DIY St. Patrick’s Day Decor

Posted on February 23, 2013 by Debra Schreiber

Shamrock Shakes are back, Lucky Charms are in everyone’s cereal bowl, and your roommate just added a ton of green and gold paint to your supply closet. Must be time for St. Patrick’s Day!

CL invites you to show off your Irish pride with these classy green and gold DIY decorations, three out of 100 options of St. Patty’s day crafts and foods on “A Night Owl.”

Shamrock Wreath from “Spare Time Sanity”

Supplies:

One small sheet of Styrofoam
One yard of green felt
Numerous straight pins
Hot glue and hot glue gun
Ribbon

Directions:

Cut a three-leaf (or four-leaf!) clover shape from Styrofoam.
Put together with hot glue.
Cut felt into 2 ¼ inch circles.
Fold circles into quarter circles.
Pin to Styrofoam, using as many pins as needed.
Cut a loop of ribbon and pin to back.
Hang on your door!

Irish Vase from “Better Homes and Gardens”

Supplies:

One wine bottle (you could also try this craft with a Mason jar)
Green or gold yarn
Green or gold ribbon
Hot glue and hot glue gun

Directions:

Wind yarn around bottle, securing underneath once and a while as you go.
Glue at top.
Tie a green or gold ribbon at the top.
Display at your party!

Shamrock Pillow from “HGTV”

Supplies:

16 inch burlap pillow cover
16 inch pillow insert
Dark green felt
Light green felt
Hook-and-loop tape
Scissors
Hot glue and hot glue gun
Marker

Directions:

Download and print out templates for a shamrock and a circle.
Trace the shamrock template on dark green felt.
Trace circle template on light green felt.
Cut out shapes.
Drop a small dot of glue in the center of the light green and fold in half twice.
Glue to shamrock.
Tape a two-inch strip of the hook-and-loop tape to the shamrock.
Put pillow insert into the pillow cover and put a two-inch strip of hook-and-loop tape on the center of the cover.
Put the shamrock and the pillow together.
Show off at your party!

Of course, any of these DIY’s can alternate with green and gold depending on the theme of your beautiful party. Once you’re done, take a picture of your shamrockin’ craft and tweet or Instagram it to us – both use @collegelifestyl.

While you’re here, check out this St. Patrick’s Day recipe for Irish Soda Bread!

Looking for love this St. Patty’s Day? CL dishes on dream date ideas here.

DIY: Lilly Pulitzer Pattern

Posted on February 7, 2013 by PaulineL

Lilly Pulitzer patterns can be found across college campuses on the wristlets, planners and phone covers of classy co-eds. How did this fabulous brand come to be? Well, Mrs. Pulitzer created a brilliantly patterned dress to hide the stains from her juice stand. The brand became a hit when First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy was spotted in a Pulitzer pattern. The beauty of Lilly Pulitzer patterns are that they are all original artwork, which means any co-ed can make her own!

Materials:

Canvas (or any object you want to Lilly Pulitzer-ize!)
Teal, yellow, black and white paint
Paintbrushes
Water
Towels
Pattern for inspiration

Directions:

Paint the base color for the background.
Draw out the patterns to get a feel of how you want them displayed on your canvas.
Use the yellow paint to paint pansies in an organized clutter fashion.
Paint kites scattered between the flowers.
Using a very thin paintbrush, paint thin black swirls and spirals from the flowers and kites.
Personalize the pattern by discretely writing your name or Greek organization throughout the pattern as Pulitzer does in her designs.

In this tutorial, I painted the Kappa Alpha Theta Lilly Pulitzer pattern. Keep in mind, the key to any LP pattern is to be original and follow your chosen color scheme. Be inspired and get artsy!

DIY: Oscar Party Decorations

Posted on February 1, 2013 by PaulineL

Lights, Camera, Action! The Oscars are approaching and statuettes are being distributed. This is the night when the glam get together and appreciate the lovely entertainers featured in the year’s greatest hits. Let’s not forget the greatest screen writers and directors of all time.

When inviting your guests, let them know the celebrity nominees won’t be the only stars of the night- make your own Oscar award for each guest.

Materials:

Ken dolls
Gold spray paint
Durable paper cups
Thick card stock
Black paper
Gold pen/marker

Directions:

Adjust the doll arms up if you would like the award to be donned in flowers or down for a classic Oscar. If dolls are not available, use this print out on the card stock.
Use the gold spray paint to cover the body evenly.
Cut 1 ½ “ of the cup from the bottom up for the base of the award.
Hot glue the feet of the doll to the center of the base.
From the black piece of paper (this can also be done on the computer), cut out a rectangle and write the guests name in gold.

When it comes to decorating the venue, make the feel of a real movie theater by installing your own track lighting. Use string lights to line the edges of the room. If you really want to go above and beyond, break out the red carpet.

The ultimate movie night is not complete without some movie snacks! Roll doilies in a cone shape and tape or glue the sides together. Also, set up a candy bar with your guests favorite treats. Pour in the snacks, turn on the TV and get ready for your close up, Mr. Deville.

Looking for more DIY and décor ideas? Check out:

DIY: Classy Couple’s Valentine’s Day Party

DIY: 6 Jewelry Organizers

DIY Dorm Essentials: Vision Board

DIY: Classy Couple’s Valentine’s Day Party

Posted on January 25, 2013 by PaulineL

February 14^th is a whole day dedicated to love and those you care about. Why not spread the love and celebrate with other couples as well?

