A Modern, Rustic Holiday Set Up Inspired by Hallmark + a Simple DIY Holiday Card Holder

Did you know that Christmas is only SIX weeks away? That means it's time to start getting your Christmas decor ideas pinned and the craft materials to make it all... and it's probably a good time to start buying Christmas gifts for the one's you love while you're at it!

I cant wait to share all kinds of awesome gift ideas over the next few weeks in my Holiday Gift Guide, but today I want to share how I'm decorating for Christmas and how I'm using the holiday cards I've received in the mail as cute Christmas Decor this year!

I was shopping at Hallmark for decor inspiration, they always have the cutest items so it's easy for me to find pieces that I want to center my whole holiday decor around and this year I found so many amazing and adorable ways to decorate for the holidays, I had trouble deciding what I wanted to do in our entry way.

I had a handful of mugs and some adorable cake plates in my hands at first but then I decided I wanted to get those items later when it's time to decorate the kitchen. Then, I had a caboodle of stuffed animals and itty bitty's but that just didn't feel right. Finally, I decided I wanted to keep things simple and do something that involved a modern take on rustic decor and it was all inspired by the Welcome the Wonder Enchanted Art Decoration! With an adorable little snow man in the center of a winter wonderland, I wanted to bring some of that "chilly goodness" into my Florida home and I'm so glad I did.

With so many locations nearby me, I'm always stopping in to Hallmark, and I constantly find cute stuff that inspires me, but I'm really proud of the way my house is decorated this year... it's just too cute! The way the cards from my family members hang and the adorable bow accents centered around the most wonderful sign, I'm just so excited for Christmas I can't stand it! I'm waiting for more Christmas cards to roll in and I can't wait to see more of our family and friends smiling at us when we walk in our front door! Do you want to have the same little set up? I can't wait to help you make this super simple craft!

It's easy to make a card display like mine! Make a trip to Hallmark for red burlap ribbon, tape, and the most adorable pre-made Christmas bows! Don't forget to grab one of the adorable Enchanted Art pieces or some of the cutest sweater covered mugs you've ever seen... and as I mentioned, gifts are always a good idea while out shopping for craft supplies so grab some holiday cards to send out or a candle or two from the Crafters & Co line while you're at Hallmark!

If you want you can watch the video above for a visual tutorial or I've included the step by step process in text/photos below!

Once you have the supplies, you'll begin by cutting two pieces of the red burlap ribbon to equal lengths. Then cut out a small triangle on ONE end of each of the pieces of ribbon.

Tape the ribbon to the wall, with one piece at the top and one piece folded into a tube and taped onto the back. Take off the sticky part of the pre-made bows and press them gently on top of the piece of tape at the top of the ribbon.

Place cards onto the ribbon with tiny clothespins, paperclips, or even a piece of tape. Now show off all the love you've been sent and smile in delight!

With the Welcome the Wonder Enchanted Art sign and the simple little craft I made, as well as a plain wooden Christmas tree, a bright golden deer, a little bit of burlap, some christmas lights, a few candles, a couple of gold glittery gift tags, and a plant or two - I think my entry way looks just spirited enough and perfectly rustic with a modern twist.

So tell me, have you been into Hallmark yet this season? They have SO many amazing items, I'm certain you'll fall in love - go ahead and check out the site and let me know which item is your favorite!

As I said, I can't wait to share some awesome gift ideas over the next month in my holiday gift guide - make sure to subscribe to my social media channels so you can stay in the know on upcoming giveaways for all kinds of companies over the holidays!

Look good, Do good, Feel good with Paul Mitchell: Do Your Part & Use the Hashtag #GivingIsMyStyle!

Big thanks to Paul Mitchell for sponsoring the discussion on doing good deeds today.

Great hair associated with a good cause...? I'm all about supporting people going out and doing good things in the world so when I heard about the movement Paul Mitchell® started I was more than intrigued!

