Substance of Living

Are your eyes ever bigger than your stomach when it comes to food?  Mine are all the time and now my brain thought I was up for a challenge - beyond something I've ever done!  I've pledged (unofficially) to not purchase home decor or ready-made clothing this year.  When I talk about home decor, if it is something that can be sewn then it will not be purchased but made.  Purchasing fabric is permissible. This isn't a new idea and you've probably seen recycling , upcycling, refashioning , and other descriptions of such around the internet and in the book stores for some time now.  Since DH and I moved, we've been downsizing and a lot of the items were donated but now we're to the point that we are into the soft items.  Items that are still in really good shape but no longer wearable for whatever reason.  We don't want to pass along a top if there is a hole in the knit or a stain - so I'm reusing the material to make other things. A challenge, that...

When the holidays and winter is upon you, do you often think about nesting?  Sweaters, scarves, mittens, warm coats, boots, fires in the fireplace, and of course hot cocoa are all some of the things we do to nest. Another thing we can do to warm up our homes and nest is to cover our dining chairs. Christmas Inspired Chair Covers Santa Hat Chair Cover by Uncommon Designs Red Ribbon with Pine Cone and Greenery Chair Cover by Happy Interiors Poinsettia and Burlap Chair Cover by I'm a Little Hanukkah Inspired Chair Covers Blue and White Chair Cover by Our Little Nest on the Lake White Faux Fur Chair Cover by Seasonal Home Decoration New Year's Eve Inspired Chair Covers Blue, White, and Silver New Year's Eve Chair Covers by Minimalisti Black and White Formal New Year's Eve Chair Covers by Elite Mobile DJ New Year's Eve Clock Chair Cover by Whimsy Decor New Year's Celebration Chair Cover by BHG Ho...

Group themed costumes are always fun.  Think of things that are found in groups and the options are endless. Group Themed Costumes Scrubbing Bubbles Bubble Bath Classic Rock Band (Each person is a rock with a band across) Jelly Beans Fruit Salad (Banana, Apple, Grapes) Fork, Spoon, Knife Stop Light, Street Name Signs on the Road (Stop, Rail Road Crossing, Yield) Laundry (Laundry Basket, Washing Machine, Dryer) Ketchup, Mustard, Mayonnaise Packets Taco Bell Sauces Packets Car Race (Cars, Flag, Lights) Spaghetti and Meatballs Or you might like to take one of these suggestions this year. Paper, Rock, Scissors Group Halloween Costumes Fruit of the Loom Group Halloween Costumes Crayola Crayon Group Halloween Costume One remaining deviled egg remaining...  Make this into a group thing since no one can eat just one. Deviled Egg Halloween Costume Fast Food Gang Halloween Costumes Bacon, Lettuce Tomato Sandwich Group Halloween Costu...

Here you go men!  Costumes just for you and easy enough to move around and have fun throughout the night. Other than maybe the Lego Man, you should be able to start and finish in one day or in some cases in an hour or two. Lego Man Halloween Costume This is the ultimate procrastinator's costume! What do you get when you take a black sweatshirt, black pants, black socks and shoes, black gloves, pink poster board, iPod and ear phones, and some black makeup?  Ipod Shadow Dancer! iPod Halloween Costume Whole Milk, Low Fat Milk, Soy Milk, Lactose Free Milk, Almond Milk, Coconut Milk, Rice Milk are just some of your choices.  Oh, can't forget Chocolate Milk! Milk Carton Halloween Costume This dice costume couldn't be any easier to make.  Take a square box, remove the flaps, paint it white and add black dots.  Oh yeah, and cut out holes for your arms and head! I think this one should be called "Three Blind Dice". Dice Halloween Costume I...

Are you scratching your head, searching the stores and online for Do-It-Yourself costume ideas that won't break the bank for you and your significant other? Here are a few to get your creative juices flowing. Ken and Barbie Halloween Costume Items needed for Ken and Barbie: Cardboard boxes (2) Scissors or Knife Paint Permanent Marker Be sure to add handles to the inside of the boxes so you can keep them in place Have fun with this one; Prince and Princess, Expecting Parents, Fantasy, Military Personnel, Farmer, or anything else. Dominoes Halloween Costume Items needed for Dominoes: Long Sleeve Black Shirt Black Pants Black Shoes White Belt White Felt Scissors Something to fasten the white dots to your clothes such as fabric glue, hook and loop tape, safety pins This is a perfect outfit for a single, couple, or the whole family / group.  It's also a costume that can be created with less than an hour once you have all the supplies. Soap an...

Do you ever think about decorating your chairs when hosting an event or gathering?  I'm beginning to think that chairs are like jewelry.  The outfit (room or table) is beautiful but the chair (jewelry or accessories) make a statement and complete the ensemble. Decorating a chair can be as simple as tying a sprig to the back of a chair or as elaborate as a floor-length "dress". Mistletoe / Holiday Chair Cover Rosemary Sprigs and Burlap Chair Cover Bride and Groom Chair Covers E mbroidered Bride and Groom Chair Covers Wouldn't it have been "THE BEST" if you showed up at school on your birthday and had a special cover over your desk seat?  How cool would that have been?  Or how about draped over the restaurant chair?  Can you imagine having been able to sit at the head of the table - not only that but with a special chair cover giving homage to you and the day? "Happy Birthday" Chair Cover I actually found this next pic...