Fall – Page 6

Hello October: Trick-or-Treat Paypal Cash Giveaway

October 1, 2015

I can’t believe it is finally October! My favorite month of the entire year! Why? Well, October is a big month for my family. Ryan and I celebrate our Anniversary on the 8th, Ryan’s birthday is on the 15th (I ‘m looking at you, thirty-year-old) and my baby, Hampton, is turning two on the 24th. Not to mention, Halloween is my favorite holiday! Free candy, dressing up in fun costumes, trunk-or-treat, Halloween parties, Hocus Pocus, pumpkins – why wouldn’t it be my favorite? To make this holiday a little more special for you, I’ve teamed up with a few other bloggers to give away $1000 Paypal Cash! There will be two winners who will receive $500 each. Enter below:

The giveaway will start September 30th at 12:00 AM EST and will end on October 30th @ 11:59 PM EST. Winners will be chosen on October 31st via Random.org and will contacted via email. This giveaway is open World Wide, void where prohibited. All mandatory entries must be completed to be entered to win. There will be two winners for two (2) $500 PayPal cash prizes.

Trick-Or-Treat $1000 Cash Giveaway

Fall Mantel Makeover with American Home™ by Yankee Candle® Brand

September 25, 2015

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LoveAmericanHome #CollectiveBias

Growing up, my mother always went all out decorating for every holiday, birthday and season. She loves to decorate and is so creative. I like to think I got a tiny bit of her talent, although I think my sister inherited most of it. When I think back on my childhood, I immediately think about the holidays. They have always been so special. I come from a big family. All of my aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents get together for holidays/birthdays and other times throughout the year. We are so blessed to all have close relationships. This time of year makes me so nostalgic and all I can think is, I want my kids to have that.

I am determined to carry on the tradition of baking holiday treats, making crafts and decorating the house for the seasons. I want my children to have just as special childhood as I had. I want them to remember how much fun we have during the holidays and I want us to create traditions together. One tradition I grew up with was decorating the mantel. While my mother does the majority of the decorating, I always enjoyed “helping” – even if that meant handing her the scissors or holding the ladder. I love seeing several pieces come together to make a beautiful focal point. The end presentation is always so perfect, not because we have top of the line decorations, but because we created it together.

This past week, I decided it was time for my big fall mantel makeover. I went to Walmart and purchased a small pumpkin and American Home™ by Yankee Candle® brand in “Shades of Fall,” “Fresh Apple” and “Pumpkin.” I loved the traditional fall colors of these candles, but most of all I loved their fragrances. They are heavenly. I have been burning them round the clock in our home.

I also grabbed a few other decorations from around the house that I thought would be a good fit for my fall mantel. I grabbed an old window that I bought at a flea market a few years ago for $10, a DIY fall wreath that I made two years ago (and is still holding up great), a leafy candle ring, vase, a fall sign, a leaf banner that I scored on the dollar rack at a local department store and my new candles and pumpkin!

I always like to play around with the heights. My mom taught me that having differing heights throughout your decor really helps the aesthetic and layout. Here is how I created my mantel:

1. I put my window in the center of the mantel and attached the leaf banner to the top of it.

2. I placed my wreath off to one side of my window because I liked the way it looked more than when it was centered. It was almost too perfect that way. You can play around with it and see what suits you.

3. I placed two shorter objects off of the window – my pumpkin on one side and my American Home™ by Yankee Candle® brand with the leafy candle ring around it.

4. On the ends, I put taller items to keep with the differing heights. I put a vase I had laying around on one side with flowers and my fall sign on the other. If you don’t have a fall sign, think about printing a Fall print out and putting it in an 8×10 frame.

It was very simple but I love the way it looks in our home and my son is obsessed with the little pumpkin. I’m thinking the holidays are going to be really fun with him this year! I am so happy that my home is now holiday-ready for all of our entertaining and family.

I shared how I made over my mantel with American Home™ by Yankee Candle® brand from Walmart. Now tell me how you prepare your home for Fall!

10 Things About Me

September 23, 2015

Post contains affiliate links.

