Hot Mess Mommy Holiday Eyeshadow Experiment

After the Scotch Tape Cat Eye Experiment had y'all admiring my oh-so-sexy putting-on-eye-makeup-face, I was emboldened to continue experimenting with makeup/humiliating myself. Perhaps it was commenter Erin who said "Is there anything you two won't do?" - I mean, I love a challenge. So here I am playing with eyeshadow and being a goofball for your amusement.

I have always feared the drop shadow look (eyeshadow under the eye instead of eyeliner), but I think it kinda worked out? What do you think? Will you give sparkly holiday eyeshadow a try? If so, don't forget to enter our giveaway of $1000 worth of Smashbox Cosmetics and 10 Smashbox Holiday Gift Sets (today's the last day to enter). Ok, let me have it in the comments, I can take it. Or give me a beauty challenge to try and next time I may even do it in HD (if Scarlet lets me sleep through the night so my eye bags cooperate).

Hot Mess Mommy Trick: Scotch Tape Cat Eye

So, what do you think? Now, if only I could use scotch tape to do my hair...
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Nail Trend Take One: Whaddya Think?

Earlier this week I posted a round up of 25 Fun & Flirty Nail Trends to Try, so I figured I'd give one a shot at my monthly visit to the nail salon. I went with the apricot and one-gold-ring-finger look spotted at Cupcakes and Cashmere. What do you think? I think I'm kinda feeling it, but the toes...
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25 Fun & Flirty Nail Trends to Try

Calling all Hot Mess Mommies - manicures are such the little luxury, no? Personally, I've never been one for fancy nail art manicures, but after a recent trip to London I think I may change my mind. It seems that across the pond it's become a bit of a craze to turn the tips of your fingers into ten tiny artworks. We are not talking the bedazzled acrylic talons of yesteryear -- the new look in nail art is short, sweet, and just plain fun. Maybe a detailed rainbow on each finger is a little over the top for you, but would you try doing just one nail in a different color like the manicure pictured above? I've rounded up 25 fun & flirty nail art looks, from over the top patterns to subtle chic styles. Many even have links to tutorials teaching you how to recreate the look yourself using things as unexpected as patterned paper, stamps, and tape.

So check out 25 Fun & Flirty Nail Trends to Try, and see if you aren't tempted to give nail art a try.

Hot Mess Mommy Hair. Do this!

A break from the regularly scheduled programming to share the news that I will never again subject my husband, children or the dry cleaner to my signature fuzzy ponytail. I have discovered Sonya from Parlor's Knotty Bun Tutorial. Go try this now. So easy. It's the hair you WISH you had for your wedding.

And by the way... have you ever tried to take a picture of the back of your own head? So hard.

Will you try this? So cute, right?

Simple Hot Mess Mommy Cardi Tutorial

Jessica from Sew Homegrown is here to share her DIY for a Hot Mess Mommy Cardi. How cute does she look? Isn't this perfect to dress up a t-shirt and jeans as the weather cools off? So grab that pretty voile or rayon you've been saving and get to work. Take it away Jessica...

Hey Prudent Baby readers!  It's always a pleasure to visit here and share a tutorial. Today I have a simple and quick cardi you can whip up in no time.  I left the front open and flowy, so that means no buttons or snaps or anything. Easy right? Let's get started!

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What Should I Make With These?

I've been having fun hand embroidering on top of fabric as of late. I've been working on these two ladies for a while, but I can't decide what to make them into.

Any ideas? Let me tell you about them...
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Snappy Hot-Mess-Mommy Dress

About half-way through sewing up this dress, I realized that I was designing myself a Snappy Toddler Top. HA! So the next time you sew up something for baby and say... "I wish I had that in my size," go for it!

There's no pattern for this one, just use the front of a tank-top that fits to trace the pattern for your front and back neckline and then follow the tutorial for the Snappy Toddler Top. Use some pretty flowing fabric like voile or cotton lawn. All Anna Maria Horner Voiles are on sale this week on Fabricworm. I sewed the top of the shoulders but wish I had done the snaps. They would be awesome for breastfeeding.

How to Make an Old Fashioned Linen Handkerchief

Last week I showed you a little stash peek of my new linens and shared a fabricworm discount code. The first thing I made with my lovely linen was this old-fashioned monogrammed hankie. What do you think of my blanket stitch edge?

Umm, yeah, y'all know I'm not so hot with the hand stitch. I did that with my Brother Sewing & Embroidery Machine! If you've subscribed to our newsletter you already know what you have to do to enter to win one of your own. The rest of y'all will find out next week. Now onto my embroidered linen hankie after the jump...
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March into Organization: Hot Mess Mommy

We have organized The Home and the Craft/Office Space. Now it's time to organize the Mama. Here are a few projects to help you put "it" in its place and look stylish doing so. Conquer the world Hot Mess Mommy!

How to Make a Wristlet Key Fob


Quick & Pretty Makeup Bag


Oilcloth Tote Bag

and the rest...
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Ribbon Barrettes

I've mentioned my LOVE LOVE LOVE for Craft Snob before so I'm so excited that Sara is here to share a DIY for her adorable twist on 80's style ribbon barrettes. Did anyone else make/wear these the first time around? Ah memories! We need some! Take it away Sara!

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Monday Mom Outfit: Western Chic

It's Monday, so once again we are shopping like teenagers to snag hot on-trend outfits for mama. We snagged the Spring Sailor look, a Warm Springs outfit, and now we are going for Western Chic with a 70's twist. This may not be the cheapest outfit ever, but it's not totally insane, and really it's all about the sweater. I CANNOT WAIT for that sweater to show up on my doorstep! Find out where to snag this week's Monday Mom outfit for a steal here: Monday Mom Outfit: Western Chic.

