Summer DIY Projects under $10!

1. DIY Crafts: Build a Summer Fort

Who didn't love making forts as a kid? It was definitely a staple in my household growing up. So if you have kids now, or if you are just a big kid (like me) and want to create a beautiful, summery fort to take to the beach or post up in your backyard as a nice little place to relax in, here are the directions to do just that: Fort-building 101.

All you need are:

Long Wooden Dowels 

Sheer Tabbed Curtains

Twine

(all things available at Home Depot or your local craft store)

FULL DIRECTIONS HERE

2. DIY Skincare: Coconut Mint Body Scrub

This one is perfect for keeping your skin smooth all summer long! Made with only three ingredients, you'll need: granulated sugar, coconut oil, and fresh mint leaves. Store it in cute little jars and give them to all your girlfriends as 'just because' gifts. 

For the full set of directions: CLICK HERE. 

3. DIY Style: Leopard Print Shorts

This DIY project is probably my favorite on the list. I've always loved leopard and just thought this style was so different and cute! Grab an old pair of denim shorts and the following supplies: fabric dye, fabric paint, salt & a paintbrush.

FULL DIRECTIONS HERE

4. DIY Skincare: Mini Lotion Bars

I love these little things! They are so easy to make, and so convenient to just toss in your purse for some moisture on the go. You can completely customize the shapes, sizes, colors, and scents of these bars depending on what you like. 

For the basic ingredients, you will need:

Beeswax

Almond Oil

Coconut Oil

Substitutions: If you have allergies or just varying preferences, you can substitute Almond Oil for Jojoba, grape seed, avocado, or even olive oil. You can substitute the Coconut Oil with cocoa butter, shea butter, or mango butter. 

FULL DIRECTIONS HERE

5. DIY Crafts: Make a Handheld Lantern

Great for a table top, hung in your backyard, or as a cute handheld lantern to take camping. Most of the supplies needed for this project are things that you probably already have at home. 

What you need:

Hammer

Towel

Water

Marker

Nail or screw

Tin can or tin bucket

Candle or LED light

If you want to paint your lantern -- Acrylic works really well on the tin and also dries pretty fast. 

For the full set of directions: CLICK HERE

6. DIY Haircare: Coconut Oil Deep Conditioner

True to the saying, "save the best for last" this at-home haircare remedy is my personal favorite. Since I first discovered this amazing natural oil and began using it as a deep conditioner (as well as a ton of other great uses which we will get to), my hair has never seen such loving care and loved me back with such incredible results.

I kept seeing the coconut oil craze all over Pinterest, so I figured what the heck? I'll try it. Someone suggested using it as a deep conditioner for the hair and scalp. I'm always looking for new ways to get my hair to grow longer and thicker so I was totally excited to experiment, especially with something completely natural. I chose to pick up a jar from my local Trader Joe's because I love me some TJ's, but also because the 16 oz. jar is only $5.99 (even in NYC!).

At first I wasn't exactly sure if the oil was supposed to be hot or cold, chunky or melted down, was I supposed to put a lot or just a little bit? I felt lost. Well, since that first awkward time that was spent with oil dripping down my face while wondering if I was "doing it right" but also feeling so trendy and enviro-friendly... I have actually done it enough times to say that I have now mastered this haircare DIY, and I am here to share my flawless technique with you all. 

I've tried it hot, cold, chunky, melted, on wet hair, on dry hair, experimented with varying amounts and leave-in times and what I have discovered is this: it makes no difference hot or cold -- it's more of a personal preference. Chunky is easier to scoop from the jar with your hands and melted makes it very runny and messy -- my preferred consistency is a light chunkiness with a slight melt. Just store it at room temperature and you'll be fine. As far as how much? Well, here is my step by step technique...

STEP 1:

Grab a scoop of Coconut Oil with your hands, run it through your DRY hair from root to tip, and keep adding in more oil until your entire head is saturated. 

Not sopping, just saturated completely.

STEP 2:

Secure in a bun (like pictured above) with a hair tie, shower cap, or cellophane/clear plastic wrap. I personally use the cellophane (no hair tie at all) and find that it works better when the hair is enclosed while being deep conditioned.

STEP 3:

Leave in for 30-45 minutes

STEP 4:

Rinse hair well. Shampoo, rinse, and repeat. 

Shampooing twice is crucial to getting out all the oil!

STEP 5: 

Condition as you normally would after shampooing

STEP 6:

Let hair air dry or blow dry if you prefer

You will feel the difference when you touch your hair after this first experience. Repeat this 1-3 times per week and within one month you will see a seriously noticeable difference in your hair length and strength! I've been trying to grow my hair my entire life and it's FINALLY happening the way that I want it to all thanks to this unbelievable coconut oil deep conditioning treatment.

