Practical Tips I Must Try

I have kind of been going through a creative slump this week.  If you craft, you know what I mean.  Some weeks you have so many ideas, you can not get to them all, and then there weeks when nothing seems to come to you. I am sure this will be short lived, but for now I thought I would share some  Pinterest Practical Tips that I really want to try.  

If you do not follow me yet on Pinterest, you can follow me here.  

I currently have 90 pins on my great tips board, and it is constantly growing. There are just so many great ideas out in blogland that I want to try.   If you want to pin any of these tips, be sure to pin from the ORIGINAL SOURCE,  so they get proper credit. 

Regrowing Scallions/ Homemade Serenity

One of my daughter's loves scallions, regrowing them sounds like a really good idea.  I will be trying this today if we have an left in the fridge.   

Toilet Cleaning / The Krazy Coupon Lady

This is another tip I would love to try. Not only do dryer sheets  work well to clean toilets, but have many other uses as well. I have extra dryer sheets just sitting around since I started using my Woolzie Dryer Balls. 

Bobby Pin Storage / Simply Frugal

I NEED to try this tip.  Kara has been taking dance for 10 years and we have lost  hundreds of bobby pins.  Recital time is coming up soon, so we are going to be needing some more.

Cake Tip / Baked Bree

This tip is GENIUS, especially if you bake a lot of cakes. Stop by  Baked Bree, and see why there is bread laying on the cake. 

Crock Pot Hot Dogs / A Year of Slow Cooking

Got a big get together coming up like a graduation party or birthday?  This is another one of those tips that makes you think.. wow, you can really do that?! 

Make Liquid Soap / Savvy Housekeeping

We are always running out of hand soap in this house.  I never would have thought you can make your own.  This is another  one on MUST TRY tip list. 

What great practical tips have you found that are on your must try list?  I would love to hear them.    

  

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Chicken Cacciatore - Feature of the Day

I have to admit, I have never had Chicken Cacciatore before.  I think I need to try it now.  Kathe from Kathe with an E  shared her mother's recipe and some  family memories   when she linked up to Dare to Share.  If you would like to see how to make this yummy looking dish, be sure to check out Kathe with an E here.  Thanks for linking up Kathe! 

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What a Face!

I had planned on writing a nice post about Kara and her friends learning how to crochet at  their Girl Scout meeting.   Once I downloaded the pictures, I saw that was not going to work.  

Why is it that when kids hit a certain age, they think it is funny to make faces when you take their picture?  Kara is at that age, and likes to make faces.. sigh...... 

I tried again.  At the last second, she made another face.  

I thought maybe when she was not looking, I could get a nice picture on the 3rd try. Nope, she caught me and made another face.   

Finally! Success! This is the only picture that I was able to take where she allowed me to take the picture without a funny face in it.  She was really enjoying crocheting, even though the pictures look otherwise. I really hope this funny face phase is short lived or taking future photos is going to be very interesting.    

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Copy Cat Wendy's Frosty - Feature of the Day

Do you love a good Frosty from Wendy's too?  I was so bummed this year when I realized I missed out on the $1 Frosty card that would have given me free mini Frosties for the entire year.  (yes, they really do have those in the beginning of the year)  Luckily The Pin Junkie shared a recipe on Dare to Share showing us how to make them at home.  Yum!  You can see the Pin Junkies recipe on how to make them here. Thanks so much for linking up! 

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Do You Have Dorky Glasses?

The following is a sponsored post. While it is sponsored, all of the opinions in this post are 100% mine.  


Just recently I was driving in the car with my teenage daughter when our conversation turned to eyeglasses. She told me that in all the old pictures she had seen of me and her dad, we were wearing "dorky glasses." She made sure to tell me that it wasn't the fact that we were wearing glasses, just that the styles were wore were dorky.  I had to agree that in some of the pictures we did look dorky, but in our defense she was also talking about photos from 20+ years ago. 

I thought it might be time to find some new frames that pass the teenage dork test.  One way I could do that is by using the Virtual Mirror feature  on the GlassesUSA website.

I found a few pairs of glasses that passed the teenage test.  I love that I was able to try them on using the mirror feature.  It is so much fun to use and experiment with, because there are so many frames to chose from.

I think I found the winner for when I am ready to buy glasses.  It is the kitty frame, and they are  only $48! 

Not only does GlassesUSA.com have great prices, they have offer deals and specials all the time on their sales and coupons page.  They are also giving my readers a 10% discount by using the code Blog10, if they decide to  buy eye glasses. So if you are currently thinking of trying new glasses, why not give GlassesUSA.com a try. 

