Stay on Budget for your Next Party

How to: Stay on Budget for your Next Party

-From Longaberger.com

     So you’re in the midst of party preparations – the invitations are sent, the theme is set – but you’re perilously over your budget. Panicking does no good and notably cuts the fun of throwing a  party in the first place. Instead, sit down and re-examine your priorities.

Substitute

Don’t sacrifice style to save money. Instead, re-work your creative ideas to make them suit your budget. Trade out a shrimp cocktail appetizer for a Caesar salad garnished with shrimp.

Let friends be friends

If they volunteer to bring dessert or a veggie tray, let them! That’s what friends are for!

Be your own florist

Floral arrangements can make a significant dent in your overall party budget, so do it yourself! Arrange your favorite grocery store flowers, or mingle daisies with greens from your own yard. Not only will you save money, but you will also create a one-of-a kind arrangement.

Borrow what you don’t have

Plan your menu early on to give yourself plenty of time to round up baskets, platters, tablecloths, extra silverware, chairs, and whatever else your party requires.

Buy in bulk

Whether you’re planning a large-scale shindig or a casual get-together, it’s worth your while to purchase items such as paper products, ice, beverages, and other food items at discount warehouse stores. The cost per unit is often much lower; just make sure to only buy items you’ll be able to use without waste.

There’s no party like a Longaberger Party!

Happy Columbus Day!

Columbus Day Traditions

In many parts of the United States, Columbus Day has evolved into a celebration of Italian-American heritage. Local groups host parades and street fairs featuring colorful costumes, music and Italian food. In cities and towns that use the day to honor indigenous peoples, activities include pow-wows, traditional dance and lessons about Native American culture. 

 

Make it your own day and celebrate!  I for one will be enjoying my fill of Italian food!  Ciao!



Happy Labor Day!

 

 

Happy Labor Day!

Happy Easter 2012

Have a very Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!!!!

April 1

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day!

Wednesday Online special!

Need holiday gifts? You can't go wrong when you select on of these great Longaberger holiday specials featured online Wednesday 12/1. If you ordered one of each you would have 6 gifts for under $100 - that's $16 each!

Go to www.longaberger.com/jeanninezito to order or contact me if you would like me to order for you.

Black Friday and Small Business Saturday!

I WILL NOT fall for the Black Friday craziness.

Instead I will sit at my computer in the comfort of my own home and leisurely start my Holiday shopping with a nice cup of tea. :)

My first stop in cyber land so far, was JC Penny.com.  They had some great specials starting last night on some must have pieces of clothing that my kids desperately needed and Free shipping!

After that I browsed LLBean.com for the free shipping and extra 15% off of the Black Friday Specials.  A couple of gifts were picked up for my hubbie and my boys.

My last stop and most productive shopping trip was to Longaberger.com.  I managed to pick up some wonderful Black Friday specials like these beautiful Holiday Longaberger Dishes.  they were 65% OFF!

I also picked up this really cute Santa's Belly Basket Set at the Longaberger.com site on sale! 

I am enjoying this Holiday Shopping season without all the running around and fighting with others over a silly trinket.  The spirit is in me, and I aim not to lose it by getting in a traffic jam and then NOT coming home with the thing which I ventured out for. 

Happy shopping!  What was your best purchase this weekend?

Santa's Belly Basket

It’s the Santa’s Belly Market Basket and Insulated Cooler! 

How many times have you carried your Medium Market and needed more than ICE to keep your food and beverages COLD while toting?  Well, once again, The Longaberger Company has come to the rescue for your travel needs…

it’s the NEW INSULATED COOLER that fits into your Market Basket

*(WHAT?  You don’t own a Market?  It’s our signature basket, and if you recall, our Corporate Headquarters is shaped like our FAMOUS MEDIUM MARKET BASKET)* 

Purchase this unusual Santa’s Belly Basket for this Christmas Season and bring a smile to everyone’s face when you walk through the door and say….HO HO HO! 

 *(Wouldn’t this make a fabulous gift for that person on your list that is difficult to buy for?) 

 It’s unusual, it’s hand made in the USA, and it’s….LONGABERGER! 

...and it's available here!  Weds November 17th ONLY



Beautifully Simple

As life gets complicated and rushed, I strive to keep things as simple as I can around me.  Don't you just love brown paper wrapped gifts tied up with string?  You just know something special is inside.  Probably something made just for you by someone you love.  This beautifully simple cotton pine cone wrapping has me excited just to look at the package. The creative genius at Craftberry bush has outdone herself!  I can imagine several of these under my tree this holiday season.  I am on the lookout for more beautifully simple wrapping ideas to get me excited for the upcoming holidays.  Let me know if you see an unusual package idea!   I will feature it on my blog!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

It is All Hallows Eve and I am celebrating with all the children in the neighborhood.  Pounds of candy have been bought and I await the little goblins and ghouls tapping at my door. 

Happy Halloween to all....and to all a scary night!

Bwwaaaahhhaaaahhhhaaaaa!

April Fools!

Photo from Martha Stewart Living

April Fools Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Quick and Easy Valentine's Treats

I am getting in the mood for Valentines Day!

I found this really cute and tasty Valentine idea at Pleasant Home.

It uses left-over small candy canes and white chocolate...and a stick! I think I could even do that! Give it a try.

