by Allison

3 great organic cleaning + bath products

3 great organic bath + body productsToday: 3 great organic cleaning + bath products for your pleasure.  Get excited.  You know I love me some good bath products, and even though I haaaaaaaaaate cleaning my kitchen and bathrooms, there is a great smelling delicious organic cleaner to ease my pain a little so you probably want on that train.

Where does one find such magic?  The Honest Company.  You’ve heard of Jessica Alba, yes?  Me too.  She seems like a girl I’d want to have lunch with, talk about the horrors of sleep-training and picky eaters, maybe have a girls night on the weekend when the boys are away.  So Jessica Alba, pretend girlfriend of mine, started having children a few years ago and discovered that even though there are a hundred billion products on the market for babies, there weren’t a lot of great products she could trust to be safe around her littles.  Boy do I feel that.  My babes sadly were lucky enough to inherit my allergies to the world at large, and baby products were a landmine from the get-go.  All sorts of hidden toxins and allergens are everywhere and Miss Alba said, ‘Eh, nope, we can do better than … >> 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 Stephanie Hayward

Tutorial chalk paint organizers DIY

DIY chalk paint organizers A DIY Tutorial for chalk paint organizers, yes? Yes.  YES.

Hi, my name is Stephanie, and I’m a craft-aholic. I’m constantly accumulating craft supplies or little trinkets that I think could have great crafting potential and DIY tutorial potential (hello bottle caps, corks, and old sweaters). I store my craft supplies on a book shelf in my bedroom, and what were once five nicely organized shelves of a few pieces of fabric, a couple spools of thread, and a craft book or two has become a monstrosity of felt, sequins, jars, scissors, buttons, paints, brushes, bottle caps, and any other craft supplies you could possibly think of.

Well, it’s time for the madness to stop! I need some order in my craft bookshelf, and I’m sharing with you one of the tutorials of solutions I have come up with to help organize the chaos, and of course it is in on par with most of my other projects: up-cycling every day items you already have laying around the house!

SUPPLIES FOR DIY CHALK PAINT JAR ORGANIZERS TUTORIAL:

  • glass jars, rinsed, dried, and labels removed
  • white spray paint or primer
  • chalkboard paint
  • masking tape
  • foam brushes
  • acrylic paint
  • chalk >> Read More

Stephanie Hayward

A designer, maker, crafter, and blogger, Stephanie Hayward spends her days designing buildings in Columbus, Ohio and nights blogging about design, DIY, and (attempts at making) good food at Stuff Steph Does. She lives with her partner in crime, Brandon, and their spunky little dog, Lucy.

by Allison

Oscars drama 101 + my favorite dresses

I’m no drama geek, but oh-my-eff, there was some serious crazy drama at last night’s Oscars.  I don’t love watching the actual show as much as the red carpet and the sweet acceptance speeches, but only the very few genuine ones.  And of course my favorite part is the eye language (it’s a thing, I just made it up) between couples on the carpet, and the dialogue (lip reading only) between the assistants and actors/actresses.  Whoo, there was some drama there last night!  Jennifer Lawrence’s assistant alone looked like she was two seconds from flop sweat the whole way down the runway carpet.

Eddie Redmayne girlfriend

Alright, let’s jump right in.

Eddie Redmayne can do no wrong.  I’m sorry, I just don’t even care about the weird slippers he’s wearing, or the fact that his hair is as immovable as that of a Ken doll.  His follicular giftedness will come in handy when we pack our bags to run away together – we will totally share hair products.

Plus: his girlfriend is beautiful, he’s adorable (AND HE SINGS, ladies), smart, and generally humble and fantastic.  And a little hot.  Shut up, whatever. I love him.

best dressed oscars 2013Had you heard of … >> 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

Oscar nomination printable coloring page

A page full of celebrities to color for your Oscar party Sunday night, where does one find one of those so last minute, you ask?  OH HAI, I happen to have just such a free printable coloring page for all your entertainment needs right here.

Oscar coloring pagesDo you host an Oscar party?  In my early teens my family started having an Oscar contest every year, probably as a distraction to get through the rotten winters, and the lucky winner got a quart of their favorite ice cream. One of my sisters would print up and pass out a ballot page a few days ahead of the Academy Awards.  The page would be filled with all the nominees, all the movies (foreign and otherwise) and we’d fill them out, desperately trying to win by choosing a mixture of our favorites with a sprinkling of the popular actors and actresses and a few outliers here and there.  Maybe I’m just speaking for myself, but I did win a few times.  Or three.

We still played with everyone interested after my siblings and their friends spread across the country for college and it’s one of my fondest memories.  The end.

The moral … >> 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

Boy and girl Spring fashion savings

Grab your girl, your favorite boy, it’s time for some serious Spring shopping.  Even though my part of the world has me waist-deep in snow with a forecast of snow and a blizzard on top, I’m dreaming of Spring.

I’m always, always dreaming of Spring.

