Archive for November, 2013

Amy’s Notebook 11.27.13

Wednesday, November 27th, 2013

Cranberry-Margaritas

Source: Gimme Some Oven

 

Ahh, easy cranberry margaritas – just in time for any holiday celebration!

This one pot paleo curry chicken stir fry looks so good – and good for you – I’m thinking it even might be great using leftover turkey, don’t you?

I’d love to send my loved ones home with leftover pie in boxes decorated with these adorable free printable labels for Thanksgiving.

These awesome etched wooden spoons would make a fantastic gift and would even be great paired with my paint-dipped wooden spoons, too!

I’m totally loving the clean look of this merry and bright holiday wall art.

Finally, I’m so happy to find a diy car upholstery cleaner for our, um, slightly dirty car seats.

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I hope you enjoyed this collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration!

 

Christmas Gift Ideas Under $25

Tuesday, November 26th, 2013

Christmas Gift Ideas Under $25 from MomAdvice.com.

As is tradition for the holiday season, today I wanted to share great gift ideas for under $25 to add to your Christmas wish list or to share with someone you love in your life.

These are a few of the items that are on my own personal wish list this year!

Fox Scarf

Mischief Maker Scarf

If you thought I was obsessed with owls this last year, I have found a new obsession with another woodland creature.

I am in love with this novelty-printed fox scarf for adding a whimsical layer to my wardrobe.

I hope Santa will wrap one of these up for me for under my Christmas tree! 

 

 

Jane Austen Collectible Editions

Jane Austen (Barnes & Noble Collectible Edition)

I have never tackled a Jane Austen book although I love every movie adaptation I have ever seen of her books.

Each Christmas I ask for one of these beautiful reissued classics from Barnes & Noble and try to read it for the year.

Why just buy one book though when you can get seven in one?

I am adding this affordable 7-in-1 books to my Christmas list this year. 

 

 

Work Hard Stay Humble Print

 

Work Hard Stay Humble Print

I am always looking for prints to add to my office and I absolutely love this reminder for my home office.

I would love to fill every room of my home with pretty font-filled motivation, but this print in particular speaks to my heart.

 

 

Celebration Cake Topper

 

Celebration Cake Topper

We are all about celebrating the big and little occasions around here and I would love to get this beautiful, celebration cake topper to top our baked doughnuts, cakes, and pancakes in the morning for those moments.

What a beautiful detail to add to our family celebrations! 

 

Punny Vegetable Tote Bag

 

Punny Vegetable Tote

Man, my farmer’s market visits just got a lot more fun with this hilarious tote.

In all seriousness, I love a good tote bag and I think this one really delivers on the fun and functional factors. 

 

Glass Cake Stand

 

Glass Cake Stand

This stand would be a perfect addition to my cake stand collection and I love the antique details on this one.

Although the $25 budget only affords me the small one, it would be just perfect for my food photography 

 

 

Owl Stitch Markers

 

 Owl Stitch Markers

I may be moving on to the foxes this year, but I still love my owls.

For my mother-in-law last year, I got her a cute set of sock monkey stitch markers.

She says it is her favorite thing and such a fun addition to her knitting supplies.

For knitters, it can be hard to come up with fun new gifts to add to their arsenal of tools, but a cute set of personalized stitch markers are a one-of-a-kind gift that any knitter would love.

 

Headed to Starbucks Hat

 

Headed to Starbucks Hat

It’s no secret that I am a big fan of our site sponsor Flourish Boutique!

There is rarely a day you will catch me not wearing something from their beautiful shop.

This wool hat  is a perfect example of beauty and functionality.

I am crazy about anything with rosettes and these neutral colors mean it would match with anything in my wardrobe.

 

 

Q&A a Day Journal

 

Q & A a Day

I am always looking for new ways to journal, but I have a hard time coming up with things to write about, especially on a daily basis.

I love this idea for a journal because it offers 365 questions that you can answer over the course of five years.

I think this might help me with my writer’s block that I have when trying to find the words to describe our daily life 

 

 

Forest Saunter Mug

Forest Saunter Mug

Every year I try to get one cute new mug and this year Anthropologie captured my heart with this mug  with, “these wood are lovely,” nestled inside.

I can picture enjoying my morning coffee in this one and the price tag on that fits just right too! 

 

Love these ideas and looking for more?

Be sure to check last year’s list of Christmas Gifts Under $25 for the Ladies in your life!

What is on your Christmas list this year?

This post contains affiliate links.

 

Don’t miss these great holiday ideas from MomAdvice.com:

Big List of Handmade Gifts on MomAdvice.com

Big List of Handmade Gifts

 

 

DIY Holiday Yarn Trees

 

DIY Mantel Decorating Ideas

 

No-Sew DIY Blanket Scarf

 

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Apron Full of Giveaways 11.26.13

Tuesday, November 26th, 2013

thanksgiving aprons

Source: Robin’s Nest,  $20.00

 

Welcome to our Apron Full of Giveaways! I hope everyone is having a great week this week! As we do each week, here is our round-up of giveaways for our readers. We hope that this is beneficial to you and your family! Please let us know if you guys win anything- I love to hear the success stories!

