4 Simple Steps to Make Carpet Last Longer

This post is brought to you by Sears Home Services. All opinions are 100% my own.  We have three kids, a big hairy dog and it rains nine months out of the year where we live. Keeping our carpet clean seems nearly impossible. On average, I read that carpets get replaced every seven years. Apparently, we are far greater than average! But then, you all knew that, amIright?! Flooring can be expensive and as a homeowner you want it to last. For years in our old home, I wanted to get our carpets replaced but it didn't seem practical with three little people spilling, romping and generally running amok in the house. We literally could not be trusted with new carpets as a young family and moved out before we installed them for the new homeowners. What a difference the new carpet made throughout the whole home! However, I totally understand not wanting to be average and doing your best to make your carpets last as long as possible. I've got 4 simple tips on how you can do just that.

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Easy DIY Witch Feet in Cauldron Halloween Decoration

Halloween is my favorite holiday, only running a close second behind Christmas. I think it's because I love how the community opens its doors and people walk around talking to their neighbors. It's that, or the free candy. Probably it's mostly the free candy. Every year I craft something new for the holiday. This year, I made these super easy DIY witches feet in a cauldron. Seriously, they took me less than 5 minutes to make and under $10 total for the project. It's something you can replicate and then we can be Halloween decoration twinsies. Won't that be fun?!

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DIY Fall Floral Crate

I'm going a different way decorating for fall this year. I'm really into the muted colors and the variations of grey, blue and white. It kind of all started because I found a flower stem I liked. Who doesn't totally decorate for a holiday around a $2 stem from Walmart? I think it's called Lambs Ear. I rarely look at the fake flowers and stems at any store because I prefer fresh flowers and greenery, but for some reason, I started pulling out stems and thinking I was some gifted floral arranger {I'm not!}. But sometimes you have more faith in your skills than skill itself, so I carried on. I purchased about $10 worth of floral stems, a crate that was already the right and perfect color and some floral foam. Oh, and a faux white pumpkin, because I'm boycotting orange pumpkins this year. I'll show you how I threw it together, and seriously, if I can do it, you totally can too!

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Sneaky Ways to Get Your Kids Outside

disclaimer: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Culturelle® Kids. All opinions are 100% my own. 

I have fond memories of spending most of my childhood outside. We would spend hours with neighborhood kids making up games to play and wandering from yard to yard. I even found this old newspaper article from our local town paper when I was only 5 playing with some of our best friends.

Things have changed over the years and there are lots of fun shiny things that grab kids attention indoors but the desire to get outside and explore nature is still something that is innate in growing bodies. As parents of children in this generation, we have to put a little more effort into getting our kids outside. We may even have to be a little sneaky about it. Outdoor play and recess offers so many benefits to a child's development.  Kids need to be outside {or as I like to say to my kids "get the stink blown off of ya"} to receive the cognitive, health, emotional, social and physical benefits and I've got some ideas for you to help you do that.

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Want to be on Fixer Upper? Advice From a Former Cast Member.

Trust me, it has crossed my mind to purchase a home in Waco, Texas for my son who attends Baylor University. I'd only do it if Chip and Joanna would be part of the remodel though. The Gaines family has said that Waco is their home and that they don't plan on extending beyond the 40 mile radius that they are currently working in for their hit HGTV show Fixer Upper. If you happen to find yourself in that area or would consider a move, here is what you need to know about what it takes to be on Fixer Upper, advice straight from a former cast member.

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DIY Lighted Fall Canvas

There is something special and magical about twinkling lights. It's one of my favorite things about Christmas, but why let that holiday have all the fun? Lights are the perfect addition to an inexpensive canvas that I found while doing my weekly shopping at Walmart where I always walk out with a cart full of things that weren't on my list! If you love inexpensive home decor projects that you can DIY, this lighted canvas is something you can create in about an hour. I've got the full tutorial for you so read on!

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Dr Pepper Float Recipe

Brought to you by Dr Pepper® and Albertsons Companies. 

If people ask me if I like sports, my response is usually, "If I know the people who are playing, I do." I started to watch football when I was in college. I had a season pass to the games and it was a fun time being in the stands with friends on game day. I even knew some of the college football players, so it was fun to watch my friends play and succeed out on the field. 

When my son started looking for universities to attend a few years ago, a sports team was high on his list. There is something fun about rooting for your college football team even years after graduation, a sort of camaraderie that continues to hold generations together. My son attends a university that is located in the same town that Dr Pepper® originated. They do weekly Dr Pepper float parties on campus and celebrate often at tailgate parties with Dr Pepper. We may be 2500 miles away from him on game day, but we celebrate at home by watching the game {and hoping we spot him in the stands!} while sipping on a Dr Pepper float. These floats make a great game day {or any day!} treat and I've got the super easy recipe for you! 

