by Allison

How-to balloon Christmas tree decoration

This week: How to balloon Christmas tree decoration (okay, ornament) to spiff up your holiday tree.

DIY ornament

The Holiday Season is now in full swing, and I, Stephanie, am knee deep in Holiday crafting projects! Over the long weekend, I made this pretty ornament with my mom (see forthcoming disclaimer) that will look lovely on a tree or mantle or anywhere else you want to add some holiday bling.

Disclaimer: This how to isn’t quite as simple as the past projects I’ve shared with you, and it is MESSY! Make sure you have a large drop cloth and a friend (or two) to help embark on this process, and get ready to get your hands a little dirty!

How to balloon Christmas tree decoration supplies:

  • Balloons – I used 7” round balloons
  • Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline)
  • Glue, Plain school glue or craft glue both work fine
  • Yarn
  • Ribbon / Glitter, optional (for embellishments)

First things first to make the ornament(s), mix up some glue and water until it is a smooth consistency, and pour the mixture into a container. We used a bread pan lined with plastic wrap because the longer, skinnier shape of the pan worked well for moving … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

Make jeweled bobbies from earrings

This week: make jeweled bobbies from earrings (inspired by Anthropologie jeweled bobby pins).

make jeweled bobbies

Hello again! Steph here to show you yet another fabulously easy DIY project you can make with simple materials you probably have around the house.

make jeweled bobbies

I often peruse Anthropologie’s website for DIY ideas. I absolutely love their style, but it can be a bit out of my price range especially when some of the items can easily be made at home. When I saw these bobbies on their site, I couldn’t resist. Keep reading for the full tutorial:

jewled bobbies

Materials to make jeweled bobbies from earrings:

  • -Bobby Pins
  • -Nail Polish
  • -Costume Jewelry (i.e. The sparkliest earrings you can find)
  • -Felt
  • -Hot Glue
  • -Pliers

make jeweled bobby pins
Paint the top of the bobby pins and let them dry. While the nail polish dries, go ahead and snap off the stems from the back of the earrings. A few bends with pliers snapped those stems right off of my earrings.

jeweled bobby pin how to


Cut out tiny squares of felt and glue them to the back of the jewel. Make sure it’s small enough so you don’t see bits of felt sticking out from the front. Then cut an even smaller piece of felt and “thread” … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

Black Friday craft machine deal

I’ve got a black Friday craft machine deal for you crafters out there.  Even though I’m sitting inside at home, by a cozy warm fire instead of fist-fighting the crowds at a big box store, I’m feeling the black Friday love right along with you.

Minus the black eye(s).

DIY craft

So, Silhouette America is this pretty cool company that makes crazy cool electronic cutting machines that whip out advent calendars, cut vinyl, and make labels for all those handmade gifts you plan on whipping out this year.

Because I know you’re crafty like that.

Go forth and purchase, enjoy, and craft.  Happy Holidays!

black friday Black Friday details: visit the Silhouette homepage and use the promo code PETITE to get this:

  • -1 Silhouette CAMEO® plus 1 copy of Silhouette Studio® Designer Edition (MSRP $349.98) for $229.99
  • -1 Silhouette Portrait™ for $179.99
  • -40 percent off at Silhouette

advent calendar christmas … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

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by Allison

$100 giveaway for some cute kids clothes

Giveaway deadline EXTENDED one week!

Since my blog decided to 404 all over the place with the rest of the interwebs on Cyber Monday yesterday (fun, fun, FUN!) I’m extending the deadline of the Totsy giveaway by one week until Tuesday December 4th!  Thanks for playing (and for your patience) xo!

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.  Thank you for entering!

Today’s giveaway is $100 credit to Totsy. Just in time for the holidays, a little giveaway to help clothe the short people in your life with some fabulous duds.  Plus, Totsy is filled to the brim right now with great stuff for everyone, not just the wee ones.  Go nuts!

Christmas gift card

Totsy is having a sale right now on cute kids and maternity clothes, with some items up to nearly 50% off regular retail.  Find cute classic clothes for kids and sweet looking maternity fashion for all you pregnant ladies (and friends of the pregnant ladies).

