GOLD JEWELRY TRAY CRAFT...

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Use what you got day...
Old wood, gold nail polish makes a fab jewelry tray.

How easy is that!!

CAKE MAIL ...FUN MAIL CRAFT

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Is this the yummiest looking fun mail you've ever seen???  I found this and just had to try it and I'm soo glad I did!!

Everybody loved, I mean loved this!! There were so many happy giggles in the post office, you would have thought I was in an ice cream parlor! Not to mention, my Mom was just over the moon when she received this in the mail!!

For the detailed how to's just click on SHE KNOWS (& boy does she know :) She's amazing & super talented and believe it or not this crafty was so easy - it takes the cake :)


I'm such a big fan of fun mail, I mean those bills get lonely & grouchy in the mailbox all by themselves!  For more fun mail inspiration check this SOAP BOX PARTY out & MAKIN' STATION & and here's how to add some happy to your box -  MAILBOX FUN  & to how to Make a Carrier's day.

Hey everyone - I hope you have a fantastic day loaded with all kinds of fun & cake of course!!

One more time!!
MommysPinkieLipgloss.blogspot.com

I just have to share this cake recipe :)

LAUNDRY ROOM MAKEOVER...

Rental Apartment makeover...need I say more?

If you live in a rental and want to do some temporary customizing, I've got the secret!!
Contact paper!!

I went a little crazy with the contact paper, I just couldn't help it!

Biggest tip - Don't get critical after you've "installed" your contact paper, there might be some bubbles &/or creases or overlapping just remember you are covering up ugly, rusted, yellowed, stuff that drives you crazy but you can't permanently change!

I couldn't stand my laundry room anymore. It was sooo unwelcoming and dark.  When I'm doing laundry I need some real coaxing to get me in there to begin with :)

So, I started with my rusty washer & dryer, then went to my cabinets, then light switch, then door, then floor, I'm telling you I went crazy! Yes, I did the floor and it is holding up!! This is a well traffic area and so far so good. (small disclaimer, this is all new to me, I searched the internet and found that other people did this as well, with much success.  Mine has been on a month and its been a month of happy instead of looking at yellow vinyl!)

I brought some happy into this place!  If your on the fence about a re-do, don't hesitate this is inexpensive so why not enjoy your home? 

I hung some material to cover up the gap below the cabinets, now it seems like there is a window there.

Contact Paper ROCKS my Washer & Dryer!



Want more easy DIY ideas, check out  SUPER HERO LIGHT SWITCH, wanna flirty  CHANDELIER,  got an old stove HOOD, everyone needs a Shangri la here's MINE and it's super easy to make! want easy art here's HOW...

VALENTINE'S DAY Present ...Clothespin craft

Everybody loves presents & fun mail, so I thought I would share this cute little clothespin crafty!

Pretty easy too, just some clothes pins, tiny pieces of paper, endless ideas & some glue.  I have to say, teeny, tiny detailed crafts aren't usually my thing but this is so cute, I just had to give it a try!!

Step 1
Make your "present" (or any fun shape) by cutting out a square.
...Cut the bottom half of your present and glue it to the bottom of the clothes pin.
(this takes a little wiggling the paper to make sure it lines up and looks seamless)
...Glue the top part of the present to the top of the clothes pin.  (wiggle paper to make sure you have it the way you want it)

Step 2

Now the "I love u" is a trapezoid shape (listen to me getting all "mathy") basically the shape of the clothes pin opening. 

...this gets glued to the back bottom half of the clothes pin

Check out this Clothes Pin Message, this is where I got this super cute idea, they also provide a great detailed tutorial for you.

VALENTINES...CARDS & GAME

Here's a fun little Valentine game to make that is easy & you probably have all the supplies right in your craft box!

Here's the easy peasy on this game:
Decorate an envelope and write the directions to the game:

STEP 2

Draw a heart on a piece of paper & make atleast 2 sections; I only made 2 sections & named them "Cool Cat & Luv Bug" I'm sure you can get really silly with the names with the help of your little ones :)

STEP 3
Decorate a clothes pin (I got a bunch from the Dollar Store), I used a pink highlighter & a silver marker
STEP 4
Cut little tiny hearts out of paper and tuck them in the clothes pin (I had 4 hearts)
STEP 5
Squeeze the clothes pin over the heart and see where they land

Repeat...

