Mom's Birthday Cake

Hey friends! I for once have quite a few little projects that I need to get posted on here! This one, I could not WAIT to show you guys!

We celebrated my sweet momma's birthday on Friday. I was commissioned to make the cake. I have this bad habit of putting lots of effort into cakes that I am being paid for, but then slacking when I make them for the ones that I love. So I decided to make this one a labor of love and part of our gift to her. She has always loved when I did basketweave piping on cakes, but it has been years since I have done it! So when I was planning her cake, I knew I wanted to incorporate that at least on part of it.

 I wanted to fill the basket with something, like maybe fruit or flowers. I settled on hydrangeas because they are one of the prettiest spring plants in my opinion!

 Here is the top view. I decided to mix the blue in for some contrast.

 I had initially planned to make the bottom cake white too, but then I thought it would be really fun to make that lavender. That is actually what inspired the hydrangeas. I could not be more pleased with the way that it turned out!

So one last time, Happy Birthday Mom! I love you and I hope that you enjoyed (and are still enjoying...I made way too much!) your cake!

DIY Thursday: File Cabinet Makeover Pt1

Its DIY Thursday!

Today's project shows how I used EAD Designs Vinyl to recover my pee green file cabinet. It is so much easier than paint and so much less messy! This is only Part 1, there is more to do! Head on over to EAD Designs to see how I did it!

My Newest Addition!

Betcha thought this post was going to be about a pet, child or decor item? Nope! As I mentioned on here oh...forever ago (btw I had a huge relapse since then), and then again right after my hospital scare, I have been on a journey to make healthy lifestyle changes and get in shape. I really committed to this back in mid-January and have lost 15lbs so far, just working out 4 days a week and eating healthy.

Probably 80% of the problem for me when I am trying to get in shape is that I get really bored with doing the same workout day in and day out. Also my body adjusts to them and they stop working. So this time I have been constantly looking for new ways to work out.

Recently my husband got into kettlebell fitness and I can see that he is having great results. I have wanted to start using them too, because I know they are great, but his is way over my weight limit. So today I was in WalMart and came across one just my size for $15! I couldn't walk away. I figure that he can teach me the moves that he does and help me out with it. Only problem was that I wanted to try it tonight and he had to work! So I started scouring the web and found this workout:
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/around-the-body-pass?workout=21113

It actually is not super hard. I have been using an 8 lbs kettlebell. Most of the movements are pretty easy, like this one:

However, after doing several reps you start to feel it. I also really love the swings, because I can feel them in my core.

I did the full workout in 2 circuits, waited an hour and half (a bad storm hit and I decided to chill and wait it out...tornado warnings, etc) and then 2 more full circuits when the storm was done. It was a great workout! I know I will be feeling it in the morning! Anyone looking to start a workout or to diversify the one that they are doing, I would HIGHLY recommend getting a kettlebell!

I will let you know how trying to do these with my husband goes!

Spring Mantle

Happy Saturday, friends! The other day I decided that I had had enough of our winter mantle, so I decided to switch all of that chilly decor out for some spring! I was wanting to do it without spending anything, so I went outside and cut some blooms and branches to use in the livingroom.

For the entryway, I placed some branches in my quatrefoil vase and then filled my cloche with jute wrapped eggs that I made last year and some moss balls.

 For the mantle, I rearranged a lot of what was already there and brought my cute Phaltzgraff pitcher in and filled in with branches.

 Its so cheerful and bright! I know they will wilt soon, but I plan to juse keep replacing them with other branches. I am rebelling against the concept of buying fake ones!

 For the other end, I filled a ball jar with water and placed some blooms in that as well.

 Its such a cheerful change to the feel of the living room. We are spending a lot more time wit the windows open so it even feels and smells more Springy.

 I also filled my little decanter with water, snipped some greens and placed them in the water. It turned out so cute!

There you have it! our lovely Spring mantle and cute little entryway vignette. Have you done anything to spring up your house? I plan to try to do some spring cleaning today!

DIY Thursday: Monogrammed Pail

Its DIY Thursday!

Today's project shows how I used EAD Designs Vinyl to turn a simple white pail into a beautiful spring decoration! I am IN LOVE with the way it turned out!  Head on over to EAD Designs to see how I did it!

Brown Sugar Body Scrub

So I know I have been a failure at regular posting lately, but honestly I think I just needed a little break. It has been lovely. After being sick, I was able to finish my most recent class and take a week of "Spring Break" from school as well, before my next class starts. I have still had to work, but things have been much more laid back outside of that.

That being said, I am FINALLY getting aroung to sharing with you guys the brown sugar scrub that I made for my sister-in-law's birthday gift basket that I shared in this post.

To make the scrub, I don't remember the exact amounts that I used becaues I ended up doctoring it, but I believe I started with two cups of brown sugar, 1/8th cup of olive oil and 3 tbsps of honey. Then I may have added the ingredients without measuring to doctor it into what felt like a normal body scrub consistency. I forgot to take photos of this part! So sorry!

Next, I poured my gloopy mixture into a simple mason jar.

 I cut a square of white linen and placed in over the inner part of the lid and then twisted the collar over it, securing it in place and adding a bit of charm.

 Next, I hot glued a strip of burlap around the center of the jar, like this:

 I love the texture added by the burlap! To finish it off, I tied a cute little tag around it with some twine. I really could not be happier with the way that it turned out!

You will have to let me know if any of you try this! I really want to make a batch for myself, I just haven't gotten around to it just yet. Also, I finally finished that coffee table makeover, I just have not taken pictures of it yet! I promise to try to do so this week!

I hope you all are loving the springlike weather! I cannot WAIT to get our spring decor out. I loved what we had for winter, but I am over it! :) Hopefully I will get to that sometime this week too!

DIY Thursday: Lucky Mirror

Its DIY Thursday!

Today's project shows how I used EAD Designs Vinyl to create a fun St. Patty's day decoration! I may just keep it further into the Spring!  Head on over to EAD Designs to see how I did it!