Simple Candle Centrepieces - Stones

Here's another idea of a simple idea for candle accents you can use in home.. This will take only a couple minutes to put together. Here's the second one.

Small Stones Candle Votive 
What you'll need:

• glass votives (as many as you need/want)
• These are basically little candle holders. Clear glass will work best. Size will depend on the size of the candles you choose
• Glass stones, imitation stones or real stones
• Keep the size relative to your candle holder
• Tea-lights or small-medium sized candles (as many as you need to match the number of votives)

Steps:

• Place the candle in the centre of the votive.
• Divide the stones among all your votives, filling them about half way.

You're done! It's a very simple DIY to do and you can play around with many different colours that can compliment the room. For a more natural look, stick to neutral or earth coloured candles (beige, cream, moss green, brown, etc) and use real or realistic imitation stones.

Want drama? Pair white or black candles with bright fuchsia or turquoise glass stones. The combinations are endless, just look around your craft stores (Michael's) or dollar stores and see what you can find.

Tips:

• Keep candles in odd numbers
• try 3 different sizes of candles
• use complimentary colours for great contrast (opposite on the colour wheel like yellow and purple or orange and blue)

Comment below with your creations and photos.

Spicy Chicken Wraps

I think it's about time for a recipe. 

This meal was inspired by a President's Choice flyer. After looking online, trying to find out what the recipe entailed, I came up empty. I just studied the picture and created my own interpretation. 

This makes about 4 large wraps.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts
• Large wraps
• Canned corn
• Red pepper
• Onion
• Brown Rice
• Cayenne pepper, chipotle pepper, Chili Powder
• Guacamole
• Salsa

Steps:

• Cut the chicken into strips and season with cayenne, chipotle and chili peppers (about 1 teaspoon/5 mls each).
• slice the red pepper into strips, dice the onion. I used about 1/2 the pepper and 1/2 the onion.
• drain the canned corn, and put about 1/2 into a bowl and spice this up a bit too with 1 teaspoon/5 mls of cayenne pepper.
• add chicken, pepper, corn and onion to a pan on medium heat. Stir and mix every minute or so.
• following the directions on the rice, prepare about 1 cup. Once done, season the rice with the same spices are before.
• as your spicy chicken & veggie is cooking, and your rice is seasoned, start laying out the wraps.
• On each, put a spoonful of guacamole and salsa.
• Add about 2 spoonfuls of spicy rice, and the chicken veggie mix.
• Wrap up and enjoy!

I am terrible at wrapping these things up, but I manage. I want to suggest a pitcher of margaritas with your wraps, too.

Painting Your Apartment

Renting your home instead of owning has its ups and downs. Until you're able to purchase a home, make your apartment more "you". Paint is a really easy way to add character to your space, and reasonably inexpensive. That being said, don't get the cheapest paint the store has. Do some research and ask questions.  Where do you plan to paint? Does the room have windows? Is is a smaller sized room? perhaps a bathroom or kitchen? These will all influence the colour, type and price of your paint.

I am not an expert, by no means, but I found painting pretty easy and relaxing. Here are the steps I took to personalize my bathroom. I was inspired by the hit TV show Friends. Keep in mind: You'll need to ask permission from your landlord, and you may need to paint over it when you want to move out.

What you'll need:

• Paint - get the right colour for the size of the room, and the right type
• For a bathroom or kitchen you'll need special paint
• Does your paint have built in primer? You may need to get that if your original wall is a dark colour.
• Brushes - one small, one large
• Roller and tray
• Painters tape
• Rag 
• Hammer & something to pop off the lid of the paint

Steps:

• First, with a rag or sponge, use some hot soapy water to clean any splashes, dust or smudges. You probably don't ave to do this, but I like to start with a clean surface.
• Tape everything! Tape around all the edges of your doors, trim, outlets etc. If you don't want something covered in paint, cover it up with paper or plastic and tape it up. 
• Pry open your paint can using a butter knife or pliers and give it a good stir. The oils may be sitting at the top.
• Start painting! I suggest starting at the top left (or right) and working your way down and over.
• For smaller rooms or tight corners use the brushes.
• You might need to do 2 or 3 coats of paint depending on your situation.
• Allow for 6-8 hours in between each layer.

