Pumpkin Patch Cupcakes

These cupcakes are soooo easy and are an adorable addition to any Thanksgiving feast!

To make these pumpkins, all you need is:

Any flavor cupcakes

Tootsie Rolls for the stems

Green Tootsie Rolls for the vines

Bright orange icing (or white icing dyed with yellow and red food coloring- mix to sight)

All you have to do is top the cupcakes with the orange icing.  Cut the tootsie rolls in half in a diagonal angle, and put one half of a tootsie roll on the center top of each cupcake.  Roll out the Green Tootsie Rolls until they are very skinny, cut them to any length you desire, and then twirl them to make a vine look.  Add them to the cupcakes so that it looks like the vine is coming out of the stem.  Viola!  You have a good looking edible patch of pumpkins!

Thanksgiving is fast approaching

Those of us who are preparing (both physically and mentally) to host a family Thanksgiving dinner this year know it is quickly approaching.  Of course its not a hard decision to come up with the basic menu since most of the norms are expected, but we all have that little twinkling in our eye to come up with something a little different or fun to impress our guests.  Well hopefully I can make your job a little easier with these cute Thanksgiving ideas.  Enjoy!

Pumpkin Deviled Eggs

So simple, just add the spice and a green olive to make it a pumpkin!

{image from Foodista}

Pumpkin Oranges and Clementines

Just take the peel off and add a celery stock and you've got a pumpkin!

{image from halfhourmeals}

Mini Caramel Apple Bites

Scoop the apple, stick it with a toothpick and dip it in the caramel.  Easy, yummy fingerfood!

{Image from EatPrayWearLove}

Hersey's Acorn Bites

Eatable decorations, who could ask for more!  Hershey's Kisses, and Nutter Butter Bites.

{Image from Learnist}

Donut Acorn Bites

Donut holes, chocolate icing, brown sprinkles and pretzel sticks

{Image source unknown}

Rice Krispie Pumpkins

Orange Rice Krispie balls, rolos and green tootsie rolls

 {Image from grinandbakeit}

Personal-Size Pumpkin Pies
I made these beauties last year and they turned out so precious!  Check out the how-to and original post here

Warm Grown-Up Apple Cider
Add some caramel vodka and cinnamon sticks to spice up your apple cider, YUM!

{Image from Cookingincollege}

Pumpkin Cake
Try putting two bunt cakes together to create a pumpkin cake!  So simple and SO cute!

{Image source unknown}

Flower Bread
This idea isn't necessarily Thanksgiving, but its not NOT Thanksgiving, so why not, right?!  

{Image source unknown}

Pumpkin Pie Bites
Self explanatory, YUM!

{Image from Bakerella}

Don't forget, even if you aren't hosting a Thanksgiving get together, you can always bring these puppies along to gain some points with the fam.  I'm sure they will be appreciated :)

Place Card Holders

Hello lovelies!  I have conjured up some ideas for some inexpensive place card holders that are perfect for your super awesome wedding coming up or your next dinner party.  Cute details like place card holders or food markers don't have to be expensive (heck they can even be free) but they add some adorable pizzaz to any party.

Pine Cones

You can either buy a bag of them find them on trees yourself, but either way they are easy to get your hands on!  If you want to spice it up a bit try using a bag of the scented pine cones! You can find some at your local hobby lobby or home goods store.

{Image and idea from Paper Playne}

Wine Corks

You can easily upcycle your own wine corks or if you don't drink I'm sure it won't be too hard to scrounge some out of your friends!  Put a little slit in them and viola!  One of the pictures is from an Etsy shop selling them with flowers on top.  It wouldn't be too hard to super glue your own flower or embellishment of your own choosing!  Get creative with it and go with the theme...

{Image and idea from Etsy}

{image source unknown}

Airplane Bottles

This could get a little pricey, but depending on how much you were wanting to spend on wedding or party favors, this could be a real treat.  Plus most people will actually take their favor home (or use it at the event- which could make for some silly dancing memories.)

{Image from Melissa Jill Photography}

Animal Figurines
While this DIY could get time consuming if you have a lot of guests, it could be inexpensive and adorable.  Buy a box of animal kids toys and spray paint them and cut a slit in the middle.  Easy Peasy.

{Image and idea from Emmaline Bride}

Greenery
Along the same lines as pincones, these teeny branches can be taken off of your local trees at no cost to you!  It doesn't have to be pine, any sticks, tree limb or flower will do.  Make it how you want it.

{source of image: unknown}

Wooden Spools
If you're having a rustic themed wedding, these are the place holders for you!  I'm sure your grandma has a few lying around that she wouldn't mind sharing!  I think they would be super cute painted gold!

{image and idea from Etsy}

Stick It In A Fork

Literally.  Yup.  By far the most inexpensive idea I've seen and I honestly think it is just as cute as the others!

