OrganicTan Edmonton

This is a sponsored post however all opinions are my own.

When I was approached by Alitta from OrganicTan Edmonton to try a SunnaTan spray tan I was super skeptical. As a red head I am used to staying out of the sun and have grown to like my very fair skin. I really was scared to try a spray tan at first because I thought I’d look unnatural or at the worst like a carrot. Besides, I’ve never had a spray tan before, so I was certain I would pass on this opportunity.

But then I saw on Instagram Stories Alitta’s lovely personality and the spray tans she had done on other Edmonton gals. They looked fabulous! Every person she airbrushed with her magical formula looked even more beautiful, healthier, with the perfect color every single time. So I got my courage up and booked an appointment with her.

I’m so glad I did! From the moment we chatted on the phone, I started feeling at ease with Alitta. She is one of those women that is so much fun, you feel comfortable with instantly. And that’s always a great thing if you actually decide to “bare it all” as I did during a spray tan session. But we’ll get to that later. ;-D

A couple weeks ago I visited Alitta at OrganicTan Edmonton located at Lipstick Empire, a local laser spa that also offers other services including micro-needling, eyelash lift and tint, facials, microblading – the list goes on! And I must mention it’s also a beautiful place to hang out. I mean look at the decor:

So onto my experience. At first Alitta told me why OrganicTan came to be. Established in 2011 in Calgary, Canada SunnaTan was born from a desire to provide a safe alternative to harmful UV tanning, and to prevent the permanent and irreversible damage it has on skin. Because it’s based here in Alberta, the tanning colours are lighter and meant for us naturally pasty winter women who have no sun for eight months of the year unlike our Californian counterparts who are blessed with year round sunshine. An OrganicTan is also hypoallergenic, paraben-free and alcohol- free, has no chemical ingredients, and is packed full of organic skin nourishing ingredients including sunflower oil, bark extract, gotu kola, echinacea and green tea.

Then Alitta assessed my skin and decided to go with medium-light so we could start subtle and work towards darker later on down the road if need be. She also mentioned the tan should last for 7-10 days, I leave it on my skin for 24 hours, then I rinse off in my shower and I’m my new “golden self”. Then I asked her the most important question – “Do I get nekkid for this?” She said it’s entirely up to me, but she explained I might want to leave my underwear bottoms on to so there will be a tan line to show the difference in colour. I thought that was a great idea! So in the end I went topless and was so glad I did as it was nice to not have bra strap tan lines when I wore an off-shoulder sweater to an event later on.

Now for the tanning part. Alitta does the spraying via airbrush so the tan is applied evenly – no automation here! Now I am super scent sensitve with an ultra powerful nose so I could slightly smell the tan as it was being applied. I wanted to eat it because to me it smelled a bit like coconuts – soooooooooo goooooooood! And it felt invigorating.

So here’s my before and after:

Unfortunately the lighting in the tanning room made it difficult to really show how perfect my tan is. After the 24 hours was up and I washed the excess bronzer off it looked lighter and so perfect! And the great news is my tan looked awesome for the whole 10 days! This is one happy gal right here. 

So do yourself a favour and check out Alitta at OrganicTan Edmonton. You can also follow her on Facebook, and Instagram.

This is a sponsored post however all opinions are my own.

My Ten Favourite Pins I've Pinned On Pinterest

Are you on Pinterest? What a coincidence – so am I! I thought it would be fun to share with you some of my favourite recent pins I’ve pinned and a write up on each. If you want to pin the original pin to your collections, then just click on the pic and it will take you to it on Pinterest. So, without further adieu…

One of the things that both Tim and I share is our love of the autumn season. The colours are beyond fantastic and are inspiring! Unfortunately the fall season is too short here in Edmonton but I always seem to find wonderful pictures of places that I hope one day to visit in September or October when the colours seem to be at their peak.

My first PinPic therefore is this wonderful lakeside scene. I can just imagine chilling out with a blueberry tea, warm sweater and loads of relaxation time. Just looking at this picture calms me down and puts me in a cheery mood. Ahhhh….serenity now!

I also know that the fall season also gets me more in touch with my spirituality. Seeing all the glorious colours reminds me of God’s splendour. For those of you who follow me on a regular basis, you`ll know that I`m a big fan of essential oils. Here is an oil blend that will help you tune in to your spiritual side….perfect for getting you into the mood for “all that is fall”.

