Halloween Fireplace Mantel | Enter If You Dare

 
Cue scary music ~ think Disney's Haunted Mansion & screams a la Tower of Terror.
While I typically prefer a more whimsical take on Halloween, I thought we'd go a little on the dark side this year ~ with a little added Disney Humor.  This really started because I wanted to go as cheap as possible for Halloween decor ~ honestly, Halloween is my least favorite holiday.  Gasp ~ I know!  I'm sure it will be more fun when we have kids to dress up and take trick or treating, but for the time being, it's not really our thing.   But, here in Atlanta it's a huge deal and I kinda felt like a party-pooper for not partaking 
(our neighborhood has gone ALL OUT!). 
As this post started to take shape, I wanted to share with you how you can start with an idea, stay on budget, be creative, and end up in an entirely different direction than you intended.  This can happen with any project, from decorating for parties to home decor ~ whether the look you want is out of budget or that exact color scheme can't be found anywhere ~ by thinking outside the box, you can come up with an idea you would have never thought of.  I mean, I would never have thought to do a spooky, haunted mansion type theme, but it kinda turned out fun and unexpected.  So back to the project at hand, to stay on budget I made a trip to my local Dollar Tree Store (one of those stores where everything's a buck) and came across these crows.
My initial idea was to do a simple black and white wreath, add some crows and candles for a simple fireplace mantel.  After searching the rows I came up empty handed for a wreath and wasn't in the mood to make the drive across town to a craft store.  Well I must have been in a cynical mood that day, because I ended up buying 2 packs of skeleton garland and 3 styrofoam tombstones.  Making my total Dollar Tree tab $9 plus tax. 
 Most of the time I have a strong opinion about what direction I want to take a project.  With this I had no idea.  I didn't care for the design on the tombstones ~ a little to dark and creepy for my taste ~ so I decided right away to use the blank backside.  I strung one strand of skeleton garland, placed crows and went into my pantry for black beans which I poured into glass vases. 
 I did that thing where I stood back and starred for a good 10 minutes.  Hmmm.  What else did I own that would add to this look?  Cue the proverbial light bulb.  Some black lanterns, vintage books, a broken candelabra and a leftover chalkboard were added.  To fill out the skeleton garland, I combined the two strands.  I used a white paint pen to write on the tombstones and straight up copied the epitaphs from Disney World's Haunted Mansion.  The busts had been a recent score ~ a retail shop was throwing them out.  Then candles were added for an eerie glow.  There you have it, my creepy, yet humorous Halloween Fireplace Mantel! 
  

Do you decorate for Halloween?  What style are you going with for decor?

Andrew & Melissa's Wedding Weekend

Last weekend my brother got married!!
And we couldn't be happier to have a new addition to the family!
The newlyweds met while attending Furman University, so it was only fitting that they were married at Daniel Chapel on Furman's Campus.  Meaningful details adorned the weekend, from a Rehearsal Dinner located at Furman University to a wedding cake with an apple filling ~ their first date was to an apple festival ~ 
the ceremony was joyful and the weekend was great!
The festivities started Thursday evening in downtown Greenville, SC.
After checking into the Westin, we were greeted with a welcome basket filled with seasonal goodies from the Mother of the Groom.
Dinner at Sassafras, followed by an evening stroll downtown 
was the perfect kick off to a wonderful wedding weekend.
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Friday morning was a family affair as we prepped and decorated for the Rehearsal Dinner.
Pumpkin Loafs and Muffins from Strossner's Bakery were wrapped and tagged.
 Antique and vintage books made up the centerpieces and 
Sweetgrass Crosses from Charleston, SC were placed at each place setting.
 Flowers purchased wholesale were cut and arranged in vintage canning jars.
Chalkboards adorned the dessert table and also the entrance.
Lunchtime consisted of a picnic and a relaxing afternoon 
on the grounds of Furman University. 
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The Rehearsal Dinner was a casual evening 
located at Hartness Pavilion on Furman's Campus.
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The wedding took place at Daniel Chapel followed by a beautiful Reception 
at the Ryan Nicholas Inn.  Truth be told the day was so exciting and fun, 
I didn't take nearly the photos I meant too!
 
