5 Tips for Easy Fall Decor

***This post was sponsored by our friends at Etsy and ShopStyle, but all opinions are our own! We all shop and ADORE Etsy and supporting all those small business owners there!**

I woke up this morning, a little in shock when I felt the cold air hit me as I stepped out of bed. No doubt, Fall is upon us, and though I’ll miss the warm Summer nights, there’s something to be said about those crisp evenings surrounded by family.

Soups.
Leaves.
Apple Cider.
Cozy Sweaters.
Halloween.
Pies, and everything pumpkin.

I’d be lying if I said it didn’t all get me super excited!

Every year, around this time of year, my kids and I work together to empty the tubs of Fall decor from our garage. I love seeing their childlike excitement as we decorate our house for the upcoming season. Long gone are the bright teals, greens and pinks of Summer decor and instead, we welcome the rich orange, reds and yellows of Fall. (Mixed with the black and white of Halloween decor!)

Here are 5 simple tips to getting your house Fall ready and a few of our favorite Fall Etsy finds that are bound to get noticed!

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1. Pick a color scheme.
Stick with a traditional orange/black for Halloween. Choose a more cream/brown neutral palette. Whatever your jam, is stick with that scheme throughout your house so all the decorations are cohesive and flow. Banners are a really fun way to add that color scheme throughout your house. They’re festive, while still being subtle. I found the gingham banner HERE and felt ball banner HERE. (Will felt ball banner ever get old!? NEVER!) They’re perfect for the Halloween season, but I think you could even use them for a birthday party or themed party any time of year! They’re truly easy to incorporate anywhere! Plus, Who can say no to black and white gingham!?

2. Consider and use a variety of “levels” of decor.

Don’t just sit decor on your shelves, but rather, use your ceiling, back of the piano, or even the floor. I hung these bats from the light fixture in my kitchen and I think it’s a fun touch! Get that decor noticed at eye level, but create levels so eyes are drawn everywhere! These bats are the same I used on my porch. They’re great quality and easy to decorate with in OR out! I also brought in another felt ball garland and hung that. I like to use similar decor in different areas. It again, makes things a little more cohesive.

3. Decorate inside AND outside.

Of course every notices the insides of your house when they come over, but MORE people see the outside of your house. Don’t be afraid to take the decor OUTSIDE. I love these darling bats hung from the porch. They’re subtle, but get noticed. Every time someone drives or walks by my house. Those little, whimsical and slightly creepy guys get noticed!
These specific ones are made for outside, so they hold up better. You can get some for your house HERE. 

4. Pillows, pillows, pillows.

Pillow are a cost effective way to decorate for the changing seasons/holidays. It’s so easy to throw a new pillow case on a pillow and go. Those pillows don’t have to be JUST on the couch! Stick some on the chairs outside or even on a mantle. One fun way to make things special for your kids is to even throw a few holiday throw pillow on their BED!
This darling “spooky” pillow was found HERE.

5. Shop Etsy for all your Fall (and holiday!) decor.

I can not tell you how much time and effort Etsy saves me. There are SO many darling things to choose from – from minds MUCH more creative than mine! Etsy is my go to for handmade seasonal decor. But warning, once you start looking around, you won’t be able to stop.

Now, I’m just going to sit back and wait for those trick or treaters!
Happy decorating!

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by Andrea via Home And Garden

A Modern Southern Farmhouse For Sale on 20 Acres

This charming modern farmhouse caught my eye in the real estate listings today with its large, wraparound porch and black, barn-like garage. It sits on 20 private acres in Dresden, Tennessee. The classic white farmhouse was built in 2017 and is surrounded by trees. It also has a small pond on the property. It los […]

The post A Modern Southern Farmhouse For Sale on 20 Acres appeared first on Hooked on Houses.

by hookedonhouses via Home And Garden

Building a Dump Trailer by hand-Start to Finish FULL time lapse by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

Building a Dump Trailer by hand-Start to Finish FULL time lapse
Start to finish in one Day we hand Build a New Dump Trailer to GIVEAWAY! Full time lapse from raw steel to painted trailer. Specs: dual (8 k) axles, goose neck dump with a telescopic boom hoist, and then give it to one of my fans. Comment then follow me & follow Texas pride trailers on youtube and register below: Contest ends October 1st 2020 Register to enter here: https://texaspridetrailers.com/trailer-giveaway/

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10 Fall Fashion Finds with Walmart

 

***This post is sponsored by Walmart and RewardStyle. All opinions are my own.***

Just a few days ago, I dipped into my local Walmart to snag a few last minute groceries. I walked by the clothing department, and let’s just say, I filled my cart with a few more things than intended! Their lines for Fall are just TOO cute to pass up! I even found my new favorite pair of jeans for the year!  No joke. (I link to them below!)

