House of Earnest

October 25, 2012

Creepy Halloween Candy Printables

I love labeling things. I don’t think that comes as a surprise to those who know me, my labeler has been at my side since college and running out of label tape mid-print is among my biggest pet peeves (how about a warning?). Anyway, when it comes to fun decorative labels for holiday candy, wine, or the like, I like to make my own. Stuck on with double-sided tape, they’re easier to remove from a bottle than the sticker variety and don’t cost a mound for something so simple.

I whipped up these fun candy labels that fit perfectly on a little bottle and print out on plain paper (nothing complicated!). I find that these bottles from Specialty bottle are the perfect size, but you could even use cleaned out pickle jars or jams jars.

Click here for the free printable labels! They come in three varieties: Spider Fangs, for which I used candy corn; Goblin Eggs, which are yellow M&M’s; and Eye of Newt, not pictured, but for which I used some brown M&M’s. You don’t even have to buy multiple candies if you don’t wish, just purchase one bag of M&Ms and separate by color like I did! That’s easy enough? Right?!

I hope you have a SWEET Thursday!

p.s. I’m also over on A Piece of Toast later today featured in Molly and Sally’s regular column ‘She Wishes She Was Wearing’ sharing a little about me and my fashion preferences! Check it out!

10 Comments

October 24, 2012

Illuminated Heart Pumpkin

in Hand Made with 3 Comments

The light of day doesn’t do this pumpkin project justice, but as soon as the sun goes down, the illuminated heart pumpkin shines a sweet shape into the fall night.

Aside from my photo being a tad blurry (I really haven’t mastered low light photos yet), I think it’s easy to see what a perfect addition this pumpkin is to a front porch. The heart pattern could easily be switched out for any other simple shape, or maybe even a letter, so the possibilities of how to customize this project are vast.

Interested in lighting up the night with your plain pumpkin? Keep reading for the full instructions!

3 Comments

October 23, 2012

Stay Warm and Cozy with Etsy

in Home Decor with 4 Comments

I’m baaack! It felt so good last night to drive up to my house, smell that fall was still in the air, and step into a warm house. This got me thinking about two things – firstly, how thankful I am for being blessed with a warm home, and secondly how excited I am that I didn’t completely miss fall! I still have few weekends of true fall left to enjoy the football, leaves, and warm days turning to cool nights before the season shifts over to the holidays (which are awesome too).

Aside from being ecstatic to be home, I’m happy to have a warm and cozy post today over on Etsy’s blog featuring the most cozy items for a truly warm and comfortable fall. I have just a sampling of the amazing items here, but much more await – check out the full post on Etsy and make sure to come back and let me know which one is your favorite!

Firepail from Leftover Stuff, Peach Candle by Evo Luxe, Birch Logs from Maine Garden Shed, Cutting Board by Gray Works Design, Fire Starter by Remington’s Treasures, Robe by Linum Studio, Soap by Soapy Sweet Treats, Sheepskin Rug from Redrope Farm.

Have a COZY Tuesday!

4 Comments

October 22, 2012

Comforts of Home

in Random Thoughts, Travel with 8 Comments

There is just something about going back home isn’t there? As much as another place can have all the comforts of home, it just isn’t the same as walking barefoot on your own floors or sleeping in your own bed.

This thought got me thinking about this blog, and why I write about what I do. I love being at home. I love making it mine, making it comfortable, making it feel warm, inviting, and whole. My interest in the latest home style or products isn’t about having stuff, it’s about making a house into a home.

So while I love to travel and see new things, I’m yearning for home right now – whether it be to hang out and play games with friends, to cozy up to Matty and Perry, or to get crafty with a project. I’m in the homestretch (no pun intended) and couldn’t be more excited. I’ll board a 14 hour flight in just 20 minutes and then be back in the comforts of my own home!

See you guys back here tomorrow, blogging from HOME!

8 Comments

October 19, 2012

Friday Faves 10.18

in friday favorites with 5 Comments

ONE Teak spreaders from Muhs Home scoop, spread or stir. Now, that’s my idea of a multipurpose tool! $18 for four. TWO Sahara pillow has the prettiest golden tassels and I’m loving tassels right now, $166 from Pure Home. THREE handmade stoneware teapot is a perfect fresh addition to your cool fall nights. $88 from Gone to Pot Texas FOUR Octagon coffee table from Horchow has interesting lines and a slightly rustic look. The glass top takes up less visual space and is good for small spaces, $899. FIVE delightfully sweet, but still fun and graphic, these dessert plates from Pure home are perfect for brunch or dessert. $48 for a set of 6.

This weeks round up is full of pretty little things I found around the interwebs this week, and there is no doubt that I’ll try to DIY some tassels on a pillow soon after seeing the Sahara pillow (I love it, but close to $200 for a pillow is a little nuts).

