DIY: Natural baking soda & strawberry teeth whitening

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Here's an all natural teeth whitening recipe that I've been doing which has been working like a treat! Catherine Zeta Jones and Tyra Banks are known to do this also...

Here's what you need:

1/2 teaspoon of baking soda

1 ripe strawberry

Now, mash the strawberry and mix it in with the baking soda. Apply the mixture to your teeth with a soft tooth brush and leave it on for about 10 minutes.  Then, brush your teeth and rinse! I do this once a week and it sure keeps me smiling!

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Wanderlust: Pink lake in Senegal

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Senegal's Lake Retba or as the French refer to it Lac Rose is pinker than any milkshake. Experts say the lake gives off its pink hue due to cyanobacteria, a harmless halophilic bacteria found in the water. Lake Retba has a high salt content, much like that of the Dead Sea, allowing people to float effortlessly in the massive pink water!! Africa, here I come!! 

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Super easy microwave brownie in a cup recipe

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Now everyone can bake!! No big pans, no pre-heating the oven, no cutting and no big mess. This has got to be the easiest brownie recipe and it only takes 3 minutes to make!

Ingredients:

2 Tbs flour (I used coconut flour)

2 Tbs sugar (I used coconut sugar)

1 Tbs cocoa powder 

2 Tbs olive oil (or coconut oil)

1-2 Tbs water  

That's it! Enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

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Bring it on Monday: Heart-shaped meadow

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Here's a touching story to get you through Monday! Winston Howes, a 70-year-old farmer, created this touching heart-shaped meadow as a tribute to his late wife - by planting 6,000 oak trees in the middle of his field surrounding his home. The heart points in the direction of her childhood home... 

Hope you have a happy Monday filled with love everyone!

View full story and more pics here.

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DIY: Cardboard slide by The Contemplative Creative

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You could literally win parent of the year with this DIY cardboard slide by The Contemplative Creative! Make sure you check out her site for more inspiration like this!

If you happen to have a couple of large appliance boxes, you can just open the tops and bottoms of the boxes and tape and lay the boxes end to end down the stairs. This turns the boxes into a really fun tube slide! Now go get that award you deserve!

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DIY & Freebie: iPhone case by Maiko Nagao

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Now is the time to get a clear iPhone case if you don't already have one. Why? Because I'm giving away free Printable iPhone case designs to all my beautiful readers! 

I figured by re-using your clear iPhone case and simply replacing the inside will decrease your carbon foot print! How? By preventing you from buying new stuff! So get creative people - craft our way to a greener world!

Just print and place the art inside of a clear case and there you have it - a new case! I will be posting more designs throughout the year so watch this space people!

// iPhone 4 & 4s  // iPhone 5 //

Enjoy~!

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DIY: Masking tape frame

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I have so many of my prints lying around that I never know what to do with them. Getting ALL of them framed would be super expensive! So, I tried this DIY masking tape frames inspired by Kreativ Inredning! She talks about washi tape, but I just went into my toolbox and found some black masking tape.

It's ok if it's a little wonky - I think it ads a little funky touch to it!

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DIY: Spa treatment for dry and cracked feet

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I’ve been working on switching over to all natural beauty products for several months now and really loving the results. So, here's one of my special DIY spa treatment for dry and cracked feet recipe. It's super easy and all the ingredients should be in the kitchen!

Here's what you need:
2 T baking soda
Juice of half a lemon
1 T salt (preferably epsom salt)

Mix all the ingredients together and in hot water, soak your feet for about ten minutes, rinse and pat dry.

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Celebs vs. the paparazzi: WIN! Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield

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What a crafty way to use paparazzi to their advantage... Go Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield! Makes me smile ♥

"We just found out that there were paparazzi outside the restaurant we were eating in. So ... why not take this (with an arrow pointing to Garfield, whose sign continued) opportunity to bring attention to organizations that need and deserve it www.WWO.org & www.gildasclubnyc.org Have a great day!"

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DIY: Baby pic fun by Adele Enersen

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How gorgeous are these 'When My Baby Dreams' photographs by Adele Enersen? If I had a baby of  my own this
is the first photo shoot I'd want to do!

Follow me on facebook, pinterest, instagram and twitter, for more daily creative inspiration!

Image source

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DIY: Masking tape frames

I have so many of my prints lying around that I never know what to do with them. Getting ALL of them framed would be super expensive! So, I tried this DIY masking tape frames inspired by Kreativ Inredning that I had to try it myself!

She talks about washi tape, but I just went into my toolbox and found some black masking tape.

It's so easy, you should try it too!

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DIY: Upcycled magazine envelope

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What do you do with old magazines? Easy, you upcycle them and make them into envelopes! I used an old Vogue issue but any magazine would do. A home and garden one with plants and flowers would be extra cute too!