I follow a lot of blogs. The ones that I read daily are mostly those who have been blogging since I started 3 years ago. They are my daily reads because I fell in love with them a long time ago and I feel like I’ve been right by their side since my beginning. I enjoy reading them because while they do fabulous fashion, make-up, and how-to posts, they are also real and honest. They share their lives and their opinions. As much as I love reading a great recipe or DIY, I really enjoy reading posts that allow me to get to know the person behind the blog. I want to feel like I know them if I’m going to read their blog regularly. Blogging is about relationships. It is a growing community and can be very overwhelming when you throw yourself into it. When you find a group that you connect with, you follow them. Learn from them. Grow with them. But most importantly, you build a relationship with them.

Top: The LOFT // Pants: Nordstrom (on sale) // Booties: Target // Bag: Nine West via TJ Maxx

I have gained a few new followers lately, so I thought I would share a few facts about me! I haven’t done an “about me” post in several months, and I think it’s important you get to know me if you are going to be reading my blog. After all, it is my (third) baby. 🙂

1. I am a little O.C.D. about my house. I have to clean the kitchen, fold the laundry and clean off all the surfaces in my home before bedtime. However, I am terrible about cleaning the shower. That is the one chore I hate doing and rarely do.

2. I am an introverted extrovert. Until I started my psychology classes in college, I didn’t even realize you can be both, but you can, and I am. I scored almost 50% introvert and 50% extrovert on the scale of the test I took in my psych assessments class. Which reminds me, I have a degree in psychology from Auburn (in Montgomery) and I am seriously considering going back for my masters and maybe doctorate? The only thing holding me back is that thesis. Blah. And two little ankle biters. Speaking of…

3. I have 2 kids, but I would love to have 4. I’ve always said I want to have three and adopt one. I’ve wanted to adopt for as long as I can remember, and seeing more and more people doing it now has really encouraged me to do so. It is something I pray about every day. I’m having faith that God will lead the way if we are supposed to go down that path.

4. My favorite show in the entire world is Gilmore Girls. I love the fast paced verbal and the witty/sarcastic humor. Their jokes were always smart and sometimes over my head, but I loved trying to figure out what they were referring to, and often times have to google. I think it was a genius show that should have gone on for at least 3 more seasons.

5. I love fashion and my favorite types of posts to write and put together are fashion posts, although, I sometimes feel uncomfortable taking photos, fashion is something I am passionate about and I love being able to express myself in that way. I have many different styles. I love all things classy and girly, but I also love to rock the bohemian look. I am mostly casual, but I do enjoy dressing up from time to time. Growing up I wanted to be a fashion designer. I have had a love for style for as long as I can remember. By the age of ten I even had an entire “portfolio” of my designs. And yes, I still have it!

6. I am terrified of needles. I’m still pinching myself that I made it through 2 childbirths without dying of a heart attack. All I know is, I serve a big God and He definitely carried me through and gave me an enormous strength and peace through both of my experiences.

7. I have a younger brother and a younger sister, both of which started a blog recently. We are very close and I love that they have started blogs so that I can keep up with them.

8. Ryan and I love to travel. It is something we are very passionate about and would love to do more of. We have a couple of big trips planned over the next year, one to Europe next summer and another to California. We are still working out the details, but these trips have been in the works for the last 2 years now. It’s about time we go, don’t you think?

9. I was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama. While I love our city, i is definitely one that need a little love and TLC. We love living here because it is where we were raised and most of our family is here. It would be difficult to leave, although we have contemplated it many times.

10. I grew up dancing and through that lifestyle I grew a love and passion for fitness and exercise. I am addicted to it, but terrible when it comes to diet. I am constantly struggling to eat healthy. I don’t ever have any issues working out, but when it comes to eating a salad over pizza, I cave.

If you are curious to read more about me, feel free to read on here!

Tell me a fun fact about you! What is your favorite blog that you read daily?

Frankenstein Guacamole Dip

September 14, 2015

This post is sponsored by General Mills. Opinions are my own.

