Hostess Jo at Home

Reese's Room Redo

If you are following me on Instagram, you know I mentioned updating my six year old's room.  When she changed to a big girl bed I was pregnant with our second and felt rushed to get it done.  I ordered a cute quilt and that was about it! 

Fast forward four years and my girl has grown into a self proclaimed "outdoors girl".  We cannot keep her inside!  She loves animals-especially bunnies- flowers, dirt, and drawing.  She will still occasionally put on a princess dress.  So I wanted to give her a room that reflects her interests. 

Enter the cutest woodland bedding I've seen!  When my girls were younger the only woodland décor was all boy.  Now they have so many pretty options for girls too.

It is even prettier in person.  The colors are a little softer than pictured.  And bunnies!

Speaking of bunnies...

She just had to have this stuffed bunny head above her bed.  It is pretty cute.

I also ordered a strand of felt flowers to hang underneath the bunny...

I'm hoping the colors go well with the bedding!

When I saw this "Go Play Outside" print I knew we had to have it.  It is perfect for my girl.

There are a few other details I'm still working on.  And trying not to rush!

Ok, I can't give away everything!  Stay tuned for the reveal soon!

 

XOXO,

Jo

 

Happy Spring and Fairy Gardens

Well it's officially Spring!  Is it warm where you live?  It is feeling more like Spring here in Alabama.  In honor of the first day of Spring I thought I'd share with you the fairy gardens we made last year!

These were so fun to make!  Don't you just love miniature anything?  Fairies are surrounded with whimsy and imagination.  Watching my girls light up as we placed the furniture around and secret door by the tree was awesome.  I wish they really did exist!  Or maybe they do?

You can purchase all kinds of sets for your fairy gardens.  This set by the tree came with a fence, wheelbarrow, table and chairs, swing, and watering can.  Two fairies were also included.  I purchased the door to the tree at Home Depot.  I think it is my favorite part!

Oh yeah, the girls liked it too ha! 

I've seen great sets online too.  Most garden or craft stores will carry them.  Hobby Lobby has some cute ones too.  Just find a special spot and layout your garden.  I planted a few flowers in with these but you don't have to.  I made a little pebble path so the fairies could find the secret door. 

For the next one, we used a shallow flower bowl so we could put it on a table.  This set was from Home Depot and it had a bridge so we used blue gem stones to look like water.

See the tiny hedgehogs?! 

It was so much fun listening to the girls tell their tales about the fairies coming at night and swinging and playing.  It would be so neat to scatter glitter around your gardens one night and tell the kids it was fairy dust!  You can really get elaborate with these.  I've even seen campers and accessories for fairies ha! 

I can't wait to get started on ours for this year!  Have you made fairy gardens before?  I'd love to see them! 

XOXO,

Jo

 

 

 

Our Easter Mantle

With Easter being later this year I felt like I had more time to decorate for the holiday.  Plus my girls love helping!  As much as I love neutrals, Spring is a time to bring in color.  I start missing color this time of year so it helps to have cheerful décor around the house.  Don't be afraid to incorporate a little color in your surroundings!

I like adding little touches all over the house but the mantle is what we see most often.  Its really fun to decorate.  A few items stay year round and a couple I've moved from other places in the house. 
You don't have to spend a fortune to decorate for the holidays.  Look around your house, you may have something that looks totally different when you place it somewhere else.

The happy place sign used to be in our mudroom, but I liked how it brought in more color for the mantle.  The bunnies were my grandmother's so they have a special place in my heart.  I ordered the chocolate bunny banner this year from Etsy.  I just loved that it was chocolate bunnies!

My mom surprised me with the carrot wreath! I love that it has a rustic feel to go with our fireplace. 

 

I didn't totally put away my antlers.  I changed from the wintry stag pillow to a colored antler pillow!

 

This sign is so true!  Being at home truly is our happy place.

 

Any décor with sentimental value is so special..

 

I love the colored bows on the bunnies!

 

I hope you enjoyed our Easter Mantle!  Do you decorate your home for Easter or Spring? 

Check back soon to see our kitchen and dining room!

XOXO,

Jo

 

An Easter Garden

To celebrate Ash Wednesday the girls stayed home from school and after Mass we created our own Easter Garden!  I've seen several versions of these on Pinterest and always wanted to make one.  They are also called Resurrection Gardens.  It's a great hands on way to tell your children about Jesus' resurrection. 

