When you can't wait to open your Dec. Eco Emi

Last month, Hayden and I considered only posting about our Eco Emi boxes, rather than doing an unboxing video, as well. We probably should have made that our last video, because this month's didn't go quite as smoothly. Lesson learned: Don't make an unboxing video with a small child on her favorite holiday of the year.

To our surprise, we received our December Eco Emi on Christmas Eve, right before we headed out the door for a family gathering. We couldn't wait to open it, but managed to at least  keep it sealed until the next morning. After opening all our Santa presents, we couldn't resist just one more. I was ready to reveal what was inside without the camera; however, Hayden insisted we do a video, probably to show off some of her new toys (she's also a creature of habit, so she might want to film again next month).

 

Poor Hayden has a bit of a cold, so I apologize in advance for wiping her nose during the video. Then, Hayden got a little crazy with her toys, snacks, a lotion sample, etc. I took it as a sign to "sign off" and turn off the camera. Then, I found a handful of small packet samples I forgot to mention while filming. Oops! At least I can mention them here on the blog (as well as in the YouTube video description). Here's what we received:

Vanilla Bean Granola Chips by Willamette Valley: Hayden is eating these while I type this. I was hoping to save these for when we are away from home, but she wanted to sample them now. They are like little rounds of granola pressed into a thin chip shape. They remind me of a sweet version of Mary's Gone Crackers. Hayden is refusing to share them. Ha ha. I took a piece when she wasn't looking, though; they taste similar to Frosted Flakes cereal.

Licorice Toothpaste by Auromere: After eating those sweet treats, we'll need to test out this toothpaste next. It smells like black licorice. I love that scent.

Original Mint Gum and Tooth Powder by Eco Dent: I have yet to try tooth powder, but I've wanted to in the past. I know that baking soda works well and makes my pearly whites even whiter. I also like to carry gum like this in my purse for those times when I can't brush. There are only a couple of pieces in this sample, so it could even fit in my pocket when I run out the door. 

Organic Perfume "Aiyana" by Tallulah Jane: This is one of the samples that I forgot to mention in the video. I haven't worn much perfume lately, as I prefer natural fragrances, like a dab of vanilla from my kitchen. This one smells natural and somewhat woodsy in the sample container, but when I put it on (I've heard that fragrances react differently on people), the Moroccan rose, vanilla and Italian lemon became intoxicating. I will definitely be wearing this again.

Chocolate Mint Lip Butter by Organic Indulgence: As you know, I never get tired of lip balms and butters, especially when Hayden runs off with some of them. This one is sheer and smells more of mint than chocolate. You can't go wrong with mint chocolate.
 

Vegan Adaptive Energy Facial Tonique Toner by Blissoma: There is something about a facial toner in a spray. It is my favorite application method. It makes it easy to refresh your skin throughout the day, or in some cases, use as a light fragrance. This one doesn't have much of a scent, but I like it on my skin.

Organic Fundamental Face Scrub by Fundamental Earth: This is another sample I missed in our video. I think exfoliation is key when it comes to skincare, especially this time of year. I can't wait to try it. I once had a face scrub from The Body Shop that contain ground apricot kernals. I wonder if this one works as well.

Shea Butter Hand Repair Cream by Burt's Bees: Hayden used half of this sample in the video. Although she wiped some of it off (she really had way more than enough on her hands), she kept it as her own.

Vegan Assorted Body Creams by 100% Pure: I am a huge 100% Pure fan. I can't believe I didn't notice this in my box until after I shut off the camera. I received the vanilla bean scent, which I adore. Actually, I love all of their fragranced body creams and various other products.

Original Lotion for Men! by Bulldog Skincare: I haven't used this one yet, but my hubby will. His hands get dry this time of year, too. Maybe this will help.

Apricot Eye Therapy by Better Botanicals: You know I like my eye cream. This one should be a good followup to the face scrub, due to the use of apricots. 