{Image from Style Me Pretty}

I'd love to hear any other cute ideas you guys have!  Feel free to share! Happy Tuesday everybody...

Smokey Mountains Majesty

{ this is a totally unrelated picture of some trees in my parents' neighborhood..  It was just too pretty not to post }

Every Tuesday my Glafenhein side of the family has a family dinner.  Absolutely love it.  Getting to be around family and eat meals with them is one of the best parts about being back in K-town!  Even better, Wil's GooGoo (grandma) and Papa Bill (granddad) get to drive in from Sevierville for dinner every other Tuesday.  It is such a blessing.

So, yesterday was like every other Tuesday night.  After hours of yummy food, good talks and a good while of lounging on the couch to work off all the food we just ate, people started trickling out.  We started to head out and I could not for the life of me find my phone.  Which is pretty weird because I hardly ever lose anything and am especially good at keeping track of what Wil looses.  So after I look around for a while the whole family starts getting into the search.  Couch cushions were lifted, pots and plates were shifted and steps were traced.  I literally did not know where else to look.  In desperation I would lift up perfectly flat plates off the counter and look under them.   After about 20 minutes of the whole house looking for my phone, someone had a thought that maybe Wil's grandparents took it with them thinking that it was theirs.  (They had left about 45 minutes earlier)  We call them up, and sure enough the accident had been made.  (On a really great side note, Wil's grandmother DOES have an I-Phone and is very tech-savvy in using it, so it was a very easy and honest mistake for her to make- no hard feelings at all)  However, it did mean that my phone was in Seviervill and I was in Knoxville.

Basically, that was a dramatic tale of why I was without my phone for the day.  And ya'll, being completely honest.  I.  Loved.  It.

Now don't get me wrong; I love my phone and am so thankful for the technology that allows me to be connected to the world in an instant and lets me keep in touch with family and friends etc.  But man oh man was it a relaxing and freeing to have no phone for a little bit.

I took a walk and talked with God- instead of my usual reading of emails or texting friends.  I read the Bible without being distracted. I organized my room a little bit.  I made breakfast and enjoyed the view while I ate.  I sang acapella to myself and got a really good laugh out of it.  I had no idea what time it was for a while.  I wasn't worried about missing a call or a text because there was nothing I could do about it.  Man oh man it was freeing.

So, as crazy as it sounds, I am so thankful that GooGoo and Papa Bill accidentally took my phone last night.  God used that time- however short it was- to just bring me back to reality for a little bit and help me breathe a little better.

And while the 2 hour drive today was not exactly ideal, the sky was crystal clear and the landscape was Majestic.  There were a couple of times that I actually said "WOW" to myself in the car and at one point I busted out "OH BEAUTIFUL FOR SPACIOUS SKIES, FOR AMBER WAVES OF GRAIN! FOR PURPLE MOUNTAINS MAJESTY, ABOVE THE FRUITED PLAINS!!"

I literally couldn't help myself.

There was a little weight lifted off my shoulders today that was replaced with a gentle embrace by my Father.  God is so sweet and knew exactly what I needed.

I am so thankful.

One Proud Mommy

My beautiful baby girl (yes, I am referring to my puppy dog since I do not yet have children) is famous!  I am so proud of my perty sales-pup!  She sure knows how to sell some Pet Doors.  Go to Petsafe.net to see Denver Puppy in action!

Courtesy of the Pet Safe Website

Fresh Finds: Aztec Cardigans

So, I really enjoyed creating my last post on Fall Boot Finds, so I've decided to continue posting Fresh Finds on all sorts of things.  Today's post is going to be on another trend happening right now, Aztec Cardigans.  Don't you just love them?!  They are pretty expensive at most places that you can find them, so I have searched high and low and found some good deals just for you!

This Aztec Inspired Cardigan is from Body Central and only $24.90!

Don't you just love this wine color!  At only $36, this Sophie Aztec Cardigan from Boohoo is a winner!  Plus it also comes in navy or black!

 

 You can find this adorable  Aztec Print Light Cardigan at Charlotte Russe for $26.99!

You don't see the Aztec cardigans with color very often so I am drooling over this colorful option!  You can find it at ParisComing for $37.99

Here's another option with some colorful touches.  Find it at Bebe for $32.95!
 

If you don't mind paying a little more, this ELAN Hooded Aztec Open Sweater from Piperlime is SOOOOOOO cute!! Even though it is $89 I am having a hard time resisting it right now!

Fall Boot Finds

YES!  The breeze has come in, the leaves have fallen and the smell of bonfires is in the air!  Fall is finally upon us!  Can you tell I'm excited?!

I love the brisk mornings and evenings that fall brings.  I love bonfires and layered clothing.  I love fall boots and scarves.  I love the effect the changing leaves have on Tennessee's picturesque landscapes.

