Fall Texture

 I've been watching alot of episodes of Sarah Richardson's shows on HGTV lately, and one thing that really stood out for me was all the different textures and patterns she uses in her designs. In one episode she mentions that she often uses 14 different textures, patterns and fabrics in one room. 14! I looked around my house, to see how many I have, and the answer is very few. Fall is the perfect time to add layers of plush fabrics and natural textures around the house, so I set out to see how I can add a bit of autumn to my living space easily and frugally.

I picked up two bags of textured balls from the dollarstore. There's about five balls of different sizes for $2 per bag. Which works out to about 40 cents each. I couldn't decide which I liked better, so I got both. Why not? Next, I scrounged up a bowl and a vase and tried out some different arrangements to see what I liked best.

 

This bowl looks like teak, but it's actually plastic! That make it very washable and durable. I've had it for years, I found it in a thrift store for $1. I piled the textured balls inside the bowl casually. Not bad, but the individual balls get lost in the heap. 

Next, I grabbed a vase that has been collecting dust, and spent some time figuring out the best look. Since the vase is narrow at the base, with a fluted top, it works best with smaller balls in the bottom, one larger one in the middle, and then some more small ones on top. Much better than the bowl, since the glass is translucent, all the balls are visible.

 

 

 

One a recent trip to Ikea I picked up two faux sheep skin rugs, for $9.99 each. Bonus-they are machine washable. They're meant for floor coverings, and have non-skid nubs on the back, but so far I prefer them as throws.  They are lovely and plush. I bought two, as I anticipated the cat would bogart one, which is of course exactly what happened.

Also at Ikea, I added an apple scented candle to my cart, to add a layer of scent to my autumn mini makeover.

 

 

Accessories are the easiest way to change up the look of a space without commitment, and for little money. These little shelves above my couch are great. I got them at Canadian Tire, for $20 for the set of three. I can rotate items around whenever I like to change the look. Candles, a handmade wooden box, and some other small accessories add personality and dimension. The grey sculpture in the middle was only 50 cents on clearance!

Corporate BBQ-African Lion Safari

Date: Sunday, August 28, 2011
Location: African Lion Safari, Flamborough, ON
Guests: 40, mix of children, teenagers and adults

*Photos of actual guests are included in this post, but faces are not clearly visible

African Lion Safari Corporate package includes:

• Admission to the park and all park amenities
• Mascot character
• Reserved Picnic Site (Peacock Pavilion)
• Animal encounter (Cheetah)
• Elephant Tug of War
• BBQ Lunch
• Souvenir Buckets for children
• Promotional Materials-posters, brochures, tickets to distribute to guests  

Menu:

• cheeseburgers/hamburgers 
• hot dogs 
• veggie burgers 
• all the usual toppings 
• potato salad 
• coleslaw 
• beverages 
• freezies (not included, I brought those)

African Lion Safari was a fantastic place to host a corporate staff bbq. All company staff and their families were invited. Safari staff were fantastic and easy to work with.  Major highlights of the day were the elephant tug of war and the animal encounter with the cheetah. Sadly, many guests were late, and missed out! Safari staff are defiantly prompt, down to the very minute. After the scheduled activities concluded, guests (including myself) were able to venture out on their own to enjoy all the activities the park has to offer, and there are plenty! Lots to see and do.

Private Pavilion

Lining up for Lunch

Palm Tree

Decorations:

I found inflatable palm trees and animals at the dollarstore. The palm trees have a compartment at the bottom to fill with sand, making them stand up on their own. It was very windy, so I lashed them to the picnic tables with fishing line. Worked pretty well. 

Animals were monkeys, parrots and flamingos. I strung them up from the rafters of the pavilion, but I forgot to take pictures of them in situ! Children each took one home for a souvenir.

Parrot

 This is the best picture I have, not the greatest, but you get the idea. The monkeys were the best, in my opinion. Once inflated, they are able to stand on their own. 

Not bad for $1.25 a piece.

Lootbags:

African Lion Safari commemorative buckets and animal cookies are included in the corporate package.I added a little something I found at the dollarstore.

A little tote bag to colour, with a jungle/safari theme.

