Do It Your Freaking Self - Blog - Page 10 of 23

Throw a Pineapple Flamingo Brunch

on June 13, 2017

Celebrate your gal pals with a summer Pineapple Flamingo Brunch complete with pineapple cups, mimosas and devilishly simple and delicious desserts!

This post may contain affiliate links. That means that we make a few pennies from your purchase to keep the cat fed but the price stays the same for you! This post is also sponsored in part by Oriental Trading.

There is nothing more fun than getting the ladies together for brunch. Well, okay maybe laser tag or Disneyland, but that’s beside the point. What I love about brunch is that we usually host it in the middle of the day on a weekend when no one has to work and it’s the most chill afternoon ever. This Pineapple Flamingo brunch? Great for a summer afternoon when you feel like hanging out and watching Moana or Lilo and Stitch.

Throw your own Pineapple Flamingo Brunch

For this brunch, I started with creating the backdrop. I used simple coordinating paper plates that I got from Oriental Trading. I also created a Flamingo/Monstera banner with my Cricut Explore Air 2 and strung it up with some bakers twine.

For the mimosas, each guest was given her own pineapple cup to drink out of with a fun flamingo straw! It’s amazing how the little things can really make a party memorable. Want more luau decor? Check out Oriental Trading’s Luau shop for everything you could possibly need!

Those tropical cake push pops? Yep! They were boozy. I got the set from Oriental Trading, but the stand was silver so I painted that sh*t gold… because why not?

Tip: When you’re placing the cake push pops in the stand start with the bottom layer and place them on alternating sides. If you have a helper, just have them hold it steady.

Finally, even though it’s a “brunch and chill” kinda party, I still wanted to have an “invitation to play” set up for my friends so I set up a table to make these fun flamingo tote bags. They were super easy and the gal pals loved that they had something to take home afterwards that was useful!

how do you brunch?

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ByChelsea

Boozy Tropical Cake Push Pops

on June 10, 2017

Kick off your summer luau by making these fun boozy tropical cake push pops! A sweet addition to your flamingo, pineapple, hawaiian party!

This post may contain affiliate links. That means that we make a few pennies off each purchase but the price stays the same for you!

Summer is in the air and that brings about two of my favorite things… flamingos and pineapples. Put them together and you’ve got one classy luau or some mayhem. Either way it’s gonna be colorful and pretty. These boozy tropical cake push pops (or tube cakes) use a basic cake mix, crushed pineapple, watermelon vodka and buttercream icing to give you a flavor mix that will transport you back to the island (but not like LOST okay?).

Boozy Tropical Cake Push Pops

Cost: $20 – but you’ll use the treat pops again so it’s kind of an investment
Time: 2-3 hours
Fun level: 9
Makes about 15 pops

Ingredients:
1 box yellow cake mix
1/2 C crushed pineapple
1/4 C pineapple vodka
2 eggs
1/2 c oil

Buttercream Frosting:
1/2 C Butter (at room temp)
1/2 C Butter Shortening
1/4 C Watermelon Vodka
4 C Powdered Sugar
Pink food coloring

Supplies:
Push pop containers
Jellyroll pan
Parchment Paper
Piping bags or ziploc bags

1. Make the cake: Line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper. Make the cake mix and bake according to directions on the box or until you put a toothpick in the center and it comes out clean. Take the cake out and let it cool.

2. Mix the buttercream. Cream the butter and shortening together. Add the vodka. Once everything is mixed, slowly add the powdered sugar until you get to the desired consistency. Spoon into a piping bag.

3. Assemble the cake pops: With the plunger in the bottom of the treat pop container, use the rim as a cutter and push the end cake to the bottom of the container.

Quick tip: use a second plunger to push the cake down into the tube.

Pipe the icing in a thick layer on top of the cake, then layer again with cake. Add a final layer of buttercream to the top and garnish with sprinkles if you like and place the lid on top.

If you’re planning a summer luau or brunch for you lady friends or if you just like to play on pinterest all day, don’t forget to PIN for later!

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ByChelsea

DIY Flamingo Stencil Tote Bag

on June 7, 2017

Be a flamingo in a flock of pigeons with the cute DIY Flamingo stencil tote bag! A fun weekend or crafternoon project for all ages with a simple freezer paper stencil!

This post may contain affiliate links, that means I make a few pennies if you purchase through my links….but the price for you stays the same!

Flamingos are probably one of my favorite things about summer. There’s floats, drink holders, doughnuts, and so many other things to embrace the pink flamingo. So of course I needed to make something that fit it. This flamingo stencil tote bag is super easy and a really great craft for an afternoon party that your friends can all do with little to no skill AND comes out looking unique for everyone! Let’s get started!

DIY Flamingo Stencil Tote Bag

Cost: $10 or less
Time: 30 minutes or less
Dork level: 4

Supplies:
Canvas tote bag
Freezer paper
Iron
Scissors or craft knife or a Cricut or Silhouette cutter
Acrylic paint (I LOVE DecoArt paints for my projects!)
Foam brushes

To start, print out your template. I grabbed a free flamingo shape silhouette and resized when I printed to fit. If you’re using a Cricut, you can skip this step. You can also print the shape directly on to the uncoated side of the freezer paper (using washi tape to secure it to a piece of card stock).

