Continuing my National Craft Month challenge, I decided to attempt one of my more recent pins.
After not being able to successfully track down the Who What Wear x Target zip pouch, instead of giving up all hope, I took the DIY approach.
From the second I spotted The Crafted Life’s 10 Minute DIY Polka Dot Purse, I knew I wanted to make my own polka dot clutch. Something I could use to keep my purse a little more organized or quickly grab on my way out the door for a few quick errands.
The hardest part of this craft project? Picking out the colors!
In other words, it’s super easy, really quick and, most importantly, it’s a lot of fun!
Chances are you’ve heard of The Confetti Bar, or at least seen their confetti around Instagram. It’s also likely that you got the today is National Cereal Day memo, even if it was a little too late.
I hate scrabbling around at the last possible minute to get everything together. And with so many holidays to keep track of and to prepare for, it can really get to be a bit overwhelming.
Not anymore! The Confetti Bar now has the Confetti of the Month Club and I got to give their first box a go. Included is four different confetti mixes that go with that month’s national holidays and a digital holiday calendar is sent to you via email in advance so you’ll be able to know what holidays are coming up.
This month’s confetti is for National Cereal Day, St. Patrick’s Day, National Awkward Moments Day, and Easter. Which is in March this year.
The Awkward Moments Day mix is scented, I can’t quite figure out what the actual scents are, but sunshine and rainbows smells pretty darn close!
Today is the last chance to sign up for the April box, if you’re already signed up for the ultra-exclusive email list. Find out how to get the party started here!
Did you know that March is National Craft Month? I plan on taking full advantage of this and using it as an excuse to do at least one of the thousands of Pinterest projects I’ve long since sworn that I was going to do, each week this month.
One easy craft project each week for a month?
That’s totally doable!
I wanted to start with something pretty, and while at Trader Joe’s picking up flowers, I spotted a bouquet of eucalyptus branches for only $2.99. After having just bought a rug at IKEA and keeping the string that it came wrapped in, I knew I had my first simple project. A minimalist eucalyptus DIY arrangement that is WAY easier than making a wreath or even a garland.
STEP 1: Open the bouquet and cut the branches (on an angle) to desired length.
STEP 2: Gather a few branches and wrap your string around them. Finish by knotting the string.
That’s it!
Simple, right?
What you decide to do with your arrangement next, is completely and totally up to you. I currently have a bundle I made displayed on a tray with faux steer skull and a candle, but I have given some thought to hanging one up in the shower or on the wall over my bed.
If this is a craft you’d consider doing, how would you show it off? Tell me in the comments!
Joining the Boston Bloggers Facebook group has led to some pretty great opportunities for me. One such opportunity was getting to attend a Barreless Barre class at Crane & Lion.
Hosted by Jenna of Boston Chic Party and Jessica Diaz, the class itself really worked your core. I didn’t realize just how much until the next day. My abs were sore, but in a good way.
I’ve taken a Barre class before, but didn’t think you could get such a great workout without even using a barre!
After class there was wine, noms and a Crane & Lion sample sale. Everything was up to 60% off!
I spotted the cutest ever jacket, and I just may have to go back for it. Sale or no sale.
I ended up not actually buying anything, which was sad because their clothes are athleisure, but casual in a way that I could see myself wearing them even on days where the gym is the furthest thing from my mind.
Thankfully, Crane & Lion sent us home with one of their tanks. I’ve already worn mine once, and it was to workout in! Can you believe it?
But while it makes cleaning my makeup brushes only about 1000 times easier, it doesn’t mean that I want to clean my makeup brushes every other day. Or even on a weekly basis.
So, in between washes, I use paper towels to help manage my mess.
To make sure that I’m saving and getting the most for my money, I get the SCOTT, Choose-a-Sheet Mega Roll 6 Pack at Dollar General.
They also carry SCOTT 1000 Bath Tissue, 16 pack and Extra Soft Bath Tissue, Double Roll 16 pack. All three special Bonus Packs are in-store through the end of February. Find the closest Dollar General to you, here.
Plus, you can use their new Digital Coupons to save even more. You just sign up, create an account and load the coupons you want to use. Then go to your local Dollar General to redeem your coupons at checkout. SO much saving!
