A New Twist on an Old Favorite – Strawberry Lemonade Ginger-Mint Mojito

Posted on 24 March, 2015 by admin

Every year the first thing to come back to life in my backyard is my Peppermint Plant. I am always soo excited to see the little green leaves pushing up because that means that Spring is here, and so is Mojito season. That, is always cause for celebration.

Last year, I shared an amazing Strawberry Lemonade Recipe that I found here after our Trip with the Kids to the Strawberry Patch. While I was enjoying it, I remember thinking that it would make an amazing chaser. Fast forward to 2015 and I thought Nooo… it would make an AMAZING Mojito and so this recipe was born.

Ingredients for the Strawberry Lemonade: (Original Recipe linked above)

4 lemons

1/2 – 3/4 cup of dark brown sugar (adjust based on your own preference and of course how sweet the strawberries are)

6 cups of water

1 1/2 lbs of Strawberries (cut in half)

My Tweaks: The recipe calls for 2 lemons, but we added 2 more lemons. The recipe calls for honey or sugar as a sweetener, but I used dark brown sugar. But, of course you can use whatever sweetener you choose. The straining is a little time consuming, but it is worth the time.

Added Ingredients that make it a Strawberry Lemonade Ginger-Mint Mojito:

2 tablespoons of fresh ginger minced

10 mint sprigs (8 for the drink and 2 or more for garnish)

2/3 cups of white rum

After you have done all the hard work to make your Strawberry Lemonade, then comes the twist. In a bowl, muddle the strawberry lemonade, rum, mint, and ginger with a wooden spoon. Allow it to sit, in order to blend the flavors, but remember that both Ginger and Peppermint are strong flavors. So, I wouldn’t recommend letting it sit for more than 20 minutes. Strain and fill your glass with half of your Strawberry Lemonade Ginger Mint Mojito and half Canada Dry Ginger Ale. Garnish with Peppermint Leaves and VOILA. You have a refreshing drink that your friends won’t stop talking about. Enjoy, and let me know how you liked it and what changes if any you made.

The Best of Spring Printable

Posted on 18 March, 2015 by admin

The weather has been absolutely beautiful this week. And with Spring just days away, I decided it was time to pull out the Easter/Spring Decorations, and do away with Winter. And in the wake of all that, I decided to create a New Free Printable to usher in the New Season.

So, with some help from my little ones, I created a fun little Printable featuring the best of Spring.

It will print best up to 8×10 or any size smaller.

To download your free print simply click below:

The Best of Spring

Free for personal use only. Not to be sold, redistributed, or hosted on another site. ©stage-presents.com

Wedding Season is On It’s Way + Free “Will You Be My Bridesmaid” Card

Posted on 11 March, 2015 by admin

Will You Be My Bridesmaid 2016 Update

Updated Post: NEW “Will You Be My Bridesmaid” Printable Card (plus access to the 2015 Edition)

According to The Knot, the most popular months for weddings are June, August, September, and October. But, I find right after Valentine’s Day everyone goes into Bliss Mode. So, it is s no wonder that my Instagram and Pinterest News Feeds are going crazy with Wedding Trends, Engagements, Proposals and all Manner of Marital Bliss Odds and Ends. Even though those days are gone for me, and technically I am no longer a newlywed (even though sometimes I feel like it), I can’t help but to get caught up in the fervor and the fever. After all a wedding is just the ultimate celebration and many of the ideas can be tweaked for party planning, all across the board.

One of the trends that I absolutely love are the “Will You Be My Bridesmaid Ideas”. As far as questions go, after you accept his proposal, the next and most important question is who will stand by you on that day. For me, the answer was easy, it was the person who had always stood by me, my sister. I wish that I would have thought of this idea back then.

The market is flooded with “Will you be my Bridesmaid” Kits, Boxes, Wine Bottles and Cards. So, if you know me and my love for all things Printable, Stationery, and Personalized, then I am sure it’s no surprise that I am considering adding a “Will You Be my Bridesmaid” card to Our Etsy Store. The Design process is always full of Do Overs and Corrections, Subtractions and Additions, so that is a work in progress. But, coming soon. I am always my hardest critic, but I really dig the way that this one came out. So I thought I would offer it up as a FREE Printable for all those embarking on the Amazing Bride Journey.