Below are the contest links-if you are hosting a contest please link it up below. Sorry, we are not giving away the aprons just showcasing them! Please put your site name and then what type of contest you are hosting. For example, “MomAdvice (Kid’s Movies).”

Good luck to each of you!

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2 Ingredient Cranberry Pancake Syrup

Monday, November 25th, 2013

2 Ingredient Cranberry Pancake Syrup

Continuing with our Thanksgiving theme this week, today I wanted to share an easy recipe for Cranberry Pancake Syrup made from your leftover cranberry sauce. This cranberry pancake syrup recipe is made from two simple ingredients; your leftover cranberry sauce and maple syrup.

Walmart challenged me to create a recipe using some of our Thanksgiving leftovers and I immediately thought of this idea that I had for our leftover cranberry sauce.

Brandied Orange & Cranberry Sauce

This was the first year that I made my own cranberry syrup for Thanksgiving and I loved it so much that I wanted to use it as an ingredient in another dish that we could share after the holidays were over. This Brandied Orange & Cranberry Sauce was so heavenly that I knew it would be the perfect accompaniment with a big stack of pancakes.

2 Ingredient Cranberry Pancake Syrup

I couldn’t put this sauce on just any pancakes though, it had to be our family favorite- the Fluffy & Light Pumpkin Pancakes that we share (almost) weekly on Sundays in the autumn months.

When the pumpkin and cranberry are combined together, it is like experiencing Thanksgiving Day all over again! I hope you can give these a try with your own leftover cranberry sauce. I promise, it is a recipe that will not disappoint!

2 Ingredient Cranberry Pancake Syrup

Cranberry Pancake Syrup
Recipe Type: Condiment
Author: Amy Clark
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
An easy two ingredient pancake syrup that can be created from leftover cranberry sauce. Add this delicious syrup on top of a stack of Pumpkin Pancakes for a festive spin!
Ingredients
  • 2/3 cup cranberry sauce
  • 1 cup maple syrup
Instructions
  1. In a saucepan mix together cranberry sauce and maple syrup and heat until warm.
  2. Serve on top of your favorite pancakes.

What is your favorite dish to create with Thanksgiving leftovers?

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Amy’s Notebook 11.20.13

Wednesday, November 20th, 2013

Butter-Dinner-Rolls

Source: Dine and Dish

 

I’m definitely adding these lovely buttery dinner rolls to my bread machine recipe list- yum!

This honey pecan pie looks like it will make a perfect addition to any Thanksgiving dinner (and since I prepped most of our Thanksgiving feast in advance, I may have time to make it to go along with my fancied-up store-bought pies!).

There are so many great ideas for eating healthfully on a budget from this real food on a food stamp budget series – whether you’re receiving food stamps or just trying to lower your food bill.

Here’s a great diy tutorial on how to make solid lotion bars – I think they are a wonderful natural alternative to store lotions and would make sweet gifts for the ladies on your list.

I’m in love with this beautiful monogrammed jumbo tote bag – I can think of so many things I could use this for!

amys_notebook

I hope you enjoyed this collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration!

 

DIY Thanksgiving Centerpiece

Tuesday, November 19th, 2013

DIY Thanksgiving Centerpiece from MomAdvice.com.If there is one holiday I love it is Thanksgiving. Any holiday that focuses on all of the blessings of the year around a dinner table filled with those I love is definitely a holiday that I love to celebrate. Oftentimes though, the details of holiday preparation and decorating can interfere with the things that really should matter the most.

Today I wanted to share with you a beautiful and effortless centerpiece you can create for your table with some items you have on hand combined with a few items from your local grocer. To find out how to make this fast and easy DIY Thanksgiving centerpiece, head on over to the Kenmore Blog to grab the supplies list and read my easy tutorial for creating this for your own home!

See you there!

 

Apron Full of Giveaways 11.19.13

Tuesday, November 19th, 2013

pink barclay apron

Source: Ruby Jean’s Closet,  $6.75 (pattern only)

 

Welcome to our Apron Full of Giveaways! I hope everyone is having a great week this week! As we do each week, here is our round-up of giveaways for our readers. We hope that this is beneficial to you and your family! Please let us know if you guys win anything- I love to hear the success stories!

Below are the contest links-if you are hosting a contest please link it up below. Sorry, we are not giving away the aprons just showcasing them! Please put your site name and then what type of contest you are hosting. For example, “MomAdvice (Kid’s Movies).”

Good luck to each of you!

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Fall Decorating With Goodwill Store Items

Monday, November 18th, 2013

Fall Decorating With Goodwill Store Items from MomAdvice.com.

 

This time of year is among my favorites because I just love decorating for the Fall season and for Thanksgiving with my family.

Thankfully, decorating for Fall doesn’t need to be expensive at all!

