Living a shoestring lifestyle
  • HOME
    • About
    • Contact
    • Published Work
  • Blog
    • FASHION
    • TRAVEL
    • Recipes
    • HOME DECOR >
      • Seasonal
    • Healthy & Beauty
  • SHOP

Last minute Valentine's Day gifting: how to diy bath bombs

2/5/2017

2 Comments

 
Picture

if you're here for a last minute Valentine's Day gift then there's no time for an introduction! Valentine's Day is only a few days away and sometimes chocolate and flowers can be overrated. What we really need is some pampering. And mix that with some handmade love, now that's a gift worth giving and receiving.

Lets get straight to it:

DōTERRA essential oils bath bombs:
​Ingredients:
1 cup citric acid
1 cup baking soda
½ cup cornstarch
½ cup doTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil
8-10 drops favorite essential oil or blend
Silicone mold (I used some hearts molds I found at a local thrift store)
Diy dōTERRA bath bombs by shoestringAmy
I read somewhere that a tennis ball cut in half makes a great mold for the pretty, round bath bombs. In this case, were using hearts. Set these aside and gather your ingredients.
Diy dōTERRA bath bombs by shoestringAmy
so, real quick, I have to say, "shame on you, reatilers!!"
Each of these ingredients (excluding the essential oils) can be found at a craft store, health store, or pharmacy section. However, the price is triple, if not more than the exact same product you'll find in the grocery section. Seriously. Be sure to do some quick research to find the right price for you.
Diy dōTERRA bath bombs by shoestringAmy
My sweet girl and I whipped these up in no time- perfect for a last minute project.
Diy dōTERRA bath bombs by shoestringAmy
  • Add 8-10 drops of the essential oil or essential oil blend of your choice.
  • Mix well with spoon until soft dough is formed. It should have the consistency of damp sand.If the mixture is too wet, try adding a little more baking soda and cornstarch until consistency is correct.
  • At this point, you may add food coloring, dried herbs, or flower petals to mixture.
    • Place mixture in silicone molds.
    Diy dōTERRA bath bombs by shoestringAmy
    Diy dōTERRA bath bombs by shoestringAmy
    Diy dōTERRA bath bombs by shoestringAmy
    be sure to press mixture firmly into molds and allow to dry 24 hours.
    Diy dōTERRA bath bombs by shoestringAmy
    Diy dōTERRA bath bombs by shoestringAmy
    drop in your bath to enjoy! We blended wild orange, lavender, and peppermint for a rejuvenating blend. Lavender printed calm feelings, while orange and peppermint are a powerful to replace your stressors with uplifting feelings. Shoot me an email if you need to get your hands on some essential oils. (Shoestringamy@gmail.com)

    peace, love, and rejuvenation

    ​
    Picture
    Original recipe
    2 Comments

    how to cure CHRISTMAS HANGOVER with a week of fun by kids 

    12/28/2016

    0 Comments

     
    Combat post Christmas hangover with this fun craft for kid's. A simple, yet effective calendar made by kids for a WEEK OF FUN to prevent melt downs. By Shoestring Amy

    Ahhh....Christmas time. What a beautiful, loving time of year. A time of the year where family and friends come together and happily adorn one another with gifts of gratitude. The time of year where laughter fills the air and joy contagiously replaces the angst that you carried with you throughout the year. 

    The shopping malls are  overflowing just as much as the muffin top sitting on my overly-tight-post-Thanksgiving jeans. Anxiously building up to the day and then it's over. Just like that.

    All over, right about now-this very moment, there are mother's and children alike pulling their hair from the roots of their scalp. 

    Christmas hangover. 

    It's a real thing. I don't care who you are: The happiest, jolliest- most spirited person or the person who secretly hates the holiday's; We all experience the Christmas hangover. 

    Maybe not. Correct me if I'm wrong.  But, it's well alive in this house! My kid's- Thankful as they are- are in full melt down mode. Pre-Chrismtas we had many planned events, crafts, cooking for dinners, family gatherings, etc. and then....crash. It was all over and nothing to do. Yes, there are tons of brand new toys to play with. Kids will be kids. Right?

    So, I came up with a plan. 

