Seen these?

Have to admit, I'm kinda a sucker for late night infomercials.  Saw this product and actually really wanted it.  I am, however, much to cheap.  If nothing else, I usually have self control when it comes to my infomercial addiction.

Then, while perusing my favorite blogs, Little Birdie Secrets showed me how to make one!  Hallelujah!  Check out her awesome (and very likely, free to be done) tutorial HERE.

Silk Posies

Also made up some sweet silk posies - some to dress up my drab brown headband, and a darling one for my little princess to match.  Hey, I only get to dress her up for so long...

Adjustable Headbands

So I got my craft on tonight and made a quick project that I thought I would share with ya'll.  I can say ya'll now - I live in the South.

So...Here's what you need to get started.

• Hot Glue Gun/Glue Sticks
• 2 Corresponding Ribbons, 1" and 1/4" {or bigger, if you'd like}
• Thread (for making bow)
• Elastic Lace
• Lingerie Strap Slides and Rings

Here's what they look like - find at any fabric store in the notions section.

Step 1: Cut a length of your elastic, approximately 10" long.  On one end, thread thru ring and hot glue.  Then put on one slide, and the other loop.  Do NOT glue these down.

Step 2: Thread the loose end of your strap thru the slide {directions are on the back of package}.  Your second ring should now have the elastic "looped" thru it.

 

Step 3: Hot glue the loose end of elastic to the back side of loop.  NOT towards the first loop.

Step 4: Cut a length of your larger ribbon, approx. 9" and thread through one loop and hot glue, then do same for other side.  Make sure your elastic and ribbon aren't twisted, and turned the way you'd like them to be.

 

Step 5: Make your bow.  Sorry, no pictures of this step.  Great videos on YouTube tho!  Attach to ribbon headpiece, using hot glue.

Step 6: Using 1" strips of your smaller thread, wrap them around the raw ends of the larger ribbon, near the rings.  {Ouch, this is where I burned myself!}

VOILA!  A headband that will truly grow with your little girl and not leave those red indents in her precious head.

All in all, this cost me about $5.00 for the elastic and the hardware - but you get enough for 3 headbands.  These kind of headbands usually run anywhere from $7-$12 dollars in boutiques.  Not too shabby!

Tag Lovey

Loving one of these I made up with some spare fabric and ribbon I had lying around! Great entertainment, no risk of choking and FREE! {For me anyways, but dig thru those scrap bins at Joanne's and I'm sure it will be very cheap.}

Twiddler Tag Blanket Tutorial from Mama's Doodles

Hair Reveal

Okay, this is going to be a much harder process than I had originally thought.  Apparently my hair is darker/more red than I ever realized, so getting it as blonde as I want it to be - short of bleaching my whole head - is going to take some time.  I also went about an inch longer on the length than I intended too - just to make sure.  At my next appointment, definitely going more blonde and shorter.

BUT

Let's remember the before: boring, blah, drab...

During...So far so good

The huge pile of hair {yes, the stylist thought I was weird for taking a picture}

and FINALLY, the result: {I apologize for the poor picture taking skills of my DH}

 

 

Thanks everyone for holding my hand through chopping off my eight inches of hair!

Going Green

I think green is an undervalued color.  Which is why I really like St. Patrick's Day.  I know, weird.  But here is another undervalued idea I think us adults take for granted that little kids find insanely cool.

Turn those boring white carnations into a fabulous St. Patrick's day spectacle.

Simply add some green food coloring to the water and voila!

 

Want to add a little more adult flair?  Check out these awesome carnation centerpiece ideas from The Savvy Bride, find them HERE. 

 

I love these funky white vases - wouldn't they look great on the mantle for all of March!  Carnations will last that long if you keep them watered.

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow...

Well, the votes are in.  Officially, between this blog and my personal blog, it was an astonishing win of look #4 - apparently I'm not the only one who thinks, Go Big or Go Home.

After a talk with my new hairstylist who I'm hoping won't butcher my hair I'm sure will do a great job she told me it just isn't feasible to put that much color in AND the curl at the same time.  She said it would look terrible and may even fall out.  Yikes.  So that disaster has been avoided.

Color just isn't going to be enough for me though.  Like I said, Go Big or Go Home.  So we're going to go blonde, but cut it short.

So tomorrow, I'm chopping holding my breath my hair.  Pictures to come!

It's Up to Vote

Meet me.  Yes, I am severely lacking the sun-kissed look.  I have looked the same since I graduated from high school with few changes.  I need a change.  I need a fresh look for spring.  I need it pronto. 

So I am posting a 4 "new me" options that I like.  I am going to go with your vote.  My husband was no help at all and told me to ask all ya'll.  Great advice!