First things first: the dress code. Are you looking for a casual get together or more of a semi-formal event? The attire sets the mood and atmosphere of the party. Although beauty can be pain, the more comfortable you are the more fun you can have! Try trading in the heels for some fabulous flats.

Giving out party favors to your guests is a great way to end the night. Miniature gift bags can be bought at the Dollar Store and filled with classic candy hearts. For a classy gal on a budget, DIY projects are perfect for party favors.

Last but not least are the decorations. Instead of streamers, sheer fabric can be draped along walls and over lights for a romantic theme. If you want to combine wall décor and party favors, here is a DIY project for you!

DIY Paris-themed Photo Booth Back-drop

Materials:

A white sheet
Red and white Streamers
Sheet music
Paint/Paintbrushes
Flowers
Clear jewelry string

Directions:

Pin the sheet on the wall that will serve as the background for the photos.
Sketch a picture of the Eiffel Tower and paint the outline onto the sheet.
Fold the streamers in a3” x 3” square . Cut out the shape of a heart, but make sure there is a space left uncut at the folds so the streamer will stay in one piece! The streamers are perfect for adding color to the photo. If you want a vintage design, cut out hearts from the sheet music and poke tiny holes in the top and bottom. Lace the clear string through so the decoration hangs with the hearts vertically on top of one another.
To add more romance, scatter rose petals or flowers over the floor (or strategically hot-glued to the back drop if the floor will not be seen in the photo). Flowers can also be used as props for couples to have.
If you’re feeling extra crafty and looking for a challenge, try painting Vincent Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’ as the back-drop; it’s artsy and sophisticated!

Whether you and your mate are attending a Valentine’s Day party or throwing one, it is important to keep two things in mind: stay classy and have fun!

DIY: Valentine’s Day for Him

Posted on January 18, 2013 by PaulineL

Does anyone else think that guys are hard to shop for? The struggle is over my classy coeds! You know the saying, “The best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” Here are some Valentine’s Day goodies perfect for your man.

Cake Pops

These precious pops are cute and great for a treat on the go. Check out She’s the First: 8 Steps for DIY Cake Pops for the recipe.

Heart-shaped Cookies in a Jar

Take a piece of my heart…literally. Whip up some cookies, grab a mason jar and go to work! The beauty of this project is that you can really personalize the jar for that special someone.

Want to add a little something extra?

Love Lottery Ticket

Print out or make your own Valentine’s lottery ticket on card stock and cover each ticket with clear laminate or contact paper. Stencils (heart-shaped to be festive) are placed over each “prize” and painted over with acrylic paint. A “lucky penny” can be given with each individual or set of tickets.

Love Coupons

Similar to the lottery tickets, love coupons are a fun idea as well! These coupons can be given as a book or hidden around his room or books. Some ideas for coupons are a free movie date, shoulder massage and a special home-cooked meal. Talk about extreme couponing.

Be sure to check out College Lifestyles Pinterest board: Valentine Sweetness.

DIY: Valentine’s Day Cards

Posted on January 11, 2013 by PaulineL

A gift can hold much more sentimental value if it’s made from the heart. Making a lovely card is a perfect way to let that special someone know how much they mean to you. With Valentine’s Day around the corner, why not show some love with a quick and easy DIY Valentine’s Day card project?

Craft supplies:

cardstock
doilies
black and white photographs
tacky glue
red and white string
thin black sharpie

Directions:

Decide the template of the card: simply fold the cardstock in half for a standard look or use a 5” x 8” piece.
Place ¾ of one of the doilies in the front of the card and adhere with glue.
Create a sophisticated “photo booth effect” by combining black and white photos for a vintage look and glue them in a pattern of your choosing.
You can decorate your card using a thin permanent marker with Valentine’s Day quotes or leave it plain and simple with a meaningful message inside.
Twist the red and white string together to create a candy cane-esque look. Then wrap the combined string around the card and tie with a bow!

Looking for more fabulous DIY projects? Check out My DIY Bucket List Spring 2013.

Valentines Day Décor

Posted on January 10, 2013 by LaurenDa

Whether it’s store bought or your feeling creative and want some DIY craft projects for Valentines Day, decorating your space makes the holiday more fun. Small decorating projects are an inexpensive way to freshen up your room.

Using pillows as statement pieces for Valentines Day décor is a way to add personality to a couch or bed. If the furniture has a pattern, go for a plain pillow. Too many patterns make a room too busy, but try not to match the fabrics either. For V-Day, use colors like red and pink; the style is all up to you.

Fill jars or vases with different, small V-Day items like candy hearts or red and pink beads to fill an empty space you have in your room!

Mason jar lace candles are a great way to decorate a tabletop or desk for V-Day. They are incredibly easy to make and accent a table beautifully.

Craft Supplies:

Mason jars (in the color of your choosing)
Red felt
Scissors
Lace
Spray adhesive
White yarn
Small white candle

Directions:

First, cut out a heart with the red felt.
Next, measure out how you want to lace to fall on the jar. Get creative with this step!
Apply the adhesive to the lace and wrap it around the jar. It is important that you apply it firmly and quickly to avoid air bubbles.
Apply the adhesive to the felt heart and stick it anywhere you’d like on the jar.
Play with different ways to wrap and tie the ribbon around the jar.
Add the candle to the inside of the jar.

V-Day décor is great to have because it can be used year round! Hearts, fun jar crafts, and anything that’s red and pink can be used anytime to make a space classy and fabulous.

