Staying Home Sawyer

Real Life Living on a Real Life Budget

DIY, Holidays!

4th of July Firecracker Favors

 4th of July // Independence Day // Party Favors // Licorice Treats  I’ve expressed it before, and I’ll express it again. I don’t like when July 4th falls on any day between Friday-Monday. Why? Because this means those of us corporate world-ers only get one day off of work. In an ideal world, it would fall on a Tuesday or Thursday, giving us the much-appreciated extra day off. Why can’t July 4th be like Thanksgiving? Nevermind that it’s an actual date, and not just a holiday. That’s just a minor detail.

The Fourth of July always reminds me of fireworks, BBQ’s, and sparklers (my favorite). But this year, there will be no fireworks here. It must be some sort of sacrilegious thing to forgo fireworks, but with a massive drought on hand, I suppose there’s nothing to be done. Maybe we can all throw confetti into the air to improvise. Or glitter.

4th of July // Independence Day // Party Favors // Licorice Treats

I have a lot of plans for this weekend. I plan on doing a whole lot of nothing, while watching plenty of nothing on the TV, and eating a bunch of nothing out of the refrigerator. But just in case I suddenly get invited to a crazy party, I made party favors. I mean, I don’t want to show up empty-handed do I?

4th of July // Independence Day // Party Favors // Licorice Treats

Dollar Tree was calling my name. I bought Red Vines, blue licorice (score!), and shiny holiday garland. I used one pack of garland for about 30 favors (clearly this imaginary party I plan on attending is going to be cray). I bought long thin bags from Michael’s baking section, and went to work. I designed and printed these tags, and voila! A licorice firecracker was born. I basically should get the 4th of July Award of Excellence. Or at least a sparkler or two.

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Summer Sweet Tea Recipe

Summer Sweet Tea // Adult Sweet Tea Recipe

Summertime calls for two things. A pool (or a beach, preferably) and a drink. You score extra points for a drink that is multi-colored with an umbrella. Those are special drinks. Drinks that I just don’t have the patience to even attempt to create. So when you’re feeling really ambitious, feel free to make me one of those fabulous drinks. Just don’t forget the umbrella. Or one of these beautiful glass straws from Glass Dharma that I won from Le Zoe Musings. I will be careful and have only one drink if I’m using a glass straw. I don’t trust myself with pretty things.

Because some of us have to work, we can’t sit by the pool all day with a drink in one hand and a book in the other. That’s reserved specifically for Saturdays and Sundays for us. Or me. What am I going to do if we ever decide to stop living our life kid-free? I guess I’ll replace the book with a baby. (What, did you think I was getting rid of the drink?)

My favorite summertime cocktail is definitely the adult version of Sweet Tea. It also happens to be the “drink” of my relationship with my husband. I mean, it was served at our wedding as our signature cocktail, doesn’t that make it our drink?

Summer Sweet Tea // Adult Sweet Tea Recipe

When you order an adult sweet tea at a bar or restaurant, you’re typically going to end up with sweet tea vodka mixed with lemonade. While this is still amazing, it can get a little too sugary and sweet. One or two and you’re bound to be puckering your lips. And not just for the hottie at the bar.

Because we drink these quite often (okay we’ve cut back, only one or two a week), we have come up with our better own way to make them.

You’ll Need:

Arnold Palmer mix

Seagram’s Sweet Tea Vodka (or other brand)

Lemon

Water

Summer Sweet Tea // Adult Sweet Tea RecipeStart by filling your glass with ice. All the way. Waste that ice, go ahead. I’m giving you permission.

If you are using a typical 8 oz drinking glass, use one shot (1.5 oz) of vodka. Then you’ll nearly fill the glass with Arnold Palmer mix (5.5 oz), leaving about an inch empty at the top. Top with about an ounce of water and squeeze in a fresh lemon slice. You’re ready for a refreshing cocktail! You can thank me when you’re laying by the pool with your drink in hand.

Summer Sweet Tea // Adult Sweet Tea Recipe

DIY

Printable Birthday Banner Cake Topper

Printable Birthday Banner Cake TopperI don’t love cake. I know, I know, I’m crazy. I can easily pass up a piece of cake, a cupcake, or a slice of pie. I typically will only eat one or two bites of a cupcake before the sugar makes my tummy hurt (poor baby). Unless it’s red velvet or cheesecake, in which case I will eat the whole thing. After which, I will sit in pain for an hour just knowing I had a few bites of deliciousness. I’d much rather have a cheeseburger. At least I won’t feel regret. Unless it wasn’t on par. Then I will feel regret that I didn’t just go to In n Out instead.

Today is a special day in my blogosphere: it is my friend Nad’s (from Hugs x Heart) birthday! Since she lives on the other side of the world, I have to celebrate by showing her a picture of cupcakes, instead of delivering them to her place. I don’t think they’d survive in the mail, otherwise I’d try, trust me.

So in honor of Nad, this printable birthday banner is here! Although I’d like to give Nad the world, I actually didn’t make this myself. You can download your free glitterized birthday banner on TaterTots and Jello‘s website. Click here for the direct link. It was too cute not to share.

And just for you Nad, I helped myself to a giant cheeseburger too!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NAD!

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Easy Caprese Salad

Easy Caprese SaladBy now you all know how I like recipes. Easy. The same way I like just about everything. Nothing is worse than attempting to cook in the evening heat during a hot summer. It was 100+ degrees here yesterday, and ain’t no one got time for that. So when I got home from a longgggggg day in the office, I knew I was going to make myself this easy caprese salad. And not only because I love saying, “Easy Caprese.” Seriously. Does anything roll off the tongue better?

Easy Caprese Salad Ingredients

My mom fixed it for me when she was visiting about a month ago. I’ve been obsessed ever since. I’ve yet to find something as refreshing on a hot summer day. Except ice cream. Or a cool adult beverage. With a lemon slice. More on that later.

Easy Caprese Salad

Start with grape tomatoes, mozzarella balls, basil, and balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Chop up the basil, toss it in a bowl with the balls and tomatoes, and pour the dressing over. When you’ve tossed the ingredients together, sprinkle a little salt over the dish to bring out the natural flavors (mom’s idea: she’s brilliant). When I make this dish for myself, I always cut the tomatoes in half. Nothing is worse than trying to pick up a tomato with a fork. Especially if you’re wearing white. Amiright?

Easy Caprese Salad