Happy growing!

...and as promised, the many many many other uses for Coconut Oil:

cooking oil (high heat)

replace with vegetable oil for baking

coffee creamer

eye make-up remover

chap stick

to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy

diaper rash cream

soothes athlete's foot, psoriasis and eczema

massage oil

soothes itch

natural SPF 4 sunscreen

 shaving oil

& lubricant

NYC Bucket: #9 Visit Governors Island

9. VISIT GOVERNORS ISLAND

Original Bucket List: HERE

Governors Island is such a special little place. I admittedly never even knew of it's existence until a couple of years ago, but once I got the word that there was another island located just off the southern tip of Manhattan, I was so very curious.

First, a little history lesson...

Governor's Island is a 172-acre island that sits only 800 yards from lower Manhattan. Until 2003, it was closed to the public and served as a military base - home to the U.S. Army and then later the Coast Guard. In 2003, the Federal Government sold 150 acres of the island to the people of New York, leaving the remaining 22 acres to be declared the Governors Island National Monument.

The Trust for Governors Island which is run by the City of New York is now transforming the island into a destination with a ton of great public open space. Recently, the island has undergone a massive $260 million make-over and 30 new acres of park and public spaces have been added. With the new addition of several play areas and mini-parks and 1500 new trees along with a wide variety of activities to enjoy, the island re-opened to the public on Memorial Day Weekend, 2014. 

Somewhat spontaneously, a group of friends and I got together and headed over to the island on Memorial Day this year. The only way to get to the island is by Ferry, so we took an early afternoon ride over from the 34th Street dock. (TIP: if you make it to the Manhattan or the Brooklyn Ferry before noon on the weekends, your ride is FREE -- otherwise tickets range $2-6 depending on where you depart from.)

The ride over was an experience in itself because first of all, we were on a boat on a day with absolutely perfect weather. But also, we got to see the skyline and ride under the Brooklyn Bridge on our way over too, which was kind of cool. 

When we finally arrived, I felt instantly relaxed. The majority of the island is covered with freshly cut grass, trees, and all kinds of nature. There are so many activities and things for people of all ages to enjoy. A lot of them are free, too!

Things To Do:

Biking - visitors are welcome to bring their own, or you can rent them on the island from Blazing Saddles starting at $15 per 2 hours. FREE rentals on the weekends for one hour, before 12 pm. 

Kayaking - Saturdays only, June through August. Pier 101. FREE to all, 10:30am - 4pm.

Hammock Napping - inside of Hammock Grove, a ten-acre space loaded with 50 brand new hammocks that overlook Lady Liberty.

The Play Lawn - 14 acres meant for play and relaxation that includes two natural turf ball fields sized for adult softball and Little League baseball.

Explore Castle Williams - tours of the roof (amazing views) are offered every half hour between 11am and 5pm, daily. FREE tickets required.

Mini Golf - put on by FIGMENT, this Mini Golf course is surrounded with a ton of art instillations and interactive sculptures as well as a giant tree house to explore. FREE to all.

There is also a rotating door of Art Festivals and Educational Programs that take place on the island along with Civil War Reenactments, Cannon Firing demonstrations, and Beer and Wine Picnicking.

Things to Eat:

There are two outdoor "food courts" that collectively have twenty food and drink vendors. 

Kings Ave. Food Court - Open Saturdays and Sundays only. A collection of pop-up restaurants and food trucks that includes Blue Marble Ice Cream, Brooklyn Soda Works, Carl's Steaks, Drive Change, El Paso Taco, The Dog House, Mayhem & Stout, Mike N' Willies, Momo & Buns, Moldova, Pyramid Cafe, Sweet Chili's, and Wafels & Dinges. 

Liggett Terrace Food Court - Open Everyday. Overlooking Hammock Grove, this area includes Alchemy Creamery, Fauzia's Heavenly Delight, Mr. Softee, Little Eva's, Perfect Picnic, and Veronica's Kitchen.

If you don't feel like spending money or just want to have a picnic all your own, you can bring your own food too. You just are not allowed to bring your own drinks. (Unfortunately!) Which brings me to my next topic...

Where to Drink:

Governors Beach Club - Open Friday 10am - 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am - 7pm. Sand, palm trees, amazing views of the city, great music, beer and bar food.

The Beach Club is actually the only place on the island that is a consistent source for alcoholic drinks (well, beer only). However, over the summer there are a ton of events that take place all over the island and they usually come equip with drinks available to those 21 and over. Get the full list of events HERE.

Governors Island is a gem and I already can't wait to go back.

:)