Tonya Staab

Tips for Last-Minute Entertaining at Home

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Blue Diamond® as part of an Influencer Activation and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

It's summer break. That means more pop-ins than usual from neighbors and family.

Keeping a few staples in your kitchen can get you through this. It will make it look like you've got it all together, even when you don't. 

When I was growing up, my mum always seemed to be prepared. There was always a vase of fresh flowers in the middle of the table (even if we had to run outside quickly and pick some from the garden), and whenever people would pop in during the day, tea, coffee, and snacks were always set out. It all seemed to come together effortlessly too. Now that I'm grown though, and have my own family, I know that these things don't 'just happen', but you can at least make it appear that way.

OVER 50 Summer Activities To Do In Temecula With Kids

My kids are stay-at-home to play video games and FaceTime their friends kinda kids. They do NOT want to leave the house over summer. 

Sorry kids, but I am NOT that parent. Thankfully, working from home gives me the ability to adjust my schedule as needed so that I can get them out of the house (usually against their will) as often as possible.

My daughter and I just had a discussion about expectations for summer break now that school is officially out (as of today). She mentioned that she does not want to go hiking at all, and even though I love hiking, I won't subject her to it (much haha), so we compromised. She actually loves running, so I suggested a couple of flat areas where I can still get in a walk with the dog but she can go running and she jumped at that. We all get to be outside and get active, but it was just a matter of compromising on the where and how this will happen. 

Being the planner that I am, I like to keep lists of all the things we have and haven't done and ideas to keep the kids busy during school breaks and weekends, so I thought I'd share it with you too. So, if you are a Temecula local, or are visiting during summer break, here's a list of more than 50 things to do, right here in our town. Some of them do cost money, but not all of them. 

How To Make A Chocolate Candy Jar For Mom

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by OREO as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

It's my birthday in about two weeks. I'm a pretty simple person to buy for. I don't want jewelry or roses and don't need an expensive night out. Make a memory with me or feed me (anything at all) and I'm happy as a clam. 

So a gift like this mom candy jar would make me all kinds of giddy. No more hiding in the pantry snacking or sneaking candy to bed after the kids are asleep. 

So thanks kids for the early birthday gift (that I made for myself), but that you can now fill with my favorite candy bars.

Now it just needs another sign hanging off it that says 'I see you looking, now back away from the candy' so those little fingers aren't tempted to grab one when I'm not looking.

Make and Takes: Handmade Hair Scrunchies

The '80s are back and they're bringing scrunchies.

Whoever thought that these would be making a comeback? But, if you love them now as much as we loved them then, you'll want to customize them with fun patterns and colors to match all of your outfits. I'm showing you just how easy it is to sew your own scrunchies at home with a beginner sewing tutorial over at Make and Takes. 

This is the perfect sewing project for your pre-teen or teen to start with over summer break. All they need is fabric scraps and I bet they could make a little extra money selling them too. 

Upgrade Your Summer Entertaining With These Ideas

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Upgrade Your Summer as part of an Influencer Activation and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Summer entertaining doesn't have to be complicated, time-consuming, or take you away from your guests. Keep things as quick and easy as possible. My favorite summer entertaining trick is to set up serve-yourself food stations, all you need to do is pick a theme, like this easy taco bar, and make a quick trip to Walmart.

Walmart is the convenient destination for all of your summer entertaining needs – delivering a low-cost, one-stop shopping solution that saves you time and money.

Take a look at how easy it is to set this up in your own home, and then don't forget to enter the Upgrade Your Summer Sweepstakes (details below).

This easy taco bar takes no time at all to set up, take down, and will have you spending more time outside with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

Make and Takes: How To Make A Fabric Makeup Brush Holder

Is everyone still in the Marie Kondo Tidying Up frame of mind, or has everyone moved on with their lives and it's just me still at it?

I've been tidying up one thing almost every day (when will it end though?), whether it be a drawer, a cupboard, working through the never-ending stack of 'this needs to be repaired' that's taken over my office. Just one thing at a time. 

Today I'm over at Make and Takes showing you how to organize your makeup brushes in a handmade fabric roll. This is great for traveling too and makes a great handmade gift.