First you will need a clay saucer and small pot.

Turn your small pot on its side.  This will be your tomb.

Next you will need some potting soil.  Fill your saucer with soil and mound it up around your tomb.  Sorry for the messy pictures!  3 and 6 year olds and dirt!

In the meantime, my 6 year old was finding us twigs and rocks. 

We tried gluing the twigs to make the Crosses but they didn't stick so we ended up using twine.  A hot glue gun would probably work too.

 

We used moss to cover our garden.  I've seen people plant grass too.  We are instant gratification types.

Glue your moss all over to cover the soil.  Then add your large rock to the side of your tomb.  We added little pebbles to make a path too.

I decided the moss looked a little sloppy so I gave it a haircut. 

Tada!

We stuck our crosses through the moss along the backside.

I decided to display it on our entry table so everyone can see it coming and going. 

I just love the fresh green it adds and of course the meaning!

 

Blogging again has really got my creative juices flowing.  I hope I'm inspiring you to try a few new things also!  I've got a lot more coming for Spring!

 

XOXO,

Jo

A Peek at Our Playroom

The most exciting thing happened yesterday!  Target featured my playroom Instagram photo on their AwesomeShop Feed!  I think I am still in shock! 

It's a cool way to shop right from pictures they find on Instagram and Pinterest.  Check it out!

 

So, I thought I'd show you a couple of pictures of my playroom transformation.  It started out as a guest/office/playroom.  As you can imagine, it was a little cramped.  Last year we finished out our basement and moved the office and guest room downstairs.  Pictures of that to come later!

Here is the room before.  The toys were on the other side of the room.  Sorry not a good photo.

 

Tada!  Here it is now...

Much better!  We get a lot more use out of the space this way.  I repurposed my girls' old crib mattress as a comfy spot to lay on in their teepee.  The rug was also a nursery piece.  The trunk is a great way to hide toys and double as a table.  I purchased the futon from Wayfair and it folds out for kids to sleep on.

Below you'll see the table and chairs that are on the other side of the room.  These are the ones I purchased from Target that they featured.  They are super cute and so easy to clean. 

I'd show you the rest but I'm sure you've seen a mess of toys before! 

If you're on Instagram please give me a follow.  I post a lot of pictures of my home there!

Oh, and if you want to make your own vase of heart arrows be sure to check out my previous post!

XOXO,

Jo

 

 

Cupid's Arrows

We finally crafted our own Cupid's Arrows!  I took inspiration from all of the great examples on my previous post.  Ours is a combination of the feather arrows and the traditional red and pink Valentine's colors.  I know one thing-feathers are messy! 

These would also be great décor for couples showers, baby showers, engagement parties, etc.

 

Here are the supplies you'll need: 

All of these can be purchased at Hobby Lobby.  I also bought two glass vases on sale there to hold our arrows.

 Start by hot gluing your feathers and/or heart to the top of your skewer on each side.

The felt hearts had sticky backing which made it super easy.  Just stick two back to back on the end of your skewer. 

I just love these red burlap hearts!

Then tie on a ribbon or twine..

I had two pairs of helping hands for this craft too!

My six year old actually came up with the idea to layer the felt hearts!  I thought they turned out better than the feathers.  She is my crafty girl.

 

I have them on our mantle for now but they don't show up well.  They would probably pop on an entry table or coffee table where you can see them up close.

My little cardinal goes well with the red accents!

A pretty easy little Valentine craft to brighten up your home for winter!  I hope you'll try making your own Cupid's Arrows.

 

XOXO,

Jo

 

 

Perfect Imperfections

Wow, blogging sure has changed since 2009!  Truth is, my home has been decorated for Christmas for weeks.  I see all of these beautiful Holiday Home Tour blog posts and I am totally intimidated.  I have no experience in photography.  Do not have Photoshop.  Just an iPhone.  I've been taking photos over and over trying to get the right angle, right lighting, etc. obsessing over the details.  Do I hire someone to come take professional pics?  Do I invest in a complicated camera I have no idea how to use?  Photoshop? 

