Halloween 2012 pumpkin

So I had plans for my "warty" pumpkin this year that did not include carving it.  I wanted to try the melted crayon idea that was so popular last year.  I saw this on several blogs and all over pinterest last fall so I don't know who to credit the idea to.  I purchased crayons from the dollar spot at Target and the whole project took R and I about 45 minutes. 

 R and I alternated with the lighter.  First we had to peel all the paper off the crayons and then hold the crayon at an angle and let it drip on the pumpkin. 

 Super easy but the effect is so pretty!

 Our finished product:

 

  I love that this pumpkin can be decorated at the beginning of the month and last for a few weeks.  We will carve R's pumpkin but probably not until the night before Halloween.

2011 Christmas Decorations (picture heavy)

We moved into our home 2 weeks ago so our decorations went up later than usual.  I'm sure R would have been fine with no decor but I just can't get into the spirit of Christmas that way!  I've actually tweaked some of the decorations since these photos were taken, it's been a few days and my co-workers have gifted me with some cute Christams items.

I love my "Merry Christmas Ya'll" Towel!

Seashell Wreath

Saturday I spent two hours making this summer wreath for my front door. I had a giant pickle jar full of shells that I've collected through the years and I wanted to find a use for them. This is a easy project that turns out quite nice I think if you are looking to get rid of a pickle jar full of shells in your home!

You'll need:

A styrofoam hoop found in the wreath section

Ribbon, muslin, or any other type of fabric to wrap around the hoop (I used approx 28 ft)

Hot glue gun

Shells - I bought a few pretty ones and a couple of starfish

Wrap the ribbon or fabric around the styrofoam wreath and either hot glue the ends together or use a straight pin. Use hot glue to start attaching the shells to the wreath. I found it was a lot easier to glue a large shell on first and then fill in with small shells afterwards. Mix up sizes, shapes, and colors for interest and make sure you can't see any ribbon after the shells are on. Once the wreath is covered on the front, inside rim and outside rim - glue on your pretty shells so they are in the front. After the whole project had dried I looped a yellow ribbon over the wreath and made a bow so I could hang it.

New Apartment Post

I've been living here for a few months but it takes so long to post photos I've procrastinated on sharing these. I really like this apartment; the community is very quiet, the maintenance is fast and efficient and the details are great - I have chair rails, crown molding, ceiling fans, nice light fixtures and a very nice kitchen with great appliances and storage.

My Kitchen. I really would like to paint, I hate the white walls.

My tiny entry way. I bought this little table to house my incoming mail, stamps, pens, etc to stay organized.

Living Room and a small glimpse of the bar area. Lilly desperately tried to get my attention and refused to step out of the photo. I've been looking an actual coffee table. I love this ottoman and, in past apartments, it has been a great source of storage but now I'm really wanting a nice heavy cherry wood coffee table to match my end table.

Living room, the only thing new are the leather bar stools seen on the left. When my grandma passed away she left me that cute antique sewing box in the corner.

Bedroom

Makeup and hair product storage

My huge walk in closet!

Bathroom, this didn't change much from my last apartment

After Christmas Shopping

Like most of the east coast, my family has been snowed in since early Sunday morning. Our first White Christmas (that just missed Christmas by a few hours) since I was a little girl. My county had a solid foot of snow! So excited that it is finally starting to melt. Mom and I spent the whole day yesterday baking, playing cards, and watching movies. The novelty of snow wears off quickly in the Carolinas and I was happy when we could finally get out and do a little after Christmas shopping today. My loot: From Pier One this metal sleigh and reindeer tealight holder. I bought this as a centerpiece and I might weave some garland or poinsetta branches underneath it.

These were given to me, crystal Santa taper candle holders. I think I will use these with gold candles.

From Hallmark a snowy forest ornament, the camera didn't pick it up but there is a doe in the background. This scene is very similar to the one engraved on my dad's tombstone so I thought it would look beautiful on the tree in his memory.

Pickle ornament from Pier One. My friend told me her family hides the pickle in the tree every year and I noticed this is one ornament that they always sell out of so I picked one up for myself.

Tartan Plaid wrapping paper and gift tags from Hallmark.

I bought a few ornaments and mini diffusers from Pier One to use as gifts next year. I chose the ornaments with specific coworkers in mind but at least I can package them together for a quick gift. I LOVE the gingerbread diffuser so I might keep a couple for myself.

Modeling my new snowflake earrings from Kohls. I wanted something festive to wear that could possibly be used all winter long.

I really wasn't as excited this year about after Christmas shopping. I really don't need anything. In a month or so boots, thick socks, and scarves will go on clearance and I might purchase a few things then. I am in the market for a new raincoat but honestly nothing I'd go out and stand in line for. I think I might pick a few more things that can be used for gifts next year as I find them.

My Mom's Christmas Tree

Mom wanted some new decorations for her tree this year. She had some mismatched ornaments that she has collected over the years but she was bored with the "same old" items. I was in charge of finding her colorful, fun ornaments which I had a blast doing because I'd probably never choose these colors for my tree.

These were the "ingredients" for her tree. She has an artificial, fiber optic tree so I wanted to get ornaments that had some sparkle. I bought the ornament tubes for $1 at the dollar spot at Target. I bought the snowflakes 4 for $1.00 and the candy ornaments for $2 each. Mom bought the garland (haha, yes it's old school and kind of tacky but she likes it). I found the blue bow at Target for $5.

This is the blue bow on top of the tree. The cabinet behind the tree holds moms Santa Claus collection. That pig on the left is the thing I hate most, it was a gag gift from a coworker and she won't get rid of it.

A closeup of some of the ornaments on the tree. I love that the colorful lights and old school garland look like the trees I had when I was a kid. Christmas is so special to me; 1997 was the last Christmas I had with my dad and I love when mom does up all of our old family traditions. Christmas day my mom invites extended family over for brunch so this tree will have lots of gifts for the kids!

Christmas Decorations 2009

I made this wreath a few years ago and I decided to hang it above the oversized chair in my living room. I have another wreath that hangs outside my front door, this one I love too much to hang outside.I don't have a fireplace so I'm hanging my stockings from the bar area. I love these cute dark metal deer stocking holders from Walmart and the fur trimmed bronze stockings from Belk. I love to decorate with reindeer, there are a few of them scattered throughout the apartment.

My Tree - I use bronze, gold and brown ornaments with white lights.

My tree is several years old and super bulky; I really hope to get a new one on the after Christmas sale this year. I'm looking at this skinny pine tree from Target. I think it will look much more sophisticated with my ornaments and more appropriate for apartment dwelling.