Check out the top crafty DIYs for all four seasons. Winter, spring, summer, fall, check out all the fabulous easy ideas, crafts and DIYs to make your home more beautiful! My husband just came in the living room, where I am writing by the fire, and asked me what I wanted to do today. I was perplexed. It's mid afternoon and he works until well after five. He then reminded me that today was a half day since New Year's Day is Monday. What??

Looking for the perfect gift for the writer or blogger in your life...or for yourself? Check out these awesome ideas, from lap desks to planners and a few surprises in between! Not too long ago, I shared a little story about how every time my kids ask me what I want for Christmas ...or any occasion, really, I say nothing . They hate that. They want to get me something  they know I will like and when I say that I don't want or need anything, that's not very helpful. Well, this year, my nothing, translated into a whole lot of very good something, especially for the writer in me. Apparently, my family really paid attention to me all year long, because I received some of the best and most thoughtful gifts that this writer could've asked for.  Fabulous. 

I agonize over my wrapping paper choices every year at Christmas time. Sadly, my family and I don't have the same wrapping ideas. I don't think I'm alone. Every year when I shop for wrapping paper, I do it very carefully. I sit and think, mulling over the choices in Marshalls, HomeGoods and Hobby Lobby. I plan the color scheme. Ok, I plan the reds.

You can grab some great Christmas decor items at the thrift store, just keep your eyes and your mind open...even in July! Hello friends! I hope you are enjoying the season. We have been getting a lot of snow around here lately, which is contributing to that holly, jolly spirit. Since I did less decorating this year, I have had more time to really enjoy what I did put out, taking it all in while I sit by the fire...keeping warm. The one thing I realized, while I was staring at my treasures, was that many, if not most of them are either sentimental heirlooms, family pieces or thrifted items. They seem to be what holds my heart at this time of the year.

Christmas home. They don't take up a lot of space, they come in all shapes and sizes and lend a cozy air. This weekend, the first snow of the season fell. As a dedicated summer girl I am not usually thrilled at the sight of those flakes, winter is long around here. However, Santa was right, Christmas snow is magical and somehow it managed to lull even me into a state of holiday bliss.

When I was a little girl, my mom used to say that she didn't want anything for Christmas. How boring and depressing. However, now that I have a family of my own, I find myself answering that same question, the same way. And I totally get it. My mom was almost forty when I was born. I was not the baby of our large family, but close. My older siblings actually graduated from high school while I was in preschool, so by the time I was a teenager, they were long married with children of their own. They lived nearby so when the holidays rolled around they were always present.

Learn how to make your very own old fashioned macaroni angel ornaments for your vintage Christmas tree. Classic, super easy and so charming. Long before I started blogging, before the days of kids and even marriage, I taught kindergarten and first grade . During my first year, at my first school, I attended a PTA craft fair and fell head over heels in love with a darling little macaroni angel ornament. I didn't yet have a tree of my own, but I needed to bring her home.

Changing your shower curtain is an easy and inexpensive way to transform and update your bathroom. It just may not be quick. It's a long established fact, here at Exquisitely Unremarkable, that I am a very lazy ~ and very cheap ~ kind of decorator. I enjoy a pleasant view, just as much as the next home decor junkie, what I do not enjoy is the process of making the view pleasant.

Pictures are pretty, but I decorate my Christmas home for practical, real life living. And guess what? It's still pretty. Each year when Christmas rolled around, I would tell my husband this year we're going to get a tree for the family room . He was never thrilled with the idea. This beach cottage is small and maneuvering around another tree did not sound exciting.

Baking your apple pies in a paper bag may result in a tastier pie, but it also may result in a fire. Here's our story. My mom was an outstanding cook. Every single night, when my dad got home from work, we would all sit down at the kitchen table and eat dinner....and I'm talking full on meals. In addition to the main course there was always fresh bread and salad, served on separate plates and at different times. We didn't have a formal upbringing and my mom was not raised as a cook, but back then, it's just how it was done.