You will need
An old magazine, scissors, envelope template, a glue stick and a pen.

1. Tear out some magazine pages that you like
2. Download envelope template, print it out to your desired size and cut it out.
3. Trace the envelope template on a magazine page
4. Cut the envelope shape out
5. Glue the bottom flap down to the two side flaps.

Voila, you've made your own envelope!

You can also follow me on facebook, pinterest, instagram and twitter, for more daily creative inspiration!

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DIY: Baby print fun~!

How gorgeous are these 'When My Baby Dreams' photographs by Adele Enersen?

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FREE: You're so freakin' awesome card by Maiko Nagao

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I have literally JUST finished designing this valentines day card for my husband after spending hours trying to perfect the typography! Yay, and because I love it so much I thought I should share it with all of you. Make sure you print it on a thick A4 card and set it to 'fit to page'. There are two grey lines at the top and bottom as markers for you to cut in half. It makes two if you're lucky enough have more than one 'freakin' awesome' people in your life!I’m fairly active on facebook, pinterest and twitter, so let’s stay in touch!
// Valentine's Day Card Download //
Enjoy~!

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DIY: Anti-aging facemask

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Here is a great moisturising facemask by Birchbox that I had to share with you all. All the ingredients can be found right in your pantry! I tried it one morning with left over oatmeal porridge and worked like a treat. Did you know Bananas are full of vitamin A and potassium, which naturally moisturises and nourishes the skin? Aside from numerous health benefits (high in potassium, iron, and protein), egg whites are nature’s skin tightening remedy. Honey is the miracle ingredient that retains and attracts moisture. And the the last ingredient - oatmeal's grainy little flakes will remove dead skin cells from your face, leaving your complexion soft and smooth!! 

What you'll need
½ ripe banana 
1 egg-white
1 tsp honey
½ cupcooked oatmeal

Apply a thin layer of the mask to your face, adding more layers to certain problem areas. Leave the mask on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water, dry your skin, and apply toner and/or a moisturizer.

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DIY: Draped skirt by Passion for Fashion

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Check out this cute skirt by new NZ brand Capsul. They make designer essentials with a hint of luxury exclusively online and at a fraction of the price of high end boutiques! They have some really cute things you should sign up here.For those that are crafty, you can easily DIY this! I used an old stretchy scarf from Zara. You have to tie it as tight as possible and use a hairpin so it stays in place. Check out the full tutorial from Passion for Fashion here.
You can also follow me on facebook, pinterest, instagram and twitter, for more daily creative inspiration!

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Chocolate avocado pudding recipe by How Sweet It Is

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Guacamole is so passé... make pudding instead! Check out this gorgeous chocolate avocado pudding recipe by How sweet it is. Any excuse to consume this super nutrient-packed fruit!

You can also follow me on facebook, pinterest, instagram and twitter, for more daily creative inspiration!

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DIY: Upcycled plastic bottle herb planter

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Totally in love with this super eco self-watering upcycled plastic bottle planter by Science you can love ♥ Make sure you check out their site here.

Cut up a few bottles for your kitchen windowsill and create a indoor herb oasis!Materials:Marker
1-liter plastic bottles with caps
Utility knife
Scissors
Potting soil
Herb seedlings Instructions:For each planter, mark a line 5 inches (12cm's) from the bottle’s base. Use the utility knife to puncture the bottle at the mark (an adult’s job), then use scissors to cut all the way around the bottle at the mark. Remove the label, using the label remover or vegetable oil to get rid of any extra adhesive.With the cap in place, invert the bottle’s top portion and insert it into the base. Fill it partway with soil. Transplant a seedling, adding soil and pressing it gently until the seedling is secured in the planter.Lift out the soil-filled top portion and remove the cap. Add about an inch of water to the planter’s base, enough to cover the lip of the inverted bottle top when you replace it. Give the seedling some more water to help it get established, then place it in a sunny spot. Following the care instructions that came with the herb, add water as needed to the planter’s base.I’m fairly active on facebook, pinterest and twitter, so let’s stay in touch!

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My new baby shower invitation design

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Here's a cute custom baby shower invite I just finished! Do you like it? If you're organising a baby shower or any event and would like me to design an invite for you - please email me at maiko.nagao@gmail.com. I would love to help ♥

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Valentines Day breakie: Bacon hearts

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How sweet are these bacon hearts by Paper Mama? My husband and I are doing Valentines on a budget this year so will need to get super creative! This is definitely on my list of things to do!

Directions:

You will need 12 slices of bacon. Preheat oven to 400. Cut your bacon slices in half. Use 2 pieces of the cut in half bacon and shape them into a heart on a sheet pan (make sure this pan has sides so the grease doesn’t get all over your oven!). Bake for 18 – 25 minutes or until done. Serve however you’d like for your loved one. 

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