Fall Burlap Bunting

I was itching to make some sort of fall decor this weekend, so I raided my craft supplies to see what I could make. I found a pile of burlap from way back when and my leftover jute from my Jute Monogram Wreath. I decided it would be fun to make a burlap bunting banner. 

I used Chicabug's free fabric bunting pattern to make my banner. I loved that it had 4 different sizes to use, because I wasn't exactly sure how big I wanted mine at first. I used hot glue to put my bunting banner together and hung it up in my dinette. 

I decided it was too plain-jane and wasn't exactly what I had envisioned, so I went back to my craft supplies and found some red and orange ribbon and hot glued strips of both colors to each of the burlap pieces. When I hung it up for a second time, I was much happier with my final product. It is the perfect touch to my "mantle shelf" and looks great with my burlap and lace hurricanes!

The best part about this project? It cost me absolutely nothing to make!

It is great to know that I used all things I had on hand and created something fun to look at, instead of all the supplies just sitting in my basement taking up space.

Has anyone else ever made something with just supplies they already had on hand? If not, I am challenging you to do so. It is so much fun!

My Candle Obsession

TRUE LIFE: I'm addicted to candles. 

The first step is admitting you have a problem right? My favorite thing about fall is that I can start burning candles again! Throughout the summer, I try so hard but when it's 90+ degrees out, the last thing I want to do is light a candle to produce more heat! But in the fall, the weather is just cool enough, and the scents are the absolute best. 

Although the weather this week is feeling more like summer than fall, I decided to share with you my favorite fall scents this year. Normally, I am a devoted Yankee Candle customer, but Bath & Body Works was so tempting with their 2 for $22 deal going on. 

So here they are, my favorite candles of the season:

Yankee Candle: Apple Pumpkin

This is the perfect blend of apple (which is my favorite) and pumpkin (the husbands favorite). It has a nice small that floats through the whole house. Love, love, love!

Yankee Candle: Season's Blessings

This is quite honestly my favorite fall candle... ever. And probably my favorite of all the Yankee Candles I've ever smelled! I went to buy a large jar this year, and was told that this scent has retired. Instead of crying my way out of the store, I did the next best thing: hopped on the phone with the Yankee outlet! When I was informed they only had medium jars left, it became vital that I buy at least 2. Gotta stock up for next year right!?

Yankee Candle World Jouneys: South African Vineyard

I am a little weird about my candles "matching" the rooms they are in. I am a little more lax in the living room and kitchen, but in the bedrooms, the candles MUST match. Do you know how hard it is to find a dark purple candle with a nice scent? Well let me tell you, it is not easy. Until last year when I found this beauty at TJ Maxx. It smells great and can be burned all year round. I only burned this baby once in a while, because once you find something at TJ Maxx, the chances of you finding it again are darn near impossible. Am I right? Well you would never believe what I found again THIS fall while perusing their candle section, that's right, the exact same candle! My husband thought I was crazy when I just had to have another one. (He just doesn't get it, ladies!)

Bath and Body Works: Applewood Bonfire

Bath and Body Works: Leaves

Bath and Body Works: Pumpkin Caramel Latte

Bath and Body Works: Marshmallow Fireside

And last, but certainly not least, I am loving almost every scent at Bath and Body Works. I started of by purchasing Pumpkin Caramel Latte and Leaves. A week later, I was still wishing I bought Applewood Bonfire. Since it had the word "bonfire" in it, I figured Adam would love it. Not only did he convince me... i mean give me permission... to buy it, but he also picked out another candle, Marshamallow Fireside. :::I think I'm finally converting him!:::

(Another one of my fall favorites that is not shown is Yankee Candle's Harvest)

I think it's safe to say I'm stocked up until the winter season, and my little home is going to be smelling like a cider mill mixed with a pumpkin patch!

I will be burning my candles sipping Apple Cider Sangria and watching Double, Double, Toil in Trouble all October long! 

Apple Cider Sangria

This is the perfect fall drink. I made it this weekend while hubby was watching football, and it is dangerous! It's so good you don't even realize how much you are drinking! I highly recommend this for a fall day, you will not be sorry!

INGREDIENTS:

1 bottle of pinot grigio

2 1/2 cups of apple cider

1 cup of club soda

1/2 cup of ginger brandy

3 apples, chopped

DIRECTIONS:

Combine all ingredients and stir well. Refrigerate for at least one hour before serving. 

Happy Drinking!

Liebster Award!

