Hair Tutorials

04 December 2015

Elf on the shelf ...

Friday night post-bedtime date idea for parents.  This is so freaking funny.  Why do we participate in the elf on the shelf?  After I saw how giddy my three year old was when she first saw her elf I was SOLD!  Her eyes light up when she talks about "Ariel" and it is purely magical for her.  Who doesn't love starting their morning with their excited 3 year old smiling and giggling and talking about all of the good that she does and plans to do.   She has a strong capacity to believe in the good in the world which is particularly refreshing with all of the crazy happening right now.  Having Ariel around gets her to verbalize those good things to "someone" over oatmeal.  

So intermittently throughout the day, we can laugh about "silly Ariel" and not become paralyzed by the fact that there was a horrific mass shooting only 15 minutes from my sister, Pris, in CA or be overcome with anxiety thinking about how my Kenz did a drill at school where she practiced hiding from an intruder this fall.  Our family needs the giggles that come from this silly elf.  But if Kenzie has a friend who's elf contracted Lyme's disease from Dasher and he needs to rest all December, that is ok too.  We all need a minute sometimes.  

Thank you to my a sister, Rachelle, who gave me the idea of dressing up as our elf and sitting on a shelf.  Thank you to my fabulous neighbor, Sarah, who just happened to have an elf costume at her house.  And thank you to my husband who wanted to lock me up but let me climb up to this nook anyways and for coming up with the idea of copying the elf.in.real.life.   

More to come...













30 second elf on the shelf pose that you can feel good about

Remember all of those marshmallows you bought in October to make that s'more dip in the friggin Cracker Barrel pan ... but it never happened?  Put elf in a bowl and throw some of those stale marshmallows on top of her.  Wha - la!  You're one of those crafty chicks who's elf is taking a marshmallow bath!!  And you cleaned out your pantry.



See those bite marks?  too.stale.for.my.3yearold.

03 December 2015

Oh, you.

How are we different?  I'm pondering whether I should search Amazon for an ankle tambourine or write a children's book about Kenzie and Bobo (surely the publisher who picks it up would do so based on my content and then hire a professional to create some whimsical art based on the ideas in my head.)  All the while, my husband is in the background telling me that drawers need organized.  We don't need coupons that expired in 2004 or star Popsicle instruction pamphlets - you would never read an instruction manual anyways.  The post its go with post its, all of the post its need to be in the same place, where you can find them.  But I need post its everywhere - as I stash them everywhere while he's making coffee with his back turned.  As long as the drawer can close, we're golden. You're right, I'm not the only one that lives here. Oh, snap. Fair enough, junk drawer first and then on to my aspirations.  


22 November 2015

Christmas Gift Ideas

There are few things I love more than sentimental, time-capsule, cheesy gifts!

So if you're wondering how you can freeze Christmas 2015 or what thoughtful gift you should make for Grandma from your tot (or dog), here are some ideas.

First, absolutely, 100%, do not try to make salt dough.  Dang.  I've tried to make salt dough so many times and, well, none of these projects are made with salt dough if you get my gist.  If you're like me and you're not crafty but you'd like to make something crafty, buy the crayola air dry clay.  It's mold-able like play doh when you use it, you don't have to bake it and it dries hard.  Yessss.  Thank God!   Also, they have these perfect kits for handprints at places like buy buy baby, babies r us and I always seem to find them at tjmaxx or marshals.  These are also time savers.  

Crayola Air Dry Clay 


Baby's handprint ready-made gift set.



And now on to the ornaments and "artsy" gifts. Here are a few pointers that will make your life easier.

  • When doing the hand prints or thumb prints with your little one, keep 2 wet wash cloths handy. One to wipe the hand print clean and start over when your cutie decides the paint feels good and they want to smudge it everywhere and one for your little one's hand.  
  • It is so much easier to do the actual hand print if you have a friend available to lend a hand.  
  • Use sharpies rather than free-hand paint whenever possible!  
  • Always put the date on the ornament!