An amazing brand, celebrating their commitment to living beautifully by giving back... Does that sound like someone you know...? I like to think of my blog along the same lines, so I was more than on-board when I found out that doing my part in the "giving" involved me sharing how I give on social media. Whether I'm donating gently used clothing to local charities, handing a few dollars to a homeless guy as I drive by, or just lending a hand when I see someone in need... I'm always trying to do good deeds and help those in need.

That's why Paul Mitchell and I are spreading the word! We want to help the world and we want you to help us!

How can you help? Share why or how you give back on social media with the hashtag #GivingIsMyStyle and Paul Mitchell will donate a $1 to one of six charities!

Which Charities will they donate to? Here's a little information about all six of them:

Bright Pink: Bright Pink is the only national non-profit organization that focuses on the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer in young women. We are proud to support their mission to educate, equip and empower women of all ages to be proactive with their health. @BeBrightPink

Waterkeeper Foundation: For more than 10 years, Paul Mitchell has supported Waterkeeper Alliance in their mission to protect rivers, streams, coastlines and other major waterways around the world.@Waterkeeper

Morris Animal Foundation: Morris Animal Foundation is a global leader in supporting scientific research that advances veterinary medicine. We're proud to support the organization's commitment to improving the health and quality of life for dogs, cats, horses and wildlife around the world.@Morris_Animal

Grow Appalachia: In 2010, Paul Mitchell co-founder John Paul DeJoria teamed up with Berea College to establish Grow Appalachia, a non-profit initiative that helps Appalachian families plant a healthy future. Over the last few years, the organization has produced more than 1.1 million pounds of healthy, organic food for thousands of people in five states. @GrowAppalachia

Boys & Girls Club: Paul Mitchell co-founder John Paul DeJoria grew up in an underserved Los Angeles community. During his youth, the local Boys & Girls Club provided a safe place for him to socialize, learn and grow. Today, our company is proud to give back to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and their efforts to create great futures for young people.@BGCA_Clubs

Reforest'Action: Paul Mitchell Tea Tree proudly supports Reforest'Action, an environmental organization that plants trees worldwide, in the areas where they're needed most. Join The Green Takeover and help us plant 500,000 trees by 2016.

Now that you know where the money is going and how you can do your part, it's time to take action! Grab your phone, click on over from your laptop, or use your tablet and log in to Instagram and Twitter - express yourself and share how giving is your style with the hashtag #GivingIsMyStyle!

Look good, do good, feel good w/@PaulMitchellUS. Use #GivingIsMyStyle & $1 will be donated to charity!

— Lauren Paints (@tinylittlebows) November 11, 2015

Want to learn more about the partnership? Watch this video!

Enter to Win a Dell Inspiron Laptop and #UpgradeWithIntel!

 This post is for my participation in the Intel Program and Sponsored by Lunchbox.

Are you searching for a new laptop? Maybe you're a fellow blogger wanting to stay up-to-date with the latest technology or a business woman wanting to keep her clients satisfied with quick responses from a laptop with no lag time? No matter the situation, your hunt for the perfect laptop is over.

I found an awesome deal on a Dell Inspiron 15.6" laptop from Walmart and I just can't help but share the news with you... This machine is superb, with a 15.6" LED-backlit touchscreen and HD quality resolution! Packed full of features, I'm certain this is the computer you need in your life and now is the best time to upgrade with Intel!

Want some extra awesome news about the Dell Inspiron 15.6" laptop? You have the chance to WIN one of these beasts! Who doesn't want the chance to score something so awesome in a contest?!

Don't miss your chance to win a fancy Dell laptop! Click here (or the banner above) for the opportunity to share, in 400 characters or less, how a Dell Inspiron 15.6" laptop would make your life more amazing!

It's that easy to get your name in the pool to win the laptop! Please keep in mind,  only one entry per email, per person, you can find the complete terms & conditions on the site!

I really hope you win, you will love the chance to upgrade with Intel! After dealing with a few unreliable laptops, I decided to choose an Intel driven machine and I'm so glad I did, I love my new laptop! Are you ready to fall in love with your new laptop? Whether you decide to treat yourself to one or enter the contest, you won't be disappointed with the Dell Inspiron 15.6" laptop from Intel!

