weekly update + an epantry giveaway

dear ones, it's been a long, but busy & oh so good, week. there's so much to tell you that i thought i would just share a fun weekly update with ya! here we go...

1. please tell me you are taking advantage of the amazing epantry deal i shared yesterday! when you sign up for epantry & purchase $20 or more in goodies, you will receive a FREE mrs. meyer's hand soap, dish soap, countertop spray in the seasonal scent of your choice & a fun dish scrubber PLUS free shipping! 

you basically receive $50 in all-natural cleaning products for just $20. head on over to my blog post for more details or sign up right HERE.

2. epantry is also offering an amazing mrs. meyer's giveaway to TWO winners & their friends who sign up for epantry. 

the giveaway includes SIXTEEN products from mrs. meyer's from dish detergent to their amazing candles. just for signing up, you'll receive the mrs. meyer's seasonal scent deal & be entered to win this fun giveaway. click HERE to enter to win! 

3. did you see my stitch fix round-up of my 3rd fix? dressing your best is my anthem & i am all about encouraging my sister friends. the pieces i wear from stitch fix make me feel top notch & i just love that. head on over here to read all the fun stuff about this week's fix.

4. just for giggles, i thought it might be fun to include last year's halloween costumes! we made our own costumes & dressed up as mason jars! it was too fun & we still laugh about it. this year we're not quite sure if we're dressing up, but we get to go trick-or-treating with my sweet nephew, which is sure to be the highlight of our halloween!

love,

natalie

free mrs. meyer's seasonal scents ($29 value!) + three gift ideas for under $10!

y'all know how much i love epantry. for almost two years, we've used them exclusively within our home. we buy our toilet paper, hand soap, candles, laundry detergent & everything else you might need to run a home from epantry.

if you haven't heard of them, epantry is an amazing company that sends your favorite, all-natural home supplies right to your door! they're cheaper than what you'll find at the store & you'll save tons of time avoiding those last minute trips to target (i was coming for just toilet paper, right?!).

i am so excited to share that mrs. meyer's just released their holiday scents & epantry is giving away a fun FREE package of mrs. meyer's seasonal scents + a pretty dish brush to every natalie creates reader!

through november 1st, 2015, you can grab a FREE (in the seasonal scent of your choice): mrs. meyer's seasonal scents hand soap, dish soap & multi-surface spray + a full circle natural dish brush with any $20 minimum purchase at epantry. shipping is also free, friends!

this offer is valid for new epantry customers only, but because the folks at epantry are sweet as pumpkin pie, they're offering up a FREE mrs. meyer's hand soap to existing epantry customers, too! grab yours here. 

there are three delicious mrs. meyer's seasonal scents to choose from:

- cranberry

- orange clove

- iowa pine

you can choose just one scent for your package or mix & match to try them all! we cannot get enough of orange clove within our home. it reminds us of a warm cup of cider while we wash the dishes!

here's a step-by-step on how to grab this fun epantry deal:

1. sign up HERE for the cranberry package, HERE for the orange clove package or HERE for the iowa pine package (you can mix & match once you get to your basket, too). click on the "get started" button (for new customers only).

2. epantry will ask you a few questions to personalize your account. this only takes 30 seconds or less so no worries!

3. after answering the questions, a customized dashboard will pop up with a set of basket suggested items for this deal. you'll see your freebies, including the mrs. meyer's seasonal scent products & your dish brush. on the right, you'll see the discounts & free shipping.

4. tweak the basket to you liking & needs within your home. your minimum order amount needs to reach $20 or more to get the free mrs. meyer's goodies. don't forget- your shipping is free, too!

i use our mrs. meyer's products in all sorts of ways, including thoughtful gift giving! here are just a handful of fun gift ideas for under $10:

1. wrap a festive fabric ribbon around a mrs. meyer's hand soap & gift it to a new neighbor on your street! i love a good housewarming gift for under $5. 

2. mrs. meyer's cleaning goodies make the best stocking stuffers! who doesn't love cleaning their home while sniffing the happiest, all-natural festive scents?

