#BLOGTOBER Day 20-Fall Smoothie Recipe

October 20, 2018October 20, 2018michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

Pumpkin/Apple Smoothie

INGREDIENTS:

Apple

Pumpkin Butter

Oats

Nutmeg

Cinnamon

Milk

Ice

*I used my Ninja Bullet, but you can use any blender really.

TASTE: [Adjustments]

This was a nice blend of fall flavors. I enjoyed it. However, I kind of just threw this together with what I had. So next time I might add some creamy peanut butter and use real canned pumpkin, maybe a little maple syrup, you can get really creative! That might make it more filling. This was more of a smoothie shot than a full filling cup. I didn’t really use specific measurements, I never do for my smoothies. I just kind of eye ball it. I would add liquids with caution, depending on how thick or thin you want your smoothie. The more milk/ice the thinner it gets. The more oats and things like peanut butter can thicken it up. I like a nice balance. If it passes the straw test, I think your good to go. In other words if you can sip it through the straw without intense struggle, than you got it right! 😉

I know it may look kind of gross, lol, but it’s actually really good. With a few adjustments, it would probably be way better.

Enjoy!

* All photos are my own.*

-<3-

#BLOGTOBER Day 19- The Jack-o-lantern

October 19, 2018michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

When I was a kid, my family and I used to watch Halloween every year together. We would gather on the couch, light our recently carved pumpkin and shut the lights out. The one lonely flame, flickering. My mom loves scary movies and growing up we always watched together, screaming along the way. Cue the music…

41yzEOzjm8L[1]

There was this one specific year we were in the middle of the chilling killing sprees of Michael Myers, when all of a sudden our flickering flame in our Jack-o-lantern shut out. I remember we all gasped, breath held in, until it then re-lit. I think the fact that it re-lit was more scary than it going out in the first place. A draft can come in out of nowhere, but relighting? Now that’s some spooky ~~shit.~~ Pardon my French.
4179d8b482fa57ff0310066e230a0e1c[1]

We laughed and finished our movie. But for a few brief moments it was super creepy there, and we all felt it. Hey Halloween is a time to get a little spooked, right? Haha. It’s a memory we still talk about today.

Ah, Halloween memories, with the fam. Good times.

Who’s excited for the new 2018 Halloween?…Jamie Lee Curtis is back, bitches!

OUT NOW!

* I do not take credit for any images or music used.*

-<3-

#BLOGTOBER Day 17- Some Recipes for the Fall Season

October 17, 2018michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

During holiday season, I usually like to bake some treats. The next few recipes, I’m going to share with you, I have baked for Thanksgiving. I know we still have a bit to go. We still have to celebrate Halloween, and I’m not one to rush holidays! But I just thought since I’ve tried out these recipes in the past, I can give you some ideas for planning ahead for your Thanksgiving meal. Or hey maybe you want to try one of these recipes out for Halloween, instead. Do whatever your heart desires!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

I made these last year for Thanksgiving and added in my own little touch, by topping them off with Reese’s Pieces and adding Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups to the cookie tray display. It also added some fall color to them! I made 3 trays of cookies, because I was visiting a lot of different people, (which is usually the case) so I made enough for each house. Can’t show up empty handed! To add to the presentation, I wrapped them in saran wrap and added some fall colored bows. I included a little tag with twine that said Happy Thanksgiving, and that stated they were Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip flavored, just in case anyone had an allergy, I wanted them to be aware.

20171123_001630
20171123_011058
20171123_011153

I searched my recipe folder, and my favorites and I couldn’t find the recipe. However, I feel like I remember searching simple few ingredient peanut butter, chocolate chip cookies, so it might have been one of these, linked HERE, & HERE

Taste Verdict:

Peanut Butter and Chocolate are two of my favorite things. So I LOVED these. They were very rich and VERY peanut buttery. With milk, you can have one or two and it was delicious. I would definitely make these again. If you are not into peanut butter, I guess you can just omit it, and bake your traditional chocolate chip cookie. That’s always a crowd favorite.

Layered Pumpkin Lasagna

20151126_182514

20151126_182521

20151126_195318

I found the exact recipe I used HERE

Taste Verdict:

This was a bit of a long process, and requires many ingredients, and ALOT of work. I wasn’t aware how time consuming it could be. It’s more of a no bake dessert, but you do have to create each layer and than build this sweet dessert lasagna. It’s a bit of a weird concept, but I thought it was actually really delicious and those who are pumpkin fans, seemed to enjoy it! I feel like I would tackle making this again, at some point.

Apple Pie Punch

Ingredients

20141127_220915
I found the exact recipe I used HERE

Taste Verdict:

In my family, I seemed to have taken on dessert and drinks. I usually bake for every holiday event. And one Thanksgiving I decided to add in a little drinky drank recipe. I omitted the vodka for this recipe, because I wanted it to be safe for the kiddies to drink, but guests were free to add a little spike if they felt so inclined to. This was a tasty treat. I’d definitely make it again. It was easy enough!

