Family Ever After Blog

Family Ever After Blog

Archives for October 2018

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Tinkerbell and Piriwinkle Homemade Costumes

Whether you’re keen to dress up as Tinkerbell for Halloween or as her sister Piriwinkle, simply continue reading to discover a simple guide to creating a fuss-free fairy outfit which is bound to leave your friends and family members spellbound.

Tinkerbell and Piriwinkle Homemade Costumes: Tips and Tricks

1. Use an old dress as the basis of your halloween costume

There’s no need to go out and purchase a brand new green on blue dress, in order to put together a stunning Tinkerbell or Piriwinkle costume. Instead take a look through your closet, to see whether you can find a basic blue or green dress, which you’ll be able to spruce up into a fairy costume, with a few simple adjustments.

2. Purchase a few meters of tulle to place over your blue or green dress

Next, head to your local craft store or fabric store in order to purchase a few meters of blue or green tulle, which you’ll be able to use to create a simple skirt, which you’ll be able to place underneath your chosen dress or on top of your chosen dress. So that your old blue or green dress will look more like a fairy dress and less like an ordinary dress.

If you’re keen on this idea, make sure to pick up 2 meters of elastic which you’ll be able to use to create the waistband of your homemade fairy costume. If you’re feeling particularly creative you may also want to consider covering your tulle skirt with green or blue sequins, which will sparkle all night long!

3. Create your own fairy wings using cardboard and elastic

If you don’t want to purchase store brought fairy wings, you have the option of tracing out oversized fairy wings on large, stiff cardboard, which you’ll then be able to cut out and paint. Again don’t be afraid to go a little crazy when it comes to using glitter and sparkles as every fairy deserves to shine.

Also, make sure that you have enough elastic on hand to create two loops which you’ll be able to attach to your cardboard wings so that you’ll be able to wear your fairy wings comfortably!

4. Decorate a plain plastic headband with gold glitter or blue glitter

To top off your Tinkerbell or Piriwinkle outfit it’s well worth covering a plain plastic headband from your nearest dollar store with gold glitter if you plan on dressing up as Tinkerbell or blue glitter if you plan on dressing up as Piriwinkle.

Just remember to put your hair up a Tinkerbell style bun. If you don’t have blonde hair you may also want to consider purchasing a blonde wig which you’ll be able to style in a bun, to look just like your favorite fairy.

5. Make sure to craft your very own DIY fairy wand

Use a straw or a pencil to form the base of your fairy wand, which you’ll be able to top off with a cardboard star covered with gold glitter. Feel free to paint the base of your fairy wand so that it no longer resembles a straw or a pencil.

So if you have your heart set on dressing up as Tinkerbell or Piriwinkle for halloween there’s no time like the present to get started on crafting your costume!

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DIY Christmas Earings

If you always look forward to getting into the holiday spirit and are interested in crafting your own DIY Christmas earings it’s well continuing reading to discover how to create your very first pair of DIY Christmas earrings.

DIY Christmas Earings:

1. Purchase earring hooks or plain clip on earrings

To create your own DIY earings you’ll need to get your hands on a few pairs of earring hooks or plain clip-on earings both of which you’ll be able to pick up at your local craft store. Better yet, you should be able to pick up a few pairs of hooks or plain clip-on earings for a couple of dollars. Which makes handcrafting your own Christmas themed earrings a cost-effective option.

2. Purchase Christmas colored beads to create Christmas themed earrings

One way to ensure that your DIY earings scream Christmas time is to purchase an assortment of red, gold and green colored beads which you’ll be able to use to create eye-catching drop style earrings. If you’re particularly lucky you may also be able to acquire little beads which are shaped like gold Christmas bells, which will instantly make you think of Christmas.

3. Search your local craft store for Christmas themed beads

Chances are high that your nearest craft store will also offer Christmas themed beads, such as miniature Santa Claus beads or snowflake shaped beads, which you’ll be able to use to create stunning Christmas themed earings.

4. Use clay or plasticine in order to create cute Christmas themed characters to hang from your earings

Imagine the compliments you’d get if you turned up to a Christmas party wearing Christmas earings which are shaped like Santa Claus, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or Frosty the Snowman!

In order to create cute little characters to hang from your DIY earings simply visit your local craft store or art supplies store, in order to purchase clay or plasticine to bake your very own one of a kind Christmas characters. Which you’ll then be able to use in order to adorn your plain earings. Other examples of characters which you may want to create include angels, gingerbread men, and elves.

