Gift Wrapping For Guys

  Happy Father's Day to all of you fathers out there.  I know that this is a last minute post for Father's Day gift wrapping but you can use this idea for any gift for a guy.  I saw this on Pinterest BUT the link was to a cruise web site that they just used the image as a prop or whatever so I took it upon myself to give one to you.  It is really easy you just need a paper bag, construction or scrapbook paper and office supplies like a stapler/glue and scissors.

1.  Place your bag onto the construction paper you want for your shirt color.
Trace and cut it out.
2.  Draw a tie or bow tie and cut it out.
3.  Fold the top corners of the "shirt" to create a collar and then staple it to the bag.
4.  Place your tie or bow tie where it looks best and then staple or glue it.
5.  Glue buttons on the front of the "shirt" if you want to (or draw them on).

  There you have it!  Quick and easy gift wrapping.  You could do the same thing with a wrapped box on the front of it.  Every time I have a guy's birthday or event I never have manly wrapping paper so they end up with their present being wrapped in blue tissue paper (for some reason I ALWAYS have that) or stuffed in a bag.  Get creative with the paper choices, maybe put a "Hello My Name Is" sticker on it and you could put their name.  SEE!  The ideas just keep coming.  Enjoy, and happy gift wrapping.

Revamp and Relaunch

  Yes, I have been missing for quite some time.  But with good intent.  I was always running out of time with completing projects and I felt like I wasn't giving my blog the attention it needed.  I wanted to reinvent my blog.  Bring everything I love to do to my blog and feel like I am dedicated.  I wanted to plan out for a couple months so I maintained consistent posting and give a variety of subjects for everyone.   I also wanted to create a Facebook page just for you guys, and others that follow my blog but don't wish to subscribe.  Then when I do giveaways or ask for comments you can be included and I feel more in touch with everyone.  So I have!  My blog's Facebook page is Ohthethings Robyncando. Just request to be my friend and I will gladly accept you!  If you don't know me personally please tell me who sent you so I can thank them.  Thank you for all of your support.  I am truly honored to have you guys follow me.  I love sharing this part of my life with everyone.  Trust me it's not easy putting things out there but with all of you guys behind me it makes it worth it.  Enjoy!

DIY Envelopes

  I bought Easter cards last year and didn't use all of them but for some odd reason I used all of the envelopes.  Weird?  I swear they should give you a couple extra ones in the pack just in case you make a mistake addressing one.  That's me, right there.  I like my envelopes to look nice and neat.  Anyways.   I had to find envelopes that would fit my cards.  Well, of course I had less envelopes than I did cards so I decided to make my own with the million pieces of card stock I have.   Here's what I did.

1.  Unfold the envelope you want to trace onto your 12x12 card stock (see picture above).
2.  Trace your envelope and cut it out.
3.  Using a bone folder and a ruler run your bone folder (like you would a pencil) along the ruler where you would make your fold/crease (see picture below).

4.  Then fold where your crease is, running your bone folder along the crease.
5.  Fold your sides in and then run a glue stick along the sides of the bottom piece and glue to the side pieces.

  You can decorate them like I did with ribbon or whatever you feel like putting on them.  You could customize them to your event or holiday.  I have so much scrapbook paper and little do dads to add to paper crafts it is highly ridiculous so I figure this is just another way to use all of that stuff.  I am pretty sure that you could even mail them like that.  If people can mail flip flops I think you should be able to mail decorated envelopes.

St. Patrick's Day Package

   A few years ago I started sending cards and little packages to friends and family.  I try to be creative in what I send and when I send it.  I've sent packages for "Preparing for Winter", Valentine's," Pool Side Kit", ect.  With St. Patrick's Day coming up I couldn't pass up the opportunity to send my Grandma (who is Irish) a package.  I tried to think of something simple to send that would brighten their day and who doesn't like Kisses! Of course I had to use the "Kiss Me I'm Irish" and made  a tag to put on top of the bag.  I searched for a "printable" on Pinterest but I couldn't find one.  But I'm sure there are ones out there.  If not I just printed my quote in green and stuck it on green card stock paper.

   I put these in a padded envelope with a card.  A nice little surprise to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!
I folded the top of the cello bag about mid way down and then stapled it.  Then I folded my "label" in half and stapled the back of the label to the bag and put double sided sticky tape on the inside front of the label.  That way you don't see the staples on the front.
   Happy St. Patrick's Day!

