two tone tuesday

big spender / go overboard

DIY tiny heart manicure

my nail obsession continues. this tiny heart manicure is inspired by my new earrings, 

these little sprinkles, and [oh yeah] that holiday going on today...

 I love pink + grey together and this was the perfect way to mix up 

 steely power clutch with rosy eternal optomist. [dont you just love that name?]

I used the end of a bobby pin to paint on a tiny heart after my base color was dry. I practiced a few times on a piece of paper and found the best way to shape the heart is by dotting on one rounded bump, then dragging it down for the point. repeat on the other half and add a second coat if your pink is too sheer.

DIY wall art: home state love

the tutorial for this project has been moved! please click here to view the full post.

thanks!

spring cleaning

time for a little early spring cleaning. time for some triage with my blogroll, my closet, my baking cabinet, my bookshelf, and my facebook "friends" list. 

I'm getting rid of anything in my life that is not useful, beautiful, meaningful, or makes me happy.  because it feels good to get rid of the clutter, physical and emotional. 

the other day, inspired by Pinterest, I went through my makeup collection. I have a fairly simple routine to get ready, so a lot of the stuff I never use. some of it was probably expired, and to be honest, who really needs 3 mascaras? so I dumped it and then took what was left and organized it.

so. much. better.

plus, the coffee beans make my bathroom smell awesome.

#3: mugs with love

I realized that posting a full DIY on these mugs would spoil the surprise for those receiving them as gifts next week... so here's proof for my 12 by 2012, and details to follow in the new year!

friday five [in photos]

1. sparkly nails: Essie "set in stones" over "power clutch"

2. messy Friday hair

3. Beau deciding he would rather sleep under the tree than destroy it

4. crafting Christmas presents galore

5. dark chocolate peppermint bark. duh.

two-tone nails tutorial

continuing my obsessions with all things Pinterest- inspired and nailpolish... I tried out two-tone nails the other day. turns out this is SUPER easy to do, and all you need is scotch tape. I used Essie master plan [lighter shade] and merino cool [darker shade]. I was going for a more subtle effect, so I stuck with two colors in the same purple/gray family, but I'm so trying this out with bolder combinations...

here's how I did it:
1. paint your nail solid with the lighter color and let dry.
2. use scotch tape to block off part of your nail what you want to stay the light color.
3. paint on the dark shade over the exposed nail.
4. before the polish dries, carefully peel off the tape. you'll be left with perfect lines!
5. touch up any areas that need it, dry, add a top coat.

week 41: DIY wall art

week 41 comes with a DIY wall art project I found on pinterest.

I started with masking tape and a blank 12 x12" canvas

tape on a design

paint...

peel...

instant art!

this made a perfect easy sunday arts + crafts project.

[and the perfect thing to hang on the wall above our bed!]

#8: newsprint nails [first attempt]

I'm not a girly-girl, but lately I've been obsessed with nails. Not creepy, I-kinda-look-like-a-hooker, nails. Paint them yourself at home [on your real nails] nails. I used to only paint my toenails. If anything, my hands would sport a pale pink or clear coat. Totally natural and neutral. And then I started buying bottles of Essie. and I can't stop.

These two colors: power clutch and merino cool. I've been rotating them for the past month. Charcoal Grey is very in right now. My sister is getting married in a few weeks [!] and my dress for her wedding is dark charcoal. I of course needed a smoky purple as a complement, because wearing the same color nails as your dress is a little matchy-matchy for me.

I'm currently wearing the purple [merino cool] and decided to try the newsprint nail technique. I wouldn't exactly say I was UNsuccessful... but I'm going to need to make another attempt.

I think a lighter base color would have helped, and I definitely put the top coat on too soon and it fuzzed up my letters. I also discovered that soaking your nails in vodka: not necessary. You only need to dip the paper in and press on you nail. BUT only press it down once and don't move it because your letters will blur.

I can't exactly cross this off my list yet, but it's good learnings for the next attempt!