Olaf foot print Christmas gift decor or ornament.




Santa handprint Christmas gift decor or ornament 


Dog foot print Christmas gift decor or ornament 


Handprint snowman ornament 


Cute hand print and thumb print ornaments. 


And here is one of my favorite gifts for Grandma from my little one.  It's also my favorite gift to myself!!  I made this when my little one was only 6 months old and now she is 3.  I can't even tell you how many times she has put her hand against her little hand print and we have started talking about stories of her as a baby!

So here is what you need:

-small tiles from your local hardware store
-mod podge
-cute, thick paper or just white paper  
-nontoxic ink pad
-print out of name and date for back
-cute little felt sticky things (sorry for the lack of details, you'll find them!  I also line my little one's door with these so you can't hear the wood on wood when I close her door... I'll post more about this another time.)
-that cute little sponge on a stick brush

I suggest lots of layers of mod podge!!!  And you inform the recipient that these coasters are for cold drinks but not hot drinks.  I found that hot drinks will leave an imprint.  Good luck! 








17 November 2015

First photoshop ever...

Kenzie is a "Purple Bear" at her preschool.  Well, K's teacher uses sticker charts to reward good behavior (love it!) and she said she wished she could have found a "purple bear" sticker chart online.  I have photoshop elements 11 on my mac and I decided to watch a few youtube videos and take 10 minutes to try my hand at my first photoshop chart.  Dear Lord, this is going to take a lot longer than I thought!  Whatcha think?  I can't stop laughing at it.  But I'm going to go ahead and print one for my Kenzie-Lou to use at home.  Maybe my sister can lend me a hand!  Photoshop is not very intuitive if you haven't had any training.  

Click photo to download PDF!

Update... My Mackenzie was absolutely GIDDY when she saw her new reward chart hanging up and she was desperate to do good things to earn more stickers. >insert maniacal laughter< My plan is working, sweet child. 

16 November 2015

Why I donated my hair


Here is a little back story as to why I wanted to donate to Children with Hair Loss. When my Kenzie was about 10 months old, she got this rash called Petechia / Petechiae. If you have ever had a health scare with your innocent baby, you know the feeling of the world standing still as you wonder if something could truly happen to this purity and perfection packaged as a tiny human who is the least to deserve any kind of medical hardship or pain.  And as a parent, you instinctively know that you would do whatever it took on God's green earth to make your child "ok".

Here is my post-bath baby Mac the week petechia appeared.


Here is what the petechiae looked like on her precious little arm.  :(



So what is petechiae?  If you've ever had the flu or just thrown up violently for some other reason, you may have had petechia around your eyes. It is literally when your tiny capillaries leak blood into your skin. It doesn't lose color when you push on it. Some little ones may get petechia from straining, whether they're trying desperately to get out of their carseat or crying/throwing up violently or even from being worn in a baby carrier. None of these scenarios applied to Mackenzie and the petechiae was all over the trunk of her body, her arms and her legs. When you have post-partum anxiety and you start googling, you.just.stop.breathing. You pray. You hug, hold and kiss your child more than you ever thought you possibly could. Petechia can be a sign of meningitis or leukemia among a slew of other causes. Thank GOD, Kenzie had blood work done and her labs came back completely normal. Her petechia was most likely caused by a virus.  I will forever be grateful. Tears always well up in my eyes when I hear stories of little ones going through health scares or problems. Not only am I extremely sad for them, but I feel so indebted for being privileged to have won the lottery of health for my small human. What a true privilege to have our health (and our freedom, but that's another story).  That being said, I always want to give back in any way that I can.  

While my sweet Kenzie was going to sleep, she very softly ran her hands through my hair and said "mommy, why did you cut your hair?"  
Me: "There are little girls who get sick and lose their pretty hair.  I mailed my hair to someone who can make a wig for a little girl.  That way the little girl who is sick can wear a wig and feel her hair move when she twirls like you do.  And maybe for just a moment, she can forget she is sick."
Kenzie: "I love my long hair."
Me: "I love your hair too, baby".

