls a warm neutral color. Painting is one of the easiest things to do! Just try it! Invite some friends over for a painting party! You can even pickup some wonderful "mistake" colors at the paint store or home depot....some for as little as a dollar a gallon! I had a friend mix three gallons of neutral mistake gallons together so that she would have enough to do her large room. It is gorgeous and only cost her $15! She borrowed drop cloths and other materials from friends.

Repurpose furniture! Use wing back chairs at the head of the table.

Have an ugly brass chandelier? Spray it black or white and add some inexpensive shades.

Don't be afraid.....just start!

Nancy