7 DIY Budget Friendly Home Decor Accents

We may be a family on a budget, but we are also a family who knows the value of good quality... especially when it comes to pieces of furniture for the home.

I mean, let's be honest. Home furnishings is definitely one area of the home that you do not want to sacrifice quality for in order to save a few bucks. A good piece of furniture can last a lifetime and beyond as it is handed down from one generation to the next! :)

A good, quality piece of furniture has the potential to become a family heirloom, and you cannot put a price tag on that.

But when you are a family who happens to be on a budget, you do have to find ways to save money elsewhere in order to free up your home decor budget for those important quality furniture pieces. That is why I searched the web and found 7 of the best DIY budget friendly home decor accents for you all. Most of these do not require a crazy amount of "expert" DIY skills (which is a relief for this craft/DIY challenged mama here!). And most of these can be done for around $30 or less, freeing up more of your home improvement budget for beautiful furnishings like those you can find at Havertys! :) And I happened to match each of these little hands-on decor projects with some of my favorite furniture pieces from Havertys...

Pumpkin Dark Chocolate Chunk Snickerdoodles

Soft, pillowy cookies with a hint of sweet pumpkin & chunks of dark chocolate are baked within a sugary spiced crust in these Pumpkin Dark Chocolate Chunk Snickerdoodles...

Once upon a time, I turned my nose up at the thought of pairing pumpkin with chocolate. Typically I live by the cardinal rule of "don't knock it until you have tried it" when it comes to food and recipes, but I just knew I would absolutely not like pumpkin and chocolate together...

That is until I finally tried it. ;)

And from that first taste, I was hooked, my friends.

Come November I will be attending my very first in-person food blogger conference, Mixed. I went with a smaller, more intimate gathering for my first blogger conference so as not to overwhelm me and send my anxiety into high gear. 

(Plus, I am slightly stoked that the conference is being held at the same resort that many scenes of Dirty Dancing were filmed at. Yes, I am a child of the 80's. ;) )

I am sure some of you all are wondering what in the world a food blogger conference and my new found love for pumpkin and chocolate have to do with each other, right? Well, the good folks at Dixie Crystals are not only one of the many amazing sponsors of Mixed this year, but they are also hosting a pre-conference baking contest for the attendees! And three of us will earn a free ticket to Mixed. You all know that I just had to enter. ;)

My entry are these perfect for fall, amazingly delicious Pumpkin Dark Chocolate Chunk Snickerdoodles...

Family Friendly Fun in Columbus, Ohio

Plan a trip to the family friendly city of the Midwest with my guide to Family Friendly Fun in Columbus, Ohio...

As some of you who have been following me a while may already know, I was once a very content resident of the city of Columbus, Ohio.  In fact, my son and I lived there for over 8 years until we moved back to our hometown in 2010.  Columbus is a bigger city with a small town feel to it.  I fell in love with the city, all it had to offer, and made lasting friendships that draw me back there to visit at least a couple of times each year. 

Whenever we do visit we usually spend 2-3 days there, but with all that the city of Columbus has to offer we could easily spend an entire week.

If you have always wanted to check out Columbus with the family or are planning a trip there soon, then let me share with you a few of our favorites from our most recent trip to the capitol of Buckeye nation to help you plan...

Pumpkin Spice Latte Layer Cake

This Pumpkin Spice Latte Layer Cake is your favorite fall coffee drink in a moist, decadent cake form...

A big thank you to the folks at LorAnn Oils for providing me with high quality ingredients. All opinions expressed below are my own

Although I am a huge fan of both pumpkin and coffee, one thing that I am not a big fan of is the ever popular pumpkin spice lattes that start popping up on the menus of coffee shops all over the country this time of year.  Maybe I am in the minority & maybe I am just weird, but I have tried them more than once & I don't get the hoopla. 

But before you all start forming a mob to burn me at the stake, one thing that I do love and can't enough enough of are any and all desserts inspired by the popular fall must-have coffee drink.  This moist & decadent Pumpkin Spice Latte Layer Cake is a prime example of my pumpkin/coffee dessert obsession this time of the year. ;)

This cake is amazing, you all. Fan of the PSL or not, this may become your new favorite sweet treat for fall...

