Birdie Goodie Bags

I am making cookies to give out to my coworkers and neighbors and I was trying to figure out what to put them in without spending a fortune on containers.  So I picked up some brown paper bags and figured something would come to me.  I was thinking about using book pages to make birds to glue to the bags and one of the bajillion Pottery Barn catalogs that I got this holiday was sitting on the coffee table so I decided to recycle instead:)

I freehand cut a bird from a page in the catalog and also a wing

Bird

 Wing

 I made a small fold at the top of the wing so that it was 3 dimensional 

I glued the bird to the bag and then the flap on the wing

This is what it looks like

Then I decided to stamp Peace under the birdie

I start with the middle letter so it is centered

Then you stamp the letters out from the center letter

Stamping all done!

Here are a few others

Fold over the bag and cut off some of the excess

I punched 2 holes at the top of the folded bag

Then strung ribbon through the holes and finish with a bow

And here is the final product:)

I did 12 or so in about 30 minutes or so sitting in front of the tv and they cost almost nothing to make!

I will probably print labels to stick to the backs to let them know what cookies are in the bag and who its from.

Tips... I plan on putting the cookies in ziplock bags before putting them in the paper bag so they don't go stale.

Also when cutting out the birds I tried to place the template over prettier pages and traced the shape and then I tried to choose a wing in a contrasting color.  

Bra Talk

I am one of those gals that has like 100 pair of underwear, in every color and style.  I can't help myself, I just can't ever resist a cute pair.  When it comes to bras I think I am the exact opposite.  It may be because I have an average cup size and it's never been a real issue finding decent bras.  But I have heard a lot of buzz about getting fitted and that most women don't really know their size and often wear bras that don't fit.

Most of my bras are beginning to fall apart so I decided it was time to look at my next purchases more carefully. Bra's can be really expensive so for me it was about investing in some bra's that would last a long time and that were very comfortable.  Possibly due to their marketing, I always tend to buy bra's from Victoria's Secret, but I have found that I don't end up wearing them that often because they don't fit me right and they don't wash well.  

For my birthday I received a $10 off coupon to Soma.  Now, before I ever walked into that store I had always assumed that is was all granny panties and Mumu's.  A couple of Christmas' ago my boyfriend bought me a beautiful robe from Soma and I have warn it to a pulp.  After Christmas they also have a huge sale and so I bought some sleep pants.  Seriously they are the softest most comfortable sleep pants I own.  They also come in sleek, modern, and sophisticated prints so I don't look like I stole a 12 year old's pj's.  

Ok back to bras... So I went this weekend and let them fit me for a bra and I learned a couple things,  I am both a 36 B AND a 34 C.  Depending on the brand's or styles I fluctuate between a 34 and 36, but I didn't realize that increasing the cup size when you go to a smaller chest size is what I had been doing wrong all this time!  I tried on about 10 bras and honestly I could have bought them all!  I decided to purchase just 1 but now I am going to go back and by the strapless too.

I Purchased this Bra, the wire free vanishing back 

Seriously this is the most comfortable bra I have ever worn

Smooth Convertible lined Strapless, I am buying this one too

I also liked these styles as well

Custom Support Lara Underwire

Cool Nights Satin Sleeve Short Robe

Cool Nights Vintage Chemise

Caravan Cami and Shorts

Check out Soma's website HERE

I am also loving these nylon cheapo bras that you can snag at Wet Seal for $5.99!

They both come with removable padding and a rainbow of colors.

Meet Ung Drill

Meet Ung Drill.  Many of you may already know Ung Drill but for those of you who don't here it is!  This is one of the most commonly use decorative pieces from Ikea that I have ever seen.  Everywhere I look it seems to be incorporated in every design scheme.  And at $29, who wouldn't?  It comes in basic black but take a look at the other ideas people have had for this gorgeous staple.  

If you click on the picture it should send you to the site I found it on:)  Enjoy!

Nothin like Grocery store flowers!!

I LOVE fragrant lilys.  I buy them from the grocery at a whopping $10.  Now the really fancy shmancy ones from the florist are really great too, but you just cant beat these for the price.  And let me tell you, every once in awhile I get a really spectacular bunch.

This bunch lasted a good 14 days before the first one began to wilt.

I just love to put flowers in my great grandmothers old pitcher:) 

I am guilty of always taking pics at night so i get a little creative with the editing.  Daylight is just so much better!

The crafting gods are shining down upon me!

