living in simplicity: August 2012

DIY Painted Mason Jars

I CANNOT get over how pretty these jars are! I saw this wonderful idea multiple times on Pinterest and I've finally decided to try it myself. I am SO happy I did! It's so easy to do yourself and they make a great vase for flowers (although you can't put water in the jar or it will wash the acrylic off, but you can try to fit a cup of water in the jar if necessary, and place the flowers in).

You can buy Mason Jars literally anywhere (Michaels, Joann's, Wal-Mart, Dollar Store,) But I got mine at Christmas Tree shops, they're only $.99 there!

I bought these mini bottles at Wal-Mart for $.57 each!! They had so many cute colors,

I wanted every color! But I just settled for 3. And a larger mason jar

only uses about 3/4 or less of these mini bottles.

Start by squirting a good amount directly into the jar, about 1/2 inch high.

Rotate the jar slowly so that the paint covers it entirely.

Place the jar upside down so that the paint covers the top of the jar

and all of the excess paint will come out onto your plate.

Every 5-10 minutes or so, lift the jar and move it, like I did above. I used a Q-Tip and dipped it in water to clean off the tip top of the jars. When all of the excess paint is poured out,

flip the jar back up and allow it dry for several hours.

Lace & Ribbon Pretty Gift Wrap

Lovely lovely lovely.

That's the only word I think of when I look at this gift wrap! I bought "paper bag material" wrapping paper. And a yard of this pretty lace at Joann's Fabrics, and the ribbon I have had for a while.

I got this inspiration.. or should I say pinspiration, on pinterest! Duh! I fell in love with the rustic, yet elegant look of it and decided to try it for myself.

KEEP CALM IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!

Well, it was actually on July 20th tehe!

My friend got me my ULTIMATE favorite ice cream EVER!!! Coldstone's Birthday Cake Remix. It's literally like a pint of ice cream! Mmmmm

My little sister and cousin made me this hehe, they're cute =)

My crazy sister's gifts to me!!

She knows my weakness, Nicholas Sparks novels! I've read ALMOST every single one, so she bought me the books that I didn't yet own :)

Red Toms and other clothes

Cake Pops.... Sorta.

Okay, so I'll tell you right off the bat.... My cake pops are NOT perfect like 99.99999% of every cake pop I've ever seen on any and every blog... BUT, I found the solution!!!

You Will Need:

Box of Devil's Food Cake
Candy Melts of Your Choice
Shortening
Frosting
Veggie Oil Spray
Veggie Oil
Foil
Styrofoam
Candy Sticks (I bought them at Michaels)

First, you will make a cake as you normally would. Following the directions on the back of the box.

Okay, here is where I messed up!!!! When the cake is fully baked, you have to let it cool COMPLETELY. Either by putting it in the fridge or freezer to quicken the process. It takes quite a while to cool. I got too anxious and I crumbled up the cake while it was still warm so that totally ruined my cake pops perfect shape circular shape. So, PLEASE, make sure you allow it to cool completely!

When your cake is completely cooled, crumble it all up using your hands. Then you will add the frosting and mush it all up. The frosting makes it extra yummy and holds the cake together.

Then you will roll your the cake in your palms to the size of your choice. You don't want to make them too big, because they will fall off the sticks.

Next, melt a bag of candy melts. Don't leave the melts in the microwave too long or they will taste gross!!

Now, dip a candy stick in the melted chocolate on the very tip, and push it into a cake pop. Stick the cake pops into the styrofoam to harden for a bit. Take your spoon and drizzle the chocolate all around it. Place it back into the styrofoam when you are done.

They should turn out super cute and not lumpy like mine did! Hehe!

They still tasted delicious! They just weren't perfectly shaped!

Mother Nature, you are so beautiful!

These pictures were taken by lovely Lake Huron. I live in Michigan, and sometimes... okay, most of the time, IT SUCKS. And I desperately want to leave more then I want to stay -_- But when I see the beautiful lakes that Michigan has, it makes me appreciate Michigan a little more. But don't get me wrong... I still wanna get the heck out!!! :o)

None of these pictures are edited because A) I'm a complete rookie with the whole blogging thing and I don't have photoshop or any cool gadgets on my Macbook Air =( and B) It's much prettier when it's not edited and fake-looking!!

Yes... the grass is totally dead but this was such a pretty view.

Summer Time!

Okay so I've disappeared for a while.... again =| I guess you could say I've been having a creative block?!? Well I'm here to catch up with you guys (if there are any of you at all!) on my summer!