Category Archives: VRAI Magazine

Create the look of Faux Zinc Planters in 4 Easy Steps!

Create the Look of Zinc Planters in 4 Easy Steps

Create the look of Faux Zinc Planters in 4 Easy Steps!

This article was originally published in the July 2015 Issue of VRAI Magazine.

Ever since I moved out of my parents’ house, I’ve been working on cultivating a green thumb. I grew up watching my dad’s gardens thrive—from banks of carefully-tended rose bushes to vegetable beds full of juicy tomatoes—and each spring I look forward to getting my hands back in the dirt.

One of my favorite ways to garden is container gardening, which came in very handy when my husband and I lived in a 3rd floor condo unit for a few years after getting married. I love the versatility of container gardening, and I also love the DIY opportunities that come along with it. Because let’s face it, fancy planters are expensive! But with a few bottles of paint and affordable terra cotta pots, you can DIY your containers any way you like!

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DIY Travel Journal—Repurposing Old Maps

DIY Travel Journal made from old maps

This article was originally published in the June 2015 Issue of VRAI Magazine. 

As you begin to plan out road trips and embark on new adventures this summer, don’t forget to pack a journal! Sure, you can document plenty of sights on your smartphone or digital camera, but writing down the details of the day helps you capture even more. Some of my favorite childhood memories come from our annual family vacations. We criss-crossed this country, stopping at all sorts of landmarks and sights, from The National Mall in Washington D.C. to the St. Louis Arch to the Mesa Verde cliff dwellings in Colorado. Along with the rolls of film used to capture our stops (because this was long before smartphones existed!), I always kept a journal, taking time each day to record how many miles we’d driven, the sights we’d seen and the stories we’d heard. Though I never evolved into much of a scrapbooker, I kept brochures, ticket stubs, and maps of all the places we toured and visited.

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DIY Glass Etched Champagne Flutes

DIY Etched Champagne Flutes

A little birdie told me there might be a lovey-dovey holiday coming up this weekend. While Tom and I aren’t much for big Valentine’s Day celebrations, we do find ways to show our love and appreciation for each other, not just on February 14th, but throughout the year. One of my favorite ways to show the special people in my life just how much they mean to me is to create a unique, handmade gift for them. These DIY Etched Champagne Flutes make for a beautiful gift, and are completely personalizable!

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