I love so many of the fashion lines. My personal favorite is the Time and Tru line, but there are many other great ones. I’ve been very happy with the style, the quality, and the price points. Not to mention you can shop them all online and have most items shipped directly to your door in only 2 days (when you spend $35). You can also, do in store pick up! This was new to me, but it was a quick and seamless experience when I tried it recently! 

Here are 10 of my favorite Fall fashion finds! I own almost ALL of them and can speak to their sizing and quality! You’ll see lots of Fall colors and prints, and that just makes me happy!

 

High waisted “Mom” jeans: I’m not lying when I say, these are probably my most favorite purchase of the past 6 months! I absolutely adore these jeans. They’re the perfectly high waisted and fit like a GEM.  They’ve been sold out a few times, but I keep checking because I need them in the third color of wash! I’m normally a 4/6 and purchased a size 7 since they’re in junior sizing. 

Camo Scarf: Camo is still a HOT print! Sometimes I don’t feel like going all out and wearing a bold print, but I’m okay with adding a pop of it! This scarf is an easy way to add a bit of fun to even the most plain of outfits!

Square neck ruffle top: This is a fun top that’s easy to dress up or down. It look awesome with jeans and boots or would be great tucked into a pencil skirt with heels. I own the mustard color, but that hot pink is lovely too!

Puff Sleeve Sweater:  This top looks amazing on. It’s going to be one of my most worn Fall tops for sure. I love that it’s a casual raglan style, but has a little something special with the slightly puffed shoulder. It’s subtle, but takes things up a notch. It also comes in solid colors and for under $10? No brainer.

GiGi Tote: This is a tote that will work year round! It’s on clearance right now so snag it quick!

Balloon sweater : There’s limited colors left in this sweatshirt and there’s a reason … it’s that good. I own it in leopard and love that it’s one of those “throw on and go” tops for Fall. I would recommend sizing DOWN if you’re between sizes as it fits oversized.

Leopard Loungewear:   I don’t know why, but as soon as the temperature starts dropping, I start living in the lounge wear. There’s nothing better on a cool Fall night than cozying up in your lounge wear in front of the roaring fire with a good book! This lounge wear/PJ brand is quickly becoming my go-to. Super soft materials and great price points. Plus, this leopard print is to die for!

Tiered Maxi Dot dress: A good Fall dress can be hard to find, but this one is a shoo-in. I love the “dalmatian” dot print that I’ve been seeing in numerous places (I don’t know if that’s an official name, but it’s what I called it!). It’s a great alternative from the traditional polka dot or even the leopard print. This dress would be perfect paired with some fun Fall booties.

Short sleeve sweater: I own this as well, and it’s one of those pieces you just have to try on yourself. The cut is flattering and I love the slightly dolman sleeve. The fabric is thicker and fantastic quality.

Vegan leather mules: Mules are another trend that’s back for Fall. You all need a good, “goes with everything” mule and these are the ones!

I love all these pieces for Fall. I better because I personally own most of these! I think the gorgeous colors, variation of texture and patterns are all a great foundation for your Fall wardrobe. At these price points, you can snag all of them!

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by Andrea via Home And Garden

16 Insanely Rad Houseplants That Improve Your Health and Bring the Chic

*Thanks to 1800Flowers for partnering with us on this sponsored post. They are the pros on houseplants!

Houseplants are making a monumental style comeback in white farmhouse kitchens and in modern homes. You can find them on the pages of editorial magazines and as you scroll through the Gram. But having houseplants isn’t just a chic style statement, it’s a smart health move too.

Did you know houseplants can help you feel better?

A NASA study found that houseplants can remove up to 87% of air toxins in only 24 hours! Here are some really cool live houseplants that look amazing and do incredible things for your health.

16 Insanely Rad Houseplants

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera plants have amazing health benefits. Besides purifying the air, they also contain soothing gel inside that is great for sunburns and skin maladies. Having one in your home comes in handy, and they require very little care. This one ships to your home and comes with the gorgeous pot.

2. Majesty Palm floor plant

Floor plants are stunning and bring a wow-factor to any space. Grab up this majesty palm (includes the pot) to bring the chic to a bland corner of your home.

3. Herb Garden

Herb gardens are a delightful addition to any kitchen as they add a fresh flare to cooking and look great on the countertop. Cooking with live herbs also provides health benefits! Oregano is a natural antibacterial and is loaded with antioxidants, thyme contains vitamins C and A, and parsley is rich in nutrients that protect your eyes. This fresh herb garden trio makes a great gift!

4. Pothos hanging plant

The hanging sloth planter on this Pothos plant is irresistible. The Pothos plant is a popular trailing plant that will become a focal point in any room.

