HOW TO MAKE A GLITTER BALL GARLAND

No glue or disaster required for this DIY Ball Garland, I promise. All you need are some amazing pre-glittered picks from that crazy decorate your wreath aisle and you are set. I like glitter but I hate glueing glitter on things, when I found these cool balls I was excited to make a garland out of it. You know me, always wanting to make a garland out of something. I might be crazy, but I can live with that.

Go check out the full tutorial over on JULEP, Minted's new blog. It really is fun and easy to make! Add a bit of sparkle to your tree or just hang it for fun. Choose solid colors and just make a regular old garland for a party.

 Do you have any tricks for making a quick and easy garland? Is there anything you want me to try to make a garland out of? I'd love to hear your ideas!

HOW TO MAKE A DIAMOND MARSHMALLOW

A gem of a cup of cocoa is easier than you think to make. All it takes is a bag of flat marshmallows and a kitchen knife. I know you can cut homemade marshmallows in any number of shapes, but this is a quick and easy version, no candy making involved. Perfect for a brunch with the girls or someone looking for a proposal idea for the holidays.

To make a diamond, cut off each of the corners. This shape is pretty cute as is. But take it one step further by cutting the top half, in half, forming a diamond shape. Eat scraps, you wouldn't want to waste it would you?

Using the back of the knife blade press lines into the top of the diamond, forming the gem. Repeat.

Make some gourmet drinking chocolate or a packet of instant cocoa and ta da!

HOLIDAY BAKING BASICS: IS YOUR PANTRY READY?

It's here, it's here. The first day of November and you know what that means? It means that I can officially start talking about tinsel without sounding like a nut. November means the beginning of the entertaining season with parties and family and baked goods a plenty. Is your pantry ready? I started a little early in my baking spree and noticed that I was short on quite a few things. This meant about 5 different shopping trips as each ingredient ran out at a different time in various recipes. So my tip for you? Take inventory today. Check out all of your ingredients and make sure you know how much is in each. If you are like me, there are a few go to recipes that you use over and over throughout the season. Write down what you need and hit the store running. Be sure to chuck those things like chocolate chips and coconut that might still be there from last year...oops.

Here is a little checklist of what I have gone to the store for in the last two weeks. I think it is pretty standard and you can make a bazillion different recipes from these. Keep your pantry stocked and you can make practically anything on a moments notice this season, we usually make cookies on a whim. I hope it helps and let's make our holidays delicious!

FALL ENTERTAINING MUST HAVES

It's here, it's here. The official start to fall entertaining. You might have been to a few Halloween parties, but they usually start this weekend. We're about to go full bore into the season here at H+H and I wanted to start it off with a little roundup I did for HOUZZ. I banned turkeys. Not that they are bad, I just think it is kind of cliche, and yes, I am in search of a few to paint gold. But in case you are like me and really don't decorate much for fall and usually keep it low key until Christmas, let's just cozy up the place and get ready to entertain our friends and family this year. Cheers!