I love Halloween because of the excuse to dress up, make rediculously cute treats and eat sugar (though I admit I’m laying off the sugar a little more than I did as a kid) dressing up never affects my health 😉. Here are my top 5 DIY for Halloween.
#1 Homemade Costumes
You may or may not be into dressing up, you may or may not like to make costumes yourself, but seeing the creativity of others never dulls. Here are some of my favorites over the years (stickers used to protect the innocent- not an actual part of the costume😊)
Star Wars! People will always know who you are and you may even get fan art. Princess Leia’s iconic hair stands out to even the youngest fans.
Oh the scandal! Obi Wan Kenobi and Princess Leia on a date…chaperoned by a little Yoda – so it’s all good.
A little tiger – if you know an awesome face painter, arrange for a cool addition to your costume through face paint.
A family of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with easy shells from the dollar store.
Harry Potter theme was fun (with Peter Pan and Wendy – I couldn’t get them to all agree–I really wanted one of them to be Doby… sigh) . No one actually wanted to be Harry.
The Neville costume was made from thrift store pillow cases and the ties from felt. I let them make their own ties so they are different. Hermione’ s cloak is just a big piece of felt fastened around the neck, we made their house emblems with paint on felt.
Hagrid’s costume was a heavy metal rockers wig and a rug for the beard.
Peter Pan ‘s costume was made from felt and green tights.
Wendy’s costume was a night gown from the thrift store that I took in on the sides and reconstructed the sleeves.
And last, but not least Tron. Simply wear all black and make a few strategic lines with neon tape. I loved it! Easy and fun.
#2 Cute Treats
Why else would I figure out how to make tiny edible candy pumpkins or bat and monster cupcakes than to make a hit at the Halloween party? It was totally worth it.
#3 Hallway Trick – or – Treat
Ok, this tops my list of happy memories. If you have a long hallway and little kids to entertain – you HAVE to try this 😊.
The adults stand in the doorway and the kids come get candy. Seeing everyone’s costumes – and dressing up is an absolute blast and everyone stays warm. I love these people!
#4 “Scary” Decorations
I wasn’t into “Scary” until I had kids. They practically beg for scary which I resist and do moderately scary 😳😊 – which they love. My four year old was crying that she didn’t want to go home, “but why,” I encouraged, “your room is so fancy!” (alluding to Fancy Nancy whom she adores). She cried, “my room IS fancy, but not our house.”
Sigh…
“What would we need to do to make our house fancy? ”
“We need spider webs and rats!”
… Ya, that is what fancy is to a four year old.
I did spider webs last year, they stuck to EVERYTHING! Not again!
This had taken its place. A window cut out is dramatic with no added electricity and minimal cleaning up afterwords.
It’s made from a large cardboard box. The very observant will notice the two pictures are different – that’s because I’ve done this with two houses now. I love it because it’s easy, it doesn’t take additional electricity and people love it. When the holiday is over I fold it up and store it behind our storage shelf in the garage.
#5 Glow in the dark Halloween party.
To start off get a black light. Just a black light bulb in a table lamp. Then we had teams turn people into mummies. The black light made everything glow. We also played balloon volleyball with a glow stick in the balloon and topped it off with pizza.
We recently landscaped our backyard and our quality of life immediately went up once the grass was in.
Since we had done a complete overhaul on our last home, we promised ourselves we wouldn’t take on any major home projects for a year. We wanted to give our lives a bit of normalcy. It also meant we planned and dreamed and changed plans and improved dreams😊.
I’ll update posts as I describe each area we are implementing, but today I will show you how and why to install a paver edge along your grass. It may surprise you to find (it did me), that the work is strangely therapeutic. I have a friend who hammers jewelry and she once called it therapy. I understood once I started installing the pavers.
Pavers require a good bit of hammering with a rubber mallet and since it’s rubber it doesn’t hurt your ears. I found myself looking forward to coming home and finding time to install more pavers. For me hammering was a stress release. Something about the pressure of the mallet pounding out any built up tension from the day. I hope it works for you too. 😊 I always felt a bit calmer afterwords.
Not all projects are this rewarding while you work. I love all my projects once they are done, but there are a few of them I have had to endure.
Paver pounding? You will love it!
With the right preparation, tools and material it will be a great stress reliever and you’ll have a bonus awesome yard.
Skill level: moderate
Tools
Rubber mallet
Hammer with metal head
Materials
Pavers of your choice, ours were 99¢ each at The Home Depot
Weed barrier, landscaping material
Landscaping staples
Play sand $5 a bag, we used 3-4
Pavers sand
We started the paver edge once the sod was down, but there was no landscaping outside of this. So we had a nice edge to follow for the pavers.