5. Safari animal succulent

Little succulents bring instant life to bookshelves and countertops. These safari pots are adorable!

6. Cactus

Cacti make great houseplants for homeowners because they are incredibly low-maintenance. They require little to no care to thrive and they store so much water that they aid your home in keeping it humidified. This cactus garden makes a great housewarming gift!

7. Magnetic Succulents

Here’s a unique way to display succulents! These magnetic succulent pots from Real Simple are so fun for the fridge, a dorm room, or lockers.

8. Hawaiian Umbrella Tree

The Hawaiian Umbrella Tree is another form of indoor bonsai with more rounded, separately-formed leaves. Make sure you monitor the moisture of the soil and take care not to over-water it.

9. Modern Bamboo

The twisting stalks of this bamboo plant are a symbol of good luck and good fortune. This plant would look amazing on a side table and perhaps even bring you good tidings. What a fun gift for someone starting a new job or life experience.

10. Money Tree floor plant

The Money Tree is one of the most beautiful houseplants out there. Its stem is carefully and painstakingly braided during growth for a super unique look. In your home, it filters out harmful pollutants and is pet-friendly. The Money Tree is a must and this one is already braided for you and ready to go!

You can even get a Mini Money Tree for countertops!

11. Boston Fern Hanging Plant

Beginning plant owner? This pretty hanging Boston Fern will be your best friend. It’s very easy to care for and grows long and graceful in pretty much any room in your home. It handles light better than other ferns and is great at purifying the air.

12. Olive Tree

You’ve no doubt heard the saying, “extend an olive branch” as a symbol of peace and friendship. Having an actual olive tree is one of the most beautiful sentimental touches you can add to your home. This one is easy to grow indoors or outdoors, and comes in a natural jute bag with a hand-tied ribbon.

13. Snake Plant

The Sansevieria, or Snake Plant, gets its name from the glossy emerald leaves with striations that look like patterns on a snake. What a rad houseplant to have in your windowsill.

14. ZZ Floor Plant

The Zamioculcas Zamiifolia (or simply ZZ plant) is a graceful plant with wand-like stems that make it a wonderful floor plant. It’s lush, easy to care for, and brings a relaxing vibe.

15. Ginseng Grafted Ficus

The Ginseng Grafted Ficus tree has Asian origins and its roots are as gnarly and rad as they come. They’re especially unique as you can gently style their roots over rock for a dramatic look. (This one is already done for your and ready to ship!) The Ginseng can be used as an herbal remedy for stress.

16. Pilea Plant

This table-sized plant was deemed plant of the year for good reason. It’s a cool little guy! The Pilea Peperomioides Plant is also called the UFO plant because it’s glowing green, flying saucer-shaped leaves. It also produces little shoots that you can share with your friends!

 

So snag up a few of these rad houseplants for your home (they ship right to your front door!) and start the process of purifying the air in your home while also being the most chic house on the block!

 

The post 16 Insanely Rad Houseplants That Improve Your Health and Bring the Chic appeared first on How Does She.

by Nicolette via Home And Garden

We Try to Break A dump trailer SEVERE OVERLOAD! by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

We Try to Break A dump trailer SEVERE OVERLOAD!
I wanted to SEE what would happen if you SEVERELY Overloaded a dump trailer. What Breaks first? Will the tires explode, axles snap or frame break? The best way to find out is to try it. So we put 50,000lbs on a dump trailer to see what will happen. The Giveaway trailer is Here:Register for the trailer here: https://texaspridetrailers.com/trailer-giveaway/

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Being a parent comes with a lot of self-doubt. Am I doing this right? Someone else could probably do it better than me. Are my kids happy? Are they too spoiled? Did I adequately answer that question about why Uncle Ryan’s voice has started squeaking? As a mom of four, questions like these zap my brain every single day.

Parenting is my job and I treat it like one. But I’ll be the first to admit, sometimes I get lax on the job. Sometimes I catch myself so absorbed in my email inbox that I barely register my son who’s next to me, reading an original story that he wrote for me. I hate myself for those non-genuine Mmm-hmms and Oh reallys? Sometimes I remember days later that I’d promised to French braid my daughter’s hair. I look at those disheveled little locks and think, What am I doing?

Am I maximizing the time I have with these four little beings here while I have it? The single most significant question I ask myself as a parent is:

Do my kids know that I love them?

Because at the end of the day, if my children don’t know the answer to that question then I have failed. They have to know I love them deeply and unconditionally, every single day.

The 10-Minute Parenting Experiment

There is time we spend together as families and then there is quality time we spend together as families. Do you see the difference? For example, an hour spent in front of the TV before bed is not the same as an hour spent playing a game or reading books together. Am I maximizing the time I have with my family? Do my kids know that I love them?

