Take 5: Summer Party Printables

Summer is just one day away, officially.

 

The temps here in Southern California definitely reflect the season! 

 

Summer cocktails, BBQ's, ice cream, and outdoor gatherings are all in our immediate future.

To help prepare, here are 5 ideas and links for party invitations and decorations!

My favorite summer mantra: Sit, Sip, Relax

(via Circus Berry)

Let's Celebrate: Popsicle style

(via Martha Stewart) 

Let's do: cocktails, ice cream, maybe coffee?          

(via Eat Drink Chic)

 

 

Sundaes anyone?: DIY Ice Cream Parlor

(also via Eat Drink Chic)



 



 

Light up the night: Sparkles!

(via The Idea Room)

Get out there and enjoy the longest day of the year!

xo hallojak

Night Markets

The summer heat and humidity is makin' it's presence known here in So Cal.
This weather makes one LAZY ... and it's a great excuse to go out to eat.

Gotta escape the heat of the house somehow!!!! (otherwise, our electricity bill will be astronomical!)

In Asia, where the heat and humidity are constant factors, the evenings are spent trolling the night markets. Literally, everyone comes one! There's food, drinks, games and stuff to buy of all kinds. It's like an outdoor mall; but instead of stores, there are stalls. The sounds are loud and the smell of street food will be calling to you.

Some of the best,

1. Hong Kong

2. Singapore

3. Vietnam

and the mother of all night markets .... with over 300

4. Taiwan

How about some local night markets? What's going on in So Cal?

Find out next week... Till then..

xo Hallo Jak

Field Trip Fridays!!

The summer is really heating up here in So Cal and the temps are quickly going above 100 degrees!!

You know it's bad when the weather man shows this @ 6am!

So, that means the excursions are going on in the evenings...when the sun is down and the temps are cooler!

Option this weekend...

Orange County Fair
 
    Here are some things to definitely hit up!

        - The Budweiser Clysdales. They were all so tall; taller than me! It's deceiving on TV.

source                

        - The Parade of Products. Lots of useless stuff that you'll probably never need or use ... But the hall is air conditioned so it's a nice way to cool down and maybe get an impulse buy @ the same time. Or go next door and check out the Best In Shows: everything from cakes and jellies to paintings and chairs.

        - The 11 new piglets.  This year, one of the pregnant pigs gave birth to her 11 piglets during the fair, but had a seizure the next day and passed away. Now her babies are being fed, by hand, by the fair workers, till they can fend for themselves. 

source

        - Grub.  Lastly, the staple of every county fair, the unhealthy, fried &/or BBQ, gi-nourmous food. 
          Here are some photos to wet your appetite. 

Cause everything is better with bacon. 

including bbq turkey thighs...

or beer battered bacon dogs...

and for dessert, funnel cake!

          - Don't forget... Rides and Games abound!!!! 

Have a great weekend!

xoxo Hallo Jak!

Summer Pennant Wreath

So...recovered yet from the 4th of July partying and eating?!

Summer has decided to come in with full force here in So Cal.

Thought we should have something more "summery" to decorate the doors with.

As a side note, I did start off this wreath back in March with the intent on it being a spring / Easter wreath but that project went no were fast.

It was perfect for this project!

Hey, better that than on my floor half done!

I decided to make this wreath bright.

Went to my local hardware store and got myself an assortment of yellow paint chips.

yeah free!

Then, I had to decide on what flower shape I wanted.

I looked thru my binder of stuff and went with a

paper iris pattern from Amy Butler.

 free again!

I traced it on card stock to make a template. Cut it out.

Trace the template on the paint chips.

You can vary your placement to get various shading on your iris. 

Trace, trace, trace, trace some more. Did I mention trace? 

You know what's coming next ....Cut! Cut!

Put all the cut parts together and decide what looks good to your eye.

They don't all have to be matchy matchy.

Staple the petals together (large on the bottom, medium on top).

Glue on the circle on the middle to cover the staple.

Assembly time!

The wreath that I had was already covered in burlap.

(Remember, spring incomplete?)

I just had to arrange the flowers and hot glue them on.

Voila...

Duh...Almost forgot about the pennant.

I made that out of leftover posters and some twine.

 Just cut triangles and glue them on.

It's a nice pop of yellow and makes me happy when I see it!

Enjoy!

linking to: The DIY Showoff,  Tea Rose Home, Tatertots and Jello

Ahhhh... Summer! How you taunt me so.

Yea! It's the first day of summer and the longest day of the year. Thank goodness. June Gloom is in full effect in So Cal. You know that there is something wrong with the world when it's warmer in San Francisco (high of 85°F) than it is in Los Angeles (high of  80°F).

No matter. Bike riding, Pool time, BBQ, fresh fruit, and al fresco dining awaits. Ahhh....relaxation.

Here are some ideas to start us off....

Bikes (via)

Sis and I never got to learn how to ride bikes as kids and there is this thing called Fear that seems to creep into your life as you reach adulthood.

So, as a cure-all to our non-bike riding dilemma, we have what we have nicknamed our "adult tricycles". It's what we got, for now.

BBQ (via)

I know that rib eye and porter house are the choice meats in the summer.

But for me, nothing beats a good Korean BBQ. It's especially easy to make at home in the summer with the grill blasting. All of the condiments are readily available at your local asian market or grocery store. The sauces come prebottled. Just marinate and grill.

Wanna make it a party? Try Jaden's recipe from Steamy Kitchen. It's a crowd pleaser! I promise.

Al Fresco Dining (via)

No matter where you are, hope you have time to go out there and enjoy the season!

Cheers!