Summer Fun Series: Tiffany from Savor Home

Today, I would like to welcome Tiffany from Savor Home! If you haven't had an opportunity to check out her fabulous blog...do so (after her post)...she has the most beautiful design inspiration.



Take it away Tiffany...

Hi there! I am Tiffany of Savor Home. I am so excited to be here on Elizabeth's beautiful blog. Doesn't she have the best DIY projects and a great eye for design??

Well, the summer is almost over and I can honestly say that this summer has been one of the best ones I have ever had. My main goals for the summer were to learn new things and have more fun! Just that simple. I certainly achieved my goals and here's how...

I started the summer off by attending a digital photography class. I bought a new digital SLR camera and had no clue how to use it or take decent photos! By the end of the class, I was amazed at all of the things I learned. Here are some recent pics that I have taken...

I also spent a LOT of time in the kitchen this summer. I just started cooking about five years ago and I adore it! It is relaxing to me and I genuinely love to feed other people. Here are some things I made and photographed...

I made some savory food as well, but can you tell I love sweets?? Click on the pics if you would like the recipe.

I also took a few trips this summer and had the BEST time! My first destination was Miami, FL. You can read more about my trip here. My favorite part of the trip was the beach. This was the view from my hotel room...

I think the beach is THE most relaxing place on earth. I heart them. Just give me a hat, a chair, iPod and a fabulous book and I'm a happy girl!



I also went to Cocoa Beach, FL with my family to witness the final shuttle launch...

This was my view of the launch. We were only three miles away from the launch pad (which was pretty close) and it was one of the most spectacular things I have ever seen. It was like the clouds had parted just for the shuttle. It was emotional, exciting and kinda loud! But I loved it... You know I couldn't go to the launch without visiting the beach!

Sorry, another beach pic. That's just how much I love it!

I hope your summer was just as wonderful! Thanks so much for having me Elizabeth and I hope you all have a great weekend! If you live on the east coast, please be safe!



Thanks again for stopping by Tiffany beautiful job on your photography, I love the pretty pink roses and all of your goodies look incredible too.



Happy weekend!



Now head on over and check out the rest of Tiffany's blog, Savor Home!

Summer Fun Series: Alison from Green with Renvy

Hello, I’m Alison and I blog over at Green With Renvy, a lifestyle spot about all things eco-friendly. In the summer, I am one lucky camper who gets to spend much of her time on The Grey Lady, better known as Nantucket.



For me, that spells the most special part of the season. I’d like to share some of those faves with you here at The Mustard Ceiling. Thanks Elizabeth for having me.





Thirty miles out to sea lies the Faraway Isle. Much has remained unchanged since its discovery in 1602, and therein lies its charm.





Whether you arrive by air or sea, I love the feeling of all your cares melting away as you step foot on the island and take in the salt air.





Some of the most beautiful beaches in the world are here. 50 miles of coastline in fact. I love going to the beach in any kind of weather- especially in the fog that greets us in July, when hot steamy days meet the still cool ocean.





With over 35 miles of bike paths, I love the fact that you can leave your car behind. Two wheels can take you from point A to point B and even the public transportation is equipped with bike racks!





Beachcombing is one of my all time favorite activities. I love taking the time, with my kids, or for myself, to craft with the precious cargo we’ve found.





Local and Sustainable is one of my mantras. I love the fact that it’s part of the plan on Nantucket. Whether its buying fresh produce at Bartlett Farm, packing a fresh seafood picnic with local ales from Cisco Brewery for the beach or eating fresh fish with local micro greens at a restaurant, it all falls into that category.

All Photos via Alison Abbott

and Sunsets…well what can I say…Yes I love them too!

I hope you’ve enjoyed visiting with me and my little slice of heaven.

Thank you for stopping by today Allison to share a little piece of Nantucket with us. I have never visited. It has always been on my list, it looks gorgeous.



Head on over to visit Alison at Green with Renvy!



Have a fabulous weekend!



I am still catching up from being away for 3 weeks.

Things should be back to normal around here starting Monday.

Summer Fun Series:Kim from Keller Creative

Hi, I'm Kim and I blog over at Keller-Creative. One of my favorite parts of summer is all the cookouts and get togethers. Around here the summer parties continue into the fall with weekend football parties. Since I'd rather be playing lawn games drinking wine and watching the game gabbing with my girlfriends than slaving over the stove during these parties, I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite go-to party ideas and recipes.





Appetizer: Chips & Salsa

Instead of picking up a jar of salsa and bag of chips at the grocery store, head over to your favorite Mexican restaurant and buy the chips and salsa from them. Our favorite place sells us a huge bag of homemade chips, and a tub of salsa for $5. I like to add some fresh cilantro on top and serve it in my favorite chip and dip bowl. It will seriously leave your guest wondering where you learned how to make authentic salsa and chips.



Drink: Sangria

While most of our parties are BYOB, I also like to make something fun for everyone to drink. My favorite is to take store bought sangria (the real sangria brand), mix in club soda and fresh sliced oranges. Served in a large drink dispenser, your guests will keep coming back for more.



Salad: Three Ingredient Potato Salad

No matter what the season, potato salad works as a great side. My favorite recipe only calls for three ingredients. Yukon potatoes, a jar ranch dressing from the refrigerator section and sliced green onions. Boil potatoes and cube into bite size pieces. Let cool. Toss potatoes in ranch dressing and add sliced green onions. For an extra kick (and ingredient) add bacon bits as well.



Dessert: Time to Impress

Bananas Foster Ice Cream

Sea Salt and Chocolate Popsicles

Crustless Peach Pie

When it comes to dessert, I can't help myself, it's where I really like to impress. I'm a big fan of everything homemade, from icing to ice cream. I'd rather save time on other parts of meal and come up with something great to end the night on. Our friends and family have come to expect it, so I can't stop now :)



I hope you enjoyed some of my favorite party recipes and tricks. Thanks for having me Elizabeth!