Pumpkin Pie Angel Food Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

I hope you all are ready for everything pumpkin because I am not holding back with this simple, yet delicious Pumpkin Pie Angel Food Cake...

I know today is technically the start of the last weekend of this summer, but honestly? I have been ready for all the pumpkin things since like.... last month.  

I broke out the cans of pumpkin puree around mid-August and started whipping up some perfectly pumpkin recipes for you all.  First up? These airy, yet moist Pumpkin Pie Angel Food Cake with a Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting...

Blueberry Zucchini Cream Cheese Muffins

These moist and flavorful Blueberry Zucchini Cream Cheese Muffins are a perfectly tasty way to use up that garden zucchini...

This is it folks. These Blueberry Zucchini Cream Cheese Muffins are my very last ode to summer 2014.  Fall will officially be here in just 4 short days.  

And while I know everyone has pumpkin and apples on the brain already (don't worry... plenty of fall yummy recipes are on their way here very soon, folks!), I also know that everyone is still picking those end-of-season zucchinis from their gardens and snatching them up at super cheap prices at their local farmers markets and grocery stores.

Not only are these moist, tasty muffins the perfect way to use to up that fresh zucchini, they also happen to be a lightened up version of one of the all-time most popular recipes on this blog, my Blueberry Lemon Cream Cheese Muffins.  

Plus, this is another one of my infamous hidden veggie recipes. ;) And you all know how much I just love hiding veggies in my recipes from my husband and son...

30 Game Day-Approved Slow Cooker Recipes

Don't miss a single play of the game this weekend with these fix-it & forget-it 30 Game Day-Approved Slow Cooker Recipes...

With college and NFL football season in full swing now, I am always on the lookout for delicious recipes perfect for game day.  But while some of us are only in it for the food, there are still others of us who would like to make tasty treats to serve their guests at their next football party or tailgate while still be able to catch just about every single play of the game. ;)

That is where your slow cooker can become your best friend, folks.

I searched all of my favorite food blogs for the tastiest fix-it & forget-it slow cooker game day grub recipes just so I could share them with you all! :) From chili's to bite-sized appetizers to perfect slow-cooked meats for sandwiches, you are sure to find a recipe here that will soon become your new go-to, must-make for every football weekend.

Budget Friendly, NYC Chic Fall Fashion from Necessary Clothing

A big thank you to my friends at Necessary Clothing for providing me with a mini shopping spree for myself. While I received free product for this post, no other compensation was provided. All opinions expressed below are my very own. :)

Okay, you all... I am going to let you all in on a little secret.

Food bloggers (or predominantly food bloggers, like myself) do not spend all day in super cute aprons, covered in flour. 

Shhhhhhhhh... ;)

Many of us food bloggers like clothes. Many of us love fashion. And I happen to be of both camps.

But while I love keeping up with the latest trends while still maintaining my personal sense of style, I do not like spending an arm and leg to get the newest looks.  I love to look good and put together, but I don't want to blow my budget on expensive clothing.   

So, I have to say that I was beyond thrilled when Necessary Clothing contacted me about reviewing a few pieces from their site! 

After perusing their site, I was sold. ;) Friends, we are talking trendy pieces from a chic New York City boutique that you can purchase online and that are completely budget friendly.  And they seem to always be getting new pieces up on the site!

Tweet! Tweet! {$210 PayPal Cash Giveaway!}

Are you on Twitter? Do you love tweeting? Are you always on the lookout for other fabulous tweeters to follow? Then today is your day! :) Come follow myself and some of my blogger friends on Twitter for a chance to win $210 in cold hard PayPal cash, friends!

We just love offering giveaways to our awesome fans!  It's fun to get new followers, and we love to reward the people who are already following us!  Today is no exception-- today we're offering $210 cash just for following us and our friends on Twitter!  You can choose to follow as many or as few accounts as you would like-- but the more you follow, the more likely you are to win!

