Wednesday, September 25, 2013

These are a few of my favorite things... For Fall!



Well – I was supposed to write about all the projects I completed this summer – but I’ll get to that!  Right now I’m feeling a little “Fall-ish” and I am ready for boots, scarves, turtlenecks, football, raking leaves (not), pumpkins, cinnamon, cider mill donuts and whatever else!
 

I have also been in the midst of Homecoming with my Daughter and that means a lot of “shopping” has been done!  And some of it is just plain for me – ;)
 
Here are a few of my favorite “Fall” things that I just can’t live without! 
Ok – I can but not going to;) 

Starbucks:  Pumpkin Spice Latte

 
Mums, pumpkins, pumpkin seeds and a trip to the Cider Mill.

Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir – for some reason this is my “go to” for Fall & Winter and I like to layer it with Lime Basil & Mandarin sometimes!  Love this Scent!

 
 
Aveda Shampure Shampoo and Conditioner – love this shampoo – mainly because I love the scent and it stays all day in my hair (meaning no other scent needed).

 


Bath & Body Works Fresh Picked Farmstand Apple hand soap
Bath & Body Works Fresh Picked Spiced Cider Candle


Coffee Creamer:  Pumpkin Pie Spice and Pumpkin Spice Love both flavors (International Delight a bit more flavor & spice!)
 
Happy Fall! 

Wednesday, September 11, 2013



Recipe of the Week - Quick & Easy!






You've all seen this 2 ingredient recipe on Pinterest, right?
It's so good, pretty low-calorie and my daughters favorite Fall dessert!
Pumpkin Cake Muffins: 
Any cake mix (I prefer yellow, moist or Spice Cake Mix -yum!) 100% pure pumpkin (whatever brand) and I do add a bit of cinnamon to spice it up!
That's it!  Get out your muffin pan - fill 12 muffin cups or spray/grease, pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and put in for 17-20 minutes:)  Makes 12 large muffins.  They don't rise too much, so if you make 24 - they will be very small but still tasty!
A yummy, quick treat for Fall or anytime!

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Back to School? What? Summer 2013

Whew... It has been a very fun, busy summer!  Can't believe it's over already?  Can you?

We had a "whirlwind" of fun with our daughter~  She joined a band called The Imps
( https://www.facebook.com/theimpsofficial ), was in School of Rock Rochester performing and practicing in 2 groups/bands all summer, went on 2 vacations, saw about 8 awesome concerts, worked and updated girls bathroom, music room and kitchen all in between! 

Made a lot of new friends and created some great memories this summer!

Daughters New Band:  The Imps, you can check them out here:  https://www.musicpage.com/theimps

Playing at the Village of Rochester with School of Rock Rochester


Red Hot Chili Peppers Concert



Vacation:  Golf and Swim Up North Michigan!



It was an incredible Summer!  Hope everyone got to enjoy some fun and relaxation with family and friends! Next week I will post the mini room updates completed this summer.

Happy Back to School!

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Magical Princess "Poof" Wands

 
 
 

 
  
I started making these wands for my daughter (when she was a lot younger:) and her friends and then made them for the princess gift shop I used to lease space in for birthday parties, etc. They are a lot of fun to make and kids love them!

So, today I am going to show you how to make fun, princess poof wands!

Here are the items you will need:

Fabric ribbon 1/4", 12" wooden dowel. hot glue gun, tulle, wrapping paper ribbon, tacky glue, non toxic paint, paint brush, Clover pom-pom maker (size x-large) -**you could use a smaller pom-pom maker, this is just the size I used.

Now, you can either paint (easiest) your wooden dowel or wrap in ribbon.
.

If you choose to paint, put on a coat, let dry and then put on a second coat, let dry (this would be the easiest and less time consuming).

For ribbon: Start at one end of dowel and cover in tacky glue until half way down dowel. Take choice of fabric ribbon and start at top and wrap around dowel slowly. Once you have wrapped half way down take tacky glue and cover the rest of the dowel and then wrap ribbon until you reach the bottom. I usually paint the bottom of the dowel at one end. Let ribbon dry for a few hours or even overnight, if you have the time. I had to practice this quite a bit. You want the ribbon to lay correctly, so you have to wrap at an angle all the way down.


To make the Magical "Poof" take the pom-pom maker and wrap the tulle around one side.
Once you have about a 1/4"-1/2" thickness cut and close
. Then complete the other half. You then close both ends of the pom-pom maker and cut the top halves on each side. Take a long piece of ribbon and wrap tightly around the entire tulle/pom-pom maker and tie tightly into a knot. Open up pom-pom maker sides and pull out tulle and "Voila" your Magical Poof will appear!




Now, once your "Poof" is complete, put hot glue on the knotted ribbon area of "Poof" and then attach to non painted end of your ribbon or painted dowel. Firmly set for a few minutes and then let dry for a half hour. For more color and frill, you can also add more curling ribbon (see below) or a fake string of pearls or fabric ribbon and hot glue this to bottom of the knotted "poof" and dowel.




Your Magical Princess "Poof" Wand is complete!

This project is great to do with your friends or your kids and a perfect project for a birthday party - I suggest having the dowels already painted the night before and then depending on how many kids, either make the poof parts ahead and have them choose the colors and extra ribbon and pom-poms to glue on. Of course, when using a hot glue gun - have an adult attach these parts for the children.

A great time for all!


Sunday, May 26, 2013

DIY Summer Projects 2012


Last years DIY projects completed!  
How to's all available at Pinterest & Below


Re-staining Deck
DIY information available here - http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,20282692,00.html






Updated Kitchen Cabinets
More how-to information here -
http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2010/03/painting-kitchen-cabinets-etc/


 
 
 
Re-sanded/painted Table
More information here-
 
 


 
 
Stay tuned for DIY Projects 2013 to include:  Crown Molding on Cabinets, Bead Board Back Splash, Creating a Music Room and Painting Bedroom Furniture!
Always some kind of DIY updating going on here:)