American Girl Wardrobe Closet

A M E R I C A N 

G I R L

My first ever Ana White project.  Made these wardrobes for my 2 youngest and my niece for Christmas.  Took me one night to put the wood together and another 2 weeks to complete.  

I used the plans from Ana White and took the board measurements to Home Depot (who cut all my boards). 

Link to ANA WHITE:  http://ana-white.com/2011/12/plans/star-doll-closet-american-girl-or-18quot-doll

This one was made for my daughter Paige and her American Girl Caroline.

*I added scrapbook paper to the back with modge podge for the elegant wallpaper effect.

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My Home Depot haul....so thankful for the guy who cut all of this!

I used a pattern and jigsaw to cut out the star pattern for the doors.

My review for Ana White is her plans are spot on and I would venture to build another piece from her plans again!  These little wardrobes are awesome and I hope that my kids, kids will play with them some day.  The good thing about using real wood instead of buying the wardrobes from Target is I know they will hold up and not be a piece of junk in a few years.  


Merry Christmas!  

Peppermint Kiss Homemade Lipgloss

P E P P E R M I N T

K I S S

 lipgloss

Homemade

~ingredients~ 

Vitamin E

Almond oil

coconut oil

peppermint oil

beeswax

cocoa butter

This really is the best for your wintery chapped lips.  Doesn't compare to the stuff sitting close by the checkout counter.  

Made it last year with the ladies, and had to rough it on my own this year.  

1/2 ounce beeswax
2 teaspoons olive oil or jojoba oil
2 teaspoons coconut oil (solid at 74º F)
1 teaspoon shea butter or cocoa butter
1/2 teaspoon pure aloe vera
1/4 teaspoon vitamin E oil
5-7 drops essential oil (like peppermint or grapefruit)

In a double boiler, combine the beeswax, olive oil, coconut oil, and the shea/cocoa butter. Heat over low heat just until oils and beeswax are melted. Remove from heat. Stir in aloe vera, vitamin E, and the essential oils.

Pour the mixture into small 0.15-ounce tubes. Allow to cool completely to set.


Makes (7) 0.15-ounce lip balm tubes.

Wah-la

C H A L K M A R K E R S

 My new fav. love!  These are awesome! 

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Now...who wants to hire me to do some chalk art???

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*Asked a lady at Starbucks who was working on one of the signs what she was using...and she showed me the chalk markers.    

You can order these off Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Chalk-Classrooms-Chalkboards-Blackboards-Whiteboards/dp/B00E5VBVE4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1416523896&sr=8-2&keywords=chalk+this+way

You have to shake and push down about 100 times to get the chalk ink out and then you are good to go!

Christmas Craft

Miniature Trees and Miniature Deer Christmas Clips

Shopping List

1. Clothes pins
2. Miniature deer - $1.99 for pkg of 5 at Hobby Lobby
3. Miniature Trees- $1.99 for pkg of 4 at Hobby Lobby
4. Glitter tape
5. Hot glue

Can be clipped on top of your gifts or on your tree.  These are So Cute!!!

Cabinet Rehab

Wood you paint it?

I love the look of all these beautiful white kitchens, but have a hard time committing color to my oak cabinets.  I know this is silly, but if any of you have ever stripped paint off wood, you totally understand.  I have yet to finish the entire kitchen because as my husband stated, once it's painted I know where this is headed...#newcountertops!  Love him, he knows me so well.  

*it all started with this lovely desk from the thrift store- $35

inspiration piece

I had an ugly built in and can't find the pic of it, but trust me, it was ugly and not functional. I tried to put a buffet there and all it did was collect all the junk I could put in some drawers ;-)

BEFORE

AFTER

Lightly sanded the all of the desk except the top and that I completely sanded and stained.  Kept the original hardware...because GOLD/Brass is back baby!

3D Mascara LOVE!!!

Uh-mazing mascara review!

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In one of my bouts of "I need a creative outlet", I happened up this AMAZING mascara.

Check this stuff out!  

https://www.youniqueproducts.com/KatieMcQueen/

These are my eyes!  I am blonde.  Have very little lash and have

Also a pic of ME and my lashes!

always wanted a full, longer lash.  In fact last year when the hubs and I went to Mexico I tried falsies and ended up throwing them in the trash.

This mascara is simply AMAZING!  

The process is an easy 2-step.

1. brush with gel (provided in kit), much like the mascara we are use to using.

2. brush with 3-D fiber wand and repeat for fuller longer lashes.

Easy and I am never going back to my ol stand by.

Younique is the seller of this mascara.  The price is $29 plus shipping and handling.  Most of us have paid that if not more for mascara.  But, I would guess that none of you have ever used anything like this.

Washes off like mascara with soap and water!  EASY! 300% Fuller!  WOWZA!

Curious?

This is an example of how much length you get!  WOWZA!

