DIY Wedding on a shoestring budget Part 2

Since "DIY wedding on a shoe string budget" got so many views (and I told you I would) I have put together the next part, Part 2. This time I want to talk about making your own dresses, so you get the opportunity to help design your dream dress. Or for those of you that are not so creative (although I believe we all have it in us) there is the option of buying you dress for cheaper, but not loosing out on style or quality. I will also be looking into Cakes, ' Bake It Yourself ' and local bakers.

Wedding dresses

DIY

This is the most important part of the wedding to the Bride-to-be, the bit she has dreamed about since she was a tiny girl. But that does not mean it has to cost an arm and a leg!
If you are going to make the dress you will need to invest in a good quality wedding dress pattern I have found many sites online but Jaycotts had a great selection of gowns for bride, bridesmaid and flower girls ranging from £6-16. Fabric can be sourced in the same way online. Most online fabric stores will send you a sample of the fabric before you commit to buying 5 meters as you will obviously want to feel it before you buy. This shop has every thing from satin and lace to bridal fur and crystals and purls. Make sure to always check the clearance section as they may have some ends of rolls going for cheaper which could be just enough for your dress!!

Buy for less

I Understand we are not all handy with a sewing machine and even if you are making your own can be daunting so fear not there are other options... 

Barnardos Bridal Rooms is a non-profit organisation stocking brand new bridal gowns and all wedding accessories "that have been donated by some of Ireland's top bridal retailers, wholesalers and designers". Ranging from €150-€700 It is a charity that deals with children affected by abuse, poverty and educational disadvantage.

Another option is to try Etsy there are a range of dresses starting at €90.... here is one for €218 a steal for that price.

Cakes

I want to talk about cakes, there are lots of ways to go about this too: DIY, local business and friends are all great options!

BIY (Bake It Yourself)

If you are already into baking, great, this is a perfect option for you, Get your bridesmaids round and begin the Bake-a-thon and look up ways to decorate... There are loads of tutorials on the web for how to do it all yourself. I have picked out some I think even I could manage. This is a great step by step for baking your own wedding cake and there are loads more on my favourite Pinterest.

I have also found this tutorial is all about assembling and decorating. 

So with this said baking your own wedding cake is definitely an option?? Yeah??

Buy for less

If you don't agree with me on the whole 'Bake I Yourself ' then look into your community. You would be surprised at the amount of people in your area that can help once you begin searching. In my area i have found loads including Little Miss Cakes and the lady behind it has assured me she "if someone gave me a budget I would do my best to accommodate a budget as weddings are very expensive so I would always try my best to give them a great cake that would not over exceed their budget."

Remember to believe in yourself and enjoy every step of your wedding. Involve as many of your friends and family as you can it is a time to remember!


Part 3 will be coming next with decor and flowers. If you want me to cover any particular section in part 3 and ill have a go! Stay tuned and remember to subscribe so not to miss!

DIY peanut butter cups and bounty!!!

So recently I have been on a "eat better feel better" kind of buzz, so I have been trying really really really hard to stick to it but I say if you cant eat something you want every now and then you will end up pigging out at some stage.
My moto is "Broccoli = good for your body chocolate = good for your soul"

That being said I have come up with some tasty treats you can enjoy almost guilt free..

Chocolate coconut bites (bounty)

Ingredients

150g Dark chocolate 70%+

6 tbsp shredded coconut (desiccated coconut)

6 tbsp meltedish organic virgin coconut oil

mould I used a silicone cake pop mould

Method

1. Melt chocolate in a bain marie or a bowl over a pan of simmering water, making sure the bowl does not touch the water.

2. Pour enough chocolate into each mould to line the case, not to thin. put in freezer to set for few mins. leave enough to cover the chocolate at the end!!

3. Meanwhile, mix together your slightly melted (not hot) coconut oil and shredded coconut in a bowl. 

4. Your chocolate should be set now. Fill up your chocolate cases with the coconut mixture, not to full leave 3-4mm  at the top for the lid and place in the freezer again to set.

