Summer Wardrobe

It's my favorite time of year...time to shop for summer clothes and accessories!  I'm really excited about the new line that Calypso St. Barth is doing for Target.  I'm a sucker for fun colors, and relaxed beachy/bohemian style.  

I don't know about you, but I can't wait to stock up on these cute, inexpensive looks!  Not only will there be women's clothing in the collection, but little girl's clothing as well.  AND home decor!  Prices will range from $1.99 - $79.99.  The Calypso St. Barth for Target collection will be in stores May 1, for a limited time.  

CRAFT TIME: 3 tier diaper cake

I really enjoy making diaper cakes.  Every time I get a baby shower invite in the mail, my first thought is "yes!  Another diaper cake!".  This time, I thought I'd share the process with you guys!  These instructions are for a 3 tier cake.

Materials Needed:

  57 diapers, size 2

  Rubber bands, assorted sizes

  Glue gun

  Wooden dowel rod

  14" cake round

  Ribbon and decorations

Step 1.  Get those diapers ready!  I use size 2 Pampers, but you can use whatever brand you want.  Size 2 is a good size for the height of the cake..any smaller is really too little.  Take each diaper and roll it up (with the design on the inside) and secure with a rubber band.  Do this until you have 57 rolled diapers.

Step 2.  Make your layers.  For the top layer you will need 8 diapers.  Put 1 in the middle, and 7 around it.  Wrap with a rubber band.  

You'll need 19 diapers for the middle layer.  Put 7 diapers in the center (put a rubber band around the 7), then add 12 more around that.  Tip:  after you band your 7 center ones, put a couple of diapers around them and go ahead and put a large band around that...that way you just stick the diapers in the rubber band.  Much easier than putting a rubber band on after you have all 19.

For the bottom layer you need 30 diapers.  Make a center with 8 diapers (rubber band around it), put 13 more around that (another rubber band), then put 19 around that section (biiiig rubber band around the whole thing).  

Step 3.  Stack the layers on top of each other, then insert your wooden dowel rod in the middle.  Make sure it doesn't stick out the top of the cake!  

Step 4.  Time to decorate!  Decide on a color scheme or a theme, and pick out ribbon accordingly.  On this cake, I used crimson and white ribbon because this cake is for a friend of mine whose nursery is decorated in an OU sports theme.  I bought packs of sports themed scrapbooking elements for the decorations.  

Once you decide how you want to do your ribbon, cut it to size and get your glue gun ready.  Tip:  use a lighter on the ends of your ribbon (careful not to let it catch fire!) to keep it from unraveling.  The key is to use a quick fluid motion - don't linger long with the lighter.  Wrap your ribbon around the cake, and glue one end of the ribbon down to the other end of the ribbon.  Don't glue it to the diapers - that ruins the whole point of the cake!  :)

After you've got your ribbon on all the layers, decorate to your heart's content!  Chipboard is great for doing a name or initials, but if you don't want to spend the money on chipboard, cut your letters out of heavy cardstock paper.  I just peel the back off of the things I want to use and stick it to the ribbon.  If you stick it on the diapers, it may ruin the diaper.  

Step 4.  Put your cake on your cake round and admire!  

Here's my cake all finished!

Here are a couple of my past cakes I've done.  I'm especially proud of the pink one.  I almost wanted to keep that one... ;)  I love using those flowers on the cakes.  You can buy them at Michael's in the floral section.  They even make some that have clips on the back!  

Let me know if you have any questions!  Suggestions are always welcome too!  

More Mud Pie listed!

I just listed 2 new styles of women's Mud Pie pajamas!  They're both pj pants and they are adorable!  They're also lightweight and perfect for summer! 



travel inspiration: St. Augustine, FL

Did you know St. Augustine, Florida is the country's oldest city?  I didn't know much at all about the city until I began my research for this blog post.  My good friend Amanda has the good fortune of getting to visit it this summer on her way to Disney World, which is why I picked St. Augustine for this month's travel inspiration.  Whether visiting the Fountain of Youth, one of the many museums, or just visiting the beach, St. Augustine has something for everyone.  Less than an hour south of Jacksonville, St. Augustine may be the place YOU want to visit next!  Read on for a list of interesting things to see and do. 

