DIY: Magic Charm Necklaces

With the solstice just behind us and a certain weight to the air, as if something is going to happen, as if possibilities abound in summer for some reason, I thought I'd share a post I've been meaning to write for ages.

A while back, I was reading about the magical properties attributed to various plants, herbs and spices. I've always been fascinated by witches and magic and liked the idea of putting some of these ingredients together myself, playing around at making spells and charms. Then I noticed tiny glass bottles in my local craft shop and the two things kinda combined in my brain.

When I tried it out, I realised the ingredients looked really cute in the little bottles as necklaces. They also make nice gifts if someone is going through a break-up, looking for work, stressed or just someone you care for because you can tailor the ingredients into well wishes for them. Whether they work or not is kinda redundant, it's more about showing (with more than words) how much you have a person's back. I've given them to a couple people so far and they've been appreciative whether they were superstitious or not.

I'd like to immediately point out that I am not a practising wicca and have no in-depth knowledge of modern paganism as a religion or practice but was merely having fun and playing around with ideas. However, the ingredients I've listed below are traditionally associated with certain properties.

To make these, all you need is a scissors, twine, a bottle (from a craft shop or you could use empty food colouring bottles with the labels removed) and ingredients as desired. Merely pop them inside, close, tie the twine/string around and wear or gift it! It's super-easy.

This is a list of potential ingredients. It is not exhaustive in options or the properties of each item but somewhere to start from. As I say, this was for fun so I have no idea how to "activate" these charms, they are merely decoration! Still cute though!

*

Liked this post? Want more?

Follow me here using google friend connect or bloglovin.

Or follow me on tumblr - twitter - facebook.

Bonus Gift Guide: For those who left it until now...

So, it's the night before Christmas Eve and you've left it until now, haven't you? The terror has taken over and you've no idea what to do. Put down the scratch cards and boxes of chocolates. I repeat - put them down.

Never fear! Colette is here.

I know I proclaimed a recent gift guide the last of the year but this is the emergency guide. Someone, somewhere pressed a panic button and I came running to see what was wrong. Let's look at some scenarios.

SCENARIO: You've bought absolutely nothing.

SOLUTION: Places like Dunnes, TK/TJ Maxx, Lidl, Tesco etc.

Some of these places are better than others but if you haven't bought a thing, a store with multiple departments under one roof is your saving grace. One trip, all of your gifts. These types of stores suit various price points and offer a location to buy gifts suitable for all sorts of people and age groups. Dunnes, for example, has beautiful homewares, clothes, accessories, toys and food.

SCENARIO: You've put it off because you don't have a lot of money and you have no idea what you'll be able to afford.

SOLUTION: Jars.

Jars are your friend. "How so?" you might ask. They offer the opportunity to make several different kind of highly personalised DIY gifts that show how much you know and care about a person - without spending a lot of money. Here are some options:

1. Buy some medium sized jars, some paint, ribbon and tealights. Paint a nice pattern on the outside - snow or stars or something equally festive. Now pop a tealight inside and tie a ribbon around the top. You can also paint a message or the year on the bottom. This would be a nice gift for relatives or friends and shows you put the effort in.

2. Buy a larger jar and fill it with a person's favourite sweets and, again, present with some nice ribbon. Bonus points: try track down sweets they can't get readily or have admitted to loving as kids but not having eaten in years. Showing you listen to someone can be more impressive than the fanciest gift!

3. Buy a medium jar, glitter and laminate a nice photo. Firmly attach the photo to the inside base of the jar upside down, add water leaving a little room at the top, pour in some glitter, tightly close the jar and present with the lid facing downwards. You've now made a personalised snowglobe just for them! Bonus points: pick a really cute photo of you with the person - it's like an even sweeter version of you giving them a framed photo.

4. Buy a large jar and the ingredients to a person's favourite cakes or cookies. Bake the cookies/cakes and place inside the jar, decorating it with some nice ribbon etc.

SCENARIO: You don't know someone very well/they're just difficult to buy for.

SOLUTION: Unless they're someone very close to you (or odd), scented candles may be your solution!

It's always nice to get something luxurious as a gift that you probably wouldn't spend your own money on. It might not have the sentiment of some of the other suggestions in this post but it's a safe bet for many people. I mean, who doesn't like nice smells and pretty candle light?

SCENARIO: You have only practical/boring gifts bought for a parent/close friend/significant other and want to give them something else more heartfelt as well.

SOLUTION: A photo album.

We rarely print our photos anymore and it's always nice to have the physical ones about the house but who has time to get them developed these days? Therefore, not only are you doing something they probably wish they made time for, you also have the opportunity to show someone how much the matter to you and how they have shaped your life. Try to include cinema or travel ticket stubs, short paragraphs or memories and other bits and pieces as well as the photos in order to really tug on their heartstrings.