Today is my last day in the Shanghai area and I head off to Hong Kong tonight to meet up with some friends and have a little ‘Erin’ time. I just love the girls I was traveling with, but it’s always nice to be on your own as well, exploring a city and going at your own pace. Keep up on Twitter and Instagram and I’ll show you some of the fun I get into on the other side of the world!

5 Comments

October 18, 2012

Better with Age: Olivewood

in Home Decor with 5 Comments

Olive tree wood is one of my favorite things. There is something luxurious about its smooth, marbled surface and the warm color is just as beautiful. The bonus is that, if taken care of properly, it just gets better and better.

I try to pick up a good piece during travels so that my pieces have some meaning behind them as well. The cutting board above is from San Gimignano, Italy and the bowls are from Napa.

I love that the care for olive tree wood is simple and doesn’t require too much upkeep since it’s already a pretty smooth and has a good moisture content. It needs oiling here are there with Mineral Oil (maybe a year, or once every six months if you wash it often), and should always be washed by hand.

The idea of collecting good quality items that grow more beautiful with time is something that appeals to me.

Do you have anything like that? Things that get better with age (except for yourselves of course!) ??

5 Comments

October 17, 2012

Naturally Spooky Spider Wine Tags

in Hand Made, Party Style with 6 Comments

You know I love Halloween, but I also love a more refined approach to a very kitschy holiday. If I had told you that pipe cleaners and some spray paint would be so charming, you probably wouldn’t have believed me, but I think these are just the right touch of fun, spooky, and functional for your October entertaining – AND a sweet little treat for your guests to take home.

The whole project isn’t too involved for a quick addition to a fall gathering, but is cute enough to be memorable. Plus anything that involves wine ranks high on my list. Just don’t drink too much and get scared by your own spider! Keep reading for the step by step tutorial and directions!

6 Comments

October 16, 2012

Style Splurge: Custom Drapes

in Home Decor with 5 Comments

It’s one of those things that always looks so amazing, but can be hard to justify splurging on – custom drapes. There is no doubt they can make a huge difference in a room, adding emphasis to architectural detail and shielding out light, but how many of us actually splurge on them?

I admit that there is only one room in my home with custom window coverings, and by custom, I mean that they’re made by me because my bedroom windows are too tall for ‘off the shelf” varieties. They do make me super happy, however, and I’ve been considering purchasing them for other rooms in my home. I’ve been drawn to companies that offer made to measure panels, in a variety of styles so that I can be sure to find exactly what I want, without totally disregarding a budget.

Even if you’re not huge on drapery, I love the idea of doing custom roman shades, like these, to give a room a very finished look without being overbearing.

I’d love to hear your thoughts, however. Some people swear by custom curtains and others wouldn’t bother. What is your take?

I hope you have a fabulous Tuesday out there!

photo credit 1 | 2 | 3

5 Comments

October 15, 2012

Pumpkin Seeds Three Ways

in Food, Hand Made with 9 Comments

I have no doubt you’ll have some pumpkin carving going on in the next couple weeks, and there is no way you should throw out the seeds. I usually make plain roasted seeds, but thought that there was definitely an opportunity to spice them up with some fun flavor combos this year – Chili Lime, Sweet & Spicy, and Rosemary & Olive Oil.

With each of the flavor combinations I made, I started by boiling the seeds in salted water for 10 minutes before roasting to plump them up with a little flavor. From there, I mixed one cup of boiled seeds the spice mixtures and roasted at 375 for 18 minutes, stirring twice.

One medium pumpkin yielded three cups of seeds, so it was just enough to make a batch of all three! Keep Reading for all three recipes!

9 Comments

October 12, 2012

Friday Faves 10.12

in friday favorites with 3 Comments

ONE vintage southwestern basket is a beautiful option for unique wall art, $42 from ethan ollie; TWO tiny vintage safety matches from Sweden, $4.50 from Just Smashing Darling; THREE Aran knit hot water bottle cover, $37 from patmellor; FOUR boubon barrel cured Noble Maple Syrup from Terrain, $38; FIVE birch paper straws from Garnish, $4 for 50. SIX Salt cellar with cork lid by Vitrified Studio, $35.

You can tell I’m yearning for the cooler weather of home this time of year? I wanted to share these cozy faves with you this week because I’ve been so drawn toward earthy textures and warm colors. I bought the birch straws yesterday and have plans to use them during the cocktail hour of my fall dinner party. I can’t wait to get home and really get into the fall spirit – prepare for the party, turn on the heat, start wearing thick socks and have a fire in the fireplace.

While I’m here, however, I still have a ton of great fall posts lined up, so come back next week for some DIYs, a trio of recipes, and some decor inspiration!

….and don’t forget to follow on twitter and instagram for updates from China!