I LOVE cactus because it reminds me of my home where I was born and raised and lived for 30+ years…ARIZONA! I call Illinois home now after living here for over 12 years but AZ is in my heart as home. I love making/designing my own clothes when I can and I want to share this easy cactus tank top with you! Have fun and enjoy.

Supplies:

• an off white or canvas colored tank top with no print or design
• cardboard
• newspaper
• dark green fabric or craft paint
• small, stiff bristled paint brush
• pencil
• ruler
• scissors

Instructions:

Step 1. Cut out a 3″ x 3″ piece of cardboard.

Step 2. Sketch the outline of a saguaro cactus on the cardboard. TIP: Leave space around the outside of the cactus so that the paint stays on the stencil and does not easily or accidentally get on the tank.

Step 3. Use the scissors to cut out the cactus on the stencil.

Step 4. Lay out your tank top and put layers of newspaper underneath the top of the tank.

Step 5. Use another piece of cardboard to act as a palette for the green paint.

Step 6. Place the stencil near the top of the tank and using a dry brush, paint on a little paint inside of the stencil.

Step 6. Move the stencil to another spot near the top and repeat the panting process.

Step 7. Continue on like this moving down the tank until you have filled the front of the tank. Let this dry completely.

This cactus themed tank looks great when worn with clothes, jewelry and shoes that have a relaxed western cowgirl or boho vibe. Here is how I paired this tank with items from my closet. . .

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Here is another cactus inspired craft from jenny at dapperhouse. . .

Paper Cactus Home Decor Craft

I LOVE cactus probably because they remind me of home in Arizona. I have lived in Illinois for over 12 years but for 30+ years I had spent my whole life in the Arizona desert filled with beautiful cactus of all sorts. I wanted to make some cool paper cactus for home decor and wanted to share this craft with you too! The type of cactus we are making is usually called a Fairy Castle cactus but more technically called a cereus tetragonus. I hope you have fun making it and showing it off in your own home.

Supplies: 

• Two coordinating pieces of 12″ x 12″ scrapbook paper. One is for the cactus and the other is for the flower.
•  A piece of cardboard that will fit a stencil 6″ x 2″ and another that is about 2″ square.
• Pen or Pencil
• Scissors
• Glue gun
• Ruler
• Flower foam
• Small pot

Instructions:

Step 1. Get out  your pencil and large piece of cardboard. Use the ruler to make a 6″ line down the center of the cardboard. On one side of the vertical line, make a 1 1/2″ horizontal line centered on the first one. On the other end, make a centered line that is 3/4″ long. Use the ruler to connect the ends of the two lines to make this sides of the cactus. (Please refer to photos for what this should look like.)

Step 2. Cut out this cactus stencil and use it to trace 4 pieces on the paper reserved for the cactus. Once finished, cut about an inch or two off the bottom of the stencil and trace four more on the same paper. Cut out all 8 pieces.

Step 3. Use the other piece of cardboard to sketch a cactus blossom that is approximately 1 1/2″ wide and tall. (Make sure that there are two five points on the top of the blossom that are even; so that they will match together when glued in step 5.) Cut this out and trace 8 of these on the piece of paper reserved for the blossom.

Step 4. Take the 8 cactus pieces and fold them down the center vertically to make a crease. Use the glue gun to attach the 4 larger pieces together with the folded centers touching on the inside. Then, do the same for the 4 smaller pieces.

Step 5. Fold all the blossom pieces in half vertically to create a center fold. Using the same technique as in step 4, glue these pieces together.

Step 6. Use the glue gun to attach the blossoms to the cacti.

Step 7. Cut the floral foam to fit snugly inside the small pot and use some glue to stand the two cacti to the floral foam.

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More cactus crafts. . .

Painted Prickly Pear Cactus Tee

Saguaro Cactus Tank

How many couples do you know who are in disharmony over snoring? It can be bad enough to make one person have to go sleep in another room. I feel bad for the people who have to have their sleep disrupted by a significant other who snores, but I also feel bad for the snorers! My husband snores every night and when he wakes up and find that I have gone downstairs to sleep on the couch, he feels terrible. Sleeping pills and earplugs have worked well for me but some nights it is not enough.

There are so many tips and tricks to help people not snore as much. There are plenty of products to buy that might help as well. Different things work for different people though, and sometimes it takes trying a few different things to find what really works for each individual person. I suggest trying the Good Morning Snore Solution if you want a solution to end snoring and keep your loved one in your bed. Try something that really works!

Don’t hold back! Order it for yourself or your loved one to solve the snoring problem in our home.

Stop Snoring Now!

This DIY tutorial is the CUTEST thing ever!! I love the cactus popularity since I am from Arizona because everywhere I go I get to be reminded of home YAY! You are going to love this easy and fun craft, plus we get to chat as usual while we be creative.

