FIVE FABULOUS FINDS FRIDAY #5!

Hi everyone!   Welcome to another FIVE FABULOUS FINDS FRIDAY!!!

Today, I've got some great finds for you...Including a "BEYONCE" inspired tablescape that really wows,  a cute and fun craft idea to make vases in JUST the colors you want, A SINFUL recipe for a great sweet party dip, a great site for all things Mardi Gras, and a very inspirational man who proves that living a life without limits is possible for ANYONE!

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1.  I stumbled onto a WONDERFUL blog this week, while looking through a link party.  It is a blog by Alycia Nichols, a retired event planner who lives in Kansas City, MO. She set up this blog a few years ago to teach and inspire folks to create beautiful tablescapes for their own personal events.

She has been featured in numerous bridal magazines and on television in her area to share her expertise!

She also seems like such a friendly and nice person, judging from the sweet comments she's left on other people's blog posts...and even on my own! =D,

I had to chuckle at one of the names of one of her posts...it was a Valentine's Tablescape for "All the Single Ladies" called "Should Have Put a Ring On It Tablescape"  

I was laughing out loud at the name of it, and then I took a look at the tablescape....WOW!  This table was so elegant! 

No detail was overlooked...diamonds on the table runner...diamond napkin rings, sparkle everywhere....even on the GORGEOUS Florals!!!

I spent quite a bit of time looking through several of her tablescapes, and EVERY ONE is absolutely exquisite!!!  Really, if you love tablescapes, you should check out this blog!

That's why my first FABULOUS FIND is....

Should Have Put a Ring On It Tablescape  by Alycia Nichols
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2.  This second find is one that I'm really glad I was able to see.  I have been going around to various places looking for vases in some different colors, and not having a whole lot of luck.  Now, I'm happy to say,  I am going to be able to have vases is ANY COLOR I WANT!  



Thanks to a great craft tip by  Julianne at Sew Fantastic!   And it's so easy!

She says all she did was squirt some paint into the vase...swirl it around until all was covered...

 Then she put upside down on newspaper for a few minutes to get any extra paint out....

And then turned back right side up to dry!

Once dry the vase is ready for some nice silk flowers or just to put up on a mantle as colorful decoration!  

I'm so excited to try this over the weekend, as I have a few Tablescapes planned where I'll need some vases of new colors!  

That's why my second FABULOUS FIND is....

Painted Vases by Sew Fantastic!
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3. My third FABULOUS FIND is a recipe from a blog that I also just found this week!  

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE DOUGH DIP!

It was featured on another Link Party and it looked like it was CALLING TO ME!  This would be a wonderful, very impressive party snack!   

Aimee at Shugary Sweets said that this is wonderful with pretzels, (I can totally see how that sweet and salty combo would be perfect) graham crackers, animal crackers, or even just with a spoon!  haha!

The pictures and the recipe are from Aimee at Shugary Sweets...you should definitely check out her blog if you're looking for a great recipe for something sweet!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup semi sweet mini chocolate chips
• 8oz pkg Reese's peanut butter cup Minis (or about 1 1/2 cup chopped Reeses cups)

  Instructions

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, add brown sugar and butter. Whisk until completely combined and butter is melted. Bring to a boil, remove from heat. Whisk in the peanut butter and vanilla extract. Set aside to cool.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with powdered sugar until creamy (about 3-4 minutes. On low, add in brown sugar mixture (that has cooled to near room temp). Mix until combined. Fold in mini chocolate chips and mini Reese's cups. Serve immediately or store in refrigerator until ready to serve. 

I am definitely trying this for my next get-together!  That's why my third FABULOUS FIND is....

Reese's Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Dip!  by Shugary Sweets
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4.  With Mardi Gras coming up, I wanted to find a good couple of lessons to teach our kids about the history of Mardi Gras.   I found a few books at the library, but I also wanted to find some fun activities to make it a fun thing.  

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A friend of mine is bringing her kids over that day so we can learn about it together, so I wanted to find some activities to show the kids a little more about Mardi Gras.   I hopped on Pinterest and found a great curriculum to teach about and celebrate Mardi Gras!  It has some neat activities that we'll be trying with our kids on Tuesday!   They have curriculum for K-5th, Middle school and High School!


 

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This site also has some great info for grown ups, including the history of Mardi Gras, some New Orleans Mardi Gras recipes, party ideas and so much more!   It's worth it to check out the other parts of the site, even if you don't have children that you're teaching!  

That's why my Fourth FABULOUS FIND is.... 

Mardi Gras Lesson Plan. by Mardi Gras Day.
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5.  Imagine living a life with no arms or legs....and doing so to the fullest!   

I first saw Nick Vucijic on a clip from Oprah's show on the internet.  He was incredibly inspiring as he shared his story of being born in Australia with no arms and no legs...

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the torture he received by being teased and bullied by other kids, and his journey to living a full and blessed life...without limbs.  He travels the world speaking and inspiring others.  It was incredibly moving and really showed me that my little "obstacles" to overcome in life are really NOT that bad in comparison!

I highly encourage you to go check out his website.  You can read articles or watch videos....He even has a great podcast called "Two Minutes of Hope" every day!   His talks are incredibly inspiring and I hope they will encourage you like they did for me!  He also has a book called "Life Without Limits"  that I'm looking forward to checking out!  

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That's why my fifth and final FABULOUS FIND is....

Nick Vucijic - Life Without Limbs
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Well, that's it for another edition of Five Fabulous Finds Friday!  

I'm actually thinking of making this into a link party eventually (Instead of Thursdays, as I was previously thinking)  so I can find more fabulous finds.....YOURS!   I'm in the process of learning how to do it, but it will be fun and I'll make sure to feature links on my Five Fabulous Finds before starting the link party each week!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you were able to find something great to inspire you today!  Have a great weekend!  =)