Then, it hit me this morning as my girls were setting up our dining room table for our "Breakfast Ball".  They were decked out in princess dresses using old valentine cards as place cards.  A meal of an apple, Hershey kisses and potato chips on paper plates---this is real and it is just as perfect!  Maybe there is someone out there who will appreciate the "Perfect Imperfections" like I do!  The accidental garbage can in the background.  The bulldog on the front porch. 

So while I'm still figuring all this out, I hope you enjoy a few imperfect photos of our home decorated for the holidays.

 

Front porch with bulldog

The lovely Breakfast Ball

 

More details in the dining room..  This pallet box is so easy to change for the seasons!

Family room...Our stockings are hung...

 

Kitchen coming soon!

 

 

Snow Day

It is supposed to snow today here in Alabama!  That means the whole state shuts down.  And that means children are out of school.  Before the snow arrives you might be looking for ways to entertain the young ones.  Here are a few to help you out.

Crafts are always a fun way to pass the time.  This snowman craft won't melt away when the other snow does.

Melty the Snowman

 

Materials

• White and colored felt
• Tacky glue
• White pom-pom
• Black puffy paint
• Craft foam (for nose)
• Twigs (for arms)

Instructions

1. Cut a puddle shape from white felt and use tacky glue to attach a white pom-pom to the top.

2. With black puffy paint, add eyes, a mouth, and buttons. Glue on a craft foam nose and twig arms.

3. Wrap a felt scarf around Melty's neck and glue it in place.

 

Treats are another way to get creative and entertain the kids.  There are several cute snowman recipes on the web.  Here is one of my faves.

Snowman Cups

  

2 pkg. (3.9 oz. each) JELL-O Chocolate Instant Pudding

1 qt.  (4 cups) cold milk

20 OREO Cookies, crushed (about 2 cups), divided

2 cups  thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

Assorted decorating gels

BEAT pudding mixes and milk with whisk 2 min. Let stand 5 min. Stir in 1 cup cookie crumbs.

SPOON remaining cookie crumbs into 10 (6- to 7-oz.) paper or plastic cups; cover with pudding mixture.

DROP spoonfuls of **COOL WHIP onto desserts to resemble snowmen. Decorate with gels for the eyes, noses and scarves.

**Instead of cool whip, you could also use marshmallows**

You can't have a snow day without everyone's favorite winter beverage: hot chocolate!  Here is a delicious twist on the original.

Hot Caramel Chocolate

  

Ingredients

• 1/3  cup sugar
• 1/3  cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/3  cup water
• 6  milk-chocolate-covered round caramels
• 6  cups milk, half-and-half, or light cream
•   Whipped cream (optional)
•   Milk chocolate-covered and/or candy-coated round caramels (optional)

Directions

In a large saucepan combine sugar, cocoa powder, and water. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Add candies; cook and stir until melted. Stir in milk. Heat through. Pour into mugs; top with whipped cream and additional caramel candies. Makes 6 servings.

Hope you are keeping warm wherever you are!

  
 

Marshmallow Snowmen

I stumbled upon these little cuties in my latest issue of All You and just had to share.  These would make great holiday party favors or even place card holders.  BONUS-the kids will love helping you make these!

Ingredients

• Marshmallows
• Melted caramels
• Gingersnaps
• Decorative elements (sprinkles, royal icing, pretzel sticks, spice drops, fruit leather, food coloring and pink Cake Mate Decors)

Preparation

1. Dip a marshmallow in melted caramel; place on a gingersnap. Put sprinkles over excess caramel. Halve a marshmallow for head and attach with royal icing. Insert pretzels in body.

2. Flatten a spice drop; attach another to form hat. Cut scarves and bow ties from fruit leather; tuck under head. Dye royal icing and pipe eyes, nose and buttons. Attach pink Decors for cheeks.
 

Easy Treat

I think candy corn is my favorite Halloween treat and decoration.  We've seen Candy Corn Parfait, now take a look at these EASY Candy Corn Cookies!  Instead of candy, wrap these in cellophane and ribbon and give to your trick or treaters or as party favors. 

Candy Corn Cookies

All you have to do is knead a little extra flour and orange food coloring into your store bought refrigerated dough!  Cut with a triangle cookie cutter and dip the bottom in dark chocolate and the top in white chocolate.  Voila!

For another candy corn treat check out Tom Kat Studio's Candy Corn Cupcakes!

(photo from countryliving.com)