DIY Personalized Cupcake Toppers

Mae Lutz 5/28/25 Mae Lutz 5/28/25

DIY Turtle Sandbox Makeover: From Thrifted to Adorable

How to Give a Faded Sandbox Turtle a Fresh New Look

I found this classic turtle sandbox at Goodwill for $5, and I knew right away it had potential. Sure, it was faded, scratched, and looked like it had lived a full life, but the shape was iconic, and I love a good transformation project. A few hours and a couple cans of spray paint later, this little guy got a whole new lease on life.

What You’ll Need:

A plastic sandbox
Scrub brush and soap (for cleaning)
Primer
Spray paint made for plastic (I used two coordinating colors: one for the body and one for the lid)
Contrasting paint for the shell details (I used some craft paint I already had)
Small paint brush for the shell details
Clear outdoor spray sealant (non-yellowing)
Painter’s tape (for detailing—especially the eyes!)
A comfort grip spray can handle (optional, but makes a huge difference for even coverage and avoiding finger fatigue)
A bag or two of sand (for the fun part)

How to Do It:

1. Clean it really well.
Start by giving the turtle a thorough scrub with warm soapy water. Mine was definitely showing its age, so I made sure to get into all the little nooks and rinse it really well. Once it was completely dry, I wiped it down again just to be sure there wasn’t any leftover grime or residue.

2. Protect the eyes.
Before painting, I used painter’s tape to cover the turtle’s little eyes. It’s a tiny detail, but keeping them paint-free helped preserve that classic, recognizable expression, and made the final result feel more polished.

3. Prime it.
This step is easy to skip, but so worth it. I used a spray primer that’s safe for plastic to help the paint stick better and last longer. A light, even coat is all you need—just be sure to let it dry fully before moving on to color.

4. Spray the base and the lid.
Once the primer was dry, I sprayed the turtle’s body with a soft neutral beige and the lid with a warm blush pink. I stuck to light coats and let each one dry before adding the next. The contrast between the two colors gave it a fun but modern look that felt totally fresh.

5. Add shell detail.
After the base coat dried, I used some craft paint I already had, and a small paint brush to paint the little spots on his shell.

6. Seal it.
Once all the paint was dry and I was happy with the look, I finished it off with a few coats of clear spray sealant made for outdoor plastic. It adds a bit of shine, protects the paint from chips, and makes cleanup after play days so much easier.

7. Fill with sand!
After everything cured, I added fresh play sand and tossed in a few fun toys. Our toddler was in it immediately, and it’s easily become one of the most-used toys.

How It’s Holding Up:

Look, when you mix sand, spray paint, and an enthusiastic toddler, you’re obviously going to get a little chipping. And yep, we do have a few spots where the paint has worn off, especially around the edges where little feet climb in and out. But honestly? It’s held up way better than I expected.

The color is still vibrant, the shell details are intact, and the sealant has definitely helped protect it from full-on flaking or fading. It lives outside, gets played with constantly, and still manages to look cute. Considering it started as a $5 thrift find, that feels like a major win.

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Mae Lutz 4/2/25 Mae Lutz 4/2/25

THRIFT FLIP - Google Home

A Simple DIY Frame Hack

Want to make your Google Home look more stylish? With just a few simple tweaks, you can transform it into a framed piece of art!

What You’ll Need:

🖼️ A 3 1/2” x 5 1/2'“ picture frame (I thrifted mine for just $1!)
🔪 X-Acto knife & pliers
🛠️ Velcro Command Strips

Step 1: Prepare the Frame

Start by removing the backing board of your frame. If it’s glued in, use an X-Acto knife to carefully cut along the edges and pop it out. Next, take pliers to remove any metal hanging hardware or turn clips—this ensures the frame sits flush against your Google Home.

Step 2: Attach the adhesive

I originally used velcro Command strips (seen below), but decided to switch them to these velcro mounting squares and it holds the frame much better. Attach them to the sides of the frame and make sure they’re evenly placed so the frame sticks securely. If your frame is heavier, consider using extra pieces for added hold.