Now here is a dog that is simply in the moment. Taking in the sun, enjoying the pool and happy to be alive. We can all learn something from dogs! While this isn’t Zeke, I love this photo because I’ve seen Zeke be this Zen like. Huuuuummmm.

Pinterest is great for finding recipes and I was looking for a great bunch of munchies for my upcoming birthday party. This should fit the bill nicely!

Last year I saw these cute ornaments at a craft sale and thought, I should make my own! This tutorial should have me making these cute reindeer ornaments in no time!

I have always loved peacocks so I made a special board on my Pinterest for all things peacock. Isn’t this photo beautiful?

This shirt totally makes me laugh. Maybe If I wear it, it would cheer me up so much that I could actually become a morning person. Naaaaaaah.

I am currently in the process of decluttering, and organizing our home. I have created a great organizing board on Pinterest to help me on my daunting quest for house organization. Not as difficult as world domination but close.

Scarves intimidate me. I guess it’s because I only had two ways of tying them. Twelve different ways might make me feel just a bit more scarf savvy. 

Another diffuser blend? Why yes, because I want my house to eventually go from smelling like fall to smelling like Christmas. And this looks like a good one!

So, these are a few of my favourite pins! What have you pinned lately that you’ve found Pinteresting? Let me know in the comments below!

My Fall Lust List

Even though there is now snow where I live, it’s technically still fall. I am loving lots of the fall textures, colours, and styles and have lots of new items in my closet and on my wish list that I want to share with you. To shop any of the items, just click on its photo.

So let’s dive in!

I’ve been living in my black fedora. Hats aren’t just for bad hair days, but also for elevating your look! There is something so chic and mysterious about a black fedora. They are also less intimidating to pull off than a floppy hat and look great on anyone. It’s a great time to try one out as they are on sale.

I just got this knot hem t-shirt and love it to pieces! And for $12 with an additional 30% off you cannot go wrong! Even though it’s in the activewear section, it can be worn every day. It is so comfortable and flattering. It’s on the large side so order one size smaller than you usually wear. It comes in navy, grey stripe, and black.

Velvet is everywhere this fall and I am loving it! I broke down and bought this velvet shirt in every colour (except black and the dark steel because they didn’t have my size). I thought when they arrive in the mail I’ll decide which two I’ll keep. I’m dying over here because I love all of them. ARRRRRRRGH! I went one size smaller and I’m glad I did as they are a generous fit. And they are under $25 US people!

A chunky knit sweater in a neutral colour like cream, grey, tan, black, or navy is a great addition to your fall wardrobe. When going through my fall and winter clothing I couldn’t believe I didn’t own one so I grabbed this cream one on sale. The great news is that it’s still on sale for $28 US (With 30% off on top of that!) and also comes in wine, green, navy, red, mustard, and grey.

Blanket scarfs and Buffalo print are still going strong so I had to scoop up this baby. I love how the print is bigger squares than the usual Buffalo plaid. Paired with a chunky knit sweater, leggings, and and ankle boots, this scarf is the perfect accessory to pull together your look.

This cardigan is super long and lightweight enough to layer. It comes in three colours – black, wine, and light grey. Shorter gals might find it a bit too long for them. However, if you’re on the taller side (5’7″ and up), you might find it’s great option for you. It is an open front, but that won’t stop me from belting it and wearing it as a dress.

I can’t quit wearing this vest. It will be on repeat until it gets colder then I will break it out again for spring. It has fleece on the inside, fits true to size, isn’t too bulky, and has pockets! Plus camo is very hot right now. If camo is not your thing, it also comes in solid colours – pale pink, tan, fuchsia, off-white, and black. This vest is on sale so get yours before they are all gone!

I seriously live in these jeggings so I had to share them with you. I honestly don’t know why they call them a jegging as they are jeans. You can get them on sale even lower than $15 US! They come in black, white, dark denim, and light denim and are mid-rise which is now my favourite style of jean. I find low-rise not flattering on me any more (muffin-top much), and I don’t wear high-waisted because I have no torso to begin with, so why make it even smaller? I am not joking when I say I live in them. When they are in the wash, I just stand lost in the middle of my room. And if you’re into the distressed jean look right now and don’t want to drop $40+, why not grab a pair of these, some sandpaper, and make your own? There are plenty of YouTube tutorials that will help you out. 

Okay, I’m not buying these as I have gloves coming out of my a$$, but if I needed mitts I would run to the store and grab these cute Buffalo print ones. They are fleece so here in Canada they are great for running errands but not for hanging out on the toboggan hill when it’s -30 (F or C). I love the fact that the index finger has a patch so you can use your touch screen while wearing them. They also come in leopard, white plaid, black plaid, grey, and black. 

