Friday, September 30, 2011

Pins of the Week

I missed last week so I have lots of pins to share today.  I'm going to share some new ideas, but also update you on a few I've tried, completed or have as a work in progress.   I personally am LOVING finding new ideas every day on pinterest. 



CRAFTASTIC

I shared this idea with you a few weeks back that you can buy on etsy from letterperfect designs if you love them and don't have the patience to make your own.  They really have some fun and incredible ideas.  Or if you're like me....you have to at least attempt it by yourself first.  And I have finally finished my own that I promised to share so I'll start with that.
I'm very happy with how it turned out and it really wasn't too hard or expensive.  I plan on putting it on our mantle soon!

And I think these are a few other fun ideas to try with buttons.....


FOR THE HOME
 I found these pictures of a family room/den and fell in love.  I love the mix of fabrics and colors and the comfortable feel.  Once I visited the website where the picture originated...I was blown away.  There is a house tour of this gorgeous home in Dallas....it is gorgeous and so realistic!  Check it out at La Dolce Vita.


I especially love the dark flooring.  It is so warm and inviting.  Unfortunately this couch wouldn't survive my house, but it is inviting and such a fun mix of patterns!  Great style Kyle!   I love to pick up small ideas from pictures and try just one in my home. 

FASHION FINDS
So you might remember these...



Let's just say they were returned via UPS yesterday.  Not what I expected in person.  Photography surely can deceive.  The good news is...these beauties arrived this week and this weekend should be PERFECT weather to try them out!

They are STUNNING!  If I hadn't mentioned before...I adore anything red and these babies take the cake.  They weren't exactly cheap since they were only distributed overseas, but they are so worth it and a classic addition.

I also recently discovered polyvore.com.  Check it out if you haven't already...another totally addicting vice of mine.  You basically can
e-window shop and create layouts of outfits prior to buying.  Here are 2 created by others that include my new beauties...cute right?

And...they also come in navy!  So fun!




FOR THE KIDDOS

 We are in the planning process right now for my little guy's 5th birthday party and I working on this.   My 1st take was not how I wanted it so back to the drawing board.  I think it's so fun and festive and since it's made of latex...it should withstand many a future party! 
Check out the instructions here at Two More Seconds

RECIPES

I have been meal planning every wekeend for the upcoming week and trying to cook at least 3 school nights a week.  My husband loves to cook so I let him cover the weekend nights.  I have tried many recipes I've found online and not liked many to be totally honest (and I'm not a picky eater).  I actually threw away one last night it was so awful.  But...this one was a family pleaser that we will be trying again soon.  And...it was super easy.  Check it out at Annie's Eats.
We had it with rice and a vegetable and everyone asked for seconds.  LOVE that!

QUOTE TO LIVE BY
And last but certainly not least...a great quote that I've heard many times and always love.
There is a free printable available on Just Sweet & Simple


Enjoy and Happy Pinning!

Poshed Up

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Pumpkins Galore....

If you didn't gather from my previous posts, I LOVE everything about fall and halloween.  And most of all...I love pumpkins.  Pumpkin picking, pumpkin carving, decorating with pumpkins and even pumpkin desserts and coffee.  I have some great recipes to share, but first...some fun pumpkin ideas for carving and decorating.

The season of pumpkin picking has begun.  We went last Saturday for a quick stop just to get a few to decorate with and I think my little ones have become pumpkin crazed just like their momma.   They have been badgering me to go to our local farm since Labor Day.  I was able to hold them off until this past weekend.  Here they are taking a few pics...

I'm still waiting for the day that my little guy will pay attention long enough for a picture!

We only went home that day with a few sugar pumpkins and some gourds, but we are making plans for a full-day of pumpkin picking and hay rides soon.   Once we have our pumpkins, we are going to get to work on decorating and carving them.  While searching for ideas for our own, I found TONS of great ideas that I wanted to share with all of you.

They range in difficulty and time to do them, but they are all so fun that I had to share.  I'm listing them in level of ability (based on my own thoughts) so that if you aren't so crafty or interested in spending the time, you can find some ideas just right for you! 

The first group of ideas are all no-carve ideas.. This not only makes it easier, but it allows your pumpkins to last longer.  Here are a few on the easier side, but still beauties. 

Cut out pictures to adhere to your pumpkins...


How cute is this owl from bhg.com?

Or this idea from Good Housekeeping to add a mask to your pumpkin....you can get the templates by clicking here.


All you'll need for this next group is a hot glue gun and some festive ribbon and/or ric rac
 (found at any craft or fabric store).


From designer Eddie Ross 



From Haley at The Autocrat

Still in the easy category, but a bit harder...these monogrammed beauties were made using Mod Podge.  If you've never used it, it's like really sticking stuff that adheres anything to anything and is GREAT for crafting (also found at any craft store.)

