DermaWand: My Beautiful New Best Friend (product review)

I participates in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for DermaWand. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

For the last few years there has been so much going on in my life that taking care of me, including my skin was put on the back-burner. I was just too tapped out, too exhausted. Well, that has caught up to me BIG time. I am in my early 40's and if I don't do something now, I do not know what else is going to happen to my face. I am always on the lookout for a new skin care regimen or product or device...and after hearing about the DermaWand...I finally had a chance to try it!

I see how my skin has lost that glow, how my eyes are a little puffy, how my skin tone is uneven and my pores look like craters, how the wrinkles around my mouth are starting to become more and more visible...and {GASP!} - my neck is getting saggy! I will also absolutely admit I am totally vain...so while - later in this post you will see me without makeup and may think "that's not too bad," I see every imperfection (that magnifying mirror I purchased did not help the situation!).

How to Make Home Decor Using Christmas Ornaments

In 1,000,000 years I would have never believed that I would have any deer, or rather stag heads in my home. Now of course this are glittery and fake, but nonetheless, this was not a home decor path I thought I would go down...but heck I live in Texas Hill Country now and there are deer everywhere and it is practically a decorating essential (like the Texas Star). Now if you are like me, you realize Christmas is just around the corner but you are not done decorating and just need a few more things...well, this projects could not be SIMPLER!!!! I promise.

Holiday Decorating and Creating A Best Dressed Home

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kmart

After a few years of minimal Christmas decorating, my daughter asked me, "Can we please have Christmas this year?" At first I was a little speechless, but then I realized she had a point. She loves the decorations and over the last couple of years we have been traveling and trying to sell our home, and other than the tree and stockings, I had not really decorated. Well, this year we are settled into our new home, and I am looking to add some sparkle and style to this years decor. With the help of the Kmart Holiday Collection, I have found quite a few things that will make me happy and hopefully fulfill my daughters wishes too!

Graham Cracker Houses and Snowy Peanut Butter (No-Bake) Cookies

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser.

All opinions are mine alone. #PBandG #CollectiveBias

When my son was 4, I began a holiday tradition - making graham cracker houses! Every year we enjoy making these creations because we always find new ways to work magic with our graham crackers! The one struggle we had was finding the right "glue"...but this year, I heard a GENIUS idea...and knew we had to try it. Are you ready...this is good..."Use Peanut Butter to construct your graham cracker house!" After all these years of struggling with regular icing...my problems have been solved - and I am never looking back! Now it is time to share our of our favorite traditions and Family Holiday ideas with our new friends in Texas.

In all these years, the only other "problem" we ever had was what to do with our leftover graham crackers (other than devour them)...so this year, inspired by my son's idea, I also came up with a tasty recipe that uses some of those extra graham crackers and peanut butter. Oh yes...it is also a No-Bake cookie!

DIY! Simple Fabric Angels (No Sew!)

In spite of my ability to complicate everything, I LOVE simple crafts. In fact, these are so simple that the kids can make them too! I also LOVE that you can use what you have - doilies, ribbon, fabric, denim - whatever suits your own personal style (and is in your craft stash) works so well for these cuties! So, let me introduce you to my little angels.

Simple Thanksgiving Centerpiece

We are having a very simple Thanksgiving this year...just the four of us,

but I still like to create a special table...

and then let my kids add their own special touch.

Well, I had this idea for Halloween and never quite finished posting it...

but I did manage to tweak that idea for this holiday!

This centerpiece is my contribution to this years #Thanksgiving Table!

Create Your Own Designer Pillows (Paint-a-Pillow GIVEAWAY)

Pillows are the best way to dress up or change up a space!

If you are like me, I can never find exactly what I want...

but now I can make my own DIY Designer Pillows (and you can too)!

I recently had the opportunity to try the NEW Paint-a-Pillow kit,

and had so much fun making some new pillows for my home!

Easy (and Quick) Halloween Decorating with Paper: IKEA Paper Shop Giveaway

 A few weeks ago, I picked up these paper honeycomb Visionar decorations at the IKEA Paper Shop blogger event. I am the BIGGEST procrastinator when it comes to decorating, and I knew these beauties would be a subtle but fun way to decorate my front porch. And guess what???? It was so quick and easy all you other procrastinators or those who are looking to add a little fun to their Halloween decor have time to do this before Friday!

My Favorite Moving Tip: Just Add Tape!

It has been a few months since we moved from California to Austin...

and I finally have unpacked all but 3 boxes in the garage - whew!