  
 
  

Wishing these two all the best!!



Fall Fireplace Mantel | Painted Gourds & Tissue Paper Leaves

First of all, if you have yet to check out DIY Playbook, do so ASAP!  Casey & Bridget are both super sweet with mad skills in the DIY department!  Their bubbly personalities paired with their creative ideas make them ones to watch in blogland!   So of course  I was super excited when they contacted me about their Fall Fantasy Draft and when they gave me the task of Craft Expert, I knew there were some big shoes to fill.
 In wanting to break outside the box with my fall fireplace, I decided to go brighter than your traditional rustic fall color pallette (which don't get me wrong, I still love).  Dubbing this Fall Fireplace Mantel a Colorfall one 
(see what I did there?! ~ super cheesy!) 
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For paint I hit up my local Lowes and ordered up a range of Valspar Paint Samples.  I love these half pints because you can pick out any Valspar color swatch and have it mixed right there in store.  The possibilities are endless and for under $3 a piece it gives you a lot of bang for your buck.
Colors left to right:  
Roasted Chestnut, Scarlet Sun, Autumn Enchantment, Toasted Pumpkin, Vivid Orange)
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Rather than traditional pumpkins, I decided to go with Butter Nut Squash, I preferred their smaller size and they ended up being cheaper than pumpkins at my local Farmer's Market.  There really is no science in the painting, just slap it on using a foam brush.  Some gourds I painted completely, others only a stripe.
To ensure a vivid color I gave each two-three coats, allowing drying time in between.  After they were dry I also added Gold Washi Tape for a metallic pop!
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For the leaves I used Tissue Paper!  While you could go with paper, I preferred the flimsy texture of the tissue paper.  Again, I used a foam brush to paint on very thin coats of paint.  I alternated between colors, allowed it to dry, then went over each with another thin coat of paint, using a different color on top this time ~ this will give your leaves more dimension.  Note, tissue paper is delicate, if you glob on too much paint it will tear, so be gentle, but know a couple tears here and there are inevitable.
Once the the paint is dry, I cut out leaves then used double sided tape to attach them to real sticks (just pick some up out of the yard ~ for free!)  For the branches attached to the fireplace I just adhered with tape ~ super easy!


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With my leftover tissue paper I cut strips and added them to thrift store vases.
Again, using Gold Washi Tape to give a finished look.
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After making my Anthropologie Inspired DIY Tee-Pee Napkins, I decided to enlarge my Tee-Pee design.  If you can draw a triangle, you can draw a Tee-Pee!  All I used was a brown Crayola Marker, then framed it in an $8 thrift store frame.


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So there you have it, a Colorfall Fireplace Mantel!
Be sure to check out DIY Playbook all this week for more 
Fall Fantasy Draft Posts from other great bloggers!



500 Facebook Likes ~ Say What?!

It's hard to believe that a little less than a month ago their were 98 of you in our Facebook community!  To the first 98 thanks for believing in me at the beginning!  
In just a couple weeks another 400+  of you have joined our Facebook Family and I can't tell you how much I appreciate all of the support!!
thank you! ~ thank you! ~ thank you!
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If you haven't had the chance to visit our Facebook Page, I'd love to invite you over now!
If you're new to Iron & Twine then WELCOME!!
This little blog wouldn't be the same without you!