So I am refinishing a hutch and dresser for my craft room and I was contemplating keeping them clean crisp white... but then I was like, seriously?  Have aliens taken over my brain?  I hopped in the truck and headed over to Home Depot to pick up some things I needed and to sit and stare at the paint swatches for some inspiration.  Then they caught the corner of my eye!  2 lonely cans of Ralph Lauren Faux Finishing Glaze.  I walked over to them and decided to buy a can.  But wait... the price was only $13!!!! WHAT!!  I bought both in Teastain and Tobacco!!  Yay so I glazed the dresser and hutch with Teastain.  Then I decided I wanted to decoupage the top with Frenchy styled paper.

Covered in paint I headed over to Ballard Designs to check out their fancy paper.  Immediately when I walked in the door, they had the perfect French script paper wrapping boxes on their display.  I thought great they have exactly what I need.  But no, they were out of stock and it was not available to order to the end of the month.  I asked the sales lady if I could purchase a used piece off of one of their displays.  She said they couldn't.  Then I saw a piece behind the counter.  I asked if she could call her manager to see if I could purchase that piece.  The manager "the Angel"  came walking out of the back with a HUGE piece of it for me:)  My Hero!!  He rolled it up and handed it over to me!  Shocked I said, I was willing to pay for it and he said not to worry just to take it!  I decided to hi-tail it out of their before he changed his mind.

And here it is!

Isn't it lovely?

And here it is on the dresser... It's bubbling a little bit around the edges, but thats easy to fix:)

 I decided I needed to celebrate this great day!  So I drove to Hobby Lobby (the closest one is almost an hour away!)

I bought some rub n buff for and this is how it turned out:)

Not too bad!

Can't wait to finish the dresser and hutch so I can show it to you!

Great Finds At Urban Outffiters

As many of you may already know Urban Outfitters, Inc. owns Anthropologie.  The thing many people don't realize is that you can get great home items that have the look of Anthro for a fraction of the price at Urban Outfitters

Antiqued Medallions $79

Birdcage Lamp $98

Dress Form $300

2x3 flora rug $18

Ruffled laundry bag $49

Check out the rest Urban Outfitters apartment has to offer HERE

Holiday Season Beauty Favorites

I want to share with you some of the products I can't get enough of right now!

First is the Burlesque Limited Edition Kit from Smashbox @ Sephora

This kit is bananas! It is only a whopping $35 and it is worth $112 if you were to buy everything individually. I have always loved Smashbox and they are my favorite makeup brand... aside from Bare Minerals. My favorite item in this kit is HANDS DOWN the liquid eyeliner pen! It makes putting on liquid eyeliner a breeze. The color pallet for the eyes give such a smoldering look that you can play down for day and intensify for an evening look. And the lilac shimmering powder has just the right amount of twinkle to it!

Second is Aveeno's Positively Radiant Daily Cleansing Pads

At $7 you can get these at any chain drugstore. I even cut them in half cause the pads are big and the suds up so much. Each pad has a soft side and a gentle scrubbing side. It's just the right amount of scrubbing to leave your face feeling fresh and clean.

Third is the Orchid Jojoba Soap from Carolina Natural Soaps

I love the fresh smell of this soap and it has wonderful exfoliating ingredients that leave your skin feeling soft and moisturized. It's a great deal too! $3 for 60z. and $5 for 10oz.

Restoration Hardware Gifts

I just wanted to take a minute and share with you one of my favorite gifts to give around the holidays. The first recipient of this gift was my boyfriend. The following year we gifted them to his parents and brother. This year I have purchased a few more as gifts as well.

It's the plush throw from Restoration Hardware usually priced at $59, this year they are offering it for a steal at $29 bucks! Rumor has it that this may be the last year they offer them though:( So looks like I am going to have to go back and by some for backups. It is hands down the softest and most durable plush for the price. Even at $60 I would have to say the same. You can throw it in the wash and it keeps its super luxurious feel. Unfortunately they have sold out online, but you can still get them in stores!

Another Item that I love and is on my wishlist is the set of Flameless Candles. Now, these come at a heftier price but I think the splurge is worth the investment. The Pillar strung candles plug into an outlet and they have a dimmer, but they look like real candles.

They are $103.99 for the set.

I adore this store. My entire House is painted using their paint colors. They have loads of other fun trinkets and stocking stuffers that are really great too. Even better, it all goes on sale after Christmas and you can score some really great deals on high quality items:)