Looking for a good way to make your bathroom more inviting for guests around the holidays? A fresh coat of paint, and some cute holiday decor really makes a big difference!
Read MoreFriendsgiving Decor Ideas
I am so excited about the idea of a Friendsgiving and I wanted to share some of my favorite inspirations for decor ideas. Excited to bring you upcoming posts about what to wear to Friendsgiving and also some recipe ideas too. For now, here are some creative ideas I found around the web, and hope to use as inspiration for my decor as well! How would you decorate for your friends this season?
An inexpensive utensil wrap idea, would be getting sheets of felt, and wrapping them around the utensils and then finishing them off with some raffia! You may already have the materials. (source).
As always, Pizzazzerie has the best decor for all seasons. Here is a cute bar cart idea that she created. I would love to use the colors in her photo, above, to use as inspiration for my Friendsgiving party!
And these cups are just divine! Love the fonts, and turkey shape as well - nice designs! (above)
Above, DIY Show Off created this adorable drink station, which is perfect for guests - you never have to take time to refill their drinks - that's priceless!
Lastly, although this decor would take a little bit of time, it would be a fun project! Make your very own real-leaf decor by simply spray painting leaves in metallic copper, letting them dry, and then tying them to strings. Found on Nicest Things.
I'm Part Of The AOL Lifestyle Collective!
I'm so excited to share some fun news with you! I am now one of the newest bloggers in the AOL Lifestyle Collective! Learn more about this wonderful collection of talented bloggers.
Read MoreDIY Upcycle A Baby Skirt Into A Zipper Pouch + A Girls' Night Out Emergency Kit
Looking for a fun and creative sewing project, perfect as a gift, or for a Girls' Night Out? I whipped this one up in less than 30 minutes, and it's the perfect size to hold essentials like chap stick, mints, tissues, a nail file, and my new favorite eye drops!
Read MoreChristmas + Winter DIY Projects #LWGcreates
Check out a list of all of my Winter and Christmas-themed DIY projects and recipes. Happy Holidays!
Read MoreCozy Cabin Vibes With Slippers + Boots From Reef.com
Here is a bit of warmth and coziness that would be perfect to add to your winter wardrobe or gift list.
Read MoreCustomize A Gift In Less Than 10 Seconds
Love to customize gifts? Here's an idea to spruce up a non-perishable food item in less than 10 seconds.
Read More3 Bean And Bacon Chili Recipe {With One Unique Ingredient}
This cooler, Fall weather has really energized me. I am cooking up a storm, and creating all sorts of of fun projects, that I cannot wait to share with you throughout the next couple of months. Does the change in season seem to energize you as well? Keep reading to learn how to make this amazingly scrumptious chili, and what unique ingredient I used in this recipe.
Read MoreGo Cubs Go! Cubs Spring Training 2016 + Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ
So, the Cubs won the World Series! Bobby and I have watched so many of their games from home this year, but back in March, we spent the month in Arizona, visiting family and overall enjoying the warmer weather and went to some of the Spring Training Games in Mesa, AZ. Bobby's parents got two season pass ticket books, and the seats were great! Sloan Park is so nice and new, and it's really a fun experience.
Read MoreVegetarian Zucchini "Meatballs" Recipe + My New Oster Spiralizer
I have been wanting to create a recipe like this for a long time now, and I thought that a good way to test out my new Electronic Spiralizer from Oster, would be to make a vegetarian version of one of my favorite foods, meatballs. You won't even miss the meat, promise!
Read MoreEnjoying The Outdoors With Mother Dirt Skin Care
Do you love hiking and enjoying the outdoors? Are you looking for a way to stay even fresher and smelling good while exercising and spending time outdoors? I have a really wonderful product to share with you today, and I am SO excited about it! Mother Dirt is a company doing some amazing things. They currently offer AO+ Mist, Shampoo, Cleanser, Moisturizers and more that contain good bacteria - perfect for both men and women.
Read MoreMy Favorite Fall Outfit + Tips On Wearing Over The Knee Boots From DSW
Well, this is my final post for DSW. It's been SO much fun creating a series of five posts for this project, and I am so proud to present you with this final outfit. I think it compliments these Over The Knee Boots so well. Last week, I styled these boots with a paisley printed dress and an Army style jacket. Now that the weather is a bit more chilly, and since I have been seeing these awesome jackets all over Pinterest, I went to search for one of my own!
I’m sharing #DSW in my life as part of a Designer Shoe Warehouse sponsored series for Socialstars™. All opinions and content are my own. #MyDSW.
