DIY Graduation Ribbon Lei with paper roses

Hello everyone, 

I want to make a post to share the ribbon lei that I made for my sister, who will be graduating college in about a week. This is not really a tutorial, but I want to post up a picture to give you the new twist to the popular ribbon lei that you can learn from Youtube/Pinterest. I will provide some links to where I learn how to do both single and double braided ribbon leis. A while back, I have seen a tutorial on Youtube where Mulberry paper flowers and leaves were use to make a very beautiful head piece/hat decoration. That tutorial to me was a little bit more advanced and I wanted to make something that was less time consuming. Moreover, I want to make something like a lei for graduation, so I incorporated both two projects into one. 

At first, I wanted to do a single braided lei but the width of my ribbon was 3/8 in or 1cm. The end result was too skinny to have a beautiful effect. If you happen to have the same width ribbon, I recommend you to do the double braided lei. It will give you a wider base which is a fuller effect as you see in the picture. Most tutorials recommended 1/2 in, 3/4 in, or 1 in width ribbon for single braided lei. You also should get satin ribbon rather than sheer ones (like I have) if you want the color to really pop. You can use school color or the graduate's favorite color. You need about 10 yards each color for single braid, and double that amount for double braid. I bought my ribbons from eBay a while back because it was on auction and I won them for less than $1 each. To me it was quite cheap for a 50yrds spool. 

The paper roses are about 1 cm each. I am not sure if these were true Mulberry paper, but you can definitely buy them on eBay or Amazon with 144 roses with stems for around $3-$5. After I finished the double braid, I counted the loops in the middle row and used it as a guide to space out the roses. I cut off the wired stem and glued them on with hot glue gun. I added additional roses in the middle just like a necklace.  

Tips: I recommend you to start out with single braid first. It's easier and if you mess up, you can unbraiding them without any harm to the ribbon. You don't need to measure how much ribbon needed because you can start from the spool, keep braiding until you reach the desired lenghth when you put two ends together. I kept braiding until I felt it might be long enough and measured it from neck to about midsection. If it still short, you continue to braid and if it too long, you can undo a few times to shorten it. 

Because my spool was 50yrds, I had to start with the single braid first to get the desired length. Then, I cut from the spool, undo all the braid, and start the double braid. You will have 4 strands in double braids, so that means two strands will be from the spool and two are from the single braid (unattached). It will be easier when you see the tutorial from links provided. 

You can definitely add more roses if you preferred less ribbon as a base. 

Also, if ordering from Amazon or Ebay, I suggest that you order them about 1 month ahead because  delivery time could take that long to arrive. You don't want to miss out on the occassion. 

Single braided ribbon lei: 

Double braided lei:

Ribbon (sheer) from eBay here
144 pcs paper roses from Amazon here and Ebay here

I truly love the end result and it took me total of 2 hours with first try on the double braided lei. The ideas are definitely not mine, but I have not seen anyone that done it like I did. I hope you guys will try it out.

Thanks for reading until the end. I hope this is helpful and if you have any question, please leave it in the comment below

TMI Tag!!! Just cause I cannot resist doing it.

Hello everyone!

I know not many read my blog at all, but I just cannot resist this tag! I watched quite a lot of this tag on YT and it is just absolutely fun to watch! So I tag everyone who read this. And tag me in so I can see your tag. I have a YT channel, but making video is such a challenge for me, I rather just type these out! Here are the list of questions (50 to be exact):

