house divided

Today is the Iron Bowl!  War Eagle!

Growing up in Alabama you are basically required to choose between Alabama and Auburn.

Jake is an Alabama fan.  I am an Auburn fan. Don't worry, we are very civil about our chosen loyalties.

I have been busy lately working on necklace and headband orders, and most of those have been team colors.  What better way to show your team spirit than through accessories!

Auburn (I'm sort of biased to these)

Alabama (I have to admit, these are pretty cute too)

I hope my team can pull out another win! We are so close to going to the National Championship!

grateful

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day with family and friends.  Have fun, relax, eat a lot, and don't forget to be thankful.  We are so blessed!

1st anniversary

A year ago today...

I was walking down the aisle,

saying I DO,

 

enjoying the reception with friends and family,

waving goodbye, 

and about to have a wonderful honeymoon,

I can't believe it has been a year since I married the man of my dreams!  We have had such a wonderful first year of marriage. And I'm looking forward to many more!

Today we got to eat the top tier of our wedding cake. (I was so excited about this tradition!)

This is what it looked like on our wedding day...

and today. 

It tasted sooooo good! Not much different than a year ago!

homemade clay ornaments

It's really easy to make your own clay ornaments without spending a dime.

What you need:
-1 cup salt
-2 cups flour
-1 cup of really warm water
-cookie cutters or knife
-cookie sheet
-acrylic paint

What to do:
-Mix together salt and flour.
-Then slowly add in warm water.
-When it starts to thicken knead it on a floured surface.
-Roll it out and cut out shapes.  I used a butter knife, but cookie cutters work great too.
-Put them on a cookie sheet and bake at 250 for 3 hours.
-Once they have cooled you can start painting them!

These are fun to make with friends and family.  Why not make a party out of it?

my faux mantle

Since we don't have a real fireplace and mantle, I decided to set up a fake mantle for holiday decorations.  The cabinet in our living area worked perfectly.

This is my Thanksgiving/Fall faux mantle.

This was my inspiration for the pine cones.

via Sweet Paul

This hanging pine cone display was really simple to make.

 

 I used torn fabric, because I wanted a frayed natural look, but ribbon would look great too.

Just glue the fabric strips or ribbon to the top of the pine cone.  I used E6000, but hot glue or super glue would work too.  Make 7 of these and tie them together at varying lengths. 


Living in an apartment means I've had to learn to live with a few things.  Wood paneling, limited space, and loud neighbors, just to name a few.  However,  I know when I look back on my first year of marriage, I will only have good memories of our first home.

napkin ring ideas

Need napkin ring ideas for the holidays?  I've found a few that I think you'll love!
Budget friendly? Yep!

Buckled Napkin Rings

Buckles and ribbon! This one is my fav! Click here for the tutorial.

(Good Housekeeping)

 

Fabric Napkin Wraps

This tutorial shows you how to make this pretty napkin wrap using linen, fabric glue, ribbon, and grommets.  If you want to simplify it even more, try using old ties.  

(Better Home & Gardens)

Acorn Napkin Ties

Rustic glam.  Simple to make. Check it out here.

(Better Home & Gardens)

 Ribbon Napkin Rings

If you think this looks too complicated for you to make, think again.  Martha will show you how in a few easy steps. 

(MarthaStewart.com)

Victorian Napkin Rings

You can buy these at Pottery Barn or you could go to the thrift store and try to make these yourself.  Cheap silverware is pretty easy to bend.

(Pottery Barn)

Flatware Holder

I found this idea in the Sweet Paul online mag.  Use a bundle of string to hold the flatware.  This can also double as a name card, just attach the card with a pin. So cute and unique.

(Sweet Paul Mag)

Hope this helps!

card display

Christmas cards can make wonderful holiday decorations if displayed creatively. Here are some unique ideas to display those pretty cards...

This is a Pottery Barn card holder that costs $200! Forget that! Use an old frame, wire, and clips and you will have a way cheaper version that looks just as cute.

A mattress spring hanging on the wall is a unique way to display all your lovely cards.  I love this idea!

(the lettered cottage)

An antique mattress spring would also look great.

(VT Interiors)

This is another great D.I.Y. idea.  Weave ribbon on a blank canvas. Simple.

 Use a curtain wire and clips to display all those special cards. Ikea has one for only $15!  It's also a great way to display your child's artwork, like they did in the image above.

(ohdeedoh)

 Another great way to display artwork your kids have created, but it could also be a good way to display your Christmas cards.  Hang a curtain rod on the wall and use curtain ring clips to hang the cards.

(fluff, frills, and trucks)

 Randomly crisscross ribbon across an empty large frame, and you won't even need clips.

 This is a Thanksgiving idea from Tatertots & Jello.  Use twine and an empty frame to fashionably display what you are thankful for.  This would also be a great way to display your Christmas cards. Check out the tutorial here.

 Cover cork board with a neutral fabric, frame it with an elaborate pretty frame, and pin up those pretty cards.

 Chicken wire+ empty frame= perfect place to clip cards

(jennifer rizzo)

 Chicken wire over a mirror makes it even more cute!

Why not jazz up those clothespins with glitter or scrapbook paper!

The best part about these ideas is that you can leave them up year round.  Just replace the Christmas cards with photos or artwork.

(sorry I don't have sources for all the images)

gifted

Gifted is a new online holiday mag filled with wonderful tips, D.I.Y.s, gift ideas, free downloads, gift wrapping how-tos, holiday fashion, Christmas decor, and much more.  You must check it out!

love it.


(photos via giftedmag.com)