DIY Victorias Secret Beach Cover Up

Do you ever look at something from a clothing store and think, really....I could make that and they want how much for it?! This is one of those moments... It may not look exactly the same, but its cheaper and you can make it yourself! This is a  tutorial for a beach cover up.

Here is the example from Victoria's Secret:

All you need is about 1 1/2 yards of fabric (you can always buy more than that and use the scraps for another project). Better to have more than not enough! I got mine on sale a while ago and it was under $10 for 5 yards.

1. First wrap the fabric around you to get an idea of how big/small you want it.

2. Then take the fabric fold it in half and cut a C shape out of one corner (this will with for under the arms).

3. Then cut strips out of some extra fabric:

The extra strips are going to be for the arm straps. I braided them, so I have 3 sections for each arm. I had to use a little creativity to braid. I tied a basic knot with the three strips and then used my feet to hold the ends while braiding. Please share if you found an easier way. :)

4. Then sew on the braids to each end of the "C Shape" you cut earlier.

(Almost) The Final Product....

The Back

The Front (Still needs fixing) but what do you think so far?

This is how you wear it (as shown above):

1. Place it behind your back

2. Place braided arm straps on one arm, then cross the fabric over the front of your body and put on the other strap.

3. The back is kinda low, but hey, its summer time right!?

If you do make it, please share! I'd love to see pictures!

Chocolate Banana "Icecream"

Chocolate Banana Ice cream (except it's not)... Ice cream that is. However, for people like me who can't have ice cream I was intrigued by the idea.

In fact it's really simple:

1. Freeze a banana

2. Cut it up

3. Throw it in a blender

4. Add cocoa powder

5. Add Peanut Butter (optional)

6. Blend away..

It has the texture of ice cream without any dairy.

Enjoy!

Ever wonder what to do with old candles?

Ever wonder what to do with your old candle holders? Maybe the votive is pretty but you have remaining wax in them, or it's just a jar you could re-use to store stuff in. I found an idea on Pinterest to remove the wax from the jar and of course thought, why didn't I ever know this useless (but awesome) information!?

Here's my candle..Okay, okay, it's not really "pretty" but this is for testing purposes.

Here goes nothing....

Step 1: Boil Water. You can do this anyway you'd like, the old stove top probably works best. I used my handy-dandy hot water boiler (there's a real name for this right?!) My wonderful friend gave it to me in college and I've had it ever since. It really comes in handy.

Step 2: Poor the hot boiling water directly into the jar.

Step 3: WAIT.. and Watch. It's really neat. Honest. It looks like a lava lamp (remember those?)

Step 4: I am letting mine sit over night. The directions said so, and I am trying to learn how to actually follow directions. Since I'm still in the waiting phase, I'll let you know how it turns out.

How its supposed to turn out: If all was done correctly, the wax should all rise the top, and once the water has COMPLETELY cooled (overnight). Then I will remove the remaining wax and wash the jar with hot soapy water to remove any of the little remaining wax reminisces.

To be continued....

Update.......{Continued}....

 

The wax floated to the top (yay it worked!)

I took a knife and gently pushed on the wax until it split. Then I removed the remaining wax, threw it in the trash, and emptied the water. (It's important to let it sit over night so you don't accidentally pour hot wax down your drain).

Wallah! Let me know if you have other ways of doing this (I was also told that freezing the candles works too!).