Will You Be My Bridesmaid Printable Card ©2016 Stage Presents

To Download Right Click On The Picture

Will You Be My Bridesmaid Printable Card ©2015 Stage Presents

To Download Right Click On The Picture

Looking for more Wedding Items – Check out what we have in Our Etsy Store.

Ready to Start Blogging – User Friendly Resources to Get You Started

Posted on 18 February, 2015 by admin

OwCongratulations!! You have decided that you are ready to start blogging, and open up your little corner of the world to others. You want your blog to be a reflection of who you are and what is important to you. You have picked out your blogging platform, Blogger, WordPress, etc. And, you have maybe even picked the Theme/Layout for your site and secured your domain and or blog name. Now what!!

Well, if you decided to blog, I am pretty sure that you want people to both read and receive what you have to say. In order to do that, you have to make sure that the first visit that they make to your blog is a memorable one. You want them to return over and over again. Even, if you are not blogging for profit, you still want to develop a community, (a following of sorts). If people are returning to your site, they are interested in the information or the opinions that you are imparting. So, content is the most important part of blogging.

Style/Design is a very close second and equally important. I am by no means a professional Graphic Designer, but I have taught myself a thing or two or three(wink). People are visual by nature. So, a relevant well placed photo to accompany your blog post goes a long way. In addition to that, a well placed font over your photo draws attention to the pictures on your site. They can even make them Pin Worthy (Pinterest), which in turn will bring traffic back to your blog. Whether you are using pictures that you have taken from your own camera or pictures that you find around the web, Photo editing software can make all the difference. Most people swear by PhotoShop and I use this software religiously, but it’s quite an investment right out the gate. So, I’ve listed a few more economical options. Lastly, the Fonts you use can be just as important as the picture. Think about how many times the words and font draws your eye to an advertisement or a picture. See The Quote Below as an example – Note the Use of Different Fonts, as Well as Different Sizes.

Here are a few resources that I think will start you on your way, at least they did for me.

There you have it. Jump in and get started and if you find anything else that you think should be added to this list, let us know. Each one – teach one. Comment below.

How to Install your Custom iPad/iPhone Wallpaper?

Posted on 25 November, 2014 by admin

Save your File to your Device.
Open Picture in the Camera Section.
Select Photo
Click on – Use As Wallpaper
Adjust to your Liking.
Set as Lock Screen, Home Screen or Both.

Voila your Custom Wallpaper is Loaded!!

Did you know Our Etsy Shop offers a variety of Different Options to Dress Your Tech?

Here are some of the options available for purchase from $1 – $3.

Trend Alert – Over-sized Letters and a Quick DIY!!

Posted on 29 September, 2014 by admin

For as far back as when my youngest daughter, (now 4) was born, I think I have been obsessed with typography and lettering and the custom/personalized feel that it brings to Home Decor. Over the last couple of years, I think that I have become enamored with over-sized letters specifically. And… so the hunt began. Of course I would see them EVERYWHERE. But, the catch is always the same, either they don’t have the letters that I am looking for, I can’t find the size I need, or the price is astronomical. (Or at least as far as this Momma is concerned)

So… I was at my 2nd Favorite Fabric Store….. you guessed it, Joann’s Fabric on a totally unrelated quest, when I ran smack dab into these HUGE Cardboard Letters, which of course were going to come home with me.

Admittedly, I had no idea what was next, because as much as I was stalking all the Over-sized Letter pins on Pinterest. My intention was to buy them and not to turn it into a DIY Project. Naturally, you would think the next step would have been to look up directions. But, NOPE. I decided to go home and see what I already had in my Craft Closet (also known, as the JUNK CLOSET). SCORE!!

I sprayed the letters with Krylon Short Cuts Hobby Craft Paint. And, to be honest, I loved that look and could have just left it at that. It had a leathery rustic look. But, since the A was actually an addition to my dh’s office decor. It had to tie into the Chalkboard Walls, that are soon to come.

What do you think?? I like it Brown.

I know that there should be a picture of the final step with the Martha Stewart Multi-Surface Chalk Board Paint. But, I had to download all my pics from my iPhone to make room for the iOS 8 upgrade.

Here is the completed project!! As you can see it hasn’t made it to its intended home yet, because Hubby’s Office is still a work in progress. All in all, the whole project probably cost me no more than $7.00.

Who can be mad at that?? Have you decorated any spaces in your home with Lettering? What was your favorite project? I’d love to hear about it!!

Valentine’s Day Across The Web!!

