do it yourself divas: November 2015

Lily Jade Diaper Bags Review

2:00 AM

We are totally and completely obsessed with Lily Jade diaper bags. We really can't say enough wonderful things about them. They are beautiful, luxurious, and functional.

One of our favorite features, is that they can be converted to a backpack. How amazing is that? This makes holding, and snuggling baby just that much easier. If you have more than one child, which Steph and I both do... having a diaper bag that converts to a backpack is a MUST!

The Meggan in Brandy is my current favorite accessory of all time. It is HUGE, yet not bulky. It has a total of 21 pockets, perfect for everything baby needs and mama too. I love the big front pocket. My phone lives there.

I am in LOVE with the magnetic snaps on the three pockets on the outside of the bag. These three pockets are perfect for housing my keys, phone and my little man's Binky. Gotta love the easy access for those important things!

Isn't this bag just beautiful converted to the shoulder strap too?!

Steph and I have a little rivalry going on here. She is currently rocking the Shaylee in Brandy, and claims it is the best in the land.

It can also be converted to a backpack for the utmost convenience. She loves the large back pocket on the outside of her bag. Although a little smaller than the Meggan in Brandy, it is big enough to hold all the essentials and more.

Pictured below on the left is the Shaylee in Brandy. Pictured below on the right is the Meggan in Brandy.

Both are beautiful Both are perfect bags in their own way!

Honestly, you can't go wrong with a Lily Jade diaper bag. Are any of you wishing for one of these beauties under the Christmas tree this year?? A little birdie told me these bags are on sale right now. Take it from us, these are the best diaper bags out there.

-Meg and Steph

Lily Jade Diaper Bag

Baby and Kids

Little Boy Christmas Pajamas

9:49 AM

Christmas is coming! In case you all are still looking for pajamas for the big day, look no further - Petite Plume has got you covered! Our followers get 25% off with discount code DIYDIVAS.

Could you just die over these beautiful Christmas nighties? So classic and comfy for my little man.

{His favorite book, Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site}

Classic Red Pajamas from Petite Plume

-Steph

DIY

DIY: Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting

7:30 AM

Last weekend I went for a long run up in a beautiful canyon here in Utah. Although it is still August I was amazed at all the fall colors I saw up there. Those fall colors, and the long run made me crave something sweet. I decided to take my mom's famous roll recipe and make it with a twist. Did you know that you can replace butter in baking with pumpkin puree? If a recipe calls for 1 cup of butter simply change that to 1/3 cup pumpkin puree and 2/3 cup butter instead. Those ratios work for any baking recipe.

Here is my mom's AMAZING roll recipe that I have adapted with a little fall deliciousness.

In a small bowl:

2 C warm water

2 T yeast

2 T sugar

In a Bread Mixer:

3 eggs

2/3 C butter

1/3 C pumpkin puree

1 C sugar

1 1/2 t salt

Add ingredients from the small bowl.

7-8 C flour

Make before bed and let rise on the counter over night in a large bowl. Make sure to cover. In the morning punch down and roll flat.

Melt 1/2 a stick of butter and brush onto the rolled out dough. Sprinkle with sugar, cinnamon and a tiny bit of nutmeg.

Roll up the dough into a tube/log and cut into small rolls. Place each roll onto a greased cookie sheet, or even casserole dish.

Don't get what I just said?! Here is a clip that might help....

Cover and let rise until doubled.

Bake @ 350 for about 10-12 min or until golden brown.

Let cool and make this AMAZING cream cheese frosting I found HERE.

Frost and Enjoy!

-Megan

DIY

Create the Good

8:30 AM

This post brought to you by Create the Good. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Do It Yourself Divas.

Our father is the perfect example of Creating the Good. He is the most giving man that we know. Some of our greatest memories of our childhood were of him buying turkeys and hams and doorbell ditching them to neighbors and friends each holiday season.

There is nothing that we would love to do more than instill this sense of giving in our own children. We decided to follow his example, and do a little doorbell ditching ourselves.

We were beyond excited when approached with the Challenge to Create the Good.

We decided to Create the Good in our own community. It was a simple gesture, but one that is sure to leave an impression with our own children and those that we served.

There are so many in need. In our particular area, there is a sweet family whose father was just diagnosed with brain cancer. He has undergone surgery. His amazing wife has had to be so strong for her six children during this trial. Steph and I really wanted to get our kids involved in spreading some love to this incredible family. Although it wasn't much, it was still something. Something to brighten their day and hopefully let them know they are loved and thought of.