DIY: CL’s Guide to a New Roommate

Posted on January 4, 2013 by PaulineL

One of the many challenges of college is getting used to sharing a living space. Luckily, many university residence assignments are made through preference surveys that keep your interests and lifestyle in mind. Here are some dorm life tips for meeting your new roommate!

First thing’s first- Don’t be shy! Introduce yourself with a quick email.
Keep an open mind- As the saying goes, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. Although Facebook is key in the social world, there is much more to a person than her profile pictures.
Be honest- Do you mind a little mess in the room? Is it okay if she sleeps with the TV on? Be honest with yourself and your roommate. Simple communication skills can have long lasting effects on your road to roommate success!

Address any problems- Speaking of communication; if a problem does arise don’t be afraid to talk it out. Of course, discuss concerns in a calm and classy manner.
Set boundaries- Everyone has their limits. Although sharing can be caring, there are certain items that should stick to one owner.
Share schedules- Posting class schedules can allow roommates to work around each other when planning study hours, study breaks and even naps.

Remember, your roommate doesn’t have to be your best friend, but it’s important to respect each other. This is your personal space as well as your roommate’s. You are both entitled to comfort and respect from each other!

DIY Snowflake Coasters

Posted on January 3, 2013 by LaurenDa

The holiday season may be at an end, but winter themed interior décor is still in season very classy. Bring the beauty of snowflakes to your tabletops this season with snowflake coasters. They are a functional and stylish craft with a winter flare. They can be made in many different ways, for different experience levels and costs. Here are some of CL’s favorite ways to make them:

This version of snowflake coasters is incredibly simple to make; it requires little material and looks professionally crafted when complete.

Craft Supplies:

Square tile
Wrapping paper (enough to cover a tile)
Foam brush
Scissors
Light duty felt circles
Mod Podge

Directions:

First, place the tile on top of the wrapping paper and trace around the part hat you want on top of your coaster.
Paint a thin layer of Mod Podge on the tile. Make sure that it’s applied evenly.
Lay the wrapping paper on top of the tile and push any air bubbles out. You may want to use a ruler to flatten any air bubbles.

Paint another (thicker) layer of Mod Podge directly over the top of the wrapping paper. Allow it to dry for at least 30 minutes.
Once dry, turn the tile over and apply light duty felt circles to all four corners of the tile to prevent sliding or damaging of a surface.
Apply a second coat of Mod Podge to the top of the tile.

DIY courtesy of FreeXmasCrafts Youtube Channel.

A second, more time consuming but very chic looking snowflake coaster is made out of flat metal washers. The coasters look very modern when completed. Dad’s tool chest gone girly makes for a great gift!

Craft Supplies:

Jewelry and Metal Glue
Quick Dry Tacky Glue
Pencil
Metallic spray paint in desired color
Assorted flat metal washers (3-4 different sizes make for a great visual variety)
Scissors
Paper towel
Craft foam sheet
Freezer paper: ”grease proof paper” can be found at any superstore or grocery store. It looks just like butcher paper, except on one side it has a very thin plastic-y coating.

Directions:

Lay out freezer paper on work surface.
Arrange washers in a desired design on freezer paper. You may want to draw the shape you desire on the freezer paper as a template.
Use Jewelry & Metal Glue to adhere the touching edges of washers. Use paper towel to wipe off excess glue from the tops of the washers. Let dry completely.
Peel freezer paper from bottom of washers.
Spray paint final design with metallic spray paint. Let dry completely.
Using pencil, trace the shape of the washers on craft foam sheet.
Cut foam along the traced line. Use Quick Dry Tacky Glue to adhere foam piece to the bottom of the washers. Let dry.

DIY courtesy of Jennifer Davey for ilovetocreate.com.

Check out more CL DIYs for winter decorations to deck your spaces out for the chilly months.

My DIY Bucket List Spring 2013

Posted on December 31, 2012 by LaurenDa

Crafting is a great hobby to adopt. People use it to relieve stress, make gifts or personalize their space. I asked some CL interns what’s on their must-do DIY list for 2013, and here are the crafts they can’t wait to tackle in the New Year:

A lot of crafts come from collecting household items and turning them into something beautiful and fabulous. “My mom and I have been saving corks from wine bottles for about a year now. We’ve been waiting until we save up enough so that we can do an awesome DIY corkboard craft! (We found some on Pinterest, of course.)” – Rachel Crocetti, Hofstra University. Wine Corks can also be used to make picture frames, rugs, and other DIY crafts.

“There’s this awesome craft I found on Pinterest that I’m dying to make: you take a hula hoop and wrap it in either ribbon or fabric until you can’t see the pattern underneath then wrap string lights around it so they hang and it’s a mini chandelier. It will look so cute in my apartment!” – Kelly Glasson, Clemson University

Craft Supplies:

Hula-hoop

Icicle lights (white)

Hot glue

3 rolls of Romantic Lace (white)

Directions: Wrap lace around the hula-hoop to conceal the colors, then wrap the lights around the hoop. Use the remaining lace to hang the finished chandelier from ceiling.

“I am a HUGE DIY’er but one that I love is picture frames – not only ones you can make but also using pic monkey to make incredible prints for framing.” -Shelly Marie Redmond, CL Editor in Chief

Buttons are an inexpensive craft item that can turn almost anything into something stylish.

A popular and inspirational craft that is perfect in a dorm room or apartment is a vision board. The idea behind the vision board is that when you surround yourself with images of who you want to become, what you want to have, where you want to live, or where you want to vacation, your life changes to match. It’s designed to inspire and motivate you.

Check out CLs Pinterest Board: Craft Ideas for more DIY must dos.

