DIY Zodiac Candles

I'm convinced this was the fastest week in history. I had this big list of things to accomplish and pretty much threw it out the window, preferring to relax instead. I tried to stay inside, away from the sticky heat and occasional rain that hasn't really brought relief (but it has brought me tiny tomatoes that are growing--a miracle for this wanna be gardener). I decided to make my space as comfy as possible, and burned some candles instead. Speaking of candles, allow me to introduce my DIY ZODIAC CANDLES.

The idea for these started out as a need for a gift for a friend. She's one of those that has everything, and just happens to be a candle fanatic like I am. I began to research her sign, the scents that would go well with that sign, and it snowballed from there. SHE LOVED IT! It was such a hit, I've made them for many others, using different designs for the label and even trying out different scent and color combos. These take no time at all to make and are just a little something extra special.



You'll need:

wax
essential oil(s)
wick
glass container
label (printer and ink for label)

To make:

If you're reading this, I'm guessing you aren't a professional candle maker. This is the quick and easy version, y'all.

Glue the wick to the bottom of the glass candle container.

Take an old candle or candle wax and melt.

Carefully pour into the glass container.

Add a few drops of essential oil just for your zodiac sign (I used the list here) and stir.

Hold the wick in place by wrapping it around a pencil placed horizontally on top of the candle container. Use tape to hold it in place if needed and allow to cool completely. Trim wick.

Use sticker paper (I used clear) or labels to make your own design.

I've made these all sorts of ways--the possibilities are endless--but for this I wanted a minimalist design and white candles. I'm a Libra, so I chose vanilla, almond, and oak moss for mine.

What's your sign?

Does it describe you?

PS: Want to buy one instead? I'm selling these for $10 each. Email me!

20 DIY Gift Ideas for Mother's Day

I've always been a fan of homemade gifts and thoughtful ones for my Mama for Mother's Day.

There was an essay contest once--my essay about her won for the city and was displayed in the Mall (#bigtime) and she even got a trophy!

I can also remember being a kid and washing a bowl to make her soup, only I didn't wash the soap out enough, so she had soapy soup.

Luckily, I've improved on my homemade skills since then! For those who want to pamper the moms (and those who serve that role), I've got a few ideas that are always quick and easy. These would be great for new moms! These are great way to get kids involved, too. Give 'em a try!

DIY Mini Macaron Bath Bombs

A cute twist on the regular bath bomb.

DIY Solid Perfume Using EOS

Pop in your purse for instant fragrance.

DIY Soothing Eye Pads

Is your mom a reader? Make her these and pair it with a new book or Kindle credit.

DIY Marble-Inspired Bowls & Coasters

These are some of my fave decor items--I get complimented on them all the time.

DIY Soothing Chamomile & Oat Bath

Make these bath sachets and put in a basket with more spa day goodies.

DIY Tinted Lip Balm

You won't believe how easy this is to make.

DIY Soothing Sun Mist

If she's headed for beach, be sure to make this before she goes.

DIY Sprinkles Candle With Surprise Inside

Two gifts in one--a cute candle with a hidden present inside!

DIY Bubble Gum Lip Scrub

Pair with a cute lipstick (and polish)

DIY Rosemary Mint Bath Salts

Sprinkle into the bath and let dissolve for instant relaxation.

DIY Shower Fizzers

Keep these on hand for when you're sick!

DIY Ombre Crayon Candle

Kids love helping with this one!

DIY Coffee Solid Sugar Scrubs

Love these for travel!

DIY Solid Lotion 

Love these for travel, too! No mess!

DIY Peaches and Cream Milk Bath

Your skin will love this!

DIY Vanilla Sea Salt Beachy Waves Spray

This smells SO good! No beach trip needed.

DIY Lancome-Inspired Blush

How gorgeous would this look on a vanity?

DIY Orange Crush Sugar Scrub

THE SOFTEST skin, ever. I love this on hands--gardeners are huge fans of this one.

DIY Sleep Sachet

Heat this up and breathe in before drifting to dreamland!

DIY Copper Marble Tray

Make this and serve her breakfast in bed.