Tips:

• Keep a rag handy for drips
• wash your brushes IMMEDIATELY after use!
• Choose colours that open up a room, or maybe paint one accent wall.
• Decorate with colours and accessories that make the room exciting!
• example: I'm painting the bathroom mirror frame gold to play off the purple colour I chose

My first section to try out

Make sure to tape/cover the outlet, mirror and towel rack.

Tropical Violet. Dries a bit darker,

Good luck!

Coat #1. Not too bad!

Coat #2. Aside from touch-ups, we're done!

Graceful Findings

It can be expensive to furnish your apartment or room while a student. Even working a minimum wage job doesn't allow for much when it comes to decorating.
Usually, I check out places like Wal-mart or Ikea for items that have some style or personality. But, you're going to find that money doesn't get you a lot at those places some times. The quality of some furniture is less than stellar.

Graceful Findings is a little company created by Sarah Carrothers (Graceful Findings on Facebook). You can visit her Facebook page here. She repurposes furniture in a beautiful antique, modern style. I initally found her on Kijiji.ca, and now I peruse her Facebook page constantly waiting to purchase  my next piece. He colour pallette is wonderful, and every piece is unique. Her prices are incredibly reasonable for the quality of furniture. Like I've mentioned before, working at a HomeSense I see lots of beautiful pieces come in. They're usually banged up a bit and over-priced at times. Graceful Findings offers beautiful, one of a kind pieces that can fit anyone's budget.

This little guy is in my living room

Check it out, and maybe you'll give a cute piece of furniture a new home!

DIY Calkboard

Chalkboards can be bought at many places, like HomeSense, Wal-mart or Staples. Why not make your own to add some personality to it?

What you'll need:

• Picture frame (glass and all)
• or a mirror
• Chalkboard paint
• small or medium sized brushes (or a roller)
• tole paint

Steps:

• First, you want to choose a size that will fit your space. Decide where you want to keep your chalkboard and figure out what size is best.
• take the glass out of the frame, lay it on a covered surface, and give it about 2-3 coats of chalkboard paint, letting it dry in between.
• wipe your picture frame down with water, removing any dust.
• Paint your frame with about 2-3 coats, letting it dry in between.
• Wait about 3 hours from your last coat to ensure that everything is dry! You don't want to smudge your new paint.
• Last step is easy... Pop the glass carefully into the frame, and you're done!

We used Martha Stewart chalkboard paint in black, but it's also available in other pastel colours. Choose a blue chalkboard paint and paint the frame purple or yellow. Glue lace, trinkets, small photos or gems to the frame to further personalize it.

Tips:

• Use different coloured chalk to write your messages
• Use the chalk board to announce what's for dinner
• Write funny of inspirational quotes
• let your family or room-mates know where you're going for the day

 

Comment below with your creations and photos.

Simple Candle Centrepieces - Coffee

I'll be sharing a couple really easy ideas for cute candle accents either on your dining table, living room table or on your balcony. These take only a couple minutes to put together. Here's the first one.

Coffee Candle Votive 
What you'll need:

• glass votives (as many as you need/want)
• These are basically little candle holders. Clear glass will work best. Size will depend on the size of the candles you choose
• Coffee beans
• Tea-lights (as many as you need to match the number of votives)

Steps:

• Divide the coffee beans among all your votives, filling them about half way.
• Place the tea-light on top of the beans, make sure to nestle the tea-lights into the beans to hide the sides.

You're done! It's a very simple DIY to do, and if you decide to use flavoured coffee beans, or scented candles (or coloured) it could really be personalized and set the ambiance. 

Play around with the size of the candle holders and the scents used. I tried hazelnut coffee and vanilla scented tea-lights and they smell and look great.

Tips:

• Keep candles in odd numbers
• try 3 different sizes of candles

Comment below with your creations and photos.