by ThallenBLiving on January 4, 2012
On Saturday, I went to visit my friend Janille. While sitting on her couch, I picked up her laptop and began to browse around www.pinterest.com (See, I wasn’t kidding when I told you guys this was my new favorite website!). I came across this DIY project where you can make a candle from a clementine. The process seemed so simple that Janille suggested we try it right away… She just happened to have a bowls of clementines nearby!
This picture is of the finished result. It took only 10 minutes to complete and it burned for about an hour. It smelled like warm citrus at first, then the top half began to char a bit and it smelled like burning citrus! I suggest to take the top off once it begins to blacken. Here is a link to the youtube video that guides you step-by-step.
by ThallenBLiving on December 29, 2011
Last week my Mom told me about a website that has now become my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE! It’s www.pinterest.com and it’s a streaming web page of fun quotes, recipes, pictures and DIY projects. I’ve been keeping the page up all day and scrolling through when I catch a few free minutes. This is such a lovely website… Something about it just makes me smile!
Let me know if you check it out…
by ThallenBLiving on December 4, 2011
Velvet hangers tripled my closet space! I know I sound like an infomercial, but it really is true. I picked up a pack of 25 for $12.99 at Home Goods the other day. I wasn’t sure if they would be sturdy enough to hold up my winter clothes. I also wondered if they would actually give me noticeably more space in my closet. Needless to say, these velvet hangers did both– they are strong and streamline. After trading out my wooden hangers for velvet ones, I was so impressed that I doubt I will ever go back to bulky, cumbersome hangers again. If you’re interested in purchasing some, Home Goods had several different brands and they were all reasonably priced. They come in many different colors, but I opted for black so that I could mix brands and they would still look uniform. I will definitely purchase some more to finish switching out my clothes.
What type of hangers do you use?
by ThallenBLiving on November 30, 2011
I’ve found the perfect do-it-yourself gift idea: Cookies in a Jar! I came across this while browsing the internet the other day (the photo above is from www.Make-It-Do.com). The idea is simple… Fill mason jars with the ingredients of your favorite cookie recipe. All the gift recipients will have to do is pour out the ingredients and add egg, butter and vanilla. These are so simple to make and so unique because each giver’s recipe is different!
Here’s what you need:
- Quart size mason jars (these can be found at local craft stores)
- Festive fabric and ribbon
- Cookie ingredients
- Labels (or double-side tape and paper)
What to do:
- Clean and dry mason jars and lids. Measure and add ingredients to the jar. On a computer, print out what you want your label to say. It may be a good idea to include the ingredients in case someone is allergic. Cut and tape labels to jar. Cut fabric in squares large enough to cover the lid of the jar. Cut ribbon long enough to wrap around the fabric at the neck of the jars to hold the fabric in place. Tie the ribbon into a secure knot, then make a bow
by ThallenBLiving on November 27, 2011
‘Tis the season… Surely by now you realize how happy the holidays make me! I’m so excited to plan the gifts my husband and I will give to others this year. It’s important to get organized about gift-giving so that you don’t overlook anyone. Plus, by starting early you have a whole month to add someone who slipped your mind!
I like to start with a list of all the family and friends I’d like to get something for. Then, I group them into categories based on the type of gift I plan to purchase for them. This helps because you can often purchase similar gifts at the same time which saves time and money. Plus it’s a much more gratifying accomplishment to cross off a whole section than just one person at a time.
I also like to buy staple gifts like candles and candies to stuff stockings and give as favors for holiday parties. A good hostess always has a spare gift on hand!
What’s the best gift you ever received during the holidays?
by ThallenBLiving on November 3, 2011
Can you believe that this is the 100th post on Thallen B. Living?! I’m so excited to reach this milestone As a token of my appreciation to all of you, I have decided to do a giveaway! The gift is a (drumroll please)… $25 Sephora gift card!!! Here’s how you enter to win:
- Subscribe to receive Thallen B. Living email updates by entering your email address in the box on the right. Don’t forget to verify by clicking the link in the first email you receive. If you’re already subscribed, no need to subscribe again.
