Halloween Sparkle

I needed a little more sparkle for my mantel, so I ran into Scrooge and Marley's and found these great sparkle orange pics.  They also had one in orange and black.  I bought both!

It added just that extra "umph" that I needed.

Halloween Ribbon

Rod Works is a great place to find ribbon by the yard for a great price.  I was putting out my Halloween decor last week and needed some coordinating ribbon for my topiaries.  I bought this polka dot in orange and purple for $1 yard.  I love my topiaries and didn't want to take them down, so I added the ribbon and loved the outcome.  It is a simple thing that took them from day to day to Halloween decor.

Saturday morning breakfast

Our Best Bites has the most delicious syrup recipe in their cookbook (I have friends who make it too and love it!)  It's a lot like Magleby's Fresh syrup if you've ever eaten breakfast there (which I recommend...it's delicious!)  You can visit their site here for it, or I've included it below.  Lisa posted the best waffle and pancake recipes awhile back here.  Sounds like a great Saturday morning breakfast to me!

Buttermilk Caramel Syrup

Courtesy of Our Best Bites

3/4 cups buttermilk

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup butter

2 tablespoons corn syrup

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine buttermilk, sugar, butter, corn syrup and baking soda in a 4-quart pan.

Bring mixture to a boil and reduce to low...just make sure it's still bubbling.  Cook, stirring frequently, for 7-9 minutes or until the syrup reaches golden brown.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Abbey's New Nest...

My friend Abbey just moved and has done some darling things in her house...and she's good at living on a budget and has found inexpensive ways to do it! 

I love the black and yellow she's used together in her living area

I forgot to ask what font she uses for her wall art...so cute though right?  I'll ask her...



This is my favorite thing in her house...the framed wreath.  She got the wreath for .99 cents at a thrift store and also found the frame there for cheap.  She just wrapped it in extra fabric and added the cute fabric roses. 

More cute wall art...



This was also a fun project.  She found these doors at a store near her home for $8 each!  Look what she did with them...



Great idea right!  A fun unique addition to her cute bedroom.



Had to show the great colors pulled in from her pillows.



And...her fall touch.  She shared a tutorial on how to make them here.



Thanks for sharing your fun style Abbey!  You've done a great job!

A few little things...

First, congrats to Cara Hall for winning the butterfly teepee!  As a reminder they are just $15 and make a fun Christmas gift!  A question was asked about dimensions...Kallee said folded up they are about 5 feet high, but very easy to store.  They comfortably fit two to three children inside.

Next, my friend Charlie made this darling Halloween wreath I had to share.  These wreaths are fairly simple and can be done for almost any holiday with the right color tulle!  She bought a wire wreath frame from Roberts (not very expensive) and black and gold tulle (I'm guessing 1-2 yards per color).  Loop the tulle around the frame and measure out how long you want each piece to be.  I'm sure it's easiest to get all your tulle pieces cut before tying.  Just loop pieces around once and tie so the ends are even.  For the full wreath make sure your pieces are pushed right up against each other.  Charlie also wrapped cute ribbon around the frame and added the sign.  Love it Charlie!  Thanks for sharing!

Lastly, I had to give mention to my friend Karin who used tips from the blog to make her own headboard!  Turned out great Karin!  And she found the same great mirror Lisa has in her front room from Hobby Lobby!  If you have completed a project from tips on our blog send us a picture!  We love to see the results!

Took a stroll through Taipan yesterday and they have SO MANY fun things right now...Halloween, Christmas and your everyday decor is there.  Stop in and use your 25 percent off coupon...if you aren't getting them, make sure to sign up in store to receive their mailers!

My version of the IKEA shelf leg...

Lisa and I rant and rave about our finds at IKEA and so far they haven't disappointed...until an item you want badly goes on back order and who knows if they'll ever get it in again!  I checked and checked to no avail.  So one day Lisa and I went into the store and saw the same thing in the wrong color.  Of course Lisa tells me to fix my problem and just buy the black and paint them.  My lazy pregnant attitude doesn't want to, but in the end I know my frustration will be gone.  And I'm so glad I did because I think it turned out better than the original plan!  So...nothing a few strokes of paint can't fix!

Their shelves are very reasonably priced...$4 each for the legs and $7 for the shelf.  Here they are in the wrong black color...

I spray painted them white first to make the painting process easier.

I used the same paint color we painted Peyton's bed (Martha Stewart Hydrangea).  It's a nice tie in with the furniture.

And voila!  All done!

Free black lantern from my Grandpa's work bench, letter P (Hobby Lobby, $3) and bike ( Hobby Lobby, $12)



Repurposed baseball (originally from Roberts), repurposed white frame (IKEA, $10), metal jack (Hobby Lobby, $7) and marble jar (IKEA, $5, marbles $4 and free from Mom)



So the whole project including the shelf cost $56!  To decorate a whole wall that's a pretty great price!  I love to find new uses for existing decorations and also make great finds at little or no cost!  Very happy with the end results and Peyton's room is getting closer to being done!

A great Christmas gift...

Our friend Kallee is selling brand new children's teepees for $15!  They come in camo or ladybug/flowers print.  They are light weight and very easy to set up and take down.  They lay flat when stored.  There is a front zipper and back roll-up window.  Kallee's kids have played in theirs all summer.  They used them for picnics, huts, sleepouts, etc.  They don't take up much space and can be used as an indoor toy as well.  Supplies are limited. 

To purchase one, text Kallee at 801-318-5939 or send her an email at kallee_roundy@hotmail.com)

She's also giving a butterfly teepee AWAY!  If you are a follower, you are automatically entered...so if you haven't become one yet, make sure to!  Also, if you post on your facebook page to visit doityourselfduo.blogspot.com sometime today, leave a comment and we'll add an extra entry into the drawing!

Thanks Kallee!