DIY - Downsizing a adult dress to fit a kid

Hello, friends of Hazelnutt House (",)

I was doing some packing and pulled out this tube dress (from Forever 21) that I used to wear.  My oh my... I think I have had this dress for close to 10 years!  I wore it even when I was preggers since it is really stretchy.  So, to extend its wardrobe life, I decided to downsize this dress into something that Kiddo can wear (",)  

Here's how the dress looks before the alteration.  It has elastic shirring at the top and waist area.

I decided to cut off the shirring on the top since I had to shorten the torso area to fit Kiddo.  Set the cutout portion aside for later use.

I eyeballed the dress and decided to take an inch and a half away from the top to bottom on one side.

I wanted an easy way out instead of torturing myself with the regular inner seam - I made two rows of stitches and trimmed off the excess with a scallop shears.  Not the best way to tame a seam, but this will do and it usually holds up pretty well (",)

After taking in the sides, I reattached the top shirring and added elastic round the entire top.  And that's that! I am done!

Here's how Kiddo looks in the dress.

She wanted it to be a long dress, so I made it into a midi.  A long dress would be too cumbersome on a kid.

Check out my other clothing makeover projects:

DIY: Top to Skirt to Dress project 

DIY: Adult's top to kid's dress

Talk to you ladies soon!

iHerb ... oh, not again...

Woo hoO!!! 

I was having my toast and tea when Kimmie started barking and wagging her tail at the door.  I looked up and saw Mr. Postman with my iHerb parcel (",)  Such a great way to start my day (",) Absolutely delighted!

Two weeks ago, iHerb had a 20% off on Desert Essence and Acure Organics products.  I love the scent of Desert Essence hair products so I HAD to buy me some yummy shampoos.  

'Nuff said... here goes (",) 

Desert Essence, Italian Red Grapes Shampoo

Desert Essence, Lemon Tea Tree Shampoo 

Desert Essence, Coconut Conditioner 

Desert Essence, Coconut Shampoo

Desert Essence, Tea Tree Replenishing Shampoo - I picked this up for Kimmie... it contains tea tree and peppermint which helps soothe her itchy doggie skin. 

I recently got a hair cut and the usual Eco Tools full volume styler brush that I was using became too big and cumbersome for my shorter hair.  It worked really well when I had longer hair.  So, I decided that I need to downsize and thus purchased the EcoTools, Quick Volume Styler Brush which is pictured on the right.  The grooves between the bristles allows the air from the hair dryer to blast through, thus drying my hair faster.  The bristles work really well in gripping and holding on to my fine hair.

Acure Organics was having a sale, so I picked up the much raved Acure Organics Argan Oil.  The other skincare product that I got was the Alba Botanica, Acnedote Deep Clean Astringent.  The Paula's Choice 2%BHA (salicylic acid) toner that I am using works really well in ridding clogged pores on my face but I am running out of it.  So, I decided to purchase this as it also contains 2% salicylic acid.  Will see how it works as compared to the Paula's Choice 2% BHA toner.

What's an iHerb order without some food items, yeah?  

Once again, I carted this STASH Breakfast In Paris black tea.  I really love the strong bergamot and lavender scent in this tea (",) 

I was hemming and hawing over this Coco-Roons from Wonderfully Raw Gourmet Delights.  I've seen lots of health fanatics raving about this coconutty delicious brownie flavoured coconut domes... but it costs $7ishUSD for a small pack.  Eventually I caved and bought it.  No regrets!  But I probably  won't be repurchasing so soon just coz it is rather expensive for 8 of these little coconutty chocolatey domes...  

There's 7 little domes left after I ate one... The main ingredient is dried coconut and yes... each little dome is packed with this yummy fruit which I love (",)

**as brand of the week, WONDERFULLY RAW is having a 20% off the entire selection.** Great time to try these coco-roons out (",)

Shall stop here for today (",)  Talk to you ladies soon!

Oh yes, if you're thinking of starting on the iHerb fellowship, you'll be happy to know that this code will make your first purchase so much more delightful (",)

Homemade Hummus - easy recipe

Hihi friends of Hazelnutt House (",)

I was quite excited when I saw that naan has been introduced to the Mission range of bread, pita and wrap products.  I bought it and decided to prepare a hummas dip for dinner to go along with the naan.