This time, I paired these awesome boots with an outfit I want to wear again and again! A beautiful, tan jacket, maroon skinnies with lots of stitching details, and a pale pink turtleneck sweater (with those fun shoulder cutouts). I would be SO warm in this outfit, it would definitely fight off the chill really well.
Find the Unisa Saranaa Over The Knee Boots in Charcoal Faux Suede on DSW.
Company's Coming! Welcoming Guests with Cute Room Decor from Big Lots (And A DIY Room Diffuser)
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BigLotsHome #CollectiveBias
Looking to spruce up your guest room? I sure was! My guest room was so bad before this little mini makeover. The walls were light, faded, pale pink, and the only bedding I had was grey or purple - not the most flattering or welcoming color scheme, of you wan even call it that. If you follow my blog, you will know that we welcomed a new puppy into our home recently. She is amazing, and we and love her SO much. Because of the new puppy, more friends and family visiting and staying the night (or nights). I was so excited to get the chance to spruce up our guest room, thanks to my friends at Big Lots! Our guests take time out of their busy schedules to visit, so they deserve a nice place to call their own while they are in town.
Company is coming and Big Lots has everything that you need to prepare for family and other visitors in the coming months. You can find everything there from mattresses and bed frames, to other furniture like accent tables, lamps, accent pieces, other home decor and furniture items, toiletry items, snacks, fresh foods, and more.
TOP 5 THINGS THAT WILL HELP YOU SPRUCE UP YOUR GUEST ROOM
1.) Fresh Bedding
2.) New Towels
3.) Accent Furniture
4.) Snacks and Water
5.) Scented DIY Room Diffuser (See Below)
DIY ROOM DIFFUSER
I grabbed this inexpensive glass jar at a craft store, and filled it with a mixture of witch hazel, a bit of food coloring, and any essential oil you prefer. You could flat some dried lavender or other herbs in the diffuser, too. I love the idea of using some food coloring in the liquid, because eventually, the skewer sticks would begin to get an ombre effect from soaking up the colored liquid. Place as many skewer sticks in the jar as will fit, and enjoy!
From small scale items to large scale items, Big Lots carries a wonderful assortment of high quality home decor items that are fashionable and trend right!
Big Lots has a variety of items, from home decor to food, and is a one-stop-shop that will allow you to better prepare for the busy last few months of the year.
Big Lots on Facebook
On Google +
On Twitter
And On Instagram
LET'S GO SHOPPING!
I always have such a nice experience in Big Lots. The employees are beyond helpful, and I like that I can find a little bit of just about everything I need for my home. I was thrilled with the latest products from Big Lots, like these $18 Faux Fur Throw Blankets (shown below). I LOVE this blanket so much, because it's more like a comforter, and was such a good jumping off point for this guest room re-do. These blankets some in lots of varieties of textures, and are all more neutral colors, which I really like. The back of the throw blanket is a soft brown material, and I am really looking forward to cozying up on the couch with it when it gets chillier. My guests will also enjoy this beautiful blanket.
I also loved the selection of guest room furniture that I found at Big Lots. I grabbed this amazing, round, white table (which I put together myself in about 15 minutes). I didn't get an in-store photo of it, but in addition to the furry blanket, it ties the room together SO well!
How will you prepare your guest room for friends and family who visit in the coming months? I loved sticking to a sort of white and grey color scheme while adding pops of light blues and aquas. I think that's a pretty calming atmosphere for someone who traveled far and wide to visit you!
Cozy Fall Inspirations
It's getting chilly, so now is the time to add some warmth and coziness to the house! Here are some of my favorite items, a wish list of sorts! I always gravitate towards wood tones and chocolate browns (maybe it's my two chocolate-colored dogs that drive most of my decorating decisions??). I also love tying in some rustic, white pumpkins, warm candles, cute pillows, a cozy throw blanket or two, and new linens! Find the links to everything below the image! Enjoy, and Happy Fall!
Plaid Blanket // Candle // Rustic White Pumpkin // Hello, Fall Pillow // Nuts For Fall Kitchen Towel // Plaid Bowl // Copper Mugs // Kate Aspen Copper Bottle Openers // Cork Leaf Coasters
What colors are you using in your home this Fall? I am all about hearing everyone's favorite go-to color schemes, or ones they are wanting to test out for the first time this year.
My Most Popular Posts In October 2016
Since the month is almost over, and the season change is in full swing, I wanted to look back at some of the posts that brought me the most traffic this past month.
I created so many fun recipes and ideas this past month, and I am so happy to be able to share it with you here on Lily The Wandering Gypsy!
