Fall/Halloween

Halloween is up and running around here.
We picked out pumpkins yesterday/
played ghoulish music/
decorated the house/
and the kids wore new festive jammies to bed.
I ho hummed about how to decorate the shelf this year
when I came across an image with a mantle covered in pumpkins.
It was definitely more refined than I wanted (I have pipsqueaks around)
but it gave me a great starting point.

Me and my partner in crime (Miss Mags)
wandered over to the nearest thrift store for inspiration.
I started collecting single and coupled candlestick holders.
(watching Mags mimic me by leaning back, squinting, and putting her finger to her lips was priceless)
I decided we'd just spray paint them all to match and those could hold little pumpkins.
I washed all the candlesticks, and let them completely dry.
I first used a primer spray paint and then a flat indoor/outdoor spray paint.
Super easy.

My partner worked on her letters while I spray painted.

Viola!
I decided to throw some candles in there too.
And the cute print came from here thanks to Whitney's spry eye.

The other nice thing...
the shelf will be an easy transition from Halloween to Thanksgiving.

Here's some of our other decorations for the holiday
I seriously bought these Halloween silhouettes 5 years ago.
We were poor and I wanted decorations,
so I went to my local craft store...
bought them at 25 cents a piece...
painted them black...
and they've kind of grown on me over the years.
Just an easy/cute/cheap solution.

A-Dore.

Did anyone watch this last night?
I. Love. It.
The random singing... easily my fav.
I thank you Zooey,
for I am now looking forward to winter with you by my side.

A Senior...

A few months back I had a girl's day in the city with the "C" sisters.
"A" started talking about starting her senior year and how she had to get photos taken.
I quickly piped up that I'd take them for her and save her the money of hiring someone...
worst case scenario: she hated them and ended up paying someone in the end.
All the "C" girls came along for the fun of it and we had a great evening.

"A" made it pretty impossible to not get a great shot, she's so super cute.

and...

I sure love and admire that "C" family.

Independence Day.

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July...
great friends + good food = we sure did.

Cake idea came from here
Cake recipe came from here
Icing recipe came from here

* one recipe makes enough for two 8 in. round pans... it measures a total of 6 C. *
* I added fresh lemon zest to the icing and about 1/3 c of heavy whipping cream *
* I also took out 3 tsp. of vanilla... I didn't like how brown it made the icing *

The Bed.

In 8 1/2 years of marriage...
Joel and I have never had a headboard or footboard.
There's no question that the thought
"We'll get real furniture when we own a home"
has played a huge factor.

It's just taking a while.

and I think we still feel that way...
but it was time to do something.

So...
we bought an old solid wood headboard and footboard on craigslist for pennies.
Sanded it down,
and gave it a fresh coat of pale blue paint.
(when I say we... I mostly mean Joel)

I bought some pretty cheap bedding from Target and gave it my own little twist.
(I glued fabric button covers to all the buttons on the bedding)

We've had the same nightstands for probably six years from Ikea...
Since I still don't want to buy furniture for a room we don't own,
I just changed out the knobs.

I got these knobs from Anthropologie.

And...
here's the result.
Does it make me happy and encourage bedtime?
Yes siree.

I still have to hang all my copper frames and such,
but maybe when it's all done I'll give the whole room a shout out.

A Good Deal...

... I love one.

I've had my eye on these towels for awhile now.
But since they were for my "most frequented" bathroom,
I didn't appreciate the price considering how quickly they could deteriorate.

The other day while rummaging around in World Market,
I came across these towels...

Um hello...
no brainer...
Now people can wash and dry their hands at their pleasure without a sign that says
"Please lightly tap front and back of hand on towel, Sincerely... your Cheapskate hostess".

Puts a smile on my face.


vs.


I'll take the "half the price (and change)" ones thank-you.

Pretty Cool.

Read and Watch...

TOMS newest endeavor...