paint a pumpkin

Currently I don't have my own home, so decorating can get a little tricky, when all you have is a room. I wanted to carve a pumpkin (which I ended up doing as well), but wanted something that would brighten up my room and last longer. I decided to paint some pumpkins and I was so smitten with how they turned out, I had to share!

Supplies // pumpkins (I chose white, so the colors would be true), paint, brushes

1      gather your supplies and get your pumpkins on a surface you don't mind getting a little bit of paint on. 

2      using a pen, outline the pattern you intend on painting. if you're better at free drawing, you go right ahead! i initially tried to tape off the area, but found it tricky since not all the pumpkins were perfectly round.

3/4   start painting! for this pattern I used a black fabric paint that had a point the paint came out of. it kind of worked like a pen, which made painting the lines easier.

5      use the lines that are already there! i used the natural dividers the pumpkin had to paint this one a peach color.

6      all done! super easy and a lot of fun. hope you try it!

if you decide to try this little diy, I'd love to see how it turns out! leave a link below.

sponsor + giveaway

Sponsoring Pie N' the Sky is a great way to promote your blog or independent business. My readers love fashion, photography, all things creative. You can take a peek at my sponsor info page to get some more information on becoming a sponsor, or you can email me at melisaholguin@gmail.com

I so look forward to each of my new sponsors in November!

Would you like to win a free medium ad space?? Okay! Just leave your name and email in the comments - and be sure you're a Pie N' the Sky follower! Leave your name an extra time if you tweet or blog about it! I'll email the winner tomorrow night! Thanks so much!

xo. melisa

a peek at our sponsors

1 // in love with this bag from Angela & Roi. it's perfection.  2 // love love love the photos shared in this post on natural beauty.  3 // completely thrilled to be supporting minna may on her adventure of starting a letterpress studio.  4 // these pistachio and chocolate chip cookies look way too yummy.  5 // this fall, all i want to eat everyday is s'mores. this recipe will be done.  6 // kinsey always has the best diy's; this lovely gypsy crown was no exception.  8 // i just love going to the farmer's market! these shots were great.  9 // cactuses always remind me of home. i love these.  10 // i really enjoyed this post Melissa shared on what real photography is.   11 // this feather pillow is so pretty. i need to make some new pillows.  12 // these underwater photos are perfect.  13 // i'm just smitten with Jenny's new art prints. i need one.  14 // completely inspired by this lovely collage by White Chalk Arrow. i love nesting.  15 // this memory book is just about the sweetest thing i've seen this week.  16 // i always love seeing peeks at people's places; loved the fall decor.  17 // i just love Lindsay's new blog, i am her. i've always admired her honesty and take on life.

I love my sponsors! They're just best in all the land. I do hope you will go stop by and say hi to them; they truly have so much to offer!

xo. melisa

tomato basil soup + friends

 

the other night Kalli and I decided to have a little girl's night and make some dinner while the guys were out - the mr. was out of town and her husband had to work late. It was such a great night. We made grilled cheese and tomato basil soup and it was completely delicious. It's such an easy dinner too, which made it even more perfect. We headed on over to her family's house and carved pumpkins by the fire. It was a great start to a wonderful fall! 

xo. melisa

footnote: you can checkout my instagram to see what I carved!

download // liberty on my lips

download in various sizes here

Thought you might enjoy a new download. I used this phrase in a poem I wrote about seven years ago; it's always stuck with me. Hope you're having a wonderful week friends.

xo. melisa

le fall list

The lovely Savannah, of Maie Dae, recently posted her Fall bucket List and we all know how I swoon for a good list, so here's mine...

to do this fall //

continue to simplify and declutter

learn to play the guitar

add five new recipes to my collection

find the perfect blanket

have more coffee/tea dates with the mr

buy an iPad

finish at least one great book

have a girl's night

make a Pie N' the Sky lookbook

go on at least one road trip

create a photography portfolio

take part in my second renegade craft fair

crochet a scarf

visit home

it's a simple list and some may argue that it is not adventurous, but to that I would scoff. My adventures these days are far less outlandish and more focused, attainable and foster growth in me. I am pleased with this list. I will be back soon with my progress. What's your list looking like?


xo. melisa

footnote: I snapped that photo the other day while doing a senior photoshoot. I'll be sharing those photos soon!

