My New Project

So I have been working on a couple new projects, one involving designing and making jewelry based on my "Tasseled" collection.  In college, I actually took a "jewelry making" class, in which I thought we would be making jewelry with beads and jewels...you know...pretty things.  Boy was I surprised!  Next thing I knew I was forging solid silver on an anvil and soldering jump rings.  Though it was not what I expected, it gave me a great respect for those who actually do those things.  For me, however,  I wanted to try my hand at making something I could actually do and would actually wear (and have been!), and here are a few of the results, with more to come! 

   

Deco Bracelet

 

(Deco Bracelet Detail)

 Dame Bangle

 (Dame Bangle Detail)

 

Dandy Wrap Necklace

 (Dandy Wrap Necklace Detail)

 Dewey Earrings

(Dewey Earring Detail)

Dizen Ring

The Super Bun

So I don't know about you, but all this hot weather makes me sometimes wish I had hair like my husband (he's bald-ha).  But seriously, the less of it to get in my way the better!  My latest hairdo is SUPER fun, and if you are like me and enjoy a little height in your hair, try it.  It takes a little finesse, but with practice, it may become your go-to hairstyle!  People just might stop you to admire the sheer volume you created, so have fun with it.   Add sparkle with a hairpin, or tie a ribbon around the base to make it more playful.  Bring your hairspray ladies, because this one needs it :) 

Here's what you'll need:

 A teasing comb, two hair elastics, and bobby pins

plus...a good can of hairspray

Start with a high ponytail and secure with an elastic.
Hairspray any fly-aways.

Distribute your hair evenly around the ponytail and 

tease starting at the base. Hairspray for strength.

 

Gather the hair around the first ponytail and secure another 

ponytail holder around the first one.

It will appear as a small bun below the original ponytail.  

Working from the back, take half of the hair and bring it over the top of the small bun, covering it and securing in the front with bobby pins (hiding the ends at the base of the bun).  Then, take the remaining hair from the front, and bring it up and over toward the back and secure ends again with bobby pins.  You can position the hair to cover any holes and give it a good shellac.  Take it out on the town!

A Summertime Favorite

For those of us who enjoy big hair, this one is for you!  It's perfect with a little summer dress and some strappy sandals for cruising the beach...or the city.  I don't really like hair on my neck, but sometimes ponytails look ridiculous on me, so this was my solution- a half up, half braided mixture, with (of course) a hair accessory to top it off!  Try it out:

It's actually pretty simple and will only take about 5 minutes

Here's what you will need:

(A teasing comb, a couple bobby pins, a hair tie, and a delicate accessory)

Okay, so it looks a little like I rolled out of bed, but that's kind of what happens when you tease it-ha.  Divide the top half of your hair into three sections ( top, left, right) and take the teasing comb to each section, teasing the underside of the hair.  Spray a little hair spray to hold the tease in place.

To make the pouf, take side sections of the hair you teased, and bring them around to the back.  Hold tightly, and push the hair up toward the crown.  This should make the bump, including the top of the hair and secure with the bobby pins.  Bring the remainder of your hair to one side and make a braid.  Finish off with a hair tie and add the accessory to cover the bobby pins...or wherever you want!  Voila!

Now put on that summer dress and hit the town! 

Here's today's inspiration picture:

(Jasper didn't help today, the awesome clouds did)

Thanks to Jasper...

I woke up this morning and thought..."oh no! bad hair day!".  I must have slept on it funny because it was sticking up in all kinds of directions in the front and had a big bump right above my bangs.  I attribute this to getting used to having a bed hog of a cat that demands attention while I'm trying to sleep (We just retrieved him from my mom's house on Sunday).  Oh Jasper! - or as he is more affectionately known: Mr. (Tippy) Pants.  Well, to fix the hair dilemma I enlisted the help of the very handy scarf to downplay the pouf; and here is the result:

It's a little bit turban, a little bit 40's  pin-up.

Here's what you will need:

(A fancy patterned or solid scarf; around a medium length, bobby pins,

and one or more of those nifty Goody Spin Pins, depending on hair length)

Brush your hair into a low side bun, twist, and secure with the Spin Pin and however many bobby pins are necessary to keep it in place

I found that this helps keep the scarf on your head if things tend to slide off your hair easily, like they do on mine (i.e. those elastic headbands)

Take the scarf and grasp it lengthwise, placing it at the nape of your neck, under the bun, with the ends even.  Bring both ends a little over your ears and toward the crown of your head.  Make a twist by crossing the right hand in front of the left and then re-grasp the scarf and bring the loose ends back toward where you started and make a secure knot.  Tuck the remaining ends into the sides of the scarf and adjust pieces 'till you like the result! 

I like this look because it hides the big pouf that graced my head this morning, and didn't take much time to do and it makes me feel just a little more sassy.  I guess I have Jasper to thank for inspiring my hairdo today.      