Top 10 Pinterest Boards to Follow Spring 2013

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Rachel Crocetti

While we’re in the midst of the holiday season, Spring is just around the corner! What better way to find inspiration for all of your springtime needs, than browsing on Pinterest? CL found ten new boards for you to follow!

1. Whole Foods “Sweet Tooth” Board

Okay, so maybe this isn’t the best way to get in shape for summer. But how could you resist the desserts featured on this board? And everyone deserves a treat sometimes! Challenge yourself this season by attempting to bake a dessert from this board. From the looks of it, you won’t regret it.

2. More Love Letters’ “I want to change the world.” Board

Sometimes we all need a little inspiration. The organization More Love Letters is built upon the idea that hand-written letters by strangers can completely change someone’s perspective. (For more information on the organization, check out CL’s interview with the founder, Hannah Brencher.) Their “I want to change the world” board has a number of inspirational pictures and quotes that’ll make you want to get out there and do something!

3. College Lifestyles’ “College Fashion Looks” Board

Alright, maybe we are a little biased, but this board is excellent for college-friendly outfits! The board is updated regularly, so the fashions are always seasonally relevant. Check it before a big shopping trip for some trendy, chic ideas.

4. SHAPE Magazine’s “Abs Workouts” Board

You’ve already checked out the desserts, so now it’s time for a great workout board. SHAPE Magazine has a TON of excellent boards for workouts, but this one specifically targets exercises for your midsection. Try out a few of these moves this spring, and you’ll have a beach body in no time (think-Spring Break!)

5. Etsy’s “DIY Projects” Board

If you haven’t hopped on the Etsy bandwagon yet, I suggest you check it out. The website is based on awesome handcrafted jewelry, clothing and so much more. For a site that is almost completely “DIY”, this board is a great compilation of their fun new ideas for crafts and projects.

6. Glitter Guide’s “Beauty Inspiration” Board

With a name like Glitter Guide, this account is bound to be lovely. The “Beauty Inspiration” board has a ton of great new hair, makeup and nail trends to try. And of course, there is lots and lots of glitter!

7. Martha Stewart’s “Gardening” Board

With warm weather just around the corner why not try your hand at some gardening? Martha Stewart’s board has great ideas on which flowers are best to plant, and how to go about starting. Check out her board and find out if you have a green thumb.

8. Lauren Conrad’s “Smile” Board

This board is perfect to check out when you’re having a bad day. The Hills’ star posts plenty of pictures of adorable animals (including her two puppies), silly e-cards and other things that are sure to make you smile.

9. Travel Channel’s “Daily Escapes” Board

The Travel Channel has so many incredible photographs on this board of different places in the world to travel to. Check out this board and dream up the next place that you would love to go in the world. Who knows, maybe it’ll inspire the wanderlust in you!

10. Lauren Berger’s “Intern Dress Code- IQ Style” Board

The Intern Queen herself gives awesome style tips on her “Intern Dress Code” board. She has plenty of ideas for professional, appropriate, and stylish outfits for an intern.

What’s your favorite Pinterest board? Comment below or tweet us @collegelifestyl!

DIY: New Year’s Décor

Posted on December 8, 2012 by Rachel Crocetti

It’s hard to believe that 2012 is coming to a close so soon. Why not end the year with an amazing New Years Eve party? College Lifestyles has a few DIY ideas for your party decorations!

Gold Color Scheme

When planning a big holiday party, the first thing you must do is come up with a great theme. While “New Years” is totally a theme in itself, try coming up with a specific color scheme for decorations. A great example of this is the gold sparkly color scheme featured on The Sweetest Occasion. There are great simple table and wall decoration ideas on this blog.

Table Decorations

Try creating the gold spiked table decorations yourself. Spray paint different sized Styrofoam balls gold and then add glitter. Stick toothpicks all around, and you have a simple table decoration!

Handheld Décor

Gold solo cups held by the guests are simple and excellent ways to add color.

Confetti

Another fun decoration tip - put gold confetti on all surfaces covered in black tablecloths. The contrast of the fun shiny decorations will look incredible as the sun goes down. Also, if you don’t mind a bit of mess in the morning, allow guests to grab fistfuls of gold confetti to throw at midnight! The pictures will look incredible and the room will feel magical, making a bit of extra cleaning time worth it.

Streamers

Create incredible shimmering streamers for your New Years Eve party with Martha Stewart’s ideas. Use spray adhesive on both sides of card stock and cover with wrapping paper. Cut out graduated circles from wrapped card stock using an adjustable circle cutter or a template. Punch holes in the tops and bottoms of the circles, except the smallest one (this will go at the bottom - make a hole only in the top). Connect the circles using jump rings, placing the largest at the top. Repeat this process and make lots of different colored, sparkly streamers!

Clocks

Use another great Martha Stewart tip and place lots of different sized clocks on the mantle or in a central area. This is a cheeky decoration that will draw guest’s attention toward the time! You can find great, cheap and old-fashioned clocks at thrift stores.

Now you have all of your decorations ready for the party. But what will you wear? Check out Shanae’s article on the trendy cut-out dresses that are everywhere right now!

Dorm Essentials: Spruce Up Your Dorm with Holiday Flair

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Angela Skane

Decorating for the holidays gets people into a holiday mood. Living in a dorm can make it hard to experience holiday cheer while you’re away from home. But the dorm is your current home, so why not spruce it up and add some holiday flair?

