31 Days of Fall Favorites

Links to each day in this series can be found at the bottom of this post.

I've decided to jump on the bandwagon and participate in The Nester's 31 Days series for the month of October.  The concept is simple: choose any topic and write about it for 31 days.  The execution, on the other hand, may be a little tricky.  I know this will come as a shock to you, but I can be a bit of a sporadic blogger.  That coupled with my procrastinating nature equals a greater than zero chance that this project could be a complete failure.  But I'm going to ignore that possibility and give it a go anyway.

So, what to write about for 31 days?  I had to really think about this.  That's a long time to write about something, and I didn't want to pick a topic I was going to get sick of, or feel stuck halfway through the series when the ideas ran out.  So, I decided on a broad topic that would allow me to still write about a variety of things. 

When I was younger, I always said that summer was my favorite season.  I'll give you one guess as to why.  Yep, no school.  Pretty sure summer is every kids' favorite season.  But as an adult, fall is, without a doubt, my favorite season.  I love everything about it.  Surely I can't go wrong with fall, right? 

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Follow along as I write about all of my favorite things about fall.  I'm hoping to have a good mixture of recipes, fashion, home decor, crafts, and traditions.  I'll post a link for each day in the series at the bottom of this post.  See what other bloggers are doing with this series here.  And if you decide to join in on the fun and link up, be sure to let me know so I can check it out!

Day 1 :: Chicken Enchilada Soup
Day 2 :: Running Songs
Day 3 :: Nail Polish
Day 4 :: Little Fashionistas
Day 5 :: Halloween Spiderweb "Wreath"
Day 6 :: Crockpot Pasta e Fajioli
Day 7 :: Lazy Afternoons
Day 8 :: DIY Fall Wreath
Day 9 :: Bundled Up Babies
Day 10 :: Easy Apple Cobbler
Day 11 :: Pumpkin Shirts
 Day 12 :: Pumpkin Patch Attire
Day 13 :: Fall Bucket List
Day 14 :: Crockpot Pork Tenderloin
Day 15 :: Pumpkin Painting
Day 16 :: Fall Tablescapes

Day 17 :: Fall Mantel
Day 18 :: Apple Jack-O-Lantern Stamps
Day 19 :: Pioneer Woman's Apple Pecan Blue Cheese Salad
Day 20 :: Pumpkin Dump Cake
Day 21 :: Favorite Fall Outfits
Day 22 :: Scarves
Day 23 :: Pottery Barn Goodies
Day 24 :: Pumpkin and Spice Cheese Bread
Day 25 :: Fall Preschool Party
Day 26 :: Boo at the Zoo
Day 27 :: Candy Corn
Day 28 :: The Pumpkin Patch
Day 29 :: Mod Podge Paper Mache Letters
Day 30 :: Pumpkin Carving
Day 31 :: Happy Halloween







 

Pinterest Projects: Halloween Edition

As usual, I've been a little pinning fool.  With October quickly approaching, it's just about time to put out the Halloween decor.  And where better to go for decorating ideas than pinterest?  I saw tons of cute stuff, but these items made the to-do list. 



Love this!  I already bought the supplies to create my own version of this "wreath."  Now to find the time...

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How cute?  And even better, how simple?  I think these would be super cute for Izzy's classmates.

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So doing this! 

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This is a great idea.  Get some cheap pumpkins from the dollar store and spray paint them to look like mercury glass.  I think this photo may actually be from Pottery Barn, so I doubt it turns out this pretty, but still worth a try. 

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Who doesn't love a chevron pumpkin?

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Can't wait to cozy the house up!

One for the Hubs

I post a lot about my girls on this blog.  I also post a lot about crafts, clothes, reality TV...you know, the important stuff.  I kid.  But I don't post a lot about my most favorite person.  My husband. 

A few weeks ago at church, our pastor shared this video after a sermon on marriage.  I got a little teary eyed thinking about how beyond blessed I have been with such a strong and healthy marriage.


 



I have a confession.  I may have just a teeny tiny touch of a stubborn streak.  May have.  Okay, I totally do.  And while I'm usually completely charming, adorable, funny, and easy going, there are times when I'm just a pain in the butt.  Hubs loves me anyway.  He works his tail off so I can stay home with our girls, and I love him for that.  I'm so thankful that he makes me feel like my job at home is just as important as his job at the office.  There is nothing that makes me happier than watching him love our girls.  And boy, does he love them.  He comes home and jumps right into the craziness...playing with the girls, helping with baths, dinner clean-up, bedtime, etc.  He has never uttered the words, "That's your job," or "I worked all day.  What did you do?"  Nope, not my husband.  And did I mention he likes to clean and organize??  I know.  I got a good one for sure. 

