Dust off your records: easy to make record bowls

Amie's record bowl work of art.

My record bowl and I.

A few weeks ago, I volunteered at the For Your Ears Only Sale to benefit KU Audio Reader. The sale sold all things musical. At the end of the sale, hundreds of old CDS and records were left over, and volunteers could take what they wanted, so I grabbed a few records to do something I've always wanted to do...make record bowls.

Yes, records are the hipster way to listen to music these days, but let's be real, at least half the old 78s and 45s at places like Good Will are filled with music that will never be listened to again. So for your records that aren't hip enough for a jam sesh, or if you have duplicates, you can use them to make record bowls.

Don't let their bedazzling beauty fool you. They're ridiculously easy to make. (Prep time: 5 min)

Here's how:

1. Find some old records that you're sure you won't ever want to listen to again. Making it into a bowl is irreversible. Tip: records with colorful insides look nifty as record bowls.

2. Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees.

3. Place a glass bowl upside down on a cookie sheet.

4. Place cookie sheet, bowl, record combo in over for 2-3 min, or until you see that it's become soft and droopy.

5. Using oven mitts, remove sheet from over. Keep your mitts on and mold your record around the bowl any way you'd like. Tip: You may need to hold your record in place as it cools, because they tend to unfold.

And there you have it. Super easy to make, fun decorations. I hung the ones Amie and I made in my apartment.

Looking good, girl. Work those record bowls.

Peflectly tasteful personalized weddings

Surviving a zombie attack. How romantic.

Over the summer I learned a thing or two about weddings. I decided that whenever I get married, my highest priority is that wedding is a very personal reflection of my groom and I. It's so easy to get caught up in the usual: big, white gown, fancy meal, stuffy party reception; and weddings tend to become less of a reflection of the bride and groom, but much more of a static order of events. And that's just not me.

Here are some ways couples made their big days really unique to them.

Not only are these Amanda Rynda engagement photos absolutely stunning, but they also allow the couple to express their senses of humor...and love for zombies! Kind of obsessed. Engagement photos are a lot more casual than the pics you take on the big day, so doing something goofy like this is totally acceptable.

Here's another set of fun engagement photos. These were taken at the March Air Field Museum. Yes, the bride and groom do look like super models.

Come fly with me!

I discovered this interesting wedding Etsy featured over the summer. It's hobo themed! They got some bad reviews on the internet about it being an offensive theme, but I think it's pretty adorable. Would I personally do this? Maybe a classed up version. But the couple and their guests look like they're having the time of their lives, and that's what it's all about. I'm sure they saved tons of money, too.

Hobo love.

Ever since I saw one in MSW, I have been dreaming of a backyard wedding. The style is so relaxed and laid back, which really fits me. Here are two lovely backyard wedding inspiration blog posts.

Here's a post from A Realistic Wedding. Love that banner and flower garland combo.

This one's from A Cup of Joe. I require string lights be a part of my wedding.

And last but not least, the zombie cake. Drew's dream groom's cake. Is it classy? Not really. Will your guests judge you? Probably. But who cares. It's your day, and frankly, you're paying for them to be there so they can get over it!

Arrrrrghhhhhh. Brains.

Groom's cakes are a the perfect way to tell your groom, "I'm sorry I planned every single detail of our wedding with out consulting your opinion. Here's your slice of personality." (Get it? Cake? Slice? Haha.)

Here are some equally perfect groom's cakes. Notice how they're all things Drew likes.

Can you say Ewok cupcakes? Making ASAP.

When Drew and I started dating, he made me memorize which color goes with which Ninja Turtle.

Ok, Pac-Man may be more for me.

So, folks, when you tie the knot remember, it's your wedding, so go against the norm and do whatever you want to do!