Upgrade Store-Bought Cakes: 5 DIY Tricks to Make Them Amazing

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I enjoy creating new recipes to share, but some of my favorite ideas are what I call semi-homemade: start with a store-bought base and add your own finishing touches. Buy the cake and make your own frosting, buy the ice cream and whip up a quick caramel—small additions that give the final result a homemade vibe without the fuss.

These projects are accessible to almost anyone, whether you bake regularly or rarely. Today I’m sharing five quick, creative ways to top a store-bought angel food cake—perfect for summer. Each idea takes just a few minutes to assemble and elevates a simple cake into something special.

If you’ve been thinking about attempting a cake from scratch, try one of these semi-homemade approaches first. They’re easy, fast, and satisfying—then you can work your way up to full baking projects. Ready?

Here are five DIY ways to transform a store-bought cake from average to awesome.

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Embroidered Wall Crawl Art: Simple DIY Textile Wall Hanging

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I almost didn’t post this tutorial — I made this wall hanging last-minute to add some artwork to our apartment before friends arrived for the weekend. Once I started, though, it felt too good not to share. This is a simple DIY embroidered wall art piece that cost me about $9 and took roughly an … Read more

6 Weekend DIY Projects You Can Finish in a Day

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I’m gearing up for the weekend with a handful of DIY projects to try. Besides a few work-related tasks, I don’t have much planned over the next couple of days. I’ve been thinking about small makeovers around the apartment to freshen up rooms I tend to rearrange often—mainly the bedroom and the dining area. What … Read more

Creative Holiday Gift Card Wrapping Ideas: 3 Unique Ways

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3 Unique Gift Wrapping Ideas for Gift Cards This Holiday Season

I enjoy both giving and receiving gift cards during the holidays, but I always like to dress them up so they feel more thoughtful and personal. To share some easy, creative ways to elevate a simple gift card, I partnered with Maurices to present three unique DIY ideas that make gift cards feel extra special for friends and family.

Each project is quick and easy, so you won’t need to spend hours crafting—just a few simple steps that deliver a big impact.

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Modern DIY Bathroom Organizer with Built-In Mirror

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In a small bathroom storage can be limited and finding an attractive, space-saving solution is often a challenge. To save floor space, this project goes vertical: a modern DIY wall-mounted bathroom organizer made from scrap plywood that includes a mirror and a small shelf. Bonus: it’s attractive rather than clunky. Move over ugly bathroom storage—this … Read more

DIY Clay Mushroom Christmas Ornaments: Step-by-Step Guide

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If you’ve been here before, you know I love unusual Christmas ornaments. Today I’m excited to share a large collection of handmade clay ornaments that feel delightfully whimsical: DIY mushroom ornaments. I’m genuinely obsessed with these — I spent a long time making them. If you’ve seen my Instagram stories, you may have followed the … Read more

6 Weekend DIY Projects You Can Finish in a Day

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This weekend is Easter here in the United States. Jeff and I don’t have any big plans, but I might squeeze in one more Easter egg DIY before Sunday arrives. We’ll see how the weekend goes. What are your plans? Are you celebrating Easter or tackling a few DIY projects? If you have some free … Read more

Crispy Roasted Chickpea Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing

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Your new go-to salad with simple, delicious flavors — a crispy chickpea salad that’s crunchy, satisfying, and easy to make. Roasted chickpeas provide a flavorful crunch, while a homemade, creamy dressing and shaved Parmesan bring this salad together. This crispy chickpea salad is a fresh, modern take on a classic Caesar and works equally well … Read more

8 Surprising Benefits of Fresh Flowers for Home and Mood

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Before I left for my trip I had planned a new flower DIY post and intended to publish it today, but I didn’t return home until late last night and simply couldn’t finish it. It happens, right? To tide things over this morning, I gathered some floral inspiration — both DIY ideas and décor suggestions … Read more

Gin and Juice Slushie Recipe: Refreshing Frozen Cocktail Guide

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Sippin’ on gin and juice…laid back… I made these refreshing gin and juice slushies and wanted to share an easy, low-ingredient recipe. They’re perfect for warm weather—or any time you want a taste of summer. These boozy slushies are simple to prepare and dangerously good.         Gin and Juice Slushie Ingredients 1/2 to 1 cup … Read more