Take a second and stop by my friends' blogs to see the awesome content they are sharing...

Easy Peanut Butter M&M's Dip

This creamy Peanut Butter M&M's Dip has just 4 simple ingredients in it making it the perfect easy & quick after school snack...

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

Sometimes after school snack time can be such a struggle in our home. My teenage son always seems to grab for greasy potato chips or some other not-so-healthy snack if they happen to be in the pantry.  And as soon as my youngest sees big brother with a handful of chips, then she must have some too.  So what does this mama do? I whip up a healthy snacking dip that not even the teenager can turn away! I mean, how can he refuse it when this dip includes Peanut Butter M&M's®? 

And since we happen to be HUGE Marvel Comics and Captain America fans in this house (We may be a little excited about the recent release of Captain America 2: The Winter Solider DVD.), I went for a red, white, and blue superheros theme with this after school snack.  I mean, #HeroesEatMMs too... ;)

"Drink Pink" & Join the Fight with mike's pink hard lemonade

I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for mike’s hard lemonade. I received a Circle K gift card to facilitate this review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

With school back in session, my son's cross country season in full swing, and chasing around a toddler all day while somehow trying to maintain some semblance of a clean home (well, most of the time... some of the time?), finding moments for myself lately is rare.  And for the first time since I started blogging over 3 years, I feel like I can now officially claim the status of a work-at-home mom.  Although who are we kidding here? Every mom is a work-at-home mom. ;)

But there are those rare moments when the husband is off from work where I can grab a few minutes of peace and quiet and sneak away for a little mommy time.

A little mommy time with some mike's pink hard lemonade that I conveniently picked up at my local Circle K while stopping for gas the other day, to be exact...

Chocolate Covered Raisin No-Bake Cookies

Is it just me or does it always seem to be a challenge to find an after school snack that both the kiddos and the parents can agree on?  Or how about when the little ones beg for a sweet treat in their lunch boxes?

They would prefer to pack sugar filled cookies and candy. Or snack on chips while sitting down to do their homework after school.  But we parents cringe at the very thought.

Well, I have come up with perfect sweet snacking solution that is both mom/dad and kid-approved- Chocolate Covered Raisin No-Bake Cookies! :)

Now before you blast me for making no-bake cookies, know that I was able to greatly reduce the sugar in these thanks to some help from California Raisins.   Most no-bake cookie recipes I have seen have at least two cups of sugar in them!

Two cups, folks.

By adding naturally sweet California Raisins- both whole & pureed, I was able to cut the sugar needed for these delicious no-bake cookies by over half! :)

California Raisins have zero fat, no cholesterol and no added sugar. Plus, raisins offer 9% of your daily fiber and potassium, and 6% of your daily iron (per quarter cup serving).

They are the perfectly portable & healthy on-the-go snack and the perfect addition to these satisfying & tasty Chocolate Covered Raisin No-Bake Cookies...

Baby Cakes {& A GoodCheapEats Cookbook Giveaway}

I was provided a copy of the GoodCheapEats cookbook to review. No other compensation was provided for this post or for hosting a giveaway. All opinions expressed below are my own.

When I get the opportunity to check out a new budget friendly cookbook, I always jump at the chance.  Even though I love browsing Pinterest and other food blogs for recipe inspiration that is also easy on the wallet, there is just something about flipping through the pages of an actual physical cookbook.  Am I right on this, folks? ;)

Some of you all may already be familiar with Jessica, the lovely author of the GoodCheapEats cookbook  from her two popular blogs- Life As Mom and Good Cheap Eats. If not, then please let me introduce you to her and her newest cookbook! (Did I mention this is cookbook #3 for her??)

Good Cheap Eats (the book) is inspired by Good Cheap Eats (the blog), which Jessica published for five years to help families and busy parents find better ways to get economical and healthy meal options on the table without sacrificing good taste or good nutrition. The book follows this theme, with over 70 two- and three-course meals (200 recipes) that feed a family of 4 for $10 or less. Along the way, she has included over 100 tips for stretching grocery budgets, making ingredients go farther, and getting the most flavor from budget-friendly ingredients.

