DIY - Simple wooden map

It has been a BLAH month but I was determined to squeeze in a DIY this month. This one is a simple painted map but I have been wanting to do one something like this for a bit. I hope to do a Colorado one for the living room eventually, with all the places we have gotten to see and want to see so far. 

For this project you will need:

Wooden Heart*

Paint

Cute Tacks

Stencil (or freehand it)

*I got this at Target during Vday, as I could not help myself. I knew I would find a project for it eventually. I also got the tacks there in the dollar spot. Always be open to future ideas if you just fall in love with a piece!

How to:

1. For this project I simply googled a map of the USA and saved it into my Silhouette program. Seriously. Best. Purchase. Ever.

2. As I am frugal. if you did not know, you can use those cheap book covers for stencils :3 I got some from the dollar store and cut off what I need. In this case I took my blue one, cut off enough to fit on a piece of card stock and ran it through the machine. 

If you are doing this by hand, you can actually use a ink jet printer to transfer an image and paint over it or hand it. Here is how to transfer images. It must be an inkjet printer however. 

3. PAINT inside the lines. I did two coats.

4. Peel off the stencil BEFORE it dries so it does not get stuck. Now I thought it'd cute to feather it out a bit, and regretted it. You can see in the final where I did this and it messed with the shape a bit.

To fix this I went around it in a pink pen, as I have thousands, to make it apparent what it was. Wish I had left it unfeathered though. Bleh. It still turned out really cute tho!

I marked all the places I have been so far and put hearts on where I am from and where I am now. Here it to adding more tacks in the future!

DIY - from Paper to custom Washi!

This is the simplest solution I have used to decorate your planner spread. In this DIY I am using my Silhouette machine, but I will leave a template you can print on as well, and cut by hand. I am purely doing washi in this tutorial as I think using anything smaller to cut out or glue by hand would be hard and just defeat the purpose.

This is great with glitter paper, if you don’t mind the thickness.

You will need:

Favorite 8 x 10 paper print

Template(below)

Glue/Xyron machine

Template comes in Silhouette & just a JPG.

1. Find your favorite paper at any store, focus on 8 x 10 sizes as that is the template size and if you have to print it by hand, it will fit in the printer without cutting. If you do nab a larger piece, it’s easy to cut.

2. Download the pdf template and print the lines on the back of the page OR download the silhouette machine template, and load that bad boy up and prep the machine to cut.

3. Once all pieces are cut out, you can easily see how this is going to go, you can glue or tape the washi in, or use a Xyron machine to make the each piece into stickers.

This is a great method if you find that perfect piece of amazing paper and you need to use it in planner. Or maybe you are like me and hord scrapbook paper.

Hope you enjoy this free template and quick DIY!

Share your creations at #royalfollysp

DIY - Strawberry Milk Tart

Take this pinterst. Redemption. 

After some pondering I decided to do a simple chocolate tart. I wanted to strawberry though, for the holiday. This recipe is super easy and I got the idea because of youtube actually. I follow this gentleman for easy Asian dishes and this popped up one day and I wanted to try it.

SO I did. But for customized for the holiday. 

Needed:

• 1 pkg | Cookies - any kind you want (I used shortbread)
• 8oz | Chocolate - any kind (I use Lindor's strawberry bar)
• 1/4 Cup | Milk 
• 3/4 Cup | Cream
• 1 Egg
• 2 tbs | Butter
• 1 Strawberry Milk Mix - if you want strawberry milk chocolate tarts

First for the crust, simple melt the butter and crush the cookies. I used a heart mold, cause Valentine's day and got 6 small tarts. Perfect sizing for gifts.

For the filling

1. Chop chocolate into small pieces. 

2. Combine milk, cream and milk mix over LOW HEAT. Do not let it boil. Look for bubbles on the edges to know it hot enough (watch the above video to see the full process)

3. Once cream is warm, pour over chocolate pieces. 

4. While chocolate is melting, beat egg. 

5. Add beaten egg to chocolate mixture. Mix thoroughly

6. Poor mixture onto crust and bake.

Note - after doing this, I suggest solid chocolate with no filling, it tasted fine but the berries made it look and feel chunky - smooth white all the way

I baked at 320 F degrees for 30 minutes, testing and watching after 15 minutes. It will be fluffy at first so just keep an eye on it. Cool and refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving. 