Besides, who could resist this adorable bed hog?

  

Where Did You Go?

Well lovely friends, it has been a loooooong time since my last post, obviously.  I have been away, getting married and such, and catching up on work-related things.  Now, as my new life with my fantastic husband (yay! I said husband!) and our mischievous cat Jasper begins, I can focus more on the "doing" things in life...
There will be photos soon from our amazing adventures and as I get started on my small creative endeavors, even more pictures!  I have also been thinking about adding a segment featuring hair and makeup tips/tricks...because I have been getting stopped in stores recently and having people ask me about it.  What do you think?  Today's look:

Yes. You can do this.  Here's what you will need:

(fanciful decorated pins and bobby pins to match your hair) 

*bobby pins made by me/my mom*

Separate your hair into two loose sections in the back and braid one at a time.

Pull each braid upwards toward the crown of your head and

secure with regular bobby pins (no hair ties needed!)

Add a little interest with decorated bobby pins (also helps hide ends)

 Okay, so maybe a little Swiss Miss, but who says you can't have fun with your hair?  It's an accessory too...that you can put accessories in!  Fabulous.  It is extremely H.O.T. today, and this is the perfect, easy summer 'do to keep cool.  Enjoy!   

I Found My Thrill...

With varying degrees of free time due to our wedding being less than two weeks away, Stuart and I took a break on Sunday to spend some time together before it got busy again.  So, what's the best way to do that?  Re-create our first date and add an incredible concert! 

It all began (again) at Blueberry Hill...

We sat in the exact SAME booth we had on our first date

...Stu was a little creeped out

Thumbs up for reminiscing!

Then it was off for the traditional dessert- Bubble Tea! 

This was just funny.  Clearly...they accept more than just cash

Yummy!  Slushes and Snows help when it's 95 degrees

As a special treat, Stuart got Mumford & Sons tickets at The Pageant and they. were. awesome.  They played old songs and tested out new ones...all of which were so good.  Despite sitting in probably the most freezing area of the place, it was SO worth it.  It was impossible to move to get a better spot (we managed to get seats, so we weren't about to give them up to look for something else) but the view was pretty darn good for how packed the Pageant was.  I highly recommend going to a concert there.  This certainly won't be our last! 

Walk...or Stroll

So, anyone who knows me will affirm that I do NOT run (unless someone is chasing me, or if skipping counts).  Fortunately, the 5K race that I entered Stuart and myself into allowed for both running and walking participants.  It was called "Make Tracks for the Zoo" and anyone who has been to the Saint Louis Zoo knows that it's a pretty awesome one...besides, the admission is free!  Anyway, we made it with the walking crowd (which was pretty jam-packed) in just under an hour.  It was more for the experience of doing a 5K, but I'm pretty excited at how well we did:

Pre-race and ready to go!

After the race we got our free breakfast and headed to check out the penguin and puffin exhibit since the zoo had opened and the exhibit is a frigid 45 degrees!  It was a good cool-down.  The penguins were such show-offs- splashing water and posing for pictures.

He was such a cutie!

The pelicans were out sunbathing

Our next Saint Louis adventure includes a downtown scavenger hunt that I got Stuart for his birthday...ending up at Ted Drewes-yum! 

Flora

I took advantage of the most gorgeous day to take a trip to the Botanical Garden with my mom and future hubby (39 days!), and we couldn't have asked for a better opportunity to enjoy the weather.  It has finally warmed up, and although I am more of a winter person, I couldn't resist taking the camera along to shoot some pictures in the sun!  I probably need to invest in a more substantial camera- and probably a class or two- but, I think I got a couple good shots in.  The subjects were in full bloom (along with the amazing work of  Chihuly), and with the bees buzzing and a light breeze, it turned out to be a great trip.  Enjoy!

A Reverse

 In the past, my closet held too many ill fitting tee-shirts (i.e. tight) and slightly over sized pants.  Now, however, the tables have been turned and a more fitted pant and billowy tops currently grace my hangers.  Due in part, perhaps, to a more ample knowledge of sewing techniques and the love of a french seam, these wispy garments certainly now catch my eye, and especially when paired with a fancy printed bottom. I would like to state, for the record...I do NOT believe leggings should be worn as pants.  That being said, I do like pairing the leggings I make with other pieces and even a simple black stretch pant can be classy with a gauzy color blocked top.

Some favorites:

Loving a good suspender pant and a lacy legging

Breezy days call for a draped blouse or printed tunic



Can't wait to add a spring floral and a pop of bright



From syang18.  Makes me want to grab a parasol and go boating

I'm a bit camera-shy, but it seems to be the thing to do to take pictures of one's own day to day outfits and show them.  It makes sense because we pick up on style tips from looking at each other, so if you have good taste and know how to put yourself together, you might as well share!  I'll see what I can do...