GIVEAWAY // custom necklace

In honor of my shop reopening, I'm offering a giveaway! hooray! You can win one custom necklace; it can say anything your heart desires! This giveaway is open to all Pie N' the Sky followers; as sort of a thank you, for reading.

to enter //

follow Pie N' the Sky

leave a comment below with what you would want your custom necklace to say, along with your email. 

I will announce a winner on Friday the 26th, so be sure to check back! hope you're having a lovely day friends!

xo. melisa

the coffee house

Blogging can be kind of tough sometimes in that at times it can sort of feel like you're having this one way conversation. I absolutely love when you all comment; it reminds of why I blog and encourages me that there are other girls out there who share my same thoughts or feel how I feel! So in short, thank you. I also struggle with how I can comment back to each of you. I don't want you to think that your words go unnoticed (I assure you, I read and treasure each note left for me), but I also don't know that if I write a comment back, that you will come back to read it. SO I've installed a new software that will allow me to reply to just your comment, and in doing so I believe you will get a message to make you aware of that comment. I love it! We can have like actual conversations people!

I've decided that as much I love to talk, I also really love to listen and so I'm introducing a new feature. I'm really excited about this because you all know so much about me and my life, and now I will get a chance to take a small peek into yours! I always meet up with friends to chat at starbucks, so I thought that we could meet up at a virtual coffee house today and make some new friends!! So, who's in? 

Here are some questions that we can get started with!   

1/ What did you order for our coffee house date? Tea? Coffee? A specialty drink? 

2/ Where did you grow up?

3/ What is your dream job? Do you have it now or are you still working towards it? 

4/ Cat or Dog?

5/ If you could visit anyone, anywhere, where would it be? 

6/ Are you where you thought you'd be five years ago? Is that a good thing or bad thing?

I've written my answers below! Excited to read yours!!

1     Warm Caramel Apple Spice. It's like Fall in your mouth.

2     I grew up in Brazil/New Mexico. My parents got divorced when I was pretty young so I went back and forth  between the two. I loved living overseas, but there's nothing like the US:)

3     I don't know that there's an actual job title I'm chasing, but I'd love to find a job that allows me to express my creativity, something that can help develop personal growth, where I feel like I'm making a difference, and I feel passionate about - is that real? Though I'm in a bit of a transition period, I love where I'm at - I love who I'm becoming and the adventure I'm currently on.

4     I don't know why I put this, because I knew I wouldn't be able to choose! I'd probably have to say dog, if I absolutely had to! I love them both, as well as all other animals. I'm kind of obsessed. But I cannot wait to get my own dog!

5     I have so many loved ones all over the world, so this is a toughie! But at the present moment, I would really love to visit my friend Stephanie and meet the newest little man in her life, Jaxon! I love seeing photos of their newest addition to the family and I haven't seen her in years and years!

6     Not at all! haha, but really, I saw something totally different. This is probably a really good thing, because I never could've imagined I'd be where I'm at now. There's still some unknowns, but that's fun.

Okay, now it's your turn! Leave a comment with your answers and we'll chat! 

xo. melisa

le mr

I snapped these photos of the mr the other day. He needed some photos done for work and of course I siezed the opportunity to get a few extras for new frames. He's so handsome.

xo. melisa

le booth

Pie N' the Sky was recently at an event in support of a non profit organization called Bridges Safehouse, close to where I now live. Adrienne came down for a visit and as always, we had so much fun! I love being able to share in something that means so much to me, with my sister. 

Since it wasn't a huge event, we decided to keep everything pretty low maintenance and easy to pack up. I snapped a few detail shots, as I love details. I've gone through and shared with you all the diy's, on how to essentially make my booth, so in case you missed em, you can find them here, here & here. 

xo. melisa


footnote: the winner of the Angela & Roi purse has been emailed! Thank you all for participating. There will be another giveaway this week!