Make your own painted Thanksgiving turkey wooden sign using an old ceiling fan blade to welcome your guests. It's a super easy home decor craft for the holiday and super cute, too.  Last night, I whipped up a super sweet painted Thanksgiving turkey sign on one of my old fan blades ....and it was so much fun. I probably should've been baking, or setting a table or cleaning the house a bit, but the blades were just sitting on the floor looking at me. So I gave in. And I am so glad I did.

Simplify your style this fall. Less is more. It's fall. Still. Even though it doesn't really look or feel like it around here. It's a bit unnerving, truth be told. Autumn in the northeast is supposed to be chilly, sometimes there's snow and by now, the trees are usually naked. But nope.  Not this year. 

Whip up a whimsical Christmas tree sign in no time with wall decal. It's a great way to get a wooden sign for the holidays in minutes. And for a bargain price. Check out the easy DIY. No, no, no. I have not decorated for Christmas yet. All of my trees , wreaths, lights and ornaments are still tucked away in storage waiting for the day after Thanksgiving to pop out of hiding. However. Christmas crafting is a tricky business. In order to have all of your projects ready on decoration day, you have to start a little early. Sometimes I break out the Christmas craft supplies in July .

Make a DIY denim cup cozy out of an old pair of skinny jeans with this quick and easy pattern.  It's a creative and inexpensive fashion accessory or gift for your favorite coffee lover. Oh the weather outside is frightful ...well, ok, maybe not quite frightful yet, but it has become quite chilly in the past few days. Looks like our extended summer has finally come to an end and fall is here to stay. That's ok, fall leads to Christmas and I love that time of year.

Learn how to stencil a pillow . It's an easy DIY and looks great even if it's not perfect. Trust me. Hello friends! Today, I'm decorating for autumn, adding a little bit of cottage charm to my living room with another pillow . Go figure. I saw this stencil at the craft store a few weeks ago and I thought it would make a very sweet addition to the room. I was right. I love it.

Cottage style decor is a classic. It's also the latest design craze. That's understandable, there's so many reasons to love it. Of course as a longtime cottage dweller, I'm a fan, but here are the top 5 things I adore about it's cozy and charming aesthetic. Growing up, I lived in high ranch. My parents had moved out the suburbs and bought a brand new house in a brand new development. It was situated on a third of an acre, had a built in pool, a fabulous basement with a brick fireplace and a two car garage. It was home. I loved it and was sure that when I grew up, I would live in the same kind of house. I mean, seriously, what more could anyone want?

I am not a fan of Halloween and now that the kids aren't little anymore, I don't have to be. There I said it. It's Halloween today, isn't it? October 31st? I mean I peeked at my phone to check the date and that's what it says, but I'm asking you, because I'm still not quite sure. You see, the grass in my yard is still very green, the leaves have barely changed color, it's relatively warm outside. And no one who lives here is going trick or treating. For the first time in forever, it just doesn't feel like Halloween.

Every year, I whip up a few inexpensive fall decorations, like this burlap pumpkin banner. It's an easy DIY and one that will surely add some flair to your home this season. It's fall y'all! Well, sort of. Here in the northeast, it's been a crazy season. Mother Nature doesn't seem to be able to make up her mind...cold one day, warm again the next. Which is fine with me. I'm a dedicated summer girl. Oh, don't get me wrong, I love the colors of fall and getting cozy by the fire, but it's hard to decorate inside, when it still looks like summertime outside. That's ok. I managed.

Age plain craft store or curbside crates with this easy technique and without stain. Water, paint and a rag is all you need for great results! I live in a great neighborhood. It's filled with the most charming houses from the 1920's, the smell of salt air and neighbors with a lot of junk. From fan blades to large picture frames, lately, I have been the lucky recipient of some fabulous cast offs. How awesome is that?

