DIY Banners

I wish I could take credit for this project but I came across this great site the other day on Pinterest.

Seriously these are so cute and super easy to make! And great for any occasion. I needed something more for our fireplace it was just too empty....I made a Merry Christmas one but it was just a litte too big so I made it into Be Merry and added some tissue paper garland to it.

I just printed out the letters on resume paper {since its a little bit thicker} and I glued it to black construction paper {you could use craft paper too} and attached it to twine w. clothes pins.

Favorite Things- Stocking stuffers

Linking up again w. Elise for Favorite Things....this week, its all about stocking stuffers

via

1. play dough
2. books
3. stickers
4. finger puppets
5. leggings
6. gloves

 

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1. razors
2. personalized golf balls
3. body spray
4. socks
5. beef jerky

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1. Nail polish
2. fun socks
3. Burts Bees small gift sets
4. lotions
5. body spray

what are some of your favorite stocking stuffers!?!?

Pay it Forward

Im sure everyone has heard of  Pay it Forward? With holidays around the corner, its always a great thing to Pay it Forward.  I came across this blogger pay it forward movement through Chelsea over @ A Little Bit of heaven with a wild side. And though it doesn't happen as much as it should,  this is a fun way to take this on and go ahead and Pay it Forward.

In this crazy busy world we are in these days, we always get so wrapped up in the hustle/bustle of life but its always great to get some snail mail even if its just a card to say you are thinking of that person....so here is how it will happen...

It's as simple as this:

 

The first person to comment on this post, I will contact them and get their mailing address, and send them a little something special via USPS. The same day they comment below, they are to do a blog post stating the same thing and 'pay it foward' to someone else.

 

Please keep in mind it does not have to be something expensive or lavish, just a little something special to let them know that you're keeping them in their thoughts and prayers this holiday season!

So go ahead....comment and then you can pay it forward to someone else or if you arent my first you can still do this....lets get this happening.

Friday Five

Happy Friday loves....linking up again for 5 on Friday

Thanksgiving, while I already decorated for Christmas, Thanksgiving is one of my favorites....I cant wait to stuff my face w. lots of food

 This was part of our spread from last year.

getting a haircut- I think its been about 6 mo or so since I got my hair cut...and I really didn't get much cut...but I am actually getting it shorter this time...only shoulder length but its probably a good 4-5 inches off.  I am not going w the blonde just the cuts...I really like the last one but maybe shoulder length

Pandora- no seriously you don't understand. I was listening to LFO, S Club 7, Spice girls, BB Mak, NSync, etc I could remember all of these songs like they were popular yesterday!

candy cane oreos- these are so amazingly good, if you like thin mints you will love these!!! Then cover them w. white chocolate and add some peppermint sprinkles on top. DELISH!!

 Lots of family time coming up. We have a lot of things planned from now until the new year

DIY-Santa Cookie Plate

I am on a serious DIY kick lately! I was searching Pinterst the other day and I came across a lot of cute Santa Cookie plates so I figured might as well try and make one. I made a smaller one this year I may do a bigger one in a few years or let her make one when she is a bit older.

Supplies-
Plate (you can do red or white) I chose a small square white plate from Target {Threshold brand}. I got it for $1.99
Sharpie Markers (I used red/green and black- if you do a colored plate silver would look nice}

Preheat your oven to 350
Draw your design on your plate with Sharpies (you could use stencils if you don't want to do freehand)
Bake at 350 for 30 min and then leave your plate in the oven until it is completely cool. I let mine sit overnight

Favorite Things

Linking up w the sweet Elise for Favorite Things link-up.

This week its all about what I'm loving...((or christmas wish list))

comfy pair of pjs...I mean who doesn't love to put on some comfy pjs curl up on the couch w a big blanket and a cup of hot cocoa- Every pair from Old Navy can just make its way to my house!

Old Navy

Yorkie-Poo Seriously how can you not look at this face and just fall in love {I know I wont get one for Christmas but hey wishful thinking}

source

Sweater Uggs I dont care how ugly people say they are but they are like heaven for my feet...seriously so comfy.

Michael Kors watch I have had my eyes on this beauty for awhile, it needs to be on my wrist

source

Alex & Ani bracelets...not only are they super cute the price is even better!!! And they are also great for gifts - These are just a few of my favorites

St. Christopher
Smoke Starlet Wrap
Ocean Mist
Completely Blessed

lazy weekends {are sometimes the best}

This weekend was a pretty lazy relaxing weekend and I loved every minute of it.



Friday we didn't do much of anything but watch movies and relax.

Saturday B worked, I just ran to Target to pick up a few things and ended up getting stuff to make our Santa Cookie plate...then our friends came over to visit for the evening we haven't seen them in forever, so it was nice to catch-up.

