Classic Christmas Wreath Pottery Barn- Inspired

 

   I am so excited that the Holiday season has finally arrived! I just love decorating for Christmas! Today, I have a very easy, traditional wreath to share with you.

This is actually a tutorial I shared with you guys a few years back, but since it’s one of my favorites I wanted to share it again!

 

  Last night, I was able to make this in well under an hour and I didn't have to go out and spend any money buying things to make it. I already had everything I needed.

Materials I used:
18 inch grapevine wreath
green garland
ornaments
glittery picks
hot glue gun

    First, I wrapped the garland around the wreath. I just tucked the ends into the wreath. It is ok if your grapevine wreath is visible through the garland in some spots. I actually found that it is better this way.

Next, glue the ornaments into the bare spots. I started with my bigger red ornaments, then added some tiny red balls. 

  Then, I added these pretty glittery picks. I cut the long stem off all but a couple of inches and just stuck them randomly around the wreath. I used red and bright green.
I thought the wreath might still need a little something more so I added a few apple green glittery ornaments.

That is all there was to it! I hope you like my new Christmas wreath and feel inspired to make one for your own home! 

He's a Chainbreaker

Hi friends! I apologize for being so absent from the blog. That will change soon! Today is Sunday. It has been a beautiful fall day here in Alabama. What did your day consist of? Hopefully you were about to get some rest. I woke up and watched a Hallmark movie (I am addicted, y’all), went for a run, went to a lovely little church service this morning and sat with my sweet momma and daddy and we had Mexican food after church…. While listening to music this afternoon I heard this song and God really laid it on my heart to share it with YOU guys! These are some powerful lyrics and I tell you what, I know from personal experience, every single word is true! Jesus will CHANGE. YOUR. LIFE. It doesn’t matter what you have done, how bad your circumstances seem, God can turn it all around. He loves you, each and every one of you, so very much.

Source Unknown

 

Berry Punch Bowl Parfait Trifle

 

 

Hi everyone!

How in the world ARE you guys?! Hope you’re all doing well. Today I’m sharing what has become one of my favorite desserts to whip up. Especially on these hot days like we have been having here in Alabama.
Its SO easy and SO delicious!
Soooo here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
Angel Food Cake cut into approximately 1 inch cubes
Strawberries rinsed and sliced (2 pints)
Blueberries (Large container)
Cool Whip (Large Container)
Strawberry Glaze
Large Punch Bowl


Ok, so here’s all you have to do…

Just basically layer the ingredients in your pretty punch bowl in this order: 
Using a knife cut your Angel Food Cake into cubes. Place one layer in bottom of punch bowl.  Then add a layer of blueberries and strawberries. On top of your berries add strawberry glaze. Spread a good inch or so of Cool Whip on top. Continue layering in this order until you have reached the top of the bowl. I like to save  some berries to add to the top to make it look pretty.   There ya have it… that is ALL there is to it!! I told you it was easy!   Just refrigerate for a few hours and serve!

Hope you all enjoy this as much as I do!
Here are some photos of the recipe process…

 

Chevron and "Mercury Glass" Lamp Makeover {Favorite Post From The Past}

 

Hi y'all! Today I am going WAY back to 2012 and sharing my favorite DIY project ever posted at Homemaker in Heels!

 

  

  One of my favorite things to do is take old lamps and make them beautiful again. I was given this old, and not so pretty, lamp a little while back... {People seem to give me things like this all the time now...} Well, I could have tossed it or given it to Goodwill, but I knew this baby had potential.
  A few months ago I bought a can of Krylon Looking Glass Spray Paint. I knew I wanted to use it to make a "mercury glass" lamp like the ones I've seen at Pottery Barn and Ballard Designs, I just had to decide how I wanted the shade to look... Then, I remembered having this dusty blue chevron fabric leftover from some pillows I made a while back... Perfect? Oh, yes... Perfect, indeed. :)


So, here are the exact materials I used:

• Lamp
• Krylon Looking Glass Spray Paint
• Blue Chevron Fabric ~ about .5 yd (Exact amount depends on the size of your shade. Just measure the shade and add at least 3 inches to the length and 4 inches to the width to see how much fabric you need)
• High Temp Hot Glue Gun with glue sticks
• Scissors
• Iron

Soo, here is the original lamp... Yeah, I know. Not too pretty, right? Loads of potential, though...

  First, I used a damp cloth to clean the entire base of the lamp, then dried it. Next, I took a plastic bag and wrapped around the top since I didn't need to paint that part. I just used blue painters tape to secure it. I also wrapped tape around the power cord. You can also use masking tape for this.

  Now for the fun part. I used Krylon Looking Glass Spray Paint and applied 3 VERY thin coats in a horizontal motion. Seriously, I mean, like, extremely thin coats. I waited about 1 minute between each coat for the paint to evaporate. This will make sense once you use this type of paint. You can literally see the paint evaporate. 

That's all I did to the base... and just waited for the paint to dry, which didn't take long at all.

**FYI~ I know this paint is a little more expensive than typical spray paint, but it is well worth it. Don't just buy silver or chrome paint and expect to see the same results. One can was enough for 2 lamps. The other lamp, I will share soon. :)

  Now for the shade... This part should be fairly simple if you're using a drum shape. A drum shade is one that has the same circumference throughout. (the top and bottom are the same size ;))

First, I peeled the cruddy old trim off the shade... I was lucky that it came off with no problem. :)

  Next, I basically wrapped the fabric around the shade to see how much I would need. I added a couple of inches at the top and bottom, and about 3 inches to the length...