SCENARIO: You're super-stumped, don't want to face the shops and have no time left to order anything online.

SOLUTION: Get on Ticketmaster or a similar site and check out the gigs, plays, shows etc coming up in the next few months. A band they like is gonna play soon? Buy a ticket online, print it out, pop it in a card and hey presto! You're not only showing knowledge of things they like, you're giving them your time and setting a moment aside just for you guys. Super-sweet.

Hope this helped! Happy Christmas!

DIY Macaron Recipe

Here's DIY No.2/Recipe No.1 - Chocolate Macarons. Make 'em tomorrow to impress your mammy. And hope they go a little better than my first attempt...heh.

DIY Mother's Day Card

I really don't like cards bought in shops. I mean, they're grand, they do the job but I think homemade ones are just a lot better. Especially for really close loved ones.

Part one of two Mother's Day DIYs, is this card. It's pretty simple and easy to make but the sentiment is nice, non?

Basically, it involves making cut-outs in the shape of hearts with messages underneath. I went with different names for mother as it goes with the message I'll put inside but you could also write reasons you love your mammy, things to thank her for etc.

So, here we go. 

You'll need:

At least two sheets of paper/card

A scissors

Ribbon

A hole-punch

1. Fold two sheets in half together and punch two holes at the point where they are folded over.

2. Fold half of one of the sheets of paper accordion-style like so.

3. Make cut-outs in your preferred shape like so and arrange as you choose.

4. I then ironed it flat again.

5. Pick your colours and fill in your messages.

6. Draw lines of colour in the remaining creases.

7. Use ribbon to tie the two sheets together.

8. If you want, you can make a mini-bunting across the interior with your cut-outs. Et voilá! 

Hope this might be useful to someone...anyone. Happy Mother's Day, y'all.

PS. If anyone makes this DIY, do send me a picture to fitzpac2@gmail.com, I'd LOVE it.

Wide-Eyed and DIY: Sea Salt Hair Spray.

So, I've been a major sea salt spray (or S³) for a while now. Around three years, I think. It's hard to remember but I've had my bottle of Lee Stafford sea salt spray for a while. It's the only product I ever really use in my hair and even then, I do so sparingly. It has all sorts of alcohol and not-so-good-for-your-hair stuff in it. But it is my favourite look so I wanted to find a way to replicate the texture cheaply, easily and less harmfully so I could use it on the reg.

Research online showed lots of different recipes so I went through a whole bunch and recomposed my own recipe to my own tastes. Here's how to make your own.

You'll need:
Sea Salt
An empty spray bottle
Aloe Vera Gel
Conditioner
250ml of warm water

Optional Extras:
Essential oils for different problems you may have with your hair/for scent

1. Boil around 250ml of water. Set aside in a cup and allow to cool until warm rather than hot.

2. Pour into spray bottle.

3. Add a teaspoon of salt. Shake and allow to dissolve and settle.

4. Add a half teaspoon of conditioner and mix. I used an Argan Oil infused conditioner to be extra kind to my hair but you can equal substitute coconut oil here.

5. Add a half teaspoon of Aloe Vera gel - this can be replaced by hair gel as we're using it for hold. Aloe Vera has the benefit, however, of being natural and adding a nice scent.

6. Essential oils can be added at this point. I didn't bother as the aloe and Argan oil made it smell lovely as it was.

And there you have it! It gives a slightly more authentic beachy look to the hair but be aware that your hair will need to dry for a while after application. Unlike the store-bought stuff, this is made up of a lot more water and spray bottles like the one I used tend to disperse more of the mixture than the spray of a Lee Stafford bottle.

Let me know if anyone tries this out and what they think of it! I think this will work as a great lazy-but-lovely look for the S/S season. x

Wide-Eyed and DIY: Miu Miu S/S 2014 Campaign Side-ponytail.

How cute, right?

And how easy to accomplish. As in, if I can do it ANYONE can. I'm gonna break it down into some steps with photos to help - YAYYY!

PS I'm not wearing makeup - soz - but not really.

1. Create a dramatic side-part or exaggerate existing side-part, like so.

Before

After

2. Make a ponytail on the side of your head and keep drawing it to the side and upwards until high on the head. I find this is easier than just trying to make a high side-pony right away and keeps the hair neat. 

3. Wrap a strand of hair around to hide the elastic of your hair-tie. Secure this and the desired position with pins.

4. Curl the ponytail in large sections to create big, bouncy curls. 

5. You can add hairspray for hold but I didn't and it lasted just fine! Yay to less chemicals!

So there you have it. And really, if I can do it, it HAS to be super-easy.