Easy Easter Centerpiece

Last weekend I started pulling out some Easter decorations. I decided to recreate an Easter basket centerpiece that I did last year. My inspiration for this was from a display I saw in Pottery Barn while I was in Atlanta. They used a large basket with huge branches and small eggs hanging that spelled Happy Easter. I knew it would be something easy for me to mimic at home.

You will need:

• a basket
• a Styrofoam block
• some moss
• floral branches
• decorative eggs
• little hanging eggs or Easter ornaments

TIP: All of these items can be found at a craft store.

First take the Styrofoam and fit it snuggly in the basket.

Then arrange the branches in the Styrofoam. Depending on the weight of your hanging items, the branches may drop a little.

Then cover the Styrofoam with the moss. If you have a few gaps, don’t worry about it, you can cover it up later with eggs or some flowers from your branches.

Now just start hanging eggs and ornaments from your branches and cover the moss with a few eggs.  

How cute are these little ornaments! You can find ones like these at Pier One.

       

The chick with the tutu is my favorite!

       

The finished product will look like this.

What Easter decorations are you doing this year?

If you decide to try this centerpiece, please share your pictures, I’d love to see how it turns out. 

 

How To Follow a Blog

Some of you may be fully up to speed on the “blog world”, but me, little old me, who just started a blog, not so much! See, I “thought” I followed blogs. I would randomly type in the address and scroll through entries staying somewhat updated. But then I met my friend Amy who has a fabulous blog, All In A Day, and she completely opened my eyes!

At first I thought I was the only one clueless as to how to follow a blog. But after starting my own, and harassing asking my friends to follow me, I realized I wasn’t the only one. So when my friend Amy posted a “How To” post I had to share the love with you all. It’s so easy. You are going to love me for this. Or maybe you will just love Amy. Check it out on her Blog.

And while you are over there at All in a Day, check out my guest post I did for her last week. It’s a cute little tutorial on a Boo Boo Bunny. Basically washcloth origami for your kid’s boo boo’s. I had one when I was little and loved it! It’s so simple to make and would be really cute in an Easter Basket!!

I’m working on getting my house ready for Easter, and hope to post some fun decor and projects, including Jhett’s Easter basket. I’d love to hear what you all are doing around the house for Easter. Happy Monday. Hope everyone has a good week.

I’m linking this post and my Boo Boo Bunny up to Bloom, a super cute blog.

WIWW: What I Wore Wednesday

 

Hey everyone! Long time no chat. My computer is officially back from the dead! I was really struggling there. Anyway, I have decided to give WIWW “What I Wore Wednesday” a shot. So this blogger over at The Pleated Poppy has come up with this great way for us to hold each other accountable to getting dressed. Not like we are walking around naked all day, but for me at least, it’s a no workout clothes when you have no intention of actually working out kinda thing. Please tell me I’m not the only one who does that?

So today Jhett and I are off to a playdate with my friend Kristi and her two kids. Lunch and the park. Feed them, then wear them out so they take nice long naps!! Sounds like a plan to me!

So today’s outfit feels like pajamas but is much more socially acceptable. It’s just some basic black leggings with a simple GAP top (that’s the pajamas part, this top is so freaking comfortable!) that is light and loose. Playing in the park means chasing your kid, going down slides, thru tunnels, and really who knows what else. So I needed to be prepared, no uncomfortable undergarments (i.e. strapless bra) and something washable, in case I get thrown up on, spilled on or worse (which is better left unsaid).

Here’s my outfit pulled from Polyvore. Of course I threw in some Louboutins for kicks. Totally playdate appropriate.

And here’s how it looks. Don’t mind me, just taking pictures of myself with my phone.

  

Top: Gap (It’s on Sale!)

Leggings: Cabi

Bracelets: Cartier, Saks Outlet

Monogram Necklace: Jennifer Zeuner

Shoes, Banana Republic (from a long time ago)

This isn’t my most thrilling outfit I admit. But it’s comfy and casual and perfect for a day like today. This top could easily be dressed up for a casual date night. So as I continue to post for WIWW, I’d love to hear feedback. Good or bad. I can handle it. And I’m always open to suggestions. Or if you find any great outfits, please share the love!

PS today I will be linking up at WIWW at The Pleated Poppy. 

Lucky Charm Cupcakes

It's almost St. Patrick's Day!

And boy have my celebrations changed. I am no longer stressed about finding something green to wear out that night, or racing to get in line for green beer. But that's ok. I've made peace with this.

This year I decided I would make something green of my own. Cupcakes. Lucky Charm Cupcakes. Lucky Charm Funfetti Cupcakes to be exact. I mean who doesn't love Funfetti? If you've never had Funfetti, well then, you haven't lived! It's so simple yet so amazing. And although I was a little upset when they changed the Funfetti frosting on me, I've moved on.

Ok, back to these delicious St. Patty's cupcakes I made.

They were ridiculously easy to make. I didn't get crazy making some special recipe. It was literally plain old box mix Funfetti. Don't judge. Pillsbury knows what they are doing people!

Oh Wait, I did use egg whites and applesauce in mine because I believe it makes them more fluffy and healthy. So have two or three or...?? I'm not going to tell!  

Ok so you have a basic cupcake, and now use any frosting you like, store-bought is fine or homemade, because you are feeling guilty for using boxed cupcake mix, there is no judgement here. Vanilla is what I used.

Add some green food coloring to get your desired shade. Toss the frosting in a Ziploc bag, snip the tip and swirl on the pretty green frosting. 

Now comes the fun part. The Lucky Charms.

Which I might add are made with Whole Grains! That's right General Mills and I are looking out for you. 

Tip: The cereal gets stale fast. So wait until just before serving to decorate. 

This had me thinking, what else could I make with lucky charms? That is, if the box lasts through the week. 

DIY Sugar Scrub

I’m a self-proclaimed beauty addict and product junkie, this is not new news! But with a little one, just getting out of the house can be a huge ordeal, let alone actually making to a store and getting uninterrupted time to browse products. So today I have decided to take matters in my own hands! I’m getting Pretty In The Pantry!  

My skin has been so dry lately.

Which is not a cute look…

Especially after a week old spray tan.

Enough said?!

So a gentle sugar scrub was just what I needed.  I am obsessed with all things coconut so that was the flavor scent that I chose. I seriously had to stop myself from eating this. It smells so yummy.  Ok, fine, I admit it, I tasted it…and it’s GOOD!

Vanilla Coconut Sugar Scrub

½ cup coconut oil

½ cup sugar (I used plain old granulated white sugar, but you can use cane, raw or brown)

¼ -½ tsp Coconut extract*

¼-½ tsp Vanilla extract*

*I used McCormick brand, just like you get in the baking aisle.

Mix all ingredients together.  That’s it.  5 min, maybe less, you’re done!

Tip: You don’t have to measure the ingredients if you don’t want to. You can simply add sugar and oil until desired consistency is achieved then add extracts little by little until you get the desired fragrance.

Warning! Extremely soft hands may result while making this recipe!

This makes a really cute gift too.

I had no idea how many beauty treatments I could actually concoct in my own kitchen. So hopefully, Pretty in the Pantry will be a regular post here. Let me know if you try this scrub and want more recipes.