IKEA Hook Up!

Just been to Ikea...

got lots of great deals...

sneak peek of my Christmas color scheme...

Clock to Cloche-Take Two

Remember this sad ending to my last clock to cloche project? If not, well it ended in pieces on the kitchen floor.

I kept my eyes peeled for another clock and found this one at Good Will.

This time I spray painted the base black.

Mr Owl enjoyed his new perch during the Halloween season but now it's got some new inhabitants.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope you are enjoying your day with friends and family whether you're celebrating Thanksgiving or not.

See who's hanging out in my cloche now (Mickey and Minnie salt and pepper shakers).

Peppermint Dreams

I've been on such a peppermint kick lately..add in some chocolate..even better!  I found this stuff last year for my daughter's gingerbread house party and my kids love it.  I looked for it again but it must be a seasonal item so when I saw it last week, I scooped up too.  Really yummy warmed up like cocoa.

Be still my heart!  Trader Joe's makes a similar version with their Joe's O's during the holiday season (and they're probably better for you). These are addictive!

Older daughter is liking these Luna bars.

This is Trader Joe's version of Candy Cane Lane tea and it tastes as good if not better than the Celestial Seasons brand.  Look at that cute polar bear on the box!

Last year we whipped up a bunch of peppermint treats.

We always makes these chocolate mint brownies from Family Fun magazine.

source

Sometimes we tint the filling pink and sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for Christmas.

What flavors are you digging lately?

Linking up with:

Twelve Days of Christmas - Traditions

More gorgeous blooms

Here's my other Christmas cactus.  I'm just so in love with these flowers.  These are creamy white with a touch of pink.

I think I'm going to have to re-pot them both soon. If you'd like to see the other Christmas cactus, click here.

{Recipe} Pumpkin Pie Martini

We hosted a little harvest time cocktail party the other night and these were a big hit.  I first saw the recipe here and it's Rachael Ray's (thanks Kathy!) The only addition I made was adding some pumpkin butter (from another pumpkin martini recipe).

Fill a shaker jar half way up with ice.

Add 2 oz of vanilla vodka, 2 ounces of cream de cacoa, a spoonful of pumpkin butter, a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice and a splash of half and half. Shake it up and strain it into two martini glasses. Garnish with some whipped cream, nutmeg and a cinnamon stick. 

This would be great for your Thanksgiving feast!

Linking up with:

Annual Pumpkin Parade Party

Falling into Fashion

Some more of my kids' fall fashions...

skirt and shirt: Forever 21

tank: her closet

flats: Steve Madden

sweater & purse: hand me downs from awesome cousin

tank: P.S. Aeropostale

skinny jeans: Justice

flats: Lands End

denim skirt & shirt: Forever 21

belt: I think it used to be mine

boots: Hunter

tank, skort & leggings: Children's Place

denim shirt: hand me down from sister, worn by cousin, purchased at Thrift Store "Limited Too" brand

boots: hand me down from cousin

hat & scarf: Mini boden

coat: Mini Boden

boots: Ugg

tunic top: Gap kids

legwarmers: Little Miss matched

scarf: birthday gift

leggings: Justice

belt: hand me down

This photo is from last year but she still wears it.

jumper: made by her grandmother (who also made our fabulous deck cushion covers)

t-shirt and leggings: Children's Place

boots: Uggs

Getting her class ring.

dress: BCBGeneration

shoes: Jessica Simpson

This was one of her Halloween costumes but she could still wear it out.

skirt: Forever 21

shirt: H & M

necklace: vintage Reed and Barton Christmas ornament

skirt: Lucky Brand

leggings: H & M

shirt, belt and boots (see above)

{Remembering} Gingerbread House Party

Last year we hosted a gingerbread house party for my daughter and her friends.  We cheated a little and pre-made the houses out of graham crackers (much easier than gingerbread!)

The party happened to fall on Baby Nick's birthday so of course she made him a birthday hat and he had on his cozy sweater.  She's pointing out her Christmas tree earrings.

The girls cut paper snowflakes when they first arrived.

The table all set and ready for them to decorate the houses. I gave them each their own bowl of royal icing and a plastic knife.  We had all kinds of candy, mini marshmallows and gingerbread people.

They got very creative!

After serving lunch we had a hot chocolate bar.

We also did a pollyanna gift exchange.  This was a really fun and easy party!

Can we do it again this year Mom?

Linking up with:

Create & Inspire

More Thrifting...

Looks like I've only had eyes for creamy white pieces lately.  And my second piece of Ironstone....one more and I've got a collection! See my first piece here.

I also found this stoneware colander back in the summer. 

It looks pretty on the counter full of freshly washed berries or grapes.

I think it was a Target brand.  Tarjay or not, it still says Made In Italy...maybe it's Fra-gee-lay!

What movie is that from?

Surprise Blooms-Christmas Cactus

I totally forgot about my two Christmas cacti (gifts for my daughter and me from the school librarian for our volunteer work last Christmas).  I've just watered it and let it be.  Houseplants don't always fare so well in my house. I put this one outside for the summer and then recently I noticed some buds on it!

  I brought it inside and was rewarded with these gorgeous blooms! 

It's even prettier than last year.

 In November!! 

The other one has started to bud as well.  What do you know?  Was it just beginners dumb luck or did I actually do something right?