This box was a collaboration with The Leaping Bunny Foundation, so all the products were Leaping Bunny certified to be cruelty-free. I thought the personal purse size shopping guide was a nice touch.

Well, I've spent a lot of time on this post, and now I need to get back to my family. Hope all is well. Maybe I can get my latest followup Eco Emi DIY done before the new year. What should I make?

Making friends with Santa

A week or so ago, Kelly Ripa asked her viewers to send in photos of their kids crying on Santa's lap. It's funny how those end up being our favorite photo memories. I tweeted this photo from last year of Jacob laughing while Hayden clung tight to me in fear. It didn't get a retweet or mention on Live with Kelly and Michael, but it did make me wonder if this year would result in a similar pic.

The first attempt at seeing Santa was following our church Christmas play (Hayden had a blast participating in it, especially since it was "A Charlie Brown Christmas." I just love the part where Linus tells the Christmas story). As expected, Jacob was all smiles ...

... and Hayden wouldn't let go of me.

Take 2: Hayden had her Christmas program today at school (her preschool is at our church which explains the familiar background). At first, she was hesitant to go near the jolly old soul, but once she saw her peers lining up with no fear, she grabbed my hand and led the way. She only asked that I go with her, so she could sit on my lap instead of his. I finally have a clear pic of last year's dress (it's the same one she is wearing in the first photo). I guess I'll have to put her in this year's fluffy red dress for the next Santa encounter.

When Hayden and Santa were done reviewing her list, she bravely put it in the specially marked box and happily accepted a book from Santa. They are friends now :-)

While on the subject of preschool, Hayden has made so many cool Christmas crafts there lately. It made perfect sense to give a homemade gift to her teacher. Hayden and I made a personalized crayon wreath for her. Isn't it cute?

We also got crafty in the kitchen with these strawberry Santa hats for her school holiday party. We simply stacked up a strawberry on top of a banana slice. Then, we added a small grape to the top. Simply scrumptious!

The other day Pure Bar's founder Veronica tweeted a pic of the strawberry Santa hats her daughter made in her kitchen with berries and whipped cream. I was so happy to see a retweet and reply from Veronica about the Pure Bar purse I made the other day. She was interested in having one made for her (such an amazing compliment). If I get a moment (probably not until after the holidays), I might make her a wallet or a wristlet. Maybe I should barter for some Pure Bars. Ha ha :-)

Happy holidays! 

The Pure Bar Project: My Pure Purse

Hello everyone. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. I know I am. We've been celebrating my son Jacob's birthday; I can't believe he is 10 already.

I addition to birthdays (two of my nephews and my friend's son are on the list of celebrations, as well), I've also been filling my time with holiday gatherings, programs and such. No wonder you haven't heard much from me online. It's also another reason why I haven't had many, if any, food posts with you. Times like these have me toting along some Pure Bars wherever I go.

You may recall me mentioning that Pure Bar project quite a while ago. You'd probably thought I'd given up on it. In fact, I, too, was wondering if I'd ever get around to it.

Luckily, I found a moment yesterday to construct this colorful creation, perfect for carrying around a Pure Bar snack and my usual purse contents. There is no doubt that I used Pure Bars to construct it.

For those of you out of the loop, my Pure Bar Project started as a Twitter chat set up by FitFluential, Pure Bar and GNC. Someone participating in the chat asked if Pure Bar had a program set up for recycling the wrappers. I suggested that she make something out of the wrappers, like Terracycle. Before I knew it, ideas started being tweeted and other participants wanted in on the action.

That was probably the last I heard of the project, but it didn't stop me from following through with it (I am a woman of my word). I stocked up on Pure Bars (I purchased them all myself) and ate a lot of them. I also held onto the clear plastic envelope I received in my last Eco Emi, in case it could be of use. All I needed was a plan.

