Oops... Failed The Challenge

 If you've been following my most recent posts, you know I was attempting to do some 30 day photo challenge that I found online. I actually picked up a client recently and had online applications/interviews with a potential work from home opportunity that side-tracked me. I totally flubbed the photo challenge and got a few days behind. 

  Yeah... that's right, I fell off the challenge wagon.

It was a total fail... but Oh, Whale.

Oh Whale Coffee Mug by PunHouse

  There are a ton of things I am grateful for and to be honest, I kind of felt like the challenge I initially picked (after taking a few glances over it) was really not broad spectrum enough and was actually a bit repetitive in potential subject matter. So needless to say, I won't be picking the challenge back up where I left off. It just wasn't inspiring me enough to keep going with it, and at the end of the day, I think that's supposed to be the point.

  So, I do apologize if you all were enjoying my photos during the challenge. I want to let you know that I intend on continuing to post snapshots here on my blog as well as on my Facebook page from time to time. I hope you'll continue to follow me and that this wasn't a super let down for you.

  One of the things that have kept me busy is working on holiday designs for my Zazzle store. I know we still have Thanksgiving to go through, but Christmas is just around the corner and in retail, you have to prep early.

Thanksgiving Turkey Funny Disguise for Christmas Postcard by egogenius

 Here is a sneak peak at a few of my newest designs. 

You can check out more here. 

Check out my Christmas selection this holiday season

Don't forget you can get Up to 50% Off Business Cards, Ornaments, Pillows & More
 by using coupon code: ZVETERANSDAY at checkout 
now through the 14th of November.

Excited for Autumn

   I don't know about you, but Fall is my favorite season hands down. I love everything about it. Well, except for pumpkin flavored everything. I know... I know... I'm insane. Pumpkin just doesn't do it for me though. 

I Hate Pumpkin Spice! Funny Fall Halloween Cooking Adult Apron

by ProseAndPix

My favorite thing about Fall/Autumn is the dramatic change in scenery. It is symbolic of how even in death, there is beauty. The leaves fall from the trees but they fall so elegantly and in their own time. Leaves of every color and shade fall to the ground and cover it like a blanket. It is nature's artwork.

Speaking of artwork, check out this cool autumn themed postcard featuring a cute little alien raking leaves under the sidewalk!

the lazy leaf-raker postcard

by David_Zinn

Autumn is a beautiful time of year, despite that it is an indicator of an impending end to the year itself. Although it is a visual reminder that all things come to an end, many of us find it to be a perfect time for new beginnings. Statistically, the most popular seasons for weddings are in the summer and autumn months. 

Rustic Autumn Leaves String Lights Save the Date Postcard

by CardHunter

What's your favorite season? Share in the comments. 

Thanks for reading! Have a blessed day.

**Don't forget, if you shop at Zazzle.com for any custom gifts you can save up to 50% off of various merchandise with coupon code: ZAZPARTYSALE today only.**

10 Elegant Thanksgiving Dinner Party Invitations

It's nearing Thanksgiving. A time for giving thanks, vibrant colors, tasty food, and spending time with the ones who mean most to you. 

One thing I've never really had the chance to do that I'd love to do one day is throw a more formal and elegant style Thanksgiving dinner party. I went through and found 10 of my favorite elegant, classy, and most traditional looking Thanksgiving dinner party invites that I'd use if I could throw a dinner party of my own... *sigh*... maybe someday when I have a big enough place. 

Anyways, check them out. 

 

This simple invitation designed by FidesDesign features colorful and vibrant falling autumn leaves. I really like this festive invitation because although it is simple, it is very elegant and colorful. 

   

This invitation designed by SquirrelHugger really grabbed my attention because of the vibrancy of the colors. My favorite thing about this time of year is the color of the leaves... the reds, yellows, and golds. This festive invite features those beautiful colors and a touch of elegance too.

 

This invitation designed by Samack is more traditional and classy. I love the very elegant look and the family tree as the main decorative piece for the design really draws my attention.

 

This invitation by BerryBerrySweet is another one that is more of a simplistic design. The elegant border on the dark brown background with three autumn leaves makes this a very elegant invite that isn't overdone.

This text design invitation by FineandDandy has a touch of modern with the ever popular 'Eat Drink and be Thankful' saying. I love the fonts and pure simple elegance of this invitation.

This invitation designed by Reflections06 captivated me because of it's elegant formal style lettering and floral embellishments.

This Fall season inspired invitation designed by Pics4Merch is simply beautiful with the fantastic colors and autumn leaves falling over glistening water. The design detail is amazing. 

This invitation designed by RileyandZoe draws me in by the vintage design elements and damask pattern border. The rustic autumn colors blend well together giving the whole invitation a very elegant look.

This invitation designed by BluePlanet gives a touch of realism with a photograph of a wooded path with falling autumn leaves. 

This invite designed by TheHolidayEdge is bold elegant and classy with red autumn leaves, golden bokeh, and borders. 

__________________________________________________

Don't like my selections but need some invitations for your dinner party? 

Check out the full selection here

Don't forget to check for coupons to save on your order!

Holiday Fun in the Kitchen

More and more I am finding that I have a growing passion for cooking, baking and just generally creating edible art in the kitchen. Today, I decided that I wanted to do something simple, easy and Christmas-y because I love the holidays. In most families, there are traditions for these times of the year but in my family, we didn't have those types of traditions. My endeavor is to compile some fun festive things to do each holiday, so that when my husband and I are blessed with little ones we may start some traditions of our own. 

For Thanksgiving, to take to my families house along with Green Bean Casserole and Cherry Pie, I made Chocolate Acorns! They were so easy to make and everyone loved them, especially my niece. So for Christmas, I thought I would make something just as pleasing to the eye and fun to eat. I call them "Holiday Lite Brites" pretty much for lack of a better name. Got a better one? Leave it in the comments for me please, I would be delighted to have something better. I decided to make them using the candy cane Hershey kisses and green M&M's for the Christmas effect. I plan to make more of a variety a day or so before Christmas. 

Here is how my Holiday Lite Brites turned out: 

Holiday Lite Brites

Ingredients

1 bag of waffle pretzels

1 or 2 bags of Hershey Kisses (regular, caramel, or festive candy cane)

  or you can use Rolos chocolate and caramel candies

1 or 2 bags M & M's (regular, or festive red & green only) 

it is better to only use the milk chocolate for this snack

1 roll of parchment paper (optional)

Directions

Heat oven to 170 degrees.

Place parchment paper on baking pan. 

Place the desired amount of waffle pretzels on the baking pan.

Unwrap Hershey Kisses and place one atop of each waffle pretzel on the pan, 

then place the pan in the oven for 3 minutes (SET YOUR TIMER!!)

Remove the pan from the oven and quickly top each slightly melted kiss with one M&M.

Gently press down on the M&M to allow all three to adhere to each other.

Move the finished Holiday Lite Brites to a storage container or candy container to harden while you make more. You may store them in the fridge and they will harden much faster but they will lose their glossy appearance, especially if left uncovered.