Heart Shaped Soaps ♥

Hello Friends! Happy Wednesday  ♥

This morning we are digging out from yet another winter storm.  I saw on the news that Spring is 32 days away.  They flashed that on the screen right after they announced it was 19 degrees.  But at least we have something to shoot for ✔

 

Despite it being cold, February has it's charms.  

It's also very beautiful.

One of the best things about February is heart shaped everything ♥

  I love adding little valentine touches around the house.  Especially if they smell good too!

For this month's craft I decided to pull out my supplies (because I did the same thing last year :)  and made heart shaped soaps.  

 

I used silicone molds and leftover glycerin soap that I had picked up at Michaels last winter.  

I cut the soap block into cubes and melted it in the microwave as per the directions. 

I also had some dried flowers that I used in my candles and some essential oils. 

I added a few drops of oil into the melted soap and gave it a stir.  

Smells so good!!! 

I made lemon scented soaps with dried flower petals and lavender scented soaps with dried lavender.

After pouring in the molds I put them in the freezer for a few minutes until they set.  

After they were good and solid I popped them out of the molds.  The silicone made this super easy to do. 

 

Viola! 

I think they look very pretty in a flowery dish on the bathroom counter.  

They can certainly be used but I think I love them as a decoration/air freshener  ♥

And so goes February.  Cold and frosty on the outside.  Cozy and sweet smelling on the inside  ♥

Have a great day, friends! 

I hope you are staying warm and enjoying your week! xo 

Crafty Sunday: Homemade Candles ♥

Hello Friends! I hope you all had a nice weekend.  

Yesterday morning I took a few hours and did a craft I saw online a few weeks ago.  

Homemade candles  ♥

I did it with votives and tarts that I've had forever but haven't burned.  If you're like me you have a stash of candles that for one reason or another are collecting dust.  

You can also use candle scraps from used candles.  You know all that wax that is left at the bottom?  

Perfect for this craft.  

My stash of random candles : ) 

I don't use a tart burner that much anymore but I love the smell of some of these.  

I chose candles that have similar scents.  These are vanilla & cinnamon based.  

Melt them down in a double boiler.  I used a glass measuring cup so it would be easy to pour.  

Choose your vessel.  Mason jars, jelly jars, candy dishes, tea cups.... whatever you like ♥

I picked up a package of candle wicks on Amazon.  I think it was 100 wicks for about $6! 

You can also use items to embellish the candles.  I used some dried flower petals, dried orange slices, and cinnamon sticks.  All things I had in my craft box  : ) 

Use a clothes pin or pencil to steady the wicks as you pour the wax.  I did one color at a time, letting each one set before I poured the next layer.  

It was fun to see it all come together. 

**Also note that you can add essential oil to the melted wax for more scent, but since my candles were already scented I didn't do that.  Next time I might add a few drop just to enhance the scent a little, but I was very happy with how they came out ** 

Once they are set trim the wicks and you are done! 

I think I'll save this one for Valentines Day ♥♥

I think it will be fun to experiment with colors and scents.  And the best part is once the candle is burned up I can reuse the jar and dish.  I hope to make new candles every season using up the rest of my stash as well as scraps for the all the big jars I have burning.  

We have candles burning here everyday and it's nice to know nothing is going to waste. 

So that's how I spent my Sunday.  What were you up to?

Have a great day, friends!  I'm off to warm up with a coffee and check in with some of you online.

Talk to you soon! xoxo

2021: Starting Fresh

Hello! Welcome to my first post of 2021!  : ) 

Can you feel the shift?  It's a time of new beginnings and a fresh start.  I love January for that very reason.  Wiping the slate clean and setting goals for the new year.  

I learned a long time ago not to have unrealistic expectations so I set my bar low.  That way I can only improve.  

This past year was trying on all of us.  My mental health suffered, as I'm sure yours did too.  It was emotional, scary, confusing, and at times....just unbelievable.  One of the things I need to work on this coming year is repairing some of that damage.  The world is coming to terms with last years events.  Not that it makes it any better but we are more equipped and hopeful that better days are ahead.  We are changed people though.  For me, it wasn't just the pandemic, it's the everyday anxieties I suffer from that were exacerbated by the pandemic.  