Talk to your RA about adding some holiday decorations. Everyone on the floor can chip in to making some holiday crafts to hang up in the hall. This can be a great time to bond with your friends and take a much needed break from studying. String up some lights and secure them to the walls with tape. Tape some ribbon on your door to make it look like a giant present. By adding some subtle decorations, your hall will instantly become more festive.

Once the halls are decked, decorate your side of the room with lights and holiday shapes. For Hanukah, you can put up cutouts of menorahs and the Star of David. For Christmas you can add garland and silhouettes of Christmas trees. Making your dorm feel like home will help keep spirits up. Brew some hot chocolate and make paper snowflakes with your roommate. Hang them at different lengths from your ceiling for a wintery feel inside your cozy bedroom. Some arts and crafts will give you guys look back on your semester and talk about all your fun holiday plans.

Before everyone leaves for break, get together to share holiday treats. Each room can bring a yummy candy, dessert or Eggnog. This way everyone can admire the lovely decorations!

My First Apartment: Holiday Decor

Posted on November 20, 2012 by JessicaM

The best way to get into the holiday spirit is to decorate! Living in your own apartment gives you the freedom to decorate however you want. So get out those Christmas lights and keep an eye out for the perfect tree because CL has tips on how to make your apartment classy and festive for the holidays!

Christmas Lights

Hanging Christmas lights is the easiest way to add some holiday cheer to your apartment. White lights add a classy touch while colored lights are a lot more festive. Hang them around the living room, over your front door or even in your bedroom.

CLass up the Tree

Of course a Christmas tree is a must! Decorate it with your favorite ornaments or get a little creative and fit it to a theme. To do this, get ornaments that follow that theme or make them yourself to save money. Some cute theme ideas are: Disney, sports, pink or school pride. Get creative with it!

Hang a Wreath

A Christmas wreath on the front door is the best way to welcome people into your home for the holidays! To add your own personal touch, make it yourself. There are some great DIY ideas on Pinterest.

There are so many ways to decorate for the holidays. Think outside the box and set yourself apart from everyone else. You have free reign to decorate your first apartment however you want, so have fun with it!

Check out Kristen’s peppermint cocoa recipe for a sweet way to stay warm this holiday season!

Instant Dessert: Brownies in a Mug

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Alli H

Who doesn’t love brownies? Whether they are regular, blonde, or a la mode, brownies are a universal treat everyone loves to have. Here is a simple way to make a brownie in a mug, for that time you are craving a delicious treat.

What you need:

Mug (standard size)

¼ c sugar

¼ c flour

2 tbsp cocoa

pinch of salt

2 tbsp olive oil

3 tbsp water

What you do:

Add all dry ingredients into mug

Add oil and water into mug

Mix until it is consistent

Microwave for 1 minute, 40 seconds

Let cool

Enjoy!

For this and other delicious recipes, see http://livingwellwithmummamel.aussieblogs.com.au/

DIY: Quotes on Canvas

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Campus Correspondent

Are you looking for a decorative piece to add to your blank dorm room walls? Something that is simple, affordable and turns out looking store-bought?

One of my current obsessions on the Internet is the website Pinterest.com. This website offers users the ability to find pictures of the latest fashion trends, delicious holiday treats, adorable dogs and even simple craft ideas.

I was inspired by one pin I made in particular on a hot summer day when I wanted to craft some accessories for my future dorm room. I found this tutorial on making quotes on a canvas, and I instantly wanted to start my own project. Here is how the project works.

Materials:

Magazine pages
A paint brush
Acrylic paints
Vinyl letters
A canvas

Directions:

Glue down pieces of the magazine onto the canvas.
Apply the vinyl letters onto the canvas, spelling out a quote or even a song lyric that you love.
Paint your colored acrylic paint all over the canvas.
Wait approximately a minute or so and pull off the letters.
Use a clear coat of Mod Podge (optional) to give the canvas a shine.
Once dry, display using picture hangers.

Here are the two canvases I created (and are currently hanging in my room)!

I used:

Two pictures from the dollar store
CraftSmart Acrylic paint from Michael’s
Vinyl letters from Michael’s
“Vogue” magazine ads

Want to see more College Lifestyles ™ DIY projects? Click the link below!

http://collegelifestyles.org/2012/09/diy-door-hanger/

Amanda Burrows is a freshman at Florida State University. Follow her at http://pinterest.com/burrowsac/. To stay tuned to more articles for classy co-eds be sure to follow College Lifestyles™ on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.

DIY: Big/Little Gifts

Posted on October 20, 2012 by PaulineL

It’s never too early to start thinking about Big/Little gifts! Whether recruitment is in the Spring or Fall for your chapter, it’s never a bad time to show your sisters some loving. Here are some fun ideas to get you started:

A Pin Box.
Every sorority girl knows the importance of pin (aka chapter) attire. What makes the attire special is the pin—so keep it safe! Make your Big or Little a pin box. Buy a small wooden box at a craft store and paint it with your sorority or family colors.
A Bow.
Okay, so that sounds weird right? But this idea is actually adorable. Bows are the ultimate girl accessory. Make a matching Big/Little set so you can both rock them during Greek life events!

Wooden Letters.
Wooden letters are a must in the sorority world. They are easy enough to decorate so you can express yourself and your chapter. Besides the basic painted letters, add some flair by putting the letters in a picture frame. Wrapping or scrapbook paper can be used as a background for a fun and fancy plaque.

Pinnies.
A matching Big and Little pinny set can be cute, athletic and fun! Websites such as Greek Gear and Adam Block Design are great tools to customize any attire. But don’t just stop at pinnies, there are tons of other items such as tote bags and backpacks!

