All posts in category Holidays

How To Make A Succulent Wreath

How to make a succulent wreath | Redesigned by M

Yesterday, I attended a workshop to make a succulent wreath. It was hosted at an awesome shop in Vancouver’s Gastown neighborhood called Old Faithful Shop. I had a thoroughly good time being creative amongst other like-minded creative individuals.

How to make a succulent wreath | Redesigned by M

How to make a succulent wreath | Redesigned by M

The first step in making a succulent wreath is to pad the wire form with moss – lots and lots of moss. And when you think you’ve put on enough moss, you put some more on. Secure the moss with green floral wire.

How to make a succulent wreath | Redesigned by M

Then, the really creative part begins. Create thumb-size holes in the moss and fill with succulent plants. Secure the plants with U-shape pins.

How to make a succulent wreath | Redesigned by M

Finally, add cedar and juniper branches, also securing with U-shape pins or green floral wire.

How to make a succulent wreath | Redesigned by M

Stand back and admire your new wreath!

How to make a succulent wreath | Redesigned by M

How to make a succulent wreath | Redesigned by M

To care for this wreath: Spray the moss around the succulent plants once a week. In extremely cold temperatures, keep indoors.

How does your holiday wreath look this season? I’d love to see!

Twitter | bloglovin’ | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

Redesigned By M

Linking to:

Common Ground
French Country Cottage
Kiddie Foodies
Living Well Spending Less
My Romantic Home
The Shabby Nest
The Thrifty Groove
Thirty Handmade Days
Twigg Studios

24 Comments
by Redesigned By M on December 9, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in DIY, Holidays, Home
Tagged , , ,

Posted by Redesigned By M on December 9, 2013

https://redesignedbym.wordpress.com/2013/12/09/how-to-make-succulent-wreath/

reorganized: Birthday Freebies Update

Just following up with my birthday post about picking up all my freebies! Thought you’d like to see all the birthday freebies that I got last Saturday. It was SO much fun to be able to eat all day for free and to get great discounts on my shopping trips. I also had a lovely trip to Bowen Island, my “B” destination this year. Read why I go to places that start with a “B” on my birthdays here. I’ll be sharing my day in Bowen Island a little later this month, so stay tuned!

For now, let me share with you my lovely birthday goodies!

Birthday Freebies Update | Redesigned By M

As Value Village was the first shop to open of the day, I stopped here first to do some thrifting. I love thrifting on a normal non-birthday day, but I am MORE in love with thrifting when I can get a discount off my purchase! Above are just some wonderful things I picked up. You know I’ll be redesigning several of these things. Except the yellow bucket; that’s pretty much perfect as is.

Birthday Freebies Update | Redesigned By M

Then I stopped at Tarts Bakery for a morning treat. There were several tartlets to choose from, but I chose the raspberry macaroon. Oh. My. God. Let me tell you, this tartlet was about about 1.5″ in diameter, but it was dee-lish-us!! I definitely want to go back for more and pay $1.75 for it. Yum-o!

Birthday Freebies Update | Redesigned By M

After Tarts Bakery, I drove into Richmond to get some lunch at Pajo’s Fish & Chips. I was very surprised to be given an option of which fish I wanted. The Cod is $9.99; Salmon is $10.49, and Halibut is $10.99. Get the halibut to maximize your freebie!!! (If you like halibut.) You also get a free drink with it! This was almost a $15 meal for FREE! Heaven!

Birthday Freebies Update | Redesigned By M

Then I washed it all down with a smoothie. I can drink these things every day, but they’re especially enticing on a nice, hot day. Oh, and did I mention that it was sunny and warm on my birthday? Oh, yes it was!

Birthday Freebies Update | Redesigned By M

For my first dinner, I grabbed a burger at Vera’s Burger Shack. I’ve never eaten here before. Never even heard about it until I did my freebies research, but I’m glad I did because that was one tasty burger! I had to shell out $1.32 for the taxes on this burger, since the deal was only $10 off and not a free burger. No biggie!

Birthday Freebies Update | Redesigned By M

I let the burger from Vera’s sit a bit before we went out again to get an ice cream cone at Marble Slab. We had to do the dessert before the second dinner because Marble Slab closed at 11PM on Saturday. I chose a cheesecake ice cream with strawberry mix in. It was pretty delicious; not gonna lie.

Birthday Freebies Update | Redesigned By M

Second dinner! Now, I’m not a fan of breakfast food. Gasp! Did I offend some of you? Well, sorry, but it’s the truth. Luckily, Mr. M joined me and ate my Grand Slam. In return, he ordered a skillet for me, which I only ate about a quarter of because I was still full from my burger and ice cream.

