About Me

I am a wife and mom who has Martha Stewart aspirations and gets stuff done with the grace of Lucille Ball. I would love you to join me on my journey and maybe have some laughs along the way.

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The Hot Mess Life

Showing posts with label Holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holiday. Show all posts

December 19, 2011

Ornament Wreath Tutorial

Hello my loverlies!

Here is the tutorial for the ornament wreath I wrote about here.

Here is what you will need:  glue gun, ornaments, ribbon and a Styrofoam wreath.


I also used these as a filler - you can find them at hobby lobby.



I used the smallest ornaments I could find and a smaller styrofoam wreath (10"), and ended up using around 80 ornaments and a few handfuls of the filler balls.

Start by taking off the hook caps (i'm not sure what the real name for them is) and then hot glueing the ornaments all around the wreath.


There really is no wrong way to do this, I went around once in a line and then just kept going, I haven seen others who, using large ornaments, spaced them evenly around and then filled them in with smaller and smaller ornaments.  After you have gone around two or three times you will start to notice open spots.  For that you just use whatever ornaments you have left and pile them on.  (You will start to just glue ornaments on ornaments)

Here is what I had after I was done.


You then just wrap your ribbon as long as you need tie a bow and hang it.  Super duper easy, took me about 1/2 a college bowl game.

I plan on working on a much larger wreath after Christmas for next year.  I wasn't planning on making this wreath yet either, but Joann's had a huge 60% off sale so this wreath cost about $10 to make.  Going to wait on more after Christmas sales to grab the larger ornaments.  I'm all about the deals y'all.

Here is the wreath on my mantle.


Hope this all made sense! 

Happy Crafting!


December 18, 2011

The Most Wonderful Time of The Year

I have included one of my favorite Christmas songs for you to play while you read.  I'm so considerate aren't I?  :)


My favorite time of year is here and I am so excited!  I'm not sure what it is about Christmas that gets me all worked up but I love it.  Maybe its the cold weather, seeing family or shopping.


One of my favorite things to do is after Christmas shopping.  When all the ornaments/trees, wrapping paper and decor is super duper cheap.

Side Note: I also love the day after Thanksgiving when I am putting my tree up and get to pull out all the fun stuff I bought at last years sales, it is almost like I get two Christmases!!!

There are also so many amazing craft ideas running through my head!!!  Such as this cute ornament wreath I made.  (Tutorial to come shortly)



I also love perusing Pinterest for some great mantle ideas.  Thinking something along the lines of this:



or 



My (seen below) mantle is blah this year, hoping to make it fabulous for next year!


And yes, those two stockings do say "DOG" and have a slot for their pictures.  I love my fur babies and I'm not afraid to show it!

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year!



January 01, 2011

Happy New Years!!!

Happy New Years my friends!!!


Hope everyone had a great evening and great fun ringing in the new year!

I love new years, it is just a time to start fresh and gives me a feeling that anything can happen!

I am not making a whole lot of resolutions, since I have started my 101 in 1001 list for the Day Zero Project.  Although, here are my main goals for this year.

Be healthy.  Not just physically but mentally as well.  That means taking care of myself and take time and doing things just for me.


Be brave.  This includes trying new things and experiences, even if it is on my own, and not let others' expectations and limits prohibit me from meeting and exceeding my own goals and expectations.


What are your resolutions, do you have any?

Here is to a great year!!!


December 28, 2010

A Few of My Favorite Things...

During this Holiday season and New Years, I have reflected on some things that I love and just wanted to share. 

Cold weather - Yes, I have been told I am a freak for loving cold weather.  By the way, not just snow cold, but I am talking 0 with a -20 wind chill cold.


Furry/Puffy Vests - I don't like wearing winter coats, I am always hot and they are so bulky and annoying to me.  That is why I LOVE vests.  I hope they never go out of style!


Shopping deals - In particular a $14.00 Vera Wang purse.  LOVE!


My favorite thing about the holidays are spending time with family and friends.  Seeing people who you love and who love you back.  People who put up with my craziness, my weird quirks and my well, everything.  Giving presents to my niece and nephews who I adore more than anything!!!  It makes me feel so good when Aunt Kiki (that's me) gives them something they love!

Hope everyone has a great holiday and New Years!!!


December 21, 2010

Can't Stand It!!!

Sooooo, it's been 4:30 for about an hour now. 

I am out of the office from Dec. 22 to Jan. 3 and I cannot wait!  So much to do to get ready for the holidays and so excited to get some work done around the house. 

But, of course time seems to have mysteriously slowed to a crawl.  I feel like a kid waiting for summer break.


Anyone else out there about to lose their mind?!?!?!?!

I will report back to let you all know if I have survived the last half hour of my day.  Wish me luck!


November 30, 2010

A Few of My Favorite Things...

I love Christmas!  Now, with Thanksgiving over, it's all about the decorations, food and music!

I love when artists release holiday albums and here are just a few of my all time favorites!

Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas (Released 1994)


Christina Aguilera's My Kind of Christmas - Released 2000

Harry Connick, Jr.'s Harry for The Holidays - Released 2003



Boys II Men - Christmas Interpretation - Release 1993 (Yes, I am going old school baby.)


What are some of your favorites?


November 20, 2010

What I Love About Winter

As the weather starts getting colder and with Thanksgiving coming up next week, I just wanted to share why I love winter. I really do love winter so, there maybe quite a few posts like these, just sayin'.

Love, love, love!


Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks.  Yum!


Sweaters.  Loverly, soft and oh so warm. 


Christmas decorations!!!


Christmas/Holiday Carolling!


 Snow.


Yummy treats!!!


Spending time with family and taking funny pictures of them while they nap.  
(Love you dad!)
Please note, this was taken pre-Favre hating.  :)

Do you have any favorite winter traditions?




November 11, 2010

Forever Grateful

In honor of Veteran's Day, let us all take a moment to remember and honor those who have given their lives and to those who risk their lives everyday for us to enjoy the freedoms that we do.





July 22, 2010

Some like it hot.

So. Hot.



Looks like we are heading into the dog days of summer here.  I believe 110 with the heat index today.  It's so steamy that my windows on my house were steaming!

So, I just wanted to perk myself up, be positive and try to survive!  Here are a few things I like to do to keep cool.

Drink fun pretty beverages.


Pool it up!


Online Shopping! 
Yes folks, when it is so hot that your car a/c can't keep up and the temp is the about the same inside and out.


Frozen Grapes! 
Yes, frozen grapes, such a great tasty treat that also keeps you cool and helps you stay poolside sexy.(Just took this picture at work, but I'm on lunch so it's all good) They are now safely in my belly.


What are some of your favorite stay cool activities?