5. Consider using silver charms to create gorgeous Christmas earings

If you want your DIY Christmas earings to look classy and sophisticated you may prefer using silver charms to create gorgeous, Christmas earrings which are sure to turn heads when you walk into your upcoming Christmas parties.

As an example, if you like the idea of creating classic understated Christmas earings you may be more interested in crafting silver angel themed Christmas earings rather than bold red, green and gold Christmas earings.

6. Use wire from a coat hanger in order to create fun Christmas tree shaped DIY Christmas earings

Alternatively, you may want to consider using wire from an old coat hanger to create fun, festive Christmas tree shaped Christmas earings! Better yet, why not place a gold star at the top of each earring, to act as your Christmas trees’ stars.

So if you’re keen to spread a bit of Christmas cheer this holiday season, you can’t go wrong DIY crafting your first pair of DIY Christmas earings.

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Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Ideas

If you’re looking forward to throwing or attending an ugly Christmas sweater party, continue reading to discover a few fun ideas that may inspire you.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Ideas:

1. Offer a prize for the party guest who turns up to your Christmas party wearing the ugliest Christmas sweater

When you send out your invites for your upcoming party, encourage your guests to turn up wearing the ugliest Christmas sweater which they can find. Also make sure to let your guests know that there will be a special prize up for grabs, which will be awarded to the individual who turns up in the cheesiest, ugliest Christmas sweater.

On the actual day of your party provide each guest with a tiny piece of paper which they can use to anonymously vote for the individual who they think has turned up in the ugliest Christmas sweater.

2. Make sure to provide a couple of extra Christmas sweaters for guests who turn up without an ugly Christmas sweater

As it’s highly likely that at least a couple of your party guests will turn up to your party without a suitable ugly Christmas sweater, it’s well worth purchasing a few pre-loved Christmas sweaters, which you’ll be able to hand out on the day or night of your party.

3. Consider offering a craft table where your guests will be able to create their own Christmas sweaters

If too many of your guests complain about not having time to get their hands on an ugly Christmas sweater, you may want to consider organizing a craft table, where guests will be able to decorate plain black, red or green sweaters with Christmas decorations. Such as tinsel, pom poms and Christmas tree decorations such as stars and candy canes.

4. If you’re looking to create an eye-catching ugly Christmas sweater decorate a plain green sweater to look like a Christmas tree

You can’t go wrong purchasing a basic, inexpensive green sweater for a couple of dollars which you’ll then be able to decorate as if it was a Christmas tree.

5. Consider getting a retro Christmas photo printed on a plain sweater

If you really want to impress your friends and family members, you may want to consider getting one of your family’s retro Christmas photos printed on the front of a plain sweater. Especially if you can find a humorous or embarrassing Christmas family photo.

If you plan on attending a Christmas party with your family members or hosting a Christmas party that your family members will attend, you may want to get a bunch of Christmas sweaters printed. Each of which will feature a Christmas photo from a different year. To show how your family has grown over the years.

6. Sew plush Christmas toys onto your Christmas sweater

Alternatively, if you’re lazy and looking for a simple Christmas sweater idea, simply purchase a few cheap plush Christmas toys such as plush reindeer, elves and bears, which you’ll be able to sew or velcro onto your choice of Christmas sweater.

So if you’re looking forward to throwing or attending an ugly Christmas Sweater party, it’s well worth utilizing a couple of the ideas listed above.

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Easy Olaf Costume

If you have your heart set on dressing up as Olaf from Frozen one of Disney’s recent animated films, simply continue reading to discover how to put together an easy, fuss-free Olaf costume.

How to put together an easy Olaf costume:

1. Pair white overalls over a brown long sleeved shirt

If you’re able to get your hands on a cheap pair of white overalls, such as the type of white overalls which painters typically wear to work, you’ll be able to put together a fuss-free Olaf costume without any difficulty. Simply wear your white overalls over a long-sleeved shirt as Olaf has brown twigs for arms.

To complete your outfit stitch three oversized black pom poms onto the front of your white overalls as Olaf has three buttons on his torso. If you’re really looking to wow your friends, also place a white beanie on your head as Olaf’s head is made out of snow.

Finally, paint your nose orange or wear a carrot shaped nose created out of cardboard, as Olaf has a carrot as a nose. If you choose to opt for a cardboard carrot for your nose, just punch two holes through your cardboard carrot nose and threat elastic through both holes, which you can then tie up, so that you’ll be able to wear your carrot nose like a red clown nose.