Want to check out more Big/Little gift ideas? Check out CL’s Top 10 Big/Little Initiation Gifts!

DIY: Things to Do With Mason Jars

Posted on October 14, 2012 by PaulineL

Mason jars are wide-mouthed glass containers usually used for storing food. Who knew you can also use them as picture frames, organizers and all sorts of home décor? They’re available at grocery stores, but if you’re feeling extra creative try order a pack from Amazon.com!

Pictures: Simply place a picture in a mason jar and top it off with the cap for a very easy picture holder! This DIY project can look instantly vintage by printing your picture in black and white. You can also decorate the outside with permanent markers or glam it up with some rhinestones.

Lantern: This would be perfect for centerpiece decorations or to brighten up a room a little. The jars can be filled with water with a floating candle, stuffed with Christmas lights or decorated with a solar-powered light source for all sorts of lantern pieces. A funky idea (perfect for Halloween) is to break glow sticks in the jar to get a splattered effect and placed near a black light.

Another trick is to cover a mason jar with stickers (stars, perhaps?) and spray painting over the stickers. After waiting for the paint to dry, remove the stickers and place a candle or other light source in the jar and you have your own little version of Starry Night!

Plants: You can start an at-home garden with potting soil, seeds and mason jars. Hang them up on the wall using metal clamps or attach them to a wooden board, as long as they get sunlight! You can build an eco-system in a jar or plant some flowers (I recommend pansies)!

Organizers: Mason jars make for perfect organizers. Chalk paint (make your own with this DIY recipe can be used to create changeable labels whether you’re organizing spices or pencils! The inside of the jar can be painted different colors and decked out with lace to give it a classier look. Mason jars can also be attached to a spinning carousel to give it a different spin (ha, get it?).To take it one step further, you can glue a jar to a candlestick holder for a fun, but elegant look.

Party favors: The options are endless when it comes to mason jars and gift ideas! For food, a recipe in a jar is the way to go. Mini jars are great baking containers for mini cupcakes and pies. These make great gifts as well. Are you looking for a girls night out gift? Try packing a mini manicure set with nail polish, cotton balls, travel size nail polish remover and a nail file.

Drinking glass: There are even mason jars made with handles. If you’re planning a gathering, make pre-made mocktails in jars and place them in a bucket of ice! Guests can grab drinks as they go and even have souvenirs to take home. These drinking glasses can be decked out with ribbon and colorful straws. Another idea is to make pink lemonade garnished with lemon wedges!

DIY: Organizing Your Desk

Posted on October 6, 2012 by PaulineL

Whether you study in your room or at the library, concentration and a messy environment do not go hand in hand. Clearing clutter and organizing your work space can relieve stress and maintain focus!

ABCD’s of Organization

Always plan ahead: Preparation is a big part of staying organized. Keep track of your exams, study sessions and downtime to maximize your day.

Be consistent: make it a habit to keep your desk tidy. Utilize your lazy Sundays to make sure you are clear of clutter.
Contain those papers: there is a place for everything, especially notes and assignments on loose-leaf papers. Keep folders or some sort of filing system for each course and leave no paper left behind!
Delegate: if you live by post-it reminders, decide if the task can be done within minutes, hours, or days. Don’t defer quick tasks! Get them off of your plate and tackle more tedious projects little by little.

Craft your way to organization.
Pen holders

Toilet paper rolls can be decorated, stacked and glued together to organize your writing utensils. You can even stick the finished piece to the wall using double sided tape.
Although they may seem like a distant memory, phone books can come in handy nowadays! With this quick tutorial, transform a phone book into a flower-like pen-holder.

Folder/paper organizer

Find a cardboard box (like a cereal box) and cut an opening on the side. You can strengthen the sides with extra layers of cardboard too! This desk organizer can be decorated with cute wrapping paper or a collage of magazine clippings.

Power strip box

With cell phone and computer chargers, electrical cords can be a tangled, hazardous mess. Keep your outlets separate with a power strip organizer! All you need is a shoe box and scissors to cut openings for each cord. You can also take it a step further by using bread bag clips with labels for each power source.

In-desk organization

Ditch the habit of throwing items into your desk drawer and make your own origami desk organizers. You can even have an eco-friendly twist by using newspapers.

For those savvy co-eds, time management skills are a must to organizing your life as well as your desk!

DIY: Halloween Party

Posted on October 5, 2012 by DianeF

Halloween is the one day of the year you can be whoever you want to be! And since Halloween falls on a Wednesday, chances are, you’ll be able to celebrate on multiple occasions – the beauty of the weekend.

If you’re contemplating throwing a fun and festive themed party, consider these!

Murder Mystery – Sounds cliché, but Halloween is all about mystery! Who doesn’t love a little secrecy on Halloween? Buy the game, grab some friends, assign them roles, and enjoy a night of mystique!

Masquerade – These are always fun, especially because everybody comes incognito. It doesn’t have to be your typical “masquerade ball,” it can just be a fun, laid-back party – only requirement: a mask!

Heroes and Villains – Batman and the Joker, Mufasa and Scar, Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort… it can be swung in any direction your guests want! Modern day, past day, cartoon, etc. Decorations could include huge signs that say BAM or POW on them as well as some spider webs for good old Spiderman. A nice touch would be to serve “hero” sandwiches.

Toga Party – Classic, traditional, and simple! You can use a blanket, some sheets, a tablecloth, anything! Does not require much thought or planning! Building Greece did not take a day, however, gold and white streamers will add just the touch you’re looking for along with fake grapevines and ivy vine garland! Swirl these decorations around tables, from the ceilings, and on chairs.

