sewing studio scrappy chandelier - DIY

my sewing studio is a work in progress. i have made great strides in organizing my space in the last year, but it is by no means complete. one thing i've been dying to change is the light fixture in this room. i knew i didn't want to buy a new fixture and i have lots of fabric scraps that i needed to use up so i decided to make a scrappy fabric chandelier. i love the look of it and it definitely adds more character to my studio. read more to see how i made it.

supplies:

• chicken wire basket
• rotary cutter and cutting mat
• fabric scraps

directions:

1. cut your fabric scraps into 1 inch strips. my strips were about 10 inches long. depending on the look you're going for you can use longer strips. our ceilings aren't super high and i knew i didn't want my fabric chandelier getting in the way, so i stuck with 10 inches.

2. double knot the strips around the chicken wire basket. make sure to mix and match the colors along the way to create a balanced look.

3. take down old light fixture and use existing bolts to attach new light fixture, bottom of basket facing down towards the floor. this is what i did, but it totally depends on the type of fixture you currently have. it should be pretty easy to figure out how to attach it.

4. step back and admire your new fixture. :)

this project took minimal time and is the perfect addition to my studio. plus, i got to use up some of my scraps which was one of my 2014 goals. win. win. 

homemade dry shampoo - DIY

oh my goodness girls, i can hardly contain my excitement about this dry shampoo recipe. i don't wash my hair everyday, in fact i don't even wash it every other day {more on this in posts to come...and don't take this the wrong way, i do shower daily}. so i love, love, LOVE a great dry shampoo and have tried plenty of different kinds.

the main issue i have with most dry shampoos on the market is that they are white and my hair is dark. this combination just doesn't go together and it typically looks like i have a bad case of dandruff going on. this is so. not. cool. another downfall is the price of a quality dry shampoo. so dang expensive. if i kept track of every penny i have spent on hair care products in my life, it would likely make me sick. so, when doterra posted this DIY dry shampoo recipe to their blog, i was elated. actually, elated is probably an understatement, i shrieked with joy because it includes a special recipe for all those brunettes out there!

i made this dry shampoo a month ago and have used it almost daily since. it works wonders. and i'm not just saying that. i brought it to work and my friend, jenna, tried it and she gave rave reviews as well. she just ordered doterra oils and is going to make her own batch.

below is the recipe i followed from the doterra blog for dark hair:

ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder {apparently you can buy this at health food stores, but i just used cornstarch since i already had it on hand}
• 2 tablespoons cacao powder
• 2 drops lavender essential oil
• 2 drops rosemary essential oil {i used melaleuca oil because i didn't have rosemary oil, but it's on my list of oils to purchase}
• 2 drops peppermint oil

 directions:

1. mix all ingredients well in a mixing bowl. transfer contents small glass container. use an old make-up brush to apply to hair at the roots. you'll notice a difference immediately. the powder quickly soaks up excess oil and leaves your hair looking and smelling fresh. i love the lingering scent of peppermint that i smell throughout the day. delish.

the doterra blog recommends mixing all the ingredients in a food processor, but i found this just creates a bigger mess and the mixing bowl worked just fine for me. i haven't had any issues without using the food processor and am still quite pleased with the results. i'll definitely continue using this dry shampoo recipe. it works great for my super dark hair and the best part is it's drastically cheaper than those expensive dry shampoos i used to buy at sephora. more money in my pocket = a very happy girl.

have you ever made a dry shampoo? any tips or tricks i should know about? let me know if you make this recipe and what you think of it.