Birthday Freebies Update | Redesigned By M

This is the skillet I ended up eating and bagging to take home, which I ate for breakfast AND lunch the next day. Way to make my dollar stretch, huh?

So that ended all my freebies for Saturday! Oh, wait, there’s more!

Birthday Freebies Update | Redesigned By M

BEFORE my birthday, I picked up my favorite birthday freebie from Sephora. Last year I got a couple of lip balms, which were really nice. This year, my gift was a mascara and a highlighter! Can’t wait to try these out!

Then on the day AFTER my birthday, I paid a visit to RW&Co with my 25% coupon to see what goodies they had in their store. There was a promotion of 50% off the last ticketed price on all sale items. I found a few items in the sales racks and took them to the counter. I thought my coupon would only allow me to use one of the promotions offered, so I didn’t think I could cash in my birthday coupon. The sales lady asked me if I had a coupon (since I was looking at it). She corrected my error and said that the birthday coupon was good off the final price, INCLUDING the 50% off promotion!!! In the end I saved nearly $100 and spent only $78. What a deal, what a deal!!

Birthday Freebies Update | Redesigned By M

And my final freebie: a gourmet burger from Red Robin. I ordered the lamb burger (because it was the most expensive burger on the menu and I love eating lamb). What a big burger it was! And bottomless fries to boot! Great way to end my birthday freebies indeed.

Have you collected any freebies for your birthday? Let me know in the comments below!

Twitter | bloglovin’ | Instagram | Pinterest

Redesigned By M

6 Comments
by Redesigned By M on July 12, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Food, Holidays, Organization
Tagged , , , , , , ,

Posted by Redesigned By M on July 12, 2013

https://redesignedbym.wordpress.com/2013/07/12/birthday-freebies-update/

reorganized: Birthday Freebies

My birthday is quickly approaching!  The thing I love best about birthdays is all the freebies you can get from various businesses.  Did you know that these are available to anyone with a birthday (aka ALL OF US)?  Seeing as I’ve been out of the country – slash – continent for the past two birthdays, I wanted to make the most of my birthday freebies this year with some advanced planning.  Many of the companies that offer birthday gifts require you to sign up for the emails/newsletters, so it’s best to start the ball rolling on that now in order to maximize the available freebies in your special 24 hours.

I live in Canada, so these freebies and deals are centered around Canada, and in Vancouver, specifically.  However, the businesses that you recognize for the US also does birthday freebies, so Americans – don’t you stop reading just yet!

For your birthday, you can follow my plan, or make one of your own!  Here is my schedule thus far:

Day of My Birthday

Denny’s
Perk: Free Grand Slam, no substitutions
When: Some time soon after midnight or the very early morning after I wake up
How: Walk into a Denny’s restaurant with your photo ID and tell them it’s your birthday.
They’ll know how to take care of you!

Tarts Bakery (Vancouver only)
Perk: Free tartlet
When: Mid morning breakfast (10AM-ish)
How: Subscribe to their mailing list (under “Contacts”) on their website.  In the message, tell them when your birthday is and they’ll email you a coupon.  Print it or show it on your smart phone when you pick up your freebie.

Pajo’s Fish & Chips (Summer birthdays in Vancouver only)
Perk: Free meal of a small fish and chips with drink, or burger and fries with drink
When: I’m thinking lunch time, around noon, or just before.
How: Sign up for their newsletter on their website and they’ll email you a coupon.
Bring in the coupon with your photo ID.
(It tells you exactly what to do on the coupon so you can’t go wrong!)

Booster Juice
Perk: Free smoothie
When: I’ll pick this up on my way to my birthday day trip
(destination to be announced in a later post)
How: Sign up for the Booster Nation mailing list on their website.  You’ll get a special something in your email to claim your free smoothie.

Value Village
Perk: 20% off purchase
When: Early evening, around 6PM
How: Join the Super Savers Club in store or online. You’ll get a card, which you have to show along with your photo ID to claim your discount.  Only good on your birthday.

Old Navy
Perk: “An exclusive birthday treat.”  I’ve never gotten a birthday gift from Old Navy before, so I don’t know what the treat is specifically.
When: Late evening, around 8PM, just before closing
How: Go to their website to get on their email list.  The treat will be emailed to you.

Marble Slab Creamery
Perk: Free ice cream cone
When: Evening dessert, around 10PM
How: Join the Marble Mail through their website. They’ll send an email for your birthday surprise 72 hours before your birthday.