Bonus: If you got roses for Mother's Day, here are 6 ideas to reuse those roses. Plus more DIY ideas on that post.

Which of these would you like to give or receive?

*$200 Sephora Shopping Spree--enter daily*

DIY Coffee Solid Sugar Scrub

Sugar scrubs are fun to make, use, and give as gifts.
But they aren't the best idea for travel or for space--that's where solid sugar scrubs come in.
Simply use a square or break off a bit to exfoliate your skin.
Plus, they're easy to make.
I love the coffee version because it really wakes you up and it smells so good.
Mother's Day idea, perhaps?
Here's how to make them:

You'll need--

1/2 part coffee grinds
1 part sugar
1/2 part soap base (craft store or online)
slightly less than 1/4 part coconut oil or shea butter (sometimes I half each and mix the two or sometimes I skip)
mold

Melt the soap base according to directions--the double boiler method is what I suggest.
Mix the sugar, coffee, soap, and oil/butter thoroughly and pour into mold.
Allow to dry overnight.
Remove from mold and store in an airtight container.

Ideas:

These make great gifts--Mother's Day is coming soon!
Use these on the body only by adding water--do not use on the face.
I use these to remove odors from hands and feet.
Use these to exfoliate feet since sandal season is almost here.

Extra Elle:

Bought a new vacuum and I've been really excited (and kind of grossed out from the dirt it found) by it! Thanks to everyone's suggestions on social media, I chose one by Shark and I'm loving it so far.
PS: Happy birthday to my brother, Kenny!

DIY Lancome Blush La Rose (4 Methods)

Hey y'all! I hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day. My social media was just flooded with love--it was a nice change from the usual negativity I see lately.

I loved seeing all of the roses, and speaking of roses, remember a few weeks ago when I shared my review of the Lancome La Rose Blush? See the original post here. I talked about making my own and a few of you suggested that I do it, so welcome to today's post!

Since the original Lancome La Rose is $60 and sold out in most places, I had to make a comparable diy version. And it is SO easy.

You'll need--

artificial rose
blush, shadow, or highlight
round box
optional: pink paint for box, rose gold marker for edge
glue gun
brush
rubbing alcohol

Choose your rose. I wanted one that closely resembled the original Lancome rose in color. Make sure the rose is clean and free from dust. I used a blast from a keyboard air cleaner for mine.

Remove stem and all leaves.

TIP: Make sure the rose fits in the small box.

Choose your color. I have an eyeshadow from Maybelline in Seashell that is pretty much a dupe. But for those not into highlight, you can choose an eyeshadow or blush.

TIP: If using blush/shadow, make sure the shade matches the rose in color as well.

METHOD 1: Just dip the clean rose into a blush/highlight/shadow and swirl around to coat the top. Just to apply to face, use a brush.

METHOD 2: Add a little rubbing alcohol or makeup setting spray (not the dewy kind) to a small bowl and scrape into it your shade. You should have more color than alcohol.  Mix well. I used the blush for this demonstration because it photographed better.

Using a small brush, paint the top of the rose petals with your mixture and allow to dry. I used a different rose for this one, since it was blush, so you could tell the difference.

Paint box pink if desired. The rim on the original Lancome is rose gold, so you can use a paint marker for the edge to mimic it.

Hot glue the rose to the bottom of the box. Use a brush to apply product to face. Keep the lid on when not in use.

METHOD 3: Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol into a spray bottle. Spray the rose gently and then brush pigment on top. Allow to dry.

METHOD 4: Mix makeup setting spray with the pigment and spray on rose.

Other things I tried but didn't like as much: vegetable glycerin with color (too heavy/greasy), coconut oil with pigment (too thick, no matter how I did it), painting just individual petals (like those in the background of my pics) and rubbing them on my face (kinda silly, but a good idea for travel but there's paper blush/highlight already).

I'm wearing the blush and the highlight. It is very natural-looking on the skin.

I found Maybelline Seashell to be a pretty good dupe. On the first finger is the Lancome and on my middle finger is the Maybelline.

And here they are side by side, with the Lancome on the bottom. Pretty similar!