Thank you for stopping by today to share some of your party tricks. The homemade desserts look incredible, I could definitely go for some Bananas Fosters ice cream, or that delicious looking crustless peach pie.



Now head on over to Kim's blog and check out the rest of Keller Creative!

The Summer Side of Life: Allison from Spicer + Bank

Hi there! It's Allison from Spicer + Bank, here to share my favorite things about summer in Singapore. Thanks so much to Elizabeth for including me on her lovely blog - I am so excited to be part of this fun series.


I moved to Singapore about a year and a half ago with my hubby and was surprised to find that it's always summer here! It is just about on the equator so the weather is same all year and hovers at about 90 degrees and 90% humidity. The eternal August climate can get a bit too hot for me at times, but the wonderful news is that I get to enjoy my favorite things about summer in Singapore all year round!

{1}

Picnics in the Singapore Botanical Gardens

Concerts and plays are held all the time in these lush gardens and we love having wine and cheese picnics with friends. The gardens are over 100 years old and full of tropical beauty.

{2}

Hiking McRitchie Park

A huge lake and a suspended set of tree top bridges make this an awesome place to hike. The resident monkeys are so much fun to watch too!

{3}

Fresh Mangos

I am officially addicted - we can get ripe mangos year round here and I have one for breakfast almost every morning with my tea or coffee . . . so, so yummy!

{4}

Gorgeous Orchids

Singapore's wet tropical climate is perfect for orchids and we can buy super affordable potted orchids everywhere (at less than $10 each!) They are even the national flower. I am very spoiled now and my house is always full of them.

{5}

Saturdays at the Tanjong Beach Club

Most of Singapore's coastline is used for shipping or industry, but one small area has been developed as a chic beach club and restaurant. We love relaxing here on the weekends, it has a fantastic Miami beach vibe and is so beautiful at sunset!

{All images are by me or via}

Thanks so much for letting me stop by!

Wishing everyone a very happy summer!

Thank you for stopping by today Allison to share with us what summer's are like in Singapore! It looks like you are having a fabulous time.

Head on over to check out the rest of Allison's gorgeous blog, Spicer + Bank, here.

Summer Fun Series: Katie from On the Banks of Squaw Creek

I’m Katie from On the Banks of Squaw Creek and I am honored to be posting on Elizabeth’s blog today! I normally blog about our life with two little boys, a turkey farm, and the renovation and decoration of our 100+ year old farmhouse.

Last Saturday, we spent the day at our town’s 54th annual Watermelon Day. Watermelon Day is a big deal in our town of 500, and here’s why:

1. Parade

The festivities start off with a parade full of 4-H floats, church floats, tractors and fire trucks. It seemed like every fire truck in the county was there. And there was PLENTY of candy to go around!

2. Family

My husband was at home, taking care of our livestock in the heat. But Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Staci filled in and helped me out. I love having our families so close and the boys love it, too!

3. Friends

One of the best things about living in a small town is the fact that everyone knows each other and is willing to help out.

We sat next to two of Adam’s friends from daycare, and they made sure he got plenty of candy.

When I needed to nurse Isaac, a woman from church opened her home across the street so I could go in the air conditioning.

The owner of the “beauty shop” on main street handed her key out to a couple of families with young children, so they could use the restrooms and cool off, too.

When Adam ran across the playground and I started yelling his name, another friend spotted him and let me know where he had gone.

4. Rides

Grandpa spent almost $10 on 50 cent rides. Obviously, a fun time for a 3 year old! The airplanes, swings and train are owned by the Lions Club and are a crowd favorite.

5. Watermelon!

All you can eat, free watermelon. It’s rolled off a truck from a local grocery store and cut as fast as possible by local volunteers, like my very own father in law. We all perfected our lean-over-so-it-doesn’t-drip-on-your-clothes stance while devouring at least 1/4 of a watermelon each.

Watermelon Day will be an important part of our summer as long as the Lions Club keeps putting it on. What about you? Is there a summer festival that you look forward to every year? If not, we’ll share ours with you. :)

Thank you Katie for stopping by today to share the watermelon festival with us! It sounds like the perfect way to spend a hot summer day.

To check out more of Katie's blog, On The Banks of Squaw Creek, click here.

If you're new around here,

come link up your blog at my mix and mingle party and join the fun click here!

Summer Fun Series: Anne from Hello Newman's

Hi, there! I'm Anne from Hello Newman's - and I am oh so happy to be sharing on Elizabeth's super fun blog. I am due with our second baby ANY DAY NOW and have been frantically trying to finish as many home projects as possible before he makes his arrival.

Some would call this "nesting." My husband calls it "my 9 month pregnant wife is crazy but I love her and will continue to cut and nail as many pieces of wood as she asks me too since I am not the one who actually has to birth this baby."

I thought I would share a few projects we have been working on the past couple of months for Elizabeth's Summer Side of Life Series. Here are my fav 5...

1. Updated board and batten picture frame molding in our dining room

2. BIG chalkboard wall in the kitchen

3. Fresh trim and beadboard in the master bath

4. A smooth transition to our daughter's BIG GIRL BED before baby

5. And perhaps my favorite "project" of all - spending sweet days with my daughter and watching my belly grow through another HOT South Carolina summer.

Wishing everyone many more happy summer days...

~Anne

Thank you Anne for stopping by today to participate in The Summer Side of Life series! You have certainly been busy this summer..but all of your hard work has paid off.

Congratulations on the new addition to your family!

Now, head on over and check out Anne's blog Hello Newman's!