Showing posts with label Candles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Candles. Show all posts

Featured Wedding of the Week: Old Fashioned Seaside Elegance

Saturday, February 19, 2011

It's Saturday, which means one thing. It's another edition of Inspiring Pretty's featured weddings! As always, if you'd like to have your wedding showcased, please submit it to us here. Now, onto the prettiness.
This week we'll be exploring the classic beauty of a simple, old fashioned seaside affair. This wedding is beaming with natural themes and simple traditions from years ago. Notice the bird decorations and small, simple flower arrangements. There's also gorgeous streamers and feathers, traditions dating back centuries to celebrate the couple as they leave the church. Like a classic event, nuptials took place in the church, and also dating back centuries, the wedding party marched in public to the reception celebrating the marriage. The rest of the gorgeous and down-to-earth party can be seen even greater in the photos!







































































pictures courtesy of Stylemepretty

The Mason Jar: A Versatile Wonder

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

I have always loved creating interesting lighting in and outside of my home. And here is my story of discovering something new for myself.

Recently I was at the 99 cent store (yes folks, you can find things you need or want there) walking down the dish aisle. I glanced at cups and picked up a few plates, but nothing struck my fancy. Then all of the sudden, out of the corner of my eye, there they were: Mason Jars. My heart lit up! I have one mason jar at home which I use as a vase, but to find 15-20 jars just sitting there, waiting to be taken home by little old me was trilling. I wanted to fill my cart with them but before I could do that, I needed to know "Just what am I going to use these for?"

Image: Ruby Press
Slowly and sadly, I walked away from the jars quietly praying they would still be there in a few days. I had thought of just buying them and deciding what to use them for later, but over the last few years (where money has been tighter than bark on a tree) I have had to be cautious of over spending. "Just buy what you know you need right now," I have to tell myself. It's a pressure..... Anyway, I came home and searched the internet. Here's what I found!

Image: Beth Helmstetter
Making this seems like a piece of work, but with the tips I found at asubtlerevelry.com, it may not be as hard as it looks. Just grab your buff man or that handsome guy next door you've been dying to talk to. Trust me, if he's at all interested in you, he'll be all too happy to help and show of his muscles. In additon to those rough hands, you'll need a large piece of wood, mason jars, tea lights and heavy rope. Then all you have to do is cut holes in the wood (that's where the handsome man comes in), put the tea lights in the mason jars, slip the jars into the wooden holes and tie on the rope. Classic and simply gorgeous!

For more Mason Jar lighting tips, head to Design*Sponge one of the sites on our blogroll.

Image: Print Nest
Oh my..... Use mason jars for craft storage? Yes please. After staring at this photo and trying figure out just how they did it, I stopped (cause I was getting nowhere) and asked Movie Star. Outside of his name, he is also quite a handy fellow. He told me they just screwed in a clamp. A what? If you are as daft as me when it comes to stuff like this, here are two options you can try at Home Depot. If you use a 2-Hole Clamp it's pretty obvious how you screw it to the wall. If you use Stainless Steal Clamps, Movie Star said that it would be screwed behind the mason jar and then tightened in the front.

Image: Paul Johnson
I am going to be 100% honest with you right now: This is my favorite idea and the one I'm going to do. I have alway loved pictures and this seems like a cool, vintage way to display them all over!

Needless to say, I'm going back to that good ol' 99 cent store to pick out my mason jars. Have fun with yours!

50 Clever Uses For Common Household Items

Monday, January 24, 2011













Money is tight for most right now while a shift to more natural products around the house is also abounding. How can you find the best of both of these worlds? It's actually very simple. It's all a matter of learning a few tricks and doing it yourself. Here are 50 helpful tips to make products around home more natural, yourself a little more self-reliable and of course all while saving you some cash.

1.)
Toothpaste: Buff a CD/DVD

Apply toothpaste to a cotton ball and wipe the disc. Wash with water afterwards and you've got an lost brand new disc!

2.) Cornstarch: Untangle Knots

Sprinkling cornstarch into tough knots, such as shoe laces can helps loosen them.

3.) Walnut: Buff Dings Out of Wooden Furniture

Get rid of unsightly scratches and dings on wooden furniture by rubbing a walnut on the areas. The blemishes will vanish quickly and your furniture and money will be saved.

4.) Club Soda: Make Your Breads Fluffier

When baking, where recipes call for water, add club soda instead of water to make pancakes, waffles and any other breads fluffier.

5.) Salt: Keep Windows Frost Free

Pour a cup of salt into a liter of water. The, sponge the liquid onto the inside of window to prevent frost from forming during the winter months.

6.) Rubbing Alcohol: Remove Permanent Marker

Dab the surface with permanent marker on it with a cloth or cotton ball covered in rubbing alcohol to make it disappear quickly.

