Tuesday, March 29, 2011

A Hairy Situation

For the past (almost) 25 years of my life, I've been a blackette. (My version of brunette...) But really, there's not a fancy way to put it. Ever since my first grey hair at 15, I've been dying my hair Revlon 2A, the jet black- almost blue black, but not quite (because they do make a blue/purple raven black that I've made the mistake of purchasing once...)

This got boring to me as of late. I mean, look at all the colors out there (excluding Manic Panic's "eccentric" line of "color")...


Truth is... it all started one Halloween a couple of years ago, when someone walked in (a guy) with a blonde wig (sorority girl costume)... and through the randomness of the night I replaced my Indian headdress with his blonde wig... well... It sparked a light in me when my BFF and sis were saying it "actually" looks good on me! <-- lies... haha! I'm so embarrassed to post the pictures... DON'T JUDGE ME! 


don't worry- biker chic has all magnetic jewelry in her  face! :)
 Well, my curiosity finally got the best of my when Ordy had to work really late in France. Me + lots of time online = trouble. Wanna see the ridiculousness I got into that night?? Be prepared to laugh!

So here I BEGIN with black hair...
My natural "signature" curls...

and the random straightened hair look... 

and the "wave" look:


and here we go on this embarrassing journey down "make over Joon" lane... :)


Blonde:

Black but BOB cut: 

Unruly mane: 

Orange?

Sandy Brown:

Platinum Blonde (with protruding clavicles):

One of my personal favorites...

Short blonde- NOT my cup of tea:

Another "orange" to me... love the curls...

Another blonde look: 


A shade lighter than my black... and really short! 

A shade lighter than mine but straight


I had fun going through the different potential looks- I clearly remember Ordy stressing he liked black and would NOT like my hair any lighter... well, last weekend I went about 3 shades lighter (a nutmeg brown) and he hasn't broken up with my- WHEW! haha, good news! 

I don't have any proper pictures of my hair now, but once I do I will post them! They're all grainy cell phone pics (taken in a public bathroom- how random- good lighting maybe?!) but here's one! (It's not much but it's a WORLD of difference to me and my previous PITCH BLACK hair! I'm excited I have a better chance to hide all the grey hair! 



I know you can't tell- but I cut 6 inches off of it too! It's all ONE length now! It still has split ends of course, but it's not as obvious :)


Thursday, March 24, 2011

Multi Purpose Cushioned Frame

It took me ten (legit) minutes to type the title. I was clueless what the heck I really just made. I intended for it to be strictly for my jewelry (just like the one I saw on Toasted Coconuts-- looking for link now, will edit accordingly!) because all the jewelry boards I've seen were too small and had my necklaces hanging off the bottom. I'm torn now because I wouldn't mind using it as my vision/inspiration board! 

I wanted a bold statement in the room, which this definitely is. My BFF India and I traded items and I got this frame that I've been drooling over, while she took one of the extra side tables in my house... I do not regret the trade ONE minute (even tho she might after she sees what I turned this bad boy into! Love you, Indie, and I'll make you one-just not with this frame!) HA. 

Before I begin, please note that I used ALL items from around my house. I'm limiting myself from new projects/crafts until I can make use of what I have. This pressure to use things I own has made me more creative. I was just gonna hang this frame alone on my wall and put a moss letter in there, instead I got sick of staring at the left over foam from my chair redo- (since I paid full price, I didn't throw away a single scrap of the foam...) and thus, this project was born...!! 


Please check out the details of this guy! As much as I wanted to bust out my Krylon White, I fought the urge and decided to keep him gold- I heard gold is making a mad comeback! Let's hope I'm right... ha! 


I had no shortage of cute fabric... ever since I redid my craft room/office the fabric has tied into the room like artwork! the pop of color makes me smile- even if all they do is sit on a shelf until I learn how to sew! 


I didn't know what color I could commit to, so I played it safe for it to go in any room in my house- which meant it basically had to be monochromatic. boo hoo because I know that the colorful route would definitely be cuter!!! I couldn't choose between the grey and white or black and white, but after a mini anxiety attack after staring at the b/w squiggly fabric, I went with the grey! I felt like my stuff would get lost in the busy swirl pattern. 


Place your fabric decorative side down and put the frame on top. This is to outline how much fabric to cut. I cut around the actual frame (not the inside) so I could have enough fabric to staple. 


Outline the inside too. You'll see why later. 


Iron your fabric now (preferably not on your favorite rug leaving an iron burn mark on it- another boo hoo moment) Live and learn. Live and learn. 