GAME TIME APPETIZERS!!

Grab some napkins and get ready to munch, these "chicken wings" are yummy and easy!!! Just in time for football! 
These "wings" are almost as sloppy as traditional ones but a little different (like no wing :)  Here's two styles to try & just 2 steps:

I

INGREDIENTS

Buffalo chicken breast from the deli

Pretzel rods

Celery sticks

Blue Cheese dressing

How to/Celery Style 
(these have that nice crunch!)
Fill your celery with blue cheese, I like to use as much of the blue cheese chunks as I can get
Roll your sliced buffalo chicken around the celery stick 

How to/Pretzel Rod Style
(these are perfect when your wanting some carbs:)
Dip your pretzel rod right into the blue cheese bottle (yep, I keep blue cheese dressing just for this :)
Roll your sliced buffalo chicken around the pretzel rod

BAM!!! Your munchin and tailgating! 

STARTER HOME MAKEOVER!!...rental apartment decorating

We've been in little life change transition over here.  It's been crazy good, a little scary & a whole lot of holy guacamole what are we doing & how are we going to do it!!  All in all the general feeling is super excitement & were not looking back, we'll figure out all the details as we go :)


Since we're in transition, were renting a house; we've owned houses before but right now in a way this is our starter home.  Wow!,   It's kinda like I didn't know life would end up this way but now that I'm here I've got my life experiences to back me up.  So bring on the opportunities I'm ready!   

To put it mildly, this house isn't really my style and could really use some updating - big time! As all renters do, we compromise, it has a fenced in back yard, excellent school district just...well :) I don't want to put a lot of money into this place but I do want to make it our home, so the challenge is on!!!  

After we moved in, I stumbled across  Compass, a dreamy website that I wish was national because it's just the coolest way to find an apartment!  It's like talking to a good friend who is in the know about the neighborhood you want to move to.  Even though we've got our roots in the south now, I found myself exploring all the NY neighborhoods and was captivated by the beautiful photography on this website.  I loved the personal feel and can't wait to tour all of these NY neighborhoods the next time I'm in the area.  After getting completely side tracked, I got back to the task at hand...

Creating my "Shangri la"!! I could mention a whole lot of what this house doesn't have but why do that?  It has this upstairs, screened-in-porch off our master bedroom that has been calling my name!!

Since I don't want to spend a bunch, & I needed a lot of curtains I decided to make my own and since I don't sew I bought sheets in a poppy turquoise color, some clothing line hung them up and used the extra line to tie them...easy peasy!!

Next, I just grabbed a few things that were still in the garage (found my old typewriter in Mom's attic!!), made some cute stars, & blew up an air mattress. How easy, its just up to me to really enjoy this space that's now my home; looks like Dodger is totally lovin' his new view :)

I'll keep you posted as I get to other rooms but now off to a daydream :) 

WINTER TIME FUN... regardless of what climate your in!

Hey Everyone!
Since it's the change of seasons and I'm no longer in the cold this winter, I'm kinda seeing things through new glasses so to speak :)   I think this is the first time I've met people who haven't seen snow, WOW, right?!  Also, I guess it's the New Year so I'm feeling a little reflective.

I know how difficult it is to get through those days of winter - whether your wishing for sun or snow; I'm sharing a few of my favorite go to ideas that will make any climate fun.

CRAFTS!!, something about getting creative just makes me happy regardless of the weather!  
Making winter baubles will work regardless of the climate, you can make these in the snow or your freezer :)

This is a little crafty that really needs little explaining.  How can you go wrong regardless of the climate or person, I  mean how can you have stress when bubble wrap is around?!  Go ahead get to popping those seasonal blues!

Giving a fun little surprise gift just makes everyone happy!  Here's how to recycle those soap boxes.

If your on a creative roll try some of these fun ideas, it will be a new season in no time!

FOOD & DRINKS!