Decorate if you wish! I added some white chocolate swirls cause I could. This turned out so much better than last week's cake. Thank god.

Enjoy!

DIY - Hidden Heart Cake (Pinterest fail)

SO I was so excited to try this damn recipe and had an image in my mind of a perfect little heart in the middle of a pale pink iced square cake.

Well. Pinterest lied to me.

This cake recipe did not work for me. I decided to post it anyway, as I have been out sick with the flu and have not had time to redo the post. I wanted to try again with cupcakes or pound cake or something. Maybe do a pink checkered pattern. Anything for redemption.

I decided to put sprinkles on it as it couldn't get any uglier. Was mad so I did not take a very good shot, but I assure you it was not a heart.

Original - 2/1/16 Concept:

Needed:

• White & Strawberry Cake Mix (or make from scratch)
• Icing (I made white chocolate)
• Heart Cookie Cutter
• Loaf Pan

First, decide if you want to make everything from scratch or buy a mix. I used a mix and homemade icing. I love white chocolate icing and its an easy way to dress up a box.

1. Prepare Strawberry mix first, and use as many cake pans as needed to get it thin enough when it cooks, you can still cut hearts out of it. I used 2 big cookie pans layered with parchment paper.

2. Once cake is cooked, let it cool and cut out your hearts.

3. Prepare white mix.

4. Place a small amount of white mix on the bottom of the load pan and arrange hearts so stand up in the mix and are as even as you can through the whole thing. TIP - I used icing in between each heart layer, a very small amount, just to hold the heart roll together for this step. Also NOTE - if you are flipping the cake, to use the bottom as the top, etc, you will need to flip the hearts. I did not do this, I just evened out the top.

5. Pour remaining batter over the loaf pan. I had extra so I did another thin layer on my cookie pans.

6. Bake and keep an eye on it.

7. Let cool and then Ice! I used white chocolate, and coated the whole thing. 

- - - 

Cry like a little girl when it fails. Pinterst you liar.


I plan to make a Vday treat still, I was thinking cake cookies, or a pink cinnamon roll or even cake pops. I don't like cake pops that much but I did have left over cake.

I think this might work if you did something more sturdy in the middle. I was wondering if cookie dough would cook...or maybe do cake heart and ice cream all around it (protected by a layer of icing and chocolate of course). Either way I am thinking up something for the following week, even if it will be after Vday. It will be better either way.

Still sad Pinterest lied to me.

DIY Tips - Coconut Oil

Around this time last year I wrote about coconut oil and how much full of awesome it is. I just wanted to clean that up and include it again, as its still an amazing thing to use and I suggest every home have some on hand. Its great for prepping and skin care, cooking and health. It really is just great to have. 

I typically get it off Amazon, and it last for a good long time. I also have gotten a jar from the store. I suggest virgin, mainly cause it smells amazing, but it also has the best benefits the less refined it is.

Some of the uses we use if for are listed below

1. In cooking, it has a high smoke point. It can give a coconut taste on some things - but works well in the place of oils in bakery treats and is better for you. Personally, I like the taste.

I use it in place of shortening in recipes, to keep chocolate in a melted form (vs adding corn slurp or cream), whenever I cook with coconut flakes, I add a bit to the egg mixture I am using just to compliment it, cooking spray. 

I have never fried in it, but it can be used for that. Just expensive to globing that into a pot. 

2. If you can muster it, eating some daily helps with Energy, mental health, support healthy thyroid, can boost metabolism, help with memory, kill over growth of yeast, can help with colds(mix with tea).

I do not eat it daily, but do put it in my tea to help sweeten it. I did take coconut pills for a bit for a anti-fungal treatment. 

3. Beauty DIY - Basic lotion, ingredient in lotion bars, deodorant, makeup mask, removers, massage oil, anti-frizz treatment, body scrub, moisturizer, chap stick. natural bug off, amazing shave cream, vapor rub

&

4. Health benefits such as diaper cream, remineralizing teeth, lighten dark spots, help stretch marks, natural SPF 4, topically help yeast infections, antibiotic cream(for minor injuries), fight foot fungus or dry feet, helps eczema, help with allergies(in nose), tooth pain relief(mix with oregano oil), personal lubricant, generate growth on hail and nails.