Here is a picture of my Kenzie-Lou and her beautiful long hair.

Halloween 2015


Here is the site for the organization I chose for my hair donation and below are the donation requirements.  I chose them because their requirements are more lax than most places.  Unlike organizations like Locks of Love or Pantene Beautiful Lengths, Children with Hair Loss accepts as little as 8+ inches, including grey and dyed hair (although natural is preferred). 

http://www.childrenwithhairloss.us/

Children with Hair Loss Donation Requirements

Help us “Cover Young Heads to Heal Young Hearts.” In order to do so please follow these requirements:
  • Hair should be at least 8 inches in length or longer is preferred.
  • Hair must be clean and dry, pony-tailed and/or braided (this keeps the hair in one direction).
  • Place rubberband or pony tail holder on each end.
  • Non-chemically treated hair is preferred (but any hair in good condition will be accepted).
  • Gray hair is accepted.
  • Print hair donation form.
  • Place donation form and hair in ziplock bag and mail to Children with Hair Loss
  • Donors are given a certificate in appreciation for their kindness.





Hair donation before and after.






08 November 2015

Holy Moly - 2008 v. 2015

Well, we're coming up on 7 years of marriage and here are a few of our engagement photos taken Fall 2008 compared with some family photos taken Fall 2015.  We may look at each other from across the room at our neighbor's house gritting our teeth and holding our hands out like we're strangling each other, but we don't have a 7 year itch!   I think the key is to put anonymous cards in the tithe bowl at church that say "pray for my marriage".  Clearly someone that is really good at praying keeps finding them ... And they probably tell their friends "there's this chick that tries to change her hand-writing but I'm on to her."  Anyways, til death.  Love you, babe!

Photo by Bobbi and Mike 

Photo by Missy Eckert Photography

Photo by Bobbi and Mike

Photo by Missy Eckert Photography
















30 October 2015

My favorite wall in our home!

Last year, I made this DIY kids art gallery wall and I have cherished it every day.  My Kenzi absolutely loves art and she feels such pride when she sees her art displayed.  This give us something positive to focus on as we walk through the hallway towards her bedroom.  

Here are some quick easy steps to make your own!

Here is what you need:
- as many frames as you'd like
- a roll of Velcro that is sticky (I think they call it Velcro tape).
- clothes pins
- spray paint 
- nails
- hammer 
- time!



1. Go to goodwill and find various frames!  (Or your basement storage if you're like me.)

2. Remove everything except for the frame itself.  

3. Spray paint the frames in the color of your choice. (They have sparkle spray paint at Lowes now too!)



4. Get out your clothes pins and your Velcro!  The picture speaks 1000 words.  I chose to attach the art this way because I like the natural look and I like that it's easy to remove the clothes pin to replace the art. 


5. Hang your frames however you'd like!  I like to lay them all out on the living room floor first to see what configuration I like the best.  The key is to not over-think it and just start putting some nails in the wall.  No measuring.  Just eye ball it.  This would drive my husband mad! Ready, set, go!  

6.  Let your child pick their favorite art to display! 

7. Let friends and family initiate conversations with your youngster over their masterpieces.  



8. Let your heart overflow as your watch your child's face fill with pride.







29 October 2015

Why are my white mums turning purple?

After googling, I found that they're not just turning purple because they know it's my favorite color (I know, not funny).

Here are some reasons why your white mums may turn purple or pink ...

-mums change color as they age (before they die)
-mums change color according to the pH of the soil 
-mums change color as the weather gets colder 

Personally, my color is affected by all of these things too.  Mums, I totally get you.  



Practical Decor - Jewelry Storage Frames

I love when my decor is practical!  I am always trying to declutter and simplify my life.  I found that using these Pottery Barn jewelry frames has helped me keep my jewelry simple!  I don't own more than what these can hold.  (Ok, I have a few pairs of studs in my bathroom drawer.  I have tried to balance them on the wire string but they just don't seem to stay.)  I really only wear one pair of earrings every day and the rest of the jewelry is meaningful.  Wait, I spy Kenzie's Olaf necklace!