Step 3: Frame Your Google Home

Peel off the adhesive backing from the mounting squares and carefully press the frame onto your Google Home. Hold it in place for a few seconds to ensure a strong bond. Adjust as needed, and step back to admire your upgraded, art-like smart speaker!

✨ And just like that, your Google Home blends beautifully into your decor!

Would you try this hack? Let me know in the comments!

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Mae Lutz 3/26/25 Mae Lutz 3/26/25

DIY Flower Bar

How to Create a DIY Flower Bar for Your Next Event

A flower bar is a fun and interactive way to let guests create their own bouquets to take home as a party favor. It’s a beautiful addition to any event, from birthdays to bridal showers. Here's a step-by-step tutorial, complete with a price breakdown, to help you set up your own flower bar with ease.

Materials Needed for 20 guests

Fresh flowers/greenery in a cohesive color palette (purchased from Trader Joe’s)
Flower bar sign (Etsy printable)
Sign Frame
Buckets and/or vases for flowers (we used the free buckets from Trader Joe’s and several clear vases)
Scissors or floral shears
Kraft paper for wrapping
Twine or ribbon
Tags for wrapping (optional)
Hole punch for your tags (optional)
Shop everything from the baby shower here!

Step 1: Buying the Flowers

I purchased my flowers from Trader Joe’s at opening the day before the event. There was already a line of people, all there for flowers, and the best selections go fast! I highly recommend arriving at opening to get the best options.

Since I had 20 guests RSVP, I calculated how many flowers I needed based on the recommended 8-10 stems per person including a “thriller, some filler, and a spiller of greenery” guideline. This ensured I had enough for everyone while preventing guests from taking too many stems and leaving others without enough options. Planning this way made budgeting easier and kept the flower bar fair for all attendees. I also recommend using a cohesive color palette so no matter what each guest chooses or what is left towards the end of the event, all of the flowers are usable together.

I would also recommend buying more “thriller” flowers than I did, as people will gravitate to them first.

Flower Selection & Cost (Spring 2024):

Premium Assorted Greens – $3.99 each (bought 7) → $27.93
Eucalyptus – $3.99 each (bought 3) → $11.97
Raffine Dianthus – $4.99
Tulips (Seasonal, Big Bunch) – $9.99 each (bought 2) → $19.98
Rose DZ Yellow/Orange – $9.99
Chrysanthemums (Big Bunch) – $4.99
Carnation Mini Novelty – $4.99
Rose DZ Pink/Purple/Bicolor – $9.99
Baby’s Breath (Gypsophila) – 4 @ $3.99 → $15.96
Jumbo Mum Balls – $4.99 each (bought 2) → $9.98
Lily Calla Mini – $5.99 each (bought 2) → $11.98

Total flower cost: $131.75

Step 2: Setting Up the Flower Bar

Prep the Flowers – Trim the stems at an angle and place them in buckets of water to keep them fresh.
Organizing the Table – Arrange the flowers in separate vases or buckets, grouping them by type to make selection easy.
Precut Materials – Cut kraft paper and twine in advance to make wrapping easy.
Display & Signage – I purchased a themed sign from Etsy to guide guests. The sign suggested:

Choose 8-10 stems, including a thriller, some filler, and a spiller of greenery.
Wrap in paper and tie your bouquet up.
Take it home to enjoy!

Wrapping Station – Set up a space with kraft paper, twine, and scissors so guests can wrap their bouquets.

Again, I loved that the 8-10 stem recommendation on the sign helped guide people on how many to take, preventing anyone from making oversized bouquets and ensuring there were enough flowers for everyone to enjoy.

Step 3: Assembling Bouquets

Guests can mix and match stems, following the signage suggestion for how many stems to take.

