Ornaments don't only belong on trees

You don't have to hang ornaments on a Christmas tree to deck the halls of your home.  Look at some of these unique ways to display ornaments (found on Pinterest).  It seems as though hanging them from chandeliers could be a new holiday trend. 

Be Grateful

This is such a nice idea to do for a Thanksgiving gathering, or with the kids throughout the month of November.  Make a "We Are Grateful For..." push board.  This one, which I found on the Better Homes and Gardens website, is creative in that each piece of note paper is cut into the shape of leaves.  This would be a great reminder to be happy with the things we HAVE, instead of always wanting MORE.

Delectable drinks

                                                                   Hot Apple Cider

                                                          Autumn Apple Cider Sangria

                                                                 Pumpkin Martinis

                                                    Pumpkin Spice White Hot Chocolate


Hosting Thanksgiving at your place this year?  Well, here are some holiday-happy drinks you can serve - found on Pinterest!

Host a Friendsgiving!

Planning a Friendsgiving?  Here are some great entertaining ideas perfect for the occasion.  My husband and I are planning for one this year.  I can't wait to use some of these for inspiration!

Beautiful centerpieces

Thanks to the website of Better Homes and Garden's, you can find a seemingly endless supply of ideas and pictures for designing a table.  I think these three would be perfect for Thanksgiving dinner.  The top is the most simple.  Corks and a candle.  Use one, or more than one if you have a large table.  In the middle is a wreath made from corn husks surrounding a bowl of fresh fruits.  It's so natural, it just screams Thanksgiving.  The bottom tablescape has a centerpiece of white pumpkins with some berry branches, and small votive candles with berries beneath the candles.  This brings out all of the turkey day colors!

Give thanks for pumpkins!

Halloween may be over, but that doesn't mean you have to forget about pumpkins.  This harvest vegetable can stick around until Thanksgiving.  Check out the way people on Pinterest have used pumpkins in centerpieces, on tablescapes, as a pillow, or just as a decoration, for Turkey Day.

Happy Halloween!

 

 

 

In honor of one of my favorite holidays, HALLOWEEN, I decided to post a bunch of fabulous pumpkin carvings I found on Pinterest.  These are so great, especially the bottom one.  I can just feel those squishy cheeks.  This year for me Halloween is a little bitter sweet.  Living in New Jersey, Hurricane Sandy has knocked out power in the entire surrounding area.  So instead of festive orange glowing lights in the window tonight, we will have flickering candles on the tables.  Hopefully trick-or-treaters still feel like stopping by. 

Ghostly Gourds

Turns out pumpkins aren't the only vegetable you can carve into a Jack-O-Lantern or paint for Halloween.  These gourds are perfect for the occasion!  These photos are from Pinterest. 

Halloween planters

                                                       maddycakesmuse.blogspot.com

                                                       Better Homes and Gardens

                                                          Better Homes and Gardens

                                                           Better Homes and Gardens

How cool are these planters!?!  I love the versatility of an urn.  One can be traditional, containing colorful flowers, tropical with a majestic palm, heartwarming with a light up small Christmas tree, and as shown above, creepy with an array of Halloween decor such as bat cut outs and spider webs. I can't pick a favorite amongst this group because each have a unique spin on Halloween.  The bottom two are the perfect picks for an entryway in you are throwing a Halloween party.  The black urn with dried harvest flowers is a gorgeous option to be paired with a wreath or garland.  The top planter is out-of-this-world creative with the birds, white pumpkins and paper cutouts. 

Marvelous Mantels

If there is one spot in a home that can change with the seasons to create an impact of holiday goodness, it's a mantel.  I personally don't have one since the one and only fireplace in my home is located in my basement of all places.  And, it's a wood burning stove so it doesn't have a mantel.  However, if my husband and I ever decide to renovate, which we talk about often, a fireplace and mantel on the main floor is on the must-have list. In the meantime, I will keep "googling" mantel decorations and post them here for inspiration.  Here are some outstanding Halloween mantels I found on Digsdigs.com. 

It's Bewitching!

Witches are a Halloween staple in my opinion, and they are one of my favorite little additions in my home during this holiday.  These photos are just some of the witches that I have displayed in my home.  Even before coming inside it's obvious I have a soft spot for them with the decal in my window.  I purchased it from Grandin Road three years ago and LOVE it, although my photo doesn't really do it justice.  Then I have my little Home Good's finds (the stair witch and the blackboard witch).  In the mudroom section of my kitchen I have added a witches hat and broomstick leaning against a pumpkin.  And on my hallway antique sewing table I have a painting of a witch flying across the moon, accompanied by some antique books and a skull.