The Great (little) Pumpkin {five months old!}

October Teacher Appreciation Idea

My new "job" for the PTO is Teacher Appreciation. I'm so excited because this better fits my personality and talents. 

For October I bought hand sanitizer, candy corn and treat bags.

I printed off the free printable on orange cardstock and got the idea "Germs are Scary" from eighteen 25 blog, found HERE.

Then I filled each bag with candy and a tagged sanitizer....

And then tied them up with this cute free printable white cardstock tag from Over the Big Moon found HERE.

Cute and simple! No tricks just treats, thanks for all you do!

Happy October! {Chalkboard Art}

I feel just like Anne Shirley. I LOVE this time of year. Isn't it wonderful? I love when the sun still shines yet there is a coolness and crispness to the air. It reminds me of beautiful Saturday mornings growing up with my family raking leaves, going to my dad's hobby shows or my moms homemade mulled apple cider, Apple Hill or General Conference. Ahhhh, life is good.

Welcome Fall! {A touch of Autumn Decor 2013}

DIY Book Bundle, Similar ceramic pumpkin here

Pottery Barn look-alike Lanterns inspiration here

DIY chalkboard

Cake stand similar here

Sources
Front door wreath from Big Lots (years ago)
Wreath/sign stand and vinyl Harvest sign- local craft show
Wreath, thrifted
DIY 2x4 wood pumpkins
Flowers from Family Dollar
DIY Autumn burlap sign using twine, burlap, small wood clips, black paint
Gifted green ceramic vase
Branches from Hobby Lobby
Gifted Better Homes & Gardens ceramic pumpkin
Decor natural ball from IKEA
Gifted wood case
DIY vintage book bundle
Pottery Barn look-alike Malta lanterns from Ebay and Amazon
White pillar candles from Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel clearance
Lantern pumpkin spring from Wishing well and pumpkin candle from Pottery Barn clearance
Leather chairs from Overstock
Buffalo check pillow covers from Ebay
Black candlesticks thrifted
White candles from Walmart, red and yellow from Pottery Barn clearance, others thrifted or $ store.
Leaf garland from Dollar Tree (last year)
Faux pumpkins thrifted or craft store clearance or coupon
DIY chalkboard, pomegranite vase filler Target clearance, branches from Dollar Tree (this year)
DIY Autumn Leaves plaque
Potted fern Michaels after summer clearance (this year)
Acorn from Target clearance (a couple years ago)
Glass hurricanes gifted from Crate and Barrel years ago, Apothecary jar thrifted, glass fillers thrifted, Target or PB clearance, or Dollar Tree.
Cake stands gifted from Williams Sonoma.
French wire basket gifted from Bath and Body works years ago.
Pumpkin place card holders, Williams Sonoma clearance (2 years ago).

I love Target. Now I love it even more. {Do you know about the Target Redcard?}

This post is dedicated to my awesome S-I-L, Karen who let me in on a little not-so-secret secret that had I been paying attention the last several years, I would have figured this out already and made my life a lot easier.
SO, have you heard about the Target Redcard? I'm sure you've seen it everywhere online or at the store, but do you KNOW about it? You can apply for a target debit or credit card. I prefer the debit so you don't have to open another credit card. You can apply in store or online. I did it online, printed an application and mailed it in. A couple weeks later, voila! I have a cute little Redcard in my hot little hand. It entitles you to an extra 5% off your purchases and free shipping, NO minimum order. Sa-weet! THAT's what I'm talking about.
Anyway. You should check it out :)
(I was in no way paid for this post, It's all my opinion, and I just love Target :) )

Hair Makeover "selfies" & Curling Tips & Tricks

After having a baby, dealing with body changes and trying to lose baby weight, I was ready for a little change. I wanted my very dark brown hair to be more medium brown- like when I was younger, with some fun blonde summer highlights. I decided to take the plunge! It took me a couple weeks to get used to it, but I do like it (for now!). 

I have also been growing out my hair forever and have been wanting those great curls you see all over pinterest. I have tried every tutorial imaginable. My BFF was so awesome to take the time to do it for me after I had tried everything and I learned a few things. These curls stayed for several days! Before they would only stay a couple hours on the bottom. Keep reading to see what I found out!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Hot Curling Iron Tips & Tricks:

• I needed a hotter iron. Mine goes to 350'. We used one that goes to 400'-450'. We did it around 400' and I noticed a difference right away.
• My hair is in too GOOD of condition! She mentioned it might work better if my hair was dryer and more damaged! While I don't/won't let this happen, I realized on days I want to curl I should use NO conditioner. Along those same lines, it is important to make sure the hair is really clean, especially underneath where we don't scrub as well. Any extra product or dirt weighs it down and the curl won't stay.
• Use mouse and heat protectant about 5 minutes before you curl.
• Curl from the roots to the tip instead of the other way around, and kind of "pump" it through the strand. You can see tutorials for this, I had been doing this but then went back to the other way because it seemed to be faster and my curls weren't staying anyway. This was a good reminder.
• Hold the curl with a flat hand underneath as it sets and cools for a few seconds before moving on to the next one.
• Spray when you're done, not before you curl each strand. 
• Run fingers through and you can turn head over to mess it up a little for that more natural, loose look.

Back to School Journal Writing

Have you ever wanted to do journal writing or keep records for your kids but have a hard time doing it? Here is an easy method. I bought journals for each of my children to write in. I found this list on the internet a couple years ago and typed it up really quick (thus the spelling errors-sorry!) and printed it out to keep in their journals. Right before school starts we sit down and I ask them the questions, and fill in the answers. My oldest can write her own answers. Then I reflect and write a little entry about them. My idea was to write several times a year, like at Christmas and birthdays as well. The kids love it and enjoy looking at what their answers were the year before and how much they've grown an changed. It really does not take that much time at all, and it is something you will treasure forever!

Do you keep a journal? What works for you?