1: What are you wearing?
I am wearing my very old, yellow, comfortable, summer PJ. The weather is quite great right now in CA. 
2: Ever been in love?
Not really?! I am still very single. 
3: Ever had a terrible breakup?
Nope. I have never been in a relationship.
4: How tall are you?
I think I am 5'2''. But that's not what it said on my driver licence. Heehee
5: How much do you weigh?
Hmm let's just say it is not my weigh on my ID either. :P
6: Any tattoos?
Oh I wish! My parents would probably kill me if I have a tattoo, and I am an adult! Though I am too afraid to make the commitment and not sure what to get either. 
7: Any piercings?
Just my earlobes. I actually hate any other places for piercing. Definitely not suitable for me, but I do like other piercings on some people. 8: OTP? 
Had to google this. Hmm the only movie that I am obsessed with is Twilight saga. So Bella and Edward! There is something about regular human in love with a vampire that make me go mad about. And to me they are perfect match. 
9: Favorite show?
How I met your mother! Love it. I used to hate it at first, but after watching so many seasons, the Finale catch me by surprised! Though I kinda knew it from the start. 
10: Favorite bands?
Hmm I don't have one. I like all kind of music---I listen to whatever popular on the radio. 
11: Something you miss? 
Hmm. Something I miss...My dad's family in Vietnam. I miss my grandma a lot! But if it is something...I kinda miss school a bit. I recently graduated and I hate being an adult! Quite hard with all the stress of finding jobs, earning money, paying for bills. Haizz :(
12: Favorite song?
Right now I love John Legend--All of me. On replay quite a few times now. 
13: How old are you?
I am 24 yr old.
14: Zodiac sign?
Sagittarius. Born in December. I am Vietnamese and my zodiac is the snake.15: Quality you look for in a partner?
Being a genuinely nice, caring person. A lot people said humor, which I do agree too, but I fall for a guy who goes an extra step to show that he cares for me. 16: Favorite Quote?
I don't know why I cannot remember any of my favorite quotes. The recent one that my sis told me was "Always shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars." Kinda cheesy I know, but to me it sound quite cute. Actually my motto for life is "Help as much people as you can and don't harm anyone because when you are in need of help, you know that there will be plenty in return." (Karma is what I believe. My parents taught me this.)17: Favorite actor?
Hmm. Beside Robert Pattinson, I really like Neil Patrick Harris (I do admitted that he is not the most hottest guy) but there is something sexy about him and something about his talent that make me fall for him. Actually Adam Levine too! But he is not an actor. 18: Favorite color?
Can you tell? Purple or any range from this shade. 19: Loud music or soft?
I hate loud Rock and Roll music so much, even with any other genres that have very loud pop music, I stay away from. I love any sweet, soft, a bit of romantic, or inspirational music, and sometimes piano pieces (especially from Michael Ortega)20: Where do you go when you’re sad?
If I am at home, I pretty much stay in bed with my comforter over my head. Though sometimes, if it is not about family, I would just like to drive on the road to relax. 21: How long does it take you to shower?
About 15 min, on days that I do a bit more maintenance, it would be 30. 22: How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
Pretty much 5-10 min max because I don't wear makeup on daily basis. Only when I am in the mood with much more time on hand, I say about 20-30 min. 23: Ever been in a physical fight?
Oh yep! All the time with my sister when we were younger. Never actually have one with a friend or strangers. 24: Turn on?
Being handsome? Does that count? haha. Actually being a gentleman. 25: Turn off?
I heard one said lying, and to me it is hard to see at first. The definite turn off is having beard or not well groomed hair and smoking. Smoking actually tops everything else! I just cannot stand it. 26: The reason I joined Youtube?
I joined YT because there was just a day when I discovered so many videos from YT gurus that do makeup and hair. I learned about hair before being obsessed with makeup. So I decided to join to keep me updates with new videos from my fav youtuber. I subscribed to so many channels right now, and I watch videos religiously! These videos inspired to become a freelance makeup and hair artist. I am still have a lot to learn, but many believe that I have potentials. 27: Fears?
I actually don't have fears/phobias like MONK if you watch him. I think I am scared of being attacked by anything, but not necessarily get squeamish if by something like a spider. Like I love dog, but I am afraid of getting bitten by one especially stray ones. 28: Last thing that made you cry?
Hmm. I cannot remember specifically, but I know it was because I was so stressed, I was laying in bed at midnight, just cry a little bit. 29: Last time you said you loved someone?
Hmm. To my Mom. I meant it but, at the same time, kinda in a funny way because of the situation. 30: Meaning behind your YouTube Name?
I actually hate it now, but still keep it because I don't really use it to post up videos. It is "sweetpuppy120489" I was kinda dumb for firstly putting my BD and I never own a puppy either. It was just one day, I looked at some cute puppy photos and decide to use it as username. So Lame! Since I am doing this tag on the blog, I'll explain quickly why my blogger name is NNP or ngocupham. It is simply my previous name which is Ngoc Pham. And the "u" stand for a word in Vietnamese which my aunt use that word as my nickname. 31: Last book you read?
Does textbook count? The only book I last enjoyed was Twilight saga--Breaking Dawn. 32: The book you’re currently reading?
Gosh I am so guilty, not a big reader, but I really want to read the Divergent series. 33: Last show you watched?
Yesterday, Friends with Better Lives. One of my current favorites a long with 2 Broke Girls. 34: Last person you talked to?
My Mom, while watching TV. 35: The relationship between you and the person you last texted?
My younger sister. I asked her to buy laundry detergent. Hahha36: Favorite food?
OMG this is hard. I don't have one. I am a foodie. Though I prefer salty food more than sweet. I don't consume sweet that much. 37: Place you want to visit?
So many many places, but definitely Hawaii! 38: Last place you were?
I visited Toronto, Quebec, Montreal in Canada and New York this past summer along with a few hours in some of the Eastern states. 39: Do you have a crush?
Yep! Not a celebrity. I had a crush on him about 6.5 years ago. I met him in my freshmen year, first semester, in college. Because of our position back then, we could not have a relationship. Also, it was just a one way crush anyways. I thought it was a stupid silly crush as I was so young back then. However, recently, his name reappeared again. He and I contacted each other (professionally), and I still have that crush on him. I don't know why, but I still do. 40: Last time you kissed someone?
My friend's son. He was soo cute!41: Last time you were insulted?
A few days ago. But I don't care much for it. 42: Favorite flavor of sweet?
So hard! I actually love fruity sweet dessert. I hate chocolate....Well I lied! Anything that just pure chocolate, I don't really like. If it is mixed with other things I am ok. Like, I am Ok with chocolate icecream, but  will hate it if has chocolate chunks in it. I hate chocolate chips cookies. Everyone think I am the weirdest person on earth because who can resist chocolate right?43: What instruments do you play??
I cannot play any! Never got a chance to learn one. 44: Favorite piece of jewelry?
I actually love wearing rings and earrings, but I really don't wear any jewelry at all. I am kinda allergic to metals. I got itchy wearing necklaces and earrings. I have to wear studs with plastic backing to prevent me from an reaction. 45: Last sport you played?
Guilty again! I don't play any sport and hate sport. I do love dancing and did do a tiny bit dancing back in VN. 46: Last song you sang?
All of me-John Legend. 47: Favorite chat up line?
I don't have one. And I don't like it if someone has any cheesy one either. 48: Have you ever used it?
Hmm. Obviously not. 49: Last time you hung out with anyone?
My best friend, April. She is like my sister!50: Who should answer these questions next?
I tag everyone! Do it! It is quite fun. 