Let’s be friends on instagram.

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You all probably know by now that I was born and raised in Arizona. I left a huge family there when I moved to Chicago in my 30’s. I also left the wide open sky filled with breathtaking sunsets. And I left the incredible mountains where we would go hiking more than once a week. Right now while it is freezing cold here in Illinois and a snow storm is brewing, I miss Arizona even more! Making these Arizona Trail Mix Cookies gives me the taste of being at home with the sweetness of my family and remembering taking a bag of trail mix to fuel our mountain hikes. These are delicious, they look amazing and they have a health kick that everyone will appreciate. Make them for your family and share them with friends. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

¾ C unsalted butter, softened 

½ C light brown sugar

¼ C honey 

1 large egg

1 tsp pure vanilla extract 

1 ½ C old fashioned rolled oats 

¾ C flour 

½ tsp baking powder 

½ tsp kosher salt 

½ tsp ground cinnamon 

1 ½ C your favorite trail mix 

Directions:

One: Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper 

Two: Using a standing mixer, beat together the butter, brown sugar and honey until smooth and creamy 

Three: Beat in the egg and vanilla until combined 

Four: Using a large bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon until combined 

Five: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet until combined 

Six: Mix in 1 C of the trail mix into the dough 

Seven: Using a medium ice cream scooper, scoop out some dough and place onto the cookie sheet 

Eight: Place dough mounds about 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet 

Nine: Press a bit of the trail mix into the top of the cookie 

Ten: Bake the cookies in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned 

Allow to cool before moving and baking the rest of the dough

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Moving back to Arizona after a 15 year stint in Illinois has been eventful. Moving at the hottest part of the year is proving to be challenging. All in all, being back in the beautiful desert that I call home is exactly where I want to be.

Staying hydrated is a way of life here. Going outdoors in a dry climate with temperatures over 100 degrees (over 115 degrees here recently) means carrying hydration with you wherever you go. I went in search for the perfect supplement to increase hydration without sugars or harmful chamicals. Naked Nutrition was an obvious choice because they have transparent labels so we can feel confident about what we’re putting in our body. I chose their Blueberry Lemonade flavor NakedAde packets that are added to water.

The refreshing taste of blueberry lemonade quenches my thirst. The ingredients actually improve your health with no additives, fillers, or anything artificial. It is a perfect blend of carbohydrates and electrolytes with a healthy dose of Potassium. These are the essentials of hydration.

Naked Nutrition also uses Palatinose as a sweetner. It is derived from sugar beets but is a smart carb that has a low glycemic index. This is incredible for people who are actively working on their fitness. This natural sweetner works by improving fat oxidation during physical activity to prolong energy over the course of physical activity and workouts.

Workouts require stamina, hydration and endurance. NakedAde has all of this built into every packet.

Now that I have the secret to total hydration, you will see me hiking Arizona’s coolest trails with my dogs. Year round, I’ll be using NakedAde to simply stay hydrated day to day in the Arizona heat.

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One of my favorite places in Arizona is the ODYSEA AQUARIUM. It provides a welcome, air conditioned repreive from the desert heat but at the same time, it transports you into a beautiful underwater world. There are so many exhibits that you could spend a few hours there.

It is located in the Arizona Boardwalk Complex at 9500 Via De Ventura in Scottsdale, Arizona (85256).

There is so much information on their site so make sure you check it out.

Below are some links to various exhibits along with some photos and video that I took while I was there.

I highly encourage you to go. It is an incredible experience.

Some of the exhibits are:

• OdySea Voyager
• Aqua Lobby

• Rivers of the World
• Otter Banks
• SeaTrek

• Touch Pools
• Penguin Point
• Kids’ Cove
• Deep Ocean
• Bizarre & Beautiful

• Reef Jewels
• Ocean Art

I’ll just get right to the point and say that my favorite thing to see there is the octopus. I have seen them on televison and they look extraordinary, but seeing one move in person is enchanting. I can not even explain how fluid and flawless its movements are as it both floats and propells itself in the water. Beyond magical.

Here are some other videos I took while at the aquarium. You can see how massive the displays are and how easy it is to experience the sea life.

Here is a shark exhibit.

This is a sea turtle.

Can you spot the flounder?

You can also rent the aquarium for special events and take your class on a field trip (including virtual field trips that meet the science learning standards in Arizona).

I know you will enjoy your visit there!

Get these Free Printabe Ocean Life Activity Sheets for classroom centers or morning work.

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I am so happy that I visited the Butterfly Wonderland in Scottsdale. Butterfly Wonderland transports guests of all ages to the rainforest by immersing them in the world of butterflies. Learn about Monarch migration in a captivating 3D movie, observe live chrysalis as they emerge naturally into beautiful butterflies, and so much more. There really a lot to see and learn about before you even go to the conservatory where you walk around among beautiful rainforest plants and ton of butterflies – in the desert of ARIZONA!!

