Nice look for Spring!

If you want a fresh look for Spring 2016 here are some ideas.
I came across some nice videos

I love the simplicity of the black and white combination and her makeup and hair look fabulous!

Here are some easy spring hairstyles you can do to change your look below

Let me know what you think!

DIY Winter Accesories by using and old sweater

I found this great video tutorial and just loved it!  You take a sweater and if you don't have one you can get one at your local thrift store.  One sweater makes 5 accessories, mittens, infinity scarf, hat, leggings, boot toppers.  I am going to do this project for Christmas gifts as I am not working and this will keep me busy and the finished products look great as well.   Here is the awesome video compliments of fashiontoppings.

I love that she explains it well, step by step for a no fail project!
Do you enjoy DIY upcycling clothing?  Will you try this project?


Hope you enjoy this video

DIY Homemade Hand Scrub

I love to experiment by using natural products or making scrubs, face masks and things out of products I already have around the house.  I came across this how to make a sugar scrub (Do-it-yourself ) for your hands and thought I would share it with you.

By: Debra SteilenHomemade Brown Sugar Body ScrubMake this fragrant exfoliator in your kitchen and add it to your beauty routine for extra-soft skin.

Ingredients 250 mL (1 cup) light or dark brown sugar
125 mL (1/2 cup) coconut oil*
5 mL (1 tsp) Vitamin E (available online or at vitamin stores)
5 mL (1 tsp) vanilla extract or essential oil such as lemon or lavender (optional)

*Tip: Substitute 125 mL (1/2 cup) of extra virgin olive oil or sweetened almond oil.

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients (except brown sugar) in a mixing bowl and stir
2. Add one cup of brown sugar and mix well with a wire whisk or hand mixer (be sure to break up any lumps as you stir)
3. Stop when the mixture resembles moist sand; if the mixture feels too dry, add more oil a few drops at a time, and if it feels too oily, add more brown sugar until the mixture reaches the desired consistency
4. Rub a small amount into your skin using circular motions
5. Once the sugar is rubbed in, rinse your hands and follow with a treatment of yourfavourite lotion

Sugar Scrub Tips

• Store the brown sugar in an airtight container for up to three months.
• Note that contents will settle, so mix the scrub before using.
• Sugar scrubs are not usually recommended for the face.
• Leave on the skin for a few minutes before thoroughly rinsing under warm water, and then pat dry.
• Apply skin lotion for an extra dose of indulgence.

Tip: Be careful when using this body scrub when bathing; the oils may make the bathtub or shower floor a little slippery.

Sugar Scrubs Make Cute, Inexpensive GiftsFor a vintage look Mom or Grandma will love, store the scrub in a clean Mason jar with a galvanized steel lid. Wrap thick twine around the neck, and tie it into a shoestring-type bow.

Looking for a shower gift in the bride’s wedding colours? Package the scrub in a clear glass jar with a stainless-steel lid. Wrap the desired colour of taffeta ribbon around the lid and tie it in a bow. Tuck a small silk flower between the ribbon and the jar for added charm.

Need a trendy gift for your best friend? Package the scrub in a clean canning jar. Wrap colourful Washi tape around the canning-jar lid. Create a colour-coordinated label on your computer and attach it to the front of the jar with crafts glue.

Want to delight a new mom? Package the scrub in a clean baby-food jar.

Instructions

1. Decorate the lid with a scrap of pink, blue or gender-neutral fabric cut into a circle 5 centimetres (2 inches) larger than the jar lid
2. Use a dab of glue to attach the circle to the lid
3. Gather the excess fabric around the neck of the jar, and secure with a pretty coordinating ribbon tied in a bow

Tip: Don’t forget to include a small tag listing the ingredients and instructions for using the scrub.

DIY Piggy Bank

I came across this cute craft and is a great project and a way to recycle those 2 litre pop bottles. Easy to make with the children and they will love it.

I thought it was so cute I had to share it.

By: Liz Elliott
Kids will love saving money in an animal-themed bank they made themselves. When they are ready to spend, just pop off the cap!