(that is no small feat!)

We were lucky that we were able to hire professional movers...

but we have used professional movers before, so I knew that this did not necessarily

ensure everything would end where it was supposed to or stay organized.

I did some packing myself and got a few boxes from a friend - this where I learned this MOVING TIP for keeping all those (and there were A LOT) of boxes organized.

It has proven to be my sanity saver!

How To Stain or Dye Concrete Floors: The Results!

The other day I walked you through how to prep your concrete floors for staining or dyeing. Today (ta-da!) I am going to show you how I applied the dye and the wet look sealer. I will admit...quite a few times during this process I thought I was crazy! But, now that I am done...I LOVE these floors.They have depth, texture, warmth...and are durable!

How to Stain or Dye Concrete Floors: Part One, The Preparation

In my old house, I pretty much touched every single surface - sometimes for fun, sometimes out of necessity. Well now we have moved to Texas and our house is brand new...but, of course I cannot leave anything alone! I am lucky enough to have a craft studio in my new home - one "problem"...it had carpet. I am so MESSY. I figured I was either never going to craft for fear of spilling or I was going to make such a mess that my husband might flip his lid.

Paper Crafting: Follow Your Heart Card

Paper crafting - making cards, marbling paper...and making paper - is one of the first types of crafts I remember doing as an "adult."  When I start "playing" with my Evolution Die Cutter I get so excited...the possibilities are endless...and sometimes that sends me off on a tangent...and sometimes I never know where i will end up.

Bear with me on the tutorial. I had one (or ten) things in mind and then my hands took me some place else and this sweet little card was created. Can't you imagine this on a small block of wood or a canvas too? I kind of am in love with the colors and the arrows...and the hearts...and the polka dots!

The BIG Move: California to Texas!

Every morning I wake up and still can hardly believe that I live in Austin,Texas!

I was a born California girl, and I suppose I always will be...

but for the last few months I have been attempting to settle in to my new home in Texas.

I do admit that I may have cried the first morning (and on many other occasions) when I actually had to tell the barista my order at the local coffee shop. "At home," my coffee was practically waiting for me every day at my favorite coffee shop. Yes, I know it is ridiculous, but I think that is what made it all sink in...all the way to the ground. 

Vegetable and Potato Empanadas | Campbell's Labels for Education #Labels4Edu #cbias

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.

For months my family was living and eating on the fly. As we packed up our California home, there was little time to experiment with new recipes - much less cook old ones - but now that we are settled into our new home, everyone is practically begging for something new and exciting for breakfast, lunch, snacks...and especially dinner! Well it was a necessity to come up with some new creations that would satisfy my hungry kids hunger and taste buds!

Simply Rustic Embossed Metal Heart Art

I love hearts all year long (why confine them to February!?). I also love experimenting with my Evolution Die Cutter and combining it with cuttable metal sheets and embossing folders was a fun way to add a twist to a simple, rustic pallet. I adore the contrast of the shiny metal against the rough dark stained wood, and that touch of embossing makes it even extra special!

Pretty Paper Pinwheel Centerpieces

The last few months of my life have been insane,

and to add to that insanity I threw my daughter a birthday party right before we moved.

Last month I posted about the A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E

mini sugar cookie favor boxes I crafted...and finally (better late than never, right?)

I am showing you a simple but oh so pretty paper pinwheel centerpiece I made for the party as well. I used the same Chalkboard Paper Pack as I did for the favors...because it has to coordinate, right!?

Sugar Cookie Favor Boxes

I have been trapped under, beside, and on top of boxes...

but that aside, this month has been full of celebrations.

Most recently we threw my daughter a small birthday party

before we took off from California to Texas.

In general I like to keep my party favors useful or edible,

so for this soiree I used the Mini Pizza Boxes from Lifestyle Crafts to package

"everyones" favorite butterfly sugar cookies from the local bakery.

These sweet favors were so simple and made such a great presentation.

Here is how to make them.

Supplies

• Evolution Die Cutter
• Mini Pizza Box Die
• Paper of choice. I used Chalkboard Paper Pack (it is double sided so the inside and outside both look great.
• NOTE:  (each box requires one half of a 12 x 12 sheet)
• Wax paper (to line bottom of the box)
• Sticky Thumb Adhesive

Embellishment

• Rosette Die
• Chalkboard Paper Pack
• button
• hot glue

Make it!

• Cut the paper in half. I used the Chalkboard Paper Pack  because I LOVE the look and style but it is also 2-sided so you get a decorative inside and outside.
• Place the mini pizza box die on the Genius platform.

