Cooler Painting Tips

Be sure to read these 3 simple tips BEFORE beginning painting your cooler (I didn't prepare my first cooler and all the hard work just peeled off):

1) Sand down the rough sides of cooler

2) Use spray Polyurethane paint before painting as a pre-coat

3) Use paint form of Polyurethane as top coat for extra durability

 

J.Crew outfit for less ($481.00 vs. $91.40)

     I decided to elaborate even further on my last post, by showing how you can find nearly idenitcal products for a fraction of the cost. You may be thinking the quality of  the more expensive product is better and lasts longer. I would then say to you, " that is true, but think about how much fashion changes. By the time you've worn it three or four times you will be ready for something new."  If you've spent so much less on it to begin with, then it doesn't hurt to shop more often...whether you needed a good excuse to shop more for your husband or yourself, your welcome because that's a great one!

     Also, one more bit of advice. If there is something you love and can't get over at the more expensive store that you would wear often (i.e. the shorts in the above picture), then keep yourself from buying them there. Just hit up forever 21 after for the rest of the outfit, and you still save a great deal. Below are the links to bargain options for outfit:

Sandblasted Denim Shirt

Seersucker Blazer

Essential Watercolor Shorts

Natural Gold Plated Sandals

 

 

Business Casual Oufit Under $60.00

Many people associate business attire with bland, boring sillouettes and colors. If you are like me, then you don't want to fit into that stereotype. I am always on the search for business casual outfit pieces that are still fun and exciting...it is possible in the work place contrary to popular belief! However, I always find outfits  at JCrew or Banana Repblic that I love, and then each piece of the outfit is $60.00 or more. Being a college student, I've figured out that with a little searching,  I can still find unique and exciting work attire for 1/3 of the price! Below are the stores and links for outfit above:

 

Blazer: Forever 21, $19.80

 

 

Pants: Forever 21 , $24.80

 

Necklace: Sam Moon, $9.50,

Comes in orange and yellow (both would look great with a navy blazer)

 

Why Pay Salon Prices For an Up-do? DIY Up-do!

Okay ladies, this is my public service announcement of the month...Salon's charge TOO much for up-do's. DON'T do it. Everyone thinks they are too hard to do themselves, but I promise they are just as easy as curling your hair. I know some of you are probably thinking that part isn't even easy, so then my advice is grab a friend! You are bound to have at least one friend who would be willing to help you out for 10-15 mintues and be some what hair savvy.  I am not even going to get started on the fact that their are some TERRIBLE salon up-do's out there. We will just try and leave that situation in the 80's. Now that I am done with my rant, here is a simple & easy up-do that is great for any occasion!


Step 1)
Decide which side you want your pony tail on, and then curl your hair all going away from the side you chose. (Ex. if you choose your right side, curls should be going clockwise or away from your face). This will help the curls lay correctly once you put it in a pony tail.

Step 2)
Unless you are super talented, you will want to grab a friend who is good at braiding for this part. Start by parting a 1 & 1/2 inch section of hair all the way around the bottom of the back of your head. Pony tail the top section up out of the way. Then, french braid the bottom section of hair from opposite side of head you want pony tail at towards side you want pony tail to be on. Secure with tiny rubber band, and then bobby pin so braid stays flat your against head.

Step 3)
Straighten top porton of hair. Teeze as desired, and brush backwards.

Step 4)
Grab all of hair (like making a pony tail) and twist to side. Be sure hair is laying on top of area where french braid is secured. Curl pony tail with finger to get all the curls to lay the same direction.

Step 5)
Pin side of hair up as if you were going to wear it half up, half down (leaving pony tail portion of hair out).

Tastey, Inexpensive Chicken Dinner!

I'll start by saying cooking/baking is not my forte, so I am always on the look out for recipes that are simple, but not boring at the same time.  I've been to able to impress a few guests and diguise my lack of cooking skills with this great chicken dish, so I promise this will earn you some brownie points or ohh's and ahh's with whomever you are trying to impress! Maybe I'm the only one that puts on the oven mits when people come over, and you aren't trying to impress anyone? Either way you are sure to enjoy!

Bake time: 45 minutes

Estimated prep time: 15 minutes

Grocery store list:
Medium/ Large chicken breast
K-smart cereal of your choice
Laughing Cow light spreadable cheese wedges (flavor of your choice...I usually just get plain)
Egg whites
Asparagus

Heat overn to 375 degrees

Step 1)
Place cereal in a plastic bag and crunch up until desired texture to bread chicken with. Set aside.

Step 2)
Use a sharp knife to cut about a two inch wide slit through the middle of chicken.

Step 3)
Slice cheese wedges into four pieces (I use one cheese triangle per chicken).

Step 4)
First dip chicken in a bowl of egg whites, and then roll in cereal until completely covered. Place on greased cooking pan.

Step 5)
Slide two pieces of asaparagus into slit along with the four pieces of cheese sparadically all throughout the inside of slit.

Step 6)
Place and oven, and bake for fourty five minutes!

Personalized Gift Under 5$!

The Dollar Tree sales wine glasses as well as lots of other glassware for just $1.

 

Any brand ENAMEL paint can be painted on glassware and baked in oven (directions on the back of paint bottle) to make dish washer safe. Enamel paint can be found in the same isle as acrylic paint and is only $1.99 per tube at Hobby Lobby.

 

Paint intials within a dimond shape: first initial,last initial, middle initial. 

You end up with a personalized, unique gift that doesn't break the bank perfect for a  house warming party, birthday, and more!

New Version of The 21st Birthday Sign

I have always thought the 21^st birthday sign was fun idea to make the night memorable, but I also thought that having a huge poster on your neck all night could be annoying, so I decided to put my own twist on the 21^st birthday sign. I decided to make a necklace version, and see the steps below on how to create your own!

Step 1: Gather the necessary materials:

·         Ribbon

·         Hole punch

·         Scissors

·         Glue stick

·         Two sheets of patterned scrapbook paper

·         Two sheets of solid scrapbook paper

 

Step 2: Cut solid & patterned rectangular pieces

·         Patterned paper size: about 2’x3’

·         Solid paper size: about one cm. smaller than patterned paper on all four sides

 

Step 3: Glue & Hole punch

·         Center solid paper on patterned paper

·         Hole punch top right corner

Step 4: String cards onto ribbon & write activities!

·         Some fun ideas for activities I had: play truth/dare with bartender, shot gun a beer in 21 seconds, take a picture with a stranger , etc.