Suggested Bouquet Formula :

2-3 focal flowers (like roses or peonies)
2-3 filler flowers (like daisies or carnations)
3-4 greenery stems (like eucalyptus or ferns)

After picking their flowers, guests can wrap them in kraft paper and secure them with twine or ribbon

Final Tips

Buy flowers a day in advance and keep them in water overnight.
Use an Etsy sign to guide guests on the amount of flowers to use.
Have plenty of scissors and twine so multiple guests can wrap their bouquets at once.
Buy more “thriller” flowers and less greenery than I did. No matter what your sign says, people gravitate to the prettiest flowers first.

This DIY flower bar was such a hit at my event and added a special touch. Have you ever tried a flower bar? Let me know in the comments!

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Mae Lutz 3/17/25 Mae Lutz 3/17/25

Sunroom Makeover

Welcome to my sunroom makeover! This space has always been a little paradise for my plant babies, but I figured it was time for me to enjoy it just as much as they do. Plus, I was over the plain white walls and ready to bring in some personality!

The Before:

The DIY Begins!

First things first—I cleared out the entire room, carefully relocating all my plants to make space for the transformation. I started by adding base cap to the top of my baseboards—something I do for all my makeovers because it makes such a difference! Then, I covered the floors with paper and painter’s tape to protect them from what was coming next—PAINT!

Crown Moulding & Painting

This was only my second time installing crown molding, but with a miter saw, adhesive, and a brad nailer, I got it up pretty quickly! (If you want a step-by-step guide, check out this blog post.) Then, I put my brand-new paint sprayer to the test, and with all the intricate details in this molding, it made the job SO much easier. Since this sprayer isn’t ideal for painting entire rooms—unless you want to refill it a thousand times—I rolled the rest of the walls and ceiling in Maison Blanche by HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams, the dreamiest creamy beige that I’m completely obsessed with!

Ceiling Medallion & Chandelier

Next up was painting and hanging the gorgeous ceiling medallion! I used the paint sprayer again to get into all the intricate details, and it paired perfectly with a beautiful chandelier I found on Amazon. It instantly took the space to the next level! I also painted the arch leading into the dining room to create a smoother, more seamless color transition.

Time to Decorate!

Once the painting was done, it was time for my favorite part—decorating!

First, I rolled out this stunning brown rug that I am still completely in love with.
Then, I created a gallery wall on the arched wall—if you want to see my step-by-step method, check out this blog post!
I even built my first-ever piece of furniture—a DIY coffee table! (Check out this blog post to see how I did it!)
I found the perfect arched cabinet but decided to add fabric to the inside of the doors to hide the clutter—see the transformation here!
I painted both my DIY coffee table and a beautiful scalloped console table (a Facebook Marketplace find! Check out that blog post here!) using Cabinet and Furniture Paint in Otter by HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams. The deep brown looked stunning against the creamy walls!
To finish it off, I swapped out the knobs on the console table’s drawers for a little extra charm.
I also added brown pinch pleated blackout curtains on gold rods with gold eyelets, which added such a luxurious and cozy touch to the space. The warm tones complemented the creamy walls perfectly and tied everything together beautifully!

The Finishing Touches

One of my best finds was the bouclé couch in the color Alabaster with washable cushions—SO comfy and practical! After adding the final decor touches and bringing back some of my plants (while redistributing the rest throughout my home), I thought the room was finished... but of course, I wasn’t quite done yet!

The Final Addition: A Frame TV

Since this sunroom quickly became our go-to lounging space, adding a TV just made sense. We installed our second Frame TV, and instead of DIY-ing a frame, this time I simply bought one. To keep things sleek, my husband cut a hole in the drywall and installed a recessed box, running the power through the wall to keep the cords completely hidden. Now, the TV sits flush against the wall and looks just like a piece of art!

And that’s a wrap! My sunroom is now the coziest spot we hang out in all the time—without sacrificing my plants’ happiness. Hope you loved following along with this makeover! Let me know what you think in the comments!

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Mae Lutz 3/14/25 Mae Lutz 3/14/25

DIY: Cabinet Door Cover-Up

DIY: Cabinet Door Cover-Up - A Simple Fabric Fix

Sometimes, finding the perfect piece of furniture within budget just isn’t possible—but a little DIY can make it work! Arch cabinets with solid doors can be pricey, so I grabbed this one with glass doors for a fraction of the cost.

