recycled flowers.

are you kidding me? these are fabulous.

{recycled flowers}

find instructions via

i'll let you know how mine turns out.

twiggs boutique.

last weekend, the nelson family took our annual seasonal weekend getaway to hood river, or.
my sisters, mom, and i decided to leave the boys at the cabin, and explore downtown hood river.
we came across this adorable little shop, twiggs boutique.
i was so intrigued by all the twig inspired decor, and the set-up of the boutique.

{here are some photos of twiggs}






{this twig chandelier is from apples boutique in hood river, but i had to add it anyways}


next time you're in hood river, or. you should check out their cute little boutiques, i was happily impressed.

{nelson family photo from the trip.}

owl sugar cookies.

my sister in-law recently sent me a recipe for some adorable owl cookies, found via cheeky kitchen.
they are appropriate for autumn, and are a great way to enjoy the season.



{owl sugar cookies}
via cheeky kitchen.

1 (17.5 ounce) package Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix
1 (16 ounce) can Betty Crocker Milk Chocolate Frosting
1/3 cup Multigrain Cheerio's
1/4 cup whole, raw almonds
2 tablespoons mini white chocolate or chocolate chips
2 tablespoons chocolate candy corn
(optional)1 black food decorater pen

Mix sugar cookies according to "For Cutout Cookies" package directions. With a generously floured work area, roll cookie dough out until approximately 1/4" thick. Using a glass drinking cup, or cookie sheet, cut into a 2 1/2" circle. With a small heart-shaped cookie cutter turned upside down, cut a small portion out of the top of each cookie round, to resemble the head and ears of the owl. Transfer to a cookie sheet and bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes, or just until the edges of the cookies are ever so slightly browned. Remove cookies from oven, transfer to a cooling rack and allow to cool.

Use milk chocolate frosting to frost cooled cookies. Press two Multigrain Cheerio's into the center of the owl's face for eyes. Drop a mini white chocolate or dark chocolate chip in the center of each Cheerio for the pupils (if using the white chocolate chips, draw a small, black dot into the center of the chip with food decorator pen). Using a sharp paring knide, cut the orange tip from a chocolate candy corn and press it between the eyes for the beak. Press two almonds on each side of the frosted cookie for wings. Allow frosting to firm up slightly by leaving the cookies uncovered for 20-30 minutes. Eat & Enjoy!


{check out cheeky kitchen for many more seasonal recipes!}
happy baking!

{blossoms on etsy}

i absolutely love these blossom pins.

here are some ways to wear them:
{modeled by helena albanese.}





you can now purchase these pretties on my etsy!

affordable decor.

i am a bargain shopper, especially when it comes to home decor. i would much rather buy something used at a secondhand store, or flea market, and fix it up, rather than paying full price for something. i needed a good headboard, but didn't want to spend a fortune on one. i found this old window screen at a little store in salem for $9, and thought it would be perfect for right above our bed. our bedroom is really tiny, and anything dark makes our room look smaller, this pale blue screen works perfect with the rest of our apartment, and gives the feel that our room is even bigger. i love it.

{art fusion}

art fusion was a success! it was such a fun event. so many great businesses were there, erich mcvey photography, the cupcakery, symmetry/symmetry, and class act boutique. the salem art associations, meaghan mcgraw coordinated the event, and did an amazing job.

for art fusion, i created the center pieces, and set-up my urban nester booth. overall, it was really successful, and i was able to get my name out there. i'll be doing the winter showcase at the bush barn art center, and possibly selling some of my merchandise at a local boutique in salem this spring! stay tuned! here are some photos from the fun event.

{my booth}








{my wonderful and talented husband.}

{centerpiece #2}

{the amazing event coordinator and friend: meaghan mcgraw}


thanks to all who came and participated!

dreamy whites. dreamy house.

i currently ran across this amazing blog, dreamy whites. i am obsessed with this country chic home. the lady who writes this blog is a stay at home mom of 5, married to her high school sweetheart. i absolutely love the decor in her home, so dreamy.

here are a few of my favorite photos from dreamy whites blog.

caramel everything.

every fall, i anticipate the tasty seasonal treats. caramel apples have always been my favorite [lets be honest, caramel has always been my favorite.] caramel apples, caramel cider, caramel apple pops, caramel pumpkin white mochas, caramel squares... my mouth is beginning to water. i just love caramel. and as you all know, i just love fall. fall is my favorite time of year.

this fall, i have decided to go out on a whim, and experiment with caramel apples. my first experiment was this afternoon. brad and i went to winco, picked up some caramel, granny smith apples,chocolate chips, and sprinkles. we covered the apples in melted caramel, dipped the bottom of the apples in chocolate and sprinkles, stuck a popsicle stick through the top of the apple, and plopped those incredibly delicious looking treats in the oven at 200 degrees for 7 minutes.

the end result: messy, but oh so delicious.

any other yummy caramel apple ideas?
happy experimenting :]

just discovered tuuni.

just discovered this lovely site, tuuni on etsy . i'm inspired.






via

autumn decor ideas.

adorable, easy, and inexpensive. three reasons to love and make this acorn mirror.

{via marthastewart.com}
i love, love, LOVE, this cozy corner set-up. get the pattern for this leaf pillow via bhg.com
{not to mention, how cute are the frames in the back?}

{via bhg.com}
looking for a unique fall display? how fun are these gourd vases.

{via marthastewart.com}
simple, yet chic, way to display photos.

{via bhg.com}


time to get creative.