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Dare to Share #54

It was a week of getting back to routines after a long spring break for us.  Those early mornings have been hard to get used to again.  We started our last quarter of school, so before we know it, summer will be here.  Woohoo! Bring on the warm temps and flip flops! 

One of the projects I shared this week was an oldie, but a goodie. Earth Day is right around the corner, and to celebrate, Kara and I like to make Earth Day beads. The first one she made was a gift to me for Mother's Day when she was in kindergarten. Wow, did time fly.  You can see how to make you own Earth Day necklaces here.

Another fun post I shared this week was for a really cool giveaway!  Minted.com is giving one of my readers a $50 credit to their online store.  They have so much amazing stuff to chose from, and recently released letterpress wedding invitations.  You definitely need to see all the styles and choices.   There is still time to enter the giveaway!!  You can use the link here to get to the giveaway post.   

Have you seen this week's Dare to Share Features of the Day? If you haven't, here is chance again. 

Rhino Birthday Party by Don't Mess with My Tutus

Ultimate Rice Krispie Treats by We Like to Learn As We Go

Strawberry and Banana Jam by Family Home and Life

Neapolitan Cupcakes by Butter and Jam

Now it is time for this week's party.  I don't have a lot of rules.  You can pretty post anything that you would like to share. I don't require that you become a follower, but I should would love it if you would.   If you are chosen as the Dare to Share Feature of the Day,  you will be promoted on the blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and G+

Now Link Up an Have Fun! 

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Neapolitan Cupcakes - Feature of the Day

I have a sweet tooth. When I am craving something sweet, I really want a cupcake.  Grace from Butter and Jam linked the most interesting cupcakes to this week's Dare to Share. I really like Neapolitan ice cream because it mixes some of my favorite flavors. I would have never tried to use those flavors to make Neapolitan cupcakes. What a great idea!  If you would like to see more of  these cupcakes, be sure to stop by the Butter and Jam blog here.  Thanks for linking up Grace. 

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How to Make an Earth Day Necklace

In just 11 days, on April 22nd, it will be Earth Day.  I was curious as to how Earth Day started, and did a little bit of research.   The first official Earth Day was in 1970.  Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin had been trying to get a day recognized about the environment  for most of the 60s.  He finally saw it happen on April 22, 1970. Twenty million people participated that year, and it has grown in size  every since.  The first International Earth Day was celebrated in 1990.  Earth Day is now the largest, most celebrated international event with more than a  billion people from 192 countries participating. 

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Strawberry and Banana Jam - Feature of the Day

I love the flavors of strawberry and banana together.  When I saw the post shared by Connie of Family Home and Life, I was intrigued. I have never heard of a strawberry jam that also had banana in it.  Using one of her mother's old recipes, she shows us how we can make some of our very own.  You can see the full recipe on her site, Family, Home and Life here.  Thanks so much for linking up your family recipe on Dare to Share Connie!

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Ultimate Rice Krispie Treats - Feature of the Day

Wow, don't these look delicious?!  Alexis from We Like to Learn as We Go shared the Ultimate Rice Krispie Treat to this week's Dare to Share. Adding chocolate to just about anything, and I am sold!  Adding it to Rice Krispie treats and you have a winner.  You can see the full recipe to these yummy treats on We Like to Learn as We Go here.  Thanks so much for linking up to Dare to Share Alexis! 

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Join Nielsen Home Scan Consumer Panel

Now is the perfect time to join theNielsen Home Scan Consumer Home Panel.  Earn valuable points which are redeemable for electronics, household items, jewelry, gifts cards and more.  A landland is not required.  

Once you become a NCP panel member all you have to do is scan and send them your household purchase information every week with a handheld scanner that they provide. For each week of the month NCP receives your purchase information, you will earn one entry into the Monthly Sweepstakes where you can win a $500 American Express Rewards Card. That’s up to FOUR entries every month! Every month, 25 panel members win!

That’s not all… Every quarter an additional 40 panel members win a $500 American Express Rewards card just by sending purchase information in every week of a month.




This post contains affiliate links, if you have any questions please check my disclosure policy here.  

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Operation Rhino Birthday - Feature of the Day

My kids have come up with some crazy theme ideas over the years, but I have to admit a Rhino party is a first for me. Jennifer from Dont Mess with My Tutus (sassypantsstudio) had that request by her sweet son.  I love how she pulled the Rhino themed  party together when there is nothing Rhino related on the market. She did a fabulous job with her party, and her son was thrilled. You can see how she pulled off this BIG feat on her blog HERE.   Thanks so much for linking this great party up to Dare to Share Jennifer!   

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$50 Minted.com Giveaway

I was recently asked by Minted.com if I would like to do a giveaway.  I immediately said YES!  Minted.com has so many beautiful things on their site, you could take hours just to see it all.  