  Before actually gluing the fabric to the shade, I did a little trial run, so to speak... I just used clips and attached the fabric to make sure my length, width, etc. looked ok...

  Then, I ironed the fabric really well and attached it to the lampshade using my handy, dandy little hot glue gun... A high temp glue gun works much better for this... You don't want to take a chance of the glue drying too fast and having lumps on your pretty "new" lampshade.

  Starting at the side of the shade that already had a seam, I put one long strip of glue and secured that end of the fabric.

   I, then, started wrapping the fabric and gluing as I went... I personally found it much easier to glue the outside of the top first, then fold the fabric over and glue to the inside of the top. Be sure to pull your fabric very tightly and keep it straight as you do this step. You don't want any creases or wrinkles.

  I hemmed the overlapping end of the fabric using my glue gun (or you can sew it, that's just up to you). I finished attaching this end by overlapping and gluing on the same side I started. I just used one long strip of glue. Lastly, I folded the bottom fabric under and glued it the same way I did the top.

  It may seem like several steps, but, trust me... this is a very simple project. I think it took me less than 45 minutes, total.

  Soo... The next time you're about to throw a pitiful looking lamp to the curb or pass one up at a yard sale, I hope you'll remember this little lamp and choose to give it a little makeover, instead!

   All my years of DIYing, lamps are my favorite! It is so easy to find a cheap lamp and fancy it up! What is your favorite type of crafty/DIY project?

Ground Turkey Patties with Bell Pepper {Make-Ahead Meal Prep}

  Hey y'alllll! Hope Cupid was sweet to you on Valentines Day! Today I am sharing a simple little meal prep idea that I like to do a LOT! It makes it so much easier to eat healthy throughout the week by just taking one of these little ground turkey patties out of the frig and pairing in with a sweet potato or some steamed veggies!

 

Ingredients:

• Ground turkey (Butterball is the only brand I care for, personally)

 

• Diced Bell Pepper (You can also throw in some red and yellow bell peppers, onions, mushrooms... whatever your little heart desires ;)

 

• Worchester sauce or Dales sauce to taste (not pictured)

 

• Olive Oil and/or nonstick cooking spray

 

• Garlic and herb seasoning

 

  Just follow the photo instructions below and cook over medium heat until done... about 10-15 minutes for me. I like to refrigerate mine and eat them all week long. Sometimes I freeze them, also, and just pull one out as needed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, tell me..... What are YOUR favorite super-easy meal prep ideas? I am all ABOUT some easy meal ideas and would love to hear them!

 

Hope y'all have a fantastic evening!

 

XOXO!

 

 

 

My New Favorite Glasses {Firmoo Review}

Hey y'all!  I got some cool new glasses I wanted to show you! I'm pretty excited about this new pair I ordered from Firmoo the other day. 

 

 

    This is the third pair of glasses I have ordered from Firmoo and I have been so pleased with this company and the quality of the eyeglasses they sell. 
    Firmoo offers high quality prescription (or non-prescription) eyeglasses starting at around $8 a pair. It is very easy to find a pair that will look great on your face by virtually trying on as many pairs as you need to. You upload a photo of yourself to their website. You just have to have been to the eye doctor recently and have an up to date prescription.
  This is my favorite pair yet! I love the size of the frames! What do you think?

Follow Firmoo Online Optical on Facebook here to stay up to date with their newest products and specials they have!

  Here are  the 2 other pairs of glasses I have ordered from Firmoo that I still absolutely adore and wear all the time!

 



 

 

 

 



  Follow Firmoo Online Optical on Facebook here along with over 500, 000 other fans to stay up to date with their newest products and specials they have!

Have a fantastic day!!!

(All opinions are my own)

Easy Homemade {Powdered} Laundry Detergent

   Happy Monday, y'all! I don't know about you guys, but this new year has me wanting to clean out closets and save money! With all of this purging, I have been doing a ton of laundry!
 
  Today I am sharing with you this super easy recipe for homemade laundry detergent. It takes less than 10 minutes to make it and it works SO well! For the price of one container of store-bought detergent, you can make several batches of homemade!


Here's what you need:
1 cup Borax (about $4)
1 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda ($3)
1 bar of soap- ($1) I used Fels-Naptha, which is made for laundry stains, but you cause any regular bar of soap (Dove, Ivory, etc.)

Grate your bar of soap. Any grater will do, I just grabbed the first one I happened to come across, which was this box grater.

 

Then add the Borax and Washing soda. 

Stir it all together for about 5 minutes or until is has the consistency shown in the photo below...

 There you have it! Enough laundry soap to do 64 loads! I put mine in this pretty vintage canister. I caught my mother adding this to her yard sale items a little while back! I just love it and can't believe she was going to get rid of it! 

  Just use 1 tablespoon per load, 2 for a heavily soiled load. I have been using it for several days now and LOVE it! I was afraid it would be harsh for sensitive skin, but it is perfect! I am going to make another batch soon, so that my canister will be full. I may even add some essential oils! Have you ever tried making your own laundry detergent? If not, I hope you will now! Lord knows I have lots of other things I would rather spend all the money I will be saving on! Have a wonderful day!