Sheet Music Candles ~

DIY | Holiday Inspiration

Super easy and inexpensive candles for your holiday decor.

I started with a few of these from the Dollar Tree:

Grabbed a few sheets of music and cut them down to size:

A little double stick tape and viola:

 I love the glow through the sheet music. 

The first one I did, I actually decoupaged it on, but it was bubbly and didn't look very good (at least up close). Plus the double stick tape was way easier and less time consuming.

 

If you wanted you could decorate these to your hearts delight - maybe even a little glitter around the top edge? But I must say, I really like the simple understated look of these. I think these would look great year round!

Ready for Christmas ~

It is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...

image from Country Living

Are you ready? We all came down with horrible colds the day after Thanksgiving, but as soon as we are on the mend, the decorating is on! 

When do you put up your Holiday decor?

If you haven't already, be sure to enter the CSN Giveaway going on right now.

Thanksgiving Centerpiece Ideas ~

Holiday | Entertaining Inspiration

I love the addition of fruit to floral arrangements - especially for Thanksgiving. It just seems so fitting. Here are a few last minute centerpiece ideas for you Thanksgiving table.

1. marthastewart.com, 2. bhg.com, 3. &4. marthastewart.com, 

5. bhg.com, 6. Martha Stewart



Check me out over here today!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with lots of smiles and laughter!

A Giveaway ~

CSN recently contacted me and asked if I was interested in hosting another giveaway - but of course! I mean, how could I turn down a giveaway from CSN - they sell pretty much everything...seriously...from elegant furniture to kids toys to leather messenger bags.

When I started looking for a great giveaway item, I decided that with the time of the year, you would probably rather have the $65 to spend as you wish. 

Maybe a gift for someone on your list-

Or a few great pieces for you holiday entertaining - 

Or maybe a little something for yourself -

So, one lucky winner will receive a $65 gift certificate towards CSN! 

**Giveaway Now Closed**

Here's how to enter:

1. Leave a comment telling me how you would spend the $65

2. Become a follower or let me know you are already a follower

3. Blog, Tweet, Facebook about the giveaway

(make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry)

Winner will be randomly selected Tuesday November 30th.

Good Luck!

Ballard Designs Knock-Off Ornament ~

DIY | Holiday Inspiration

I know I  have told you before I have a thing for pinecones, so when I say these lovelies at Ballard Designs I knew I wanted them! But, I thought "I can make these".

So, here are the supplies you will need:

• Martha Stewart Smoky Quartz Glitter
• Silver Glitter
• Glue (I used Aleene's Original Tacky Glue)
• Pinecones 
• Ribbon
• Hot Glue Gun

I started by putting on the glue (I pulled out a brush, but it was just as easy to use my finger).

I then sprinkled on both kinds of glitter.

I then let everything dry for a few hours. 

Once dry, I hot glued a ribbon hanger to each pinecone.

And viola! I had everything on hand, so these bad boys were free! I think these would also be great without the ribbon and simply stuck into a garland or any holiday arrangement. And you could really use any color glitter (you could even add really small beads for a chunkier look) and any ribbon you have on hand.

Have You Heard of Craigseasy?

 If you are a fan of Craigslist and you haven't heard of CraigsEasy yet, I suggest you hold onto your seat...seriously, you are going to be in love!

I think Craigslist is fabulous but, I must say scrolling through all of the listings and clicking, clicking, clicking can get a bit annoying. Until now! Adbo, the mastermind behind CraigsEasy, has created a site that compiles your search into a single listing with pictures! Yes you read that correctly - pictures! All you have to do is download the button, search Craigslist as you normally would and simply hit the Easy button and...yes, you now have an easy to read listing with pictures.

I now use this every single time I search Craigslist and it is A.W.E.S.O.M.E. Try it, you will instantly fall in love!

CraigsEasy has an awesome bi-monthly "Friend Blog" Giveaway that is going on today. Head over to the CraigsEasy Blog and find out how your blog can win a monthly spot in their Friends Blog Widget!

Yes, that is a FREE spot...talk about awesome publicity! Now go, go, go because the first person to comment wins a spot. 

And because they rock over at CragisEasy, I get to give away two Friend Blog spots to my readers! Be sure to upload your logo on the CraigsEasy blog, get your ticket number and head over to my Facebook page and leave me your ticket number! 

And if that wasn't enough, Three Men and a Lady and What's Up Whimsy also get to giveaway 2 spots each! So, get moving and try out CraigsEasy...you will be so happy you did. 

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

Handmade Ornament Series ~

I am excited to be participating in this fabulous series over at Under the Table and Dreaming next week! I can't wait to see all of the fabulous ornaments...I must say, I am covered in glitter as I write this!

 Here are a few great handmade ornaments ideas thanks to Better Homes and Gardens-

  

New Sponsor - Winterberry Cottage ~

I am excited to announce our newest sponsor - Winterberry Cottage! 

AmyLynn is the owner and creator behind this great Etsy store where she creates prints on vintage paper. She uses everything from dictionaries, encyclopedias, sheet music and more. If it is old, she prints on it - and she has a wonderful selection. Here are a few of my favorites -

She also has a fun line for the Holidays -

If you are looking for a great gift idea, be sure to check out Winterberry Cottage - she is offering all Room to Inspire readers a special offer - buy 3 prints and get the 4th free!

Soiree Wrap Up ~

I had so much fun this last week at the Holiday Designer Soiree. It was a fabulous group of ladies -  Diane, Kirsten, Kris, Laura, Bree, my Mom and myself - full of so many inspiring ideas and such great creative energy. Here are a handful of shots from the event...

 

Again thank you ladies and a big thanks to Diane for hosting such an amazing event. I have to tell you all how much I am in love with her home (I truly find myself daydreaming about it)!

My Caramel Apples ~

Holiday | Entertaining Inspiration

 I wanted to show you how my recent caramel apples turned out. I used a 14oz bag of wrapped caramels and 2 tablespoons of milk - really that was all my caramel consisted of - and it worked great!

I started with my apples and a handful of wooden skewers. 

I then unwrapped the caramels.

And then added the milk and put the microwave safe dish in the microwave for a total of 2 1/2 minutes. I made sure to stir the caramels 2-3 times during the cooking time.

At the last minute I decided to I wanted to add a little something, so I dug into the Halloween candy and roughly chopped up some Crunch Bars. 

After I let my melted caramel sit for about 3 minutes, I dipped my apples into the hot caramel and rolled each apple until it was completely coated. I let rolled half in the chopped up chocolate. It was super easy! Really, no problems - and they were a hit! Everyone loved them, especially the ones with the Crunch bars.