Fallish decor

I'm all about the pumpkins this year. Not really into much else for decorating purposes.

So here's my Fallish doorway:

My fav new lanterns that I got on sale at Lowes! Amazing.

My Halloween wreath that I made. I ran out of orange burlap so it didn't turn out how I wanted it to. And I am too lazy to go buy more and fix it. Don't look at it. I know you aren't going to listen. But don't.

peek-a-boo pumpkins.

Front entry table:

Yay for pumpkins on candle pillars!

Yay for candles! CANDLES! I LOVE CANDLES.

But seriously. Buy me a candle, and you're a friend for life.

Even the Buddha got in on this Halloween Fallish action!

So there's my Fall spirit. Yay Fall!

Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana

Every time Kendall and I go to Olive Garden, he gets the Zuppa Toscana soup and goes on and on about how good it is.

{Every Time}

Did I mention that he likes it?

Because he tells me he does. Every time.

So I took the hint and decided it was time to find out how to make this recipe at home. I looked at a few different sites and tried it a few different times. Finally, I tweaked and combined the recipes that I found online until I felt like it tasted as close to exactly the same as I could get it. The husband approves!

{And can I say FINALLY, I have found a recipe that he raves about, and tastes better than how his mom cooks ;) has any of you ever had that challenge?}

So try it out and enjoy!

Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana

Makes: 6-8 servings

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb ground Italian sausage
• 1½ tsp crushed red peppers
• 1 large diced white onion
• 4 Tbsp bacon pieces, chopped very fine
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 10 cups water
• 5 cubes of chicken bouillon
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 lb sliced Russet potatoes, or about 5 large potatoes
• 3/4 of a bunch of kale

1. Sauté Italian sausage and crushed red pepper in a large pot. Drain excess fat, set aside.
2. In the same pan, sauté bacon, onions and garlic over low-medium heat for approximately 20 mins. or until the bacon is cooked all the way.
3. Add chicken bouillon and water to the pot and heat until boiling.
4. Add the sliced potatoes and cook until semi-soft.
5. Add the heavy cream, sausage and kale, let all heat through and serve.

Delicious!

WPW and candy corns!

Who has two thumbs and doesn't know the order of the candy corn colors? This lady!

I went to do candy corn nails this last week and felt all proud of myself at how I was getting into the Halloween spirit. Then I saw some other candy corn nails online and realized that I didn't do the stripes in the right order... Who really cares about that anyways? When I see a candy corn, I just eat it. I don't really sit and ponder the order of colors.

Anyways, I'm changing Wet Polish Wednesday to Wet Polish and Wardrobe Wednesday.

Yay. I'm finally brave enough to try and wear normal and not maternity clothes. Haha. So here is the wardrobe for today:

I'm into the high waisted skirt and belt thing right now.

Shirt: XXI Skirt: Thrifted in high school!

Belt: Agaci Shoes: Charlotte Russe

Yay for my brown belt that I try to wear with everything! I bought it at Agaci and it has really paid off. It fits tightly but it doesn't make me uncomfortable or out of breath.

And we have to include the wardrobe of my little guy of course. Here is Harrison wearing one of his dressier outfits that he usually wears to church:

Shirt and Pants: Children's Place Sweater: Gifted Hair Product: American Crew Men's Pomade

Oh Hello there tongue! I found you a week ago and now I can't stop showing you off!

So what do you think? Wet Polish and Wardrobe Wednesday? Or get rid of it all and just blog normally?

Wet Polish Wednesday (On Time!)

Today I was feeling like something quick and easy. I'm lucky I even had a chance to do a quick mani rather than a pedi, considering Mr. Harrison and his need to be cuddled and smooshed and loved... okay MY need to do all of that to him... anyways...I love the Express Finish nail polishes because they dry pretty quickly. I was able to do two coats right in a row, and add the sparkle tips to finish it all in 10 minutes.

Don't mind my ring finger. I am plagued by bad cuticles and never take the time to take care of them. Any suggestions to help with cuticles?

More on fall decor later when I actually finish doing it all!

Homemade Potpourri

As I was growing up, during the holidays my mother would always put a pot of potpourri on the stove to make the house smell nice. Now I always make my own for the stovetop in my house and it makes everyone who comes in all comfy and holidayish feeling.

I decided that since the first day of fall was last week, it was time to bust out the fall smells as well as the decor {more on that later}. It's really easy to make your own potpourri for the stove top, you just need a few ingredients that you probably have lying around already!

Homemade Potpourri:

Water

Cloves (ground)

Cinnamon

Nutmeg

Orange slices & a little orange juice squeezed in

This time around I didn't have oranges so I used lemons instead. It made a really nice smell (and it looks kindof fancy too!). I also threw an apple cider packet in and ohmygosh it made me want to drink it :)

I just let it boil down and and then add some more water and a few more spices if it isn't very potent anymore. Usually I can add more water a few times before adding more spices. I just leave the pot on the stove for a few days until I need it for something else, and my house smells delicious!

The only warning I have is that if you leave it in the pot for too long, especially with the citrus in it, it can damage any special teflon or caphalon products. {HINT: mine got kinda ruined} but then, you can turn that pot into your special potpourri pot and then it's no worries! or just clean out your pot every day or two. :)

Ahh fall. Welcome back old friend.

I'm linking

Wet Polish Wednesday (Thursday)

Heyoooo. Sorry about it being Thursday but {technically} I did my nails for this on Wednesday! :)

So I felt like a little gradient for my nails last night and it turned into this half rainbow thing. Either way I like it.

And thank you to my yoga mat for providing a nice background for this picture. Yes. I've been working out. And it's fabulous. Life is so much better for me when I work out.

I've been feeling like trying out new styles lately and it's been difficult to find anything that I feel is flattering on me. Ah, the joys of post-baby-nursing-mommy body. But today, I liked this little combo:

I switched the boots later for some brown slip-ons that I forgot about because let's face it, no matter how many times I put on the boots and scarves, it's still too hot for them. I can't WAIT until that clear cool day comes of reunion with my rust colored scarf!

Dancey-Dance

this little guy keeps me entertained for hours with this simple act: