UPCYCLE A BELT INTO A CHUNKY BRACELET

 

My friend, Teresa, came for a visit yesterday, and she had the "most awesome" (yes, I grew up in the 80's!) bracelet.  It was made out of a recycled belt!  

What an eccentric piece of jewelry....so,  I just had to have one myself. I grabbed Teresa and we headed to the local Goodwill and we found the perfect belt to make a bracelet!

 

And you can make one too:  SKILL LEVEL:  Very Easy!

Supplies Needed:

1. A belt with a chunky buckle

Be sure to choose a belt with the hook "underneath" the buckle - as shown below.

2. scissors

3. colored pencil or marker

4.  An Ice Pick

5. A cutting board

6.  Craft Glue (if needed)

1.Have an assistant (yes- we are professionals here!) help you hook the belt around your wrist comfortably (not too tight, but exactly how you want it to fit), tucking the belt end through the loop(s) and cut the excess off about  3/4 inch below the loop (just cut straight across, you can shape it later) .  Most loops to hold the excess are very close to the buckle, like the one above.

 

2. Holding the buckle in place, double check the fit of the bracelet.  Then mark the "spot" that the buckle hook will need a hole.

 

3.  Take off the bracelet and lay it flat, right-side up on the cutting board, and carefully poke the hole with the ice pick.  The leather or material of the belt should poke fairly easily, and then I just slid the ice pick through the hole to make it larger. Now try on the bracelt, making sure it fits the way you want.  Double check the length left - you may want it shorter.

 

4.  Now you can trim up the raw edge if needed, I wanted mine slightly rounded.

 

5. Inspect your bracelet. The belt I had was made of two materials, a vinyl and a fabric, which were sewn together down the belt.  Upon cutting the belt, the raw edge started to separate.  I simply used a craft glue to join them back together and let it dry for 30 minutes. 

 

6.  Feel free to add more accessories to your bracelet.  Teresa had a scrap piece of a lacy scarf tied around hers, dangling down in a loose knot about 5 inches. (I wish I would've taken a picture).  I like mine more simple and plain.  Wah-Lah!  You're done!

 

Now you have a STYLISH-ONE-OF-A-KIND-ECCENTRIC-ACCESSORY PIECE!  And YOU did it YOURSELF!

 

         

 

Hallway Closet Organization Before & After

ORGANIZING THE HALLWAY CLOSET

Do you have a linen or catch-all closet that is driving you crazy?  I do.  It is at the end of the hallway that leads to our bedrooms. I finally decided to do something about this disorganized, dark closet.

So this is a closet that spans from the floor up to about 6' but reaches up to the ceiling behind the cabinet doors.  Giving us a lot of storage space, but we just weren't using it to full capacity.

Cabinet Shelves BEFORE

After emptying the contents, it hit me that probably part of the problem was the interior paint.  It was a pinky salmon color. Sort of dark with all of the shadows.

 

BEFORE:  Dark and Dreary.  Even the overhead light was too dull.

This used to be the home of Country Singer/Songwriter Becky Hobbs (who wrote "Angels Among Us") She told me this was the original paint color when the house was built.  That was 54 years ago!

SO - TIME TO PAINT a PRETTY BRIGHT WHITE

AFTER

After I painted the inside with an enamel semi-gloss white, I let it cure for 24 hours.

In the mean time, I started boxing up my supplies.  I purchased several clear shoe boxes at The Dollar Tree for only $1 a piece.  I separated and organized my supplies and labeled them appropriately:

First Aid:  holds band-aids, ointments, swabs, etc.

Bath Products:  any extra shampoo, body wash, razors, etc.

Body Products:  extra toothpaste, new tooth brushes, lotions, etc.

Fragrance Outlets:  I have a lot  of extra plug-ins by Glade and Bath and Body Works

Candles:  this box holds all of my votive candles (I always buy extras) 

 

AFTER

My  son, Ethan, and husband, Gary, combined forces and created a slide holder to house my FLIP FOLD. It stores easily inside the cabinet. I love to fold laundry with the Flip Fold.  I use to lay it on top of the towels, but that was inconvenient.  Now it is at the ready!

1.  Next I folded all of my towels nicely and put them on the bottom shelf.

2.  My boxed items and extra toilet paper and tissue on the middle shelf.

3.  Blankets were put in large clear bags (I just happen to save those when buying new comforters) on the top shelf.  Before, I would stack folded blankets on top of each other, but it always seemed I need the one on the bottom, and all of the others come tumbling down.  This way several blankets are together in a bag.  Making it easier to keep them folded.

