i {heart} bulbs

i love BIG ornaments. love them. so when i found these at the DI for only 50 cents each i couldn't resist. and although, they look pretty sad, their potential was GREAT!

so i spray painted them silver and hung them to dry. (as you can see i ACCIDENTLY got some spray paint on the camers lens....oh him is going to kill me! shhhhh)

and lastly, shoved them in the tree.

I {HEART} BULBS!

good ol' Pottery Barn

ok. so i guess there is something you should now about me. i LOVE pottery barn. LOVE it. i am certain the my celestial life will be in a pottery barn! i dream about it, i browse it, i shop their bargains, and i KNOW that someday, somehow....my home will be surrounded with Pottery Barn decor and furniture. until then, i copy them the best i can on my $0.00 budget! check out some of my most favorite copying skills.....

this wreath. so cute. love the simplicity and it just happens to be the colors of my christmas decor (maybe because i copyed that too!)

and here is my version....

i realize PB did better. BUT! in my defense mine was $99.00 + shipping and handling cheaper!!

pretty good, eh? i added this ribbon i had laying around. but i think i like it! what do you think?

now, this next one i planned on doing exactly like this. real cranberries (if you want to decorate with real cranberries, go ahead. they last for about 30 days and smell yummy!), square vases...the whole nine yard.

but then i saw this....

and i liked the triffle bowl idea.

but then i saw this.....

and i liked the ornament idea.

so i came up with this........

what do ya think?

keep it up Oprah!

Oprah is giving away a great holiday CD. she has compiled eight of her favorite christmas songs from eight of her favorite singers. you can download it for FREE. that's right FREE!! and then you can burn as many as you want. check out her website, http://www.oprah.com/ and click on her 'thriftiest christmas ever' tab! enjoy!!

it's official!

Thanksgiving is over, and you can now officially decorate for Chirstmas!!

here's some inspiration....

who doesn't LOVE the DI?

so i ventured out to the DI the other day. {love that store!} i found some spunky fabric. it had the original tag on it, and would have been $14.99/yd. fortunately for me i paid $3.00 for the first yard and $0.00 for the yards to follow...that's right, all three yards for $3.00! i couldn't pass it up even though i had no idea what i would do with it!

well, i got an idea to lighten up our home office. before today, the curtains were dark brown, and the black desk, book case, and shelf were weighing this room down.

so, after sewing a few straight lines......

i had new curtains and a better and brighter office!

GOOD FIND!

i found this cute lantern at TJMaxx for $4.00! i thought it was pretty cute and somewhat reminded me of the pottery barn lanterns that sell for $39.99. at the store i was sure i would use it at christmas time full of berries or a candle, but when i got home a realized i had some left over fall decor and shoved it in here....what do ya think? good buy?

pies, pies, pies!

this year i'm in charge of the pies. the most important food, next to the turkey of course! i'm so excited, i started researching how to make it scrumptous, and decided to share these tips with you. i'll let you know how it turns out!

can't stop thinkin' of thanksgivin' feastin'....

what's thanksgiving without some yummy mashed potatoes???...Nothing!! this is the best recipe i've found as of yet, sure to impress whomever may be your guest!

Ingredients:

Serves 8
2 large heads garlic
1 teaspoon olive oil
4 pounds all-purpose Maine potatoes, peeled and quartered (Idaho spuds work just fine - me)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups heavy cream (Me speaking: the heavy cream and butter make all the difference, try not to think of the fat and just think of impressing the guests with it's amazing taste!!)

Directions

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Slice tops 1/4-inch off garlic heads, and discard. Coat heads with olive oil, and wrap heads in aluminum foil. Bake until tender and golden, about 45 minutes. Remove from oven, and let stand until cool enough to handle. Carefully peel garlic cloves; set aside.

Place potatoes in a large stockpot, cover with cold salted water, and bring to a boil. Cook until very tender, about 12 minutes. Drain in a colander, and pass through a potato ricer or food mill over a large bowl.

Heat butter and cream in a saucepan until butter has melted and cream is hot. Pour over riced potatoes, season with salt and pepper, and stir well to combine. Gently stir in the roasted garlic cloves; serve. *

*recipe from martha stewart (but of course when you take it to thanksgiving....no one needs to know that!

if only we were all as rich as Oprah...

Oprah Winfrey is giving away a FREE snapfish 8x11 photo book. all you pay is the shipping and handling for $6.99. this is a screaming deal from the original $29.99 + $6.99(for shipping!) people....jump on this! it only takes a couple minutes to upload your pictures and design your book! have fun!