If you love plaid half as much as I do, then these cute pumps need to find a home in your closet STAT! I have been looking for a pair of plaid heels and these are a steal at $35 US! For those picky people out there, the plaid pattern doesn’t match on each shoe. But I love that it doesn’t. I feel it makes each pair unique and quirky! And for the price and the fact that they are super comfy, I’ll shut off my OCD for these babies!

Over the knee boots are big on the fall fashion scene but I didn’t want to drop a lot of money on something that is a trend. I scored these babies for under $30 US and I am completely happy with them. They stay up great on their own but even have ties in the back if you’re worried about them sliding down.

What are you adding to your wardrobe for this fall/winter season? Let me know in the comments below!

My Goals For November

Is anyone in shock as I am that it’s now November?!?! I don’t think I’m the only one. At least I hope not. As it is getting closer to the end of another year, I thought I would share my monthly goals each month with you until the end of the year. 

So every New Year I create a vision board with all my goals for the year on it. I haven’t looked at this board for some time now so I thought I would take it out and see if there’s anything I would like to add to my list for this month. After checking it out and coming up with a few new goals, here’s my list of goals for the month of November:

1. Get every product up on our new business website The Rear Gunner Clothing Company.

2. Make a monthly schedule for blogging and get ahead with my posts.

3. Start walking on the treadmill three times a week.

4. Finish organizing and cleaning my house.

5. Get my first spray tan ever.

6. Get my hair cut.

7. Clean the garage so we can fit an actual car in there.

8. Plan out my Instagram photos.

9. Do a bunch of OOTW shoots so I don’t have to do them when it’s freezing out.

10. Go to bed by 10:00pm every night and be asleep by 11:00pm.

So there’s my list! What are your goals for this month? Please let me know in the comments below! Now goal get them! 😉

The Launch Of Our New Business - The Rear Gunner Clothing Company

What’s that off in the horizon? Is it a bird? Is it plane? Nope. It’s our new business The Rear Gunner Clothing Company which started July 1st (Canada Day)!! Our squad consists of General Tim, myself Lieutenant Joelle, and Sargent James.

Now for the history of why we decided to start our company. Tim (my husband) loved BMW’s. He loved them so much in fact, that he got a friend to custom make a leather and wool varsity jacket with a wicked BMW Motorsport Logo embroidered on the back. Unfortunately his older brother borrowed said jacket without asking and lost it. So many years later Tim decided he would like another jacket and set to work designing one. As he toiled away he thought it would be great for our toddler James to have a cool jacket too. But for James he wanted to create an aviator style jacket. After much research, Tim realized that a leather aviator jacket with custom artwork on the back would set him back $1000 to $2000 US! So he came up with the idea to take a varsity jacket like his BMW one, and get it embroidered on the back with nose-art from WWII. Taking his love for WWII nose art, Tim designed a jacket for James called Swappy’s Sting (“Swappy” is our son’s nickname). He even put a “J” for James on the sleeve as well as James’ birth date. Pleased with his work he got a sample made of the Swappy’s Sting jacket. When it arrived and Tim tried it on, he thought that everyone should be allowed to own a wicked cool jacket with WWII nose art on the back. So now anyone can have a aviator type jacket with cool nose-art on the back for $150 Canadian which is way more affordable.

Our first trade show was at Etsy Made In Canada here in Edmonton. Even Cherry Bomb made an appearance!

Here’s a couple of the designs of the Men’s Varsity Jackets we carry:

The redhead on the bomb is supposed to be yours truly. And my birth date and initial is on this jacket as well.

Being added to our website soon are Toddler and Youth Varsity Bomber Jackets as well. We also carry Men’s, Youth, and Toddler T-shirts. Here are some of our creations:

At last but certainly not least here are a couple of our Adult Baseball Caps:

According to Tim, this cap was also inspired by me and displays my birth date and initial. :-O

We truly enjoy working together on designing – after James goes to bed of course! We hope you find something for you or for a unique gift for someone on your Christmas list. And all you gals out there are not left out! A small or medium men’s varsity jacket might fit you just right. Same with our men’s t-shirts. And our baseball caps? I have a small head and I can fit our caps just fine. Because we also carry toddler and kid sizes in some of our t-shirts and jackets, both you and your mini can be twins when you head out on the town.

These two are definitely winning at twinning!