3. halloween is just around the corner. surprise your friends' kiddos with a "boo basket" & throw in a treat from mrs. meyer's for the parents. everyone deserves a little treat on halloween - even the big kids.

don't forget to grab your FREE mrs. meyer's seasonal scent bundle with free shipping here! this offer is valid only through november 1st, 2015.

let me know if you have any questions! i can't wait to read just how much you love your seasonal happy scents!

love,

natalie

my stitch fix #3

y'all, it's Stitch Fixtime!!! 

if you haven't been around for long, here's my story on my #dressinhappinessdaily project & why i decided to give stitch fix a try!

i usually receive a fix every 2-3 months, but this month i tried the 2-3 week option because i received such a great box last time & i was in need of 1. church dresses for the cooler months & 2. a winter coat.

friends, i am so excited to share all of the details about my third stitch fix with you! 

1. the cutest winter coat ever: i absolutely loved the style of this winter coat. it was a thick camel wool with wooden buttons, cream embroidered detailing & the sweetest plaid hood. the arms fit just right, but sadly my body swam in it. when unbuttoned i could almost wrap it around my body like a robe so i tearfully sent it back. 

2. thin colored pants: i requested a pair of colored pants for this fix to go with my jean jacket from the previous fix. i loved the color of these pants, but i was disappointed by the quality. at almost $100, i was shocked to find out just how thin these pants are. i realize stretchy pants are on trend right now, but this sister needs a little more substance. you win some, ya lose some.

3. cute stripe top: i love, love, loved this top. sadly, it wasn't really a "need" right now. the detailing was so cute, but the shirt was much more of a layering piece so the cream embroidery would have been hidden anyway. it killed me to send this back (still feeling slight regret, ha!), but i know there are more amazing stitch fix pieces to come.

4. simple grey purse: i was surprised to find an accessory in my fix given i only requested clothing, but there she was! i like the style of this purse & the gold detailing, but i prefer supporting my maker friends, the barefoot seamstress & better life bags, when possible. 

5. the paisley "out of the box" dress: y'all, this piece was a shocker for me. i would have never picked out this pattern on my own, but stitch fix is all about pulling us out of our comfort zones. when on, i couldn't resist this amazing cut. i wore it to church on sunday & received a ton of compliments. i can't wait to get a pair of knit creamy tights & wear them with this dress, my ankle boots & a fun cardigan. i kept this piece & love it!

overall, this Stitch Fixwas just ok. i have already scheduled a fix for early november to fill in a handful of holes in my winter wardrobe. stitch fix beats going shopping at the big box store any day & i love the extra push to try new & interesting pieces (like my paisley dress)!

do you want to give Stitch Fixa try? just click here: Stitch Fix... & connect with your own stylist today! yay!

love,

natalie

in the kitchen: luke's breadmaking

it's been such a gift watching luke grow in his love for breadmaking within our little kitchen. breadmaking is such an art form. every small step is so meaningful. 

 once a perfect golden loaf of artisan bread is pulled out of the oven, every ounce of love & attention is worth made worth it. we slather our delicious slices with homemade jam & a pat of butter.

here are luke's recipes...

 - when beginning, he started with this delightful & easy no-knead bread recipe from the new york times.

- since advancing in his love for breadmaking, he has moved onto the norwich sourdough bread recipe. it's a bit more challenging but worth the effort.

do you bake bread? we'd love to hear your breadmaking stories!

love,

natalie

cozy autumn corners

our home has it's quirks & it's definitely not perfect, but we do cozy well. 

with a few candles lit, our favorite seasonal decor on display, warm muffins from the oven, hot cocoa mix within reach, our bucket list made & quilts ready for bundling - we are indeed ready for autumn. 

today i thought i would share a handful of cozy corners within our home inspired by autumn & the cooler season ahead. i hope they inspire you to fluff your corners, purchase a few pumpkins & sip on a warm cup of tea.  

our bucket list - a family tradition...

how do you cozy up within your home? please share your seasonal ideas!

love,

natalie

DIY spooky halloween-inspired popcorn bar!

i just love what i do. 

on a thursday afternoon in october, i get to style the perfect little halloween-inspired popcorn bar for friends. & then share it with you. 

so fun!

head on over to shindig paperie's blog for details on how to create your own inexpensive & kid-friendly halloween popcorn bar in just under 15 minutes! i even share DIY details on making those spooky spider straws! 

love,

natalie

the shop is open!

the natalie creates shop is open! 

head on over & grab some goodies for you + a friend!

love,

natalie