Make It: Indoor Winter Terrarium

We’ve reached that time of year when the winter days grace us with their pastel presence, the sunlight is dancing just a bit longer and the ground is still frozen much of the day. Yet, springtime is on the horizon and it’s one of our favorite turns in time: with crocuses and daffodils budding and trees showing their green blooms. As we eagerly await Spring’s entrance, why not create your own winter terrarium you can enjoy indoors? Aleah grew up with my mom and grandma knowing and sharing everything there is to know about plants and flowers {really, truly}, so taking care of plants has been something special we both enjoy together.  

You can give your Green Thumb a bit of winter practice by creating a garden that’s colorful and au natural, filled with moss and ferns and cheery perennials.

 

Step 1. take a small perennial like a primorose {they’re abundant now at grocery stores and nurseries – we scored this one for $1} out of its container

Step 2. place a layer of dirt and rocks in the bottom of a clean glass vase 

Step 3. layer moss atop the dirt and rock and repeat until you’ve reached 1/2 of the vase 

Step 4. nestle the perennial into the vase

Step 5. use your scoop to fill in the rest of the terrarium with moss, dirt and rocks

 Cinch with a springtime ribbon and you’ve got an instant terrarium that will bring you joy indoors this winter.

Photos and project: Valley & Co.

So, bring the outdoors in and let’s anticipate springtime with a spot of joy in a vase!

DIY Paper Heart Glass Markers

Paper hearts are one of those staple Valentine’s Day items we kinda think you just need. They bring back fuzzy thoughts of received Valentines as kids from classmates and our parents and grandparents. Adorned with fuzzy stickers, candy hearts, glitter galore and hand written notes, paper hearts can be so versatile and decorated, yet they represent the same thing: LOVE. To make our Paper Heart Glass Markers

heavy duty paper {if you use glittered paper make sure it’s good quality so the glitter won’t fall off if touched} | scissors | a white pen

Step 1. cut your paper into squares {isn’t this velvet paper fun?}

 

Step 2. fold the paper in half with the back showing and trace out half of a heart {free hand it}

Step 3. cut out your traced heart with scissors, trying to cut inside the pencil line so it doesn’t show

Step 4. fold the cut heart in half again and cut a slanted notch out of the middle. This is where the heart will rest on the glass.

Pretty fun, don’t you think? You could create a whole slew of these for parties and weddings in other shapes, too – flowers, circles, butterflies and the like!

 

Photos and DIY: Valley & Co.

Hope you enjoy!

DIY Key to My Heart Garland

Late winter and springtime holidays seem to bring out the kids in us; we get to play with glitter and make paper hearts, hunt for shamrocks and pastel colored eggs and and enjoy baskets of candy and magical goodies! We usually celebrate Valentine’s Day with a delicious dinner cooked at home and a relaxing evening spent kicking back, but this year we’re likely planning a pop-up Valentine’s dinner in Seattle with some of our favorite area artists and chefs {stay tuned!}. So when dreaming up some ideas something playing off vintage decorative keys with ornate detailing came to mind: enter our Key to My Heart Garland.

 

 old ornate keys || a heavier duty ribbon like grosgrain || you can suspend with tacks or museum tape

String a vintage key through the ribbon to the very end {leaving just an inch or two} and secure with a loose knot. Repeat every few inches, depending on your desired length.

Old keys tell such a story, don’t they? Oh, to imagine what they’ve unlocked over the years and who has held them.

Use this garland to adorn a Valentine’s Day gift, on the backs of chairs or suspended above a romantic dinner table.

DIY and photos: Valley & Co.

Are you thinking about Valentine’s Day just yet? What’s your tradition?

Cozy Winter Gift Idea: Tea in a Jar

We’ve been really enjoying the especially chilly and crisp weather in the Pacific Northwest. While temperatures have dipped into the teens overnight, the days have been clear and lovely, with those soft pastel hues dancing across the late afternoon sky as the sun falls beneath the trees. It’s the perfect time of year to regroup and take a deep breath and savor the little things. So bundle up, bring a tea in a jar gift over to a friends’ house and plan on sipping and visiting all afternoon by a cozy fire.

This little project is so easy you really don’t need many steps: fill up a jar with loose tea and top with a lacy doily and tag. Secure a tea strainer to the top and you’re set. {Did you see our DIY for these winter escort cards?}

DIY: Valley & Co.

Voila! A sweet and easy peasy winter gift. How are you staying warm and occupied during this chilly month?

Fun with Hpnotiq and Prim & Prep

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hpnotiq for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Did you see our 14 makeup tips from Blush Makeup Artistry earlier today? Well we're continuing to roll out the ruffled carpet for you brides-to-be today with an inside scoop on Prim & Prep. Hpnotiq has a super fun website geared to the ladies we're excited to spread the word about: Primp & Prep is a one-stop shop for cocktail recipes, music and beauty tips and tips for life for you and your pals! It's perfect to peruse in anticipation for girl's night - whether you're staying in our hitting the town and painting it pink! Aleah's loving the easy access to all of these elements in one funky site. My favorite elements are the cocktail boxes that link you to tasty recipe and the beauty tips {nail colors for your horoscope? Brilliant!}.

I can see many of our blushing brides-to-be visiting Primp & Prep to share tips and gossip with their bridesmaids and pals, especially before their night out before the big day. What girlie girl wouldn't love to get ready for fun with inspiration all in one place?

So put your hair down music up! Check out the Hpnotiq Primp & Prep website and let us know what you think about the goodness! What fun!

You must be 21 years or older to drink alcoholic beverages and as always, please remember to drink responsibly.