Happy Thanksgiving

 

Take time to count your blessings today.

Now that Halloween is over...

Okay, maybe I'm a tad early by your standards. But it's time for me to start my gift shopping and crafting and planning! I think I'll go sneak a listen to one of my Christmas CDs while I'm still home alone. :) Hope everyone had a fabulous Halloween!

Decorating with Gourds & Pumpkins

 

I love these ideas from BHG.com:  

My Favorite Things: Household Cleaners & Products

If you have ever met me, you know that I love to share tips and products that work for me.  Why keep a good thing all to yourself?  Over the next few months, I will be posting my favorite things so that you can try them out too!

Tide Stain Release In-Wash Booster Packs

 I will never buy another stain removing product again, as long as these little packs are around!  I practically rolled around in my garden this past spring, and the light pink sweats I thought would be ruined forever made it out alive with the help of Tide.  I absolutely hate having to spray and scrub a stain only to have it fade 50%.  Just throw one of these packs in the wash and you are good to go!

Windex Multi-Surface Antibacterial

 Love, love, love this!  Countertops, spills, remotes, phones, handles, glass surfaces, bathrooms, TVs...the list goes on.  I use this stuff almost daily.  If you live with pets, children, (or a man) you must try this!  If you don't have a lot of room to store 10 different cleaning products, you will love this too :)

 

Glade Plug Ins Scented Oil

 Again, if you live with any of the creatures listed above, you need this.  I get a 9 pack of these at Sam's Club and have 2 or 3 plugged in on our main level.  You can smell these as soon as you step onto our porch.  My sense of smell isn't the greatest, so I'm always worried that my house will smell like a dog to someone with a sensitive nose.  These make me feel better :)  My favorite scent is Fresh Linen.

Shark Steam Mop

  

Okay, so I don't own one of these (yet).  But boy, do I want to!  I borrow my mom's and use it on my hardwoods and tile to get a deep clean.  It's also a good arm exercise :)  Just be careful that you don't leave it in one spot as it cools down.  I have a nice rectangular "brand" on my hardwoods from this mistake!

 

Swiffer Sweeper Wet Mopping

I loathe mopping.  The sloshing bucket full of water, the wringing of the mop.  UGH!  I save this task for my husband.  (Thanks honey!)  One day, I will own a Shark steam mop of my own, but for now I like to use these for quick clean ups.  They are perfect for my bathroom floor, or a spill in the kitchen.  Little to no mess involved.

Let me know if you try any of these items, and go ahead and comment some of your faves!  

Dryer Sheet Flower Tutorial

Recycled Dryer Sheet Flower Tutorial

You will need (for each flower):

1 pipe cleaner

4 used dryer sheets

1. Stack the 4 dryer sheets on top of each other.

2. Fold the stack accordion style, making the folds about an inch.  You want to fold the width vs. the length.

3. Take the pipe cleaner and twist it around the middle of your folded sheets, just enough length to fasten it securely.

4. When the sheets are secured, start separating them to create the petals.

5. Put in vase, bottle, jar, etc. and enjoy!

My Living Room

Here are some photos of my living room.  My mantel is bare right now until I get my fall stuff out, so I didn't take any of that side of the room.

Fall Feelings

Although the forecast is depicting summertime weather, I am in a fall state of mind.  My closet is free of warm weather clothing and ready to be stuffed with sweaters and boots.  I'm in the middle of the household deep clean to get ready for fall & Halloween decor.  I've made pumpkin bread, white chicken chili and sipped hot chocolate.  All with the air conditioning on.  :(  

I've already figured out where I will put my Christmas tree this year, double checking with a measurement.  Should I use a smaller tree and decrease the fire hazard or shove our over sized tree in the corner and hope for the best?  But first!  Halloween.

The menu, the costume, the decor!  I have costume ideas but haven't settled on anything.  I took Martha Stewart's QUIZ and she thinks I should be a Glampire:

 

My best friend thinks I should be Snooki:

What I do know is, I'll be making my Grandma's chili and mummy dogs:

The first weekend in October is going to be a great way to kick off my favorite month.  Friday October 1st is Belleville, IL Chili Cook Off.  We go every year and I'm hoping for nice chili eating weather!  

Saturday October 2nd is another Stories Unfold show at 

Cicero's 6691 Delmar Blvd. | University City, Mo. 63130 | 314-862-0009

That guy in the middle is so hot! ;)

Back to cleaning!

Never Forget.

 

I was in English class.

Fall Fashion Treasury on Etsy

View the Treasury

Second Story Starting Soon!

We have finally decided on how we are going to tackle our 2nd floor!  We have 3 bedrooms and one bathroom upstairs, including a spacious landing at the top of the stairs.  We have put this project off for a long time because we thought we would be tearing out ALL of the plaster and installing drywall.  Luckily, we decided to hire someone to repair and resurface the plaster, which is a huge relief!  Now, we just have to find someone reliable and fair, since we have had a long run with awful contractors.

At the back of the house, overlooking the garden, is a slanted ceiling, finished attic.  Now the last time it was updated was probably when I was an infant, so we have a fair share of work to do.  There is no light, unfinished & damaged flooring, and an awkward closet.

The Plan:

1. Clean up electrical & install recessed lighting to brighten up the space!

2. Touch up drywall and areas where A/C duct work was added. 

3. Replace window  (too many ladybugs made this area home last year!)

4. Paint ceiling and exposed spiral duct.

5. Paint the walls a warm neutral color and paint the paneling cream to mimic bead board.

6. Hire someone to finish the floors! (we did our fair share on the first level.)

 That's all I've got set in stone so far.  I'd like to build out one of the 2 small closets and create  a shelving system because the angle is really steep and goes from about 5 foot to 2 inches.  Furnishing this room could be tricky because of the short, slanted ceilings.

Here is some inspiration!

BHG: Christmas Decorating with White

Inspiration for Christmas decorating with white courtesy of BHG.com

I'm definitely going to refer back to this when the time comes!  I love the evergreen sprigs and infusion of vintage pieces.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Dear Santa, I really want that kitchen :)