Yep, there is a whole lot to love about fall.  So, today, let's snuggle up with some soup and spiced cider while we talk about some fall boots!  If we haven't bought some for the season already, then we are definitely on the look out, so I thought I would share some great finds with you all.

I just bought some ADORABLE riding boots (please excuse the awful photography of them) from Urbanog.com for only $34.99!  I was a little worried that they would be a weird material or cheap looking when they came in, but I was pleasantly surprised!  They fit perfectly and are actually pretty comfortable.  And right now Urbanog.com is doing a 20% off sale through 10/14/13 on their entire website.  Enter code 20ALL at checkout.

How cute are these Explore Outdoors Boots from Laposhstyle.com for $73.99!  I love the color, the zipper with the black outline and the buckles!  

You can find these Brown Wrapper Riding Boots at Francesca's for only $59!

These Miola Boots are from Aldo and only $100.  Plus you get free shipping.

I know, I know, I'm posting a whole lot of brown boots.  Brown boots are definitely my go-tos but if you are in the market for some black boots these Madden Girl Andris Boots are $70.99 with free shipping at 6pm.com.

Another black boot option, if you are willing to pay a little more , are these Guess Hertlez Boots for $99.  I cannot get over how adorable the little peek of plaid is!!! I found them on Zappos.com, which has an absolutely wonderful return policy with free shipping both ways.  Shoes are usually a tad bit more expensive from Zappos, but sometimes the ease of shipping and returns can make buying from them worth it.  

Ok, back to brown.... I just love these City Snappers Riding Boots from Tilly's.  They are only $44.99 with free shipping!

P.S.  Have you heard of Groopdealz?  It's a website like groupon, except with only clothing and accessories.  I just discovered it today and think it could be a winner.  Check it out here.  

Beach Wedding Inspiration

This post sponsored by: Mrs. Maid Of Honor!  

Be sure to head on over to mrsmaidofhonor.com for some no-nonsense wedding planning inspiration, tips and resources!

eeeekk!! Ya'll, I am so sad at myself!  I cannot believe I have not done a post in two weeks.  That is just ridiculous and we are going to have to put an end to that!  Indeed much of our two week separation can be chocked up to laziness, but at least PART of it can be blamed on Wil and I moving.  Our stuff.  Our lives.  Our jobs.  Our bums.  To Knoxville, Tennersee.  Yup, you heard it right, Wil and I are Knoxvillians again.  And this time it looks like we are here to stay!

Anywho, More on that later.....

Today I want to talk about Beach Weddings!!!!! Why?! Because my bestest friend in the whole wide world is getting married!  On a Beach! In Myrtle Beach!  And I can't stop myself from helping her look for cute ideas that don't break the bank.  So here is a little compilation of beach wedding ideas....

{I found this idea off of ebay, someone was selling it, but it could easily be recreated.  Wine bottles, candles and seashells: easy and inexpensive!}

{Is that not the most simple and easy idea for beach wedding boutonnieres!} 

Image from Confetti Day Dreams

{This idea isn't necessarily just for a beach wedding, but I love the rustic elegance to it.  It would be very easy to recreate and definitely inexpensive.  Mugs, cans, pitchers and a few flowers.  Love.}

Image from Confetti Day Dreams

{These would be perfect to create an isle way in the sand!  You could paint them your wedding colors as well.}

Image from Wedding Bee

{While this centerpiece idea would be a little more expensive because you would have to buy those big tall pretty vases, it is absolutely stunning.  I love the combination of seashells, pebbles, a star fish and the colored water. }

{Wine glasses are very inexpensive, so using this idea to decorate could fill in a lot of places for very little investment.  Plus, if you don't have any already, you could use the wine glasses after the wedding.}

Image From Invites Weddings

{Did I mention how cute starfish are?!  So cute, you could use salt, sugar, or sand as the filler.}

Image from Etsy

{Signs are always romantic}

Image from Destination Wedding Mag
{Absolutely LOVE!}

Image from bespoke-bride
{I love many things about this.  The fabric isle on the beach (especially chevron fabric, yes, I am on the chevron bandwagon...) The hooks that line the isle way.  You could put anything your heart desires on those hooks too!  Mason jars, lanterns. flower pots, hand-made signs with verses or memories, anything at all!}

Image from Perfect Florida Beach Wedding
{Using fake flowers or paper flowers is a growing trend for weddings, and I don't mind the idea at all.  Especially if your venue is hot and the flowers might wilt, or if a certain flower is out of season.  I love the display of the paper flowers on the long sticks in this picture.}

Image from Unknown
{Burlap is always an elegant choice for any rustic or beach themed wedding.  I also love the use of the crates for a cake display or even as a gift or card table.   And I think by now you know I'm all for the starfish decor :)  Also, remember that any art and signs you use to decorate your wedding are perfect to reuse as decorations in your house!}