Fall Porch Tour, Pt.2 (Halloween)

It was a lot of fun, and a lot of work, but I am SO happy with the outcome of our "Halloween Porch".  Since we already decorated for Fall, I didn't want to do too much to change it up, so I opted to go for a "Spooky Pumpkin Patch" theme.  I still have a few more things to do out on the lawn, but the porch is done, and ready to share.  Okay, I'll stop chattering now, and let the pictures speak for themselves.  I hope you enjoy! 

HALLOWEEN MANTEL DECOR

Halloween is coming, and I've been decorating, decorating, decorating.  I've also been crafting a lot.  I want to save as much money as I can this year, because we have some big projects coming up here at home, so even if that means just a few dollars, I'm happy.  Because of that, I can say that I had a lot of fun this morning, cutting out paper bats, for our mantle display.  Okay, honestly, it was fun for about 10 minutes, and then I was tired of tracing, and cutting, and managing Rordan all at the same time.  I think he knows when I need to do something, because those are the exact times he decides that I'm the center of his world, and he must sit on me.  LOL!  No worries though, I love holding him, it just makes for a longer project.  Luckily, the final outcome proves to me that it was worth my time.  I'm loving the way it looks!
Also, to give credit where credit is due, about three of the bats are actually Martha Stewart paper bats, that I purchased at Michael's last year.  The package had quite a few, but I must have thrown away the ones I used last year, so I didn't have enough to complete the look I wanted for the mantle.  I ended up using the original to create a pattern, and cut the rest out of black card stock.  I used a hole punch for the eyes, and folded them according to the original pattern.  I think they came out pretty nice, so I'm patting myself of the back for that.  I hope you like the photos! 

DIY Paper Bats, Martha Stewart Paper Bats, Target Dollar Spot Halloween Banner & Trick or Treat Sign, & Jack-O-Lantern Votives, Haunted House Tour sign is from ROSS, and all other décor is from either existing items, or Hobby Lobby.

I added a throw from Target, and a pillow from Ikea to bring in the accents of black and white, I wanted.

Here is an overall look at the area, all decorated up!  The gold and black pumpkins are from Target, as well as the pumpkins in the tray.  I've had the owl for quite a few years, and think he will be keeping this spot this year. 

I'm so glad you took a moment to stop by and see the updates!  I'll have more photos to share in the near future, of our outdoor Halloween décor, so check back for those. 

DIY Outdoor Skull Garland

 

 

Thanks for joining me today for the reveal of this outdoor skull garland!  This project is so simple that it consists of  only three steps to make.  

 

 

Supplies Needed:

Rope, Drill, Scissors, Skulls  (mine are from the Dollar Tree), and not pictured, Tape

                                                     

 

First you will take your skull and drill two holes, one on each side.  Make sure that the hole is large enough to run your rope through.  I used the scissors to enlarge the hole after drilling if I ran into any problems.

 

                                                

Second, run your rope through the skull, left to right , skull facing you.  I had success getting the rope through easily by taping off the end of the rope.  It's something I discovered after taking my supplies photo so that's why you don't see it.

                                                

 

The third step is to tie a knot at each end if the skull.  Depending on the length you are going for, and how many skulls you are using, calculate the space to the next skull.  Tie another knot, and add another skull to the rope.  Repeat this process until you have reached the desired length.  

That's it!  Again, so easy, and cheap, and yet, you end up with an awesome outdoor Halloween prop.  I hope you are inspired to recreate this yourself!  If so, please share a link here with me.  I'd love to see it! 

Halloween Entry Table (Budget Decorating)

It's only October 1st, and yet I've been working on this table for a couple of days already, in anticipating of sharing it with you all.  Maybe it's because Halloween has always been my favorite holiday, next to Christmas, since I was a little kid.  I can't quite pinpoint exactly why though.  I don't really think it was all of the candy, because my grandparents didn't let me have much candy even when I had a bucket full from Trick or Treating.  The only thing that I can come up with is the ambiance that the holiday brings.  I'm not so into the blood and gore, but I like the creepy kind of stuff, which is why I think I chose this years table theme to be what it is.  Plus it isn't too scary for my baby boy.  He laughed so hard at the big spider tonight, and it made me feel better about using it.

Just to let you know, just about everything you will see in these pictures were purchased from Target's dollar spot, the Dollar Store, ROSS, HomeGoods, or DIY'd by me.  Each item ranges in price from $1-$15.  I think that's a good price range for holiday décor.

I'm so glad I'm getting back in touch with my creative side!  It just took a bit of imagination to come up with this entry table scene.  I hope you enjoy the pictures.  I took them at 1:00 this morning, just to be sure I captured that "creepy" feeling, or just to make sure I was able to take pictures after dark.  Whatever sound better to you.  LOL!  So here we go!

Trying to capture this entire setup was the most challenging thing for me.  I figured this picture lent itself best to featuring the Happy Halloween banner I picked up for $3 at TJMaxx.

