As warmer weather approaches, I am looking forward to more bold and colorful makeup looks to go with all my spring outfits.  Today, I tried a little green for this sunny day.  

It totally helps to have a good place to put your makeup on.  Mine is a converted desk with space to hold my books and hide my nail polish collection above.  I keep everything in a handy dandy travel case, mostly because it looks nice and because I can organize it by section and it makes me feel professional!  Last Christmas, my hubby got me the most amazing makeup kit from Sephora with practically every color needed, which makes experimenting super easy.  So today, it was green:

I started with the usual prep: foundation, concealer, powder, brows.  I always prime my eyelids, usually with Cover Girl's Shadow Blast.  I just got one in green, so I was so ready to use it.  I went a little above my lid line, then brushed a slightly darker shade of powder over my lid and into the crease, then a slightly lighter shade in the inside corners.  I then used liquid liner for a slight cat eye.  While letting that dry, I applied blush to the apples of my cheeks then finished with a brush of mascara.  And never forget your lips!  I hope you can use this look, and you can always make it more dramatic for an evening out.  Enjoy! 

Blouse/Earrings: Avenue

Wow! Where has the past month gone?  A lot has happened, but I am really ready to get back into the swing of blogging, with new ideas and new excursions.  Most importantly (and the biggest change to our life), we will be welcoming a new addition to Team Presley come October!  We are super excited, so don't be surprised if some baby posts show up...or at least cute ways to stay fashionable with maternity-wear.  Yay!

Today was absolutely beautiful!  I just had to drive home with my windows down and enjoy it while it lasts!  Maybe a walk around the lake is in order for tonite's activities...?

Also, be sure to check out the interview I did with my friend Katie Sheridan over at her blog Sheridan in the City about my artistic endeavours and inspiration.  I had a lot of fun answering her questions and there are some new pictures of a special project I have been working on!  Enjoy. xo

The Sloup!

So Saint Louis has these great little nooks and crannies of awesome art groups that gather for a tradition known as "Sloup". What happens?  Artists submit possible project proposals which are voted on while enjoying homemade soup (for a small cover)!  I heard about this adventure from Katie, who always has the most interesting ideas for things to do.  I love it!  This time around, it was hosted at various places around South City, and our eventual choice was at a local chef's house.  She was serving both vegan and omnivore soup, which worked for both of us and our significant others, so off we went.  So delicious!  Stuart tried the fancy cocktail that consisted of about 15 ingredients, but he got lost after "cognac"-ha.  We voted, enjoyed some cheese and soup, mingled, and then made our way to Bailey's Chocolate Bar.  For real.  Recommended: bittersweet and bacon truffles and banana nutella crepes.  I didn't take pictures...because it was so good, I forgot.

 Butternut Squash and Ham and Beans...Delicious

Stuart enjoys the 15-ingredient cocktail!

Our chef had an amazing collection of cookbooks.  She said at one point she had about a thousand in stacks around the living room.  Well they were worth it!  Her soups were delicious- and for such a fun cause!  ...Maybe I'll see you at the next one! 

In My Makeup Bag

A lot of friends have asked me about my beauty routine and what products I use.  These are a sampling of my favorite and most-used items in my bag.  First, and most important, is prepping your face using light and moisturizing lotion before adding foundation:

Next, I go to the eyes, which for me are the most fun because you can always add your own flair depending on how you feel, or what you are wearing.  For me, a good flick at the end of the eyeliner for a cat eye always makes for a good look.  If there is any special outing, I always add fake eyelashes for extra drama, and just a little gold liner at the inside corner.  For day, a little shimmer goes a long way with a little darker shadow in the crease, using a primer so that it doesn't smudge:

 Finally, never forget the lips! (as my mother would always say) I live by this double-ended lip gloss because it literally lasts all day and I perpetually forget to re-apply normal lipstick.  For those dry days when your lips feel like the Sahara, this little minty globe of heaven might just help...and it looks cool:

 Hope these ideas help you!  xo

Credits- Almay /Boscia /Cover Girl /eos /Maybelline /Oil of Olay /Rimmel  /Sephora /Sonia Kashuk

DIY: Watercolor Brooch

I love the way that just adding one accessory can add something special to an outfit.  I have recently discovered a love of brooches and while putting together my craft room, I found a bit of felt and decided to make a little something fun.  Here's what I came up with: 

Supplies:

Felt

Circle Template

Watercolor Image

Superglue/Crystals

Pin Back

Needle and Thread

 1. Using the template, draw a circle on a piece of felt in any color you choose and cut out the outside and the center./2. Copy the circle onto a watercolor image (or any image that inspires you) and cut out, leaving about a 1/4 inch from the edge.  I quickly drew and painted a vintage looking portrait, but really anything would work!/3. Stitch the drawing to the open middle of the circle./4. Cut a smaller circle in a contrasting color and stitch a pin back to the middle with a needle and thread, then superglue to the back of the main piece./5. For an extra touch, I cut out some small leaves to go with the flowers in the painting and then used hotfix crystals to give it some sparkle.  Make sure everything is dry and then enjoy adding something unique to your next outfit!

