DIY Basics: 4 Fresh Ways to Make Friendship Bracelets

Nothing says summer like a fresh friendship bracelet! Whether you’re reliving your days as a summer camper or simply love wearing a stack of handmade goodies on your arm, we think you’re gonna love these 4 simple ways to make friendship bracelets. Best of all, all 4 of these can be made with just a handful of materials.


– waxed cotton cord (turquoise)

– embroidery floss (lavender + violet)

– gold tube

– rhinestone chain

– wooden buttons

– brass ring

– gold round studs

Tools:
– needle nose pliers (for studs)

The materials of this can be found at most craft and jewelry stores. Choose colors that you love!

1. Gold Tube Bracelet: This is a simple twist on a stacked bracelet we included in our Special Edition Lucky Kit.

Create a loop at the end by tying a knot. Snip off excess cord. Measure the cord to fit your wrist and leave a 2-3 inches extra cord for the button clasp. Slip on the gold tube. Finally, thread your button on and tie so that it fits nicely around your wrist. Cut off any excess cord and you’re done!

2. Rhinestone Cowgirl: We can’t talk about rhinestones without talking about stylish cowgirls, can we?

Take one piece of waxed cotton cord and one piece of embroidery floss and cut to a few inches longer than your rhinestone piece. The rhinestone piece should fit around your wrist. Wrap embroidery floss around the cotton cord to create a loop, as seen in the first photo. Attach the rhinestones by lining up with the waxed cord and wrapping with embroidery floss. Add a button at the end!

Brass Ring

This is a more delicate and colorful take on one of our t-shirt bracelets!

This tutorial couldn’t be simpler. You’ll need four pieces of waxed cotton cord. Take the first two and loop them through the brass ring, creating a topsy tail style knot. Do the same on the other side. Then create a loop on one end and and add a button to the opposite one. Done-zo!

4. Studded + Woven: This is definitely the most complicated option, but the results are awesome.

First, it’s time to channel your friendship bracelet-making skills. We went with a simple knotting pattern, found in more detail from our friends at Honestly WTF here. The basic gist is that you start with 8 pieces of embroidery floss and knot in succession to create rows of knots. When you tie floss together, be sure to create a loop. Rotate colors and keep doing this until you reach the end. We recommend cutting your embroidery floss to three times the length of your wrist to make sure you don’t end up with a short bracelet.

Add a button to the end. Then it’s time to stud! Press through the bracelet and use needle nose pliers to secure on the other side.

We love the round studs on this, but you could also use square or diamond-shaped ones.

What friendship bracelets have you made this summer? Will you try any of these out this long weekend? Talk to us in the comments below.

As home prices rise, homeowners are still eager to make their house a home, allowing the DIY world to expand almost exponentially. This trendy practice gave birth to so many little-known DIY products that are affordable and surprisingly effective.

But many of these items still feel like a gamble. How long will this really last? Is it really as easy as it looks? Is it worth it?

As a self-declared cheapskate and stubborn DIYer, I tried many, MANY do-it-yourself hacks, products, and tools over the years. Of the slew of products I’ve tried and tested, a few stand among the elite. Add these products to your cart for your next DIY home project, or keep them on-hand for whenever inspiration strikes next.

Rustoleum Tub & Tile Refinishing Kit ($50)

I know this gained recent traction because a few years ago, it was available everywhere. Now? It’s a miracle to find it in stock — and withs good reason. This smelly, yet simple product gives your bathtub or dated tile a total facelift. I used this to “paint”both of my 1980s almond-colored bathtubs and shower inserts. Yes, painted. This is the budget-friendly alternative to ripping out your bathtub or shower surround. The two-step kit comes with 1) your color of choice (I picked bright white), and 2) a sealant that makes it waterproof.

Rustoleum Floor Coating Kit ($70)

Tile can be really expensive to replace and even more tedious to remove yourself. This user-friendly kit is designed to cover and seal your floor while giving it a brand new look. Our bathroom floors were also that awful off-white color, and painting them black was exactly what the room needed. The product description boasts that it can be applied to “a wide range of flooring types including ceramic tile, porcelain tile, concrete, hard wood, laminate, vinyl and more.” It comes in several colors with a matte or semi-gloss finish.

