Summer Packing

It's summertime!  There's people & places to see!  Here's what you just might want to pack...

beach/pool

beauty beat

camping/trail trekking 

about town

vacation

Happy Packing {& Summer},

-Bess-

Easy Peasy Poppy Garland for Memorial Day

Poppies have long been flowers of remembrance for soldiers lost.  Back in 2010 I made poppy pins for Memorial Day {Anybody remember that?}.  This year, I created this easy-peasy garland using Dollar Tree felt coasters & twine.  Because the coasters already have holes, you can simply string them on the twine & hang them wherever this Memorial Day.  Super easy {& the total cost was $2}!  

Happy Memorial Weekend!

-Bess-

Make a Summer Scrapbook

I love to preserve memories... to look back over them & in some small way, experience the moment again {& again}.  What better way than to combine journaling, photos, & other mementos in a scrapbook?  This season I'm going to be intentional in capturing some summer highlights in my own little album...  

-the inside {waiting to be filled with memories}-

I found my simple foam covered scrapbook at the Dollar Tree {I know you must think that I live at that store}.  Black card-stock & chalk can become instant chalkboard labels {I covered mine with clear tape so it wouldn't smear}.  Add embellishments here & there... & before you know it you've got the makings of a fabulous summer memory keeper.    

-the back-

Ciao Bella & Happy Summer,

-Bess-

He Is

I’ve penned words on my struggles to trust God in the unseen before… My inner battle with this is nothing new. The other day, however, while reading a devotional, one word stuck out & struck me… & now I see things in a brighter light.

When I think of the word trust, as in “trust God,” it implies a trait that I must have ownership or mastery of. But, the word trustworthy, as in “He is trustworthy,” takes away all my striving. My Father is trustworthy, & because of this I can trust Him completely with everything.

Love & Trusting He Who Is Trustworthy,
-Bess-

Mother's Day Prep {In Photos}

Made a rustic flag to tuck in a simple bouquet...  

Made my 1st ever batch of cupcakes!  Love how they turned out!

+ I made my own chocolates!  So excited about this!  I recently bought some molds... & this is my 1st attempt.  I put a bit of marshmallow & shredded coconut inside & added a bit of raspberry sherbet flavored stuff drizzled on top!  I'm saving em for tomorrow... I'll let you know how they tasted later!

My mom rules the nest!

Love,

-Bess-

Simple Vase Update

Take these simple supplies {the jute twine & glass vase are both from the Dollar Tree}...

& create this...

I took two long strands of twine & twisted them together {& kept repeating} - I think it makes it look more like rope / nautical-y this way. =)  At first I just planned to simply wrap the twisted twine around the bottom of the vase, but then I decided to go ahead & create a stripe effect.  I like how it turned out & it was so easy!  

Simplicity, Beauty, & Love,

-Bess-

P.S.: Giving a bouquet to your mom this Mother's Day?  This would be a great way to gift em' - 2 presents in 1!

Top 10 Things Happiness Is

1. Happiness is knowing God loves me all the time {no matter what}.
2. Happiness is finding a gem while thrifting.
3. Happiness is coming to the end of a book & wishing there was more.
4. Happiness is believing he’s out there… somewhere.
5. Happiness is witnessing a good deed & going out & doing one yourself.
6. Happiness is seeing your favorite character at Disney World.
7. Happiness is hearing waves crash on the shore.
8. Happiness is hearing a little voice say, “I love you.”
9. Happiness is a Saturday morning with PJs, a sugary cereal, & no alarm clock.
10. Happiness is knowing He has a plan.

Love & Happiness,
-Bess-

P.S.: I’m linking up this post with Shabby Blogs’ new link-up party!  Oh, & Bess' Bag is now on Pinterest!  Click here to see my "Happiness Is" board based on this post! =)

Free {Printable} Mother's Day Cards

Here's a fresh batch of free printables just in time for Mother's Day {this Sunday}!  Hope you find one you like for your mom!

Click the card you want & then right click & save to your computer {or copy & paste}.  Open the image in a word document, resize if necessary {you may need to change the paper orientation to landscape}, print, write a heartfelt message inside, & give to your dear sweet mum!  She'll absolutely love it, I'm sure!

