Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Things to Do with Leftover Halloween Candy

Happy Halloween! I'm not going to lie...I'm looking forward to sampling a few pieces of leftover candy from the haul I brought home to give out to the neighborhood kids. But what about all the other leftovers? The two stuffed bags my girls will haul home tonight? They can't (and won't) eat all that candy in a sitting. Or a day. Or a week. I always let them eat some because, really, what's the point of letting them Trick or Treat if they can't have some of the candy? Here are some ideas on what you can do with leftover Halloween candy:
Things to Do with Leftover Halloween Candy, from Serenity Now blog


1. Levy a "Parent Tax" on the candy.
Let's be honest. It is a lot of work to purchase and/or make a whole Halloween costume and all the accoutrements that go along with it. Not to mention buying candy for the neighborhood, getting your kids dressed, and braving the elements as they go door to door demanding treats from complete strangers. My husband likes to call it the "parent tax," but really he just asks the girls if they'd share a piece or two with him. They are usually so high on sugar fumes that they willingly oblige without any complaints. After they go to bed, we sneak another piece or two without feeling guilty. Much.

2. Keep a bag of lollipops in the car.
A secret candy stash can come in handy for traffic (when the kids are screaming in the back seat), doctor's appointment shots (when the kids are screaming), and long waits during sports or dance lessons (when the kids are screaming).

Perhaps you see a pattern here. The candy can prevent the screaming. Or at least dial it down a notch.

3. Add some favorites to a small bin.
Keep it in the pantry or upper cabinet and save them as special lunchbox treats.

4. Use it for baking.
I add chopped up candy bar bits to breads, cakes, and my "famous" Christmas trifle.

Here are some other links to recipes using leftover Halloween candy:
5. Goody bags, anyone? 
If you have a crowd for Thanksgiving, why not make some cute goody bags with those leftover Hershey bars? My oldest's birthday is in early December, and you better believe those mini chocolate bars make great goody bag filler!

6. Take it to work or send it off with your husband.
Everyone at the office will love to hate you for bringing or sending the candy their way. They'll feel a surge of productivity with the sugar rush and you will get a promotion for being so brilliant.

7. Include the hard, wrapped candy in your Operation Christmas Child shoebox
(Note: they will not accept items that melt, like chocolate)

8. Donate it.
Send it to the troops, a local nursing home, food bank, or a women's shelter!

9. Freeze it.
Frozen M&Ms? Um, yum!

10. Craft with it
Make a candy corn wreath, or search Pinterest for some cute Thanksgiving printables to make gift baskets or bags for the teachers. So many possibilities.

Or, of course, you could just eat it all. Your dentist will love you for that. You can pay for his kids to go to college!

What do you do with the leftover Halloween candy?

*Tutorial for the DIY Trick or Treat Bags is here.

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. 

Linking to Positively Splendid

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Thrifting Inspiration and Makeover Ideas

I'm going to take you guys on another thrifting expedition with me today. I love browsing my local thrift stores and dreaming up ways to give new life to old pieces. It's hurricane central in Virginia right now...as I type this on Monday, the rain is coming in sideways and the winds will follow tonight. Since I don't know if we'll have power, I thought I'd share some Thrifting Inspiration from our Salvation Army with you today. I'd love to know how you would fix up and use these pieces!

I spotted this very cool sideboard/buffet in a side aisle and just loved the "hidden" drawer at the bottom. I could see this piece in an office or craft room. Maybe even in a family room...what about a pretty kelly green?
Thrift Store Furniture Makeover Ideas, from Serenity Now


I'm almost positive I've seen this sturdy computer desk at Pier 1 before. The top was pretty beat up. I'd sand it down and repaint it white for that classic cottage look:
Thrift Store Furniture Makeover Ideas, from Serenity Now


And every desk needs a chair, right? Almost positive this one goes with the desk pictured above. The screws holding the back up need to be tightened, and it needs new paint job and a cute cushion:
Thrift Store Furniture Makeover Ideas, from Serenity Now


This chair was, um, lovingly decorated by someone. It needs to be lovingly redecorated. Maybe a soft gray?
Thrift Store Furniture Makeover Ideas, from Serenity Now

I don't know what the heck kind of sewing machine or serger this is, but holy moley is this cool or what?! I could serge clothes for an army!
Thrift Store Furniture Makeover Ideas, from Serenity Now


If I was pregnant or a photographer, I would have snapped this baby up in a heartbeat. These vintage bassinets make great photo props!
Thrift Store Furniture Makeover Ideas, from Serenity Now

Completely awesome mirror. I was tempted to bring it home for just $15. You could leave it as-is, or repaint the frame:
Thrift Store Furniture Makeover Ideas, from Serenity Now


