Decorating on a Dime (Halloween Theme) and Texas State Fair

Aren't these guys just ADORABLE?!?

Glowing Mummy Jars

And super easy to make!!

Materials:

1. Buy glass jars from a supermarket like WalMart

2. Buy tea light candles

I got mine from the dollar store in a Cinnamon Apple Spice scent which reminds me of Fall!

3. Buy Gauze (~$2 for two yards)

4. Buy 'Googly' Eyes at your local craft store

Instructions:

• I used pieces of black duct tape to attach the eyeballs first so that way the jars aren't ruined with glue and I can use them for a different project after Halloween.

• Tape the end of gauze to the back of your jar (the side you didn't put eyeballs on) and begin to wrap the gauze around the jar.  Don't overlap too much or the candle won't be able to shine through!  I think you kinda get better at this as you go... the first one I made (on the right) turned out looking a bit like a Ninja Mummy. 

• When you're done wrapping the gauze very tightly cut the length you needed and pull end over the bottom of the jar and secure with duct tape.

• Add tea light candle in jar and light.

VOILA!! Glowing Mummy Jars!!

You could also use these jars to package things like jam or candies and give them out as presents.

I was in the decorating mood and also re-did (is that a word?) some glass vases with a Fall Theme.

I used Fall colored leaves picked off one of those fake plant vines you can buy at craft stores, river stones, glass stones in a burnt orange/burgandy color, fresh cinnamon sticks and a few black spiders for that Halloween Spook ;)

After Halloween you can simply remove the spiders and the rest is perfect for Thanksgiving Holidays!

What I love about these glass vases is that you can fill them with anything for  quick change-of-season decorating.

And what would Halloween be without some spooky lil' ghost buddies??

Tissue Ghosts! 

Materials:

Tissues

Black Sharpie

String/Thread/Curling Ribbon

Instructions:

• Take a sheet of Kleenex (Or Puffs, or whatever brand you prefer) and pull it apart if it has two layers stacking them criss crossed over each other instead of directly overlapping.

• Take a piece of napkin and roll it into a ball and place in the middle of your tissue.

• Fold the tissue over the ball and secure with string or ribbon at the 'neck' of the ghost.

• Draw on eyeballs and hang wherever you please!!

Last year I used very thin thread so my ghosts looked like they were floating.. I wanted the black ribbon to give a more 'Goth' vibe this year, but I may like the string idea a bit more!

Speaking of all things Halloween... they had HUGE pumpkins at the Texas State Fair!!

AND I know the State Fair is known for deep fried food... but I found a stand dedicated to healthy eating and teaching the nation about eating a balanced diet!!

{The BFF and I}

{The Lil' Sis and I}

Tried to get a good shot of the Ferris Wheel and Fair in the background!

AND

Possibly the most exciting moment of the State Fair trip was when I met my new best friend...

Kitty Kitty!!!

They had 5 month old kittens in the Greenway Greenhouse next to the Pumpkin Carver and I was smitten.  She was so calm and just snuggled in my arms! 

I apologize for the strange look on my face... I was just overly excited.  I did give the kitten to a young girl of about 6 after a few minutes or so.... although, I contemplated hiding her in my shirt and taking her home with me!  The kitten.. not the little girl.

Then it was off to CELEBRITY KITCHEN where I saw Chef Kenny Mills from Chop House Burger.

After watching the presentation and how they make their 'Secret Sauce' we all got mini Chop House sliders!!  FOR FREE!!

How cute is that lil' guy??

After spending my Sunday at the State Fair with the sis and bff it was difficult to motivate myself to get in another workout but I did...

You love the sweat band, eh? I know.. it's really in style right now... 1980's fo life.

That brings my training schedule to this:

So other than never running on the exact day.. I am pretty proud of my workouts.  It's definitely more defined to running than I've been before, and I chose to bike this week instead of one of the scheduled runs because my legs were feeling really sore and needed to recover -- most likely because I tend to to most of my working out on the weekend since work has been so hectic.  Seriously, my job has never been more stressful... but learning to balance this is just helping me be more well rounded, right? :)

And my littlest sister shared this gem with me:

Please tell me that made you laugh out loud as much as it did me!!!!

Questions for the Day:

What's your favorite thing to do at the State Fair?

Will you be carving a pumpkin this year?