Summer vacation is almost here, but the Midwest weather is still hit or miss. This weekend the weather was cold and rainy, so we decided to prep a few summer activities we can enjoy when temps warm up. This DIY egg shaped sidewalk chalk is surprisingly easy to make and fun for kids of all ages.
I’ve always wanted to make my own homemade vanilla extract. I finally made my first batch early this spring. My goal was to make a large batch to keep some for myself, and to share with others for gifts at Christmas.
Vanilla extract is a thoughtful, DIY gift for nearly any recipient: friends, family, neighbors, coworkers, teachers, or holiday hostesses. After all, nearly everyone keeps vanilla extract in their pantry, right?
Looking for thoughtful Christmas gifts that won’t break the bank, but will actually be appreciated and used? These homemade gifts are perfect for hostess gifts, neighbor gifts, teacher gifts, or coworker gifts. Just the right amount of personal and practical, these DIY Christmas gifts will actually get used.
Treasure ornaments are a one-of-a-kind tree decoration made by filling empty glass ornaments with bottle-brush trees, jingle bells, sprigs of pine branches, colorful feathers, or any other pretty fillers you have on hand,
Thank you to Nellie’s Free Range for sponsoring this post. All opinions are mine alone.
I’ve always wanted to experiment with using natural dyes to dye our hard boiled Easter eggs, but I’ve also been a little intimidated by the idea.
Over the last few years we’ve made the switch to exclusively using Nellie’s Free Range Eggs. Since their eggs come only from Certified Humane Free Range hens that live healthy, happy lives, I feel better about serving them to my family. So, it only seemed fitting that we would go the more natural route for egg dye this year.
But the big question was…can you dye brown eggs? The answer is, yes! It creates even deeper natural tones, and I’m going to show you how! Continue reading
This post, DIY Twisted Paper Ornament Craft for Kids, is sponsored by Babbleboxx on behalf of JoAnn.
Every single year since they were born, the kids and I have loved making holiday crafts together. When they were just little babies I’d make cute reindeer kitchen towels by dipping their tiny feet in brown paint and decorating with googly eyes and a red pom nose! Today, they take a more active role in our crafts, and I love displaying their creations every year!
This post, easy DIY teacher gifts, is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of The Quaker Oats Company.
School is out and it’s officially time for the kids to take a break from e-learning and enjoy the summer. This spring, as we transitioned to e-learning, our school didn’t miss a beat.
I know I can’t be the only one who wracks my brain for Mother’s Day gifts every. single. year. Not only do the moms in my life all live out of state from us, but we are on a super tight budget! Today, I’m sharing some of the best ideas I’ve found for the top 20 best DIY Mother’s Day gifts on a budget.
This weeks feature is so simple but bold, blue and beautiful. Keep reading to check out this contemporary take on a traditional fall look.
Are you a lover of vintage books? Or, do you simply own old literature that you hate to store, but don’t want to toss?
Me, too.
I often find myself perusing the bookshelves at vintage shops and thrift stores, searching for treasures. I’ve used them to decorate my son’s big kid room…
Looking for ways to spend more quality time with your kids, one-on-one? I’ve pulled together 50 totally unique and creative ideas for building memories and bonding with your kids.
Of course, you don’t need to have an expensive outing to get a little quality time in. That’s why these ideas are all frugal or free. 
I have a confession. I’m not a fun mom. I love to peruse Pinterest and find activities that my kids will enjoy, but when it comes to the actual DOING of the activities, I have a tendency to squash fun with my “clean as you go” mentality.
My oldest daughter is a creator. An artist. An, “I’ll just throw this over there in the corner” sort of gal.
The mom struggle is REAL.
However, there is real joy in seeing our kids develop and grow into individuals with unique abilities, talents and interests. I want to be the kind of mom who fosters those things, instead of stifling those things byf fostering my own unique interest in, well, cleanliness.
So, I took a leap at Christmas when I got my daughter a face painting kit. Just a basic kit with a few colors and instructions. You would have thought we’d given her the moon. She could NOT believe we would allow – even encourage – this activity.
These free backpack charms valentines printables are cool enough, even for big kids and tweens. We love pairing them with emoji and squishy charms.