7.) Chapstick: Stops Bleeding When Nicked Shaving

Cut yourself shaving? Just swipe chapstick over the cut to stop that constant bleeding. No more tissue squares!

8.) Apple Juice: Removes Dandruff

Don't ask me how it works, but it does! Instead of buying a special shampoo, just wash your hair in apple juice to rid your scalp of pesky dandruff.

9.) Aspirin: Get Rid of Armpit Stains on T-Shirts

Mash up an aspirin tablet or two, then make a paste out of it using water, lemon or vinegar. Spread the paste on the stained area an let sit for an hour before washing.

10.) Olive Oil: Make Pets' Coat Shinier

Add a bad of olive oil to your pet's food to give them a healthier, shinier coat of fur.

11.) Newspapers: Clean Windows and Mirrors

Instead of using a spray and a streaky cloth, use only newspaper clean off your mirrors and windows for a streak-free finish. No wonder homeless guys use it ;-)

12.) Baking Soda: Remove Bugs From Windshield

Mix baking soda with warm water to make a paste. Spread the paste over your windshield for fifteen minutes. Then wipe off or spray off with a hose.

13.) Bleach: Extend Life of Flowers in Vase

Add a few drops of bleach to vase water to prevent the build up of the slime caused by bacteria. It works just like chlorine in a swimming pool.

14.) Kitchen Dish Soap: Flea-Killing Dog Shampoo

Kitchen dish soap (not dish detergent) can double as dog shampoo for its flea killing abilities.

15.) Coke: Remove Blood Stains From Clothing

Soak the stain in coke until the stain is dissolved, then wash the clothing as usual. Wash before the coke dries, though.

16.) Honey: Remove Blemish Overnight

Have a blemish you need to get rid of by tomorrow? Put a dab of honey on the blemish and cover it up (it's best to use a bandaid) and the honey's natural antibacterial properties will clean out the bacteria by the morning.

17.) Wax Paper: Clean Can Opener Gears

Run a few small strips of of wax paper through the can opener to clean out of the bits and pieces that have built up in the gears through out the year. The wax will also rub off on the gears to protect for future use as well.

18.) WD-40: Remove Crayons From Walls

Use the lubricant and a cloth to remove stubborn crayon marks from the walls just by spraying the wall and wiping with a cloth.

19.) Chalk: Keep Ants and Slugs Out of the House

Ants and Slugs Won't Touch Chalk. So, simply draw a line in front of your doorway where you are having problems with these pesky critters and they won't cross it, meaning they won't be able to get into your house.

20.) Vinegar: Kills Weeds and Helps Flowers Grow

Vinegar is a magic wonder when it comes to gardening. It not only kills weeds but they help flowers grow as well. Douse vinegar all around your garden to prevent weeds from popping up and to help your flowers to grow healthy and strong.

21.) Mayonnaise: Remove Bumper Sticker

Spread mayonnaise on the bumper sticker and let sit for at least thirty minutes. Then, rub the sticker off with a towel, leaving a clean bumper!

22.) Tin Foil Ball: Replace Dryer Sheets Permanently

Instead of using a dryer sheet, ball up one or a few sheets of tin foil and toss it in the dryer. It removes the static electricity from your clothes and one can last up to a year.

23.) Banana Peel: Polish Leather Shoes

Use the inside of a banana peel to give shoes a professional and natural shine that will last for quite some time.

24.) Mouthwash: Cure Athlete's Foot

Pour mouthwash on cotton balls and then swab your feet. The alcohol will disinfect the bacteria completely if you continue this for a week or so.

25.) Baking Soda: Clean BBQ Grill

Mix a cup of baking soda with half a cup water to make a paste. Dip your brush into the paste and scrub the grill. The caked on pieces and black residue will come off much quicker, and using baking soda is much safer and cheaper than using cleaning chemicals.

26.) Coffee Grounds: Fertilizer

Coffee is full of nutrients and vitamins that are very beneficial to soil. That's why some people include it in compost piles. If you want to get the most out of your coffee, pour the grounds on areas where you want more grass or flowers.

27.) Olive Oil: Shaving Cream

The smoothness of the oil can replace the need for shaving cream, and it also provides great moisture.

28. ) Dryer Sheets: Gets Rid of Static Electricity

Use dryer sheets to remove static electricity from things such as clothing, TV screens or your own hair. Tame fly away strands by running a dryer sheet over them.

29.) Freezer: Freeze Candles to Make Them Last Longer

For at least 2 hours before using, put candles in the freezer. Once you burn them, the wax will melt at a much slower pace, making them last much longer!

30.) Two glasses of water: Cure Headache

Water is the cure to most common headaches. To make the headache go away quickly, drink two cups of water very quickly.

31.) Lemons: Deodorize Garbage Disposal

Toss whole slices of lemon into the garbage disposal, then run it. The acidity of the lemon will rid your sink of all odors and leave a fresh scent that usually lasts for a few months.