Nothing is better than a yummy cup of coco in the winter or a frozen Margarita in the summer, so why not switch it up? Call your friends & family and plan a winter time staycation (vacation at home).  (check out my yummy recipes for some more ideas).

Margarita Popsicles! are fun any time... We made these for Father's Day (& not to brag but these pop's were tweeted by Shutterfly!)

                                      I love, love, love

cranking salsa music in the heart of winter & having one of these pops!

If your throat is a little sore from those winter time sniffles or it's hot & toasty...frozen grapes are a tasty treat!

SMORES! They are sooo yummy anytime, you can have them by campfire or oven & they just are such a fun memory!

SNOW!  If you live where there is snow why don't you keep your snowman till summer? That's what we did last year - it's a fun little surprise in your freezer, that will keep those snowy memories frozen in time :)  Or try to make snow, we did last night, it's as close as you can get to the real thing and will give kids that haven't seen snow before some of the fun!

INSPIRATION!

Find your inspiration, whether from a friend, store, media or getting out of dodge so to speak.  Season's change & we all get tired of where were at sometimes, the thing is when we stop & really look around, its only temporary so we might as well have some fun right?

I'm sending each and everyone of you snowflake smiles & sunbeams of love, Have a fantastic day!

Santa Claus Craft...

This Santa Claus craft will create some Santa giggles and smiles of surprise.  This is a super easy crafty & doesn't take much time!! The hardest part was trying to take the picture :)

Just grab some red paper, glue, cotton balls and freestyle draw a hat & beard; glue the cotton balls to the beard and bam your done!

I have our Santa face in the bathroom for added surprise but any mirror will do.  Have fun & umm Santa's always watching you... 


Thanks to this movie, Love at the Christmas Table, they had the Santa Claus mirror in one of their scenes (unfortunately, this clip doesn't show it, but if you haven't seen this movie, its a cutie :)

SNOWFLAKE HANDS, easy Winter Craft...

I know its kinda crazy to think of people not knowing what snow is all about; especially when your living in the frozey cold... so this crafty is for our warm climate friends :)  This is an easy wintertime craft, that will give you that snowflake feel, without the cold :)

This will make a perfect little gifty & kids giggly.  Super simple too! 
I just got some gloves (2 sets for $1.50) and sprayed the fingers with spray glue then sprinkled pretend snow on them. I used 2 kinds (only because I still had some from last year) one was a little more iridescent.

Then I flipped them over and did the same thing to the other side, (kids can even wear them as their making them). Super easy & done, now I just have to finish my hot chocolate and get these in the mail. 

For that added frozey feel you can slip into the gloves a "booboo" pack. (not sure of proper name but the little cold things you keep in the freezer for owies)

Hey for all our warm weather friends, can you send some of your warm sunbeams to our frozey parts of the world :)

I hope your having a blast where ever you are!!

FROZEN GRAPES!!!

If you've never had frozen grapes, you just have to try them!! It's about the simplest YUM around.They are a perfect treat for summertime's hot days, sore throats in the winter & a little extra treat at the end of your glass of wine.

RECIPE:
Freeze purple, seedless grapes.

How easy is that!

Chocolate Ganache Truffle Cupcakes...BEST EVER!!

When we asked Nyla what type of cupcakes she wanted for her "10" birthday, she said, "Chocolate Ganache, Truffle cupcake" then I found this recipe from Pinterest.  WOW!!  

I have never tackled anything like this so you can only imagine my nervousness & hesitation as well as surprise at Nyla's response.  My girl's got awesome taste!  I'm so glad my husband is a purest when it comes to baking & loves a tasty treat. Basically, my involvement was buy the ingredients and lick the bowl.

These were soo delicious, almost everyone ate 2 of these decadent, chocolate almond, ganache & butter cream truffle cupcakes! 

Go to The Cake Blog for the complete recipe
for our inspiration cupcake, we varied it a little, (store bought chocolate cupcake mix, almonds instead of hazelnuts, plain buttercream instead of chocolate & a variety of truffles).

I often wabble back n forth with all the social media, but today I'm super happy because without it we would never have this tasty inspiration!  Thanks so much The Cake Blog, you ROCK with your super yummy recipes!