Lifestyle – And Then Home http://www.andthenhome.com/ Sun, 20 Sep 2020 00:49:12 +0000 en hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.5.1 https://www.andthenhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/cropped-Watermark-Logo-1-75x75.jpg Lifestyle – And Then Home http://www.andthenhome.com/ 32 32 7 Things Canada is Known For – And a Funny Video https://www.andthenhome.com/7-things-canada-is-known-for-and-a-funny-video/ Sun, 01 Jul 2018 11:30:35 +0000 https://www.andthenhome.com/?p=1865 Happy Canada Day!   We are so happy to be Canadian as this country has so much to offer.  In honour of Canada Day we wanted to share 7 Things Canada is Known For.  Some of which are the root of many jokes, but in the end, there is no where else we’d rather call home.  Make sure you stick around until the end to enjoy a funny video made by Stewart Reynolds, who goes by the name ‘Brittlestar’. Hockey – we invented it, we play it and our children play it.  It is a source of national pride, not to mention we need something to do during the cold months!  Many of the great hockey players are Canadian, so where our hockey teams don’t necessarily win, our players do. Canada poses as America for many movies and television series.  It’s done more then you may think.  I have seen my share of film crews in and around my home town and that doesn’t include the filming done in Toronto or our more picturesque provinces like Alberta or British Columbia.  Some titles you may be familiar with are Mean Girls, Chicago (hehe), American Psycho, Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle (Canada doesn’t even have any White Castle establishments) and Schitt’s Creek. Maple Syrup and Poutine…but not together, okay maybe sometimes!  As Canadians we hold Maple Syrup festivals and take our children to syrup farms, yes they exist.  Its pure Canadian fun and helps wrap up a long winter.  As for poutine…just yum.  Be sure to enjoy this dish on cheat day, its well worth the calories!  See an easy recipe here. Canada is Known For Universal Health Care because who wants to choose which finger to have sewn back on when you can have them all?  Everyone will use this health care at some point in there lives. What about our actors??  We cannot forget about our beloved Ryan Gosling, Ryan Renolds, Racheal McAdams and our lovable Mike Myers!  All of whom are proud Canadians. And of course let’s not forget some of our famous inventions like the pacemaker, peanut butter and garbage bags.  All fall into the category of life saving inventions if you ask me 😉 That ends my list, but before we part, lets get rid of some Canadian myths like…Canada is always cold.  Sure, parts of Canada are cold, but we have areas that have a moderate climate and we do enjoy the beach in the summer!  Also, not all of our police patrol on horses wearing bright red outfits with large brown hats. Our Royal Canadian Mountain Police will wear these outfits for ceremonial or official reasons, but I can assure you, even I would pop out my camera if a Mountie was to appear mid day in my Canadian town. And since we’re on the subject check out this hilarious video by Stewart Reynolds, who goes by the name ‘Brittlestar’ he explains what we celebrate on July 1st and what Canada is Known For.  He also has many more videos worth watching. Video Credit: https://www.facebook.com/pg/brittlestar/videos/ Cheer’s to you Canada!  

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]]> Happy Canada Day!   We are so happy to be Canadian as this country has so much to offer.  In honour of Canada Day we wanted to share 7 Things Canada is Known For.  Some of which are the root of many jokes, but in the end, there is no where else we’d rather call home.  Make sure you stick around until the end to enjoy a funny video made by Stewart Reynolds, who goes by the name ‘Brittlestar’.
canada-day-1485418__340

Hockey – we invented it, we play it and our children play it.  It is a source of national pride, not to mention we need something to do during the cold months!  Many of the great hockey players are Canadian, so where our hockey teams don’t necessarily win, our players do.
boy-2029996__340

Canada poses as America for many movies and television series.  It’s done more then you may think.  I have seen my share of film crews in and around my home town and that doesn’t include the filming done in Toronto or our more picturesque provinces like Alberta or British Columbia.  Some titles you may be familiar with are Mean Girls, Chicago (hehe), American Psycho, Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle (Canada doesn’t even have any White Castle establishments) and Schitt’s Creek.
img_4204
The Motel set from Schitt’s Creek, filmed in Mono, Ontario.
Maple Syrup and Poutine…but not together, okay maybe sometimes!  As Canadians we hold Maple Syrup festivals and take our children to syrup farms, yes they exist.  Its pure Canadian fun and helps wrap up a long winter.  As for poutine…just yum.  Be sure to enjoy this dish on cheat day, its well worth the calories!  See an easy recipe here.

Canada is Known For

picmonkey-collage
Universal Health Care because who wants to choose which finger to have sewn back on when you can have them all?  Everyone will use this health care at some point in there lives.
What about our actors??  We cannot forget about our beloved Ryan Gosling, Ryan Renolds, Racheal McAdams and our lovable Mike Myers!  All of whom are proud Canadians.
And of course let’s not forget some of our famous inventions like the pacemaker, peanut butter and garbage bags.  All fall into the category of life saving inventions if you ask me 😉
popcorn-1433327__340
That ends my list, but before we part, lets get rid of some Canadian myths like…Canada is always cold.  Sure, parts of Canada are cold, but we have areas that have a moderate climate and we do enjoy the beach in the summer!  Also, not all of our police patrol on horses wearing bright red outfits with large brown hats. Our Royal Canadian Mountain Police will wear these outfits for ceremonial or official reasons, but I can assure you, even I would pop out my camera if a Mountie was to appear mid day in my Canadian town.
winter-landscape-1145816__340
And since we’re on the subject check out this hilarious video by Stewart Reynolds, who goes by the name ‘Brittlestar’ he explains what we celebrate on July 1st and what Canada is Known For.  He also has many more videos worth watching.

Cheer’s to you Canada!  

canada-159585__340

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]]> Watch Fireworks in Style – What to Bring https://www.andthenhome.com/watching-fireworks-style-bring/ Tue, 26 Jun 2018 14:00:00 +0000 https://www.andthenhome.com/?p=1881 Celebrations are coming and you can’t celebrate without some fireworks!  Whether you have your own show in your backyard, attend a local event or a large city display, our Watch Fireworks in Style – What to Bring list will come in handy.  Take a look at how to make your fireworks watching a success! With so many occasions this summer such as Canada Day, Independence Day, Victoria Day, The Calgary Stampede and so much more your sure to see many colourful lights in the sky.   Watch Fireworks in Style – What to Bring Comfort.  Be sure to bring chairs to sit on or a large blanket to cover the grass.  If you have children, consider bringing both!  Bring blankets to cover yourselves as well, it may be a hot day but when the sun goes down it can get cooler fast.   Pre-Fireworks Entertainment.  This is especially important if you are going with little ones.  Getting a great spot means you might have to get to the park early, and since fireworks cannot start until dark, there may be quite a bit of down time.  Bring toys, bubbles and games that will keep everyone occupied until the show begins! Bug Spray.  Depending on your location you may want to bring the bug spray along.  Most fireworks are set off near water or in fields which can be heavy with bugs.  Try to avoid bringing bug lanterns or coils as these can be bothersome and distracting to others who are there to enjoy the show too. Snacks.  Bring snacks!  Popcorn, candy and cookies.  What’s a show without a yummy snack?  Also, bring drinks.  There’s nothing worse then finally setting up and realizing you don’t have anything to eat or drinks…doubly true if you have kids!  Photos.  Don’t forget your camera!  Make sure to turn your flash off and don’t forget the burst mode, this way you can take a bunch of pictures and delete the ones you don’t like later.  Share the good ones on social media, I love seeing the festive fireworks!  But, remember to look up every once in a while and enjoy the moment…in the moment! Don’t think we forgot about home decor goodies!  If you’re planning on having a few fireworks in your own backyard, don’t forget to dress up your patio.  There are tons of ways to spruce up your patio in a pinch, take a look at our How to Upgrade your Patio on a Budget where we show you how to enhance your patio, without breaking the bank!  If you want something quick and easy try this Canada Day – Welcome Eh! Door Decor.