32.) Alka Seltzer: Remove Burnt-On Grease and Food Stains

When letting your pots and pans soak, throw in one or two Alka Seltzer tablets and the caked on residue from cooking will come off easily when you scrub/wash.

33.) Apple Cider Vinegar: Relieve Diarrhea

Mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into eight ounces of water to soothe your stomach. The taste may not be the greatest, but the antibacterial properties of the vinegar will end the unpleasantness of the bowel problems.

34.) Toothpaste: Remove Scratches From Glass

Apply toothpaste to scratch, then rub with a cloth until the scratch is gone. Make sure the glass is clean beforehand.

35.) Cheerios: Relieve Pain From Poison Ivy, Chickenpox and Sunburns

Pound one to four cups of Cheerios into a powder and add to your bath to soothe your skin while you soak. You may not feel relief while in the tub, but you will soon after.

36.) Buttons: Sort Earrings

Organize your earrings and prevent them from becoming entangled by using spare buttons as holders for each pair.

37.) Corn Oil: Prevent Hairballs for Pets

Add a few drops of corn oil to your pets' food to prevent hairballs from forming. The thick oil helps the fur pass through the animal's system much quicker and easily.

38.) Whipped Cream: Remove Gum From Hair

There are many remedies for removing gum from hair, but this is a lesser known one. Give it a try rather than peanut butter the next time you're in need.

39.) Coke: Remove Oil Stains From the Driveway

Oil stains are very difficult to remove pavement, but one method guaranteed to work is Coke. The highly acidic drink will eat away at the oil until clean.

40.) Brown Sugar: Facial Scrub

I use this one all time. A scrub is good to do about once a month to remove dead skin and bacteria built up in pores and remove excess oil from the skin. Brown sugar does just as well as expensive products and will definitely result in a clearer and smoother complexion.

41.) Dryer Sheet: Lint Brush

You know dryer sheets remove lint in the dryer. Well, it can do the same thing out of the dryer, too. When you're in a fix, use a dryer sheet. It works just as well as a lint brush, and if you like the scent, it's an added bonus.

42.) Newspaper: Deodorize food containers and Food Drawers in the Refrigerator

For that stinky tupperware or smelly refrigerator drawer that is too much to deal with, toss in a sheet of newspaper overnight before yo deal with it. The paper will absorb the smell greatly reducing it or eliminating it completely.

43.) Olive Oil: Unstick a Zipper

The oil will help help the zipper slide more easily, fixing the problem!

44.) Salt: Cool Something Quickly

You know that feeling when you're having a BBQ and someone asks for a drink and you realize that no one has put them in the cooler? There's nothing worse than a warm drink on a hot day. Chill a drink quickly, by adding salt and water to your ice. The drinks will be cold in a matter of minutes, saving your party and making you look smart all at once.

45.) Scotch Tape: Prevent Wall From Chipping When Nailing

The wall can leave unsightly chips when hammering in a nail. Prevent this by simple placing a piece of scotch tape over the area you're going to nail. The wall will be held tighter, preventing chips from occurring.

46.) Alka Seltzer: Soothe Insect Bites

Dissolve two tablets into a glass of water. Then use a cloth or cotton ball to apply it to the effected area. The red will go down and most importantly, the itchiness will vanish usually in fifteen minutes.

47.) Lemon: Whitens Whites

Add about half a cup of lemon juice to your load of whites to makes them extra white. You can use lemon juice with bleach or detergent, so don't worry about mixing chemicals withe the acidic lemon.

48.) Banana Peel: Whiten Teeth

This may sound a little odd, but rub the inside of a banana peel on your teeth twice a day for two weeks and you will receive the same effect from a teeth-whitening kit. Plus, you'll save yourself money and the hassle of using chemicals.

49.) Hair Dryer: Free Photos Stuck on Pages

If you have a photo stuck on a page that you can't get free, try using a blow dryer on the back of the page. It will loosen the photo from the page and the adhesive holding it there.

50.) Banana Peel: Heal Most Skin Problems

Bananas are the magical fruit, because they heal many common problems on the skin. By rubbing the peel on your skin, you can heal bruises and cuts and eliminate rashes, itching and warts. Basically if you have a common skin problem, it can be cured by this fruit.


Hope you can put these to good use to save money and make your home more natural. There are many more clever uses for common household items like these. Do you have any?

Pretty Gifts for any Budget

Friday, December 3, 2010

In this festive time of year, we could all use a little bit of help finding gifts that fit within our budgets. Well, Santa came to the ladies at Inspiring Pretty with some helpful hints and suggestions. Here's what he shared and we hope they make your Christmas brighter!

