Halloween at Hickman Homestead

Guys, I started putting up my Halloween decor last Friday afternoon. I've never done Halloween before. I loved it growing up. My mom would put fake spiderwebs in the house and witches and ghosts. We even would put our leaves in those pumpkin trash bags. Does anyone remember those?! Do they still make them? But I've never done Halloween.....until now! The boys are old enough to love it and even want to help. Liam helped me put the bats up on the porch. So fun! I know a lot of people use the paper bats, but I we don't have a target and I couldn't figure out where to order them from. I used these foam bats from Hobby Lobby.

Happy Haunting!

Fall Decor Favorites

Happy Saturday! It was so cool this morning. We hit 55° in South Georgia! Liam has his last football game of the season this morning as well. It has been so fun watching him play this year. From the flags he pulled to his epic trash talking. I'm sharing my fall decor favorites today and all of these are GREAT deals! I'm transitioning over to Halloween as of yesterday afternoon. Fall has been up in our house for awhile so it was time to switch it up for me. Bring on all of the Hocus Pocus and Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin! (and sweaters, and blankets, and coffee, and cold weather please)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

1.  This pillow is even cuter in person. It's from Big Lots and such a great deal! You can see it on my gram here. 

2. I've been obsessed with buffalo plaid for awhile now. I haven't updated my Christmas decor on the blog since I ghosted a couple years ago. But I love it! I purchased this guy at Hobby Lobby. This pumpkin as well as number 5 are bigger than they may seem. Check them out here and here. 

3. I couldn't find my exact wreath. Mine is quite similar but only has the white pumpkins. I bought this one at TJ Maxx. They also had another option with orange pumpkins and it was ah maze ing! The link says sold out but some store still have them. You can see my solid white option here. 

4. Texture in decor is so important and this neat little guy brings that right in. I love the neutral and orange colors. Perfect for most fall decor. I don't have a picture of mine....note to self. 

5. These pumpkins are such great deals! I love that Hobby has most fall 40-50% off. You can also pull up a coupon code from your phone for 40% off of one item! You can view this pumpkin in my links on number 2. 

6. Again, texture. Love it love it love it. I use  to not incorporate it much and pulling in different types has made my decor look much higher quality. This pumpkin is smaller and more of an accent but it's adorable! See it here.

7. Another adorable, little pumpkin. I actuall went back and got another. I LOVE these! They aren't burlap but still have texture. Seen here and here. They are only $3 right now!!!

8. Finally, is this wooden pumpkin sign. I needed something to fill this space and like what this brought to the table. Another Hobby Lobby find at 40% off. Seen here. You can also see both little pumpkins in that picture as well. :)

Happy Weekend!

Fall Decor - Mantle to Door

So I've had my fall decor posted on the gram for over a month now, but I decided to do a simple quick post here as well. I changed up my fall decor this year and went a little more traditional. I did this with Christmas a couple years back and loved it. Well, I loved this too! I don't know if its the nostalgia it brings back or just a change that makes me love it so much. I really think it's the nostalgia and memories from my childhood holidays. This year I brought back in the oranges and rusts. Also a little more fall greenery. Hope you like it!

My fall favorites post is coming tomorrow... actually later today. I just realized that it was after midnight. Bless my soul. See you later TODAY!

Christmas Expectations

I love Christmas Time. It's my absolute favorite time of the year!!! I truly look forward to future Christmas' with Liam when he can really experience the magic of it all. I tried to show him all of the whimsical ornaments as I decorated the tree (Yes, it's up!) but he was more interested in his bouncer.

Very excited about the holidays this year. Probably clear since my tree is already up. Planning on doing my bedroom too this year. Kinda stumped about part of my living room decor but I'm sure I'll find something for that darn end table. I'm going to attempt icicle lights on the house this year. Probably gonna be pissed excited once it's done.

I'm really trying not to set expectations this year when it comes to the holidays. I am the worst about having these ideas of what I want to do and accomplish each year and am always disappointed when it doesn't happen. We have family Christmas pictures and I was really anxious about it. What if he cries the whole time? What if he doesn't smile? Again expectations. Releasing expectations is helping with the anxiety and I'm starting to look forward to it. I'm hoping to continue to let go and just enjoy (all things).

Hoping for peace and enjoyment this season. Happy Holidays!!! 

Almost forgot...my tree :) Close up pictures to come!

Tree Skirt: Take 2!!!

Last year I found a tutorial on pinterest to create a burlap/muslin ruffle tree skirt. It really was easy and perfectly matched my Christmas decor. It was exactly what I was wanting. I received the best compliment from my sister in law. She like it so much she asked me to make her one. Only downside....I forget how much skin I sacrifice burn on this project.

I started off with many two inch strips of burlap and muslin. Then I just folded and glued. Here is my skirt from last year.

This years...

BOOK CASE!!

So I have really been needing to clean out my girls room (girl cave) closet. It didn't get tackled during the nesting frenzy. Instead it became more unorganized and cluttered. Our Christmas tree took up half the good sized closet.

I started by throwing out half of what I didn't need and donating things. Then I ordered a tree bag and put the tree outside in the shed. SO MUCH MORE ROOM! I knew I needed a bookshelf seeing as I own my own movie story basically. This doesn't even come close to my book collection by the way.

I found a huge bookshelf at a yard sale for $3 bucks! I knew it would need some TLC but so do all my projects. I had the tools to fix it up and one of the two colors I needed to $3. I highly recommend valspar samples!

Bookshelf Before:

Bookshelf After: 

NOW...

Closet Before: (Don't Judge)

Closet After:

Movie Bookshelf a Success!!! (Btw: the other piece of furniture was another project. Has tons of storage!!)

Finished Nursery!!

My mother in law had some left over fabric from the bedding so she made a valance for the window which Rhett hung for me.

and now...

 

I love these little guys. All gifts for Liam. The blue bunny is made from old blankets. The Peter Rabbit blanket is precious (severe obsession with Peter Rabbit and Beatrix Potter growing up) and I love Sammie the Lamb...note the cross on his right hoof :) "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Stuffed animals from my childhood and other keepsake gifts.

On the opposite wall of the bookcase is the changing table/dresser. Momma and I hung little shelves over it for decoration.

As you continue to turn you have the last wall which displays a Peter Rabbit painting [ done by my mother-in-law :-) ] and the finished organized closet!