Easter Preparations.

My newest craft and holiday garland for Easter! The glitter "Happy Easter" garland is from Pottery Barn Kids, found here. The patterned bunny garland is inspired from this, that is now sold out. When I saw it I REEEALLY wanted it, but I also could NOT spend $50 total on Easter garland. It looked simple enough, so I made it!

Supplies: cute spring paper, twine, cotton balls, needle, glue, and scissors.

The hardest part was making a stencil of the bunny. I traced them onto the paper and cut out. I used 10 bunnies (2 of each pattern). I measured the twine, and decided how spaced out the bunnies needed to be. I used the needle and went through the front of one ear, and up the back of the next, then add a knot to secure. At the end I took one cotton ball and pulled apart and fluffed up, to make the cute little cotton tail. A dot of hot glue for the tail and your done. And it literally cost less than $1, compared to the $26 price tag at PBK. And maybe 30 minutes of my life.

St. Patty's Day.

I used to care very much little about holidays, but I think that having Sullivan has made me want to celebrate EVERYTHING. I've recently been really excited about decorating for each upcoming holiday. I'm definitely thrifty and have to be selective with what I spend money on... so, when I see really cute decorative stuff, my first thought is always "how can I make or recreate this?" I don't like cliche and predictable decorations for holidays, but just simple, cute touches. I have especially been diggin' garland, it adds JUST enough festiveness to our home. I do wish we had a mantel to decorate and hang garland from, and as we are beginning to look at future homes... a fireplace/mantel is definitely on my {wish} list. 

Here's the DIY St. Patty's Day garland I currently have hanging from our kitchen pass-through window. These were super easy to make and I think it looks so fun! 

I actually got this quick "tassel" idea from the Factory J. Crew store. When they reset the floor for spring they had these cute, homemade tassels hanging above all the wardrobes. I loved it and made up my own process to recreate! I am also always on Etsy looking at all of the creative things people make. 

Quick directions for tassel garland: 1. measure twine and decide how many tassels you need 2. accordion fold cardstock {mine is standard sized paper, 8.5in by 11in cut in half horizontally} 3. staple the tops to keep secure and then fan out 4. take a thick sewing needle and twine and threaded through tassel {this can be difficult because of thickness} 5. put a not knot after each tassel to keep from sliding. 6. loop each end and tie and hang around clear thumb tacks 

Quick directions for gold glitter circle garland: 1. measure twine and decide how spaced you want the circles 2. punch out circles from the cardstock {I used this 2" circle craft punch} 3. using a large sewing needle thread twine through each circle 4. put knot to secure 5. repeat over and over 6. tie loops on both ends 7. hang around secured clear thumb tacks

I am no craft guru and I obviously didn't do a step by step pictures documenting the process. But please let me know if something is unclear or you have questions! 

You can see all my birthday cards displayed. When we move I want to come up with a cute way to display cards.

This weekend we are going to Hilton Head's St. Patty's Day parade, which will be a first for us! I'm so excited for Sullivan to have her first St. Patrick's Day celebration! Can't wait to share pictures. 

The Cloth Diapering Life.

Yes, we use cloth diapers! And yes, I love it! 

We made the decision early to invest in cloth diapering. We have friends who have successfully done it and I did my research {blog reading} to get more perspectives and opinions. We chose to go with Fuzzibunz, and I love them. They are so fun, colorful, and easy. 

Cloth diaper pros {for our family}: 

- Save money {Fuzzibunz has a great chart, here, that breaks down the savings for you}

- Good for environment

- Good for baby, no chemicals and artificial stuff going into them. Sullivan only gets diaper rash whenever she wears a disposable diaper

- Minimal leaks/blowouts 

- Super cute! 

Cloth diaper cons: 

- Wash routine every other day

- Using more water and energy {figured into the savings chart}

- Others don't know how to use/intimidating 

- Bulky 

- Not functional for out of town stays 

- Big money investment to start

1. Fuzzibunz One Size Elites 2. Rockin' Green Detergent 3. Kushies Diaper Liners 4. Ikea Trash Can
5. Planet Wise Pail Liner 6. Itzy Ritzy Wet Bag

My washing routine: 

1. I bought a trash can and a reusable pail liner. When we change a diaper we shake out the insert directly into the pail. Then toss the cover in too. 

2. When I have 5 diapers left {I have 16 total} it's time to wash! I pull the liner full of dirty diapers right out of the pail. And put a new liner in {I have two pail liners}. I take it all to the wash, dump it all in the machine, including the liner, and run a COLD soak with NO detergent. 

3. Next, run a HOT/COLD cycle WITH detergent. You can only use specific detergents with cloth diapers.  

4. I do one more cold rinse, just for good measure.
5. Separate the liners from the inserts. I line dry the liners, and put the inserts in the dryer on low heat. When it gets really warm you can dry everything outside AND the sun naturally bleaches the inserts.
6. Once everything is dry I pre-stuff the inserts with the liners and put them in the drawer where we do diaper changes. This is only for convenience.


Now, Sullivan is still strictly breastfed, apparently when babies start eating solids it's a game changer in the world of cloth diapering. I diaper liners for when we cross that bridge.

I also have a  wet bag, which is super cute and perfect for when we are out of the house. The diaper goes into the wet bag to keep the stink and and liquids sealed until we get home. 

How pretty is that! This is all of our diapers, washed, dried, stuffed, and ready to wear! 

See they're bulky, but so so cute//Pretty Little Elm Headband

We call her "big booty" and sing "I like big butts" ALL the time, ha... has anyone seen that Friends episode? 

As always please, please, pleeeease comment and let me know if you have any questions OR suggestions for me!