Nursery Decor...

So the first time around.. 

when we were doing our nursery... 

we were filling it will just the necessities.. 

and not too much fun decor.. 

it was stressful enough to just figure out 

what this new baby would need.. 

but now 

we are on to baby two.. 

another boy, 

so we have all the essentials and more.. 

this time I am getting into some decor.. 

I'm so excited.. 

we (I) decided on a beachy theme..

for their shared room..  

Of course I went right to Etsy.. 

and discovered The Shabby Chic Cottage.. 

I ordered beadboard stars

and the ever magical starfish wands.. 

I love the stuff.. 

and she even let me custom order the beadboard stars

for a beachy color vibe... 

I put corks into the vase instead of sand.. 

for now.. 

two little boys.. 

well, you know.. 

Can't wait to get the rest of the stuff together... 

and share the details.. 

Idea I love...

I have been looking for vases to adorn

my new dresser... 

and I have found a few.. 

but why buy them when you can make them.. 

I saw this today... 

on Sugar and Charm..

and it is my new project.. 

and so much cheaper.. 

enamel-painted vases...

(and i adore this color!)

(pictures from Sugar and Charm)

I'm kinda so excited to try this!

Monday Love...

So awhile back, 

I posted about these super cute flower kissing balls.. 

that I wanted to make.. 

and I haven't got around to them yet.. 

but this morning... 

I saw Easter themed ones.. 

and it just might be time.. 

to do this DIY.. 

maybe it was good to procrastinate!

(picture from Lolly Jane)

Go look at the wonderful tutorial.. 

on Lolly jane Boutique.. 

and get crafting!

Easter Plans....

I love Easter.. 

it's so fun.. 

so many colors.. 

so many different springy decorations.. 

fun food.. 

umm.. glazed carrots... amazing.. 

deviled eggs.. 

need I say more.. 

Every year I like to think of new

decorations.. 

or new crafts.. 

and Martha is just the perfect resource... 

Here are a few of my inspirations.. 

I adore this little bowl.. 

I think it would be easy and cheap to make...

a dollar store bowl.. 

and some fun string/yarn!

This is, I think my favorite idea.. 

Doily baskets.. 

I need to find some cheap cloth doily's ... 

hmmmm.. 

And these little Daffodil Candy cups.. 

would be so adorable around the table in different colors.. 

the more I think about this one.. 

the more I want to do it.. 

also, 

it's so cheap and easy.. 

Happy Spring!

St. Patty's Day Print...

Need a cute easy decoration for 

St. Patty's... 

I love this free printable 

from Poppies at Play... 

Just print this sucker out.. 

and grab a cute frame from the dollar store

and you are good to go!

Happy Monday!

DIY Christmas Vases..

So.. 

I have completed one of the ideas

that I was inspired to do after 

reading BHG.. 

So exciting..

In the magazine..

they showed a frosted vase that was

made by spray painting the inside of the vase

I couldn't find the frost spray paint..

but I found this brushed metallic spray.. 

and I was quite pleased actually.. 

The spray was the most expensive part actually.. 

I think that it was eight bucks.. 

but I used a coupon.. 

so it was a bit less.. 

and the vases were from the Dollar Tree.. 

left over from our last party.. 

 Pretty nice I thought.. 

and it really only took about five minutes.. 

and then dry time.. 

So I did three more!

It took a while to figure it out just right.. 

so there were a few runny spots.. 

but you just turn those sides to the back!

And ta-da.. 

here's some of my DIY Christmas Decor..

I got carried away and spray painted some branches too!

Turned out to be a fun little Christmas Branch Tree.. 

Dangling with sparkly ornaments 

from the dollar section of Target.. 

not too shabby!

Happy Crafting!

Alas..

Fall is here with full force.. 

My head is in Christmas clouds though.. 

It might be because everywhere I go

there are Christmas dressings.. 

and I can almost hear the carols playing in my head. 

But I am determined to create Thanksgiving traditions

with my family.. 

and here are a few things that I have

stumbled upon.. 

The Idea Room.. 

had a cute idea/tutorial for a Thankful Bucket.. 

it is ever important to count our blessings 

and this is cute and super doable..

And on Maddycakes Muse.. 

I saw a link to Tatertots and Jello.. 

which had a fantastic blessing board.. 

How fun would this be.. 

and so cute out on Thanksgiving.. 

And if you need some great inspiration

for fall decor.. check out design dump.. 

I just can't handle that cupcake liner tree

from twig & thistle.. 

what thanksgiving traditions do you have?

