washi tape toppers
| |

2-Minute Washi Tape Toppers (she: Mel)

Hello there, Or So She Says readers! My name is Melissa, but you can me Mel. I blog over at So Festive!, a blog featuring all sorts of simple ideas to make your holidays, parties, and life more festive. I’m super excited to be a new holidays and party contributor here. My entire goal is to share real ideas for real people and inspire you to make life more festive. Because life is to be enjoyed, right? I’ll show you how, simply. I certainly don’t have an endless budget, nor do I always have the time to run to the store to get a last-minute supply. And heaven knows half of my festive ideas come about 15 minutes before the party starts. So I have to improvise. You’d be surprised at how many things you can do with the stuff you already have. My post for today is all about that: using up something you probably have in your craft drawer. Or room. (Whatever type of person you are.) Today’s idea takes just a few minutes, and I think you’ll love it.

birthday calendar printable
| | |

Birthday Calendar Printable Download (she: Sharon)

Hi! It is Sharon from Lemon Squeezy! This month I have a free printable birthday calendar. I am super forgetful and I always feel bad missing a birthday. This birthday calendar printable is perfect for hanging by your computer so you (and the whole family) can remember the birthdays coming up. All you need to do is download the pdf, print on 8.5 x 11 card-stock, fill in, and hang. And, bonus, it will add some fun personality to your computer space/fridge/wall!

Banana Split Mini Bundts | Baking a Moment
| | | | | | | | |

Banana Split Mini Bundt Cakes (she: Allie)

Banana Split Mini Bundt Cakes are such a Fun Treat! Moist Banana Cake is Filled with Pineapple, and Topped with Strawberry Buttercream, Chocolate Sauce, Peanuts, and a Cherry on Top. Perfect for your next Party!

When I think of Spring, I think of birthday parties. Both my boys were Spring babies, and I love that! When they were first born, I loved that just when we were ready to venture out of our little cocoon, gorgeous warm breezes were beckoning us to go on long stroller walks. And now that they’re bigger, I love that presents, parties, and games are there for them, just when their house-bound stir-craziness is at a fever pitch.

Since baking’s my favorite, I always try to come up with something super-special and fun for them on their birthdays. I think these Banana Split Mini Bundt Cakes definitely fit the bill!

questions to ask before you buy anything

6 Money Saving Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying (she: Kristina)

Ahh. Black Friday madness has begun early this year! I found myself getting caught up in the ads the other day and I finally had to just change my frame of mind. Yes, you can get good deals over the next few days, but be wise about your purchases and don’t spend more than you…

15 Ways to Save Money on your Utility Bill

15 Easy Ways to Save Money on Your Utility Bill (she: Kristina)

Hello new friends! This is Kristina from Mother’s Niche and I’m thrilled to be the new Family Contributor here at “Or so she says…” A little about me: I live in Utah with my husband and two adorable little girls. I come from a family of 8 kids originally, but after my mother’s “happily ever after” received some major bumps in the road, she re-married to a man with 7 kids. Did you read that right? Yes, I am now one of FIFTEEN kids. Try and swallow that one! The blend of families has been a great one though and I love each and every one of my siblings. Having a love for family life, I received my degree in Marriage and Family studies and currently blog about motherhood, traditions, and provide printables and projects to make your life as a mother easier!

Moving on…

I’m here to save you money today!

colorful tulle circle banner_createandbabble
| | |

Circle Tulle Banner Tutorial (she: Jeanie)

Hi again! It’s Jeanie from Create & Babble, back today to share a tutorial on how I made this pretty banner using tulle circles. There are so many occasions where this banner could be used: baby showers, wedding showers, birthday parties or in my case: no occasion at all! Besides this banner being incredibly easy to make, it costs next to nothing to make!

All you need to make this banner are tulle circles in the color(s) of your choice, sewing machine or needle and thread. I had some tulle circles on hand. Why would I have tulle circles on hand?

‘Happy Birthday, dear family…’ ~ Celebrating Your Anniversary With The Kids!
| |

‘Happy Birthday, dear family…’ ~ Celebrating Your Anniversary With The Kids!

Dan and I just celebrated our 13 year anniversary, on June 2nd. Yay!!! It happened to fall on a Sunday, the day we go to church, don’t shop, eat out, etc. So, we celebrated on Friday. It was super fun. We decided to get an overnight babsitter and do a little stay-cation in Ogden, just 10 minutes from our house. We found a great hotel, walked the historic streets, saw a flick, and ate way too much food. I loved it!

Anyway, so since we ended up being home on our actual anniversary, I started to think about how it’s sorta-like our family’s birthday…so, why not celebrate with the kids?? It was a last minute decision, so I didn’t have all the fixins I would have liked, but it still ended up being a wonderful night with the fam.

I Choose Love ~ Strengthening Your Marriage (she: Veronica)
|

I Choose Love ~ Strengthening Your Marriage (she: Veronica)

  I’ve had quite a few conversations lately about the topic for my blog post this month…”I Choose Love.” These conversations have all been based on different marriages and it has made me think about my own marriage. I think we can all agree that we want happiness. We all have dreams of the “perfect”…

Book Review: Women & Money by Suze Orman ~ Plus Tips & Resources! (she: Teresa)
|

Book Review: Women & Money by Suze Orman ~ Plus Tips & Resources! (she: Teresa)

How are everyone’s New Year resolutions coming? I don’t know about you but it seems like once January fades away, my goals tend to fade with it. I am determined this year however to stick to at least one of those throughout the year! For the last several years I have had one thing on…

|

Making Your Man Number One ~ Book Review (she: Teresa)

So much to learn, so little time to learn it, right? That’s what I’m here for my friends. I love to read. Anything I can get my hands on, I will probably read it. I’ve previously mentioned my deep love of learning. These last few years my learning has been focused on relationships and psychology….

Fun Date Ideas to Amp Up Your Marriage (& Meet #6)
|

Fun Date Ideas to Amp Up Your Marriage (& Meet #6)

I was thinking the other day…I do that occasionally…that the hubs and I are getting a little lame when it comes to dating.  Now, we still GO on dates pretty regularly, but our creative juices and energy have been sucked out of us.  Sucked bone dry.  Trying to come up with something beyond dinner and…

|

"Happy Birthday, Dear Family!" ~ Wedding Anniversary Fun

Hey gals!  I’m sharing a fun way to include the kiddos on your family’s birthday (your wedding anniversary), over at Make and Takes!  Come find me there, and be sure to say hello. 🙂 Oh, and if your new around these parts…follow along!  I would love to have you. 🙂  You will usually find me…