Adventful

We all know that Jesus is the reason for the season-- but sometimes we all need reminding. One of the best reminders I have in my house is my advent wreath. It is completely DIY and makes a lovely centerpiece for my table! So today I'm going to show you how to make your very own Advent Wreath!! Step right up!

If you're like me and your advent knowledge went as far as bringing mom a bundle of holly and candle from your Sunday School class, then you may want to check out yo knowledge huuurrrr.

STEP 1. Hide that greeeen!





I used a wreath shaped green foam board from Hobby Lobby. Then, covered the edge of it with red ribbon.

STEP 2: Insert candles and greenery

to keep it rather cheap I found a very small wreath to set tight on the top. Then stick 4 candles of your choice on the outside four "corners" and a large candle in the middle. I believe the website above suggests using purple candles, however; I prefer using red and white for two reasons (no...it has nothing to do with the Magnolia Panthers.....boo for you if that crossed your mind!). 1. I like to keep Christmas Traditional. 2. I wanted each of the four white candles to represent purity...my Jesus' love was in the purest form after all. The candle in the center (the one that stands for Jesus...to be lit on Christmas) Is red, to remind us of the sacrifice that the sweet baby we celebrate was destined to make. (Here is my favorite Christmas Song to go along with that btw!)

STEP 3: Well now we have to cover that awful Styrofoam now don't we??

I picked up some small sprays from Hobby Lobby...50% off I might add! I bought 2 to go in between each candle, and then four more for each place setting at my table.

And that's all, folks!!! Was an easy DIY to remind you to stop every week of December and celebrate! What's the word??? Do you have any DIY projects fo' Jesus??

My Christmas Decorations!

So, I hope everyone already has their Christmas decorations up....but in the event that you don't...maybe you can get some inspiration from mine.

There is my lovely tree and the poinsetta I added to the footrest. I'm aware I definitly need to make a new base for that poinsetta (craft alert!!! any ideas??)

Closer view of my tree. You know what's funny? I love love LOVE my tree, but I hate it in pictures, nothing like the real thing, huh? Oh, and I was relitively pleased with my idea for my side table. Recognize the arrangment? It's from my kitchen table. To balance out the other side I found a beautiful crystal candlestick in the shape of a log from Khole's for 55% off. I topped it off with a red candle with snowflakes on it. As for the glasses, I never drink martini's, but for some reason I have a billion. So I set them out, put some leftover christmas balls in it and I love it! You can't tell because of my high quality camera (ha), but the glass reflects the lights from the tree so beautifully! I love it!I was just proud of myself with that one...I made the bow myself (SKILLZ Y'ALL!!)This is my "mantel." I wanted to make the nativity scene the center because afterall...Jesus is the reason for the season! The left has a Charlie Brown christmas tree, a santa nutcracker that counts down the days 'til Christmas, and a picture of my family...because I love them. On the right is my canibal snowman. Yes, he's a canibal...as you can barely see the snowman is carrying a shovel that says "let it snow"....and two snowman heads in a bucket....Thanks mom!! Also pictures is a snowglobe (childhood obsession) and a canister of my favorite candies!Here's my advent wreath!! homemade :) The rest of the pictures are just random shots around my house.P.S....I totally made the wreath on my front door...schweet! So what do you think? Anything you'd like to know more about? Any more suggestions?

BIG REVEAL!!! Zack's study room!! (part 1)

Just for the record...most of this room has been done for about a month now. We just put the finishing touches on it today (although I'm SURE it could change). This was done on a very cost efficient budget and we have gotten TONS of compliments (your welcome, Zack). Speaking of him...Zack has gone from making this room his dirty laundry basket...to actual study usage (I call it his man cave). So without further ado...I present....the before!and (drum roll, please) the after!!
So I have to know....what do you think????? Do you have any other suggestions for the room (go ahead! be honest! I want to learn!!). I will be breaking down the steps to this room one by one forthe rest of the week, that way you can learn ever little detail and fun extras about this room! Happy Tuesday!

Cause that's the thrill of- thriller nights!

I'm a nerd for holiday-decor! I've been looking for new, fun inspiration in decorating for Halloween: I think I've found out it...check it out!







These are simply, folgers or regular canned goods. All you do is take a hammer, nail, and make the pattern of your choice. Add a candle (soy preferrably) and line your sidewalk! Cute and Simple..which is always a plus here! Where else do you think would be a great place to put these??









We love christmas tress...but how about a Halloween tree? Pick out a branch of your liking. Spray paint it black and stick it in a pot. The black rocks can be purchased from the craft section of Walmart. then add some cute little bags as ornaments! Why not fill them with your favorite treats and enjoy your own 13 days of Halloween? It's also a fun countdown, don't you think?

What a fun twist on the an old classic! paint cute light fixtures on a pumpkin and let your light shine through! Want a real challenge? try to make a chandelier!! (I might try to tackle this one):)

I LOVE these, I am definitley making one of these with my Pumpkin Carving Kit ($3.99 at Kroger's!). What an awesome way to display Your initials! Get creative!!! How about your house number?? :)

HOW ABOUT SOME HOLIDAY RECIPES??

I have to write about these first, my mom use to make these for me and it brought back some great memories. they are just lolipops with a white napkin tied over them...they were my favorite:) miss you mom!

My boo loves ribs, how cute is this idea??? simply yet very seasonal!!

How cute is this cake??? I will more than likely make it and

let you know how it goes!!!

So do you guys have any ideas for Halloween decor or recipes??? What

is your favorite way to celebrate??

Going green for Halloween

I am a DORK when it comes to holidays (in fact...on my blog list I have more bl0g ideas for Christmas than all of the others put together!). I love everything about holidays: tradition, community, stories, decorations, spirt. The only 2 bad things about them are calorie intakes and they aren't always fantastic for the environment. Well hopefully I can at least help with one of those!!



1. If you decorate with lights, try LED lights instead (simple enough?)



2. Try to use household items to recycle into a costume! last year, I put on some black pants, a white v-neck tshirt, and black shoes. I got some kid leggings (I have no idea why those were still in my possession), cut off the legs and put 5 holes where i could wear them as fingerless gloves(I know it sounds weird but it was quite dashing). Then I cut jagged shapes out of old cereal boxes and mixed acrylic paint with medium to make it look like blood, and splashed it all over my shirt. Can you guess what I was? A "cereal" (serial) killer!! Everyone thought it was crafty and it was 100% recycled! (sorry, no pictures...)



3. Safety first!! use battery-free LED flashlight instead! You'll be safe and green :)



4. After carving your Jack-O-Lantern, use soy-candles.



5. try organic candy (I need to do some research of how available this is in the area). Also, use a recycled bag or pillow case intead of plastic to carry your goods :)





6. HERE"S THE BEST PART: I found the COOLEST thing: Trees for Treats offers a way to help the environment in addition to candy. Here's how it works: Adults buy “tree coupons” (bundles of 50 for $6 at .10 a piece) and give away to trick-or-treaters in addition to or instead of conventional treats. For each bundle sold, 50 trees are planted. How sweet is that? here is what the coupon looks like:





I am SO all about this!!! How about you?? Any more tips for ways to stay green even in the fall??