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Holidays

The Effortless Aunt

I finally have permission to tell you….I’m going to be an Aunt (again!!) next year!!! This Effortless Girl is over the moon! My sister B. is going to have a baby.  I’ve known and waited patiently and quietly for weeks now.  I was busting with excitement, and I hate, hate, hate keeping surprises a secret.  She and her husband E.…
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DIY Projects

Amped Up Game Day Nachos!

Weekends in the Fall mean one thing for many people – FOOTBALL!  The sports season brings gatherings of all types from the neighbor next door coming over to a giant group of screaming fans watching the game together.  One thing is certain, you should have plenty of game food ready.  I decided to create a bigger and better version of…
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Holidays

Farewell to My Friend

My sister’s dog passed away today.  Obie was a rescue puppy that my sister adopted from a raided puppy mill years ago.  He was in horrible health when we got him.  Obie couldn’t bark or make sounds for months.  His teeth were completely rotten and had to be pulled, he had congestive heart failure, and arthritis to name some of…
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DIY Projects

Simple Low-Fat Banana Bread

I love banana bread.  It tastes great and makes the house smell delicious as it bakes.  Banana bread is a great alternative to cake, but it tastes very similar.  I use a recipe that cuts out much of the fat and allows for adjustments to the sugar content so you can feel good about indulging in a warm slice.  The…
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Holidays

Peter Pan, Potty Training, and PTSD….

It’s the time of year when families all over the country pack their suitcases, stuff the car full of flotation devices, and set off on the yearly vacation.  When I was little, my parents decided to do the same thing.  I was eleven, my sister Kelli was nine, my sister Bethany was four, and my brother Robby was one when…
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DIY Projects

We All Scream For Ice Cream

Summer would not be summer without ice cream.  Ice cream is as American as Uncle Sam or apple pie.  Every Friday in elementary school, our class paid a quarter each to eat ice cream bars for our end of the week treat.  My favorites were orange push-ups and ice cream sandwiches.  I still love orange push-ups and ice cream sandwiches. …
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DIY Decor, Holidays

Effortless Greeting Cards 101 for $1.01

I hate shopping for greeting cards.  There are so many to choose from and each one says almost the right thing…but not always.  By the time I read each one on the rack, I’m tired and indecisive.  The climbing prices for poetry on fancy paper are a bit of a deterrent also.   This year for Mother’s Day I decided…
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DIY Decor, Holidays

Gift Wrapping 101 for $1.01

Welcome to another installment in our series ‘101 for $1.01’ – Gift Wrapping!  I love receiving beautifully wrapped gifts as much as I love the present inside.  Spending time wrapping lovely presents adds a little something special to the gift.  My only problem is the cost of gift wrapping necessities. Bags, bows, ribbons, and paper can be super pricey.  So…
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DIY Projects

Homemade Chicken Stock 101 for $1.01

This is the first post in a new series for Effortless and Exquisite.  The ‘101 for $1.01‘ series will showcase Lifestyle Tips 101 for $1.01 or less!  Let’s get started…Chicken Stock is a great base for soups, pasta, rice, and casseroles.  Substituting chicken stock for water in recipes adds flavor and that little something extra.  However chicken stock, especially organic…
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DIY Decor, Holidays

DIY Invitations: How To Craft the Perfect Would You

Anyone planning a party, wedding, bar mitzvah, or shower knows there are too many invitation choices.  There are literally thousands of color, pattern, paper, or print styles to choose from.  Your budget can range from reasonably inexpensive to mortgage level spending depending on what you select.  It gets exhausting, especially since invitations are usually the first item to pick in…
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