Easy DIY Halloween Costume Dinosaur

So I wanted to make a costume for the mini and thought a dinosaur would be adorable. So I went out to Target got myself a plain circo hoodie for $8. I chose dark blue for the hoodie, and went over to JoAnns for some turquoise felt. The felt was 25 cents a sheet and I bought 2 sheets which was plenty.

So this costume cost me $8.50 and turned out fantastically cute. I couldnt be happier. Here's how I did it. Folded the felt sheets in half and cut out triangle pieces in varying sizes.

 I chose bigger to smaller. Then folded the sweater in half and layed out my pattern, so I knew where to pin the traingles (diamonds.)

Then I pinned down the triangles, and just sewed them down, open, in the middle of the sweater on one side of the seam.

Make sure that you sew all of your pieces on the same side of the seam, I didnt and one had kept falling over so I had to hand sew it down. So, learn from my mistake.

Then I  folded the triangles and sewed the pieces shut.

 Voila! Then have a pant-less photoshoot outside because its 80 degrees a week before Halloween. Ridiculous, but super cute!

This was really easy, and took me maybe an hour from start to finish. Perfect for a last minute costume!!!  But it was really simple and not complicated at all. A beginning sewer could definitely do this. Let me know if you have any questions!!
xoxo, Janean

Iron On T-Shirt Vinyl

In the past I have used my Silhouette to make stencils with freezer paper so I could use fabric paint or bleach on clothes for the boys. I still love doing that, but recently I have started drawing images in Photoshop and then using iron on vinyl! Hello! Genius! WHY have I NOT done this BEFORE???? Way easier! And I love the way it turns out, and anyone, I mean anyone, can do it. Just open photoshop and draw your image, or I imagine you could scan in an image your child has drawn.

Which would be super awesome and they would looove it! Next save the image as a jpeg, open it in your silhouette program. Then flip the image horizontally, it has to be backwards when it cuts out but then when you place it,. its forwards, and the right way. Make sense? And then use the TRACE feature, its in the top right. I circled it here. Select you image by drawing a square around it, kinda like cropping. It will choose the lines of your images that will be cut out. When you are drawing, try to make all your lines connect so that you will only have to peel out one image, and not a ton of little ones. Refer to my image to see what I mean. There are no separate images, the fire and the hand are both attached to the main dragon image.

And then you are ready to cut. Send your image to the silhouette and make sure to select the correct settings. Iron on vinyl is simple, its just like regular vinyl, it peels off the backing. Except you cut ON the vinyl, not the back plastic part.
And you iron it on! I picked up a few shirts from H&M, they are only $5 and honestly I think the quality is far better than Targets $5 shirts. I used black vinyl and white flocked to make matching shirts for the big bro and the mini.

 I really like the black smooth vinyl. I really wanted these images to keep the hand drawn effect, and I think that this accomplishes it best.

 An example of what the vinyl looks like once the image is peeled off.

 Then go crazy with your drawings and iron ons!!

The skys the limit!! Cant wait to show the boys they will be so excited! The great thing about this is that you only have to draw the image once and then store it on your computer and you can use it over and over!

Hope I inspired you to be creative especially with Halloween right around the corner!
xoxo, Janean

And Ps going to The Voice was fantastic! I am sworn to secrecy so I cant say anything about it, except if you get the chance, then go! It was so much fun and I really enjoyed all 15hrs of our day, only 5.5 of which were taping. Maybe you will see me on tv next spring?? I will let you know...
xo

Buying a bathing suit online from DownEast Basics. Easy Peasy.

Dear Friends,
I will be spending the day with these folks, hopefully tomorrow, as I attend a taping of one of my fav shows. The Voice!

Oh and a few of my girlfriends, of course.
But in the meantime as you stew with jealousy, let me put your anger at ease and let you in on a little secret. Buying a bathing suit online isnt the horror that its cracked up to be. Of course you would think, WHO would buy a bathing suit online? I barely like trying them on at the store and have to try on about 20 different tops and bottoms to find something thats not only flattering, but also fits. UGH. Its a nightmare for sure. But I did it! I bought a swim suit online just last week. Right now, DownEast Basics is having a HUGE sale on their suits. Tops are $15 and bottoms $5. Now you do have to pay about $7 for shipping and sales tax. But it is SOOO worth it. This is the one I bought.

 

And I bought the matching bottoms too.  And I LOOOVE it. It fits perfectly!!At first I was super hesitant but really thought it was a great deal and needed a new tankini. This one looked super cute, so I just followed the size guide. I took my measurements which is CRITICAL, when you are trying to follow the chart, and low and behold, their chart was SPOT on. Kudos to you DownEast. Kudos. I was so happy, I was thrilled. I really didnt think it would actually be the right sizes from the chart, but it totally was and it makes me for sure more inclined to buy more things from them in the future online, not just swimwear, but they also have really cute tops, skirts and dresses and all are pretty modest which is great. I have bought from them in the past, because they usually have awesome deals on a lot of stuff.  So, when they do I will keep you posted. Here are a few swimsuits that I also think are cute. Hurry up though because they are flying off the shelves, with these deals, are you surprised?