The post Watch Fireworks in Style – What to Bring appeared first on And Then Home.

]]> Celebrations are coming and you can’t celebrate without some fireworks!  Whether you have your own show in your backyard, attend a local event or a large city display, our Watch Fireworks in Style – What to Bring list will come in handy.  Take a look at how to make your fireworks watching a success! With so many occasions this summer such as Canada Day, Independence Day, Victoria Day, The Calgary Stampede and so much more your sure to see many colourful lights in the sky.  
Fireworks in style

Watch Fireworks in Style – What to Bring

Comfort.  Be sure to bring chairs to sit on or a large blanket to cover the grass.  If you have children, consider bringing both!  Bring blankets to cover yourselves as well, it may be a hot day but when the sun goes down it can get cooler fast.
 
Pre-Fireworks Entertainment.  This is especially important if you are going with little ones.  Getting a great spot means you might have to get to the park early, and since fireworks cannot start until dark, there may be quite a bit of down time.  Bring toys, bubbles and games that will keep everyone occupied until the show begins!
Bug Spray.  Depending on your location you may want to bring the bug spray along.  Most fireworks are set off near water or in fields which can be heavy with bugs.  Try to avoid bringing bug lanterns or coils as these can be bothersome and distracting to others who are there to enjoy the show too.

Snacks.  Bring snacks!  Popcorn, candy and cookies.  What’s a show without a yummy snack?  Also, bring drinks.  There’s nothing worse then finally setting up and realizing you don’t have anything to eat or drinks…doubly true if you have kids!

 Photos.  Don’t forget your camera!  Make sure to turn your flash off and don’t forget the burst mode, this way you can take a bunch of pictures and delete the ones you don’t like later.  Share the good ones on social media, I love seeing the festive fireworks!  But, remember to look up every once in a while and enjoy the moment…in the moment!
fireworks-1759__340
Don’t think we forgot about home decor goodies!  If you’re planning on having a few fireworks in your own backyard, don’t forget to dress up your patio. 
There are tons of ways to spruce up your patio in a pinch, take a look at our How to Upgrade your Patio on a Budget where we show you how to enhance your patio, without breaking the bank!  If you want something quick and easy try this Canada Day – Welcome Eh! Door Decor.

The post Watch Fireworks in Style – What to Bring appeared first on And Then Home.

]]> 10 Awesome Ideas for Kids on Rainy Days https://www.andthenhome.com/10-awesome-ideas-for-kids-on-rainy-days/ Tue, 05 Jun 2018 04:26:58 +0000 https://www.andthenhome.com/?p=3272 Summer is here and school is almost over. While most of the couple months will be filled with outdoor fun in the sun, there will inevitably be those rainy, wet days and before you know it cries of “I’m bored!!” are coming at you from every direction. We’ve come up with the top 10 boredom-busting ways to keep everyone entertained indoors all day. Do something different on the next rainy day and try a new craft, recipe, game or activity that you maybe wouldn’t have thought of. Being stuck inside shouldn’t be a bad thing, make it a fun thing with these inspired ideas! 10 Rainy Day Ideas Go to the library. Your local library is a great place to spend some time during a downpour. There’s not much better than a room full of free books  and a whole day to try and read them all. Many libraries also offer programmes like story-time or crafts. 2. Play Board Games Snakes & Ladders, Candyland, Clue, there are hundreds of choices. If you have a stack of them at home then endless hours of entertainment ahead of you. Once on game gets old, switch it out for another and them another until the dark clouds clear and the sun comes back out. 3. Bake Something Baking is a great group activity. With most recipes having multiple steps, there’s always something for everyone to do. Check out this list for inspiration, Top 10 Soft and Chewy Cookie Recipes 4. Photo Scavenger Hunt It’s a fact – kids LOVE playing with cameras. Make their day and set up a photo scavenger hunt. Make up a list of items throughout the house for them to find and photograph. Remember, the longer the list, the longer they’ll be busy! 5. Movie Marathon Change up your usual watching space and throw every cushion you have in the house on the floor in front of  the TV. Have their favourite flicks lined up and let them watch all day. Don’t forget movie snacks – try this  Trial-mix (its not just for Easter!). 6. Crafts Keep little hands busy and organize a craft or two. We like these Stocking Butterflies and Beaded Wind Chimes. Make them inside in the rain and put them outside tomorrow in better weather. 7. Host a Tea Party Make a garden tea party in your living room. Gather houseplants to put around the table, with table linens, teacups, finger sandwiches and of course, fancy dress up. Invite teddy bears guests and you’ve got yourself a party. Try our Lemon Scones for a tasty teatime treat. 8. Go Bowling Bowling is low-cost family friendly activity that kids love. Spend the next rained out day at the alley and bowl until the sky clears. Have lunch, plays some games and you’re certainly going to have a great day. 9. Go Swimming Not in the backyard, swimming in a rainstorm can actually be dangerous, on the other hand, head to the local public pool. Many public pools have fun things like water slides, wave pools and rock climbing walls. Everything to make sure your kids aren’t bored for a single second. 10. Puddle Splashing When all fails, embrace the weather, have the kids throw on their bathing suits and rubber boots and jump in as many puddles as they can find!  We hope you liked these 10 Rainy Day Ideas.

The post 10 Awesome Ideas for Kids on Rainy Days appeared first on And Then Home.

]]> Summer is here and school is almost over. While most of the couple months will be filled with outdoor fun in the sun, there will inevitably be those rainy, wet days and before you know it cries of “I’m bored!!” are coming at you from every direction.

We’ve come up with the top 10 boredom-busting ways to keep everyone entertained indoors all day. Do something different on the next rainy day and try a new craft, recipe, game or activity that you maybe wouldn’t have thought of. Being stuck inside shouldn’t be a bad thing, make it a fun thing with these inspired ideas!

10 Rainy Day Ideas

  1. Go to the library.

Your local library is a great place to spend some time during a downpour. There’s not much better than a room full of free books  and a whole day to try and read them all. Many libraries also offer programmes like story-time or crafts.

2. Play Board Games

Snakes & Ladders, Candyland, Clue, there are hundreds of choices. If you have a stack of them at home then endless hours of entertainment ahead of you. Once on game gets old, switch it out for another and them another until the dark clouds clear and the sun comes back out.

