Tooth Fairy Doors!

 I think the Tooth Fairy is under rated.  Sure, the idea of a fairy coming into your room at night to leave you a quarter (I hear tooth fairies are much more generous these days!) in exchange for your tooth is fun, but I just think there is soo much more fun to be had with this little lady.

I came up with a few ideas, and it seems I'm not the only one who thought the tooth fairy needed her own door!  I've seen fairy doors in the past, but when I came across these particular ones last week, I fell in love.  They even have little teeth on them :)

 Tooth Fairy doors

  Aren't these whimsical little doors perfect for your tooth fairy to gain access to your child's bedroom? 

They are handcrafted, and available from the eBay seller and store, Mystical Moon Creations, and I think their prices are extremely reasonable!

 

These doors here

 

These doors here

 

 

and here

I actually gathered a few things at the craft store to make my own (they don't even come close to how great these look), and I will show you that later in the week, but I just had to show you these first.

Do you have any special tooth fairy traditions??

Glitter Flower Pots

My boyfriend was smart this Valentine's Day, and bought be something I hopefully won't kill.  I have terrible luck with plants, and I feel so bad every time he gets me an orchid or something else, because it never lasts more than a month.  So, here we go again :)

I love this little cactus. It was perfect because he color coordinated my gift (uhh, super impressed by that?), and this was our first Valentine's Day in Texas.  He did forget one thing though... a pot lol.  He wrapped a paper towel around it, so that the dirt wouldn't get all over everything else.  That's ok though, because it gave me the perfect opportunity to get my glitter out again!  This was a very easy project, but I'll fill you in on how I made these pretty little pots anyway.  If you're wondering why the little pot is empty, you'll find out why next week ;). UPDATE:: Never mind, all I ended up growing for the little pot, was mold.  Womp, womp!

You will need:
Flower pot (got mine for 99 cents at the thrift store) The tiny pot came in a set of 3 from the Dollar Tree.
White paint
1 inch Sponge brush
Mod Podge or Glue
Glitter
Paper Plate or large sheet of paper

1. Start by making sure there isn't any sticky stuff left over from a price tag on the surface of the pot you are going to paint.  I learned this the hard way, so just trust me and take the extra minute to wash it off COMPLETELY.

2. To paint my pot, I held it from the inside, and rotated my brush around the sides.  You're going to need at least 3 coats.  The good thing is, the terracotta absorbs it quickly and you won't have to wait long to paint the next coat.  Make sure you paint the inside too; just down to the rim.  Clean and dry your brush.

3.  Once your everything is dry, apply the Mod Podge evenly to just the outside rim of the pot.  Make sure you don't miss any spots!

4.  Over a paper plate, immediately pick it up from the bottom and tap out your glitter directly onto the rim, while rotating your pot.  You could also roll the pot into the glitter, but I found this method works the best. Tip: Run your finger around the bottom edge of the rim while it's still wet. This will remove any stray/uneven glitter.  When you're done, you can make a funnel with your plate, and pour it back into the container.

5. Once dry, sponge another coat of mod podge over top of the glitter.  This will seal the glitter, and prevent any from flaking off and making a mess on your desk or window sill.

That's it!  If you make this little project, I'd love to see it!  Tweet me your pics at @thepaperpinata

Have a good weekend!

<3 Ashley

How To Fix What Your Boyfrie-err Dryer Shrunk

There are two reasons why I am writing this post tonight.

1- Because I am super excited about this discovery and

2- Because one of my favorite gifts ever has led me to it!

Thanks to something my boyfriend got me for my last birthday, I've discovered a solution to

 "Honey, I Shrunk Your Pants......uhhh, again"

There's nothing more frustrating than putting on a freshly washed pair of pants, only to realize the hem is now above your ankles because someone threw them in the dryer.  Especially because once they're dry, there's nothing you can do about it, right??  You just have to throw them back in the wash, and start over?

 Wrong!

  

 So anyone who knows me, knows that I can't stand wrinkled clothing, and until my last birthday I ironed EVERYTHING.  Jeans, sweatpants, curtains, pillow cases.... everything.  Half the reason I'd be late to school or work was because I had to iron everything before I left the house, and when you change your outfit 10 times before you leave, that's a lot of ironing!  And as much as I hate wrinkles, I hated ironing even more.  So, last May my boyfriend got me the best gift ever.  A lot of people were like, "Are you serious? He got you what?!"  Haha, some people just didn't get it, but I was beyond excited!