Hello, cute round table. You're begging to be painted black and to have a fun, no-sew table runner decorate your top, aren't you? (I'm sorry, am I the only one who talks to furniture?)
Thrift Store Furniture Makeover Ideas, from Serenity Now


Paint the knobs, add some cool patterned paper (that can be changed out) to the backs of those shelves, and you have a really neat-looking loft bed:
Thrift Store Furniture Makeover Ideas, from Serenity Now


This one was hard to get a shot of because it was laying flat on top of some stuff, but it could be a great storage piece in a bathroom, or maybe even for a spice nook in a kitchen or pantry. Paint the wood, spray painted knobs, maybe add a stencil to one area?
Thrift Store Furniture Makeover Ideas, from Serenity Now


I've seen quite a few filing cabinet makeovers on the web lately. This one was in great shape. I wanted to snatch it up and stencil it like Chelsea from two twenty one did.
Thrift Store Furniture Makeover Ideas, from Serenity Now

This sweet little school desk would be perfect if you have a dedicated homework spot in your home. It needs some cleaning, but I'd leave the top as-is and paint the body a aqua, red, or even black or gray (if it needed to stay neutral).
Thrift Store Furniture Makeover Ideas, from Serenity Now


I don't bring home upholstered things because of the excessive fear of bed bugs I harbor (too many Dateline specials and a husband who works in the mattress/bedding industry and tells me horror stories), but this couch has great lines. Yes, the upholstery is pretty awful. In fact, it made my eyes bleed for awhile. But, it would look fabulous with new upholstery or a pretty little slipcover!
Thrift Store Furniture Makeover Ideas, from Serenity Now

So, do I have you wanting to head to your local thrift shop in search of goodies to bring home? Isn't fun to imagine all the possibilities?

What was your favorite piece?

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. 


Monday, October 29, 2012

Halloween Activity and Recipe Ideas

There's still time to plan a little Halloween fun for your family if you haven't already! I hit the 'net and Pinned a bunch of fun Halloween Activity and Recipe Ideas to share with you today. It's a real Pinfest of games, printables, crafts, recipes, and more! Enjoy, and please be sure to Pin these awesome ideas from their original sources (listed below each photo). Happy Halloween!
Halloween Activity and Recipes Ideas, from Serenity Now


Parents.com had a great line-up of easy crafts:


Source: parents.com via Amanda on Pinterest



Does your preschool or church do "trunk or treating"?



Pumpkin Carving Tips:


Pass treats out at school or work!


Dinner before trick or treating?


Send a little treat in for the teachers!


Kids' Craft Ideas from Martha Stewart:


Puffy Candy Corn Craft:


Printable Halloween Games:



Activities and Games from Family Fun:




Printable Coloring Pages and Reading Activities:



Awesome Halloween Recipe Round-Up!



Halloween Treat Recipes from Better Homes and Gardens:
Source: bhg.com via Amanda on Pinterest



Halloween Crafts and Activities:



Adorable Pumpkin Bean Bag Toss:


55 Kids' Craft Ideas from Country Living:



31 Days of Halloween fun from Disney Family:



Halloween Treat and Party Favor Ideas:
Source: bhg.com via Amanda on Pinterest


Lots of fun, huh? What are your favorite Halloween activities and recipes?

*I'm sharing an easy weeknight dinner recipe at Imparting Grace today. Please pop over and say "hi" to Richella!

If you enjoyed this post, or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. 

Sunday, October 28, 2012

More Highlighted Links--Share Your Best Post!

If you're here to link up to Weekend Bloggy Reading, it's open for new links until 10 pm (ET) tonight. Please share your best post of the week with us...crafts, recipes, home decor, book reviews--all kinds of posts are welcome.

On Saturdays and Sundays, I like to share fabulous projects from the link party with my readers. I add many of these Features to my Pinterest page as well as Facebook, so be sure to link back in your post!

Here are a few links from Weekend Bloggy Reading that caught my eye.

~Autumn House Tour via Imparting Grace
Autumn House Tour

~DIY Glitter Flats via Michaela Noelle Designs
DIY Glitter Flats

~"Grown Up" Caramel Apple Cider Recipe via The Pink Flour
"Grown Up" Caramel Apple Cider Recipe

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Highlighted Weekend Links--Share Your Best Post!

Happy Saturday! Please pop in to link up YOUR best post of the week at my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. More Features on the way tomorrow!

All kinds of posts are welcome here: We have recipes, party ideas, room makeovers, crafts, tips and tricks, home decor, fashion advice, and more! The code for the button is near the end of this post, or you can add a text link back to me within your post.

Keep reading to see just a few of the posts that caught my eye so far.