// GIVEAWAY DETAILS //

 

1. Giveaway runs now through next Monday November 26th, at midnight MST
2. $100.00 Totsy credit for one winner.
3. Entrants must be Totsy members to win, and will have to provide the email address associated with their Totsy account

… >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

Best tasting GF holiday stuffing recipe

gluten free cornbread stuffing

Today’s holiday recipe is for the best tasting GF (gluten free) cornbread stuffing out there.  Eating gluten-free can be challenging–easier than it used to be, but still difficult.  Last year was my first gluten-free Thanksgiving and it went pretty well.  I’m hosting my in-laws this year and we’re having a (mostly) gluten-free menu.  Everything I’m making will be GF at least.  That goes for the cornbread stuffing too.  I experimented last year and this year I think I’ve got it!  Even my husband, who isn’t gluten-free, loved it and said it was a winner.

gluten free Thanksgiving stuffing

I adapted my favorite tasting recipe to be GF from Cooks’ Illustrated magazine.  The cornbread recipe itself is really, really good.  Combined with all the traditional holiday stuffing goodies like celery, onions and fresh herbs, and a few of my own additions (pecans and dried cherries), it’s out-of-this-world fabulous.  No joke–I don’t even care about the turkey if this stuffing is around.  This recipe disappears quickly and makes for a really tasty breakfast the next morning too.

Gluten-Free Cornbread Stuffing Recipe (adapted from Cooks’ Illustrated)

Ingredients:

// For cornbread //

  • 4 Tbsp. melted butter or canola oil
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 1/3 cups buttermilk
  • 1 1/3

    • … >> find out more…

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

How to napkin rings for the holidays

how to napkin ring

 

Today’s DIY is how to make napkin rings for the holidays.  Since Thanksgiving is right around the corner the blog world has been chock-full of amazing recipe ideas and round ups. Which, don’t get me wrong, I am totally enjoying every mouth watering picture of turkey, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pies. However, we can’t forget about the rest of the table during the holiday meal!

To help spruce up the place settings, here is an easy do-it-yourself napkin ring project made out of simple materials you probably already have at home.

How to napkin rings for the holidays

Materials:

  • Toilet Paper or Paper towel rolls
  • Yarn Scraps
  • Hot Glue

 
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Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Allison

Fall fashion wear all that blue

Blue is all the rage, so let’s pull up our big girl panties and do it up right: Fall fashion, wear all that blue.

 

Feeling blue

 

Let’s get real, how do you feel about blue? I’ll be honest, I’m a big fat blue fan and not just because I grew up in Cougar-town USA, (you might not get that, it’s cool – I’m talking about B.Y.U. Cougar blue).  Even if my parents didn’t bleed blue, I’ve still always loved the color.  When you’ve got dark hair and hazel eyes all those oranges and yellows you’re (slightly) obsessed with aren’t so flattering, but blue is your best girlfriend, like ever.

// Do you wear blue? //

  • dark navy blue
  • (Cougar) blue
  • powder blue
  • royal blue
  • deep ocean blue
  • (almost black) Russian Navy O.P.I. blue

Okay, so I kind of have a thing for blue.  A bit of a problem, even.  Maybe.  Sort of.  I’m not copping to anything.
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Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

by Kimberly

Thanksgiving Desserts, GF Edition

And now for my other favorite Thanksgiving category: dessert. Dessert, dear dear wonderful desserts. No less wonderful because they are gluten-free. I’m pretty darn thankful the gluten-free wiz kids of the internet have shared some amazing recipes with the world. These look like all around show-stoppers. Maybe you should just serve all three. Save yourself the problem of having to choose, what with all the coconut and apple and almond…

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Kimberly

...by day, making a home where the buffalo roam. By night, pretty much the same thing, punctuated by the occasional fantasies of sunny beaches, italian movies and sparkling lemonade.

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by Allison

Spinach salad with quinoa and fruit recipe

Spinach salad with quinoa and fruit recipe

You need a recipe for spinach salad with quinoa and fruit for the holidays upon us.  It’s that time of year when we swear up and down we will be good and not eat too much pie.  (But then we have three slices in a weak moment.)  Here’s my solution:  indulge a bit at the plethora of holiday parties, and eat super healthy at home.  That’s my plan this year.

Spinach salad with quinoa and fruit recipes

This spinach salad with quinoa + fruit is a super healthy recipe.  And it’s tasty too.  I love dispelling the myth that if it’s healthy it must not taste very good.  I’ve used a very light dressing–just enough to coat everything with a punch of vinegary goodness and tossed in a bunch of my favorites that I almost always have hanging around the kitchen.  You be sure to use what you have on hand.  Fresh fruit is so tasty in this salad; fresh oranges sooooo good in place of the apples,  Also, pears!  Pears and dried cranberries with pecans would be fabulous.  If you have some buttery avocados sitting on your counter, toss one of those in too.
>> Read More

Allison

I'm Allison, founder and editor of Petit Elefant. I run the gamut from granola to glamour and love everything in between. I think the beach is always a good idea, as is Diet Dr. Pepper; on ice. Sometimes I put out the fires and sometimes I start them. Sometimes I really do have it all together. Sometimes my children say otherwise. We just like to keep it real around here.

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