Try It Tuesday... DIY Lip Glop... um, GLOSS.

Dear Daughter has entered the world of junior high and the multitude of girl friends that comes with those crazy tween years... and of course, she being the most giving heart in our family, wanted to gift each and every one of said girl friends this Christmas.  Seeing that her gift budget was not quite as large as her heart, we needed to come up with an idea that would be both tween approved and somewhat economical... hence, homemade Lip Glop! 

After perusing a few different "recipes" on Pinterest, 

we decided on this version... 

You will need:

Petroleum Jelly

Kool-Aid (any flavor you like, we even mixed a couple)

Small Plastic Bead Containers (after multiple stores with no luck, these were finally located at Joann's)

Avery Mailing Seals

Start with about 1 cup of petroleum jelly in a microwave-safe bowl.  Melt for 30 seconds at a time, then stir, until it is completely liquified... this will take several minutes and the bowl will be VERY hot, so good to have an adult do this part.  

As soon as it is liquid and still hot, mix in the Kool-Aid.  We started with Cherry, then Grape, then finally mixed Cherry with Pink Lemonade to make Cherry Pink Lemonade.  It takes about 1 package of Kool-Aid to one cup of petroleum jelly.  Immediately pour the mixture into the opened bead cups... let sit until it solidifies.  The Cherry tinted it a light pink, the grape turned out a little too gray for my liking but DD was happy with it.  The Kool-Aid gives it a lovely scent and a little bit of flavor as well...

The Avery labels are the perfect size to make your own, personalized labels.  The Avery website has a free online program for creating and printing them in the correct size.

These cute little pocket size lip glosses would be perfect for birthday party treat bags, class gifts, stocking stuffers, or girl scout craft projects.  And let me say, they were quite a hit with the tweeny-boppers.

As for the name, LIP GLOP?  Well, those moms out there will understand... you know how your adorable little toddler calls something the wrong name and you don't have the heart to correct them because it makes you LAUGH OUT LOUD every time they say it?   Dear Daughter asked to use my Lip Glop one day, and it's been Lip Glop ever since...

Wall Plaque by Mountaine Meadows Pottery

Back to Monday...

First day of school today... first day for Dear Daughter to step out of the safe haven that is elementary school into the big, bad world of JUNIOR HIGH.  Ugh.  She's ready, and I'm excited for her... but she's my BABY and that school is BIG and girls are MEAN and... well, I could go on and on but I'm trying very hard not to be a helicopter mommy.  And I can't even talk about the fact that Sweet Son is now a JUNIOR.  Really?

But there is a bright side... and I do mean BRIGHT.  Check out DD's locker...

Wallpaper, lamp and rug by Lockerlookz

Yes, that IS a lamp that LIGHTS UP when you open the door, and WALLPAPER and a SHAG CARPET.  SERIOUSLY.  And here is the million dollar question... WHY, OH WHY did I not think of this first?  Rumor has it two mommies came up with this stuff while hanging out in their garage... and they are apparently now two RICH GENIUS mommies, because our local Learning Express can't keep it in stock.  GENIUS, I tell ya'.  Pure genius.  Go to their website and you can virtually design your very own locker... it's oddly addicting.

The Magnetic Mesh Vanity Bin is from The Container Store.  The turquoise bin, fun little chipboard flower magnets and magnetic dry erase markers are from Target.  The bright colored locker shelves are from Walgreens, but you can find similar online HERE.

I made the dry erase board by painting an old frame lime green and putting some pretty purple scrapbook paper behind the glass.  You can find the tutorial for a similar version HERE, paint it whatever color you wish and make it your own.

I would have been ALL OVER this when I was in 6th grade but since we were stuck taping up pics of Leif Garrett and Shaun Cassidy torn out of our "Tiger Beat" magazines, I will just have to live vicariously. 

Happy Back To Reality School everyone...

Top Shot

This is my favorite photo of my crazy day yesterday... not just because it's a GREAT shot (if I do say so) but because of what it represents to me.  Due to the ridiculous politics of grown-ups, Dear Daughter's soccer team recently experienced some unpleasant changes.  After playing with some of her very best friends for years, she has made the decision to move on to a new team... eleven tween girls she had never met, girls who are already friends, who have already proven themselves to each other both on and off the field. 

How daunting for a girl at an age when she is starting to go through many other changes and is quite unsure of her place in the world... as confident as she likes everyone to think she is, we have had more than one quiet moment together when she has shared her nerves and insecurities.  But she LOVES soccer and after much thought made the scary decision on her own to accept this new challenge.

Now to the part about why I LOVE this photo... this is MY girl... my girl who loves to play soccer, who gives her entire heart and soul to the game, to the moment... and in this photo she is not worried about who is watching her, or who might not like her... all she is worried about it stopping that ball.  Look at that ponytail fly!   As we walked off the field yesterday she looked at me with a giant smile and said, "Mama, I think we made the right decision"... WHEW.  I think I feel my ponytail flying.  

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