gold, glitter, and chevron

What better thing to do than a craft on a lazy Sunday?! And I know that you're thinking of one that involves lots and lots of glitter!!! Well you are in luck friends because I have an easy DIY project for you today! I saw this on Pinterest and had to try it out for my apartment :)

Materials:

Towel/Newspaper

Canvas

Mod Podge

Gold Glitter

Paint Brush

Sealant Spray Paint

Painters Tape

White paint (optional)

Step one: Find a place to work... on the floor - grab a towel. on a table - grab newspaper!

 Okay so I don't know how to tell you to do the first step honestly because 1: I'm good at math and mapped it out and 2: it kinda just worked out for me regardless of my plan. But somehow - you need to map out how far apart your lines will be... good luck! I decided to put a skinny line at the bottom because it looked silly without it - so that's how my plan changed.

 Tape out the lines on your canvas. Painters tape is ideal... all I had was gorilla tape so I used that! Just something that will stick to the canvas and not let the glitter underneath.

 Spread Mod Podge over one section of a time and then dump glitter onto it. Be generous! Go section by section. Knock off the glitter in between and dump back into your container.

 Let it dry for an hour or so. I couldn't wait and pulled my off before that - and it was fine!

 There were some areas were the gorilla tape didn't come off so I had to take white paint and go over it but it actually turned out better when I went over all the blank areas with white. But that part is optional - if you use painters tape you shouldn't have a problem!

 Spray with the sealant and then set it somewhere to dry overnight and for a day or two!

Hang it up where everyone can see it and compliment your handy work!

There you go friends :) and I only had to get the sealant because I used things that I already had so this barely cost me anything to make! And it was really fun to make. This girl can never have enough glitter in her life :)

look beyond

The first thing you do in a thrift store - 

look beyond what you see!

Think out side of the box my friends.

 It can be very easy to get caught up in the...

smells, appearances, and large amount of clothes.

But don't be fooled! There are treasures everywhere :)

Here are some great things to look for the next time you're thrifting:
Sweater to leg warmers:

Sweater to pillow covers:

Men's large button up shirt to lady's skirt:

Pleated ankle length skirt to dress:

2 plain t-shirts to one different scarf:

T-shirt and lace to scarf:

Men's large sweatshirt to cardigan:

Jeans to shoes:

Polo to boat neck shirt:

For links to all these DIY (do it yourself) projects,

go [here] to my pinterest board and click on the photo.

Then click on it again once it takes you to the separate page,

and it will take you to the website!

Those are just some ideas but there are more.

If you find any awesome ones let me know :)

The weekend is almost here - keep going friends!

Dollar Tree

The Dollar Tree so counts as thrifting.

I mean cheap, interesting pieces, and winning finds!

I went this week in order to get some fall decorations.

I wasn't hoping to find too much but I knew I'd find something.

And did I ever :)

I mean 50 red and yellow leaves = $1.00

and look at everything I did with them!

I attached them to the twinkle lights - loving it!!!

And they kind of look like they're falling too :)

I put them in our lamp... roomie's idea!

 I put some of the extra ones on our mirror too!

So many ways to use 50 little leaves:) for a dollar!

I got these babies for a whole $3.00 at the local store too...

And we put them at the bottom of our lamp like a little garden!

How did you decorate for fall?!

And our room is officially looking like fall!!! :)

I snagged some other things at the dollar store,

but they are for another time and place!

Leaves. Pumpkins. Acorns. Candy Corn.

Fall decorations. 

love them.

So here are some ideas to spice up your house/dorm.

All via pintrest of course :)

Make those houses look festive!!!

I gave up on finding cute enough ones - I'm making them now!

There are links for decorations I felt weren't self explanatory.

And keep scrolling for my favorite craft websites... don't miss 'em!

ENJOY!!! :)

and be crafty this weekend!

[here's the link to make the pumpkins below!]

[here's the link to make the wreath below!]

Here are some of my favorite websites for crafts!

http://www.iheartnaptime.net/2011/09/fall-decorating-ideas/

http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/2011/09/fall-frenzy-link-party.html

http://www.everythingetsy.com/2011/08/101-festive-fall-tutorials/

http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/10/three-easy-fall-crafts-link-party/

Facials

So this post isn't about Thrifty Thursdays. That's tomorrow. Confusing  - I know. But today is Facial "Friday" because I want it to be Friday and you can all do this great facial on Friday. Hannah and I found this one day when we wanted to make our own facials. We fell in love! The website we found was super great in giving facials for any type of skin or any type of facial you are in need of. I'm definitely giving myself a facial this weekend, so here are my favorites:

Before: Make sure you wash your face before you do anything! You want to start off with a clean face so you aren't getting any of the dirt deeper into your pores. The goal is to cleanse, exfoliate, and rejuvenate! [without going to the spa]

Pre-facials: Put your hair up; put a thick headband in (you don't want this stuff in your hair); clean off your sink;  get some towels ready....

Ready, Set, GO!

1. Wash your face. 
Wash with whatever products you have or with warm water and gentle soap.

2. Exfoliate
Ingredients:
2 tbsp fine oatmeal
2 tbsp plain yogurt
1 tbsp almond oil

Directions:
Place the oatmeal in a bowl and mix in the yogurt and almond oil. Leave to sit for a few minutes to allow the oatmeal soften. Gently massage the mixture into your face and neck for about five minutes, avoiding the area directly around the eyes. Wash off with warm water.

3. Avocado Face Mask
Ingredients:

half ripe avocado

1 tbsp lemon juice (normal or oily skin)

1 egg yolk (normal to dry skin)

1 tbsp plain yogurt

1 tsp olive or avocado oil

Directions:
Peel and mash the avocado half in a bowl
Beat in the remaining ingredients and use immediately.

