Holiday Gift Guide (under $20!)

Holiday season is right around the corner, so it's time to start looking for Christmas gifts. So I've compiled a short list of some cute, inexpensive items (and DIY's!) that you might even be tempted to add to your own wish list!

DIY Lace Earrings

The perfect gift for the sophisticated lady in your life. 

"A Map of the Introvert's Heart" Pillow

Introverts will appreciate your thoughtfulness! 

DIY Modern Cake Stand

For someone with great baking skills. Or it might inspire you to start baking, too (if you don't bake already)!

Cute Monkey Dusting Mitt

This adorable sock monkey will encourage kids (or even adults!) to clean up after themselves.

Cozy Holiday Socks

Who doesn't love a vibrant pair of holiday socks?

Kid-Size Cute Holiday Socks

More cute socks, but for tiny feet. :)

Bubble Scrubber

Blow bubbles while doing the dishes! Perfect for little people with a short attention span, but mainly just for fun.

Ceramic Baby Sloth Bowl

A unique and equally adorable bowl to keep rings, candies, or other small items.

Soap or Lip Balm from SoapsByRiya

Holiday sale! Items are more than half off. Give the gift of beautiful skin.

Picture Frame Nesting Dolls

Add a personal touch to a mantle or shelf with these cute nesting dolls!

Wham-O Hamper Hoop

Have fun putting away laundry by shooting hoops with it! 

NOTE: All image credit goes to the websites listed for each item.

Click the item's name for the link to purchase it.

10 Amazing DIY's That'll Make Life Better

Yeah, it's been forever. But I have 10 amazing DIY's for you, and hopefully you'll forgive me.

Here we go.


1. Milk Jug Sandwich Keeper

Upcycle a milk jug into a handy sandwich keeper!


2. Duct Tape Bookmark

Make this super easy bookmark to keep your place in that captivating novel you can't put down. Actually, go ahead and make more!


3. Crocheted Sea Creatures

If you're crafty and love a good challenge, try these adorable crochet sea creatures! For more gorgeous crochet projects, check out this link.

4. Carry-All Laptop Bag

Carry your iPad, tablet, or laptop with you everywhere you go, without the hassle of tangled wires and pens and pencils falling everywhere.

5. Woven Chain Bracelet

Make this classy, metallic, but colorful bracelet and wear it, too!

6. Travel Pillow

This adorable DIY pillow will lull you to sleep whenever you're traveling. Plus, adjust the template to your comfort. Perfect for all ages!

7. Earbud Organizer

We all know the struggle of having tangled earbuds or trying to cram them into a pocket. Well, this easy case will solve those problems. Say hello to tangle-free music.

8. Gold Tube Bracelets

Made with just two basic components, these bracelets will up your accessory game.

9. Letter Bookends

Create these personalized bookends to brighten up your bookshelf!

10. Candy Jars

Basically all you need for this is spray paint, some old jars, and wooden knobs. You can really use these jars for anything, and they'll look nice on a counter top while still being functional.

Happy Crafting!

NOTE: Picture credit goes to the website linked for each DIY.

Introducing SoapsByRiya!

This post explains what inspired me to open SoapsByRiya, and why you should be buying natural skincare products rather than drugstore brands.

So...I already posted on Google+ about this, but I just wanted to draw your attention to the Etsy widget I added to my blog. You can see it under my profile on the sidebar. Look to the right of the page. Yeah.

Basically I started this shop to share my new-found love of handmade soaps and lip balms with other people. I just think they make adorable gifts, but they're still a nice change from drugstore products. I try to make sure all my soap bars are sulfate-free (if they're not, it will say so in the description).

Sodium lauryl sulfate (sulfate for short) is a chemical found in many soaps, shampoos, and conditioners you can buy at most drugstores or grocery stores. It is added to create lather, which is the foam that comes off the soap bar when you use it. However, it isn't good for your skin, neither is it good for the environment when it goes down the drain. For this reason, it's better to buy handmade or sulfate-free soaps.

Any colorants added to soaps are free of irritants, chemicals, and additives. Natural color is used whenever possible. Lip balms I sell are not colored. Any color present comes from the pure essential oil that is added. Essential oil comes directly from a fruit, herb, or plant. No fake stuff. All my soaps are non-toxic, but please, don't eat them. It's just not a good idea.

Some soap bars, such as the Lavender Soap Bar (see image below), contain real herbs. These herbs are not preserved or altered in anyway from their natural state.

Please check it out at Etsy - SoapsByRiya.

NOTE: My mom is the legal owner of the shop and helps me out from time to time, but I create and photograph all the products you see in my shop.

Like, comment, and share if you like what you see!

Feedback and constructive criticism is definitely appreciated and encouraged! :) 

Lavender Soap Bar

Lavender and Peppermint Body Bar

7 Delicious Microwave Recipes to Satisfy Any Late Night Craving

Everyone needs a self-indulgent comfort food to keep them company. Here are seven easy microwave recipes to keep you company and satisfy any craving.

1. Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Cup

The classic chocolate chip cookie, new and improved. Whip one up all for yourself, in the microwave!

2. Nutella Mug Cake

The perfect 5-minute dessert for all you Nutella lovers!

3. Lemon Bars

Just plain lemony goodness... These might be good for a casual party or bake sale; they look fancy, but they're super easy to make!

4. Bacon

Bacon in a pan takes forever, and it's usually all gone in half the time it took you to fry it. So try this recipe for perfect microwave bacon!

5. French Toast

You can have this 2-minute French toast anytime of day to satisfy your sweet tooth. Add syrup to taste, of course.

6. Cinnamon Roll Mug Cake

These mug cakes are the greatest thing since sliced bread! Yet another delicious, warm, "cinnamony" mug cake. And it takes only 3 minutes!

7. Brownies

Chocolate indulgence, all yours in one minute! Literally.

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Well, enjoy your microwave desserts this weekend! :-)

Note: I do not own any of these images. Each one is from the site corresponding to the recipe.

5 Easy Handmade Gift Ideas

I know it's a little early for Christmas, but I'm really feeling bad for not posting at all. Also, I'm planning to go all-handmade this year as far as Christmas gifts are concerned, so I'll need some time to plan everything out. My family is going on a trip to visit my cousins in Virginia this year. Both of my cousins are cute little girls, and I wanted to gift them something just as adorable as them. You'll find a couple girly ideas in this list, but you can customize them for any cute kid in your life.

Source: christmaslightsofarizona.com

1. Surprise Gift Balls

This first gift is pretty simple - all you need is some crepe paper and little knickknacks. This makes a fun gift or stocking stuffer for anyone on your list.

2. Basic Zipper Pouch

This one requires a sewing machine, but not too much skill. I'm not a sewing whiz—I'm actually pretty bad at sewing— but this tutorial seems relatively easy and not too time-consuming. In addition, it can be easily customized to suit your taste or the taste of the recipient.

3. Lemon Soap

I love all things lemon—I've even tried lemon salt!—and this soap is something anyone who likes warm baths or showers will adore. The recipe takes about ten minutes, and it takes an hour for the bars to cool and harden. This makes a great Mother's Day gift, too.

4. Flower Hair Clips

Any little girl would be absolutely delighted to receive these felt flower hair clips. They require minimal materials and take only a few minutes to make.

5. Magnetic Paper Dolls

These paper dolls are small, fun, and are easily stored in a little metal tin. I was planning this gift for my four-year-old cousin, who loves dolls and pretend play. A sweet gift for any little girl!