4.  A basket on the top shelf holds two small baby blankets (for visitors) and an extra throw pillow.

 

Top Drawer BEFORE - oh my! What a mess!

This was what my top drawer looked like.  It held all of our medical supplies.

 

Top Drawer AFTER - whooo! Is this MY drawer? :)

I took everything out and sorted by throwing out anything that had expired - I was amazed at how much "old" stuff we had.  Then sorted like items together. I made a separate box for my bottles of daily pills - as I have many.  As well as a box for the blood pressure cuffs.

 Using boxes and divided organizers really make a difference in keeping everything in it's place.

Second Drawer BEFORE

We store our DVDs in the hallway, because frankly, we haven't thought of a better place.  They were all shoved in this drawer.  We have so many they were overflowing, making it hard to find that British Romance when I really wanted it!  So, again, I pulled everything out and sorted through the movies.  I found about five that we never watch and donated them to the local Goodwill store.

Second Drawer AFTER

Then I separated the kid friendly movies (birth to 12 yrs) into a separate pile for when kids visit and put them into baskets to put in another drawer.  I lined up the other movies, ie: drama, action, etc....back into the cleaned out drawer.  I think I will pick up some more $1 baskets and divide the movies into catagories.  I think I'm hooked on boxes and baskets!

Third Drawer BEFORE

This drawer was just a "catch-all"....candles, cleaning products, etc.

Third Drawer AFTER

Now it holds the Kids Movies and the large candles.

 

The last thing I did was change out the two 15 watt light bulbs in the overhead hallway light for two 60 watt energy saving ones.  This made the hallway so much brighter.  Well, one closet down,  ummm....one, two, three, only FOUR to go!  

 

 

 

 

MY FREE SAMPLES IN THE MAIL week ending Jan 18th

 

 

Free STUFF in the mail this week!

 

GARNIER FRUCTIS TRIPLE ACTION SHAMPOO and CONDITIONER packet samples.

My Review:  I love Garnier products.  The shampoo and conditioner are very moisturizing, smells good and fairly thick (I hate runny hair products)  It left my hair feeling very sleek and shiny.

* * * *    (those are my stars!)

Coupon for"Buy One Get One Free" full sized 

JOHN FRIEDA SHAMPOO or CONDITIONER 

My Review:  This is my favorite shampoo and conditioner.  I have used them for about a year now.  I use the "Brilliant Brunette Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner".  They are slightly tinted brown (which may just be a clever ploy - but I really believe it helps my color treatment last longer).  The consistency is very silky and thick, it smells nice and mild, not fruity, but, hmmm its hard to describe, sort of like what you would expect a high dollar salon treatment to smell like. As funny as that may sound.  A full sized product costs a little over $5...so this coupon was highly appreciated.  These products are a staple in my daily "try to make Kerri beautiful regiment"!

* * * * *

AIRBORNE Samples: 

 Hot Drink Mix; Cold Drink Mix; Effervescent; and Chewable & a Coupon!

My Review:  I have only tried the "Cold Drink" mix packet so far.  But it tasted a lot like Tang.  Very pleasant and mixed well in water, no little powder bubbles floating to the top.  I topped it with ice and enjoyed it, didn't taste mediciny at all, just like orange.  I really like the idea of these products.  There is so much sickness just hanging out in the air.  This flu season is terrible.  I will sample the rest of the Airborne samples so I can decide which I want to purchase with the enclosed coupon Airborne so thoughtfully provided!  

So far, I give this * * * *

 

 

How did I get these samples?  I search the web and facebook.  One of my favorite facebook sites is FreeFlys.  You sign up and it will direct you to great free products and coupons.  I suggest caution though, with any "free" site....sometimes they will link you to another site and the same rules don't apply.  Always be sure to check out the "rules" and "fine print" before giving out your information.  I usually just sign up for the other facebook pages FreeFlys directs you to.  You simply "like" their page and click on the post regarding your free sample or coupon.  Usually you just have to fill in your address.  A few weeks later, you get your free samples in the mail!  Yay!

 

Hope you receive some great freebies too!

and remember:  Keep Calm and Kerri On!

~ Kerri

"Ipsy" January Unboxing

 

January 2013 Ipsy Bag

My First Ipsy

 

I found this pink bubble package in the mail and knew it was my Ipsy!

When opening the bubble wrapper, this was what I found inside:

"A True Star Will Always Shine" card from Ipsy.

