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fall fashion inspirations

Fall, my most favorite time of year.  I've said it and I'll say it again every year. :)

But this fall is really special for me because I turn 30! Gasp! Dun, dun, dun... 
Yes I will be leaving my twenties behind next month, and to celebrate, my mom, sister, and I will be going to NYC!!! Their birthday's are two weeks from mine, so it is a celebration for all of us!  I am beyond stoked for this!! None of us have ever been, so I have been googling like crazy to see the best places to eat and go.   And of course I couldn't forget about looking cute! So, I thought I would share some outfits I have found that say Fall is here! Ok, it's not here just yet, but I can't help obsessing over boots, scarves, and sweaters!!


I love this distressed denim jacket, and the color of that bag!

I found a coral blazer at the Goodwill, and my mother in law is taking it in for me as we speak.  I love this color! And I love how the scarf takes it into Fall. 


Mint and Leapord... totally chic, and totally comfy.

I actually found a plaid shirt like this at the thrift store the other day, as we were looking around they announced it was half price day. Yea the line immediately got reaallly long, so I put it back, no sale is worth a hour line at the thrift store, not even for a cheapskate like me! lol

I'm definitely on the hunt for a denim jacket. And maybe a Michael Kors bag. But that doesn't really fit into my thrift store budget, so I'll just dream ;)



These are my Fall inspirations and I am totally convinced that I can find these things on a budget! 
I am so excited to go on a trip with my mom and sister! 
If any of you have been to NY or live there, I would love to know some tips or suggestions! Since we pretty much know nothing :)

I also want to say HI to all my new followers! I am so happy to have you here!! 

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strawberry bread {neighbor gift}

I recently shared this recipe on my friend Barbara's blog Chase the Star.  I thought I would share it here in cased you missed it! 
 I live next door to the cutest elderly couple, we are fairly close, we pick up each others mail when we're out of town, she always yells hello in the sweetest southern voice when we see each other outside.  During one of our recent hello's she told me that her husband had become ill and was going to have to undergo some treatments.  I was sad to hear this and began to think of something I could do to brighten their day. I remembered when I had my little boy, I loved it when people brought us food, it took a load off just having something already there to munch on.  So I figured I could make them my favorite strawberry bread.  


This bread is very moist, and sweet, but not too sweet. And best of all it is super easy to make! 
Strawberry Bread 
2 cups of strawberries, sliced
3 cups of flour
1 cup of sugar
1 tablespoon of cinnamon 
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 1/4 cups of vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
4 eggs

Directions: 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and butter 2 loaf pans.
Sprinkle sliced strawberries with a little sugar and set aside.  Mix all dry ingredients together in large bowl.  In a separate bowl combine vegetable oil, vanilla, eggs, and strawberries.  Add strawberry mixture to dry ingredients.  Stir until combined.  Add mixture to two buttered loaf pans, bake for 40-45 minutes.
The butter from the loaf pans makes the outside kind of chewy, while the inside is super soft and sweet.  SO good, especially while it's still warm!  My whole house smelled like strawberries.  It was hard for me not to eat a whole loaf, luckily this recipe makes 2 loaves. ;) 

I also wanted to add a little more fun to plain wax paper to jazz it up a bit.  After doing crafts with my little boy of ironing crayons between wax paper, I realized that I could just iron anything between two pieces of wax paper to create a fun design! Confetti always makes me smile, so I thought it would do the same for my friends next door. 

1. First I punched holes into paper scraps I had in different colors to make confetti *tissue paper would work great too.
2. Sprinkle confetti onto one piece of wax paper  *be careful not to bust out a laugh or breath too hard through your nose during this part.. just trust me ;)
3. Lay second piece of wax paper on top of the confetti.
4. Iron two pieces together, using a very low setting
That't it!  The pieces stick together and the design shows through.  There are so many variations you could do with this as well, holiday colors, or different shapes even. 

Once I had the loaf wrapped I tied it with a colorful string, and since my neighbors are going through a rough time I added a bible verse to give them some encouragement as a tag.  
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 
Philippians 4:6-7
Another idea would be to add a recipe to the tag, or any kind of note to make it more personalized.  I printed mine off of Word, but even a hand written note would be cute.
I was so happy when my neighbor gave me a big hug when I gave it too her, I am lucky to have such great neighbors and loved giving them something special to brighten their day!


Im linking up to these parties...


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paper scraps art

I have to admit that I have a little bit of a scrapbook paper obsession.  I will buy a piece or five every time I'm at Hobby Lobby, simply because I think they are so cute, and I will definitely be able to use it some how.  Yea right.  I always fool myself, and because of that I have a huge pile of paper scraps and just straight up unused paper in my craft closet! So this weekend I was browsing Pinterest and saw this.  Carter was taking a nap and I contemplated taking a nap myself or making this, and the urge to make something over took me.  Plus the sound of my husband clicking and clattering away on his PS3 controller was keeping me up anyway.  ;)  So, I got up, gathered up my paper and a canvas I already had, and made this.