5. Make a cup of herbal tea!

6. Take out of the freezer and spoon on the remainder of the chocolate to comletely cover the coconut. freeze one last time, then pop out of the moulds and store in an air tight container. (mine are left in the fridge as the weather is HOT)

Chocolate peanut butter bites (peanut butter cups)

This is just a variation on the above recipe. Replace the two coconut products use in the bounty ones with just peanut butter. You will not need the end of step 4 (placing in freezer) or step five - although step five is optional ;). Follow the rest of the recipe and enjoy!

Don't forget to take a look at the post "Competition" to be in with a chance to win a hamper of baking essentials! 

Competition!!

As i mentioned the other day i am running a competition, the prize is a hamper full of baking goodies, It includes a Hand sewn (by moi) child size apron, I purchased the fabric here. She has a range of amazing fabrics in stock.

If you would like to enter the competition please make sure you;
*follow me on google +
*Comment on this post
*Press +1 under this post too.

You can also follow me via Facebook, although that is not essential it will help my page grow... ;p

GOOD LUCK!!

Keep calm and cheer up!!

So I have not written to you guys in a couple of days (sorry) it has been MY BIRTHDAY. Yes now I am 26 years young old. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet, as I am on the bad side of 25 now.. But hey life is too short for going on about age...

If any one else is like me, feeling sorry for there selves and needs cheering up I have some good news for you.......

I am feeling like I need to run a COMPETITION, it will be run through my Facebook and on here via the contact form, so head over and get liking to be kept up to date with the competition.

Hands up who is excited!!

Fathers Day 21st june 2015

So with 2 days left until Fathers day, some of you are probably all set but for the rest of us its run around frantically until we just pick up the same thing as last year.. ha ha true??

Well this year I say change bad habits and create something from the heart.Get a few supplies together from your craft store or pound/dollar store and GET MAKING!!

The Card

So sometimes homemade cards can look just that.. homemade..but I want something that looks great and is easy to create, not just for mum but kids can take part too. So I have been searching all night (more like a few hours) for the best I could find, here goes

Shirt and Tie Card

Simple enough to re produce no written tutorial but pictures are great just glue together at the end.find it here 

Bow tie M&M's Card

Another self explanatory one could use M&M's, minstrels, skittles any sweet 

in a packet really... found here

The Piece de Resistance

This is the thing we have all been waiting for.... some good ideas for fathers day.. I had so many it was hard cutting it down to just 3 ideas, and they are much better than SOCKS... Sorry to anyone who always buys socks, but at least your still reading to find an alternative..

Key holder

So like most men dads do this thing when they come in where they literally just put their keys down on any surface, be it the stairs, a pile of laundry( waiting to be taken up stairs), the kitchen counter tops, just anywhere. I feel this gift would fit in, in most homes.

Car bin

Dads car A.K.A "Dads Taxi" should come equipped with a bin/trash area. I am guessing every parent/ step parent understands the struggle of keeping a car tidy (or is it just me?). Clothes, candy/sweet wrappers, apple cores... urghhh the list goes on. Here is the solution;

Hold all bowl

So this one i have Put together myself, again its for the more forgetful dad.. to hold those spare coins, watch, jewelry or bits and bobs from his pockets that end up on the night stand (or floor).

You will need

*air drying clay

*metal/plastic butter knife

*tooth pick

*acrylic paints

*varnish/topcoat

What to do

1. Knead clay in hands to soften, then roll out.

2. Mold it in a bowl. Cut of any excess up the edges, you can make it as shallow or as deep as you like.

3. Write "daddy", "dad", "stepdad" or whatever you wish in the centre with your tooth pick and leave to harden. approx. 24hrs

4. When dry paint it up, let it dry and put a coat of varnish on to seal it.

#first Image as i described above. Second is another alternative!

So regardless of whether your celebrating Fathers day, for dad or for step-dad make sure you guys all have lots of fun and eat lots of nice food!!

Please follow by email and leave me a comment if you like my post or found it helpful!

buttons galore and lots more

Hi guys, beautifully sunshiny day today! I am not using this blog as an advertising tool but i would like to let you know if you need buttons or craft supplies visit my Etsy page at the moment i have only buttons, but i am waiting to get a good camera to take shots of my ribbon, glass buttons and wooden buttons... so don't be put off guys!!

Now go enjoy your days... or check out one of my posts (maybe spring cleaning one??) ha

Spring cleaning (in SUMMER)...