Organic Pumpkin Oat Dog Treats
Fall Booties By Lulu's
Hosting A Food Photography Party
Create a Halloween Puppy Gift Basket
Those posts gained me nearly 70% of my total traffic, which is so great! I love checking back to see what people are enjoying. Until next time!
Never Too Hungover & Halloween Treats, Drinks, and Party Ideas
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. Messaging below is intended for ages 21+ and is intended to be enjoyed responsibly, in moderation. #NeverTooHungover #CollectiveBias
Halloween is almost here, and I have some fun DIY ideas for you!! I have been wanting to create a few of these for a while now, so when I had the chance to create a post for Never Too Hungover Prevention, I put all of my ideas into one "party" for adults, and I hope you get inspired to take a few extra steps to make your Halloween party spooky, creative, and the best party anyone has attended! These ideas didn't even cost a lot, and you can take bits and pieces of my ideas and then run wild with your own.
Never Too Hungover is a healthy vitamin blend that helps neutralize toxins, restore vital nutrients, and rehydrate the body. It is the BEST TASTING and MOST EFFECTIVE way to help PREVENT or RECOVER from hangovers – or simply get a healthy energy, electrolyte, and multivitamin boost.
It is sugar free, gluten free, and low calorie (7 calories per serving). In addition it is made of quality vitamins and is rich in amino acids, antioxidants, and minerals.
I thought that these lime-green colors would be perfect for my Halloween theme. Looks like literally everything wound up being this fun, slime green color, which I just loved. So, I used a green apple flavor and a lime flavored Jell-o, and made my Jell-O Shots by replacing half the water with any liquor you would like. Vodka is a good choice, but you can also use something like rum, which would go down a lot easier :) I got these eyeball gummies at Walmart, too. I also found these individual cups (which also come with lids, for serving on the go or at a party). This project was so much fun! Wait until the Jell-O has completely firmed up before adding the eyeballs on top.
Use any latex-based red paint and some clear plastic glasses for this fun project! I painted red paint one of my hands, and wrapped my hand around the glass as if someone with a blood on their hands reached out and tried to steal your drink! I let them dry for about 20 minutes, and was surprised at the fact that the paint stayed put even while the glasses became wet from condensation! Definitely would not recommend any paint besides acrylic for this reason. This whole project only cost like $3 plus the price of the ice and drinks inside. Margaritas or some lime-based drink would be best for this, because you could carry the slime green color throughout this part of your setup too. Also, Never Too Hungover comes in a limeade flavor AND, you can mix it into your drink! I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Never Too Hungover was the exact same color as my drinks! So funny :)
Connect With Never Too Hungover + Sam's Club Around The Web:
Sam's Club Instagram
Never Too Hungover Instagram
Never Too Hungover Facebook
Never Too Hungover Twitter
Never Too Hungover’s proprietary formula helps neutralize toxins, restore vital nutrients, and rehydrate the body; helping prevent or recover from the negative effects of a hangover. it's comprised of a proprietary natural vitamin blend, amino acids, antioxidants, nutrients, and minerals. It is sugar free, gluten free, and low calorie (7 calories per serving). Key ingredients include Vitamin B, Potassium, Electrolytes, Milk Thistle, Green Tea Extract, Aloe Vera, and Gotu Kola; but unlike Prevention which has no added caffeine, Boost contains natural caffeine and double b-12.
Usage Directions:
For optimal results, one 3.4oz bottle is recommended for up to 7 drinks.
For maximum protection, take two 3.4oz bottles.
Never Too Hungover Prevention must be consumed before/while drinking to help prevent the negative effects of a hangover.
If consuming more than 7 alcoholic drinks, take 2 bottles for optimal results.
Never Too Hungover Boost can be consumed before/while or day after drinking to help prevent or recover from the negative effects of a hangover.
If consuming more than 7 alcoholic drinks, take 2 bottles for optimal results.
Never Too Hungover Prevention has a great limeade taste.
Never Too Hungover Boost has a great berry taste.
Boost can be used as an energy boost, even without alcohol.
These awesome cupcakes are spooky but not too scary :) I started with store-bought chocolate iced, chocolate cupcakes. I used a food processor to grind up chocolate graham crackers to make the "dirt". Then, I put about 2/3 of the "dirt" onto a black, rectangular serving plate to create the ground. I then put the rest of the chocolate crumbs into a shallow dish, and dipped the tops of the cupcakes into the crumbs to basically make them look like they were fully covered in "dirt". I then grabbed some dolls at the dollar store, "borrowed" their arms, and stuck them into the cupcakes, which I arranged on the plate. I added a bit of red gel icing to make it look like "blood".