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What It's Really Like to be Cast on Fixer Upper Part II

After my first exclusive interview with season 3 client Jaime Ferguson, I know that there are quite a few of you reading who are avid Fixer Upper fans. I accidentally became a Fixer Upper expert after that post and I'm totally cool with that, because duh, Chip and Joanna Gaines that's why. So many people wonder what it's really like to be on the HGTV hit reality TV show Fixer Upper since it's an opportunity available only to those living in or around Waco, Texas. 
I've had the chance to get to know several past clients who are all fabulous people.  Every single one of them that I have met, including Lindy Ermoian who will be giving us an inside look, has been grateful for the opportunity. Today, I'm asking all the questions and finding out all the answers that you all {or in true Fixer Upper fashion y'all} have been curious about in part two of "what it's really like to be cast on Fixer Upper." I jumped on a phone call with season 3 client Lindy Ermoian whose home became known as Coastal Calm in the Country.  I thought I knew everything, but man, I found out a thing or two that surprised me! So come on along, check out what it's really like to be a client of Chip and Joanna Gaines and have your home remodeled on HGTV Fixer Upper.

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DIY Popcorn Bar

This post is written by me on behalf of G.H. Cretors. All opinions are 100% my own.

I haven't met too many people who didn't love popcorn. I know I'm a fan. It's a great crowd pleasing snack that's easy to serve to guests. Which is why a popcorn bar is a simple way to entertain on a budget and still offer a variety of fun snacks and flavors. The best part is that it is the perfect finger food! Even the most basic set up can look like you are the Pinterest queen of parties when you pull it all together! I'm excited to show you how I put together this DIY popcorn bar. You're going to want to take notes for your next event.

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Taste of Fall: Pumpkin and Apple Recipes You Need to Try!

I know for most people, they know that fall has officially started when they get their first Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks. The PSL has been in stores for a few weeks, which means, it's OK now to have pumpkin and apple flavored EVERYTHING! Which is awesome, because I'm sharing pumpkin and apple recipes you need to try this fall. Here's a little sneak peek to get your mouth watering! 

 Read on for the recipes plus an awesome link party {starting at 9 pm EST on Monday} where you can find yummy recipes like this linked up every single week!

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My Birthday Thoughts, a New Favorite Number, and a Word for the Year

Do you have a lucky number? I always thought mine was seven. My birthday is on September 7 of '78 (today!) and I weighed 7 pounds and 7 ounces at birth. I kind of clung to the number seven and I've used it nearly every time I've needed to pick a number. I can't think of a single time when it's been lucky for me. I always say that when my name or ticket is entered into a drawing that it's really just in there for filler. I never win anything. As they say, some people have all the luck. I'm just not one of those people. 
My youngest son started telling me about his favorite number. Number 64 in case you were wondering. He says he sees it everywhere. I kind of like the idea of throwing away the idea of a lucky number and starting to think of a favorite number. 
Know what number I've been seeing everywhere lately? The number 39. It's kind of fitting because today I turn 39. I'm starting the final year of my 30's and I'm inching closer to a milestone birthday. I'm ready for it. With that in mind, I want to share something I've been thinking about a lot and a word I'm using that will shape my year.

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The Grown-Ups Guide to Going Out

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Ben Bridge Jeweler for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Let me be honest with you. My husband and I...we don't get out much. Even now that we have kids that are older and can stay home by themselves, we rarely take advantage of that. I'm not sure why. Seriously, because every time we do get out, or if I go out with girlfriends or couples friends, it's inevitable that one of us will come home and say, "why don't we do this more often?" Every time without fail.

This may be a silly thing to write about, but if you have forgotten how to go out, this Grown-Ups Guide to Going Out may just help you remember how much fun it is to pull yourself together, put on something fancy and head out the door to remember just who you are and why you need to take time for you sometimes.

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Recipes for Your Garden's Bounty PLUS Create Link Inspire Party

My parents used to plant a massive garden every summer and I loved plucking sun-warmed veggies and eating them straight from the vine. I haven't always been successful with my garden, but I think it's a great skill to teach the next generation how to grow food, that I've been planting and reaping in my backyard garden for as long as I've had a backyard. Some years we don't end up with more than our family can use, and other years, like this year, we have far more veggies than we can eat through, so I'm always looking for new ways to use up my bounty so it doesn't go to waste. I'm sharing some recipe ideas for you just in case you have more veggies than you know what to do with. And maybe, just maybe, you will find a new favorite.

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Confessions of a {Former} Class Room Mom

As soon as my first child went to school, I filed out the volunteer paper work and signed up. I kind of thought it was mandatory. Sort of like once you have a baby you find yourself on the church nursery rotation when all you really want to be doing is sitting baby-free in the pew for an hour each week. There were a few different circumstances and a move that happened and I had the opportunity to experience parent life at a private Christian school, a co-op, a private school for gifted children and two very different public elementary schools. I feel like I've seen it all, and I've taken on all kinds of different roles from room mom to PTA president. I won't sugar-coat it. It's not all good. So buckle up. I've got some confessions from a former class room mom you aren't going to want to miss.

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