Christmas Decor & DIYs

It has been too long since I posted a DIY on here, and what better time then for the holidays (even if it is completely last minute)? Today we are talking about Christmas ornaments. 

I finally bought a faux tree this year and from Wal-Mart nonetheless, and after many trips to Hobby Lobby, Wal-Mart and Michael's and not to mention hours searching for inspiration on Pinterest, I decided my tree would have a rustic theme. I started contemplating how much money ornaments would cost to fill a 7 1/2 ft. tree and ultimately decided that there was no way I could afford to fill up my tree unless I made some of the ornaments on my own, which is exactly what I did: 

I found these at Hobby Lobby for $8.99 BUT were an additional 50% off (like all Holiday stock).

I purchased mini pinecones from Etsy, liked here, and added faux snow.

I filled the ornaments with shredded brown paper purchased from Hobby Lobby.

These came in a pack of six from Hobby Lobby and were 50% off, like everything in the holiday section. Three came matte brown and three shiny brown. I love the contrast.

  Hedgehog ornament from Michael's Craft Store- Seriously, could he be any cuter?

Other holiday decor in my house:

Purchased this cutie from Hobby Lobby as well (50% off y'all!)

DIY add mini burlap deer and Christmas trees *Wal-Mart* inside a rustic lantern found at a flea market and painted with Chalk paint.

I decided to change it up a little bit in my craft room. Funny story: I noticed that I did not have a tree topper for this mini tree because my lovely dog chewed the santa to shreds (haha) so I improvised. Rustic sign from Hobby Lobby. Ornaments from Wal-Mart. Hat from thrift shop.

I know it is totally last minute, but I had some free time (between wrapping gifts and slightly losing my sanity, haha) and decided to check in with my blogging family! I promise to blog more frequently after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season! 

Did this post inspire you? Comment below!

{{If we don't get the chance to chat again before Christmas, HAPPY HOLIDAYS Y'ALL!}}

Rustic Details

So you want to know how to add some rustic elements to you apartment or home? Look no further.

The first rustic idea that pops out to me is adding boards painted with chalk paint behind a flat screen tv for the living room. In fact, I love this idea, and if my tv wasn't currently sitting on a mantle above the fireplace, I would definitely have to reinvent this idea to work for my living room. I am also loving the vintage suitcases stacked according to height are such a nice touch.

See what I mean below: 

Image via Rustic-Crafts

Another rustic chic idea that I want to experiment with for my house is adding a bar cart, or in this case, trunk.

Image via The Thread Affect

I happen to have a vintage trunk passed down from my aunt, who recently passed away, and am super tempted to add legs to it, or turn it into a bar table right by itself. I know you have seen the infamous "bar carts" on pinterest and even in hit interior stores, such as Anthropologie. If not then you will have no idea why the thought of displaying liquor/wine bottles in an aesthetically pleasing way brings joy to my heart, but it does. I really love the mirror, flowers and lamp as well. *Mentally takes notes*

Image via 

The best part about this rustic living room is all the details. Don't close your eyes because you might miss something. The lampshade is one of my favorite pieces in the room but the oversized, round floor pillow comes in as a close second. Burlap pillows also compliment the neutral palette nicely.

 Image via
THE BEST IDEA EVER. Yes, adding old whitewashed shutters as a headboard is actually a thing, and if you think about it, a super easy way to integrate rustic elements in the bedroom.

Image via

Image Via DiyNCrafts

An amazing DIY idea that I just have to mention is this barn wood reclaimed mirror made using a regular mirror, such as a cheap one from Wal-Mart, and surrounding it with wood. I may try to convince my boyfriend to construct one of these for me after writing this post.

Image Via Over The Big MoonCan we talk about how awesome the idea of adding boards to the back of a bookcase? This instantly adds a rustic factor to any room. I absolutely love it.
Full tutorial here



Believe it or not, wooden letters adds a rustic touch to any room. In this case, the room is the kitchen and this craft actually appeals to me. If you have attempted to or have successfully made these, please let me know. To clarify a little, check out the full tutorial here.

Are you intrigued by rustic style for your home but don't have loads of money to spend to upgrade your existing decor? 
40 Rustic Home Decor Ideas you Can Build Yourself is a great reference as you transform your home with rustic inspired details.

