My Favorite Things in October

Pin It Now! 1. Oregon autumn.  We truly have the most gorgeous autumn, and I love watching the leaves change colors.  Look at the view from my backyard!   It was lovely waking up to this every morning.

2.  Halloween Candy.  I may have to save a few pieces for the Trick-or-Treaters.  Just a few.

3.  Turning on the heater.  We hadn't turned on the heat since February, and I love that feeling of sitting on the couch in my cozy clothes with the warm air circulating the house.  It makes our house feel so "homey"!

4.  Fall baking.  I LOVE to bake.  I especially love finding new recipes and baking the chilly day away.

Happy Halloween!

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Happy Halloween!  

Be safe, and eat lots of candy!! 

Payless 50% Off Coupon

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Oprah is offering 50% off your entire purchase today and tomorrow at Payless Shoes.

Thank you Oprah!  

Can I just have them all??

Etsy Finds Thursday!

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{ The Homespun Raven }

{ AddieBugs }

 

{ GlitterMe }

Downloadable Canister Labels

Pin It Now! Anyone that knows me knows how I love to label everything! I like my canisters and jars in my kitchen neat and organized with adorable little labels. Poppytalk has some adorable label templates for you to download. Check them out and see how creative you can get!

{ Photo courtesy of PoppyTalk }

Blog Swap Monday

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Shannon at Today's Random has stopped by to show us some love on Blog Swap Monday!!  


Well, hello there!  Here I am, randomly found in a crafty blog!  I say randomly because I am probably the least crafty person on the planet; I strut around like a proud peacock if I hang a picture correctly the first time (Don’t act like you’re not impressed). 

So, while I can’t offer too many tips or tricks, I can hopefully provide a giggle, or maybe just a horrified “Oh, no!” about some of my past craft mishaps! 

As a child, I spilled oil paint all over my lace bedspread.  No more paint by numbers for this little girl. 

In elementary school, I made a castle for a project.  On the way to school, I dropped it, upside down, on the ground.  If I had known any swear words, there sure would have been a few. 

I have never managed to do any kind of sewing without stabbing myself repeatedly with the needle.  Sharp pointy things = bad. 

I tried to help a roommate in college paint her room and spilled the primer.  On the carpet. 

These are just a few reasons, my friends, as to why I should be banned from all things arty, crafty, or do it yourself.  Well, except for the blogs, perhaps.  I’ll try not to make a mess on the way out.

Guest Blogger This Monday

Pin It Now! Be on the lookout for guest blogger from Today's Random.  She has a hilarious blog and will be joining us for some laughs on Monday.

Etsy Finds Thursday!

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Here's some fall-inspired items from my beloved Etsy:

Isn't this just adorable?

Tangerine Scallop Mirror from Uncommon

Sundried Tomato Scarf by Knme

This table runner is gorgeous!  Great for the fall and winter holidays.

Rich Harvest Table Runner by MargotBianca

  

Desperately Seeking... Sewing Supplies

Pin It Now! Now that I'm a proud new owner of a beautiful sewing machine there are a few things I need.  My awesome friend at CreateForLess.com put together this great list of supplies she highly recommends.

A magnetic pin cushion by Gabbit

(Awesome when you spill pins)

Seam Ripper by Clover

Rotary Cutter by Dritz

Self-Healing Mat by Fiskars

Gingher Fabric Shears

Edge Ruler by O'Lipfa

She's Ruby & She Blogs

Pin It Now! For all my crafty friends with dogs... here's a treat for you.  Ruby has a blog!  

For a tiny dog, she sure has a lot to say.  Check out her new blog at HerNameIsRuby.blogspot.com

Come follow her and comment and your favorite post!!

Crafty's Got a New Toy!

Pin It Now! After months and months of searching high and low, I finally succumbed...

Drum 

Roll 

Please...

Ta Da!

I bought a brand spankin' new sewing machine!

It's a "beginner" model, so it doesn't have a ton of bells and whistles, but it's perfect for what I want to do.  And the best part?  I bought it for SUPER cheap on Craigslist - still in the box!

