Gifts That Give Back: Operation Christmas Child

Hey everyone!

So, this blog post is about something that is very close to my heart--giving back.  The holiday season is coming up (or, if you're me, in full swing!), and it's the perfect time to start giving back to those less fortunate.  I don't know how many of you have been with me since the beginning, but the first posts I ever did on this blog were Gifts That Give Back posts (which you can find here).  I love the feeling I get when I know I'm helping somebody else.  

This post is all about Operation Christmas Child, which is put on my the company Samaritan's Purse. This company does something amazing--they deliver Christmas presents to less fortunate children both in the United States and internationally.  All you have to do is shop for the gifts--which you can do very inexpensively, I went to the Dollar General and Target and only spent $35 on Christmas gifts for 5 kids.  Although I'm a "broke college student," this is the kind of thing I'm happy to spend money on.  You pack the boxes and take them to your closest drop off location (which you can find here), and they take care of the rest!  I wanted to get this post up, because the last day to drop the boxes off is November 19, 2012 this year! I know it's a little last minute, but it honestly took me 30 minutes to shop, pack and label the boxes!  

So, I'm going to give you all a little look at what I've packed in my boxes this year!

You can use either shoe boxes or small plastic bins to pack your boxes--I didn't have any shoe boxes so I bought these small bins from the Dollar General for $1 each!

Now, the fun part--PICKING OUT THE TOYS!

There are some restrictions on what you can and cannot put into a box--no weapons, chocolate, etc.  You can find a full list of ideas of what to and not to pack here.  

Here's what I bought for the kids--I bought some things for boys and girls, as well as some for younger kids and some for older!

For Boys:

For Girls:

I also threw in a coloring book for everybody!  Now, all you have to do is pack your boxes.  Wrapping isn't required, but I picked up some holiday themed tissue paper to put the gifts in inside the box, just to be a little more festive!

Now, download and print your shipping labels, cut them out, tape them to your box and mark the age/gender!

Now, they do ask that for each box, you make a $7 donation for shipping costs.  You can either do this by putting the money in an envelope and placing it in the top of the box, or you can make a donation online.  You can read more about this on their website (linked above!).

Now, you're done! And you've just given a child a wonderful Christmas!

I hope you all check out Operation Christmas Child!  Let me know in a comment if you have ever made a box for them, or if you plan to!

What's your favorite way to give back during the holidays?

Comment and let me know!

xo Sarah

Halloween DIY: $10 Tutu

Hey everyone!

I know in my last post I said I'd be posting more frequently, which I will, but it's kind of hard to get back into the swing of things!  Today's post is for all you last minute planners that are still looking for a Halloween costume, but don't want to break the bank making it!  I bought all of this last night, and the whole thing took about an hour and a half to make, which wasn't too bad.  For Halloween, my roommates and I decided we were going to be girls from "Toddlers and Tiaras," so I had to go buy materials to make a tutu.  There are tons of different costumes you can use a tutu for though, whether you want to be a ballerina, fairy, or anything else!  

Now, another big thing for me was that I didn't want to spend too much money on this costume.  I went to Hobby Lobby last night and got everything for under $10 to make the tutu.  Here's what you'll need:

1. An Elastic Band

I bought one that is 1 yard long and cut it to fit my waist.  They are $1-2 at Hobby Lobby, and come in all different sizes.

2. Tulle

I bought three different colored spools (pictured below) from Hobby Lobby.  They are 25 yards long (which is way more than you'll need), and are originally $3.99 each, but right now they're on sale for 50% off!

3. Scissors

4. Velcro, Safety Pin, Button, etc.

Anything to hold your tutu together at the back!

Here's how you do it!

First, start off your spools of tulle.  I used white, yellow and blue, but you can use as few or as many colors as you want.  Cut strips of each color.  Now I didn't use exact measurements for this, but I cut them about 2 feet long.  Depending on how tall you are, you can adjust this accordingly.  You're going to be folding each strip in half, so keep this in mind when cutting them.

Just to keep things more organized, I put each color strip into a pile.  The cutting takes the longest, so if you can pre cut some of your strips (I did about 10 of each color at a time), it saves a lot of time.

Now, you're going to take the strip you want to start with and fold it in half.

You can either tie it in a knot around your elastic band or loop it, I found it's easier to loop it around.  So, you're going to put the loop under the backside of the elastic, pull the long sides through the loop, and pull it tight.