Before or After My Birthday:

Red Robin
Perk: Free Gourmet burger and fries
How: Join their eClub.  They’ll email you a coupon the week before your birthday.
Time frame: Valid a week before and a week after your birthday.

Sephora
Perk: Free gift
How: Sign up for their Beauty Insider’s Club, whether in person or online.  They’ll give you a plastic card when you join, but if you forget to bring it with you, just tell them your email.  Walk in and ask to redeem your birthday gift and that’s it!  No purchase necessary in retail stores.
Time frame: This is my most favorite birthday freebie.  You basically have all year to pick up your gift, which has been great when I’ve been out of the country.  (If you forget, they even send you a reminder email.)  I’ve been able to pick up my gift for the past six years now.  It also varies every year, so it’s always a nice surprise to see what you get.
Note: They provide a special gift for men, too!

RW & Co.
Perk: 25% of your purchase
How: Sign up for their newsletter and a coupon will be emailed to you.  In the event you don’t get an email, log on to their website, log in, and you’ll find your coupon waiting for you in your account.
Time frame: Valid 3 days before and 3 days after your birthday.

Here are other establishments that give birthday presents that I won’t be able to take advantage of this year:

Baskin & Robbins, BOGO

Cold Stone Creamery, BOGO

Starbucks, free drink when you register a Starbucks card

IHOP, free breakfast when you sign up for their club.  Note: They also give a free breakfast when you sign up AND upon your anniversary.  Since I’m not yet a member, I’ve decided to sign up at a later date when I can spread out my free breakfasts over the course of the year, instead of using them all within two weeks.  Smart thinking, huh?

Orange Julius, BOGO. You also get a BOGO for signing up.

Dairy Queen, BOGO. You also get a BOGO for signing up and a surprise on your anniversary.

Blenz Coffee, free drink at certain establishments (not all)

Alaska Airlines, 5% off my next flight booked before my birthday.  Not enough good deals for me to take advantage of.  Btw, in the past I’ve received 10% off… they’re seriously reducing their generosity.  (This is only for Mileage Plan members who have an account on their website.)

Here are a few more links that detail out birthday freebies:

Fresh Savings

Free Stuff Canada Guide

BC Living

Mrs. January

Free Birthday Stuff

Free Stuff On Your Birthday For Canadians (ebook)

Do you have any more tips for birthday freebies?  Please share!

Twitter | bloglovin’ | Instagram | Pinterest

Redesigned By M

8 Comments
by Redesigned By M on June 28, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Food, Holidays, Organization
Tagged , , , , , , ,

Posted by Redesigned By M on June 28, 2013

https://redesignedbym.wordpress.com/2013/06/28/reorganized-birthday-freebies/

Planning A Mexican Fiesta

Mexican Fiesta party planning | Redesigned By M

Welcome to my last post of the Cinco de Mayo series!  Now that you’re looking sharp in your new costume, you can go about setting your house with decor for your Mexican fiesta.  I did have some inspiration for pulling this off.  Muchas gracias to Brittany at Grey Grey Designs for the creative ideas.

Mexican Fiesta party planning | Redesigned By M

To achieve the piñata wall, I bought a package of tissue paper from Dollar Giant in several bright colors.

Image 1.  Fold 3-4 pieces of tissue paper in half and secure with binder clips at the fold.

Image 2.  All the layers of tissue paper.

Image 3.  Lay down a ruler to mark where you need to cut.  I didn’t draw lines or anything; just cut on an imaginary line keeping as straight as possible.

Image 4.  Each fringe was cut about one inch wide, stopping about two inches from the fold.

Mexican Fiesta party planning | Redesigned By M

When hanging the piñata strips, start from the bottom and work your way up, overlapping each layer of color.  I just affixed the tissue with Scotch tape, which held up pretty well.

Mexican Fiesta party planning | Redesigned By M

I also made a smaller scale version into a bunting.  This one says “Happy birthday,” but it can easily be done to read any message you want.  To get the writing on the tissue, print out your message on regular bond paper, then trace the letters onto the tissue paper with a Sharpie pen.  The name of the font I used was “Burrito,” which can be downloaded for free here.  To see how I strung the papers onto the string, see the past post I wrote about my wedding bunting here.

Mexican Fiesta party planning | Redesigned By M

I also converted one of our blank walls into a backdrop for a photo booth.  This was accomplished with rolls of paper streamers that I found at Dollar Giant, plus a roll of green ribbon.  Unfortunately, Dollar Giant didn’t have any blue streamers.