2. Simple use an oversized white plastic bag in order to create a fun Olaf costume

If you can find a long oversized white plastic bag, simply cut a hole at the top for your head in order to create the base for your cute low effort Olaf costume. Then use a black sharpie to draw three buttons onto your white plastic bag to simulate Olaf’s buttons. You may even want to consider strapping a pillow to your stomach so that you look a little more like Olaf, who has a full body shape as a snowman.

Underneath your white oversized plastic bag, make sure to wear white leggings or jeans. Again you can’t go wrong wearing a brown long-sleeved t-shirt underneath your white plastic bag, in order to simulate Olaf’s twig arms.

4. Pair white or black shoes with the rest of your Olaf outfit

You have two options when it comes to choosing shoes for your Olaf halloween outfit. You can pair white flat shoes such as plimsoles, Converse or Vans with your Olaf costume as Olaf is white as he’s made out of snow or you can choose to wear brown flat shoes as Olaf could theoretically have twigs for feet.

5. Consider painting your face white to complete your halloween outfit

As Olaf has a white face, you can’t go wrong choosign to use white face paint in order to complete your Olaf outfit. Alternatively, you can also use cardboard to create an Olaf mask out of cardboard.

So if you’re convinced that you’d like to dress up as Olaf for halloween, it’s well worth getting together all the supplies which you’ll need to create your eye-catching halloween outfit!

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How to Make Corpse Bride Halloween Costume

If you’re looking for the perfect halloween costume and are a huge fan of the Tim Burton film “The Corpse Bride”, you may be interested in putting together a realistic Corpse Bride Costume.

How to make corpse bride halloween costume

1. Purchase a bright blue wig or use a temporary blue hair dye to dye your hair blue

As the Corpse Bride has bright blue loose curls, it’s well worth trying to get your hands on a bright blue wig. However, you can also use a temporary wash out blue hair dye to dye your own hair blue or to dye a basic blonde wig blue, if you have trouble finding a suitable bright blue wig.

2. Purchase a few inexpensive plastic flowers and bobby pins to place in your hair or wig

The Corpse Bride has blue flowers in her hair so to recreate her iconic look, simply purchase blue plastic flowers from your local craft or dollar store, which you’ll be able to secure onto your hair or wig using inexpensive bobby pins. Alternatively, you could get away with wearing a floral crown instead of pinning individual flowers to your hair or wig.

Also, make sure to purchase a few extra plastic flowers to tie together to create a makeshift Corpse Bride wedding bouquet.

3. Visit your local thrift store to find a cheap used wedding dress

It’s well worth trawling through your local thrift store to find a cheap used wedding dress, which you’ll be able to use as the base for your corpse bride costume. Don’t worry if you find a dress which has visible flaws such as loose stitching, holes or rips as they will just make your costume look more authentic.

Alternatively, if you can’t find a suitably used wedding dress simply purchase a preloved white dress of any style as once you add accessories to your outfit, you’ll still look just like the Corpse Bride.

4. Use cheap lace to create a veil for your halloween costume

Also try to get your hands on a few meters of cheap lace, which you’ll be able to use as a veil for your Corpse Bride costume.

5. Purchase enough blue and white face paint to cover your face, neck, chest, arms and hands

In order to be easily recognized as the Corpse Bride you’ll need to get your hands on plenty of blue face paint and white face paint as the Corpse Bride has skin which is blue with a ghostly tinge of white.

When it comes to painting yourself blue, it’s advisable to start off with painting your face, neck, hands, chest, and arms with blue face paint before using a slightly damp sponge to lightly dab white face paint onto your exposed skin.

6. Pair your costume with a cheap pair of white ballet flats or heels

To finish off your stunning Corpse Bride halloween costume, simply pair your outfit with a white pair of high heels or ballet flats.

If you follow all of the 6 steps listed above you’ll be sure to wow your friends and family members with your Corpse Bride outfit!

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10 Fun Free Things To Do in Rapid City

If you’re interested in finding free activities to keep yourself entertained in Rapid City, simply continue reading to discover 10 fun free things to do in Rapid City!

10 Fun Free Things to Do in Rapid City:

1. Visit Rapid City’s Dinosaur Park

If you enjoy taking and sharing fun, unique photos, it’s well worth visiting Rapid City’s famous Dinosaur Park which boasts seven life-size statues of popular dinosaurs. As an example, you’ll be able to take a selfie with a massive Tyrannosaurus Rex statue and pose next to a Brachiosaurus statue.