Continue on with whatever color pattern you're using, and eventually you'll have this:

Now, either stitch on your velcro or button, or safety pin it in the back and you're done!  You're ready for Halloween!  

Remember--you can use ANY colors you want!  All I need now is a sash, crown and maybe a ni-ni to pull off the perfect Toddlers and Tiaras look for Halloween!

What are you being for Halloween?

Comment and let me know!

xo Sarah

I'M BACK!!

Hey beauties!!

I've missed you all!  I haven't blogged in about 4 months, and honestly I don't even have a good reason.  At the end of the summer I was super busy with work, wrapping up my summer classes and getting back to school, as well as sorority recruitment.  Since the fall semester started again, I've been so busy that I haven't been able to get back into it until now.  But, now I'm back and I'm ready to blog!  And to kick off my "welcome back" to myself, I have a new blog design!  I hope you all love it! Since the last time I've posted, I've moved into a new apartment (and of course redecorated!), started new classes and tons of other things that I can't wait to tell you all about!  Now, since I've been out of the swing of things, I need your help.  Leave a comment and let me know what you all want to see in the future!  What are your favorite blog posts to read?

Love you all! 

xo Sarah

Style Ideas: The Fourth of July

Hey everyone!

I know I always start off my recent blog posts apologizing for not posting enough, and this one is no different!  Last week was super crazy, but I actually have a few days off of work this week so I'm going to try to work on my blog as much as possible!  

Now that my apology is out of the way, I'm so excited about this post because it's all about two of my favorite things--cute clothing and the Fourth of July!  I'm not quite sure yet of my plans for the 4th, but I know I want to be looking cute whatever I do!  The great thing about all of these outfits is that you can wear them on any summer day--not just on the Fourth of July!
Here are some of my favorite outfits for the holiday!

Race Point Red and White Striped Dress

Stripes are always a good choice for the Fourth of July!  They're so easy to pair with a plain top and still look super festive.

Hyannis Skirt

Promenade Blouse

This red blouse would be so cute to pair with either some denim shorts or a cute pair of white shorts and blue flats.

Overboard Shirt Dress

This plaid blue shirt dress is probably my favorite of all of them--it's so cute and flowy yet still looks super comfortable.  The red accessories just add to the festiveness of the outfit, but I would definitely wear this any time--not just the Fourth of July.

Sailor Blouse

This blouse is another one that is super cute any day of the year, not just a holiday.  For the 4th, you could pair it with any red skinny jeans (I got a pair from Target for $15!), or some cute dark denim shorts, with a pop of red in accessories.

Now, of course, I can't forget about one of the best parts of the Fourth of July--cute swim suits!  This time of year, you can find festive suits almost everywhere, but my favorites are from Target and Shabby Apple!  

Reversible Bandeau Top

Reversible Triangle Top

Crab Island Bikini

I hope you all enjoyed this little fashion post!

What are you doing for the Fourth of July?

More importantly--what are you wearing? ;)

Comment and let me know!

xo Sarah

All pictures from Target and Shabby Apple

*This is not "sponsored" by Shabby Apple.  I just really love their website lately and think they have some adorable stuff.  They're also having 20% off all orders for a summer sale with the code "SUMMER20" and free shipping over $100, so it's a perfect time to order from them <3

DIY Bracelet & Clutch: Recycle Old Accessories

Hey everyone!

LONG time, no blog, I know!! It's so weird but I feel like I'm busier in the summer than during the school year, with work and summer classes right now.  But, nonetheless, I've been a DIY crazed fool lately!  This is a simple one, since I'm trying to get a bunch of posts typed up today I thought I'd start out with a super easy way to recycle your old bags!  Since I've been home from college for the summer, I did a huge closet clean out.  I donated a ton of things, but some I held onto simply because I think I can make them into something else!  

I started with a super old purse.  I found this bag in my closet, which I've probably had since I was in elementary school. 

First, to make the bracelet, it's super easy.  All I did was cut the strap off the purse and tie the ends.  Then I fit it around my wrist and tied it together around my wrist.

Next, I took the actual bag part of the purse and sewed a button on the front.  Since my bag is a straw-like material to begin with, it was simple to fold the top of the bag over and stick the button through it.  If yours is a different material, you may have to cut a button hole.

Now you're done!  You've recycled your old bag and made some stylish accessories for the summertime!

I hope you all enjoyed!

xo Sarah