{burlap flag pillow}

May
20
13
burlap flag pillow | simplykierste.com

With Memorial Day the end of May, then Flag Day on June 14th, and the 4th of July,  flag & patriotic decor can be up for awhile, which I LOVE.  Independence Day has long been my favorite holiday (next to Christmas ☺), and I get so excited when I can start decorating.  I made this darling burlap flag pillow for my front entry bench, and it's perfect!  It's really easy to make, and I used the same method as my burlap flag bunting.  I already had a burlap pillow cover that's been sitting in my closet, but I would have made one otherwise. I actually need to make a couple for my boys' beds, so hopefully I'll be able to post a tutorial on those soon. In addition to the pillow cover, … [Read more...]



{lemon cream cheese cupcakes}

May
10
9
lemon cream cheese cupcakes | simplykierste.com

I'm so excited to share my favorite Lemon Cream Cheese Cupcakes along with a fun monthly collaboration starting today with 10 creative blogs. Each month on the 10th, the same 10 blogs will share a project around the same theme, and you can hop to their blogs to see and save their projects after viewing mine. Pin this collage below, and make sure you come back on the 10th each month! SO, SO fun!  I can't wait to see what these uber talented ladies come up with, and you're not going to want to miss any of it! In May, the theme is CITRUS, below are the fabulous shares. To see each contributors Citrus post up close, join the Blog Hop! {In the event that the direct link to their posts don't … [Read more...]



{2013 summer schedule}

Apr
19
12
2013 summer schedule | simplykierste.com

Yes, I know it's only April, but summer is soon upon us, and I've already started penciling in summer activities.  Summer camps, swimming lessons, and vacations have made their way onto my calendar, and there is more to come. I'm constantly learning about other fun summer activities, and I love having a place to keep them all straight, and reduce overbooking or overlapping.  I created this summer schedule several years ago, and loved it, so I update it each year and live by it the whole summer! It makes me happy!  :) There are a couple of ways you can use this: 1.  Download the PDF file, place in a frame, and use it as a dry erase board. (Use a fine point Sharpie--it won't rub off … [Read more...]



{mailing easter eggs}

Mar
16
28
Mailing Easter Eggs | simplykierste.com

When I saw this idea to mail Easter eggs, I immediately fell in love with it, and REALLY wanted to try it.  I have to admit though, I was kind of skeptical.  I mean, how often do you see Easter eggs go through the mail? I knew my kids would L.O.V.E it--they are always asking if there is anything in the mailbox for them, so how exciting to not only get something with their name on it, but something SUPER fun!  So...I decided to put it to the test.  SO glad I did--it worked!!!  :) The plan was to use jumbo size plastic eggs (I wouldn't use the regular/small eggs), but I couldn't find any at any of my normal stops, including the dollar store.  My mom found these EXTRA large eggs at the … [Read more...]



{10 fun & easy ideas for coloring easter eggs with kids}

Mar
11
2
10 Fun & Easy Ideas for Decorating Easter Eggs with Kids | simplykierste.com

With 9 days to go before my baby arrives, I'm trying to get everything in order for Easter.  Some things we'll still do Easter weekend, and others we're doing just a bit earlier, to make sure we won't miss them due to all the excitement headed our way next week! Tonight we're coloring eggs for Family Night, and the eggs are boiling away on the stove.  It's one of my favorite  Easter activities to do with my kids, and they always love it.  I'm kind of a low maintenance girl when it comes to dyeing Easter eggs.  I love doing things that are easy, don't require a lot of supplies, but are creative and fun. I've seen some fabulous ideas out there--beautiful and intricate and lovely--but … [Read more...]



{mint pretzel bites}

Feb
22
7
Mint Pretzel Bites | simplykierste.com

One of my favorite treats to make around the holidays is Rolo Pretzel Bites. They are just about the easiest things EVER to make--seriously 4 minutes, people!!!  I love to experiment with the same basic recipe, and I've tried quite a few different variations.  I first made them using Mint M&M's during the Christmas holiday, and I fell in {love} with them.  I knew then that they would be perfect for St. Patrick's Day!  Mint Pretzel Bites are my new favorite treat. :) The combination of sweet and salty is irresistible, and the chewy caramel with the crunch of the mint M&Ms is perfection.  You might want to make these when you're going to give some away, otherwise you will want … [Read more...]



{over the rainbow} st. patrick’s day fun & free printable!

Feb
20
8
rainbow final title

Skittles are perfect for St. Patrick's Day...all those rainbow colors!  I paired them with one of my personal favorites, gold-wrapped Rolos for a super fun gift...for friends, neighbors, teachers, and more!  I also created a fun tag, and free printable, just for you!!! I save all of my Crystal Light containers, which I LOVE to re-use for all sorts of gifting and organizational purposes.  I love the lids, how easy the wrappers are to take off, their size & shape, and that they are see-through!  If you don't have any, or want something smaller, try a jelly jar, other small mason jar, or a baby food jar/container. I layered the candy starting with the Skittles first--in rainbow … [Read more...]



{shamrock glitter block} st. patrick’s day decor!

Feb
13
1
shamrock glitter block decor

With the current Silhouette promo going on right now, I was sent some double-sided adhesive to try. I haven't worked a lot with glitter, and I'd never used the double-side adhesive, so I was excited to use it. With St. Patrick's Day right around the corner, and Valentine's Day decor coming down soon, I decided something with a shamrock would be fun.  :) I've seen quite a few projects using the adhesive with paper, and other decor, such as candles, but since I love working with wood so much, I was curious to see how it would work.  I LOVE the end result! It was really easy to do, and FAST!  (which I always love...) {supplies} -2x8 wood block (mine was 12 inches wide) -spray … [Read more...]



{easy heart donuts}

Feb
12
4
Easy Heart Donuts

One of our favorite camping breakfasts is donuts made from Grands biscuits--so fast, easy, and YUMMY!  When I was thinking of what I wanted to do for our Valentine's Day breakfast, I knew it was the perfect thing...with one tiny change...adding hearts, of course! I LOVE them--and I know my kids are going to go crazy over them!  Seriously--how cute!! These are SO incredibly easy AND delicious, you won't believe it! {ingredients & supplies} -Grand Biscuits, Flaky Layers -heart cookie cutter (mine was about 2.5 inches) -cinnamon & sugar -powdered sugar -tongs -oil -skillet {directions} 1.  Pop open the can, and lay out your biscuits on a piece of wax paper.  One-by-one, … [Read more...]



{valentine’s family night} my top family valentine movies list + yummy popcorn!

Feb
07
6
top 10 family valentine movies

One of our favorite things to do as a family is to have a movie night.  Popping popcorn, pulling out the cozy blankets, and all piling on our couch together (we have a sectional so we can all fit!!).  My kids also love all the lights off, just like "the theatre".  Sometimes we'll do a concession stand along with it, where they earn Monopoly money the week before in order to buy treats and snacks at the movie, and that is always a huge hit.  Friday night is pizza and a movie night, and that's generally more laid back of an occasion.  Sometimes it's planned, and sometimes it's spontaneous, but we all love it. It's no surprise that a Valentine's Day family night is in the works, complete … [Read more...]