If you’re using a cricut like I did, simply load the silhouette into the Cricut Design Space software, clean the edges and save it as a cut file. Secure the freezer paper to your mat using washi tape if needed and cut it on the plain paper setting.

Once your flamingo is cut out place it where you want it to be on the tote bag and iron that sucker down.

Using your sponge brushes paint around the stencil in an outward motion. Feel free to switch your colors around. I used yellow, pink and green and I’m pretty stoked with how it turned out.

When you’re done painting simply remove the stencil and touch up any smudges that may have occurred with a q-tip or small paint brush. Let it dry for 15 to 20 minutes or until all the paint is dry. Place a full sheet of freezer paper over the design and iron it again to heat set the paint.

Get out with your bad self! How cool is your flamingo tote bag now? Some other ideas aside from abstract that I’ve seen are ombre or sunset. Have fun, be creative and embrace it!

If you’re digging this project, PIN it to your DIY and crafts pinterest boards so you’ll know where to find it later!

ByChelsea

Cupcake Perler Bead Hair Pins

on May 17, 2017

Add some fun to your hairstyle with a nostalgic twist! Learn how to turn mini cupcakes into adorable perler bead hair pins for the kid in all of us!

This post may contain affiliate links, that means I make a few pennies if you purchase through my links….but the price for you stays the same!

Perler bead time friends! I’m feeling a bit nostalgic today and also a little bit introverted so a nice quiet project seemed like a good idea. As a nanny (or you as a parent) or just as a grown up who needs creative quiet time, this is my favorite thing to do to keep myself and the kiddos busy. These Cupcake Perler Bead Hair Pins are also great because they can hold your hair back while you’re feeling yourself in a flirty skater dress outfit (because we all have one). They also make really great gifts that kids can make for Valentines Day, birthday parties, etc.

Cupcake Perler Bead Hair Pins

Supplies:
Perler Beads
Square perler bead peg board
Parchment or Wax paper
Iron
Bobby Pins
E6000 glue
A piece of cardstock or cardboard
Nail polish (optional) to color your hair pins

Time: 30 minutes or less (or more depending on how into it you get)
Cost: $5 or less for a lot
Nostalgia level: A solid 6

ByChelsea

Leather Tassel Power Bank Keychain

on May 10, 2017

Charge your phone in style with a Leather Tassel Power Bank Keychain. Never be without your portable phone charger with this diy!

This post may contain affiliate links. Buying from these links gives us some pennies and helps feed Grampa the cat but the cost for you is the same.

I have a confession to make friends. Sometimes when I say I’m unplugged, it’s really because my phone died and I can’t be arsed to find a charger. Or I know where it is, I just don’t feel like feeling at the bottom of my bag for it. Anyone else? Okay cool. Glad I’m not alone. Oh! And I keep losing the darn things! Which, as you know, are not cheap to keep replacing.

So I’ve finally figured out a way to jump on the tassel trend (you didn’t think I was gonna go there, did you!) and make the tassel super useful too! I’m the first to say that I like pretty things, but pretty and useful… LETS DO THIS!

Leather Tassel Power Bank Keychain

Supplies:
Small tube shaped power bank
1/4 yard colored leatherette vinyl – I got mine at Joanne’s for $5 from the upholstery section but you can also use Cricut’s faux leather.
Keychain findings
Hot glue or E6000
Rotary Cutter
Ruler (for straight lines)

Time: 45 minutes or less
Cost: $10 or less
Style level: A conservative 8

ByChelsea

Diagonal Crochet Dishcloth – with free pattern

on May 4, 2017

Spruce up your kitchen or give a useful gift with a bright and colorful reusable crochet dishcloth! A great project for beginner to intermediate skills.

This post may contain affiliate links for products that I love, that means I make a few pennies if you purchase through my links….but the price for you stays the same!

So today we’re going to make a corner to corner diagonal crochet dishcloth. They only LOOK super hard. I promise. So let’s sit back, grab a glass of sweet tea like the good southern lady you are and I’m gonna teach you how to make these! I especially like these for gifts on holidays like Mother’s Day and Earth Day or for take home presents from a bridal or baby shower!

Diagonal Crochet Dishcloth

Supplies:
Size G Crochet Hook – I really like these from Boye
1 ball cotton yarn – I used Lily Sugar n’ Cream in Ahoy!
Scissors
Tapestry or yarn needle

Time: 1-2 hours depending on experience
Cost: $5 for yarn. Makes 2 per ball.
Handmade awesomeness: 12 (out of 10)
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ByChelsea

Cheesecake Churro Cupcakes

on April 28, 2017

Satisfy your sweet tooth with these decadent Cheesecake Churro Cupcakes! Filled with cheesecake filling and topped with cream cheese frosting and a cinnamon sprinkle!