Learn how to make a very simple sock angel ornament for Christmas using baby socks. It's an easy Christmas craft and super sweet. And one that anyone can make. Ho Ho Ho Friends! Christmas is my favorite time of year, and even though it's still a few months away, I say it's never too early to get a jump on those holiday crafts. I love creating my own gifts, decor and of course, ornaments , like my latest and greatest, a darling handmade sock angel. She's a mini version of the sock angels I made last year .

Turn those bright orange dollar store pumpkins into elegant additions to your fall decor with a little white paint and glitter glue. It's a quick and easy DIY. Who says fall crating has to be complicated? Several years ago, when I first started blogging, I noticed that once September rolled around, everyone started featuring the cutest little white pumpkins. Teeny, tiny white darling Baby Boos . I'd never seen this variety before or come across them at any of the farms we visited. Our pumpkin patches were strictly orange . Of course, once I saw these elegant minis in decor shots, I had to have them.

It's official. I have become my mother. I knew it was coming, I mean it happens to everyone at some point, doesn't it? I guess I just never expected that it would happen to me. Or rather in quite this particular way. A gesture or a saying, sure, but this? Totally unexpected.

Decorate your cottage for fall with a few roses, crafts and natural elements. Come take the tour and get some inspiration! Hello friends! Well, despite my best efforts to hold on to summer, it looks like Mother Nature's generosity ended this weekend. My extended week of warmth and 90 degree temps is over and the fall chill has rolled on in. Perhaps she knew that I was participating my friend Kristi's Welcome Home Fall Tour today and I needed a little motivation to dress my house for autumn. Or perhaps it was just time. I mean it is October ~ this little beach cottage needs to snuggle up and get cozy. It's a season my home wears well and I'm excited to share it.

Vegetarian taco pie or meat taco pies are a super simple and quick dinner idea. The vegetarian one can be made as a vegan one, too. Check out the easy recipes. Every time I share a recipe, I feel the need to state, for the record, that I am not a cook. At all. I actually hate cooking, especially when I am cooking for meat eaters, vegetarians and the occasional vegan. Nothing is easy, there's a lot of thought involved, a lot of modifications and a lot of mess. I would rather make a bed , do laundry or clean a toilet than prepare a meal. And I'm not even remotely kidding.

Ceiling fan blades crafts are some of my favorites. Whip up a cute set of door tags for your fall front door with  They're the perfect size and no need to sand or stain. Just stencil and hang. Fabulous. Last year, while I was checking out Pinterest for something fabulous to put on my fall front door , I came across pins for the cutest wooden tags. Of course, I fell in love immediately and knew that they'd be a perfect way to add some charm to my entryway. But let's face it, woodworking is not an easy DIY. Since I'm a lazy crafter and my idea of a power tool is my glue gun, I quickly abandoned that idea and made a wreath instead. Well, lucky me, this year, my sweet neighbors offered me a few ceiling fan blades for crafts and I knew I was back in business.

Tomorrow is the first day of fall and while I am super sad to see summer go, I thought we should celebrate ~ it eases the pain a little ~ and what better way to do that, than with a giveaway! Back in July, my husband and I were shopping at a church yard sale and I came upon a few really neat treasures. It was one of those great fairs where things were tossed in a box and labeled a dollar. I had to dig, but it was so worth it. It's where I found the Better Homes and Gardens book I gave away this summer and it's where I found the vintage tartlet tins I'm giving away today.

Turn those old thrift store or Dollar Tree cutting boards into beautiful wooden signs, cake stands, trivets or serving pieces. A little paint and wall decal to make those letters is all you need. Check out the easy DIY. Hello friends! Well, it looks as if autumn is on its way despite my best efforts to thwart it. Can't fight Mother Nature , so I decided to get into the spirit and make a few new fall crafts yesterday.

This morning, as I was cleaning out my craft closet , I unearthed my favorite stencil, a farmhouse chicken. I love this little lady and over the years I have used her to create numerous crafts, including one I have yet to feature here ~ stenciled placemats. You may have caught a glimpse of her in some of my other posts, as an uncredited player, but today, I am going to give you a brief overview of how I made her.