I want every lady to have the same awesome experience i have with this "magic" mascara!  It is truly AMAZING!  

THIS IS ME!

Here is a link to my site!

https://www.youniqueproducts.com/KatieMcQueen/

Gel Stain-fireplace redo

Honey....we need to get rid of the Honey!

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Our house was built in 2001, when honey oak was headed out the door.  I have always envisioned painting or staining the oak and we have a lot of it. It usually takes about 20-30 years for trends to roll back around, so I think its safe to say, the honey oak can go.

This process was so easy!  I stained a bathroom cabinet about a year ago with gel stain and it took the beating from my kids.  I guess that's what I was waiting for, to see if in fact the stain would hold up to our family and most of all, the 3 year old.

NO sanding required!  Just brush it on.  

Minwax has a variety of gel stain colors.  I used mahogany for that old world feel.  

Part of the fireplace transformation included popping off the old tile and replacing with slate.  You will need a tile cutter and a good friend for this project.  My friend Sarah came over and helped with the tile removal and replacement. One day project.

Before

                                          After

  ~Would say this was a photo bomb, but I think it requires a little effort~

Look at the difference! 

*I bought the slate tiles at Lowes.  Pretty cheap and they come in sections, so easy to install. 

I'm also in the process of staining the hand rails for the stairs.

Before

After

Next project....the kitchen!  

Homemade Lip Balm, Sugar Scrub and Body Butter

Perfectly 

Wonderful 

Party

My friends and I had a little get together and made gifts for this holiday season.  I will be gifting these to teachers and friends.  We made lip balm, sugar scrub and body butter.  All the recipes were simple and most we got from Pinterest!

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Me applying a little lip balm on Amy's lips.  *peppermint kiss*

We did plan a few weeks ahead and purchased:

*Containers- 8 oz deli from amazon- http://www.amazon.com/Reditainer-Deli-Food-Containers-Lids/dp/B007V2M7F6/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1386269149&sr=8-5&keywords=deli+containers

*Lip balm containers from  amazon- http://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Cosmetic-Containers-Eyshadow-Container/dp/B00AKYYSCM/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1386269703&sr=8-7&keywords=lip+balm+containers

Is also purchased a few items such as cocoa butter, sweet almond oil and essential oils from www.pipingrock.com    Great prices and customer service.

Coconut oil from Costco seems to be the most economic, $15.99 for a 54 oz container.

I also found some great tapes at Hobby Lobby to put of the top with labels we printed from avery that I also purchased from amazon.

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So...here is a list for the lip balm, scrub and body butter

` essential oils (whatever scents you like)

`coconut oil

`bees wax
`local honey

`shea butter

`vitamin E oil

`sweet almond oil

`lip balm containers

`8oz deli containers

`cocoa butter (smells like chocolate)

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Lip Balm

Peppermint kiss

Coconut kiss

Orange kiss

*pouring the lip balm*

We used a recipe from the blog "food for my family"

http://foodformyfamily.com/manic-organic/homemade-lip-balm-and-lip-gloss-for-your-valentine

Homemade Lip Balm

Print me!

1/2 ounce beeswax
2 teaspoons olive oil or jojoba oil
2 teaspoons coconut oil (solid at 74º F)
1 teaspoon shea butter or cocoa butter
1/2 teaspoon pure aloe vera
1/4 teaspoon vitamin E oil
5-7 drops essential oil (like peppermint or grapefruit)

In a double boiler, combine the beeswax, olive oil, coconut oil, and the shea/cocoa butter. Heat over low heat just until oils and beeswax are melted. Remove from heat. Stir in aloe vera, vitamin E, and the essential oils.

Pour the mixture into small 0.15-ounce tubes. Allow to cool completely to set.


Makes (7) 0.15-ounce lip balm tubes.
Copyright © Food for My Family.

The body scrub recipe is pretty simple.  We just used raw brown sugar and or white sugar combos as the base and added honey, vitamin E and a carrier oil such as olive oil or sweet almond. Add whatever essential oil for your scent. Be creative and add what you want.  We even added orange zest to one of the scrubs and lip balms.

Tis the season for spending time with friends and making fantastic homemade gifts!

Kara making sure Amy pours it just right....

Traci sporting her "naughty" shirt for the holiday season.

Master bath #goodbyehollywood

~Master Bath Update~

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When we bought our house in 2003 I was not a huge fan of the gray tile and never a fan of the hollywood lights!  Glad to say adios to the ugly lights and hello to serenity.

BEFORE

AFTER_______________________________________

I painted my cabinets gray with a black glaze.  Now I'm ready to tackle my kitchen cabinets.  I also chose sconces for lighting in the bathroom.  Kind of an out the box light above the mirror and way cheaper.  I bought these for $20/light at home depot on clearance.  The sconces are glass, not plastic which was a huge sell for me.