design // Simple & Budget Friendly Fall Mantel Decor

Just a few weeks after creating the perfect mantel design for our new house, it was time to change up the decor to match the coming season...  If you missed that post, you can check it out here.  I also mentioned that I would show you my seasonal mantel changes, so here is what I came up with for *F*A*L*L*.

I really love how it turned out and the best part was that I didn't spend too much to switch it up.  I kept the basic background of shutters and old window and a couple other elements, then I just added in the fall bits.  Half of the items where things I already had from last year and then I filled in with a few items from craft & discount stores.  I thought some of you may be interested in where I got these pieces, in case you are trying to find some frugal options, so I've broken it down below.  :)

Small Map Trunk (from my wedding!) - TJ Maxx

Yellow & Orange Blooms - Target clearance

Styrofoam Pumpkin (that I painting white and gave a grey-brown patina, was originally orange) - Dollar Tree

Metal Stand - note sure, since I've had it since college

Faux Burlap Molded Pumpkin (that I again painted white and gave a grey-brown patina, was originally brown/orange) - Dollar Tree

Glass Vase - left over from flower arrangement I received as a gift (but they have inexpensive ones at Walmart or even Dollar Tree at times)

Corks - from wine my husband and I have drank over the years... or months?  ;)

Fall Floral and Leaf Stems - Big Lots  (this was my color inspiration for the whole look)

Books - from my personal collection (but The Salvation Army or other Thrift stores have great decorative options - just take off the paper cover protectors - for $.50 to $1.00)

Burlap Banner (I added the leaves and letters which I printed from my computer and cut out) - Michael's Craft Store

Black Frame - Dollar Tree

Fall Printable - Got the free printable from Thoughts From Alice, and just tweaked it a bit in Adobe Photoshop to fit my frame

Mercury Glass Vase - Burlington Coat Factory clearance (it's got a little chip on the lip, but it's turned to the back so you can't see it)

Burlap Rose (from my wedding!) - JoAnn Fabrics

Fall Leaves Garland (three intertwined) - Dollar Tree

Fall Fabric "Poke" Wreath - A DIY project made by me, I used brown & orange chevron, mustard yellow, burnt orange fabrics from JoAnn Fabrics and the foam form is from Dollar Tree

White Ceramic Pinecone Sculptures - Target clearance

Metal Candle Holders - Not sure, my husband has had these since before we met

Pillar Candles - Burlington Coat Factory 

Orange Flowers -  Dollar Tree

Books - again my personal collection

I also snatched this cute wreath for our front porch windows from JoAnn Fabrics, they were 50% off and then I used a 20% off coupon, so it ended up being less than $15!  I just loved the realistic look of the leaves, the pine cones and the chalk board sign.  I used a chalk pen from the Dollar Tree to write 'Welcome', but you could write whatever!

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Well that's everything!  Hope you've enjoyed a little bit of frugal fall decor inspiration.  And remember you don't have to be decorating a mantel, these ideas could be easily applied to an entry table, shelf, sideboard, really anywhere!

Please let me know if you have any questions, and I'll do my best to answer.  

And as always, thank you so much for reading!

Happy Fall Y'all!!

current obsession // mantel designs

We just recently moved into a new rental house.  And we love it!  It's a little roomier and we are so glad to have a backyard for the pups, but it did come with a few challenges... #1: a giant wood paneled fireplace/mantel.  Even with a design background, this was a challenge I have not yet encountered.  Mantel design is somewhat of a science, but it's rules are also meant to be bent.  To me, it's the focal point of a room and can set the mood for the entire space.  It can also help harmonize the design of the room.  

Since the harmony, balance and mood of my home is very important to me I have been currently obsessing over mantel designs.  OBSESSING!  Even more so since the holidays are coming up.  I took to Pinterest to find some ideas that incorporated items I already had, like old shutters, a salvaged window and candle holders.  Well I found TONS of lovely inspiration, so much so, that I thought I'd share with you.  I've also included my final mantel design at the end. 