Which, of course, for me, means that I have more money to spend on makeup…
When I lived in Vermont, a trip to the grocery store was a 20-30 minute drive.
Much of my shopping was done while hungry and resulted in a lot of snack foods. So to avoid this and getting hangry at the manfriend, I’ve learned to keep snacks in my bag. This especially comes in handy when we go on a road trip. Otherwise, we will inevitably end of in line at the nearest drive-thru.
It’s not that snacks are always that much better than fast food, but the cost adds up. We’ve been guilty of buying Taco Bell right before dinner.
The Vermont part of me, which cringes when there isn’t recycling options everywhere, was very happy to hear about Chomps Snack Sticks. They are made with grass-fed beef, so they taste phenomenal! The manfriend even said he wishes that they were in the checkout lines instead of Slim Jim’s. And they’re healthier.
I always like to have a magazine and a notebook on hand.
Reading in the car makes me motion sick, but this way, I can have something to read if I have to wait some where.
Or if I think of an idea, I can jot it down.
Then there’s the everyday things I keep in any bag.
At least one Lola tampon, because they’re 100% cotton and I don’t have to send the manfriend to the store for them. They’re delivered right to my door!
I am far from rich, but having a few quality investment pieces is something I kind of pride myself on. Treat yourself, right?
Instead of new year, new me, why not same me, better stuff?
You’re probably getting sick of my obsession with totes, but a big sturdy one is a must-have. I cannot tell you how nice it is to travel and have your mind at ease knowing that everything you need is right there with you. Or even to go to work or an event with your laptop, planner, notebook, etc. all in one bag. I’ve also has a cheaper bag break under pressure. Not exactly my idea of fun.
At least in New England, the temperatures have dropped. If you live (or even plan on visiting) somewhere cold, you should have a warm coat. One with a hood is also probably a good idea, unless you have a winter hat. I like wool. I also prefer one that is just a little bit big, so I can wear a few layers underneath.
As someone obsessed with heels, I have tons of different pairs. But all you really need is at least one good black pump. I don’t care what brand they are as long as they make you feel good. Just make sure you can walk in them.
Now, I am not saying that you should go out and blow your whole paycheck on the most expensive things you can find.
What I mean is, if you want something nice, you don’t always have to settle. Save!
Back in high school, I never thought I’d be someone that needed use Proactiv. I may have gotten a tiny pimple all of like once or twice.
But in college, that changed.
Zits started to regularly pop up all over my face.
In particularly, they favored my forehead, making it look like I slept on pizza instead of my pillow. Here’s proof…
Some of you may be thinking, that this isn’t that bad.
But this photo was taken shortly after I had started using Proactiv. Plus, it was the summer so my skin is in it’s most radiant state.
Except for my forehead.
I tried anything I could get my hands on (thank you work study paychecks)! Proactiv was the only product that completely cleared up my skin.
Recently, I started to break out again. It usually does in the winter, because of my moisturizer usage. But this time it was much worse. It’s been my forehead all over again, only on the bottom half of my face.
I’ve hear of adult acne, but come on! Seriously?
So, I started using Proactiv again (well, Proactiv Plus).
Pros: Effective (like I said, it was literally the only product that cleared up my skin), a little goes a long way and the amount of product you receive can last over two months. I also happened to already have some (after discovering that extreme stress also triggers my skin to breakout).
Cons: One thing I noticed about Proactiv is that typically my skin will get a little worse before it gets better. It’s kind of addictive. Not in a I need it, I need it sense, but more of a if you stop using it your skin tends to go back to looking like pizza really is bae. It can also be costly, especially if you go to cancel your subscription.
For me, the pros outweighed the cons. Plus, this time I noticed that my skin didn’t get at all worse and started to clear up almost instantly!
Do you get break outs? Share how you treat them in the comments below.
Monarch Workshop just announced the dates for their 2016 spring session!
Clear your calendars for Saturday, March 19th and Sunday, March 20th because it is seriously about to go down. While the location is still to be announced, I’m already making arrangements to be in there like swimwear.