Although, I cannot share all my favorite recipes from the cookbook with you all, I can share this one. Her recipe for these simple, yet perfectly soft Baby Cakes...

Family Dinner-In with HERDEZ® Frozen Bowls & Mockagaritas

Thank you to the makers of HERDEZ® Cocina Mexicana Frozen Bowls for sponsoring and providing the tasty inspiration for today's post.  All opinions expressed below are my own.

You all know by now that most evenings of the week I cook for my family.

But let's keep it real- there are definitely nights when I don't feel like cooking.

Or nights when the day has been so trying and busy that I am tempted to pick up a pizza or take-out.  Not the healthiest or most budget friendly choice though.

I mean, what I really want to do on most evenings like those is take off for the local Mexican restaurant for dinner and margaritas, but that just isn't always in the budget for us.

That is why I am so glad that I recently discovered HERDEZ® Cocina Mexicana Frozen Bowls in the freezer section at my local grocery store.  

I will admit it- I am always skeptical of frozen meals. Often times, they are just okay or downright blech. But other times, you hit a tasty frozen food jackpot.

And these Herdez Frozen Bowls are one of those rare jackpots, folks. ;)

I was really impressed with the Beef Barbacoa Bowl- tasty, perfectly seasoned tender chunks of beef served alongside Spanish style rice. 

To make family dinner-in with HERDEZ® Cocina Mexicana Frozen Bowls a little more fun, I came up with a kid friendly Mockagarita recipe to share with you all...

Slow Cooker Balsamic Beef Stew

This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias , Inc. and Sam’s Club. All opinions are mine alone.

I think one thing that you all have learned about me by now is that I like to feed my family well, but I like to do so without breaking the bank.  One way that I ensure that we stay within our grocery budget and save money too each month is by using our Sam's Club membership. :)

Our annual Sam's Club membership cost has paid for itself over and over already.  Just about every month we receive savings fliers in the mail from our local Sam's Club.  I pour over these before our next trip and make note of all the Instant Savings for Sam's Club members, and start planning out our meals for the upcoming month...

Celebrating National Step Family Day with Honey Maid

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Honey Maid through their partnership with POPSUGAR. While I was compensated by POPSUGAR to write a post about Honey Maid, all opinions are my own.

"No matter how things change, what makes us wholesome never will."

Life is funny sometimes.  You set out with a plan.... how you think your life, your family will look and grow. And then just like that, life takes you in a different direction & down a new path.  Sometimes the change is welcome. Sometimes it is a kick to the gut and takes your breath away, leaving you with doubt about what your new plan for life will look like.

I have experienced both such changes that sent me in new directions in my life and helped shape how I now define family. What I now value as wholesome.

And today, I am reflecting on this as I celebrate National Step Family Day with my family with a little help from Honey Maid snacks...

Healthy Snacking with Harvest Snaps

This post was created in partnership with Harvest Snaps. I have been compensated for this post. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am the type of person who will try most any food about once.  

Even if I am skeptical.

Because I am a firm believer in the whole, "how do you know that you don't like if you haven't tried it?" mantra.

There have definitely been some foods that I have tried once and only once.

But these new Harvest Snaps will not be making it on my list of tried once and done, although I will admit I was a little skeptical at first. ;)  But that all changed when I popped open my first bag of Harvest Snaps!

Not only are these Harvest Snaps made from snapeas and lentils a healthier alternative to the usual snacking culprits, but they are also packed full of flavor.

Let me introduce you to a few of my favorite Harvest Snaps flavors...

Florida Orange Marinated Kabobs

I participated in an Influencer Activation Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for the Florida Department of Citrus. I received promotional item to thank me for participating.

College football season is finally here and for many of us that also means the ushering in of tailgating and football party season. 

I mean, I will be honest.  I love our Mountaineers here in the great state of West Virginia, and I love watching them play.  But what I love even more is inviting friends & family to come on over and hosting a football party. ;)  

But you can’t have a football party without delicious food! We love simple grilling recipes, like a citrus marinade that adds bright flavor to grilled chicken. Plus, we always have the main ingredient in our fridge – 100% Florida Orange Juice!