Swagbucks Review. Join or not?

Hi everyone!

I know that I have not been writing anything ever since I left my last post, but I still remained reading different blog posts and looking back at my posts history.

Today, I want to write this post because it is something that I felt people should know about. I want to make this a short, but detailed review about why or why not you should join Swagbucks. If you want to join, here is the link for it. I joined Swagbucks since 2010 and I really have no idea who brought me to this website. It was, either, I read it on a blog post or from a random search for similar free reward websites. Back then, I was very skeptical about "point rewards sites" because nothing is really for free and we have to either work hard for it or it simply a scam. I,first, decided to join the site because all I thought was " WTheck, I don't think it will hurt anyways. As long as no credit cards involved, I am safe."  So I joined it and I hated it. I hated it because I had no idea WTheck I was doing on there. They showed you how to earn "Swagbucks", but to me it was kinda pointless. I have to earn at least 450 Swagbucks (SB) to redeem for a $5 Amazon giftcards. And it wasn't easy to earn 50SB! I actually forgot about the account for like 3-4 months, until I came back and decided to try again. Now, it is one of my favorite reward sites that available outthere.  I will list out the Pros and Cons of why you should join and whether or not it is a scam.

Let me first tell you that "No!" I am not affiliated with the site, and the link above is a referral link which all members have as their benefit for joining the site. Swagbucks is a reward site that give you technically points which they called Swagbucks for doing activities on their website. I will give you tips on how to earn points without doing too much work, but still maximized the points on there.

