5 Ways to Add Fixer Upper Style to Your Home

If you are like me, once you watched this show, you became obsessed! I just love how Joanna Gaines decorates all the homes they work on. Joanna and this show actually inspired me to start making some of my own Fixer Upper inspired home decor products and sell them on Etsy. Here are 5 ways you can add Fixer Upper style to your home for relatively cheap.

1. Magnolia Wreath - this is one of the key ingredients to almost all of Joanna's houses as you can see in the picture above. You can hang it on an old window frame, metal scroll art, a mirror, or even your front door. It adds a touch of greenery and warmth to your home. She does sell them on her Magnolia website, but for $95, it is a little too pricey for me. That's why I made my own and now sell them on our Etsy shop for only $55! Check it out here:  Click Here for Etsy Magnolia Wreath

Magnolia Wreath on Our Etsy Shop, $55

2. Metal/Wood Scroll Wall Art - Joanna is always finding beautiful wall art to add to her Fixer Upper Homes. As I was browsing through the Hobby Lobby website (love this store), I found an antique wood and metal wall decor that looked familiar. Come to find out its the exact same one Joanna used on one of her homes. If you are not familiar with Hobby Lobby, they place categories of decorations on sale each week. Look for this metal scroll wall art to go on sale for 50% to make it only $45 or if you can't wait, there is always a 40% coupon available. Click Here for Hobby Lobby Scroll Wall Art

Fixer Upper Home: '40s Fixer for 1st Time Buyers, Season 2

Hobby Lobby Metal/Wood Wall Art, $45

3. Lighting/Light Fixtures - Another key to a beautiful Fixer Upper home is lighting. Whether it be a chandelier, pendant lights or lamps, there is always beautiful lighting in the homes that give it warmth and character. I must love this house because this wire chandelier I found at World Market (another favorite store) is from the same home as above. Not sure if it is the exact one, but it sure looks the same and for only $169, you can't go wrong: Click Here for World Market Chandelier

Fixer Upper Home: '40s Fixer for 1st Time Buyers, Season 2

World Market Wire Chandelier, $169

4. Monogram Wall Art - Joanna loves to personalize her Fixer Upper homes with monogram letter wall art. Again, I found this one at Hobby Lobby and it looks like the exact same as what Joanna used in this laundry room. When it is 50% off, it's only $15 at Hobby Lobby. I think this must be my favorite episode because I keep referring to this house! Click Here for Hobby Lobby Metal Letter

Fixer Upper Home: '40s Fixer for 1st Time Buyers, Season 2

Hobby Lobby Galvanized Metal Letter, $15

5. Inspiring Phrase Wall Art - When looking at all Fixer Upper houses, there is always an inspiring phrase that is added to each home to give the owners added warmth, personalization and a "feel good" feeling. Joanna does like to use metal signs occasionally she gets from a local metal shop. She does sell this one on her Magnolia Market website for $95 but I want to support my fellow Etsy shop owners and this one is a little cheaper for $78. Find it here on Etsy: Click here for Etsy Metal Moon and Back Sign

Fixer Upper Home: The Raggedy Ranch and the Rocket Scientist, Season 2

Etsy metal sign, $78

 Hope you found this blog useful! And good luck with adding some Fixer Upper style to your home!

Scentsy Wax Warmer or Traditional Wick Candle?

Some people might be wondering which is better - Scentsy or traditional wick candle?

As a previous candle user, I can attest to the benefits Scentsy has over candles.

I was turned on to Scentsy by my mother-in-law a few years back. At first, I did not see the benefits over candles. But, after buying our house, marrying a firefighter, and having children, I realized Scentsy was superior. Here are my top 5 reasons Scentsy is better than candles:

1. Safer -Most Important! Scentsy uses a low watt light bulb to warm the fragrant wax. Candles use a flame which could catch your house on fire if a dog, kid, or other object knocked it over. With my husband being a firefighter, this is a must for our house!
2. Cheaper - Second Most Important! Initially, it might be a little more expensive (I call it the start up cost) but the ongoing cost is much cheaper. You can buy a Scentsy warmer from $20-$45 depending on what style you like and each Scentsy bar (plastic package of wax cubes) is $5 for 1 or $25 for 6 bars (get 1 free). I did a quick comparison with Yankee candles from Bed, Bath and Beyond and a Deluxe Scentsy Warmer ($30). In 2 years, you would save $208.56 by using a Scentsy warmer and waxes and thats if you used a $5 off coupon every time you bought a Yankee candle.
   
