DIY Lazy Stripe Phone Case

So I saw this phone case from Anthropologie a while ago, and I've been thinking about trying to make my own ever since. I already had a clear case and some Radiant Orchid paint that I've been trying to use, I just needed two more complimentary paint colors, a paint brush, and some time to craft. This past weekend the stars aligned and I was finally able to make it happen. 

Felt Moon and Stars Mobile DIY

Last week I shared some adorable mobiles that I considered buying for my nursery.  However, after much deliberation, I decided to make my own instead. I looked at a lot of other mobile DIYs before I found this picture which ended up serving as the inspiration for my moon and stars mobile. All of the materials cost me under $15, which is a lot less than what you will spend if you buy a mobile, trust me. Best of all, it is EASY to make. Really easy. I promise.

DIY Lime Coconut Sugar Scrub

This is the time of year when my skin always seems to be the driest. Coincidentally, it's also the time of year when I feel the most desperately in need of a tropical vacation. It is fortunate then that I recently discovered how easy it is to make a sugar scrub using coconut oil. The basic recipe is as simple as it sounds: just mix sugar and coconut oil together and it's done. Adding lime zest and essential oil takes the scrub to another level. You will feel like you've been transported to the tropics, and you will have the smoothest, softest skin ever.

Last Minute Gift DIY: Cranberry Pecan Pancake Mix

Christmas is just two days away, so hopefully most of you have already finished all your shopping. But for you procrastinators out there, or for those who just realized you forgot to get something for your Great Aunt Helen, here's is an easy and delicious last minute Christmas Gift DIY: Cranberry Pecan Pancake Mix!

DIY Tinsel Ornaments

I did a post this time last year about revamping my Christmas tree style, transitioning to a playful neutral aesthetic. Well this year I was ready to put my new tree concept into action. I managed to purchase a lot of the ornaments I had my eye on last year after Christmas, when they went on sale, but I still felt like the tree needed a few more. So, instead of buying new ornaments at full price, I decided to make some! These are the easiest Christmas ornaments to make, ever. I had all 12 finished and on the tree in under 10 minutes, and I love the way they turned out.

DIY Reed Diffuser

If you are the kind of person who buys candles and forgets to actually use them, give reed diffusers a try. They provide a constant fragrance without you needing to do anything more than flip the sticks or refill the oil occasionally. Plus, it is really simple to create your own reed diffuser fragrance using essential oils, water, and vodka (or gin). As if you needed another reason to keep alcohol on hand.

Fun Shelf Styling Ideas

I have a lot of books, like a ton. Accordingly, I have many book shelves on which to keep them. Recently, my mother gave me two of her beautiful library-style book shelves with glass doors, and for once in my life I have more shelving than books. This is great because I also have a lot of tchotchkes, those random knick-knacks we women (and fellas) tend to accumulate. Now the question is how to style the books and baubles together in a way that is pleasing to the eye, yet sensible to those perusing my library.

Oh Happy Day

BombPop DIY: Mercury Gold Candle Holders

We are so excited to have local Artisan and bride-to-be Carolyn Shaw join us to share this clever DIY for mercury gold votive holders, a gorgeous addition to any table setting. Read on to find out how you can make these pretty centerpieces at home! 

Quick and Easy DIY: Painted Flower Pots

I had to make a trip to Walmart over the weekend, a place I only go whenever I need such a variety of things that no other store will likely have them all. Because I don't shop at Walmart very often, I like to make it count by visiting every department when I do go. On this occasion, a stop at the garden center revealed a real steal: clay terra cotta pots for a dollar. The rims of the pots were a little scratched up, but I'd been looking for a way to use some Pantone Radiant Orchid paint my husband bought for me a while back. I thought a radiant orchid rim would really pop against the terra cotta. I also had some letter stencils left over from Samantha's baby shower that I could use to personalize the pots for a few friends. Just like that an idea for a DIY was born. All together I spent less than five dollars and two hours to complete this project, and I think the pots turned out super cute!