 It is officially summer in Ireland. The sun is out and this can only mean one thing... SHORTS, BIKINIS, VESTS AND SANDALS... Regardless of the temperature (which has recently been hovering between 16-19 Celsius)... My daughters also born on the "Emerald isle" have this fever. Wishing to swim in the sea at the beach and I am still wearing a fleece coat, that being said I am just digging into a 99 ice cream :s.

Anyway slightly off subject there, I have dragged them away from the beach ( not literally) and we have done a bit of spring tidying, which was definitely needed, the washing is out drying bedrooms tidied and windows open to air the house, blow away the cobwebs.

Here is a cleaning rota and a few tried and tested cleaning products below for you using these basic ingredients;

*baking soda
*White vinegar
*lemon juice
*Olive oil
*essential oils
*water (distilled will keep for longer)

Kitchen 

1. All purpose citrus cleaner

White vinegar

water

citrus peels

Put the citrus peels into a jar, pour in the vinegar and leave for 2 weeks.

Strain and pour infused vinegar in spray bottle dilute with water 1:1.

2. Burnt pots/pans

1 cup baking soda

1-2 inches of water in the pan

Bring the water and baking soda to boil in the pan for 15 mins then scrub lightly to remove build up.

3. Window cleaners

1/2 cup vinegar

1/2 cup rubbing alcohol

Water

Add vinegar and rubbing alcohol to a spray bottle, fill up with water

Bathroom

1. Toilet bowl cleaner

1 cup vinegar

1/4 cup of baking soda

Mix ingredients, let it sit for 15 minutes, and use elbow grease (scrub hard)

2. Grout cleaner

1 part baking soda

1 part water

Mix ingredients into a paste using an old toothbrush  scrub the paste into the grout in circular movements, rinse repeat

All over house

1.Carpet stain removal

2 cups warm water

1 Tbsp vinegar

1 Tbsp dish soap

baking soda

Sprinkle baking soda over stain and tic toc wait 10 minutes. Mix up the other ingredients and sponge onto the stain, blot until stain is removed.

2. Wood polish

1 Tbsp olive oil

juice of a lemon

1 Tbsp water

sprig of Rosemary or Lavender

Combine liquids in a bottle add the herb leave use straight away..

3. Air freshener/ fridge deoderiser

2 cups of water

15-20 drops of essential oil

1 Tbsp baking soda

Put the baking soda into a bowl and mix in essential oils (place in fridge now to deodoriser continue for air freshener)

add water and stir until baking soda devolves

Pour into spray bottle

Please remember to +1 this post and comment if you like it..

World Wide Knit in Public Day

Good morning All.

As some of you may know, today is World Knit in Public Day. I have been thinking of some simple projects to start, although my mum designs knitwear, knitting is not one of my strengths so I want something small to begin with. I have chosen a few simple knitting patterns (that even i could do) to share with you..

1. Fingerless mits

These are so simple they can be done in a number of ways. This pattern is, in my opinion, uses  the simplest way.

2. Full mittens

I knitted a pair of these myself last year and oh was I thankful come winter.. I knitted them out of 100% wool in two colours (see image below) and they are the warmest gloves I have. I planned on lining them but didn't need to since i used pure wool, which meant less effort of course - Bonus.

They are slightly harder than the first option but like I said if I can do it anyone can.

This a link to a pattern almost identical to the one I followed if you have any issues let me know and I will do my best to help out.

#My modest pair of mittens

3. Infinity Scarf/Cowl

Another VERY simple idea is a scarf/cowl. This pattern is quick to knit, yet stylish. It is knitted using 15mm (US19), which causes it to grow really fast (yahooo)...

So weather your a beginner or not you have no excuse not to go out and take pride in your knitting

Happy knitting

#Please subscribe and let me know if you liked this by pressing +1!! 

DIY Wedding on a shoestring budget.....

Like a lot of you ladies out there i have dreamed about my Big Day since i was a kid. Back then it was all about the big dress the beautiful flowers, all the tasty food and prince charming. Although i am not planning a wedding or getting married/ engaged I understand the stress most couples encounter when planning a wedding.

I see this question a lot; "I am getting married next year and have a very small budget are there any tips how to cut costs?"

The answer is YES of course, there are loads of ways to reduce the cost of a wedding. You can still have your fairy-tale ending beginning.