 I coloured this one as a test, before the event. Looks pretty good, I think! The bags could be used as a lunch bag, but I also thought they might come in handy as a first aid kit, a travel sized bag to hold snacks and small toys to keep kids occupied in the car or on the go. The tote bags are small enough to fit inside a purse or diaper bag. The only thing that slightly bothered me, if you use the included markers, the bag will not be washable. Something to keep in mind. I would use fabric markers, and wash it separately to avoid running.

Activities:

The corporate package through African Lion Safari includes unique animal encounters, a tug of war with an elephant, and a personal visit with an animal and trainer. 

Elephant Tug of War: Safari staff brought over an elephant to the private area, and directed the guests into formation. Maggie the Elephant wore a harness attached to a rope. All the guests lined up along the rope, and when directed, tried to pull the rope away from the elephant. As you can imagine, Maggie won. 

 

 Maggie the Elephant

 

Tug of War

Cheetah visit:

After the thrill of meeting Maggie, guests were visited by Raj the Cheetah and his trainer. It was so wonderful to see such a gorgeous cheetah up close and personal. The trainer provided lots of educational information, and was open to questions about cheetahs, Raj, or the park in general.

Cheetah and Trainer

Mascot:
African Lion Safari mascot Dandylion stopped by to say hello.

I couldn't resist taking a photo with Dandylion

After the BBQ lunch, guests were free to enjoy the remainder of the day exploring the park on their own time. I quickly cleaned up, so I could enjoy the park myself. I stopped by the Birds of Prey show at the little amplitheater, and took a drive through the Game Reserve to see the animals. Here are a few of the best shots:

Male Fallow Deer

Female Fallow Deer

Addax (Antelope)

Ostrich

Lions

Zebra

I received many compliments and great feedback about the event, both in person and via email.  See my testimonials page for more details.

Everyone enjoyed themselves, and were able to take in the great attractions, such as elephant rides, water park, petting zoo, boat rides, train rides, and Safari tour. 

For more information about African Lion Safari and to plan your own visit, go to http://www.lionsafari.com

Update: Certificate in Advertising Complete

My certificate came in the mail today! Hooray!

Ice Cream Social

 Image source: http://icecreamjournal.turkeyhill.com/index.php/2007/06/28/old-school-ice-cream/

Even though the Back to School signs are everywhere, summer is not over yet. For me, it feels like it's just begun. My online classes are finished, it feels like I've spent all sumer indoors working or studying. I haven't even gone swimming! The point is, I've been thinking about classic summer activites and that brought me to the Ice Cream Social. When I was a kid, we had an old fashioned crank handled ice cream maker. It took hours, but you can't beat the taste of fresh ice cream. I have never found something that can compare. Even if you can't make ice cream from scratch, there is no reason you can't throw an ice cream party. What fun! It doesn't need to be a birthday, traditionally Ice Cream Socials were neighbourhood gatherings, so feel free to throw one just because. It's a great potluck idea, have guests bring their favourite flavours or toppings.

 Image Source: http://www.homemadesimple.com/en-US/HolidayandParty/Pages/ice-cream-social.aspx

Home Made Simple has a great list of Resources, Tips and Recipes for this theme. You can find them here

Really all you need are 2-3 flavours of ice cream and a range of toppings. Hit up the Bulk Food store for fun options. But watch out for nut allergies! If no one has any, feel free to serve nuts. Personally I love nuts on my sundae, but if you have any doubt, better play it safe than sorry.

My suggestions:

• toasted coconut
• cookie pieces (put them in a ziploc bag and crush them with a hammer)
• M&M's or Smarties
• Cut up fruit-berries, mangoes, bananas
• flavoured syrups-caramel, chocolate, raspberry or strawberry
• big cookies to make your own ice cream sandwhich

For Decorations, stick with classics like pennant banners, pin wheels and flags. They are easy to make, Home Made Simple has great patterns. Customize them with decorative paper in your choice of colours/patterns. Use white or glass dishes to let the colourful toppings take centre stage. What fun colours!

Oh the parties I would have if I had a backyard. In time, in time. 

Trend: Tissue Paper Petals

I've been seeing alot of diy projects using  layered tissue paper petals, to a great effect.

