I think I might need this for summer picnics and outdoor parties. Ok, maybe want it, but it’s beautiful, right? {source}
Bigger Lips
I don’t usually wear lipstick. It may be because I am not good at putting it on, and often feel I look like a clown. But I’d love a little bit of pop for events and special occasions, you know?
When I saw this tutorial for creating bigger lips, I actually gasped. I will be trying this in the near future, for sure.
STEPS:
- Look in the mirror to detect where your natural lip line (perimeter) is. Starting at the cupid’s bow, place the pencil directly above it so it’s still touching it and exaggerate the arch by drawing just above it.
- Continue outlining the entire lip area, basically tracing where your natural highlight would have been. Then fill in the entire lip.
- Follow with any lip color (I chose a similar shade to the lip pencil but you can follow a nude pencil with any shade, or match your lip pencil with your lipstick/gloss) all over
See suggested tools here.
Half Birthday
As my birthday is poorly located 2 days before Christmas and celebrating anything else is just too much, I’ve been thinking of changing my birthday to June instead. Since I am not ready to be 6 months older {ahem} I’m thinking of having a half birthday party next month. That way most of my friends should be in town and I won’t be competing with all of the holiday parties.
What do you think? {image source}
P.S. I might need to have this drink, too.
Black, White & Glittery
I’m starting to get back into the swing of things {and caught up on my reader!}. I was overwhelmed by the use of these bold, striking tablecloths paired with a bit of sparkle at weddings recently. What a fun combination!
Congratulations confetti/tablecloth 1/tablecloth 2/tablecloth 3/star garland/glitter table numbers
Words To Live By
Things haven’t quite slowed down yet— but I had to share this quote.
Thailand Love
When my mom came to visit we went to Chiang Mai for a few days. I’m still getting into the swing of things, but here are some fun shots of our stay.
Our hotel, which had just opened the week before, Sala Lanna. Amazing.
Their adorable door tassels for housekeeping and privacy.
Mango Sticky Rice– so yummy.
Flower arrangement at the Four Seasons.
Animal Puppets
I’m sorry for being a bit MIA— if you follow me on Facebook, you know last week was a big week in the lives of many of my closest friends. One friend had a baby (Baby Emi has joined us!), one friend got engaged, and one friend got married! So I’ve been busy celebrating, even from afar.
So things are still a bit hectic, but I saw these awesome animal DIY puppets, I had to share. Aren’t they so cute? And easy to make!
You’re Engaged! Now What?
A good friend of mine just got engaged and I couldn’t be more excited for her. It’s such a wonderful and exciting time! You’ve got a wedding to plan, but it will be fun, right?
Here are the top five tips to ensure that the planning process– not to mention your wedding day– remain just as fun as those first days of engagement.
#1. Dream and Enjoy!
Your eyes are as sparkly as your ring, and they should be! Take it all in and bask in it– including Pinterest, magazines and blogs. This isn’t a fact-finding mission, but a chance to think about all the possibilities. Anything that catches your eye, wedding related or not, pin it, tear it or mark it. Every once in awhile see if there is a trend, style, or colors coming through or ideas that stick with you. {image}
#2. Where to Marry
This is always a for discussion and is the first step in the wedding process. This can also be traded out for “What Time of Year?” but they are related. If you are under specific time pressure, then a place that is nice that needed time of year might dictate a destination wedding. Many couples chose a city or state that is important to them, and this helps decide what time of year. {For example, my husband and I chose to be married in Florida, and Feb/March are the most beautiful, narrowing our window.} There may some compromise here, but once this is decided, everything else can start– and you can see which of your ideas from #1 might really work! {image}
#3. Go Dress Shopping
This is seriously fun and is often kept for later in the process– for no reason! Right away make some appointments, gather your girls, drink champagne and spend a day(s) getting dressed up like a princess. Really, do I have to twist your arm? Bring some pictures of dresses you like, but be open to new ideas, too. Once you decide what style of dress looks good on your body and fits your style, you may go back to the magazines looking for an entirely different kind of dress than you thought. More reasons to do it early on? Many wedding dresses take at least 6 months to get made/shipped, so give yourself plenty of time to make a decision. Also– the style of your wedding dress may change the style of your big day– it may be more or less formal than your originally thought. So gather your girlies and go do some shopping! {image}
#4. Engagement Photos
Dress up and be cute with your partner in some of your favorite spots while a photographer follows you around, framing you beautifully. Sound like fun? It is, even if it’s a bit awkward at first. This seems like an easy, not important detail to give up, but we love ours, and still use the engagement photos more than the ones from our wedding. We just look a couple of kids in love, rather than super fancy in wedding clothes. Do it. You won’t regret it.
#5. Think About What’s Important
This conversation will start you on the path of creating a budget, and you are probably about there. Keeping it context of your priorities will help guide the process of putting your numbers together. After dress shopping, photos and looking at images, you are probably realizing you can’t have everything {even those with luxury budgets}. If your heart is set on a couture dress and crystal glasses, then maybe a smaller guest list is in order. If having all your friends attend is the most important, then location might be the priority, and your budget would need to reflect a larger venue budget, than, say, invitations. Remind yourself throughout the wedding planning process of these priorities to ensure you stay on track, both to stay sane and enjoy, and budget. {image}
So go enjoy! Congratulations! And have fun planning!
Baby Banner
Ok– Last post on the baby shower box for Emi. My friend picked a beautiful name for her daughter {Emi is Japanese for blessed}, so I was able to personalize the box, something just for her.
I cut out the pennants and letters on my Silhouette and assembled it. For the tassels, the gold was a little too much, so I flipped the paper over, using the white side, so the gold just peaks through. I love that it adds just a bit of shine.
I hope they will get some use out of it, to welcome her home or to decorate her room. I loved making it for them!
Baby Mobile
I wanted to share some pictures of the ribbon mobile I made for Baby Emi. I’m not sure it photographs well laying down, so I took a few of it hanging. I also thought this could be a great hands-on project for a baby shower– or many hung together for decoration!
This was one of the harder projects, and one of the reasons the box barely made it before the baby did! At first I thought I would do 3 tiers, then the ribbons kept coming off, then I changed my mind on the colors… Due to this my “in process” photos won’t really help. I did finally pulled it together and think it turned out really nice!
In the end I used a simple slip knot and slid a bit of glue under the loop to ensure it stayed tight. I kept the hanging ribbons long to make it adjustable {and safe!} in the baby’s room.
The silver ribbon was a last minute addition, and I think it really added to the final product.
I hope Baby Emi likes it!