Prep the ground by running the sprinklers an hour before working, this makes the dirt softer and allows more movement while hammering your pavers into place.
Lay the landscaping material down first and have it come up the edge of the paver an inch or two. This is to keep grass from growing between your paver. By putting work in upfront now, we hope to avoid annoying grass problems later. Notice how I set pavers to hold large portions of landscaping material in place. I then came back and finished the edge. This method helps you easily get that 1-2 inch of material coming up the edge.
The purpose for installing pavers is to create a nice edge between the lawn and fence and other landscaping and so it creates easy mowing and less need for a weed wacker.
We had quite a bit of grass growing next to the fence from our neighbors yard. To combat this, we pulled out all the grass and sprayed the edge with grass and weed killer to prevent further growth and to kill any grass seeds left.
We also built the soil up an inch or two and put down landscape material. I’m serious about avoiding annoying upkeep down the road. I love yard work, but there is only so much weeding a person can love.
Use landscape staples right up next to the edge of the fence. I also have the landscape material coming up an inch or two to discourage unwanted weed and grass growth. Use the metal head hammer for this otherwise the staple pounding eats up the rubber mallet.
Some people use string and a level to make sure the pavers are straight. We had already done alot of work to level the ground with raking, rolling etc. so I didn’t use a string – in fact I eyed it. If it looked straight I left it, if I noticed a bulge in the line of pavers I hammered it into place with the mallet, very easy.
To give your pavers a nice foundation to sit on and reduce pavers shifting through the years, lay about an inch of play sand (play sand because it’s cheaper, we’ll use the nice stuff at the end). Sand will also help the paver not tilt when it’s walked on.
Set the paver where you want it to go and hammer it into the ground slightly. The sand holds it in place, the soft dirt gives way and surrounds the paver, setting a nice sturdy line for a professional look. My pavers were about the same thickness as our sod, so I hammered until the paver was even with the height of the grass.
For easy upkeep and mowing we curved the grass at the corners. The pavers just fanned out around the curved corners creating triangle wedges that I then filled in with sand.
To further seal in the pavers, spread paver sand on top. It is very fine sand and will fill in all the little crevices making it harder for weeds and grass to move in and cementing in your well pounded design with very little wiggle room.
To finish off the look and hold down the rest of the weed barrier fabric we put down a few inches of chocolate mulch. If we ever want plants in any of these areas we will can cut a hole in the fabric, but for now, the weeds are held at bay.
I am so happy with the way this paver edge turned out. The pounding was actually fun and we are going to have a much easier yard to care for. Our dog literally wanted to be in every photo, so she gets to wrap it up.
Are you planning a lawn edge soon? What edging are you considering. Feel free to leave your comments below and best wishes with your next project.
I tried to use organic shampoo, it didn’t work. So then I broke down and used the ultra toxic shampoo, then the electric Combs and toxic furniture sprays. You name it – I was still finding lice on my child’s head after a few days.
I began researching and to my horror found lice have adapted and are no longer affected by even toxic shampoos. They are referred to as Super Lice and nothing kills them.
Nothing in a bottle any way. Not willing to simply live with lice, this is what I finally did to kick these creepy parasites to the curb.
Out of desperation I discovered this amazing meathod. 100% organic, kills Super Lice and you’re done in a day. I sincerely hope this article saves you time and head lice trauma.
First How to organically Rid Your Living Area of Lice
• Wash everything you can in hot water. Sheets, clothes toys.
• Put all other exposed items in garbage bags and store away from people for two weeks. Pillows, toys that don’t wash well etc.
• Change sheets and pillow cases daily, wash dirty sheets in hot water.
• Vacuum carpets, couches, mattresses in sleeping and living areas.
• Boil, or throw away all items used on hair: combs, brushes etc. Or place them in a garbage bag for two weeks.
For even more bedding tips and tricks to rid your place of lice, checkout Lovetoknow.com
How to Organically, Rid You/Your Child’s Head of Lice
It used to be you could simply buy a toxic – yet effective lice shampoo and be done with lice. This is not only unhealthy it also is no longer an option. Lice have survived and created “super lice,” lice that can’t be killed with shampoos.
Also the toxic shampoos, really are toxic. Coming with warnings to, “leave in your hair for 10 minutes, but no longer,” all the while burning your lungs. They don’t work! And leave you feeling like this… Big time creepy, crawly, nearing-break-down, ick!