I would usually use dried garbanzo beans (chickpeas) but I did not have the time to soak the beans overnight since I wanted to prepare hummus for dinner.  So, I grabbed a can of garbanzo beans and made my way home.

There are many varieties of hummus recipes online, but this is how I prepare mine.  I usually make use of what I have instead of going out to get every single ingredient for one recipe. 

Most recipes call for lemon juice but I hardly use lemons at home, so I replaced it with just water since the chickpeas form a really thick paste when blended in a food processor.  Tahini which is a paste made from sesame seeds is usually needed, but I do not have that in my kitchen, so I added the next best thing, sesame seeds.  In place of fresh garlic, I made use of garlic salt... hehee... seems like I am replacing most of the usual ingredients used to make hummus - but I assure you, it still taste pretty good, imo (",) 

So, I blended everything together and when a smooth paste is formed, I transferred everything into a bowl and added olive oil.

Here's dinner for Kiddo and I (",)

Although Kiddo loves the naan, I thought it was too 'bready'... I prefer the frozen ones that I usually buy.  I think I will start storing some hummus in the fridge and bringing it to work for lunch along with some carrot and celery sticks.

Talk to you ladies soon (",)

Hazelnutt House Facebook Page

Dear Friends of Hazelnutt House (",)

I have decided to set up a Facebook page for Hazelnutt House (",)

I am using the Hazelnutt House FB page as a platform to keep readers updated of my new entries as well as showcase hair accessories and knick knacks that I intend to sell.

You can click on these pictures and you will be taken to the page (",)

Please supper Hazelnutt House by liking the page (",) Thankie!!!

https://www.facebook.com/hazelnutthouse

Thankie, once again!

Craft: Medal for the #1 person in your life

Hi hi ladies of Hazelnutt House (",) 

Kiddo loves medals and trophies.  We decided to make a '#1 Dad' medal for The Hubs for his birthday.  We got the idea from a craft book that we borrowed from the library.  

So, to start off, we made circular templates and pinned them onto felt and cut the circles out.  You will need 1 big and 1 smaller circle.

Next, we stitched the smaller circle onto the larger piece.

The last and biggest piece of circle is optional and we decided to use a scallop shears to give it some nice details.  We hot-glued the circles as well as the number 1 cut out as shown below.

Kiddo wanted jewels on hers so we glued some on hers.

Here's The Hubs' '#1 Dad' medal (",) 

This DIY craft is suitable for grandparents as well as teachers too (",)

Craft: DIY Teachers' Day presents

Hi friends of Hazelnutt House (",) 

Teachers' Day is approaching.  Kiddo and I are busy preparing little gifts for her teachers.

I've collated last year's as well as this year's gift ideas in this entry. 

Here are some ideas: 

1) Magnets - teachers use magnets all the time, right?  

I drew the outline of these cupcakes and flowers and got Kiddo to fill them in.  After which, we laminated them and cut them out together. 

Affix these adhesive magnets onto the back and you've got yourself some DIY decorative magnets! 

2) Clips 

Other than magnets, teachers probably use clips very often.  Using the same cupcakes and floral laminated cutouts, affix a clothes peg behind and you've made yourself some clips (",) 

3) Hair accessories 

Kiddo's dance teachers have long hair, so using the Big Shot die cut machine and the Tim Holtz Tattered Flowers die we made them some hair ties. 

Here's Kiddo cranking up the machine...

and peeling out the felt cutouts.

We layered the felt pieces together and made them into layered floral pieces.

I used hot glue and adhered an elastic band at the back of the flowers.  You can adhere a magnet and turn this felt flower into a magnet as well (",)

4) Cards... good O' cards

We made some simple cards with cutout clothes.  When her teachers open these cards, they'll get a poppin' surprise!

Check out the pop up flowers hidden inside the cards (",) 

For the simple instructions to making this pop up card, check out this video (",)

Hope you've enjoyed the gift ideas for Teachers' Day (",)

Castle craft for kids

Hihi friends of Hazelnutt House (",) 

It has been some time since Kiddo and I embarked on a 'large scale' project.  Since we've no plans today, we gathered ALL the boxes, cardboard pieces and all the odds and ends that I have been saving and we spent some time thinking of what we can create.  

