Stamped beach totes DIY

I’m so excited because we’re leaving for Florida tomorrow for a weeks vacation!  We’re staying in a condo on the beach, yay!  I’ve been to florida once before but it was winter so I’m excited to laze around on the beach this time.  I made some beach totes to carry beachy things around in.  I’m giving a couple for gifts for family who will be there as well.  Hope they like em!

I cut out a cross shape from a piece of foam, glued a wine cork to the back for a handle, then dipped it in fabric paint to make the cross motif bag. Easy! I later filled in any gaps with a brush. For the ombre heart bag I drew a heart shape on the bag then used wine corks as stamps (for another project to use wine cork stamps look here!) I started with black paint at the bottom on the heart then used 2 shades of gray and finally white at the top.  I think it turned out pretty cute:)For my chevron patterned bag I used the wine cork stamps again starting with aqua, then turquoise, then sea foam green.  Very beachy eh!
Jayla puppy has to stay at the dog kennel while we are gone but someday I’d love to take her to the beach with us! She loves the water!  I’m filling up the totes with some goodies then all set!

You can follow me on Instagram at #Jesshm28 during the trip all next week; I’ll be sure to post lots of beach scenes!  Have a lovely week ya’ll!

DIY Coconut-lavender sugar scrub

I’m in love with this recipe to make your own sugar scrub you guys!  Ryan and I have been big into using coconut oil lately for everything. We just keep learning new things to use it for including natural detoxifier, teeth whitener, cooking oil, shave cream, hair mask, and skin moisturizer just to name a few.  It  smells and tastes great too.

So since I’m turning 30 next month I guess I’ve been a little more aware of what I want to be doing to better care for my skin.  I’ve always been pretty good about sun screen, but not perfect, and I love moisturizers for my face and body.  Other than that I don’t have a major skin care routine.  I’m just a bit skeptical of all the products out there that claim to do wonders when I think we should be ever more aware of what we put into our bodies and on our skin.  I’d rather focus on eating a clean diet and using a few clean products for my hair and skin.  So I made this body scrub and my skin feels super soft, clean and moisturized after my shower. I don’t even have to put lotion on afterwards.  I love it!

If you want to try it here’s what you need:

3/4 C coconut oil (preferably organic)//1 C sugar (brown or white)//5-10 drops essential oil (I used lavender; I think rose would be lovely as well)//lavender//small jar
1. Mix all ingredients and pour into your container
2. Add sugar or oil to the consistency you like3. Relax and Enjoy!  Or gift it to a lovely lady in your life!

Weekend in pictures

Ryan and I had the best weekend.  Friday night it was decided when the first movie trailer was released months ago we decided to go see Star Trek so we went early to make sure we got our tickets in time and there was the prettiest pink sunset over the lake. I took a ba-jillion pictures.   Saturday Rockwall celebrated Founder’s Day in the old downtown area and we just happened to be down there for the farmers market and ended up staying all day and all evening.  There were food trucks, craft booths, live bands, and a sip and stroll wine tasting event.  We got to try 10 or so different wines for $5 by visiting local businesses. At the food truck I tried a cilantro rice bowl with marinated steak, wonderful. And Ryan got a Chicago dog which he raved about all night.  I got a lot of great shopping in too.  There really are quite a few great stores located here and it was a blast stopping in all of them and showing Ryan what he can buy me if he ever needs an idea;) I also love supporting our local businesses because if we don’t, we won’t have awesome and unique stores to visit. Sunday we were ready for relaxing since our pool just opened up and we spent the whole afternoon there.  It was the best time!

Jalapeno-watermelon martini

For this drinky drink that is sweet and spicy (like me of course) you will need fresh watermelon, vodka, jalapenos, sugar, club soda and a shaker.  I would be found having this sassy cocktail on the patio with some chips and salsa. In fact, this might be good with tequila as a stand in for vodka.  Just try it.

Jalapeno-Watermelon Martini

Ingredients: 2 parts vodka//1 part jalapeno simple syrup//4 chunks watermelon

1. To make the simple syrup add 1 C water,  3/4 C sugar, and 4 slices of jalapeno to a pot; bring to a boil then turn off heat.  Let cool.