Tip: Before you begin, clean your empty bottle. Fill it up three-quarters with water and add a few drops of dish soap. Cap the bottle and shake vigorously. Remove the cap and rinse with water. Store upside down until dry.

Piggy Bank

Materials
Empty 2-litre plastic bottle
2 bath tissue tubesPink acrylic paint
2 googly eyes
Pink pipe cleaner
Craft glue
Craft knife
Scissors
Black marker
Pink button (optional)

Instructions

1. Paint the outsides of each bath tissue tube pink. Paint one tube pink on the inside. Set aside to dry
2. Paint the outside of the 2-liter bottle and the cap pink, then set aside to dry*
3. Cut out two pig ears from the tube with the inside painted, and then cut three flaps along each base
4. Cut the remaining tubes into four 3 1/2-centimetre (1 1/2-inch) sections, which will serve as the pig’s legs
5. Using craft glue, attach the legs, ears and eyes to the body. You may need to trim the legs to fit the contour of the bottle correctly. Allow the glue to dry
6. Using the craft knife, cut a coin slot in the top of the pig’s back
7. Cut a small hole in the base of the bottle for the pig’s tail. Coil the pipe cleaner around a pencil or finger, then feed one end through the hole
8. Trim the legs (bath tissue tubes) as needed to help the pig stand flat
9. Put the cap back on the bottle and draw two piggy nostrils on the end, or glue on a pink button

*Tip: When painting the 2-litre bottle, paint one half and set aside to dry. After it dries, paint the other half. This way, you never need to set a wet side down.

Piggy Bank VariationsTurn your piggy bank into a variety of other animals by customizing the instructions for the piggy bank to fit.

• Make a dog by painting the materials brown and opting for droopy ears.

Tip: Have some fun making a dog “collar” from something that’s already in the house, such as a bandana, an oversized rubber band or even a collar that your real-life dog has outgrown.

• Craft a cat by painting materials black and white, making the ears pointy and using the pipe cleaners as whiskers.
• Make a penguin by using the bottom half of two 2-liters — held together by tape or glue — wrapping in black and white craft paper with a yellow beak. Turn the penguin into an owl by swapping out brown paper and paint.
• Turn a 2-liter into a lion by painting the materials yellow and adding a mane of brown and yellow paper strips.

Tip: Let the kids choose their piggy bank pet’s colour. There’s no reason why a cat can’t be blue or a pig can’t be green. Let their imaginations run wild!

DIY- Jewelry Cleaning & Homemade Solution

When it comes to cleaning your jewelry and you want to do-it-yourself what are the best solutions to use and on what?  You want to take special care when it comes to your precious stones and expensive pieces, then there is the costume jewelry as well.  What is the best solution when it comes to cleaning it on your own.
 

I found a great article compliments of Dandilion Jewelry and there are some great tips on cleaning as well as how to make your own homemade cleaner. I found this to be very helpful and useful as you clean each type of jewelry a little different, which I learned reading this.

Homemade Jewelry Cleaner

Works best for jewelry made from the following materials: gold-fill, brass, German (nickel) silver, Sterling silver

NOTE: Never use this solution for jewelry with stones

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon dish soap
• 1 cup water
• 1 piece aluminum foil
• 1 soft cloth

Directions:
1. Microwave water for 1 or 2 minutes. 
2. Cut aluminum foil to roughly cover the bottom of a small bowl (cereal size bowls work well).
3. Remove water from microwave and pour into bowl. 
4. Now add salt, baking soda, and dish soap into bowl, too.
5. Place jewelry on top of foil and let it stand for 5-10 minutes. 
6. Rinse jewelry in cool water and dry completely with soft cloth.
7. Discard solution after use. 

 Gold Jewelry

1. Combine one teaspoon ammonia, one teaspoon of liquid dish soap and one cup warm water.
     Note: Never use this solution on jewelry with stones, only gold jewelry. 
2. Soak jewelry in solution, using a soft brush if necessary to clean the pieces.
3. Rinse well and dry with a soft cloth.