• Place the paper on top; top with the cutting mat.

• Run the pizza box die through the Evolution.
• When cut, bend at perforated lines.

• I used the Sticky Thumb Adhesive to keep the box secure. Just add it to the back and front of the box bottom, and the front of the lid.

You can be done here...but let's embellish!

• Cut one Rosette on the Evolution out of a coordinating paper. (you should be able to cut 2 rosettes from each piece of 6 x 12 paper)

• Bend the rosette at the perforations; use Sticky Thumb Adhesive to adhere the ends together
• Glue (with hot glue) the rosette to the top of the pizza box.
• Add a button or embellishment to the center.

NOW...

• I also cut small squares, that fit right in side the boxes, in wax paper to set the cookies on.
• Fill the sweet boxes with some sweets and you have an adorable and oh so yummy party favors!

I LOVE my Evolution (and the dies work with many other manual die cutters).

Use the code 504MAIN to grab a discount on your order!

What is your favorite favor from a party?

This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre
disclosure: I am an affiliate of Lifestyle crafts. Supplies and/or compensation were provided for this project.

DIY Letterpress Table Numbers (Lifestyle Crafts)

There are so many celebration happening in my life right NOW.

Milestone birthdays, births, bat mitzvahs, promotions, new jobs, new homes.

And, well I love celebrating these joys with my friends,

and I love to decorate and create sweet little details for them too.

Honeyed Peach Crisp (Only 4 Ingredients!)

We L-O-V-E dessert in this house.

Because of that I am always trying to come up with new ideas for simple

and somewhat-healthy options to satisfy our sweet tooth in a "good way."

Two big favorites in this house is my berry "cobbler" and the apple crisp (in a mug) 

and today I share with you the latest fruit creations...

Honeyed Peach Crisp!

(and there are only 4 ingredients!) 

Hittin' the Road: Route 66 Tote Bag Tutorial

I may have mentioned 1 or 100 times that I am moving to Texas.

I am busy packing my house...but I am also busy planning road trip and diving into all things Texas. When I received the Heat Transfer Material from Silhouette I knew I wanted to make something that paid homage to my home state of California but also celebrate my new adventure in Texas. After perusing the Silhouette Store, I found these graphics for Texas  and California (for only 99cents!) and I knew what I was doing...

Travel Tote Bags that celebrate Route 66 and The Great American Road Trip!

   

Happy Homemade: Book Review

I love fashion. And so does my daughter.

I used to sew all the time, and have been enjoying it again recently.

My daughter wants to sew too (we are slowly working on it).

She has recently started to ask me to make her clothes.

I look forward to getting settled in our new home so I can get a jump start on this.

For now we are both enjoying the Happy Homemade book by Yoshiko Tsukiori,

and my little girlie is quite busy selecting which pieces I "must" make her. 

I received three books, 2 of which focus on children...but of course, the ladies (mainly me) cannot be left out! Sew Chic: 20 Simple Everyday Designs by Yoshiko Tsukiori is a collection of 20 patterns for easy to make fashionable pieces. There is an easy relaxed elegance to all of these pieces. I can see the tops, pants, and dresses working into any stylish ladies wardrobe.

In the back of the book is an envelope with the patterns. Although I have not used the patterns yet, I do have a background in patternmaking and the patterns in the book seem simple to use and straightforward.

These books are so easy to follow along, and are comprehensive in their information. But, I love the eye candy too -  each book begins with a series of beautifully style photographs showcasing the garments. So chic!

The book focuses on some Basic Techniques, including basic tools, sewing tips, and how to make a paper pattern and place it. 

Each garment has a very detailed and comprehensive diagram for sewing the garment together.

With the tools and tips provided in this book, making a few of these garments should be a snap...even for a beginner!

As I mentioned I also received a couple of other books.

Sew Chic Kids: 20 Designs That Are Fun and Unique - Just Like Your Kid! is adorable!

I love that this book includes not only girls clothing but boys styles too.

How darn cute is this pullover Parka? Or the Boy's shirt?

My daughter was smitten with Girls Style Book. 

Dresses, blouses, pants - all of them are so cute. I bet we make them all!

We are also getting ready to move from a fairly cool coastal climate to Texas and I think many of these items will be perfect for those warm (HOT!) summer days as well as transition into the other seasons!

 Do you sew?

This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre   disclosure: Copies of these titles were provided to me for review. Other compensation may be involved. All opinions are mine own.