DIY Life

I have a massive procrastination issue. I believe it started somewhere in university, where you could often find me face-down in a pile of unfinished classroom notes and study guides -- cramming for that inevitable 9 a.m. exam.

Not much has changed in recent years, although rather than the aforementioned study guides, you'll often find dinner party recipes, article deadlines, and -- this month in particular -- costume ideas for that dreaded Halloween party.

This year, I've vowed to change my ways and am getting started early. Yet, for those of you with chocked-full schedules that are anticipating a very late Halloween Eve, feel free to check out these last-minute costume ideas that have saved my procrastinating buns in the past. Each costume requires very little craft knowledge on your part, and should be easily compiled with household items. Ready? Let's get started!

1. Static-Cling
What You'll Need: Dress normally and pin a few pairs of panty hose, a dish towel and dryer sheets to your clothing.
Bonus: You'll get a few laughs, and will be the comfiest (sans pins!) in the room.

2. Paper Shredder
What You'll Need: A stack of paper. When someone asks you what your costume is, tear a piece of paper in half and proclaim "I'm a paper shredder!"
Bonus: You can use your spare paper for all of those phone numbers you'll be sure to get.

3. Nudist On Strike
What You'll Need: Dress normally and create a sign out of posterboard, cardboard, or whatever you have on hand. Poster should say "Nudist On Strike."
Bonus: Trust us -- no one wants any other kind of nudist at their party.

4. Aircraft Carrier
What You'll Need: Steal a toy airplane from your little brother, or make a paper airplane of your own. When someone asks you who you're dressed as, hold the airplane high and announce "I'm an aircraft carrier!"
Bonus: You still have one spare hand to hold your drink!

5. Refrigerator Magnet
What You'll Need: Spray paint a shoe box black and attach it to the back of your shirt. Instant refrigerator magnet!
Bonus: Your sense of humor just might magnetize a new date.

Proof that Halloween can be both fun -- and affordable -- this year, with or without the late night procrastination! For more Holidash highlights, head on over to Holidash right here.

A kitchen goes from drab to beautiful and vibrantly modern – all on a tight budget. I love that purple Formica countertop! – Bossy Color Blog

Centsational Girl shows her staircase's transformation from oh-so-generic to eye-poppingly gorgeous. It's CG's entry for One Project Closer's Before and After 2009 competition in support of Habitat for Humanity. Check it out and, if you love it, vote for it. – Centsational Girl

Also up for One Project Closer's top prize is made 2 cREate's Kara. Her stunning bathroom makeover is also absolutely gorgeous. A real work of art. Again, if you love it, vote for it. – made 2 cREate

It's time to put those patio chairs back into storage, but first --- why not re-web those few chairs that are in major need of some TLC? Shelterrific shows us how to re-web your chair using basic screws:

1. Measure and cut the length of the strip that you'll need.
2. Take the cut edge of the strip and fold each side in to form this lovely pointy end. Turn the strip over and insert the screw directly through this point so it holds the flaps together.
3. Screw into the hole on the chair. Weave the strip through existing webbing and repeat the folded point on the other side, securing with screw through the hole on that end.
4. Remember to factor in the bit of extra length you'll need for the chair to open and close fully.

Sure, it takes a bit of hard work, but you'll be glad you did it next spring when you remove immaculately-woven chairs from storage.

Bored with the same old jack-o-lantern smiley face/angry face designs? Maybe you need to branch out and try something totally new. I, too, have been digging around for fresh ideas for carving this year's big orange veggie. Check out the slideshow to see my favorites!

For more original and creative pumpkin projects, visit Family Fun magazine's Halloween Fright Site. There you'll find a ton of pumpkin decorating ideas, both of the carving and non-carving variety. Or steal an idea from Flickr's Jack-O-Lantern photo pool. With well over one thousand member-submitted images, you're sure to get inspired for some major pumpkin artistry!

Everything's better with bacon, whether we're talking bandages, mints or even [eek!] air fresheners. As a massive pork fan myself, I'm amazed to find these yummy looking bacon cups, courtesy of NotMartha. Want the recipe? You got it...

To create the cup shapes, Megan used the back of this Wilton King-Size Muffin Pan, which are the width of jumbo muffins but are almost twice as tall (see this cupcake for a visual). Megan used two layers of bacon on the sides and wove it like a basket. She notes that for as floppy as the bacon is when trying to weave it, it keeps its shape really well once cooked to the point that it is crisp.

Megan then set the oven at 400 degrees and carefully formed foil over the back of the muffin pan. She cooked the bacon, moving the pans around, until it was crisp and waited for it to cool before removing the foil and shaped bacon.

Genius, right? I'm amazed. Go, Megan!

With fall comes cooler weather, and with cooler weather comes bigger appetites (I'm not alone in this, right?). With the air turning chilly right before our eyes, it's time to start thinking about those dinner parties we can't wait to host. Whether you plan to invite over a few co-workers or are getting a jump-start on holiday plans, saving money is at the forefront of everyone's minds.

Why not create a few simple table settings with items you already own, or better yet -- items you can find at your own local grocery store? Here are a few fun, seasonal centerpiece ideas to send you well on your way to entertaining in style this fall:

1. Crafty Cinnamon:
Fold cream napkins into simple, chic squares, and lay a mini bundle of 3 cinnamon sticks atop each napkin. Tie a scrapbook tag onto the bundle with deep orange rafia, and use the tag as a place card - or embellish it with an autumn-themed scrapbook rub-ons featuring words and phrases such as "give thanks, ""blessings," and "fall."

2. Lovely Leaves:
Why shop for centerpieces when you can gather them from your own backyard? Arrange a few twigs and leaves in a hurricane glass and accent them with white miniature pumpkins. For visual inspiration, Toast and Tables has a few gorgeous tables you can gawk over!

3. Gorgeous Gourds
Take a cue from Williams-Sonoma and carve out a few gourds to create homemade candleholders. Simply place a miniature votive in the center of the gourd and presto -- instant mood lighting. Scatter a few leaves around your gourd candles and include a dark table runner to accent the look.

4. Amazing Apples
Last, but certainly not least? Place a few green apples in a basket from your home for an instant touch of fall. Or, for a more modern and elegant aesthetic, arrange a few green apples in a hurricane vase and pair them with crystal wine glasses and cloth napkins.

Proof that food can be both the entertainment and decor for your evening dinner parties!

Zhu Zhu Pets: they're robotic hamsters ... and they're one of the hottest new toys to hit the market. In fact, Toys "R" Us has Zhu Zhus on its 2009 Hot Holiday Toys list.

Do these furry friends live up to the hype? Well, kids seem to love them. You see, Zhu Zhus are not just cute, they also run on wheels, explore, and make adorable cooing and squeaking noises, as well as a host of other endearing and amusing sound effects.

Parents are excited because they're fake hamsters. In other words: no worries about keeping an actual live pet happy, healthy and clean. Curious? See Zhu Zhus in action in this You Tube video.

Think you need to spend the big bucks for a Platner piece? Think again. In fact, a trash can could do the trick just fine. And yes, I'm being serious. Chiasso has a new garbage can that looks oddly Platner-inspired. Why not cut a circle of glass over the opening and call it what it is --- a designer side table!

Even better? You can get a circle of glass cut for a few bucks at your local glass or framing store, turn the table on its end and for around $30, you have a designer-inspired side table. Try finding that great of a deal at your favorite big box retailer.

Proof that to get an aesthetic of high design, you don't necessarily have to pay a high price tag. In fact, design is in the (sometimes trashy!) details.