Paint & Sealant Grout Pen ($9)

Maybe your tile is in good shape, but your grout has probably seen better days. It’s not uncommon for grout to get dingy over the year, even when properly maintained. If your tile’s grout needs a bit of a touch up, this fine-tip grout pen can save you hundreds of dollars. It has a precision tip, low odor, and dries quickly for an instant refresh.

Touch-Up Paint Pen (Pack of 2 for $20)

Save yourself a headache or two and stock up on a few of these touch-up paint pens. The refillable pens allow you to keep paint inside and easily cover scruffs, marks, or scratches that inevitably happen in a lived-in home. It keeps paint fresh for up to 7 years so you don’t have to worry about the mess and hassle of finding the paint color, opening the can, and painting the wall — all for just a tiny spot. Bonus points for labeling each color so you know which room it corresponds to.

Brick White Wash Kit ($50)

If your home features brick interior accents, or you have a brick fireplace that feels dated, you can easily refresh it by whitewashing it. This kit eliminates most of the guesswork when it comes to proper measurements and application. You can customize how dark of a wash you want and easily complete this project in a week.

Stain Markers ($15)

No need to panic over scratches or stains on your wood furniture — this pack of markers and wax crayons allows you to discreetly cover up imperfections. The pack comes with a variety of shades that can be used by themselves, or in tandem to customize the color. If you’re shopping secondhand, these are a must. They revive well-loved pieces and restore them to their former glory without much effort.

Leather Repair Kit ($25)

Leather that’s been used and loved often tends to show wear and tear that seem irreversible. I’m here to tell you it’s possible to revive that beat up leather couch of yours, and it luckily doesn’t involve spending hundreds of dollars for it to be reupholstered. This leather repair kit allows you to mix the perfect shade of leather and bring your old couch back to life.

Peel-and-stick Wallpaper ($36)

Renter-friendly wallpaper has been around for awhile, but if your earlier experiences were negative, I highly encourage you to try again. Peel-and-stick wallpaper has come a long way in terms of durability, available patterns, and ease of installation. Most brands make their wallpaper in this less permanent design, which relies on a self-adhesive to hold to your wall rather than a wallpaper paste. The best part is that if you change your mind or move out, it peels right off. You can find every pattern under the sun, as well as some finishes to get your creative wheels turning. For example, this marble wallpaper/contact paper can adhere to countertops or desks for a faux marble finish that looks expensive but isn’t. Additionally, removable wall decals are hugely popular if paint isn't an option, or you’re worried about getting clean lines.

Decorative Window Film For Style And Privacy ($10)

If you live close to your neighbors, you may always be choosing between privacy and natural light. These decorative window films allow light to filter in without having your home on display to the whole neighborhood. Not to mention, some bounce light in a fun and unique way that acts as art itself. You can even find some pretty stunning “stained glass” variations that add character and charm to your home while also being practical. It’s absolutely simple to do and can even be cut to fit your specific window.

Magnetic Garage Door Accents ($17)

Curb appeal can be a big expense and headache. But small changes can ultimately make a big impact, and that’s what I love about these magnetic garage door accents. They stick right to your garage door without impeding its use, but still add a custom, high-end look. It seems silly to ever invest in a new garage door or “real” accents when something this realistic and easy exists.

We’re so quick to “buy new” rather than fix things in our home, but having an arsenal of DIY products that you can rely on to refurbish your old stuff will give you so much freedom in your home. These budget-friendly and simplistic projects will save you money, time, and effort when creating your dream space.

What are your DIY must-haves at home? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!

Header image via Blue Bird / PEXELS

The holidays are here! Well, kind of. Thanksgiving isn’t until November 28 but as far as I’m concerned, November 1 is the day the festivities can begin. I’m pulling out my holiday candles, Christmas PJ’s, and even my How the Grinch Stole Christmas vinyl to make the dreary seasonal blues a little more cheerful. And a huge part of getting into the spirit is stacking up the perfect holiday movie marathon. Thankfully Netflix already has a bunch of holiday titles coming out over the next few weeks. Here are the best (new!!) holiday movies and specials coming to Netflix starting November 1.

