DIY: A Neighborly Get Well Kit

Tip: click on the images for an enlarged view.

After moving from our last home, where we had possibly the world's most atrocious neighbors, I wasn't expecting much from our new set. So imagine my delighted surprise when several of them stopped by to welcome us to our new home. During that Spring when our lawn needed cutting for the first time, I looked out my window to discover our neighbor mowing it for us (he still regularly mows it...even though I run out and tell him not to). Our neighbors on the other side of us have offered to accommodate us in their storm shelter during the seasonal tornados we have. And two years ago they even shoveled our driveway after a freak 18" snowstorm left our city marooned for days. All of this is to say, that after having such horrible neighbors in the past, I truly know just how much it matters when the neighbors you have are good. And it goes both ways...I try to be an awesome neighbor too (these fleur de sel caramels were a huge hit last year)!

So when Vivint (a leading provider of simple, affordable home security and other home solutions) asked if I would like to create a couple DIYs with warm neighborly giving in mind, I was excited for the chance to put my neighborly thoughts into action. Vivint's new blog, The Neighborhood is a site with one purpose: to promote better safer neighborhoods through simple acts of neighborliness. Their site features tons of great ideas to bring your community together...DIYs, printables, activities and more. I'm all about this kind of mission...aren't you?!

So with cold and flu season upon us, it seemed that the perfect idea for my first project would be to put together a quick little get well kit that is ideal for a neighbor or friend who is under the weather. The kit includes ingredients for making a delicious Honey Lemon Throat Soother tea (I drink it every time I get a sore throat and it always helps), as well as comforting necessities like cough drops, lip balm, and tissues.

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Here's what I used to create my kit: 

• Large mug | Target, approximately $4
• Honey bottle | Grocery store, $4.50
• Fresh lemon | Grocery store, $.40 each
• Chapstick brand lip balm | Target, $2
• Tissues | Target, set of 3 for $2
• Burt's Bees Honey & Lemon Throat Drops | Target, $2
• Optional - Clear Cellophane Basket Gift Bag | Michael's, set of two small bags for $1
• Free printable gift tag (download found below)
• Twine
• Scissors

The Get Well Kit is as easy as can be to make. Just arrange everything inside the mug until it looks how you'd like it to. If you will be using a cellophane gift bag you can include more than one lemon (since it won't fall out). Print the file (download below), cut out your tags, and attach them to your gift with twine.

There are two tag color options (yellow and teal) with both "Get Well" text and the instructions for making the Honey Lemon Throat Soother, as well as one blank grey version (in case you'd like to create your own tag).

If you'd like to make the Honey Lemon Throat Soother for yourself, here are the simple steps:

Boil water. Wash a lemon and cut it in half. Squeeze the juice from one lemon half into your mug and place juiced peel into the mug as well.

Pour a generous serving of honey over the peel in the bottom of your mug. Carefully pour boiling water into the mug and allow drink to steep for 10 minutes. Remove peel and any seeds. Add extra honey if needed. There should be an even balance of flavor between the honey and lemon...not too sour and not too sweet. Sip and feel better!

Psst...If you want a chance to win a ticket to attend Alt Summit 2013, hop on over and check out the giveaway I'm currently promoting for Vivint!

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Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Vivint. Find more from Vivint at The Neighborhood, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. All images, content, and opinions expressed in this post are my own.

A Hip Handmade Holiday

Hi guys! Today I am super excited to introduce you to the hottest thing since sliced bread...and what is soon to become your all-in-one source this season for DIY holiday gifts and printables: A Hip Handmade Holiday from The Craft Pack!

A Hip Handmade Holiday is an amazing downloadable digital craft book created by my friends Susan Petersen and Alison Faulkner, along with talented graphic designer Matt Mildenstein. I truly couldn't be more thrilled for them.

Last month I had the opportunity to meet up with The Craft Pack team and a few other awesome craft-loving bloggers for a day packed with DIY fun. Alison and Susan even convinced me to be in a video with my finished project from the book (if you know how camera shy I am, then you know these ladies must be pretty amazing to convince me to say yes).

The book download is only $10 and all projects inside were designed to be created with a tiny budget of $10 or less per gift! I know you already want to pick up your own copy, don't you?!

But just in case you need a little extra push here's what you get with this digital craft book: a 150+ page interactive PDF with 18 projects, 9 instructional videos and over 100 printable gift tags, stickers, labels, stencils, and patterns. There are projects for all different levels of crafters along with tips on how to customize and make each craft uniquely yours. And last but not least, the book also includes pro-tips, shortcuts for quicker crafting, details on where to buy supplies, as well as videos with detailed instructions.

Just think of all the people you're going to be able to cross off your holiday shopping list...and they'll never need to know that all you shelled out was $10! It will be our little secret. If you didn't already dash over and download your copy, you can skip on over and do it now. Afterwards I'd love to hear which projects and printables you love the most (those DIY tassel key rings at the top of the post here were a huge hit with all the bloggers at the event). I just know you're going to love A Hip Handmade Holiday!

Credits: A Hip Handmade Holiday was made possible by Vivint / The Neighborhood | Styling by Cayleen Haynie | That amazing wall behind us in the video is also by Cayleen, her vinyls can be found in her new shop MUR | Music in the video by Pleasant Pictures Music

Get Your Holi-DIY On with Anthropologie + Creature Comforts

Hi friends! I'm excited to announce that I've teamed up with Anthropologie this holiday season (November 14th to be exact) to host an awesome evening of festive crafting fun at their Oklahoma City store (address above, and also listed below). We'll be creating sweet star garlands for you to adorn your home and holiday gifts with, and it's going to be a blast!

There are two 1-hour long sessions available, and spaces are extremely limited. So if you're in the Oklahoma City area and are looking for a wonderful way to spend the evening crafting amongst friends I hope you'll RSVP today! And if you're not in Oklahoma City but close enough to drive, you are still welcome! I'll be driving well over an hour to get there myself...so don't be shy, I promise the trip with be worth it! Scroll on down for details on how to RSVP and more! Hope to see you in Oklahoma City! xo Ez

This event takes place at Anthropologie in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, November 14th. Two sessions are currently available: 5-6pm or 6-7pm (both will be awesome). Please email RSVP anthroevents@anthropologie.com to reserve your spot (be sure to include your preferred session time in your message).

Location: Anthropologie | The Triangle at Classen Curve | 6100 NW Grand Boulevard | Oklahoma City, OK

Site for Sore Eyes: Kin Community

I came across Kin Community on YouTube a couple weeks ago, and it's one of those gems that you can't beleive you never knew about prior to discovering it. I'm pretty sure that you'll agree!

Through the Kin Community you will find a wonderful array of videos covering everything from DIY projects and recipes, to fashion and more. They are all beautifully shot and easy to follow. Trust me, you're going to want to subscribe to their feed a.s.a.p. so you don't miss a single one. xo Ez

DIY Applique Pillow by Anna Joyce for Liberty of London

Portland-based designer Anna Joyce recently created this gorgeous DIY Applique Pillow Tutorial for Liberty of London using their new Liberty Lifestyle fabric line. The results are simply lovely! With the tutorial Anna includes downloadable templates so you can easily recreate the pretty design on her pillow. Just think of what a wonderful gift a handmade pillow would be. I just might be adding this onto my holiday gift making list!

If you'd like you can find more from Anna Joyce in her shop and on her site. She also just recently launched her new Fall 2012 textile collection and it's 50 kinds of awesome. Check it out!

Photography by Lisa Warninger and Styling by Chelsea Fuss