Love to All the Moms,

-Bess-

P.S.: Thrifting is one of my favorite things to do with my mom.  What do you love to do with your mom?

DIY Solar Mason Jars {On the Cheap!}

Hello, I'm a Ball jar girl.  It's just who I am.  I love em... especially blue ones with the wire & glass lid closure.  Maybe it stems from my mom & dad both going to Ball State {the college in Indiana named for the Ball family - yes, that Ball family that created the jars}.  Anywho, I love em.  See...  

My mom mentioned seeing solar light lids for mason jars a while back {she checked online & didn't like the price, however}.  Ever since then I've had the idea in the back of my mind to create my own... & the other day I finally did it!  These would make wonderful Mother's Day gifts - can't wait to gift some to my mom!

Here's what you need: solar lights {the Dollar Tree ones work best}, mason jars {I recommend Ball, of course}, wire {I used 20 gauge from Michael's}, wire snippers/pliers

Here's what you do:

Make sure the solar lights will fit into the mouths of your jars.  The jars above worked perfectly for this, with just a little wiggle room around the light.  Carefully take the bottom pipe portion off the solar light - an unscrewing, twisting motion works well to do this {you could make a wind chime with all the leftover pipes - I'm ever recycling =)}. 

 Next take some wire & wrap it around the top of the clear bulb of the light {making a circle with two ends coming from it}, making sure you have enough wire on each side to come up over the top of the light & drape over the lid & crimp.  Take an extra piece of wire, that is again, long enough to come up over the top of the light & drape over the side of the lid & crimp down, & twist it onto the circle - so you have 3 wire strands coming from the circle {see below}.  

Next, place your light {with the wire holder} into your jar, keeping the three strands up & out of the jar.  Finally, carefully bend {or crimp} the wire ends over the lip of the jar - this way if you need to replace a light/battery or clean the jar, it can easily be removed & replaced.  

Place your jars outside & let the sun do the rest!  You could bring the jars inside in the evening for cozy indoor lighting, too.  

Love & Light,

-Bess-

"No one lights a lamp & then puts it under a basket.  Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."

-Matthew 5:15-16 NLT

Free Fiesta Printables

Sunday is Cinco de Mayo... a perfect day for a fiesta.  But, if you ask me, with a little ingenuity & a dash of fun {& maybe some glitter, confetti, or a bunting or two} every day can be a party!  Here's some free printables I whipped up just for such a daily {special} occasion!  

Click on the image(s) you like.  Right click & save to your computer {or copy & paste}.  Open in a word document, resize if necessary, print, & enjoy!

The top image would make a lovely sign or printable art, while the bottom pic would be just right to wrap around water bottles, use as a gift tag/place card, or even wrap around soft tacos!  

Let's have a fiesta!

-Bess-

P.S.: If I can get my camera working, I'd love to show you pics of how I'm using the printables!  Sadly, my camera's been unreviveable lately!  Here's hoping it makes a speedy recovery! 

Top 10 Random Things

1. I’ve always said my dream job would be to name nail polish colors, lipstick hues, or Cabbage Patch dolls {or all three… hmmm… Tutti Fruiti Nadine Marie}. =)
2. I’ve really gotten into making smoothies. My favorite is vanilla ice cream, a splash of milk, bananas (1-2), & banana flavored yogurt all blended together!
3. I’ve shopped at London’s Portobello Road Market. It was crazy packed with people!
4. When I was in middle/high school I volunteered for many summers with the local aquarium’s day camp program.
5. I don’t wear a wrist watch.
6. One of my pet peeves is inappropriate commercials – I especially loathe them when they air during a children’s/family program. Of course, I loathe the inappropriate shows they advertise, as well.
7. The TV show That Girl was a catalyst in me getting my apartment. This is my third year of living on my own!
8. I’ve never had cable TV.
9. Sometimes I impulsively buy little baby things {clothes, board books, etc.} to put away for my future child(ren). Yes, I do dream about being a mommy.
10. I've dreamed in black & white before.   

Love,
-Bess-

P.S.: I’m linking up this post with Shabby Blogs’ new link-up party!