- Next, comment on your favorite Thallen B. Living post, telling me why it’s your favorite.
- Then, tweet or facebook your favorite post. Make sure to “@ThallenBLiving” in your message to notify me.
I’ll select the winner on Monday, November 14. It’s as simple as that! Thanks for reading, and hopefully the $25 Sephora gift card will be YOURS!
by ThallenBLiving on November 1, 2011
I hate to admit that it took over a year in my new office to get around to hanging my degrees on the wall. It’s so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day pressure of work that we forget to make our office space warm and uplifting. Now I have to caveat that “warm and uplifting” does not mean to decorate your office like your living room at home!
Office decor should be professional at all times, but it need not be stuffy, drab, or downright depressing. For instance, I picked matching mahogany frames for my degrees, set out a few of my awards on a top shelf, added a couple pictures of my hubby, and framed four postcards of Memphis (my hometown). These few trinkets are enough to keep me upbeat and cheerful, yet do not clutter my work space (or my mind, for that matter). I’ve been eyeing a potted orchid at Whole Foods for quite some time now… Maybe this weekend I’ll add that to complete my space.
UPDATE: Hubby surprised me by showing up at my job with the orchid!!! It’s so pretty and really brightened the space (and brightened my day!).
What have you done to make your office more welcoming?
by ThallenBLiving on October 31, 2011
Last week I attended the New York Junior League’s Fall House Tour! This is my third time attending this event (it’s held in both the Fall and Spring). Each time I participate, I fall more and more in love with the beautiful homes in New York City.
In case you haven’t heard of House Tour before, let me explain: The Junior League gets the owners of beautiful homes and model apartments in the city to open their doors for self-guided tours. Junior League volunteers get up-to-speed on all the interesting facts about the homes and share this info as participants come through. That’s right, people open up there homes to thousands of complete strangers! But I suppose that if you’re living in the lap of luxury, why not show it off!
The day always begins with breakfast at the Astor House on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Then participants are given a map of all the featured homes, and have the day to tour them. The Junior League provides a lovely lunch, a Champagne & Strawberries pit stop, and a post-tour cocktail reception to keep spirits high!
If you’re in the NYC area, keep an eye out for the Spring 2012 House Tour. It’s definitely an event you won’t want to miss!
by ThallenBLiving on October 20, 2011
The other day I was engaging in one of my favorite pleasures–browsing Martha Stewart’s website! I came across exactly what I was searching for… the perfect alternative to holiday cards. This year, instead of sending Christmas cards I will send “Christmas Letters” to our close friends and family
What are Christmas letters? Well since you asked… Christmas letters are a festive way to keep loved ones informed about meaningful events that happened this year. By writing them yourself (handwriting adds a nice touch), they are much more personal than generic greeting cards. You can even write about your hopes and resolutions for the year to come. Regardless of what you write, Christmas letters are bound to make your loved ones feel special! I think Hubby and I will include a few photos and a decorative print on the back (just as Martha Stewart suggests!). For more details straight from the source, click here.
by ThallenBLiving on October 13, 2011
I’ve found the secret to keeping our apartment reasonably tidy on a consistent basis! The trick is to wake up 30-45 minutes early one morning a week, turn on my favorite tunes (cue Beyonce!) and start cleaning. Oddly enough, early morning is the best chance I have to get in some “me time.” Plus, knowing that the dishes are out of the sink, the bed is made, and the laundry is folded somehow makes me feel in control of the rest of the day!
Hopefully you’ll be able to incorporate this tip into your week. Turn mundane chores into “me time” and you’ll do it more often. So make your favorite tea, put on some cute “cleaning clothes,” turn on the radio AND GET TO IT!
This picture is of the finished result. It took only 10 minutes to complete and it burned for about an hour. It smelled like warm citrus at first, then the top half began to char a bit and it smelled like burning citrus! I suggest to take the top off once it begins to blacken. Here is a link to the youtube video that guides you step-by-step.