The St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum
  I'm a pirate fanatic.  I can't tell you how many times I've dressed up as a pirate for Halloween.  I am intrigued by the men that made their livings by stealing from others.  If I could go back in time to any era, it would definitely be the golden age of piracy.  And now I can.  Well, as soon as I go to the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum.  Here, visitors can experience what it was like to live in Port Royal, Jamaica at the height of piracy; see one of only two ever recovered Jolly Roger flags; view the only authentic pirate treasure chest in the world (it's 400 years old!); and experience hands-on exhibits.  Truly a pirate lover or history buff must!  Check out the museum's website for tons of info!



an exhibit at the St. Augustine Pirate Museum


The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum
  I adore lighthouses, and after researching the St. Augustine Lighthouse, I am dying to make the trip to St. Augustine so I can experience this one firsthand.  Visitors can make the climb to the top of the tower, tour the grounds, and visit the museum.  Rumored to be haunted by several ghosts, there is even a "Dark of the Moon Tour" available after hours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  Visit the St. Augustine Lighthouse website for more information, directions, and even a list of deaths that actually occured on the grounds. 

Ghost Train Adventure
  Want more ghostly activities?  Head over to Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum and catch the Ghost Train!  Visit the three most haunted spots in St. Augustine during this 90 minute tour.  The first train departs at 8 p.m., seven nights a week.   Visit their website here.

Ghost Train Adventure

The Casa Monica Hotel
  Oh my.  The beauty and history of this hotel is astounding!  Originally opened January 1, 1888, the Casa Monica was sold just a few months after its opening.  Renamed Hotel Cordova, the hotel thrived with visitors and guests.  However, Hotel Cordova closed in 1932, and was bought by St. John's County in 1962.  The county used the building as the county courthouse for 30 years, until it was purchased by The Kessler Collection in 1997.  On December 10, 1999, it was opened again as The Casa Monica Hotel.  Restored to it's original beauty, the hotel is the only AAA Four Diamond hotel in St. Augustine.  Visit the hotel's website for prices, pictures, and availability.  Prices ranges from about $150.

Restaurants
As far as places to eat, I found so many in my research that I wasn't sure which ones to list!  Number one on TripAdvisor is Collage.  Cap's on the Water looks like a really neat place, and Barnacle Bill's has been voted best seafood.  If you know of great places to eat in St. Augustine, leave a comment! 

Crescent Beach
No worries about finding a parking spot and walking to the beach here!  At Crescent Beach, visitors park right on the beach!  For just $6, drive your car right up to the spot you like, and enjoy the convenience of having your car right near you!  Maybe it's the lazy girl in me, but this sounds swell...  :)

That's all I can write right now...  I've gotta go pack for my trip to St. Augustine!  Catch ya'll later! 

p.s.  A great website for more info:  http://www.oldcity.com/  Enjoy!!

Mud Pie is at Wanderlust!!!

I'm so excited to have added the Mud Pie brand to Wanderlust Home & Gifts!  If you aren't familiar with Mud Pie, you'll love it soon!  I'll be adding a little bit now, and a little bit later.  First up is women's boxers, a cute necklace, and a gorgeous fish platter. 

Aren't they cute?!

On another note, I had my first order from out-of-state last week!  Someone in Charleston, SC found me!  I was beyond excited.  And then, on Monday, I got an order from a woman in Oceanside, CA!  Needless to say, the fact that I got 2 out-of-state orders within a week has me jumping for joy!  After 3 months of hard work, I think it is starting to pay off!  The prayers probably don't hurt either... :)

If you like Wanderlust, please share the love!  Tell your friends and family, become a fan on Facebook, follow me on Twitter...whatever you want to do to support Wanderlust Home & Gifts! 

doing the happy dance!

I'm so excited!  I got my first order from out of state last night!  A package will be on its way to Charleston, SC very soon!  I can't tell you how stoked I was when I saw the order!!! 

I have been so busy this week that I haven't had time to write this month's featured travel inspiration.  We're getting ready for a garage sale tomorrow, and it's been a lot of work!  Who knew I had so much stuff to sell?! 

Look for the post on travel inspiration:  St. Augustine, FL next week! 

xoxo,
Amy :)