Pottery Barn doesn't offer these particular jewelry frames anymore but it does seem like it'd be relatively easy to recreate the look with some frames from goodwill, tools from Lowes and some milk paint!  Oh, and some time and dedication!  I am extremely good at starting projects.... but finishing them!?  I do not have any tutorial instructions, just ideas.  Story of my life.  Have a great day!!!!  :)

PS.  I just looked on Pottery Barn's website and it looks like they offer these Metal Clad Frame Jewelry Hangers!  Oh how I love the gold look right now!!






26 October 2015

Teal Pumpkin Project Ideas

Why do people have a teal pumpkin on their porch?  What is the teal pumpkin project?  It's a fabulous idea that encourages people to offer non-food items for trick or treaters.  Here are some not-so-fun facts about food allergies...


  • Researchers estimate that up to 15 million Americans have food allergies.
  • This potentially deadly disease affects 1 in every 13 children (under 18 years of age) in the U.S. That’s roughly two in every classroom.
  • The economic cost of children’s food allergies is nearly $25 billion per year.
  • According to a study released in 2013 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies among children increased approximately 50% between 1997 and 2011.
  • The number of people who have a food allergy is growing, but there is no clear answer as to why.
Facts provided by https://www.foodallergy.org/facts-and-stats


I count myself extremely lucky because my little one has an "intolerance" not an "allergy".  Also, imagine what the statistics would look like if they included food intolerances too!  I asked our gastroenterologist why he thinks food allergies and food intolerances are on the rise and he brushed it off saying, "ohhh, there are several theories, no one really knows."  Period.  Although Kenzie's Milk Protein Intolerance did cause her to have colitis as a baby, at 3 she can now handle most dairy.  But just because her little belly can digest dairy with mild discomfort, we still give her alternatives.  And many times she requests the alternative even when we do offer her dairy.  More on this another time.  All this to say, the teal pumpkin project is a great idea and I love seeing moms support one another.
Where can you find reasonably priced non-food halloween treats for your trick or treaters?  Here are some places that I have found for those that plan ahead, those that buy 2 days early and then those super last minute moms (we've all been there).

  • Orientaltrading.com - better buy early!
  • Amazon.com - Yay 2-day free shipping with PRIME!!  
  • Target!  This year Target has awesome steals.  Not only do they have fun things like packets of 10 spider rings for $1 in the dollar spot, but they have great non-food halloween treats in their Halloween seasonal section.  Love that store!
Here are some ideas for non-food Halloween treats.
  • Stamps
  • Mini Play Doh
  • Glow Sticks
  • Fake Glasses
  • Plastic Vampire Fangs
  • Eyeball Bouncy Balls
  • Eye Patches
  • Small Plastic Animals
  • Slinkies
  • Pencils/Erasers/Halloween Pens (for older Kids)
  • Fake Spiders
  • Spider Rings
  • Small Sensory Balls
  • Fake Mustaches




If you literally search amazon for "Halloween toys" you'll have a prime list ready for you!  Yes!






Art Therapy

My sweet Kenzie absolutely loves art and I have come to the conclusion that one of her top love languages is "Quality Time".  She asks to do art quite a bit and it usually sounds like this, "Mommy, will you sit and do art with me.  I need you to sit close."  Since she is a lefty, she also requests that we color on the same page!  I love that she is my first child and I am able to do this with her!  And I honestly don't know who loves it more, me or her!  I've never been very good at art, but I find it so relaxing.



The other night, Kenzie Lou wanted to color her pumpkin some more so I decided to go ahead and make our teal pumpkin for halloween.



Why do people have a teal pumpkin on their porch?  What is the teal pumpkin project?  I'll post about this separately.  :)

18 October 2015