 Diamonds and Other Hard Stones

For hard stones, like diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires, a quick wash with an inexpensive vodka will have them sparkling like new. If your stones are heavily soiled, you may use a toothbrush to gently brush them.

 Pearls

Pearls may be the easiest stone to clean, as the best way to clean them is to simply wear them. The oil from your skin will keep them soft and lustrous. However, if you don't wear your pearl jewelry often, you may also buff them with a dab of olive oil on a microfiber or other soft cloth.

 Soft Gems

Cleaning soft gems like turquoise, opal, pearl, lapis or coral is simple, provided you use the right tools. To clean your soft stones, wipe them with a non-treated, soft leather cloth called a chamois or chamois. This can be found in the automotive sections of any hardware store.

These softer stones can be damaged by abrasion, heat or chemicals, as well as absorb perfume oils. It is better to apply your jewelry after spraying perfume to prevent your stones from being stained by any perfume oils.

 Tarnished Jewelry

Gold, white gold and Sterling or tarnished solid silver jewelry may be cleaned with toothpaste. Yes, you read that correctly - we said toothpaste! Avoid gels and the tartar-control, anti-plaque toothpastes and look for the original brands like Crest or Colgate. Simple, white toothpastes with no added silica that could scratch your jewelry are your best options. Add toothpaste to an old brush and rub it on the jewelry, making sure to get in all the crevices. When finished, rinse with tap water and dry with a soft cloth.

For rings, be sure to do the underside of the ring as well as the outer surface. Necklaces and earrings often require gentle treatment, as they are often made of delicate wire or chains that are easily broken by rough handling.

I used these cleaning solutions on my rings and necklaces and they are shiny and new!

Happy St Patrick's Day!

I want to wish all my followers a Happy St Patrick's Day today!

How are you spending your day today?
Will you be going somewhere to celebrate or making something special at home?
When it comes to special occasions I always make cupcakes.  They are easy to make and everyone loves them.

I found a website where you can print out the cup cake topper and make your own little signs which I thought was really cute.  this is a great craft to do with the kids.
You can find the printable site here there are many other printable crafts as well that you might find useful.

Well whatever you choose to do with your day enjoy it!!!!

DIY-Tips For Using Baking Soda

There are 5 Baking soda beauty secrets that you can use in this video.  I enjoyed this great video I came across on other uses for baking soda.  I like finding helpful tips on saving money and DIY remedies so hope you all enjoy the video.

Make a Skirt out of Long Sleeve Button up Shirt

Do you often find yourself throwing out shirts or donating them because you don't wear them any more? I know I have in the past but will definitely try this project first and see how it turns out and looks on me. I found this video and am stoked on creating a skirt now.
  I totally love the idea of creating your own and recycling your clothes to make something new.  I wanted to share this with everyone!
Watch the video and let me know what your thoughts are on this.

Do It Yourself-Eco Friendly Bath Rug

This is an easy project to do and is a eco friendly project as you are recycling old bath towels which is an awesome idea and very chique looking when finished.  Watch this awesome video to see how you can make one for yourself or a friend.  I like Easy projects so on a scale of one to ten for Easy and Elegant this is definately a ten.

Hope you enjoyed it!

How to Reduce Clutter in Small Spaces

I live in a very tiny apartment and collect alot of stuff. I am sure we all collect alot of things and then we accumulate so much that it turns our place into clutter. I always look for ideas on how to organize stuff so it is tucked away but you still have access to it. I found this video to be helpful with tidbits of information and thought I would share it with you.

Click on Link Below
Click Skip ad on page which brings you to this awesome video. This is a must see!

Small Space Solutions

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Recycle your Buttons-Make Rings!

I have many vintage buttons and and did not know what to do with them so I did a search and found a way to recycle them and make rings. This is easy to do, will be fun and they will look nice.  When I am done I will be posting one for a giveaway.

Here is the video on how to make the Rings

Here are the rings I made today

Tell me what you think of them and which one you like the best.