Casper and I have created a list of 6 new home essentials that make your new house or apartment feel like a home. All of these items will help you feel right at home in your new place. Check out our list below and read on to find out why I chose each of these items!
As you may or may not know, I plan on moving across the country sometime in the not too distant future. I do not know where I am moving and I don’t know when, but when I do I will be sure to pack all of these essentials with me! I’ve moved apartments a couple of times in the past few years and with each move I think I’m getting a little better at unpacking our stuff and settling in. Items like some art and plants and a good mattress definitely help expedite this process of making your home feel, well, homey. And let’s face it, moving is not fun, so anything to help this process along is a plus in my book. First on my list of new home essentials? A rug!
Rugs!: I hadn’t realized the magic of a rug until I bought my first one from West Elm on super sale. I fell in love right away, and still have it to this day. I cannot stress this enough, a rug really can pull a whole room together. Finding the perfect rug can be tricky (so many options!), but once you do it really makes your home feel complete.
Artwork: This is where your personality can really show through your home. Art can be anything from a photograph of you and your dog to a painting you bought (or made!). In my home I like to display wall weavings that I made as well as photographs, like this amazing one my brother took. I’m also a sucker for an inspirational quote or two. Artwork adds some fun flair to your walls and is one of those things that you can easily save money on by DIYing it. You can print out photographs and frame them yourself or grab some paint and a paintbrush and make your own unique piece!
New Mattress, Sheets, and Pillows: This is probably one of the most important things you will want in your new home – a new mattress and bedding. This adds instant coziness to your bedroom. Moving a mattress across states is a huge pain (believe me, I’ve done it multiple times). I’d much rather order one from Casper and have it show up at my doorstep in a neat little box. They really take all the struggle out of buying a new mattress, no more lugging a queen size mattress through tight stairwells wondering if it will ever make it your bedroom.
Plants – lots of plants!: It’s no secret that I love my plants so of course they are on my list! I feel like plants just make your house feel alive. You can get tall ones, small ones, air plants, anything your heart desires! My heart desires all so my room is full of random succulents and cactus that I just can’t resist.
Decorative Pillows: Instant coziness is a couch or bed full of fluffy pillows. I’m one of those people who likes to switch out my pillow with the seasons #noshame. I understand decorative pillows can get pretty expensive so I’ve got a super easy and super cheap DIY option for you, all you will need is a pair of cloth napkins or placemats, a hot glue gun, and some stuffing. Watch the video below to find out how to make these simple no-sew pillows! So easy and it only cost me $15!
Craft Supplies: Last, but not least, we’ve got some craft supplies. If you haven’t noticed by my blog name and the fact that I just shared a DIY pillow, I’m a big craft lady. I like to keep busy with my hands and create things for my home so of course my home wouldn’t be complete without some supplies to do that. I like to have on hand some craft paper, a glue gun, yarn, pens/pencils, and some paint so I can craft away. Currently my craft supplies are stored in a big trunk but I’m hoping in my new home I’ll get a whole room dedicated to it! Now that would make my home a home!
I hope you enjoyed our essentials that make your new house feel like a home. Comment below what your essentials are! Casper did not compensate for me for this post, I am truly intrigued by their company and hope to try it out in the future when I move!
It doesn’t quite feel like Christmas until you see your first ugly Christmas sweater. They have been out in full force this year. 
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good ugly sweater. In fact I’ve always wanted to throw an ugly Christmas sweater party just so I have an excuse to buy one (like 
What’s not to love? Tinsel, pom-poms, bells, Christmas sayings! Give me all of it! The tackier the better. 
In order to get a little ugly into our holiday we created this ugly Christmas sweater garland, which also can work as funny gift tags for your presents. It’s probably even more fun than just going out and buying a Christmas sweater because you get to fill your own sweater with whatever tacky items your heart desires. 
To make these sweaters, you will need to rummage through your craft supplies and pull out any random bits and bobs that you have, such as pipe cleaners, bells, ribbon, felt, string, anything! You will also need craft paper. 
We found a stencil online by just Google searching sweater outline and then traced that onto white paper and cut it out. Next, we traced our stencil on some grey cardstock. We did this a couple of times to get the number of sweaters we wanted. 
Now is the fun part – to decorate! Each of our sweaters have different decorations on them. For some we outlined the sweaters with patterned scrapbook paper. Others, we traced a Santa or Reindeer image from online and then colored them in on the sweaters. For the wreath we used a silver pipe cleaner and glued it to the center of the sweater and added a bow to it. We also stamped on some of the sweaters. It is really up to you how ugly you want to make your sweater! 
We also made some smaller ugly sweaters using the same process for gift tags. 
These gift tags add a fun and festive flare to any present! Plus they are super easy and enjoyable to make. Once we started, we couldn’t stop making them and are still having ideas on what would be silly to add to them!
Bonus points – bring an ugly Christmas sweater gift tag to your next ugly Christmas sweater party! 
