halloween is ALIVE.

over the years i've kind of slowly fallen in love with the Halloween holiday. (*insert bragging on friends moment*) my friends are artists. whether they call themselves that or not, they are. and they all come up with truly awesome and inspired costumes.
creating costumes is just part of what i love about the spooky holiday. i also really love when someone goes all out, over the top in party decorations. that's kind of where i fall into my element. so i've rounded up a few really fun pieces from etsy.

1 spell book / 2 skull watercolor / 3 pillow cover / 4 schubert bust / 5 finger soaps

easy, peasy banner DIY

last month i shared this post about my nephew's birthday party. remember it? yeaaah you do! so i'm gonna show you how i created the fun bunting-like banner for his party in a two-step process.

select a variety of napkins that match your party decor. premeasure your ribbon so you know exactly how long you want it.

A) leaving the napkin folded, cut through all the layers from the bottom to about 1/2 an inch from the top seam. make strips about 3/4" wide all the way across.

B) unfold the napkin, layout your piece of ribbon, and tape the ribbon to the napkin. then fold the napkin back over. repeat for the entire length of ribbon.

Then you hang it up and say "TA-DA!"

This is literally the easiest thing ever and it added such a colorful punch to the backyard party.

dipped flatware - Love it or Leave it?

I first saw this trend on a wedding blog and I'll admit that I kind of fell in love with it. And now there are several variations...

what do you think of the dipped flatware trend? do you love it like i do? or would you leave it behind for a more traditional look?

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happy presents

a happy present is one which is lovingly cared for and gently perfected with pretty paper, curly ribbons, and adorned with tags, stamps, trinkets, etc. a well thought out package is received with bright eyes and a big smile - and sometimes a squeal.

okay, OK. 

maybe not everyone appreciates an embellished package but this girl sure does. think about it lovelies: the first thing a person sees when receiving a gift is how you have cared for it since purchasing. a judgement is made, whether you like it or not, on the gift before it's even opened. hand me a gift in a Target sack and while i'm still grateful, i'm probably gonna wish it had a bow tied around it. i'm not saying i'm picky about gift receiving - NOT AT ALL. i just know when i give a gift i want the receiver to have that look in their eyes that says "oh goody goody goody!" and a Target sack just doesn't scream "I'M AN AWESOME PRESENT AND YOU'RE GONNA LOVE ME AND LOVE COURTNEY FOR GIVING ME TO YOU!"

anyway, i've rambled enough. i've been wrapping bridesmaid gifts this week and started with these images as my inspiration. funny though because they look not a darned thing like these. you'll have to wait til after the wedding to see what they look like though.

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how do you care for your packages? are you a "do it up real nice" type? or a "just toss it in a bag" kinda person?

quick fix: shelf liners

shelf liners have always been a bit of a mystery to me as far as their purpose. i tend to be the type of person who likes things that are there for a reason and serve a function and i've just never understood shelf liners. until yesterday.

as you know, KJB and i moved into our first home together yesterday and after lugging everything in (WHY do i have so much crap?!) i got started in the kitchen because kitchen "stuff" makes me happy. i started the scrub down and immediately realized that the maintenance crew had used Old English on the shelves inside our cabinets. now, i'm sure it was to make it look nice + clean but all it did was come off on my rag. i was kind of discussed and outraged. HOW could i put our new dishes and glasses on those shelves?! no way. of course i'm impatient and eager to get things done so i started thinking about shelf liners and how i didn't understand them until now and how that is the perfect solution. but i didn't have shelf paper and i didn't really want to get out in the pouring rain to get some either.

then i started looking around at all the gift bags that hold our wedding shower gifts in the living room waiting to be unpacked. and the gift bags are all so pretty and bright. so i got out my pair of scissors, some spray adhesive and went to work covering the cabinet shelves. they are so fun! they are also plastic coated so easy to just wipe out if they get wet.  so the bags that i was going to pitch into the recycling bin are now at home on the bottom of each of our drawers. i was so proud of myself for thinking of it so quickly that i had to show KJB. he was less enthused but i didn't care.

what do you think of shelf liners? do you have them or think they are a waste?

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paint by pic {xii}

Often times we see gorgeous, huge closets they are white with chrome hardware or dark wood with glass. So when I found this closet I knew I wanted to share it in a paint by pic. It's colorful yet subtle enough to really let your clothes and accessories stand out. I really urge you to try painting your closet with fun colors like these, especially if you have bold color elsewhere in the home. Don't let the closet be naked!

Don't have a huge closet or dressing room like this one? It's cool, neither do I. But who says you can't still brighten up the inside of your closet with a fresh coat of paint? Or you could even chose a printed wallpaper. A closet would love it because cost would be minimal for a small space.

What do you think about color inside a closet or dressing room? Bold like this room or neutral?

[via]

baker's man

completely smitten with this look from restoration hardware but it's definitely out of my price range for right now. instead, i've found some less expensive alternatives that will get you a similar look. these could be great for a small space; if you set up your dishes right, it doubles as a display. plus the casters on this one makes it nice to push it against the wall or out of the way if you need a bit more room.

