Angel Moroni String Art

String art has circulated throughout Pinterest, and I was sucked in by it. I showed my husband some of the pictures online and he came up with the idea to make our Mom's an Angel Moroni string art for Christmas. We worked on it together, and did our own for our mom. They turned out a little different, but that's what made them unique and the perfect homemade gift. 

Here's what you will need to make your own: 

• String (We used gold embroidery floss, but any color will work)
• Short nails 
• A board (We used old barnwood, but you can buy precut wood from craft stores or have a board cut for free at Home Depot)
• A silhouette of the shape you want to make

I printed out the shape to the size I wanted it and taped it down to the board. Then I got to hammering the nails in so they were about halfway in the wood and halfway out. I spaced them about a centimeter apart from each other. (My husband did his a little further apart and hammered the nails in further.) This project can be done however you think looks good. I then ripped the paper out, tied a knot on one of the nails and started randomly stringing it. Then tie it off and you are done!

If you are confused on who Angel Moroni is, you can learn more here. 

Deck the Halls

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in our new house. I have been working on these Himmeli ornaments since before Thanksgiving. I was just so excited for Christmas to come. I love the season for the spirit it brings. The ornaments and tree topper tutorial will come later this week. For today, I just couldn't wait any longer to share my tree with ya'll. Enjoy!

Friday is for Favorites

I would like to start a new series on the blog called Friday is for Favorites. Basically, this idea isn't new in the blogger world, but I love to read what everyone else is loving at the moment. Maybe it's because I'm nosy. So without further ado (wow I sound stuffy) here are my Friday Favs:

These boots from Target. Absolutely love them. Super comfy and wearable. And they are on sale right now so pretty much you need to drop what you are doing and go to target. 

This homemade bread recipe. I am horrible at making bread, but this is one easy recipe that worked for me. I am actually devouring a hot piece of it as I type. 

That wallpaper. Swooning!! I can picture it now in my entry way. (I can't find the original source)

This ear cuff! I need to make this!

And for a little Christmas cheer, this shirt. I need it. 

So we Bought a House

So if you are my friend on Instagram, (hint hint, we totally should follow each other and become friends @jay_zeeee), then you know that the husband and I bought a house. We did it.

We lived our fair share of time in a one bedroom apartment while we saved to buy this bad boy and we couldn't love it more. Especially me. Those white walls are the blank canvas to my addiction to create, design, thrift and of course craft. I have been on a crazy streak of brilliant ideas and cheap projects so stay tuned for tons of content. I have one you won't want to miss starring on Monday. 

If you have been a follower for a while, then you know the husband and I live in Las Vegas. Christmas time here isn't exactly, well, cold. The weather is still the "perfect date" as in it's not to hot and its not too cold. All you need is a light jacket. (If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then you need to watch Miss Congeniality). 

I may or not have put up our Christmas tree a wee bit early. I just was so excited to bring the Christmas cheer into our house. It took some convincing to get my husband on board, but it happened and we ran with it. Here is a little sneak peak into our tree. I made a lot of the ornaments and I will do a tutorial next time so stay tuned. 

Also if anyone is still out there reading this blog, give me a little shout out in the comments section. I need a little "Woot Woot" to keep my energy up and continue on this journey I call blogging. I would love to support any fellow bloggers so leave your blog website if you have one! Also let me know if you would like to see some makeup/beauty posts make their way into the blog. I would love your feedback. 

B

Wrapping Paper Hack

Today's project is Easy with a capital E, and we will be using a capital P. Confused yet? While I was thrifting, I found a letter "P" and it seemed fitting that I purchase it since my last name is Peterson. It was black, and although black is streamlined and mature, I wanted it to be more fun and quirky. I put the letter in my endless tote of "I'll get to you later projects". Then one day when I was shopping the Target dollar bins I found the most amazing pattern of wrapping paper. After I came home I had a "light bulb" moment from Despicable Me. I knew the "P" and the paper were a match made in heaven. So without further ado, here is what I did.

 I just cleaned up the P a little bit. Then I traced the paper upside down. I used my handy dandy exacto knife to cut it. Used some modge podge as a glue and a sealant, and viola! Instant face lift.

I love my newest addition to the living room. Now I am thinking about what I can smother with wrapping paper next. I have some exciting news and big projects coming up, so stay tuned!

Coupon Tips, Tricks, and Secrets for Beginners

Ok I'm going to lay it all out on the table for you here and now. Here is everything I know about couponing I wish I would have known about long ago. Disclaimer: I am not the crazy couponers you see on TLC getting thousands of products for free that I stock up in my basement that I would never even use before they expire. If you are one of those people, you are talented and way more patient than I am so props to you. I am a quick and dirty couponer (My conversation with myself: "Is that a real thing?" "No, but you can totally make it up." "That could definitely be taken the wrong way." "Who knew you could question that morals of a coupon blog post.")

Now that you have heard the inner musings of my head, let's get to the good stuff. Here are 7 secrets I use to get the most out of coupons:

1. Let other people do the dirty work for you:  Utilize coupon blogs and websites for current deals and offers so you don't spend hours figuring everything out on your own. I know when I first got the itch to coupon, I tried to sit down with a stack of coupon books, store ads, and scissors and before I knew it I was on my way to get a Dr. Pepper and a Reece's to cure my headache. No saving here. Now what I do is head to my personal favorite blog The Krazy Coupon Lady to see what deals are effective with which coupons at which stores. Take a look and you will never coupon the same again, trust me. There are plenty of other sites as well so be on the look out and bookmark your favorites. 