Dinner Time Live With David Chang: Holiday Edition — On Netflix Now Until December 10

Adam Rose/Netflix

Nothing says the holidays like tons of delicious meals, and Chef David Chang is cooking some amazing food for his celebrity friends — and he's doing it all live. (Because, a lot of TV cooking uses swaps and stylists to make it look better than it actually is). I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!

Dinner Time Live With David Chang: Holiday Edition is hosted by David Chang.

Meet Me Next Christmas — On Netflix November 6

Sophie Giraud/Netflix

Christmas in New York City is truly a magical experience, and Layla's looking for her own fairytale romance this holiday season. And believe it or not, the ticket to finding her one true love is getting into the Pentatonix Christmas Eve Concert.

Meet Me Next Christmas streams November 6 and stars Christina Milian, Devale Ellis, Kofi Siriboe, Tymika Tafari, Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola, Matt Sallee, Kalen Allen, Nikki Duval, and Wesley French.

Hot Frosty — On Netflix November 13

Petr Maur/Netflix

Nobody puts me in the holiday spirit like seeing Lacey Chabert onscreen, and this year, she's playing Kathy, a widow who happens to bring a handsome snowman to life. (I don't remember this in the "Frosty the Snowman" lyrics!). He helps Kathy reconnect with her emotions as they begin to fall for each other — and as he begins to melt.

Hot Frosty will stream on Netflix beginning November 13 and stars Lacey Chabert, Dustin Milligan, Craig Robinson, Joe Lo Truglio, Katy Mixon, Lauren Holly, and Chrishell Stause.

Netflix Stories: A Virgin River Christmas — On Netflix November 19

Petr Maur/Netflix

It's almost time for Virgin River season 6, which means we're getting closer to the ultimate cozy TV show. I mean, just look at those twinkly lights and pine trees in this preview image! It gives me the same exact feeling as drinking a mug of hot cocoa. This year, we're getting closer to Mel and Jack’s wedding, and confronting some serious secrets and drama along the way. This might not count as a Netflix holiday movie but I couldn't NOT include it!!!

Virgin River season 6 hits Netflix November 19 and stars Alexandra Breckenridge, Martin Henderson, John Allen Nelson, Tim Matheson, Annette O’Toole, Colin Lawrence, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Zibby Allen, Sarah Dugdale, Marco Grazzini, Mark Ghanimé, Kai Bradbury, Kandyse McClure, Jessica Rothe, and Callum Kerr.

The Merry Gentlemen — On Netflix November 20

Katrina Marcinowski/Netflix

Remember that One Tree Hill episode where the Ravens take part in the "Boy Toy" charity auction? Complete with a shirtless fashion show? Consider this the Netflix holiday movie response. When former dancer Ashley learns her parents' performing venue is in danger, she puts together the ultimate Christmas-themed show to raise money. Shirts not included.

The Merry Gentlemen hits Netflix November 20 and stars Britt Robertson, Chad Michael Murray, Marla Sokoloff, Beth Broderick, Michael Gross, Maxwell Caulfield, Hector David Jr., Colt Prattes, and Marc Anthony Samuel

Spellbound — On Netflix November 22

Skydance Animation/Netflix

Okay, this fantasy movie might not technically be a Christmas movie, but it has everything I need in my Netflix holiday movies: family, hope, and love. After her parents are turned into monsters, princess Ellian must go on the ultimate quest to put everything right.

Spellbound hits Netflix November 22 and stars Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Nathan Lane, Tituss Burgess, Javier Bardem, and Nicole Kidman.

Our Little Secret — On Netflix November 27

Bob Mahoney/Netflix

If EXmas taught us anything, it's that spending the holidays with your ex is anything but calm. And in Lindsay Lohan's new movie, she finds herself at the same Christmas celebration as her ex when they realize their new SO's are siblings. No, that's not awkward at all.