How I Finally Rid My Home of Head Lice
The to-do list above, is essential for getting rid of lice where you sleep and play. Now how to get rid of the lice in your hair – the safe and organic way.
Ok, this is the nitty gritty reasons why we all hate head lice. I’m just going to say it how it is so you can be lice free sooner.
Lice live off our blood, that’s why we itch, they’re parasites. They then lay eggs (or nits) and attach them to our hair close to the scalp. For a more lice behavior and helpful info, checkout Goodhousekeeping.com
Many people say nits are found at the nap of your neck or behind your ears. That wasn’t my experience. I found adult lice, like the one below, at the nap of the neck, nothing behind the ears and nits on the side of the head about 2 inches down from the middle of the scalp.
Adult lice are not blue however, they are more of a dark brown and clear color, kind of like a fly, but much smaller. Juvenile lice are white and black. They also jump to get away. Nits are white, they at first look like a large piece of dandruff, but unlike dandruff which blows away with a tossel of the hair, nits have to be carefully pulled from the hair with a nit comb or using your finger nail firmly pressed against your thumb to pull each one out.
Step 1: Use Coconut Oil in Place of toxic lice Shampoo
Coconut oil will work in the same way as organic shampoo. It’s oily texture traps the lice so they can’t jump away. You then comb them out with the lice comb and wipe oil and lice on a tissue. I then bagged it up and threw it in the garbage can outsude.
The coconut oil meathod with a few others can be found at this link. I of course really like my full meathod because it worked, but you may be interested in seeing the variety of options at lethow.com
Be very thorough and remove all eggs and lice you can see. This will speed the process. Coconut oil is also great for the skin and scalp, as opposed to the toxic shampoo that makes your skin die and flake.
You will want to use regular shampoo to rinse out the coconut oil once you are done combing through.
Step 2: Blow Hair Dry
Using a hair dryer, blow the hair completely dry. One of the steps for ridding you’re living area of lice is to put it in a hot clothes dryer- this works. Even super lice can’t live through the heat. You of course don’t want to burn your head or your child’s head so be aware of the temperature on their skin.
Step 3: The Final Lice Free Step, Use A Flat Iron
This my friends is what finally did it. I kept finding lice after a few days or even weeks. I honestly thought I would lose my mind. I began wishing I could just put my child’s head in the dryer and that’s when I came up with this meathod – I never saw lice again.
After you have completed the living area clean sweep. AND after you have combed through their hair to remove the nits and lice. Start the final step with dry hair.
Pull all the hair on top of their head except for the bottom 1-2 inches. Then with a heated flat iron, iron out hair a few inches at a time. Try to get as close to the scalp as possible without burning the head. Sweep this hair to the side let down another 2 inches and continue the steps until all hair had been done.
Repeat every morning until you feel sure all lice are gone. Also continue to change pillow cases for the infected individual until you feel sure head to lice are gone.
And that’s it!
Ok, I know… you may be thinking, “That’s it!?!” Yes, this is a lot of work I wish I could say, “just use a hot iron” – but the truth is you need to activity rid your area of lice as well, to truly be lice free.
Stay away from all the toxic chemicals and shampoos – they don’t work and they’re horrible for your health.
If you want to keep reading, 😄 I’ve shared some tips about the right lice comb to get ect. Best wishes, may lice never hit your home, but if they do may you find this article.
The Best Lice Comb to Use
The best comb I used came in my organic shampoo set. It was a medium green color which actually made it easier to see the lice. Lice eggs are white, but newly hatched lice have a bit of black in them and they jump around.
Another lice comb I had was black. I think the idea was to more easily see the lice eggs, but it didn’t work. You can see lice eggs with the naked eye, but it’s hard to see the newly hatched darker lice. A light colored lice comb works best. You then wipe them off the comb onto a tissue and throw away (out of your house).
It’s can be hard to find the perfect gift for the one who “has it all” or at least has what they need and would like to select their own “wants.”
My husband is turning 40! (a great looking, awesome 40 year old), I want him to know I put serious thought into his gift. So I’m making chocolate covered bacon.
Bacon!!
It’s a rare person that doesn’t love bacon 🥓. Crispy, melt in your mouth bacon, makes every dish better.
Which reminds me have you heard Jim Gaffagen’s bacon jokes, 👉 while you eat chocolate covered bacon.
If you’ve worked with chocolate you know it can be tricky if heated and cooled too quickly you can get “bloom” where the chocolate butter separates and white spots appear on top.
Or its melted at too high of a temperature and it seizes up, losing its milky smooth texture and becomes a chocky solid.
This is how you do it right.