Beaches, Good Food, and Good Times - Daytona Beach, Florida!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

I'm a huge fan of traveling, whether it's overseas or just across the state - I love being able to explore the world. Lately, I've had my sights set on visiting Daytona Beach again. While I love the area I live in, it's sometimes nice to get away and Daytona Beach seems like the perfect place to call a hide away - a short road trip and I'm in the perfect destination for a little vacation!

Offering a wide variety of activities along the beach (including tons of kid friendly options), as well as such a vast amount of dining options and 23 miles of sparkling white sand, I suppose you could call Daytona Beach a little piece of paradise! Florida is an amazing place to visit in general but Daytona Beach has to be one of my favorite spots in the state!

After a long day soaking up the sun and a belly full of good food and drinks, you'll be glad to find out that the town of Daytona Beach offers tons of entertainment options as well. With several free things to do in Daytona Beach, tons of ways to have some outdoor fun, and a great little bit of night life - there's something for everyone in Daytona Beach!

With world-class attractions like the Daytona International Speedway or the new Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art, the largest collection of Florida art in the world - we're bound to have a good time on our next visit!

Daytona Beach is great for couples trying to plan a romantic getaway, so you can imagine we're going to have a fantastic time! Think long walks on the beach, followed by a glass of champagne, and a couples massage with the sound of waves crashing! It'll be the perfect place to celebrate love!

Daytona Beach is also festival capital of Florida, with over 50 festivals throughout the year! It's so much fun to have the opportunity to choose between having a groovy, good time at the Daytona Blues Fest at Historic Jackie Robinson Ballpark or getting the chance to see an eclectic view of the current art scene at the Halifax Art Festival in scenic downtown Daytona Beach! Which one would you choose to attend? I just can't decide!

Now that I've shared why I'm so excited to be planning our next visit to paradise, I have to ask have you ever been to Daytona Beach? Start planning a visit today, beaches, good food, and good times are waiting for you... the beach awaits!

Celebrate Curly Hair with The New Curly Haired Emoji Keyboard from Dove Hair Care!

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Dove, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #LoveYourCurls #pmgdove http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

If you have curly hair like me, you know that occasionally "the struggle is real"; other times your hair is your best buddy and it just curls perfectly, with no frizz in sight. While I love that my hair has a ton of natural volume and body, the crazy curls that I was blessed with are something that I have had to learn to love and tame a bit.

It's been a process learning how to, not only appreciate, but take care of my unruly head of curls. From finally finding products that keep my hair hydrated, like the Dove Hair Care Quench Absolute line, to adjusting to not dying or straightening my hair as often, I've really grown into my natural look and feel proud to rock my curls most days.

That's why I want to share a way for all of us girls to rock our curls! It's time to #LoveYourCurls, girlfriend! So grab your phone, you'll need it to download the coolest new thing for us girls with curls!

With your phone in hand, the next step is simple, just download the Dove Love Your Curls Emojis in the App Store or the Google Play Store to show you #LoveYourCurls! Now we can send emojis that actually look like us to everyone in our phone!

We all know pictures are more fun than words and these emojis are honestly beyond words, they are so absolutely perfect for us curly-haired gals that want to show off our emotions! With 74% of people using emojis everyday, it's time to start putting our stamp of approval on group texts with a dancing, curly-haired emoji!

I think the designer of the Dove Love Your Curls Emojis may have even decided to make the brown curly haired emoji to favor me, I mean look at the resemblance...

Let me be real and share with you that I spent almost all weekend sharing texts with my adorable curly emojis and sipping coffee.  Now if they make a coffee sipping curly haired emoji, they will have literally created me in emoji form.

Want to help spread the word about how much you love your curls? Share your images with the hashtag #LoveYourCurls on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram! Oh and don't miss your chance to see a curly emoji pop up after each use of the hashtag on twitter!