Isn't this tablescape so fabulous? So summery! The best part is those lanterns. This project comes to us via Martha Stewart, full instructions are here

 Image source: http://www.marthastewart.com

I think this is a great way to salvage cheaper paper lanterns that are not quite right.  I bought some cheapos once and they were definitely not perfectly round. Perhaps I could have saved them by covering them with tissue paper circles.  Apparently, you can buy the circles pre-cut at craft stores if you are not into cutting out dozens of circles yourself. Paper lanterns and tissue paper is very inexpensive, but what an impact! Great way to stretch your party budget.

I have also seen this method used to decorate pinatas. 

Image source: http://www.younghouselove.com

Here's a tutorial from one of my favourite blogs to read, Young House Love. This pinata was from their daughter's first birthday party.

Image source: http://www.everydaycelebrating.com

If you are not into getting messy with flour and glue,then this very similar project uses a store bought soccer ball pinata and just adds on the tissue paper "petals". Because it's uses a store bought form, it is perfectly round which might appeal to those perfectionists out there (ahem, me).
You can find more photos and instructions here

What a lovely alternative to those gaudy character pinatas you see everywhere in the store. I love the pretty, modern look of these.

Testimonial Update

Check the Testimonial page for a new entry.
Thanks for the love!

Canada Day BBQ

Guests: 10 all adults plus 1 dog
Location: Keswick, ON
Budget: $20 for decorations and supplies, $60 for main course, side dishes were potluck 

*as always, no pictures of guests are included in this post.

Menu:

• Mini Ribfest: honey bbq, honey garlic, smokin stampede and regular bbq
• Corn on the cob
• Caesar Salad
• Garden Salad
• Veggies and dip
• Salsa and tostitoes
• Raspberry Lemonade (just add fresh raspberries to any kind of lemonade)
• Beer & Mixed Drinks
• Cupcakes

 

Corn simmering on the side burner and racks of ribs cooking away

I decorated the dog too, doesn't he look cute?

Decorations:

• Flag Banner
• Pin wheels
• Canada Day Buttons
• T-shirts and Hats
• Bandana for the Dog
• Glow Sticks for after dark

 

 Activities:

• Bocce
• Drinksbee
• Relaxing on the desk in the sunshine
• Fireworks 

Bocce:

You can play with 2, 4, or 8 players. Divide the colour balls amongst teams, I played yellow and red, for example. The little ball is called the pellino. Somebody throws the white ball a decent distance away. The idea is to get your coloured ball as close as possible to the white ball without hitting it. One point is awarded for every ball that is closer than the other sides. 

For more information and rules, see this site

See how close I was? I win! 

 Drinksbee:
Materials Needed:

• 4 plastic beer cups
• 4 dowels or stakes
• 2 frisbees
• Drinks for each team member (preferably alcoholic)

Playing Field: Set up the field as shown in the photo. Each side has 2 poles and 2 cups. Two players on each team, each player guards a pole (and the cup). Set the ends a good throwing distance apart, but not so far that you won't be able to hit the targets. That's not fun at all.

 Concept: Throw the frisbee, knock off your opponent's cups.One cup knocked down equals one point. If the cup you are responsible for hits the ground, you must take a drink. Team members can catch each other's cups. Catch your cups to reverse the point to the throwing side, you get the point, they have to take a drink.

Doubles: after a point, you get to throw again. Knock it down again, means double the points and double the drinks. 

Trifecta: Go again for a chance to score three points. The other team has to chugg the rest of their drinks. Obviously, this is the most coveted and rare of plays. 

Tips: Distractions are allowed, including faking, dancing, rude gestures, etc.

Offense: fake outs, cross overs, bouncing the frisbee off one pole to knock down two cups at once are encouraged. 

Defense: Catch those cups! Sacrifice the body if you have to. 

Subbing players is encouraged, everyone can play!

Slips out of my hands. Grrr. Time for a drink.

Fireworks:

One of the guests brought an assortment of fireworks. As expected, some were better than others. Some nieghbours had really good ones. I handed out glow sticks for everyone. Fun! We all walked down to the beach to set them off, which would have been fantastic except for the mutant sized mosquitos. Yikes!

 

 

Hope your July long weekend was as fun as mine!