 A navy makeup bag. (looks black, but nope - it's blue!)

 and a Soho Liner Brush.

The bag is finished on the inside (no raw edges) with white stars on a blue background reminding me of the U.S. flag. With an "Ipsy" tag.

  The "liner" brush by London SOHO New York...the package was too big to fit "inside" the makeup bag, but out of its packaging, it will fit at an angle.  The brush is very nice and has a sharp flat edge...worked great for lining my eyes.

(each Ipster received one of three brushes this month: liner, crease or concealer)

INSIDE the bag, I found more goodies!

A full sized nail polish in the color "Bloody Mary" by Nailtini. See my thumbnail?  I painted it with only ONE coat. It covers very well!  I will love this color for my toes! (every Ipsy member received a

full sized Nailtini - but possibly in another color).

 

 Big Sexy Hair travel sized hairspray. Spray and play! I have been wanting to try this.

    

  Argan Oil by Josie Maran (for hair, face, bath, nails, a lot!) Felt really good on my dry skin between my eyebrows and under my eyes. I will also use this on my cuticles.

 

Deluxe travel size tube of Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Body Butter. Oooh la la! Smells good! And perfect timing, my skin is extra dry this winter.

 and...on the back of the card: savings for each brand above.

 (sorry I didn't get a picture of it, but you can go to ipsy.com for details)

  

Here is the picture again of my Ipsy products, not bad for $10, aye?

 

NOW, HOW DID I FIND OUT ABOUT IPSY?

Am I just a "with-it" 40+ woman that knows all about glamour and beauty?  Pshhhhaw!  Nope!  But I do have pretty cool nieces in their twenties and thirties that do! They keep me updated with all sorts of info.  I was first introduced to the Birchbox gift subscription for $10 @ month, about two years ago by my niece Tessa.  It was apparently one of the first companies to launch an idea like this.  I won't go into too much detail here, but to put it simply, I became disappointed with them and after hanging on for several months to see if they would improve, I finally cancelled after my December 2012 Birchbox.  Very sad, I had really liked their whole idea...but it just seemed to go downhill.

 

It was then, that another niece, Erica, introduced the rest of us to Ipsy.  She said it was great, receiving deluxe AND full sized products for $10 as well.  So I signed up and am SO happy I did!  This is a lot of product samples for my money.  I have been wanting to try the argan oil and Big Sexy Hair for some time, but was afraid to spend the money on something I was unsure of.  Now I get to try out the samples first, and get a cute bag!  Woo Hoo!

 Have you tried IPSY?  Or other gift subscription boxes?  There are a lot of them out there...from beauty, nails, dog items and food.  I bet you can find one for you at a price you can afford.  I'm glad I have such "with it" nieces that keep me informed!

 

Have a great day, remember, keep calm and KERRI on!  (I know it's corny, but I like it!)

- Kerri

 

Today's Healthy Breakfast Product Review

WHAT'S FOR BREAKFAST?

 

 Today I tried a new product (for me): 

 Planters NUT-trition Energy Mix Berry Nut

on Whole Grains Oatnut Toast

 

and my staple breakfast drink: 

 Vanilla Silk Light Soymilk mixed with Carnation Breakfast Essentials - No Sugar Added 

THE SPREAD:

I decided to try the Planter Nut-rition Energy Mix spread because I had a coupon.  I could choose from the Berry Mix,  Cinnamon Raisin Granola Nut or Banana Granola Nut. 

My review: It is basically peanut butter with nuts and berries.  It went on very thick because it is so chunky, with dried cranberries and roasted peanuts.  Upon reading the ingredients there are no other berries or nuts involved.  Maybe they should have called it "Cranberry Peanut" spread? I was hoping to eat it plain on the bread, since I'm trying to eat healthier and avoid added sugars, but it was just too dry for me, so I added Blueberry Jam.  It was "OK" but nothing special, I keep dried berries and nuts on hand, so I'll probably top the peanut butter myself next time.  I give it 2 1/2 stars.

 

THE DRINK:

I have been drinking two cups of Silk Soy Milk mixed with one  Carnation Breakfast Essentials packet every morning for the past two years.  I love it! Each drink gives me a whopping 17 grams of protein to start the day off.  The total calories is 200. Add a few icecubes and  I always swallow down my daily pills with this drink. Yummm!  Sometimes I will jazz it up by adding some frozen fruit and yogurt and mix it in the blender.  I use the "no sugar added" because I am diabetic.  I just don't feel right if I haven't had my breakfast drink to start me out each day.  I give this combination 5 stars! 