$.99 Eye Shadow Palette

  While I was at Walgreens the other day I came across these eye shadow palettes for $.99.  I figured for that price I would try it.  They had several different ones with different shimmers, mattes and etc.  I decided I would blog about them.  I have swatches of the colors in the pictures below.  The pigmentation is moderate, some are more than others but they go on very smooth.  I didn't have a full face today so you won't be seeing my eyes but without a primer they went on and the color was great.  Being that it is a .99 eye shadow it is amazing.

 
   These 3 colors are the colors on the left side of the palette going from the bottom up.
    1. Deep plum purple-great for a purple smokey eye
    2. Light mauve - this would be a perfect all over color
    3. Shimmery Pink- awesome for highlighting or all over color as well

   These are the next six colors that are on the top of the palette going from left to right.
     1. Light yellow gold- good blender and highlighter
     2. Rose gold
     3. Copper
     4. Shimmery brown
     5. Bronze
     6. Deep mossy green

   These last 3 colors are from the right side of the palette going from top to bottom.
     1. Mustard yellow gold
     2. Emerald green
     3. Mossy bronze

   I will go back and purchase the other palettes and do a blog post about those as well.   You can always use the colors that are not up your alley for Halloween costumes.
   I hope you found this helpful and you find a palette you enjoy.

Easy Peasy Cookies

   After the time just zooming by this season I hardly had any time to sit down and put together a cookie/treats list of what to make.  So luckily I ran across a blog called goodenessgracious.com that had cake mix cookie recipes.  I have made cookies from cake mixes before so I figured I would give it a shot.  I still wanted the homemade affect but without the "3 1/2 C flour, 2 C sugar, etc." and then having 6 dozen cookies from just ONE recipe not to mention the disaster to clean up in the kitchen.  These were so easy and made at most 3 dozen for each recipe.  She has 3 different kinds she made from a cookbook called Gooseberry Patch's Christmas Cookie Jar but I just chose two.  I must say that I am thankful for her blog because it saved me.  I thought I would share my day of baking with you.  You can get the recipes by clicking the link above.

First Batch of Cookies:  Santa's Favorite Cookies

   This calls for a red velvet cake mix and white chocolate chips.  Very Christmasy and delicious.  They came out nice and soft and stayed that way even the next day.
Tip:  Reserve about a tablespoon of cake mix (dry) and don't add the chocolate chips in with everything else.  As Ina Garten (Food Network Chef) has taught me toss the chocolate chips with the reserved cake mix and then add it to the dough mix.  This keeps the chocolate chips from sinking to the bottom when baking and keeps them from "falling out" of the spoonfuls when you place them on your cookie sheet. 

Second Batch of Cookies:  1-2-3 Cookies

   This recipe is made with a lemon cake mix and whip topping then rolled in powdered sugar.  These cookies taste like lemon bars.  Not too lemony and not too sugary.  Really you could do this with spice cake mix too.  Which I think Cris from goodenessgracious.com did.  We had the same out come with these staying soft as well.  

The dough

My plate of powdered sugar

 
   Third Batch of Cookies:  Betty Crocker Sugar Cookies

   I have never used a packaged sugar cookie mix.  I have always made them by scratch but I didn't have time or the patience so I went the easy route.  Instead of using cookie cutters I rolled them in colored sugar sprinkles to be festive.  This choice was made after my stars came out not how I wanted.

   All of these recipes came out great and I would make them again.  I think I might try some New Years ones and I will post them for you.  If you are in a pinch don't hesitate to make it easier on yourself.  So, from my happy baking kitchen to yours have a good day!

Outfit of the Day: Christmas Party Outfit

   With this outfit I went out on a limb.  A way far out, never have gone before to limb and I bought RED jeggings!  I wore a black and gold striped sweater with black patent flats.

Sweater-  Mudd
Jeggings- Mudd
Flats- Mossimo

  For this outfit I kept my makeup really simple.  Even though you can't really see it (because to be quite honest I can't take the most flattering up close shots of my face ) I will go ahead and bore you with the details anyways.

Eye shadow- Maybelline's Eye Tattoo in Barely Beige
Eye liner- Revlon Color Stay Liquid Pen in Blackest Black
Mascara- L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes in Black
Lipstick- Revlon Raspberry

  Christmas outfit inspiration for you.  I hope you liked it.