ALL POSTS IN [Holidays]

  • Tell Your Friends

Father’s Day is just around the corner — this Sunday to be exact. Do you have a gift for your favorite guy yet? Personally, I find it hard to get a gift for my dad. He’s the tech type and we all know how expensive that can get. This year, I’ve decided to give the gift of food because that’s what guys — even the picky ones — really want, right?

Our slew of great, easy Father’s Day recipes and cocktails will surely please Dad. You can start his day off right with a Tex-Mex style breakfast in bed, or add his favorite brew to cheese dip or even a cupcake! And after he’s full and happy, he can wind his day down with a nice, cold cocktail.

Beer Cheese Dip

Get More Father’s Day Ideas

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A friend of mine was just bemoaning the lack of diversity in Father’s Day cards. If your dad (or the father of your children) doesn’t fall into the barbecuing, golfing, remote-control-loving category, it can be tough to find a card or a gift for him for Father’s Day that seems appropriate. My dad and my husband — and I suspect a lot of other dads out there — are hard to shop for because of their “outlier” status. Something like this wall art from Etsy user RedWallStudio might be just the thing, though. Because no matter his taste, chances are you feel just this way about your dad:

father's day print - etsy

Photo: RedWallStudio

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Father’s Day is this Sunday — are you armed with a gift for dad? No? Well then, we’ve got you covered — from his favorite recipes (hot beer cheese and homemade pretzels — yum!) to fun, free printables and handmade gift ideas like this easier-than-it-looks dresser-top leather valet; whip up a surprise for your dad just in time for Father’s Day celebrations.

Handmade Men's Leather Valet for Father's DayReady to make your own? Get the complete step-by-step instructions>>

Not only is this monogrammed leather valet easy to craft, you probably have most of the materials on hand like an old frame, some batting or foam and a spare bit of leather – this is a great project for upcycling a past-its-prime jacket or purse. The steps are simple, just disassemble the frame then use the backing as a template to cut out a small piece of leather and batting. Place the leather, suede side up, on top of the batting and secure it in the frame with strong tape.Step by Step images for making a leather dresser-top valet for Father's Day

I used an old trick from college printmaking classes to create removable registration marks on painter’s tape that would help me find the tray’s center before placing the adhesive stencils (these things are awesome, btw, you can find them with the glass-etching supplies at your local craft store). Fill in the stencils with a permanent marker and voila — a handy catch-all for dad to keep his keys, change, watch and anything else he needs to grab on his way out the door.Using a Sharpie to Monogram Leather

Crafting this handy DIY gift for dad is easy — but be sure to check out my complete step-by-step instructions for a materials list and lots of helpful tips first>>

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Happy National Doughnut Day! So, I’ll go ahead and admit it — this is my first year celebrating this spectacular day. It’s not that I was shunning the holiday because of some crazy diet, I’d just never heard of it until this year. Now that I know, things could get dangerous. I have a completely legitimate reason to make a beeline to Krispy Kreme at 5 o’clock, sharp. Forget after-work drinks. Today I’m thinking after-work doughnuts.

In honor of the day, why not splash around in this festive float from Urban Outfitters? There couldn’t be a better way to spend a warm day than in the pool with a doughnut in-hand (and now a doughnut under your backside).

Donut Pool Float

Photo From: Urban Outfitters

Happy Friday, everyone! TGIF!

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Despite my mother’s incessant reminders, I somehow always find myself scrambling for a Father’s Day gift at the last minute. Sound familiar? This year, I’m hoping to break that tradition. I’m calling on two of my closest acquaintances: crafts and candy. If you’re in a similar Father’s Day bind, why not make one of these adorable candy jars for dad? We all know he’s secretly hoping for something edible.

Father's Day Candy Jar
This candy jar is quick, easy and hilarious. I love the mustache trend – so quirky! Also, I think my dad would love this sly reference to his terrible ‘70s “stache.” See how Jill from Sandy Toes & Popsicles created these crafty candy jars.

Glass Etched Candy Jar
This jar assures dad some peace of mind; KC from The Real Thing shows how to actually etch his name into a glass jar. That guarantees no candy thieves, right?

