Everything You Need to Be Mardi Gras Ready

 

Remy dropped by one afternoon wearing Hugo Boss and gold beads. He took the

beads off, tossed them over Declan's head. "When you coming into town?"

"I thought I might join the insanity over the weekend."

"Cher, it's Mardi Gras. Every night's the weekend."

Midnight Bayou

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Anyone can join in and capture a flavor of Louisiana from wherever you are. 

So, get ready to turn up the music, shake the cocktail and stir the roux—

for however long as it takes.

 

It’s Carnival time. Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Better Homes and Gardens

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The celebrational Mardi Gras-style party to celebrate 

the journey was populated with fresh faces and familiar ones. 

The music was loud, the drinks colorful, the mood high.

Duncan 

@ MacGregor Grooms

🦅 Happy Birthday Griffin 🦁

"Happy birthday, baby."

Blue Dahlia

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FALL INTO THE STORY of GRIFFIN ENTRANCE

🦁

Wild One First Birthday Party Theme

The Best Ideas for KIDS

🦅

Eagle mini cheese balls

Hallmark

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"A griffin."

"Good eye."

"Symbol of strength—and vigilance."

She turned her head, cocked it so that she could see his face. 

"You know the

oddest things, Jack. But yeah, that's why I chose it."

Captive Star

Oh 👶

“Can we say baby shower? A double-the-fun theme,” Hope decided. 

“Or what comes

in pairs, sets of two. Something like that. 

I’ll work on it. We should schedule it in early

October, just to be safe.”

“Baby shower.” Clare sighed. “More and more real.” 

The Perfect Hope

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Host a Baby Shower Everyone Will Love

A baby shower  is all about celebrating the mama-to-be,
and what better way to do that than with a fat slice of cake and
a cup of baby shower punch?

30 Adorable Baby Shower Cakes

Baby Shower Etiquette

Easy Appetizers

Creative Baby Shower Themes

The Best Games to Play During a Baby Shower

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"Mrs. Haggerty? Our Mrs. Haggerty was there?"

"Not only, but she won the song title game. You have to write down the most song titles with 'baby' in it.

You'll never guess one she wrote down."

"Okay. I give."

"'Baby Got Back.'"

Now he grinned. "Get out. Mrs. Haggerty wrote down a rap song?"

"Then rapped it."

"Now you're lying."

"She did. Or at least a couple lines. I nearly peed my pants."

Blue Dahlia

🎇 Happy Fourth of July

Every year, the Quinns held a huge come-one, come-all picnic. Family, friends, neighbors gathered at the house, as they had since Ray and Stella's day, to eat, drink, gossip, swim in the cool water of the inlet and watch the fireworks.

Chesapeake Blue

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Tim Corradino [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]

8 last-minute entertaining and food ideas for the Fourth of July

Last minute entertaining means all hands on deck. Lifestyle expert Maureen Petrosky shares her DIY décor, games and food for the Fourth of July get everyone in the family in on the fun. She shows us how to put a patriotic spin on Twister, make American flag pizzas, set up a sparkling bubble station and more.

TODAY

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“Those some aren’t our tribe. And thinking of tribes, why don’t we gather ours for the

Fourth?”

“Fourth of what—oh. July. God, it’s nearly here.”

“We could play some ball, eat some hot dogs, watch the fireworks in the park.”

Savor the Moment

🌈 St. Patrick’s Day Party Ideas 🍀

And what better day to celebrate than St. Patrick's Day?

Irish Rose 

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St. Patrick’s Day is a magical holiday and it’s becoming a popular event!

People love to have an excuse to party with the people they love!

So we decided to gather up 100 Party Ideas for St. Patrick’s Day

to help you throw the luckiest party out there!

The Dating Divas

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"Fresh lemonade!" 

Ava wheeled a cart to the doorway. 

"With plenty of mint so we've got the green."

High Noon

4th Of July Party Ideas

"Hey, it's the Fourth of July. Ball games, beer, parades and fireworks. Some

things are sacred."

Captive Star

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By Tom Walsh - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16252969

You can't skip on America's birthday. And if you're going to it up, you might as well go all out with a star-spangled Independence Day Celebration.

House Beautiful

31 Star-Spangled 4th of July Party Decorations

4th Of July Cocktails You Need To Cheers To America

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When the last boom echoed, she went down to make a fresh batch of drinks. It pleased

her, a great deal, to know her guests had a good holiday experience, and were even now

talking about the show, the feel, the local color.

It pleased her, too, to realize Lizzy wanted her companionship.

She fixed more chips and salsa, plated the pretty mini cupcakes topped with American

flags she’d gotten from the bakery. She left some on the counter for those who came

down, trayed the rest to carry up for those who wanted more time out in the summer night.

The Perfect Hope

Memorial Day

"You seem a little distracted today. Big plans for the holiday weekend?"