I thought that the Butterfly Wonderland would be a great place for:

• a first date
• a field trip
• a day out for grandparents and grandkids
• a birthday party event before going back home for cake and ice cream
• family fun adventure

I went with a friend and my adult son and we all had a great time. We didn’t capture everything on camera but we did have butterflies land on us while we were there. It was cool.

The Butterfly Wonderland does events like Yoga in the Rainforest, the Bug Club and a class where you can paint a butterfly at night. But there are much more! There website has information on all the events that are available along with dates, times and prices.

Go to Butterfly Wonderland web page for all the info you need to plan, pay for and schedule an unbelievable visit.

Here are some photos that I took at the Butterfly Wonderland.

This is the butterfly (maybe a moth?) that landed on my head!!

Enjoy your visit to the Butterfly Wonderland!

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The Desert Botanical Garden (or the DBG) is a must see whether you live in Ariona or are visiting. It is filled with the beautiful and interesting plants (and natural wildlife) that are native to the Arizona desert. Their website will help you with the details of planning your visit as well as the fun events happening at the DBG.

The nature photos in this post are my own. The ones from the restaurant are from their website which is cited many times within this post. Enjoy the photos. See more on my instagram at @jennyatdapperhouse

I love going to the DBG. I take too many photos when I go but I look at them a lot (especially when it is too hot to go outside and enjoy nature). I guarantee that you will like it too.

There are programs for entire families and also for various age groups from pre-K to high school. They also have classes for girl scouts to earn specific badges. THis link has a sampling of classes at the DBG.

There are two places to eat there, each with their own qualifications and hours of operation. There is a patio cafe with much nicer food than a typical fast food snack bar.

And a business casual restaurant called Gertrude’s serving food directly from Arizona farms.

Photos from my visit to the Desert Botanical Garden.

Whether you want to unplug from technology, meet other families worldwide, or experience the holiday season differently, guest ranch resorts are the perfect family getaway.

Unlike most all-inclusive resorts and hotels, guest ranches offer an authentic western experience with individual cabins for each group of guests. Ranches offer an array of unique experiences such as horseback riding lessons, cattle work, clay shooting, fly fishing and so much more.

Unplug from Technology

Unplugging from technology is a great way to help your family reconnect with each other. It also helps reduce stress and allows you to appreciate the natural world.

Many guest ranches do not have televisions or reliable cell reception. This is intentional because they want families to focus on spending quality time together without distractions. This is important during the holiday season when everyone is trying to stay connected and catch up with each other. It often sounds intimidating at first for parents who are tied to their jobs or children who believe that social media is their life line, but guests find that life can go on

There are a few ways you can unplug from technology while on a trip, including meditation and breathing exercises. You can also try limiting your screen time by having certain hours during the day when you can use technology and other times when you can’t.

Meet Families from Around the World

A family-friendly guest ranch can aid in your children’s friendship development if they still need to get peers their age. Most ranches have commendable staff like Zoe Reardon for guest services. Additionally, cabins and housing options suit families of all sizes, facilitating family interaction.

Many of these ranches also have a children’s program during the holidays to encourage young travelers to meet other children from around the globe. This can help children learn about other cultures and create cherished memories.

The all-inclusive packages at guest ranches include various activities and meals, making it easy for families to get to know each other while having fun. Whether you’re a family of city slickers or seasoned horseback riders, a dude ranch vacation is tone of the most memorable and family focussed getaways.

Experience the Holidays in a Different Way

Holidays were once about consuming endless quantities of cookies and candy and slumber parties complete with ugly sweaters, but now they can also be a great time to try out something new. This is where guest ranches come in.

The best part is that these vacations are designed to give you a well-rounded experience. Most resorts offer all-inclusive rates with lodging, meals, and most activities included. Other resort amenities include a state-of-the-art indoor riding arena and horsemanship clinics. There are also a lot of other things to do in the area around the ranch.

Enjoy the Outdoors

Whether looking for a rustic ranch experience or a glam resort with top-notch amenities, guest ranches offer an unforgettable family vacation. These ranches provide all-inclusive lodging, meals, and activities ranging from horseback riding to fishing to a ropes course.

Guests can get hands-on at a working cowboy ranch and make new friends. Kids can help with cattle driving, horseback riding, and more at various dude and guest ranches in beautiful settings.

Relax

Many guest ranches offer a range of activities for guests of all ages. Whether looking for horseback riding, mountain biking, target shooting, hiking, or whitewater rafting, staying at a guest ranch is a great way to unplug from technology and enjoy the outdoors!

Visiting a guest ranch is the perfect opportunity for families to bond and create lifelong memories. They can also learn about other cultures and make new friends worldwide.