Hey guys, a reminder about the Old Navy Kid Spring sale:  it’s still on until 2/24 so hurry up and get your shop on!

boy & girl spring fashion

Girls Pop Color Skinny Jeans / Cut Out Faux Leather Sandals / Tie Belt Pocket Dresses / Girls Lace Up Sneakers / Girls Raglan Sleeve Jersey Tops / Skinny Faux Leather Belt / Girls Printed Jersey Leggings / Girls Embellished Sunglasses / Girls Polka Dot Bow Tie Headbands
boy spring clothes

Since Spring feels far away (I think the groundhog is a big, fat liar) I’m going to have to be content with doing some shopping.  That sort of thing is always dependable.  Plus, Old Navy is having a mega-sale for the littles and now is a great time to stock up.  That way, when Spring actually rolls around, (I’ll believe it when I see it) you don’t waste any precious time indoors.

I put together a few outfit ideas for the little boy

… >> 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 Stephanie Gerber

DIY bracelet with old brooches tutorial

Today: old brooches turned into a DIY bracelet tutorial for your Wednesday, just the way you like it.

DIY Bracelet with Old BroochesAn old box full of beautiful brooches sits on my dresser, most of them inherited from my mother and grandmother. Almost every day I look at them and think, ‘I really should wear those more often.’ And then because they don’t match or I’m worried the kids will pull at them, I throw on a bracelet (either sequins or studs) instead.

When I saw this pretty Anthropologie bracelet I had an epiphany – I should be wearing my old brooches as bracelets; they definitely add a touch of glam to a basic bracelet and I knew a bracelet would be so easy to make so I created this DIY tutorial so you can make your own old (grandma inherited) brooch bracelet.

Anthropologie Bracelet Tutorial

Supplies for a DIY bracelet tutorial with old brooches:

  • A cuff bracelet. Chances are you have one of these on hand. If not, you can get a cheap one at any craft store.
  • Ribbon. You can make a couple of bracelets out of a yard.
  • A sparkly old (or new) brooch. One you don’t mind removing the backing from.
  • Glue

    • … >> find out more…

Stephanie Gerber

Stephanie Gerber is a mother of 3 who writes for pretty mommies on a budget. She shares stylish and crafty adventures on her blog Henry Happened.

by Allison

How to home made marshmallows

make your own marshmallowsHomemade marshmallows are my a dream come true.  They can be as thick and pillowy as you want them to be, melt like buttah in your hot steamy drinks, and one more time just a little bit louder now: they’re HOMEMADE.  Can’t beat that business back with a stick.

YUM.

how to homemade marshmallowsSo how does one make these tasty home made marshmallows?

Easily, so so very easily, you might just swoon from the simplicity of it.  This recipe is from Martha Stewart (perfection) and these marshmallows were whipped together in well under an hour (by my 13-year-old).  YOU can totally make home made marshmallows, and once you do you’ll probably absolutely never go back to the store bought nonsense.

how to homemade marshmallow

Ingredients for Homemade Marshmallows

  • 2 1/2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2/3 cup light corn syrup
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • vegetable spray
  • 2/3 cup cold water
  • optional: I would add more vanilla or another flavoring to give the marshmallows a little more boom in your mouth, 1 teaspoon wasn’t enough for me

1. Spray a cookie sheet with vegetable spray and line with parchment paper.  Spray parchment paper with vegetable spray and put cookie sheet … >> 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

Valentines day movie and a beauty surprise

You’re all beauty box fans, right?  You’ve heard of these subscription services where a beauty box filled with a random assortment of surprise fabulousness shows up at your door once a month?  Well, if you haven’t, I’m here to give you an introduction.  By giving you an insiders peek and a chance to win a little slice of heaven a beauty box of your own.

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all entrants. Our 3 winners are

Comment # 39, Comment # 67 and Comment #81.

Please contact us immediately to claim your prize!

romantic comedy and beauty surprise

In collaboration with POPSUGAR, and to celebrate today’s release of the new Valentine’s Day movie Safe Haven (romantic drama/thriller), Petit Elefant is giving away 3 POPSUGAR must-have beauty boxes filled with some stylish surprise (s) featured in the movie.  (p.s. each box is valued at over $100)

What, what?  Aww, yeah.

Three (3) winners will receive this beauty box:

romantic comedy

one of which I was lucky enough to receive, and let me tell you there is some fun stuff in there.  Cool, neat-o, beauty, boxy, fun surprises for the YOU in your life. (don’t share this with someone you love, … >> 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 make your own strawberry facial

Learn to make your own strawberry facial; it’s what separates the women from the girls.  What separates the ladies from the gents, and … I’m all out of clever and it wasn’t even that great.  That’s it folks, nothing to see here!

DIY strawberry face maskBut seriously, let’s talk about how to make your own facial: a strawberry one at that.  I love me a good DIY facial, and this one is fantastic.  You only need three ingredients to whip up this face mask and it is so deliciously fabulous for your skin.  Strawberries are filled to the brim with healthy antioxidants, vitamin C, and salicylic acid (found in good acne creams) and let’s face it: strawberries make a girl feel nice and pampered.  Don’t they?  Is it just me?

Strawberries remind me of champagne, which although I don’t drink, feels glamorous, and feeling glamorous reminds me of a spa.  And when there’s a spa, there’s probably a facial.

If you give a mouse a cookie he’s going to ask for some milk, and if you give a girl a strawberry, she’s going to ask for a facial.

(mad props to Laura Numeroff for keeping me entertained at story-time)

DIY strawberry face mask

Alright, enough … >> 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.