"Holiday?"

"Memorial Day weekend, A.J." With a shake of her head, Diane tucked her pencil behind her ear.
 "You know, three days off, the first weekend of summer. Sand, surf, sun."

Mind over Matter

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By Trent Yarnell tyarnell - https://unsplash.com/photos/a2QvtNSK5UM, CC0, 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=62194768

25 Original Party Ideas For An Unforgettable Memorial Day

Memorial Day is this Monday. A lot of people only know the holiday is coming up because they get an extra day off from work or school, extending their usual 2-day weekend to a 3-day weekend.

LIFE BUZZ

Fun Ideas for Memorial Day

Memorial Day Made Simple

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"First thing Tuesday morning I'll put the squeeze on. Right now I have to go marinate."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Big barbecue this weekend," Abe told her with a wink. "It's the only time my wife lets me cook. Want me to put a steak on for you?"

She smiled, grateful that he'd brought simpler things to her mind. Hickory smoke, freshly cut grass, burned meat. 
"No, thanks. The memory of the last one's a little close."

"The butcher gave me bad quality meat." He hitched up his belt and thought about spending
 the whole weekend in bathing trunks."

"That's what they all say. Have a good holiday, Abe."

Mind over Matter

Throw an Instagram-Worthy Brunch

“Since you’re going to join the family, you might as well get used 
to certain ironclad rules and traditions. 

Sunday brunch,” she continued when he grinned, 
“is nothing to play around with.”

Partners

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By Annie Spratt anniespratt - 
https://unsplash.com/photos/TQSB-suJu1k, CC0, 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61818059

Brunch is all about the Instagram-ability. Each one of these recipes is so pretty, you'll be convinced it was made with hashtags in mind -- and they taste as good as they look. These brunch recipes, which include ingredients like sweet strawberries, spicy salsa, and crisp bacon, are #brunchgoals.

BETTER HOMES & GARDENS

Throw the Ultimate Easter Brunch

The baskets, the candy, the colored eggs.

The tradition of it. And the comfort of it.

Whiskey Beach

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By Superbass - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3767798

Celebrate Easter the best way—with brunch! We're sharing a stunning setup and so-easy recipes. Featuring glittery eggs and a washi tape flower wall, this easy party proves you can throw a gorgeous Easter brunch on a budget. 

BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS

"May the luck of the Irish be with you"

Whether she was feeling festive or not, Erin was swept along in her cousin's plans for the party. 

And what better day to celebrate than St. Patrick's Day? 

Irish Rose

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By Erika39 - Own work, CC BY 3.0, 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10097314

St. Patrick's Day

'Tis the season to be Irish! 

For St. Patrick's Day, delve into our pot of golden ideas featuring holiday crafts projects, Irish-theme decorating ideas, and yummy St. Patrick's Day recipes.

BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS

Host a DIY Spa Party

Zoe rubbed the exfoliating cream over Dana's calf and grinned as her friend let out a long, heartfelt moan. 

"I really appreciate the two of you giving up your Sunday afternoon to be my guinea pigs." 

This time Dana grunted. 

Malory sat on a stool in the treatment room and rubbed her fingers over her newly scrubbed and polished skin. 

"I can't get over how good it feels." 

"I wasn't worried about the results—these products are great. But I want to be sure the whole experience works." 

"Works for me," said Dana's slurred and muffled voice. 

Key of Valor

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It's time to treat yourself and pamper your favorite pals.

Host a DIY spa party and get ready to relax.

We've got light snacks, fun projects, and easy ideas for the most aaah-inducing party you've ever thrown.

BETTER HOMES & GARDENS

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Zoe glanced around, scanning the shelves of products, the glowing candles, the neat stack of mint-green towels on the counter, the clear crystal she'd hung from the ceiling over the padded table. 

It was, she thought, exactly right. 

"Of course, when we're doing this for real there won't be three people in here talking. You want us to be quiet, Dana?" 

"You don't even exist in my little world." 

Key of Valor

Cinco de Mayo

He sipped his beer and watched some of the guests dance to the trio of guitars and marimbas.

Beside him, Del took a pull on his own beer. "Hell of a party."

"They pull out all the stops."

Bed of Roses

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Exotic, Elegant Dinner Party

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style with a table scheme that goes south of the border

TRADITIONAL HOME

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"Negra Modelo, right?" Phillip offered one.

"Yeah, thanks. Great party, as always."

"My favorite of the year."

Bed of Roses

Being Nora Bound throws its first Literary Party for World Book Night.

For more times than I could count I dreamed of a Nora Roberts' themed Party... who I would invite... what I would serve and enjoy... options are as endless as Novels Nora Roberts' published... here is the first one.

You're all invited! 

Let's party!!!

My book suggestion for this night:

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How to Throw a Literary Party

Party like you're in a book

 

The Reading Room