Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living, Author at Frugal Coupon Living

Ice Cream Cone Pumpkin – October Birthday Idea

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August 17, 2022 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Birthday, Crafts, DIY, Facebook, Halloween, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media

Want to take your pumpkin decorations a step beyond your typical carving? Take a look at this easy Ice Cream Cone Pumpkin tutorial. Not only is it an adorable idea for an October birthday celebration but it’s also a fun October craft for kids and adults alike.

I mean who wouldn’t love an October birthday? The weather is kind, the days are quite routine and there are plenty of activities to fill the days and weekends. If you are looking for ideas for an October birthday party or looking for a fun no-carve pumpkin idea, take a look at this blog post. We have some fun ideas for a fall birthday theme or a very easy pumpkin that people would pay big bucks to have sit on their front Halloween porch.

What are some October Birthday Ideas?

So there is a one and twelve chance you or someone you knows has an October birthday. I’m not very good at statistics but I know this to be true. If you are celebrating a birthday girl or birthday guy, take a look at these creative ideas for a month of October birthday.

Make caramel apples
Go apple bopping
Visit a pumpkin patch
Attend a fall festival
Decorate a scarecrow into a birthday guy or gal
Play fall themed party games
Make pumpkin cupcakes
Take a weekend road trip to see fall foliage
Have a Halloween movie marathon
Do a fall family bucket list
Have a costume party
Host a Halloween themed birthday party
Craft a pumpkin into an ice cream cone!

We got so inspired by our post un-carved Creative Pumpkin Decorations, that we took the challenge as well. While these pumpkins were pretty amazing, we think that we have the most exciting pumpkin yet!

Ice Cream Cone No Carve Pumpkin

My third child’s (Eli) birthday is in October and I am always thinking of what I can do to incorporate his birthday and Halloween (without it being too scary!) I first made these cute Halloween Spirit Drink Labels, to share with you, plus I put together some yummy Halloween Kids Food Crafts.

I wanted to take our next birthday party idea a step further with our front door. The front porch has all the Boo-tiful Halloween decor, but it lacked something special for celebrating Eli’s birthday – thus the evolution of the Ice Cream Cone Pumpkin. Drop the knife, this is a no-carve easy pumpkin craft.

What better excuse for a cute pink pumpkin that an October birthday. Let’s begin.

Supplies

These craft supplies needed for DIY ice cream cone pumpkins are quite simple Most you can find at your local craft store. We created a pink no-carve ice cream cone gourd but you could also use brown and/or white paint to create an entire Neapolitan fleet of pumpkins.

This could include really cute mini ice cream cones too. Make your own mixture with a pink pumpkin, white pumpkin and brown chocolate pumpkin ice cream cone! How adorable would that be?

Gather the following supplies for an ice cream cone pumpkin:

There are a few supplies needed for this project. I would say the most unique supply is the spray foam insulation. It was not something I had on hand. Keep this project in a well ventilated area. You have craft paint as well as the foam. Adult supervision is suggested for this project!

One thing to take in to consideration for this project is it takes time. You will need time for the pot to dry, the ice cream base, and the pink paint to dry. So about three different times where your project needs to “sit” before you move on to the next step.

Let’s take a look at these easy pumpkin directions.

How to Make An Ice Cream Cone Pumpkin

This October craft tutorial includes really easy directions. It will take a few days to complete as you will need to let different steps in the process dry before moving on.

First, protect your area by laying out a piece of newspaper or scrap paper in a well ventilated place. You will want to paint your terracotta pot tan and let it dry.

Once your pot is dry, you will place your medium pumpkin upside down into your large clay pot.

If you are doing this with the kids, this particular part is for ADULTS! Please read directions/precautions on your Spray foam insulation can. Put your gloves on and carefully spray a small amount of spray foam insulation around the bottom of pumpkin/top of the pot. Keep in mind that the foam will grow twice the size while it dries. You can always add more after it dries.

Let it dry until you are ready to move on to the next step.

In a well ventilated area, carefully wrap (or protect) the pot and spray or brush two coats of pink paint onto the pumpkin and dried foam. Let your pink paint dry.

The next step is for your cute ice cream cherry. Glue a red pom pom ball to the top center of the pumpkin and add a two ince bent green pipe cleaner in the center of the red pom-pom ball for the cherry and stem.

