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Real Life Living on a Real Life Budget

DIY

Shark Week Treats Part 2

Shark Week Treats // Nestle Crunch Bars // Shark Party TreatsI’m back with a vengeance. Like Jaws in Jaws 2. Or maybe not, because that movie could quite possibly be the worst sequel ever made. Or does that title belongs to Jaws 3, Jaws 4, or Jaws 327? I don’t think they ever stopped making them. Little known fun fact: Although Jaws 2 was horrible, it was still ranked in the top 20 grossing films of that year. Which was before I was even born. Jaws makes me feel young again.

So as I was cruising through the channels last night, looking for a little Shark Week action, I came across something sacrilegious. Did you know that the NatGeo channel is trying to rival Discovery with their own attempt at a shark revolution? Indeed, they have deemed this week, SharkFest, and are airing the same types of episodes all week that the Discovery channel will air. I just can’t handle it. I must stay true to my original favorite. I will not be a traitor.

Shark Week Treats // Nestle Crunch Bars // Shark Party Treats

In honor of the OG (Shark Week), I painted this vase (which you can find instructions to, as well as print the ‘Shark Bait’ tag here). I cut out little “Shark Teeth” to cover Nestle Crunch bars, and put the new candy dish on my desk at work. Alongside, I’ve decided to display a new Shark Fact each day. My favorite?

“Weird Fact #4: Weird things that have been found in shark stomachs include shoes, chairs, the rear half of a horse, a box of nails, a torpedo, drums, and bottles of wine.”

Bottles of wine? Clearly that shark shares a common life goal with me. Print your Shark Facts for free on All For the Boys blog!

Shark Week Treats // Nestle Crunch Bars // Shark Party TreatsPrint your mini Crunch bar wrappers here. If you’d like to print one in a different size, download this file.

Tell me, will you be watching SharkFest or Shark Week!?

 

DIY

Shark Week Treats Part 1

Shark Bait Candy Dish // Shark Party // Shark Treats

Oh the gloriousness of Shark Week is upon us! Yesterday marked the beginning of the most wonderful week of the year (or so the Discovery channel is telling me). I prefer to call a week on the beach in Mexico the ‘most wonderful week’ of the year, but no. Discovery channel has decided it will be this week. Shark Week.

For those of you that are unaware that there is a thing called Shark Week, you should do yourself a little favor and do some research. Google Shark Week and let your mind be blown. It would be a little fishy if you didn’t. (See what I did there?)

Shark Bait Candy Dish // Shark Party // Shark Treats

I love Shark Week, and have already set my DVR to record all the shows I want to see this year. And because no real holiday is complete without a craft or two to celebrate, this week I will share with you some Sharktastic treats!Shark Bite Vase // How-To

First up: A Shark Bite treat bowl, complete with “Shark Bait.” Could anything be cuter than this? I bought a small clear vase at the Dollar Tree, taped off “teeth” with painters tape, and spray painted it white. Pulled the tape off, filled it with gummy worms, and attached this tag. Done and done. Should you want to create this dish for a party instead of Shark Week, you can print this tag instead.

Shark Bait Candy Dish // Shark Party // Shark Treats

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.

Uncategorized

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