Know any good rustic DIY ideas worth mentioning?
 Comment below & I'll add them to the list!

Modern Elegance

Modern elegance is one of those decoration styles which entails so many different things. Such as marble, gold accents, geometric prints, beautiful florals, gallery walls, chandeliers etc. 

Another common theme you'll notice is black and white. I am not sure if it's my taste, but everything modern & elegant happened to have splashes of black and white, which I personally love, and hope you do too.

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Remember the gold accents previously mentioned? Prime example below. Also, note the modern and elegant gallery wall with geometric pillows.

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The huge mirror compliments this elegant entry in such a modern way.

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The clear table below is modern yet chic all at the same time, and looks elegant paired with the fancy lamp and neutral sofa. The question is, is the table glass or a thick plastic? The world may never know, but I do know I want this table and whole set up in my living room sooner than later.

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This glamorous pad is borderline gaudy, but I love how feminine, modern & elegant it is. One thing is for sure, the light fixture needs to be burned and replaced with...you guessed it, a chandelier. 

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Nothing says elegant quite like a royal blue tufted sofa and black and white toile chairs, am I right?

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Now let's look at modern elegance in the kitchen...

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Can we talk about how elegant those traditional curtains look paired with the chandelier and the modern factor of the sleek chrome appliances and counter top?! Oh, so much love for this kitchen.

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The next kitchen is exactly how I want my kitchen to look one day. Well, let me rephrase that- if I could pick one kitchen to mimic, and if I had an unlimited amount of money, I would pick this one. BUT I would undoubtedly add three eye catching chandeliers and maybe a subway backsplash.

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At first glance this kitchen looks transitional as can be, but if you look closer the backsplash is made of chrome subway tiles, and guess what else is chrome to match? The handles of the drawers.

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Velvet, chrome, gold, fur, marble, geometric patterns...oh my!

Which modern elegant interior is your favorite? Comment below.

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10 Fall Decor Ideas

Scarecrows, sunflowers, pumpkins, hay bales; what do all these items have in common? I need one of each for my porch this fall season. How about you? How do you like to decorate your house and exterior for Fall? Tell me in the comments. 

For now, lets discuss 10 Fall Decor Ideas, shall we?

#1: Whiskey barrel planter: Recently, I fell in love with these planters after visiting my local Home Depot and Lowe's. Want some links where you can purchase a few? No problem:

Home Depot// 26 in. Half Whiskey Barrel Planter...A few things I am going to mention will need to sit inside something (planter) to stand up straight and fit the way you want, so why not place the sunflowers, small pumpkins, some hay, etc. into one of these planters?! I cannot wait to get my hands on one of these and arrange one myself.

Do you see my vision? Comment below.

More options:

Western Red Cedar Large Barrel

Southern Patio 22 1/2 in. Whiskey Barrel Resin Planter

#2: Sunflowers(artificial or not): Is it really Fall without sunflowers? I didn't think so. Hobby Lobby is a great place to purchase artificial sunflowers that require no water or sunlight, and look great on the front porch. HL also has the best sales and sometimes puts florals on so watch out for those!

Hobby Lobby: Giant Yellow Gold Sunflower

#3: Bales of hay: Every porch decorated for fall needs a bale of hay or two. Check out your local A.C. Moore for Flora Craft Bales of Beauty or if you prefer to purchase online, you're in luck. Here's a 16 inch Straw Bale(1 for $7.99 or 3/$21), 13 inch(1 for $4.99 or 6/$24.99), and 5 inch (1 for $2.99 or 20 for $40.99) Bulk prices are awesome for festivities and events. 

#4: Seasonal sign: 

Happy Fall Reclaimed Wood Sign by CraftsNCarpentry

Blessed Fall Sign by TheSouthernWoodShop

Count Your Blessings Wood Block-Hobby Lobby

Rustic Autumn Metal Barn Star

#5: Pumpkins: Most people prefer real pumpkins they pick with their family, but I like the artificial kind for the porch. That way, they can be used over & over again for years to come, and don't stink. Head to your local pumpkin patch or grab an assorted pack here, which contains 12 pieces of artificial pumpkins & gourds.