Cut your colorful pipe cleaners into 1/2” pieces and carefully hot glue them to the top and top sides of the pumpkin to look like sprinkles.

Measure and cut your tan pipe cleaners to be the same length as the bottom of the terracotta pot and glue vertically around the pot leaving approximately a 3” space in between.

Next, glue tan pipe cleaners horizontally around the pot leaving a 2-3” space in between to look like an ice cream cone.

To protect your pumpkin, bring your pumpkin outside and spray with a clear coat of spray paint and let dry.

More October Party Ideas

Hosting an ice cream party? Make sure you download and use these fun Ice Cream Party printables! These include ice cream party décor and ice cream party games for kids! At your October party, serve some tasty creamy pumpkin ice cream! Pin to Pinterest.

October birthdays are a great excuse for a Halloween party. For a Halloween themed birthday party – why not twist it up with a little bit of ice cream? You can also use these Halloween Party games for a little bit of fun and activity. Or if you love a good 60 second challenge, try these Halloween Minute to Win it games that your guests will love. When your games are all done, how about prizes for the winner? Your ice cream cone pumpkin could be that golden trophy! Pin to Pinterest.

Take a look at our other creative pumpkin decorations for Halloween – they go beyond your traditional carve with dozens of no carve pumpkin ideas. Pin to your Halloween and Craft Pinterest Boards.

Also enjoy these cute ideas for your front porch and front door – Halloween Porch Décor. These October porch ideas will add the most adorable welcome to your party guests when they arrive at the party. Pin to Pinterest on your Home and Halloween Boards.

If you loved this October Party Pumpkin, share to Pinterest. Tell us how your ice cream pumpkin turned out and how you celebrated a speical October birthday.

Enjoy your pumpkin party decoration and have a very happy birthday! We hope you get some great gifts.

Update: This post has been updated in 2022. It was originally published on October 11, 2018.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.

Easy Mom Hair Tutorials for Everyday

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October 25, 2019 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Beauty, Facebook, Fashion, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media

Easy mom hair styles with tutorials for everyday ideas. Hair hacks, tips and styles that take just a few minutes before mom gets out the door!

Easy Mom Hair Tutorials for Everyday

When I had my first child, I cut about ten inches of hair off within weeks of giving birth to her. It was 2008, when Katie Holmes loved Tom Cruise and Tom Cruise loved Tom Cruise. Katie had just given birth to Suri and inspired thousands of moms everywhere to cut their hair to their chin. After this cut, I learned, I was not Katie Holmes. It was awful and the worse decision I could have made for my super thick hair, especially in summer in humid and sunny Florida. Not only did I choose a hairstyle that was not suitable for my hair type, I also chose a style that required me to given it attention each day and I had no attention to give it. (Side note: I kind of laugh how busy I though I was with one child especially now that I have five kids. However, I agree with the opinion that the first is always the hardest.) I just wasn’t as busy as I thought I was.) I regress…

So since the era of Tom and Kate and 2008, I have decided I will never cut my hair short again – at least not in the near future. I also learned, not to follow the trend… I need to go with what works for my hair and every day lifestyle. In this age of having young children at home, easy and quick are best. Long hair with buns or ponytails are my every day style. Especially with my thick hair. Having just had the twins, I feel a need to “try” to look a little decent without investing a lot of time. After all I am busy, more busy than I was in 2008! Take a look at these Easy Mom Hair Tutorials for Everyday and see if you get as inspired as me to invest a few minutes each morning.

Enjoy and happy styling.

Hair Tip: The best thing you can do for your hair is lather it with argan oil between washes. I swear by this method ladies. I don’t wash my hair but once a week (maybe twice if I am lucky) but the day before a washing, I load up with argan oil! My favorite is Josie Maran Argan Oil but honestly, this argan oil bottle works great too! Whatever the brand, just make sure you LOAD up before your washing. The toss in a ponytail.

Bubble Pony | Refinery 29

Knotted Half Up | Small Things Blog

Headband Bouffant | Brit.co

Three Inverted Ponytails | Buzzfeed

Half Up Braid Crown | Treasures and Travels Blog

Messy Bun | Autumn Grey

Half Up Knot | Be Modish

Quick and Easy Braid Bun | Missy Sue

Hair Bow Half Pony | We See Rainbows

Easy Scarf Updo | Pretty Plain Janes

Flat Iron Curls | Lauren McBride

Three Tired High Pony | Lulus

Messy Braid Ponytail | The Wonder Forest

Full Ponytail Clip Hack | Artzy Creations

Ponytail Knot | The Beauty Department

Easy mom hair styles with tutorials for everyday ideas. Hair hacks, tips and styles that take just a few minutes before mom gets out the door!