3. Bake Something

Baking is a great group activity. With most recipes having multiple steps, there’s always something for everyone to do. Check out this list for inspiration, Top 10 Soft and Chewy Cookie Recipes

4. Photo Scavenger Hunt

It’s a fact – kids LOVE playing with cameras. Make their day and set up a photo scavenger hunt. Make up a list of items throughout the house for them to find and photograph. Remember, the longer the list, the longer they’ll be busy!

5. Movie Marathon

Photo Credit: babycouture.in

Change up your usual watching space and throw every cushion you have in the house on the floor in front of  the TV. Have their favourite flicks lined up and let them watch all day. Don’t forget movie snacks – try this  Trial-mix (its not just for Easter!).

6. Crafts

Keep little hands busy and organize a craft or two. We like these Stocking Butterflies and Beaded Wind Chimes. Make them inside in the rain and put them outside tomorrow in better weather.

7. Host a Tea Party

Make a garden tea party in your living room. Gather houseplants to put around the table, with table linens, teacups, finger sandwiches and of course, fancy dress up. Invite teddy bears guests and you’ve got yourself a party. Try our Lemon Scones for a tasty teatime treat.

8. Go Bowling

Bowling is low-cost family friendly activity that kids love. Spend the next rained out day at the alley and bowl until the sky clears. Have lunch, plays some games and you’re certainly going to have a great day.

9. Go Swimming

Not in the backyard, swimming in a rainstorm can actually be dangerous, on the other hand, head to the local public pool. Many public pools have fun things like water slides, wave pools and rock climbing walls. Everything to make sure your kids aren’t bored for a single second.

10. Puddle Splashing

When all fails, embrace the weather, have the kids throw on their bathing suits and rubber boots and jump in as many puddles as they can find!  We hope you liked these 10 Rainy Day Ideas.

The post 10 Awesome Ideas for Kids on Rainy Days appeared first on And Then Home.

]]> DIY Bachelorette Selfie Photo Booth Props  https://www.andthenhome.com/diy-bachelorette-selfie-photo-booth-props/ Sun, 20 May 2018 12:26:51 +0000 https://www.andthenhome.com/?p=3227 Wedding season is just about here!  If you have an upcoming wedding this year, you might have a bachelorette to attend too.  If you do and you’re not sure what to bring try these easy DIY Bachelorette Selfie Photo Booth Props, they are an awesome addition to any bachelorette!  No matter what the brides style or where the party goes these photo booth props will have everyone laughing.  Whether the bride to be wants to stay in for a girls night, go clubbing or have a cottage retreat these cute photo props are only going to make the experience more fun!  Take them with you to the club or use them for pre-party fun.  And the best thing you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get them.  All that’s needed to make these awesome props are some scrapbook cardstock, wooden sticks (or you can use lollipop sticks from the local bulk or dollar store), tape, scissors, pencil and glue. You can make any shape you like, we created some cute lips, a moustache, glasses, some words, martini glasses and more!   Making these Bachelorette Selfie Photo Booth Props is easy to do, here’s how! Start by picking some firm cardstock as your base, you can use paper as an accent to your props, but the base should be strong enough to stand without curving.  Once you’ve picked your colours, draw your shapes onto it and cut them out.  Glue any overlapping pieces, for example the sparkly “martini” in the martini glass.  Add any embellishments such as washi tape, gems or stickers.  Once all glue is dry, use tape to attach the stick to the prop.   Your #selfie’s will be memorable and hilarious with these photo props!  They will definitely lasting memories.  There’s many more options then what you see here and when you make them yourself you’re sure to have enough for everyone.   If you love these photo props, check out our DIY Photo Props for photo booths at wedding, birthdays and more.    

The post DIY Bachelorette Selfie Photo Booth Props  appeared first on And Then Home.

]]>
Wedding season is just about here!  If you have an upcoming wedding this year, you might have a bachelorette to attend too.  If you do and you’re not sure what to bring try these easy DIY Bachelorette Selfie Photo Booth Props, they are an awesome addition to any bachelorette!  No matter what the brides style or where the party goes these photo booth props will have everyone laughing. 
DIY Bachelorette Selfie Photo Booth Props And Then Home
Whether the bride to be wants to stay in for a girls night, go clubbing or have a cottage retreat these cute photo props are only going to make the experience more fun!  Take them with you to the club or use them for pre-party fun.  And the best thing you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get them.  All that’s needed to make these awesome props are some scrapbook cardstock, wooden sticks (or you can use lollipop sticks from the local bulk or dollar store), tape, scissors, pencil and glue.
DIY Bachelorette Selfie Photo Booth Props And Then Home
You can make any shape you like, we created some cute lips, a moustache, glasses, some words, martini glasses and more!  

Making these Bachelorette Selfie Photo Booth Props is easy to do, here’s how!

Start by picking some firm cardstock as your base, you can use paper as an accent to your props, but the base should be strong enough to stand without curving.  Once you’ve picked your colours, draw your shapes onto it and cut them out.  Glue any overlapping pieces, for example the sparkly “martini” in the martini glass.  Add any embellishments such as washi tape, gems or stickers.  Once all glue is dry, use tape to attach the stick to the prop.  
DIY Bachelorette Selfie Photo Booth Props And Then Home
DIY Bachelorette Selfie Photo Booth Props And Then Home
DIY Bachelorette Selfie Photo Booth Props And Then Home
DIY Bachelorette Selfie Photo Booth Props And Then Home
DIY Bachelorette Selfie Photo Booth Props And Then Home
Your #selfie’s will be memorable and hilarious with these photo props!  They will definitely lasting memories.  There’s many more options then what you see here and when you make them yourself you’re sure to have enough for everyone.  
DIY Bachelorette Selfie Photo Booth Props And Then Home
If you love these photo props, check out our DIY Photo Props for photo booths at wedding, birthdays and more.  

DIY Bachelorette Selfie Photo Booth Props And Then Home
They’re fun for at home too!!!
Don’t forget to PIN it for later!
 

The post DIY Bachelorette Selfie Photo Booth Props  appeared first on And Then Home.