"fancy & free" download

download yours here 

This week's download is inspired by ths new phase in my life. I feel highly productive, doing what I love, being empowered and overcome with passion for the things and people I love. It's a good time in my life and I hope it is for you too. Let this be a daily reminder to you that you are beautiful and special, with the freedom to do as you please- take on new dreams, don't be afraid of failure, and live like there's no tomorrow. 

xo. melisa

string dream catcher diy

This is the next installment of my booth decor. I saw similar pieces in an Anthro window recently and was just smitten. These are super simple to make and create a sort of whimsy to any room, wall, or table!

steps are as follows // grab your supplies which include string (or yarn), cross stitch hoops, & scissors. tie a knot around one of the hoops. proceed to wrap the string from side to side around the hoop. once you feel like you've filled the space, knot the end using a piece of string that's already been wrapped, this will secure it into the piece. all done!

I used these for my booth, but until my next event, they've found a lovely little home in Adrienne's place - I'll share how she styled them soon. 

I also think they would be really great above a bed, if you don't have a headboard, or combined with other pieces to make a baby mobile, or you can use them to hold your earrings! The possibilities are endless.

If you decide to make your own, please leave a link below so we can catch a glimpe and get a few more ideas! Happy crafting!

xo. melisa

mixtape 001.

I'm excited to start sharing music with y'all again. I created this mix in honor of the recent weather change, as it has changed my mood and revived a new passion for creativity inside of me. Whether you're driving in your car, working on homework, or painting, I hope this brings about some inspiration to your work. 

tracklist

1    Here we are  -- Patrick Park

2    From the Ground Up - Sleeping at Last

3    Ghost Town - First Aid Kit

4    Dreams Today - Efterklang

5    Stubborn Love - The Lumineers

6    When I Grow Up - First Aid Kit

7    Small Town Moon - Regina Spektor

8    Best Day of Your Life - Katie Herzig

9    Armies of Your Heart - Elizaveta

10  Ring Them Bells - Natasha Bedingfield

11  Current - Sarah Macintosh 

listen to this mixtape here

xo. melisa

banner diy

Next up on the booth diy, is my banner! For whatever reason, I seem to change my banner for every booth I participate in. I'm really not sure why, but I do enjoy the change it brings to the look of the overall booth. This one may be my favorite. It's pretty simple and doesn't require much on your end. (pardon the lame-o photos, they were with my phone in not so great lighting. blarg.)

supplies  //  cardstock (or other paper), hole punch, pen, scissors, string (or yarn/ribbon)

steps are as follows // take your paper and cut out your preferred shape. draw out the letters you will want - be sure to make them more bubbly since you will be cutting them out shortly. cut them out. this can be kind of tough with certain letters, and I think an exacto knife may be easier. decorate your paper as you see fit, I chose to put gold dots using a sharpie paint pen. use a hole punch to punch out two holes on the top corners of your shapes. using string or yarn, lace through the holes you just punched out. voila, you have a banner!

I'm most looking forward to my next diy, so be sure to come back and check it out! Happy crafting!

xo. melisa

getting to know // Angela & Roi + GIVEAWAY

Tell us a little bit about yourself…

Angela&Roi is an online handbag boutique that caters to the young college and professional audience. We offer competitive, affordable pricing without sacrificing quality or style. Our handbags emphasize vibrant colors that will make you stand out from the crowd. Our collection includes Totes, Shoulder bags, Cross-body bags, Clutches, Purses, Backpacks, and Travel Bags. 

What made you decide to start Angela & Roi?

Angela has always been fascinated by the influence of fashion. Fashion combines the necessity of clothes with art. Women’s fashion allows for expression of individuality, uniqueness, and passion during any season. Handbags are symbolic of this pragmatic beauty. A good handbag goes past a carrier of items and transforms into a confident statement to the world. However, Angela bemoans the inhibiting price of designer handbags. Looking good should not be for only the rich and the famous.

