With the hustle and bustle of the holidays underway we get so busy that we often forget those little things that get our mornings off to a great start.  Whether you are hosting house guests or just making a morning special for your family, this idea of a “cereal bar” was one I thought worthy of sharing.  A simple way to present an ordinary thing in an extraordinary way, this display of easy serve breakfast food is foolproof!  By filling any kitchen containers with your favorite cereals and toppings you are sure to send your family off to work or school with full bellies.  Kids can easily help themselves and the nonperishable items can sit out if everyone is eating at different times of the morning.  The milk containers have plastic lids so while they look adorable on the breakfast display they look just as cute in the fridge!  The shape of the container actually makes it easier for little hands to hold as well.  I found these at a local grocery store but I think you can also purchase them a Target (a great excuse to go looking!)  An additional way to make everything look special is a Giggle favorite–labeling!  This time a vintage, child’s chalkboard was used to display the menu but you could, of course, use any label or place card to title your items.  So if your morning breakfast routine is in a rut–give this idea a try.  Cereal in a whimsical way just might get your family off to the start of a great day!

Thanksgivings celebrations usually include the “kids’ table”…but as they get a bit older the idea of being separated from the grown-ups isn’t always as appealing.  However, logistics still takes precedence and the kids’ table is usually a space saving necessity.  That said, you can separate the children but still make their space feel just as important as the grand display the adults get to enjoy!  Here are a couple ideas for special touches that can be easily added.  Fun plates topped with a favor are sure to please a guest of any age.  Small cardboard boxes lined with parchment have over-sized gummy candy corns tucked down inside.  A simple initial sticker is an easy way for each child to locate their seat.  A water glass holding a napkin or two is donned with an orange straw–nothing hard or spectacular but it sure looks cute–and what kid doesn’t like drinking out of a straw?  Maybe the adults will trickle over to the kids’ table this year!

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is only 4 days away!  Every year the time goes  faster and faster making it difficult to take the opportunity to prepare and enjoy the festivities.  Over the next couple of days I would like to share with you some ideas for your Holiday table…remembering that the season is for gathering together and being thankful!  Table décor does not need to stress us out and spoil the good cheer–a few simple touches can offer such pleasure without a lot of fussing.  Here, brown craft paper is a great alternative to a table cloth or runner.  I’m sure you have seen this done many times before but I can’t stress enough what a joy it is to rip it off the table and throw it away after dinner–no laundry required!  Paper doesn’t need to be exclusively at the kid’s table, pair it with your china and some flowers and you have instant glam!  I love the look of simple or utilitarian mixed with elegant–it always presents something unique!  Strips of bark laid through the center of the table brings in the outdoors and is topped off with a line up of candles and small juice glasses filled with flowers.  If you don’t have access to bark (and I wouldn’t advise stripping it off your trees!) you could use moss or burlap ribbon to lay down the center.  Let your imagination go!  Other easy ideas include brown paper leaf tags to stand in for wine charms (I found these at Target in the $1 bins) and super simple (and useful later) brown paper sandwich sacks to hold the napkin and silverware.  I also happen to be using paper napkins–they are disposable and can always be easily spruced up!  Not that I have anything against cloth linens–especially for special occasions–but never think you can’t make disposable look good!

 Have fun planning!

This morning when I woke up it felt more like mid December than early October!  The first frost always gets us ready to snuggle by the fire and hunker down for the winter–why not start with a toasty cup of cocoa!  Most of us associate hot chocolate with tailgating and Christmas but how about dressing it up for Halloween?  A simple treat can always be spruced up with seasonal toppings that you may already have in your cupboard or in a candy jar.  How about this idea for an after school treat that is just a fun to create as it is to consume!