Thankful For You!

So I've been thinking about some cute little gifts to make for Thanksgiving.  Something you can give to people in your office, neighborhood or even as a parting favor for those who come over for Thanksgiving Dinner.

I LOVE candied and caramel apples but sometimes they are a little tricky to eat so when I saw this idea I jumped on it! They are so cute and perfect for a sweet little Thanksgiving gift.

What you'll need:

8 - Little Mason Jars

8 - Small to Medium sized Granny Smith Apples

1 - 8oz Package of Cream Cheese

10 - Little Caramel Dippers

Butter Finger Candy Bar

    

Start with the cream cheese {a little softened} 

Then add two of the Little Caramel Dippers

And blend together

Get out your little mason jars.  I bought mine at Hobby Lobby {they are about a third of the size of normal ones} 

Fill each about 3/4 of the way with the cream cheese and caramel mix

Then add one Little Caramel Dipper to the top of each

I bought bite sized Butter Fingers - we are going to smash them up anyways ... 

After you smash them - place the crumbled toppings on top of each.

Voila! The hard part is done.

Using a clear favor bag place the mason jar on the bottom, a granny smith apple on top and tie shut. There you have it! A sweet little treat - and to make it just a little more personal ... add a nice tag.

Download this one free HERE.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! 

Sneak Peaks

There have been a few things in the works in my life lately that are BIG .. to me at least.  Since it is going to be quite a while before I can share them with you I wanted to give you some sneak peaks.

First up ... The Richard family is undergoing it's first RENOVATION and I'm talking a complete gut job!  We are remodeling our guest bathroom! When we first bought the home it was the only room that really needed some work and after three years, it's finally getting it!  Now when I say the Richard family ... I mean it ... Mike's Dad is doing all the work! We are so grateful he is helping us with this project.  

Before I show you some action pictures ... Let me share with you what we were working with before:

I like to refer to the "decorative" tile as Barney Rubble tile ... something from the stone age!

With a non-matching blue floor

Oh and my two favorite features ... A Textured Wall and Office Lighting :)

Now for some much better images .... Demolition! 

I have been learning quite a lot along the way though.  I have taken many of trips to the tile store, sketched out tile placement, and coordinated an over all look for the bathroom.  I believe though it will all be worth it in the end ... and I've been having quite a bit of fun with it.

By the way Floor and Decor is the place to be.  After checking out quite a few places they had the best quality for the best price with the most knowledgeable people.

I HATE math so this was my least favorite task thus far but when it was done I felt quite accomplished.

Now this is the biggest Sneak Peak of them all .. This here is the overall look of the new bathroom!

That's all I am sharing right now though ... once the bathroom is finished I will give a full tour! 

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Next Up ... I wanted to give you a sneak peak into some travel plans we have coming up!

One of my favorite things to share is the trips that Mike and I go on.  We are very blessed that we get to go on so many and that is because of Mike's hard work.  This year Mike placed number 15 in his entire company ... and this company is Nation Wide!  Out of 5,000 agents, he was 15th!!

As a reward we are going to Cabo!! 

We have never been so I am super excited.  Mike is most excited because he has golf plans ... twice!  And while I have some spa reservations I am looking forward to exploring a new place, eating some good food and relaxing with my husband! {ahhhh ... first time I've typed that!}

Speaking of husband .. we also still have our honeymoon to go on!  While that trip is a little further out we have been planning!  We will be going to four places while we are in Italy:

Amalfi Coast

Florence

Rome

Venice

You can look forward to four separate posts for this trip .. one for each location.  Which I'm sure still will not do it justice! 

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The final sneak peak isn't really a peak .. rather, something I have been putting a lot of creative thought into.  I have decided on something and the sneak peak is letting you in on my decision.  

I have been mulling back and forth between whether to stay as a Blogspot Blogger or jump on the WordPress band wagon.  After much deliberation I have decided to take the WordPress plunge.  After all you should practice what you preach right? I have created quite a bit of WordPress websites for clients ... shouldn't my site be one as well?

While this will take some time to completely configure, I think it will help take me to the next level while combining my Etsy Shop, Design Services and Blog all into one.  I also hope this will make my brand more cohesive and that my readers can see the whole ball of wax! 

So stay tuned for the reveal! 

That is all the sneak peaks I have for you now ... but they are doosies! 

I can't wait to share the final pieces with you!

What's Happenin' Around The Shop

Its been a while since I've done one of these but that is most likely because I haven't put new items up in the shop for a while.   Recently I have been working on some fun and spooky Halloween prints and invites.  While learning my way through the first year and a half of being an Etsy Shop Owner and Blogger I've realized that planning is a BIG BIG part.  However what I am learning this holiday season is that planning WAY WAY in advance is much needed.  A note that I will take down and be sure to implement next year.  {basically start planning for Christmas in July} 

Anywho .. here are some new pieces I have incorporated to my Halloween section and some oldies {but goodies} 

{ Click Here To Order }

{ Click Here To Order }

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{ Click Here To Order }

And some classic Halloween Party Packages 

{ Click Here To Order }

{ Click Here To Order }

{ Click Here To Order }

So that's what's been happening around the shop.  If you missed my post earlier this week with a Free Download for Boo Mix Treat Tags grab them HERE.

Trick or Treat    

Boo Mix

While my mind is dreaming up everything Thanksgiving and fall, we are not quite there yet.  So I thought I'd get into the holiday spirit ... a little bit.  When I think of Halloween I think treats!  However I want something more than just a bag of assorted chocolate bars, I wanted something that kids could give their friends or teachers, something that you could give co-workers in the office or something for yourself to just snack on!

As I was wasting hours away on Pinterest I came across this fun idea! Its just cute enough that kids get it but not so cutesy that adults can get on board as well!

So I decided to make my own little spin on it ... BOO MIX!!

You'll only need four ingredients:

Golden Grahams

Mini Marshmallows

Candy Corn

Chocolate Chips 

You'll also need a large bowl and some individual bags.

{I used clear plastic bags from Michaels because I had some 

left over but I think little zip lock bags work just fine} 

Basically what your going to make is a little chex mix type treat.  The fun part is though what each ingredient represents! 

Now here is where my culinary skills are going to shine ... careful, you might think your on a foodie blog!

To start, put the Candy Corn in the bowl.

Then add the Mini Marshmallows

Then the Chocolate Chips

And finally the Golden Grahams

As far as measurements go ... eyeball it to make sure you have an even amount off all ingredients.  I mixed mine by hand, but if your germ conscious then use a wooden spoon.

Then I scooped the mix into the bags.

Folded down the bag and stapled it shut. Wheww .. some hard work there.

Now, in order for the fun-ness of this to get across to it's recipients we need to make sure they know what is in the delicious treat they just got!

Cue some Halloweeny Labels - And of course you can download them free!

{ Click Here To Download }

There you have it .. one of he easiest things I have done in a long time and they are just so cute!

Trick or Treat

For some more fun Halloween Prints check out the Wamp Designs Shop