Angela researched handbags on the lower price range, but predictably, they were of low quality and lacked aesthetic appeal. She felt that the handbag market should not be slave to brand names and should be accessible to a greater population. College students especially live on a limited budget. She recognized a universal need that was not being addressed by current outlets.

Angela proposed her business plan to Roi. She wanted to found a company that sells affordable handbags while maintaining high, fashionable quality. Roi immediately saw the potential. At Boston University, Roi majored in Entrepreneurship. Additionally, Roi interned at a new business department at Korean corporation. He worked on multiple

start-ups throughout college. With Roi’s business expertise and Angela’s acute fashion sense, they believed they would make a successful team. They decided to name the company Angela&Roi because their relationship is the most important part of their lives. They started with an idea, but they had to follow through. Angela and Roi are both from South Korea. Therefore, they both possess multiple professional connections in the Korean fashion industry. Korean fashion is blossoming. Many new designers are emerging. Trends change fast. There are thousands of wholesalers. Fashion is at the forefront of the Korean market. Through their connections, Angela and Roi connected with the most promising wholesalers. They were able to make bargain prices without compromising for quality. Shipping costs were more than reasonable. And so the company moved from an idea to reality. 

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

We admire the business model of brands like Aldo and Warby Parker. Each company offers luxury quality items for bargain prices. These companies present a high-end style without the burdensome price tag. Angela and Roi hope to expand this model into the handbag industry.

How would you describe your style?

Roi and Angela have a similar style. They prefer to be neat and classy, and they prefer more subtle fashion sense. They typically wear mono-color tones like black, white, grey, or brown, and then accentuate their outfit with a colorful accessory. 

Which Angela & Roi handbag is your current favorite?

Angela Palette Bags. They are our signature bag, designed minimally with pop colors. Angela especially likes the Cobalt Blue and Wine color. http://www.angelaandroi.com/category-s/1824.htm

GIVEAWAY // 

I'm smitten with these bags and am so pleased that Angela & Roi will be offering an Angela Signature Bag to one lucky reader! To enter simply visit the Angela & Roi Facebook page and like them, then like one of their photos or comment on it, then leave a comment below saying which color you'd pick if you won! Easy peasy. I will announce the winner on Monday the 15th.

Thanks so much Angela & Roi! If y'all just can't get enough of them, like me, feel free to visit and follow them here.

facebook  I  twitter  I  pinterest

xo. melisa

shop update

After several months of being absent, I have finally updated the shop and I couldn't be more proud of the quality of the items I've created. I really feel like Pie N the Sky is entering a new season and I couldn't be more excited!

I'm also extremely excited to finally spill the beans; Pie N' the Sky will be at this years Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Market!!! That's right, we'll be in Austin on Nov. 24th-25th. If you're in the area, put it in your calendars because I love love meeting readers! 

sidenote: if you'd like to order a custom necklace for yourself or a loved one, I'd be happy to create something special for you! You can email me at Melisaholguin@gmail.com

xo. melisa

le s'more

I love fall weather!! It's nice and cool here and I couldn't be more pleased. I'm looking forward to warm cider, boots & scarves, leaves turning colors, pretty new candles, snuggling up with a book, and many more fun nights making s'mores with friends! Do you have any favorite Fall traditions?

xo. melisa

geo label diy

Over the next few days I will be sharing how I created elements at my booth for a recent event I was at. First up are these sweet little geo labels, that I used to show prices for my products!

steps are as follows //  pick out a rock. cut a piece of wire approx. one foot long. take the wire and begin to wrap it around the rock, be sure to loop it through other pieces to keep sturdy and in place. twist the end and be sure to leave enough to connect to your label. tape or glue the label onto the wire. I chose to use gold duct tape, but you could use double sided tape to be a bit more discreet. They're ready to go!

I think these would be just darling as name plates for a party or wedding. They're budget friendly and not terribly time consuming. I made about ten while watching the new girl. If you decide to incorporate them into one of your projects, leave a link below so we can check it out!

xo. melisa