You get what you pay for, right? Well not always. Just because something is more expensive doesn't necessarily mean it's better, especially when it comes to home decor. I have never been one to subscribe to the "Bigger, Better, More" way of living. I'm a simple girl at heart and am wholly unimpressed by extravagance and wealth. Like my grandmother used to say, there's no escaping it, you need money, it can bring you security and a lot of pleasures, but it won't buy you happiness.

Looking for a quick and easy, healthy vegetarian recipe? Try my simple Eggplant Pizziola. It's totally foolproof and family friendly. Come see how to prep and eat in less than 30 minutes. I hate to cook. It's a well established fact and kind of a joke around my house. It's not that I can't cook, I just don't enjoy it. Of course, we have to eat and as the mom, it's been my job to supply the meals on most days, like it or not. Usually not.

Looking for an easy way to turn thrift store items into creative planters? Check out these cute ideas and find out how to keep the plants inside thriving! So September. It's a month with one foot in summer and the other in fall. Makes it a little hard to decorate, doesn't it? Oh sure, if you love autumn, then it's time to break out the pumpkins . Here in my neck of the woods, that would feel a little premature.

Hello friends! It's been a while, hasn't it? I can't believe the end of August is upon us and yet, I totally can. It's been a jam packed summer around here and that has certainly made the time fly by. It has also made my presence online a bit scarce. I have been so busy enjoying real life moments, that I haven't had a lot of time to sit down with my computer to write.

Make a simple DIY denim ring from an old pair of jeans. A few quick stitches and you'll have a cool new fashion accessory. Come see the quick and easy tutorial! Apparently, the DIY apple does not fall far from its tree. This week, my daughter emerged from her room with the most darling custom denim ring. It's something she whipped up from an old pair of jeans and a little bit of embroidery thread. I was completely impressed...and I don't think it's just because I'm her mom.

We have a winner!! Wow, this was a popular giveaway . I have to say that I was completely overwhelmed with the response. The comment and the email entries just kept pouring in, especially those emails. It made me wish that I had a truckload of these Better Homes And Gardens books, so I could give one to everyone who entered.

The internet is a great place to hide. It's like a cave I can retreat to when I need to escape. Just me, huddled in a comfy spot, hot water in hand . Safe. As long as I block the entrance, nothing scary can get to me. I choose what I see, what I hear, who I interact with and what I let inside. It's the perfect hideaway.

Look what I found at the thrift store! A mystery item, a few cute pieces to DIY. Did I pay too much? You be the judge. Then see at what I did to them! Hello friends. Today I have something a little different for you. It's me.

Oh summer...what a perfect time for a banner! Well, actually if you know me at all, then you know I think that anytime is the perfect time for a banner . There's something super whimsical and charming about them and I just love what they add to a room, especially if there are flowers involved. 

Earlier this summer, my husband and I spent a lovely day in the sweetest harbor town just east of my own. We walked the docks, looked at boats, window shopped and stopped at a few yard sales and church fairs. At one of them, I spotted this very cool vintage book tossed in a box. It's a 1954 edition of the Better Homes and Gardens Garden Book .

Create a cottage style garden in no time with a few key elements and lots of flowers. Check out these easy tips to make your garden dreams a reality. When we moved into our 1920's beach bungalow over a decade ago, I knew immediately that the yard required a makeover. The interior was full of lovely quirks and rustic charm and I wanted that feeling to spill right outside into the yard. I pictured colorful wildflowers, garden gates, bunnies, birds and a storybook view from every window. A cottage style garden for our cottage style home.

Dirty and torn fabric on your outdoor chairs? Here's how to replace the chair slings on your patio furniture for a brand new look. Ah...summer. It's the season I wait for all year long. I'm a true summer girl and I try to hold on to every second of it. I adore the warm air that hits me in the morning when I open the patio door, the smell of the salt air, the late sunsets and the sand between my toes. I am outside as much as possible.