I just LOVE how these turned out! See the photo below, to see what the cupcakes originally looked like!
The Never Too Hungover Road Show is happening at Dallas and Houston area Sam's Clubs.
Dallas: October 27-30, November 3-6, November 10-13
Houston: October 27-30, November 3-6
This is a limited time only Never Too Hungover Road Show being promoted at Sam's Club, so if you're in the area, make sure to stop by and check it out.
Above, I used a plastic pumpkin for my ice buckets! Such a cute way to serve ice to guests.
Marinated Pork + Greens Nourshment Bowl - Real Flavor, Real Fast
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions and content are mine alone. #RealFlavorRealFast #CollectiveBias
Looking for a quick, hearty meal that will fill you up, and add lots of nourishing ingredients to your repertoire? This tasty meal can be eaten multiple ways, and make a great meal the next day as well.
Nourishment Bowls, also referred to as Buddha Bowls are packed so full of good ingredients and can be made in under 30 minutes. People of all ages will love the addition of this Smithfield Marinated Pork Tenderloin, encrusted in bacon and black pepper, that they will also love being introduced to ingredients like cabbage, carrots, mushrooms, and quinoa. That pork flavor really enhances the flavor of everything. Read more to learn what I used for this Nourishment Bowl, so you can make your own.
Basically, you choose your greens, veggies, grains, protein, and healthy fats, so you can really take this concept and run wild with it. Add your favorite ingredients, and for the most balanced dish, use at least one ingredient from each of those categories.
NOURISHMENT BOWL INGREDIENTS:
- Smithfield® Smoked Bacon & Cracked Black Pepper Tenderloin
- Quinoa (I used a boxed one with seasonings)
- Cabbage of your choice (I featured Savoy Cabbage and Purple Cabbage)
- Carrots (I used a peeler to prep them)
- Sliced Mushrooms
SMITHFIELD MARINATED FRESH PORK
Smithfield Marinated Fresh Pork Flavors Available
Sweet & Smoky Boneless Roast
Homestyle Boneless Roast
Hardwood Smoked Bacon & Cracked Black Pepper Tenderloin
Boneless Pork Shoulder Seasoned Carnitas
INSTRUCTIONS:
1.) Preheat oven to 425 degrees. If you want a darker color on the edges, seer the pork tenderloin on both sides for about 8-10 minutes. I used a lidded skillet because the bacon kind of pops a bit. That's just for safety reasons. I used tongs to flip the tenderloin a few times while cooking.
2.) Once you are happy with the color, transfer the tenderloin into a baking dish (use non-stick spray), and bake for about 25 minutes or more. At this point, you could also add chopped carrots and cabbage into your baking dish to get the full flavor of everything. I also covered the dish in foil to prevent more popping/spattering.
3.) Once pork is cooked thoroughly, remove from oven, and carefully transfer to a cutting board with the tongs. I then sliced the pork as thin as I could and got read to construct my Nourishment Bowl.
4.) In a wide bowl or really any container you wish, layer: cabbage
But wait, there's more!
Looking for a way to use these wholesome ingredients again the next day? Create a Jar Salad by layering quinoa, chopped (roasted) Smithfield Pork Tenderloin, Sliced Carrots, Simple Dressing of your choice, and Cabbage. Bring this to work the next day, pack it for a school lunch, or bring this awesome, nourishing meal on a road trip with you.
Goose Island Brewery - Chicago, IL
So, the Cubs just won Game 6, which means they are heading to the World Series! I just wanted to show Chicago some love and share a quick Chicago brewery visit with you! Goose Island is located at 1800 North Clybourn in the Lincoln Park area of Chicago. They have quite a large selection of beer on tap, so whatever your taste, you'll likely find something. I definitely found that the more expensive beers were way, way more worth ordering - so, go for one of their Belgian styles or something barrel aged, and you are in for a treat! Below, you will see their Cuban Sandwich and amazing Onion Rings!
Have you ever eaten Poutine? I had not even heard of it before this, but our friends insisted we order one for the table. WOW, that gravy was for real! It's a Canadian dish that consists of fries, topped in gravy, cheese, and a fried egg! And, the roast meat on the dish tasted incredible, like the best beef stew I've ever had.
Love the food and food pairing recipes they offer on their website - the photos and recipes are super unique.
And, the BBQ Sandwich was also good!