Our Little Secret hits Netflix November 27 stars Lindsay Lohan, Ian Harding, Tim Meadows, Jon Rudnitsky, Henry Czerny, Judy Reyes, Chris Parnell, Kristin Chenoweth, Dan Bucatinsky, Katie Baker, Jake Brennan, Ash Santos, and Brian Unger.

Is It Cake? Holidays — On Netflix November 28

Netflix

The only thing more enjoyable than eating delicious food is watching master bakers create beautiful food. This holiday special features edible ice skates, nutcrackers, and reindeer that will change the way you look at baking forever. Watch it in one sitting and it definitely counts as a holiday movie ;).

Is It Cake? Holidays hits Netflix November 28 and stars Jonny Manganello, Andrew Fuller, April Julian, Elizabeth Rowe, Miko Kaw Hok Uy, Danya Smith, Henderson Gonzalez, Grace Pak, and Jujhar Mann, with judges Rachel Bloom, Hannah Berner, Tiffany Haddish, Devon Walker, James Austin Johnson, Chris Witaske, Sasheer Zamata, Terry Crews, Punkie Johnson, and Randall Park.

The Snow Sister — On Netflix November 29

Netflix

Julian's turning 11 on Christmas Eve, and even though it's usually the best day ever, this year is overshadowed by the death of his older sister. A newfound friendship with Hedwig helps him heal, but he can't help but feel like Hedwig's house — and the old man that's always around — are hiding secrets.

The Snow Sister hits Netflix November 29 and stars Mudit Gupta, Celina Meyer Hovland, Ole Steinkjer Øyen, Jan Sælid, Samsaya, Gunnar Eiriksson, and Advika.

Which Netflix holiday movie are you excited to watch? Let us know in the comments!

So we’ve already shown you how to repurpose your old stacks of magazines, but in case none of those tickled your fancy we’ve got one more DIY for you. DIY magazine wall art! Ta dah! This DIY Basic is super simple. In just five easy steps you can create wall art that is fun, original, and packed with color.

Materials:

  • Magazines
  • Canvas/wood/board
  • Hot glue sticks
  • Pattern
  • Tape

Tools:

  • Hot glue gun
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Print and cut out a silhouetted shape.
  2. Tear out a bunch of magazine pages. Fold in half twice to get four small rectangles.
  3. Start to roll! Try to keep the magazine rolls as tight as possible. Tape the end to avoid it from unraveling.
  4. Hot glue your magazine roll-ups to your silhouette. Once the silhouette is covered, trim off the extra magazine pieces. This will reveal your silhouetted shape.
  5. Glue magazine silhouette to your wood board.

Time to get started! Cut out your silhouette from scrap paper.

Next you want to tear up those pages. First fold the page in half and tear down the center, then fold in half again and tear. Now you will have tons of small rectangles ready to roll.

Start at the edge and tightly roll the page into a cylinder. Secure the end with a piece of tape.

You’re going to need a lot of roll-ups ;) Try to pick magazine pages that have fun colors!

Using the hot glue gun, glue the roll ups onto your silhouette. Don’t worry about covering the smaller sections. Once you trim off the excess roll up you will have smaller pieces that will fit into those tiny spaces quite perfectly!

Trim the excess magazine to reveal your silhouetted shape. Remember, don’t throw away those tiny pieces.

Patch up those paws!

Look at those colors!

Time to mount your silhouette to a board. We used a thin wood board that we found at the art store. You can use wood, cardboard, illustrator board, etc. You could even go directly on the wall. Wait, do I see one brown hand?!

This bear is ready to hang.

I spy San Francisco! :)

We couldn’t do a post about wall art without doing a geometric pattern! Try grouping the same colors together, this gives it a fun color blocking effect.

Follow us on Pinterest for more DIY projects and let us know if you try this magazine wall art on Twitter!

This post has been updated.

This edible crescent-roll cornucopia is our way of making a normal cheese boardmore festive — and definitely more fun — during the holiday season. Our go-to this time of year is a massive cheese plate that can stand alone and be the main attraction, or the starter for a larger meal. Press on for the surprisingly easy steps to braid a breaded cornucopia.