Hope you enjoy perusing as much as I have!

 

 

 

 

And a few with some holiday spirit...

After hours on pinterest and several iterations later I finally came up with a winner.  Our style is somewhat a mix of island eclectic and rustic, so I chose to incorporate items that showcase this. I really love how it turned out and even ended up making a fabric wreath from our left over wedding fabric to tie it all together.  There's nothing better than decorating your home with things that hold fond memories.

I plan to keep the shutters & window and change out a few of the smaller items to transition into Fall and then again for Christmas/Winter.  I'll try to do another post showing these as well.

If you are like me and are feeling a little overwhelmed with a huge blank mantel, just remember some simple tips:

1)  Start with a large focal piece or two

2)  Add objects of varying heights and textures in groups of 2 or 3

3)  Layer art and add smaller items to fill in

4)  Make sure some items are sentimental/meaningful

5)  Books help add height and color

6)  Greenery/flowers and fabric can soften the look

7)  Try to only use 2 basic colors in the design - for example: blue and turquoise - this will help keep the look cohesive and not too busy

And 8)  Just have fun and don't be afraid to try many layouts before you get to your perfect one!

Thanks for reading and I hope you've enjoyed this bit of mantel inspiration.  :)

haul // 100% Pure - Spring/Summer 2015

So, if you've perused my blog at all you may have realized that I LOVE my 100% Pure products.  In my ever-continuing search for all natural & pure skincare and makeup, this brand has been a staple for me.  They are a great company with amazing products that only have wonderful ingredients. I hadn't placed an order in some time and had been eye-balling their new water foundation so I decided to go ahead and get a few things. Well, a few things led to quite a few, but to be fair a couple were restocking purchases of items I now can't live without. :) Okay, let's get into it! 


Red Wine Resveratrol Eye Cream - 1 fl. oz.
 


The first time I tried this eye cream it was a free gift with order.  Since finishing that up, I've been using their Coffee Bean Eye Cream which I also love, but decided to switch it up.  I felt like I needed more wrinkle defense and less depuffing.  It's a rich & creamy, off-white cream and a little goes a long way.  I apply under my eyes in the morning after moisturizing and I apply under and on the lid at night, again after moisturizing.  It's not a miracle cream but I do notice that my fine lines are less noticeable and my eye area is smoother since using this. 


Fruit Pigmented Long Lasting Concealer: White Peach - 0.1 oz



This was a repurchase. I was on the search for a NATURAL moisturizing, yet long-lasting under eye concealer and this. is. it. my friends.  P.S. - You can also use it all over your face.  I have the world's driest under-eyes and every long-lasting concealer I've tried has accentuated this. Majorly. Horribly.  But this stuff is fantastic!  It's creamy but doesn't look shiny.  I can even set it lightly with translucent powder and still no crepe eyes, amazing!  If you don't set it, I'd say it could last a good 6 hours in normal indoor conditions, and if you do I've noticed it can last around 9.  If you do have oily skin, I'd definitely suggest setting it.  When it does start to wear away it's very natural and not noticeable, not patchy or streaky, like other brands.  I lightly apply under my eyes with my ring finger (I find this helps it melt in better than a brush) and on any spots after my foundation.  Then I lightly set with the translucent powder.  One more thing to note:  This is NOT a full coverage concealer.  With two "coats" I get a nice medium coverage.  But I prefer this, since I lean toward a more natural look. 


 Fruit Pigmented Healthy Skin Foundation: White Peach - 1 fl. oz. 
& 
Sheer Water Foundation: White Peach - 1 fl. oz.



