BFF Open House #228

Hi all! The countdown to Halloween is upon us....two weeks from Saturday! Here are some ideas from last week's party that are not too late to whip up! 

Love these spooky display pedestals from Much More Creative.  You need to see how Brenda pulled a bunch of thrifted pieces together to create these. 

Pick up some pumpkins from the Dollar store, add some paint and some googly eyes and you have a Spooky Topiary. Engineer Mommy shows you how. 

Linda from Paper Seedlings showed how to make a fun Halloween card using something you'd never guess. Have to visit to find out! 

Finally this week's chocolate feature which comes from Anne at Upstate Ramblings. The secret ingredient? Pecan Pie M&Ms! Who knew they even existed? 

Now on to this week's party !

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House #217

Happy Friday Eve all! Hard to believe this is the last party of July but here we are. Here are some fun links from last week's party I think you'll enjoy.

I adore this gorgeous table from Artsy VaVa. Just love it. The crispness of the orange flower against the white backdrop just brings a happy to my face! 

I have always wanted an armillary (aka metal orb thingie) but they can be sooooo pricey. I love this idea from Engineer Mommy (who lives up to her name) who came up with a genius alternative. 

Now that College Boy is Mr. Future PhD, I'm a little nostalgic for the days of back to school. Alayna's Creations has a lovely idea for a Back to School Mom's Brunch. Speaking of which, this week's chocolate feature would be a perfect addition : 

Brownie Sundae Cookies from Upstate Ramblings. YUM!

Now on to this week's fun! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House #216

Happy Friday eve folks. Hope it's been a good one for all of you. It's been busy but not as crazy as last week on this end. 

Here are some features from last week's party! 

Sometimes you have to go old school. I'm fascinated by this salt water etching technique that Upstate Ramblings shared to personalize her son's stainless steel water bottle for camp. Check it out!

Whether you have a guest bathroom or just like to add a little something to your bathroom for guests, Woods of Bell Trees has a wonderful idea. Minty Pineapple Soaps. Wouldn't these make a wonderful hostess gift too?!

I can't get enough Marquee Letter ideas. Whether you buy them completely pre-made, ready to decorate, or DIY like these from Crafting In The Rain, I just love them! 

This week's chocolate feature is not only delicious looking but it's "skinny" and only takes 5 ingredients! From Engineer Mommy: 

So now on to this week's party! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House #213

Happy Friday Eve and Fourth of July Weekend all! It is uncharacteristically HOT here in the PNW. We are not equipped for this. That may be part of what influenced this week's features because they're all things perfect for Summer entertaining. 

Let's start with a loaded potato salad. Perfect side dish for picnics, potlucks, cookouts etc. ! Visit Gator Mommy Reviews for the recipe. 

How refreshing does this Blackberry Limeade look?! Perfect for a hot day. Visit Upstate Ramblings for the how-to. 

These Strawberry Brownie Skewers from One Little Project look divine , look like a lot more work than they are, and did I mention look DIVINE? 

Speaking of brownies ( because really, can you ever speak of brownies too much? ) how about these  Jumbo Brownie Cupcakes from Engineer Mommy? Yes please. 

OK on to this week's party! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House Link Party #211

Welcome to another party here at The Answer Is Chocolate. Happy Father's Day weekend and I hope everyone celebrating has a wonderful weekend. 

Here are some features from last week's party I think you'll enjoy!

Check out this idea from Much More Creative...both the finished project and the technique are wonderful! The idea is perfect for Father's Day and the technique used to create it is limitless in possibilities. 

I do not have a green thumb ( Martha and I part ways in the garden) but succulents seem like something even I might not kill. This centerpiece from Upstate Ramblings is perfect for a Summer table. 

Mich in LA is a creative genius and upcycler. Not only does she use mystery findings in her gorgeous jewelry creations ( and then makes you guess what they are and they're NEVER what you think) but she's figure out a way to upcycle ..... into jewelry holders. Oh you thought I was going to tell you? 

Having just eaten my way through I mean visited Disneyland, I somehow missed dining at The Big Thunder Mountain Ranch Barbecue where they serve this take on S'Mores. Want. Now. Get the inside scoop from The Disney Chef.

OK now onto this week's party! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House Link Party #196

Happy Friday eve and Valentine's weekend everyone! Hope you all have a wonderful day/weekend and of course one filled with lots and lots of chocolate! 

It's not too late to add an extra Valentine's touch (and never to late to pin for next year) so here are a few ideas from last week's party: 

I keep seeing gorgeous paper straws everywhere and Southern Scraps has a quick , inexpensive, and easy way to use them in a project. Check out this DIY frame idea here: Southern Scraps

Like Heather from Woods of Bell Trees I like to have decor that works for a holiday like Valentine's Day but also goes with my overall decor. This  felt flower "transitional" wreath is perfect. Details here: Woods of Bell Trees

Printables are always perfect for last minute decorating. This eye chart printable from Antonella at Quilling Art and Expression is great for Valentine's Day or just because. Visit Antonella here: Quilling Art and Expression. 

If you're whipping up something special for your Valentine, you want to check out this week's chocolate feature: 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Trifle (yes please) from Upstate Ramblings.

Now onto this week's party! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House Link Party #185: Thanksgiving Crunch Time!

ONE week! This time next week, most of  the US will be taking a collective tryptophan induced nap so party hearty this week while you're still awake.  Hard to believe that Thanksgiving is just one week away. Here are some great ideas you still have time to incorporate into your holiday planning. 

Whether you set a formal table or go more casual, The Pin Junkie has some great ideas for place cards that add that extra touch. 

Everyone has their favorite Thanksgiving side dish but if you're looking for some new veggie options, check out Upstate Ramblings for some great options. 

Whether you think of them as such or not, you probably have some Thanksgiving Family Traditions. If you're looking for some additional ideas, Lou Lou Girls has you covered. Some really lovely ones! 

OK. If I have one gripe about Thanksgiving ( I know...not really the time to have any gripes) it's the lack of chocolate! So I'm always on the lookout for something I can add to the dessert options like these Chocolate Wacky Cupcakes With Vanilla Buttercream Frosting yes please and thank you from SimpleReipesClub. 

Now onto this week's party!

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House LInk Party #174

Happy Friday eve all and happy SEPTEMBER if you can believe it. I'm still trying to digest the fact that College Boy started his senior year of college this week. I remember writing about when we first dropped him off. Yikes!

Hope you all had a nice Labor Day weekend and those of you kids off to school this week ( little or big, kindergarten or college) did so w/out too much anxiety. 

Fun ideas from last week's party: 

I know how excited a lot of people are about the early return of Pumpkin Spice Lattes at Starbucks. So this one's for you pumpkin fans...if you want to save but still want the PSL experience, visit Crafty Lumberjacks for their super fast recipe. 

Alayna's Creations shared a two in one holiday project that will get you through from Halloween to Thanksgiving. Double sided wood blocks! Genius. 

Speaking of two in one projects this week's chocolate feature is paired with another great fall idea. How cute are these football themed snack bags? Only made better with the Snickers Pretzel Snack mix that goes inside. Who needs game day?

Visit Upstate Ramblings for the details on both!

Now on to this week's party!

   

    An InLinkz Link-up