I can't think of anyone else I'd rather share this crazy life with than you, hubs.  I'd say I want to grow old and gray with you, but in your case, I'll just grow old with you.  Sorry.  Couldn't help myself.  Love you!

Favorite Fall Fashions

I love fall fashion.  The thought of boots and scarves, dresses and tights, jeans and jackets, etc., makes me one happy girl.  Add to that a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, and I'm practically giddy.  I thought I'd show you some goodies I've recently added to my closet. And I think it goes without saying that I am no fashion expert.  Let's be honest.  As I type, I am wearing plaid pajama pants.  At 1:00 in the afternoon.  For shame.

To be honest, I didn't realize how much shopping (mostly online - gets me in trouble every time!) I've done lately until I started writing this post.  Oopsies.  Hubs, I advise you to stop reading now.  Loves you. ;-)


The bootie.  Love these, despite the trendy little 20-something Nordstrom employee who sold them to me sharing that her mother has the same pair.  Neat, huh?

Indigo by Clarks Bootie

The chambray shirt.  I have a chambray shirt that I wear all the time (mostly with colored jeans as pictured), so when I saw this, I had to scoop it up.  I love the polka dots!

Old Navy Polka Dot Chambray Shirt

The Boyfriend Khakis.  I can't tell you how long it's been since I've bought a pair of khakis.  A long time, my friends.  I will admit that my mom uniform is made up mostly of workout clothes, so I figured it would be nice to add something casual but decent to the mix other than my standard jeans.  I ordered these in teal, but my first choices, green and burgundy, were sold out in my size.  They were delivered today, and I actually really like the color.  Love the fit.  They are great to pair with heels to dress them up, or with flats to keep it casual. 


Old Navy Pop-Color Boyfriend Khakis

The dress.  I gotta admit, I wasn't sure how I felt about this dress, but I decided to give it a try.  I'm so glad I did.  I really like it.  It's cute and comfortable.  I like that I can wear it now with flats or sandals and with knee boots when the weather gets cooler.  I don't really like it paired with booties as shown.

Old Navy Striped Color-Block Jersey Dress



The scarf.  I love a good scarf.  I mean, who doesn't??  It can instantly change and entire outfit.  I'm excited to add this one to my growing collection. 

 



Old Navy Leopard Infinity Scarf

The striped shirt.  This is not a shirt I would typically purchase.  For teaching, yes.  But for staying at home with my girls, it seems a little too dressy.  But....I've seen it on some of my favorite fashion blogs lately, and I love how they have rolled up the sleeves, paired with shorts, colored jeans, bright jewelry, etc.  Definitely more suitable for this season of my life.  It's a stretch from my normal mom uni, but I'm gonna give it a go. 

 

The Limited Striped Split-V Blouse
 

 

 

The cords.  I've been wanting some for a while now, and I finally found a fit and color that I love at Jcrew.  These are from their regular website, but I found them at a factory store on sale.  You're welcome, hubs. ;-)

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Now all I need is for this Texas weather to cooperate so I can actually wear some of this stuff!



Reality Check

Warning: this post contains major poop talk.  If that sort of thing grosses you out, I advise you to stop reading now. 

Just when I'm thinking I've got this mom of two thing under control, my girls are there to give me a reality check.  Last week while Izzy was playing in her playroom, I was sitting on the couch, giving Harper a bottle.  Izzy comes walking in the living room saying she needed to go potty.  By the disgusted look on her face and the way she was standing, I knew that she had already gone poop in her panties.  I told her to go to her bathroom.  As she started to walk, I noticed little poop balls trailing behind her.  Gag, I know.  But it gets worse.  I was following her to the restroom, and I stepped in one of them...all while still holding and feeding Harper.  As I carefully walked to the restroom balancing on the heel of my foot as to not further smear the poop, I couldn't help but laugh a little and think to myself, "This is my life."  And you know what?  I wouldn't trade it.  Poop balls and all.  To quote my friend Tracy, "There's nothing like a turd between your toes to remind you of your place in life." 

DIY Headband Holder

I pinned an idea for creating a headband holder out of an empty oatmeal container several months back, and I finally got around to making one.  Love it when that actually happens. 

So, here is the original version I found.

