4 Cool Looks That Distress Me.
Stylish Gift Wrap Ideas for the Frugal Santa
Stylish gift wrap doesn’t need to cost a ton of cash. You can easily wrap gifts with everyday items you already have on hand. Not only will you save, but people will appreciate your creativity.
Use the Sunday comics section. Brownie points for having a Peanuts comic strip prominently displayed.
Leftover wallpaper or fabric from your home improvement projects can add a touch of whimsy. I’ve also used paper grocery bags to wrap gifts– I cut the bags into wrapping paper-like shape and then on the inside (plain side without writing) I painted a pretty design of a wreath or tree and sprinkled glitter. For the “ribbon” I used a recycled ribbon. Vintage Christmas cards make for pretty and interesting gift tags. And this is all stuff you probably already have on hand in a clutter drawer in the kitchen!!
Hat and shoe boxes can be used for sentimental gifts, especially mementos or keepsakes. Spray paint boxes with bright Christmas colors. This works great for large gifts that already come in their own boxes.
For a more rustic look, use craft or construction paper and dress up the package with twine, strings, sprigs, or pine cones.
You can also dress up plain construction paper with stickers, stencils, and stamps.
Use things related to the gift– such as pages from magazines related to your gift. For example, Vogue for clothing, Rolling Stone for CDs, National Geographic for business traveler’s gifts, Wired for gadgets, etc. Use old school computer paper (the kind with hole-punched edges) for computer products, and use maps for gifts related to traveling (i.e. those annoying travel size grooming kits).
Use Child Labor– Children’s drawings made in school are wonderful as gift wrap for grandparents . (Grandma will definitely want to “save” this wrapping paper!) Another fun option is your children’s hand prints on white construction paper. Acrylic paint is usually the best choice for these kinds of projects. If you have a baby, little foot prints would also work (I did this myself when my son was a baby– we made a wreath-look wrapping paper with his footprints).
These are just a few fun ideas for low-cost and creative wrapping paper for holiday gifts. Much more fun than store-bought.
How to Make a Duct Tape Mini Skirt
How to Make a Duct Tape Mini Skirt
from wikiHow – The How to Manual That You Can Edit
So you’ve always thought duct tape was cool, and been jealous of those totally unique people with their original fashion sense? Then a duct tape mini skirt might satisfy you on both counts! But even if none of the above applies, it’s still a fun project!
Steps
- Take a few measurements. Measure your hips and the length you want the skirt to go down from your hips. Now add two inches to both measurements. (Measurements are made bigger because it is easier to cut off than to add on when using duct tape.)
- Divide your hip measurement in half, and then cut a strip of duct tape a little longer than that measurement. Lay it flat on the floor (or other large flat surface) stickyside up and cut another one. Lay that one stickyside up so that the long edge overlaps the long edge of the first piece just a little. Add more strips in the same fashion till it is a little bit longer than your skirt length. What you’re essentially doing here is making duct tape fabric that forms the front half of your skirt.
- Cut another strip of duct tape the same length. This time, instead of laying it overlapping one of the other strips, lay it stickyside down on top of the top piece of duct tape. It is a good idea to make sure you have a firm hold of the tape so that a part you don’t want to touch your skirt will not accidentally become stuck to it. Put one end of your new piece of tape down and slowly smooth the rest out across the skirt. Don’t worry if your ends don’t meet up on either side. Just continue this until you’ve covered your entire sheet.
- Make another one, but this one should be at least several inches wider so it can wrap around the back. The more ample your backside, the wider the fabric should be!
- Cut off any extra sticky parts on the sides.
- Tape one side of two pieces loosely together and hold it up to your body. Measure where you should cut off the other side and make a mark using a pen or pencil. (Remember, you’ll need room to get in and out!)
- Tape both sides together firmly, making sure they won’t come apart. Cut little slits on each side, as it will be hard to maneuver otherwise.
Cut a long gash that allows you to slip out of it easily on one side of the top of the skirt, and add a button to it so it doesn’t fall off while you wear it.
Fold another layer of duct tape around the edges of the skirt so that any rough edges will be smoothed over.
Tips
- Duct tape comes in all types of colors and patterns. Don’t just be limited to a grey skirt! denim colors are best for an original/modern look.
- This project can be very difficult, so don’t be discouraged if your first attempt is a failure. Duct tape is a hard material to work with. Start with a smaller project, like a bracelet, then graduate to the mini skirt.
- Tie up loose hair, tidy up your work area, and thoroughly moisturize your hands before beginning; minimize the irritation of the tape’s stickiness by minimizing the availability of things for it to stick to.
- Remember to take your time!
- Duct tape can be very irritating to the skin so it is a good idea to wear shorts, tights, leggings or jeans under the skirt. (As tacky as it sounds, a duct tape skirt looks great over light jeans.)
Things You’ll Need
Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make a Duct Tape Mini Skirt. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.