1. Pros:
 Earn points for getting anyone you know to join by sending a referral link to the desired person. Anyone can join even if he/she live in the same household. I got my parents and sis to join, which helps me earn points. Right now, there is a promo that ends on 2/25/14, which allowed you to earn 10% (lifetime) of the points that your referrals earn.
Cons:
Because not many people have the time or the patience to earn points, you might not get people to join that easily. The other problem is once the promo ends, you will only get to earn up to 1000SB for every referrals and you can only earn the exact points when your friends have points rewarded for searching on the site.
2. Pros:
Like I just mentioned, you can earn points through using their search engine, daily polls, NOSO, surveys, watching video clips, playing games, printing coupons, swagcodes, special offers, and shopping online. I really take advantage of everything they offered, except limiting myself to the surveys, special offers, and shopping online. To me, those three things are not worth it unless it is completely free or easy to do. The main ways I earn points everyday is taking daily polls (1SB), NOSO (2SB), search engine (random SBs given at any time you search with min. 6SB up to 50SB), watching video clips (every 10 vids reward 3SB), playing games (every 2 games reward 2SB). If you are a major coupon clipping addicts, then you get 10SB for each coupon you print out and used it in stores (you have to redeem the coupon in any store you like to earn the 10 SB). Last but not least, swagcodes are given by the sites, usually given out on their blog and facebook. Mostly, it is a 3-5SB freebies. As you can see, it is not that easy to earn the points on here because points are given for only hard worker. However, if you can earn at least 15SB per day, you will be able to earn min. of 450SB per month, which lets you redeem it for $5 giftcard. There is a great selection of giftcards for different SB earned. For instance, 500SB you can trade for $5 Target, Walmart, or CVS giftcards that can be used in store and online. All you do is print it out and use it at the register.
Cons:
_The easiest points to earn is the daily polls and NOSO. It is pretty much a given. Even with NOSO, you don't have to join anything and just click "Skip" on everything and it will give you points no matter what. It would be easier to understand what I mean once you do this. However, it is only 3SB given each day.
_Watching 10 video clips would be a hassle because I am not a person to have time to watch clips even if they are only 1-5 mins most. Here is the secret, you don't have to watch the videos if you don't want to. I clicked on it and let it run on a tab and work on other things on another tab. Once the video run for 2 min, it gives you 10% on a meter, and after watching 10 clips which means at 100%, you get 3 points.
_Earning point through the search engine is the worse way to earn points because the site is like random generator. They give you points at random times and almost seems like it limit you to only have 1-2 chances per day. For instance, if I use the search engine throughout the day, and let's say it gives me 8SBs, then the chance of me winning again is the next day no matter how much I tried searching again and again. Also as I mentioned above, when your referrals use the search engine and win let's say 10 SB, you will also get 10SB. However, this is only up to 1000SB per referral, which means, that you won't be able to earn any more SB after the 1000th mark hit. Your referral still continue to earn SB, but you won't. Therefore, take advantage of the promo now before it ended.
_Games that for free on there is not exciting at all...And you kinda just play if you want to relax and pass time.
_You should follow their FB page to find out the swagcodes. There is a bar on the home page, that let you type in or paste in the swagcodes given. You can easily missed the code because it expires quickly (within 2-3 hrs max) and sometimes you have to work on a quest or answer questions to find the swagcodes. I don't bother with it much if it is too hard to earn. Swagcodes usually not given out everyday, but almost 3-5 days/week there are swagcodes available.
3. Pros:
This website is not a scam because I have earned a lot of Amazon giftcards to save my sister and I books for college. Of course, you are not limited to just the giftcards I suggested, but those are the best value for the hard works you've done. They have a very great selection of things that you can redeem for. This is also for those who have an obsession in shopping online. Right now, they don't have as many online shopping sites, but good enough selection for those that wish they could save a lot more than a shopping site deals. For instance, let's say you buy a piece of jewerly on amazon, you can actually earn 3SB for every dollar you spent. If you heard of ebates before, this is exactly the same thing except SB is virtual money. I don't like ebates because the % of cashback is way too little, which I can redeem for SB a lot faster than ebates.
Cons:
We are not always at home on the computer or even on our cells while on the road to earn points. It does take a lot to earn , but it helps so much when you are in needs of saving your bucks. Nothing beats free money and nothing comes for free.

We all have to put in the work to earn everything in this world, but this is one of the best ways to earn free stuff. I stopped keeping track of how many times this website help me save my money. I really love it and I hope my review was helpful and may be in the future you, too, will love it.

Thanks guys, and until next time...I'll let you know about another reward sites.

New handmade bracelets in VN's Shop

I just added the new handmade bracelets for anyone who are interested in pre-ordering them. They aren't available until the end of August. If you like, please support my shop. 

Thank you

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