They recently released letterpress wedding invitations, with literally  hundreds of choices and styles to chose from. 

Seriously, how fun are the chalkboard and moustache inspired invitations?!  

If you are not into trends, that's okay, they have a long list of themes such as; classic, beach, elegant, destination, modern, rustic, vintage and so much more.. If you are still not sure  what you like, you can sign up to receive a free wedding sample kit.  

Minted.com does not just offer wedding invitations, you can find something for just about any occasion.   

We are considering some of their party decor items for Kara's upcoming birthday  party.

You can find something for pretty much any occasion.  They also offer stationary, gifts, and art prints perfect for hanging on the wall.  If need inspiration, there is a inspiration board challenge where you can in find hundreds of ideas and even submit your own.   

One of my readers will win a $50 credit to Minted.com, and will be able to chose what they want from the site.  You can enter below.. Good Luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Dare to Share #53

It's Friday night which means it is Dare to Share time.  We were on spring break this week which went by way too fast. 

I had an emergency dentist appointment early in the week. Turns out I had a cavity that I did not know about that had become quite large with the nerve exposed. When the dentist saw it he thought I needed a root canal, but luckily I didn't.  We also finally had the chance to see the movie Oz the Great and Powerful.  It was filmed in my area, and one of Kara's classmates was an extra. We did not find him in the crowd, but it was pretty exciting knowing he was there.  

We also had some time to do some crafts.  Kara needed to make a special project for school and come up with her Rainbow Flower.  We just love it, it is so bright and colorful.  You can see how she made it here.

Did you see the brunch I had that was filled with fun Eggland's Best recipes, such as Ham and Swiss Quiche, and French Toast Cupcakes.  There is also a giveaway where one of my readers will win this Eggland's Best gift pack.  You can find the post to enter here.

You probably don't have anymore Easter ham, but I shared  a Leftover Ham Casserole that is a family favorite in our house.  

In case you missed it earlier today, I posted about the Ultimate Blog Party hosted by 5minutesformom.com.  In the post I share a little bit more about me and why I started Pam's Party and Practical Tips.  The Ultimate Blog Party is a great way to learn more about a lot of the bloggers out there.  

Did you have a chance to see this week's Features of the Day?  Here is another chance. 

April Fools Day Cupcakes by Phaedra's Adventures

Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting by The Velvet Moon Baker

English Muffin Bread by Feeding Big

Vinegar Uses by Fluster Buster

Now it is time for this week's party.  I don't have a lot of rules. I don't require you to become a follower, but I would sure love it if you did.  If you are chosen to be a Feature of the Day your post will be promoted on the the blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and G+

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The Ultimate Blog Party 2013

I was just thinking the other day that it was about time for the Ultimate Blog party, so I was very excited to find out it starts TODAY.  The Ultimate Blog party is hosted by twin sisters Janice and Susan of 5minutesformom.com. They are long time bloggers and this is their 7th party!  I participated in the fun last year, and I am thrilled to join it again. 

Now to introduce myself to all of you who are new to my blog.

My name is Pam, and I started Pam's Party and Practical Tips a little over 3 years ago.  For the first year and a half, I was a teeny blog on a different host site trying to figure out what I was doing.  Two years ago I moved to Blogger, and things began to change.  You don't see a lot of pictures of me on the blog, because I am almost always the one behind the camera.  

I started this blog because of my love of planning parties, crafting and baking.  Now that my kid are getting older, they don't always want to have theme parties anymore.  This fact is extremely hard for a party planning mama.  Only my youngest still wants to party, and we have started planning her Art Party for this upcoming summer.   

I am the busy mom of 2 teens and an almost teen.  You won't see my oldest on the blog that often.  She helps with projects from time to time, but doesn't have her own series. (though I have asked her if she would like to do one)

Kyle loves to cooking, and often shares recipes in his series, Cooking with Kyle.  You can see one of his favorite recipes here.  I really enjoy encouraging him to cook, because it is a life skill that will help him throughout his life. 

I posted one of Kara's sassy pictures, because that is what she is at the moment... sassy!  She has her own series Crafting with Kara where she shares crafts for kids, made by a kid.  

Kara's latest post was posted last night, and has already proven to be quite popular. You can see how she made her Hanging Rainbow Flower here.

Each week I have a weekly linky party that starts on Friday nights.  I don't have a lot of rules, just for people to post what they would like to share.  Several days a week I will choose one post to be the Feature of the Day, and promote them on my social media links.   I would love for you to join us this week.   

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you enjoy your visit to my blog and that you come back to visit again.  

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