Monthly Archives: October 2015

Last Minute DIY Costumes for Kids!

Waited until the last minute for Halloween costumes? Slim pickings at your local store? Fear not, there are TONS of easy, DIY costumes that you can make cheaply and easily to make for a happy kid to go trick or treating in. Here’s some of my favorites:

Minion

Don’t overpay for this popular costume when it can be made in such a more original, budget-friendly way. These are so awesome!

Minion

Minion [http://www.makeandtakes.com/last-minute-despicable-me-minion-costume]

Here’s what you need to make the hat:

  • Yellow snow hat
  • Scissors
  • Pipe cleaners

Cut your pipe cleaners to whatever length you desire. Luckily, each minion has a slightly different look, so  you can be as creative as you like. Thread through the knit hat, go slowly and it should slip right in! Bend the pipe cleaners so they stick  up however you like.

To make the goggles:

  • Paper towel tube
  • Scissors
  • Silver paint/brush
  • Black elastic
  • Stapler

Cut off a small section of the paper tube, 1/2 inch thick. If you cant two eyes, you can cut another section as well. Paint them silver and allow to dry. Once dry, staple together in the center. To attach to the elastic, simply staple as well. You can place on your face, or even on the hat on the forehead.

Wear a yellow long sleeve shirt, blue overalls, black gloves + boots, and you are GOOD TO GO. Minion! Thanks, MakesAndTakes.com!

Spider

This is an awesome last minute costume idea, and cute to boot.

Spider

Spider [http://madincrafts.com/last-minute-spider-costume-and/]

Here’s what you need:

  • Black hoodie
  • Large needle
  • 2 pairs black knee socks
  • Plastic grocery bags
  • Googly eyes
  • Adhesive dots
  • Black gloves

Pretty easy and self-explanatory, but here’s the jist of things: Stuff the pairs of black knee socks full of plastic grocery bags, attach to hoodie – if you aren’t comfortable with a quick sew, feel free to safety pin or even duct tape. To the hood, attach adhesive white dots and glue on the googly eyes. Slap on the gloves, zip up the hoodie, and voila, you’re a spider. Thanks to MadInCrafts.com for this adorably scary getup.

Snail

I can’t get over the cute of this costume, brought to us by OhHappyDay.com – so very adorable!

Snail

Snail [http://ohhappyday.com/2012/10/snail-costume/]

Pretty simple, all you need is a ton of kraft paper, and your little trick-or-treater can wear it like a backpack. Here’s what you need:

  • Brown kraft paper
  • Masking tape
  • Headband
  • Styrafoam Balls
  • Ribbon
  • Glue gun

First, make the shell. Crumple up the paper, and starting at the corner, begin rolling it. Once you have a nice section, begin wrapping into a shell, until it is at desired size. Go back and redo with the glue gun to secure it in a few places. Next, make another half shell, and glue the two sides together. Take a square of cardboard and mount it to the shell. Tie ribbon to it to make it a nice little backpack!

Next, make the headband – take a dection of brown paper and crumble until it can stand on it’s own. Add styrafoam to the end, and hot glue the other end to the headband. So cute, so easy. Love this!

If any of you try these out please send over some pictures! We’d love to see how you all look!

#NationalCatDay

In honor of #NationalCatDay, enjoy a free sample of Fancy Feast’s Purely Fancy Feast. Fancy Feast’s new product promises to be purely delicious and purely natural.

Each entree is a complete and balanced dish for adult cats, prepared with savory cuts of real seafood, beef, or chicken – never any by-products or fillers.

It’s so important what we feed our pets if you want them to have a long-lasting happy life! Try this one out and let us know what you think.

FREE Beard Wipe Sample!

What is a Beard Wipe you ask? Me too. Had to check this out and do my due diligence – but this is such an awesome idea for anyone out there who has, is married to, or has given birth to someone with a beard!

Zeke’s Beard Wipes is giving out free wipes – they are a MOBILE BEARD BATH (marketing genius) and are made with jojoba oil, coconut oil, and argan oil to keep you feeling fresh and moisturized. They sold out of their 1000 free samples so fast, but are so eager to get people trying that they are continuing their promotion so long as you cover the shipping cost. When you do, they’ll include a discount code with your beard wipe to reimburse you for this shipping cost for your next order at ZekesBeardWipes.com.

They promise to turn your beard into “something magnificent” – give it a shot people, I think they’re on to something.

#NationalChocolateDay

Is it any coincidence that #NationalChocolateDay falls during Halloween week? Probably not, and I am certainly not upset about it. In fact, I think my family and I will be celebrating aaaaall week long.