 Any guesses on what it was??

That's right.  A steamer.

And today I found that this amazing little machine doubles as a shrinkage reverser.  I couldn't take pictures of how I did it, because it takes 2 hands, but it's really easy to get results like you see here....

 

And it's as simple as this:

At the same time you're steaming out those horrible devil wrinkles, pull straight down on the legs.  Umm, that's it! It's amazing.  If you need a lot of length, steam one leg at a time, pull them off the steamer, step on the ends, and pull up (like you would when you pull them out of the washer).  This worked really well on my cardigans too.  Just steam at the armpit, and pull at the wrist as you drag the steamer down the sleeve.  They stretch like bubblegum, and you get instant inches!  No more acting like your tops are meant to be quarter length (and no more wrinkles!).

If you're interested in a steamer, this is the one I have.  I absolutely love it, and it fits in my closet.  It heats up way faster than the iron, and there's no annoying ironing board to mess with.

Happy Valentine's Day Eve!

Air Mail!

I found this template from MarthaStewart.com.  I thought it was really cute, so I made one up real quick to show you guys.  I will probably send one back home in PA :) 

(Not sure if you can tell, but this photo is edited a little because it's sooo dark and gloomy here today, and I'm not feeling well enough to play with my camera settings...boo thyroid problems!)

What you will need:

This template

Red/Pink and White card stock

String

Double sided tape, glue, or glue stick

Heart whole punch (optional)

Paint Pen (optional)

Printer (optional)

Envelope

The instructions are actually on the template, which is great.  The only thing I did differently (because I didn't feel like cutting out the heart clouds) was use my heart punch.  My handwriting is awful when I try too hard, so I printed the words off my computer.  I used my paint pen to make polka dots on my airplane, but that's totally optional too ;).  The instructions say to leave a "tail" at the end of your hearts, and tape it to the inside of your envelope.  I think that should help everything come out in order when your recipient pulls out the airplane.  What I didn't show you (because it didn't show up well in the other photos) was I wrote "made with love" on the reverse side of the hearts.   I think it turned out super cute.  I love me some Martha Stewart!

Message in a Bottle

 

I really like this gift idea for couples who got married on the beach, or just have an upcoming tropical vacation they're looking forward too.  

  

This message in a bottle from Personalization Mall is 6 1/2 inches tall. It comes with sand, seashells, a tiny umbrella, a small palm tree, and a personalized message to your loved one. 

The key to this gift, is to get it to your husband/wife/bf/gf while they're at work or someplace else.  I will list a few examples below of what other people have said in their messages, but if it were me, I'd write something (or put something in it) that makes him look forward to later.  Maybe reference the other bottle that's waiting for him at home too :)...after all, it will be Friday!  

  

  

I just liked how it talks about waves and currents. 

Here's one I thought was sweet:

 

Sometimes it's hard to find a gift for your boyfriend or hubby on Valentine's day.  It's not like you want to send them flowers or buy them a big stuffed animal.  If you could find a way to send this to their work though... that might be fun :).  The best part is, it's only $15. 

FYI, Personalization Mall is still guaranteeing delivery by Feb 14th without any rush fees!  I am obsessed with this place :)  Click here to check them out.

Anti-Valentine's Day Fun

Warning: You'll need a good sense of humor to enjoy today's post!  Hopefully no one finds anything offensive here..... but it's possible.  Don't say I didn't warn you. 

It's all in good fun :)

Here are a few gift ideas to exchange between your single girlfriends, or with someone who has just experienced a breakup right before Valentine's Day.  Hopefully that doesn't apply to any of you, but if it does... you're going to love this!  All of these finds are from Etsy, which I love!  

I have linked all the photos with their stores, so if you're interested, they're just one click away :).

This Card!

 

Haha!  The best part about this? 

 The bubble is actually a detachable magnet!  A perfect addition to that dorm room refrigerator ;) 

Love this tee!

 

 Now that's a statement!

Mugs

 

So funny!

Fill these with red basket filler (from the dollar store), and chocolates or other small gifts.  

 You could even put a tiny airplane bottle of Vodka in the first one!

Ok, this I love...

 

I love how cute and foul this is at the same time.  I would definitely put some basket filler, and a tiny bottle of their favorite wine in this.  Cheers!