Lemon Verbena and Coconut Melt-and-Pour Soap

Since we needed a favor for Samantha's shower, Carolyn and I decided to make soap. The only problem was that neither of us really knew anything about making soap. After reading several tutorials online and deciding we didn’t want to bother with using lye, we decided to try melt-and-pour soap base. It's available at most craft stores (or online), along with the other soap ingredients you might need, like colorant and essential oils for fragrance. To give the soap some texture and additional visual enhancement, we added lemon zest and shredded coconut.

Focus on The Lovely Wall

In my search for fun and inexpensive ways to decorate my baby room, I came across The Lovely Wall, a wall decal shop on Etsy. They have so many cute offerings I thought they were deserving of a post of their own.

BombPop DIY: Glider Makeover

My parents gave me this great old glider rocker a few weeks ago. It was perfect for the baby's room, it just needed a little sprucing up to fit in with everything else. So, with the help of my husband James, I got this old gal dolled up and ready to go out on the town. Or in my baby room.

 

BombPop DIY: Modern Mobile

While shopping for decor for my baby's room, I had a real problem finding a mobile that was actually worth looking at. Everything was branded and cheesy. It just wasn't what I wanted my first child to be staring at for long periods of time. So, stubborn woman that I am, I decided to make my own.

Spring Tote Bag DIY

One of the things I'm most looking forward to this spring is shopping at the various St. Louis farmer's markets (Soulard and Tower Grove are my favorites). I always like to bring several tote bags with me when I go, since I inevitably end up buying way more stuff than I plan. Luckily, it is easy to make yourself a new tote bag in a matter of hours with this DIY.

Adventures in Knitting With a Loom

So one year later, I finally finished the scarf I started last January. It is actually for my handsome husband James, but I thought I would pop it on for the picture. The hat I made for myself, well it only fits me so now it's mine.

BombPop DIY: Repurposed Frame Makes an Adorable Earring Caddy

BombPop warmly welcomes guest blogger Carlynn Forst, local artist and clothing exchange extraordinaire. In this, her inaugural DIY, she makes a fetching earring tree from an old photo frame. Read on to find out how you can make your own adorable earring caddy!

Gifts for Furry Friends

One very important member of my family felt a little left out last weekend when I made all my holiday cookies and candy: my dog, Louie! Anyone who has a dog probably knows that when the peanut butter jar gets opened, the begging begins. And last weekend's baking extravaganza involved quite a bit of peanut butter. I thought I would throw Louie a bone (pun intended), and make him some cookies of his very own using his favorite ingredient.

Peanut Butter Dog Treats (from A Cozy Kitchen )

There are loads of recipes for homemade dog treats out there, but I went with this one because it seemed relatively healthy and I already had most of the ingredients.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup of peanut butter (I used the creamy kind)
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon of coconut oil (or olive oil)
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour

I used a small (3 inch) cookie cutter since I have a small dog. If you are making treats for a larger dog you could definitely go bigger.

White Chocolate and Peppermint Fudge

There are very few things I like more than holiday fudge. I will make it for any holiday gathering just to make sure it is available for my own consumption.

BombPop DIY: Striped Votive Holders

In addition to my peacock printed napkins, I did another DIY over the weekend in preparation for Friendsgiving. This one, not coincidentally, also involved gold and print. I decided to try a DIY from 52 Projects, but instead of vases, I created striped votive holders.

The materials I used were gold spray paint, square glass votive holders, and black cotton cord meant for jewelry-making. 52 Projects recommended using twine, but the cord was cheaper. If I do this again, I might try it with twine instead, because the cord slipped around quite a bit on the glass, making it difficult to keep a design in place. Just another example of a time being a cheapskate didn't pay off, I suppose.

BombPop DIY: Gold Peacock Feather Print Napkins

I had fun this weekend working on a few DIY projects for my Friendsgiving tablescape. Two elements that I knew I wanted to incorporate from the inspirations I found last week were gold and prints. I thought a fun way to add both would be to paint a gold print on my napkins.

I picked up some inexpensive white cotton napkins from Target (12 for $10) as well as a peacock feather stencil from a craft store.