Delish.com was kind enough to let us in on all of the chocolate deals going on in honor of this national holiday. THANK YOU! Check out some of my favorites below:

Godiva has a chocolate rewards club that gets you a FREE piece of chocolate every month – in addition to a FREE reward every time you spend $20. In addition to this, in honor of Halloween and #NationalChocolateDay, they are offering 15% off of all dark chocolate purchases $65 or more. Not too shabby!

Ghirardelli allows you to take advantage of a FREE hot chocolate any time you order ANYTHING online. Additionally, all Halloween treats are 20% off.

Lindt has a rewards program much like Godiva – you should certainly sign up for it. You get 25 points just for enrolling, and then 1 point for every dollar you spend. After you reach 100 points, you get a chocolate reward! Additionally, now through tomorrow, everything is 25% off – so get to it while you can!

Lastly, Russell Stover also has a rewards program. You’ll get a FREE gift after spending $10, and anybody can get a 20% off coupon just by signing up for emails. Join!

Anyways – lots of opportunities here, people! Get your chocolate on!

Easy, Inexpensive Halloween Snacks!

It’s almost time! There are so many parties from in-school, to after-school, to the weekend – I needed ideas for all the events and found some ADORABLY scary snack ideas that I know you’ll all love. They’re easy, inexpensive, and sure to be crowd pleasers – check them out!

Halloween Deviled Eggs

Halloween Deviled Eggs

Halloween Deviled Eggs [http://www.listotic.com/64-non-candy-halloween-snack-ideas/32/]

I just love these. They are so cute it hurts. Super easy to make. If you don’t know how to boil an egg, check out my post from #WorldEggDay for a foolproof recipe. Halve the eggs, and separate the whites from the yolks. To the yolks, add some mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt if you are looking to be a bit healthier!), dijon mustard, salt & pepper. If you’re feeling spicy, add some sriracha! It’s my favorite – but may not be the kid’s favorite!

To make them spiders, simply grab a can of large black olives and get to slicing!

These are such cute little appetizers – I can’t wait to make them. I know they will be such a hit!

Apple Peanut Butter Teeth

Apple Peanut Butter Teeth

Apple Peanut Butter Teeth [http://blommi.com/apple-peanut-butter-teeth-fun-easy-kids-snack/]

I may be dying of serious cute overload. These are so awesome and creative I cannot even get over it. Apple Peanut butter teeth, brought to us by Bloomi.com are super simple and no bake! Simply slice up an apple – an apple corer/slicer is perfect for this purpose.

Once your apples are sliced, spread peanut butter on one side of each slice and line with mini marshmallows – slap together the apple slices and you’re done! I love these. Have I mentioned that?

Halloween Fruit Snacks

Halloween Fruit Snacks

Halloween Fruit Snacks [http://princesspinkygirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/halloween-healthy-snack.jpg]

This is how I die. From the total overwhelm of cute. These look SO easy. Simply halve bananas and pop in some chocolate chips and peel some clemetines and pop a small stalk of celery in.

I love these. I love these. I love Halloween.

Enjoy everyone!

1-Year FREE Membership to Angie’s List

For those of you who don’t know what Angie’s list is, it’s a way to gain access to local reviews for high quality service companies and health care professionals.

People choose to use Angie’s List, a paid service, over free review sites, because of 4 main benefits:

  1. No anonymous reviews
  2. Certified data collection process prevents companies and providers from reporting on themselves or their competitors
  3. Complaint resolution team will intercede if a home repair or health experience goes bad
  4. Companies and providers respond to reports, so you get the whole story

In general, this is just such a comprehensive and TRUE way to assess a company’s services. Prices of admission to Angie’s List generally start at $3.25/month for one list (either Angie’s List or the newer Angie’s Health & Wellness list) plus a $5 startup fee. You can also choose a yearly plan that waives the fee.

That being said, here’s a way to get 1 year of Angie’s List for FREE, compliments of Allstate: CLICK HERE

You’ll be able to read reviews of home service professionals, get exclusive discounts from top-rated businesses, and receive a subscription to the award-winning Angie’s List Magazine. Enjoy!

Anti-Stress Coloring For Adults

Who says kids are the only ones who could use a coloring book?

Bustle.com says that coloring books for adults have become the latest trend, and one that is actually good for you. Coloring is an activity that relaxes the amygdala, the fear center of the brain, and allows your mind to get the rest it needs. Huffington Post states that, in simplest terms, coloring has a de-stressing effect because when we focus on a particular activity, we focus on it, and not on our worries. It brings us to a childhood-like state when worries were hard to come by, and we can use this to enter a more creative, freer state. Coloring, additionally, is a way to connect with how we feel, since depending on our mood, we choose different colors or intensity.

Get free, printable templates here to experiment with! These templates include everything from specific designs for anti-stress to simple classifications, ex) vintage, vegetation, graffiti – whatever suits your mood. Go grab yourself a box of Crayolas and go to town!

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