    CHRISTMAS hangover CURE:

    Week-o-fun KID'S planner created by kids

    Combat post Christmas hangover with this fun craft for kid's. A simple, yet effective calendar made by kids for a WEEK OF FUN to prevent melt downs. By Shoestring Amy

    What you need: 
    • Kids (Oh, yeah, we know that part...that's why we're in this pickle!)
    • craft supplies from around the house (markers, crayons, scissors, magazine clippings, paper, glue)
    • piece of cardboard/posterboard (We used a piece from a Christmas gift box)
    • *Inspiration
    Create: 
    parents: Use the cardboard and list the day's of the week for the kid's to fill in. 
    Combat post Christmas hangover with this fun craft for kid's. A simple, yet effective calendar made by kids for a WEEK OF FUN to prevent melt downs. By Shoestring Amy

    *hint: before you tell the kid's what you are up to, plan ahead. Create a list of activities you would like for them to do or crafts they can do with things you already have on hand. 

    **double hint:  Think old school. There are tons of simple crafts that kids have been creating for years that will never go out of style. Simplicity is key. 
    Combat post Christmas hangover with this fun craft for kid's. A simple, yet effective calendar made by kids for a WEEK OF FUN to prevent melt downs. By Shoestring Amy

    1. Call in the kid's, tell them you want to fill the week with FUN things designed by THEM. 
    2. Outline the "rules" before they start to prevent meltdowns (specify specific times these crafts will take place, if needed.)
    3. Jump in and help outline activities, make suggestions, have fun make the calendar of events along with them. 
    Combat post Christmas hangover with this fun craft for kid's. A simple, yet effective calendar made by kids for a WEEK OF FUN to prevent melt downs. By Shoestring Amy
    Combat post Christmas hangover with this fun craft for kid's. A simple, yet effective calendar made by kids for a WEEK OF FUN to prevent melt downs. By Shoestring Amy
    This seems like something so simple. Yet, it brings the family together, forces fun during a stressful time, and creates memories.
    For my kid's they go into melt-down mode because they are used to schedules. School: schedules, Home: free-will; For my kids, they don't adjust well to that. With this calander, the kid's feel in control, look forward to fun events, and know when each event will be taking place.  


    What are you doing to combat post-holiday stress? 
    Peace, love, and fun!
    Picture

    __________________________________________________________________________

    Resources:
    ​ Crayola Crayon kit (Christmas present)
    Martha Stewart's Favorite Craft's for Kid's 


    Disclaimer: I am not affliated with any of the products or brands mentioned or shown in this article. I receive no benefits or compensation from use of the links or products in this article. 


    0 Comments

    DIY homemade salt dough ornaments

    12/12/2016

    0 Comments

     
    Christmas time DIY saltdough ornament from ShoestringAmy
    Christmas time comes with a fair share of hectic-ness; that's for sure! Holiday traditions should be smooth, simple, and ever-lasting. 

    One of our family traditons is salt-dough ornaments. Naturally, there comes a little disclamer. If you store your ornaments in an out building, little critters don't know the difference between your priceless orament from a snack. So, looks like we will be making new ornaments this year AND new location to store our ornaments. 

    ​Good thing these are so cost effective and easy to make. 
    Christmas time DIY saltdough ornament from ShoestringAmy
    0 Comments

    From Gore to GLAM!

    11/6/2016

    0 Comments

     
    Shoestring Amy's Thanksgiving Fall mantle using items from around her own to create a one-of-a-kind mantle. #Fall #paintedpumpkins #glam #glitterpumpkin #thanksgiving #bluepumpkin #freecycle #upcycle #manteldecor #falldecor #homedecor #recycle #decoratingfortheseasons #fireplace #palletdecor #palletideas
    After yesterday's post I felt it appropriate to jump straight into Thanksgiving. 

