aLL oUT fUN: October 2011

Monday, October 31, 2011

Holiday Happiness Makeover

The holiday season is here. Hopefully you've finished putting together all the Halloween costumes for tonight's Trick-or-Treating and now you have less than a month before Thanksgiving! Among all the good things that come with the holidays, stress and depression are unwelcome guests. In an attempt to make each holiday perfect, you might find yourself running in all sorts of directions-- shopping, cooking, parties, cleaning, baking, entertaining...So much for a silent night, huh?

Throughout this holiday season, you can find helpful tips, activities, and "De-Stress Homework" here on FatCats blog!

Day one:
Morning Turn your shower into an invigoration aromatherapy session with lavender, vanilla or chamomile soap.

Midmorning treat Chew gum. Australian researchers found, "the use of chewing gum was associated with higher alertness, reduced anxiety and stress, and improvement in overall performance on multi-tasking activities."

Midday Catch up with a friend over lunch. Getting together often with your girlfriends may help you live longer and be happier.

Afternoon treat Massage your head and ears. Use all of your fingers, rub your scalp in a slow, firm circling motion. Move outward to massage every part of your ear.

Evening Clean out your purse. Tidying up at the end of the day helps you psychologically de-clutter!

De-Stress Homework List three things you really like about yourself.

I want to hear from you! If you are going to apply these de-stressing activities to your life, tell me about it! Leave your comments below. Thanks!

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

a Trick for holding your Treats!

Who decided that it's creepy for a 22 year old to dress up for Halloween and go Trick-or-Treating...? What other day can a girl get a pillowcase full of candy and not feel guilty about eating it all within 2 weeks? Uh...none!

Halloween is one of my most favorite holidays! I think every holiday should include loads of make-up, pumpkin carving & handfuls of candy. Now that I am much too old for going door-to-door mooching free candy, I must conform to an adult Halloween tradition-buying my own candy. So, I bought my 5lb bag of Tootsie Rolls. Now what? After an awkward moment of putting it all in my pillowcase, I decided I must conform to yet another adult tradition-do-it-yourself crafts!

Making my grown up "pillowcases" was such a blast and they turned out so stinkin' cute! I decided to make a few and share the gift of Tootsie Rolls. Here's how to make your own Boo Boxes!

1. First you must find boxes. Look around the house, garage or head to your local craft store. I found 3 matching boxes at my local Deseret Industries (similar to a Salvation Army).

It's ok if the boxes already have a design on it. You're going to paint over it anyways

2. Trace on Halloween paper the outline of the box. You are going to use it as one of the sides.

3. Paint the box! and let it dry

don't stress about painting it twice. it's ok if you can see the underneath layer-makes it look more rough and Halloweenie!

4. Use any Halloween scrapbook paper and cut outs to cover your box & whip out the mod podge (my best friend!)

5. Apply liberally and paint it on. You should have a medium/thick layer of the mod podge covering your box. It will disappear as it dries. After about 20 minutes reapply more mod podge. Let it dry for an hour.

While your painted box is drying, you can start on your ripped paper box.

1. Rip a bunch of pieces of the Halloween paper you used for your painted box.

2. Mix flour and water together to make a paste.

3. Dip the ripped pieces of paper into the gooey mixture and place anywhere on the box. You will get messy but, that's half the fun! Don't be perfect! Let your crazy self loose and start layering those scraps of paper!