Video: No-Heat Wavy Hair

 

Here's how I get wavy hair without using any heat! If you were a 90’s kid like me, you might have grown up sleeping with foam rollers in your hair for special occasions. You might remember the feeling of your hair still being damp in the morning and curls not staying. You might also remember your hair getting tangled in the rollers and how uncomfortable it could be sleeping on top of a pile of plastic and foam. Here’s a better way to wake up with beachy waves! I saw someone post that they were trying the bathrobe curling trend, but they couldn’t get it to work. They didn’t post any instructions other than showing wrapping their wet hair around the robe. Here’s the number one trick you need to know: don’t leave your hair wet! You must dry your hair! If you think your hair needs some moisture in it to curl, dry it and then add moisture back with products or water in a spray bottle. AND make sure your scalp is dry. If your roots are wet, the wetness will travel down to the rest of the hair. I didn’t invent the bathrobe method (and I don’t know who to credit for coming up with it), but the two people I’ve seen doing it are doing it with wet hair. Try it with dry hair first and see if you get the same great results I’ve been getting. I HAVE to use mousse to get it to work, but use whatever curling/texture product works best for your hair type. This curling method has been a lifesaver for me! I’m short on time right now with taking care of a baby. This takes barely any time and lasts for so many days! Please let me know if you try it and if you have tips and tricks to share! What I Used: ‣My husband gifted me the bathrobe a few years ago. I think it’s from Walmart! ‣Aquis Hair Turban: https://shopstyle.it/l/bq18Z​ ‣The mousse is from EVA NYC, but they don’t make it anymore. I really like it, so that makes me sad! ‣It’s a 10 Silky Express Leave-In: https://shopstyle.it/l/bq182​ ‣Alterna Glow for It Hair Gloss: https://shopstyle.it/l/bq19U​ ‣Dyson Hair Dryer: https://shopstyle.it/l/bq19Y​ I think it’s silly I have to say it, but I feel I should in case I get comments about it. I know this is a very expensive hair dryer. You do not need it. It is very nice, though. My husband gave it to my for my birthday a few years ago. It’s the biggest birthday gift I’ve gotten. It was quite the splurge, and he wouldn’t let me take it back! I do really like it and the difference I feel it’s made with my hair. You know I love a good sale, and all the other products used were bought on sale (every. single. one.), so don’t come at me about this hair dryer! :)

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Video: SWEAT PROOF Makeup

Instructions: Vintage Sock Bear

My mom gave me a vintage book with instructions on making sock toys of all sorts.  I really wanted to make one for my nephew Corben.  Colin had some UCA socks that he had worn a hole into, and I knew they would be perfect for making a UCA (University of Central Arkansas) Bear.  Below are pictures of the bear I made, and below those are photos of the instructions to make your own!

I made the polar bear since it more closely resembled a real bear instead of making the teddy bear.  I will say that I had to play with the instructions a bit and make it work for what I wanted, liking changing the bear tail and not using buttons for eyes since this was for an infant.  I had to use a seam ripper and undo a few things, like making the legs the length I wanted after not liking what the instructions told me.  This is a fun project, but be prepared to improvise and not have a perfect creature.  Keep in mind this book was written in 1958, and have fun with it!  My nephew doesn't mind if his bear isn't perfect-- just as long as that bear will let him drool and chew on him!

Video: Lake Trip Makeup Look

Going to the lake should be carefree and easy.  Don't worry about a full-face makeup look.  Keep it breezy and natural!  Keeping it natural doesn't mean you have to look undone.  You can look photo ready and lake appropriate in just a few minutes with a few simple products.

Products Mentioned:

• Beauti Control Day Lotion
• Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer with Broad Spectrum SPF 15
• St. Ives Nourished and Smooth Scrub and Mask, Oatmeal
• Beauti Control CC Creme
• L'Oreal Paris Brow Stylist Plumper Brow Mascara
• Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr Cream Eyeshadow - Creamy Beige
• COVERGIRL LashBlast Volume Waterproof Mascara Very Black
• e.l.f. Blush, Candid Coral
• L'Oreal Paris Visible Lift Color Lift Blush
• Real Techniques Stippling Brush
• Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer, Light
• Blistex Silk & Shine Lip Protectant Spf 15
• REVLON Colorburst Lip Butter, Cupcake
• L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lip Balm, Tender Mauve
• Revlon ColorBurst Balm Stain, Honey
• Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm - Audacious

e.l.f. cosmetics Makeup Haul + First Impressions + 2 Makeup Looks (Video Included!)