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Isn't that a great idea?  This crafty lady covered her oatmeal container in scrapbook paper, and left the lid functional so she could store other hair goodies inside.  I changed it up just a smidge by using fabric instead of paper and finishing out the top with a decorative wooden disc and finial. 

Here is what I started with.  After further brainstorming on this project, I decided to go back to Hobby Lobby to pick up two more wooden discs and one more wooden finial. 

And here is the finished product. 

 

 

First thing I did was paint all of the wooden pieces with some black acrylic paint using a foam brush.  Next, I took the lid off of the oatmeal container, hot glued my fabric in place, and hot glued a wooden disc to each end.  Then I had hubs cut the top part off of one of the finials  (actually, he did this before it was painted) to use as part of the base.  You can see I just hot glued it between the two discs.  And the second finial was glued to the top to give it a little decorative flair.  What would I be without my hot glue gun?  I shudder to think.

 

 

I think it turned out pretty darn cute.  And it hasn't fallen apart yet.  Always a plus. 

 

Izzy's Big Girl Room



 

Izzy has been sleeping in her big girl bed for close to 8 months now.  Shortly after we made plans to adopt a baby, we moved Izzy out of her crib and into a twin bed.  Well, actually, we moved her onto a twin mattress on the floor.  Remember this post?  Honestly, she had only escaped her crib one time, and we probably could have stretched the crib life out a little longer if we wanted to, but we knew we would be getting a new baby at some point soon (we just didn't know how soon!), and we wanted Izzy to be settled in her bed long before the baby arrived.  We knew bringing home a brand new baby would be a big enough change for her to swallow, so we were trying to keep everything else consistent.  

 

Luckily, my big girl only had to sleep "on the floor" for a couple weeks because hubs and his dad made a beautiful bed for her.  I painted it to match her dresser, and sadly, I didn't do a great job.  There are still a few spots that I need to touch up.  It's one of those things that bugs me every time I see it, but as soon as it's out of sight, it's out of mind.  Maybe one day I will actually get around to fixing it.  Maybe. 

 

I didn't change much in her room.  We had to move her bookcase around and change the placement of some wall decor, but it's pretty much just the grown up version of her nursery.  It just oozes girlyness, and I love it!  What I don't love is those bed rails.  Bleh.  Wonder how long I need to keep those up.  Anyone? 

 

 

Izzy's big girl room.  Bedding from Target - I got it on clearance a long time ago, but I think they still carry it.  Her monogram is embroidered fabric that I put in frames from Michael's.  The quote above the window is from Uppercase Living.

Hubs and Pop-Pop do fine work, I tell ya. 

Her dresser is the Hemnes 8-drawer dresser from Ikea.  We were using it in our guest room before she was born.  It used to be a light brown color, and I painted it before we brought her home.  I used foam rollers to paint, and just used blue painters tape for the stripes.  It was actually a pretty easy project and it the paint has held up really well, no chips. The picture above the dresser is from Hobby Lobby.  The trunk is full of dress-up clothes - a Christmas present from Papa and Meme last year.  My aunt made the quilt on the rocker.  She made the one in Harper's room too.  I just love them.

Maybe one day I'll get brave enough to show you inside the girls' closets. 

After seeing this photo of her bookshelf, I think I need to give this puppy a makeover.  It needs some paint or fabric on the back to jazz it up, don't ya think?

 

Stole this idea from my friend, Katie.  This Aaron Brother's frame holds all of Izzy's monthly baby pics from her first year.  Harper's already got a frame waiting to be filled in her closet. 

We have had this alarm clock for awhile now.  I can't say that we've had much success with it yet.  I'm not exaggerating when I say Izzy comes to our room at least once a night, every night.  Sometimes 2-3 times.  We've gotten it down to basically walking her back to her room, tucking her in, and going back to sleep, but it still kills a good night's sleep. I'm hoping our little nightly visits from homegirl become less and less frequent. 

Above her bed is this sweet little dress she wore home from the hospital when she was four months old. She was a teeny little baby doll. Shadow box is from Aaron Brothers.

And of course, more bows.

And there ya have it. A sweet little room for a sweet little girl.

Harper's Striped Nursery

As soon as we found out we had been matched with Harper, I started planning her nursery.  I went over the top girly in Izzy's room (pink everywhere, chandelier, damask curtains, etc.), so I wanted Harper's nursery to have a totally different feel.  I knew I wanted stripes on the walls, in neutral colors, and fun pops of color to make the room fun and fitting for a little girl.  Once I found this picture, I was sold. 