2. Never throw away the "junk" ads in the mail: I know it's tempting to toss a big stack of junk mail, but make sure you look through all the ads to grab out your coupon books. I know here in Vegas I get about 2 coupon books a week and sometimes I dig through the recycling bin at my apartment mail area to pick up a few more (shhhh don't tell anyone). This way you never have to even buy a paper if you don't currently have a subscription. You can just save with what your mailman gave ya. 

3. Cut every day: Every time you get the mail, grab a pair of scissors and start going to town on the coupon books. It only takes me a few minutes to flip through, cut what I know I will actually use at stores I currently shop at. Let me make sure and emphasize, only cut out things you know you currently buy. If you buy shampoo (hopefully you do) then it's safe to say you can cut out a shampoo coupon. It may be a new brand, but that's why it's fun since you get to try new things for a good deal. 

4. Put them in your wallet immediately: The thought of the coupon at the store won't help you out much unless you actually have them with you. No matter what personality is, if you keep them in your wallet at all times, you will have them with you when you shop. I have planned many coupon shopping trips and had my stack of coupons on my desk in a neat array, and then somehow ended up at target without them. This is no bueno. 

5. Make a shopping list: I don't know about you, but sometimes when I have a big stack of coupons and the store is busy I get anxiety and I'm flipping through my coupons and my brain starts to hurt. I now make a shopping list and note what items I have coupons for so I can make sure I get the right product listed on the coupon. It's much easier to make note of everything rather than scramble in the middle of the laundry isle with all the babies and children screaming around you.

6. Double up manufacture and store coupons: I know I know, things are getting crazy. But really this is a simple coupon rule. At most stores, if they offer their own store coupons, they will double up with a manufacture coupon. For example if target had a tide laundry detergent coupon for $2 you could only use at target, you could also use a manufacturers coupon on the same product. Double the savings! If both coupons were worth $2 off, that's $4 in savings!

7. Look for clearance items to pair with coupons: A common misconception is that you can't use coupons with clearance items. Take a look at your store's coupon policy, but I have in most cases been able to use coupons with clearance items. That's a double score!

Influenster: Vow Vox Box Style

Alright ya'll. The time has come again for a little Influenster review action. I'm gonna give you the hard truth on all of the products I received so prepare yourself. This box was called the #VowVoxBox. It was just in time for wedding season to get ready for a wedding as a guest, or even as a bride. 

Olay Regenerist Luminous Tone Perfecting Cream: Long name for moisturizer, but it is a pretty great product. This product claims to fade the look of dark spots and brighten complexion. I used this product for one month every morning. Although I loved the consistency of the product, I didn't necessarily notice any change in spots on my face. This moisturizer definitely left my face feeling smooth and look very glowy and bright. I overall would give this product a thumbs up for a moisturizer.  For a hefty retail price of $30.99, I will most likely not be purchasing this product on my own since I have used plenty of cheaper alternatives with the same results. 

EcoTools Pure Complexion Facial Sponge: When I first opened my package I thought, "What is it??" I was intrigued and the description is a "Konjac vegetable fiber". Sounds weird right? I have never used any type of vegetable to scrub my face but there is a first time for everything. This basically looks like a typical facial scrub, but it's 100% natural. I hadn't used a scrub before other than a clairsonic type tool. This being my first go at it, I would definitely say I am a fan. What I like to do is get it wet, put some face wash on it, and gently exfoliate my face. I was worried this type of product would be to abrasive on my face, but it was rough enough it helped my complexion, but gentle enough it didn't leave any redness on my face or hurt at all. I have noticed other types of facial scrubs at target and drug stores, but this one has my heart. Even my husband was jealous when I got this, and he said he needed one. Thumbs up for Eco Tools. Retail Price: $5.99

 Pure Silk Shave Cream: Alright confession time, I usually use a cheap bottle of conditioner to shave my legs. It moisturizes, leaves less cuts, and I feel lasts longer than shaving cream or gel. But for the sake of reviewing, I feel like this is just a typical shaving cream. I loved the raspberry mist scent, and I didn't seem to get too many cuts. Overall, It was good, but I am still in love with my conditioner leg shaving trick. Good, but not mind blowing. (Can a shave cream be mind blowing? I am not sure. If I find one I will make sure to let you know). Retail Price: $2.19

Tide to Go: If you do not have one of these, drop what you are doing and go buy one. You can thank me later. If you are like me or my husband, you have a line that could be your new slogan. "It's not a meal without a spill". Especially on date night, one of us tends to spill on our nice clothes we wear when we go out. I always keep one of these bad boys in my purse to save the day. On my wedding day, over a year ago, I used one on my wedding dress. My wedding dress people! It changed my life. *Drops mic and walks off stage. (Retail price: $7.99 for 3)

Riley & Grey: I wish I would have known about this when I was getting married. Riley and Grey is a wedding website that helps you create your own website for your wedding. (Say that ten times fast). I didn't use it for obvs reasons, but if you are getting married, make sure to check them out! www.rileygrey.com

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure: Yay for the best color of the summer. I fell in love with this polish as soon as I saw it in the bottle. I fell deeper in love when it stayed on my nails without chipping for 5 days. 5 whole days people. That is saying something for me. Don't worry, I have already bought two more in other colors and I'm impressed. (Retail: $7.99)

If you would like to receive free products like these, leave a comment below and I will make it happen!

I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Ta Ta for now.