Below I will reveal ways to cut costs in wedding preperation by DIY and bargain hunting...

So you have decided to plan the wedding? And you have picked your date? First things first..

save the dates 

 Must be sent out, how else will people be free to attend the wedding of the year! Here are a list of printable's for free all you need now is fancy card and ink simple now you have saved €€$$ right there.. no need to thank me just yet..

#one option from the above link.

Invites 

Can also be as cheap here are more printable's for invites, see not so hard. well its hard choosing but you get what i mean ;-)

#a whole set. Save the date, invites, and thank you cards

Favours

We cannot forget favours can we, i love this part. There are so many options here; foodie ones, donations to charity (on their behalf), sentimental ones the list just goes on.. serving a slice of wedding cake in a nice box can do as a favour

The link here gives you a list of 30 favours for under $1/€1 

#one of my favourite seeds for your favourite plant in a customised envelope

Photos

You don't have to spend an arm and a leg on a professional photographers, there are plenty of companies out there now that will set up packages to suit your needs for example Afford Your Wedding, they range from €250-€950 and stock every thing from decorations, to page boy suits and flower girl dresses all the way up to the main woman herself, wedding dresses and suits for the groom and all for a fraction of the price of other retailers!!

Another good option is to ask your guests to install the app wedpics to their phone, this allows them to take photos using the app and then you can choose which ones you would like printed and which you don't!

tips on bargain hunting

*If you are choosing to buy something you will need lots of the same thing consider bulk buying to cut costs, contact retailers and ask about wholesale options.

*Chose items that are discontinued or already reduced

*If going with something like a candy/sweet buffet for favours make sure to buy all the sweets at wholesale price as sweets can cost a fortune$$€€

*Spend a day price checking do not just settle for the first thing you see i know its hard, but have patience.

*If your trying to match up colours always bring a swatch or an accurate photo, or you may end up with something you thought was the right shade which is actually not at all... #notfun 

Part two will be coming shortly stay tuned and make sure to subscribe, +1 and follow 

Work in Progress

Ok folks i am in the middle of putting together what i would call my best post to date ( i know there are not many to compare but ha ha).
It is more geared towards the ladies but men that does not rule you out....

Watch this space..

Make sure to subscribe, to make sure you receive the next post you wont want to miss it!!

...chocolate chip brownie in a mug

I am so excited to be sharing this post with you i have been trying out loads of cake recipes and most of them either take an hour to cook or i make a whole cake and eat it all my self... yes i could.. i have created this recipe from taking a few aspects of  other recipes that i liked and putting them together to create a super chocolate brownie. It is amazing with ice-cream or fresh cream and chopped strawberries.
Its that simple to recreate I generally melt the butter and my daughters do the rest.. if you like it please share pictures of yours and if you add other ingredients let us know!
If your wondering where to get these bowls from I have spotted them on ebay here. Happy

Ingredients

2 tablespoons of butter

2 tablespoons of brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract

pinch of salt

1 egg yoke

4 tablespoons of self raising flour

1 tablespoon of cocoa powder unsweetened

2 tablespoons chocolate chips

1. Melt butter in a microwaveable mug
2. Add into the mug sugar, vanilla and salt
3. Stir in an egg yolk. Do not use the white( i keep it to add to my omelette/scrambled eggs)
4. 
   Add the flour and coco powder and stir again until well combined
5. Finally add chocolate chips
6. Cook in microwave for 45  seconds to 1min and... voila 

As another variation you could add raspberries and white chocolate! 

Please share and subscribe by email and pop over to my facebook page 

.. Storage boxes

Hi there,

As i am unwell today i have no other options than to sit at my laptop and write... He he any excuse to write to you guys..
So who here loves storage boxes? all of you? me too! I need a different box for every thing, buttons have their own box as do colouring pencils and ribbons my painting equipment, so I have been browsing the web for some super tutorials for you guys to have a look at and have found loads of amazing ones I have picked a nice up-styling one today made from an old shoe box, which lets face it in a couple of month we will all have when the little feet, in our lives, grow!! I found this tutorial on pinterest.

 ALL that's needed really is:

*an old shoe box
*couple of paints
*modpodge to make it last
*some handles off an old bag
*Fancy papers (optional)

the picture explains it all i think!?

















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