Look #1
Body Wave a la Kate Hudson{which yes, I have thoroughly researched and will buy my own rods to take to my stylist.}

 

Look #2

Short a la cute girl

Look #3
Go Blonde a la Jessica Simpson

 Look #4
Go for it all and combine all three!  a la Charlize Theron

Pretty Pretty Please vote and help me decide!  Much obliged.
See the poll in the right column!

Deal Alerts!

Check out these great deals found at Hip2Save!

Bath & Body Works has their Anti-bacterial hand soap on sale for just $3! Plus, they have a printable coupon available to score a FREE Hand Soap with any $10 purchase!

Deal Scenario:
Buy 5 Anti-bacterial hand soaps $3 each
Total = $15
Use the coupon for one FREE Hand Soap
Final cost ONLY $2.40 per hand soap… not bad for a product that normally retails for $5!These make great housewarming gifts!

…And here is yet another high value coupon! Go on over here to take a Cetaphil survey (it will take about 4 minutes to complete). After doing so, you’ll be able to access a $5/1 Cetaphil Product coupon. Press your browser back button to print a total of 2 coupons per computer.  You click on the "Tell Me Who You Are" arrow by the little girl in the yellow dress and it will take you there!  I love this stuff - it is all I use on my face, ever!

Want to help?

I have been him-hawing about a conversation I had with my teenage baby-sitter last night.  She was fabulous - so it wasn't a bad conversation.  It had to do with the fact that she and her friends have a very difficult time in Arkansas finding modest formals to wear to their high school and church functions.  Ordering online is a huge expense and it's just not feasible to many of the families here. 

SO...

I offered her my small collection of formals left over from my high school days for her to pick thru and borrow for her nights.  But let's face it, one size does NOT fit all when it comes to dresses.

Then I thought, I wonder if I could enlist the help of some of my faithful blog friends?  Genius.

If you have any formals cluttering up your closet that you are looking to either donate or consign, will you let me know?  All I ask is they are semi in-style.  Let's face it, vintage is back.

I just really feel that every girl should have the opportunity to feel beautiful and modest no matter her circumstances. 

THANK YOU!!!

Sassarella - Ending Soon!

I love finding great items at bargain prices!  Sasarella Boutique is just that - quality, chic, affordable.  And to launch out her great new website and blog, Sasarella Boutique is having a giveaway for this great Zebra tote.  I really want to sport this one around town! 

isn't she cute?

Check out her website HERE and visit the Sasarella Boutique blog HERE to enter this giveaway.  Hurry though, it ends today - the winner will be announced tomorrow on Valentine's Day!

60% OFF

Printable Michael's coupon HERE

Shutter Reveal

FINALLY!

Do you ever have a project where if something can go wrong, it will?  That has been these shutters.  I'm not going to tell you how long I gave up on them 3 months but I've pulled myself together and I think turned out something pretty great.  They're no hall of fame shutters, but they'll suffice.

So, first I enlisted my handy tool man to help me hang them.  And yes, I know he's in Halloween jammies, but he loves the spider.

Then I nicely hung them up and accessorized with a few books.

I realize they clash, but they are on opposite walls and I have a boy and a girl in the same room for now - I wanted them to be able to move with them when I finally get them into separate sleeping quarters.  It'll have to do.

Baby Bronson

As a mother, this really grabs at your heart and makes you want to do anything possible to hep another mother.  Even if all you can do is pray.  Please read Bronson's story HERE and remember him in your prayers tonight.

I know I get distracted all too easily, what an important reminder to hold on tighter to the most precious things.

MaryJanes and Galoshes

HUGE giveaway over HERE at MaryJanes and Galoshes.  These are not only adorable and fun to look at, but educational and store really well.  These are valued between $150-$175 each and if you win, you get your choice!  Go over and leave her a comment!

Pom Pom Update

So here are a couple of things I learned while making these pom poms - which are really super cute, btw.

• If you want a full circle look, you have to cross your tissue paper (like a + sign) or else it has no top depth.
• For bigger balls, use more tissue paper! 8 sheets does not give it a full enough look.
• For smaller balls, cut the tissue paper in half, and cut more off the length when you round it - they turn out really great!
• Add your fishing line for hanging in BEFORE you pull out all the tissue paper.
• Idea!  Alternate the colors of your tissue paper so you have a multi-colored pom pom. 

Sorry no pics, but those are my tips.  Let me know if I have confused you or you have more questions.  

And thanks for telling me where to find black tissue paper - I'm so excited to hang these in the empty corner of my master bedroom that is begging for something to be done to it.

Tissue Paper Pom Poms

So I am in charge of decorating for the BI-STAKE Valentine's Dance.  If that's not some pressure, then I don't know what is.  I have been looking all around online for great ideas and came up with these amazing tissue paper pom poms.  I am not, however, going to pay $19 for 3 and still have to put them together.  So I thought, surely someone has a tutorial.