Chris Andre

Materials + Tools:

  • 1 roll of tin foil
  • 2 packages of crescent rolls
  • 1 egg (for egg wash before cornucopia goes into the oven), optional

Chris Andre

Instructions:

Start by sculpting tin foil into the shape of a cornucopia (it looks like a cone with an upturned tail). Pro tip: Lightly pack tin foil so it's easier to remove later from your baked cornucopia. Crescent rolls should be buttery enough that this shouldn't be difficult.

Chris Andre

Your tin foil mold should look a little something like this.

Chris Andre

Pop open the crescent rolls and cut the triangles into strips. Pinch together the ends of strips to make strips longer.

Chris Andre

Braid crescent roll strips. You can make these as fancy as you want. Not a braiding pro? Skip this step and leave those strips alone.

Chris Andre

Wrap tin foil cornucopia with braids/strips. Make sure you cover all the tin foil. Leave a little wiggle room at the opening of the cornucopia, so that when you’re done baking you can pull some of that tin foil out.

Chris Andre

Use any extra dough to cover the bottom of your cornucopia. Pinch the sides and anchor those braids/strips in.

Chris Andre

Brush on egg wash before placing your cornucopia in the oven. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Take out of oven and cover spots of cornucopia that are already golden brown with extra tin foil. Bake for another 20 minutes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

Chris Andre

Let it cool down until it’s easy to handle. Remove tin foil.

Chris Andre

Place cornucopia in corner of your cheese plate. Arrange cheese on your serving tray.

Chris Andre

Add crackers — we like to have two or three options.

Chris Andre

Don’t forget to fill up your cornucopia. It's called "the horn of plenty" for a reason. Fill with fresh fruit like grapes, apples, and pears.

Chris Andre

Add nuts like walnuts and pistachios to fill in any empty spaces. Garnish with fresh herbs like rosemary and sage to finish it off.

Chris Andre

Voilà! Invite over your friends, open a bottle of wine, and dig in!

Chris Andre

A cornucopia cheese board will become your new favorite holiday tradition.

Show us your crescent-roll cornucopias on Instagram and check out our baking classes (and our Easy Thanksgiving Desserts piece) for more holiday food inspo!

DIY Production and Styling: Paris Fried

Paris Fried: Paris loves any excuse to celebrate and throw a themed party. She loves experimenting in the kitchen and has a terrible sweet tooth. When she's not crafting in her studio, she's at the farmers' market buying seasonal produce or at her favorite local theater watching double features.

This post has been updated.

Though Black Friday is traditionally the official start of the holiday shopping season, we argue that it’s been kicking since mid-October. We know, we know: it still feels extremely early to start thinking about the holidays, but they’ll be here before you know it! Plus, many brands and retailers are already promoting their holiday goodies with plenty of sales and discounts available right now.

If you’re ready to embark on your holiday shopping journey, but still need answers to questions like ‘when’s the best time to shop?’ and ‘where should I shop for gifts?’ and even ‘how the heck do I save money this season?’, you’ve come to the right place. Consider this your go-to guide for holiday shopping in 2024.

Scroll on for our best guidance on navigating this busy time of year and finding the best gifts possible!

When's the best time to do holiday shopping?

Kaboompics / PEXELS

The best time to do holiday shopping really all depends on your personal shopping goals. Do you want to get a jump on items you know will sell out soon? Do you want to save the most money possible? Do you want to focus on handmade, personalized gifts? These factors will undoubtedly influence your holiday shopping schedule.

Cottonbro Studio / PEXELS

Shopping early can be advantageous for all of the aforementioned goals. A lot of retailers start promoting their holiday products early on, giving you ample time to snatch up that limited-time lip kit or fancy water bottle you’ve been eyeing way before the holidays.

Plus, some of the best deals for holiday shopping happen ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday – in 2023, Experian observed a surge in early spending in October, thanks to early discounts, a trend likely to continue in 2024.

Finally, shopping early can be especially helpful if your plan is to focus on handmade or personalized gifts, giving the artisan you buy from (or yourself, if you’re DIY-ing your gifts) plenty of time to craft the item with love and care.