Taking more time for self care is essential for me to function.  That means doing more things I love to do: reading, crafting, napping, cooking.  All things I do anyway, but I want to me be more intentional with my time.  Not stressing over things and caring for myself the way I care for others .  I don't have to be busy every second of the day.  Breaks are good. And I don't have to worry about something that may or may not happen in a month or two.  Worrying does nothing (this is coming from an expert worrier...).

Being a positive person is not always easy.  Don't let pretty Instagram photos fools you.  We are all struggling.  

 

When I look back on the times when I was most happiest in my life I remember doing things like yoga, mediating, and really taking care of myself.  Dinking lots of water with lemon, eating well, sleeping well, journaling my thoughts, and going outside every night to look at the stars. Over time I've fallen off those things. Sometimes I feel very jaded.  Like caring for myself doesn't matter as long as I have a hot meal on the table every night and the laundry is done.  Life experience has taught me taking care of myself does matter.  No one cares about a hot meal if the person who made it is hot mess.  

I'm trying very hard to change my attitude toward certain things. To be honest, I'm not always happy with certain aspects of my life.  Is anybody?  But looking on the positive side, I'm a very lucky person.  I need to remember that.  So, what does this all mean?  It means for the new year my goals are getting back to certain habits that make me feel good.  Because when I feel good, I'm a happier, less stressed out person. 

I'm not going to say I'm going to do yoga everyday or read 100 books this year, because let's be honest, that's not happening!  But I will say I'm going to make more time for reading.  Maybe one book a month.  That's not an unrealistic expectation.  I'd like to do more crafts.  I pulled out some of my old (and dusty) Martha Stewart books.  Just flipping through them make my heart happy.  I remember being so crafty years ago. It was a nice time in my life.  Being proud of something you made by hand should not be underestimated. Getting outside everyday for some fresh air is essential.  Especially during a pandemic.  I've always known this but it's time to get off the couch.  I really love fresh air in the winter...so more walking is on my list!  

When consciously trying to change my mindset towards certain things it's super important for me to remember to not care about what other people think.  I know it's a cliché but it's so true.  Falling into a comparison trap or wonder if others approve of things I say or do is not healthy.  Sometimes I really need to distance myself from those thoughts.  I think the walks with fresh air will help that situation.  I remember a friend telling my once that it's "ok to say NO".  Meaning you don't have to say "YES" to every request or invitation just to make other people happy.  She also said you don't need an excuse or an explanation either.  Just do you.  I love that.  Also on the list. 

And lastly, I'm in the process of revamping our living space.  Bring more hygge into my home while at the same time purging things I don't need and trying to be more minimalistic.  After I put all my Christmas decor away I only brought back half of the stuff I originally had out. It instantly felt cleaner and less cluttered.  I've been reading that a less cluttered space is good for the mind.  It's a work in progress but so far it's working.  I'm also trying to bring more natural elements into my home.  Like this dried orange and sage garland I made yesterday.  The process was therapeutic and I love the end result.  Doing more projects like this will not only bring me the natural decor feel I'm looking for, but also give me a chance to exercise my craft skills.  It's a win win.  I'm feeling better already.

There's more personal goals that I won't bore you with, but I will say I am setting a schedule for myself and this little blog of mine.  I hope to actively post here three times a week - Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  It could be a recipe, a craft idea, a weekly wrap up,  a random thought, or just a "no words" photo.... but I will be here so check back every week for my musings.  We'll navigating into this new year/new world together.  

I'm also working on revamping my YouTube channel so stay tuned for that.  I have lots of video ideas coming your way soon. 

So what are some of your 2021 goals?  I would love to hear them! :)   

Wishing you all a happy and healthy year ahead! We've got this!! xoxoxo  

Festive Pine Cones

 

  

Have you ever wondered what you could do with all the leftover wax after you've burned votive candles and melted tarts.  For some reason I have always saved those little pieces.  It's not like they could be used again or even had any scent left, but I always felt like I was wasting the wax by throwing it away. One day I happened to mention this to my mother who then miraculously proceeded to pull out a zip lock bag full of candle pieces that she had been saving as well!  Crazy!