This was so easy!!  I just taped off stripes on the canvas, then put a light coat of yellow.  I didn't want the stripes to be too bold and compete with the patterns on the paper.  I cut small, medium, and larger leaf shapes of my different paper that I had and laid them out how I thought they would fit best, starting with the largest in the center.  Then I used modge podge to glue them on.  It took no time at all and looks perfect on a little wall we have in our living room.  For the frame I took the one I used for my Cardboard Bunny Spring door decor.  I like how the frame kinda floats around it. 



It could be customized to any decor scheme, I am slowly adding some brighter colors to our living room, so I love how this easily added that! If you are like me and have an addiction to paper, this will give you a good use of all those scraps! :)


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10 diy light fixtures


I don't think I have had a room in my house that I am 100% done with, I am always changing, painting, or switching out stuff.  I don't think it ever ends, I always think, I just need this, this, or this, then I will be done.  But then I get other ideas and it goes on and on.  And a lot of time my ideas stay just that.. ideas.  That is what this blog is all about, trying to get my ideas into action!

One of the many things I have on my radar to do is right now is a new light fixture for our dining area.  As of now we have a standard light fixture that basically every builder puts in a home.  I did paint it a brownish black a couple of years ago to cover up the shiny brass.  I still want to use the same fixture, just add to it or cover it some how.   There are so many fun and unique DIY light fixtures out there! Here 10 inspiring projects that have my wheels turing!

What I love most about these, is that they are recycled materials.

Amazing, I love love love this look! It looks so light and airy, but definitely makes a statement!

This is has to be one of my favorites, I love the shape, the wispy edges! It looks so complex, but is just done with paper. Brilliant! 

Another great one made from paper, these are cupcake wrappers. Nice, very nice.

At first I thought these were embroidery hoops, but they were actually made from a bamboo window shade that she took apart.  Seriously? Some people are so creative!
THESE embroidery hoops really could be used to get the same effect! 

This made from veneer edging is sleek and modern, Im thinking this would be cool painted a color too.

A ping pong ball lamp is pretty smart.  I'm seriously liking this... hmmm.
How cute would this be in a playroom or kids room using THESE colorful ping pong balls?!

This drum shade seems like it would be the least amount of work, compared to the others anyway. I love the green quatrefoil design, and the simplicity of the shape.

Is it a basket? No, its repurposed cardboard! I love the way the light shows through the different layers, really beautiful!

source: can't find the source, if you know let me know!
Plastic spoons make this petal look! So cool.  

Can you tell what this is made of?? Remember the fortune tellers from elementary school? Yea it's a bunch of those. Mind = blown. lol

Well, I have lots of ideas swirling in my head now!! I'm thinking of mixing a couple of these together.  If only they are as easy to make as I think they will be :) Famous last words right?
Has anyone else made their own light fixture? Was it harder than you thought?

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Mexi Sweet Potato

When my husband and I got married I was not a cook, I could make mac and cheese, and that was about it.  I even screwed up the recipe titled "Jamies favorite" that his mom gave me.  Lets just say chicken breast do not need to be cooked for 5 hours. lol it quickly became "Weezy's favorite" that night because it went straight into his dog dish.
But then something happened, it is called Pinterest, and it has made me feel like a regular chef! haha Just a click of the mouse and you have millions of recipes with photos and directions.   I'm realizing more and more that it is fun to cook, and I also am getting more comfortable using stuff I already have in the pantry.  Like this dish, Mexi Sweet Potatoes, I make this about once a week.  They are sweet and spicy which is my favorite!  They are like a twice baked potato mexican style.


Mexi Sweet Potatoes
2 large sweet potatoes
1 can of black beans
1 can of corn
3/4 cup of greek yogurt
1 table spoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
salt and pepper to taste
3/4 cup plus 1/4 cup shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Wash potatoes, and wrap them in plastic wrap. Microwave for about 5 minutes, or until cooked.
Rinse black beans and corn, pat dry.
Once the potatoes are soft, scrape out the flesh into a large bow, leaving a little along the skin.
Add all remaining ingredients and 3/4 cup cheese to the bowl with the potatoes and mix together.   
Evenly distribute mixture back into the potato skins.
Top with remaining 1/4 cup of cheese.
Bake for about 5 minutes, then turn on the broiler and broil until cheese starts to brown.

This is so simple! And one of my favorite dishes. I know greek yogurt sounds weird, but I use it in place of sour cream, it adds the same tangy flavor, but is much healthier.  Since I cook when I get home from work, I microwave my potatoes, but you can also bake them for 45 minutes in the beginning as well, if your into waiting a long time ;) This makes 4 large servings, it is very good leftover, especially for lunch the next day.

I think my husband is really glad to have edible dinners now! I am always looking for new recipes, do you have a dish you make every week?


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