2. Shake all ingredients on ice and pour into a martini glass. Top off with club soda.

3. Drink responsibly!  Have a great weekend guys!  Our pool opens up tomorrow so I’m sure you will find me there as the weather should be heating up!  (photos taken with my iPhone)

Thrifted, vintage scarf

So I haven’t done a thrifting post recently and I wanted to try wearing the items I thrift for a new kind of post on here.  My style is very eclectic, a little boho, a lot mismatchy.  This is my very first attempt and some of the photos are blurry but I thought I got a pose down in them so I included them, haha! I thrifted this Bill Blass scarf and I tied it in my hair for when I’m out and about doing errands and things.  The shirt is from Papaya and the skirt is my tennis/workout skirt!  The necklace is from a boutique in Mckinney, TX.  On my face: Lipstick//glossy kiss, aveeno BB cream, Nars blush in Orgasm.  I wouldn’t wear this out for an occasion or anything, just around like to the (what?) thrift store.

Whew, that was fun but a little scary!  Do you like doing personal style or outfit posts?  Thanks for stopping by!

Birchbox (my last?)

SO I was considering stopping my subscription to Birchbox based on 2 things: 1. Sometimes I’m not so impressed because it seems like I got a very similar item the month before and 2. it’s $10 a month I could be saving towards our carribean vacation….

…But…I absolutely LOVED this month’s box and used up everything in it. Here’s what I got:

Miranesse//Glossy kiss lipstick.  Fun bright color, easy to use pencil, done, love.

Oribe//Shamp and Condish. Good for colored hair, smells amazing and loved how my hair felt and more importantly looked after using.  More please.

Skin&Co Roma//Body gel. Olive and orange scented gel made in Rome, sounds pretty fab to me. Loved the scent but pretty $$ for $18 a pop.

Supergoop!//SPF eye cream.  So I’ve been thinking about my skin care a lot more lately, getting dangerously close to 30 here.  This is nice and light cream with oat peptides to keep your skin firm.  I would consider adding this full time to my regimen for sure.

Kusmi Tea//Wellness Essentials.  I love tea. Love the cute packaging.

Also, a little bonus gift this month..Free subscription to Women’s health mag, yay for free!

DIY Tile coasters

I was at Home Depot looking for nails to fix our fence with the hubby when I spotted these ceramic tiles for 15 cents each and grabbed a few.  I had seen something like this on pinterest at some point and wanted to make my own coasters.  We are constantly leaving our glasses and mugs all around the house and since we are both at home full time we confuse whose is whose cup and just get new ones most of the time.  This equals lots of cup rings on surfaces and coasters are really handy to protect my painted table and his computer desk.

Supplies: 2-4 sheets regular scrapbook paper// 4 tiles// mod podge// paint brush

1. Lay out the tiles on some newspaper and spread a layer of mod podge on the smooth surface side of the tile using your paintbrush.

2. Cut your paper to the tiles size (I traced around the tile on my paper)

3. Lay the cut paper onto the mod podged tile and add another layer of mod podge on top.  Let dry.

4. Continue adding layers of mod podge after allowing enough dry time in between, approx. 20 minutes.

5. I added 5 layers total; let completely dry before use.

I just love the moustache coaster! Isn’t it cute?  Hint* These would be nice house warming gifts on the cheap;) I can’t wait to make more, they are kinda addicting.  For another (cork) coaster DIY check out this post I did last year.

Weekend Pictures

We had the best weekend you guys!  We discovered two parks to hike around with the dogs and walk along the beach.  I mean, I didn’t even know North Texas had beaches!  I love being around the water so it made me super happy.  You know how sometimes you just need a new adventure? Well, this weekend felt like just that.  We also finalized our plans for our Honeymoon/1year anniversary/my 30th birthday and it’s really exciting for us!  We celebrated at the winery down the road with a lovely Albarino wine.  The next month is going to be amazing!  xoxo Jessica

DIY Mother’s Day gift wrap

Remember the tea towels I made out of sheets?  I put them to good use as  Mother’s Day gift wrap and I love how it turned out!  And I love that it’s a “recyclable” wrapping and nothing has to get thrown away.  Hope you have a lovely Mother’s day weekend!

Glass etching: Butter dish

I tried this simple glass etching project for my first etching using stencils and a butter dish.  It’s super simple to do and I like the result, though I made add more design to this later.

Supplies: Paint brush//glass etching cream//stencils// glass surface// gloves

1. Clean the glass surface

2. Place your stencils

3. Paint the etching cream on. Feel free to sort of glob it on. It’ll dry within 10-15 minutes then simply rinse it off.

4. Take off your stencils and there you have it, your very own glass etched item, cool eh! I’d love to try this with some bar glasses, a vase or even our entryway window soon!  Have you tried glass etching?