Oriental Trading DIY Costume Contest

Disclosure: As a member of the Oriental Trading Fun Squad, I received compensation and/or products in exchange for my styling and crafting services.

Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission  if you click through and make a purchase.

 Check out the Oriental Trading DIY Costume Contest to vote for your favorite costume! You'll be entered to win a$50 Oriental Trading gift card and the FunSquad Maker with the most votes will have $500 donated to the charity of their choice. I have some fun DIY costumes up so be sure to check out the pineapple costume, flamingo costume, zombie unicorn and little magician!

Friendly Ghost Play Date

Disclosure: As a member of the Oriental Trading Fun Squad, I received compensation and/or products in exchange for my styling and crafting services.

Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission  if you click through and make a purchase.

Check out my Friendly Ghost Play Date over on the Oriental Trading FUN365 site! Your little ghouls and goblins will love adopting a friendly ghost, creating a spooktacular necklace and nibbling on ghostly brownies!

Expolrer Academy The Nebula Secret

I received this product for free from Moms Meet (www.momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinion. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

If you have a young adventurer that is curious about the world around her and loves to explore, you've got to check out these incredible books for young readers by National Geographic.

They're filled with adventure, intrigue and inspiration. 

When our 7 year old cracked open Explorer Academy The Nebula Secret for the first time, she was instantly hooked. She could not put it down and plowed through it in 3 days! What she loved most about this book was all the cool adventures and expeditions Cruz and his friends were a part of and the mystery that surrounded it all. There are a lot of surprises and unexpected twists that will keep you turning pages until you lose track of time. Our daughter is wishing there was a real life Explorer Academy because she is ready to sign up!

Explorer Academy The Nebula Secret is a book filled with intrigue, suspense and is filled with amazing illustrations. We are patiently awaiting for the next book in the series to come out!

Be sure to head over to  National Geographic Kids where your kids can play code-breaking games, learn about their favorite characters in the book and lots more!

Watch the book trailer HERE

The National Geographic Kids Almanac is filled with amazing facts from all around world and everything your kids are fascinated with. I love having our daughter start out the day with "Did you know..." and then she'll fill in the blank with a cool story or fact she read about in the almanac. I love how this book fosters creativity and curiosity and teaches kids how exciting our world is and that we have the power to make it a better place.

Check out the National Geographic Kids site to explore and learn about fascinating facts, play fun games and watch some really cool videos!

To celebrate the launch of Explorer Academy, one lucky family will experience a spectacular ship-based expedition, just like the students at Explorer Academy! The grand prize is a family trip for four to Alaska's Inside Passage from National Geographic Expeditions. Enter the sweepstakes at Explorer Academy Trip. Wouldn't that be an amazing adventure?! 

Black Cat Halloween Party

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission  if you click through and make a purchase.

We had this party last year and I thought since Halloween will be here before you know it, I better share our fun Black Cat Halloween Party! 

Halloween is by far my favorite holiday. You get to wear costumes and eat candy...what could be better? Every year I throw a kid friendly Halloween party for my daughter and her friends. It’s a not-so-scary get together where the kids dress up in their favorite costumes, eat snacks and play games.

The stage was set with the darling black cat invitation from Invited by Audriana. I loved the non- traditional Halloween colors of mint and black and planned the entire party around the minty color palette.

No ghosts or goblins at this party, just a witch’s favorite sidekick, a black cat. I thought it would be a perfect theme for kids since it’s not scary and... who doesn’t love a cuddly cat?!

Sometimes it’s hard finding party decor to fit your color and theme for a party so I made it all myself using my Cricut Explore Air 2. Instead of searching party supply stores and the internet for what I needed, I was able to just grab some papers in the colors of the party and get to work!

Handmade awards were given out to the best costumes as well as tiny black cat goodie bags. The kids had a ball with the black cat photo props and party hats complete with cat whiskers.

The little party goers had a blast and we all loved dressing up and munching on our favorite Halloween goodies!

Happy Halloween!

Goth Glam Wedding with Oriental Trading FUN365

Disclosure: As a member of the Oriental Trading Fun Squad, I received compensation and/or products in exchange for my styling and crafting services.

If you're a couple that loves Halloween, you definitely do not want to miss my Goth Glam Wedding

on the Oriental Trading FUN365 site. Check out how to incorporate glam and sophistication with a touch of mystery. You'll find the recipe for delicious pumpkin spice cake bites and learn how easy it is to create beautiful chair decor. You'll love this spooky twist on your romantic day!

Back to School Teacher Gift with Cricut EasyPress 2

I can't say enough how much I love and appreciate our teachers, they are incredible!

As you're buying supplies to send to your child's class, why not step up your game and pack those supplies in an adorable tote for the teacher! 

 If you haven't heard, Cricut has come out with 3 new EasyPress sizes to fit your every crafting need. Plus, they come in a beautiful new raspberry color that I'm completely smitten with! They are so easy to use and your projects will come out perfectly every time. With a faster heat up time and precise temperature control, your transfers will turn out beautifully no matter what!

 The EasyPress™ 2, Raspberry - 6" x 7" is great for all those smaller projects like onesies, doll clothes, hats, baby clothes and accessories. 

The  EasyPress™ 2, Raspberry - 12" x 10" works beautifully for all those larger projects like banners, blankets and sweatshirts. 

Today I'm using the new  EasyPress™ 2, Raspberry - 9" x 9"  since it's the perfect size to use on this back to school tote. This size also works perfectly for pillows, aprons, tshirts and more!

Let's get started on this cute bag because back to school is right around the corner!

What you'll need:

Cricut Explore Air™ 2 Machine

I HEART SCHOOL svg file

EasyPress™ 2, Raspberry - 9" x 9"

Cricut® 12x12 StandardGrip™ Adhesive Cutting Mat

EasyPress™ Mat, 8" x 10"

Iron On Lite in Red, Cyan, Black, Yellow and Green

DIY Canvas Tote

In Cricut Design Space, open up the I HEART SCHOOL svg file.  If you'd like to adjust the sizing, simply select customize and size the file to your liking. 

Next, select the make it button and apply your iron on material shiny side down to the cutting mat. Be sure to select mirror image on the lettering before you cut it. 

After the iron on has been cut, weed the pieces and set aside as for a minute as you get the tote positioned. 

Run the EasyPress over the tote for about 5 seconds to warm it up. 

Place your tote on top of the EasyPress™ Mat, 8" x 10"  place the iron on pieces to the middle of the tote. Press for 5 seconds and take off the protective sheet from the vinyl.

Now we're going to add the next layer to the tote. Add the next vinyl pieces ( the top of the pencil and the two apples) and press for 5 seconds at 350 degrees. Peel off the protective sheet of the second layers. 

Place one large protective sheet for 20 seconds and then flip the tote over and press for another 20 seconds. 

Fill your tote with classroom essentials and your gift is ready to go! Your teacher will appreciate the supplies and the darling bag and you'll love how quick and easy this project is to create!

Have a wonderful school year!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.

Vintage Back to School Party

Back to school is a big deal around here. With all the excitment about your kids finding out who their new teacher will be, what classes they'll be taking and new friends they will make, it's a thrilling time of year! What better way to usher in the big day than with a fun back to school party! This is a sweet and simple party with just a few details but it will make a sweet memory for the kids.

Check out the entire party over on the Everyday Party Magazine site!