Cut out the shape of your outline


I had some of this interface in my fabric pile (NO idea why, I couldn't even tell you what it's for...) but something in me told me to put it on the back to make it 'stronger', especially since I knew earrings/pins were going to poke the fabric... something tells me this could be completely skipped, or I'm a genius for guessing to do this! (It was ONLY because I had some laying around...) 

True story: I went to iron out the wrinkles of the interface only to find it was sticking to the fabric! Go figure, me and my mad seamstress skills had no clue interfacing was iron fusible. whoops. haha This was AMAZING for me. My happy self ironed that baby on with such zeal. I felt like a pro or something (like I knew what I was actually doing!) 

Here's where I start to wing it- I started to place the leftover foam together. piecing it in the smaller frame outline I made with my highlighter. 


When I said "piecing" together, I meant it. I hot glue gunned these babies together to forge one big piece of foam. 


Now that the foam was "one piece", I flipped the frame over and lifted the fabric and foam into the frame. 


Place in the frame- doesn't look pretty, doesn't have to.


Start stapling the fabric to the frame


Since I knew I didn't have anything "firm" at home- I was stapling the fabric as a frame to keep the foam in.  


And that's it! The wall background provides a firm support so I'm not worried about the frame not having a back- it was FREE-I'm not complaining! If you have a frame with a back, I'd stick it on the back for extra support. It's so cushiony! 





And that's that! Once I put some jewelry on I'll show off a picture... for now I'm in the midst of a massive "estate sale" at my house (attempting to get rid of a ton of stuff in my house after my dad visited and called me a hoarder. His exact words, "7 lamps?!?!?! WHO in their RIGHT MIND needs 7 lamps in their bedroom?!?!" and then it hit me, I'm not in my "right mind"... I can decorate a 6 bedroom house with all the stuff in my itty bitty 2 bedroom! So, I've opened up my home to my local friends to pick and choose to help downsize my house! Wish me luck! 

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Slacking WIWW

I admit- I was fairly busy this week with all the family visiting... I forgot a lot of pictures of outfits and only took them when I remembered at home (I spent the majority of the week over at my sister's house!) Oh well, enough excuses... here is what I have!



don't get too excited... the good camera pic stops here hahaha.

Top: Gap
Bottoms: Nordstrom Rack
Shoes: Gap City Flats
Sweater: Forever 21
(Yes, I know, I need a trim! don't worry, getting one Thursday!)

 Sunday night I proudly sported my new thrift store boots and headed out to dinner with the fam :)



Cardigan: Sister's
Shirt: Gap
Skinnies: forever 21
boots: Wrangler thrifted



How pathetic was this post?! VERY! If you're stopping in from the Pleated Poppy, check out my newest craft!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Late Highs & Lows for the Week

I've been a busy bee lately, but I DO want to get back into the swing of highs and lows! So here goes!  (Before you judge- H/L's are done with a camera phone- no high quality pics...)


My week being JAM PACKED with family!!! My bobo (grandpa) flew in on Wednesday, my dad on Thursday, and Ordy on Friday! I was so excited to spend the week with three of my favorite guys... it was uh-maze-ing!

my dad and my niece! 
Ordy's backkkkkk! 
The incredible weather... means a lot of outdoor dining, outdoor activities, and outdoor anything!!! 




cheesing it!-my adorable nephew
Ordy and his mini me

Finding $20 vintage (aka thrift/worn in) GREY (2nd favorite color) cowboy boots!!


The time change! Means that Bandit and I CAN squeeze a jog in after class and not worry about it being dark!!! WHOOHOO!!!


A weekend full of good food. This should be a low because of the weight gain.. ugh. but i love food too much! 

nutella burnt marshmallow shakes from Flip Burger

french toast from the Flying Biscuit

getting messy with crawfish ha
Ordy and my bro in law getting even messier
 And finally, a weekend FULL of these cute kids!!! ALWAYS a high!





Having my dad on the phone the night before he flew in "coaching" me to put oil in my car. I was sure I would pour oil in my radiator without him... low would be a car inconvenience... but it wasn't too bad- i'll turn it into a high and say it was a success! (Socks-used-as-paper-towel-and-all!) 


Getting pricked for yet another anemic test at the doctor... going to the doctor on Friday period! BUT I will say a "high" would be that it was fairly easy and pain-free :) and I'm ok for now!


Driving SO MUCH this weekend! I put in $80 worth of gas on Tuesday only to need to fill up on Friday for $87!!! I felt like I was a taxi all weekend going to visit all my favorite people :) No complaints, just saying- I'm ok with taking a break from behind my steering wheel!!



Don't forget to check out my Lemon Wreath Tutorial!