Homefront: Best Yard Sale Finds Ever

This little end table for $3. It has MAJOR water damage on the top, and is missing a knob, but it's charming and looks cute with our end table we found on the side of the road for my husband's side (that I still need to paint). I will be sanding the hey out of it and painting it a creamy, very, very soft dove gray and replacing the top knobs.

Oh yes, my old Ashley headboard., shown here in our old bedroom. I think I got it for $15 or something, and painted it white. Most everything else in these photos are thrifted from thrift shops or antique malls by the way.

 

This dresser we painted for our boy's nursery and added modern knobs. It was maybe $5. I also love this vintage child's desk. I believe it was about $7. Oh, I miss this room in our old home!

This large painting at a garage sale for $7. Kind of steep to me, but it adds much needed color to my massive brick fireplace, and I scored tons of stuff at that sale (like a few full bags of awesome vintage earrings for $1) so I thought it was fair. I am planning on painting the frame a creamy white soon.

 (some of the earrings)

This wrought iron wall hanging for $1. It's large and heavy and was an ugly, partially oxidized brassy iron color. I painted it varying shades of turquoise and patina, with white for glints of highlights. I later replaced it with a frame gallery wall, but it still looks nice in our entry way.

This changing table for $30. We repainted it, added fresh modern knobs and used it in my son's nursery. Then, I relined the top with a really cute lime shelf liner and we use it for kitchen storage now.

I have tons of favorite yard sale finds by ways of clothes, jewelry, knick knacks and such, but maybe that can be for another post. *Linked to Nester's Best Yard Sale Finds EVER linky party.

Homefront: Sparkly Halloween Mantel

Here it is, my Halloween mantle. My pretty white pumpkin fall mantle shown previously didn't last too long this time. I'm linked up to The Stories of A to Z Halloween mantle linky party.

Many of these items are from after Halloween sales for only 10 cents. I love how design problems inspire creativity. For instance, the witch's hat headband was put on top of the wreath to hide a white door hanger

 

These little glow in the dark bat toys look cute perched in the trees.

When helping unpack the decorations, my oldest (who is 4 1/2)  said, "She's ugly mommy! But I can still love her." I guess he has really been internalizing our talks on accepting people no matter what they look like!

Homefront: Fall Mantel

I'm joining up with Nester's Fall Mantel (Fantel) Linky Party today. Because I did this in a rush, I feel it's too cluttered, but that's alright, I will be changing it Halloween style in about week anyways. So be sure to visit back for that.

I'm not liking the bird, but I love the pine cones, mostly because we have collected them fresh from our new yard, and I've always wanted to do that. I plan to make a garland out of them, maybe for Christmas. This rosemary plant needs to be re-potted, but it smells so nice, and can't wait to use it in my roasted potatoes.

Opinion needed. The "window" mirror is actually black, I placed an empty shabby white frame in front. Should I leave the white frame there, or does the black frame look best? Thanks!

Throwin a Party

I am so happy Halloween is over! Of course, the struggle of toddlers demanding copious amount of candy throughout the course if the day is not over, but the decorating, the idea searching overload, the MESS of making my sons costumes is OVER (I will be uploading pics soon)! I'm so happy, I could throw a party! And if I did, it would be filled with balloons, and flower garlands!

Of course, since we are moving next month, all of my decorating goodies will be given to Goodwill or packed, *sad face* so it will be good for us to live simply (ha!) for a little while.

So, while we are on a new adventure of stressing out (while being super happy and feeling blessed at the same time, of course),  and the inner turmoil of not unpacking hardly any decor while we are in transition for the next year, what to get rid of... it also feels kind of nice to purge. (A theme discussed on this blog every now and then, but now I have to get serious!) Though, we have gotten rid of several pieces of furniture on Craigslist, we can't have a garage sale for the little things since we are apartment dwellers. I also found Fly Lady and UnClutterer, two sites that are inspiring for those wishing to simplify.

I will be giving boxes of craft supplies and such to goodwill. If you want it (for the cost of shipping) contact me and I'll send you a box :)  I'd love to hear your purging success stories, it would make me feel more like this is possible.

Sweet Treats: Cute Desserts for your Halloween!

Mummy wrapped water bottles for a candy dish! Adorable, quick, cheap and easy, how to here!

Are you a procrastinatior? So caught up in decorating/making costumes/ or REAL life day to day tasks that you totally spaced out? Did you forget that you invited some people over tonight, or that you are hosting a Halloween party or assigned to bring a treat to one? Well, don't you fret, because we have ALL done that in one point (or all the time) in our lives. Here are some quick and easy ideas for you, my friends. And if you go here to my recipes, you will find tons more sweet treat recipes, like cupcakes, bars, and cookies!

monster cupcakes recipe

Ghost marshmallow recipes for your hot chocolate? YES! Recipe.

 Broomstick treat bags! Adorable! Make your own stencil by cutting a design on paper.

 

simple black and white spooky cookies (slide #4)

 

Witches fingers. I've seen them made of of cheese, cookies, biscotti with almond sliver nails...

lots of recipes online

 

Godiva chocolate strawberry ghosts, or make your own with this recipe!

Witchy cookies recipe

Can't think of a theme for that oh-crap-I've-been-so-busy-I-totally-forgot-I-was-hosting-one party? Here's some good themes ideas complete with ways to make them work on Ghoul Friday! 

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!!

One Very Pink Party

a fanciful twist mad hatter tea party (all photos here)

Have you ever wanted to throw a party just for the sake of doing something pretty, and unexpected? Just to host a little get together to get your mind off of other things and relax, a chance to test your creativity and to get inspired, a chance to test your creativity ... to imagine the possiblities of new color combinations and infuse them with new (or old) favorites.


see more photos and ideas of this party here


pink ruffle cake how to


fabric flower hair piece how to OR order yours from Handle & Spout



pom pom how to


garland wedding cake how to


butterfly straw decor how to


lollipop tree

Maybe only one or two other people will be in attendance, but the number doesn't matter because it is all about the joy of creating a lovely atmosphere. And to share a few laughs and sweets, to take some lovely photographs, in a lovely room, while wearing something smashing...



favor bag garland how to


floating taper candle table runner


Tissue Ball Falls how to



paper rosette how to OR buy them here

Lots more cute pink party decor ideas at Stem Parties!



to learn how to set a lovely tablescape (step by step photos here) by Centsational Girl




vintage party dress from timeless vixen vintage



bug and boo cupcake toppers


party inspirations at the party dress


With an abundance of ideas, easy craft kits and goodies, remarkable finds and ideas on Etsy and elsewhere, plan for a ladies retreat and host a dessert and pink strawberry lemonade party for once. So, what are you waiting for? and where's my invite ;)