Fall is my favorite time of year and Halloween is my favorite Holiday. Growing up, my mom went all out for every holiday, but we had extra fun with Halloween. Some of my favorite memories as a child are from Halloween nights. Whether it was hiding in the bushes and ~~scaring~~ handing out hotdog weenies to our neighbors or winning the best Halloween costume contest at our family’s Halloween party (okay, so normally that’s my brother, not me), we are always having so much fun this time of year. I decorated my mantel the last week of August (too soon?) and have already been brainstorming ideas for our trunk-or-treat decor. I am really getting into the spirit which brings me to this:

Let me start off by saying that I had a serious case of writer’s block a couple of weeks ago and ran out to Michael’s. That’s what everyone does when they have writer’s block, right? I found the Taste of Home Halloween issue and bought it immediately. I brought it home and found a similar dish to this titles “Frankenguac.” I knew that I had to make a rendition of this for our Halloween party this year. To give it a try, I gave it the tried and true taste test that is my toddler. Hampton loved dipping the pretzels in this guacamole dip. He wasn’t crazy about the taste of it, but I was! It is delicious! You can either make your own fresh guac dip or do like I did and buy store bought for a quick dish and add a few Avocados from Mexico for extra decor and garnish. I used pretzels for the scar and mouth, sour cream and chip pieces for the eyes, olives for the nose and bolts and black bean chips (that are the bomb) for the hair.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I’m thinking this dip is going to go over well at this year’s party! What do you think?

18 of the Best Fall Date Ideas Everyone Should Try

September 10, 2015

Ryan and I do not get to go on dates as often as we would like to. With him traveling a lot with work and 2 young children, it is a lot tougher to squeeze in that alone time these days. It is important for us to have that time and we are trying to make it more of a priority. My mom offered to keep the kids for us to go out to dinner Friday night and it was so nice and we really enjoyed the quality time together. With my favorite season looming and most of us already in the fall state of mind, I wanted to share some of my favorite fall date ideas! I am adding these to my personal list of to-dos this season.

Pumpkin Patch
Carve Pumpkins
Bake Pumpkin Bread
Go Apple Picking
Go on a Hayride
Walk through a Corn Maze
Watch a Scary Movie
Have a picnic (pack some soup in a thermal)
Go to a Football Game
Tailgate
Make S’mores
Go to the Fair
Attend a Thanksgiving parade
Go into a Haunted House
Decorate your car for Trunk or Treat
Go to a Bookstore
Go Hiking
Attend a Costume Party

What is your idea of the perfect fall date?

You Might Be A Bootaholic If…

September 9, 2015

My friends, family, husband and wallet know how much I am obsessed in love with boots. Tall boots, ankle boots, open toes, pointy toes, cowgirl boots, rain boots, I love them all. After buying 2 pair of booties this summer when I already have a closet full of them, I noticed I had a little problem. Awesome problem? Sure. But a problem nonetheless. Here are the symptoms to diagnose whether or not you are a bootaholic.

Brown: Old, Similar here: Target // Fringe: H&M // Belted: Target // Putty Fringe: Nordstrom

1. You have a closet full of boots but you continue to buy more.

2. It’s the middle of summer, everyone is going to the beach and you are thinking about fall so that you can wear your favorite shoes.

3. Yes, you have brown boots, but you don’t have brown boots with fringe. New boots.

4. You feel like a good pair of boots are a necessity and not a frivolous expenditure.

5. You find a pair of boots that you love and you buy them in every color.

B. A. Meetings every Monday night at 9p.m.

So, Are you a bootaholic?

How To Make a Burlap Wreath

September 3, 2015

Post contains affiliate links.

Last week’s cooler weather really got me in the spirit of fall. Over the weekend, I started decorating for my favorite season and even got a little crafty. I went to Hobby Lobby and grabbed a few supplies and decided to make a new wreath. I know it is technically a little early, but our home is almost ready to welcome the new season! Here is a really simple tutorial on how to make your own burlap wreath:

What You Need:
1 – 18″ wire wreath
60 feet of 5″ wide burlap ribbon or garland (20 yards)
1 – 18 foot spool of 1.5″ wide orange gingham wired accent ribbon (9 yards)
1 – 18 foot spool of 1.5″ wide orange Moroccan wired accent ribbon (9 yards) (or the ribbon of your choice)
– A 6″ Tin Letter
-A pumpkin floral accent
-Hot Glue Gun and glue

Let’s Get Started:

1. Tie the burlap into a knot on the back side of the wire wreath (I did it on one of the middle wires). Repeat with other ribbons.

