Halloween?...!

I'm not sure how many other places do this (I'd never seen it until I moved back to PA), but around here, Halloween is scheduled. Our Trick-Or-Treat Night was last Thursday so I was a little thrown off by all the creepy themed shows and Bings home page. I totally forgot today was Halloween. I did have big plans to decorate but never got around to it this year (which just gives me more fuel for Christmas decorating!). But next year, and every year after that, I have some pretty cute ideas to get in the Halloween/Fall spirit. Here are my inspirations.

A different take on the traditional orange and black color scheme.

Can't go wrong with branch lights, baby pumpkins and galvanized anything.

 I really like baby pumpkins. :) And branches! Such an inexpensive free way to bring the outdoors in.

 Wreath made of colored burlap and an attractive bow. I really planned on making one of these this year...

Beautiful mirrors topped off with gorgeous mini wreaths to add seasonal flare to any space.

 I really need to find a sideboard/ old dresser to redo for the entry way so I can do cute stuff like this!

 Now this I actually plan on doing today or tomorrow. I have a $3 grapevine wreath and $5 garland to wrap around it. I'd say that beats those $30-40 wreaths you can buy pre-made. (And it gives me something to do!)

We didn't get a chance to carve any pumpkins this year, but this is such a classy version! Gotta love that Martha Stewart.

HAPPY

via tumblr

{All images via Pinterest}

Dress the part.

So I know I've preached about cleaning out my closet and getting a whole new wardrobe before, like a while ago. Well, when I was on one of my (rare) cleaning/organizing/purging kicks recently, I went through my clothes and filled up a (as in only one) large shopping bag of clothes I'd like to get rid of. Then I proceeded to fill (to the point of almost toppling over) my new clothes rack, thanks to our lack of closets. I haven't worn half of that stuff in months, some a few years. Why do I feel the need to hang on to that crap? I think because they remind me of things in my past. Like friends I've lost touch with, days I could re-live over and over, and things I just don't do anymore.
It's time to grow up, and move on. While I loved those days (and hated others), I need to let go. I need to dress the part. I want to be a successful, independent woman. Someone who can take care of herself, and others. Someone who radiates confidence, and therefore, beauty. I want to contribute something, and make a difference, not just blend in anymore. I want to juggle a million and one things, well, and never give up or break down. I want to be motivated every day (or almost everyday) to go out, do or see or experience something new. I want to be healthy and energized. I want to be an inspiration, not forgotten. I want to be proud of myself. I want to be good.
I feel that the first step, besides getting my head in the right place (which seems like it's pretty close) is to get rid of my inhibitions and things that are holding me back. While I don't have a whole lot of control of a lot of things right now, one thing I can control is how others see me. And most importantly, how I see myself.
I have been thinking about this for a couple days now, and I can't shake the feeling-not that I've really tried. I just kind of expected it to go away, like all of the other times I thought I was ready. Which makes me think it's not going to go away. Until I do something about it. And while it scares the you-know-what outta me, it's crazy exciting. I think I'm ready for a major change. Someone is telling me that it's time. Doors are going to open when I start allowing myself to get through the fear keeping them closed.  The next free hour or so I can find, I am getting rid of the majority of my clothes and making room for the new, continuously growing, and inspired me.
Here are my current inspirations.

{All images via my Pinterest, which helped spark my new found epitome.}

And PS- yes; this includes finally finding and sticking to a workout plan... it's gonna be a busy winter.

Clean house

You would think not being in school would free up a lot of my time, and allow me to keep up with organizing and cleaning the house. Not only have I not gotten into a cleaning routine, there are things that haven't even been unpacked yet. And being the Type A personality that I am, it's giving me an eye twitch. But most of the time, even my eye can't muster up enough motivation to make me want to clean after working until midnight 6 days a week. Instead, I sleep in, catch up on my DVR'd shows, then tidy up enough to keep me sane, and I get ready for work. The vicious cycle continues over, and over, and over.

pinterest

Luckily, the resort closes a week from today. And I honestly cannot wait to put on my sweats, pull my hair up and get cleaning! I found an amazing series of checklist's from Martha Stewart a few weeks ago and printed them out to attempt to keep up with every day, week, month, season, etc. They cover every aspect of your home and includes things like preparing for winter and summer, maintaining the refrigerator, freezer, closet, and so on.

