Archive for November, 2008»
Thanksgiving is always about the dinner table gatherings with family and loved ones. It is nice to create a nice cozy table spread for your guests coming to dine at your home. Start with some gourds and pumpkins which are a natural, beautiful way to decorate your Thanksgiving table. You can simply carve a large artificial pumpkin and fill it with small colorful gourds, and this would make a simple, pretty centerpiece. Or, take six or so real gourds or small pumpkins, hollow them, add a tea light to each and place them on a narrow rectangular mirror in the center of your table with a pair of candles on either side. Or create a simple and fun cornucopia. This is the easiest and most traditional Thanksgiving centerpiece decoration. From a craft store, purchase a simple cornucopia basket; its curved cone shape is iconic of Thanksgiving- the symbol for a bountiful harvest. You can use real fruits and gourds - or, while you’re at the craft store, purchase silk or sugared plastic fruits and gourds - you’ll be able to use them year after year.
I recently bought a Yankee candle (rose scented) which was expensive but I love rose scented candles. So far, I haven’t been in rose bliss by any means.. as the candle just burns but doesn’t release much scent. I’m thinking why not try to make some homemade pretty candles instead?!!
So I tried making a soy one this morning because they are easier to make since soy wax cleans up better with just soap and water. I went and bought the materials at a near by shop and started getting my hands dirty as soon as I got home! I bought 1 oz of lemongrass oil ( I was in the mood), 1 lb of soy wax ( the flake from is easier to use I think), some wax dye to color it with and 1 cotton wick. On medium fire I melted the soy wax till completely melted. Then I added my lemongrass oil and stirred it up till totally absorbed in the wax. I added my soy wax compatible green die by simply following the instructions on the label. I positioned the wick in the center of the melted soy wax, which I poured into a recycled jar. Make sure the wick stays centered. Trim it up a bit once the wax is solid and VOILA. A homemade lemongrassy smelling soy candle. Ahhhhhh..
Every day a baby is born. We find ourselves thinking of cool and useful gifts to buy for our friends and family members who just had a baby! I personally know a few of my friends returned a bunch of baby gifts they had received because they didn’t need them or they were just typical and boring. Let’s face it, not everyone is baby oriented. I am certainly not! When my close friend had her first baby, all I wanted to do was buy diapers and baby clothes. Now, the diapers are always a great gift, no matter how boring and not creative. Every mother will use a free diaper. But baby close? well, they are so cute and fun to buy and moms love to put on new clothes on their babies, but they don’t last forever. Babies grow fast and most mothers pass the clothes to other mothers, or save them for their potential next baby. After putting some real thought into a cool gift that would never go out of style, I finally found it. I sent a monogramed baby blanket * in this case in blue since she had a boy* with the baby’s name and date of birth. Here is an example below:
Why not create your personal style like no other by using a few fun vintage items. Vintage is hip, different and cool.. Vintage is BACK!!! How fun is it to just take a simple coat and add some groovy vintage buttons to it? Voila!! Your coat has suddenly turned chic and fabulous. Keep in mind, that you can always replace those buttons when you get bored. Adding these will make you feel like you are actually wearing a new coat.