Mocha Meringue Cocktail With Sprinkles
Love iced coffee? Looking for a tasty, new cocktail recipe that is so easy to make and tastes delicious? This recipe can be made as a single drink, or make it for a party! Topped with meringue cookies, and covered in sprinkles, this drink makes for such a festive drink for any occasion!
A little while back, I was browsing Instagram, and came upon this awesome company, Gypsy Vodka. I loved the free-spirited attitude they convey, and since my blog is called Lily The Wandering Gypsy, I figured I would reach out and see if they wanted to send me anything. They loved the idea, and sent me the prettiest bottle of vodka I have ever seen. The artwork is so pretty, and the bottle shape is super unique. Gypsy Vodka was founded in Michigan, and is very proud of that fact! #LetLoveConquer
HOW TO MAKE THE DRINK:
1.) Prepare your sprinkles. Have you seen those cute designer sprinkle websites, that sell colorful, cheerful mixes of sprinkles at super high prices? Well, I am definitely inspired by them, but I sure didn't have the time to order offline, so I created my own! Here, I mixed some colorful star-shaped sprinkles from the dollar baskets at Target, and a few other sprinkles I had from the grocery store, and I love how they turned out! Below, you will see that I mixed white ball sprinkles, those itty-bitty multi colored ball sprinkles, and also the longer, more primary-colored sprinkles together. At first, I was unsure about how it would look, but I think the more textures and colors, the better for this one. Sprinkles are NOT an option here, friends!
2.) Melt chocolate and put into a shallow, round, glass jar or Pyrex/plastic container. One that is wider than your glasses, but not too deep. Dip the rim of each glass (shot glasses would also be adorable!!!), scrape off excess chocolate with a utensil, and dip the chocolate rim into the sprinkles. I used my hand to push sprinkles anywhere they did not get from the dipping process. Let these cool and let's mix the cocktail!
3.) Mix your favorite pre-made mocha coffee with 1 shot of Gypsy Vodka over ice, or use this recipe:
1 part coffee liquor
1/2 part chocolate liquor
1 part vanilla vodka
1/2 - 1 part heavy cream
Ice
Gypsy Vodka is naturally gluten free!
"We had only been out of college for a few months, working as consultants, and we had already grown unsatisfied with the 9-5 work life. We headed west to Breckenridge Colorado in search of inspiration and a new perspective. While in Colorado we met a whiskey distiller who lived nearby, and after talking to him, and feeling his passion for his craft, we set out to learn as much as we could about the art of distilling. It wasn’t long before we too, were hooked, and Gypsy was born. We didn’t just want to make vodka; we wanted to build a brand for young, free-spirited explorers like ourselves.
The name Gypsy represents our lifestyle and reflects the way we live. Whether climbing the peaks of Colorado looking for the perfect sunset, or finding new family at a music festival, we were taught long before we graduated college that living the life you want is within your grasp. We owe so much to the people who have shown us this, and Gypsy is as much theirs as it is ours.
The road to this point has not been easy. We have dedicated ourselves to our brand, spending long nights living out of our van and tent, seeking investors, and working too many odd jobs to count. From festivals and ski shops, to party promotion and landscaping, we were able to muster up enough cash to turn our dream into a reality.
After exploring 50 different formulas and hosting countless taste tests, we believe Gypsy is the best tasting, smoothest vodka on the market. Gypsy is distilled with corn six times using only reverse osmosis treated water. Our specially selected American-grown corn brings out naturally sweet tones and subtle earthy notes that make the Gypsy experience like nothing else.
Cheers to your Gypsy Soul"
Over The Knee Boots for Fall from DSW
Hey friends! I am so excited to share another pair of shoes I received from DSW! This time, I got the chance to try out my first pair of Over The Knee Boots. At first, I was wondering what in the world I was going to pair with these boots. They were admittedly a bit intimidating at first, but the rich, chocolate brown color, thicker heel (compared to a thinner, stiletto style) is easy to walk in, and the fact that these boots have a cute drawstring detail in back to keep them in place all make the boots easy to wear with so many outfits.
I’m sharing #DSW in my life as part of a Designer Shoe Warehouse sponsored series for Socialstars™. All opinions and content are my own. #MyDSW.
I wanted to style these Unisa Saranaa Over The Knee Boots in Charcoal Faux Suede with a Fall outfit that contained a shorter dress and a looser jacket. LOVE how everything came together so much. I can't wait to tell you a little bit more about these boots!
This dress was a bit on the shorter side, and looked so cute underneath a loose fit olive green, Army jacket. I would definitely feel comfortable in this outfit for so many occasions.