Monday Mom Outfit: Warm Springs

I warned you that every Monday we would be shopping like teenagers to snag stylish mom looks for rock bottom prices. Last week we went for the Spring Sailor trend, this week we are going for a casual, swingy, warm spring look. See where to snag this outfit for a steal here: Monday Mom Outfit: Warm Springs.

Double Duty Diaper Bags: BIG SALES on Big Bags!

Ah the diaper bag – the day you get to store your diaper bag away and start carrying a regular purse again is a magical moment. But even if you’ve reached potty-training milestones, you’ll still need to pack up some toddler-gear (snacks, extra undies, wipes, a juice box, a couple of crayons) into your purse for every excursion with the kiddos. I just snagged a modern, stylish bag that is big enough to accommodate all my mom gear without screaming DIAPER BAG and I love it. The big bonus: it was on BIG sale at 60% off. Find out where to score these deals here: Double Duty Diaper Bags: Big SALES on Big Bags!

New Music

The Husband hooked me up with a bunch of new music for Christmas. It wasn't hard to do, I hadn't acquired a new CD in over a year. I was in a rut of listening to Scarlet's Dance Attack 2009 on repeat under the dictatorship of a three year old. He saw that an intervention was required. Now if you are a music buff, most of these gems won't be news to you but if, like me, you have been hiding under a rock for a while, you might find something you like! And most of the digital versions of these CD's are between $5-$10 on Amazon! I have found great joy listening to grown-up (but mostly child-friendly) music while I hide in the craft cave til the week hours of the morning.

Jaime and Carleton are much better at keeping on the cutting edge, maybe she will have some more obscure stuff to add. Maybe you do too! Please do leave a comment. If we like it best, you will win a yard of pom-poms from my stash!

See my new music stash after the jump.

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Modern Prairie Dress Tutorial

AAACK!  This is so embarrassing, my attempt at modeling, HA.  Go easy on me in the comments.  Soooo... here is a new Hot Mess Mommy tute, for what I am calling the Modern Prairie Dress.

I was obsessed with Laura Ingalls Wilder as a kid, but that's not really relevant. After the maxi-dress incident, I wondered if I could make a long dress that was just a bit more flattering.

Did I succeed? You will be the judge of that.

HAHAHA that's me!  Maybe you should wash your hair and put on makeup before you try to photo shoot yourself!  But anyway, this dress was made with three yards of cotton lawn and one afternoon with no childrens around.  Get the full Modern Prairie Dress Tutorial after the jump!

And remember that any comment you leave this week could win you that Alexander Henry fabric.  Maybe you want to mock me?  I can take it.
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Adorable DIY Ear Warmers

How gorgeous are these ear warmers?? I love all the different styles you can make from one tute as well. When I spied these on Delia Creates I just had to beg Delia to share the DIY with you, and lucky us, she agreed! Take it away Delia:

With autumn here and winter right around the corner, it is the perfect time to make these easy ear warmers! These are so fun and quick to make, you may want to make four...like I did! All it takes is an old wool sweater or 1/4 yard of fleece, scissors, thread, and a sewing machine. Pretty simple. For this one I used an old wool sweater that got ruined in the wash and became semi-felted.


For this one I added some pleats up the side and added some flowers.


For this one I used a sleeve off an old thermal knit shirt.


And this one is fleece with a matching knit fabric sewn over it and a nice pretty recycled knit bow.


You're so excited now right?  And can't you see some cute mini-ear warmers for your tot?  You could totally make a boy version too.  Check out the full Ear Warmer DIY after the jump, and also visit Delia over at Delia Creates for a lot of other amazing tutes!

And remember to leave Delia a comment, because this week's favorite commenter wins those gorgeous embroidery patterns pictured up on the left!

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How to Make A Wristlet Key Fob

These little key fobs are such a fun way to use bits of pretty trim to make easy and VERY inexpensive stocking stuffers!

You just need a few supplies and a few minutes and you'll have little custom homemade gifts for all your favorite ladies. And also, totally an appropriate handmade man-gift if you choose the right styles.

I love pretty ribbons. It's so nice to get to use 'em and share 'em.

Learn How to Make A Wristlet Key Fob after the jump...

And remember to leave a comment on this or any/all posts this week - you could win a magical glitter assortment of joy.
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Simple Homemade Body Scrub

In the spirit of Doing More With Less here's another easy project with awesome results. Rather then spending $30 on a luxurious body scrub for my flaky winter skin, I whipped one up with some ingredients from my kitchen.

So what if I can't spell? My skin is smooth as a baby's booty. I'll tell you how to make Simple Homemade Body Scrub with a few ingredients from around your kitchen after the jump...

And remember to leave a comment, because you could win that super cozy skein of Bamboo Ewe yarn!
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Oilcloth Tote Tutorial

We love our oilcloth around here and since a bunch of you have requested a tote bag/shopping bag/gift bag DIY, we put one together using this fabulous material. See how we are? We also love bias tape so we threw some of that in too.

My priorities were to make this easy and to use only 1/2 yard of oilcloth because while it's totally worth it, it's pretty pricey stuff. Prudent!

And remember that any sweet/clever/weird comment you leave this week could win you 1/2 yard of Nicey Jane oilcloth from our personal stash. Then you can make one too! Will you make one? Have you tried oilcloth yet? What DIY would you like to see on Prudent Baby? (and don't say carseat cover, say something easy)

Read More for the Oilcloth Tote Tutorial.

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