I have used it as a lotion, massage oil, hair treatment, instead of lubrication, to make lotion bars and mask, chap stick in a pinch when it was nearby. I also like to put it in my feet as it helps with the roughness and is anti fungal.

I want to try it on my teeth for the remineralizing. I also have shoved it in my nose for dryness relief. I live in Denver and we always take some with us up in altitude, just to relieve the pain from the dry air. 


As you can see, I love the stuff. I would highly recommend trying it for anything above, and more if you google it. It smells great, if you like coconut, and feels really nice, not overly oily. Its a great ingredient if you are a DIY and helps dramatically if you are in a dry climate. 

I hope this tidbit inspires you to try it out. 

DIY - Room inspiration ideas

With 2016 upon us I am hoping to de-clutter the crap out of my space this month. I have been trying to find solutions to storage all my life in this apartment and I think I may have some solutions. I wanted to share my simple DIYs to see if they inspire you. 

Warning - my room is constantly dirty, similar to a small child. Which is why I want to get it de-cluttered. I will post finished pics in here when I am done. I tend to buy things constantly and I need to stop =.=; srsly. it adds up in a small space.

Goals
De-clutter
Wall face lift
Minimize shelf do-dads

Wall 1 - bed wall

I desperately need to finish patching this and decorate it. I was originally going to put my shelf over the desk on this wall BUT this wall is pure cement and will not hold anything too heavy. I have decided to make this my accent wall and decorate it as such. 

My plans:
Goal is to put vinyl dots all over it, like confetti trickling down. Also finish patching. The I plan to put my clipboard art on this wall. I saw this in Home and Gardens and I was like OMG yes. Essentially I have some solid clipboards - I got mine at Target - they are white and black. I got 6, as I thought 9 was too ambitious. My goal is to swap out the art when I am tired of it, or seasonal vs using a frame system. I thought it was chic. 

I also want to move the bed UP and try to get a head board or something, on this corner there are vents so I cannot get it RIGHT against the wall, which is why its slightly down. I want new bedding too, but focusing on the walls this month. I also want to get baskets for the bottom of the bed, matching of course, to stash some clothes in. Then I shouldn't need a dresser. 


Wall 2 - the closet

this wall is easy, I am going to put 
some garland at the top and clean up the closet, eventually get normal baskets for the top shelves, matching the bed ones of course. I tend to put my seasonal items up here. 

My plans:
The shelf host my inventory at the moment and needs to be cleaned up. I need to nab some more baskets probably for this too. 




Wall 3 - the desk


I am very happy with this wall still, it just needs some revamping. I want to swap the desk and shelf I think - at least try it. The shelf needs to be cleaned up obviously, and I want my computer on the other side. I just added the bottom shelf and I like it, was suppose to go on top but was to long, works though. 

My plans:
For the wall I want to patch the things! I also want to spray the shelf white as its kinda a cream then center it back over my desk. Once I find the spot I want it. Other than that, I think I might look for a cork board, as I don't want to keep poking holes in the wall. I also want to hang some kind of small landing shelf for my keys and stuff. I tend to loose those. 

Wall 4 - the window

This wall is done :D other than some patching and I should really get a real curtain rod. Maybe anyway, that cement is a pain, I am happy with it. Both shelves are a bit a full but full of things that mean things to me and I love.

I like the shelves where they are and I just need to clean em up a bit. I will probably move the inspiration board, and since I want to put my bed on this wall I might try to find a headboard/etc for the wall between the heat/bed. I hate losing stuff down that hole. 

I like access to my window, to open it during spring and summer and watch the snow fall in the winter. I wish I could pop my screen out but Josh would kill me if I fell out(and the fall didn't kill me) 

Misc Notes
I want to get a headboard or something, I might rig something with cardboard. New bedding and a ton of boxes (those pretty cloth ones). Otherwise its just patching and painting. I have so much to get rid of D: I am excited for the new year and this spring cleaning! 

If and when I do these projects I will do a better layout on how I did them no worries. If you did not note, I use white and pink mostly in my bedroom - I tried to stick to white on most items so if I changed my mind on the pink later, I could replace those items easily enough. Josh said I was nuts using white, but I keep a bit a white duct tape around for quick repairs.