 

 

BeautyArmy January 2013 Unboxing

What is BeautyArmy?  It is a monthly subscription box for $12 a month.  You can sign up at https://beautyarmy.com to try deluxe samples of beauty products.  The great thing about this specific company is that you can choose your own samples and "opt out" of a month if you want to skip it. 
It is a great way to try products that are new to you without paying a lot for products you are not sure of.  I am so glad I'm giving this a try!



This is my first month to try out the BeautyArmy gift subscription.  When you sign up for BeautyArmy you pay $12 each month and YOU pick out your 5-6 samples.  You simply take a profile questionaire and suggested items are listed for you to choose from.  Don't like those item choices?  Retake your questionaire until you find a grouping you do like.


 

 

This is my box.  It arrived in the mail in a black box. It was like receiving Christmas in the mail!

 

Inside was a pretty pink box with pink army print, reuseable pink and black tissue paper.  The first thing I saw was a card declaring it their birthday.  I assume each subscriber received the extra gift of Scanda-lash by Mark to celebrate.
 



 

The items I picked for myself: 

1.  MACADAMIA DEEP REPAIR MASQUE - an intense hair repair treatment, a trial size enough for 2 applications, as I have short hair.  Full sized product:  $33

 

2.  JONATHAN DIRT TEXTURIZING PASTE - a very nice sized deluxe sample of a texturizing paste for your hair.  My guess is this should last me up to six weeks.  Full sized product: $26

 

3.  MARK GLOW BABY GLOW in HONEY - I assume this is a full sized lip gloss, as it attaches to other Mark lipstick/glosses or mascara (as I did with both of my samples).  This is a very pigmented , non sticky, non-glossy yet "feel good" lipgloss in a pretty pinkish-mauve color.  It smells of light mint.  Mmmm....I like it!  Retails for $6.50

 

4.  MARK  SCANDA-LASH - this was my extra gift that they threw in for their birthday, and I'm so glad they did.  I received the color "Brown-Out" a dark brown/black.  I do not like mascaras that come out super liquidy or clumpy...this did neither.  It is a creamy formula, the brush is straight and the bristles not too long, or too separated.  It coats my lashes nicely, giving a natural look, not falsy or crunchy.  (Must be a new item, because I could not find the price)  I attached it to my lip gloss via the extra cap proved in my box - another thing I didn't expect!) Yay!

 

5.  DERMISA SKIN FADE CREAM WITH VITAMIN C - This is one of Dermisa's best selling products...it helps to reduce the effects of sun, aging and pregnancy from the skin (in other-words age-spots and so-forth).  I haven't tried it yet, but it smells nice and is  light and creamy.  This is another wonderful sized product - half the full sized product.  Retails for $14.

 

6.  MIGHT LEAF CHOCOLATE MINT TRUFFLE TEA - I can't wait to try this!  It is an artisan whole leaf pouch with chocolate, mint and rooibos leaves.  I love tea!  I received one pouch. It retails at $9.95 for a box of 15 bags.  Yum!

 

7.  SKYN ICELAND HYDRO COOL FIRMING EYE GELS - I received one pair of these eye gels, to sooth, firm and tone the under eye areas.  Leave on for 10 minutes.  I'm going to try these out, when I'm stressed.  They seem to be all natural?  100% vegetarian, cruelty-free and allergy tested.  Retails for $30 for a box of eight pair.

 

And that's my unboxing of my first BeautyArmy Box.  I wasn't sure I would like this subscription, mainly because I wasn't sure of the sample sizes.  But I was very pleasantly surprised!  I estimate the value of the enclosed samples add up to around $32. Pretty good, I'd say!  I will keep this subscription for now.

 

  



YAY!!! It's a GIVE AWAY!

"FAITH HOPE AND LOVE" Free Give Away: All items are home-crafted by Kerri

1. Purse-sized fabric TISSUE COVER 

2.  Upcycled Starbucks Gift Card EARRINGS with Hearts

3.  ZENTANGLE w/matte (to fit 8"x10" frame) (personalized w/the winner's name)

Rules:

1.  Become a Subscriber to my Blog
2.  You must be 18 years or older - or have parent's permission
3.  Leave a comment on this post.
4.  Continue to follow me for crafts, recipes, reviews and more!

Want multiple chances to win?:
1.  For each post that you enter (during January) one or more comments, gets your name thrown in again.
2.  Each friend that you refer that signs up as a subscriber, you and he/she gets their name in!

Good Luck!  - Kerri