Found a great one HERE at Hot Diggity Blog!  I'm so excited to get going on these - I kinda want to do some black ones for my room.  Do they sell black tissue paper???

Burlap Heart Wreath

Made myself one of these unique fabulous Burlap Heart Wreaths tonight.  Whipped it up in a jiffy too - probably only took 20 minutes (including cutting all the fabric).  Check out how to make your own HERE at Craftaholics Anonymous and be the envy of all the neighbors!

I have to admit, I have kinda been in a funk lately.  I am slowly crawling out of my hole and hope to be posting some more fun stuff soon.  Sorry!  Keep posting all your creative crafty finds and inspire me!!

Katelyn & Co

Totally awesome giveaway going on right now at Katelyn & Co.  Check out all this loot! 

Click HERE to enter.

An Ode to the Deepfreeze

Somehow along the bumpy trip from Idaho to Arkansas our deep freezer fell ill.  I didn't realize this until after I had stored my six month supply of breastmilk in it, and came out in the morning to find it all thawed out.  Gasp.  Cry with me please because that is literally what I did -- sat down and cried.  Then I took a deep breath, sighed, and walked out of the garage.

Now that it has been a couple of months, and I'm back trusting that a freezer will not fail me again, I took the plunge and bought a gorgeous new upright freezer.  Ecstatic!!!  My DH thinks I'm crazy, but whatever...you all know I'm right.

I went searching for the best way to store my freezables (is that a word??) and came across this tip from A Little Tipsy - read the whole post HERE - and can I just say, it changed my world!  I am able to store twenty pounds of hamburger and twenty pounds of chicken on one shelf!!  I still have a whole freezer to fill up.  Plus, it looks so pretty!  Definitely try it out - and check out their other awesome tips!

A Pocket Full of Posies

All I can say is, I want one!  I looked at this and lamented over I got rid of all my ribbon scraps before moving across the country.  Darn, I just might need to go get some more :)

Take a look at what Jill from A Pocket Full of Posies has created. 

She has some really cute flower ideas too - I love how bold she is with her use of colors and size.  I would never think to accessorize the way she does.  Purely fabulous!

Love, Actually

I grew up with holidays being a big deal at my house.  This was made apparent when my sixteen year old brother asked my mom, "Why hasn't the leprechaun come yet?" last year at 7 p.m.  My husband rolls his eyes, but to me it is a tradition I want to continue.

The problem is, I don't make holidays about my husband at all.  In fact, it's always about the kids.

So I want to do something ultra special for him this Valentine's Day, so maybe next year he'll say, "Honey, how come cupid hasn't shown up yet?" and he won't mean it in a *wink wink* sort of way.

Stumbled across this blog by way of one of the many blogs I frequent.  Love, Actually is such a great idea blog!  I have to get some ducks in a row and try out some of these.  The best part, most of the ideas are not only feasible, but affordable too.  Makes having date night more of a reality once the little monsters show up in your house -- or start sleeping in your bed.  {Yes, that is still a common occurance at my house.}

 

Hope this helps make your Valentine's Day a little more romantic and hubby oriented!

My Sweet Melissa

A good friend sent me over to this blog My Sweet Melissa that is just getting started.  What an inspirational story behind the reasons for this blog and some great home decorating ideas.  Head over HERE to get inspired and show her some bloggy love.

Panic Setting In

I started off my morning going to Silver Sneakers Yoga.  Yes, the one for the really old people.  I was the only one in there under sixty -- literally -- and it was great!  I met some awesome folks, centered myself, and thought, "This is going to be a great day."

Then I came home.

The pile of laundry is still in the living room.  The bathrooms still need cleaning.  The kids are still whining. And the dinner still needs to be made for the people who are coming over tonight.

And for some reason the yoga feel is wearing off.   

Miles to go before I sleep, Miles to go before I sleep.

Previews

Remember THIS post, well, here's a sneak peek -- They just need one more day to dry before I can hang them up.  Drying takes FOREVER!

And yet another thrifty find, sneek preview...Wait til you see what I'm going to do with these!

Oh So Girly Giveaway

There's a great new giveaway going on at Someday Crafts for a interchangeable watch face and band AND a $10 credit from Oh So Girly.  What a sweet thing!!!  Go check them both out!

Feeling the need for Valentine's Day Lovies

There's something so drab about January - and I'm feeling the need to fill that holiday void by getting ready for the next holiday.  Here's some easy peasy Valentine's Day crafts to get excited about.

Softies Hearts from Blisstree

Brown Paper Bag Valentine's Album from Craftbits

Cockscomb Valentine Wreath from Martha Stewart