Love Bites!

These macaroons are adorable!  If it's too late to order them,  grab a box of bite sized anything that's loaded with carbs, sugar, and pure bliss.  Put a label on it like this one, or one that says "Love Bites!"

Hope you guys got a little laugh out of this!  I'm off to enjoy my Saturday :)

Valentine's Day Sweet Potato Fries

Let me first start out by saying, that I am usually a kitchen nightmare.  I'll "show & tell" you how I made these, but I recommend googling an official sweet potato fry recipe (if you don't already have one).  

Mine honestly weren't bad, but the goal of this post was to give you the idea of making heart shaped sweet potato fries.  You could do this with regular potatoes too of course.  

They'd go perfectly on a plate, sitting next to a big beefy manly steak, don't you think? ;)

First, cut your sweet potato into quarter inch slices.  Then cut them into hearts using a small cookie cutter.  Make sure the thickness of your slices doesn't exceed the thickness of your cookie cutter.

Toss with just enough olive oil to coat the potatoes, and season with your choice of spices.  

Mix again until spices seem evenly distributed. 

 I chose garlic powder, pepper, and paprika. 

I've also made the sweet and spicy version too, and that was yum!

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Bake for about 15-20 mins, flipping them halfway through.

Watch them carefully to make sure they don't burn....take it from someone who knows!

Enjoy!!

Have a great weekend everyone!  

Need a break from all the lovey dovey cheesy corny mushy stuff?  Haha.  If you're looking for some funny anti Valentine's Day ideas, or just get a kick out of them like me, I found some funny stuff on Etsy today.  

I'll be sharing that with you tomorrow!  

xoxo

Ashley

We've All Been There....

I had to do it.  I don't know why, but I couldn't resist.

There are a lot of people out there who hate Valentine's Day.  I get it.  I was one of them once.  However, there are lots of ways for single people to celebrate this Feb 14th, and the fact its on a Friday this year, is totally in your favor!

Why are you celebrating?

1. Umm, because you are a free bird!  There is no outfit, hairstyle, or 4 inch heel that is off limits to you.  Not to mention you don't have to waste your Saturdays at Great Aunt Barbara's (you think that's her name) 80th birthday party.

2.  So what if you're not in a relationship? You could be in a bad one.

3.  Ever see what happens to most couples after dating for a year?  Yeah, we get fat.

4.  You never have to watch an episode of Duck Dynasty, Survivor Man, or River Monsters.... if you don't want to.

5. Ex girlfriends are not your problem, and neither is football Sunday.

There's a silver lining to EVERYTHING, folks!
 

How should you celebrate this Valentine's Day?

1.  Pamper yourself, duh!  Mani/Pedi's, massages, and bubble baths.  You're worth it.

2.  A good book, and a glass (or 4) of wine.  Don't read?  Living room dance party.  Don't forget to shut the blinds.

3.  A night out on the town with you besties.  It's Friday- no excuses!

4. If Grandma or Grandpa live alone, go visit or take them out.  It would mean so much to them.

5.  GO SHOPPING
6.  Adopt a pet from the animal shelter.

7.  Make silly arts and crafts like this one to give to your friends, or leave on your desk for your co-workers.

Ok friends, that's all I have for today.  Now if you'll excuse me, I have a steak marinade to mix up, and some towels lying on the bathroom floor that I need to attend to.

(Wouldn't trade him for the world)

xoxo

Ashley

DIY Glitter Hanger

Have you seen the gold sequined hangers on Pinterest or Etsy lately?  I'm kind of obsessed with them, but I can't justify spending $15 or more on a single hanger.
So, on a dark and rainy day last week (hence dark/blurry pictures), I decided to make my own.  Lucky for me, I already had all the supplies I needed laying around the house.

Could this be a gift idea?  Sure, why not.   It's very blingy.  If someone you know has an upcoming trip or special occasion, make one for them!  Anyones little black dress for a big night out would extra fancy hanging on this baby!  Think Vegas, Miami, bachelorette parties, honeymoons, date nights, etc.