Free Chocolate Dipped Fruit

Pin It Now! What can be better than chocolate-dipped fruit, you ask?  When it's free!

 Join Edible Arrangements on Facebook and click on the Free Dipped Fruit tab, and they will send you a coupon for a free box of dipped fruit.  Awesome, huh?

Better hurry, they are only giving out 100,000 coupons - don't miss out!

Container Store Coupon

Pin It Now! The Container Store is offering a great deal right now!  Click here for 20% off everything in the store!!  Now's a great time to stock up on your organizing items and get your home in shape for the winter.

Happy shopping!

101 Goals in 1001 Days

Pin It Now! I have very big goals, and I am always jotting them down on a notepad, my hand, the back of receipts in my car, of my Notes app on my iPhone.  In order to keep my goals organized so that I can more easily achieve them, I've decided to start my own 101 Goals in 1,001 Days list. 
My Goal End Date is July 15, 2012.  Seems like a long ways away, but I have 1,001 goals to achieve!  I need to start moving!!

Family

Start a family
My dog, Ruby, earns her canine good-citizen award
My dog, Finley, earns his canine good-citizen award
My dog, Blue Bear earns his canine good-citizen award
Ruby becomes a therapy dog
Create a family tree for my mother’s side
Create a family tree for my father’s side

Home Improvement
Completely re-organize office
Completely re-organize craft area
Install closet organizers in office closet
Re-tile bathroom
Replace bathroom counter top
Replace kitchen countertop
Find art for living room wall
Grow a garden in the backyard
Buy new patio furniture
Buy a deck storage box
Build a deck
Clean out storage unit
Make emergency kits for both cars
Make emergency kit for house
Paint dining room table

Financial
Save $10,000
Open an ING account
Pay off Volkswagen
Prepay 20% of school loan balance
Increase credit score by 10%

Personal
Accumulate 300 volunteer  hours
Lose 40 pounds
Successfully plan my high school reunion
Grow hair out at least 6 inches
Read both of Barack Obama’s books
Become a Big Sister
Learn how to knit
Learn how to sew
Buy a sewing machine
Obtain 100 followers on my blog
Start a dog blog
Watch all X-Files episodes
Get my nose pierced
Run a marathon
Go without soda for 60 days
Run an 8-minute mile
Learn how to make blog backgrounds
Read all Daniel Quinn books
Upgrade to iPhone 3Gs
Buy Canon/Nikon SLR Camera
Buy video camera
Make throw pillows for living room
Get Lasik eye surgery
Buy a new laptop
Learn how to take great photos
Learn to sew a skirt
Get a new tattoo
Go sky diving
Take a pottery class
Keep a journal
Be polite to sales clerks
Go on a picnic
Buy designer shoes
Make a quilt for my future child
Learn to build my own website
Learn how to use PhotoShop
Create “homework help” social network
Print out important digital pictures
Send out birthday cards to every family member
Make my own birthday and holiday cards
Volunteer for Obama campaign in 2012
Return library books on time for full 365 days
Write a novel
Learn how to rock climb
See Lion King on stage
Go paintballing
Meet Bill Maher

Travel
Travel to Japan
Travel to Italy
Travel to the Netherlands
Travel to US Virgin Islands
Travel to Maine in the fall
Travel to Saskatchewan
Travel to Victoria, BC
Travel to Egypt
Go on a road trip with no predetermined destination
Buy a pop up trailer
Visit distant relatives in Sweden
Spend New Years in New York City
Go to Bonneville Hot Springs
Go canoeing
Go to Chelsea Lately taping
Cruise to Alaska
Cruise to Bahamas
Swim with dolphins
Go grape stomping in Napa
Go horse back riding

Education & Career
Receive my Bachelor’s degree
Get a job at my dream company
Begin work on my Master’s degree
Reopen Ruby’s online store
Build a new business plan
Earn Women's Studies award at school
Earn Asian Studies award at school

DIY Charging Station

Pin It Now! Husband and I have a problem with our tangled cell phone cords all over the kitchen counter.  It looks tacky and is just a mess.  With the little counter space we have, we need it all! 