]]> Tips and Tricks for Camping with Kids https://www.andthenhome.com/tipsandtricksforcampingwithkids/ https://www.andthenhome.com/tipsandtricksforcampingwithkids/#comments Sun, 13 May 2018 14:50:41 +0000 https://www.andthenhome.com/?p=3186 We love camping!  With three kids now we go a little less then when we were younger, but we still try to go camping at least once or twice a summer at campsites local to us.  Here are a few Tips and Tricks for Camping with Kids I’ve picked up along the way.  Camping with kids can a little intimidating but when planned right, it can be a rewarding family adventure!   TIPS Plan ahead –Campgrounds book fast, especially if you’re going to a National Park or Family Resort.  Be sure to book at least 4-6 months in advance, yes, that could mean planning your camping trips in January or February. Think “Glamping”– Or a least, don’t rough it.  Be sure you can drive your car to your site and if it’s your first time going with your young kids, consider renting a bunkie or yurt.  It doesn’t hurt to have the camp fire experience…and then sleep in a bed! Routine as normal– Try to adhere to your routine if you can.  This is especially true if you have very young kids.  When we went with our then one year old, we encouraged nap time at her regular time and I insisted on both girls having a shower and in their jam’s at the regular time.  Dry run– If you’re tenting it, do some practice runs in the backyard or even the living room for the first time.  Get them use to sleeping on fold out cots or air mattresses with ‘tent noises’, cooler nights and warmer mornings. Arrive early– Arrive as early as the grounds will allow, this will give you time to set up with daylight.  Don’t forget to have the kids help!  They can help with the tent, set their bed up and gather sticks for the fire. Pack for weather– Remember that the nights can be cool, so bring sweaters and warm pants.  Don’t forget rain gear too.   TRICKS Ziplock bags –Pack a variety of sizes and use them for dirty clothes, keeping items dry (matches and fire related items), bundling items together and keeping trinkets the kids find.  We have a rock collector in our home.  Be sure to bring at least one large freezer ziplock for all of your valuables, phones, wallets etc. which can be easier to keep track of and will keep sand out. Dollar Store Cloth Hamper– I pack one of these for all dirty clothes, this way I can just throw them in and deal with them at home, no confusion, dirty clothes are gone (for now). Freeze Your Water –Freeze bottles of water before hand and pack your food around them.  This serves a double purpose.   Wipes/Hand washing –It doesn’t really matter how old your kids are wipes are ALWAYS handy.  Camping is dirty and a quick clean can help during the day.  You could also have a hand washing station, using a gallon jug with spout, paper towel and soap set up on a picnic table. PACK   How is Tips and Tricks for Camping with Kids finished without a list of what to pack?  I won’t mention the obvious, like the tent or camping chairs but get to some items that may be overlooked. Bring a mat for the entrance to your tent or cabin, it’s always nice to have a designated area for shoes and somewhere to wipe your feet! Batteries/bulbs (extra) Plastic grocery bags (on top of the ziplocks already mentioned) Duct tape Towels Toilet paper Sunscreen, bug spray and aloe vera First aid kit Hats (summer and winter incase it gets really cool) Flashlights, sparklers, kids rainbow lights, glow sticks…all things light-up and dark fun! Potty, depending on your kids age this could be a game changer! Stoller, I found this helped put both of my girls to sleep when they had trouble the first night. Tips and Tricks for Camping with Kids PLAY Finally, entertainment.  You’d think camping would be enough to keep the kids entertained…think again.  Bring some toys and fun games (some reserved just for camping!).  Here’s some ideas… Buckets, shovels, sand items Water guns Bikes Lawn games like bocce ball or these fun DIY Lawn Dominoes Games like Jenga, Snakes and Ladders Art supplies in case you get rained in Design a scavenger hunt before you go with a list of items to find! Matchbox cars are great for playing in the dirt and grass, making hills and ramps Okay, one more list to help when camping with kids! EAT   What you’re going to eat is important!  Here are a few eats that are easy and tasty to help you feed your family without your kitchen.  I recommend making most of the meals or preparing everything you can before you go, this will save time and sanity on the campsite. Pita bread/bagels Rice crackers, crackers or other easy to eat snack food Spreads – peanut butter, hummus, cream cheese Fruits – apples, bananas, oranges  Veggies – pre-cut carrots, cucumber, peppers Cheese Pre boiled pasta with sauce (here’s a great recipe – Campfire Sausage and Rotini Pasta) Don’t forget baked goods and treats! Well, that concludes our Camping with Kids – tips, tricks, pack, do and eat.  Now I really feel like camping!  I hope it helps get you ready for camping with kids.  Do you have any tips to add??  Certainly let us know in the comments. Oh, and don’t forget the coffee!!  

The post Tips and Tricks for Camping with Kids appeared first on And Then Home.

]]> We love camping!  With three kids now we go a little less then when we were younger, but we still try to go camping at least once or twice a summer at campsites local to us.  Here are a few Tips and Tricks for Camping with Kids I’ve picked up along the way.  Camping with kids can a little intimidating but when planned right, it can be a rewarding family adventure!  
Camping with Kids And Then Home

TIPS

Plan ahead –Campgrounds book fast, especially if you’re going to a National Park or Family Resort.  Be sure to book at least 4-6 months in advance, yes, that could mean planning your camping trips in January or February.
Think “Glamping”– Or a least, don’t rough it.  Be sure you can drive your car to your site and if it’s your first time going with your young kids, consider renting a bunkie or yurt.  It doesn’t hurt to have the camp fire experience…and then sleep in a bed!
Routine as normal– Try to adhere to your routine if you can.  This is especially true if you have very young kids.  When we went with our then one year old, we encouraged nap time at her regular time and I insisted on both girls having a shower and in their jam’s at the regular time. 
Dry run– If you’re tenting it, do some practice runs in the backyard or even the living room for the first time.  Get them use to sleeping on fold out cots or air mattresses with ‘tent noises’, cooler nights and warmer mornings.
Arrive early– Arrive as early as the grounds will allow, this will give you time to set up with daylight.  Don’t forget to have the kids help!  They can help with the tent, set their bed up and gather sticks for the fire.
Pack for weather– Remember that the nights can be cool, so bring sweaters and warm pants.  Don’t forget rain gear too.  
Camping with Kids And Then Home

TRICKS

Ziplock bags –Pack a variety of sizes and use them for dirty clothes, keeping items dry (matches and fire related items), bundling items together and keeping trinkets the kids find.  We have a rock collector in our home.  Be sure to bring at least one large freezer ziplock for all of your valuables, phones, wallets etc. which can be easier to keep track of and will keep sand out.
Dollar Store Cloth Hamper– I pack one of these for all dirty clothes, this way I can just throw them in and deal with them at home, no confusion, dirty clothes are gone (for now).
Freeze Your Water –Freeze bottles of water before hand and pack your food around them.  This serves a double purpose.  
Wipes/Hand washing –It doesn’t really matter how old your kids are wipes are ALWAYS handy.  Camping is dirty and a quick clean can help during the day.  You could also have a hand washing station, using a gallon jug with spout, paper towel and soap set up on a picnic table.

PACK

 
How is Tips and Tricks for Camping with Kids finished without a list of what to pack?  I won’t mention the obvious, like the tent or camping chairs but get to some items that may be overlooked.
  • Bring a mat for the entrance to your tent or cabin, it’s always nice to have a designated area for shoes and somewhere to wipe your feet!
  • Batteries/bulbs (extra)
  • Plastic grocery bags (on top of the ziplocks already mentioned)
  • Duct tape
  • Towels
  • Toilet paper
  • Sunscreen, bug spray and aloe vera
  • First aid kit
  • Hats (summer and winter incase it gets really cool)
  • Flashlights, sparklers, kids rainbow lights, glow sticks…all things light-up and dark fun!
  • Potty, depending on your kids age this could be a game changer!
  • Stoller, I found this helped put both of my girls to sleep when they had trouble the first night.

Tips and Tricks for Camping with Kids

Camping with Kids And Then Home

PLAY

Finally, entertainment.  You’d think camping would be enough to keep the kids entertained…think again.  Bring some toys and fun games (some reserved just for camping!).  Here’s some ideas…
  • Buckets, shovels, sand items
  • Water guns
  • Bikes
  • Lawn games like bocce ball or these fun DIY Lawn Dominoes
  • Games like Jenga, Snakes and Ladders
  • Art supplies in case you get rained in
  • Design a scavenger hunt before you go with a list of items to find!
  • Matchbox cars are great for playing in the dirt and grass, making hills and ramps

Camping with Kids And Then Home

Okay, one more list to help when camping with kids!