[original, a,b,c,d]

he's goooood

i found this photo on pinterest (originally from this site) a super long time ago and it reminded me of that darling little movie called UP! i was inspired to incorporate it into my wedding as sort of a "send off" into this next phase of our life. but i wanted it more personalized so i passed it off to my dad who created this splendid image below. he did a great job, don't ya think? i can't wait to share with y'all the awesomeness that will come of this image... we are under the 50 day mark!

yes, that says "the bells" beside the front door! adorable, no?

how do you think i will or should use this at the wedding?

splendid wishlist

i'm not gonna try to hide it. i have a strong desire to have "stuff". pretty things rock my world and i'm pretty much loving that the future hubby and i get to make a wishlist for all the little things we will get to share early in our marriage. everyone near us shops macy's so it was obvious to us to set up a gift registry through them. i enjoy white, glass, and interesting shapes so i think you will see a theme on my wishlist here. oh, and you really can't go wrong with a little kate spade.

elliptical bowls, decanter, glasses, cake plate.

pretty stickies

maybe i'm late to jump on the bandwagon (okay, OBVS i'm late to jump on the bandwagon) but i'm sorta addicted to washi tape. it's EVERYWHERE in the blogosphere and although it's taken some time to smack me in the face, i'm adoring everything about it now. i came across some posts where bloggers and crafters are using it creatively and it makes me jealous that i didn't think of it first. [plus there's a link in there for a free photoshop pattern!]

[1 hernewleaf; 2 apartmenttheraphy; 3 puglypixel; 4 insanehousewives; 5 tealandlime]

pattern

advice of the day: never be afraid to use patterns on flooring. it's unexpected, bold, and fun.

[via]

IT'S A SIGN - wedding decor that is

there's a good chance i've mentioned this before but i'm completely in love with signs as wedding decor. it's a no-brainer really. guests need information and direction or else they feel awkward - and we've all been to those weddings where things are dragging along and no one really knows what to do. i just don't want that at my wedding so i've spent quite a bit of time figuring out cute, appropriate signage. one that i haven't quite decided on is for K and my chairs. i'm not sure if i want individual signs or just one sign on the sweetheart tables. as far as style, i'm kinda all over the place. i'm loving all of these. what do you like?

[1,2,3,4,5,6]

OBSESSION

Currently, I'm coveting the look of vintage and special edition stamps. Don't even try to argue that they're not awesome. Don't.

{via}

Q.U.I.C.K.C.H.A.N.G.E -5 easy ways to update your bedroom

Spring is around the corner. Yes, I said it. It really is happening! Thinking of doing some spring-cleaning? Sometimes the best thing you can do for your house is let some fresh air in and let it breath. While doing your spring-cleaning, add these five items to your list in your bedroom and you'll feel like you have a new oasis.

rue.

1. Hang a DIY art piece above your bed. This could be a great quilt, a painted canvas, or a reproduction poster you found at Hobby Lobby. Go for a drastic change and you will feel like you have a new room. Even painting a canvas one solid color will add geometry and color to the room.

bhg.

2. Paint your nightstands. Use a glossy finish for a sleek look or a bright color if you are feeling bold.

elle.

3. Pick up new pillows. Add textured and patterned pillows to your existing ones {or toss the existing ones} and it will make your bedding look new.

pier1.

4. Throw a blanket at the bottom of the bed. Go for something light in color and weight for spring and summer.

pier1.

5. Add a new rug. I'm the type of person who doesn't mind a rug on carpet, so either way, pick up something that is soft and fuzzy that your toes can sink into when you get out of bed. That is a great way to start the day.

pier1.

What are you doing around your home to freshen up for spring? Leave it in the comments below!

we gon get FUNKY

Darling Details

Sharing the love for some new favorites...

Paper cut card. Foam design. Key to my heart. Bambi necklace.

My Current Favorite Thing

Without real reason, I've become obsessed with lamps lately. It has been several projects back I have been involved with selecting new table lamps but for some reason I find myself thinking about lamps a lot. Eventually I am going to have to break down an purchase new ones for my own home just to satisfy my need. In the meantime, I thought I would share a few of the ones I'm crushing on from lampsplus.com, where our company purchases most of our light fixtures. They range in style and price but I'm loving all of these.

Robert Abbey Leather Column Todd, $220; Brushed Steel Finish Moderne, $40; Vienna Full Spectrum Clear Crystal Tapered Column, $100; Double Globe Brushed Steel, $45; Clear Arcylic Twin Font Tapered, $65; Ambience Metropolitan Cherry, $108

DIY - Book Covers

After seeing some amazing looking books, I because self-conscious of my own bookshelf. Don't get me wrong, I have a number of books with gorgeous covers. However, seeing these made me crave gorgeous, unique, themed books.

I used this site to get me started on my book covers. The site shows you how to cover a composition book with strips of fabric. I simply used it for it's pattern. Choose whatever fabric you love and follow the directions.

Here is mine.

Or you can choose a plain fabric and make your own pattern with stamps. I also used stamps along the spine to spell out the title and the author's name. I love this stamp I found on Etsy. It would look gorgeous printed in a jewel-toned ink on tan canvas.

I love these printable bookplates I found on Love.Obsese.Inspire. Download them here. I printed them onto cardstock and used rubber cement to glue them to the inside cover.

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Stocking Stuffers from Pier1

Last week I shared some of my favorites from CB2 in a holiday gift guide. Today I want to show some of my favorite stocking stuffers from Pier1. Images are below with the prices.

 

An elephant at a wedding is a symbol of good energy. Share this Elephant teapot with a bride-to-be. $15.95


 

I love presents that encourage me to relax. Pair up a Safari Spa Brush for $4 with some soothing bath salts and bubble bars.


 

These Mini Satin Boxes are darling. Stash a pair of earrings or some spending money inside and slip them into a stocking. You get all three for $7.95.


 

This Bauble necklace is so fun for New Years Eve or even Christmas dinner. $25.


 

These little guys are so fun. Add this to the stocking belonging to a little one for $8.


 

These Assorted Bracelets are only $1! Pick up a couple to add to a stocking and a couple for yourself.

  

This has got to be one of my all time favorite quotes. Such a simple reminder quickly calms me. The stationary runs $5-$12.



follow on Twitter: thecourt_ney