Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DIY. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Recipe - Oh So Easy Ice Cream Sammies
Summer is here! And for me, summer is a time to eat ice cream. Well, who am I kidding...any season is a time to eat ice cream.
Since our house... A) Loves summer B) Loves ice cream and C) Loves cookies...the boys asked if we could make our very own ice cream cookie sandwiches. My answer, of course!
We baked some cookies the day before, made some ice cream using one of my favorite appliances and set up our work space. Cookies, ice cream and of course, assorted sprinkles!
I laid down some wax paper so after the boys put them together, they could roll in sprinkles and then wrap them up in wax paper to be stored for later.
I scooped out some fresh ice cream, placed on the top cookie and the boys squished it down to perfection. The goal was to have a slight ice cream ooze...all the better to sprinkle with!
Next up, they choose a sprinkle and just rolled the ice cream ooze to make sure each part was evenly blasted with a pop of sugary color!
Next, wrap the wax paper around the cookie, secured with a colorful sticker and stored away in the freezer.
So easy and SO fun! Cookie, ice cream, sprinkle, WRAP!
We now have sweet desserts for those late summer nights by the pool!
Now all I want to do is make all sorts of different kinds! I am thinking a chocolate, chocolate chip cookie with Mexican chocolate ice cream? Who's with me?!
What suggestions do you have? Any sammies you wish you could eat..like now?
Strive to Thrive,
Em
Monday, December 16, 2019
DIY Washi Tape Christmas Cards
I just cannot get enough of this whole Washi Tape thing. I mean, there is just SO much you can do with that stuff! With seemingly endless patterns, colors and designs I am constantly whipping up things left and right. With my growing collection of holiday Washi (thank you amazing mother-in-law), it was pretty obvi that I had to do something with it this year.
While gift cards used to be an impersonal gift, I personally feel that is not (and to be honest, never has) been the case. I can't think of anything I love more than someone giving me money I HAVE to spend. You can't put a gift card in savings. You can't pay a bill with a gift card. You MUST spend it...on something you want...ummmm, yeah, that is the best gift ever! Not that I don't try to find thoughtful gifts for family and friends, I do, but for most, the gift card seems the way to go.
Rather than throw the card in the standard store provided envelope, I decided to show my love this season through my Washi work. I grabbed some random opaque paper (I know, who has that around? my original plan was my trusty index card, but I happened upon the more festive paper), envelopes, metallic marker and my Christmas Washi selection.
I assessed my stash and decided to mix and match patterns. I went with one wordy one graphic and tried to choose two that contrasted yet complimented each other.
Once the cards were assembled, I reached into my stack of gift cards and matched the chosen "must spend money" to the loved on in mind.
A few more tears tape and I was done! Using my metallic pen I added the "to" and "love" and started stuffing into envelopes.
And just like that I was done. No major wrapping, no boring envelope, just a little DIY Washi-ing. I swear, Washi tape is the gift that NEVER stops giving! It adds a pizazz to any and everything. God...I am obsessed!!!
What is your vote on gift cards? Hell yes or No way? Washi lover or hater?
Strive to thrive,
Em
Thursday, February 7, 2019
DIY Valentine Cards
It is nearly Valentine's Day which means it's time to get those classroom Valentine's on LOCK. Last year, I took it upon myself to lead the charge on busting out 33 handmade Valentine cards for Clarke & J.R.'s classroom. I know it would have been much easier to buy them, but being the Thriving Mommy I am, I just felt they needed to be handmade. Lucky for the boys they cannot quite write or cut on their own...so I did the work...they helped sort candy and do the tape. The love tape.
Now I am no craft-ista, but I can cut out a heart. And throw candy on it. Using Washi tape. BAM! There you have it. Watch out Martha Stewart (yeah right).
Lucky for me, aside from the candy (we went with Starburst FaveREDs and a Reese's Love Bugs) I had everything I needed; construction paper, Washi tape, a fine tipped red marker and some scalloped scissors.
First step, fold the paper in half and cut out a heart. I am hoping you can recall that task from first grade. I know I did. I also know I am horrible at cutting, hence the scalloped scissors; they make everything look better.
I cut two sheets at a time which sped along the process and gave me two medium sized hearts per page.
In just a few minutes I had 36 hearts (I made more to account for mistakes) and was ready to start adding the font and having the boys hand me candy.
Using the "bugs", I wrote, "Happy Valentine's Day Love Bug" on one side and secured a cute little bug on the other - DONE.
And just like that, WE were done! Locked, loaded and ready to pass out at their party at school!
So simple, so affordable, and oh so preschool cute!
This year, the class is bigger AND I have a new baby. I think I have found our "signature" Valentine. Something we love, is quasi-healthy and personal....(drumroll)....
The Costco Organic Fruit Strip with personalized sticker!! In less than ten seconds you are ready to go!
What are you doing for the class Valentine's this year?
Strive to thrive,
Em
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
8 Easy & Affordable FALL-tastic Decorations
With no BIRTHdays to celebrate quite yet, I am refocusing all my Thriving energy on enjoying the Fall! Now that we are nearing the end of September, if you have't decorated yet, it is high time you get started!
Here are my eight favorite and super affordable ways to sing Fall-a-lejua all throughout the house!
