Spoon Vase Video

Another week, another YouTube video :) I think it is safe to say I am on a roll. I don't quite have the written tutorial done yet for those of you who like the written instructions, but here is the video. Tell me what you think. And definitely subscribe to me on YouTube, it would mean the world to me.

So next weeks video is already planned. I am actually going to start filming soon because I am excited about it. Valentine's Day is just around the corner and we all need some decorations for it right?!? Maybe not, but my house does. This is the first house we have had with a fireplace, which means a mantle to decorate and that makes me happy! So decorate it I will!

Anyways, I really hope you guys enjoy this video! I know I loved making it.... So much that I am probably going to make a few more :)

lovelovelove

LanaLou

Tissue Paper Coffee Mugs-

These babies are DISHWASHER SAFE!!! Using the special formula of Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge (and letting cure for 28 days) you can enjoy your new mugs however you wish. This Mod Podge is amazing! Here is the written tutorial for the Tissue Paper Coffee Mugs (Video tutorial you can find on my YouTube).

Aren't these gorgeous? The best part is that you can customize them however you want. From picking the cups to picking the tissue paper, it is 100% you!









Supplies-

• Plain Coffee Mugs- I purchased mine from Target (Threshold brand) for about $4.00 each. Seriously, this is an AWESOME price. The mugs are a of great quality and I know they will last. 
• Tissue Paper and/or Party Napkins- I also bought this at Target. They are all the Spritz Brand. The polka dot and flowers are actually party napkins and not tissue paper! Awesome right? It does not take a lot of tissue paper to make one of these mugs.
• Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge- Gloss- This is the key to making these mugs work. I ordered mine from Amazon for about $14.50. This item fluctuates in price all the time. I also know you can buy it from Darby Smart (a super awesome DIY company, but more on them later).
• Foam brush- you can buy these at any craft store. 
• Rubbing Alcohol and napkin

Step 1) Clean your mug with the rubbing alcohol and the napkin. Make sure you get all of the areas that you will be covering with the tissue paper.

Step 2) Paint on the Mod Podge. You want a nice even layer. Not too thick. 

Step 3) Place on your first layer of tissue paper. Make sure you even out all the creases that you can.

Step 4) Let dry for 1 hour. After an hour, you can add another layer of tissue paper. Add as many layers as you like, just make sure to let the mug dry for an hour between each layer. 

Step 5) When you have your mug looking the way you want, it is time to test your patience. Let the mug cure for 28 days. This will allow the mod podge to set and make your cup dishwasher safe. 

And 28 days later, you are enjoying your brand new, made by you mug!!!! How awesome is that?

Enjoy!

And as an added bonus for my fabulous readers, here is something else you can use the Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge for. Have fun!

lovelovelove,

LanaLou

The Day Has Come!!!

I posted a new video on YouTube!!! Go me! I am so proud of this video. I did the filming and editing all on my own! Tissue Paper Coffee Mug is now up! Click the link to go watch... It would be much appreciated.

PS- I will post a tutorial on here as well :)

I guess I should say hi...

2 years isn't that long.... Right? Okay, maybe it is a long time. I may have taken a little hiatus from this YouTube and blog business, but I am back at it. At least two craft videos a month, which means at least two tutorials on here a month. And then hopefully at least one other blog post a month.

I promised my husband that I would make a career out of this whole craft thing. I guess I am good at it... he says I am at least. So I guess I should go with it. And a video with over 230,000 views isn't half bad! So we will see where this takes us.

So what have I been up to the last 2 years, you ask... Maybe you didn't,  but I am going to tell you anyways 😉 Well, we moved to Los Angeles in February 2013 and lived there for a year. There Richard worked for a YouTube agency and I babysat and worked at a dog daycare. I made a couple YouTube videos, but my heart wasn't in it. I'll be honest, I was depressed from being so far away from home. But... We adopted another dog. Her name is Fufu and she is a little devil! She is a full 6 pounds of chihuahua terror. Haha! But I love her and wouldn't trade her for anything. She and Coco are BFF's.