Since I make so many accessories on my site, it made sense to transform the wrappers into jewelry and/or a bag. Of course, my first idea was to make one of those upcycled woven wrapper purses, using the same technique I did as a kid to fold gum wrappers into bracelets.

When I experimented with folding the wrappers, I realized it was no longer clear that these were Pure Bar wrappers, so instead, I decided to take a different approach that would really showcase the simple beauty of their design.

I actually sewed the wrappers together side-by-side, like an array of Pure Bar flavors. I treated the wrappers as if they were fabric.

I repeated the process with another group of wrappers in the same pattern, so I'd have a matching front and back to the purse. Then, I sewed the front and back together, forming the purse around that plastic envelope I saved from my November Eco Emi box (it gave the purse some structure). I also cut a slit in the side of the plastic envelope, which lined up with the opening of the purse.

I must apologize for the lack of pics and instructions, as I was making this in a hurry (it was getting dark, and I had some hungry mouths to feed) and without a well-thought plan in place. Anyway, I also sewed some more wrappers for the strap and secured the wrapper fabric, plastic envelope and wrapper strap together with some matching brown duck tape (I just love duck tape crafts).

Then, I needed some kind of closure. I found a zipper in my sewing basket, which I installed with some more duck tape. 

So, here is my finished Pure purse. What do you think? Did anyone reading this go through with the Pure Bar Project? If so, what did you create? I still have more wrappers. I hope to make a matching wallet and possibly a statement necklace. I'll post them, if I do.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend! :-) 

*Again, I just wanted to make clear that Pure Bar did not pay me to do this post. I also purchased all the Pure Bars myself. I just love a challenge.            

DIY holiday decor

It's the holiday season and all through the house, I'm hanging up DIY decorations with the help of my little mouse (Hayden is a huge fan of Minnie Mouse and loves to hang out in her Minnie pajamas). Our latest creation is this lovely wreath with a bow, which you can find out how to make it in the directions below:

As usual, this DIY is made out of items from our most recent Eco Emi box (in case you missed them, here are the Eco Emi DIYs from January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, my first September Eco Emi DIY, my second September Eco Emi DIY, my first for October and second for October). I used the thin shredded paper "straw" filler, some scrap tissue paper and the small silky fabric pouch.

First, I formed the paper shreds into a wreath/doughnut shape.

Next, I cut the scrap piece of cream-colored tissue paper into strips. 

I folded the strips lengthwise to make sturdier, more narrow "ribbons," and attached them together at the ends. I secured mine with a tiny piece of tape, but glue would work, as well.

I wrapped the tissue paper ribbon around the shredded paper wreath to hold its shape and add some interest.

Once I wrapped the tissue paper ribbon all the way around the wreath, I secured the ends together with another piece of tape.

All this wreath needed now was a bow and something to hang it, so of course, I took advantage of the silky fabric pouch. I cut off the top, removed the ribbons and ripped out the side seams.

I folded in the sides of the cut fabric rectangle lengthwise and taped it in place.

Then, I folded the ends inward and secured them with tape.

I flipped the taped fabric over, pinched the center to create a bow and wrapped a thin piece of tape around the center to hold its shape.

I tied one of the thin ribbons to the center of the top strip of fabric (I left the seams intact), which I had folded in half lengthwise.

I draped the folded strip of fabric across the center of the bow ...

... and tied it in place with the thin piece of ribbon.

Then, I used the folded piece of fabric to attach the bow to the wreath. I just wrapped it around the wreath and tied the ends of the fabric on the back (I didn't want the frayed ends to show, although I did tidy them up a bit with the scissors after I took the above pic).

Lastly, I tied the ends of the thin ribbon together, so I could hang the finished wreath on the tree. Isn't it pretty? If you make one with your Eco Emi and decide to give it as a gift, the silver tissue paper and clear plastic container would work well for wrapping it. I'm sure I'll be using the tissue paper for wrapping purposes during the holidays, but I might save the clear plastic container for another project.

Do you make your own holiday decorations?