Decor

The Best Halloween Decor For Your Home’s Front Yard

September 29, 2022

It’s no secret I *love* Halloween — I start brainstorming in August, and always start the process Labor Day Weekend! 🙂

Here is a roundup of my favorite finds. If something shows out of stock, be sure to keep checking back (and also check the pickup in-store options vs only shipping if available!)

12 Foot Mummy Skeleton – HERE (or similar HERE)

25 Foot Spiderweb (this I the 2nd year I’ve used it!) – HERE

Skeleton Stack under Sconces (these come with a stake to use in-ground as well) – HERE

Front Door Wreaths (I added in a few extra flowers for volume) – HERE

Front Porch Doormat – HERE

Front Porch White Pumpkins (these light-up and are GREAT!) – HERE

Random Large Spiders – HERE

I’ll continue to post my favorite Halloween finds (for indoor and outdoor) in upcoming blog posts — plus watch my Instagram HERE for DIY videos and to see the items in motion!

7+ Ways To Make Grocery Store Flowers Look Like A Million Bucks

June 4, 2021

_{How to pick, style, and prolong the life of those store-bought beauties.}

Assembling a gorgeous arrangement from grocery store flowers is easy — keep reading for my top tips!

In my dream life, I’d have a weekly delivery of stunning seasonal floral arrangements arrive at my doorstep — pre-selected based on my taste and pre-arranged in a beautiful vase. If I was even luckier, I’d hand off the “old” vase at the end of the week so I didn’t have to wash it! LOL

Instead, I like the 99 percent, take the opportunity every now and then to treat myself to a pretty arrangement that I make myself from the grocery store floral section. I’ve learned a few tips and tricks to make my flowers look professional and eye-catching — and have even figured out ways to help them last longer than those online flowers ever do!

I teamed up with MacKenzie-Childs to share how to make a beautiful arrangement to brighten up your home or give a gift that’s sure to lift spirits!

Wreath – HERE | Dress – HERE | Necklace – HERE | Earrings – HERE

PICKING FLOWERS

Check the top AND the bottom of the flowers — avoid those that are already fully open, show signs of browning on petals, and make sure the stems aren’t mushy. Thick, solid-stemmed flowers usually last longer, whereas thin, hollow stems usually expire more quickly. Typically flowers like carnations, calla lilies, oriental lilies, orchids, spray roses, and regular roses last longer than other varieties. I’ve also had great luck with hydrangeas.

Select three to four types of flowers in complimentary colors. You could pick one brightly colored flower and then rest are neutral, or pick a variety of colors in similar but not exact shades. Mix in a few pieces of greenery like ferns, long grasses, or eucalyptus leaves — or grab some pampas grass for a boho look.

For this arrangement, I picked up all of these flowers for under $25.

GET WET

Rinse your stems under lukewarm water to help “wake up” the flowers and trim their stems (I love my MacKenzie-Childs shears to make cutting ends easy!) to help the flowers soak up fresh hydration. While you’re at it, remove any leaves that may fall below the waterline of the vase — bacteria can develop on leaves, causing your whole arrangement to spoil faster.

CLEAN IT UP

Want to know how to get fuller-looking roses? Take them from “basic” to BIG by removing the green pieces under the rose bud. You can even remove some of the outer petals if they look broken. Next, take the rose and roll it quickly between your hands — you can even blow into the rose from above to help loosen it up or warm it up for the next step.

PUMP IT UP

Petal by petal, put your thumb under the rose and gently flip out the petal. Go around in a circle, carefully flipping the petals to expose and create a larger rose. Depending on the individual flower, you may be able to do this for several rows. Don’t worry about hurting the rose — this does not impact their lifespan. You can also put your fingers inside the petals from overhead and help to spread them to encourage expansion.

PRECISE PLACEMENT

While I don’t technically believe there’s a “perfect” way to place flowers, you can gain a lot of control by rolling up a small piece of chicken wire and placing it inside your vase. This vase from MacKenzie-Childs has become my go-to… and can you believe it’s technically a utensil holder?! I love how they create such versatile pieces. MacKenzie-Childs has several multi-use pieces that can double as vases AND other practical uses, like this pitcher or this tea kettle!

You can purchase a small roll of chicken wire here or if you prefer using floral tape to create holes for your stems to go into, that works too! If you use chicken wire, make sure to wash it well when you toss out your arrangement.

Vase – HERE | Pitcher / Vase | Teapot / Vase

LEVEL UP

When placing your flowers, aim for varying heights to create interest and showcase the beautiful buds. I don’t have a formula for the placement, but I do tend to place similar flowers one at a time — moving from type to type until I’ve placed everything (this makes it easier to adjust and rearrange at the end.)

SPRAY TO SLAY

Whenever I finish an arrangement, I consider this the secret sauce for saving arrangements! This floral spray is a florist favorite for weddings and special events — and it truly helps my flowers last longer than anything I’ve ever tried! I also recommend changing water every couple days and monitoring the leaves to make sure none are touching the water, plus add in fresh floral solution to the water if you have it!

