How To: Make Glittered Pumpkins

As I was perusing Martha Stewart to get ideas for Halloween decor (I love Martha!) I came across this:

I love Halloween - don't get me wrong, but I like decor that is more "fall" and less "plastic orange and black shit I bought at Walmart," and this project fits the bill nicely.

And now - a tutorial! Because I don't think you are clever enough to figure out that all you do it put glue on a pumpkin and sprinkle glitter on it.

Step 1: Find some cute lil pumpkins, adhesive, and a color of glitter that tickles your fancy. I used spray adhesive (although Martha says Elmers. What can I say, I'm a rebel!) and some orange glitter I borrowed from the art room at work. Hey, I'm on a budget and don't often find the need for glitter, okay? Okay.

Step 2: Use painter's tape to cover the lil stems so you don't glitter them. I used Frogtape, it's the best! I really liked how cheerful they looked with the green tape. For a split second I thought of abandoning the glitter and finding some green paint, but I could not be moved. I was committed to glitter!

Step 3: Spray those pumpkins! Make sure you cover your work surface. Spray adhesive gets everywhere. I used garbage bags I cut down the side so it became a total glam rock black plastic table cloth. Hold pumpkin by the stem and rotate as you spray. You will get glue all over your hands.

(No photo of this step. Too hard when your hands get all gluey. Please trust me when I say it was very exciting.)

Step 4: Place a paper plate or other glitter catch-all on the table, hold your pumpkin by the stem over the plate, and start sprinkling glitter on the surface of your pumpkin, rotating as you go so you get to all sides.

Again, no photo, because THIS is what happens to your hands during the process: 

Step 5: Survive glittering your hands, I mean pumpkins, and place them on a plate to dry. I left them for about 6 hours. I don't think they needed that much time. Aren't they cute already?

Step 6: Shake off excess glitter, but not too much, and place your new fall decorations!

There is some glitter fall out, but all in all, I say it was a pretty good and super easy project, if you feel so inclined to add some sparkle to your pumpkins. 

Peace, love & glittered hands,

♥LJ♥

Adventures in Catering Part Deux, and some Randoms

Alright, so, this catering thing is working out pretty swell. I meet interesting people, earn some extra cash (all going to pay my credit card debt, of course), and I get to hangout in some swanky fancy pants homes.

Case in point, this is only the pool house:

Two stories!

I hope that one day, I will own a home that is as nice as this rich person's pool house. I've gotta dream big, right?

This particular party happened to be for a delightful little dude who was celebrating his bar mitzvah. His grandpa's tennis court was transformed into a black and white lounge, with cocktail seating and a dance floor. Not only was there a fog machine, there was also a mechanical bull, skee-ball, arcade games and a green screen take-my-picture-anywhere photo booth. Of course there was a DJ, who was actually really good, and there was some weird glitter body art booth for the girls that I didn't quite understand. Also, at one point, the DJ called all the girls up to get socks. I was confused. Does anyone know what the socks mean?

The highlight of my night was when one of the young gentleman, I think he was about 14, asked me if I would dance with him later. I gave him the non-committal "maybe," and he looked at his friends and said, "yessssssss!" It was very cute.

The hours are long and I have been giving up all my Saturday nights, but I love doing it and it's helping me pay off my debt. Overall, I consider this a big win.

Other randoms - today is my half birthday, I just received a letter that I am officially divorced, I love fall, and I desperately need to go to the grocery store.

How was everyone's weekend? Got any exciting stories to share?

Peace, love, & pool boys,
♥LJ♥

The One With All the Feelings

I have been in a highly emotional state lately. There are BIG things happening in my life, things that make me feel unspeakably sad and depressed. In working through these issues right now, I am also getting unreasonably angry. One of my biggest flaws is my temper, and in particular, lashing out at the people closest to me when I feel upset. It is easier for me to get mad then to think through and FEEL my emotions. If I get mad, all the feelings go on the back burner.

I strongly dislike this part of myself, and I have been actively trying to keep it in check, and treat not only myself, but others, with respect. In addition to my problems right now, I have also gone through a dramatic shift in my goals and priorities over the course of the last several months. There are friends I was close with, who cannot understand, or are unsupportive, of the person I am evolving into and the person I want to be.

I know I am being vague, but dealing with my current issues and also dealing with some pretty unsupportive people is starting to take a toll on me. I now call on you, dear readers, to share how you keep yourself and your own wants, needs, and desires at the forefront? How do you steadfastly hold onto your sense of self while navigating a world that wants you to be just like everybody else?

Xoxo,

LJ