Personal connections are important.

Do we know what our children are thinking about in a given day? What items weigh heavily on their minds? What makes them happy or proud? In our fast-paced world of ubiquitous distractions, the air around us is literally abuzz with connectivity. Email chains distract us from valuable conversations we could be having with our kids. Social media threads consume our thoughts and make us believe that significance happens on a screen rather than within the walls of our own homes. It’s too easy to wake up every morning, scurry the day about, and then hit the pillow each night without ever really bonding with our children.

That’s why I started the 10-minute experiment.

It’s 10 minutes of undistracted, look-you-in-the-eye time where nothing else in the world matters except your child.

What do you want to do? What do you want to talk about? P.S. I love you.

The 10-minute parenting experiment sounds easy, but it does take conscious and concerted effort. Here’s how it works: it’s 10 minutes that you spend at home alone with your child doing whatever they want to do, talking about whatever they want to talk about, and ending with a sincere expression of your love for them. It could happen daily or weekly, but the more regular the better.

Yes, we spend huge amounts of time with our kids, but those times are usually hectic and our attention is torn between our other children and responsibilities . The 10-minute experiment is different: it’s calculated and special. It’s a time set aside and reserved. It’s quick yet intentional and you announce to your child that it is his or her special time with you. The 10-minute experiment makes kids feel like a million bucks because they get mom or dad all to themselves.

Ten minutes is not a lot, but it is enough. And if you have multiple children like I do, 10 minutes times four children adds up. Normally my kids all vie for my attention at once saying, “Mom, watch this!” and “Mom, can you help me with this?” and I get whiplash from all the back and forth demands. With the 10-minute experiment, each child gets their own special time with mom or dad with no competition from siblings. A timer set at 10 minutes ensures everyone gets the exact same amount of time so it’s 100% fair.

The ten-minute experiment always contains the same three components:

1.What do you want to do?

2. What do you want to talk about?

3.  “I love you.”

1. What do you want to do?

First I always ask, “What do you want to do?” Each child gets to pick an activity they want to do with just mom or dad. The activity needs to be something we can do in or outside our house. My kids adore this creative control and they often spend hours, even days thinking up their special activities. Sometimes it’s making cookies, painting nails, or playing a sport with just them and no siblings involved (which is a rarity in our house). Sometimes they just want me to watch while they sing or do gymnastics. The important thing is that they have my undivided attention.

2. What do you want to talk about?

Secondly, I always take that time when we’re one-on-one to ask, “What do you want to talk about.” Sometimes we have a trivial conversation about what’s happening at school, but other times we touch on important topics, like “When am I old enough to get a phone.” Those conversations are some of the best opportunities to delve into bigger subjects. The most important thing that my kids come away with from these talks is that I am listening. No distractions. Me and them and I’m all ears.

3. I love you, always and no matter what.

Growing up, my parents always had this saying that held a secret meaning for our family: “Never forget.” They said those two words when they tucked me in at night as a child and then later whenever I left the house as a teenager. That phrase was deep and personal; it was my parents’ reminder to never forget that they loved me.

I remember how much that adage meant to me then, and now when I end my 10 minutes with each of my children, I take a moment to look them in the eyes and tell them how much I really love them. Always and forever, no matter what. It might not cure cancer or end world hunger but that kind of love—the love a parent has for her child—has a power of its own.

Lastly, when to make it happen?

It’s called an experiment for a reason: it’s a test to see what works for you and your family.

Personally in our house, there’s a part of the day I like to call “dead time.” It’s that stretch of time after dinner and before bed that we just kind of bum around. The TV gets turned on and we veg out, waiting for darkness to fall and 8:00 to signal bedtime. Even though we are technically spending time together as a family, it’s not necessarily quality time. It’s not bad, but we can do better.

 We’ve tried turning that “dead time” into quality time with the 10-minute parenting experiment. Now, instead of crashing on the couch after dinner, each kid gets 10 minutes with mom or dad. The other kids can watch TV or read a book while they wait for their turn. Not only do our kids love it, but they crave it. They can’t wait for their special time with mom and dad. It’s opened up conversations and brought a lot of happiness into our home.

 The 10-minute experiment always consists the same three things: What do you want to do? What do you want to talk about? And I love you. Ten minutes is a blip on our daily radar, but could be easily wasted away. Turn dead time into quality time. Give them 10 minutes and you’ll get so much more in return. The 10-minute experiment isn’t the end-all parenting solution, but it’s a pretty good place to start.

 For more parenting tips and tricks that have worked in our homes, check out these ideas:

The One Thing You Should Never Give Your Kids at Night

Building a Girl’s Confidence One Step at a Time

Life’s 4 Precious Moments That Happen in Your Home Every Day

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by Nicolette via Home And Garden