With a few inexpensive tools and some items from your favorite thrift shop, you will have all you need to start decorating your home for Fall.

Here are six fun ways to decorate your home for Fall using some easy to find items! 

 

 

Make a Sweater Vase

Vases are readily available at Goodwill and there happen to be dozens upon dozens of sweaters just waiting to adorn those vases.

Select a color scheme that goes along with your home and simply glue the sweater fabric to your inexpensive vase.

Fill your vase with bare branches from your yard and you have a beautiful and cozy vase to decorate your mantle!

As someone who lacks the sewing gene, I totally love that this craft is a no-sew project!

Check out Made From Pinterest for the scoop on this adorable craft.

 

 

Add a Fall Touch To Your Door

Making a wreath can be time-consuming and buying a wreath can be expensive.

Why not decorate your door beautifully and simply with the top of a rake?

I love this adorable rake adornment for the front door dressed simply with a little sprig of Fall branches that you could pick up from the craft shop.

You could even spray paint this to match your front step decor.

This would also be such a fun way to decorate a shed door!

Visit Eclectically Vintage for some beautifully thrifted inspiration!

 

 

Make a Cozy Pumpkin Centerpiece

Sweater crafts are all the rage for Fall and I love the idea of creating a centerpiece of pumpkins that have been covered in cozy sweaters for the Fall season.
On the StoneGable blog, you can find some fabulous instructions for creating a few cozy pumpkins of your own.
I love that they chose this white color scheme for the pumpkins because these could remain out for Winter decor too!
Be sure to look for sweaters with interesting cabling schemes and chose sweaters with different textures to really make your pumpkin centerpiece stand out!

Give Branches a New Lease On Life

While bare branches can be beautiful, it can be fun to spruce them up and adorn them for the Fall season.

Yarn is a commonly donated Goodwill item and this year I made my very own little Knitted Leaf centerpiece out of scrap yarns that I had.
Leaves can be made out of just about anything though, consider cutting leaves from sweaters or book pages to create your own unique centerpiece and place them in a pretty vase from your favorite thrift store.

Make a Pumpkin From Book Pages

Are you hosting a Thanksgiving dinner this year?

Consider making a unique centerpiece out of a book from Goodwill.
These book page pumpkins make a beautiful place setting that could later sit on a side table, ledge, or mantle after your dinner is done.
Check out Upcycled Treasures for a great tutorial on how to make these for your own Thanksgiving table.
Of course, regular readers know that we are BIG fans of book page crafts over here so be sure to check out our fantastic round-up of things to do with old books!

Take a Stand with Your Decorating

Cake stands are so easy to make with just a candlestick holder and a plate.

Spray paint them to create a cohesive collection and place these on your buffet table or mantle.
Head to the local farmer’s market or grocer to find interesting pumpkins to adorn the top of these stands.
Check out this easy tutorial from Dwellings by Devore to get the scoop on how to make these for your own home!
I am wishing you the happiest of Thanksgivings this year!
I hope these ideas will help you with decorating your own home for the holidays!
Don’t miss these other Fall Ideas from MomAdvice.com:

DIY Painted Address Pumpkin Topiary

The Best of Fall, Halloween & Thanksgiving-49 Ideas for Decor, Crafts, Recipes, Costumes & More

The Best of Fall, Halloween & Thanksgiving

DIY Thumbtack Pumpkins

 

Tips to Enjoy Autumn at MomAdvice.com

Enjoy Autumn to the Fullest

 

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Amy’s Notebook 11.13.13

Wednesday, November 13th, 2013

felt ornament

Source: Eighteen 25

 

Aren’t these felt ornaments completely adorable? Made with basic supplies and lots of felt circles, I think these ornaments would make such a fun addition to any Christmas tree.

I’m loving these tips for creating budget Thanksgiving decorations!

You’ll definitely want to check out these cool examples if you’ve ever thought of turning your child’s closet into a reading nook (I know have!).

All I can say about this gluten free pumpkin bread pudding is: amazing.

My kids would flip over this oreo peppermint bark – yum.

I’ve just got to make this salmon with apple cherry chutney soon – drool.

amys_notebook

I hope you enjoyed this collection of gathered links to DIY crafts, food projects, and thrifty ways to spruce up your home. Nothing brings me more joy then to highlight other fabulous bloggers. Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration!

 

Apron Full of Giveaways 11.12.13

Tuesday, November 12th, 2013

blue cherries apron

Source: Hostess with the Mostest,  $23.95

 

Welcome to our Apron Full of Giveaways! I hope everyone is having a great week this week! As we do each week, here is our round-up of giveaways for our readers. We hope that this is beneficial to you and your family! Please let us know if you guys win anything- I love to hear the success stories!

Below are the contest links-if you are hosting a contest please link it up below. Sorry, we are not giving away the aprons just showcasing them! Please put your site name and then what type of contest you are hosting. For example, “MomAdvice (Kid’s Movies).”

Good luck to each of you!