Hey Mama, picture this. You come home from a long day of errands, the holidays are approaching too quickly, and your to-do list of course, is endless. As you turn to unlock the front door and lug that purse off your arm, you see it. The warm pretty pink label shining up at you, saying the work has been done for you. Your big and pretty Decocrated box has arrived. All you have to do is peel back that tape, your decor is transformed for the season, adding that extra magic that turns a house into a home.
THAT FEELING
You know that feeling when you have an amazing surprise for someone that you know they’ll love, but it’s so hard to keep it a secret? That’s how I felt this past season keeping this a surprise! I teamed up Decocrated to bring you solutions that you asked for, and a gift for you as well! They provide you with seasonal decor boxes that work with any home style, to make your seasons more special. Their pieces are on trend, yet timeless, and take all the work out of home decor. They just make the magic for you.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THEM
We know that we want to decorate for every season, but sometimes there’s too much to do. What do we even buy? Especially on a family budget? We see all those beautiful mantels and tablescapes & want the same in our homes. That’s where Decocrated takes the guesswork out for you. They hand select the perfect pieces to send you each season, many of the pieces multi purpose.
BONUS CONTENT THAT HELPS
Laying on top of your goodies is this 19 page booklet, super useful ways to quickly put your pieces to work. What will it pair with, you wonder?
AND MORE…
Just refer to your element guide that goes above and beyond to simplify your decor placement. It doesn’t get any easier than this. Here is the look inside my full box of goodies. Don’t you love it? Plus, there is no way that I could have all the pieces below for the steal of a deal price they have. Target would have abused my debit card for this. Ha!
WHAT’S INSIDE
I know you were looking for it, where is your gift? I didn’t forget you! When Decocrated sent me this box, they also created a special discount code for my readers, just for you Mama!
So come spring, when the snow melts away, and your tulips start to peek, your very own pink labeled Decocrated box will be waiting on your porch to brighten your season too. That touch of magic for your home, that cozy sophistication. And believe me lady-lady, I have seen the spring box and am counting the days to receive mine.
Merry Christmas Mama! It’s that time of year again, to send out a million Christmas Cards! I have got to tell you that this used to take me hours and days to complete. This year, my cards were finished and out for delivery before Thanksgiving and it took me only two hours, for ALL of them! Here are my tips to have a pain free experience, what you need to know for Christmas card success!
Invest In A Stamper
When my husband and I married, I ordered this nifty self-inking stamper from rubberstamps.net. They’re inexpensive and I just stamp away all the return addresses! I use this for all the mail and bills I send too. You’ll save hours of time and avoid those writing hand cramps. Literally, hours saved!
Shop Early
If you haven’t ordered your cards yet, it isn’t too late! The earlier you order, the more you’ll save. Check with each of my favorite card printers like Minted, Shutterfly, Walgreens, and VistaPrint. They all run great specials with great quality prints. I always choose whoever is running the best pricing on heavy card stock. I saved over $100 this year with ordering early and using the promo codes I found online, so be sure to google their best promo codes for those savings!
Batch Your Work
If you find yourself spending hours on your Christmas cards, batch your work instead. Work in sections, all the written notes, then the stuffing, the addressing, one thing at a time. This is guaranteed to cut out at least an hour of your time if not more. We work more quickly when we stick to a single task! Try it, you’ll love it.
Store Your Addresses Online
Nowadays, people move a ton! I spent so much time last year just calling and texting for addresses. My solution- store everyone’s addresses online! Minted has a great address book feature, plus they’ll even print your envelopes right from your contacts! Google Contacts is the safest program for long-term storage, both programs are free. So while you’re at it this year make sure to upload your addresses. Plus, everyone announces their moves on Facebook so you can update your lists right from your phones. Win-Win.
Before You Go
If you have any time-saving tricks for Christmas cards be sure to let me know and you might be featured here on the blog! Contact me right up there on the menu up top or find me on Instagram @chelseybychelsey.
Merry Christmas Mamas I have a special Christmas gift for you. First, I’ll let you in on a little secret. A couple of years ago I thought my home would never look magazine worthy, I thought that I needed hundreds of dollars to create those same looks in my own home! I was so wrong! This Christmas I am sharing with you how I decorated my home on a budget, no joke, this Mama loves to save money! Plus, I teamed up with my absolute favorite interior designer Marissa Herr of Herr Home Decor who has spilled all of her decorating tips and secrets just for you. We’re sharing how to spruce up for the Holidays, where to find our favorite pieces for less, and how to incorporate what you already have. Plus, are you ready? We collaborated to create the FREE Practical Home Decor Guide E-Book! So excited to share my first E-Book with you all, chock full of Marissa’s interior design secrets and how she helps me bring my home decor to life! Here we go.
