$30 for that necklace? Take this snotty store!

I would never, never post a DIY like this if the store that I'm referring to wasn't super, duper rude to everyone who walks in!
I truly don't know how these people stay in business, probably because they are always stocked with adorable accessories that I can't seem to find anywhere else.

Last time I walked in to said unnamed store in Falmouth Center I saw a delightful fabric covered necklace with big chunky beads and I was almost considering purchasing it even though for moral reasons I don't want to support them. Then I thought, Nicole, what is wrong with you? You have a sewing machine, you can do this!

And I give you, the easiest DIY ever, the fabric necklace:

Start with 5 wooden beads of varying sizes, I got these at A.C. Moore, a package of 40 beads for $2.99. So if you're in my family you should probably be expecting one of these for Christmas or your birthday. Cut a piece of fabric to your desired necklace length plus 12 inches, about 8 will be used for tying a bow in back, and you'll lose about 4 inches on knots, and wide enough to easily wrap around your largest bead. My largest bead had a circumference of 3 inches, so I cut my fabric 4 inches wide.

Next, pin the fabric right sides together and sew one end, and the entire length, leaving the other end open:

Then, find the center of your necklace, measure out where you want your 5 beads, and tie a knot on the opposite end of where you want your first bead to start. Drop in a bead, tie a knot, repeat, until all 5 beads are securely in your fabric tube. Then sew up the end and voila, fabric necklace:

Maxi dress...major irritation!

Why are maxi dresses too short on me??
I am only 5'6"...I see no reason for anything to be too short!
If I was 5'11" at least I would be prepared for it!
But of course, I made a fatal error, I purchased a maxi dress 2 years ago without trying it on, and I'm thinking it was probably after a lunch that also involved a beer. That's my excuse anyways.
So it's taken me 2 years to finally do something with this piece of too short madness:
Please pardon the room, which I clearly didn't bother to clean pre-photo.
I decided since long skirts are in (Thank you Rachel Zoe), I'd do a super quick DIY long skirt.
Just cut off the top, fold back at the cut edge, sew the new seam shut, and run an elastic through the band! Voila! I got to rock my appropriate length skirt in New Orleans (hence the hotel room), and did I order cocktails to match my outfit? I might have.... but don't tell anyone because that's just embarrassing!

Big girl room- Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Theme

The husbando and I transformed our guest room in to Belle's "Big Girl" room on Sunday.

She just turned 2 last weekend, I'm completely not prepared to give up the safety and security of her crib, I need to know where she is, I'm thrown in to a fit of panic every time I picture her in the gigantic bed we got her.

But, this isn't about me, and she's ready to move on, so I'm in the process of getting over myself.

I'm almost embarrassed to post the before photos exceptno one reads this blog yet so I'll do it now before I blast it to the world, and then decide if they're too heinous to keep up!

Before:

After, complete with Mickey Mouse ears that the husbando cut out of wood and I covered with shiny black fabric, anda bed skirt that I sewed to look like MM's shorts!

I didn't take DIY pictures for the bed skirt, but it's super easy, basically take a store bought bedskirt or a large piece of fabric and cut out a square piece in the center, sew the sides, then add two white ovals just above it. I won't lie, sewing ovals is way easier by hand than on a sewing machine, unless you've got mad skill, that I totally don't have.

Divine kitchen inspiration

Somehow last night I received divine inspiration and made the following meal from what was in my kitchen, which was great because I really did not have the energy for the grocery store:

For the homemade baguette I use this recipe, http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/french-baguettes/Detail.aspx with the following adjustments, no bread machine (they're evil, just ask America's Test Kitchen), an extra 1/2 tsp of salt, and a pan of water in the oven to make the outside crispier.

The homemade hummus is my usual recipe, can of chicpeas, two cloves of garlic chopped, salt and pepper, covered with olive oil and baked at 350 for 20 minutes, then mashed.

The tzitziki (Greek friends help me out with this spelling), super easy 1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt, 1 clove of garlic chopped, small piece of cucumber (no seeds) and a teeny dash of vinegar. It's perfect with fried zucchini!

Mixed greens are from my garden (so proud!!), with a simple dressing, 1 part olive oil, 1 part red wine vinegar, juice of 1/2 a lime, sprinkle of cumin and 1 tsp of honey.

Served up with Blue Hill Brewery's Black Hops.

Worth every freaking-fracking calorie.

Homemade Birthday

My daughter has an obsession with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, I hear that it is pretty standard around age 2.

It almost made my husband and I feel a little guilty about canceling cable.

Almost.

Then we remember that we really hate TV and barely watch it, and honestly the last thing a child needs is more mindless animation in his or her life.

BUT for her birthday we did go with vague and admittedly half assed Mickey Mouse theme. I didn't even manage to get balloons or anything. But truly, I'm just not good with the theme thing on parties, I focus so much on the food I just can't get past what people are going to eat.

So I made yummers chocolate/chocolate cupcakes, complete with red cupcake liners, little yellow feet (which when stacked up before being taped to the bottom of the cupcakes just looked like a bunch of yellow boobs), and York Peppermint Patties cut in half for ears:

Did I also make her Minnie Mouse dress to strut around the house in? Yes I did.

However, I forgot to do a step by step tutorial, so I'll make the same style dress shortly with some how-to photos!