DIY - Bow Paperclip

I made this quick bow for my planner, I used the same template for a spring look last year - its very easy to customize. I love the way the bows add just a bit of cute to the wall, in this case planner.

You need:

Colorful paper
Glue
Template:

How to:

I modified the template to work for what I needed, I also shaped it so I could easily print it onto the back of card stock/papers I wanted to use.

1. Print out template/either on paper of choice or to trace around.

(2.) Trace around template onto the paper you want to turn into a bow, if you chose to do a template. 
3. Cut out template pieces.
4. Bend the first part ( the top ) into itself, make a wingless bow, DO NOT FOLD only bend, if you fold it will be a flat bow. Glue this down, in the middle, you may need to hold it in place - I use a binder clip or paper clip.

5. Once secure, wrap the middle piece around and secure it as well. this is optional, if you want to put a decoration piece in the middle for example, its not really needed.
6. finally cut and attach the wings where you would like them. I did my planner ones on the outside edge, However for the garland I set them lower, to make them look more like a traditional bow. Because they are not connected, you can adjust them for your own purpose. 

For this one, I also put gold washi down the middle vs the middle piece. 

Enjoy the bow you made! This method could also be used for cloth bows, for added cuteness. To attach it to the paperclip just hot glue it into place for the most secure method. You can add a bit of left over material on the back to hide the paper clip.

DIY - Picking out a new planner - Hello 2016!

I wanted to do this post asap into the new year, as a new year means time for new goals and hopes! (ha have you seen the new Star Wars?!) I am easily a ‘planner traveler’ as I've seen it called, i.e. I never stay in one planner for the whole year. I like this as I migrate between my favorite colors, styles and what I want for the month.

I honestly probably do not need a full planner, personally I do not have that much going on, but what fun would that be?! I almost got the new Erin Condren when they did the rose gold version, oh my god it is so pretty. However the cost of the planner always kept me from getting it. I know I would never use it 100% and since it’s more of a want than a need so I tried out different options.

simple ones from Target

I created my own inserts and got a binder planner for a bit, I found it hard to write in it for the size, I think I may need a bigger portfolio type one. I also have various store ones, as they are pretty and easy to get. I pick these up when they tickle my fancy looks wise - mostly from Target. I also have an Erin Condren notebook with the months in the beginning, which is almost all I need but I found it a bit difficult to carry sometimes(bulky). At the current moment I am using a happy planner, and I like it alot. Mainly as I ripped out half of the months x3 and put in a ton of lined paper. I like that I can easily remove the paper and put it back into this one and also the size.

I got this little binder at Target in the dollar item section that I thought was really cute as well:

 

gotta love Target dollar spot

 

Binder Type

The good - easy to customize, so many colors, cheap and easy to find. So many kits come in this style so fun customizable items!

The Bad - small size is typical, if you are good on that then works well. Addicting from what I can see, I know a ton of people who collect the more expensive brands and get their favorite colors.

 

EC Notebook - about $30 

I think picking out a planner is very personal but an extremely fun opportunity to get into organizing your new year. I suggest hitting Target if you are price sensitive, first and then hopping around to the usual places. Kiki K has an amazing selection of the binder style, and if you are not brand senstive, you can pick up a cute one on aliexpress.com - which is where I got my pastel blue one. Again, it is only an A5 in size and they have personal sizes as well on ali, but I really like the larger style for writing easy. Again, Erin Condren is amazingly popular but I am less than willing to drop the funds. I am sure it is worth if you have a busier life. There is also the Happy Planner like I am using, available at Michael's and you can use a coupon with it. I have also seen private brands on etsy and other shops.

 

I absolutely love my happy planner

Happy Planner

The good - easy to get, cheap(can use Micheal's coupon!) and have tons of add ins. Items can be popped out easy, and you can change the rings, folders and covers.
The Bad - if you remove the pages too much they get a little looser, I am also some what of a brute, not as many stickers or customization stuff - I made my own on my etsy!