Pinterest Inspiration | My Favorite Curators


Today I've fallen back in love with Pinterest!
I admit, I've been in a Pinterest slump lately.
At times it can be an overload of information and feel like another weekly to-do.  But the idea is simple and if done correctly your Pinterst page can inspire, organize and motivate you to create a more joyful & productive life.  So today I'm giving you permission to pour a large glass of you fill in the blank and take some time to get inspired!
Here's my number one tip for making Pinterest no longer a chore!
The key is to follow amazing curators ~ think the people in museums who pick and design the display of the artwork.  More is not always better.  A good Pinterest pinner can introduce you to new ideas, new blogs & websites, and open you up to a whole new world of creativity.  While I love following industry experts, some of my absolute favorite pinners aren't those with fancy websites or blogs of their own.  They're my real-life family & friends, people I've met through Iron & Twine and strangers that I stock through Pinterest.  Today I want to introduce you to four of my all time favorites.  If these women were editors of their own magazines, I'd be sure to be a subscriber! 
 I hope you'll visit their Pinterest pages 
and follow them for continuous inspiration!  
In the meantime, here's a small sampling of their curated work.

Catey White's Pins
1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11.12.
Traditional, Sophisticated & Modern is what sums up Catey White's inspiring pins.  She has an eye for the timeless and an impeccable taste for the home and fashion.  Her Food & Drink Board always has me drooling for more!  Be sure to check out all of her pins here!
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Wheel and Basket's Pins
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Wheel and Basket's Pins are the epitome of Classic Americana.  This is what I aspire my ideal life to look like!  Her pins inspire picnics on weekends and joyful family celebrations.  From Gift Ideas to Home Inspiration be sure to check out all of her boards here!
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Sarrin's Pins
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Sarrin's Pins blend Boho Chic and Preppy Cool making the it girl look approachable.  Her Style Board is one of my fashion favorites!  Effort-less in every way I wish my wardrobe was styled around this board.
I'm cutting my hair short in the near future and Sarrin's Hairstyle Board will be my first stop for inspiration.  Go check out more of Sarrin's Pins!
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1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.
Whimsical & Vintage E Holm's Pins have created the perfect fusion of cottage charm!  Her color choices and antique finds make me swoon.  If you're a dog lover, her Golden Girls Board is a must see!  For more eye catching pins be sure to follow her boards here!
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After seeing all these pins, don't you just want to run back on the Pinterest Bandwagon?!
So go enjoy your afternoon, evening or late night (whenever it is you're reading this) and get inspired!
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A little help from my readers!
I'm hoping to make this a regular series here at Iron & Twine.  If you enjoyed this post or if you'd like to share your favorite pinners with me please either comment below or email me at michelle@ironandtwine.com 
Like always thanks so much!

Wicker Baskets

Confession:  I'm a basket hoarder!
And I blame my mother.  In the 80's my family lived in the Philippines and my mom had an entire storage room dedicated to her basket obsession ~ that clearly made an impression on my young mind.  Don't they say history repeats itself?  But in all seriousness, I have taken a huge page out of my mom's playbook!  She has such a great design eye and has always used baskets to warm up a space while also providing functional storage to a room.  
Want to see more of my mom's style?  Follow her here!  
Now back to my situation.  The photo above isn't even the half of it!  I had planned to bring all of them onto the front porch until I started receiving judgmental looks from my neighbors.  I'm sure they were thinking "she has that many baskets in that house?!" (think one of those tiny circus cars where the clowns keep coming out and you're not sure how they all fit).  But they do all fit and amazingly provide so much needed storage in a house with minimal closet space.  Under beds, on top of armoires and on shelves,
these baskets help keep us organized.
All of the baskets pictured, have been collected over time from thrift stores and flea markets.  With a keen eye and a little patience you can typically find these at a bargain.  When buying second hand or vintage baskets, be sure to check the condition and strength of the handles and bottom weave.  Also try to stick to a monochromatic color palette ~ this way you can style baskets to coordinate vs clashing & drawing negative attention to a space. Don't pass up a basket just because it has a little dust & grime.  A simple bath in warm water can typically clean it right up. 
Alright, now it's your turn to confess ~ no judgement I promise!
Are you a basket hoarder or what objects can you not pass up?