 

Target Dollar Spot wins again!


 

You can find the tutorial on how to make these Apothecary Jars for $1 each.  Check out this link: Cheap DIY Apothecary Jars

Spiders creep me out!  This one is growing on me though.  Only $10 at Target!

I love how I was able to incorporate my lamps from HomeGoods, just by adding cheese cloth to them.

 

Found this sign at ROSS.  Couldn't pass it up because it was perfect for this space.

Here is another look at the spider.

One of my favorite shots from the shoot.  Feels just creepy enough.

 

 

 

 

 



Thanks for stopping by to take a look! I can't wait to see all of your ideas, as you post them.  Also, please feel free to share these photos.  All I ask is that you give me, and the blog credit if you do.  Also, I've noticed that my blog has quite a bit of traffic, but never any comments. I'd love to hear what you think about this in my comments. Thanks again!

Fall Porch Tour Pt.1

Thanks for stopping by!  I'm glad you found us.  Today I'm sharing Pt.1 of my front porch tour.  Having almost completed our Fall décor inside our home, I felt like it was time to focus on the outside.  Of course, all of the home tours on the net have been a driving factor as well.  So many beautiful spaces, making me want to do my own!  You ladies, and gentlemen are so talented!  One thing you should know about me, is that once I get excited about something, it's hard for me to wait to do it.  Luckily this weekend I have been able to pull some old thrifted items out of the garage, with help from John, as well as random things from around the house, and some DIY projects, to make up the décor for the porch.
My vision required that the porch look like a pumpkin patch, so I knew I would need a lot of orange pumpkins.  I don't think John and I have had just regular old orange pumpkins on our porch for Fall, since we've been married!  We've always loved Fairy Tale pumpkins, and that's what we've always had, but I had a vision, and I just had to keep to it.  Since it's still in the 90's here in TX it's hard to come across pumpkins so early in the season.  Luckily we found that our local grocery stores had already stocked pumpkins so we picked up some a bunch.  I honestly really love the look of all the orange. 
This section of the porch is where our bench sits.  Since we usually hang out on our back porch or the balcony, I felt like taking over this space wouldn't be too much of a loss, to accomplish what I was thinking.  I'm really excited about the outcome, and I hope you like it as much as I do.  I can't wait to take pictures of Rordan here!
I still need to decorate the door, and down the steps, so I plan to share that here on the blog in pt.2 of the porch tour.  Then, stay tuned for Halloween additions!  So many holiday's, in such a small span of time!  I'm ready for them all though!



You know the saying, "Go big, or go home!"?  Well why not go big at home?!? 

The burlap bags on the bench are actually old coffee bags I got for under $1 each at our local Habitat For Humanity store.  Also, I have to give credit to John for picking out the plants, and planting them in these awesome tubs.

Some of you that follow me on Instagram  might have seen a post about crafting about a week ago.  This is one of those projects.  I wanted it to feel
as hand made as possible, so since I had some wood leftover from the Entertainment Center project, I used that,and some paint I picked up from Hobby Lobby.  I found the font online, created the layout in Photoshop, and then hand drew it on the board.  That's why the lettering is all over the place.  I didn't draw any guide lines to follow, just let it sit where it sat so to speak.  Even though I'm a perfectionist, and this bothered me to no end before, I kind of like the "hand made" look now. 

 

This little box is actually an old drawer that I picked up at Habitat For Humanity for $2!  I've had it for almost a year, just waiting for the right time to use it.  I love that I finally got to, and how good it looks.

 

The wreath is one that I made up years ago for our first home.  I had been sitting collecting dust in the garage until yesterday.  I love being able to use things that I already have.  Save, save, save!

Have a lantern that doesn't work anymore?  Use it for décor!  Why not right?  Those things can cost a pretty penny!

The "welcome" banner was made from burlap ribbon from Hobby Lobby, and some rope I picked up at Lowes a while back.  It took me less than an hour to make.  I'll call it a "Nap Time" craft.  Check back for a tutorial on how I made it.

 

The wooden flower pot was an awesome find from a trip to visit my Mom in Iowa.  I really wish I could go back and visit the little shop where I found it.  When I do, I'll be prepared with a bigger vehicle to bring things back in.

FALL TOUR

 

 

 

Mmmmm, the smell of a pumpkin scented candle fills the air, and I am completely transported to a nice Fall day.  Sadly for me, I know that the moment I step outside, that will all fall away.  No pun intended.  Okay, maybe intended.  :@)  It's still reaching 90+ degrees here in TX, but that wont stop me from enjoying Fall here inside my home!  I started decorating late last week, and feel like I'm pretty much done with the entry and living room.  Since we are considering an addition to the living room in a month or so, I wanted to capture the current setup as it is today, because I honestly really enjoy the way it looks!  I've decided to decorate as simply as possible, and not go too overboard, as I have in the past.  I hope you enjoy the photos!  Here we go!