Gallup reported in 2023 that one in four shoppers start shopping as early as September, a trend likely to continue in 2024 – so you might already be embarking on your shopping spree!

Mikhail Nilov / PEXELS

If right now is just still too darn early for you to start holiday shopping, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the best times to shop since so many retailers offer their largest discounts of the entire year. Plus, the late November-early December timeline can feel a bit more appropriate for the gifting season opposed to late October-early November, when everyone’s still recovering from Halloween.

The only thing to consider during this time is the shipping timelines for the items you purchase – but most retailers will typically advise their specific shipping schedules, so you don’t risk your goodies arriving late.

Where should I shop for gifts?

Ron Lach / PEXELS

You have three main options when it comes to where to shop for holiday gifts: online, in-store, and via our amazing gift guides. Of course, each method has its advantages and disadvantages.

Shopping in-store offers a tangible experience: the opportunity to hold specific items in your hands and gauge exactly what they’ll be like when you give them as a gift. The pitfall with shopping in-person is that it typically requires a commute and journeys through potentially very busy malls and shopping strips, which can add to the already-stressful holiday experience.

In-store shopping can be more physically exhausting, but it’s all about preference! Sometimes strolling through the stores that get all dolled up for Christmas is the best part of the season.

Andrea Piacquadio / PEXELS

Per Google, 65% of those planning to shop for the holidays say they will shop online more. Shopping for gifts online can be super helpful since you can centralize your findings in your browser’s bookmark tab or via virtual cart(s). Plus, shopping online can pose more opportunities for saving some money: lots of retailers typically offer discount codes for online users, especially if you sign up for their digital marketing channels (like email and text) and make a purchase.

Shopping online isn’t just shopping, either. The internet can be a stellar research tool to help you vet whether certain products are worth it, where they can be bought, and when they’ll be available. In fact, Google reported that more than half of U.S. holiday shoppers who went into a store last year say they looked up product reviews online and/or located an item in-store by checking it online.

Kaboompics / PEXELS

Last but not least, scrolling gift guides has to be our favorite place to shop for gifts – and not just because we write and publish them.

At their very core, gift guides help streamline the holiday shopping process, alleviating the stress that bubbles up when you’re wondering what the heck to shop for in the first place. Our gift guides are backed by real people, real experiences, and real opinions from our editorial team. We only promote products that we really love and believe in, oftentimes ones we’ve tested and reviewed ourselves.

We have gift guides for just about everyone on your list, with more on the way! Check ‘em out:

What are the best kinds of gifts to give?

Kaboompics / PEXELS

The best kinds of gifts to give are thoughtful gifts that consider the giftee’s interests, wants, and needs. These gifts can be sentimental, practical, or both simultaneously. What matters most in a gift is that it’ll be meaningful to them past just the holiday season, whether it’s helping them get through daily tasks, reminding them of a memorable trip or event, or giving them small doses of joy.

“Shoppers are increasingly looking for personalized and unique gifts that reflect the recipient's personality and interests,” says Mia Anderson, Owner of ChicSew. “With the rise of online shopping, many consumers are opting for curated gift boxes or experiences that add a special touch.”

Cottonbro Studio / PEXELS

Gift boxes, personalized items, books of interest, self-care goodies, and even gift cards can all be thoughtful gifts depending on the recipient. If you have no clue what your giftee is into, it’s not a bad idea to ask them what they want the most!

“My idea of a great gift is something that is in tandem with the recipient's interest and offers something new to the person, be it learning a new skill, enjoying a calming activity, or simply spending quality time with the family,” says Alfred Christ, Sales Manager & Marketer at Robotime. “This season, we encourage shoppers to shift their focus on quality and the memories their gifts will create and not just merely material aspects.”

When is Black Friday?

Sora Shimazaki / PEXELS

Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, Black Friday lands on November 29.

When is Cyber Monday?

Kindel Media / PEXELS

Cyber Monday is typcally the Monday after Thanksgiving. This year, Cyber Monday will land on December 2. Oftentimes, retailers and brands extend their online offers through the week (coined Cyber Week) after the event. Salesforce reported that 67% of shoppers in 2024 plan on shopping during Cyber Week!

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