EAT
 
What you’re going to eat is important!  Here are a few eats that are easy and tasty to help you feed your family without your kitchen.  I recommend making most of the meals or preparing everything you can before you go, this will save time and sanity on the campsite.
  • Pita bread/bagels
  • Rice crackers, crackers or other easy to eat snack food
  • Spreads – peanut butter, hummus, cream cheese
  • Fruits – apples, bananas, oranges 
  • Veggies – pre-cut carrots, cucumber, peppers
  • Cheese
  • Pre boiled pasta with sauce (here’s a great recipe – Campfire Sausage and Rotini Pasta)
  • Don’t forget baked goods and treats!
Camping with Kids And Then Home
Well, that concludes our Camping with Kids – tips, tricks, pack, do and eat.  Now I really feel like camping!  I hope it helps get you ready for camping with kids.  Do you have any tips to add??  Certainly let us know in the comments.
Oh, and don’t forget the coffee!!
 

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]]> https://www.andthenhome.com/tipsandtricksforcampingwithkids/feed/ 2 Kids Birthday Party Theme Idea: Dinosaur Birthday https://www.andthenhome.com/kids-birthday-party-theme-idea-dinosaur-birthday/ Wed, 25 Apr 2018 12:34:57 +0000 https://www.andthenhome.com/?p=3134 We recently had the pleasure of attending a dinosaur themed kids birthday party and wow did they have some cute and easy ways to make the theme come to life.  This Kids Birthday Party Theme Idea: Dinosaur Birthday was for a four year old girl.  All of the kids enjoyed the fun elements that were there including balloons, wall art, themed food and more.  My daughter (also four) even got some of the ‘jokes’.  So, if you have a Dino lovin’ child and want to easily give them a roaring birthday, read on!  The birthday was held at an indoor play place that is local to us.  If you have one near you I highly recommend them for birthday parties.  The kids have so much fun and there’s less stress for mom and dad.  Most establishments allow you to bring in your own (peanut free) food, snacks and cake.  The play place close to us includes two large pizza’s and drinking boxes, which is extra nice.  Decorate your room as you see fit and quickly tear down when your done and thats it!  That being said, let’s get to it! The tables were set with bright pinks and purples, no doubt the birthday girls favourite colours.  Cups, plates, napkins and cutlery all in those colours also.  Tied to chairs and placed on tables were pink, purple and dinosaur shaped helium balloons.   One of my favourite elements was the dinosaur head fruit bowl!  A watermelon was carefully cut and carved into a T-rex head.  To do this all you need to do is cut a rectangle shaped piece out of the watermelon, set this aside as you’ll need it for the teeth.  Then carefully scoop out the inside.  Use a melon baller to do this and place the balls aside, this way you can reuse them.  Cut triangle teeth out of the rectangle piece placed aside previously.  Secure them around the ‘mouth’ as seen in the picture, white pulp facing out, with toothpicks.  Finally, the eyes are made of a small white marshmallow and a blueberry on a toothpick. Fun food! The food was delightfully labeled with bright bristol board.  My daughter had a laugh at the funny food labels, “Dino spikes” were watermelon and “Dino eggs” were donut holes!  I thought this was a very cute and easy way to add to the dinosaur theme. In lieu of a traditional birthday cake there were Dino-pop’s offered.  All the kids seemed to like the cake pops because it was something a little different.  Sticking to the colour theme, they were pink and purple and oh-so cute. Loving this themed birthday party?  See our Curious George Birthday Party. The favours were dinosaur eggs.  These were purchased from the local dollar store and were the PERFECT favour for a Dino party!  They were displayed in a little nest with a sign that said “Pick and egg and take me home.  Place me in water and wait 24hrs for my egg to break, then watch me grow”.  There were bags for the kids to put their eggs in to take home.  The nest was made using a twig wreath, with twine wrapped around for extra effect! So that’s the awesome Dinosaur Themed Birthday Party we attended!  A great birthday party idea! I hope you got some great ideas for your Dino-fan’s birthday party!  If you have any other ideas, certainly share them in the comments so everyone can create the perfect party for their dinosaur loving kids!  

The post Kids Birthday Party Theme Idea: Dinosaur Birthday appeared first on And Then Home.

]]> We recently had the pleasure of attending a dinosaur themed kids birthday party and wow did they have some cute and easy ways to make the theme come to life.  This Kids Birthday Party Theme Idea: Dinosaur Birthday was for a four year old girl.  All of the kids enjoyed the fun elements that were there including balloons, wall art, themed food and more.  My daughter (also four) even got some of the ‘jokes’.  So, if you have a Dino lovin’ child and want to easily give them a roaring birthday, read on! 
Kids Birthday Dinosaur Party AndThenHome

The birthday was held at an indoor play place that is local to us.  If you have one near you I highly recommend them for birthday parties.  The kids have so much fun and there’s less stress for mom and dad.  Most establishments allow you to bring in your own (peanut free) food, snacks and cake.  The play place close to us includes two large pizza’s and drinking boxes, which is extra nice.  Decorate your room as you see fit and quickly tear down when your done and thats it! 
Kids Birthday Dinosaur Party AndThenHome

That being said, let’s get to it!

The tables were set with bright pinks and purples, no doubt the birthday girls favourite colours.  Cups, plates, napkins and cutlery all in those colours also.  Tied to chairs and placed on tables were pink, purple and dinosaur shaped helium balloons.  
Kids Birthday Party Theme - Dinosaur Party AndThenHome

One of my favourite elements was the dinosaur head fruit bowl!  A watermelon was carefully cut and carved into a T-rex head.  To do this all you need to do is cut a rectangle shaped piece out of the watermelon, set this aside as you’ll need it for the teeth.  Then carefully scoop out the inside.  Use a melon baller to do this and place the balls aside, this way you can reuse them.  Cut triangle teeth out of the rectangle piece placed aside previously.  Secure them around the ‘mouth’ as seen in the picture, white pulp facing out, with toothpicks.  Finally, the eyes are made of a small white marshmallow and a blueberry on a toothpick.

Fun food!

Kids Birthday Party Theme - Dinosaur Party AndThenHome
Kids Birthday Party Theme - Dinosaur Party AndThenHome
The food was delightfully labeled with bright bristol board.  My daughter had a laugh at the funny food labels, “Dino spikes” were watermelon and “Dino eggs” were donut holes!  I thought this was a very cute and easy way to add to the dinosaur theme.
Kids Birthday Party Theme - Dinosaur Party AndThenHome

In lieu of a traditional birthday cake there were Dino-pop’s offered.  All the kids seemed to like the cake pops because it was something a little different.  Sticking to the colour theme, they were pink and purple and oh-so cute.
Loving this themed birthday party?  See our Curious George Birthday Party.
Kids Birthday Party Theme - Dinosaur Party AndThenHome
Kids Birthday Party Theme - Dinosaur Party AndThenHome
The favours were dinosaur eggs.  These were purchased from the local dollar store and were the PERFECT favour for a Dino party!  They were displayed in a little nest with a sign that said “Pick and egg and take me home.  Place me in water and wait 24hrs for my egg to break, then watch me grow”.  There were bags for the kids to put their eggs in to take home.  The nest was made using a twig wreath, with twine wrapped around for extra effect!

