Makeover Update

I have been feverishly trying to find the perfect well as perfect as I can find inspirations for my makeovers.  Remember these inspirations are loose interpretations of what the finished product will look like.  Ok so the first one up is my soon to be eight year old' *big girl room* (tears).   She wants a pink room with some glam punk *in her words*; so this is what I came up with.  I will let you know when I start to make selections and post pics throughout the process.  Even though this makeover pulls at the heartstrings I'm sure I will have a ball going through the process.    After all I have two more makeovers and a birthday party to contend with to keep me going.  These are actually just mini makeover as we plan on looking for another house in the near future which means demo's are in our future.... What fun lol......  Until next time!

 

Luvs This...

So I came across this idea and now I'm all into it.  I would love to have an oversized mirror in my bedroom, livingroom, or dining for that matter.   With that being said; these are the looks I'm going for.  Let me know what you think.  *** I gotta tell you that I'm loving the pop of color with the pink mirror; Only problem with that is I get bored very quickly with design so I'm always changing things and I'm thinking changing the color on the mirror would be a chore.   But hey I'm always up for the challenge!

 

Diy Idea... Chic Sweater Pillows

 

Are you interested in the chic look of sweater pillows.  If the answer is yes why not *diy*?  This way they are completely customizable all your own design.  Here's how...

Supplies

Old Sweaters

Pillow forms or stuffing

Thread

A sewing machine or needle

Scissors

Pins

Cut a section of fabric from the front and pack of your sweater that measures a few inches larger all the way around than your desired pillow size. This should give you two identical pieces of fabric.

1. Pin the two pieces together, right sides facing in.
2. Then, stitch all the way around, leaving an opening to insert your pillow form or stuffing.
3. Flip the fabric right side facing out, and fill.
4. Finish the pillow by stitching up the opening.

Tips:

1. To create removable pillow covers, use sweaters with button or zipper fronts.
2. Have old pillows that you're tired of? Use them as the pillow forms in your new sweater pillows.
3. Embellish your finished pillows with buttons or other findings.

Chandelier Lamp Project

Hi Luvs, as promised here is a few pics of the chandelier  lamp I am creating for my Lexi' room.  I'm on a search for some more beads to finish it off.  I need the perfect beads and will not know them until I see them.  So far I am luving it and am having a ball working on it.   Here is a pic of what started it all; the Inspiration Lamp.  Obviously I deviated a little bit from the design but I was in TJ Maxx just shopping around and saw this lamp for $10 with the colors of her new color palette.  Once I thought about adding the beads I was sold.  More pics to come as I go as well as the before pics of all the projects.  Until next time....

3 Makeovers and a Birthday

Hey luvs, I hope everyone is feeling especially creative today.  Well I'm about to take on 3 Makeovers and a B~day Party in the next 3 months time.  The makeovers consists of my bedroom, my daughter' bedroom; and the bathroom.  I have no idea for a color palette on my bedroom *suggestions are welcome* but I want something with a pop.  My daughter' bedroom palette is pink white and black *oh the possibilities*.  I'm so excited about her room; she's going to be 8 and she wants a *big girl* (her words) room.  I will post pics of her chandelier lamp I'm creating for her *in progress* which goes with her new theme.  My third project is the bathroom; I'm going from winter to spring/summer.  I haven't quite picked out my color palette yet but definitely going for something bright and cool.  I will keep you posted with pics on all of my diy projects as they take shape. 

The last project is the 8th B~Day party for my daughter Alexis.  We don't really do the big party thing every year but I think eight is a pretty special number so here we go.......  Ok so the theme is *Pretty In Pearls & Pink*.  So far I'm thinking that we are going to have a covered gazebo on the deck and inside I will decorate with Pink and White tulle, paper lanterns, and PEARLS......  I'm so excited.  The only hiccup might be the weather; her b~day is the beginning of April.  I'm kinda nervous about the weather but if the weather trend that we are having here in NYC continues we just might have a few 60 degree days in April and I could schedule it for early after noon and they will be outside for just a few hours.  Again I will post pics and updates along the way to keep you guys in the loop.  Phewwww *as I wipe my brow*  looks like I've created a few busy months for myself  (what else is new lol).  Until next time my luvs.  See ya!