 

Welcome to our entry way!  I wanted to create a simple, yet visually stimulating display on and around the table this season.  I think I achieved that with these beautiful lamps from Home Goods.  They were a seriously good find.  Only $30 each! The pictures on the wall are pictures of my Grandpa's trees in his front yard.  I used to lay in the grass, and stare up through these very branches when I was small.  I couldn't resist bringing them into my home for memory sake. 

Here is a close up of the pictures on and around the table.  I'm so in love with my little baby boy's picture from the pumpkin patch last year!

I'm into glass, and metallic this season.  These beauties were all found at Home Goods, Marshall's, TJ Maxx, and ROSS.

Here's a look into the living room.  I had intended on going completely neutral for fall, but I just had to have some color.  I'm not sure what I was thinking!  It just wouldn't feel the same without some orange splashed around the place.

 

I was so happy when I came across these owl pillows at Marshall's.  My Grandma loved owls, so every time I look at these I remember her.

A little coffee table display that wont be here for long.  Not with a toddler running around! (Update: He's already moved these all over the room.)

I'm loving how the wheat looks in this vase!

Here's another view.

Pumpkins in a boat, leaves in a vase, and metallic everywhere!

Too much fun!  I found these orange "things" at Hobby Lobby. 

"Pickles" sits in his assigned seat not only displaying school pride, but Fall colors as well!

I couldn't get a good picture with my camera, but my camera on my phone did okay.  I painted these watercolor feathers using a digital program on my computer.  I am so happy with the results that I'm inspired to start drawing, and painting again.  I used to do it a lot, a long time ago.

Again, keeping it simple here.  Some wheat and various other natural dried plants displayed in vases. I didn't change much on the mantle.  I added the apple and pear that I found at Hobby Lobby.  I felt it was enough to complete the look.  Looking at it now though, I have plans for either a fun little banner, or wood word art.

 

Found this fab tray at ROSS, and knew it would be amazing to put this West Elm vase in.  I used pumpkins that I also found at ROSS, and a candle wrapped in burlap inside the vase.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed our Fall Tour! 

DIY Entertainment Center-Bookcase Styling

Hello!  I hope everyone is having a good day today.  So far so good here!  I've been itching to post about the bookshelves on the entertainment center I built, for a while now.  I was going to save it for when the doors were on, but I'm up early this morning, and the lighting in the room is so beautiful that I was inspired to do this post today.  I've always loved the look of a styled bookshelf, but I've also loved shelves styled without any books on it at all.  More of a display shelf, if you will.  Over the past few months, I acquired quite the collection of random items from mini shopping trips to HomeGoods, TJ Maxx, Marshall's, and Target.  You know, that, "I'm not sure what I'm going to do with this, but I have to have it!", kind of shopping?  Well, it all worked out, because after a few different versions, I've settled on this setup.  I'd say it falls into the "coastal eclectic" category, which pretty much sums up my aesthetic this summer.  I don't have plans to change it up with the seasons either.  I feel like coastal décor can work year round, and honestly, since the beach is my favorite place to be, it gives me a nice claiming vibe when I see it.  Lord knows I need that most days. I'm only sharing the left bookcase today.  I haven't completed the right side just yet.  So here we go!

Here is the bottom shelf.  I chose to display the only books you will see throughout the bookcase, on this shelf.  They are all photo books of Rordan, and I can easily say they are my favorite books ever.  I chose to stack some decorative bowls on top of a beautiful storage box.  In the picture frame you can see a tiny bit of yellow.  It's just some DIY abstract digital art.  I wanted to add more color to the shelves, and I didn't want to spend anymore money, so I chose to go that rout.  

 

Moving on up to the second shelf.  The ball on the left is made up of tiny shells.  I had my eye on that one for a long time. Finally, one day it was on sale and I snatched it up before anyone else saw it.  I picked the vase up because of its color.  I knew I wanted this room to have a pop of coral.  It's actually almost red, but just coral enough for me.  The large shell on the left is either from Ross, or another HomeGoods find.  They have the best selection out of the three stores, so most of this stuff came from their.

 

I played with these three items for a while to come up with this look.  It looks simple enough, but as anyone that's styled a bookshelf knows, it's not.  I liked the irony of the large sculptural sphere on top of the small little box, so I kept it that way.

The top shelf houses a display of blue, green, and aqua vases.  I couldn't pass any of these up and in the end I'm glad I didn't.  They look great together!  

 

And here is the whole thing!  I chose to use the triangle/zig zag method of styling.  You can see, if you follow the tallest objects on the shelf and move to the next, you will follow it in a triangle/ zig zag pattern.  It was a helpful tip I picked up from Pinterest!  

In the end, it was a lot of fun to play around with, and I'm pretty satisfied with the outcome.  I hope you have found some helpful tips in this post!  Thanks for stopping by!