Easy Peasy!!!!

I seriously love this facial combo! It made my face feel wonderful and the avocado was perfect right after I exfoliated with the gentle oatmeal. I have sensitive skin and I had no issue with these facials. Try it! You won't regret it!

A Little Dorm This and a Little Dorm That

So it's that time of year again.
The final weeks before school starts.
Well I am excited but sad at the same time.

I can't wait to be back with my roomie and friends,
but I am so sad that my best friend won't be with me this year.

My roomie last year had to leave school after a semester for
her own personal reasons, and it was the best move for her.
But this week my best friend told me that she isn't coming back
to our school this year and is pursuing a different career.
I am so happy both of the girls are doing what they need to do -
but I am sure that school is never going to be quite the same.
My best fliends will just have to come visit me more :)
Anyways, enough  of the sob story from the little heart broken student.
Let's get to the goods! 

Dorm. Room. Goodies.
I love moving into my dorm room every year! :)
I move the furniture. Set up some stuff. Move the furniture again.

Hang pictures and posters and decorations all over my room.
Just to take them down because we're moving around again!

It is just so fun! :) And then everyone comes in because you

officially have the "cutest room!"

I love it all!

So this year I decided to make some new pieces for my room.

I want things that could work in my room at home or in my dorm.
My mom asked me to take pictures and blog about it (thanks mom!).
So here are some of my room decorations :) yayyy!
I can't wait to move in and hang these babies up and put them around!

Project #1: The Whiteboard.

What You Need:

A frame with glass (had)

Paper (had)

Fun scrap book paper ($0.70)

Paint chips (free!)

Ribbon ($2.50)
Lace ($1 for 2 yards)

Hot glue (had)

Watered down glue ($0.40)

Tape (had)

Total Cost: $4.60

How-to: Do It Yourself1. Tape paper to the back of the frame

2. Place and tape the fun scrape book paper down on one side.

3. Cut your paint chips into equal sizes. (I made mine too big and redid them twice)

4. Layout your paint chips out and glue them down.

5. Hot glue ribbon down between the rows and columns.

6. Label the days and add in anything else for little touches. (I added a notes area)

7. Place some lace at the bottom and secure with hot glue.

8. Hot glue lace as the hanger to the back.

Final Product: A customized whiteboard that is banging cute :)

Project #2: Personalized Square Artwork

What You Need:

4 square pieces of art ($6)

2 canvases ($2)

6 pieces of scrape book paper ($2.50)

Mod Podge ($8 for big container)

Hot glue (had)

Scissors (had)

Pencil (had)

Total Cost: $10.50

How-to: Do It Yourself

1. Trace the canvas or other wooden piece on the back of the paper.

2. Measure extra space on each side so the paper can be wrapped.

3. Cut out the square.

4. Mod Podge the paper and the wooden piece and glue together.

5. Cut out squares in the corners for easy wrapping.

6. Mod Podge the paper and the sides.

7. Hold down for 30 seconds to make sure it's dry.

8. Repeat steps 2-7 on all non canvas pieces.

9. Hot glue the edges of the canvas and stick the paper to it. (Mod Podge is a no go.)

10. Cut out the corners to make it easier to wrap the sides.

11. Hot glue the wooden canvas sides and wrap paper around it.

12. Coat all paper 2 times with Mod Podge to make sure the paper is sealed.

Final Product: Great customized artwork that can be hung or placed around.

Project #3: Lace Picture Frame

What You Need:

Picture Frame (had)

Lace ($4.00 for 5 yards)

Picture (print off)

Hot glue (had)

Scissors (had)

Tape (had)

Total Cost: under $1.00

How-to: Do It Yourself

1. Layout the lace and cut with extra at the top and bottom.

2. Hot glue the edge of the glass and place lace on top.

3. Hot glue the lace where the frame will cover.

(mine had the center wooden aspect that I hot glued around)

4. Secure all lace with hot glue and add a little tape if needed. (I didn't need to)

5. Pop the glass into the frame. (It should fit snug because of the extra lace on the edges)

6. Cut down the extra lace on the back.

7. Tape your photo to the front so it can be changed easily.

Final Product: Frame with a vintage twist to it.

Project #4: Quotation Canvas

What You Need:

Canvas ($5.00)

Letters ($2.00)

Paint ($3.00)

String (had)

Scissors (had)

Sponges (4 for $2.00)

Plates (had)

Total Cost: $12.00

How-to: Do It Yourself
1. Pick a quote and layout the letters on the canvas.

2. Make sure the letter are pressed onto the canvas firmly.
3. Use string or yarn to create the squares so that there is white space.

4. Make sure the sponge fits into each square.
5. Map out what colors are going to go where on the canvas.

6. Use a sponge for each color and sponge on the paint.

7. Let it dry.

8. Use the sponges to wrap the paint along the edges.

9.Peal off the letters.

10. Use white paint to do any touch up on the letters.

Final Project: An amazing personalized canvas with my favorite quote.


Project #5: Large paperclip photo holders

What You Need:
2 Large Wooden Paperclips ($0.02)
Mod Podge (had)
Scrapbook Paper (had)
Paint (had)
Total Cost: $0.02
How-to: Do It Yourself
1. Paint the wooden paper clips. (I painted one and left one alone).

2. Trace the side of the paper clip onto the paper.
3. Use Mod Podge and glue on the paper.
4. Coat the paper with another layer of Mod Podge.

5. Let dry.

Final Project: Sweet and fun photo clips.




The End.I'll post pictures of all these in my dorm room once I move in:)