From Kierste at Brown Paper Packages

Aren't they fun???

These pumpkins from bhg.com also done using Mod Podge and leaves.....
I love this idea as a table centerpiece.


The next idea is to paint the pumpkins and/or stencil them. 
This requires a bit more work, but they sure are fun!


From bhg.com



My ABSOLUTE FAVORITE and must try for this year.   Isn't it beautiful? 


Not sure about bugs on my mantle, but I can tell you that my daughter will go crazy
for the zebra printed one.  She love anything zebra...and I mean anything.  Hope this phase passes quickly...lol

I have a love of monogramming and think this one is so fun!


Or how about gold and black pumpkins...very fancy.  From Country Living.

And one for the Hello Kitty fan in your life!
Now for some great carving ideas.  Now I know by now some of you are thinking I must have WAY too much time on my hands.  Well, no I wish I could say I do.  I have way too much ambition and love of crafting actually.   I also LOVE decorating and crafting.  We all have our vices I suppose.  Humor me and keep reading....


These are fun but definitely more difficult because you don't want to carve all the way through the pumpkin.   This allows for it to glow better at night.  But...if you have crazy squirrels in your area like me, all of your hard work will go to waste quickly.

These are actually carved using cookie cutters and a rubber mallet....GENIUS!  Click here for a tutorial from freshhomeideas.com


Or how about simple circles or polka dots that are so fun when the pumpkin is lit.....


Or if you're really ambitious...this is funny!


And lastly, here's a great website for some carving patterns if you dare....from The Pumpkin Lady.

The last idea I have to share is so much fun, but too much work for me.  If you try it or any of the other ideas or your own...PLEASE share.  People love to see new ideas and I love to share them.  This idea is from Better Homes & Gardens and it is just so much fun...wish I had full-time stylist like they do!



And just to prove that I truly love this stuff...I thought I'd share a few pumpkins of ours from the past....call me crazy I know!


That was hard and really not so pretty up close....
I'm really not so great at carving and hate the mess.


And last year's....
I'm excited to try something new.

I'll share once they are complete!  Please share yours too!

Poshed Up










Saturday, September 24, 2011

Oh how I LOVE Halloween!

It's coming...it's coming....one of my very favorite holidays.  HaLlOwEeN!!!!      I don't even dress up myself, but I adore everything about this holiday.  Crisp air, a night out with the family, parades, kids in costumes, pumpkins....and CANDY!

Ok....I know the candy is supposed to be for the kids, but.....since my son has a milk allergy, I cannot let the chocolate go to waste!  LOL  I'm not sure how I feel about this every time I go to the grocery store though???  Don't they know that I'm not great about temptation....




Anyway....I digress as always :)   One of my FAVORITE things is helping my children pick out their costumes and seeing what others do.  I love the out-of-the-box creative ideas that are homemade and while I yearn to make my children's costumes each year...they want store bought.  Oh well.  Here are a few from years past.




JASMINE



SNOW WHITE...
haven't we all been through the Disney phase?



A personal favorite...GEISHA

and...my little MONKEY!!


My little ROOSTER and a "light up" PUMPKIN GIRL!

LOVE my little rooster, but hated the cheap store-bought light up one she wore that year.   Had to let it go.  Not sure if you can tell, but she's a light up pumpkin.




An ANGEL and a DRAGON
(That year their costumes fit their personalities...lol)

 A dragon...looking confused at the parade? This was the 1st year he "got" what it was all about.


And last year we sported 2 different costumes...Mickey and a shark!

Another favorite....my sweet GREEK GODDESS!
I'm not ready to reveal what they have each chosen yet for this year...I'll post pictures on Halloween.  We like to keep it a secret here at our house until the big day.  But....here are a few of my favorites that I found while searching for some ideas.


Strawberry from Old Navy



Baby Werewolf from Gymboree














Gorgeous Peacock also from Gymboree

Monster Costume from The Children's Place

                           
Sweet little owl....Hoooo doesn't love an owl....from costumeexpress.com




                                                            
Sure to be VERY popular this year...the infamous Angry Bird!
Via costumeexpress.com



                                                             
A classic and definitely more for the parents....look at a tongue. 
Also from costumeexpress.com

And a couple of favorites for twins or siblings....

The Garden Gnome duo courtesy of Target.  Although, good luck getting on their site after the Missoni debacle.













Or how about these cuties?   I tried so hard to get them to be Little Red and the Big Bad Wolf this year to no avail.   A girl can dream!  These adorable costumes are also from costumeexpress.com.   Costume express has great coupons until October 31st so go check them out!  (I was not paid to say that either....lol)

 And my personal favorite for the season....

Oh how I wish I had a dog right now...they can't argue with costumes.


Is that the funniest or what?


Happy Halloween Shopping...let the fun begin!

Poshed Up