::DIY Pashmina Poncho::

Looking for the perfect Fall cover up as the temperatures begin to drop? Our perfect DIY pashmina poncho is just for you! Start by purchasing a large pashmina scarf or other large shawl in your favorite pattern or color. Fold the scarf in have length ways and find the middle along the folded edge. Cut a neck slit that is approximately 12 to 18 inches or big enough to comfortably fit your head through. To prevent this opening from fraying, use washable fabric glue to adhere a ribbon along the inside seam. The possibilities for embellishment are endless. You can apply a variety of appliques to the corners of the neck opening to had a funky touch. For those of your with a more intermediate skill set, try creating the neck slit with a jacket zipper. This would allow you to adjust the size of the opening to vary the look and feel of the poncho. Let your imagination go wild and your wardrobe grow!

::Wrangle Your Bangles::

Here is a quirky idea to organize and display all your favorite chunky bracelets. Purchase a funky counter-top paper towel holder (you could even find one at a yard sale or thrift store too)that catches your eye. Simply place the holder on your dresser and then stack your bangles and cuffs over the center post. Voila! This allows you to show off your unique accessories and find them easily since you to see all of them at once! Enjoy.

::Earrings, Earrings, Earrings!::

Have you ever lost the backs to your earrings, especially in the most inopportune times? Many of you have heard of using pencil erasers in a pinch, but here is another one that impressed us nearly as much. Try using a small piece of a wide rubber band. It will do the trick and not be as cumbersome as the traditional pencil eraser.

Always looking for a place to stash your earrings when you are at the gym or spa? Try this handy tip next time to wrangle them. Take off your watch and slide the hooks or posts through the holes in the band and then secure them with the backs. Voila problem solved!

Christmas is 4 months from today! Here is a great gift your can make for your pierced posse. Find a picture frame that appeals to you. Remove the glass and backing leaving just the wooden border. The goal will be to fill the space in the center with a perch to hang your earrings from. Our design studio in Colchester came up with two that were easy and stylish. The first is to take small strips of firring (thin narrow wood) from the local hardware store and cut them to the exact width of the frame opening. Next, secure them in place horizontally with either wood glue or brads. If you would like to you could even notch out spaces for the hooks to settle in. The second way is to string picture hanging wire across the opening. Be sure that the wire is parallel! You can add beads every inch or so (using bead glue to prevent the earrings from sliding) before attaching the wire to the frame. For this one you will want to drill tiny holes along the frame for the wire to slip through and be knotted. Voila! They both look great!

Share your creative earring or jewelry storage idea and you could win our September contest!

::Great Travel Tip::

Have you ever needed to leave a note for housekeeping in your hotel bathroom and didn't know how to get their attention? Try this tip next time you're in this dillema. Write your your note and adhere it to the bathroom mirror with chapstick! Simply turn your note over. Use the chapstick like a gluestick, running it along the top edge of your note. The wax in the chapstick acts like a temporary glue holding the note neatly in place. Now they won't miss your important request for 17 extra towels and a gallon of conditioner!

The Great Idea Corner

Try using a bundt cake pan as a vertical roasting pan! Layer root vegetables in the bottom of the pan (or not). Pop that chicken over the center post of the bundt pan. It should be standing breast up at this point. Season the chicken with good quality olive oil, salt, pepper, and a little rosemary (fresh or dried). Place on top of a cookie sheet (with a rim) to catch any drippings and roast at 350 degrees until the meat is no longer pink and the skin is crispy and brown. If it looks as though the top is getting too done, cover loosely with tin foil and remove it shortly before it's done.

::Amazing Factoids::

Most people have heard that left-handedness is a signal of creativity but did you know that 47% of all art students in a university study were left handed! Go figure!

Big head = big brain? True or false? True. People with larger skulls tend to have better memories especially when they age. In a test the people with larger head circumference scored higher then those with average sized heads. Some scientists even believe that the larger the skull the lower the risk of Alzheimer's.

Got a headache and are a ginger? Research has found that natural red heads are more sensitive to cold, typically need 20% more pain medication, and 20% more anesthesia during surgery. Next time you have some aches and pains consider increasing your dosage. (Always consult a doctor before taking any additional medication over the manufacturer's recommended dosage.)

Are you wearing a sweater or is that just your back hair? Odds are that if a guy has a hairy chest he has a higher IQ. MENSA members(those folks with the high IQ's) tend to be much hairier than most folks. Scientists have even found that students with more body hair range higher academically.

Did you know that if your ring finger is longer than your index finger you tend to be more assertive and more likely to take risks than others. This is because of higher Testosterone in the body. Financial traders with longer ring fingers make 6 times more money than their shorter fingered counterparts.

So run to the mirror and we have one question for you. Are you smarter than you thought?

Be Back Soon!

Hello Out There!

We will be back next week with many more exciting and intriguing tips and ideas. Keep an eye out for a new contest too! A shout out to last contest winter, Ivanna Youngman of Belchertown, MD! Best wishes and remember to always CELEBRATE!

Kathleen and Michael