DIY Holiday Tassel Garland

These tassels were VERY easy to make, much easier than I expected and GORGEOUS!!!! In fact I am planning to make some in bright colors for the kids rooms, for every birthday party from here on out and several more holiday ones for around the house now! 

I am telling you they bring INSTA*JOY to any room!!! 

MAKE THEM NOW!!!! 

You will L*O*V*E these!!!!!

This next step of gluing the loop closed is not mandatory. The tissue stays in place on it's own surprisingly well but I wanted them to be extra sturdy so I could use them again and again. 

Another note: I decided to tie each tassel in place so I could string them at any angle and not worry about them sliding around but this step could also be omitted if you preferred. 

oh and biggest bonus of all, entire project cost less than $3.00. 
No lie!!!! 
Thrifty Thoughts!  I am also linking this thrifty project up with Ashley from The Vanilla Tulip and I wanted to share just a couple ways we save money around here because money is VERY TIGHT!
1.We try to never use disposable stuff withe exception of diapers and toilette paper. I always keep a wash rag to wipe the kids faces and hands at meal times and we use cloth napkins. 2. We only go out to eat MAYBE once every 2 months.  3. I plan meals in advance, shop in bulk and we always eat left overs. 4. We only have one car so we only pay for insurance on one car and one tank of gas not two. HUGE money saver right here! 5. We don't have cell phones! Nope, we only have one phone and it's a land line. I would say it saves $200 a month. 6. We don't have cable TV. Linking up this project with Kimmie from  {SUGAR AND DOTS}

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Q&A SESH

Good Morning

I am doing  a little Best of Bouffe e Bambini this week. So you'll see some of my favorite posts mixed with some new ones. Plus if your not a weekend blog reader I posted quiet a few new fun ones.

Read about my Roots {HERE}

Our Christmas Tree Shopping {HERE}

Great Easy Candied Nuts Recipe for the holidays {HERE}

So get ready for a FLOOD of posts from me this week, two a day at least!!! Yes, I am here to entertain you thoroughly!!!! I am proud to say I.AM.BACK!!!!!!! In full force my friends. Can;t wait to get into that kitchen today and start whipping up some holiday magic!!!!!!!Thanks so much for reading!!!!

Q & A Sesh

1.  What are three words you would use to describe yourself?

Stubborn, compassionate, driven

2.  What is one piece of advice you would give to other ladies your age?

This is the best time of your life. Life every moment to the absolute fullest. . Your finally old enough to know what you want and what your doing with your life yet  young enough to really actively pursue your dreams.You can rest when your dead! 

GO FOR IT!!!!!

3.  What is your favorite beauty product?

Mascara.

I'm a minimalist when it comes to makeup. Sometimes I wear liquid liner and a little powder but that's it.

4.  What is one food that you cannot stand?

Plain yellow mustard. I'm a food snob just in case you didn't already know.

That's about it. I L*O*V*E food.....all kinds a food

5. Where would your dream vacation be?

There are many, many places on my list but at the top right now is Spain for many reasons but the number one reason is the food. Oh....my husband and I can eat out way through a country like no other. We planned out entire honeymoon in Italy around where we wanted to eat. It was SPECTACULAR!

6.  Who is you biggest celebrity crush?

Hmmm........I don't watch TV or read the news so I don't know that much but I would say either Reese Witherspoon or Kate Middleton. Both of them are beautiful, have a wonderful sense of style and carry themselves with amazing grace which all attributes I strive to uphold to everyday. 

7.  Who is your celebrity lady crush?

Oops.....Guess the question above answers this one. I don't have any guy crushed except my amazing husband. Seriously he's my one and only and always will be. 4-eva

8.  What is your favorite cocktail? and if you don't drink then how about milkshake?

I don't drink so I will take a chocolate Malt please

9.  What is your favorite blog link-up?

I don't have a "favorite" but I do participate in Casey Wiegand's "On Your Heart linky", Lindsay Lee's "Things I love in this La La Land linky", "Mama Go Round's What I wore linky" and "the Pleated Poppy's What I wore Wednsday".

L*O*V*E all those amazing strong woman.

10.  If you could have a super power what would it be and why?

To be able to work and be a stay at home with my kids at the same time. All I want in life is to have more kids and to be with them all the time. I miss them so much when I'm at work. I have absolutely no choice. I am the primary breadwinner. It is what it it. 

I L*O*V*E my children more than life itself.

11.  What is one thing that you wish that you could buy for yourself?  I'm taking a selfish buy - like mine would be a pair of Christian Louboutins for sure.

A Garmin GPS system for running, a wet suit, a bike, biking shoes, a camel back and a hydration belt and a new pair of nice running shoes.

I wouldn't mind another eternity band to go onthe other side of my engament ring either but I'll take the triathalon gear first:)

Thanks for listening. This was fun. 