Kids Birthday Dinosaur Party 14

So that’s the awesome Dinosaur Themed Birthday Party we attended!  A great birthday party idea!

I hope you got some great ideas for your Dino-fan’s birthday party!  If you have any other ideas, certainly share them in the comments so everyone can create the perfect party for their dinosaur loving kids!
 

The post Kids Birthday Party Theme Idea: Dinosaur Birthday appeared first on And Then Home.

]]> 5 Ways to Welcome Spring into Your Home https://www.andthenhome.com/ways-to-spring/ Fri, 23 Mar 2018 20:51:09 +0000 https://www.andthenhome.com/?p=3036 The snow is melting, the sun is staying out longer, the birds are coming home… Spring is finally here. It may feel like forever sine the last time you saw anything but white roads and lawns but the gravel trucks are emerging and the grass is peaking through. Who else is excited to open the windows for the first time and let the fresh air flow through the house? Spring is all about freshness and new beginnings so we’ve put together a list of 5 Ways to Welcome Spring into Your Home, to get a head start on chasing away the winter blues. Spring Cleaning This is one chore that no one looking forward to but it is a necessary evil. Open the windows on the next warm day and dig in. Consider really getting into the nitty gritty –  scrub the walls and baseboards, move the beds and couches, wash the windows to let the sun in, switch out the furnace filters and soak all the faucets with vinegar to clear away the buildup. Try breaking the tasks up into a couple days work to lighten the load. 2. Go Green The garden will have to be tended but first, let’s start indoors. Bring some green inside to liven things up. Real or silk plants are both great options (especially if your like me and don’t have the slightest green thumb). Try a terrarium for a modern take, ferns always look great, or fresh cut or potted flowers for colour. There’s Still More Ways to Welcome Spring into Your Home 3. Outdoor Decor I don’t know whats on your porch looks like right now but mine has some almost dead, very wilty evergreen branches and a winter wreath that winter storms really didn’t take care of. Renewing this area of your house brightens up the thing. New arrangements with spring flowers will really freshen your entryway. Don’t forget the front door – try Christine’s Chevron Door Hanger for a personal, fun addition to your decor. 4. Switch up Your Bedding  Winter is ruled by dark shades and comfy, thick blankets to keep out the cold. Now it’s getting warmer, store all those dark sheets and welcome the new season with lighter, brighter shades of bedding. Try swapping out pillows for light colors and floral prints.  5. Delight your Sense of Smell Spring is a season associated with the aroma of nature. Let your home too, reflect the same.  Just get some citrus, rose, lavender or any other floral scented candles or essential oils to ensure that your home always welcomes others with warm, breezy aromas of the spring. We hope you liked this list of ways to welcome spring into your home!  If you’re looking for more spring projects certainly check out our Spring Forward Umbrella Art.

The post 5 Ways to Welcome Spring into Your Home appeared first on And Then Home.

]]> The snow is melting, the sun is staying out longer, the birds are coming home… Spring is finally here. It may feel like forever sine the last time you saw anything but white roads and lawns but the gravel trucks are emerging and the grass is peaking through. Who else is excited to open the windows for the first time and let the fresh air flow through the house? Spring is all about freshness and new beginnings so we’ve put together a list of 5 Ways to Welcome Spring into Your Home, to get a head start on chasing away the winter blues.

  1. Spring Cleaning

This is one chore that no one looking forward to but it is a necessary evil. Open the windows on the next warm day and dig in. Consider really getting into the nitty gritty –  scrub the walls and baseboards, move the beds and couches, wash the windows to let the sun in, switch out the furnace filters and soak all the faucets with vinegar to clear away the buildup. Try breaking the tasks up into a couple days work to lighten the load.

2. Go Green

The garden will have to be tended but first, let’s start indoors. Bring some green inside to liven things up. Real or silk plants are both great options (especially if your like me and don’t have the slightest green thumb). Try a terrarium for a modern take, ferns always look great, or fresh cut or potted flowers for colour.

how to paint a chevron - spring door hanger

There’s Still More Ways to Welcome Spring into Your Home

3. Outdoor Decor

I don’t know whats on your porch looks like right now but mine has some almost dead, very wilty evergreen branches and a winter wreath that winter storms really didn’t take care of. Renewing this area of your house brightens up the thing. New arrangements with spring flowers will really freshen your entryway. Don’t forget the front door – try Christine’s Chevron Door Hanger for a personal, fun addition to your decor.

4. Switch up Your Bedding 

Winter is ruled by dark shades and comfy, thick blankets to keep out the cold. Now it’s getting warmer, store all those dark sheets and welcome the new season with lighter, brighter shades of bedding. Try swapping out pillows for light colors and floral prints. 

5. Delight your Sense of Smell

Spring is a season associated with the aroma of nature. Let your home too, reflect the same.  Just get some citrus, rose, lavender or any other floral scented candles or essential oils to ensure that your home always welcomes others with warm, breezy aromas of the spring.

We hope you liked this list of ways to welcome spring into your home!  If you’re looking for more spring projects certainly check out our Spring Forward Umbrella Art.

The post 5 Ways to Welcome Spring into Your Home appeared first on And Then Home.

]]> DIY Curious George Themed Birthday Party https://www.andthenhome.com/diy-curious-george-themed-birthday-party/ Wed, 21 Feb 2018 17:05:39 +0000 https://www.andthenhome.com/?p=2961 Christine’s middlest has turned 2 and since she’s a little monkey we chose to make her a DIY Curious George Themed Birthday Party.  Of course she loved it!  It was fairly easy to do and the results were perfect.  Themed birthday parties are a lot of fun to create because you can do as little or as much as you’d like.  Just begin with an idea and see where it takes you.  If you have a little monkey in your life and you’re looking to create a Curious George Party, then take a peak below for some awesome ideas! We chose to use the primary colours of the show, which is a great pointer for any themed birthday party.  Curious George’s colours seemed to be red and yellow with splashes of blue.  Fortunately, decor for these colours are readily available at most dollar/party stores.  Plates, cups, cutlery and napkins can all be purchased in these colours.  You can always order specific Curious George plates from Amazon or find them at a local party store, but it’s not always necessary.   The decorations were very easy to make and as you can see from the pictures, very impactful!  We bought some construction paper (in the required colours of course) to use behind some pictures of Curious George we printed from the computer.  Some of these we taped to the wall and some we taped to some bright coloured paper straws which we put in the cutlery tins. The tins had bright coloured handles that matched our theme and were found in a local craft store. Don’t forget to check out any second hand stores!  We certainly scored big when we stumbled upon a Curious George ‘jack-in-the-box’.  Some other things to search for in second hand stores are pictures, frames, dishes and toys.  You never know what you’re going to find.  We also ordered a Curious George birthday book from Amazon which we displayed using a plate stand. Curious George Kids Party Ideas!   Colours and Characters – DIY Party Theme Success! We also used some blue, yellow and red party decor fans.  These were found at a local craft store, once the fans are open, add some monkey theme to it by putting a picture of George in the centre.   Finally, the food.  We provided your regular party food favourites in theme coloured bowls.  Our creative touches were in some candy.  We had some banana candy fit for any little monkey and a dish of themed coloured candy to top it off. We hope this DIY Curious George Themed Birthday Party helped give you some inspiration for the best birthday for your little monkey!  If you’re looking for some favour ideas check out these DIY Mini Candy Favour Jars.  Having a summer party?  Certainly try these DIY I Scream, U Scream Ice Cream Bowls by Champagne and Sugarplums. Happy Crafting!! *Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links.  There may be a small commission made by our recommendations, and/or link to products mentioned or services on this website.  Any potential purchase you make will help us continue to bring you amazing content, step-by-steps and product reviews.  