I have been using a natural mineral foundation for years and love it, but I started noticing that my skin is getting drier as I get older.  During the past 6 months, my skin was looking dull and flaky even after exfoliating and applying moisturizing masks, etc.  I started using my tinted moisturizer from 100% Pure, which made my skin look better, but I desired a bit more coverage day to day.  That's where these foundations come in.  My intention was to mix them together.  I had read that the full coverage was indeed full coverage and the water was light, so in my mind mixing would get me medium coverage.  Obviously, haha.  Anyhow, I ordered both and have since been LOVING the combo.  It took a couple applications to find out the right ratio, but I have been liking just a bit of the full-coverage (about a lentil-sized amount) to a full squirt of the water.  I always make sure I apply my 100% Pure primer first and a few spritzes of rose water before applying the foundation mix.  It spreads more easily this way.  My skin glows now and I love it!! 


Black Tea Long Last Liquid Eye Liner - 0.23 fl. oz. 



 I haven't experimented much with this product yet. To be truthful, it intimidates me.  Haha.  I'm just not used to a liquid liner and need a little practice.  But I plan to perfect it!  Anyhow, I love that this liquid liner is all natural and made from micronized black tea leaves instead of harsh synthetic dyes.  It looks like a rich black color and pretty opaque.  It also claims to be long lasting and smudge proof.  I definitely hope so, since that is usually an issue for me and my oily eyelids. 


Fruit Pigmented Lip Glaze: Lychee - 0.088 oz.

 I don't wear much lipstick or even any lip color, so when I do I love products like this.  Something moisturizing that gives a sheer wash of color.  There are many colors to choose from in this line, from cool pinks to corals to mauves.  Lychee is a mauve pink with warm undertones. It's one of those "my lips but better" colors.

Creamy Polish: Watermelon - 0.5 fl. oz.



From this purchase, I was probably most excited to get this product.  100% Pure recently added a natural nail polish line to there products.  All are "10-free" - free of formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, camphor, formaldehyde resin, xylene, parabens, fragrances, phthalates, and animal ingredients, which is the cleanest I've seen.  I chose this color because it got a lot of good reviews and because I don't have this color in my collection yet.  It's called Watermelon, but I think it pulls more orange than pink, and it also has micro shimmer in it.  I love it, it's a prefect color for spring/summer.


Because of my order total, I also got a free gift, the Vitamin C Serum, a $38.00 value!  I actually have wanted to try this product but wasn't willing to pay the price for it, so this worked out in my favor.  I've been trying this serum out for several weeks and, though I can't definitively say if it's making a difference in my skin, I have noticed that my skin is generally more bright and clear than it was before. I'll have to reevaluate once I finish it.


Also, I haven't included prices because 100% Pure recently went through some price increases, so check out the website for pricing info.

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 Well, that's it for this 100% Pure Haul.  Let me know if you've recently tried out any of their products, what you're loving or not, or what you're looking forward to trying out.  Next on my list... the new Eye Creamsticks and some more nail polishes!

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get fit // TIU Weekly Tracker

If you saw my post a few weeks ago then you know I've been doing the Tone It Up BIKINI SERIES, and it's going great!  If you're interested in learning more, click here.  I also created a separate Instagram account to stay accountable and connect with the rest of the #tiucommunity.  If you're interested in following me you can find me at heartthejourney_tiu.  

Part of the program is to journal, planning what you will eat and what work outs you will do for the next week.  I loved this idea but I didn't get the official TIU Journal, so I decided to make my own Weekly Tracker (those Adobe Photoshop/design skills really come in handy sometimes).  I prefer to see the whole week at once anyway.  I actually came across other "TIU weekly trackers" by two other #TIUsisters, A Tale of Two Thirty Somethings and Seashells & Situps, and took inspiration from both.  I love having the shopping list that can be detached or photographed via phone (like I do) before a trip to the grocery.  It also has places to record your daily miles, H2O, bombshell spell and check-ins.

After I posted it to my Instagram I received a few requests, asking if I would be willing to share my version.... so here it is ladies!  I adjusted it a bit to make it usable every week, you just need to fill in the week number at the top and you're good to go.  Feel free to download and share.  I just ask that if you do share, please kindly link back to me.  :)

Good luck & let's do this!!

TIU - BIKINI SERIES TRACKER

recipe // Tuscan Quinoa Salad

I've been making a variation of this salad for several years but this is my favorite way to make (and eat) it.