And now for the best part! To celebrate our launch the first Canadian who places an order of our site will be getting their order shipped for FREE! 

Step One: Head to our site at The Rear Gunner Clothing Company

Step Two: Pick out as many items as you like.

Step Three: Do not check out but send us an email with what you’d like.

Step Four: Pay the invoice we send you.

Step Five: Sit back and wait for your awesome stuff to land at your pad.

Now I don’t want to forget all of my American buddies. Here’s what we’re going to do for you. The first American to order over $90 US gets a code for $10 US off!

Step One: Head to our site at The Rear Gunner Clothing Company amd 

Step Two: Pick out as many items as you like.

Step Three: Check out and use the code 

Step Four: Sit back and wait for your awesome stuff to land at your pad.

And when we head to the post office to ship your items and it’s less to ship than we charged you, we’ll refund the difference to you as soon as possible. It’s our guarantee.

Want to see our clothing in person? For all our Edmonton and surrounding area friends, feel free to email us to schedule an appointment to check out our showroom. See something on our website you gotta have? Send us an email with items you want, we’ll let you know if they’re in stock, and we’ll schedule a time for you to come by and pay for them when you pick them up. We take cash and VISA, Mastercard, and AMEX.

We hope you’ll fly by and see us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Pretty Whimsical - Handcrafted Soaps And Bath Bombs

This is a sponsored post, however all opinions are my own.

I had the privilege of meeting Debbie, the owner of Pretty Whimsical at The Etsy Made In Canada Show back in September. I just had to check out her booth because everything was so pretty. I mean it was a blogger’s dream with all the unicorn and mermaid bath bombs, soaps that look like cupcakes and cake, and the poop emoji soaps. And these are just a few of the lovely bath items she sells. Her items are all paraben, phthalate, and detergent free and tested on people not animals.

I was one lucky gal because she picked out some of her cutest items for me to try and to share with you on my blog. Eeeeeek! Aren’t these just adorable? This is one time I truly wish you could smell each of these through whatever device you are reading this on.

First I’m going to write about the bath bombs I got to try. The Mermaid Tail Bath Bomb Cupcake has Bubble Frosting. The bottom of the bath bomb is your traditional style bath bomb but it also includes buttermilk and kaolin clay. The frosting is a mix of bath bomb ingredients whipped with cocoa butter. Debbie even airbrushed pink on the white frosting. There are silver sparkles on the light purple mermaid tail which is a handcrafted soap. I was so sad to part with it because it was truly a work of art! The bath bomb fizzes and the frosting foams and bubbles under the running water. My skin was so soft afterwards and the smell was divine! To me it smelled like how I remember Fruit Loops smelling.

My little guy loved his Shark Cupcake Bath Bomb With Bubble Frosting. Trying to get him to take a bath can be a struggle but he hopped right in when he saw this. He loved the fizzing and playing with the shark fin soap. The best part (other than getting him to take a bath) was there was no clean up for me as everything went down the drain.

And if you’re wanting a cool gift for yourself or someone else for Hallowe’en look no further. Why not try a Pumpkin Brew Bath Bomb or a Witches Brew Cauldron Bath Bomb? These bath bombs come in cute re-useable containers that you just drop in the tub. You can have extra fun once the water hits the bath bomb by pulling the container out and dumping it into your tub while it foams and bubbles. And the best part? No calories like Hallowe’en candy.

The Cocoa Butter Donut Bomb definitely smells like Fruit Loops. I never wanted my bath to end. Thanks to this creation I got so relaxed in the tub, I almost fell asleep. If you know me well, you’ll understand how amazing that is. They come in a bunch of different colours and scents but all of them have that amazing cocoa butter “icing” sandwiched between the bath bomb donuts. Buy them by the dozen. Your skin will thank me.

Now for the handcrafted, gorgeous soaps. This may look like a piece of cake but it instead a sweet smelling soap. It leaves your skin feeling clean with a nice apple scent. Once again the details on this cake slice soap are incredible down to the sparkly apple on top of icing to the hunks of soap that look like cheesecake bits in the cake.

Fancy a cupcake that has no calories? Then this Strawberry Cupcake Soap is for you. Complete with a soap strawberry and sparkles on top, this cupcake with be your best friend in the tub.

 I just love the poop emoji because it’s so cute. Well it just got cuter! Enter the original and fun crazy Poop Emoji Soap. Each one has a different expression in the eyes because Debbie has to hand drop the soap on each eyeball. I laughed hard when she gave me one neatly tied up in its own poop bag. Dog owners will definitely get a kick out of this packaging! But don’t worry this poop smells great with its vanilla or chocolate scent.