After work on Monday, I was going through emails and received a comment from Kylie at Absolutely Arkansas letting me know that she nominated me for a Liebster Award! I had heard of the award before, but never really thought I would be nominated and have the chance to nominate a few of my favorites.

So what is a Liebster Award? Liebster is German for sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing & welcome. How nice is that!? This award is passed from blogger to blogger as a "keep it going!" award. It's for new bloggers with under 200 subscribers and is meant to encourage you to keep blogging... because you're great!

Along with the award, there are 11 questions that are asked to help your readers get to know you better. Here are the 11 that Kylie asked me:

1) What are you obsessing over right now in your home?

I am completely obsessing over my living room! I have so many ideas and so many projects that I want to do and seriously no time to do them. It has taken me weeks to finish some simple pillows, and I still want to make curtains, new shelving, and start a collage wall. So much to do, so little time!

2) What makes you say "seriously, get in my mouth"

Two things: The first is homemade popcorn on the stove with salt... lots of salt. And the second is vanilla ice cream topped with way too much chocolate sauce and a million peanuts.

3) What kind of blog comments make your heart twerk with delight? (Yes, I said twerk...for the 100th time)

I just love hearing that people have enjoyed my projects, but Kylie definitely made my day when she commented telling me I was nominated for this award :)

4) Shopping Spree! Where are you going?

Hobby Lobby, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Home Goods for sure! I may also hit up Yankee Candle and Bath and Body Works to satisfy my candle obsession (I actually already did this, but more on that later...). If I'm shopping for myself and not my home, then definitely Old Navy!

5) Chevron obsessed? or not digging the trend?

CHEVRON OBSESSED... for sure!

6) If you could only use three colors (not including white/black/neutrals) in your home for the rest of its life, what 3 colors would you choose?

Yellow, Light Blue, and Grey! Which is funny because I don't have that color scheme anywhere in my house right now, but I'm obsessed. I'm holding out for the basement though when we decide to take on the task of redoing that.

7) How do you blog-plan? Are you a simple-sister who taked it day by day? Or an OCD Diva that plans in advance?

I definitely take it day by day, and then have a hard time finding the time to do it during the week. I really wish I could be more organized with it and do all my planning on the weekends.

8) What are your thoughts on the word "Y'all"?

I honestly don't like it. My sister used to say it all the time when we were little, and it drove me crazy because we are from Michigan, no one says that in Michigan. I guess I blame her for my strong dislike of the word... unless a southern accent is involved.

9) Have you ever had a pin-tastrophie? Tell me about it.

I honestly can't think of one off the top of my head. The closest I have gotten is getting frustrated with a burlap table runner with ruffles. I got annoyed by the first side of ruffles, and never went back for the second side.

10) Are you obsessed with Katie Perry's new song "Roar" I GOT THE EYE OF THE TIGER! (I am...clearly)...if not, what music are you jammin' to right now?

I'm not sure I even know that song, but I am loving anything country!

11) What gets you up in the morning? (That's what it's all about, right?!)

My dog is usually the one to phsyically get me up in the morning, by nudging my hand to let her out of the bedroom. But in all seriousness, my husband and my doggie are the two things that keep me going, that and thinking of my future, when school is done and I am working as an OT. Only two and a half more years, yay!

Do you feel like you know me so much better now? Any other questions you would like me to answer, I would be happy to do so, just put it in the comments section and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

The cool thing about this award is that now I get to pass this award on. The new (or not so new)  bloggers that I am totally loving right now are below. Go check these ladies out when you have a chance! I'm sure you'll love them!

The Hills

Happily Ever Parker

Thrift For Today

Chattering Meg Pie

And here are the questions for my Liebster nominees to answer in a post of your own! Don't forget to link back so we can create a fun community of new blog friends!

1) Why did you start blogging?

2) What is your favorite project that you have made since blogging, or what is your favorite blog post? Leave a link so we can check it out!

3) What is your favorite room in your home?

4) What is your favorite holiday? Why? Feel free to tell us about some of your traditions for that holiday.

5) If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

6) Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

7)  What is something you would like to learn to do really well?

8) What are some of your favorite books you've read lately?

9) What is your favorite thing to spend money on?

10) What are three of your favorite online shopping websites?

11) What inspires you?

Nominees, all you have to do now is make your own Liebster Award post in which you answer the above 11 questions, and pick some of your favorite bloggers to nominate as well. The only rule is to pick bloggers who have under 200 subscribers. Have fun!

Thank you so much Kylie for your nominating me, and thank you to all my followers for being so supportive. It really is what makes blogging that much more fun and inspires me to continue creating!