Now that I've shared my natural look and my love for my curls, I'd love to hear from you about your hair texture... Are you blessed with curly, wavy, or straight hair? What are your tips and tricks to keep your mane tamed? Tell me all about your hair care routine and what you do to keep your hair looking fabulous in the comments below! I can't wait to hear all about it...

DIY "Inside Out" Inspired Bookmarks with Pom Pom Memory Orbs

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #InsideOutMovieNight #CollectiveBias

I'll be the first to admit, I'm a total kid at heart. I love cartoons and I often discuss my favorite Disney flicks on my blog, but today I want to talk about one of my all time favorite cartoon movies - Inside Out. If you've seen it, then you know why I love the movie so much!

With humor and discussions about some of the harder lessons to learn in life all tied into one precious little movie, it's easy to see why it's such a favorite across the nation - especially in our house! My nieces and nephews all seem to be pretty big fans of Inside Out as well, so when I heard it was coming out on video I knew that we had to add a copy of it to our library.

Luckily, I just happened to be wandering around Target on the day it was released and into my cart it went; along with all the "essentials" that I decided I needed while I was browsing the aisles - like a new book, snack foods, a couple knick-knacks for our living room, a cozy blanket to snuggle up with, and some new clothes... Target does it to me every single time, I know I'm not the only one!

Regardless of my "anger" toward my inability to control my shopping addiction while at Target, I was excited to see they not only had Inside Out for sale, but on sale! SCORE, I love finding a bargain! Plus, I noticed that my copy is better since I bought it at Target! Why is it better? Inside Out DVDs and Blu-Rays purchased at Target include 20 minutes of exclusive bonus content and deleted scenes! How cool is that?

After filling my cart full of all kinds of goodies, I knew it was time to head home and start coming up with a craft I could do while watching the movie... because let's face it, I'm one of those people that's constantly fidgeting so I figured I might as well multi-task while watching one of my favorite flicks!

Since I had the new movie, a new book and a new fuzzy blanket, I turned to them for inspiration and I instantly knew that I needed some super colorful, fun, and funky bookmarks themed after my favorite movie - a mixture of all 3 of my new favorite items!

Making these little pom pom Inside Out bookmarks isn't hard at all, follow this DIY tutorial and you'll be able to express your emotions every single time you open a book.

First we'll start with making the pom-poms.... You'll wrap a piece of yarn, repeatedly around your pointer and middle finger, leaving a little tail in between those fingers.

Once you have your fingers throughly surrounded with yarn, you'll want to tie the two lose ends into a lose knot. Then use a short string to tie around both sides of the yarn, making it into a little donut like ball of sorts.

Once your donut ball is made, you'll want to cut evenly through each little piece of yarn. Allowing it to turn into a "poof". Go ahead and cut off excess yarn and your poofy little pom-poms are ready! I actually left ONE piece of yarn longer so that I could easily tape my pom pom to my bookmark, I suggest you do the same for easier assembly!

Next you'll want to print this FREE printable on cardstock, then cut each word out with a pair of scissors.

Attach your pom-pom to the top of each word with a piece of tape and your bookmarks are ready to use! It's that simple!

Now that I've shared how I made my super cute Inside Out emotion inspired bookmarks, I'd love to hear your opinion on the movie? Are you a huge fan of "Joy" and her crew or does the movie "Disgust" you? Tell me all about your favorite character in the movie and your favorite scene, I can't wait to hear which emotion you feel you can relate to the most!

Lawn Care Tips For Fall in Florida from TruGreen

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for TruGreen. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

Fall in Florida is a little different than it has been any where else I've lived... it's basically an extended summer, with some cooler days. Most days it's a tad bit warm, perfect for sun-bathing and absolutely amazing for outdoor activities.

We've enjoyed every other fall in Florida, but now that we live in a home with a huge, gorgeously landscaped yard we're learning about how to maintain our lawn and landscaping and this fall has been the best one yet. It's been amazing watching our yard transform.