Like always thanks for stopping by!!

Fall Must Haves | A Busy Girl's Guide

1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10.11.12.13.14.

Whether you're a busy mom, a college student or a working gal, there never seems to be enough time to do it all in the fall.  It's my job to give you inspiring ideas, but honestly I understand that sometimes you don't have time to DIY that wreath or spend hours in the kitchen preparing a home made meal.  So here's my busy girls guide to getting it all done.

Forget about new pillows, a rocked out fireplace and an over-the-top front porch display, all you need are a few simple touches to make your home feel like fall.  The addition of a colorful fall throw to the living room & a festive dishtowel in the kitchen will give your decor a cozy lift.  No time to hit the pumpkin patch?  You can easily find pumpkins, gourds and wheat bundles at your local grocery and home improvement stores.  Throw a couple pumpkins on the front porch and throughout the house ~ small ones look great on a coffee table!  Throw wheat bundles in a clear vase for a dining room addition.

Make it smell like fall!  Mulled spices brewed over the stove, pumpkin spice candles and fragrant hand soap can all make a big impact.  When guests stop by, no matter how minimal the decor, the fragrant aromas of fall will set the mood.

If you don't already have a crock-pot buy one!!  They're like magic, during busy fall days, it will ensure you're still able to put a home cooked meal on the table.  And the best part is due to the slow-cooker you're able to use tougher pieces of meat, making meals super cheap and affordable.  One of my fall favorites is this one from Pioneer Women.

For functional yet stylish fall fashion keep to the basics.   A great fitting pair of jeans and a comfortable pair of black leggings will go with just about everything.  Invest in a go-to jacket!  From soccer practice for the kids to an afternoon lunch with girlfriends I love this Duluth Trading Company Waxed Cotton Jacket ~it's classic yet understated.  Whether you're hitting up a local farmer's market or running errands, a tote bag can keep you organized while on the go.  Pick up one of the great designs from Feed ~ not only are they cute, but they give back to a great cause!  For your feet invest in boots!  From raking in the backyard to cheering in the stands at a football game, a colorful pair of boots will keep you warm and fashionable!

For easy hostess gifts, buy cute paper baking products.  It's all in the presentation right?!  So even if that pumpkin loaf happens to be store bought (I won't tell), stick it in a paper loaf pan and tie with baker's twine ~ no one ever has to know!  Or when in doubt, give Williams-Sonoma hand soaps ~ it's a little thing people love, but most won't splurge on.  I stock up on these for last minute parties and for $13 it's the perfect priced hostess gift.

So there you have it ~ a couple small ideas to hopefully make your fall a little more manageable and a lot more festive!!

Happy Fall Ya'll!

Hell's Kitchen Flea Market | New York City

Happy October!
Fall always makes me want to get outside and go on a treasure hunt.  
Yesterday I shared my ideal Big City getaway and wanted to come back with more from the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market!  It takes place every Saturday & Sunday from 9am-5pm in New York City.  From design students to the fashion elite, magazine editors to collectors,  amateurs  to enthusiasts, you'll rub elbows with New York's most eclectic.  
Be sure to bring plenty of cash and don't be afraid to negotiate.  
Here's just a small sampling of what you may find on any given weekend.
 
  
 
 
There's also the Antique Garage located at 112 West 25th Street that's a must see as well.  Prices are typically higher as most vendors primarily sell to collectors.  You'll find notable artwork, one of a kind vintage clothing along with much more.  
The West 25th Street Market is so-so ~ at least in the handful of times I've gone.  It seems to always have a random assortment and prices are all over the place.  
Should you find you have extra time be sure to hit it up, but if time is limited 
you'll have more luck at the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market!!

What Flea Markets will you be hitting up across the country this fall?