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I love the blue and orange for a little boy, but my girl needs some pink.  Hey now, I can't totally get away from girly.  I saw this from Pottery Barn Kids, and loved the pink and green combo, but with a little more green and a little less pink.  By the way, this bedding set is called Harper.  Coincidence?  I think not.  Luckily this set comes in several colors, so I order the green quilt, skirt, sheet, and window valance. I learned with Izzy that shelling out $$ for a bumper was a waste because we never used it, and my very talented mom and aunt made Harper's curtain panels with some fabric from JoAnn's that is almost an identical match to the Pottery Barn panels. 

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Before I share the big reveal, Let's just take a look at what I was working with before, shall we? B.H. (Before Harper), this room was our guest room/junk room. It had never really been shown any love, and it was looking pretty sad. We got rid of the guest bed and all of our junk, and it immediately cheered up a bit, but it still needed some love. We decided to reuse Izzy's crib and an armoire from our bedroom that we were no longer using. Read more about where the armoire used to live here, here, and here.

 

Here she is.  In all her glory.  No?

Let's take a closer look at this crib

Ahh, yes.  It appears a baby goat used to sleep here.  The other side had matching bite marks.

This Thomasville armoire matches our master bedroom furniture. We no longer needed it in our room, but didn't want to get rid of it, so we made it work for the nursery.

I think we can all agree that this was a sad, mismatched situation. 

I can assure you, friends, this room is no longer sad.  I accented the room with pops of hot pink so that there would be no mistaking that a little girl sleeps here. This was such a fun room to plan and decorate, and I'm really happy with the end result. And don't tell Izzy, but I think I like it better than her room.  Okay friends, take a look at Harper's bright and happy nursery.   

 

 

I consider myself a somewhat crafty person, but I know my limits.  Painting precise stripes and furniture is one of them.  We hired a professional painter to paint the walls, the crib, and the armoire.  Worth every penny.



The perfect little spot to read to and rock my Harper girl.  Table from Ikea, lamp from Hobby Lobby, rug from Garden Ridge, quilt made by another one of my talented aunts, chair and ottoman from Amazon or Babies R US?  I forget.



Doesn't that armoire look so much better?  I love white furniture.  So bright and fresh.  The little dress hanging on the door is what we brought her home in.  The plan is to eventually purchase a shadow box for it to display on the wall.  Dresser/changing table is from Ikea.  Mirror is from Marshall's.

Love all the storage room!  Cubes from Target.

I replaced all the furniture knobs with these cute little guys from Hobby Lobby.

I just love this monogram.  It's one of my favorite things in the room.  I ordered these letters unfinished from a cute little Etsy shop called KyGrace Designs and painted them pink.

Got these frames at Aaron Brothers during their penny sale.  I filled them with scrapbook paper from Hobby Lobby, and voila.  Cheap and easy wall art. 

Shelves are from Target.  Hubs just loved hanging them for me.  By loved, I mean hated.  They were a B to hang.  Frames from Aaron Brothers, my owl friend hails from HomeGoods, chevron fabric, gold H, and pink H all from Hobby Lobby. 

A girl's gotta read.  Love these sweet bookends I found at HomeGoods.

And what would a little lady be without her bows?  A lady at a local shop made this bow holder for me.  Honestly, I would prefer not to display all the bows, but the girls have so many, and this just makes it easy to see all the choices when I'm getting the girls dressed. 

Back to School & Preschool Favorites

 I was one of many mommies walking their kids back to preschool with a big grin on my face last week.  I love my girl, but I'm just gonna keep it real.  This summer was looong.  I tried to be a good mom and schedule plenty of play dates and trips to the museum, zoo, etc., but my fun ran out way before summer did.  I was ready for school to start, and so was Izzy.  Luckily, she loves going to school and has a blast there, so I get my little sanity break without the guilt.  Everyone wins.  Hubs ate breakfast with us last Tuesday and went with me and Harper to drop off Izzy.  I made him snap a few pictures before we left. 




not the best photo, but he was working with a moving target



Why does she look so grown up???  Stop it.

This is her "smile."  There were no tears, no latching herself to my leg, no "don't go, mommy!"  Nope.  We got nothing.  Not even a good picture.  She wanted us out of there.  And so it begins. 

We celebrated a successful first day of school with some frozen yogurt. 

I forgot to take pictures for a pinterest idea that morning, so we had another mini photo session that afternoon.  She had a full day of school and a tummy full of yogurt in her by this point, so she was being a little toot. 


Attempt #1



Attempt #2

Finally got a semi-decent one.  Beggars can't be choosers, right?