In February 2014 we moved back to Oregon. It was honestly one of the happiest days of my life! When we got back we found ourselves a new place and began starting over. I found a job as a part time nanny and did that until June. Around that time the husband's dream job and business started taking off. He now does what he loves, from home, and pays the bills.  Which means, I can do absolutely whatever I want. Which is the best thino ever. So I started in June and began to take my health serious. At first, it didn't work. I had gained 90 lbs in a couple years because of all the bipolar medicine I was on. And continuing the medicine meant the weight I so desperately wanted to lose wasn't going anywhere. So finally in September I stopped all my medicine. Yup, ALL of it... (Do NOT stop any mental health medicine without the supervision of a mental health perfessional. I am not a doctor and cannot tell you how important it is to be supervised during this process). I have been medicine free since then and have been great. I have changed my diet significantly and continued bootcamp. So far, I have lost about 30 lbs. I am so proud of that, and can't wait to lose more this year!

In September we adopted another dog (I know, I have a problem)... But this dog is like none other. His name is Gus... And he is blind and deaf. He was born this way and he is the most amazing little dog ever. He is a Jack Russell Terrier/Pug mix (so cute)!

Anyways, this has all brought me back to here. I am finally ready to begin doin something again and YouTube is the winner. Gus takes up a lot of my time and attention so working outside of the home isn't really an option, I mean I could, but he howls when I am not around or he can't find me. Which makes it reallyrics hard for the hubby to work since he is working from home. But I think this is going to work out for the best. I am hopeful ☺ So wish me luck and follow along!

Lovelovelove,
LanaLou

New App Loves

Hey all. I am obsessed with my iPhone. Seriously, I can do EVERYTHING on it. And I mean everything. From reading to Facebook, Instagram, and photography this little baby does it all. In the past week I have been introduced to some amazing new apps, Red Stamp and A Beautiful Mess. 

Red Stamp is a one stop shop for all invitations, thank you's, and announcements. When you open the app it looks like below. Pick a category, and follow the simple directions. You can add text and pictures. These are completely customizable. You can even order paper postcards of the images you create. This app is a must have. The best part, the app is free. That's right free. So you can announce things to your hearts desires. 

Next app I love is A Beautiful Mess. This app is a great way to customize pictures with fun doodles, sayings and everything else. 

So there you have it, my two new favorite apps. Enjoy! 

Portland

Today we leave for a 36 hour trip home. I'm pretty excited. Tomorrow is my graduation and then lunch with the family. I'm excited because most of my siblings will be there and my nieces and nephews. It'll be fun :) 

Gym time

Just finished at the gym. I love a good workout. I've been slacking on the gym the last week. By slacking I mean not going. I was really bad about it. But my goal for this week is to go at least three times. It's a good number to start with. I'll get better at it. 

So I didn't post this yet, but I quit my job at the daycare this weekend. I was having some trouble with consistency and stability. So as of right now I am jobless. Luckily, I have two weekly babysitting jobs set up and also an interview tomorrow with a nanny agency. I hope that goes well. 

Welcome June!

Hello blog world! These last few days have been busy and fun packed. Last night especially. Only 12 days until our trip home!!!

We went to do video filming with our friend Brandon which was a blast. Then after filming we went to a Korean BBQ place. It was the first time eating that kind of food and it was delicious. Fan-freakin-tastic :) Then after all that fun we went up to the roof and had some more fun just hanging out with friends and chatting the night away. Finally around 1am our friends that are staying with us this month showed up. 

Today we spent the day in Culver City. First was a stop at Richards work, Fullscreen. We all went to this awesome sandwich place called Jackson Market. Yum! Now one of our friends is making some chili and we are going to have a relaxing evening of dinner and hookah :)

Memorial Day Weekend

Was action packed. We both had a five day break from work and we had a lot of fun. (And some not so fun times). 

We saw both the Hangover 3 and Fast and Furious. We also went to the Laugh Factory and saw Eric Schwartz. And then we hung out with a friend and watched the new season of Arrested Development. 

Like I said, lots of fun. It was a nice staycation. Now we are both back at work and enjoying it. This weekend some friends of the hubby's come and they are staying with us for the month. Should be fun! 

Workout

Today was my first workout and it was fantastic. Any crappy day can be fixed by working out. And today was one of those days. Without going in to any detail, today just was not going well. But a nice long nap and a trip to the gym helped so much.