Father's Day Tie Box
If you’re looking for a kid-friendly craft, this Tie Box from Eighteen25 might be your pick. And after all, it is Father’s Day – it’s only proper to incorporate ties!

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Warning: This might be the largest Mood Board Monday collage yet, but I just couldn’t stop. Once I started on my quest for red, white and blue images, it became more difficult to narrow down my picks … so I didn’t. I particularly love the vintage image on the top right. The clean, simple lines and mod color-blocking is perfect for summer 2013, even decades later.

I hope you’re enjoying your long holiday weekend, friends.

Mood Board Monday: Memorial DayWit & Whistle | Barn Light Electric | They Roared Vintage | Eat Your Books | Obaz | Ciao! Newport Beach | Prevailing Style | The Sweetest Occasion | Katrina Runs for Food | Obaz | Hostess With the Mostess | Stand Still Look Pretty

Come back every Monday for an inspirational mood board. Miss a day? See all the posts here.

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Hi, D-Happers! I hope you’re having a fantastic Memorial Day weekend. Do you have your grill prepped and ready for today’s cookout? Your grilling station may not be as fancy as this one pictured below, but hey, one can dream! And, who knows — maybe one day…?

EXTRA: PARTY RECIPES FOR MEMORIAL DAY >>

This fully equipped outdoor kitchen is separate from the rest of the living space, allowing the two areas to be utilized entirely on their own. Greg Schaumburg of Hursthouse Landscape Architects & Contractors says an outdoor kitchen is most efficient when it’s zoned into logical uses. According to Greg, your cook space should have plenty of prep space, room to set down utensils and stage ingredients, and a comfortable buffer from the seating island to keep guests protected from the heat.

More on Grilling + Memorial Day:
Grilled Watermelon
Beach-Inspired Picnic
Tabletop Grill
Party Essentials
Memorial Day Cocktails

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These popsicles from Homespun With Love are just so pretty to look at — and yes, they taste good! If you’re needing a fun treat to serve guests this Memorial Day weekend, well — here you go!

EXTRA: DELICIOUS MEMORIAL DAY HAMBURGERS >>

You Also May Enjoy:
Party Food: Recipes Galore
Memorial Day: Plant a Patriotic Garden
Memorial Day: Enjoy an Alfresco Celebration
Refreshing Memorial Day Cocktails
DIY Picnic Roll-Up for Memorial Day Weekend

  • Tell Your Friends

A long weekend is in the forecast, people! Yay, us! Let’s agree to spend Memorial Day with good friends and good eats. I can provide the latter with these miniature cheeseburgers with bacon and ranch — yummy!

EXTRA: LIZ GRAY’S COMPLETE WEEKEND PARTY MENU >>

Memorial Day Hamburgers

They may be small, but that just means you eat more of them!

What do you have going on this weekend?

You Also May Enjoy:
Memorial Day: Plant a Patriotic Garden
Memorial Day: Enjoy an Alfresco Celebration
Refreshing Memorial Day Cocktails
DIY Picnic Roll-Up for Memorial Day Weekend

  • Tell Your Friends

Memorial Day’s late May date has marked the unofficial start of summer for years. Most schools unlock the doors and release students for the year that Friday before. [FREEDOM!] The weather is finally at a solid seasonal temperature. It’s also an unofficial rule that you must spend the day/weekend outdoors. Rain is not tolerated. No matter how you choose to spend your holiday weekend, unwind with these refreshing summer cocktails that will leave you ready for lazy pool days all season long.

Cantaloupe Tea Daiquiri

Memorial Day Cocktail Recipes at HGTV's Design Happens Blog

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces Numi Emperor’s Pu-erh Tea
1 1/2 ounces Van Gogh Blue Vodka
3 ounces frozen cantaloupe, cubed
1 ounce coconut milk
splash of lemon juice
lemon wedge, for garnish

Directions

Steep tea at four times the normal strength for two minutes, then remove tea bag and chill liquid for later use. Combine and blend ingredients in blender, adding a splash of lemon for each serving. Serve on the rocks and garnish with a lemon wedge.

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