#6: Scarecrows:

Autumn Greetings Gardener Stuffable Porch Sitter

4 Assorted Smiling Scarecrows

#7: Artificial leaves or garland:

Maple Leaf Bush-$7.99

Pumpkin Pod and Bittersweet Fall Garland-$12.99

Rustic Candy Corn Spray Pick-$1.99/pick

#8: Pinecones and sticks: Let's be real for a minute-go outside & find some, spray paint or clear coat, and viola pinecones suitable for decorating. If you just have to purchase some, you might as well get a variety pack. Check this out> Fall Florals-Amazon

#9: Silver bucket with handles: You know the buckets I am referring too, right? Galvanized buckets...some have rope or wooden handles. Do you need some examples?

I really love this Metal Milk Can 15 in. for artificial flowers, wheat branches, and things with long stems. 

However, short items such as small pumpkins & garland need something shallow like this Galvanized Serving Tray. 

You can sit a serving tray on a hay bale then place a scarecrow next to it for a quick fall decor idea.

#10: Halloween items(ghost, witches, skulls, etc.) 

Did this post inspire you to decorate the exterior of your house for fall and Halloween? Let me know by commenting below.

Shorts Hanger DIY

If you browse Pinterest often then this idea is not new to you, but for those of you who haven't seen the infamous "shorts hanger DIY", here ya go. Storing shorts isn't that difficult for most people, but if you live in a small apartment or house like me then it can be quite a difficult feat. Typical storage options include dressers, drawers, clothes hangers etc. What if I told you that the only thing you need to accessibly hang up shorts is an item found in the bathroom section of Wal-Mart? And even better that what you need can be purchased for under one dollar. Yeah, you read that right, less than $1.00.

Well, you know that little bar under the main clothing bar in most closets? I never found a use for it until now. To start with, go to Wal-Mart and purchase a 12 pack of cheap shower curtain rings, like below (only 98 cents). Next, open one up & slide the loops of your shorts around the ring, hang up, AND THAT'S IT.

Simple enough, huh?

Check out my pictures below to get a better idea!

Grab this pack of shower curtain rings for only 98 cents.

Which bar you ask? The smaller one under the main bar.
Tip: Fold the shorts with the zipper in the back, grab the two side loops, and place around the shower curtain ring.

Do you think you might try this idea in your closet? Comment below!

Kitchen Update

I know I have been away for a while, but I have an exciting post today. 

Who wants to see my house and how I have decorated it thus far? 

Throughout the rest of this month and through June, I will post different rooms of the house, how I decorated each, where you can find the products pictured, and where the inspiration stemmed from. 

Today, let's start with the kitchen. 

I have a few baja blankets, but this one is my favorite. I placed it in the kitchen because the rest of my decor is cafe/bistro inspired and this adds an unexpected pop of color and a whole different laid-back vibe, and it fits perfectly in the spot between the cabinets and fridge.

You can find baja blankets here, here, and here.

Okay, moving on...remember that bistro vibe I mentioned? These fat chef salt & pepper shakers from Kirkland's are a prime example of the kitchen style I was aiming for.

Chef Salt and Pepper Shaker Set

Supercharge Your Immune System

5-Ingredient Cookbook-Similar

101 blender drinks- Came with my Vitamix, Vitamix-here

Most Requested Recipes

Subway Art-Target

If you follow this blog, you will recognize those red flowers and the geometric design rug above from my previous home. If you've never seen either and want links to similar items, check it out below:

Rug [Similar]

Flowers [Similar]

Continuing with the fat chef vibe, I chose this picture from Wal-Mart (believe it or not)! [Similar]

To give you an idea what cabinets I am working with and how everything is actually set up.

Right off the kitchen is a small cement area and a backyard that wraps around to the front of the house. And as you can see, a glass door separates the kitchen and yard. Chairs-[similar]

Unfortunately I do not have many pictures of the living room because it is still in the process of coming together just the way I want, but here is a little sneak peak of the rug and fireplace! 

More details on where to snag one just like this to come in the "Living Room"post.

How do you think the kitchen is coming together? I like it so far, but there is still so much more that needs to be done, which is going to be really hard this Summer while working full-time. If you have any suggestions on fat chef or bistro themed decor at a reasonable price, feel free to comment below!

Other rooms in my house coming soon!