New York In The Fall | My Weekend Guide

There's nothing quite like NYC in the fall.  The air is crisp and the city is vibrant.  My favorite thing to do is walk the city, take in the sights and eat ~ and I mean EAT!!  Ask me about somewhere I've traveled and I'll probably start off by telling you what I ate.  Weird right?!  I don't consider myself a foodie, my taste is by no means refined ~ case in point look how excited I get over a $2 hotdog:
But I thought I should preface my food addiction, as I will post way too many food photos!  But back to the city ~ my perfect weekend in New York would consist of brunch at Pastis,
I have dreams about their Croque-Madame!  Afterwards a stroll through Chelsea Market:
Followed by a walk on the High Line:
Then on to the West Village making a beeline for Magnolia Bakery ~ most people love them for their cupcakes, but for me their Banana Pudding is heavenly!  I don't even like banana pudding, but this stuff I could eat for days!
Now to burn off some of those calories, stroll through the Village taking in the sights and quaint side streets.  From there make your way down Bleeker Street to Soho. (From Bleeker take a right on 6th Ave then a left on either Prince or Spring Street).  On Prince and Spring there's amazing boutiques and great jewelry vendors set up on the sidewalks.  From there head south to Canal Street ~ they're known for their street vendors as well (knock off purses etc) ~ I tend to pick up a couple scarves for $3-$5 a piece. 
By now it's getting later and a bit chilly.  Head towards Tribeca or Little Italy for dinner.  I love to grab an outdoor table at Cercle Rouge and order a piping hot bowl of their French Onion Soup:
An evening stroll through Tribeca is beautiful this time of year.
Make your way up to MacDougal Street for a show at the Comedy Cellar or pop into one of the many pubs & bistros for a drink and live music.
On day two, it's an early rise to walk the Brooklyn Bridge.
 
Grab a cup of coffee in Brooklyn, then make your way back into the city heading straight towards the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market.  This place doesn't disappoint ~ from furniture to vintage clothing, collectibles to housewares there's something for everyone. 
 
 After a morning of wheeling & dealing head over to the 
garment district to stock up on fabrics.
From there grab lunch an any local bistro or hit up one of the many street festivals that typically take place during the fall.
Now it's time to be a tourist.  Take your pick from the Statue of Liberty...
Grand Central Station... 
National 9/11 Monument and Memorial...
to Central Park...
 No matter what your preference there is so much to see and do in NYC.  For me the trip wouldn't be complete without some great seafood (it is oyster season after all)!  
Oysters on the half shell and a glass of champagne 
is my perfect ending to a New York City weekend!
 When you travel how are your memories created ~ the sights?  art galleries?  the sounds?  food?!  Would love for you to share your favorite travel memory in the comments below!

Dog Food Storage

 Yup, we were those people that had our big bag of dog food sitting out in the open allowing our pup to help himself, making dinner & snack time whenever he wanted.  
I knew we needed an airtight container and loved all the cute jars & canisters that people use for dog storage.  But having a big dog meant I needed a large container and for some reason cute ones are hard to find.  I bought this trash can from Walmart.  The touch lid is great for quick & easy opening & closing.  And I found a scoop that is the perfect serving size for Rawley's meals.
 
With most of my organization I love hidden storage.  In a small home it allows for everyday items to be hidden in plain sight and of course I'm a sucker for baskets.  When I came across this woven hamper in the laundry aisle at Target I knew it would be a great way to conceal our dog food storage bin along with Rawley's other treats & toys.
Now dinner & snack time look more like this!
 

What do you use for your pet food storage?

Rosemary Garlic Dipping Oil

After making Rosemary & Garlic Infused Olive Oil, I decided to whip out this easy appetizer. I'm a huge fan of dipping oils at restaurants and can't believe I don't make this more often at home.  Great for a party, how fun would it be to have different oils & flavors for a tasting.  Or if you're like me indulge in a loaf of bread & a glass of wine and call it dinner!  To make this Rosemary Garlic Dipping Oil you'll need the following:
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Rosemary & Garlic Infused Olive Oil ~ see recipe here
Fresh Garlic
Salt & Pepper
Lemon
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 In a small bowl add minced fresh garlic, salt & pepper and a squeeze of fresh lemon.
 Using a wisk, stir in your olive oil, pouring slowly to ensure it mixes with the lemon.
Add additional salt & pepper to taste, I also add another squeeze of lemon.
Grab a loaf of crusty bread and dip to your heart's content!
bon appetit!