The post DIY Curious George Themed Birthday Party appeared first on And Then Home.

]]> Christine’s middlest has turned 2 and since she’s a little monkey we chose to make her a DIY Curious George Themed Birthday Party.  Of course she loved it!  It was fairly easy to do and the results were perfect.  Themed birthday parties are a lot of fun to create because you can do as little or as much as you’d like.  Just begin with an idea and see where it takes you.  If you have a little monkey in your life and you’re looking to create a Curious George Party, then take a peak below for some awesome ideas!
Curious George Party
We chose to use the primary colours of the show, which is a great pointer for any themed birthday party.  Curious George’s colours seemed to be red and yellow with splashes of blue.  Fortunately, decor for these colours are readily available at most dollar/party stores.  Plates, cups, cutlery and napkins can all be purchased in these colours.  You can always order specific Curious George plates from Amazon or find them at a local party store, but it’s not always necessary.  
Curious George Birthday Theme Ideas
The decorations were very easy to make and as you can see from the pictures, very impactful!  We bought some construction paper (in the required colours of course) to use behind some pictures of Curious George we printed from the computer.  Some of these we taped to the wall and some we taped to some bright coloured paper straws which we put in the cutlery tins. The tins had bright coloured handles that matched our theme and were found in a local craft store.
Curious George Birthday Theme Ideas
Curious George Birthday Theme Ideas
Don’t forget to check out any second hand stores!  We certainly scored big when we stumbled upon a Curious George ‘jack-in-the-box’.  Some other things to search for in second hand stores are pictures, frames, dishes and toys.  You never know what you’re going to find.  We also ordered a Curious George birthday book from Amazon which we displayed using a plate stand.

Curious George Kids Party Ideas!

curious-george-birthday-theme-ideas-2 
Curious George Birthday Theme Ideas

Colours and Characters – DIY Party Theme Success!

We also used some blue, yellow and red party decor fans.  These were found at a local craft store, once the fans are open, add some monkey theme to it by putting a picture of George in the centre.  
Curious George Birthday Theme Ideas
Finally, the food.  We provided your regular party food favourites in theme coloured bowls.  Our creative touches were in some candy.  We had some banana candy fit for any little monkey and a dish of themed coloured candy to top it off.
curious-george-birthday-theme-ideas-4
Party food themed
We hope this DIY Curious George Themed Birthday Party helped give you some inspiration for the best birthday for your little monkey!  If you’re looking for some favour ideas check out these DIY Mini Candy Favour Jars.  Having a summer party?  Certainly try these DIY I Scream, U Scream Ice Cream Bowls by Champagne and Sugarplums.
Happy Crafting!!
*Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links.  There may be a small commission made by our recommendations, and/or link to products mentioned or services on this website.  Any potential purchase you make will help us continue to bring you amazing content, step-by-steps and product reviews.
 

The post DIY Curious George Themed Birthday Party appeared first on And Then Home.

]]> Five Helpful Tips For Fall Decor https://www.andthenhome.com/five-helpful-tips-for-fall-decor/ Fri, 15 Sep 2017 11:30:39 +0000 https://www.andthenhome.com/?p=314 It’s getting cooler, darker, and more colourful out there!  With all these changes come some great DIY opportunities.  Interior and exterior decorating make for double the fun!  My kids are really getting into festive decorating and I feel like fall is the best time of year for it.  There are so many options when it comes to fall decor and decorating can help keep your mind off of the colder, shorter days.  Here are Five Helpful Tips For Fall Decor. Wreaths Wreaths are a great way to make the outside of your home look festive.  Some of you know my obsession for door decor (see my Spring Door Hanger here).  An easy DIY project is to make your own fall wreath by adding festive items to a wreath base found at your local craft or even dollar store.  Some materials to consider are burlap, dried flowers, pumpkins and more. Centerpieces  Anything can go into a fall centerpiece.  Consider using traditional fall colours such as deep reds, oranges, yellows and brown or take it up a notch and create a modern fall piece with teal pumpkins with white branches.  I’ve seen it done and it can look fantastic!  And remember, don’t limit yourself to just tables; fall arrangements can be placed in any room of the house, the mantle is a perfect example. Planters Next to door decor, planters are the outdoor decor I love to see the most.  I feel they make a big statement, regardless of how big they are.  They can be made out of real or artificial decorations.  If goes without saying that if you choose artificial decorations, you can use it year after year.  Outdoor planters can be made in pairs or used alone.  The great thing about planters are you can make them as simple as placing a pumpkin in a base or go all out and add gourds, flowers and more! Wall Art and More An easy and simple way to bring fall into your home is to hang some festive art with some fall coloured blankets and pillows for your couch.  Art is easy to store during the off-season and it will make an effortless and impactful difference in your home.  As can bringing out an extra warm blanket with some couch pillows. And the number one Fall Decor Tip…  Pumpkins Let’s not forget about the most obvious and traditional fall decoration. Pumpkins work just about anywhere. They can be used in the garden, along your walkway, or at your front door. You can stack them, paint them, or add embellishments to them (did someone say sparkle?) They can be paired with all other fall decorations as well. Even a single pumpkin screams fall.   I hope these tips help!  Quick tips and ideas for fall decorating to get you started for this amazing season of colour.  If you are looking for a delicious recipe to go along with your decor planning, try our Baked Apples with Caramel and Brown Sugar.   Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links.  There may be a small commission made by our recommendations, and/or link to products mentioned or services on this website.  Your purchase will help us continue to bring you amazing content, step-by-steps and product reviews.

The post Five Helpful Tips For Fall Decor appeared first on And Then Home.

]]> It’s getting cooler, darker, and more colourful out there!  With all these changes come some great DIY opportunities.  Interior and exterior decorating make for double the fun!  My kids are really getting into festive decorating and I feel like fall is the best time of year for it.  There are so many options when it comes to fall decor and decorating can help keep your mind off of the colder, shorter days.  Here are Five Helpful Tips For Fall Decor.

Wreaths

wreath-235572__340

Wreaths are a great way to make the outside of your home look festive.  Some of you know my obsession for door decor (see my Spring Door Hanger here).  An easy DIY project is to make your own fall wreath by adding festive items to a wreath base found at your local craft or even dollar store.  Some materials to consider are burlap, dried flowers, pumpkins and more.

Centerpieces 

autumn-20461__340

Anything can go into a fall centerpiece.  Consider using traditional fall colours such as deep reds, oranges, yellows and brown or take it up a notch and create a modern fall piece with teal pumpkins with white branches.  I’ve seen it done and it can look fantastic!  And remember, don’t limit yourself to just tables; fall arrangements can be placed in any room of the house, the mantle is a perfect example.