Industrial Chic Apartment

Wire baskets, cage lights, stainless steel, and exposed hardware are all aspects you might find in an industrial chic apartment. What does industrial chic mean? Generally, industrial interior design style incorporates art & engineering, but also includes vintage items used in industry reinvented in a new and modern way. And I use the term "chic" a lot on this blog and have never truly defined it. When I say something is chic it is usually classy or glamorous looking (just for future reference).

Now we know the meaning, lets check out what it looks like:

First, lets discuss wire baskets. I never found wire baskets appealing until I started watching flea market flip, you that tv show on HGTV? Well, on the show they find all kinds of ways to repurpose normal everyday flea market items, which is fascinating to watch, and sometimes feature wire baskets. Wire baskets can obviously be used for storage, but what are some other uses for a wire basket? Well, for one you could make an industrial planter out of one, or maybe turn one on its side to act as an industrial wine holder. See what I mean below:

Industrial Wine Cellar by North Vancouver Design-Build Firms Beyond Beige Interior Design Inc.

When I mentioned cage lights, I know most of you were like what the heck is this woman about to show me, but don't judge before you see. Typical cage lights look like:

Industrial Spaces by Other Metro Furniture & Accessories Decor Steals

this, but some light fixtures mimic vintage stage lights from old hollywood movies, like the image below

Industrial Dining Room by Point Pleasant Beach Architects & Designers Richard Bubnowski Design LLC

My favorite aspect of industrial interior design is exposed hardware. What? Why would you want your hardware to show? Check out the image below and let me know in the comments if exposed hardware is a 'must' or a 'miss' for you. The first place I really took notice to exposed hardware or the look of it was in the IKEA Atlanta store. If you've ever been in an Ikea (this was my first time) you know how they have all the products set up on the showroom floors, well the STOLMEN open concept closet pieces stole my attention immediately. The poles for the unit look like painted electrical piping and the shoe holders have an industrial step look to them, both of which are examples of industrial design elements.

Okay, now for INDUSTRIAL CHIC

To make an industrial apartment feel less dark and masculine, try adding a few chic or glamorous pieces. For example: The perfect way to add glamour to an industrial styled apartment is a chandelier. 

Check out what I mean below...

Contemporary Kitchen by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Jeffers Design Group

Eclectic Kitchen by Kansas City Interior Designers & Decorators Debbie Dusenberry, aka CuriousSofa.com

Industrial Living Room by Chicago Architects & Designers jamesthomas, LLC

What is your favorite aspect of industrial interior design? 
Tell me in the comments!

Yard Sale Find

At first glance this looks like a sign you hang in a kitchen or bar, but it is so much more. See the circles at the bottom of the wine glasses? Well beside the circles are two hook-like things that hold real wine glasses and the large circle in the middle is for a wine bottle. How awesome?!

The best part is it was only $5 at a yard sale! Can you say steal? I absolutely cannot wait to hang it on the kitchen wall of the house that we are moving into in a couple weeks (just signed the lease today)!

You can find some intriguing things at yard sales if you really look, but plan on going to yard sales early because like my grandmother always said, "All the good stuff is gone by 9." 

What is the best thing you ever found at a Yard Sale? Tell me in the comments!

Gallery Wall Print

I blogged about gallery walls when I first started this blog and unfortunately have not been able to construct a gallery wall for my tiny apartment. I have, however, acquired a few fabulous prints for when I move into a place with the perfect spot for a gallery wall. I purchased both prints from Etsy (two different sellers) and am super pleased with each one. I mentioned the first print here on Bows and Moccasins (my fashion & beauty blog), but have since purchased another.

This post is dedicated to the spontaneous purchase of the Little Things Print from Charm And Gumption. I say spontaneous because I hadn't planned to buy another print for the nonexistent gallery wall, but I was captivated by the saying featuring all the simple joys of life and it mentions polka dots & Vogue, therefore I could not turn away. You can order many colors of the print, but I chose gold because I plan to decorate with gold accents in the next place.
Forewarning: You can't tell the letters are gold in the pictures because the horrible lighting from the lamp. Also note that the print is still in the plastic sleeve and not yet framed so it won't get crushed in the move.

   Now I need the mug to complete my collection.

Don't forget to check out Charm And Gumption on Etsy for this fabulous print or click here.

Stop by Monday when I blog about my awesome Garage Sale find! 

 Have a wonderful weekend!