*All photos are my own, I do not take credit for any recipes used.*

Have any fun fall recipes to share?

If you make any of these, let me know in the comments below!

Happy Fall Baking!

-<3-

#BLOGTOBER Day 15- Jewelry Making Tutorial- Memory Wire Bracelet

October 15, 2018October 16, 2018michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

I love jewelry. I love accessorizing. I think it’s such a creative form of expression. With just a few key pieces of jewelry you can transform any outfit. I have draws full of jewelry and then because of the nature of my job, I was able to take on a new hobby of jewelry making. In order to educate others, I had to do a bit of research. Shout out to YouTube!

FINISHED WIRE BRACELET

(Due to the wire type, and the style of the bracelet, you can have different looks, just two rows, or many rows- creating a multi bangle bracelet look with, essentially just the one bracelet that wraps around your wrist several times. The wire also allows for it to be adjusted to your wrist, basically a one size fits all bracelet.)

I made this bracelet back in March or April I think. I made it with earthy colors- a mix of glass and clay beads- some with tribal designs on them. I made it like so, because it fits my personal style. However, I just feel like it has such fall vibes to it, and I wear it now, so I thought I’d share it. (You can customize this bracelet to your style and use any style beads, or colors/patterns/designs.)

20180313_173613

I followed this Jewellers Academy tutorial on YouTube.

^Memory Wire Bracelet Tutorial starts @ the 9:48 mark. However, I suggest watching Parts 1 & 2 of this Beginner’s series because it will teach you all about the tools and how to use them for specific techniques- such as cutting memory wire and looping- both used in this project.

jewelry making mem wire

All supplies were purchased from blick.com

^Just look under jewelry making.

CLOSE UP SHOTS

20180313_174044 20180313_174046
20180313_174049 20180313_174058

20180313_174052

20180313_174024

I didn’t really have any specific pattern. I just knew I wanted an earthy color scheme, and a junky multi bracelet look. So I just added beads randomly, trying to create a unique, bohemian look.

I’ve made various jewelry pieces by following these tutorials (and various others). I’ve made earrings, bracelets, necklaces, chokers, pins, etc. I still have yet to conquer any rings, but hopefully soon. It’s super fun, and it’s even cooler to be wearing something and be able to say, I made this. And they can be great gift ideas too. If you package it nicely and add a little “made with love” sticker…and Voila!

^ Here is a pair of earrings I made and packaged for my Mom as part of her

Mother’s Day gift.

If you make any jewelry pieces of your own, let me know in the comments below!

*I do not take credit for the videos used as tutorials.*

*All photos are my own.*

-<3-

#BLOGTOBER Day 14- Fall Themed Gift Basket Idea

October 14, 2018October 14, 2018michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

My best friend recently got married this Summer. So each of the bridesmaids created a seasonal themed basket for her Bridal Shower. I chose Fall, because the feels and obsession is real. I love the cozy fall vibes and colors. And knowing the color scheme for her new place, I really tried to tie all that into the pieces I purchased for her basket.

THE FINISHED PRODUCT:

20180426_003647

20180428_125102

CLOSE UP SHOTS:

20180424_231956 20180424_232331 20180424_232207 20180424_232203 20180424_232158 20180424_232022 20180424_232019 20180424_232153 20180424_232008 20180424_231947 20180424_231939 20180424_231952 20180424_232225

20180424_232232

The basket was actually lent to me by the bride’s mother. It was my best friend’s grandmother’s basket so it was really nice to have that special touch added in for her.

ALL THE CONTENTS & WHERE I GOT THEM (as best as I can remember):

Fall/Thanksgiving Tea Towels (Amazon)

Halloween Towel Set (Amazon)

Throw Blanket (Lakeside)

Coaster Set (Pier 1)

Thankful Candle & Pumpkin/Apple Candle (Bath & Body Works)

Apple Orchid Hand Soap (Bath & Body Works)

Chevron Pumpkin (Lakeside)

Metal Pumpkin (Pier 1)

Amber Glass Pumpkin (Pier 1)

Wine Glasses (Pier 1)

Place Mats (Pier 1)

Seasonal Napkins (Oriental Trading)

Fall Chalk Wall Design (Lakeside)

Rug (Pier 1)

Harvest/Autumn Gatherings Sign (Amazon)

Give Thanks Tin Sign (Amazon)

Foliage and Grass (Various Dollar Stores)

Making a fall basket as a gift?

Hope this helps!

*All images are my own.*

-<3-

#BLOGTOBER Day 12- A Cheesy Fall Poem ;)

October 12, 2018michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

Fall

Crisp leaves falling from trees

Oranges, Reds, Golds, and Greens

Rain drops dancing upon the ground

Cool breeze flowing all around

Pumpkin spice scents everywhere

Patches of pumpkins and spooky hayrides if you dare

Apples cider and pies galore

Cozy sweaters and fuzzy socks that allows you a good snore

Scary movie marathons

The haunting hour is upon

Michael Jackson’s Thriller

Forever and always a good Chiller, Killer

Disney Channel’s Halloweentown

Starring Kimberly J. Brown

Thanksgiving and Halloween

Memories for family and friends- the greatest team

Happy Fall!