Eventually, Kiddo and I decided to create a castle.... 

"A big one, Mama..." reminded Kiddo.

We made use of the wall paint that we have and painted all the sides of the boxes and cardboard materials.  I particularly like using wall paint as it dries really quickly.

To add some texture to the plain walls of the castle, we stencilled some 'bricks' at random parts of the walls.

Lastly, we assembled all the parts onto a large piece of cardboard and secured them with hot glue.  

Kiddo made some flaggies for the towers and added her figurine family on the deck of the castle.

Here's the back of the castle.

We spent almost the entire day working on this project.  We did not rush.  Took our time to get it right and also lots of breaks in between.

Talk to you ladies soon!  

My love affair with iHerb... Another iHerb haul

Hihi friends of Hazelnutt House (",) 

I'm back with another iHerb loot to share.  My past few iHerb orders contained the usual regular stuff that I tend to order, therefore, I wasn't excited to share them.  However, this time round, I ordered several items that I've never ordered before.  

So, here goes... 

I am obsessed with coconuts... the fruit, the drink and the scent... therefore, there's no stopping me when I saw the Alaffia Everyday Coconut range of coco-nutty products.  I've completely used up ALL my body lotions (YEAH!!!... it was a slow process and a tall order making my way through all the lotions I had stashed up.) So, I decided to order the Everyday Coconut body lotion which smells pretty good - the coconut smell is kinda sweet, but not crazy sweet.  It doesn't linger on for long which is a plus and absorbs rather quickly.  The texture is similar to that of Jergens and Crabtree and Evelyn's body lotions.  

I use the Everyday Coconut Face Wash in the shower as a second cleanse to remove any remaining traces of makeup.  It has worked pretty well thus far; cleanses we'll  does not sting and does not dry out my skin.  It contains neem which helps to regulate my oily skin.  The Everyday Coconut Face Toner contains neem too.  I use it as a hydrating toner and stick to Paula's Choice 2% BHA lotion as my exfoliating toner.  The spritz bottle is kinda big and heavy to spritz with one hand... I have to hold it up with one hand and spritz with the other.  

So far, I am enjoying these coco-nutty products (",) 

Everyday Coconut Hydrating Body Lotion - $11.19USD

Everyday Coconut Face Wash - $7.20USD

Everyday Coconut Face Toner - $7.20USD

I ran out of the Paula's Choice Resist C15 Super Booster which is a vitamin C serum and I had been eyeing Mad Hippie's products.  So, I decided to make an order of the Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum.  I've yet to use it, therefore, can't comment on it. 

I've had really good results with the Badger Damascus Rose Antioxidant Face Oil (click to read review) but I also wanted to try out this Mad Hippie Antioxidant Facial Oil.  I've used it a couple of times, mainly at night, after serum.  It smells of berries and all things good hehee... My skin feels evenly hydrated the next day.  

Mad Hippie VItamin C Serum - $27.19USD

Mad Hippie Antioxidant Facial Oil - $19.99USD

In the supplement category, I picked up these items up.

Zoi Research Vitamin C in Mixed Berries - $2.95USD

Nature's Bounty Evening Primrose Oil - $8.75USD

Doctor's Best Extra Strength Ginkgo - $7.69USD (for my mum, thought she'll benefit with some brain boost... hehehe) 

Doctor's Best, Best Lutein - $12.99USD

These Aubrey Organics shampoo and conditioner were on trial for $1USD, so I picked them up for future travels.  This Harvest Apple scent smells great :) 

I love the Bee Natural's facial polish.  Will be doing a short review with more details on it soon.

Reviva Labs, Firming Eye Serum - $13.30USD

Bee Naturals, Queen Bee Facial Polish - $7.28USD

This ChildLife Liquid Vitamin C is for Kiddo and it tastes super duper good.  It's has a seriously concentrated sugary citrus flavour which I enjoy too heheee....

ChildLife, Liquid Vitamin C - $6.12USD

Use this code if you're making your first iHerb order (",)

That's all for now... talk to you soon!!!!