Thrifty Crafts How To: Make Bowls from Vinyl Records

In thrifty times a perfect craft that reuses old, unused materials can be a great way of 'filling your house for free'. Vinyl records can usually be found amongst family, friends or thrift and second-hand stalls, so why not turn them into a pretty and practical storage container in less than 10 minutes?

To melt a vinyl record into a bowl shape first heat an oven to 100-120 Celsius or 200-250 Faranheit. Then place a small glass mixing bowl (the kind you might make a cake mix in) on top of a baking tray. Put the record on top of the upturned bowl. Heat in the oven for 4-8 minutes, checking regularly. When out of the oven the vinyl should be floppy and fold into a flower shape over the bowl. 

Leave to cool for a minute to allow the bowl the set into shape before releasing the vinyl. Turn it upright and mold it into shape as it sets on the baking tray.

Alternatively, melt a vinyl by pouring boiling water from a kettle over it repeatedly. Be careful of the heat! This usually creates a shallower bowl.

Perfect for chip and dips, crisp bowls, a jewellery container or a catch-all for your front hall junk!

Carpe Diem xx

Makeup Monday: Time Travel in Beauty, George IV and Travel Makeup

Imagine...it's 1830 in the south of England and King George IV is on the throne. You're a wealthy lady about to go travelling. You have no makeup bags, cleansing wipes, eyeshadow compacts...

So what do you pack?

Ok, so it isn't 1830, this is 2013 we're talking about here. However, yesterday this amazing rosewood ladies travel box came into my possession and I'm in love with it, and chances are if you were a lady in the 19th century this is the kind of thing you would have taken travelling with you. 

With secret compartments and bottles for your various lotions and potions this box is completely of another era, very Harry Potter! The box not only has bottles and sections for beauty products and tools, but also a section for a sewing kit, a writing compartment, and a jewellery drawer. I'm trying to work it into my makeup storage and organisation because I'm that in love with it.

Some things are worth cherishing forever.

For more on the box check out my family history blog at:

http://dayswiththedead.blogspot.co.uk/

Carpe Diem xx

Fashion Thursday: Statement Fashion Jewellery

Statement jewellery is the perfect way to accessorize an outfit and bring it together. I'll admit I'm the worst at getting in the habit of wearing jewellery every day, but this summer I'm challenging myself to. 

The three sets of bold eighties style earrings (my favourites are the pink roses!) are from Accessorize and the Statement Heart Ring is from Pandora.

Why don't you challenge yourself to be bolder with your jewellery, and wear some statement pieces even when your not going out to a special event or occassion?

Carpe Diem xx