Outfit Post - Week 50

If nothing else, I've been more outfit-conscious this year.  I've tried a lot of clothing I would have scoffed at and walked away from.  This particular outfit seems simple, but it's a big step up from my old t-shirt and jeans habit.  

Sweater - H&M and Liz's Goodwill pile :)

Leopard infinity scarf - Express

Leggings - JCP

Slippers (which I will wear as boots until snow ruins them) - Candies c/o Kohls

Earrings - Princess Vera Wang c/o Kohls

Now, for something that isn't totally out of the ordinary...I got another tattoo.  

My grandpa has been gone twenty years now, so I decided now was as good a time as any to get it.  I went with a carpenter theme since (it was his profession and) he built the house he and my grandma retired to.  That's where all the Christmases and Easters and all of the family gatherings of my childhood were held.  

Creative Wrapping Solution

Maybe it's not that creative to use what I'd otherwise recycle, but I did find this to be helpful for wrapping awkwardly shaped gifts.  I started with a Greenies box.

And a few supplies: pretty wrapping paper, double-sided tape, transparent tape and scissors.

Adhere one side of the double-sided tape all the way around the top of the uncovered box.

Apply wrapping paper carefully; the double-sided tape should be the only thing connecting the paper to the box after this.

Then, using the transparent tape, wrap the box like you would a normal gift, from the open topside down.

And the finished product might look something like this:

Some Inspiration

On this particularly dreary Monday I needed some inspiration.  I found some (through my Blogger Dashboard) on Bubby & Bean.  If you need a little pick-me-up, check out these images and let your mind wander.  :)

Happy Monday (now)

Glittering Reindeer

I love Christmas, caribou and glitter.  Naturally when I found this tutorial on Kelsey's blog, I gathered the necessary supplies.


Here are some examples.
Hers:


Her follower Kristin's:


And here's mine:

  

It's actually silver, which you can tell from the one on the right.









To make your own, you'll need:

canvas (I only used an 8x10)

glitter

Elmer's glue

Q-tip (a toothpick would probably be helpful as well)

scissors

pencil


I followed Kelsey's tutorial with the exception of using hairspray to keep the glitter under control, like Kristin did.

First, I downloaded this template, resized it and printed.  After cutting it out (and removing the body), I taped it to the canvas and traced it with pencil.  Be sure to spread the glue evenly and be especially careful around the edges so the outline doesn't bleed.  It took me probably six tries to get every spot glittered well, but it's totally worth it.  He's a beaut!

Post #1 Things I'd like to craft with

Chalkboard paint

This one's a bit more work, cutting MDF to fit the frame, but totally worth it!

I'm going to make my own

Custom Colors How-To

Start with flat-finish latex paint in any shade. For small areas, such as a door panel, mix 1 cup at a time.

1. Pour 1 cup of paint into a container. Add 2 tablespoons of unsanded tile grout. Mix with a paint stirrer, carefully breaking up clumps.

2. Apply paint with a roller or a sponge paintbrush to a primed or painted surface. Work in small sections, going over the same spot several times to ensure full, even coverage. Let dry.

3. Smooth area with 150-grit sandpaper, and wipe off dust.

4. To condition: Rub the side of a piece of chalk over entire surface. Wipe away residue with a barely damp sponge.  http://www.marthastewart.com/271574/custom-color-chalkboard-paint

New Knitted Socks

My aunt is an amazing knitter.  She's in a few knitting groups and even a book club where they knit and discuss.  :)  I'm forever grateful to her for her handmade gifts, but I especially love this pair!

Finally figured out my copyright

Can't stop myself from coloring more jeans

So I have this pair of old Bullhead blue jeans.  I paid $10 for them at PacSun like four years ago.  I got my money's worth out of them already, really.  But I wore them to school the other day and realized that I have a bad habit.  I wipe everything that I don't want on my hands, on my jeans.  The tops of the thighs were stained a nice brown color (I was probably the only one who noticed - I tend to exaggerate a little bit).  I was irritated until I realized that it's possible to bleach, then dye jeans.  Duh!  I wouldn't have had to get those white thrifted ones (could've saved myself $1, ya'll) I dyed mint green.  Anyways, now I want red-orange.  So that is what I'm currently working on.


It's really too bad I didn't check out this tip page before buying more Tulip dye, but it was only $3.  And I'll be damned if I didn't just throw out a bunch of celery leaves that could've been the yellow component for my red-orange...

I'll keep you posted on how they turn out.  One blogger said it took 21 hours to bleach her jeans.  That's just hours in the bleach, not the time in between to avoid the jeans becoming a snack for the chemical filled water.  -_-  I just put mine into a five gallon bucket, before I read that it may take me three days to find the time to finish just the bleaching process.  I hope the new color will blow me away so I forget all of the work involved.

