Blog - Page 30 of 91 - Dagmar Bleasdale

Last-Minute DIY Advent Calendar Ideas

November 7, 2019 by Dagmar Bleasdale 10 Comments

The tradition of having an advent calendar for children to make the wait for Christmas a little easier is something I remember fondly from my childhood — and here are many super easy DIY advent calendar ideas you can still make last minute.

When I was a child, my mother would fill an advent calendar house that had 24 little boxes — we open our gifts on the 24th in Germany — and my brother and I would take turns to open the little doors and gifts until Christmas.

It made waiting for the “Weihnachtsman” (Santa) a little easier, and we woke up excited about finding a tiny treasure every day in December.

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I love the advent calendar tradition, and last year we had a LEGO advent calendar for Landon, but this year I wanted to make one for him.

If you are in the mood to make your own advent calendar, here are many super cute ones. [Read more…]

Homemade Hand Cream Recipe: All Natural and Just 2 Ingredients

October 30, 2019 by Dagmar Bleasdale 4 Comments

I made all-natural, homemade hand cream for the first time, and it’s so easy!

You only need two ingredients. This hand cream makes a much-appreciated gift that only takes a few minutes to make.

After watching someone make this cream on the Home & Family show a few days ago, I couldn’t wait to try it myself, since my hands are so dry every winter.

I especially like that it doesn’t have any additives and toxic ingredients like so many store-bought products. [Read more…]

Best Unique Gifts Under $50 (Most Are Under $20)

October 25, 2019 by Dagmar Bleasdale 2 Comments

I recently bought several things for myself that I absolutely love that would make special and appreciated gifts, so I decided to compile them in this post about unique gifts under $50!

There are gifts for adults and kids, bloggers and athletes — something for everyone that will only set you back between $20 and $50!

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Gifts Under $50

I wasn’t planning to write a gift guide this year — I feel like there are so many around, and they all kind of mentioning the same thing and not much that’s really unique and new.

But recently I found several things for myself that I absolutely love that would make special and appreciated gifts that I wanted to tell you about, so I decided to compile them in this post.

And they are all under $50 — many even under $20!

If you don’t want to read through the whole article, here is the list of gifts I’ll be covering:

Small tabletop heater
Stylish silver makeup bag/travel accessory bad
Neewer TT560 Speedlite Camera Flash that makes ALL the difference
Plant mister for the houseplant lover or killer (I’ll explain)
Arnica gel for the sports lover and athlete, or any mom
Rush Hour Logic Game for kids

[Read more…]

11 Stunning Examples of Farmhouse Shiplap Paneling

September 24, 2019 by Dagmar Bleasdale 10 Comments

Farmhouse Shiplap Paneling Examples For Every Room

I absolutely love the farmhouse shiplap look and hope to add a shiplap access wall to at least one of our rooms in the Blue Cottage.

If you are not familiar with the Fixer Upper show, where shiplap is features in every project: shiplap paneling is a rough-sawn pine paneling often used in barns and historic homes.

I’m dreaming of a farmhouse shiplap wall in our kitchen, or in our living room behind the TV.

It would also look so nice in our bathroom.

Gosh, where wouldn’t it look lovely? [Read more…]

Porch Decorating Ideas for Your Farmhouse or Cottage

September 20, 2019 by Dagmar Bleasdale 10 Comments

Dreaming of the most beautiful porch? Here are some of the prettiest porch decorating ideas from Pinterest, and I’m showing you how I decorate our Blue Cottage porch in a farmhouse style.