Then I made the hubs and I a delicious dinner. He didn't appreciate it but I thought it was fantastic. Crab leg and lobster stuffed fish with broccoli. Mmmmm. Good right? 

Hopefully tomorrow goes better. :) 

Babysitting

Last night the hubby and I went to see Star Trek. It was super good. We liked it a lot. We saw it in IMAX 3D and it was probably one of the best 3D movies we have seen in awhile. The effects weren't too much. It was a really effective use of 3D. I would recommend it to everyone. 

Tonight I am babysitting this cutie. He is such a funny and sweet boy. I love watching him. 

I think I caught my hubby's cold :( I've been having a slight headache all day with a stuffy nose. I hope it goes away after this weekend. I hate being sick. Oh well. I guess I'll have to suck it up and deal with it. 

Sunshine...

... Makes me happy. I think I love living in California. Today started out as a little gray and gloomy, but now we are having amazing weather. A nice little breeze and lots of sunshine. Today is just wonderful. 

Only a month until our visit "home". We will be making a 36 hour trip for my graduation. As long as my parents house phone is in my contacts as home, that's what I'll call it. I'm excited for graduation. It's a big deal in my family to graduate. I will be the 3rd of 6 kids to graduate from college. It's pretty exciting. Hopefully the weather stays nice in Oregon for graduation. 

Tonight we might see Star Trek. If not tonight then definitely this weekend we will so look for a movie review sometime this weekend. 

Weight War

As many of you know I have started my battle against weight. Some is genetics, some is from medicine, and some is from just being unhealthy. But good news! I've started my weight war. I will lose the weight (50 lbs) this time around. 

I started weight watchers about a month ago and have noticed a slight change from it. About two weeks ago I started green smoothies. Those things may be my lifesaver. I LOVE them a lot. I replace breakfast and lunch with a smoothie then have a healthy dinner. 

So what do you put in a green smoothie you may ask??? Simple. I start with half a banana, half a peach, some mango, five strawberries, and some mixed berries. I fill a sandwich sized ziploc with all my stuff. I find that this size makes a pretty decent smoothie. Then I add a couple handfuls of spinach. I also add flax seed to mine and am starting to try adding whey powder to them. 

Today I had a fan-freakin-tastic smoothie. While it is higher on weight watchers points than a regular smoothie, it makes a great treat. Here's what I did: two bananas, two tablespoons of chocolate peanut butter, spinach, and 8oz of milk. Delicious. 

The great thing about green smoothies is that they are so easy to mix up and change around. I started pretty simple and adapted it to what my taste preferences are. And if you can't stand drinking something because of the color, throw in some blackberries and cover it all up. I'm telling you, this may be the greatest life change I have made. I feel overall healthier than when I was eating regular food. It cleanses your system and you just feel so much better. Give it a try :) 

Back to blogging

I think I have officially decided to start blogging again. I need to get back into this. Really badly. It helps keep me sane.... 

So you may be wondering what has been happening with the hubby and I these last few months, so here is a quick run through. 

Richard got his dream job in Los Angeles so we moved down here in the middle of February. Coco and I have enjoyed becoming California girls. I got a job working at a daycare in Venice and I have to say, I am pretty happy doing my job. I finished my bachelors degree and am graduating in June :) yay me! 

Right now we are dog sitting Fufu so we may be getting a new pup if her family decides they don't want her when they get back. Good thing she is super cute and gets along with Coco. That's her below. Either way, I think we are getting a new pup. 

Merry Christmas!

Happy holidays everyone! I just love this time of year. Today I spent all day baking two types of cookies and two types of donuts. Yum right?

Baked Cake Donuts

2 cups cake flour, sifted

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup buttermilk

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons butter, melted

Bake at 425 for 7-8 minutes

 

Pure deliciousness. I covered some in powdered sugar and some in a glaze. I mixed 2 cups powdered sugar with 1/4 milk and vanilla in a pan on warm. Then dipped the donuts in and covered them in sprinkles.

 

 

That's my new favorite holiday picture. It's just missing one of our cats, but the fact that I got Coco to participate and Opie to look so cute makes it good enough for me.

 

Happy holidays to everyone! Enjoy it safely.