Rosemary & Garlic Infused Olive Oil

I'm officially obsessed with herb infused olive oil!  
To make your own it's E. A. S. Y. and the possibilities are endless!
It's pretty much going to be my new go-to hostess gift!
And speaking of gifts, my Mom is the queen of gift giving!!
This all started when I opened a package from her with the following:
These super cute dish towels, herb scissors, an airtight glass bottle & a note that read:
Enjoy September
Clip the last sprigs of herbs and start some flavored oil.
Challenge Accepted!
 When I say the possibilities are endless I mean it -
look at your herb garden & see what you've got!  
I decided to start with a Rosemary & Garlic Infused Olive Oil.
To make you'll need an airtight container, extra virgin olive oil,
3-5 cloves of garlic and 4-6 sprigs of fresh rosemary.
Depending on how 'garlic-y' you want, add more or less garlic.
Using the backside of a wooden spoon smash your garlic cloves.
Over medium-high heat warm your olive oil, be careful that it doesn't boil.
Once olive oil is heated add smashed garlic and cook for 3-4 minutes.
Remove from heat and add 2-3 sprigs of Rosemary.  
Let cool for 5-8 minutes, then discard garlic & rosemary.
In your container add a couple fresh sprigs of rosemary, 
then pour in your warmed olive oil.
Be sure to store in the fridge to prevent botulism and keep for no longer than one week.
How fun & easy is that?!!
Come back tomorrow to see how I use my infused olive oil and in the meantime, 
comment below with your favorite flavors!
 

Fall Cleaning | Front Porch

Spiderwebs are taking over our front porch ~ and I don't mean the decorative ones!
Another disturbing find?  The significant amount of mildew growing on our white railings ~ ew...gross!  These before photos don't really do it justice:
But with a little elbow grease, mild detergent & a Sunday afternoon, 
I was able to get our white painted porch back in order. 
Have mildew or mold?  Depending on the severity you may want to go with a pressure washer, otherwise, we found a scrub brush & mild detergent did the trick.  I also read that 1 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water works wonders.  Scrub with a brush, then rinse thoroughly with water.
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I'm looking forward to fall decor!  It's still a little too humid for pumpkins here.  
So until then, I put up a simple wreath, bought some mums, 
and added a rustic basket (a $5 thrift store find) to the front porch!

Jewelry Organization

This week has been quite an exciting one here at Iron & Twine.
On Tuesday, Ashley @HandmadeHome introduced me to her online family!
And I'm so excited to have the opportunity to 'meet' so many new friends!
So if you're new to Iron & Twine, then WELCOME!
I'm looking forward to our time together!
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If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen this 
quick organization project a while back.
Does your jewelry look like this?!
Because mine definitely did!
One jumbled hot mess of tangles and knots.
So to get this chaos in order, I cleaned out my jewelry drawer, and inserted two drawer organizers from Ikea.  Just as a side not our dresser is the Hemnes 8-drawer dresser.  I also use these non-stick canvas drawer liners from Walmart everywhere in my house.  They're worth the investment and trust me you'll thank me later! 
 The next task was a challenging one, untangling that mess!
I happened to have quite a few jewelry boxes that fit perfectly for individual dividers.  You could use any small boxes or get super creative.  Vintage bowls or recycled food canisters could work, anything that won't break and 
allows for easy to see and easy to access storage.
 For the items I wear daily, wedding rings, watch & my favorite earrings, I place them on my wedding invite lucite tray.  It's a wonderful daily reminder of that very happy day ~ and also a super easy DIY for those of you looking to upcycle your wedding invitation.  For a functional art display, my favorite necklaces are hung with t-pins on canvas.  
There you have it ~ my organized jewelry station.  
Everything in a place makes for a happy space!


