Author Archives: Marlene Griffith

About Marlene Griffith

Wife | Mom | Creative

Budget friendly holiday decorating ideas

Budget friendly HOLIDAY decorating ideas 1000

The holiday season is such a beautiful time of year. It’s a time when families come together, and we celebrate the birth of Jesus. We spruce up our homes a bit more than usual, we bake more often, get a bit craftier with the kids, wear festive clothing, and decorate our homes with lights and excitement!

Something about holiday décor is just so inviting and exciting! Isn’t it? I love seeing my children’s reaction to all the festive decorations and excitement!

But, what if you don’t have a huge budget to make your home look and feel festive?  Is it possible to make your home feel and look festive for the holidays without draining your bank account?

Here are some very simple (and affordable) ways that you can decorate your home for the holidays without breaking the bank.

Don’t underestimate your local dollar store. I think I have a slight obsession with the dollar store. I know it’s not a popular place for most to turn to, but if you are looking to decorate on a budget – go there first! I have been surprised every time I go and come out of there with some really great decorative items. Everything you see in this picture below is from the dollar store. Best 10$ I’ve ever spent on holiday decorations! I placed it on a large round tray (also picked up at the dollar store a few years earlier)

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Get creative with what you already have. Most of us have items stored away in closets that we just don’t seem to have use for throughout the year. Go through those items first, and see what you can do to make them look festive. Is there a random box? Grab some wrapping paper and wrap the box, toss on a bow, and it’s an instant Christmassy decorative accent that you can put anywhere in your home. I have had this hurricane vase for a few years, and it was just too bulky for my personal taste. Last year I wanted to make use of it for something, so I place several ornaments in it, and it was a hit!  You can do this with bowls, a regular size vase, or any open container really. This same vase would look really nice filled up with red and white bows, or with candy canes!

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Decorate the table. Our table rarely stays clean all day…okay, it never does. But, I still love getting it “set up” for the holidays. I keep it really simple. Something as simple as a table runner, stacked plates, and a hurricane vase with a candle can add an instant holiday touch and feel to any home. If you have a coffee table you can grab one of those tin round cans that cookies come in and fill it up with tree ornaments.

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Scented Candles. There is something about scented candles that can instantly set the tone and mood in a room. I’m really big on getting seasonal candles. Candles remind me of a cozy night snuggled under blankets, sipping on my favorite warm beverage.

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I would love to hear some ways that you decorate your home for the holidays on a budget!

Heidi St John Guide to Daylight

Fall Skin & Hair Care

Don’t you just love fall? The leaves are changing, and the cool weather is slowly making its way in.  As much as we will miss those fun pool days, and long sunny days – we are excited to welcome this new season. There is so much excitement in decorating our homes, pulling out the cooler-weather clothes, and digging through all our favorite pumpkin recipes!

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But with the new season and cooler weather, we also get drier hair and drier skin. Taking a little extra time to care of your skin can be the difference between healthy skin and flaky cracked skin. And keeping our hair moisturized throughout the cooler months can make the difference between hydrated healthy hair and dry, brittle hair.

 Fall Skin and Hair Care

I picked out my must have items that help me keep my hair healthy and my skin nourished throughout these cooler and drier months.

Hair care must haves:

Fall Skin and Hair Care - Triple Moisture Hair MaskNeutrogena Triple Moisture Hair Mask.  Ever deep condition your hair, just to finish with what feels like hair that needs to be washed again? If you have, you know how frustrating that is. This deep conditioner doesn’t do that. It is incredibly hydrating, doesn’t weigh down your hair, and keeps hair healthy and soft.  A small amount goes a long way too, don’t be fooled by the size of the jar. This jar usually lasts several months.

 

Fall Skin and Hair Care - L'oreal Nourishing Leave in ConditionerL’oreal Nourishing EverCreme Leave-In Spray. This is my go to extra care protection product, especially if I’m going to be outside in the cooler weather. It is incredibly lightweight, which is a big deal for me as I don’t like to feel products on my hair.

 

 

Face care must haves:

I’m very picky with what I put on my face. Most products take my skin to one extreme or the other. The only product I’ve found that nourishes my skin, keeps it clean, and controls break out – is Cetaphil. I use both the cleanser and lotion. Cetaphil is very gentle, yet effective.

Fall Skin and Hair Care - Cetaphil Cetaphil Cleanser. I use this all year long. I love that it’s mild, non-irritating, non-greasy, and rinses of easily.

Cetaphil Lotion. I don’t use this as much during the warmer months, just in the drier areas of my face. But in the cooler months, my skin need it more. Best part? Its fragrance free, non-greasy, and hydrates all day long.

 

Fall Skin and Hair Care - Vaseline Lip Therapy Cocoa butterVaseline Lip Therapy. Last fall my lips started to dry out a lot, and I was constantly applying chap stick but wasn’t getting any relief. I went to the store and grabbed tons of different lip products, but nothing worked. Until I tired Vaseline Lip Therapy. It is by far the best lip product I’ve tried. I apply it about twice a day, and that’s sufficient to keep my lips from cracking and drying out. I bought this last winter and still have more than half of it.

Fall Skin and Hair Care - BB Cream and SunScreenSun Screen. Sun Screen? Yup! Even though those long sunny summer days are in the rear view mirror, it is still important to use sun screen. I use one of two things: a BB cream which contains SPF protection or an oil free sport SPF sunscreen.

 

 

Body care must haves:

Fall Skin and Hair Care - Dove Go Fresh Body WashDove Go Fresh Body Wash. I recently switched to this body wash and love it! It smells SO good. Funny how the small things like great smelling body wash can be relaxing – especially after a long day of mommy duties. I really like how it hydrates and restores my skin.

 

Fall Skin and Hair Care - St Ives body LotionSt. Ives Body Lotion. This is one of the non-body-butter lotions that really keeps my skin hydrated. They say you should switch from lotion to cream in the cooler months, but this one works well. It doesn’t feel oily and doesn’t leave a residue. Perfect for a busy moms day to day moisturizing needs.

 

 

Fall Skin and Hair Care - Body Butter TubExtracts Brazil Nut Body Butter. I use this body butter about once a week. Usually right after I exfoliate. Much like the hair mask I mentioned above, you don’t need to use a lot, a little goes a long way. Most body butters that I’ve tried leave me feeling greasy and like I can’t touch anything, this one doesn’t. It is paraben-free and sulphate-free

 

Fall Skin and Hair Care -Pacifica body butterPacifica Body Butter. I carry this one around in my purse, and apply it as needed throughout the day – usually on my hands and arms. It’s 100% Vegan, made with Shea and Mango butters, almond oil and safflower oil. It’s also paraben –free.

 

 

Fall Skin and Hair Care -Exfoliating GlovesBath & Shower Gloves. This really isn’t really a product, but it’s a must have for me. It’s a great way to exfoliate, even if you don’t have a scrub. This will help keep you skin even toned and eliminate dry patches too.

 

 

I would LOVE to know what your favorite fall/dry weather beauty products are. And if you try any of these out, let me know what you think about them!

Heidi St John Guide to Daylight