A Splash of Color - PINK

Are you looking to add a little PINK to your decor, but are concerned about adding too much? Here are some inspiration images to show you how you can add just a little and have it come out looking perfect.

Decorating for Halloween

Halloween can be one of those tricky holiday's to decorate for - it can get out of control and over-the-top very quickly. Here are a few tips & ideas for you when decorating your home for Halloween and a few inspiration images to help.

1. Start by thinking outside-the-box. Look around your home and see what you have, and what you are currently using, that you could "repurpose" for a Halloween decoration. For example, what about taking a small black picture frame and instead of the family photo that is in it, replace it with a picture of a silhouette of a black cat. Dark, but not too scary.

2. Instead of carving a pumpkin this year, what about glittering a few small ones and using them as a centerpiece. You could even do this with the kids.

3. Try using a "white" pumpkin instead of the typical orange one. Paint on it with black paint or leave it as is - this will give a classy, interesting, unique look to your decorations.

4. If you are hosting a party, set up a candy bar - but with a twist. Have a jar of candy corns labeled "Pumpkin Teeth". Fill a bowl with yogurt covered pretzels and label it "Crow Bones". Label another jar with "Dried Bat Wings" and fill it with black licorice sticks. Get creative with the labels and the names.

5. If you really aren't into decorating for Halloween much, try just working on your mantel or table. Use orange and black accents to give the "idea" of the holiday without stretching spider webs across the room. Go for orange and red flowers and try using simple white candles.

The bottom line is do what you are comfortable with and what feels "right" to you. Check out some of the fun, unique ideas below that we found when searching online.

Girl's Night Out Cookies

Here is the recipe for the delicious, chewy and nutty cookies we are serving at our Girl's Night Out Classes.



Ingredients - Cookies:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 large egg
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup dried apricots, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted

Ingredients - Icing:
1 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
5 to 7 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
For the Cookies: In a large bowl, beat the butter, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the egg. Stir in the flour until just blended. Mix in the apricots, almonds, and pine nuts.

Transfer the dough to a sheet of plastic wrap and shape into a log, about 12-inches long and 1 1/2-inches in diameter. Wrap the dough in the plastic and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 heavy baking sheets with parchment paper.

Cut the dough log crosswise into 1/4 to 1/2 inch-thick slices. Transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets, spacing evenly apart. Bake until the cookies are golden around the edges, about 15 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before icing.

For the Icing: Place the confectioners' sugar in a medium mixing bowl. Gradually whisk in milk and vanilla, until the mixture is of drizzling consistency.

Place the wire rack over a baking sheet. Using a spoon, drizzle the cookies with the icing, allowing any excess icing to drip onto the baking sheet. Allow the icing to set before serving, about 30 minutes.

Leftover Scraps of Fabric

When is the last time you found yourself with left over scraps of fabric and didn't know what to do with it? Did you throw it out? Did you stuff it in a drawer or box never to be seen again? Did you find a new use for it?

Here are 10 ideas that you can do with scraps of fabric. Click on each for simple instructions.

1. Lavender sachets

2. Wall art

3. Book cover

4. Cosy for coffee mug

5. Guitar strap cover

6. Headband

7. Little letter needle book

8. Decorative thumbtacks

9. Handmade napkins

10. Lampshade


Have you tried another project with leftover scraps of fabric? Leave a comment here on our blog and tell us about it. We love to hear your ideas!

PINK PINK PINK

October is the month of PINK in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness and we are celebrating PINK all month. Here are a few PINK rooms to help inspire you on your next decorating adventure!

Bedroom Closet Organization

Organizing your bedroom closet can be tricky - but necessary. With so many shapes and sizes of closets, there is no one way to go about getting it organized. Here are a few general tips when organizing your closet along with some images of various types of closets to help give you a bit of inspiration.

1. De-clutter your bedroom closet - if you don't wear the clothes, get rid of them.

2. Store items that get used the least up high, and your most-used items in plain site for easy access.

3. Use boxes, shelves, hanging racks or cubbies for your shoes and clutches.

4. Make more room in your closet by moving out-of-season clothes out of your closet and storing them in bins or boxes under your bed or high in your closet.

5. Color code your closet - this can make it easy to find exactly what you need.