 

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Christmas Cookies :)

This week I made some freakin awesome Christmas cookies... Or any time of year cookies. But yeah, here is the recipe.

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

2/3 cup unsifted powdered sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter (cut in chunks)

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp of food coloring of your choice

1 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles

1. With a mixer combine all the dry ingredients.
2. Add in the butter a little at a time and then add in the vanilla. Mix well.
3. Divide dough into two parts, dye one and leave one plain... Or really however you would like to do this part.
4. Flatten out each section of dough onto a piece of wax paper. Place these in the fridge for at let a couple hours.
5. Once they are ready to come our of the fridge, place one flat on top of the other. You are going to roll this up into one log. I had some difficulty with the dough falling apart on this, so I used the wax paper to help roll. I also didn't care too much about what the swirls looked like.
6. When you have your log, roll it so the outside is covered in sprinkles.
7. Slice into 1/4"-1/8" slices. Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes or just lightly golden.

Seriously, these are the best cookies ever! The best part is you can easily change it up by switching the sprinkle, colors, or even adding flavors. Enjoy everyone :)

 

 

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Crochet Giraffe

I have become addicted to crocheting lately. Seriously, it relaxes me. So I decided to start crocheting some extra Christmas present for my nieces and nephews. Below is the giraffe I made from this pattern. I am really happy how it turned out seeing it was my first stuffed animal to make.

What homemade gifts are you all making this year? Love you all.

 

 

 

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Tuesday oh Tuesday

Apparently my animals think I need to wake up at 7:30.... They must not have gotten the memo that I no longer have class and can sleep in. And my husband is so sweet laying there in bed "Alana, wake up. Coco needs to go out." Well then, take her out! Oh well... It gave me a chance to go to the gym early this morning and then come back home and crawl into bed. That's right, I went to the gym, showered and went back to sleep. Ah the life of the unemployed.

The hubby and I went to see Playing for Keeps tonight and let me just tell you, Gerard Butler, oh my goodness that man is gorgeous. The movie was really good and a total chick flick, but I think the hubby liked it as much as I did :)

Tomorrow he has a doctor appointment for his arm. Hopefully more good news and maybe this time they will put in orders for physical therapy. Don't get me wrong, I am so thankful he has the VA system to take care of all this so we don't have to worry about cost, but they are so forgetful or take FOREVER to do something sometimes I wished we did pay. For example, we went into his appointment oh about two and a half months ago and his doctor was supposed to put in orders for a six week appt and also physical therapy... That never happened. Tomorrow is his six week appointment about four weeks to late. But whatever. I really don't want to bash on the VA system too much because we are just really lucky they are taking care of all of this.

Anyways, I will update you more on his shoulder tomorrow and the end of this week will be the final grades update :)

Hello my loves,

I've been busy... You've been busy... We are all busy. So, I won't bother you with excuses but here's the full update of the hubby and I since I stopped blogging.

We got a new baby kitty. His name is Opie, after the character from Sons of Anarchy. The hubby and I watched all the seasons in about 1-2 weeks. We are addicted.

There he is in all his furry glory. Absolutely precious right?

I just finished my last (fingers crossed) term of school. As of right now I know my grades in two of five classes... Just waiting on the rest so hopefully I know all of them at the end of this week.

The hubby took another trip to LA and had an interview with Full Screen, so fingers crossed on that job for him. It's exactly what he wants and needs. Plus, I think we are about 80% sure on moving down there early next year.

We booked our first anniversary cruise to the Caribbean. I am so excited. We leave February 3rd and get back on the 9th. I'm really nervous about the flight though. It's a long one and in the middle of the night, so no sleep for this girl.

I have been having a huge struggle with weight and medicine. A side effect of all my medicine is weight gain, and that I have been doing. The hubby got me a new gym membership today which is a huge help. I've been feeling really blah and down lately. It's time to start working on new medicines as well. Hopefully soon I can start feeling like a normal human being.

For right now, that is all I can think of. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers this holiday season and as we make huge decisions for our life together.

With love

 

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Party catch-up 2

Gabriel's Cowboy Bash

This little cowboy had am awesome 3rd birthday party. His mom, Laura, along with Glitter and Gold created an awesome event. Here's some of our favorite pictures from it.

 

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