What I am Working on Right Now...

I am currently working on a picture frame mural/collage for the hallway in front of my room in my apartment. I will describe how to achieve this look and where to buy everything I used when I am finished. What do you think so far? :)

Sock Bun Tutorial

A Few of MY Favorite Things...Day 1: The Sock Bun

Here is one of my absolute favorite things... The SOCK BUN! I am obsessed with this hairdo because it is so easy and looks so put together. I always get so many compliments when wearing this 'do. Once you get the motion down, your hair will be done in less than one minute. Don't believe me? Try it for yourself! My hair "donut" was purchased from Claire's for about $4 here. They have blonde, brunette, & black for all you dark-headed ladies.

Step 1: Put your hair in a pony tail. I did a high pony because it's easier to demonstrate and easier when you're first learning .
Step 2: Get out your donut (or sock with the to cut off)
Step 3: Slide the donut through your pony leaving about 2-3inches of hair poking out. I like to pull my pony out in front of me to start out with because my hair has layers & when I hold it straight up in the air, little hairs fall everywhere and that is no fun.
Step 4: The hair you have poking out, start fanning it out over your donut to cover it. You don't want your donut exposed!
Step 5: Now begin tucking the hair underneath the donut. This can be the tricky part so be patient. Practice makes perfect. But really, I promise!
Step 6: Put your thumbs at the bottom of your donut on each side where you just tucked your hairs and pull with your both index fingers on the top of the bun on each side "rolling" it down your hair. Each roll I reposition my fingers back to where they started to keep it nice and tight!
Step 7: Baby bun! Aw, isn't she cute?
Step 8: You're almost there!
Step 9: Viola! You can keep your hair smooth and sleek or play with it a little and pull the hair out a bit to add some volume.

Please comment or let me know if you have any questions! :)

"I love you because"...Dry Erase Frame Anniversary DIY Gift

Supplies & Description: So, this craft was kind of for myself but I thought it would be cute as an anniversary gift as well. I have an obsession with anything in the chevron print, and thankfully my boyfriend likes it too (at least he says he does ;) ). I found this on a blog from Pinterest, which can be found here. I purchased another $4 black 8x10 wooden frame from Walmart, which is the same frame I used for the Fish painting.

How to: On the blog I linked to, she gives you the print out version in a few different colors, and I chose the gray option because it matches my room. So, I printed it out, cut it down to fit the frame and that's it! Total cost: Less than $4.

You're the Only Fish in the Sea for Me Anniversary Gift.

Supplies & Description: I bought a standard piece of 8.5x11 off-white/cream card-stock from Michael's for about 50 cents and a black 8x10 wooden frame from Walmart for a little under $4. I found this design on Pinterest, which can be found here.

How to: I cut the card-stock down to fit my frame before painting to make sure it would fit in when I was finished. To replicate it I just freehanded the letters and the designs with a pencil. Using pencil was helpful when I started writing at a slant and needed to erase. I then outlined my pencil with Black paint pen which I've had from previous crafting projects. I use Elmer's paint pens, they are my favorite. Total cost: around $5. Easy peesy and super cheap! My boyfriend also loves this even though it's kind of girly. He put it on his dresser in his room on display. :)

The ABC's of our love anniversary gift:

Supplies & Description: This little cutie was also Pinterest-inspired and the original post can be found here. I purchased a little book of 24 6x6 inch square card-stock papers that had cute designs and patterns on each page. It was already hole-punched at the top center of each page, so that saved a lot of time. I purchased super skinny, beige satin ribbon from Michael's too, to tie the book together. I bought some scrapbooking stickers from Michael's too also to save time. If you have the time and want to save a little money, drawing everything by hand makes it that much more special and personal. I bought 3D letters also from Michael's to save tame, even though I ended up drawing my own letters too which was timely in itself. This completed craft set me back a mere $20 and I don't think I got anything on sale (sad day).

How to: I put my papers together in the order of pattern that I liked then I put the ribbon in the hole of each paper to make it a book and tied it off in a cute little bow. I then stuck my stickers on the front page and got it just how I wanted it. Next, I stuck all the letters on their pages and realized there are 26 letters in the alphabet, so with my cover page, 3 of the letters shared the page with another letter. Oh well! I think took a piece of paper and brainstormed what I wanted to say for each letter. Even though this did take some time and deep thought, it didn't take nearly long as I anticipated. Then I wrote each saying on each page and that's it! Easy and adorable. My boyfriend loved it.

 

DIY Anniversary Gifts

This past weekend my boyfriend Drew and I celebrated our 5th year of dating. I wanted to make it special and personal, so I tried to avoid the typical, last-minute store bought gift. I am a Pinterest addict, so all of my creations were Pinterest-inspired. I will post them all separately with explanations on what to buy, how to do it, and pictures of the steps and final products. Enjoy and let me know what you think! :)

Nail Polish Painted Key Tutorial

Yesterday morning I forgot my laptop for work at home, so I drove back and went to unlock my apartment door and I realized all of my apartment keys were missing. Yeah, Monday! Thankfully, I was able to call someone to let me in but that still didn't solve my key problem. Somehow all 3 of my apartment keys and the keyring they were on, fell off without my knowledge. Thankfully key copies are cheap ($2 each) and within minutes I had a new set. But, they all looked identical. I have 1 key to the outside door, 1 key for the apartment door, and 1 key to my bedroom door. So, to make things easier I decided to make each one unique.



Step 1: Tape off your keys with regular clear tape to make a nice clean line. 
Step 2: Pick your polish! I rummaged through my collection and thought these two were beauties. I purchased both of these polishes a couple of years ago, so who knows if they're still available. They are both "OPI." The purple is "Show it and Glow it!"  & the blue one is "Absolutely Alice."
Step 3: Paint it on, let it dry, & repeat until your desired look is achieved.  

Repeat on the other side of the key.  
Step 4: After both sides are thoroughly dry, make it chip-proof with one 
of my favorite things, spray acrylic. 

That's it! Aren't they cute? :)