This Cucina Hand Care Duo set of moisturizing hand cream and liquid soap is so in"dispensable" you won't believe you ever did without it. Refreshing scents make it a wonderful set for you bathroom as well as your kitchen. Pick it up at fruits-passion.com for $32.00.

This Silver Floral Bowl from Ikea shines and shimmers for decorative display or everyday food items. $29.00

Give your family and friends a 2011 Calendar by LindaandHarriett.com. Each month is letter pressed in two beautiful colors. But this 9" x 5.25"calendar does more than just help you keep track of days, the bottom portion can be cut off at the end of the month to become a postcard! $30.00

A Travel Jewelry Case from delight.com will keep valuables protected in case of a last minute beach trip, a busy weekend getaway or last minute party. And it won't take up half a suitcase or purse! With multiple compartments, this case is perfect for storing those essential pieces you always want with you. The case measures 6" x 2.5" x 1.25" and comes in several colors. $36.50

In keeping with the Holiday spirit, this Pewter Holiday Ornament would be a perfect gifting suggestion. Beehivekitchenware.com has ornaments in several shapes and designs for any friend or family member. $17.50-$18.50

These pretty iron Audrey Votives are handmade of twisted wire in the French style of fils de fer. When your gifting recipient lights a candle in the frosted glass cups, the lacy design will stand out in silhouette, creating flickering artwork everywhere in their home. Set of 5 for $29.00

This all-in-one embossed Infuser and Mug from republicoftea.com makes steeping and sipping your tea easier and more flavorful. $12.50


Now Stocking Stuffers!


Floral Page Markers at PeterPauper.com are perfect for that book worm in your life. Because they are magnetic you will be giving them more than just your average book mark. They can flip these little babies over a page and never worry about losing their place. And at $3.95 for 8, they make a fantastic stocking stuffer.

A California Poppy letterpress journal will definitely inspire your family member to jot down pretty thoughts they daydream throughout the day. Letterpressed inks on eco-friendly felt-finish coverstock cover 24 white, lined pages. $9.00

Christmas Decor: Using Ornaments

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Whenever this time of year comes a callin' I begin to get excited. I bust out my boxes of decorations, lights and garland. This year I began sifting through what I've truly been using and what it just simply clutter. Once I organized it all, I made a box for the Goodwill and then looked at what was left over for my home. It wasn't much. I've realized that though I have 3 strings of garland, tree ornaments, a nativity scene, decorative candles, wreaths and lights galore I didn't really have any semblance of order or style to my adornment. So, I went to a few stores searching for any kind of idea. And then it hit me: use ornaments all over to tie it all together! It was like that light bulb just went "ding!" inside my head. So, if you want to use this concept for your home christmas decorations, here are a few great ways to string your ornaments together.

  • Of course you'll use them on your tree, so if you're planning on doing an ornament theme all around the home make sure the round ornaments on the tree are in the same color scheme or design as the one's you will be using all over.
  • Create a beautiful centerpiece on a table - or anywhere really - with a few pillar candles gathered together on a plate while round varied ornaments, jewelry, and frosty snow surround them.
  • I have a tall, thin vase and love to fill it with items for every season. In the the fall or winter I usually place discarded christmas tree branches, fall leaves and pine cones inside. But this year I've decided to use ornaments too! You don't want this to come across too orderly so the it's best to use at least three items (branches, berries, roses etc.) and different sized ornaments to complete the ensemble.
  • My parents have a grand staircase and my mother always wraps garland around the railing at Christmas time. The past few years she has hung gorgeous ornaments from the garland with pretty, soft ribbon in varied lengths for depth. She just tied the ribbon to the garland or rail, but you can also attach the ribbon to an ornament hook and hang the hook on the garland. It's always classically beautiful.
  • And don't forget about the bannister! This is the place where you want to start off your staircase decor with flair. If you hang a few large pine branches, hooked to the bannister in floral wire and gather several ornaments in varied sizes and colors in front that cascade down towards the floor, you will wow anyone who begins a journey up the fabulous staircase.
  • And speaking of ornaments attached to ribbon, there are many other options for this duo that you're home will just love! Just wrap an embellishing ribbon around hanging towels and tie a knot. Then attach an ornament with a piece of wire or ornament hook wrapped around the knot. This looks especially fantastic on the backs of dining room chairs! Better Homes and Gardens suggests draping a pretty towel, large napkin, lovely scarf or any other fabric over the chair and then proceed with the above instructions.
  • If you plan on using the dining room chair suggestion, top of the table look with ornament place cards and napkin rings. For the place cards, just adhere a small embellished piece of paper with your guests name on it to the ornament. For the napkin ring, attach an ornament or two to ribbon and tie it around a rolled up napkin.
  • Ornaments also look great atop candle sticks. They don't even have to be matching candle sticks as long as they have the same look and style. This idea works great with varied heights. Simply gorgeous!