Bake the bacon till crispy, but not burnt 😊 and let it cool completely.
If you have a double boiler use it. ☺️ You will beat water in the lower bowl until very warm, but not boiling. It will melt your chocolate and keep it liquid with less risk of messing up your chocolate’s composition.
If you have a microwave melt on medium to low heat for 20 second increments mixing between each time. I added about 1 1/2 Tbs butter to 8 oz of dark chocolate. The butter is to increase its spreadability (which in not sure is a word) 😂
Heart until just melted, be careful not to overcook add it will burn and ruin your chocolate. Then use a pastry brush to brush the chocolate into your slices of bacon.
After I was done spreading chocolate I placed them in a warm (not burning oven) to even out the chocolate).
Sprinkle with course salt to balance out the sweetness of the chocolate and enhance the bacon flavor.
Then package with string and a card and you’ve got an awesome guy gift – or the perfect gift for anyone with refined taste buds. 😉
Happy creating! Comment with other ideas you have for the men in your life and /or those who already have it all.
I love Halloween and Fall. The crisp smell of crunchy leaves, baking apples and happy kids makes my world complete. Today I am sharing three quick and easy ideas to inspire you for the upcoming Halloween festivities. While I do enjoy the occasional, detail minded cooking, I purposely chose recipes that are quick and easy to get you out the door and off to your party.
There is a little bit of everything, a recipe that only requires kitchen staples – still very cute, one that requires no talent at all – but looks amazing ha ha and the middle ground recipe that takes hardly anytime, but very tasty. Have fun and enjoy the fall festivities.
First off the cute, but easy, no need to buy additional ingredients…
Peanut Butter Candy Pumpkins – You will likely find all of these ingredients in your cupboard, which makes this easy in all ways possible. They are cute and get you right in the mood for fall.
I loved peanut butter candy growing up, be sure to check that the party you will be bringing them to is free of peanut allergies. I labeled mine just to make sure no one took it by mistake if they did have a peanut allergy.
Next up, when you want to bring a fun treat for your gathering, but are self proclaimed not creative (which I don’t buy)…
Monster Cupcakes – while these do require a little forethought, they are really easy to make. So if you feel like you aren’t too crafty, you can still do these and have all the kids excited when you arrive. They are fun, but not too scary and you get a pair of monster teeth for the rest of the party. Total win! 😊
Materials/ Ingredients Needed
Plastic monster teeth easily found at the dollar store etc.
Googly Eyes also easily found at the dollar store or candy eyes if you can find them.
Cupcakes bought or baked at home
Frosting in any color, because monsters are that way 😉
Frost the cupcakes with a simple layer on top or you can use this guideline by Mommy Like Woah frosting tips to get a variety of “hairy” monsters. Again, this is up to you – they will look awesome either way and you will easily be the coolest treat maker. 😉
Place monster teeth on top and googly eyes.
Voila! you are ready for a party!
Last, but not least a balance between easy and tasty…
Bat Cupcakes – Quick, cute and tasty, what’s not to love? These cupcakes get kids and their parents excited, (because Oreos are awesome). It will look like you slaved away in the kitchen, but only minutes to assemble. If you make your own cupcakes, it will take a bit longer, still easily accomplished in an afternoon.
Ingredients Needed
Cupcakes
Vanilla Frosting
Oreos – regular size
Oreos – mini
Mini Marshmallows
Cinnamon and Sugar
Mini Chocolate chips
Use a large round frosting tip and fill the whole cupcake. You can swirl around or get the affect above by holding in one spot and letting the frosting pile up. I sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar to give a fall like texture. Next cut a large Oreo in half for the wings and use a small Oreo for the head. Then cut a small marshmallow in half and stick to the small Oreo. Finish off the look with Mini Chocolate Chips adhered with frosting.
Have a wonderful Fall season, be safe and enjoy all that fall baking and Halloween fun. Stay tuned for other Halloween fun coming your way.
Hi, I’m Natalie. I’m a mother of four, an artist, and a DIYer that loves to reuse, recycle, and refurbish. I like power tools and teaching others how to save money while improving their home.
Lay the landscaping material down first and have it come up the edge of the paver an inch or two. This is to keep grass from growing between your paver. By putting work in upfront now, we hope to avoid annoying grass problems later. Notice how I set pavers to hold large portions of landscaping material in place. I then came back and finished the edge. This method helps you easily get that 1-2 inch of material coming up the edge.
For easy upkeep and mowing we curved the grass at the corners. The pavers just fanned out around the curved corners creating triangle wedges that I then filled in with sand.
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