 {Images via}

Of course, I'll have more time to do so once I'm not working as much this winter, but I'm hoping to get in a routine (like my mom's "Thursday" cleaning days growing up) so that when spring rolls around and it's time to get back to work, it'll be as natural as sleeping and eating. Needless to say, I can't wait.

Happy Cleaning!

Fall boots

So it's been getting a little chilly around here! And in response (and preparation), I bought myself some shoes from Target, which I usually don't do. I've really never even been that into shoes. But they were an amazing deal and the shipping wasn't terrible so I couldn't pass them up. Especially since, even though this is my third year in Pennsylvania, I still do not have weather-appropriate shoes for all four seasons.
Here's are my inspirations for the purchase (that I couldn't be happier with!)

These were only $19 and are perfect to wear to work these next couple of weeks as the season comes to an end and weather keeps getting colder.

Now these are not something I would normally wear but I was really drawn to the rustic and classic look. Which lead me to make a purchase I've often thought about but never had the guts to do.

 

These are, by far, my favorite shoes. I wear them with anything and everything, even sweatshirts and hoodies. They are the most comfortable pair of shoes I've ever had. I should've known- my Memphis-born mother was been trying to get me to buy some since I could wear shoes. Well, I love 'em yall! They look darling under jeans but can also be worn over skinnier jeans, or with shorts. And they were a whole $15.

Now I didn't get any of the knee-high boots, I think I'd better try them on first, so I decided not to get my first pair of those online. I'm still on the hunt... and I had to share these fall boots, and the outfits!

They're just too cute.

{All images via my style board on Pinterest}

Love, really, is all you need.

There have been several factors in my life frequently leading to migraines, eye twitches and an overall sour attitude (and more than a few tears) lately. In the midst of all of these things, I have also not been able to see my boyfriend nearly as much as I would like/need to due to our work schedules. Luckily, he had the day off yesterday and I didn't have to go into work until the evening and we both have today off. So we got to spend a relaxing morning and productive afternoon together and we get all day today.
This was a lovely reminder that amongst all the bologna and drama and stress, all we really need to get through it is each other and our love for one another. We are learning to appreciate the precious time we have, and instead of arguing about trivial things, we focus on laughing, holding and just being together.
I didn't realize this alone- I had some help and guidance, as I always do. I have quite the support system. With the love of my life, my beautifully strong best friend, my more than amazing family and God behind me, there truly is not anything I cannot get through.

{Images via my Pinterest}

I needed this reminder and it came just in time. 

And I thought I'd share it with y'all. 

Hope you're having an amazing week. 

Happy Hump Day!

Pallets

I'm finding that making your own furniture, decorations, wall art, etc. is can be waaay cheaper than paying someone else to do it. And it's much more satisfying. Being that the season at the lake is winding down and the weather is turning colder, I have a few larger projects that might have to be finished outside done as soon as possible. The majority of them involve pallets.
This is where dating a farmers son comes in handy. (This actually comes in handy a lot- we went creeping around the barn and found amazing old windows to use for a table or just to hang on the wall. Gorg.). We were driving down the dirt lane the other day and stopped to get some branches for my newest addition to the living room (pics soon-promise) and went exploring into their graveyard of old fence posts, retired farm equipment and leftover pallets. Sooo many pallets. I'm beyond excited to get the boyfriend to help me with some of these projects, especially the headboard! I'm thinking we (and by we, I mean the boyfriend, who is way better at using power tools and a saw than me) could easily make a footboard too and finally have a real, beautiful bed. (And now I have to find something to use those old fence posts for! I'll have to look to my Picker Sisters for inspiration.)

 

This is a more obvious use of pallets. We don't really have room for anything like this now, but I still love it.

This could be altered to make a coffee or dining room table. And it supposedly only cost $2. Can't beat it!

Love this island in the kitchen. Perfect height and more than enough room to utilize as a table as well, not just an additional counter top. Could be painted to match any room.

I just adore this. Anything with mason jars and weathered wood. Not to mention that amazing sunset in the background. *Sigh*

Great idea for a more organized coffee table. What a neat table top too! Endless possibilities!

And my most favorit-ist piece of all! I've looked at hundreds of headboards and none of them made my heart skip a beat like this one. So easy, but so simply beautiful.

{All images via the home section of my Pinterest}

What we've been up to...