Planters

autumn-207854__340

Next to door decor, planters are the outdoor decor I love to see the most.  I feel they make a big statement, regardless of how big they are.  They can be made out of real or artificial decorations.  If goes without saying that if you choose artificial decorations, you can use it year after year.  Outdoor planters can be made in pairs or used alone.  The great thing about planters are you can make them as simple as placing a pumpkin in a base or go all out and add gourds, flowers and more!

Wall Art and More

and-then-home-leaf-string-art-completed-two

An easy and simple way to bring fall into your home is to hang some festive art with some fall coloured blankets and pillows for your couch.  Art is easy to store during the off-season and it will make an effortless and impactful difference in your home.  As can bringing out an extra warm blanket with some couch pillows.

And the number one Fall Decor Tip… 

Pumpkins

pumpkin-1170272__340

Let’s not forget about the most obvious and traditional fall decoration. Pumpkins work just about anywhere. They can be used in the garden, along your walkway, or at your front door. You can stack them, paint them, or add embellishments to them (did someone say sparkle?) They can be paired with all other fall decorations as well. Even a single pumpkin screams fall.  

I hope these tips help!  Quick tips and ideas for fall decorating to get you started for this amazing season of colour.  If you are looking for a delicious recipe to go along with your decor planning, try our Baked Apples with Caramel and Brown Sugar.  

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links.  There may be a small commission made by our recommendations, and/or link to products mentioned or services on this website.  Your purchase will help us continue to bring you amazing content, step-by-steps and product reviews.

The post Five Helpful Tips For Fall Decor appeared first on And Then Home.

]]> 20 Romantic Quotes about Love and Marriage https://www.andthenhome.com/20-romantic-quotes-about-love-and-marriage/ Fri, 18 Aug 2017 19:39:21 +0000 https://www.andthenhome.com/?p=2148   Today is Mr. M and my fifth wedding anniversary. (The photo above is us 5 years ago. Photo Credit: Banga Photography) We will be celebrating tonight and being in a romantic mood, I thought I would put together a collection of quotes about love and marriage. Hope you enjoy this heartwarming tribute to wedded bliss!   A wedding anniversary is the celebration of love, trust, partnership, tolerance and tenacity. The order varies for any given year. Paul Sweeney   Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads, which sew people together through the years. Simone Signoret   There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage. Martin Luther   Yes, it was love at first sight. I feel that after all these years, I have finally found my soul mate. Barbara Hershey   A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. Mignon McLaughlin   An anniversary is a reminder as to why you love and married this person. Zoe Foster Blake   I love being my husband’s wife. Julianna Margulies   In terms of my marriage, you know, falling in love with my husband was by far the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Caroline Kennedy   Marriage is a coming together for better or for worse, hopefully enduring, and intimate to the degree of being sacred. William O. Douglas I love my wife, she deserves anything and everything. Aaron Spelling   Love is not weakness. It is strong. Only the sacrament of marriage can contain it. Boris Pasternak Feeling the love? There’s more… We concentrate so much on anniversaries and birthdays that you forget it’s the Tuesday that’s tough that really counts. Sometimes she just needs some flowers or even just that ear. It’s the little things that count. It’s the regular days of the year that you have to keep your attention on her. BJ the Chicago Kid Next month, I will celebrate my 30th anniversary of marriage with my beautiful bride, Vicki. Our marriage has been a blessing. I have gained even more respect for the institution over the past 3 decades and will defend it against attack. Todd Tiahrt   That there’s no more important decision in life than who you marry. Brad Paisley   My husband and I went to Bald Head Island for our four-year anniversary. We spent the night in bed with champagne, tequila and Krispy Kreme doughnuts and watched a boxing match on Showtime. Teri Polo   The bonds of matrimony are like any other bonds – they mature slowly. Peter De Vries My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me. Winston Churchill   Marriage is not a noun; it’s a verb. It isn’t something you get. It’s something you do. It’s the way you love your partner every day. Barbara De Angelis   Don’t marry the person you think you can live with; marry only the individual you think you can’t live without. James Dobson   There is nothing nobler or more admirable than when two people who see eye to eye keep house as man and wife, confounding their enemies and delighting their friends. Homer      

The post 20 Romantic Quotes about Love and Marriage appeared first on And Then Home.

]]>  

Today is Mr. M and my fifth wedding anniversary. (The photo above is us 5 years ago. Photo Credit: Banga Photography) We will be celebrating tonight and being in a romantic mood, I thought I would put together a collection of quotes about love and marriage. Hope you enjoy this heartwarming tribute to wedded bliss!

love-setting

 

  1. A wedding anniversary is the celebration of love, trust, partnership, tolerance and tenacity. The order varies for any given year. Paul Sweeney

 

  1. Chains do not hold a marriage together. It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads, which sew people together through the years. Simone Signoret

 

signoretsimon
Simone Signoret
  1. There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage. Martin Luther

 

  1. Yes, it was love at first sight. I feel that after all these years, I have finally found my soul mate. Barbara Hershey

 

  1. A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. Mignon McLaughlin

 

  1. An anniversary is a reminder as to why you love and married this person. Zoe Foster Blake

 

  1. I love being my husband’s wife. Julianna Margulies

 

  1. In terms of my marriage, you know, falling in love with my husband was by far the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Caroline Kennedy

 

  1. Marriage is a coming together for better or for worse, hopefully enduring, and intimate to the degree of being sacred. William O. Douglas

shoes

  1. I love my wife, she deserves anything and everything. Aaron Spelling

 

  1. Love is not weakness. It is strong. Only the sacrament of marriage can contain it. Boris Pasternak

Feeling the love? There’s more…

  1. We concentrate so much on anniversaries and birthdays that you forget it’s the Tuesday that’s tough that really counts. Sometimes she just needs some flowers or even just that ear. It’s the little things that count. It’s the regular days of the year that you have to keep your attention on her. BJ the Chicago Kid

    bj-the-chicago-kid-sized
    BJ the Chicago Kid
  1. Next month, I will celebrate my 30th anniversary of marriage with my beautiful bride, Vicki. Our marriage has been a blessing. I have gained even more respect for the institution over the past 3 decades and will defend it against attack. Todd Tiahrt

 

  1. That there’s no more important decision in life than who you marry. Brad Paisley

 

  1. My husband and I went to Bald Head Island for our four-year anniversary. We spent the night in bed with champagne, tequila and Krispy Kreme doughnuts and watched a boxing match on Showtime. Teri Polo

 

  1. The bonds of matrimony are like any other bonds – they mature slowly. Peter De Vries
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Christine and Mr. B on their wedding day.
  1. My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me. Winston Churchill

 

  1. Marriage is not a noun; it’s a verb. It isn’t something you get. It’s something you do. It’s the way you love your partner every day. Barbara De Angelis

 

  1. Don’t marry the person you think you can live with; marry only the individual you think you can’t live without. James Dobson

 

  1. There is nothing nobler or more admirable than when two people who see eye to eye keep house as man and wife, confounding their enemies and delighting their friends. Homer
The Church from Victoria's Wedding Photo Credit: Banga Photography
The Church from Victoria’s Wedding Photo Credit: Banga Photography

 

 

 

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