Just Gotta Do it

I am almost done with my shopping this year. I do have a couple of last minute items to pick up. I have tried very hard to avoid the malls this year and to this point, I have not set foot in one. However...today, for one item, I have no choice.

With my spend less- enjoy more attitude this past year, it literally has been about 12 months since I have been in a mall. I don't even know what stores are still in business in the mall. There was a time when the kids were small and still in a stroller that we would venture to the mall for an ice cream cone in the winter to pass the day. But as the kids have gotten older and busier...we have not had much need to waste precious time and money there.

With a reluctant heart, I must venture into the enemy territory. I will go with my blinders on. I will go for what I need and nothing more. To this point I am coming in below my holiday budget. I am so proud of myself and I do not want to blow it on this one step into the mall. I am planning my entrance and my exit strategy so as to alleviate any temptation to spend unnecessarily.

I will let you know how I do. Wish me luck.

Focus!

Trying hard to focus on the things I really need to do today.

Our family is hosting my husband's side of the family tomorrow for an early Christmas. Besides my boys swim meet today, I need to prep for the dinner and set up our dining room table in our livingroom. With a small home, the few rooms we have serve many purposes at the holidays.

What to do...what to do...? Focus!

Sugar Scrub

Homemade Sugar Scrub!
Why spend alot of money on sugar scrub when you can make your own? It is very simple and only takes a few minutes. Keep it for yourself or give it as a gift.

White Cane Glimmer Sugar Scrub

1 C. Granulated Sugar
1 C. vegetable oil
Oil from 1 vitamin E capsule
1 or 2 drops of lavender or orange essential oil
1 16 oz. glass container with lid
Ribbon, optional

Combine all of the ingredients in a med. Bowl until well blended. Using a spatula, transfer mix into the container and secure lid. Tie a pretty holiday ribbon around the neck of the jar.

* Contents will settle: mix well before using. Scoop a teaspoon or two of the scrub on your hands and gently massage in circular motions onto your skin. Leave on for 3 to 4 minutes, the scrub will tighten your skin. Thoroughly rinse off the sugar scrub. Scrub can be stored at room temperature covered tightly.

Festive Drink

Peppermint Drop
(makes 1 drink)

Peppermint Schnapps
Crushed peppermint candies
¼ C. half and half
3 T. chocolate flavored liqueur
2 T. crème de cacao
1 ½ t. peppermint schnapps

1. Pour a small amount of peppermint schnapps in a saucer. Place crushed candy in another saucer. Dip rim of glass into schnapps and then into candy, coating edges. Let stand to dry.

2. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. Add half and half, chocolate flavored liqueur, crème de cacao, and 1 ½ t. peppermint schnapps. Shake mixture vigorously for 5 to 10 seconds. Strain mix into prepared martini glass.

Cheap and Easy Holiday Decorating Ideas for Your Home

It's the holiday, and we all want our homes to be decked out with holiday spirit. However, we want to save our bank accounts as well.

Here are some great ideas that anyone can use to decorate your home for the holiday season and still be able to buy gifts for under the tree.

Create a Theme. Have a theme for your holiday decorating. This keeps you from blowing your budget on impulse purchases. It will also keep your decor tied together for a more elegant, and streamlined look. The theme can be anything from a color to a decorating ideas as a woodland theme.

Use what you Have. The holidays are about making memories. Use mementos from past memorable holidays as anchors for your newer decorations. Our family nestles the first doll each member of the family received as a baby in our Christmas tree. You could also hang Grandma's cookie cutters on the tree or even baby booties. Whatever brings back memories as you decorate with your family./

Focus Your Decor. Since most of us do not have enough decorations to decorate every corner of our homes, so concentrate your holiday decor on the focal areas of the room. Focal areas can bee the fireplace, entryway, or the tops of cabinetry. Keeping the decor in one area of the room will also save you the trouble of un-decorating the whole house after the holidays.

Light up the Night. Adding lights to your holiday decorating will add warmth and fantasy. Use inexpensive light strands to dress up windows and doorways, as well as the tree. Use candles to add sparkle to the room.

Dress the Tree. Instead of investing in expensive designer ornaments, create your own elegant look this year. Fold decorative paper into fans, and tie them on the tree with ribbons. We did this when we were first married because we did not have many ornaments. The tree was beautiful.

Wall Art, Holiday Style. If you are throwing a party and don't have much in the way of Holiday decor, wrap pictures on your walls with wrapping paper like a present and add a large bow...re-hang the "present". This is a great way to add instant holiday impact!

Quick Tips:

* Use wire edged ribbon to add bows all around the house. Choose gold or silver and you can reuse the ribbon through the New Year.

* Add Epsom Salt to glass containers to resemble snow. Tuck in pillar candles for a winter wonderland effect.

* Make inexpensive holiday wreaths by cutting a base from cardboard, and use a glue gun to completely cover the base with wrapped candies.

* Create holiday glassware by using glass paint from the craft store on clear glass. Stamp or stencil on your favorite holiday motif.

* Make paper trees our of a square of pretty paper, preferably use a paper that is a little stiff. Roll the paper into a cone, and glue the edge with a hot glue gun. Add some gold glitter or swirls of paint to dress them up. They will be beautiful on your mantle or as a centerpiece with greens.

No matter what your holiday budget this year, you can make your home a warm, welcoming place for your family and friends. So, pour the hot cocoa, stoke up the fire and start dreaming of sugar plums!