So if you’re looking for the perfect gift for Halloween, Christmas, birthdays, or something to treat yourself, then head to Pretty Whimsical on her website, Facebook, and Instagram.

This is a sponsored post, however all opinions are my own.

How To Kill It On Instagram

I get asked a few times a month why I have so many followers on Instagram. I thought it’s time to create a post so I can just send a link when someone asks as it’s a lot to keep typing out.

So here’s what has worked for me. Hope you can find things off this list that will work for you.

1. Find People Who Genuinely Interest You And Follow Them.

To me Instagram is the most fickle form of social media. But I have been blessed to find people who I love their style and their personality. When someone takes the time to comment on more than one of my photos with well thought out comments, I will comment back and follow them. Comments like “Pretty!” or random emojis are lame and not worth a follow back. Often the people I follow will follow me back and a comment relationship and possible friendship begins. It’s a beautiful thing!

2. Create Awesome Content.

I find it sad that I have to say this, but post great content. There are plenty of articles on the Internet to read about how to create a great Instagram page. I have read many of them and it has truly helped me.

3. Be Consistent With Your Posting.

It drives me nuts when someone I follow doesn’t post for a few days then bombards my feed with three or more posts in a row. The bottom line is set a posting schedule for yourself and be realistic. I only post once in 24 hours because that’s all I have time for. If you can realistically do more than that, then go ahead. Just be consistent.

4. Run Great Giveaways.

I have gained many followers by running giveaways pretty much every three weeks. I run these giveaways by myself or I team up with one other company. I don’t like loop giveaways and probably will never do one. I think they are too time consuming for my followers and due to the high volume of entries a chance of winning are extremely low. I don’t enter them either.

5. Get Yourself A Blog.

I have been blogging off and on since 2013. Many of my followers read my blog and then decide to follow me on Instagram. The most successful Instagram accounts I have seen almost always have a blog or website attached to them. I view Instagram as an added benefit to my blog and not a stand alone business. Not everyone wants to just look at pretty photos because they want to know you and see content. Many people want an actual article to go with those photos. And no, writing a long dialogue to post with your Instagram photo doesn’t work. Most people don’t read the write-ups that accompany Instagram photos. Instagram is not the forum for blog posts. Get an actual blog.

I hope these suggestions help you to become the Instagram superstar you want to be. Did I miss something? Have a comment or question? Feel free to comment below.

10 Things I Can't Live Without

Yes it’s Thursday and it’s probably one of my favourite days of the week on my blog. Why? Because it’s the day I write about whatever I want. For today’s topic as the title reads, I’m going to share with you 10 things I can’t live without. I mean I could live without all of these things, but life just wouldn’t be the same. Of course these are just items and are way down the list of importance after God, my husband, son, dog, extended family, and friends. And I feel I should add that none of these items I’m listing are in any way sponsored. I just freaking love them!

So in no particular order here they are:

1. Coconut Oil

Seriously. It is the shiz! I put it on my face to moisturize it. I throw some in my hair to deep condition it. I drink it in hot water for the health benefits. And it’s great for removing make up.

2. Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Vanilla Tea

I am usually a loose leaf tea drinker but once I tried this tea, I had to give props to tea in a bag. I found it hard to find a tea that relaxes me AND tastes great but this tea is it for me. I drink a cup pretty much every night before bed. And it’s also very inexpensive.

3. dōTERRA Balance Essential Oil

I am seriously addicted to this oil. Balance is responsible for keeping me from totally losing my s**t on a day-to-day basis. When I feel the urge to kill rising, I put some of this oil on my temples and pulse points. Then I inhale it from my hands. And order is restored in my hectic life. Ahhhhhhh…

4. Paula’s Choice Lip & Body Treatment Balm

This is without a doubt the best and only lip balm I use. If needed I apply it in the morning and before bed. That’s it! I have been using it for at least 7 years. My lips have never been better.

5. L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Mascara

I hate, hate, hate clumpy mascara – especially with big brushes. This mascara is not clumpy and has a thin brush which makes it super easy to evenly coat every lash. One coat add lots of length while more than one coat gives me as much volume as I need. Love it!