It's super quick to whip up and, even better, it's so, so good for you!  Plus it's Tone It Up approved!!

Kale is a leafy green cruciferous vegetable that is chock-full of essential vitamins A, C and K as well as minerals like copper, potassium, iron, manganese and phosphorus. A cup of fresh kale has only about 40 calories but packs almost 3 grams of protein. One cup of cooked kale has over 1000% more vitamin C than a cup of cooked spinach and unlike spinach, kale's oxalate content is very low which means that the calcium and iron in kale are highly absorbable in the human digestive system.

The high monounsaturated fat content of olives has been associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Diets rich in monounsaturated fat have been proven to decrease blood cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and LDL:HDL ratio. Recent research studies have also shown that the monounsaturated fat found in olives (and olive oil) can help to decrease blood pressure. In terms of their phytonutrient content, olives are nothing short of astounding. Few high-fat foods offer such a diverse range of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients—some of which are unique to olives themselves. This may also make them a powerhouse of protection against cancer because chronic oxidative stress and chronic inflammation can be key factors in the development of cancer.

Avocado is another great source of monounsaturated fat, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients; all of which aid in proper body functions. This monounsaturated fat and the avocado's high fiber content makes it great for weight loss. Research has shown that monounsaturated fatty acids are more likely to be used as slow burning energy than stored as body fat. Plus, one cup of avocado provides about 7-8 grams of dietary fiber, making it excellent at regulating blood sugar. This slow burning energy and the feeling of satiety or satisfied fullness that you get from eating an avocado is one of the reasons they are known for reducing hunger and appetite. Avocado is also great for nourishing and increasing cellular turnover in skin.

Tomatoes are a rich source of vitamins A and C and folic acid. They contain a wide array of beneficial nutrients and antioxidants, including alpha-lipoic acid, lycopene, choline, folic acid, beta-carotene and lutein, which may lower your risk for developing cancer, high blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes, depression... even wrinkles and constipation.

Kidney beans (includes Cannellini) are a very good source of cholesterol-lowering fiber, as are most other beans. In addition to lowering cholesterol, kidney beans' high fiber content prevents blood sugar levels from rising too rapidly after a meal, making these beans an especially good choice for individuals with diabetes, insulin resistance or hypoglycemia.  When combined with whole grains such as rice, kidney beans provide virtually fat-free high quality protein. Kidney beans are also an excellent source of molybdenum, folate, manganese, phosphorus, protein, vitamin B1, iron, potassium, magnesium, fatty acids, and amino acids. All of these key nutrients contribute to good overall heart health.

Quinoa is naturally gluten-free and contains iron, B-vitamins, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, vitamin E and fiber. It is one of only a few plant foods that are considered a complete protein and comprised of all pernine essential amino acids. Botanically, quinoa is actually not classified as a grain. It is a pseudo-cereal (a non-grassy plant used in much the same way as cereals and grains with a similar nutritional profile). The seeds of pseudo-cereals can be milled and ground into flour just as other grains and cereals. It provides a variety of antioxidant phytonutrients, antioxidant flavonoids, and anti-inflammatory polysaccharides. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients in quinoa also make it a likely candidate for cancer risk reduction in humans. Many studies have shown that as whole grain intake increases, the risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, High BP, colon cancer & obesity decreases.

So now that you know a little bit more about the amazing ingredients in this salad, let's get to the recipe!

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WHAT TO GET

 

SALAD:

1 cup uncooked quinoa (any variety)

1 1/2 cups water or broth

Pinch of Sea Salt

1/8 t Cumin

1/8 t Smoked Paprika

1/8 t Garlic Powder

1 large Avocado - diced

3/4 cup Cherry Tomatoes - halved

1/2 cup Black Olives - sliced

3/4 cup Tuscan Kale leaves (I found mine at Trader Joe's) - ripped into bite sized pieces

1 can Cannellini Beans - rinsed & drained

DRESSING: 

Juice of half a lemon

1/4 cup Olive Oil

1/4 t Sea Salt 

1/4 t Pepper

Sprinkle of Cilantro

  

WHAT TO DO

1  //  Cook quinoa via package instructions. I mix quinoa, broth, sea salt, cumin, garlic powder & paprika in saucepan, bring to a boil then lower to a simmer for 15 minutes.