Mexican Fiesta party planning | Redesigned By M

Mexican Fiesta party planning | Redesigned By M

Here’s my husband wearing the costume I made for him… my adorable birthday boy!  (He really likes neon green.)  I also made a few mustache props for our guests to use in the photo booth, as well as poncho and sombrero costumes.  His friend brought the Mexican wrestler mask – funny guy!

Mexican Fiesta party planning | Redesigned By M

….The whole reason why we decided to do a Mexican fiesta for Mr. M’s birthday bash!  Our friend said he could get margarita machines from another friend, so we told him if he could get the margarita machines, we’d design a Mexican-themed party around it.  This was a commercial machine, so it required a ton of power and a lot more bottles of margarita and daiquiri mix.  It was a huge hit, though!  (Oh, and check out that table cover… does it look familiar?)  If you haven’t got friends with high connections, you could always have pre-mixed pitchers of maragaritas and daiquiris on hand.

I don’t have pictures of the food as I was too busy being a hostess to think about being a blogger at the time.  (Sorry, guys!)  I prepared a light meal of quesadillas, chicken enchilada casserole, and a taco bar.  The taco bar was so much fun because the guests could assemble their tacos the way they liked.

This party turned out really well and we got a lot of compliments from the decor to the costumes.  I only had two weeks to pull this whole thing off!  This time frame included a trivia quiz centered around the birthday boy… that took up a bit of mental energy and coordination, that’s for sure.

Mexican Fiesta party planning | Redesigned By M

Hope I’ve given you some good ideas to organize your own Mexican fiesta.  If you have a celebration at home for Cinco de Mayo, make sure you let me know how it turns out!  Salud!

Other Cinco de Mayo projects related to this post:
Fiesta Sombreros
Fiesta Ponchos

Linking to: Somewhat Simple, Just Wingin’ It , 36th Avenue, House of Hepworths, Tatertots & Jello, Simple Home Life, The Shabby Nest

Redesigned is now on Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.  Follow me!

Redesigned By M

Leave a comment
by Redesigned By M on April 26, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in DIY, Event Planning, Food, Holidays
Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Redesigned By M on April 26, 2013

https://redesignedbym.wordpress.com/2013/04/26/planning-a-mexican-fiesta/

repurposed: Fiesta Ponchos

Upcycled Fiesta Ponchos: great for Cinco de Mayo | Redesigned by M

Upcycled Fiesta Ponchos: great for Cinco de Mayo | Redesigned by M

Let’s talk about the Mexican poncho in today’s second part post of planning a Cinco de Mayo party!  I’ve categorized this as a repurposed project because these ponchos were refashioned from table cloths.  Unable to find the perfect poncho at Value Village, I found the next best thing: upcycling a couple of striped table cloths.  It worked out really well because I only needed half the table cloth for a poncho and was still able to use the other half for its intended purpose (covering a table, duh!).

Upcycled Fiesta Ponchos: great for Cinco de Mayo | Redesigned by M

I cut the table cloth in half, folded that half in half again, and cut a half-circle at the fold for the neck hole.  I winged all this as I couldn’t be bothered with making a template.  I didn’t even bother finishing the edges and just left them raw.  The poncho still lacked its cultural panache, so I had to run off to Fabricana to buy some fringe to zhuzh it up.  That did the trick!  The fringe was applied with my trusty hot glue gun again.  There are just some things in life not worth breaking out the sewing machine for!

Upcycled Fiesta Ponchos: great for Cinco de Mayo | Redesigned by M

Total time: No more than ten minutes per poncho.

Total cost: One of the table cloths cost $8.99 and the other cost $7.99 from Value Village.  I got 5.4 yards of the fringe from Fabricana for $0.99/yard.  I was able to make three ponchos out of two table cloths and used half of one for a table cover during the party.  That makes each poncho a total of $6.75, including taxes.

Other Cinco de Mayo projects related to this post:
Fiesta Sombreros
Planning A Mexican Fiesta

Linking to: I Gotta Try That, Huckleberry Love, Creations By Kara

Redesigned is now on Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.  Follow me!

Redesigned By M

2 Comments
by Redesigned By M on April 24, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in DIY, Event Planning, Fashion, Holidays, Repurposed
Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Posted by Redesigned By M on April 24, 2013

https://redesignedbym.wordpress.com/2013/04/24/repurposed-fiesta-ponchos/

« Older Posts

  • Visit me at my new home!

  • Visit me at my new home!