Now it’s up to you to enjoy your beautiful arrangement! I suggest placing it in an area that receives sunlight, but not heavy sunlight or heat. Special thanks to MacKenzie-Childs for partnering on this post — be sure to check out the website for a stunning collection of household goods and timeless gifts!

XOXO,

Keli

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 2019!

February 5, 2019

Looking for the perfect gifts for your special someone? For yourself? Or maybe for that person you’d really like to impress?

I’ve made a gift guide including some of my favorite go-to presents, to make your Valentine’s shopping a breeze.

SIP CADDY – Bath / Shower Wine & Beer Holder

This cute little device is a great gift for your friends, your significant other, or even yourself! Just stick it on your shower wall or on your bathtub and be prepared to enjoy that pre-party shower a little big more!

An adjustable handle will accommodate beer, wine, or even a product bottle if you’d rather save the booze for later!

At just under $15 (and with super fast shipping), this one makes a great gift for a variety of occasions!

PRICE: $13.95

HELLOFRESH MEAL KIT

Why battle the Valentine’s restaurant crowds when you can make a special reservation for 2 at home?! HelloFresh would be an awesome interactive experience for an couple, especially if you’re building your relationship.
The step by step instructions help even the most beginner cooks whip up gourmet meals in under 30 min! You can even select your own menu based on several choices each week.

The kit provides everything you need to create three different dinners for two! All the ingredients arrive at your doorstep in a box — no grocery trip required!

PRICE: $60 (Discounted price using “KELIRA” would put your first box of 3 MEALS at $20!)

LOVE IS ART – Painting Kit

We’ve talked about creating dinner together, but what about creating something beautiful together to hang on your wall?

The idea is for you & your partner to use paint (select up to 4 colors) and your bodies to make abstract art — it will certainly a conversation piece for years to come!

This kit comes with everything you need — the paint, the canvas, a tarp to lay down on your floor — even a loofah to wash off the paint after you’re done!

PRICE: The kits start at $70 (You can get almost $20 off with code LIA2019.)

JBL – Waterproof Shower Speaker

Whether your significant other likes to sing in the shower or prefers to catch up on their favorite podcast, this waterproof speaker is a gift that will be put to good use immediately. It’s especially fitting for those early stage relationships , where you don’t want to give too big of a gift, but just want to keep it light and fun. It’s something to make them think about you every day when they see the speaker.

The audio quality is great and the Bluetooth makes it easy to pair with a cell phone. You can also take it to the pool this summer too!

For just under $50, this will be a gift that’s thoughtful, practical, and can be put to use immediately.

ZEEL – Massage on Demand!

What better way to treat your significant other (or yourself too!) than with a massage? Zeel makes it easy to get a massage on YOUR schedule — from 8 am to 10:30 pm in YOUR home.

All you need are a couple of sheets and Zeel will bring the massage table, relaxing music, and a licensed massage therapist. A Zeel masseuse can be at your home within an hour of your request.

From deep-tissue to pre-natal to even couples massages, Zeel’s in-home massages make a great gift for anyone, especially those of us with unpredictable work hours who can’t commit to a big trip to the spa.

Forget the spa pricing that would easily cost $150/$200 — you can try a 60 min Zeel massage for just $60 with code “fp6s” .

SOCIAL PRINT STUDIO – Daily Photo Calendar

Whether you’ve been together for years or even if you have a long distance relationship, this is SUCH a thoughtful gift.

This calendar allows your loved one to see one special photo every day of the year, and I think reminding yourself about all the fun and adventures you’ve had together is one of the most special ways to show someone you care.

If you can easily round-up photos, you can create this adorable calendar in minutes using Social Print Studio’s website OR their Print Studio app! If you don’t have 365 pictures you can just insert whatever photos you have and it will auto-populate and repeat.

PRICE: $45 (get an extra 15% OFF with code “KELI”)

MINTED – Framed Heart Collage

This is such a thoughtful go-to gift for a special person in your life — a friend, family member, or significant other.

Pick 30 snapshot photos to create a high-quality, gorgeous photo collage. Pick your frame to make it personalized for anyone’s style or decor.

PRICE: Starting at $42 for framed prints

POO-POURRI
Add this one in for a little bit of fun — it’s something everyone can use! For under $10, this gift works and is gender and age neutral.

If you’ve never tried it before, just spray Poo-Pourri before you go and it creates a protective barrier to trap odors under the water’s surface.

The product comes in lots of different scents and is easy to pick up online and at major retailers in case you need a gift at the last minute.

PRICE: $25 for the “Share Love Not Stink” set of 3

LOVE NOTES – 365 Messages in a Jar

This is a DIY gift that is incredibly thoughtful, and will leave a lasting impression all year round.

I found this Etsy company who help you creates these beautiful jars filled with 365 love notes to your partner. You just purchase the template online, then customize the text (or go with the template’s suggestion) — it’s totally up to you.

Print out the notes, roll them up, stick them in a cute jar, and viola! A gift that looks like you spent ages working on it.

