TRY IT THURSDAY....DIY CITRONELLA WINE BOTTLES

I have LOVED outdoor living this summer! I have spent more time outside so far this summer than ALL of last summer combined!!! I have seen DIY wine bottle citronella "candles" and KNEW that was something I wanted to do! There are a million and one DIY's on Pinterest and it's SO EASY and super cheap!! (to make two bottles it was $5.00 - I did have the bottles on hand AND the citronella liquid). 

After a trip to my local hardware store (I LOVE small town hardware stores!! The owner knows whats what and takes the time to help you (and even offers friendly advice to stop crafting! LOL). I went in asking for a copper coupling - when he asked what size I asked if it mattered (it can depending on your bottle opening). I had the directions saved so I went with a 1/2" x 3/8" size (which worked PERFECTLY).

SUPPLY LIST:

Tiki Wick's - Wal_mart .96 for a two pack

Teflon Tape - .89 at my hardware store

Brass Couplings - $3.00 for a pair

Rocks (to help fill the bottom and use less citronella fuel)

Bottle - Any glass bottle will do - wine bottle, soda bottle, etc...Mine are from Dollar Tree (last summer)

 

I first wrapped the telfon tape around the portion of the coupling that goes into the bottle. This tape is NOT sticky ( I assumed it was and my friendly hardware man told me nope). After I teflon taped my coupling I inserted the wick - leaving a lil under a 1/2" out for lighting. 

Filled my glass jar with glass rocks I had on hand 

 Filled the bottle with the citronella fuel (I did let them stand overnight so absorb the fuel). Put them out at dinner the next evening and VIOLA!!!

SUPER, SUPER easy and I think it adds just the right touch to my outdoor table! 

I'd  LOVE to know if you decide to try this and to check yours out!! Leave me a comment so I can visit your blog! 

 

WIWW....WHAT I WORE WEDNESDAY

I haven't done a WIWW post in so so long!!! It's about being accountable for what you wear (I mean shorts and your sleeping t-shirt or yoga pants are UBER comfy BUT when I get dressed I am MORE productive and mentally feel better).

I've really been about trying to MIX IT UP!!! I'm loving the juxtaposition of fancy and casual...the SURPRISE element it adds!!! 

 What I'm wearing:
Gap Hoodie - Thrifted
Grey Tank - Thrifted
White Tank - Chico's
Skirt - Thrifted
Running Shoes - Puma @Ross

If you read yesterdays post you know these are my DIY Pom Pom sandals!! 

What I'm wearing:

Denim Vest - Maurice's

Dress-  Target (thrifted)

Belt - Thrifted 

Purse - Target (OLD like 2010 old)

Shoes - Thrifted and DIY'ed

WORK WORK WORK WORK

(I'm really fortunate that I can pretty much wear ANYTHING I want to work)

 What I'm wearing:
Statement Necklace - Chico's
Top - Walmart
Shorts - Nine West (thrifted)
Sandals - Macy's

Boho Chic

 Another look that is so mixed and matched and I think unexpected! 

What I'm wearing:

Headband - Maurice's

Denim Vest - Maurice's

Black (sheer) Tank - Thrifted

Lace Tunic - Torrid

Choker - Wal-mart

Skull & Crossbones Necklace - Coach

Leggings - Wal-mart

Sandals -Maurices

 

Baseball Game

Just because you're at the Lil League field doesn't mean you have to sacrifice comfort for style!
What I'm wearing:
T-Shirt -Wal-Mart
Shorts (Terry Cloth) - Gap - thrifted
Blue & White Checkered Button Down - Macy's Men's Section (I LOVE pattern mixing the plaid and floral and it gets cool and mosquito-y at the field at night). 

 INSPIRATION is EVERY WHERE 

(I took this picture at @Maurice's last fall because I LOVED the juxtaposition of feminine and camo)

This is MY version some 10 months later!!!

SAME PANTS with a top I already had!

 Necklace - Garage Sale

Tunic - Garage Sale

Camo Jeggings - Maurice's 

Sandals -Macy's

Can't wait to check out what you guys are wearing!!! If you need outfit inspiration a great place to check out is The Pleated Poppy http://thepleatedpoppy.com/2017/07/what-i-wore-189/

THRIFTY TUESDAY....DIY POM POM SANDALS

 Y'ALL!!! I have been wanting to make my own Pom Pom Sandals for at LEAST two summers now!!! (and my tribe has always convinced me NOT to....what's that saying?!?! Be true to you...you do you...be a leader not a follower...ANY of those are appropriate). SO this time I'm doing it!!! I gathered my supplies:

 Supplies:
Tassels - Wine Glass markers on Clearance from Target's Dolla Spot (may 2017)
Pom Poms - Dollar Tree
Sandals - Ralph Lauren - thrifted (that way if they got messed up I wouldn't feel too bad since they were thrifted).

Hopped on Pinterest and gathered some inspiration that was relevant to what I was trying to do:

I used E600 glue to attach the pom poms (I did find they began to slide down after a bit SO I used clothes pins to hold them in place until the glue settled). I used the rings that the tassels came with to attach them in between the leather weave on the sandals and VIOLA!!!!