Wall Decals...

 I have been thinking alot about wall decals..

like them or not.. 

I think that I have decided that I do.. 

They just seem so fun.. 

I wonder though.. 

if they only work in beautiful,

uncluttery homes.. 

which mine is not.. 

toys everywhere.. 

bookshelves overflowing.. 

Here are a few that make me smile.. 

(from urbanwall)

(from Surface Inspired)

I love, love, love this one.. 

especially with the little flower boxes.. 

(from JM creations)

Halloween Diy Dollar Store Style...

So I am a person of many holiday decorations.. 

they just happen to be mostly for Christmas.. 

This year I am expanding my Halloween decor.. 

but trying to remain in a decent budget..

so that means one thing...

trip to the Dollar Store.. 

This trip I found this fun hurricane glass

and some frightening skull heads.. 

I already had the glass beads and

mini silver ornaments.. 

so a nice little addition for only two bucks.. 

It turned out pretty cute.. 

but I thought that it needed a little something extra.. 

so I spiced it up a bit.. 

Just some black paper,

a martha stewart punch, 

and some ribbon.. 

all which I already had.. 

so really still two bucks.. 

Ta-da!

Halloween Garland..

Here's a little look at my first 

Halloween project so far..

a little jack o'lantern garland.

It's a pretty easy project and can also be used to

make an ornament garland for Christmas!

First,

I just cut strips of paper 

they all should be the same size

and the size will vary depending on how big 

you want your pumpkins to be.

After that, 

punch a hole in either side of the strips

I have a small hole punch which works

with the size of brads that I used.

And I forgot to take pictures of the next few steps.. 

but..

You just put about 8 strips together 

and put a brad through the holes in the top

and the holes in the bottom.

When you start to fan out the strips

they will form a circle.

And then you can draw faces on them!

I strung them together on baker's twine.. 

I just wrapped the string around the brads.

Aren't they cute!

To fill in the blank space I punched out some 

scalloped paper and folded it over 

then glued it together.

And ta-da. 

a Halloween Garland.. 

fit for any fireplace or shelf.

A little good old fashioned red, white, and blue

Well, Memorial Day is coming up.. 

to me that screams a good ole barbeque..

even if it's just me and the hubby (and of course the babe)

But even if it's just us.. 

I got to put up some decorations

(especially since they will double for fourth of July)

So Ms. Martha.. 

what decorating ideas to you have for us this year?!

I love this star garland.. not too hard.. probably wouldn't 

bother sewing it though.. 

just glue.. shhh don't tell

I just love these sort-of napkin rings.. 

so simple to make.. 

And I adore this garland.. 

Who doesn't love sparklers.. 

well I have been a bit afraid of them burning 

my hands.. 

but these paper ones are safe for all hands

big and small..

And to end the night I was thinking of trying this recipe from foodnetwork

for a Watermelon-coconut cooler.. 

What I know sounds crazy right.. 

But I think that I can handle it.. 

(image-foodnetwork)

Directions

Blend 8 cups frozen cubed watermelon with 8 ounces lemon vodka, 7 ounces simple syrup (see No. 17) and a 17.5-ounce can coconut juice. Serve with watermelon wedges.

Easter Brunch..

So I'm considering having an Easter brunch at my house this year.. and just invite everyone.. I wonder if grown ups will do an Easter egg hunt.. last year.. I got everyone to decorate Easter eggs.. and it was fun..

I remember one year for Easter my parents took us to a park.. and before we had got there they had hidden Easter eggs and prizes all around the park.. and they had found this hole.. and they placed traces of the the Easter bunny around the hole... it was amazing and magical.. I want magic for my son for every holiday..

So in case I do have this Easter brunch.. I have been searching for Tablescapes to make the day festive.. and I have found plenty of inspiration..

Save the Date for Cupcakes.. had such beautiful ideas. and so colorful..



I just love the cupcake in the egg holder.. what a cute idea..

Of course.. i always turn to Ms. Martha for some ideas..




























I love the vintage butterflies.. could put them anywhere..


Almost makes me think of St. Patty's day.. but so springy


I think this is closest to what I will actually do.. hmm..
could even put the butterflies in this .. on little wire.. so
they float above it..



Cute idea for favors.. so precious..


And this is way out of my league.. but pretty nonetheless...


Now I will have to start planning the menu..
I'm sure it will be potluck style.. but I would like to make a few fun things myself..
Getting hungry just thinking of the possibilities..