Burlap and Lace Hurricanes

After making thirty six thrifted hurricanes for my wedding centerpieces, I have vowed to use them as much as possible throughout the house as well.  So, with that being said, I have tried to incorporate them into all my holiday decorating. 

I don't know about you, but I am completely obsessed with the burlap and lace I have been seeing lately. If I was still in the midst of wedding planning, I would have burlap and lace everything! But since I'm not planning a wedding, I decided that it would be the perfect combination for my fall decor.  

I used some burlap I had on hand, purchased some lace, and used hot glue to hold everything together. 

Here is what the hurricanes looked like before (at the wedding):

And here is what they look like now:

This was so easy to do, only taking about 5 minutes per hurricane, and I think it looks great with all my other fall decor. AND the best part?... it's also neutral enough to use any time of year!

Is anyone else as burlap&lace obsessed as me?

Jute Monogram Wreath

My new fall wreath is finally hanging on the door! Remember my "M" from the wedding? (You can view it here). Instead of it sitting in our basement for another 1+ years, I reused it to make a jute monogram wreath! In our house, I decided we can never have to many "M"s, (on the walls, on the shelf, in frames) so the monogram wreath seemed fitting.

what you'll need:

paper mache letter, jute, ribbon, felt, hot glue gun

I started by spray painting my "M" white to make sure it's all the same color underneath. Then, I glued one end of the twine to the back of the letter.

I wrapped the jute vertically around both sides of the "M" to start.

Then, I added some extra jute pieces to all four sides of the inside section so the jute wouldn't slide when I wrapped it horizontally.

Then I wrapped the whole thing horizontally and completely covered it.

Once the letter was completely covered, I added some felt flowers and ribbon for decoration.

This project took me about two hours, and was great to do while watching the Big Bang Theory. I am so excited to finally get something hanging on our door! It's perfect for the fall, but can be hung any time of the year!

Is anyone else obsessed with their initials?

How To Reuse Candles

Does anyone else get frustrated when they get to the bottom of their candles and they just stop burning? Doesn't it seem like a complete waste of beautifully scented wax? Well, in honor of this beautiful fall weather, here is a way to reuse the wax or your favorite scents! Thrifty huh?

what you will need:

a pot, water, an old candle, birthday candles, and votive holders

I bought my votive holders for $1 each at Meijer and found a pack of 80 birthday candles at the Dollar Tree, which means this cost me just a little over a dollar per votive.

The first step is to boil a pot of water.

Next, throw an old candle into the pot and let it sit in there until all the wax is melted.

Once the wax is melted, pour it into the votive holder until near full. After the wax sits in the votive holder for a few minutes, insert a birthday candle into the center and let it cool.

It looks silly at first, but as soon as you burn it once, the birthday candle look goes away. Burn your new votive as you normally would, and enjoy your favorite scents even longer.

Happy Burning!

Stenciled Cabinets

I kind of nipped my fear of stenciling right in the butt on this project. This white cabinet has been sitting in my basement for-ev-ver. for-ev-ver. (Name that movie?) I also purchased a stencil and some paint months ago to get the ball rolling on this project, and then my fear of royally screwing up set in. FINALLY, I decided I had nothing to lose. I told myself to get over it and so I did. 

I like to think of this as my first step in transforming my den. It needs a lot of work, organization and otherwise, but every time I go to tackle it, I get frustrated and move on to something else. But now I am so excited about how this cabinet turned out, I want to make everything in my den just as pretty!

I purchased my stencil at Michael's, as part of the Martha Stewart collection, but I would recommend using a much bigger stencil if you decide to try this. Every imperfection on this cabinet is due to repositioning the stencil so often. I used a pouncer to apply the paint, and learned very quickly that less is more. If you think you aren't using enough paint, you are probably doing it right. I worked on this cabinet over the course of a few days, doing one side at a time. Overall, it probably took me about 4-5 hours to complete. 

And now that I finished the cabinet, I think the next step is to paint the den. Goodbye ugly green and Hello light grey!

Happy Stenciling!

My Etsy Shop Is Now OPEN!

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am so proud to announce that this weekend, I finally opened my Etsy shop, Melanie's Marketplace!

You can view my shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/MelaniesMarketplace

I am starting out by selling some of my favorite beaded utensils and wine charms as part of my Beads By Melanie: Jewelry for the Home collection. All of these items are perfect for this time of year! You can use them at dinner parties, holidays, tailgating, football parties, and more. They also make great gifts!

These are just a few of the items you will find in my shop. I really hope you take the time to check out Melanie's Marketplace on Etsy. 

Happy Shopping!

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