1. Assorted Colored Stones of Sorts. Whether marbles or jewels, big or small, anything in Fall colors will do. I have had these assorted autumn cuties for years and love that I can reuse them each season. On a platter, in a jar, sprinkled on a mantle...the list goes on!
2. Fabric. Also something I acquired long ago, but have been so grateful to have stored away! In brown, bronze and orange, shiny and matte these signature pieces are perfect for "shwagging" any and all surfaces. With so many choices and coupons to use at the fabric store, make the tiny investment this season and you won't be disappointed when you use them again and again!
3. Sparkly Pumpkins. When I found these minis at the Dollar Tree I snapped them up with the quickness. Something about pumpkins and glitter just really gets me going. Especially knowing it is not going to get all over my clean house! My big guy was a 50% steal at Michael's with an additional 40% off!! I mean it was practically free which makes me love it all that much more.
4. Go-To Collection of Mini Pumpkins & Gourds. I again, have had these same supplies for years and always look forward to their annual debut. Did I also mention how incredibly easy and gorgeously green all this reusing is? With a simple sprinkle here and thought- out placement there, every surface in your house transforms making it oh so Fall-tastic!
5. Throw Pillows. These are the pillows I use year round. They are well made and have lasted a very long time. I add a vintage pillow cases in the "off season", but when Fall/Winter set in they are naked and in full force! I love their shiny burgundy color and that one side is silky smooth while the other has gold accents...they are perfect in their true form from September to December!
6. Leaves. While I personally am not a fake plant/silk flower girl, I have NO problem busting out some silk leaves in the Fall. Once you buy your first bag (or bunch depending on where you go) you will NEVER need leaves again! Also, there is no "real" leaf collecting, no "real" leaf mess and when your kids help you decorate (as mine did) there are no "real" leaves to crunch!
7. Thriving Art. This addition to my "Fall collection" is by far my favorite...and the most cost effective. Since the boys and I do art sessions pretty regularly it is easy to throw in some seasonal projects. This year, using my favorite non-toxic, water based finger paint (which was a phenom investment at Target for $10) we used fall colors to do some hand prints and smears. Once they hung to dry I simply cut them out in the shape of an autumn leaf and boom! Perfect art to add to the gallery!
8. Fall Candle. My Thriving Mommy and I have yet to get around to making an Autumn collection of our DIY candles, so I head to Target for their soy candles in my favorite scents. I can honestly tell you I burn these nonstop and am obsessed with how they make my entire home smell amazing! These are a must have when you do your Fall-fromation for sure!
With my house in FALL swing inside and Halloween showcased outside there is only one thing left to do, enjoy it all and wait for my fourth little man to join in all the autumn fun!
What are your favorite Fall accents to add to your home?
Strive to thrive,
Em
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
5 Ingredient DIY Lavender Sunscreen
**This recipe has NOT been tested by a regulatory organization and therefore cannot with certainty make any claims to the SPF content***
*Use caution when using zinc oxide and do NOT inhale powder*
As a Thriving eco-mommy I am always looking for healthier ways to live. From cloth diapering, to making my own cleaning products and even getting into making my own beauty products I love trying to make more natural choices for my family.
Thankfully, my girl Wellness Mama is an endless resource for all things natural and DIY. As usual she came through again with a natural alternative a product we use multiple times a day... sunscreen!
With little ones playing outside most of the day I am quite serious about sunscreen and the constant reapplication of said sun protection. However, I want to make sure that what I am continually covering my littles skin in is safe and as non toxic as possible. Katie, aka, Wellness Mama shares a ton of research on the harmful effects of most sunscreens and smart ways to stay sun safe.
I was amazed to learn about the suggested SPF of individual ingredients and how when combined they could provide just the sun protection we needed for playing outside...before I applied more an hour later...
This simple 5 ingredient recipe is natural, cost effective, easy to make, feels good on skin, smells amazing and keeps the bugs away (did you know lavender is a natural repellant to moths, flies, mosquitos and fleas?!)
Once you have your ingredients (if you aren't into lavender, just make sure to not go with a citrus essential oil as they increase sensitive to the sun) it is time to get cooking!
Combine all ingredients BUT the zinc oxide in a pint size mason jar (or larger). I have one on hand that I reuse for making other natural beauty products too...that wax is tricky to clean...
Fill a medium saucepan with a couple inches of water and place over medium heat. Place the lid loosely on the jar and put it in the water.
As the water heats the ingredients in the jar will begin to melt; stir occasionally.
Once the ingredients are completely melted (carefully) add the zinc oxide powder and stir well.
Pour sunscreen into a jar or tin for storage...I obviously went with my go-to, the all mighty Mason.
Stir a few times as it cools to make sure the zinc oxide is evenly distributed and store at room temperature.
Hit it with a Washi label and you are ready for some safe fun in the sun!
I absolutely love how this sunscreen feels and smells. The way it leaves a thick white lather on the boys' skin makes me feel great that they are super sun safe...some may not like that, but I do!
Most of all, I love knowing EXACTLY what I am slathering alllllll over my babies bodies! Thank you Wellness Mama for always providing me with great natural alternatives for well...everything!
What is your favorite sunscreen?
Strive to thrive,
Em