   
   
   
   
3. More Attractive for your Home Decor - Have you seen all the beautiful warmers Scentsy offers? They have one to suite everyone's style to make your house look beautiful and smell good too. Who wants a plain glass candle with the candle companies name on a label? Not me! Here are some of my favorite warmers from the Fall/Winter 2015 catalog. You can see all the beautiful warmers on my website at https://smellthegoodness.scentsy.us/Buy/Category/2855
   
4. Huge Variety of Fragrances - Did you know there are 80 different fragrant waxes Scentsy offers in the 2015 Fall/Winter Catalog? And pretty much all of them smell amazing (only a couple I don't like). Make your kitchen smell like you just baked an Apple Pie (Baked Apple Pie) or your bedroom smell like a romantic retreat (Honeymoon Hideaway). Check out all the scent categories here: https://smellthegoodness.scentsy.us/Buy/Category/3004
5. More Convenient - Tired of trying to find a lighter to light your candle? Tired of reaching your hand down in the candle when the wick is at the bottom and you get that nasty soot on your hand? I know I was. Plus, I hated when the wick would burn out before the entire wax was gone - what a waste! You can turn on Scentsy with a click of a button. I keep all of my Scentsy warmers plugged-in. In the morning, I turn them all on by clicking the dial switch or toggle button. When I go to bed, I turn them all off. Every 4-5 days, I change out my wax when it looses its fragrance. I love choosing my new Scentsy waxes that day - it's like opening a present for myself! I think, "What am I in the mood for today?" I turn on all my Scentsy warmers for 5 minutes, use my Scentsy spatula to pop the wax out and throw away, then break off 2 cubes of my bar and put in the top of the warmer. In 10 minutes, my house is smelling amazing!

I invite you to try Scentsy, you will not be disappointed. You can buy a package that includes a nightlight warmer (plugs right into the outlet like the Jane and Chasing Fireflies pictures above) and 3 bars for $34 which will last 240 hours. $34 for beautiful decor and amazing home fragrance is a good deal! Start searching for your favorite scents today!: https://smellthegoodness.scentsy.us/Buy/Category/3004

Repainting Your Old Terra-Cotta/Clay Pots

Do you have terra-cotta or clay pots you hate the color of? Well, don't throw them out! Change the color of them with trusty Rust-Oleum spray paint!

We had some rust color terra-cotta pots I didn't like. I went to Lowes and found this  Rust-Oleum Multicolor Textured Spray Paint in the Autumn Brown color. And they are only $5.76 each. I chose this spray paint because I wanted to keep the same texture as the original pots and didn't want them to look shiny or glazed.

Depending on how big your pot(s) are, you will only need one can per pot. You will also need a wire brush to clean off the surface of your pot to get rid of the flaky old paint if there is any. You can find these at Lowes for about $3:  Stainless Steel Wire Brush.

After you have brushed the pot to remove any excess paint/dirt, blow off any loose dirt. Then shake your Rust-Oleum can for about a minute (according to instructions). Then spray your pots until you have the desired look (make sure to put cardboard or painters cloth down before your spray!)

And voila! You have yourself new-looking pots! (Old color on left, new color on right)

Mexican Crockpot Chicken

Ingredients:
4 chicken breast (fresh or frozen)
2 15oz cans of pinto or black beans (drained)
2 cups salsa (used Picante)
3 tablespoons taco seasoning
1 7oz can diced green chiles
1 medium white onion (diced)
2 bellpeppers (diced)
1 8oz package cream cheese

Directions:
1. Put everything in crockpot (chicken can be frozen or fresh) except cream cheese
2. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6 hours
3. Last 30 minutes, add package of cream cheese on top.
4. Shred chicken in crockpot. Stir.
5. Serve over rice or in tortillas (I put in tortillas and added shredded lettuce, diced tomato, shredded cheese, and hot sauce)

Toffee Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup almond toffee bits

Directions:

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. 2. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Stir with a whisk. Place sugar and butter in a large bowl and beat at medium speed until well blended (about 2 minutes). Add vanilla and egg and beat well. Add flour mixture; beat just until combined. Stir in toffee bits.
3. 3. Make small balls with dough and place 2 inches apart on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on pans 1 minute. Remove cookies from pans and cool completely on wire racks.

Apple Cinnamon Pancakes

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup all purpose flour

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup milk

1/2 cup no sugar added applesauce

1 apple: peeled and chopped finely (I used a Gala apple)

1 egg

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions:

Whisk together dry ingredients in bowl. In separate bowl, combine vanilla, milk, applesauce, egg, and oil. Add dry ingredients to to wet ingredients and stir until combined. Stir in the chopped apple.

Heat griddle or pan (I used Pam spray instead of butter or oil). Pour 1/2 cup batter for pancake. When bubbles start to form on top, flip over. Create slit in middle of pancake with spatula to allow to fully cook in the middle.

Serve with butter, syrup and sprinkled powdered sugar. Enjoy! These pancakes are light, moist and so tasty! Kevin said these are the best pancakes yet.