*All pictures are my own.*

-<3-

#BLOGTOBER Day 9- Pumpkin Picking with the Family plus mini Fall Haul #2

October 9, 2018October 9, 2018michelleleighwrites 2 Comments

Every year, my family tries to schedule a day to go pumpkin picking. My family is pretty big so it can get really hard to get everyone’s schedule to line up. But this year, even though not everyone could make it, we still had a pretty decent sized crew. And it was even more special because it was my niece’s first time pumpkin picking!

Here are some fall shots I took…

20181008_113937
IMG_20181008_220428_145
20181008_131228
20181008_125754

I spent quite the pretty penny in the little shop that they had there, so I figured why not show you what I bought…

20181008_195345

Treats/Goodies:

Blueberry pie

Apple Cider Donuts

Moon Pie Bites

Red Raspberry Preserves

Pumpkin Butter

Peach Apricot Cherry Jam

Apple Cider

Décor:

3 little stick figures- a pumpkin, sunflower scarecrow, and ghost

^I feel like these would be really cute in a floral arrangement.

A witch

^This can be hung up on the wall or on the door- anywhere really.

My pumpkin that I picked! I have to think about what I want to do with it this year. In the past I’ve done some fun and funky designs…

RHONDA

rhonda

JUANITA CROMWELL

juanita cromwell

ROXY

20151024_214951

SUNFLOWER SAGE

Sunflower Sage

LOLITA LEIGH

Lolita Leigh

BABY PUMPKIN

baby pumpkin

Any ideas for my 2018 design?

*All images are my own.*

-<3-

#BLOGTOBER Day 8- It’s October again…

October 8, 2018October 5, 2018michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

In my quest to keep this blog thing going for the entire month of October, I sought out some Halloween playlist inspiration and somewhere along the line, the lyric “It’s October again, leaves are coming down…” slipped into my memory.

And I realized how perfectly it lined up.

The lyric is from a song called “Let Me Fall” performed by Haley James Scott on One Tree Hill. [Haley was portrayed by real life singer/songwriter Bethany Joy Lenz.]

325936_1257940858089_full[1]

The lyrics:

“Let Me Fall”

It’s October again
The leaves are coming down
One more year’s come and gone
And nothing’s changed at all

Wasn’t I supposed to be someone
To face the things that I’ve been running from

Let me feel
I don’t care if I break down
Let me fall
Even if I hit the ground
And if I cry a little, die a little
At least I know I lived
Just a little

I’ve become much too good
At being vincible
I’m an expert at play it safe
And keep it cool

But I swear
This isn’t who I meant to be
I refuse to let my life roll over me

I wanna be somebody
Who can face the things that I’ve been running from

Let me feel
I don’t care if I break down
Let me fall
Even if I hit the ground
And if I cry a little, die a little
At least I know I lived

It’s October again
Leaves are coming down
One more year’s come and gone
And nothing’s changed at all

***

I feel like this song is really hitting home for me, right now. All the feels in the world. I can relate, Haley, I get you girl!

I wonder is Joy wrote this song herself for the show?

Watch the performance below featured in episode 2×07 titled

“Let The Reigns Go Loose”

Episode Backstory: In this episode Haley conquers her stage fright and performs at TRIC’s opening night.

Soak in those fall vibes…

*I do not take credit for any images, lyrics, or video clips used.*

-<3-

#BLOGTOBER Day 7- Where to find the best Halloween Movie Marathons Part 2

October 7, 2018October 5, 2018michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

So I recently posted a Part 1 to this, but in my research for all the fall things, I came across a few more I had to share! Check out Part 1 HERE.

universal-monsters001f[1]

TCM- Turner Classic Movies

A few films included in their line up are- Phantom of the Opera, Dracula Prince of Darkness, The Walking Dead, The Mummy, Night of the Living Dead, The Curse of Frankenstein, House of Wax, and so many more! So if you are craving some black and white screams, TCM is the place for you!

To view the weekly schedule for the whole month of October, visit- TCM.com
syfy2[1]

I couldn’t find a full schedule but it does mention, SYFY will be premiering 5 original films.

#BLOGTOBER Day 5-Where to find the best Halloween Movie Marathons

October 5, 2018October 5, 2018michelleleighwrites 2 Comments

Want to wear a big ole hoodie, some fuzzy socks, brew a cup of tea and watch some Halloween/Fall flicks? I got you covered.

Freeform just upped their 13 Nights of Halloween to 31 Nights of Halloween…

Check out the schedule below:

cover-1[1] ff_31noh_programmingguide_2018_v8[1]

AMC Fear Fest starts October 14th, click HERE for full movie schedule!

amcfearfest10[1]

*Check your cable provider for local channel listings.

As for the beloved Disney channel original movie Halloweentown, I couldn’t find tv listings, but the website does have all 4 movies available, click HERE to watch!

Halloweentown-halloweentown-2259572-640-480