Twisted Halo | Cosmopolitan

Longer, Fully Ponytail Trick | Makeup.com

Half Up Mini Bun | Fashion Tartare

Also check out this honest TYME Review. Pin to Pinterest.

Hey mom, we are here to help! Take a look at these Winning Car Hacks for Mom. Pin to Pinterest.

Also make your entire day easier with these Life Hacks You Needed to Know Yesterday. Pin to Pinterest – Why didn’t we think of that?!

Bedtime Checklist Printable

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July 5, 2019 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media

Bedtime Checklist Printable. A cute Bedtime Routine Chart for the Kids. Download, print, and frame. Using a dry erase marker, your kids can check every night. Enjoy!

Bedtime Checklist Printable

Does it feel as though you are always giving the same instruction at night? I have found myself in a place where I was becoming dictatorial over being a sweet and gentle mother I desire to be at night. For that reason, I created this Bedtime Checklist Printable. Instead of me listing all the things the kids need do before bed, they can check it off on their frame.

This is an 8×10 printable list. To create yours, print it and place it in a frame with a glass cover. I find leaving it in their bathroom or on a bedside table is best. Have a dry erase maker where your child can check their responsibilities each evening. Then your question at the end of the night becomes, singular – only one question “did you finish your bedtime checklist?” This eliminates the direction to go brush thier teeth, lay out their clothes, etc. Erase in the morning and start over each evening.

Enjoy!

Get this bedtime checklist and all of Frugal Coupon Living’s Free Printables. Enter your name and email address and we will send you a link and password for access to your free downloads.

By downloading you are accepting the terms that this is for personal, non-commercial use. Please contact Frugal Coupon Living with any questions.

Also check out these Winning Organizational Printables for Kids and Parents. Pin to Pinterest.

We love sharing free printables with you guys. Take a look at these other favorite printables!

Need something for Mom? How about this Mother Quote Printable – It is Perfect for Mother’s Day – Pin to Pinterest.

Have a special event coming up? Take a look at this Baptism Printable Invitation. You can personalize to your child, time and place. – Pin to Pinterest.

Also pick up, for any occasion, this Print and Fold Pillow Box Craft. Print, stuff, gift! Pin to Pinterest.

Easy Back to School Apple Pops – 2 Simple Ingredients

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March 29, 2019 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Back To School, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Recipe, Social Media

We have the cutest after school snack for the kids. These Back to School Apple Pops are easy to make with only two simple ingredients – candy melts and nutter butter cookies. They look just like apple cores!

Back to School Apple Pops

We did something similar a few years ago but we wanted to evolve it for those that love peanut butter as much as we do. These back to School Apple Pops are an easy after school snack. They require only two ingredients – Nutter Butter Cookies and Wilton Candy Melts (of various colors.) Make them before the kids get home as a fun surprise or unwind one afternoon and make them with the kids. Don’t forget to bag a few and send in to school for a special teacher!

Allergy alert! These do contain peanut butter so consider making our Apple OREO Pops as an alternative.

Supplies:

List supplies with bullets and Amazon Links

Easy Back to School Apple Pops – 2 Simple Ingredients

Author: Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living

Print Recipe

Description

Ingredients

Nutter Butters
Wilton white candy melts
Wilton red candy melts
Wilton light cocoa candy melts
Wilton light green candy melts
Green lollipop sticks
Parchment paper
Decorating bag

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. In a small microwave safe bowl, heat 2 cups of the white, 2 cups of red and 1/4 cup of brown candy melts in separate microwave safe bowls on 50% power for 3-4 minutes. Make sure to stir every 30 seconds until melted. (This evens out the temperature and prevents burning.)

2. Once melted, carefully open a Nutter Butter cookie and add a dollop of melted white chocolate and gently press a green lollipop stick onto the frosting side of the Nutter butter so the stick sticks out the top about 1/2” (for your stem) and carefully place the Nutter Butters back together.