6. Banana Boat Natural Reflect Sunscreen Kids SPF 50

After giving birth to James, I couldn’t wear any chemical sunscreen anymore as it burned and irritated my skin. My Mom suggested this sunscreen and I haven’t looked back. The formulation has active ingredients sourced from 100% natural minerals, broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection, it’s tear free and sting free, paraben & PABA free, and oxybenzone-free. The only downside is that because it has zinc oxide in it, it makes my face have a white tinge when I first apply it. But in a few minutes it goes away and my skin isn’t greasy. It’s a must have.

7. All Of My Essential Oil Diffusers

I know I’m kind of cheating by putting my four oil diffusers on my list, but I need all of them. I have a main one in my kitchen that can diffuse up to 20 hours containing an invigorating blend. Then there’s my office one which has a grounding yet energetic blend in it. My husband had to get in on the action so he has a motivating blend in the one in his office. And then there’s the one in the bedroom which has a sleepytime blend in it. Lots of places now sell them so just Google “Essential Oil Diffusers”.

8. My Silver Rosary

I don’t use it nearly enough, but it is definitely the most important thing I own. I bought it in Spain on my first solo trip to somewhere other than the States. Many prayers have been prayed with it and lots of miracles have happened along with them. It is a gorgeous silver and each bead is engraved into a rose. Oh and by the way for those who don’t know, I’m a very devout Catholic.

9. Netflix

Okay. You are stuck at home day after day with a crazy dog and an even crazier threenager. You don’t have cable or even basic TV. You’re husband works until 11:30pm every night. After your kid’s bedtime you want to relax and escape your day but don’t want to cry yourself to sleep with yet another glass or three of wine. Enter Netflix. If watching two hours of my favourite show is wrong, I don’t wanna feel right.

10. Aussie Three Minute Miracle Moist Conditioner

I just used it for the first time tonight and I am totally hooked. I feel like I have missed out on shiny, soft hair for years when I just could’ve been using this product! My hair feels like silk. I can’t keep from touching it. So glad I’m not in public right now.

So, what’s on your 10 things you can’t live without list? Please let me know in the comments below.

Off To The Races - The Canadian Derby

This is a sponsored post.

It’s the biggest event in Western Canadian racing—the thrilling afternoon where the past and present collide and the sport of kings gets the full attention it deserves. It’s a day of glamour and action, filled with history and tradition. It’s the Canadian Derby and this is how it began.

Robert James Speer was an Ontario-born racing fan who moved to Manitoba in 1900 when he was 18. Over the subsequent decades he built several racetracks across Western Canada, including Winnipeg’s Polo Park, which opened in 1925. Five years later, Polo Park inaugurated the Manitoba Stakes—an annual race limited to Manitoba-bred horses. Six years later, the race was renamed the Manitoba Derby and opened up to all three year-old Canadian thoroughbreds.

It stayed that way for another five years before finally officially becoming the Canadian Derby. From 1941 to 1956, the race drew the top competitors from across the country to Winnipeg, including legendary Canadian racehorses Budpath (who won in 1941) and Chain Reaction (who won in 1953).

Following the closing of Polo Park, the Canadian Derby moved to Edmonton’s Northlands Park, where it has been run annually for nearly six decades, growing in importance and prestige throughout the years.

Now when I was invited to take part in the 88th running of the Canadian Derby this Saturday August 19th, I literally squealed with delight. Watching gorgeous horses race. Check. Eating awesome food. Check. Drinking alcoholic beverages. Check. Getting my husband to dress up. Check. Having a date during the *gasp* day. Check. Wearing a pretty dress. Check. Wearing an awesome hat. Check. Which nicely segues into the rest of this post. Yep I made a hat for the occasion.

First I went to Value Village’s 50% off sale and bought a dress and hat. Then I took the belt off my dress to the Michael’s and the Dollartree and got some flowers and assorted things that matched. I ended up not using the feathers shown in the photo below. Then I got a pair of scissors, a glue gun, and some wire together.

Next I glued all the butterflies to the stems so they wouldn’t fall off. 

Then I cut all the flowers off the bouquets and glued them to their bases.

Then I secured the butterfly cluster by bending the wire and feeding it though the hat band. I then tied it with the wire and attached it with the wore to my hat. Then I glued the hat band to the hat.

Then I just started in the middle where I secured the butterflies and worked outwards on each side gluing flowers and leaves to the hat. To keep them from falling off, I glued various petals to the hat.

And that’s it. I’m derby ready!

I suck at crafting so if I can do this so can you! To see my full outfit, head to the races Saturday! Grab your tickets here.

So, would you try this? Let me know in the comments below.

This is a sponsored post, however all opinions are my own.