Spenders get thrifty for holiday shopping
How to Make a Cookies Galore Smoothie
How to Make a Cookies Galore Smoothie
from wikiHow – The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Smoothies and milkshakes can get boring. Here’s a yummy recipe that combines great flavors with protein powder. It’s an easy treat with a gourmet taste. Keep reading for ingredients and steps to make a Cookies Galore smoothie.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup quick oats
- 4 ounces milk (which ever type desired)
- Approximately 3 shots or pumps of Torani Chocolate Biscotti Syrup
- 2 to 3 tablespoons whey (egg) protein powder, if desired
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 cup Ice (Less if you would like a richer flavor)
Steps
- Combine the liquid ingredients and blend for 10-15 seconds to combine.
- Add the quick oats and protein powder and blend for another 30 seconds to remove lumps.
- Add ice and continue blending until ice combined and drink is smooth.
- Serve immediately in glasses.
- Top with piece of biscotti, if desired.
Tips
- Mix all ingredients before adding ice.
- Add more or less chocolate Biscotti syrup depending on how sweet you want it.
- Look for other flavors in the coffee section of higher end grocery stores and gourmet food stores.
- Protein powders have different flavors. Try vanilla, chocolate or unflavored for best results.
- Chocolate Biscotti syrup can be ordered online if unavailable at a store near you.
- Make it healthier by adding skim milk, a sugar free syrup and natural peanut butter.
Things You’ll Need
- Blender
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoon
- Serving glasses
Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make a Cookies Galore Smoothie. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.
Wordless Wednesday- November 30
Help Others This Holiday Season…One Click at a Time
Here are a few easy ways to help others this holiday season… one click at a time.
If you tend to shop online try GoodShop.com and GiveClicks.com. Both donate a portion of proceeds to charity.
Getting married? IDoFoundation.org helps couples create gift registries, invites and party favors that benefit charitable organizations.
Too many shoes? Soles4Souls.org distributes them to the poor and disaster stricken around the world.
Do you have spare business apparel? CareerGear.org (for men’s clothing) and TheWomensAlliance.org (for women’s apparel) collect donations of lightly worn professional attire for interviews.
Do you love stuffed animals? StuffedAnimalsForEmergencies.org and LovingHugs.org both give your “gently used” stuffies to kids in need.
Would you rather help out locally? HandsOnNetwork.org and VolunteerMatch.org pair locals with volunteer needs in your own backyard.
Do you enjoy surfing the internet? GoodSearch.com donates to a favorite charity/worthwhile cause as you browse online.
Short on cash? These ideas are easy ways to help out others during the holiday season– and maybe even all year! Happy Giving!
Swimsuit Shopping in December? Is this even possible?!
Tonite I find myself shopping for a swimsuit– online, of course. (No super well-lit fitting rooms for me!) Especially since it’s December there are precious few swimsuits in the actual stores right now anyway.
Right now I’m searching the Victoria’s Secret website, Nordstrom website, and Spanx (yes, they make swim wear!). So far, just a whole lotta shopping. With any luck at all I will be in the hot tub soon– in a new swim suit! Readers– if you have suggestions on where to find cute styles in the middle of the winter, I am all ears.
Research shows that women struggle to find bathing suits that flatter (Big surprise). According to ShopSmart magazine:
* The average woman owns 3 bathing suits. Compare that to 7 pairs of jeans and 17 pairs of shoes. (To say nothing of handbags.)
* On average, women pay $47 for a new suit.
* 31% of women say the most offensive swimsuits are those that are not age appropriate. Thongs are next, with 28% calling the dental-floss look offensive.
* 61% of women go swimsuit shopping alone.
* Bikinis are the least popular style overall, except for women age 18 to 34, who love their itsy bitsies.
* 33% like how they look in a suit; 18% don’t.
Sunset in Ocean Beach
Stay Safe While Hunting for Deals
Before you head out for that first big holiday shopping trip, here are a few tips to keep yourself, your loved ones and your purchases safe and secure:
- Don’t leave a purse unattended in a shopping cart. The best practice– carry a smaller purse with a strap across the shoulder.
- When in a public facility, always supervise your children, and always accompany young children to the restroom.
- If older children become separated from you while holiday shopping have them meet you in a predetermined spot such as the sales counter of the store you were in or the mall’s information booth.
- Teach younger children to look for people who can help within the store or mall, such as a uniformed security officer or a salesperson with a name tag. They should never leave the store/mall or go to the parking lot to look for you or your car.
Vehicle, parking lot safety
- Always park in well-lit areas. Most important- if you are in a large parking garage- remember where you parked the car! There’s nothing worse than searching for your vehicle in a gigantic, unfamiliar parking structure!
- Keep your keys in your hand and pay attention to your surroundings while walking to your vehicle. Remember, potential perpetrators do not like eye contact.
- Check the backseat and underneath the vehicle before entering.
- Don’t clip any identification to rearview mirrors or other plain-view locations.
- Lock your doors and close all windows.
- Don’t hide keys anywhere on your vehicle.
- Never leave your engine running, even if you will be gone for just a minute.
- Conceal all valuables.
Thrift Shopping Buzz 