So the best friend's visit was amazing. It was wonderful to get to spend some much needed time with her. We had a blast, laughed a lot, and ate just about as much. She reminded me of who I really am, which I cannot thank her enough for.
After she left, I realized I had to fill my new free time with something so I've been getting some little projects done around the house. And have about a million more planned to shop for in a couple days. I'm super excited. But I thought I'd give y'all a glimpse at what I was able to accomplish this week.
Get excited for bigger projects! PS- This is my 100th post (!)

I got these darling things from a junk store in a neighboring town- this big one was $1.25, the small one $0.65. And the bottle is from SOB's antiques in New Mexico- it says my last name and was a quarter. Love.

(Ooh, and peek at out new wall color! I can't get enough of it)

Made a fall arrangement, got the bottles for $0.25 each and the basket was a whopping $2 at the same junk store around here. I have no idea what to put in it but I couldn't pass up that deal.

The sea grass basket was $1. That's my grandpa in the picture, and the vase had flowers in it that my boyfriend got my for Valentine's day.

This one might be my favorite. The chairs were on clearance for $10 a piece, the barrel was $10 and the lantern was in a dollar bin at another great store in that neighboring town. 

And best of all, all of these thing were purchased with my best friend and I am pleasantly reminded of her and our visit when I see them. :)

Best Friend

So I'll begin by apologizing for once again, leaving you hanging. But I do have a pretty good excuses. I've been using my free time (which is very precious these days) to get things done around the house in preperation for my best friend's visit next week (!). We finished the porch railing, and actually extended it, got some outdoor chairs so we can enjoy what's left of this cool weather, painted both bathrooms, fixed the hole in the laundry room ceiling from the leak, cut our box spring in half in order to get it into the bedroom and put it back together so we have a semi-real bed now, which is more or less the box spring and the mattress on the floor. But now Best Friend will have an air mattress for her stay. There's about a gazillion other things I'd like to get done before she gets here, but I know it won't. And that's okay! I'd much rather forget about all those things, and a lot of other things, and focus on spending time with her, who I cannot believe I haven't seen in 3 years. WAY too long. I'm sure we won't let that happen again. So if I don't post much of anything the rest of the week, and most of next week, it is simply because I'll be enjoying her company and that is all. And I can't wait. <3

Have a great weekend!

Nails, again.

So this summer I found that I don't really care for naked nails anymore. I very rarely had the time or patience to sit down on a weekly basis and paint my nails. And when I did, it was before bed and I woke up with waffle-fingers instead of cute nails. But since I've graduated, I've been able to find some more time to indulge. And I like having them look nice for my job as well; a lot of people see my hands all day long handing out passes, giving directions on the map, etc. And being a walking commercial for Avon nail polish isn't a bad gig either. :) I have some time before work today to give myself a nice manicure, and on this rainy day, I have a few ideas that may take a little longer. I can't wait to try some of these with a certain beautician-in-training!

Love the colors and patterns! I could never pull off the flowers, but the stripes, maybe!

Cut masking tape with decorative scissors and place on nails for different and super cute pattern!

I would stick to one color but I like the teeny polka dots.

The pink, the glitter, the ring-finger trend... and the ice cream.

{All images via}

Have a great Thursday!

Wine

Since taking a wine class in college, my boyfriend and I have become avid wine drinkers. We were trying different vineyards and vintages every other week when we lived in Indiana. But we have yet to get a bottle of wine in our new house. Some days, I'd like to curl up on the couch with him and a nice big glass of wine and just forget about everything-work, time (or lack there of), all of the "projects" I have to do, work for the house we've yet to finish, people, places, etc. Our local wine and spirits store has the most random hours I've ever seen and their selection is a fraction of the varieties we had access to at IUP. But one of these days, we'll have to take a minute to go up the street and invest in one of our more enjoyable and relaxing hobbies.

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I could use all of these things- wine, candles, and the puppy.

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Wine bottles and displays make wine one of my favorite things to shop for.

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Love pairing food with wine too; this was my strongest area of the class. ;)

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Love, love, love. And want, want, want.

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I adore this look, even though the glasses are empty.

PS- I experienced my first earthquake while at work today...

And I'd be fine if I never get to have that experience again! Glad everyone involved is safe and sound.

Office

Since becoming an Avon representative, I've come to find that the coffee table isn't much of a work space. We have a pantry/laundry room/potential office space that I'm dying to set up. Being that today is my day off, I wish I could run around and get everything I need and just go crazy and have the whole thing finished by tonight. But that's never gonna happen. So instead, I'll share my plans for the space. And then get back to cleaning. Boo.

{All images via}