If you’re looking for a simple, last-minute Halloween craft to do with your little ones, this one was such a hit in our house today!
It took almost no prep, used things we already had around, and both of my boys were completely engaged — which is saying a lot for a two-year-old and an eight-month-old!
We started with two mini pumpkins from our porch decorations and a small canvas I found in our craft bin.
I squeezed a few dollops of washable paint onto a Halloween paper plate (think purple, green, and black, all the spooky colors!) for my two-year-old to use as his palette. He painted one pumpkin and tried coloring another with markers, but he was definitely more into painting. He kept asking for more colors, which made it even more fun and interactive.
For my eight-month-old, I dolloped a few Halloween-colored paints directly onto the canvas and then sealed it inside a ziplock bag. I placed it on his high chair tray, and he went to town! He slapped, squished, and wiggled the paint around, and when we peeled the bag away we had this adorable, abstract little masterpiece.
It was quick, messy in the best way, and felt like the perfect little Halloween memory to tuck away.
Bonus: we didn’t even need to buy a thing!
You could easily adapt this with whatever paints or colors you have on hand or even do a fall-themed version with warm, cozy tones.
Supplies we used:
2 mini pumpkins
1 small canvas
Washable paints in Halloween colors
Paper plate (for a paint palette)
Ziplock bag (for mess-free baby painting)
Tip: If you want to keep the mess even lower, place a garbage bag at your toddlers work area.
This little project was such a sweet reminder that crafts don’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. Sometimes the best ones are spontaneous and done with tiny, paint-covered hands.
I made these fun and festive mini Jack-O’-Lantern pizzas for lunch today, and they turned out so cute. I wasn’t planning to share them, but they fit the cozy Halloween vibe too perfectly not to.
I used English muffins and topped them with pizza sauce, cheese, and a few sliced pepperoni pieces cut into little jack-o’-lantern faces. It’s such a simple idea, but it made our regular lunch feel so much more special.
How We Made Them
Here’s what we used:
– English Muffins
– Pizza sauce
– Shredded mozzarella or sliced cheese
– Pepperoni (or any toppings you love)
Cut the English muffin in half and spread the pizza sauce on each, top with cheese, and then add your “faces.” Bake at 400°F for about 8–10 minutes, or until everything’s melted and bubbly.
It’s a quick and easy lunch idea that feels special with very little extra effort. Perfect for a cozy Halloween afternoon or a festive movie night at home.
Save this for a rainy day when you need a quick, fun lunch!
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As the weather cools down and the leaves start changing, I’ve been spending more evenings curled up at home with the candles lit, a soft blanket draped over the couch, a warm drink in hand, and maybe a pumpkin nearby just for the vibes. I just finished Jackets, Jack O’ Lanterns, and Justice by Tonya Kappes, and thought it’d be fun to share a quick little review for anyone else looking for an easy fall read.
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This was one of those free Kindle finds that ended up being a fun little surprise. It’s a light, quick read with a small-town murder mystery that kept me guessing the whole way through.
I wouldn’t say I was super attached to the characters (a week later and I honestly can’t remember their names), but the mystery itself was enjoyable. I had a few theories about who the killer might be, and I didn’t end up being right, which always makes it more fun to read.
If you’re looking for something quick and easy to get into, this would be a good pick for a cozy evening. It’s not heavy or overly complicated. Just a simple, entertaining story to enjoy with a warm drink in hand. As for the fall vibes, there were a few (a decorated campground and a Halloween party) but it didn’t totally capture that full cozy fall feeling I was hoping for. Still, it’s a nice little mystery to add to your fall reading list if you’re in the mood for something light and fun.
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A Cozy Reading Note
Lately I’ve been trying to make more time for quiet moments — a cup of coffee, a soft blanket, and a book that doesn’t ask too much of me. Even when a story isn’t perfect, there’s something so comforting about getting lost in a little mystery for a while, especially as the evenings get crisp and the candlelight flickers around the room. I think I’ll be adding a few more easy fall reads to my nights. It’s the perfect way to wind down and soak up a little seasonal coziness.
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When we moved into our home, there was this little niche by the door that just looked like it was meant to be a mudroom bench. You know those spaces that practically beg to be turned into something useful and cozy? This was one of those.
The little niche that started it all – just begging for a bench.
It only took us… about a year and a half to finally start the project. But once we did, my husband and I spent three weekends bringing it to life. It could be a weekend project if you’ve got uninterrupted time but with a toddler running around, we worked in short bursts during naps and whenever the grandparents could come over to play.
Fitting the wood into the spaceMe flexing my painting skillsMe helping assemble the bench baseMy dad and husband placing the bench!!
The Not-So-Straight Walls
One of our biggest challenges? The walls. They were not straight, and the corners were definitely not 90°. Sliding the wood bench pieces in was such a struggle. We had to shave off little bits at a time to make them fit. At one point I got so tired of the micro cuts that I just jammed it into the wall and called it good.
Learning As We Went
I also stained the bench the wrong color at first. It turned out way lighter than I pictured, so I ended up re-staining it darker and honestly, it made all the difference.
For the board and batten, we tried to save money by going with cheaper wood. I’ll be honest: it worked, but it took a lot of sanding to get it smooth and presentable. If I could give one piece of advice: save yourself the extra work and go with the nicer wood.
Look at that stain. Absolutely not.
The Fun Part: Finishing Touches
Once the hard parts were done, adding the hooks, baskets for shoes, and cozy pillows made it all come together. I love styling the space. It’s the perfect mix of practical and pretty.
The completed mudroomSee? It was begging to be a mudroomThe simple black hooks contrast so nicely with the white board and battenThese seagrass baskets look pretty and smell nice
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Abstract Art Print – I saw this in someone’s video on youtube that was like a “Shop with me” at Hobby Lobby. I literally went out and bought it the next weekend! It’s the perfect moody color scheme
Our floral pillow cover isn’t available at IKEA anymore, but it’s a waffle knit texture. I think it helps for it to just have a different texture to add more interest to the solid color
Similar Options:
Similar Baskets – Set of 6 baskets similar in color and same size
Now, I use the mudroom every single day. It’s right by the door we use to come and go, and every time I see it, it makes me smile. The green on the walls might just be my favorite color in the house (and it’s one of the few spaces we’ve actually painted so far!).
We’re not professionals by any means. Just two parents making our home feel like us, one project at a time. This little mudroom corner has become such a warm, happy part of our everyday life, and I love that we built it together.
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Collected & Cozy 