Hollywood Party – Lay down a red carpet and invite some friends to dress like movie stars! As they walk down a carpet, have cameras and “paparazzi” surround the carpet as you mock interview – fun and chic!

Vampires and Victims Party – Decorate with traditional colors for vampires – black and red. (Black and red roses would be a great touch). Have your guests eat their hearts out – Literally! – with yummy “Bad Bite” cheese balls that can be found in Emily’s article!

Top 5 Reality TV Halloween Costumes

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Alli H

Reality TV stars-we love to love them and we love to hate them. Dressing like them is fun, cheap, and often times unique. The cast of Jersey Shore is overdone and no one wants to see a million Pauly D’s running around, fist pumping. But, if you’re anything like me, you are a sucker for trashy TV and aren’t afraid to say it. Here are the top five Halloween costumes based off reality TV stars.

5) Real Housewives of New Jersey. While Jersey Shore is overdone, the women of RHONJ show a whole new side of the Garden State…sometimes. Grab a group of pals, throw on big heels, short dresses, and channel your inner Jersey housewife. These costumes also serve as a nice conversation starter-everyone watches the RHONJ/NY/A/OC/BH shows, but rarely publicly admits it. After a few glasses of cider, you can rekindle the times Teresa flipped a table. No matter what though, I call Melissa Gorga. Because honestly, who WOULDN’T want to be Melissa for a night?

4) Kim Kardashian’s Wedding. White dress, questionable headpiece, and a divorce waiting to happen. Easy. Get your boyfriend to be Kris Humphries. All he needs is a dumb facial expression and poofy hair. Perhaps you can draw up some divorce papers to carry around too. Oh, and you have to wear the biggest diamond you can find. I’m talking golf ball sized diamond. 20 karats isn’t too big.

3) Toddlers and Tiaras: Dress up like children, wear a lot of makeup (the tackier the better), and get a sash. Maybe even hold a big trophy, fake money, and carry a binky. You can always have your best friend be your pageant mom or the girl who wasn’t crowned Ultimate Grand Supreme.

2) Survivor contestants: This was the easiest Halloween costume I have ever done. My boyfriend and I ordered buffs from CBS.com, wore shorts and shirts we already had, and called it a day. I got a wooden beaded necklace and made that be the immunity necklace. We saved money and had unique costumes. Oh, and since you are pretending you’re stuck on an island, you don’t have to waste time doing your hair and makeup.

This one is of my boyfriend, Matt, and me from Halloween 2011.

1) Bachelor and Bachelorette: Make your man, or guy friend, wear a shirt and tie and make sure he has a rose pinned to his shirt. As for you, wear a cocktail dress and you can go one of two ways: You can have a rose, symbolizing the man of your dreams wants to keep you around for another week, or you can have makeup running down your face and messed up hair, meaning the love of your life didn’t give you a rose. How dare he give Vienna a rose?!

I hope you love these ideas. Tweet us (@collegelifestyl) your pictures and leave your costume choice in the comments section found below.

DIY: Five Halloween Recipes

Posted on September 29, 2012 by EmilyLa

Classy co-eds love all things Halloween, especially Halloween décor, Halloween cupcakes and Halloween costumes for sorority ladies. Classy co-eds also love quick, healthy affordable recipes. Read these top five Halloween snacks, perfect for your Halloween party.

Pumpkin veggie and dip tray (Courtesy of the Coupon Clipping Cook)

This pumpkin shaped veggie tray is super easy to make. Simply place baby carrots in the shape of a pumpkin, add some broccoli to the top for the stem and fill in the eyes and mouth with olives or cups of ranch dip. It’ll be festive and very healthy!

Spider web pizza (Courtesy of Kraft Recipes)

Use Alfredo sauce to create a spider web design on a red sauce pizza. Use an olive for the spider’s body and voila! Halloween themed pizza is sure to be a favorite in the college scene.

“Salty Bones” pretzels (Courtesy of Spoonful)

Roll the bread dough into the shape of bones and sprinkle with salt. After about 12 minutes in the oven, they will be golden brown and ready for your appetizer table.

“Bat Bite” cheese balls with chips (Courtesy of My Recipes)

This recipe is a fantastic roomie bonding experience. Mix up cheeses, chill, then roll into several balls and decorate. Tortilla chips are useful for the bat “ears.”

Halloween party popcorn (Courtesy of UNL Food)

Mix up popcorn, nuts, dried fruit and a small amount of M&Ms for a definite crowd pleaser. This Halloween trail mix is a great snack to munch on during your costume party.

Please share your results with us! Email pictures and stories to Info@collegelifestyles.org

Discover all you need for a classy Halloween on Twitter: #CLHalloween

Top 5 “Character” Halloween Costumes

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Alli H

Character Halloween costumes can be some of the most fun and creative ideas, but it seems that many of the most common ones pop up at every party, every single year. After much research and careful consideration, CL has come up with the top five character Halloween costumes for the classiest of co-eds.

5: Candy Bars

Candy Bars are a cute way to dress as a group, yet you can still be an individual. It’s also a group costume that doesn’t need a certain number of people to complete, like many others. Someone can dress like a Snickers bar, a Reese’s Cup, Milky Way…whatever you want! This would also be a great DIY costume. Perhaps you could throw a costume-making party with some fall snacks, like Tie-Dye Cupcakes.