I LOVE how they turned out!!! My daughter was not a fan...

and I MAY or may not have gotten a lil pom pom crazy and glued the happy lil fuzzy balls all around this basket...

 

MANI MONDAY....Dollar Tree Nails

I LOVE the look of a fresh mani (whether it be a gel manicure, acrylic nails, or and old fashioned polish what ya got) BUT being a momma on a budget I am always looking for ways to stay fresh looking on a budget! Insert Dollar Tree here!! They sometimes have a pretty fabulous selection of glue on nails in all kinds fun designs (the glue is sold separate BUT I can swing that extra dolla).  

 Unless you live under a rock you have seen the pointed nails ER'WHERE!! I've always been a square nail gal myself SO this pointed nail is TOTALLY outta my comfort zone....

(This kit was from Dollar Tree and came with the different pattern/colored nails)

 

I always use my trusty sanding block to take the fakes down a notch to make them look more authentic....

NOPE! I didn't accidentally sand them down to far....I just couldn't get on the pointed bandwagon....I tried them for one day and I felt like Elvira....

Just call me square!!

****all opinions and thoughts are mine, not being compensated by Dollar Tree to post (although if anyone from @dollartree is reading this I'd totally be down for products to test in exchange for my feedback - just sayin...) ****

WIWW Wednesday....POSHMARK

Happy HUMP DAY!!! This WIWW is a lil different....it's all the things you CAN wear!!! Am I the LAST person on earth to learn about Poshmark?!?! It's like the ebay of clothes!!! Totally my wheelhouse!!! I have been enveloped in the Posh world!! Sourcing, laundering, pressing, photographing and listing!!! I have included a few items available in my +Poshmark Closet which you can get to by clicking THIS link https://poshmark.com/closet/proprietress_07

 VINTAGE DIANE FRES dress - the comps on Ebay are CRAZY priced!!!

 HIS and HERS Vacation Collection

 RALPH LAUREN

 VINTAGE SIlk Scarf and Loft Skirt

GORGEOUS Vintage Clutch

RALPH LAUREN 

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy for her What I Wore Wednesday series!! Check her out here http://thepleatedpoppy.com/2017/02/what-i-wore-174/

FOODIE FRIDAY.....EGGS - It's what's for BREAKFAST

Eggs- it's what's for breakfast (or dinner or brunch - whenever!!). It's a relatively inexpensive protein and GREAT start to your day! I will be honest in telling you it's not my favorite UNLESS it's wrapped in an omelet fulla chedda cheese, ham, green peppers and onions!! My daughter HATES eggs and equates them to smelling like wet dog! Alas, in line with my healthy lifestyle they are pretty instrumental! Here's how I tolerate eggs for breakfast! 

Crack two of those bad (NOT) birds into a bowl...add a dash of milk for a fluffier egg...

I like to use coconut oil to "grease" my pan...better alternative to butta AND cooks the eggs like a dream! Add a dash of Goya Adobo (a salt mix with garlic and yummy flavors - of you're anti salt read my post LAST week). Adobo can be found at any international market store, your local spanish store and SOMETIMES a local grocer....

Add your coconut oil (this actually was a lil too much)

After mixing your eggs add to your heated fry pan where you have melted your coconut oil...

NOW, this is a BIG ONE!!! I used to make the mistake of using a "pancake" flipper like this to turn my eggs...

BUT what ya really need is THIS

A nice pliable malleable rubber spatula to get UNDER those eggs and turn them...

I like my eggs in bigger chunks so they're easier to eat on the go (I do this A LOT - eat my breakfast on the go)

I added a piece of rye toast with a pat a butta and pepper on my eggs AFTER cooking (pepper helps stimulate digestion) and VIOLA! Breakfast is served!!

SELFIE SUNDAY....Passion PEEL OFF FACE MASK

A few weeks ago I shared a "seflie sunday" post featuring a face mask I tried...I think that's a kinda fun post to do every now and then...who doesn't want to see how various beauty products work?!?! And honestly my skin is SO BAD lately....it's worse than when I was a teenager!!! SO I'm trying to figure out what works and what doesn't! Today's post is a Passion Peel Off Mask

My kids selected this mask for me for a jar of beauty gift (they are really sweet and thoughtful). When I opened the packed I expected the consistency to be thick and dark pink...it was thin and clear....

 I applied it .In this "trial" size there was EXACTLY enough for my face....

I applied it right after my shower....while I waited the 20-25 minutes for it to harden I made dinner (that's what we do as moms right?!?! Multi-task!!)

When my entire face felt like it underwent a botox treatment I knew it was time to peel off the mask. BECAUSE it was so thin I had a hard time grasping an edge or corner to get started...so I crinkled my face up until it lifted and PULLED (imagine the scene from Mrs. Doubtfire when she's removing her face). Most of the mask was able to be peeled off and the parts that didn't I just splashed some warm water on my face.

I would DEF do this mask again! It removed the dead dry skin (refer to the bad skin I mentioned in the into) and left my face lookin pretty good!! Do YOU have a favorite mask!?!?