Coupon Code!

Time to get a head start on your holiday shopping!  Use this coupon code in my Etsy shop for 25% off!

FALL25

Several new dresses have been listed, including this darling pink and chocolate number being modeled by Miss E Lo!

{Coupon code FALL25 good through 10/31/11}

Scarf Weather!

One of the best things about Fall's cooler days is that I get to break out my favorite scarves!  I'm forever cold, and few things warm me up like a lovely scarf.

I often get questions about how I tie my scarves.  A couple of weeks ago I stumbled across this great video.  If you love scarves, it's worth the 4.5 minutes!

Rainy Days and a Skirt

We knew that after the warm dry weather of August, rain and cooler temps would eventually hit Indiana.

Well, they're here!  And it's cold, and rainy, and windy.

Perfect weather for hibernating in my "sweat shop".

I've been trying to decide what to dress the kiddos in for our upcoming family pictures.  This little skirt is a definite contender.



I used the free apron skirt tutorial on Lil Blue Boo.  It would be perfect for beginners!

Here's a quick peek at my help for the day too.  Miss Nessarose found the coziest place in the house to nap, the scrap basket.



What is this fall's weather inspiring you to create?

Happy Birthday Bug!

Where have the last 4 years gone?

He started off as my snuggle bug.

Then he grew into a rolly, polly, silly bug.

And now he's my daring, crazy, inquisitive, hilarious bug!

Happy Happy 4th Birthday Nate-n-bug!

What I Love Wednesday: Frangipani!

I slipped away from the house for a quick 2 hours of "mommy time" this weekend, and of course, used that time to check out a crafty show!  While I was there, I had the pleasure of meeting Tracy Land, the owner and founder of Frangipani Body Products.  She was so bubbly and kind, I just had to try her products out!  I was certainly not disappointed!

I walked away with the Shea Butter Softening Lotion.



My hands are the worst in the fall and winter.  They get so dry from tons of washing, and they frequently crack.  I've been using the softening lotion for a few days now and already notice a huge difference!  An added bonus is that it smells delightfully fresh and just a bit floral.  I love it!

Frangipani products are available online, and in a few retail stores around the Indy area.  They have several sample skincare kits so you get to try several products at once.  They would be the perfect stocking stuffer!

I was in no way compensated to create this blog post.  I was simply thrilled to discover Frangipani, and wanted to share my great new find with you!

Homemade Rotel

It feels a bit like we're behaving like squirrels around here, storing up food for the winter!  After freezing enough applesauce to get us through the year, it was time to get to work on tomatoes!

My dad tried had a new variety of peppers in his garden this year, Anaheim Chilis.  They have a great smoky pepper taste.  Think a jalapeno but not quite as sharp.  We've been enjoying grilling them and using them as toppings for burgers.  I know when Janauary comes, I'll be craving a nice warm pepper.  So, why not try throwing a few in with our canned tomotoes?  Think homemade Rotel!

We started by washing our tomatoes.

And then blanching them in boiling water, just until the skins began to break open.

Once the skins break open, the tomatoes go straight into an ice bath to stop the cooking process.

The tomatoes are then peeled, hulled, and quartered before being packed into the jars along with the Annaheim Peppers.

Ignore the paint on Hillbilly's arms and hands.  He'd been painting fences at the county fairgrounds all day.

After the jars are packed, they go into the pressure cooker.  Just consult your pressure cooker instruction booklet for tomato canning times.

Later this week, I'll be sharing my favorite chili recipe.  Our tomatoes and peppers will be a perfect addition to this favorite crockpot recipe!

Peanut Butter Nutella Rice Crispie Treats

I told myself that I was making these for the kids.

That they would appreciate my hard work.

Then it was time to be honest.

I made these for ME!

2T. butter
4c. mini marshmallows
1/2c. peanut butter
1/2c. Nutella
6c. Rice Krispies Cereal

Melt butter on low heat.  Stir in marshmallows, peanut butter, and Nutella.  Stir over low heat until melted and combined.  Add cereal.  Stir until combined.  Press mixture into greased 13"x9" pan and pat down gently.  Allow to cool.  Cut a BIG square for yourself and enjoy!

Soup Week at Hanging on by a Thread

My great friend Kimberlee is featuring soup all this week on her blog, Hanging on by a Thread.  What a great way to get in the mood for fall!

Friday, she will be having a virtual chili cookoff.  What fun!  I'll be sure to share my favorite chili recipe both here and on her blog.

What's your favorite soup recipe?

Wreath Anyone?

I don't have just a ton of fall decorations.  I'm not really a cluttery type of person, and after owning 3 homes in 8 years, I'm not the biggest saver either.

I do however, love a good wreath....especially in the fall.  So, it was quite appropriate that we decided to create our own fall wreaths for our MOPS craft this week.

The best part about doing a large group craft is seeing the way everyone's personalities come out in their project.  I always remember when my 2 college roomies and I decided to take Flower Arranging 101 together our senior year.  Amy's arrangements were always full of pastels, Mer's were always tight and tidy, and mine were always full of vibrant colors and a bit wild.

I created 2 sample wreaths for our MOPS mommies to provide inspiration, and then let them go to town.  We had a fun table full of supplies, grapevine wreaths, mini pumpkins, wheat, twigs, several shades of burlap, and ribbon.  Here are my own creations.  Very simple, and a bit shabby chic.

I have a bit of a thing for burlap.  It reminds me of the old horse feed sacks that used to fill our tack room on the farm when I was little.

And here's a quick shot of our front porch these days.  Lots of lovely mums in burnt orange and plum, and some sweet little pumpkins chosen by E Lo.

What are your favorite fall decorations?

What I Love Wednesday: Sofa Makeover

This is the first entry of a new series, What I Love Wednesday.  Each week I'll feature something that I love, and hope you will adore too!

We I first heard about Ugly Sofa I felt they were calling my name.  How did they know that I hated my ratty old couch and chair?

I still love the scale of the set, and the stuffing is in great condition.  The problem is that both our two and four legged kiddos have been so hard on the fabric, it's now pilling and shredding in places.  Not so cute.

Posting this picture has made me realize just how bad the fabric really looked!

Ugly Sofa provided the perfect solution.  Cute slipcovers at super reasonable prices.  Their website was easy to navigate, service was great, and shipping was very quick.

The best part....I have labels on my slipcovers from a much more expensive company (it might rhyme with Bottery Parn) and I paid a fraction of the cost!

After placing the slipcovers and tucking them in just right, I steamed them with my iron to get the extra wrinkles out.  I was pretty proud of the finished product.

So, if you are hiding a deep dark ugly sofa like I was, you no longer have to suffer.  Now to whip up some fun throw pillows!

All opinions expressed on this blog are mine alone.  I was in no way compensated by Ugly Sofa to make these statements. I simply assume that someone else out there is suffering from an ugly sofa like I was.

Who Doesn't love an Owl Print?

Owls are just the rage these days, and I admit I love them too.  Occasionally we get treated by the owls in our woods to a concert of "Who Whoo's".

When I found this super cute owl corduroy on clearance at JoAnn's, I had to have it and keep it for Miss E Lo.  It made the perfect reversible tunic for fall.

What fun fall projects are you up to?