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Whether you're planning a large birthday party or wanting to make a Tuesday night 
special for your family, it's the small details & personalized touches 
that make your guests feel welcome & at home!
Here's a few of our favorite entertaining ideas:





Work In Progress

Happy Monday!  
Over the weekend Brian & I enjoyed some of the last sunny & hot days of summer.  With fall fast approaching, we started thinking about our fall to do list.  I'm slowly bringing out the fall decor and re-working the fireplace mantel ~ the parrot's got to go!  And our huge project we're so excited to finally be wrapping up is our kitchen!  This thing has been 
3 years in the making & I can't wait to share all the details with you.  
I mean how awesome is this before photo?!
Yup that's a lawn mower!  
Over the weekend we sanded counter tops and finished the floors.  This old house is always a work in progress, but we wouldn't have it any other way!  I promise to share all the photos & how to's very soon.  In the meantime, what's on your fall to do list?


How To Decoupage A Wooden Box

 It's time to get crafty!  And truth be told I haven't used Mod Podge since 7th grade!  While roaming around Hobby Lobby I came across this green ikat paper for 59 cents a piece and then went in search for a wooden box.  The one I bought was $3.49.  The 16fl oz bottle of Mod Podge ~ Paper in Matte was $6 (after using my 40% off Hobby Lobby coupon) ~ and at most I maybe used $.75 worth of the bottle.  The foam brush, pencil & scissors I had at home. Making this project roughly $5.50!
 
 Depending on the box you purchase, you may want to give it a light sand if the surface is rough.  With mine, all I needed to do was remove the elastic fastener.
 I originally planned to trace the outline of my box on paper, cut it out then apply, but because my box had rounded corners it was easier to glue the paper on first (do this by applying a thin coat of mod podge directly to the box), allow it to dry a couple minutes then carefully use scissors to cut around the edges.  I started with the bottom and sides first, then made my way to the top and front.
 In my case I had a wooden 'button' I needed to work around, so I cut an X in the paper where the button could easily fit into to. 
 Once the box was covered with paper I painted on a final thin coat of mod podge.  Once that dried I used my pencil to poke through to the original holes and added the original elastic fastener. 
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 There you have it!
A SUPER easy craft that would be perfect to store pencils & markers on a desk, organize your jewelry on a vanity or add some color to a book shelf.  Be sure to think outside the box, wrapping paper always comes in great prints and would be great for larger projects!
 

Vintage Shirt Dress


$5 and under Thrift Store Find
You know how much I LOVE hunting for vintage finds at thrift stores & flea markets, but I pretty much NEVER look through the clothes.  Mainly because I'm impatient and the thought of having to spend a lot of time going through racks, then trying stuff on, kinda bums me out.  But when I came across this Navy Printed Shirt Dress at local thrift store, it had me reconsidering my no clothes rule.  A quick stop in the fitting room and $5 bucks later & it was mine.  It's the perfect dress for fall ~ roll up the sleeves, add a belt and a brown leather tote for an easy fall outfit.

Do you shop for vintage clothing?  
Share with us your tips in the comments below ~ pretty please!

Fresh From The Garden | Cucumber on Toast with Basil Aioli

With our garden in full summer bloom, I'm loving having an abundance of cucumbers!
This lunch is a breeze, toast some bread, slice some cucumbers and spread on some 
basil aioli.  You know I'm the biggest cheat when it comes to cooking, 
so it's no surprise this aioli is super simple ~ the quick gal's version.

Basil Aioli
Mix light mayonnaise with a generous amount of chopped basil.  
Add salt & pepper to taste.
*this is also great with some fresh minced garlic and a squeeze of lemon*

What end of summer meals are you enjoying?