3. Place your cookies on a baking pan lined with parchment paper and transfer to the freezer for 5 minutes.

4. After freezing, hold the lollipop sticks over the melted white chocolate and coat the center with the melted white chocolate, let any excess drip off and set back onto the parchment paper and into the freezer for another 5 minutes.

5. After freezing, hold onto the lollipop stick over the red chocolate and coat the top and bottom of the Nutter Butter with red chocolate, let any excess drip off and place onto a piece of parchment paper

6. Break a small green candy melt in half, smooth the edges with your finger and place on top of the Nutter Butter by the “stem” or green lollipop stick. Transfer to the freezer for 15 minutes.

7. In a small microwave safe bowl, heat 1/4 cup of your light cocoa candy melts on 50% power for 2-3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until melted, pour into a decorating bag and cut a tiny tip off the end of the bag.

8. Use your decorating bag of light cocoa candy melts to draw 4 tiny seeds onto the white center of the apple.

9. Let harden and enjoy!

Recipe Card powered by

The easiest after school snack. These Back to School Apple Pops are easy to make with only two simple ingredients. They look just like apple cores!

Look at this other creative Back to School Snack using Candy Melts and Graham Crackers. Back to School Graham Cracker Pencils – Pin to Pinterest.

We have other Apple Pops, enjoy these Apple OREO Pops. Pin to Pinterest.

This bagel is a hoot! Woodland Owl Bagel. Pin to Pinterest.

Also enjoy these tasty after school desserts – Back to School Apple Cupcakes . Pin to Pinterest.

Save all these creative Back to School Kid Snack Ideas too. You will want them for class parties or for when the kids get home. Pin to Pinterest.

College Advice Books and Survival Guides

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August 3, 2018 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Amazon, Online Shopping

Know a young adult leaving the nest this fall? Don’t let them start college without making sure they have heard the best advice out there on how to thrive on their own. From humorous to serious advice, find it all on these three books I have gathered for you. My favorite is this funny take on the book “Goodnight Moon”, instead get “Goodnight Dorm Room.” Here you’ll find advice on what to pack, how to balance school and social life, and more!

Did you see my post of this laundry mega tote? It’s a must for college-bound people!

Remember you get FREE Shipping on Amazon when you spend $25 or FREE shipping with Prime.

Grab a FREE Trial of Amazon Prime!

As a reminder, Amazon prices can change at any time. This price was current at publishing time. Be sure to confirm the price before purchasing to ensure this deal has not changed or expired.

Find more Amazon Deals on Frugal Coupon Living.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.

Milk and Cookies Popsicles

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March 29, 2019 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Recipe, Social Media, Summer

Everyone’s favorite dessert, milk and cookies, twisted into a cool tasty treat – Milk and Cookies Popsicles featuring Golden OREOs.

Milk and Cookies Popsicles

We twisted everyone’s favorite dessert into a yummy treat, Milk and Cookies Popsicles! This Popsicle recipe features Golden OREOs. We did not use whole milk in this recipe, we used our secret ingredient Almond Milk. We make a lot of smoothies in our home, so Almond Milk is a pretty common staple ingredient for us. To add more flavor, we included sugar and vanilla extract. If you need a Popsicle mold, these are like the molds we used.

Enjoy!

Ingredients:

2 cups Unsweetened Vanilla Almond milk
¼ cups Sugar
2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
Golden OREOs
Popsicle molds – these are like the molds we used, but they have many more options!

Directions:

Pour two cups of unsweetened vanilla almond milk into a blender.
Add in ¼ cup of sugar.
Mix in 2 teaspoons of vanilla.
Blend until the mixture is well combined.
Place one whole Golden Oreo into the bottom of each Popsicle mold.
Break another Golden Oreo into fourths, and layer it the rest of the way to the top of each Popsicle mold.
Pour your Popsicle mixture into each mold to fill it to the top.
Place the tops on each of the Popsicle molds.
Put the Popsicles in the freezer for at least 5 hours.
When ready to serve, you can loosen the Popsicle in the molds with some warm running water.