Reuben Rolls

By combining elements from this recipe and this recipe and the back of the egg roll package, I've made a healthier version of this pin (by baking, not deep-frying).  I doubled the recipe, but here is the compilation of the instructions I followed:

Ingredients:
8 ounces corned beef (ground or shredded)
6 ounces shredded Swiss cheese
1/2 cup sauerkraut, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup onion
12 to 15 egg roll wrappers

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425°

Combine corned beef, cheese, sauerkraut and 1/4 cup onion and mix well. Place about 2 tablespoons of the mixture in the center of an egg roll wrapper. Roll up as directed on package, sealing edges with a little water.

Lightly brush egg rolls with olive oil, and place, seam side down, on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 425° for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

And because I just can't follow directions, I used extra sauerkraut since my aunt made it and I invited her over to eat with us.  I also made some with Pillsbury Crescent rolls.  I used the Reduced Fat ones for my stepdad, but it's helpful anyway because they're thinner and easier to work with than the flaky, delicious thick ones.  

2012 Outfit, Week 40 - Shades of Brown

It was just sunny enough to make my squinting face seem like a cranky one.  Good thing my pants are so bright.

Sweater: American Eagle
Scarf: Target
Jeans: thrifted, dyed
Shoes: Minnetonka

Aaaaand my trusty sidekick.  She's a real helper when she thinks treats will be involved.

It's not fall until I make chili...

First of all, I love making chili.  It's usually simple, but my excitement comes from the oodles of recipes to try.  My friend Tina makes the best white chicken chili I've ever had.  My grandma used to make pretty amazing chili featuring kidney beans and home-grown beef.  Mostly, it's just a really fun fall tradition.

This year, I took a basic recipe and altered it.  I used three pounds of beef from Adam's uncle's farm (because I'm still sticking to this).  I replaced both tomato sauce and diced tomatoes with three jars of canned tomatoes (which grew in our garden).  We didn't have any kidney beans and I added some fresh chopped garlic.  That's about it for the alterations.

For me, chili isn't chili without noodles.  However, since my stepdad's recent scare with diabetes, I didn't put up a fight when he asked that I make the noodles on the side.  I still get my chili with noodles and he isn't forced to pick out a massive amount of carbohydrates.  Win, win.

Fun facts about the words "fall" and "autumn":  In the British Isles, the term “autumn” has been used since the 1300s, and the phrase “the fall of the leaf” or just “the fall” was used from the 1500s until about 1800. After that time, “autumn” became the common seasonal term in Britain. According to The New Fowler’s Modern English Usage, “whereas ‘the fall of the leaf’ (less frequently ‘the fall of the year’) and then ‘fall’ by itself gradually became standard in America from the late 17th century onwards" (5).  However, one exception for American usage of “autumn,” instead of “fall,” is with the autumnal equinox. (From grammargirl)

Hilarious and True

First "My Glam Bag"

When a package this pretty comes in the mail, how do you not smile?

1 Circus Nail Polish in TIGHTROPE
I haven't given this a go yet, but I am excited to.

2 Carol's Daughter split end sealer (Made in USA!)
I've only used it once, but I'm excited to see if the "93.3%fewer split ends" proves to be true.  My guess is that it won't, but it does have a nice coconut scent.

3 jane Sparkle Gloss in Sparkle Pink
I typically don't wear bright shades, especially on my lips, but the stickiness of it is the #1 reason I probably won't wear this shade that's identical to my Grandma Alice's lipstick.

4 SOHO Smudge Brush
How can you screw up a smudge brush?  I'm sure this is just dandy.

5 Mirabella Eyeshadow in Semiformal
I couldn't be happier with the shade.  Because my eyes are somewhere between green and hazel, I try to stick with neutral-colored eyeshadows like this one.

6 This month's bag is nothing exciting color-wise, but it is a nicely sized black and gold pouch.

I am a sucker for grab bags.  Because My Glam Bag happens to be the cheapest option I've found, (at only $10 per month) I will probably continue to get it.  And I'll definitely be blogging about it, now that I have nothing in my life but school.

Two years ago today, I married my best friend

I'm feeling pretty sentimental today, so here are some photos of our best day:

I used this picture (just my dad's face) as a charm on my bouquet.

Adam dancing with our niece Taylor

2012 Outfit, Week 37 - Little White Mug

It's better late than never, right?  I'm trying to keep up with the outfit posts for my personal reference later on, like say, next year.  I choked on my green tea when I realized I hadn't done it yet this week.  Maybe I'm a little dramatic, or maybe classes make me that way.  

I call this one "Ladylike."

Sweater: American Eagle

Crop Leggings: Kohl's 

Flats: Walmart 

If I ever do another post with a mug, I'm upgrading to one of these two: Deer Mug  Squirrel Mug