Sunday we went grocery shopping and to Target again...I needed to pick up a few Christmas presents for Breanna and I scored some l/s shirts for $3.50ea once we got home, I decided to put up Christmas decorations...our outside of the house is still all fall but the inside is all Christmas - don't judge, I am not discriminating and forgetting Thanksgiving, I really love Thanksgiving, however I just enjoy the Christmas lights & tree(we did 2 trees this year-one in our entry way and one in the living room) and if you would've seen Breannas eyes light up when she saw it all I just cant even put it into words, she was so excited to put on the ornaments and every time one would fall she would say "oh man, not again". But seriously my heart just filled up even more than I even thought it ever could seeing it through a child's eyes just make it so much more special. So we decorated and watched Christmas movies on Lifetime and the hallmark channel

5 on Friday

Happy Friday lovies. I am linking up again for 5 on Friday....

ONE  This quote....I need to hang this somewhere in my house to remind myself.

TWO  Bath & Body works winter candles- I seriously need them all!!! Especially hot buttered rum & twisted peppermint {my favorite}

THREE   I am ordering our holiday cards this weekend, I am so excited! I got a super great deal on VistaPrint.

FOUR  Ravenswood I.AM.OBSESSED! I cant believe next week is already the finale. At first I was kind of skeptical and thought it was going to be a dumb spinoff of PLL but its very creepy

FIVE  I am hoping to start some Christmas shopping this weekend. Even if they are small gifts still its something! I am also ready to put up my Christmas tree don't judge!!! We probably wont do it until next weekend its Pittsburgh's light up night so I think its fitting

Pure randomness

There are some new faces around here (((((hi))))) so I thought I would do a fun post today....a little post all about me :-)

• I am approaching my mid 30s
• I love photography...while I recently just started to really get into it, I wish I would've started earlier.
• I am deathly afraid of heights. Like I will breakdown in tears if I am up too high, we went to a pirates game one year with my old job and I told them if you get seats up really high I am not going. They thought I was joking...they made me go to the seats and as soon as I walked out, I literally had a full blown panic attack...tears and all
• I am slightly obsessed w NKOTB. I am not ashamed! They were my first ever concert (I was 9) and I have loved them ever since.
• I could eat sushi every single day (if only I could afford it)
• I have a sad obsession w reality TV
• We are a one and done family when it comes to children. People think we are crazy but it's what works best for our family
• I hate driving! Seriously despise it.....I would much rather be a passenger in the car than sit behind the wheel.
• Christmas is my favorite holiday....I just love everything about it. The sites, sounds, smells. It just makes me happy
• I have to have my nails painted but I most likely will pick off the polish 2 days after.
• In the fall/winter I could live in leggings and sweaters or oversized shirts and my uggs....so comfy!!!
• I love my Uggs....they are so warm and cozy on my feet 
• I have never been to Disney- and we are hoping to make our first trip in 2015
• Brad and I met on MySpace, dated for 2 years we broke up for a year (and didn't speak) I randomly text him one night we went out to dinner and 2 mo later, we were engaged.

I hope you learned something new about me!!! Thanks for sticking around and following our little journey in life :)

Tissue Paper Pom

I am trying everything I have in me, to save as much money as possible to decorate Breannas room. I was on Pinterest and saw some super cute tissue paper poms...but why paying for something I can make on my own? I am linking up w. Sarah & Erin for Life Created Tuesdays





So I pulled out the remaining tissue paper I had and searched for DIY Poms.


Supplies-
Tissue paper (I used 2 colors, you can do one or multiple)
floral wire (I used twine, I didn't have floral wire)
scissors
ribbon or fishing line (to hang)


Start by folding the paper accordian style (width wise)

Attach floral wire (again I used twine) (attach ribbon or fishing line to hang)

Cut ends into point

Pull apart one color at a time

Final product- (I will also do a post once Breannas room is finished so you can see it hanging)

NOTE: if you want to make smaller ones- you can cut the tissue paper in half length wise. I also did a few of these to add to some canvases which I will be doing another post on

Blates & Starbucks

Friday already! This week definitely flew by I guess that's what happens when you have a busy week! I am linking up this week for 5 on Friday

ONE I love Starbucks, but I think from November-January are my favorite time to go...they have 2 of my favorite drinks...and right now, its the Caramel Brulee Latte seriously its like dessert. So good

TWO Speaking of Starbucks and holidays...I love the cranberry bliss bars....they really are bliss I know they aren't healthy but I could eat them daily!!!

THREE I am doing a lot of DIY stuff for Breannas room I am loving these tissue poms and I cant wait to make more

FOUR I had my first blate this week with Robin from The Sunshine Diary...we have been trying to coordinate getting together since she moved here. Thankfully we had a beautiful day (hello 70 degrees) we met up for lunch at Station Square. She is so sweet and  Breanna keeps asking when we are going to see her again

FIVE I know its not Thanksgiving yet but I love Christmas movies and hallmark channel has them on for Countdown to Christmas- I am in heaven!