Can y'all believe Christmas is only 3 days away? I finally got around to taking some photos for my holiday home tour. I'm really behind in posting, unfortunately last week I caught the cold/cough/flu junk and can't seem to quite shake it. Here's to having some R&R with family this week. Hope you enjoy the tour...beware, I got a little photo happy. 

Have a merry, merry Christmas!

Holiday Gift Guide 2014: Ladies' Edition

Happy Friday! And Happy 12 shopping days 'til Christmas!

I'm back tonight with a holiday gift guide for all those lovely ladies in your life. This is just a small sampling of some of my faves...I'm hoping to see a few of these under my tree (*hint hint hubby*). The best part is they are all under $100! Enjoy!

{Sources}

1. Red Classic Plaid Fringe Scarf, $11.67 (are you kidding me??)

2. The Southern Living Community Cookbook, $17.51

3. Candy Couture Statement Earrings, $9.99

4. Rifle Paper Co Rosa iPhone 6 case, $36.00

5. Bow Back Boots, $58.99

6. Aztec Poncho, $38.00

P.S. I'll be back with my 2014 Holiday Home Tour soon. Stay tuned!

DIY Pumpkin Topiary

I'm back with a quick tutorial on making the pumpkin topiary I featured on my fall front porch. 

Here's what you'll need:

-6 craft pumpkins 

-Sharp Knife/Drill

-2 (36") wooden dowels

-2 Planters of your choice

-Potting Soil

-Optional: Decorative Moss

Obviously if you only want one topiary, then cut those supplies in half. :)

Here's all my stuff laid out. I had also bought some craft paint, but decided to forego painting the pumpkins so they'd be more of a Fall decoration and not just Halloween. I also had E3000 glue on hand in case the dowels didn't provide enough stability but my pumpkins haven't budged.  I bought 2 large white pumpkins, 2 small orange pumpkins, and two mini white pumpkins. I wanted to stagger the colors of mine, but you can design it however you wish! I got my pumpkins at Michael's...on sale and with a 40% off entire purchase coupon. 

Start by cutting the stems off your two bottom pumpkins. You will need a hole for the dowels to travel through, and the stacked pumpkins will cover it right up anyway.

Here's what you will be left with after removing the stems. Remember not to remove them off your smallest pumpkin since it will be showing on the top. 

Next drill holes in the bottom of all three pumpkins, again to leave to space for the dowel. I kinda drilled and then stuck the dowel in to judge if my holes needed to be bigger. 

After that's all done, slide your stack o' pumpkins onto the dowel and show your husband your awesome handiwork. Spoiler Alert: He will still be more interested in football. 

I didn't document the very last steps, but finish up by filling your planter to the top with soil and then stick each dowel with pumpkins down into the center.For reference, my planters are about 16" tall, so the 36" dowels were perfect.  I tucked some decorative moss down around the sides a few days later just to make it look a little prettier. Super easy & super cute!

Kate Spade Surprise Sale

Today's the last day for the Kate Spade surprise sale...purses, jewelry, clothing all up to 75% off here.

Happy shopping!

Fall Front Porch

Happy Fall y'all! 

Just stopping in to share my fall front porch. This year I went with a berry wreath and a funky fall bow for the door. I purchased my bow from Adoorable Wreaths by Melissa; you can find her Etsy shop here. One of my favorite tricks for wreaths is to hang them by a pretty ribbon looped over the top of the door. I used a burlap ribbon for this one. The pumpkin topiaries are something I whipped up myself on a Sunday afternoon...stay tuned for that tutorial later this week. :)

Labor Day Deals

It's Labor Day weekend! I'm sad to see summer go, but super excited for fall, football season and an extra day off work. Oh, and some awesome shopping deals! I thought I'd round up some of my faves for the weekend all in one place. Happy shopping!

LOFT: 50% off new styles, no code needed

GAP: Up to 40% off everything, ends 9/1

CARTER'S: 25% off $50 purchase with code LABORDAY

OLD NAVY: Up to 50% off everything, ends 9/1

FRANCESCA'S: Buy one, get one 50% off clothing

KOHL'S: $10 off a $25 purchase with code TENOFF25

YOUNKERS: Extra 25% off sale merchandise with code AUGLABORD14, extra 15% off home store items with code HOMELABOR14

MICHAEL'S: 20% off your entire purchase with code STOCKUP, ends 9/1

POTTERY BARN: 10% off purchase of $100 or more with code SAVEMORE, ends 9/1

TORY BURCH: Spend $300, get 20% off with code LABORDAY14, ends 9/1

KENDRA SCOTT: 15% off everything with code 2014LDW, ends 9/1

Laundry Room Update

A couple weeks ago I decided to tackle the laundry room. I needed a solution for added storage, and wanted to make it more inviting than its current state. Maybe then I would *want* to do more laundry? Wishful thinking?

I found this solid wood bookcase for $25 at a local fave. The owner is a picker and has all kinds of odds and ends. I had already taken the shelf out at this point, but this is just your typical oak bookshelf. There were a few dings and scratches, but I was planning on painting it anyway! The only storage in the laundry room originally was that high wire shelf above, which I can't even reach. #shortpeopleprobs

I picked this Americana Decor Chalky Finish paint in "Legacy". It's a really bright fun turquoise color. This paint is great since it requires no sanding or stripping, and adheres with a really smooth matte finish. It has a pudding consistency and very little smell which is also a big plus. A little of the paint goes a long way! I only used 2 of the 8 oz pots for the entire bookshelf which was a total of 2 coats.

Here's some pics of the finished space!

I added a skirt to the utility sink for some color and pattern. The fabric I used is an outdoor one from Better Homes & Gardens called "Jodi Fiesta". I found it on sale at Joann Fabrics. I figured since it's outdoor fabric it will hold up better if it gets wet, etc. I measured around the sink for the width I needed, then "hemmed" the bottom with fabric glue. I attached it all the way around the sink with sticky back Velcro. So easy!

Here's the finished bookcase, isn't that turquoise color fun? I added a couple of baskets for storage, as well as paper towels/cloth towels and some framed care instructions.

The wash, dry, fold bin is from TJ Maxx. Gotta love that store.

This isn't the prettiest part, but I anchored this bad boy to the wall behind the door. It made B a little nervous when I asked him for some pointers on the drill. He should be used to it by now. :)

I made the laundry sign using a canvas and wooden letters from Michael's. I had leftover fabric from the sink skirt so I just wrapped the canvas and attached the letters with fabric glue.

Hope you enjoyed that quick tour of the laundry room! Have a fab night!

Outdoor Spaces

Just wanted to pop in tonight and share some updates on our front porch and deck. So happy it's finally June and the weather is staying nice!