2. Turn the wreath back around and begin weaving the ribbon through the wired wreath, alternating sides and ribbons. I created about a 4 inch loop (height) but you can make it smaller or larger depending on your preference.

3. Make sure to push the loops tightly together so you don’t have any unwanted gaps.

4. When your spools run out, go ahead and start a new one by tying the end of the ribbon in a knot on the backside of the wired wreath.

5. When you get to the end, tie the ends of your spools to the back of the wired wreath and fluff/arrange the loops to your liking.

6. Tie your letter to the top of the wreath using either twine or leftover ribbon. I chose to use my ribbon.

7. Place your floral pumpkin (or flowers) on your wreath and poke the stem through the wire. Twist it around the wire and then hot glue the back of the pumpkin to the wreath to hold it in place.

8. Hang your wreath and enjoy your newest DIY!

Fall Favorites

November 24, 2014

Fall is my favorite time of year and I am trying to suck in every last minute of it. Here are some of the things I am loving this fall:

Leaves candle from BBW

This vest from Top Knot Goods (be on the lookout for this beauty in an upcoming outfit post!) 🙂

This buffalo plaid shirt! Gimme!

Neutrogena Moisture Smooth Color Stick in Plum Perfect

Essie polish in Don’t Sweater It

The Lovliest Chocolate Shop in Paris by Jenny Colgan

These slippers! Ahh Target…

These corduroy pants in deep antique blush.

What are you loving this fall?

Hampton’s Halloween // Mama Mondays

November 10, 2014

I can’t believe I still haven’t shared Hampton’s Halloween on the blog! Oops. Well, better late than never, right? I put a picture on Instagram, so if you follow me there, you at least got a glimpse of him in his koala cuteness.

Funny story: Hampton was supposed to be Thing 1 for Halloween since we already had everything for the costume from his party. The thing is, he refused to wear his blue hair and therefore looked like a kid in a t-shirt. That just wasn’t okay. He definitely needed a cute little furry costume. We ran to Party City the night of our Trunk-or-Treat at church (because I’m a new procrastinator aka new mom) and the line literally wrapped around the building. We definitely did not have time to stand in that check out line. We left kind of disappointed when I spotted TJ Maxx next door. I convinced Ryan to run in there with me really quick just to see if they had anything. They had one boy costume in Hampton’s size and it was half the price of all those Party City costumes. That was it. So without further ado, I give you our little koala bear:

1 and 2 – posing for mommy // 3 trick or treating at his great-grandmother’s house // 4 trunk-or-treat at church

Link up all of your mama related posts below and don’t forget to grab our snazzy button! I hope you all had a Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Patches and Zoo Trips // Mama Monday Link-Up

October 6, 2014

What a weekend! Seriously, this was one for the books! Thursday night, we went to a local benefit dinner and heard Ben Carson speak. I have been in love with his story since seeing Gifted Hands last year with Ryan. I was pregnant with Hampton at the time and his story touched me so deeply. I couldn’t get over that it was real. It was so neat to have the opportunity to hear him speak in person.

Friday, my mom, sister and I took Hamp and my nephew to the zoo for the first time. The boys LOVED it. We fed the giraffes, rode the train, and saw so many awesome animals. It was a huge hit!

Saturday, we went to the pumpkin patch with my family. Hampton picked out his very own pumpkin and it was so sweet and special. I’ve always had a thing for the pumpkin patch, so taking Hampton for the first time was a dream come true. We rode the cow tractor and played in a box filled with corn. He slid down the big slide with his daddy and cackled the whole time. My child is a little dare devil. We had so much fun and it was such a blessing getting to spend so much time with my family and sister in particular. I have missed her so much these last few weeks.

Of course, we ended with weekend with a huge Auburn win and Florida squeaked one out as well so we were all happy campers!

What did you do this weekend? Have you checked off anything from your fall bucket list?

Link up all of your mama related posts below!