DIY: Nice Ice

Okay, so I gotta throw this out there...I'm totally addicted to Pinterest. I can't help it...there's just so many great things on there that lead to other great things that lead to other great things and so on. If you don't know what it is, it's basically just online pinboards where you can save pictures of things you like or bookmark diy projects you want to do at some point (once you ever get your butt off the computer!!)

That being said, I stumbled upon this super cute diy idea. Edible flowers in ice. 

Anyone who knows me and my drinks, I pretty much can't drink anything without ice in it, unless of course its a hot drink...which in that case I'll probably put ice in it anyway just because I have a constant fear of tongue burning. 

I've never actually tried this, but its definitely on my list of things to do. Basically all you do is get an icecube tray (one that makes larger cubes preferably), put a bottom layer of water and freeze that, then layer the flower on that then make the second layer of ice, and voila! floral icecubes.  I don't think you can get anymore feminine and pretty than that. Would be great for a spring time party. Make sure you use EDIBLE  flowers...don't want you getting sick trying this.

Here's a link to the most inexpensive ones I could find. I'm sure theres other places that carry them for around this price or less.
http://shop.gourmetsweetbotanicals.com/FlowerMix-Premium-Flowers-Mix-Premium-Flowers-Mix.htm


So of course after finding that I got curious about what other fun icy diy ideas I could find. Came up with a nice list!

1. Rainbow Cubes

This is easy...just add food coloring or koolaid( if you want a little flavor kick) to your cubes, then add your favorite drink. I think vodka and sprite would be way yum with the koolaid. Get even more creative and add your favorite lemonade, cranberry juice, orange juice, or other favorite juice instead of water to gradually add flavor as the cubes melt!

2. Fruit and Mint Cubes

Just add your favorite fruit or herbs like mint or lavender. Would taste great in lemonade or iced tea! Using a cupcake pan instead of an icecube tray would make the ice last longer and would be good for a pitcher or punch bowl.

3. Coffee and cocoa cubes

Use frozen chocolate milk cubes and add milk or even more chocolate milk to make a dessert drink. Doing this will make your drink cold, yum, and won't water it down!

The same concept goes for iced coffee. If you make your cubes out of coffee, your coffee won't get watered down when the ice melts.

Well that's all I've got in the ice realm. Any other ideas you have feel free to share in my comments! And if you like DIY and Different, don't forget to follow my blog!

xodani

Different: Pantone Mugs

Oh Pantone...how you color my world...literally. I've done a lot of research on color and it's effect on people as well as color forecasting, because being a marketing and merchandising major...color has a lot to do with people's spending habits and can really change a person's emotions. It's a bit crazy when you go far into it. Anyway, Pantone is one of the most important authorities of color when it comes to predicting the market and trends of what is to come as far as fashion, home decorating, and many other consumer products. 


Did you know that 2011 has its own color? Guess what it is?

(images from pantone.com)

Honeysuckle!




Colors of the year are based on society as a whole and the current events that are going on in the world. I guess I can throw that crazy German word everyone always wants to say on occasion to make them sound super sophisticated: zeitgeist. ( you know the really crappy smashing pumpkins album...sorry guys i <3 u but not my fave) 


They chose Honeysuckle as 2011's color of the year with this reasoning: ""In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues." (Pantone Press Release)


So if you want to lift your spirits, get some honeysuckle colored anything in your life.


To read more about the color of the year visit: http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/Pantone.aspx?pg=20821&ca=4


Anyway, to my awesome find of the day! While being distracted from schoolwork, I came across these lovelies:

Pantone mugs!!!...in lots of colors...and I decided I probably need to own them all at some point in my life...or at least a few, because these are just really too cool. (Christmas idea anyone?)

I'm sure that you can find these a lot of places, but this is where I stumbled to find them: 
http://shop.walkerart.org/collections/holiday-gift-guide-home-and-hostess/products/pantone-mugs




Well school time for me...I'll be back later with that Black Friday/ Cyber Monday list ! If not tonight then tomorrow!




xodani