4: Team USA

Olympic hype is still going strong, with the US Women’s Gymnastics Team showing up in tons of commercials, ads, and magazine covers. Like candy bars, this group costume could be for three people or ten. It allows a lot of freedom as well. You can dress like Aly Raisman and your boyfriend could be Ryan Lochte, so no one sport has to be the choice for everyone (unless you want it to be). If you wish to, you could even dress like Olympians from years ago, such as Bruce Jenner or Kristi Yamaguchi.

3: The Spice Girls

A 90’s girl favorite, dressing like The Spice Girls is an all time classic and a favorite for co-eds everywhere. Gather a group of five of your closest friends, pick a spice out of a hat, and set a date to go shopping for your costumes.

2: Spears through the Years

Britney Spears has had so many different appearances, it’s almost hard to keep track of them. For this costume, collect a group of more than 4 and everyone can choose an iconic Spears image. For instance, you can dress like her infamous school girl in the “Hit Me Baby One More Time” video, someone can wear a flight attendant costume, much like the one she rocked in the “Toxic” video, and if someone is willing, be the bald Britney. With a little googling, many more can be found.

1: Seven Deadly Sins

This costume would, obviously, require seven people. Creative, cute, and you can include your own touch. This one can be a little trickier, so I’ve broken each costume down for you: Envy should be head to toe in green. Gluttony can dress like candy or wear bright colors and carry a giant candy cane. Sloth gets to wear pajamas. Lust should dress slightly sexier, but still classy (don’t get too carried away!), so no lingerie, but perhaps a cute corset top and short shorts. Pride needs to dress in something extremely flattering and should carry a mirror around, or something to look vain. Wrath, my personal favorite and perhaps allows for the most creativity, ideally would wear a lot of read and wear spiky jewelry or punk-like touches. Greed should dress like a very wealthy woman, maybe pearls around her neck and a fur jacket. She should also wear big rings, lots of makeup, and carry a lot of fake money.

Tweet us your favorite costume idea and send us a picture when you are ready for the party!

3 DIY Facials to Save Your Skin!

Posted on September 23, 2012 by PaulineL

Did you know that facials can have life changing effects for your skin? While theraputic, the process of cleansing, exfoliating and treating the skin leave you with a glow. However, this fab luxury can be quite pricey. Here are some DIY facial recipes to try when treating yourself on a budget!

Watermelon.
Practicing safe sun is important, however, sun damage does happen. A quick trick to reviving your skin after a long summer is to soak cotton pads with watermelon juice. Watermelon is hydrating and provides vitamins A, C and B6. By applying the juice and letting it set in for about 15 minutes to any sunburned areas, it will help protect your skin and heal it more quickly. After your 15 minutes is up you can rinse your skin with cool water; leaving you with healthier skin!

Cocoa and Coffee.
Coffee is more than a trip to Dunkin’ Donuts in the morning. With this recipe, puffiness will decrease and skin will be brightened. The combination of caffeine and cocoa is perfect before that early-morning class. Not to mention, this recipe works and can be adjusted for all skin types!

Nutmeg, Honey and Cinnamon.
Nutmeg and honey are natural anti-inflammatories, so say goodbye to puffy and red skin! Also, the cinnamon acts as an exfoliating agent. This triple threat is ideal to make a mask for stressed out skin.

Want to find out more DIY tips? Check out Inventive Home Remedies for a Healthy More Radiant You.

DIY: Football Cupcakes

Posted on September 22, 2012 by JessicaM

Everyone loves a good cupcake. Why not sweeten up a tailgating party with this great dessert? CL has a fantastic DIY recipe that your friends will love on game day!

Field Goal Football Cupcakes (Recipe courtesy of cupcakecentral.com)

Reynolds® Baking Cups (Green Party)
1 package (18.25 ounces) chocolate cake mix
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
5 to 6 tablespoons 2% milk
48 small pretzel rods
1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
24 Caramel candies
1 bag (14 ounces) shredded coconut

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Next, line your muffin pan with the baking cups and set aside. Prepare the cake mix according to the directions on the box. Fill the baking cups ¾ of the way full with the batter and put in the oven to bake.

While the cupcakes are baking, get started on the frosting. In a large bowl, cream the butter until it is light and fluffy. Beat in the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and milk until you reach a good consistency. Mix in the green food coloring to make the frosting grass colored. Also dye coconut with the food coloring, but keep this separate from the frosting for now. Once the cupcakes are cool, frost them and roll them in the coconut to complete the grass look.

Now, it’s time to decorate! Start by lining a cookie sheet with wax paper. Set aside half of the pretzel rods to use as the base of the goal post. Cut each remaining stick into three equal pieces. Use a knife to get a clean break. Next, shape the caramel candies into footballs. Melt the white chocolate chips according to the package directions. Spoon into a plastic sandwich bag and cut off a small corner. Squeeze a dot of white chocolate on each end of one small pretzel piece section (you could also use frosting to do this if you don’t have the white chocolate!). Attach the other two pieces to each end, making a “U” shape on the wax paper. Squeeze a dot of the white chocolate in the middle of the bottom of the “U” and attach one of the uncut pretzels to complete the goal post. Place the goal posts in the refrigerator for about five minutes to set. While the goal posts are in the fridge, pipe thin lines on the caramel footballs for strings. Remove the goal posts from the fridge and carefully put them on your cupcakes. Place the caramel footballs in the coconut grass to complete your edible football field!

If you’re feeling more adventurous, try making the cupcakes homemade! After you’ve had success with these cupcakes, try Rachel’s Halloween Cupcakes!

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