We even made my husband disguise himself for the drop off. We wouldn't want our cover to be blown.

This is the perfect season to give! Are you wondering how you can give back to your community?? Join us in 25 Days, 25 Ways to Give campaign. By registering, you will have the incredible opportunity to find those in your area and community who need you and your service. Just in our little community there are nursing homes that need visitors and soup kitchens that need servers. We can't wait to visit our local nursing home, and sing Christmas carols to the residents there. There are so many opportunities to serve. Create the Good makes finding service opportunities easy.

We love this quote, and believe it to be true...

By registering, you will be entered to be one of 25 winners for a $100 gift card or the grand prize of a trip to Smuggler's Notch Resort in Vermont. Once you sign up, you can begin Creating The Good at anytime during the 25 days.

Let's do this! We are registered and can't wait to accept the challenge to Create the Good! Whose with us?

Take a look at our little service project that we did for our friends below! It was beyond fun and we know it will inspire you to Create the Good!

- Meg and Steph

Baby and Kids

Christmas Pajamas With Petite Plume

7:00 AM

Opening Christmas Eve pajamas is always an exciting tradition we have in our families! Each year we go on the hunt for the cutest PJs. This year we are celebrating with Petite Plume's luxury sleepwear! Their pajamas even come wrapped in beautiful boxes with bows and tissue paper. That alone just made me all sorts of happy!

So what's in the box?

White Nightgown & Classic Red Pajamas

Aren't they beautiful?!

The kids LOVED them so much, they just burst with joy! It warms a mama's heart to see your children so happy.

Now your kids can enjoy pajamas that bring soft, breathable fabric and classic style together.

Our reader will receive 25% off with the code DIYDIVAS at checkout!

Let the warm snuggles begin!

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and the best of luck as you begin your holiday shopping! From our families to yours, Happy Holidays!

-Meg and Steph

Petite Plume

Baby and Kids

Our Favorite Teethers - Rad Revolution

3:16 PM

The teething stage! Our babies may not be getting teeth yet, but they are at the age when everything goes straight to the mouth. It's all fun and cute when they grab toys, but maybe not the funnest when they grab your favorite piece of jewelry, your hair, or even your plate from the table! So what's a mom to do? That's where teething necklaces and adorable teething rings come into play.

We found the cutest teethers from Rad Revolution!

Featured here is the Paddle Teether.

And featured here is the Wave Teether.

We can't rave enough about these teethers! They are the perfect texture for little gums, they are easy for tiny fingers to grip, the fabric is washable, and they are affordable.

We are also loving these cute teething necklaces. They add the perfect pop of color to any outfit and the babies love them! They can even be thrown in the wash. We like to style our necklaces with a collared shirt, but they can be styled in so many different ways.

Featured here is the Coral and Charcoal Tuggable Necklace.

And featured here is the Mint and Charcoal Tuggable Necklace.

We love them!

-Steph and Meg

Baby and Kids

Giveaway - Freshly Picked Moccasins

11:35 AM

Shout for joy, it's time for a giveaway! Someone very lucky will win a pair of soft sole Freshly Picked Moccasins! All you have to do is follow on Instagram to enter!

Now you too can wrap your baby's feet in lovely leather moccs. The hardest part of the whole deal is choosing your favorite color - they are all so beautiful! Head on over to Instagram and follow the directions there to be entered. The winner will be announced on November 16th 2015!

The picture below is the entry post on Instagram.

Update! The winner has been announced on Instagram!

{Strips and Stripes Blanket Tutorial Here}

Whether we are inside or outside, these shoes are my number one choice. They can take the place of socks, they stay put, and we don't have to compromise style for functionality. On the go or at home, these moccs come along.

Best of luck to our lovely followers! We can't wait to be your friend on Instagram!

-Steph

Baby and Kids

Video Tutorial: Stretchy Car Seat Cover / Nursing Cover

8:07 AM

Today I'll show you how to make this stretchy car seat cover / nursing cover fast and easy! You could have it done in less than 30 minutes. For your convenience, here is a link to the original post with still images and step by step instructions. Let's get started!

Supplies Needed:
1 yard of 4 way stretch fabric - Joanns.com
self healing mat
rotary cutter
pins
ruler
measuring tape
scissors - these are the best fabric scissors - seriously look no further!
thread
sewing machine - We have used the Brother Project Runway machine for years now and we love it!