Where To Begin
Sometimes Christmas decor can seem overwhelming, or out of order. To create a cohesive theme Interior Designer Marissa Herr recommends choosing one item that you can’t live without and letting that dictate the theme for your space. Perhaps you’re like me and have old nutcrackers you love or stockings that make your Christmas so special. This year I let my nutcrackers breathe color into the rest of the room, turning a classic into a modern. Their reds blacks and whites were just perfect for my theme and so simple to incorporate.
Arranging Your Pieces
I used to throw up my pieces wherever they would fit, or struggle with placement. I didn’t know how to use multiple items together to create that flowy look. Marissa explains her rule of threes and balancing out the weight for our eyes. If you look closely, I chose the believe sign as my focal point, bright and red as my main color. The complimenting and coordinating items fall to the side to weight the look on each end. My sections of three. In each section, I have three pieces. Ther white houses act as a neutral and the muted garland in the back acts as another neutral to tie it all together.
Where To Find Affordable Decor
I truly want to emphasize that decor doesn’t have to break the bank. This year I have found so many great pieces for less! The little white homes were just $3 a piece, along with the string lights at Target. Yay value aisle! I also found this precious garland at Target in the Magnolia Home section. Can we all pause and admire Joanna Gaines’ new home decor line? I could live in that section of Target. I’ll link each piece down below! Marissa Herr shares her Christmas Tablescape above- her centerpiece basket was a great find at TJ Maxx Home Goods! So before you think you’ll need to spend a ton, set your theme and head out for the hunt! Once you know what you’re looking for, you’ll be surprised to find so many steals.
More Interior Decor Secrets For The Holidays
We have so many more secrets to spill with you that can be used through any season! Don’t forget to download your free Home Decor Christmas Edition E-Book! From Marissa’s home decor rules to follow, how to cozy-up a room, to incorporating what you already have. Create your dream room on a budget in every room. You won’t want to miss out on all of our secrets!
Ok so I really have a confession. Mom to mom. I love baking, but I love quick desserts the most. Quick gratification for all the pretty, sweet, and tasty. Especially right now when Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I have so much else to do! Then Christmas. Oh my! Enter, this sweet jewel. My Quick & Delicious 30 Minute Coconut Cream Pie! It’s a no-bake pie that finishes so silky and fluffy. Here is what you’ll need.
Ready To Use Graham Cracker Crust (or make your own it’s just butter and graham cracker pressed)
Mix & Whip
Set aside 1/4 cup coconut for toasting. Then, why I love this recipe, mix almost everything together in no particular order. How fun and carefree did this just get? I use my large KitchenAid bowl and add the following.
2 Cups Cold Milk
1 & 1/2 Cups Cool Whip
2 Packages Coconut Pudding Mix
3/4 Cups Shredded Coconut
I mix for about 5 or more minutes on high speed. The trick for a FLUFFY no-bake pie is to really whip the air into it.
Time To Toast
This pie really needs a little prettiness, which is easy to do because the main prep time is about 10 minutes. You could do a lot to pretty it up no matter your skill level. You could spread some pretty meringues around the crust edge, or even use a stencil to add a design in the middle with graham cracker bits! I love to go with a pretty piped whipped cream and toasted coconut! Make sure to tell me below what your favorite is. Today we are going classic. Crank the oven to 320 and spread the remaining coconut on a layer of foil. Why foil? Because it’s easier to clean up, cheers to one less dish to wash! Every oven is different so keep an eye on your coconut, it burns quickly.
Home Made Whipped Cream
If you haven’t made whipped cream yet, you’re really missing out. All you’ll need is
One Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
4 Tbs Powdered Sugar (regular sugar works in a pinch but confection sugar is the best)
1 Tsp Vanilla
Ready, set, easy! Throw the sugar, vanilla, and cream in a bowl and mix on high speed until your cream forms high peaks. About 3 minutes.
Then just pipe your edges with a 1M piping tip and piping bag around the whole pie. Hold the piping bag vertically, squeeze with even pressure, lift and release to copy these starry peaks. Don’t forget to sprinkle the piping with your toasted coconut!
Let Set
The pie will be fully set in about four hours, the hardest wait in the world! Here are a few more pro tips!
For clean pretty slices, rinse the knife under hot water and wipe dry between slices.
Tuck the pie in the back of the fridge to set faster.
Add 2 TBS Cream Cheese & 1/2 TSP lemon juice to the whipped cream to keep the piped shapes overnight if you make the pie ahead of time. The lemon juice balances the cream cheese flavor.
You’re going to love this pie, and you can adapt it to all different jello pudding flavors! What about a key lime pie version next? Who knows what I’ll send you so be sure to subscribe!
I love welcome signs at the front door, they really finish a front porch look and are surprisingly easy to make. Yes, even for someone who has never painted one before! This is a great beginner project for under $40 and under 40 minutes! When I heard of the trick or treat signs I knew I had to have them too, but buying them is ridiculously expensive and store bought ones aren’t as durable. Here is how to make gorgeous Trick or Treat welcome signs that all your neighbors will love. Plus, you’ll learn how to make signs for any season to really get that gorgeous porch year round.