    Upcycling is my favorite.  ​
    Shoestring Amy's Thanksgiving Fall mantle using items from around her own to create a one-of-a-kind mantle. #Fall #paintedpumpkins #glam #glitterpumpkin #thanksgiving #bluepumpkin #freecycle #upcycle #manteldecor #falldecor #homedecor #recycle #decoratingfortheseasons #fireplace #palletdecor #palletideas
    The very best vignettes are created using regular every day items with a few seasonal items tossed in. There's only one box in storage containing all of my seasonal decor and I'm never dissatisfied with the combinations I'm able to come up with each year. I rarely have seasonal decor that looks the same as any year before. Pumpkins: We use them for Fall/Halloween and then toss them. Why?! Upcycle them on into Thanksgiving. Let's hop on over from gory to GLAM!
    Shoestring Amy's Thanksgiving Fall mantle using items from around her own to create a one-of-a-kind mantle. #Fall #paintedpumpkins #glam #glitterpumpkin #thanksgiving #bluepumpkin #freecycle #upcycle #manteldecor #falldecor #homedecor #recycle #decoratingfortheseasons #fireplace #palletdecor #palletideas
    MY GATHERINGS: 
    • left over Halloween pumpkins
    • paint
    • glitter
    • leaves and branches from the back yard
    • piece of wood from pallet
    • sharpie marker
    • neutral colored items from around the home(weathered plate, books, jars- these items add dimension, height, textures, and interest)
    Shoestring Amy's Thanksgiving Fall mantle using items from around her own to create a one-of-a-kind mantle. #Fall #paintedpumpkins #glam #glitterpumpkin #thanksgiving #bluepumpkin #freecycle #upcycle #manteldecor #falldecor #homedecor #recycle #decoratingfortheseasons #fireplace #palletdecor #palletideas
    I started by coming up with the colors I wanted to use: orange, natrual beige/browns/gold tones, and aqua/blues. 

    We could have easily left the pumpkins orange, but we're adding glam! A touch of robin egg blue pairs perfectly with orange, so robin egg blue it is. 

    Painting the pumpkins and sprinkling some glitter across the top allows the glitter to stay in place and adds a little extra special, unexpected touch. 

    The simplest project is my "Be Thankful sign."  I found a font online that I really liked and sketched it on a simple pallet board (free!) and then went over the sketch using a Sharpie marker. Could it be more simple? And adorable! 

    Stacking some books (displaying them backwards shows off one of my chosen colors beige-y/brown) and placing some branches in a jar add height to the display. 

    tucking the plate behind the sign and leaves around the pumpkins add some dimension; coming together to create  a nice, simple, cohesive vignette. 
    Shoestring Amy's Thanksgiving Fall mantle using items from around her own to create a one-of-a-kind mantle. #Fall #paintedpumpkins #glam #glitterpumpkin #thanksgiving #bluepumpkin #freecycle #upcycle #manteldecor #falldecor #homedecor #recycle #decoratingfortheseasons #fireplace #palletdecor #palletideas
    Fresh Thanksgiving decor: $0 
    Which is awesome because we all know what's to follow..... 

    Christmas! We could all use some savings this time of year. 
    Need more inspiration? Check out some amazing talent and their painted pumpkins over at HOMETALK. Go ahead, add your links below! 

    Peace, Love, and thankfulness....
    Picture
    An InLinkz Link-up
    0 Comments

    DIY spider web t-shirt

    10/16/2016

    0 Comments

     
    Picture
    Okay, you guys. Seriously. I hate spiders. Eew! I don't even know what possessed me to do such a DIY, but in the fun of Halloween, why not? I kinda love dress up. I pretend I do it just for the kids, but basically, I'm just a big kid myself. 
    ​

    Read More
    0 Comments
      Enter e-mail address below to get notified of new blog posts via e-mail! 

      Enter your email address:

      Delivered by FeedBurner

      Picture

      About Me: 

      Shoestring Amy is a free-spirited momma. With a family of five comes an active lifestyle full of energy. Amy strives for a lifetime of fun, laughter, and memories. Rather than smothering in debt, working for "things," and walking the same ol' line of misery created by a dead end job,  she creates much larger goals. ​CONTINUE READING....

      Picture
      Picture
      Picture
      Picture
      Picture
      Picture

      Categories

      All
      Health & Beauty/ Fashion
      Home
      Inspiration & Encouragement
      Recipes
      Seasonal
      Travel

      Picture

      Posts from the past: 

      January 2017
      December 2016
      November 2016
      October 2016
      September 2016
      April 2016
      March 2016
      January 2016
      December 2015

      RSS Feed

    Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
    • HOME
      • About
      • Contact
      • Published Work
    • Blog
      • FASHION
      • TRAVEL
      • Recipes
      • HOME DECOR >
        • Seasonal
      • Healthy & Beauty
    • SHOP