A fall mantel with my new wreath

Ahhh how I love this. Doesn't my new wreath look great over the mantel? I usually go for more of a Halloween mantel this time of year but my wreath needed a home...and I loved all the amazing fall mantel decorating going on in blog land right now. I decorated with items I already had, with the exception of the cute ceramic owl. Owls are quite popular this year for fall decorating and though I originally was not a fan, this little guy has grown on me.

I used popcorn kernels in the hurricane to fill the space around the orange candle.
I love the touch of gold color it adds.
The white pumpkin came from Dollar Tree
and the gold leaf plate I found for $1 on clearance at TJ Max a couple years ago.

More beaded pumpkins, leftover from my wreath decorating, stacked in a Dollar Tree Hurricane.

Isn't he cute? I love that wide-eyed look!
(I found him at World Market.)

I love how the wreath looks layered over the mirror.
Displaying a wreath over a mirror is one of my favorite ways to showcase it.

My love for all things fall continues...

I am linking up to The Lettered Cottage's Fall Mantel Link Party.

Recreating a Fall Wreath...on a budget

Isn't this wreath gorgeous? It's from Williams Sonoma (discovered via Pinterest) and will cost you $99.95. Wow. I love it, but I don't $99.95 love it.

How about this beauty? I fell in love. But for $75 on Etsy (discovered via Pinterest) I decided there had to be a better and cheaper way to get some of this autumn goodness.

Here is my handmade version for MUCH cheaper. * sigh * I love it.

I haven't decided if I like it better with the jute ribbon or the chocolate brown satin ribbon for the bow.
(The brown ribbon needs to be trimmed, I know. The ends need to be the same length...its making me twitch...something about not being symmetrical.)
What do you think?
Let me know in the comments.
I thought I liked the brown ribbon best but as I look at these pictures, I lean towards the jute ribbon.

Here is my cost breakdown:
Styrofoam wreath form from Hobby Lobby - $4 (on sale 1/2 price)
4 bags of reindeer moss from Dollar Tree - $4
Beaded pumpkins from Walmart - $5
Jute ribbon from Walmart - $2
Total - $15

Assembly was easy. Hot glue the reindeer moss all over the wreath form. Hot glue pumpkins. Tie a ribbon bow at the top and you have yourself a thrifty and beautiful wreath. I just love fall!

I linked up to Rhoda's Door Decor Fall Linky Party
and
Lemon Tree Creations Pinterest Link Up!

P.S. The wreath inspiration was originally discovered on Pinterest. Yes, I have become a Pinterest addict. You can follow my boards HERE.

Recent Thrifty Finds...finally!

I have been SO behind in showing you some of the thrifty finds I have scooped up at garage sales this summer! While I have been crazy busy adjusting to life with 2 kids and nightly sleep deprivation, I have managed to hit some garage sales here and there. Here are some of my finds from the last several weeks:

lamp - $1
marble rolling pin - $2
(You can't beat a good marble rolling pin.
I grew up using one in my mom's kitchen, until it broke!)
small milk glass dish - 25 cents
tall glass jar - 25 cents
2 smaller apothecary jars - $1 each
(I may have a small addiction to glass jars...)
stack of hardback books - 25 cents each

Here is a close up of the hardback books I found for 25 cents each at a garage sale. That is an awesome price for hardback books - usually the cheapest I find them is 50 cents a piece, more often $1 a piece.

I have a bunch of projects that are in the works... including a fall wreath, my Halloween party invitations, a lamp makeover, and of course a couple of new recipes. I promise to show you soon!

For the love of yummy food :)

I have been itching for an excuse to make some yummy food. My recipe binder is OVERFLOWING with recipes I need to try. So I made up my own excuse. My sister left today to go back to college for her last semester, so last night we had a family get-together where we all sampled my delicious food. What better reason to eat good food? Take a look at this deliciousness:

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pulls
Loved this! So yummy. You can find the recipe HERE.

Ham and Cheese Sliders
These were a winner too! Recipe HERE.

Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes
I am always looking for a good cupcake recipe.
The orange-cream cheese frosting is amazing!
Check out the recipe HERE.