I knew it would be great for storage, but I wanted to keep everything inside hidden. Let’s just say my hosting dishware collection is extensive—and while it’s all beautiful, it’s also very much crammed into this cabinet to maximize space. My first plan was to create a soft, gathered curtain look (inspo pictured below) with floral fabric. I spent about $40 on the fabric, only to realize I didn’t have enough space inside the doors to make it work.

I thought about laying the fabric flat against the glass, but it didn’t have the look I was going for. That’s when I remembered a piece of upholstery fabric I had thrifted from Goodwill for $9.99. I pulled it out, tested it on the doors, and liked it much better.

Here’s how I made it work:

Removed the doors for easier handling.
Cut the fabric to fit the glass panels.
Cleaned the glass to remove any dust or smudges.
Stapled the fabric to the back of the doors using 1/4-inch staples, pulling it tight and working in sections.
Trimmed the excess fabric for a neat finish.
Rehung the doors and started filling the cabinet.

I don’t think everyone needs to cover their cabinet doors, but for my space, I wanted a solid look without spending a fortune on new doors. This solution worked perfectly, and I love the end result. Now I have a functional storage piece that fits my needs and style.

A little creativity can go a long way in making a piece work for you! Happy DIY-ing!!

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Mae Lutz 3/12/25 Mae Lutz 3/12/25

DIY: Coffee Table

DIY Concrete Coffee Table: How I Made My First Piece of Furniture!

I got the biggest compliment ever! Someone asked me where I bought my coffee table, and I proudly told them, “I freaking made it!!!” Yes, you read that right—this beautiful piece of furniture is 100% DIY, and I couldn't be more excited to share how I did it!

A year and a half ago, I decided it was time to stop just wishing and start doing. There was this huge item on my “to-make” list: a handmade coffee table. But even with all my accomplishments, this was the one thing I had never attempted. I always thought furniture-building was something I’d never tackle—but it turns out, all I needed was the right project to make it happen.

I kept it simple because, let’s face it, I have a tendency to overcomplicate things, which can lead to procrastination (yep, guilty!). I needed something easy to ease into this whole furniture-making world. So, I grabbed a piece of project board from Lowes, a couple of 5-gallon buckets, and some concrete, and got to work. Here’s how I did it!

Plan the Design

First things first, I decided on the size and shape of the table I wanted. I drew everything out with pencil directly on the project board and carefully cut it out with my jig saw, then sanded it on both side including rounding out the edges. Simple and clean. No overthinking.

Concrete Molds

Then, I greased the inside and filled two 5-gallon buckets with mixed concrete using an eggbeater attachment on my drill (talk about a heavy project—good thing I had help!). After the concrete set and dried inside the buckets overnight, I removed it to reveal the perfect concrete molds for the legs. To release the concrete I cut a slit on the bottom of the bucket to make the removal of the bucket easier! Note: concrete is heavy—this is definitely a two-person job. Trust me, my back can tell you all about it (I’m basically 80, with the way I decorate my house, right?!).

Painting the Table

Now the real fun begins. I started with one coat of primer, followed by a couple of coats of paint using my paint sprayer - making sure I was lightly hand sanding in-between each coat with 220 grit sandpaper. I used Cabinet and Furniture Paint in the color Otter by HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams! Then, to protect my hard work, I added a few layers of polyurethane using a throw away roller and brush.

Putting It All Together

Let this part be a lesson on what not to do. I connected the concrete legs to the table top using construction adhesive. Sure, maybe it wasn’t the most professional connection, but I’m still learning! Next time I’ll upgrade my technique.

Final Product!

And voila—look at this beauty! It’s gorgeous and it’s 100% made by me. In fact, someone even asked if they could buy one just like it. I’m taking that as a massive win!

So if you've been dreaming about creating something like this, stop waiting for the "perfect" time. Grab your materials, keep it simple, and just start. You might surprise yourself with what you can create. Happy DIY-ing!

Links At A Glance

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