It's July and I've finally finished updating my living room for summer. It's about time, right? A few weeks ago I shared my plan for this room and while I had hoped to get it together earlier, well, summer got in the way.  The more time I spent outside, the less important this room became. 

Decorate your outdoor and inside spaces with metal lanterns. They're easy to update, we sprayed our to match our decor. Come see the easy DIY. Ah summer, my favorite time of the year! The weather has finally warmed up here and we are outside enjoying our yard. During this short season we try to spend as much time on our patio and covered porch as possible.

Hello friends! I hope you are all enjoying some fabulous summer weather and free time, wherever you may be. Here, not so much. Between the chill in the air and the fact that school just got out, I can honestly say that it doesn't feel like summer at all. I sleep in fuzzy pjs, I have had the seat warmer on in my car almost every evening and I have not put even one toe in the pool yet this year. Too cold. I also haven't had time.

Fabric or thread jams in your sewing machine?  Tired of tangled bobbins and missed stitches? Check out these quick tips and tricks to get your sewing machine to work best. So it turns out crowdsourcing really works!! A few weeks ago, I reached out to let you all know what a terrible seamstress I am and how my machine and I fight constantly . Boy oh boy, did I get a lot of advice. And you know what? It worked!! I employed a few of the tips and this weekend when I sat down with my machine there were no problems. At all.

Looking for a good book to read? Check out my what to read right now list. There's something for everyone.  From WWII historical fiction, to young adult romance, grown up mysteries and non-fiction disasters. It's bound to be an interesting summer. This weekend we took advantage of the fact that the kids were home and schedule free and we escaped to the beach. Yes, I know, we live at the beach, but visiting another beach is always fun. We gathered shells, walked in the sand, shared several delicious meals and I read. It's not something I often have time for, but for some reason when summer rolls around I read .

You don't need to break the bank to start crafting, you just need a few basic craft tools and you probably already have them around the house. This post contains affiliate links. You can check out my disclosure for full details. Think you need a bunch of fancy (and expensive) crafting tools to enjoy your hobby and decorate your home? Nope.  This girl gets creative without the machines or the mats. My list of most used, must haves are just a bunch of items you probably already have on hand, and if not, you can pick them all up and get your craft on without breaking the bank.  Best of all, you won’t need a whole room to store them . You can find many of these items in my Amazon shop for your convenience. 

I am not a big shopper. I used to be, but not anymore. The idea of browsing just doesn't entice me the way it used to, so if I end up in a store, it's because I need something. And let's face it, unless it's the grocery store, I rarely need . However, my kids seem to need things all the time. So last week, I was at the craft store, passed by the dollar bins and knew I had a banner in my future.

Here are 10 easy ways to decorate your home with fabric. Add charm, warmth and pattern in no time with these quick and elegant fabric DIYs. Hello friends! So last week, when I gave you a sneak peek of my in process, summer living room , I received a ton of comments and emails about my little skirted side table. More people were interested in that piece than anything else in the space...which is funny, since it's been a staple in the room for years. It was featured, along with the complete how to, back in 2014, but with so many inquiries, I decided that maybe I should share again.

My living room is getting a makeover. It's not a before and not quite an after. When I was a little girl, my parents were always entertaining. Always. My mom cooked, cleaned and set up for large parties with very little help. Kids are not really reliable (especially a brood of four with a vast age range) and while my dad was great in the kitchen things like bathrooms and dusting were not on his list.

Magazines and catalogs are pretty, but this is how to style bookshelves for real life using your photos, your treasures, your mementos, your stuff. Actual books are optional! From the moment I took the first step into my current home, over a decade ago, I was smitten. We were looking to move and this house, located directly across the street from our old home, no kidding, was on the "if that house ever came up for sale, we'd buy it" list. The yard was big enough for a pool . There was room to add a dream kitchen and there was a large basement for the kids to make their own. Dreamy all the way around.