Strawberry Cream Puff Cake
This is every bit as heavenly as it sounds! You should SO make one today.
Recipe HERE.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Eclair Cake
I knew this chocolate-peanut butter variation of THIS CAKE wouldn't disappoint!
FYI: Chocolate graham crackers can be found at United Supermarkets here in Lubbock (but not Walmart).
You can find this recipe, with better pictures HERE.

Garlic Chicken Puffs
I would make a few changes to this recipe next time.
Less garlic powder and add a small can of green chilies (my personal preference).
Recipe HERE.

Let me know if you try any of these recipes - I would love to know what you think!
Happy Cooking!

Celebrating Baby Girls

This is the beautiful sight I get to wake up to each morning (and multiple times a night). I am so lucky :). We welcomed little Presley Grace to our family on Tuesday, August 23. I have thoroughly enjoyed basking in all things girl and celebrating this new addition to our family.

However, in the last few weeks, with my pregnancy, delivery, and adjusting to life with two kids - lets just say the creative juices have not been flowing much! I hope to resume a more regular blogging schedule in the next few weeks. After all, fall is almost here! And then comes Halloween and our annual Halloween party! There will be much to blog about...

Until then, here is a baby shower favor I put together for my friend Brittany's baby shower. She too is preparing to welcome a new baby girl in mid-September.

I baked up some Snickerdoodle cupcakes and layered them with cinnamon buttercream frosting in 8 oz. mason jars. (I shared this recipe on the blog last year. You can find it HERE.) I tied a pink ribbon around each jar and added a sign next to the tray of jars telling guests to take one home with them. Jar cupcakes are an easy, portable take home favor for any shower or party and they make such a great impression on guests!

"Sugar and spice and everything nice...that's what little girls are made of."

Snickerdoodle cupcakes supported this classic recipe for little girls since they are full of sugar and spice too! I can think of no better way to celebrate a baby girl than with a sweet cupcake!

* If you like the idea of food in a jar as much as I do, check out this list of 50 foods you can put in a jar. I love all the possibilities!

A better world, one cookie at a time...

Just a quick gift idea for you - I attached this lovely quote,

"Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about 3 o'clock every afternoon..." - Robert Fulghum

To a container of homemade chocolate chip cookies, topped with a package of magic milk straws and finished it off with a ribbon bow. Isn't it so cute and delicious looking?

I found these plastic containers at Target on clearance for $1.25 and filled them with cookies. The magic milk straws are fabulous and fun - kids love them! If you are not familiar with them, here is how one website describes magic straws, "Simply pour a nice large glass of milk and insert your magic straw to enjoy the flavor of chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, or cookies and cream. The straws are filled with flavor pellets that release flavor and dissolve as the milk passes through." Pretty nifty, huh? I found them at United Supermarkets here in Lubbock but I have also ordered them online HERE.

A super easy, thrifty gift with a homemade touch = great for kids AND adults!
Just helping to make the world better one cookie, and glass of milk, at a time ;).

Chocolate + Peanut Butter = Cupcake BLISS

These cupcakes are HEAVENLY! I'm not sure if it is the peanut butter cup in the middle of the cupcake that gets all gooey after it's baked or the ganache frosting topped with more peanut butter cups that I like best. I was given this recipe by my friend Elizabeth (I think she got it from Taste of Home), who shares my mutual love for cupcakes. Try them...you won't be disappointed!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

1 package (18 ounce) chocolate cake mix

1 ¼ cups water

½ cup peanut butter

1/3 cup canola oil

3 eggs

24 miniature peanut butter cups

Frosting:

6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

2/3 cup heavy whipping cream

1/3 cup peanut butter

Additional miniature peanut butter cups, chopped

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, water, peanut butter, oil and eggs; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes or until smooth.

Fill paper-lined muffin cups half full. Place a peanut butter cup in the center of each cupcake. Cover each with 1 tablespoonful batter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 18-22 minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Place chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth. Stir in peanut butter. Cool, stirring occasionally, to room temperature or until it reaches a spreading consistency, about 10 minutes.

Spread over cupcakes; immediately sprinkle with additional peanut butter cups. Let stand until set. Makes about 2 dozen.