Renovation

I'm excited to share my project from Christmas break with you-my new craft room!  While, for all intents and purposes, my original craft room was well situated in the basement of our house, it just wasn't being used to it's full extent- so mom, Stu, and I moved it upstairs into our spare room.  It is amazing...I may never leave...which is kind of the point.

A home for my buttons.  Grandpa's old cigar boxes!

Of course, Mr. Jasper is my ever-present helper!  He particularly likes to lay on any project I am working on and take naps under the desk lamp.  

He is quite the mascot.

 

My crafting adventures have already begun in this room!  I am working up an inventory in order to start an etsy shop- yay!!

DIY: Christmas Cards

Wondering what to give your co-workers, friends, or extended family?  Maybe these cute and simple handmade cards will help bring joy to everyone on your list!  With just a few supplies and a little creativity, you can bring a personal touch to your gift-giving this year.  Enjoy and have fun!

Supplies:

Bristol Board or Watercolor Paper

Alphabet Vinyl Stickers

Watercolors

Brushes 

 

Fold the bristol board or watercolor paper in half with a small overlap.  

You can tear or use a pair of decorative scissors to scallop the bottom.  

Pick a fun and festive word and use the vinyl stickers to apply it to the paper.  

Make a wash over the card using water.

 

 Pick a color you want and watercolor over the wash.  

Try mixing different colors together and dropping them in pools of water on the page.  Another fun technique is sprinkling salt over the wash of color.   

You can really have fun with however you like to paint.

 When you have the look you like, remove the vinyl stickers! 

 

 You can embellish the words and use your creativity 

to make the cards more interesting.

If you don't feel like using stickers, you can always embellish a stamp with a little color and add a pop of sparkle...because you can never have too much sparkle!!

Happy Holidays to everyone!

Road Trip!

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving!  We had a few family members in town and had a delicious meal, complete with Grandma Presley's homemade apple and pumpkin pies-yum!  A couple weeks before this fantastic holiday, My wonderful husband surprised me with a trip to Memphis, so I thought I would share a few photos from our excursion.  We are rapidly becoming experts at road trips!  Despite our common last name, we did not get a discount into Graceland, but we (literally) packed everything you could do in Memphis in one day.  Was it tacky?  Of course, but so worth it!  And we even made it in town early enough the day before to catch the Cardinals win the World Series (which is a BIG deal in our household).

We started our day with Graceland

 Elvis' dining room

 The backyard

 An entire hallway of gold records and awards

The Meditation Garden and resting place

of Elvis and his family

 Stuart channels Elvis-ha!

The Pink Cadillac!! (His Mom's favorite)

We then made our way to a serious gem of Memphis...

amazing work and story behind the museum

 Ribbons at the Metal Museum

    Who could pass up famous Memphis Barbeque?  Not us.

 After we were stuffed from Rendezvous, we took a stroll down Beale Street to hear some jazz, which is played constantly in this area.  We did hit the Gibson Guitar Factory Tour too, but weren't allowed to take photos, but it was super cool to see how they hand make each guitar to order- especially for B.B. King, who made it famous.

 We completed our day at Sun Studio.  This place is a-mazing.  Filled with old treasures and still a working recording studio today, it is where Elvis recorded his first song, as well as a place where some of the greats have sung (Johnny Cash anyone?).  The tour is really a great way to learn more about the history and get a glimpse into what it was like back in the heyday of rock and roll.

 Enjoy a milkshake at the concession stand before your tour

And finally...touch the microphone Elvis sang his first recording with!

Yep.  We did all this in one day, so if you have a few hours to spare and a thirst for jazz history, make a weekend trip to Memphis.  It's swell.  

Coming soon: A DIY post on hand made Christmas Cards- stay tuned! 

Craft Fair Love!

Thanks to everyone that came to hunny::plum's first craft fair appearance!  It was tons of fun and Katie and I had a blast.  I was really nervous at first because everyone seemed to know what they were doing, but it was so much easier than what I had made up in my head.  Once Stuart and I set up, we were peppered with customers and eventually got selling!  Apparently hot for the season: knitted ear warmers with an extra special detail.  I have been making these for a little while, but started to add embellishments and twists to make it more special.  Also a big hit were the weighted wrap necklaces...so I will be making more of these for the next go-around.  All in all, it was so great to see what worked and I look forward to the next one!  Here are some pictures from my booth:

To anyone that is interested in something they saw at the fair, but were unable to purchase, or if you are interested in custom work, please feel free to email me :)  Thanks again xo