Florida Orange Juice is an easy addition to just about any game day grilling marinade.  And when we are not marinating and grilling with it, this family is drinking it.  As a mama, making nutritious choices for my family is important. 100% Florida Orange Juice is not only delicious, but it is also packed with all the good stuff like vitamin C plus other essential nutrients like potassium, folate and thiamin!  

And the fact that it makes a fantastic base for a tailgating chicken marinade? Bonus! :)

This simple chicken marinade takes just 4 ingredients to make, but it is packed with flavor. It is sure to quickly become a new game day favorite... 

Summer Tomato Pasta with Greens

This fresh & bright Summer Tomato Pasta with Greens is the perfect way to use up those summer tomatoes...

One of my favorite flavors of summer has to be juicy, straight from the vine tomatoes. Tomatoes just never taste as good as they do right now.  They are in season and the varieties are plentiful.  

And though I love a good homegrown tomato, I seem to have very little luck myself growing them. But fortunately for me, my local farmers market was just teeming with freshly picked tomatoes in vibrant reds and oranges this past weekend.  I snatched some up for a recipe that caught my eye on the Yahoo! Food site a few days earlier.

Yahoo! Food is quickly becoming my new favorite foodie site.  You can find it all there from their all-star team of talented food editors- surprising and sophisticated recipes, stories on the top food trends, the best cooking tools, new techniques, and everything you need to feel inspired in the kitchen. 

Yahoo! Food is also partnering with some of the best publishers in the business to bring you their expertise and ideas, including Bon Appetit, Epicurious, Food52, Martha Stewart and more.  It is a foodie's online resource come true, my friends.

This fresh & bright Summer Tomato Pasta with Greens is a perfect way to use those end of summer tomatoes and is just the first of many recipes I will be trying in my kitchen from Yahoo! Food...

Get The Look For Less This Fall with MoxieJean

It seems like every six months or so, my little one is moving up to another size. And then you have to change wardrobes with the seasons as well. No joke- it seems like we are buying three different wardrobes a year for little miss!

When a new season comes, I can just spruce up my current wardrobe with a few new fresh pieces and be done with it. But baby girl needs new everything for the upcoming fall season- pants, long sleeved shirts, jackets, coat, shoes, and don't forget that Halloween costume! ;)
It can get expensive to clothe a growing kiddo year in and year out!
That is why consignment and resale has become this mama's new best friend.

I was beyond thrilled to be introduced to MoxieJean just a few weeks ago!

What is MoxieJean? It is a fabulous upscale resale site that focuses on baby and kid clothes. Not only can you buy high-quality, gently-used kids clothes on their site, but you can also sell them! Each piece is hand inspected, so you can be sure that you will only be receiving high quality items when you place an online order.

Spiced Rum Peach-Walnut Crisp

This easy Spiced Rum Peach-Walnut Crisp is the perfect marriage of summer sweet peaches and the warm spices of fall...

Sometimes recipe inspiration just hits me while standing in the produce aisle at my local grocery store.  

These huge gorgeous peaches caught my eye instantly. But I was sold when I saw the price per pound- just 99 cents!  I loaded up a bag of them, giddy with how amazing they looked and smelled.  I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do with them right at that moment, but I knew I was going to have make something amazingly delicious with them. ;)

As I was standing in the checkout line ready to make these peaches mine to take home, it occurred to me that I had a huge bag of beautiful walnuts from my friends at California Walnuts sitting on my counter. Before I had even swiped my card, I knew what I was going to bake these peaches into- a warm and comforting crisp.

I combined sweet, juicy peaches with the some of the warm spices of fall- cinnamon and cardamom. And for good measure, I poured a little spiced rum in there. ;) Then I topped it off with a spiced golden and crunchy oat topping brimming with big pieces of California walnuts.  The perfect dessert to segue from the bright, fruity flavors of summer and the warm, spicy flavors of fall...