2  //  While quinoa is cooking, prepare remaining salad ingredients and add to a mixing bowl.  

3  //  When quinoa is done, remove from stove and put into a bowl to cool.

4  //  While quinoa is cooling, prepare dressing.  Combine all dressing ingredients in a separate bowl and whisk to combine.

5  //  In a large bowl or container, add quinoa, dressing and other salad ingredients all together and GENTLY fold to combine.

6  //  Enjoy!

I'm not sure how many servings this makes (I tend to eat it right away out the bowl and then it's hard to tell), but I know it will yield quite a few 1 cup servings... maybe 6?  

This is one of those recipes that is easy to play around with though, you can't really mess it up.  So definitely feel free to subtract anything you don't care for and add anything else you do (like goat cheese, how amazing does that sounds??). 

Let me know if you give this recipe a try and what you think!

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get fit // Tone It Up: BIKINI SERIES

After our chilly, snowy winter (AKA my excuse to hibernate), I'm ready to get back into shape.  To be honest, I don't like not working out and/or eating healthy.  It makes me feel not great... specifically sluggish, self conscience and moody.  That's definitely not how I want to be, so for these reasons and more I'm jumping back in.

Over the past several weeks I've been starting to go for walk/runs again and doing toning exercises (using some DVDs that I own, but mostly videos on YouTube). In my search of good toning and interval training workouts on YouTube, I found Tone It Up.  TIU is a brand of fitness products, support community, DVDs, nutrition plans and workouts created by two best friends, Katrina Hodgson and Karena Dawn, who are Certified Personal Trainers and Nutrition Coaches.  Their goal is to help motivate and inspire women to get healthy and feel healthy, and to make it as uncomplicated as possible.

After trying a couple of their workouts and being too sore to sit... or walk... or just bend in general... the day after, I was hooked.  Luckily, nutrition is already one of my favorite things to research about, so I already have that knowledge... I just need to follow it more regularly, like I used to. Now, all I need is a fitness program to follow so I can effectively reach my toning goals.  I was lucky that at about the same time I was pondering all of this, TIU announced that they would be starting their annual #BIKINISERIES 8 week program in April.  

So here I am, signed up and ready to go.  

If you're like me and you just want a little "free" fitness structure to follow (in the comfort and privacy of your own home) you may want to consider joining in the #BIKINISERIES program, as well.  If that's not enough, the before and after pics of the TIU community members may motivate you to get moving. 

If you're interested, the program starts Monday, April 13th and includes...

8 Weeks of daily challenges & motivation,

FREE Weekly Workout videos on ToneItUp.com,

Weekly Prizes & Grand Prizes to Playa Del Carmen,

and more!

** Do keep in mind that while the workouts are no charge, 

they do offer optional, very detailed nutrition plans for a one time fee. **

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 I've been getting ready with their Easter week schedule of workouts, including some from last year's BIKINI SERIES, and thought I'd share a few of my favorites that definitely make you "feel the burn".  

Enjoy!!

BIKINI SERIES ☀ Inner & Outer Thighs Routine!

Bikini ARMS Routine! BIKINI SERIES ☀

Bikini Abs Routine! BIKINI SERIES ☀

I also love me some HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workouts, so here's a great one for that...

Love Your Body™ with HIIT! High Intensity Interval Training

 Let me know if you have a favorite TIU workout and/or if you're signing up for the 2015 BIKINI SERIES.  

Let's do it together!!

 

I am no way being paid or compensated to endorse Tone It Up or any of it's affiliates, I'm just pumped about this program and excited to share with others.  :)