check it out: halloween edition

*recommended halloween books
*halloween stories tradition
*skulls centerpiece
*spooky alphabet art
*tips for fabulous halloween photos
*polka dot pumpkins
*chalkboard pumpkins

hutch makeover

this hutch was handed down to me by my mother. although i like pine, i think there is a time and place for it and i wasn't really digging the pine with the lines of this hutch.

before

during

so i painted it black. but i did not finish painting the very back of the hutch because i thought it was too much black. i wanted to break the black up. i really liked the bead board on the back so i considered painting it, but then i decided to try something else...burlap. i also knew that i didn't want to do anything permanent in case i wanted to change things up down the road so here is what i did.

supplies needed: foam board

a sharp knife

a ruler and/or measuring tape

masking tape

scissors

burlap

hot glue

first measure the area you are going to cover. cut out your foam board according to your measurements. go test the foam board in the area to make sure it fits before covering them. i had to do some trimming to make mine fit. then place the foam board on your burlap.
(i had some odd measurements so i had to cut and tape my foam board to make it long enough)

cut about 1- 1 1/2 inches around the board

hot glue edges to foam board ( one side of my foam board was blue, don't let that throw you off)

make sure you pull nice and tight as you glue, so that it doesn't hang loose.

i wish i would have ironed that crease out before i started glueing.

if you measured correctly they should just fit in place. i didn't need to use glue or anything to hold them in place because they fit in there pretty snug.

and here is the finished product. i love that the burlap matches so closely to my wall color. it also gives it some nice texture. i also love that it is temporary. i didn't have to use any glue or adhesive in case i want to take it down and go back to the bead board.

i've got another project i've finished to share with you but it'll have to wait until i can get some better lighting. here is a sneek peak...

i've joined diy day over at a soft place to land

here are some other posts about my kitchen:

the kitchen {before}

the kitchen { plan }

the kitchen { room update }

the kitchen { a sneak peek }

check it out: halloween edition

haunt the house

bloodshot deviled eyeballs



*tasty treats

*apothecary labels

*boo burlap pillow
*made with love and glue's halloween decor

*halloween chic

* the polka dot chair's halloween decor

*the lettered pumpkin

fall must haves: coats, jackets and cardigans

such a great color for fall and winter

solid pea coat

$59.99

aeropostale

plaid girly coat
$69.99
aeropostale




another surprise from walmart
ruffle cardigan
$15.00
walmart


no longer available in yellow, bummer but navy
fine gauge cardigan
$10.50
forever 21

crinkled faux leather jacket

$34.80

forever 21

lace overlay cardigan

$22.90
forever 21

love this color!
adrian dress coat

$87.50

delias

fall must haves: scarves

stripe scarf

$9.99

aeropostale

two tone printed scarf

$12.50

old navy

click here for some pointers on ways to wear scarves

fall must haves: boots

i've started off with my two favorites for boots. i am really liking the western boot inspriation...

sofia suede boot

$99.50

delias

sadly i can't find these anymore

but i think i found them at charolette russe

slouchy leather western boot

$23

go jane

ruffled boot, too cute

$21.50

go jane

surprise these boots are from walmart. i think they're kinda cute
flat boots
$29
walmart



again from walmart. tweed mary janes, great combo. would be cute paired with some colored tights
tweed mary janes
$20
walmart






another great shoe paired with some colored and textured tights
reta pump
$32.99
target






i'm really into mary janes and t-straps for some reason
patent mary jane
$19.99
target







i can see these black and plum pumps paired with plum textured tights
t-strap pumps
$19.99
target









you've got to have some black pumps as a classic staple to your wardrobe. i thought the pleats on these pumps gave it that extra oomph.
pleated pump
$10.48
target









sorry for the teeny tiny photo. i wasn't so sure about these at first, but i am starting to kind of like them. although i am not sure what you wear them with? maybe some skinny jeans?
criss cross heel
$26.50
wet seal




gingham check flats
$8.50
forever 21







not a great one for cold weather but i love t-straps and wedges
t-strap wedge
$8.74
target




again not the best shoes for cold weather but they sure are cute
$18.24
sunny flower wedge
forever 21

oh i love the cranberry color, the ruffles and velvety texture

ruffle flats
$24.99

target

i really love the color of these pumps

$22.99

charlotte russe

and there you have it. my favorites for boots and other shoes for the fall! which are your favorites?

cheesy broccoli and rice casserole

photo source

Cheesy Broccoli and Rice Casserole
adapted from Cook's Country

Serves 8-10 as a side dish

2 slices hearty white sandwich bread, torn into pieces
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons butter, melted; plus two tablespoons chilled
1 garlic clove, minced
2 pounds broccoli (about 3-4 medium heads of broccoli), florets cut into 1-inch pieces, stems chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
1 1/4 cups long grain white rice
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 1/4 cups half-and-half
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 9X13-inch baking dish. Pulse bread, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese and melted butter in a food processor until coarsely ground. Add garlic. Set aside.

Microwave broccoli florets (save stems for later), covered, in a large bowl until bright green and tender, 2 to 3 minutes (no need to add water). Be careful not to overcook or they will become soggy and discolored. Melt remaining butter in a large pot over medium heat. Cook onion and broccoli stems until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add rice and cook, stirring constantly, until rice is translucent, about 1 minute. Stir in broth, half-and-half, and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, until rice is tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Off the heat, stir in cheddar cheese, cayenne, remaining parmesan and broccoli florets.

Pour the mixture into prepared baking dish and top with bread crumb mixture. Bake until the sauce is bubbling around the edges and the top is golden brown, about 15 minutes. Cool 5 minutes. Serve.

recipe source

something wicked this way comes...

i've been trying to do daily activities with my little one lately and i decided this halloween countdown would be fun to do. we made a witch version.

burp cloths, bibs and onesies oh my!

i had a few friends having babies lately so i decided to put some of that cute baby inspiration out there to work....

i made these burp cloths out of cloth diapers and fabric from...wal-mart (i know can you believe they actually carry some cute fabric?)

i also got some help from this tutorial but instead of a zig zag stitch i added ribbon and sewed it on using a straight stitch

i also made some reversible bibs by using one of our own bibs as a pattern and following this tutorial

i also made some flower clips and a card (using inspiration from here for the card)

the clips are easy all you need is some ribbon, flowers and hot glue.

here is the boy set that i made:

burp cloth

reversible bibs

i decided to make some applique onesies with this set. i got the rocket template and applique instructions from here

elephant template

and there you have it. it's a very cute and practical baby gift. you can never have too many burp cloths right? i'm not the best seamstress out there but really these are very easy and simple to make. keeping it real, i did have some difficulty with the machine eating up my burp cloths but all in all its easy. if i can do it, you can do it!

p.s. thanks for all the tutorials and inspiration. if you would like to see my collection of inspiration go check it out here

i am also joining kimba's diy party. go check out what everyone else is making here

thanks for stopping by!