Chavayla's Favorite Sites: Polyvore.com

Hi guys!  :)

It's a fashion and home decor site mashed all into one.  It's a site where you can practically let your mind go wild with endless clothes and accessories.  Polyvore.com has become one of my favorite sites in a matter of a few days.  In the quest of finding a cheap Casio G-Shock watch, I found myself on this site multiple times.  I sat down and looked at the site and noticed that members are able to create their collages of fashion and home decor; somewhat like a scrapbook page.  It's fun to play around with, and there are some really   fashion savvy members on the site.  Very simply, you search and save clothing items you like, and then you create a "set" which would incorporate the pieces you want, into a breathtaking look.  Great for those aspiring to stretch their fashion muscles such as myself.  Check out some of my designs as I add them to my Fashion page!  Check this website out!  :)  www.polyvore.com

With Love, Chavayla♥

Baking Adventure: Dark Chocolate Brownies with White Chocolate Chips

Hello everyone!

 On Tuesday evening about 7pm, I had this sudden craving for brownies.  My dad bought two boxes of Dark Chocolate Duncan Hines Brownie Mix in the week before, and for some reason they were calling my name that night.  I came down stairs, ate my dinner, washed the dishes, and prepared to bake these chocolatey treats.  I wasn't planning on doing anything special with these brownies considering we didn't even have frosting in the house.  As my parents and younger sister sat in the living room watching the Olympic Trials, my dad started throwing out some random ideas, some more ambiguous than the others.  "Why not  a brownie in a cupcake in  BIGGER cake?"  "Why not a cupcake with a brownie on top.  Even though he made it pretty obvious I wasn't the only one craving sweets, he did mention that there were some left over white chocolate chips from when he made my mom chocolate strawberries recently.  And thus, came the creation of these brownies!

Prepare both mixes as directed: One egg, 1/3 cup oil, 1/3 water

I used both mixes, but I stirred each batter separately.  I mixed a handful of white chocolate chips in to each batter before pouring it in.  When I poured the first batter into the pan, I added another one or two handfuls on top.  I added the second batter and added more chocolate chips.

I baked it in a glass 13 by 9 pan for 56 minutes and let it cool for 45 minutes.  Even though I didn't get to eat it until about 11pm that night, it was completely worth the wait.  I hope you guys enjoy!  :)

With Love, Chavayla♥

Blog Makeover

Hi guys!

As you can probably tell, I'm making an effort to revamp my blog. Things may look a little funny along the way, but I promise the end product. Titles may change and different aspects may be rearranged but the content I write and share on my blog will only get better. I thank you for your patience and understanding! :)

TUTORIAL: Friendship Bracelets Using a Circle Loom

On Sunday, I sat myself down to learn some new trades.  My mom taught me how to use a sewing machine, I learned how to make a friendship bracelet loom(Circle) from cardboard, and read online on how to make friendship bracelets using that loom.  In today's post, I will cover how to make the loom, and I will include a video on how to make the bracelet.

To make the loom, you will need:

• Cardboard (sturdy, so it won't bend from the tension of the strings)
• Scissors
• Marker
• Circular Object that can fit the area of your cardboard(optional)

Directions:

1. If you have a large piece of cardboard, cut it down to a manageable size.  The article I read suggested a 4 by 4 square, but personally, I cut it down to a size, small enough to be put in my bag, but big enough not be squished(10X8).
2. Draw a circle on your cardboard (you could use your circular object, but it's not essential) I used an old DVD.
3. Using the tip of your scissors, punch a hole in the middle of the cardboard circle.  You will slip the bracelet through this hole.
4. Using your marker, make eight evenly spaced marks around the circumference of the circle, and number one through eight.
5. Use your scissors to cut slits for each of these marks.

WOOOHHHLAAHHH!  You have your friendship bracelet loom!


How to make friendship bracelets using the loom:

ChavaylaB  :)

Five People I Admire Most

As I start back at blogging once again this summer, I'm making an effort to be a little more creative.  I've learned from experience that reading a blog just about promotions and sales is just flat out boring.

So today, I've decided to reflect on the Five People I Admire Most.

1. My mommy (yeah I said it, MOMMY!)  I admire the way that she carries herself, and I could only wish to be half of who she is.  Not many people can say they have carried a big headed child for seven months that accidentally throws away sneakers and refuses to eat condiments.
2. Alicia Keys, also for the same reason. She is so lady-like.  Despite controversy that has surrounded her husband Swizz Beats.
3. My elementary art school teacher, Ms.Bloom. Despite the continuous budget cuts in our school system, still to this day she teaches.  Not just because she has the job, but because she loves it.  She has a passion for it.  Not only that, but she still keeps in contact with her students, such as myself.  :)
4. Rosa Parks, I've always had an admiration for Rosa Parks. It takes alot of courage to do what she did, especially if the stakes are as HIGH.  
5. Myself. Alot of people may find this conceited, but sometimes you have to credit yourself sometimes for what you do.    People forget that sometimes if no one else recognizes you for the good you do, at least you can.  :)

Thanks for reading.  :)

ChavaylaB.

Etsian Spotlight: MadAsATatter

For today's Etsian Spotlight, I'm shining my big bright light on MadAsATatter. :) An Etsian from Winsconsin, she makes cuffs, and other fashion-foward items. My personal favorite is the Wide Tatted Black Victorian Bracelet. Here's a mini shop of her items:


Be sure to view(click on the blog title above), favorite and add to your circle!


God Bless,
Chavayla!

Etsy Teams

For the past few months, Etsy.com has been making changes to their site, such as changing the central into "Teams" for you to join. At first, I wondered how is the teams gonna benefit me? Are they gonna bring more people to my store? Will I be noticed? Will my prescence as an Etsian even be acknowledged. There's alot of teams on Etsy and when I say alot I mean alot. I'm talkin' thousands. So I decided, alright, I'll join a team. So I intended on joining ONE team and I ended up in TWENTY-ONE teams. Here's SOME of the teams I'm a proud member of:

-Custom Order Corner : The New Alchemy
-Etsy Blog Team
-Etsy Props
-Etsy Teens and Young Adults

The benefits of being a part of an Etsy is that you can pick choose what you want to see. Another benefit is that you do get more exposure based on the teams standards. All in all, if you're an Etsian and you're not in a team, JOIN ONE (click on this blog post's link). And if you're not an Etsian, JOIN ETSY!

God Bless,
ChavaylaB