Today I’m excited to share a new, gender-neutral Valentine’s Day printable that is perfect for the big kids: Backpack Charms Valentines.
This shop, Black Cat Halloween Bags, has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, MARS Incorporated. All opinions are mine alone. #BOOItForward #CollectiveBias
Trick Or Treating where I grew up was a ritual like no other I’ve found. When *I* was a kid (said in my best, wise old lady voice), we had to WORK for OUR treats.
When I graduated college and moved to Chicagoland, I remember being a bit appalled at how the kids acted on beggar’s night. They walked up to the door, held their bags open and looked at me expectantly.
Sure, they were dressed up in their adorable little costumes, but make no mistake: these kids were slackers.
I’d ask them, “What’s your trick?” And they and their parents would look at me quizzically, like I was the crazy lady on the block.
See, back when I was a kid in central Iowa, we kids would spend the week before Halloween searching for the BEST joke so we could be prepared for Beggar’s Night. If you had no joke and no costume, you would be DENIED, or at the very least, tsked for not doing your job right.
AKA: Trick FOR treat. Quid pro quo.
I tried to get my kids to single-handedly carry out the tradition out here, but it was a no-go. My neighbors were confused at why they were being told jokes. They didn’t quite appreciate the tradition. I get it.
So, this year we’re trying a new angle: we’re Boo’ing it forward. Surprising neighbors and friends with little treats and goodies on their doorstep.
Forget the traditional and tired oranges, browns and greens of Halloween, and the spooky ghosts and goblins that just aren’t for everyone. We decided to stand out by creating classy and chic Black Cat Halloween Bags.
To make them, start with some simple, inexpensive craft essentials: pink and black paper favor bags, glitter paper, and self stick letters. Oh, and a feather boa.
I really don’t care to admit to myself that summer vacation is nearly over. However, in just a few weeks the kids are going back to school, and they are not very excited about it.
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #RevUpF8 #CollectiveBias
Today’s DIY is all about finding stylish ways to display and contain toy cars. My son’s love of cars was revived last month when we introduced him to the latest Fast & Furious™ movie. So, of course, he was thrilled when he discovered toy replicas of Dom Toretto’s car and the climax scene of the movie. However, we had reached capacity on car storage in casa de Mangold. Maxed. Out.
Stored here: Fast & Furious™ 5 Pack Vehicle Assorted
This shop, Chillin’ and Grillin’ Backyard Barbecue, has been compensated by Collective Bias, INC. and The Coca-Cola Company; all opinions are mine alone. #IceColdSummerMoments #CollectiveBias
It may still be spring, but yesterday we turned up the heat with a summer themed party with our neighbors.
May is the month we celebrate moms. If you’re one of the many people who haven’t landed the perfect gift for the women in your life this Mother’s Day – don’t panic! I’ve pulled together three thoughtful and inexpensive homemade mother’s day gift ideas for moms and grandmas that even the biggest procrastinator can pull off at the last minute!
Moms can attest: there’s nothing better than receiving a truly thoughtful gift that can be sentimental, pretty, AND useful.
We wives and moms usually handle gift coordination for the family birthdays and holidays, so it’s nice to be on the receiving end for a change!
These ideas are simple enough that kids of all ages can make them 100% on their own. Armed with just a few inexpensive supplies, we put our ideas to the test.
The kids went to work creating their masterpieces using just crayons and paper…
This shop, No Sew Emergency Kit, has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MoreMomentsWithExcedrin #CollectiveBias
Today I’m going to show you how to make a beautiful no sew emergency kit in just 15 minutes.
Lately I’ve been a bit obsessed with all things vintage. If you follow me on Instagram, you may have noticed me sharing lots of my favorite finds. My love of vintage bed sheets may or may not have become intervention-worthy, but I can’t wait to share these 15 genius ideas for repurposing vintage sheets!
My mother is a quilter and because of that, I’ve developed an appreciation for vintage quilts, afghans, fabrics and linens.
The deliciously soft texture of the worn fabric, the delightful colors and patterns just make me smile.
Since I’ve become somewhat of a minor hoarder, I’ve been doing a lot of research on how to upcycle these lovely finds.
Over the next few weeks I’ll be sharing simple ideas for upcycling items that have a lot of life left in them with you here. You’re not going to want to miss a single thing, I promise!