PRICE: The template is about $8 with code “ILOVEYOU” and you can find a pretty jar in your home or buy one at your favorite retailer for a couple dollars!

INFLORASCENT FLOWERS – Roses that last for 1 year +

If you’ve ever sent flowers from one of those pricey online florists only to see the flowers die three days later — please don’t make that mistake again!

This is THE ultimate luxury gift for the man or woman in your life who has stood the test of time, because these roses will stand the test of time too! They’re guaranteed to last a year, but in my experience they last so much longer!

I sent an Inflorascent arrangement to my husband in Nov. 2017 (red roses) and he sent me these (multi-colored roses) last Valentine’s Day. They still look BRAND NEW. They even smell amazing after a year!

This size is $250 for 16 roses (and some chocolates) — but consider yourself relieved of buying flowers for a very, very long time because these will easily be the center of attention in your house — and all of your guests will be asking “wait are those real? how do they do that?” Yes, they are 100% real — no watering or special treatment required!

PRICE – $250 & up

SLIP – Silk Pillowcase
You or your loved one will sleep better tonight with a silk pillowcase, I promise! I’ve had one of these for a year and LOVE it. It’s better for your skin and hair than cotton pillowcases, and the silk stays cooler too.

Price – $85
Cheaper version here for $20 but I haven’t tried it myself.

THISWORKS – Deep Sleep Pillow Spray
Create a sleeping package gift with some of this incredible spray and thank me later! Lavender and Chamomile create a relaxing, subtle scent that aims to help you fall asleep relax and sleep longer.

I’m not sure if it’s truly helped me sleep better, but it definitely makes me feel more relaxed when I lay down after a couple spritzes!

Price – $29

MACARON MAKING CLASS

This is such a fun treat for yourself, a friend, or a loved one! I’ve taken this class taught by Rebecca Adler and it is so much fun! It’s held at Central Market on Westheimer here in Houston.

You will learn the fine art of making macarons in this interactive experience — sifting flour, mixing batter, and “dropping the pan” — and leave with some great recipes and 12 extraordinary treats.

Price – $54

Love these ideas?? I hope so! Please let me know your feedback and if you have any other go-to gifts that I should share! Hope you have a great Valentine’s Day!!

XOXO,

Keli

Scary Good Halloween Decor!

October 25, 2018

Halloween is probably my favorite holiday — cooler weather, spooky decorations, crazy costumes, and the magical excitement that happens when creativity and fun come together. This is the second year in our home, so it’s the second time (ever!) I’ve decorated my home and I’m working to build my decorations slowly each year. I’m a bargain shopper through and through, so I’m excited to share these incredible pieces with you and the sources, so you can find inspiration and maybe your new favorite decorations too!

OUTSIDE DECORATIONS

Whether you live in an apartment and just have a balcony or you have a home with a yard and trees, there are plenty of opportunities for decorations!

I decided to take advantage of our two big trees and load them up with skeletons, ghosts, and spiders! They only needed one nail and instantly jazzed up our front yard.

I also used lots of ‘spider webbing’ that I picked up from the dollar store. A little goes a long way, and there is no difference between the Dollar Store version and the more expensive packs at Target, Walgreens, etc — so just buy the cheap stuff! For us, the squirrels are constantly pulling the spiderwebs down so these photos don’t reflect how great it initially looked, but you get the idea!

FRONT DOOR

No matter where you live, you DEFINITELY have a front door! I spotted this gorgeous wreath online at Grandin Road and when I spotted the matching swags, I knew I needed the whole set! They will be favorites at our house for many years to come, and we are constantly getting compliments on them. If you pick up a wreath at HomeGoods or another store, don’t be afraid to jazz it up a bit with thick ribbon or other accessories to add drama.

I found this great skeleton (he’s a spooky statement piece, for sure!) at HomeGoods and just added a few pumpkins for color. I think next year I’ll kick it up a notch with more spiderwebs behind him to elevate the look.

INSIDE DECOR

There are so many opportunities to share pops of Halloween throughout your home. One easy way is using throw pillows! I picked up this pair from HomeGoods. You can find great options online or other stores — and if you can still find them after November 1, you will be able to get an even better deal!

Tabletop accessories are a fun way to spice up your credenza, buffet, or countertops. I find that Target, HomeGoods, and At Home tend to have the best accessories for great prices.

Pumpkins — can you EVER have enough? These studded pumpkins are a modern-decor-Halloween-lover’s dream come true! I bought them in 2017 at Target, and they’re back again this year in a black / iridescent finish. If that works for your decor, I highly suggest you pick them up! While your real pumpkins are expensive and will need to be thrown out in a few weeks, these babies are here to stay!

I’ve never hung a wreath indoors like this before, but I felt like our staircase had an empty space that was just begging to be filled. This was another Grandin Road purchase, that I simply love!

Next year I’m planning to create a spooky tablescape and decorate our fireplace, so I promise to share the whole process of creating it! I’m already coming up with ideas — and can’t wait to shop those post-Halloween sales to stock up on the good stuff!

XOXO,

Keli

kelir