This post may contain affiliate links, that means I make a few pennies if you purchase through my links….but the price for you stays the same!

Let me start this story by saying that my room mate and I once took a midnight Churro run and it was the best decision we ever made. There’s a place down the street from our apartment that makes them fresh and fills them. You can even get a churro ice cream sandwich!

I’m a little obsessed with Churros, so if you thought you were the only one – Fear not! You’re not alone! On my first trip to Disneyland (I was 27 thank you!) I ate way more than I’m comfortable with admitting. There is just something to be said for that crispy outside, gooey inside and a hefty sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. And well, I wasn’t on any type of diet so I pretty much ate my way through Disneyland and all of my happy feelings. It was amazing! These cupcakes? Well they’re kind of my homage to those wonderfully delicious tubes of yum. The cream cheese icing? It pairs perfectly with the cupcakes since it’s not too sweet and compliments the cinnamon sugar!

Cheesecake Churro Cupcakes

Ingredients:
1 box white cake mix
2 tbl Cinnamon
3 Eggs
1 stick melted butter (or 1/2 cup oil)
2/3 cup milk
1/3 cup sour cream

Filling:
1 box cheesecake pudding
1 1/2 cup milk

Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese (room temp)
1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp milk
2 tbl cinnamon sugar

ByChelsea

Fringe Cupcake Toppers

on April 25, 2017

Add some fun flare to your Cinco De Mayo or Pinata party with these fun Fringe Cupcake Toppers! They also double as drink stirrers for a bright and colorful addition to your drinks!

This post may contain affiliate links, that means I make a few pennies if you purchase through my links….but the price for you stays the same!

Sometimes you just need bright colors, a margarita, and a taco. Yep, Cinco De Mayo is almost here and it’s time to really impress your friends by making all the fun things for your celebration! Now, I’m all for letting cupcakes stand on their own merits. They’re tasty, they look pretty, and usually if there’s a lot of garnish, it’s over compensating. However! For Cinco De Mayo, I hold to the theory that more is more… but keep it classy. These Fringe Cupcake Toppers will look perfect on your Cheesecake Churro Cupcakes and in your glass as you stir that margarita. They’ll also look super adorable at your birthday party when you match the color scheme of decor. Basically, it’s like a fiesta just looking at them so you should make them because they’re easy and fun and cheap. K?

Fringe Cupcake Toppers

Supplies:
6 inch wooden skewers
Bright colored tissue paper
Glue runner or glue stick
Scissors

Time: 15 minutes
Cost: $5 or less
Bringing the party? YES!
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ByChelsea

58 Awesome Pool Floats You Can Find on Amazon

on April 20, 2017

Your swimming pool should be home to giant flamingos, unicorns and champagne dreams this summer! Check out this season’s hottest pool floats!

This post may contain affiliate links, that means I make a few pennies if you purchase through my links….but the price for you stays the same!

I don’t know about you guys but my instagram feed has been FULL of awesome summer pool floats. It’s enough to make me want to take a vacation to Palm Springs and never leave. And no. I don’t care if I look pasty white or that I don’t have a beach body. It’s summer and I’m gonna have fun, no matter what anyone thinks!

Okay, so pool floats. I know a lot of people have a hard time finding fun ones or even some that are unique, so I’ve compiled the ultimate list of pool floats that you can buy on Amazon! Have a pool party in a few days? Amazon Prime it! (click the link for a 30 day free trial!)

Your swimming pool should be home to giant flamingos, unicorns and champagne dreams this summer! Check out this season's hottest pool floats!

ByChelsea

DIY Rose Cork Coasters

on April 12, 2017

Use IKEA Avskild Placemats to create these simple rose cut out cork coasters for your next girls day or The Bachelor viewing party!

This post may contain affiliate links, that means I make a few pennies if you purchase through my links….but the price for you stays the same!

Do you guys ever feel like you’re just spinning your wheels? Like one step forward, two steps back kinda thing? Yep. Right there with you. I’ve been trying to take a step back and get things into perspective lately. Learning what “self care” means and what it actually means for me.

One of the things I’ve started doing is crafting just to create. For no other reason than the joy of it. I know you are all going to be flabbergasted, but I have been buying craft kits and making all sorts of things like bunnies, macrame, scarves... etc. It has helped bring the joy of crafting back because I’m not stressed about taking photos, or being “original”, I just do. What are you doing for self care?

These Ombre Rose Cork Coasters came out of one of those creative spurts. I was looking at supplies I had on hand and was watching the classic Beauty and the Beast and just felt like creating. I figured it might be something you all would like to try, so I repeated the project, took some photos and VOILA! All yours! Get in the zone with your bad self while you cut out tiny pieces of cork board while listening to some Gaslight Anthem… or maybe that’s just me.

DIY Rose Cork Coasters

Supplies:
Sheets of cork board – I used placemats from IKEA
Craft knife
Hot glue or E-6000
Felt sheets in your color choice
Washi or craft tape
This template

Time: 2-3 hours for 4
Cost: $5 or less
Impressive? Yes

ByChelsea

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