I found this awesome DIY cell phone charging station on the Overcoming Busy blog.  She found a ribbon organizer at Michael's craft store and just cut a whole in the back for the cords.  Inside she put a small power strip.  What a great idea! 

To Paint, or Not to Paint

Pin It Now! My name is Jeni, and I own an ugly dining room table.  I have to admit, it was a great Craigslist find.  But now I'm tired of it.  So I have a decision to make...

All of our wood furniture is light like this table.  I want something that stands out of our sea of light woods, and thought it'd be great to paint this boring table black. 

What do you think?

(don't mind the tiny dog...)

Wall Decor Inspirations

Pin It Now! I have a naked wall.  A big, muted yellow, buck naked wall in my living room.  Our home is small so I am rather picky, I don't want to make it look any smaller!  I simply can't find anything to display on this wall that fit perfectly with our decor.  Until today...

Isn't she beautiful?  This simply decorated wall from Style Files is perfect!  I love the idea of a small, framed area of wallpaper for my living room.

I also love the idea of different size mirrors arranged on the wall.  This will definitely make my room look bigger!  Idea from Vision Decor

I love these ideas too from This Southern Girls Nest:

Etsy Finds Thursday!

Pin It Now! Can you believe it's almost Halloween?!?!  Where on earth does the time go?  Anywho, here are some of my Etsy favorites this week.

These adorable frames from cutelittlethingsforkids are perfect for your Halloween costume photos.

Need a Trick-or-Treating tote for your little one?  This is a super cute reversible bag just for them!  Discounted to only $3.00  (Only 1 left, so hurry!)  From LittlePeanutShop

People of Walmart

Pin It Now! People of Walmart.  What more can I say?  I know this stirs up images of the classy shoppers of this lovely chain.  This blog captures beautiful photographs of their customers in all their glory.  Trashbags, butt cheeks and mullets, Oh My! 

Mom of the Year?  Sure, why not!?

Ahoy, Matey!

Business in the front, party in the back!!

Carving Pumpkins!

Pin It Now! I LOVE Halloeween!  This past weekend we went to an amazing pumpkin patch on Sauvie Island here in Portland.  Kruger's Farm has an amazing selection of pumpkins and fresh produce, along with yummy burgers and local organic beer.  We really didn't know what to decide one, so of course we had some yummy hot dogs, roasted ears of corn and some beer.  Delicious! 

Needless to say, it is just gorgeous there!! 

Etsy Finds Thursday!

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This soap looks yummy enough to eat!  These soaps are pumpkin cake scented.  I definitely need a couple of these to liven up my sinks this Halloween season.  You can find these from Etsy seller SunBasilGarden.

It's a little pumpkin head!  This beanie fits adult or child and is hand-crocheted by Etsy seller vandevic.  She also has these adorable crocheted doggy costumes:

 

What can be cuter??

Rue La La

Pin It Now! I just discovered Rue La La from a fellow Nestie.  They are a site that is invitation-only and offers great deals from big name brands and designers. 

Right now they are offering Bare Esscentuals and Dolce and Gabbana items for about half the regualr retail price.  I just joined, and I love it! 

If you'd like to join you can click this link for your invitation. 

Happy Shopping!!

Etsy Finds Thursday!

Pin It Now! Etsy Finds Thursday - Halloween Edition!

I LOVE Halloween.  Dress up and candy, what's better than that??  For the next four weeks I will be showing off some Halloween-esque Etsy finds.

I have many memories of watching reruns of this show growing up, and I still love The Munsters!  This Lily Munster necklace is great for those of you who aren't keen on dressing up, but still want to celebrate the Halloween spirit.  You can find this at Etsy seller The Gilded Lily's shop.

I can't wait to dress my dogs up for Halloween each year.  The neighborhood kids love to see them in their costumes when they come to the door.  And what's the perfect costume without a Halloween collar?

RetroAnimals sells these adorable doggie accessories.