2. Visit Storybrook Island

Whether you are a parent or are simply a kid at heart, it’s well worth making a trip to Storybrook Island, which is free to visit and the perfect attraction to visit if you’re on a budget. Like Dinosaur Park, Storybook Island is teeming with sculptures. Examples of some of the sculptures which you’ll come across include Winnie the Pooh and Cat in the Hat.

3. Gaze up at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial

It’s well worth visiting the Mount Rushmore National Memorial at least once in your lifetime as its one of the USA’s most recognizable attractions. In fact, each year over 2 million national and international tourists visit Rapid City to see the Mount Rushmore National Memorial which boasts the faces of Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington. Four of the USA’s most respected presidents.

4. Walk around the quirky Stavkirk Chapel

The Stavkirk Chapel sticks out as it is an exact reconstruction of the iconic Borgund Chapel, which is located in Norway and is over 830 years old.

5. Track down 33 US presidents

If you walk around downtown Rapid City you’ll come across 33 life-size bronze statues of various American presidents. If you’re keen to track down all 33 statues, do yourself a huge favor and pick up a sculpture map from Rapid City’s information center.

6. Tour the Cleghorn Springs Fish Hatchery

By walking around the Cleghorn Springs Fish Hatchery you’ll be able to view trout at each stage of their development. You may also be interested to know that the Cleghorn Springs Fish Hatchery breeds and releases 1 million trout per year.

7. Explore the Museum of Geology

The Museum of Geology is free to visit and displays a multitude of ancient bones, fossils, and minerals. So if you have an interest in geology, nature or history, it’s definitely worth visiting the Museum of Geology.

8. Learn about space exploration at the South Dakota Air and Space Museum

If you have an interest in historic planes or space exploration, you’ll be able to spend a couple of hours exploring the South Dakota Air and Space Museum.

9. Spend a sunny afternoon at Canyon Lake Park

If you enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, grab your walking shoes and take a scenic walk around Canyon Lake Park. A picturesque park, which is popular amongst locals and tourists.

10. Walk through Art Alley

Art Alley is a unique alley which has been decorated with graffiti based artworks from a wide variety of talented local and international artists.

So if you’re looking for free entertainmend in Rapid City, it’s well worth visiting the fun attractions which are listed above.

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Family Ever After – How To Have a Happy Family

If you’re looking for the secret to enjoying a happy, relaxed family life simply continue reading to discover a few helpful tips on how to make sure that your family life is as fulfilling and joyful as it can be.

Family ever after – how to have a happy family

1. Make sure to spend quality time with your family members on a regular basis

In today’s hectic, fast-paced world it can be difficult to remember to prioritize spending quality time with your family members, so if you want to enjoy a happy family life, make sure to spend some quality time with your family members every week. As an example, you may want to make an effort to eat at least 3 meals a week as a family or to play board games together every Friday night.

2. Make sure to spend one on one time with each member of your family

While spending time as a family group is a great idea, it’s also well worth nurturing each of your family relationships. As an example, if you have multiple children, make sure to spend one on one time with each child each week as well as with your partner, if you have one.

3. Use encouraging words, when you speak to your family members

Instead of using negative words or put-downs, when you speak to your family members make an effort to use supportive, encouraging words and phrases. As an example, make a habit out of praising your loved ones for their strengths as well as any positive behaviors which they may exhibit.

4. Make sure that each individual in your family feels listened to and heard

In order to ensure that each person in your family remains happy, make sure that each individual feels listened to and heard. As an example, if you often embark on family vacations, make sure that each individual gets a chance to pick your vacation destination. Instead of simply allowing the loudest individual to decide which vacation destination you visit, every time it comes time to choose a new destination!

5. Make sure that each family member has their own space, to chill out in

While you may love each member of your immediate family dearly if you spend every waking minute around your family members you may start to get irritable. So it’s well worth ensuring that you have your own private space, which you can retreat to when you’re in need of a little time alone.

It’s also well worth making sure that each member of your family also has their own space to chill out in when they don’t want to be disturbed. As an example, you may want to set up two separate lounges, so that when one member of your family wants to be alone, they’ll be able to head off to your family’s secondary lounge space.

So if you’d love to enjoy a happy fulfilling family life, it’s well worth using all of the 5 simple tips listed above, to transform your day to day family life!