What do you think of this DIY?

SEE ALSO: Beauty DIYs with roses (use those leftover roses from Valentine's Day)

PS: I was on PopSugar today--read it here.

DIY Donut Bath Bombs With Sprinkles

I wanted to share a cute idea that makes me think of Valentine's Day, but it's adorable anytime of year. And y'all already know I love to make DIY beauty that looks like food. Get ready to get all pinked up with these adorable DIY Donut Bath Bombs (With Sprinkles and More):

Ingredients:

• bath bomb mold (I got mine at Hobby Lobby
• 1 c baking soda
• 1/2 c cornstarch
• 1/2 c citric acid (online, canning section, health food stores)
• 2 tsp water
• pink soap colorant or food coloring (I used neon food gel)
• favorite essential oil + 4 tsp coconut oil or oil of choice (optional)
• for decoration: candy sprinkles and meringue recipe

Instructions:

Mix all dry ingredients in one bowl. In another bowl, mix the water and coloring (and oils if doing that). 

Very carefully add a few drops at a time of the colored water to the dry ingredients and mix. Be patient with this step because the mix will begin to bubble if you add too much at a time. It should look as pictured above. 

Allow to dry for an hour. Package or display. These keep for around a year.

FOR SPRINKLES:

Place candy sprinkles in bottom of donut mold. Then add the mixture on top. Allow to dry.

OTHER IDEAS:

I used this recipe for the meringue and placed it on top of the mixture. I then baked it. But for this, I didn't bake it so I could add the sprinkles.

How cute are these?
Do you make Valentine's Day crafts?

More DIYs with SPRINKLES:

• diy Birthday Cake Sugar Scrub
• DIY Sprinkles candle (with surprise inside)
• Donut Sprinkle Nails
• 20 Valentine's Day DIY ideas

DIY Sprinkles Candle With a Surprise Inside

Since January is practically over, I thought I'd go ahead and share some Valentine's Day DIYs, starting with this adorable DIY Sprinkles Candle! I've shared sprinkles candles before, but this one has a surprise inside, making it a fun treat for Valentine's Day, a birthday, or just something to cheer you up after scrolling through the negativity on Facebook. Just me? 

These are really easy! Here's what you'll need--

Materials:

glass container (I reused an empty candle jar)

wax (I used soy)

candle dye (I used crayons, but you can use color blocks, pigments, or liquid candle dye)

wick

sprinkles

Karo syrup

fragrance (optional--mine smells like birthday cake!)

surprise treat

Don't forget--double boiler, oven mitts, glass containers for melting, glue, something to hold the wick in place, scissors for cutting the excess wick, tin foil

First, you'll glue the wick down to the bottle of the candle jar. Next, coat the inside with a thin layer of Karo syrup. I like the light version since it's pretty clear. You can use a finger or brush. Next, add the sprinkles! Shake out excess.

Melt your wax, preferably in a double boiler on the stove. At the end, add the color and fragrance and stir. Once it has melted, carefully pour into the candle. If it's too hot, like boiling, it will melt the candy sprinkles off. Make sure you have something to hold the wick in place while it's cooling down. I taped two straws together and slid the wick through them.

If you want a surprise inside, you can either purchase clear containers online and fill or get something from one of those toy machines. Wrap the container in a little tin foil. Pour in wax to desired amount. Allow to cool before adding in surprise. Then pour the rest of the wax on top. Allow to cool and don't forget to trim the wick!

How cute is this? It makes for a fun decor item or as a great gift--it's a hit for birthdays. You can buy different colored sprinkles, too! Don't forget to use caution when burning a candle. Enjoy!

Extra Elle:
Did you ever get those toys out of a coin machine when you were little? I have actually saved one for over 20 years! When one of my brothers was 5 (he's 26 now), he bought me one as a gift--it was the first time he'd ever bought me anything. I am much older than him, so it was an especially sweet gesture. Now he's a married man with kids, so he's busy and we don't talk as much. But that little container of earrings that cost a quarter is always with me as a good luck charm of sorts.

Check out 20 DIY Valentine's Day Gifts