I got the idea for this interview {HERE}

T-Shirt Dress: Banana Republic

Belt: Emersonmade

Boots: J Crew

Watch: toywatch

Cuff: Hayden and Hartnet

Handbag: Tano (this is my baby. I bought it a small boutique in Brooklyn, right around the corner from our apartment. It was in the window for weeks and the day I finally decided I couldn't take it anymore, I went to purchase it and she had marked it down by 20% 15 minuets earlier. HAPPY WOMAN! 

 

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My Roots

First off, as the beginning of December is upon us, I wanted take a moment to remember my father. 
He died one year ago this month. He was handsome, charming, funny and could light up a room. I hope he has finally found Peace.
The photos I am about to show you were taken in the early 1970's. I lost all my photos in hurricane Katrina but  my sister was nice enough to share a few with me. 

So I thought While I was at it I would tell you a little bit about where I came from. My parents got married young, at 19 I think. They left their homes in New Jersey and moved out west and ended up settling in Oregon on 65 acres of land. 
Our family was part of "The Back to The Land Movement". 

This meant we had a garden that most our food came from.  We were vegetarians. 

My mother made all of our clothes on an antique sewing machine which she still owns today. 

My father was a carpenter. A couple years prior he helped build the stage for Woodstock. My husband and I now have his original Woodstock poster framed in our music studio.

He built the one room cabin that I was born in. My mother had become a midwife and together her and my father delivered me in that one room cabin.  That very cabin is shown in the back round in the photo below. 

Before I was born they also lived in a tent and an old school bus. I am the youngest of three. 

This is my beautiful mother in her early 20's.

So, what does living this kind of life mean? 

It means we didn't have electricity, running water or indoor pluming. So we had an outhouse, Kerosene lamps to light our house and a wood stove to keep warm. 

We took a bath about once a week. 

We had a well with fresh water in it. So if you wanted to take a bath you'd venture outside, fill a bucket with water, heat it on the stove and dump it into the bathtub several times over to bathe yourself. It's no wonder a good scrubbing was only once a week. 

So what did we do all day? 

Played outside almost all the time. We made awesome forts and ran wild. We played with the animals, rode horses bareback, got bucked off A LOT, our parents read us lots of books and we listened to a battery operated radio once in a while. 

We had chickens, rabbits, horses, donkeys, dogs, cats, oh the list goes on and on. 

This is me when I was 4.

 Shortly after this we moved into town but I still have many memories of that time in my life and I will forever have life memories and skills that helped shape me into who I am today. 

And how cute are those shoes? I totally want a pair now! 

I just wanted to share a little about where I came from with you as I don't think I ever have before. 
What kind of childhood did you have? 



A LITTLE NOTE:  For the next week I will be posting "The Best of Bouffe e Bambini". So I hope you don't get bored but I will be posting some of my all time favorite outfit, recipes, DIY projects, and personal stories. I will also be posting some new things too so don't worry!!!! I'll share why with you later but I've got good reason. Oh and the followers widget will re appear just for a little while. If you don't already follow I would L*O*V*E it if you would. I love new friends!!! Just trust me on this one. Say a little prayer for me:) 
I just want you all to know how much I appreciate your undying support especially at this time in my life!!!! 
I am feeling very hopeful and grateful! 
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!! Pin It

Christmas Tree Shopping

It turns out God is really good! 
Yesterday we went Christmas tree shopping hoping to find something, anything we could afford and we did; a nice small tree for under $30. A total steal! 

I feel so grateful right now that our kids will get to decorate a tree in full Holiday tradition and not some tiny shrub or house plant. 

We are so blessed! 

The kids really did have fun picking out the tree. We actually let them pick the one we bought regardless of looks and I'd say they did a stellar job.

Ginger even had to do a little smell test to make sure it was up to par.

My wonderful Husband and Beautiful daughter! These two warm my heart!

Happy Holidays my beautiful friends!!!!! Today I am so grateful for supportive friends and family. I have been very blessed over the past few weeks. In the heart of the storm there is love and support. I have received many wonderful emails and so much love.  THANK YOU!!!!! 


I was very, very serious about my hubby and I sharing a case of canned beans as our joint Christmas gift. That's the reality but just in case Santa Clause is real and he's listening, here's what I would put on my list. Just 2 Things this year.
THESE Ugg Boots

I've had a pair of Ugg's ever since I was a little girl and befoer they were "the it" item and I have always loved  them. My dad introduced us a a young age. I wore mine so much when we lived in New York City that they just got trashed so I am currently Ugg-less:( BOO

And THIS Purse

Well............I don't have to do too much convincing here! This purse is to die for!!! I am totally obsessed with it and it's handmade; canvas with a leather bottom and CHEVRON. Hello.I. Love.You

I posted this note yesterday but just in cased you missed it yesterday, here it is again, but if I were you I would stop by and read my Candied Nuts Recipe

A LITTLE NOTE: 
For the next week I will be posting "The Best of Bouffe e Bambini". So I hope you don't get bored but I will be posting some of my all time favorite outfit, recipes, DIY projects, and personal stories. I will also be posting some new things too so don't worry!!!! I'll share why with you later but I've got good reason. Oh and the followers widget will re appear just for a little while. If you don't already follow I would L*O*V*E it if you would. I love new friends!!! Just trust me on this one. Say a little prayer for me:) 
I just want you all to know how much I appreciate your undying support especially at this time in my life!!!! 