To keep this project on-budget you can use Folkart Home Decor Chalk Paint that I linked above, good product. I am using Heirloom Traditions Chalk Type Paint in Colosseum (their white shade) from a previous project I did because I have it on hand. I already had black exterior paint in my basement that was used for my front door, so I grabbed that and saved even more money. I do love to crafting on a budget!
A Little Background
Do you know what is best for painting on? Giant rolls of the plastic tablecloth from my daughter’s birthday party 6 years ago! I just can’t get rid of the stuff but it does make cleanup a breeze! Paint the front and sides of your signs with the black paint, two coats is plenty. Try to avoid paint seeping onto the back so you can use them for other holidays, Thanksgiving is coming up next! This is an easy project, paint a coat and come back to it later.
Stencil Time
You should have just enough room to overlap stencils without them crossing over the other letters. The first and last letters hang off the signs just over a half inch each. Once you have your stencils laid out and center, on to the fun part! And I have all the tips to make this look professional.
Final Steps
Begin painting your letters over the stencil. You need very little paint on the brush or it will run underneath or saturate the stencil. Paint the edges of the letters from the stencil inward with steady swipes, this creates crisp outer edges. For your second coat, stipple the paintbrush up and down. No worries if you slip up, just come back with a small brush and touch up the edges.
Set Them Out And Watch Your Neighbors Fall In Love
Viola! Your front porch will be gorgeous and I can’t wait to see your signs! Save your stencils for future projects and use the back side of these signs for Thanksgiving and Christmas. My JOY sign I created last year held up through plenty of snow, no need to top coat! You’ll have to subscribe to see that this winter! Don’t Forget to finish your look with this same wreath tutorial I have above by clicking HERE, another great project under $40 and under 40 minutes like this.
Your neighbors will be in awe of your porch and have no idea how simple it was to create. Unless you use this step by step for a totally perfect craft night with the ladies and wine.
Happy Halloween! It’s the season to make spooky treats and share them with neighbors! This Halloween we are making Marshmallow Monster Pops! You know by now that I love treats that impress, but ones that are quick and easy to make. You’ll have a blast making these with the kids and sharing them with all your friends. This year, we are passing them out for Boo Treats!
If you have never been Booed, it will be your new favorite neighborhood tradition! A Boo is when you secretly pass out treats to a neighbor or two and they continue the fun by doing the same to someone else. The fun is guessing who Booed who, and the kids always love getting their secret treats! When you get Booed you hang the Boo Ghost in your window for everyone to see, and it continues until all the neighbors have their very own Boo! You’ll need treats, and copies of the Ghost & Instructions (always include the instructions for your neighbors who may not know)! I made some just for you, just click the link below and print your ghosts.
These candy sticks are pretty easy to find now, either in holiday baking sections or in your local craft store. They are usually near the lollipop or candy making sections too. You can order them online by clicking HERE.
I cut the edges of the sticks at an angle to make a point that slides into the marshmallow easier. Twist the stick back and forth until the stick is in the center of the marshmallow but not sticking of out the other side like above.
Coat & Sugar Your Pops
Lightly coat your marshmallows by spinning them gently into the water. I graze the top of the water dish, don’t dunk them. Then spin your marshmallow pop into a bowl of the sugar sprinkles, like these Wilton Sanding Sugar Sprinkles. You can order sprinkles HERE.
Today we alternated between black and orange sprinkle sugars, but you can use any color you’d like! My sister was the first to teach me how to make these, she uses all different colors and always makes them for her parties! They always look pretty and are sure to please guests. Plus, they really take just under thirty minutes to make if you do them without the kiddos, but where is the fun in that? Plan for an hour and have some family fun,
Let Them Dry & Give ‘Em An Eye
Finish off your treats by piping small dots of frosting and topping the dots with a candy eye. Most grocery stores carry the candy eyes now, but you can order them HERE. You can use your finger to frost the candy eye and then place it to the marshmallow pop if you prefer, I just love using piping bags! To keep this treat simple I also used a pre-made Pillsbury Vanilla Cake Frosting. No need to complicate something simple.
I also finished each Marshmallow Lollipop with individual candy bags, I found these at Target but you can order these HERE. I always keep these treat bags on hand because they spruce up little treats and make desserts into pretty gifts. Bonus, they matched the sticks.
Here is another peek of the ones my three year old spun in the sugar. Aren’t they so cute? We will be passing out our treat once the rain here stops tonight, no need to let these wash away! What colors will you make?
Before you go, make sure to download your free You’ve Been Booed Printable and subscribe for more fun ideas! Next week I’ll teach you to make ridiculously beautiful and easy front porch signs.
