Here is the pottery barn inspiration for $699:

My version for $60 (in all it’s Halloween Glory ):

He’s a pretty dapper not-so-scary kind of dude.  We like carameled apples around here, but they taste excessively sweet to me when fully drenched in caramel.  So this was a good compromise.

Here’s how we made him:

Hair:  Caramel and miniature chocolate chips.  Use good caramel like the one sold here (great tips for carameled apples as well) …it makes a big difference.  Now I know it’s a lot, but it stores for a year and you don’t have to peel wrappers.  Bonus.  I skewered the bottom of the apple first so that I could dip the top of his head in the caramel and chips.  Then you can pull it out and place it properly.

Eyes:  Miniature Oreos, mini chocolate chip for the pupil

Nose & Mouth:  Just bought a small amount of that mix you can buy at most grocery stores that includes candy corns, jelly beans, boston baked beans, and good and plenty.

Neck Hardware:  Tootsie Rolls, cut in half, held in place with a toothpick.  You could use caramel here too…just shape some prior to melting.

I just drew on the stitches with a tiny bit of melted chocolate and a toothpick.  Attached everything with a little melted caramel or chocolate.

Enjoy!

My favorite part about this project is it’s versatility.  The components dis-assemble so that you can 1) store it flat 2)Use interchangeable plates to change the look 3) still use the candle stick as a candle stick!

The tiered effect is created by using a simple candlestick that unscrews at it’s base and at it’s top (this is actually quite common….visit the thrift store and start trying to untwist the older (usually gold) candle sticks.  They are also often times hollow in the middle which allows you to make one this way which is where my inspiration came from (her whole blog ROCKS).  Doing it Amberlee’s way also makes it so you can use a candlestick that only unscrews at the base…it is a little more money with the addition of the allthread and drawer pull, but well worth it for the finished product.  I’ll post some pics as soon as I complete some using Amberlee’s method.

So all I did was spray paint my candlestick, screw holes in the middle of my plates (you can use ceramic or melamine plates), and screw it all together.  Doesn’t get much easier than that!  You’ll want to use a ceramic bit if you try tackling this project, otherwise you are at higher risk (the risk is always there) of breaking the plate as you screw the hole.  Try a little masking tape on top and bottom of the plate where you’ll be screwing your hole as well.

Do you like?

Note:  oooh…it would also be pretty to add a gorgeous, fresh white flower to the top to finish it off….just put a little water in the top of the candlestick and place the flower with an ultra-shortened stem in.  It will last long enough for your event…

Project Glimpse:  I am going to make a large-scale mirror using 16-20 of these mirrors for my formal room.  It is going to be huge and cost less than $25 when it’s all said and done (I hope)

I will start a category on the sidebar entitled favorite finds and post ‘em when I find them.  My disclaimer is that I make no guarantee if/when I will actually post the project they are intended for.  Sometimes I change my mind, sometimes I change the project, and sometimes I need to furnish a room before I do accent projects

Do you like?

Family Heart Hands

The dollar store has these little salsa tubs that are PERFECT for little pots-o-gold or cauldrons (for Halloween).  They come in a two-pack so they are only 50 cents a piece!  Don’t get discouraged if you can’t find them.  Every dollar store has them but they all put them in a different spot…just ask someone.

For the rainbow, I used chenille sticks (also found at the dollar store or any craft store) and filled it with Rolos for the gold.  The dollar store also has all different colors of glow necklaces…I think that would be a SUPER cool way to do a rainbow with this idea that they find on their pillow at night….all lit up.

The saying I came up with for my hubs is:  “I’m the luckiest woman in the world to have married a man with a heart of gold.”  Be creative…adapt for your audience.

I much prefer using rolos over gold coins for the gold because:

1)  it’s more authentic in my mind….like miners gold

2)  it tastes WAY better

3)  it costs less

Happy St. Patty’s!!!!!!!!

Here are two different styles of aprons that I have made and love:

Apron in an Hour

Here’s my version…added some pockets.

Retro Tie-Back apron

I prefer the full apron because I’m a messy cook   I love the way this retro apron looks when wearing it…use a heavier weight, quality fabric and you will get nice little flares in the skirt that hold their shape.  Just enough femininity without being too frilly.

Speaking of cooking, Simply Modern Mom is currently conducting an “over-used recipe swap.”  I’m linking up Baked Ziti….it is our go-to recipe right now.  Lot’s of flavor, ingredients that we normally have on hand, and it is finished in a half an hour!!  It is a recipe out of our “30-Minute Recipes by America’s Test Kitchen“.  Oh how I LOVE their cookbooks.

Baked Ziti

Ingredients:

1 T olive oil

6 garlic cloves

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

salt and pepper

2 15 oz. cans crushed tomato

3 cups water

12 oz. ziti (3 3/4 cup) or penne works well

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (I use the parmesan Reggiano from Costco-love that stuff-a little pricey but worth it and it lasts for a long time)

1/4 cup minced fresh basil (use 1/3 that amount if using dried)

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (pre-shredded is a real time-saver-we use a tad more for extra cheesiness)

Instructions:

1.  Heat oven.  Rack in middle position.  475 degrees.

2.  Simmer Ziti.  Combine oil, garlic, pepper flakes, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in 12-inch oven safe nonstick skillet and saute over medium-high heat until fragrant, about 1 minute.  Add crushed tomatoes, water, ziti, and 1/2 tsp. salt.  Cover cook, stirring often and adjusting the heat as needed to maintain a vigorous simmer, until ziti is almost tender, 15-18 minutes.

3.  Add cheese and bake.  Stir in cream, parmesan, and basil.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Sprinkle mozzarella evenly over ziti.  Transfer skillet to oven (or in our case, we transfer the ziti into a 2 quart glass dish because our pans aren’t oven safe) and bake untikl cheese has melted and browned.  About 10 minutes.

Bon Appetit! It’s perfection in a pan.  (Throw in a salad and some toasted garlic-parmesan sourdough bread)