I started using e.l.f. makeup a few years ago and from the beginning couldn't believe how affordable it is!  In my opinion, e.l.f. has a better quality product than other brands that have  comparable prices.  

e.l.f. was having a sale plus free shipping, so I stocked up on some of my favorite and picked out some new things to try.  Below you'll see the list of everything I grabbed up.

In the video, I talk about the products, my first impressions of them, and do two different makeup looks.

If you use e.l.f., let me know which items you love in the comments!

Makeup Mentioned:

• Prism Eyeshadow in Naked
• Eye Refresh
• Eyebrow Kit in Light
• HD Lifting Concealer in Light and Fair
• High Definition Powder in Sheer
• Shadow Lock Eyelid Primer in Pearl
• Blush in Candid Coral
• Blush in Glow
• Blush in Blushing
• Waterproof Eyeliner Pen in Coffee
• Waterproof Lengthening and Volumizing Mascara
• Matte Lip Color in Natural
• Illuminating Eye Cream
• Eye Shadow Brush
• Eye Crease Brush
• Eyelash and Brow Wand
• Shimmering Facial Whip in Lilac Petal
• Powder Blush Palette in Light
• Long-Lasting Lustrous Eyeshadow in Soiree
• Eyeliner and Shadow Stick in Black/Smoke

Harlow's First Birthday- Alphabet Book

Most of Harlow's birthday (decorations, outfit, gifts) was handmade.  It was my way of making it a special day and tailoring it to her personality.  It's also my way of saving money (truth!).  For one of her gifts, I made her a book, because she loves to read.

I created the pages in Adobe Illustrator, but it could just as easily be done in a Word document.  The book pages are 8 1/2 x 11, so the pages print easily.

I used Myriad Pro font for the wording.  The large floral letters are the free font Florabet.  The font used for her name on the cover is the free font Willow.

I made sure to leave space in the left margin to hole punch.

I used watercolors to paint the floral letters on each page.

Once the paint was dry, I took the pages to a teacher supply store and had them laminated.

Lastly, I used a hole punch and book rings to bind the pages together.

This is one of my most favorite things I've ever made.  It's not complicated or expensive, but it's a reminder to Harlow of how special she is to us.

…And as I sign off for the day, here's a peek at her party invitation that went out to our family.  I used Illustrator to make the invitation, and design elements are from Angie Makes.

Harlow's First Birthday-- Homemade Tent

I contemplated for months on what to give Harlow for her first birthday.  I wanted it to be special, be age appropriate for now but also grow with her and be lasting.

Harlow loves books and loves for us to read to her.  I kept having the thought to make her a tent where we can play for now and where she can go to read when she gets older.  There's something special about having your own space where you can hide away and pretend.

The tent was a hit!  Colin made the frame, and I sewed the fabric.  It folds up out of the way if you need to store it, but we're keeping it out in the house, because it's too fun to hide!  The link to the tutorial is down below.

Get the tutorial HERE :)

Tutorial: Scarf + Bag = Scarg?

Need a bag for errands, the library, crafting, kids, groceries, fun?

I have a super easy tutorial on making a great looking bag that's functional and pretty! (and affordable!)

P.S. No sewing required!

Materials:

Canvas bag (around $1 at a craft store)

Scarf (I got vintage scarves from an antique store, but you might have some laying around that you don't wear!)

Heat 'n Bond (at Walmart or craft store)

Directions:

Follow the directions on the Heat 'n Bond package to attach the scarf to the bag.

That's it!

Sewing notes:

If you would like to sew around the border of the scarf, make sure you get the Heat 'n Bond that will allow you to sew so that you don't gum up your sewing machine (it will gum it up otherwise...I would know!).

Also, if you realllly want to sew it on, it might be best to make your own canvas bag, because sewing on a pre-made bag will be difficult to get to the bottom (unless it's a big bag).  If you make your own, sew the scarf to the canvas before you sew the sides of the bag together.

I made three bags!

These bags will be for sale if you don't want to bother making your own...

....details coming soon!