Now its late and I need to hit the hay for The Voice! Im so stoked! I will keep you guys posted!
xoxo, Janean

*this post was not in anyway sponsored by DownEast or Modbe. This is my honest and happy opinion. xo

Adult Tutu Tutorial Peacock Costume

Last year for Halloween, I was a witch and made myself a tutu for that.

It was so easy and has been so popular among readers that I have decided that this year, I will be a Peacock and upgrade my witch tutu by adding more tulle in different colors.

I added 4 yrds of blue, 3 of green, and 2 of the plum. I chose these colors based off of a Peacock feather. I just went to the flower section of Joanns and held it up to the tulle colors.

 They didnt have all the exact colors I wanted, but paired with the 4 yrds of black and 4yrds of purple that were already on the tutu I think it turned out great! Tulle is about $1.49/yd and you can buy all the supplies you need at Joanns, including the elastic for the waistband.

I made the back longer, trying to emulate a peacock tail. The blue is the longest and green on top of that. The blue is about 27inches long (54 inches, folded in half) and the green, a few inches shorter.

 I will be adding a few feathers to the back and am wearing blue tights and a blue shirt with sparkly sequin shoulders. I am also adding my light brown leather flats that I got on sale from Urban Outfitters, to give it a bird foot look. I am also going to be wearing my lace mask I made. Im not quite sure how Im going to do my hair yet, but I think it will be up and I will probably make some fancy feather clip or something! I will keep you posted!

 Let me know if you have any construction questions in the comments, or check out my witch tutu tutorial. I will respond! Hope this helps anyone out there with adult tutu tutorial questions!
xoxo, Janean

With all the popularity this post is receiving, I have found a few of my favorite and affordable tutus online, you can check out my selction here.

Fall Baby Headband Giveaway

Happy Saturday Lovelies,
I am pleased to announce and thrilled to share that the wonderful people over at Banas Bows and Bands are going to be giving away a headband. The headbands over at Bana's Bows and Bands are super adorable and here's what makes them unique. Unlike most headbands that your child grows out of, Bana's doesn't. Here is an excerpt from the designer herself;

"The thing that frustrated me the most about buying her bows–and ultimately led me to start this brand–was how many you have to buy and that you have to buy the same bow over and over as they get older.  So I thought to myself, what if you could change out the bows and bands.

With that thought I began creating the ultimate bow experience.  No more grosgrain bands paired with tacky lace headbands or elastic that doesn’t quite match.  Now we have grosgrain bows AND headbands.  Each band has a tasteful slot for a clip-on bow.  It’s so hidden you can wear the headband by itself as well.  Then, as your child grows hair you can use that collection of bows you’ve acquired to adore your beautiful girl’s head."

As Jessica Simpson said on Fashion Star, “That’s what we call a Two-fer, and we like those.”

Luck you guys! Bana's are awesome and adorable and who doesnt love function paired with fashion?

I have personally selected one of my favs for one of YOU to win. The Leopard Lux Bow. I think it is PERFECT for Fall and all the family photo ops that come along with the holidays. But lets get real, animal print is not seasonal. Its everyday, every season, wear. That's what makes this choice so perfect.

To enter is super easy, just comment and follow to gain entries! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!! 

xoxo, Janean

Weekend Wardrobe & Urban Outfitters Sale

The other night my friend and I were out shopping and we just happened to pop into our local Urban Outfitters. Lucky for us Urban Outfitters was having %50 OFF all SALE items. Needless to say I left with far more than I came for. I walked away with 6 shirts, a belt and a pair of shoes, all for $50. AMAZING. Two of the shirts were $2.50 each and one of the shirts I bought two of, in different colors, because, really, it was SUCH a good deal. Everything I bought was $10 or under! Hello. Steal City. Here is one of the shirts I bought, I also bought this one in ivory. I paired it with skinny jeans and flats I also got at Urban. For $10. Which are genuine leather btw. Honestly I havent been back, for fear of buying everything.

 I love the flowy-ness and detailing of this shirt.

 

 

Shirt & Shoes: Urban Outfitters, Pants: Papaya

 

I love the slit going up the back.Just throw a tank under and I am good to go. But if you're really a hot mama and have tons of self esteem you could always opt for sans tank. Love it either way. Although, I will be wearing the tank, unless I'm at the beach or something.

Not too shabby for a $40 outfit, including the tank. So, go check out your local Urban and see if they have steals as well. Girls Night anyone?? I checked the website, it said nothing about %50 Off Sale items, but good deals, nonetheless. Oh and get ready for another giveaway!!! Perfect for Fall family photos. Here is a sneak peek!

Get excited and stay tuned!
xoxo, Janean