~Master Bedroom Reveal via Southern Chic Love
Master Bedroom Makeover Ideas

~Painted Acorns via Just Grand
Painted Acorns

Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Brown Sugar Glaze

Friday, October 26, 2012

::Weekend Bloggy Reading:: Link Up!

Welcome to my Weekend Bloggy Reading link party. This is the day of the week where bloggers stop by to link up their best post of the week, and readers get to browse tons of fun project ideas. If you're new here, don't forget to "Follow" or subscribe so you don't miss future parties and projects! Please be sure to read my guidelines before you add a link.

This party is a great place to showcase your very best post of the week (home decor, crafts, party ideas, recipes, DIY, etc.) and to see what else is out there.

Here are a few of my faves I spotted around the web this week:
Serenity Now Features
sources listed below

~DIY Brooch to Necklace via Dans le Townhouse

~Iron and Rope Mirror via Storefront Life

~Pottery Barn Inspired Storage Lockers via Chalkboard Blue

~Halloween Bouquet via Saved by Love Creations


~And Me? This week featured:
Features from Serenity Now

Time to link up your best post of the week!

Thursday, October 25, 2012

The IKEA House

If you follow me on FacebookTwitter, or Instagram, you may have seen the news that apparently IKEA came and painted a house up the street from us:
"The IKEA House" via Serenity Now blog

Not only did the homeowner choose a seizure-inducing shade of yellow for his base, but he decided to accent the hideousness with BOLD! BLUE! To add insult to injury, he added a "Lego Block" trim to all the windows and doors. While these colors are great choices for a company logo, they don't translate particularly well to house paint colors.

I was, for a short time, hopeful that maybe the guy was experimenting with drugs and that when he came down from his trip he might see the error of his ways and go back to nice, plain white. No such luck. Not only did he complete the paint job, he left it up.

I find this permanent memorial to bad design unsettling. I feel particularly awful for the owners of the house next door, who just recently renovated their home and finished it out with new landscaping and tasteful gray siding.

I've never wished for an HOA more than when I saw this poor house being slaughtered by poor paint choice. Technically, this home is in a different neighborhood that borders ours...but it still offends my eyes when I drive by. I'm shocked there haven't been any accidents yet from rubbernecking.

Are there any eyesores in your neighborhood?

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Scenes from the Pumpkin Patch

My girls look forward to our pumpkin patch time every Fall. We have several great pumpkin patches in our area, but our favorite has free admission on the weekdays...making it the perfect spot for pumpkin picking. Michaela Byrd and I visited one morning earlier this month with our MOPS group. We had so much fun we went back over the weekend with Natalie, my mom, and my sis and niece, who were visiting. While Michaela Byrd was convinced we'd see The Great Pumpkin (too much Charlie Brown, perhaps?), we did see loads of pumpkins, fun farm stuff, animals, and some great Fall vignettes. Here are some Scenes from the Pumpkin Patch.
Pumpkin Patch Pictures, from Serenity Now

Pumpkin Patch Pictures, Serenity Now blog


I just love the sight of lumpy Fall gourds, mounds of corn, fresh apples, and bright orange pumpkins.
Fall Pumpkin Patch Pictures, Serenity Now blog

Fall Pumpkin Patch Pictures, Serenity Now blog

Fall Pumpkin Patch Pictures, Serenity Now blog

Fall Pumpkin Patch Pictures, Serenity Now blog
Fall Pumpkin Patch Pictures, Serenity Now blog

The animals are always a big draw for pumpkin patch visitors:
Fall Pumpkin Patch Pictures, Serenity Now blog
Fall Pumpkin Patch Pictures, Serenity Now blog
Fall Pumpkin Patch Pictures, Serenity Now blog

Fall Pumpkin Patch Pictures, Serenity Now blog
Fall Pumpkin Patch Pictures, Serenity Now blog


It's not a trip to the farm without a hayride and a look at the scenery!
Fall Pumpkin Patch Pictures, Serenity Now blog
Fall Pumpkin Patch Pictures, Serenity Now blog
Fall Pumpkin Patch Pictures, Serenity Now blog
Fall Pumpkin Patch Pictures, Serenity Now blog
Fall Pumpkin Patch Pictures, Serenity Now blog
Fall Pumpkin Patch Pictures, Serenity Now blog
Fall Pumpkin Patch Pictures, Serenity Now blog

Fall Pumpkin Patch Pictures, Serenity Now blog

And the grand finale, the choosing of the pumpkins...

Some people go for the "cleanest" pumpkin they can find:
Fall Pumpkin Patch Pictures, Serenity Now blog

Others hunt for the absolute largest thing they can possibly carry and then hand it off to their mom to lug to the car:
Fall Pumpkin Patch Pictures, Serenity Now blog

We certainly had our fill of Fall fun over those two trips!

What's your favorite Fall activity?

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. 

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