With trees blossoming full fruits over our fence line and yellow flowers sprouting out of a tree that was formerly all green. We've learned a lot about botany within a short amount of time, so when TruGreen asked me to share some Florida Fall Lawn Care Tips with you, I figured I might as well help spread some knowledge and hopefully learn something myself!

As I mentioned before, Florida fall is fairly mild but the few days when the temperature does decrease happens to mean that our lawns actually call for more care than they do in the summer. The transition from summer to winter growth is usually marked by a distinctive decrease in leaf growth, which means you'll be mowing less. I've actually noticed this small adjustment over the last month, as hubby has only had to mow once in the past few weeks vs. every week (like he did in the summer).

While the mowing slows down, the lawn maintenance and the landscaping are still a priority in our home! TruGreen says that we should be sure to make sure our lawn is getting enough water, so that's something we are trying to work on. You would think with the annual rainfall at about 50 inches that our lawn would be wet enough, but with torrential down pours one week and a drought the next - it's obvious that our rainfall is consistent. Therefore, us Florida folk have to make sure our turf isn't thirsty during the fall and winter months! An irrigation system is the best way to deal with watering your lawn and while our yard actually has a pretty spiffy sprinkler system, our county won't allow it to be put in use any more... so I must mention, you have to be mindful of city and county ordinances. My advice is to also try to use captured rain water, if possible!

TruGreen also suggests not letting weeds take over your lawn... which is something we definitely need to work on. Dollar weed and oxtails are the most commonly found in our Florida turf grass, especially if it is over-watered! Using regular maintenance for weed control and putting an irrigation system to work or watering your lawn on a tight schedule are the best ways to avoid weeds in your yard!

Since your mower won't be getting as much use, you might as well take it in to get it's blades sharpened so it's good to go when weekly mowing is necessary again. Until then, plan on only having to mow once every two to three weeks!

The last little tidbit of advice I received from TruGreen was to help the lawn recuperate over the next few months. This time of the year is actually the best time to perform core aeration and overseeding. Plus, well fertilized grass is more likely to last through the winter and look healthy next year!

After educating ourselves about lawn care this year, I've decided I want to plant a tree as well. Luckily, TruGreen even had answers when I asked if I should plant a tree this fall - click here to find out!

We've decided that while our yard is kind of pretty now, we know with the help of TruGreen our HUGE yard can be even prettier. So tell me, are you a fellow Floridian? Do you love your lawn as much as we love ours? I'd love to hear how you keep your house looking spiffy during the winter months in the comments below! Plus, don't miss your chance to win the giveaway below:

TruGreen #LiveLifeOutside Giveaway

DIY No-Sew Clutch Purse Tutorial + Be Healthy For Every Part of Life with These Date Night Essentials

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BeHealthyForEveryPartofLife #CollectiveBias

Can you guys even believe it's November? Life just flies by and after the shocking realization that we're smack dab in the middle of autumn, I also realized that hubby and I haven't had a date night in... I don't even really know how long. That's not cool in my book and we immediately decided that fact was going to change, pronto!

We've been planning on doing this or that, but with such busy schedules it's hard to coordinate an "official date night out". I'm sure you can relate, life gets in the way of having fun sometimes for most adults... but not for us this week.

This week, we made time for a date night. We giggled, we had a good time, and I had the chance to rock some cute new accessories - one of my favorite parts of going out on a date with the hubby is dressing up! Ah, married life!

While I love my hubs, I also love fashion, so it comes as no surprise that I love handbags. After updating my main purse to a sturdy and adorable black and white number, I needed a place to keep all my date-night must haves; that's where this DIY No-Sew Clutch comes into the picture.

As you probably already know, I'm the crafty type... but I haven't mastered sewing yet. It's on my to-do list, but for now this quick project is easy enough for a little kid to make and that's what makes it fun and perfect for a quick project before a date!

So what will you need to make a cute clutch like mine?

