4th of July Give-Away by Eco-Glam Events

I'm so excited to be bringing you a really fun holiday give-away from a really fun ETSY shop.

One Shanonigins follower will win these fun cupcake wrappers, cupcake toppers, drink flags and bottle wrappers to really add something special to their 4th of July Celebration.

 These festive Party Printables  are all part of the fun 4th of July Collection designed by Laura Brigance, the owner of Eco Glam Events.  
http://www.etsy.com/shop/EcoGlamEvents?ref=pr_shop

Eco-Glam Events was born out of the frustration that in planning birthday parties, eco-friendly options were incredibly boring. I could not decide which was worse: polluting mother earth just to have a pretty party, or boring everyone to death with no theme except white and beige. I wasn't sure why there was so little on the market for eco-friendly parties. People that live green lifestyles throw parties, too, right? So I gathered all my resources and set up shop providing this type of service and party supply. We live eco-friendly and operate eco-friendly. And we do it in style!

Make sure to stop by our blog:   www.ecoglamblog.blogspot.com

I printed my party printables on  ecru parchment card-stock for  more of a muted vintage look, but here is the collection on a crisp white card-stock

Here is the brand spanking new Cake Topper Laura designed.  I have to say, I really loved this and had trouble deciding whether to put this on a cake or a an all American apple pie :)

I just couldn't resist putting  a few of the cupcake picks in a floral arrangement. They would be good for so many things. Think about making paper napkin rings, putting on mason jars, putting in candy dishes, there are so many possibilities :)

 Here are the rules for entry;

1).You must follow Shannon's Shanonigins (you can do this from the right column)

2).You need to follow Shannon's Shanonigins on Facebook ( Right hand column)
3). Go to Eco Glam Events ETSY  Shop  http://www.etsy.com/shop/EcoGlamEvents?ref=seller_info

and then come back and leave a comment on what your favorite item is.

For extra entries go to Eco Glam Events Blog and like them on Facebook

While your at Eco Glam Events ETSY store, favorite their shop 

Post this giveaway on your facebook page

Twitter this giveaway

Post this giveaway on your blog

Make sure you let me know if you do any these by leaving a comment

 Don't delay entering because the drawing will be held on June 29th so we can have your prize in time for your 4th of July Celebration :)  

Have a safe, fun, festive and love filled 4th of July.

Shannon

Show Your Stars and Stripes

With The 4th of July just around the corner, I thought this would be a good time to remind you to get out the Flags, the bunting, the Stars and Stripes and get ready to hang them with pride.

You don't get much more all American than this :) A vintage red Chevy pick-up parked next to a barn that is hanging it's flags with pride.  I love the red and white tablecloth laying over the white vintage lace

Keep your eyes out.  I will be a featuring a fourth of July Give-Away that will make your cupcakes look fantastic and patriotic. So keep checking back in the next few days.  I love the small flags added to these cake-stands :)

How fun (and useful) would it be to find this flag fan at your place setting.  What a wonderful way to keep cool on a hot summer day.  This and an Ice Cold glass of  lemonade and you'll be all set :)

These fun and festive sparkler picks can be used in flower arrangements, as fruit picks, or in drinks as well as cupcakes. The are by Bethany Lowe and can be found at Victorian Trading Company

I love these flag fans, I've made them and they're fun and easy. You can find the free clip-art and directions at MarthaStewart.com 

I love the beauty and simplicity of these small flags hanging on the mailbox.

I love the 4th of July.  What a great holiday!  Time to appreciate living in the greatest country on Earth.  Time to celebrate our freedom by spending a warm summer day with family and friends.  Time to eat great food.  So enjoy your blessings and have a wonderful 4th of July.

Planting A Culinary Herb Pot

It's so wonderful to be able to clip fresh herbs from your backyard garden, but the nice thing is that you don't have to have a big backyard to grow fresh herbs.  All you need is enough room for either several small pots, or one big pot to grow several different kinds of your favorite culinary herbs.

Here are several small clay pots that have herbs planted in them, just make sure you water them everyday in the hot summer weather.

Here are several Thyme plants that have been trimmed into fragrant topiary, I  just love these :)

1- 12-16 inch planter with drainage holes

Potting Soil enriched with organic plant food

3-4 four inch pots of your Favorite Culinary Herbs

I used Spearmint, Chives, and Upright Rosemary

Rocks or Pebbles for the bottom of your pot

Mulch

Start with a Clean pot, I washed mine with a mild dish soap. You don't want to transfer any bacteria or disease from whatever was planted in the pot beforehand  

Since I used a lightweight (not clay) pot. I wanted to stabilize the pot and give it some extra weight. I placed 2 inches of rocks at the bottom.  If you have a heavy pot, you will only need to use 1 inch of rocks or pebbles.

Fill the remainder of the pot with your potting soil, leaving 3-4 inches at the top. Push the soil down as you fill to avoid any air bubbles.

 

Plant the herbs in your pot. You may want to include a Marigold, to ward off bugs naturally, or you can include pansies since they are edible and make a beautiful garnish. Make sure to tuck them tightly into the soil, so the roots make good contact with the soil.

Mulch ( I used cedar mulch because it's a natural pest repellent) and water. Your Herbs may need a few days to perk up and get used to their new home, don't panic if they look a little sad at first.

Before you know it, your herbs will be full and lush. After about one month you may want to start feeding your herbs every other week with an organic fertilizer. You need to remember that when you garden in a pot, you  need to feed more often than when you grow in the ground.  Enjoy your herbs, for cooking, garnishes or even making herbal vinegar and oils.  You'll be so glad you took a little time for something that brings you so much joy :)