Diy Idea... Lumieres

1. Fill balloon with tepid water.

2. Melt your wax. Optimum working temperature for this project is 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Try to maintain this temperature for your wax while working by keeping it on a double boiler.

3. Slowly dip your balloon into the wax  to just below the water level in the balloon. Warning: Do not dip the balloon into the wax past the water level. This could cause the balloon to pop.

4. Hold the balloon in the wax for a few seconds, and then slowly lift it out of the wax. Dip the balloon a few more times, allowing some time between dips to let the wax cool.
5. While it is still quite warm, carefully set the balloon down onto a piece of paper or a cookie sheet, making sure it is level. This will create a flat bottom for the lumiere.
6. Dip your balloon a few more times until it is the desired thickness. A good target thickness is 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch.

7. Set the balloon on the paper or cookie sheet again and let it cool.

8. When the wax is completely cooled, hold the balloon over a sink or bucket, facing away from you. Carefully pop the balloon with a skewer or knife and let the water drain out. Throw away the balloon shards.

9. To level the top of the lumiere, heat a cookie sheet on the stove and place the lumiere top-down onto the hot sheet and carefully melt the edges until it is level.

10. Place a tea light or votive inside the lumiere and burn on a candle holder in a dark area…. gorgeous!

Diy Idea... Placecard Holders

I like this idea and it seem easy enough.  I'm going to give this a try and then I'll post some pics of what my version looks like.

Diy Idea...Crepe Paper Flowers

Here’s How:

1. Choose your colors.  I used three shades of pink.
2. Stack three layers of streamers on top of each other.  For a solid color flower fold one long piece into thirds.
3. With a sewing machine stitch down the center of the streamers using a gathering stitch (longest stitch length).  The streamers will gather up some as you sew.
4. Pull one thread on one end to gather the streamers.
5. Fold the streamers in half at the stitch line then roll them up into a circle.  You can glue it to a circle of card stock to hold it's shape, or glue it directly onto something.
6. Fluff the flower by separating the layers of streamers.

Diy Idea...Chocolate Cups

Chocolate Cups

To make these chocolate cups, melt about 4 ounces to make 3 cups. Allow the chocolate to cool to slightly lukewarm but before the chocolate hardens up again. This is very important unless you want to see a balloon covered with chocolate exploding on you (don't ask me how I know).

I suggest using a high quality melting chocolate. I recommend using Ghirardelli baking bars. You can either use the double boiler, direct heat, or microwave method. Remember to break the chocolate bar into small pieces to ensure even melting.  Be careful when you pull the balloons off the parchment paper. And don't hold them to tight or else the sides will crush in and that's not fixable. If there are slight cracks along the sides or on the bottom, fix them with a piping bag filled with melted chocolate.

Chocolate Mousse

Adapted from Alton Brown


Ingredients
3/4 cup whipping cream
6 ounces quality semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 ounces espresso or strong coffee
1/2 tbsp dark rum
2 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp flavorless, granulated gelatin
pinch of cayenne powder

• Chill 1/2 cup whipping cream in refrigerator. Chill metal mixing bowl and mixer beaters in freezer.
• In top of a double boiler, combine chocolate chips, coffee, rum and butter. Melt over barely simmering water, stirring constantly. Remove from heat while a couple of chunks are still visible. Cool, stirring occasionally to just above body temperature.
• Pour remaining 1/4 cup whipping cream into a metal measuring cup and sprinkle in the gelatin. Allow gelatin to "bloom" for 10 minutes. Then carefully heat by swirling the measuring cup over a low gas flame or candle. Do not boil or gelatin will be damaged. Stir mixture into the cooled chocolate and set aside.
• In the chilled mixing bowl, beat cream to medium peaks. Stir 1/4 of the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture to lighten it. Sprinkle in cayenne powder and fold in the remaining whipped cream in two doses. There may be streaks of whipped cream in the chocolate and that is fine. Do not over work the mousse.
• Makes 3-4 servings.       

                                     

 More info here....                                        

Welcome to Chic & The City

Hello and Welcome to Chic & The City.  I am pleased to present to you a look into my life as a Chic City Chick living and luving life.  My world consisit of my family, friends, work, diy projects; and whatever else I can think up to add.  I welcome you to stop in and join the conversations; leave comments and definately tell me about your diy projects and favorite products.  Once again Welcome and please come back as we are only getting started; The best is yet to come...