You will need:
Scissors
1/2 yard of a sturdy fabric
2 pieces of felt
Washable Fabric Glue

Step one of making this adorable little clutch is deciding on what piece of the pattern you want to use; or in my mind this was the logical first step... I'm going to be transparent here and admit I totally designed this purse based on the beautiful pattern. The size and shape are based purely on getting the full mandala on the backside of the purse... and I didn't take exact measurements until after it was made. With that said, I think that just means this project is that easy - you literally don't even need measurements. Regardless, my purse measures 8 inches x 12 inches.

After cutting your fabric, you'll want to make the "felt lining". To add my lining I simply cut about an inch off of each piece to make my purse interior and it's lining the size I desired. Placing the felt and folding the purse as if you were assembling it to make sure it's cut to the correct size.

After cutting it down and "testing" it to make sure it was the correct size, I used the fabric glue liberally and stuck the fabric to the felt.

The next step in this project is finalizing the outer seams of the purse. You'll want to apply a liberal line of glue down each outer edge and the middle/ bottom of the purse, as if you were using the glue as a sewing machine of sorts, sealing each edge. I allowed my project to dry with clothespins on the top "seam" for about an hour, to make sure no rough edges would show when the purse is closed.

The final step is adding in all of your purse essentials, now your little top-fold clutch is ready for date night!

So what are your date night essentials? I guess since I've shared my tutorial to make my cute little clutch, I should share what my date night essentials include... these must-have items are the things every gal should have stashed away in her purse in case of emergency, especially when going out on the town with her man!

First we'll start with the item in my clutch I love the most, my Chapstick Total Hydration. This 100% Natural, age defying, advanced nourishing formula with Argan oil, avocado butter, and rosehip oil is the best way to smooth and moisturize my lips! With a noticeable difference within minutes in the way my lips look, I would say that Chapstick Total Hydration is a new favorite for myself (and my hubby)... and just in case you were wondering, it is actually a clinically proven way to get healthier looking lips - not just my own little beauty secret!

Speaking of healthy, let's talk about the way we keep our immune systems nice and strong with Emergen-C. Offering more healthier days and more healthier nights, Emergen-C allows everyone to "let [their] healthy out". With a zingy orange flavor (as well as several other flavor options), I'm able to guzzle down over 20 varieties of vitamins in one drink, the perfect way to karate chop illness before it even gets to me and since I want hubby to remain healthy, I'm sure to always have an extra pack for him to sip on as well! No sneezing patrons at nearby tables, nor any adorable sniffling baby with a cold will threaten us with their germs, we'll just use an Emergen-C!

Next let's talk about Nexium 24HR, the #1 prescribed acid blocker brand (based on IMS health data: total Nexium® prescriptions 2006 - 2014). It's the answer to heartburn for us ol' married folk and it's been just what we needed more times than I can count. These tiny little pills offer all day, all night heartburn protection. But please note, they do sometimes take 1-4 days to offer the full effect and as always, use as directed.

Lastly, let's talk about the pain reliever that's been helping all of us deal with aches and pains for the past 25 years - Advil. I make sure I always have a little Advil Tablet Vial in my clutch at all times, because you never know when a headache or sore muscles will sneak up on you. I don't want hubby or myself to suffer from pain so I'm always stocked up on the strongest OTC pain reliever, because I know Advil is the only way to make sure the aches and pains go away quickly.

So as you can expect, our date was awesome. With all of the date night essentials on-hand we were able to ward off chapped lips, a head ache, and hand cramps from paddling too much...

Now don't get any ideas, we went out on the kayak for a few hours and just enjoyed spending time together out on the water with the sunshine on our faces. We also spent a little bit of time shopping and then chowed down on a delicious lunch at one of our favorite spots near by the mall. Simple, but the perfect little date with the perfect guy for me.

Whether you are planning a date, heading off to the first day on a new job, or just spending the evening in and watching a movie... It's good to be healthy for every part of life, so be sure to stock up on all the essentials for your family at Walmart!

So tell me, what do you bring with you on date night with your man? Is there any lipstick shade that you need to have in your bag? Also, if you decide to make one of these adorable little clutches, I'd love to see how it turns out, be to share it with me!