 

So what should we do with all this candle wax? How about melting it all down in one big pot and dipping pine cones!  A friend of mine was telling me that she and her girlfriend were going to be dipping pine cones to use as fire starters.  I loved this idea but since I don't have a fireplace or wood stove they could not be of any use to me.  But then I thought - why not just make them into pretty ornaments for Christmas.  So that's what I did. 

 

Start by separating your colors.  I did two batches - one red and one white. 

Put the wax pieces in a large coffee (or tomato) can. 

Use a double boiler to melt the wax. I used boiling water in my electric frying pan, but I saw online people put the cans right into boiling water on the stove.  *BE VERY CAREFUL* THE CAN WILL GET HOT!*

 

 

♥ To make your ornaments smell pretty you can add a few drops essential oil or cinnamon to the melted wax ♥

For pine cones I used this bag of craft pine cones that came from Michael's. 

Using tongs, dip each pine cone in the wax.  Put on a cookie sheet lined with foil to harden.  Once the wax has hardened, dip again.  Repeat the process a few times until you are happy with how they look.

*tip - dry them standing upright so all the wax doesn't run out *

 

After the last "dipping" sprinkle with glitter while the wax is still wet.  I dipped mine three times and could have probably done more but I was running out of wax.  I went heavy on the glitter though, so they look extra sparkly : )

 



 

 

 

The wax looks like snow on each layer of the pine cone.  I think they are so festive for the holiday season!
 

 

 

 

After they harden completely there are a number of things you can do with them.  I kept some as is and put them around my house.  This grouping is on a shelf in my entry way.  Hello...

 

 

 

 

With a hot glue gun and some ribbon you can make cute ornaments.  I took three little ones and made a cluster to hang. 

 

 

 

 

For the bigger ones I added a gift tag.  This would be darling to use on a package or just to hang on the tree.  They could even be used as a table place setting.  How cute would that be?

 



 

 

 

You can make a garland by hot gluing a line of them on a ribbon.

 

 

 

 

Or my favorite idea, just put them in a simple basket.  If you want to be extra fancy add a string of white lights and a big bow!

 

 

 

So that's how I decorate with pine cones.  The best part is that these guys can stay around all winter, not just for Christmas : )

The season has begun!  This Thursday is our American Thanksgiving.  I'm very excited because it's my favorite holiday. I'm making pies (apple & pumpkin) for desert.  I can hardly wait for turkey and stuffing! This day is all about Family, Friends, and Food! My three favorite things in the world! It also marks the kick-off of the Christmas season. This weekend we'll put up our tree and decorate the house.  My son is over the moon because he's getting his own little tree for his room this year ♥

Things are about to get busy and hectic, but I look forward to it every year! xo


PS This week I'm linking up with My Romantic Home for Show & Tell Friday....come and join us!

 

Olive Oil Can Arrangement

Do you remember this olive oil can?  I had posted a picture of it in the post I did about making pizza.  I was at my parents house one Friday night when we decided to make pizza.  When I asked my mother for some olive oil, this is what she gave me.  I loved it.  I have a thing about "containers" or "vessels".  I'm always looking for different uses for them and when I saw this can I thought to myself what a cute vessel this would be for a flower arrangement.  I asked my mother to save the can for me.  She finally finished up the oil last week, so now it's mine. 

With a can opener I cut the top off.  I washed out all the oil and dried the inside completely. I flattened down any sharp edges with a hammer. This was after I sliced my finger, so if you ever do this be careful.

I put a piece of styrofoam in the bottom and then began to make my arrangement.  I had three bunches of silk flowers that I got at the craft store.  They were very inexpensive ($2.99 a bunch) but I loved the colors and they didn't really look "fake" to me.  Silks have come a long way over the years.

With wire cutters I cut each stem off and trimmed it to the height I wanted.

Flower by flower it was coming together.

Viola! 

I was happy with how it turned out, but now where to put it?

I chose here on my hutch.  I like how the reflection of the can shows in the mirror.   

Next to it is this peony from my yard.  They look good together.

Just goes to show that silks can sit harmoniously with real blooms. 

And come the fall I can always switch these spring flowers out for mums, bittersweet, or pussy willows. 

I'm glad my mother taught me to never throw anything away.  Thanks Mom!  I love my new arrangement.