Milk and Cookies Popsicles

Author: Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups Unsweetened Vanilla Almond milk
¼ cups Sugar
2 tsp. Vanilla
Golden OREOs
Popsicle molds

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Pour two cups of unsweetened vanilla almond milk into a blender.
Add in ¼ cup of sugar.
Mix in 2 teaspoons of vanilla.
Blend until the mixture is well combined.
Place one whole Golden Oreo into the bottom of each Popsicle mold.
Break another Golden Oreo into fourths, and layer it the rest of the way to the top of each Popsicle mold.
Pour your Popsicle mixture into each mold to fill it to the top.
Place the tops on each of the Popsicle molds.
Put the Popsicles in the freezer for at least 5 hours.
When ready to serve, you can loosen the Popsicle in the molds with some warm running water.

Recipe Card powered by

Everyone's favorite dessert, milk and cookies, twisted into a cool tasty treat - Milk and Cookies Popsicles featuring Golden OREOs. #FrugalCouponLiving

Hey Popsicle lovers! You will want to see the other Popsicle Ideas, Summertime Popsicle Recipes. Pin to Pinterest.

Enjoy our Chocolate Covered Strawberry Popsicles. Pin to Pinterest.

Also take a look at this cookie recipe – Cookie Skillet! Pin to Pinterest.

Fashionable Dorm Room Laundry Tote and Shower Caddy

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August 2, 2018 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Amazon, Online Shopping

Wow! what a great idea! This 2-in-1 Quilted Mega Laundry Tote Bag is just $46 right now. This bag doubles as a laundry hamper and as a tote to carry your clothes to the laundry area.

The bottom provides it great stability and the handles folds down to give you a nice a circle opening. This large tote flattens and folds for easy storage when not in use.

We also love this beautiful shower caddy for $28. Supplies are running low, so grab it now! You can find more ideas from Viv and Lou.

Remember you get FREE Shipping on Amazon when you spend $25 or FREE shipping with Prime.

Grab a FREE Trial of Amazon Prime!

As a reminder, Amazon prices can change at any time. This price was current at publishing time. Be sure to confirm the price before purchasing to ensure this deal has not changed or expired.

Find more Amazon Deals on Frugal Coupon Living.

You will want to take a look at our Teen Bedroom Ideas. Save this Pin to Pinterest.

Also enjoy these Dorm Room Hack and Tips. Save this Pin to Pinterest.

Lastly, enjoy these Locker Ideas for your teen! Pin to Pinterest.

School Lunch Hacks – School Lunch Ideas, Tips, and Lifesavers

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July 18, 2020 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Back To School, Facebook, Hacks, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media

Easy and fun School Lunch Hacks on Frugal Coupon Living. Crafty, Creative, and Why Didn’t I Think of That ideas for your Back to School lunch ideas.

School Lunch Hacks

Are you getting ready for the early alarm? The laying out of clothes the night before? The Back to School season? We are hearing the first bell and looking for ways to make school lunches easier. Below are some creative ideas to make the best of your child’s lunchbox. Creative, crafty, and why didn’t I think of that ideas! One piece of advice that has worked for me is make their lunch the night before. Whatever needs to remain cold, I keep in the refrigerator overnight in a “lunch” bin so that it can easily be added to their box in the morning!

Enjoy these School Lunch Hacks.

Bento boxes can be fun. Separate kid’s lunchbox food using silicon cupcake liners from What Lisa Cooks.

Get organized with a Weekly School Lunch Planner and these adorable Back to School Lunchbox Notes from Frugal Coupon Living.

Keep your Fruit, including Apples, Fresh with this Rubberband Lunch Fruit tip from Let’s Lasso the Moon.

Skip the ice pack and Freeze Your Juicebox to keep things cool. Tip from Reader’s Digest.

Another way to skip and ice pack, is to Freeze Wet Sponges like My Kitchen Escapades. They keep the food cool and make something nice to use as a wipe up after defrosting.

Make a Fridge and Pantry Snack Station for Easy Packing. Love this idea from Moms Always Find Out.

On that note, prepare Snack-Size Bags on Sunday to grab on-the-go as you pack lunches – this time saver tip comes from Quaker Oats.

Every get a fruit cocktail the kids hate or one that has too much sugar? Make your own Fruit Cocktail with this recipe from My Life in Food.

If you do use pre-bought fruit cups, take a look at this tip to take out the Fruit Cup Juice from Modern Family.

Lil Luna has a great list of Foods Ideas for the Lunchbox for all food groups.

Have you noticed kids are more likely to eat someting if it is cute? Why is that? Invest in these fun Sandwich Cutters like the Elephant. Cookie Cutters Work Great Too!