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Easy Candied Nuts

Ingredients: 2 egg whites 2 tablespoons water 1.5 pound walnuts, almonds or pecans (or a mixture, I used whole walnuts and slivered almonds) 1.5 cups white sugar 2 teaspoons sea salt or kosher salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Recipe:  1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 C) 2. In a mixing bowl whip egg whites and water until frothy, about 1 minute 3. In a seprate bowl mix sugar, salt and cinnamon 4. Add the nuts to the egg mixture adn toss until coated. 5. pour the sugar mixture over the nuts and mix thoughly with your hands. 6. Spread nuts onto 2 cookie sheets lined with parchment paper so that nuts are single layer and spread evenly. 7. bake one hour. You may stir half way through. I did not and they came out perfect.

I am planning to use these to make a really fun holiday popcorn mix, some too die for sticky buns and just to munch on. 
My husband came into the kitchen and said, "what's this? and then instantly couldn't put them down he thought they were soooooo good and trust me they are. Plus easy and cheap!! Can't go wrong. 
Make them!! 
A LITTLE NOTE:  For the next week I will be posting "The Best of Bouffe e Bambini". So I hope you don't get bored but I will be posting some of my all time favorite outfit, recipes, DIY projects, and personal stories. I will also be posting some new things too so don't worry!!!! I'll share why with you later but I've got good reason. Oh and the followers widget will re appear just for a little while. If you don't already follow I would L*O*V*E it if you would. I love new friends!!! Just trust me on this one. Say a little prayer for me:) 
I just want you all to know how much I appreciate your undying support especially at this time in my life!!!! 
I am feeling very hopeful and grateful! 
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!! Pin It

The Holidays are on My Mind

Oh My Gosh.........It's December 1st!!!! How can Christmas possible be in a few weeks! AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!  My husband and I have decided not to exchange gifts again this year. Our joint present will be a case of Blue Runner beans which I have to special order because you can only buy them in the South ans they are wonderful. You know your broke when A case of canned beans makes you happy on Christmas:) 

Well, I have officially gone out on maternity leave due to all my psychological and physical problems with this last pregnancy. 
How does that make me feel?  Hmmm....pretty much TERRIFIED and relieved all at the same time! 
Making it to work for 14 hours on my feet and lifting 300 pound patients with no help and only a 30 minuet break was excruciating at the end. It took all my strength to set foot in that hospital so I am very relieved that is over for now.
However, times couldn't be tougher.  Two days ago a pipe under our house broke and water was shooting into our guest bathroom, flooding it. Thank goodness the plumers were here in a matter of an hour but we have no idea how much damage was done or if our house is permanently damaged with mold. Not to mention a very hefty bill which we can't even come close to paying. Boy when it rains it really pours, especially in my house! We're hoarding food at the moment we're so broke.
So my wishes this holiday season are the ability to buy a Christmas tree for my kids, enough food to get through the holidays or any day really, the mental strength to survive this, and a healthy baby inside me. 
So enough negativity..........Lets move on to the positive!
Even though we have no money what so ever, I managed to scrounge up some quarters and bought some pretty tissue paper for a couple dollars and I am going to make tissue, tassel garlands with my husband's industrial strength twine:). I'm a little overly excited about it as I haven't had the time or energy to do anything like this in a very long time. I will be sure to post the "DIY, how to" once I finish. 
Also, We always have moose munch (chocolate covered popcorn) around the holidays and this year we can't afford to buy it so I'm going to make some myself and I am so excited to share that recipe too!!! I have a few more cheap crafty things and recipes to share too. I hope you stick around to see them.
I also dragged out some of the Christmas decorations and started getting the house a little more festive. We still don't have a tree but soon I hope!!!! Here's what We've done so far! The kids little eyes light up and it warms my heart to see the magic through their eyes!  

Figurines and gold Christmas Trees

Our outdoor wreath number one. This goes on the front gate to the house.

Baskets that look like drums filled with scented pine cones

Holy berries around the fire place

Outdoor wreath number 2. This is the front door to the house. This is our Musical wreath.

On another positive, wonderful note, My dear, dear friend Natalie came over and spent 2 glorious hours with me chatting this week. 
My husband took the kids out shopping and we were alone for 2 whole hours and just got to have GIRL TIME!!!! oh precious girl time. It is the rarest treat for me and I loved every single second of it!!! Finally someone to talk to who gets it! 
Not to mention she brought me a gift. I know!!1 I know!!! It totally couldn't have gotten any better AND LOOK AT IT!!!! "What I wore" post coming right up with this baby!!! And you better bet this is my Christmas clutch FOR SURE!!! 

If you all are looking for a way to spread holiday cheer my friend Ashley has an amazing guide with 51 ideas for spreading holiday cheer. go HERE to check it out!!!!!
I hope you'll all stick around for the fun I'm planning to make out of nothing! It can be done. You just have to get creative!  Pin It