Or make one for yourself, like me :)

Supplies:
-Wooden Hanger (this one is from Ikea)
-Mod Podge (glossy)
-Spray adhesive (optional, but recommended.  I didn't have any.  It would probably make this project much easier)
-Painters or Masking tape (optional, unless you are using spray adhesive, then it's necessary)
-Glitter (I used Large)
-2 Foam brushes
-Foam Heart (optional.  Mine came in a pack from the Dollar Tree)
-Newspaper/cardboard... something to protect your work surface

Directions

1. Wrap tape around metal hook, especially near the base.
One side at a time:
2. Spray hanger with spray adhesive.  If you don't have spray adhesive (like me), you can use your foam brush to cover the wooden part of the hanger with Mod Podge.
3. While wet, pour generous amounts of glitter onto hanger, and pat it down with clean foam brush.  This will help it stick firmly and evenly to the hanger.
4. Let dry.  Repeat steps 2&3 to cover any bare spots.
5. Do the same process on the reverse side.
6. While you are waiting for everything to dry, apply  Mod Podge to the glitter side of the heart.  Don't worry, it will dry clear.  Promise.
Seal it: (you don't want your clothes and closet to be covered in glitter!)
7. Once the hanger is dry, and completely covered in glitter, apply generous amounts of Mod Podge to each side.  Gently push it around with the foam brush, and distribute it evenly.
8. While final layer of Mod Podge is still wet, set your heart in the center, and gently push down.  Let dry.  If you feel it could use one more coat, go for it girl.

Valentine's Day Croutons

 

Valentine's Day Lunch

If you're making and/or packing someones lunch on Valentine's Day, make it with LOVE....

Tea Towel: $1 section at Target//Plate: Target//Sandwich Bags: Dollar Tree//Cookie Cutter: Wilton (I got mine at Ross)

This is just a quick and easy way to embarrass your kids (or hubby/boyfriend) at lunch time next Friday!

In the first picture, I simply cut out a tiny heart in the corner of the bread (before assembling it).  I found this cookie cutter set at my local Ross last week, but you can find it here (and cheaper too) on Amazon.

In the second picture, I wanted to show you the adorable sandwich bags I found at my local Dollar Tree.  They come in packs of 25, and there were a couple designs to choose from.

I love my heart plate I found at Target last week (trip one, trip two).  It's hard to tell in the picture, but it's so red and glittery. There's no place like home ;).

That's all for this post!  Wait until you see what I did with that cookie cutter next! Buahahaha!

 

This post contains affiliate links.

Cheap and Easy Valentine's Gift Idea

This candle smells as good as it looks, and it's only $1!

For todays post, I threw together a quick, easy, and inexpensive gift idea.  All items shown (with the exception of the essie nail polish) are from the Dollar Tree!  This is perfect for a girlfriend*, daughter, roommate, or co-worker.  The essie nail polishes (usually about $8 a piece) hike up the price quite a bit, but they're totally replaceable with a different brand.  If you want to give something other than manicure items, there are plenty of other options to fill this adorable little box with.  Honestly, I made up this gift idea just as an excuse to buy the box.  I liked it that much.  I sure hope someone benefits from my impulse buy....

Other combinations could include:
Chocolates (of course!)
Lip balms
Scratch off tickets
Perfume rollers or samples
Starbucks gift card
Homemade treats
Hand lotion
Body Spray
Earring studs
Pez Dispenser
Gum
etc..

*You could make this into a funny gift for your mutually single girlfriends.  Fill the box with lollipops, and put a sign on it that says "Valentine's Day Sucks"
There were many February 14ths where my friends and I would've gotten a big kick out of that!
Oh, and if you haven't noticed, I love confetti, and add it to almost all of my little photo shoots.
  I think it adds a little something to the presentation.
Just a suggestion ;).

Today I'm linking up to:
 

What Target Has For Valentine's Day // Part 2

Another Target post today.  Lucky for us, they've outdone themselves this year! :)

Bridal Shower Gift Idea!

Hey guys!  I don't always post on weekends, so consider this a
....Special Report......

Coupons and More found an amazing deal on cookbooks!  I don't know about you guys, but I currently have 3 'Save the Dates' hanging on my fridge, and that means one thing... Bridal Showers!  Bridal registries are full of kitchen supplies and gadgets, so giving them a cookbook would be a perfect addition to your gift.  Plus, it's nice to give them a little something that's not on their list.  There's got to be some element of surprise somewhere?!  Besides, with prices like these, it's almost a no brainer.

Head over to Coupons and More for more details on this deal!

Hope your weekend is going well!  I have lots of Valentine's Day ideas coming your way next week.  Stay tuned!