Posted on 13 February, 2014 by admin

I literally wish I could do all of the amazing crafts and Valentine’s Day ideas that I have found across the web, but that would be virtually impossible. So….. instead, I will share some of my favorite links.

There’s only a day left, but these are easy enough that you can work on them today, if needs be. I finished early this year, but it looks like the kid’s wont get to celebrate with their friends this year, due to the weather.

Do you have a little “foodie”, in your family? If so this Free Valentine’s Day Printable Lunch Box Notes, will be perfect for you.

Got Construction Paper, and some Hand Eye Coordination, this Super Easy “Bee Mine” Valentine’s Day Craft is Super Cute!!

I know a lot of folks think Valentine’s Day is for the ladies, but I think our little men would beg to differ. Check out this amazing Lego Valentine’s Day Boxes made over @ The Blackberry Vine. In 2012, she did this Lego Darth Vader Valentine Box.

I shared this on Facebook, last week sometime. But, I think it bears repeating. You can use things you already have at home to set a Festive Table for Valentine’s Day!! Ambiance, Ambiance, Ambiance.

I used Scrap Fabric, Scrapbook Paper, A Valentine’s Snow Globe, and my Dinnerware and Silverware to create a Festive Table-setting.

Easy Tablesetting for Valentine's Day (with things you have at home)

Hope you all have the Happiest of Valentine’s Days, with the ones you love. Be it your significant other or the whole family!!

DIY Scripted Glitter Letters

Posted on 10 December, 2013 by admin

Looking for an Alternative to Monogrammed Stockings? Last year we bought some Luxe Stockings, which I am still very much in love with. We wanted to personalize them, but without actually having to alter the stockings. So we settled on Scripted Glitter Letters instead.

This was very simple to do. I purchased the Scripted Wooden Letters, from Hobby Lobby (my favorite store according to my 4 year old).

I guess you could sand the letters if you wanted to, but we opted for a more rustic look, so just went ahead and painted them. Once the paint dried then we applied the glitter spray. Both items pictured below:

And, there you have it the completed project!!

According to my dh, my projects always turn into his, so I should add that.. we did throw in some”Hubby Elbow Grease”!! To see more of how we decorated our home for the Holidays check out Our 2013 and 2014 Christmas Home Tours.

My Sister’s Baby Shower : A Labor of Love!!

Posted on 27 September, 2013 by admin

It’s no secret that I love entertaining (a trait, I know I got from my Mommy). This party was no different, except that it was EXTRA SPECIAL because it was for my “not so little baby sister”.

They say your sister is your very first friend, and in my case my very best friend. So, I was over the moon knowing that soon we would be able to share the joys of motherhood, and to learn I was gonna be an Auntie to her twin girls. Making this party and this day extra special was all that I could think about for months.

I eventually decided that I would go with a Noah’s Ark theme because she was having twins. But, I couldn’t help but include some of my favorite colors and threw in some polka dots and chevron prints too.

Here Is A Glimpse Into My Sister’s Pink and Green Noah’s Ark Twin Baby Shower.

Favorite Features:

Pink and Green Chevron Table Runners and Cupcake Stands
The Mommy Cake – Small Round Cake with White Icing and Pink Piping by Publix
Edible Baby Building Block Cake Toppers and Noah’s Ark Animal Cake Toppers (Fondant) – Like Butter Etsy Shop
Pink and Green Polka Dot Napkins shaped to look like Napkin Flower Displays
Baby Animals 3D Favor Boxes – Beaucoup
Personalized Twins Labels – Big Dot of Happiness
Onesie Wish Board – Handmade by Stage Presents
Welcome Chalkboard – Handmade by Stage Presents
Library Books in place of Greeting Cards for the Twin’s Nursery

Credits:

– Styling: Sheree Thomas of Stage Presents
– Photography: Anwar Thomas Photography
– Venue: The Hindsman Estate
– Invitations: Anwar Thomas Photography
– Desserts: Publix

Stage Presents

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Category Archives: DIY

A New Twist on an Old Favorite – Strawberry Lemonade Ginger-Mint Mojito

How to Install your Custom iPad/iPhone Wallpaper?

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Updated Post: NEW “Will You Be My Bridesmaid” Printable Card (plus access to the 2015 Edition)

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Here are a few resources that I think will start you on your way, at least they did for me.

Places to find free images:

Fonts –

Photo Editing –

Layouts/Templates –

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