DIY inspiration - make your phone case pretty

This gorgeous DIY pressed flower iPhone case almost made me want to have an iPhone just so I can make the case this pretty. Look at it, it's simply stunning. 

We own Android phones, which we love and would never switch to anything else. I have a HTC design and I love it. Unfortunately the case isn't as exciting as all of the iPhone case there are. Otterbox is protecting mine, it's just black color. The outer shell made out of silicone. I've been thinking what can be done to make it more fun and different.So far I have one idea but not sure if it's a good one. If you have any suggestions I would love to hear (read) them.

Favorite 13 - Possible Montessori DIY toys

OK, before I begin sharing some cool toys/activities supplies I'd like to make, I'd like to share this amazing short video I found on the web about what is Montessori education. It's 5 minute video that easy to understand. Because I've read few things online that some books, for example, are quite hard to understand. So for visual people like me and who doesn't understand HUGE words, this video is perfect.And here's a nice summery:

"

Montessori is an educational pedagogy that focuses on the individual child and his needs. The concepts behind the pedagogy were consolidated by Dr. Maria Montessori in the beginning of the 20th century. Her concepts in regards to teaching children based on their needs and personal interest lead to the Montessori educational method of today. There are four areas of learning in a Montessori 3-6 class: Practical Life In this section of work, the child finds materials and Exercises of his every day life from pouring water from a jug to a glass, or learning how to tie a shoelace. These activities help the child to properly take care of himself so that he may feel as though he is independent and does not have to rely on an adult for his basic needs. Sensorial Activities in this section allow the child to refine each of his senses. He will become a child who can appreciate color or texture differences, organize his thoughts and objects in his environment and who has a refined sense of pitch from the music he may hear around him. Language  The child is taught language through a specific progression of lessons where he first becomes aware of the different sounds in a word. The child then learns the language phonetically until the point where he is taught the different “rules” in a given language and the exceptions to those rules he will need to know in order to spell and read fluently. Mathematics The child first learns to count from 1-10 through the understanding of the concept that those numbers represent a specific amount.  Through each material, the child will learn addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and truly understand what each one means in their deeper sense. Through this method of teaching, Montessori offers the child a strong and solid foundation in the understanding of mathematics. Overall, what makes this method of learning so different compared to the conventional form of education we have today, is that the teacher does not stand in front of the class and teach each child the same lesson all at once. Each child is allowed to learn at his own rhythm in a way where he feels as though he is in fact not learning or being taught. Montessori called this way of teaching “preparing the child for success”.  The teacher is there to guide the child through small Exercises in which the child will succeed. Through time, the Exercises rise in difficulty but because the progression is so well thought out, the child never feels as though learning is a struggle."  via InfoMontessori

Alright, and back to my list of Favorite 13 for today. 

I've been raised to not spend money on things that I wanted but only on things that I needed, simply because we have not had any "extra" money to spend. That made me be very careful with money all my life and then it turned into being cheap in certain areas. So I'm trying to find a balance in which to know where I should invest and where I can DIY something or cheap out. The Montessori supplies are price-y and I consider it an extra, BUT it is very possible extra that can be created with what you already have or can buy at any "cheap" store.

DIY inspo - Entering the world of Montessori

Internet is an amazing and VERY useful thing if you know what you need. Yes, you can waste way too much time online, but I've learned how to use my free time online as productive as possible. 

Lately I've been learning about Maria Montessori and her educational techniques. I have never heard of her before, never knew such thing existed. Now I'm thankful to my old blog+instagram, where I follow a few inspiring young mothers, I've discovered Montessori. It really is fascinating. If you anything like me (or how i was just a week or so ago) ..have no clue what Montessori education is, just goodle it and start with Wikipedia. Then just keep on clicking the links. When I'm done bookmarking all the things I found, I will make sure to share them with you later on. 

At this point I'm still very "green" in this, but what I am sure of - is that we are in love with principals of this education so far and I can not wait to start changing things around for Ethan and setting up every day activities, so his awake time is spent learning while having fun. It's all up to us what kind of a person he will grow up to be, we want to make sure we are giving him everything he needs to develop skills that will help him in the future. Since I am with him every day it's my natural responsibility to provide him with tools that encourage and feed his curious mind, so  he is learning every singe day. That's what I'm here for. 
The information I already have is quite overwhelming, but when I put things in order, make lists, mood-boards and so on..it helps me not to lose my focus. 

That's why today I threw together super quick DIY inspiration of activities, I would like to make soon. You can buy these guys online, but since I'm obsessed with making things on my own (in hopes it's not damaging our budget lol) I want to try and make this.

diy inspo - Montessori activities by marixa on Polyvore

Let me know your thoughts on Montessori education.

Have a great weekend!

DIY inspo - Mason Jars pendant lights

In a few weeks (I'm very hopeful lol) Ian will finally start AND finish putting laminate floor in our 'new' bedroom so we can switch the furniture. While I'm in a waiting mode I've decided to not waste my time and try to make at least one DIY project I was talking about here. Me and my ladies are having a crafty nigh-in next Saturday with some snacks, wine and DIY projects. So my pick would be Mason Jars pendant lights. I have a bit more than a week to get materials I need. For now I'm just sharing tutorial I found via Pinterest. 

photo and step-by-step tutorial belong to Stephany at Home Is What You Make It.

I'll try to make my lamps look a bit country-ish by adding some rope like here. This was my original inspiration of the lamps for our country style "new" bedroom. You can purchase these beautiful lamps at Etsy shop Boots N Gus.

Wish me luck for next Saturday :)

DIY inspo - bottle cap birdcage ornament

And here she goes again with FP!...it's not my fault that Free People has the best ideas ;)

Details over here!

Alternative Christmas Tree

In Ukraine our "main" holiday of the year is New Years and our Christmas comes after. Living in a small apartment the only tree we could fit in was tiny, skinny parody of the tree. But I never cared much for the size of it, me and my mom still always managed to make it look cute.

The second year living in USA me and my husband moved in our apartment and he decided that we absolutely have to have a giant Christmas tree so that I can fully appreciate the holiday and get into spirit like every one else does. He made it happen. It took us awhile to get it on the second floor and he still had to trip the top of it so it wouldn't make a hole in the ceiling lol

Anyway...next year I said NO to live gigantic trees, because let's be honest, no one wants to keep finding the tree needles for the whole next year. We went with small and fake with some DIY ornaments. 

This year I haven't decided yet what I am going to do for our tree, but here are few ideas of alternative ways to create Christmas tree in your home. May it be a small apartment like ours or a big house. 

alternative christmas tree by marixa on Polyvore

And check out Christmas trees from previous years
2010:

 2011:

DIY inspo - Mason Jar Lanterns

Ok, it's going to be another post about Free People...because there is nothing wrong writing or referring to a wonderful, inspiring brand. Everything about them makes my face smile and I want to buy all of the things! 

One of the cutest DIY project I've seen on Free People blog was the Mason Jar Lanterns. So gorgeous! And it happened that I'm addicted to Mason Jars, it's one of my favorite materials to work with. But really it can be any glass jar..like pickle jars I used to make these. We still have a ton of pickles left over haha! 

Here are few visual:

Photo by blog.FreePeople.com

Can not wait to make them for my home!