I use my planner to write down my monthly appointments, goals and notes of the day (like “boooo” or “really great work day”, etc). It helps me remember those days so I can save them similar to a small diary. I also use the lined paper to  make list and list and more list. I am a list person. I like to write out my bills, many times, wish list and to do's on a weekly basis. If it does not look pretty I redo it. I am that person. Since where we are in our lives I do not really need it on a weekly basis, I mostly just focus on the month, I actually only use the weekly right now to keep track of Josh’s schedule. It is fun to decorate occasionally but overall I use it functionally to keep track of meetings, my goals and where Josh is. This is probably why I can so easily switch between planners.

I hope this a bit of insight into those types of planners and you find one you like too. It’s really a great stress reliever to hand write out your list, whether they are to do’s, worries, wishes or bills.

Ska

Holiday DIY - Picture Quote / Frame Shake

This is a simple little project to add to your decorations on a desk or cabinet.

You need:

Picture frame - regular (for this project)
Pattern paper
Baubles to insert: I used gemstones, snowflakes and some appliques
Glue/Tape
Black card start

How to:

1. First, inside the frame, take everything out and glue the glass to the front part of the frame. Use enough glue but try to keep it from showing, this is just to secure it in the front so it won't fall back in later. Doing this first lets it dry while you work.
2. Measure out your black card stock to fit the size of the frame itself, NOT the insert part. This is important to be larger than the insert or you will not be able to put your inserts inside. Glue the frame back to this part - center it best you can.

3. Cut your pretty paper out and decorate it how you like. You can put a work quote on the glass itself or inside. If you are putting it on the glass be sure to let the glue dry.

4. Once it is dry, grab your baubles and put them inside the glass part, be sure to do them right side up (one of mine ended up backwards, but still looks okay). Now you can lightly glue the frame back to the black over sized card stock. Cut any excess and I added tape to add to make it a bit more secure while it dried.

SHAKE SHAKE - I tried to make a gif but it did not work x.o; I would not suggest putting glitter in there unless its larger - the tiny ones disappear and might slip out. This is a great touch for your desk. I did a small frame so it would fit near my flowers, I plan to keep it up til after Jan.

Holiday DIY - JOY Letters

You need:

Letters to spell out you saying
Paint
Glitter
Big empty Bauble
Decorations for Bauble (I used tinsel)
Something to stand it on (I used a piece of card board)

How to:

1. Decide what you want to spell - I used JOY but you can also do SNOW or BRRR or anything of the like.
2. Base Paint the letters, I used red for JOY - be sure to paint the edges, yes you can see them in your don't.
3. Using modpodge, seal the letters and add glitter in the final coat.
4. Assemble the bauble with your decorations - I used tinsel and just put it in side the clear ball.
5. Using hot glue, attached the letters to the base. You may have to add extra glue to them to keep them on. 

Once you put it together, you can display it. I added a few twigs of green to the base to cover the glue a bit. It was easier to see on the Y than the J.
Enjoy!

♕Stacy

Holiday DIY - Framed Ornaments

You need:

Extra ornaments
Frame
Decorative twine

How to:

This is a super simple project using left over ornaments. 

1. Empty out your frame.
2. Cut string in various lengths and attached them to the baubles.
3. Glue the string to the top of the frame, making sure the strings vary in length.
4. Keep in mind when hanging this you need to push it off the wall a bit to hang properly.

Hang it up and enjoy, its a very simple decoration that looks nice hung up.

♕Stacy 

Holiday DIY - Ornaments Wreath

You need:

Hanger
Box o Ornaments
Bow for decoration (optional)

How to:

I wanted to try making this wreath, but actually I did not like it as much as I thought. Maybe should switch colors since I mostly do reds.

1. Assemble the hanger into a circle shape, this can take some time. I used my jewelry pliers and patience. I clipped off the hook as well. To make sliding the ornaments down it easier.
2. This is important, hot glue or glue in general, the ornaments to the top of their hangers. If you do not do this they will pop off occasionally which is annoying. 
3. Simply using the hole in the hook of the top, slide the ornaments down the hanger. Fix them as you go, you can adjust them so you can squeeze them on. 4. Once happy with the arrangement, twist the hanger together on the ends, and seal with tape of some sort to make sure they stay on. 
5. Add a bow to finish the wreath or leave as is, they look lovely on their own as well as with the bow.

I had a few ornaments left over, so I used them in the next project. 

Hang your wreath and enjoy!

♕Stacy