Wednesday, December 14, 2011

cool city christmas cards. DIY.

Hey! Do you live in a cool city? Do you tend to move around a lot? Do you like to make cards?
Me too!

I'm originally fom Ohio.  I spent a few years in Chicago <3 and now I live in New York. 
This year, I knew that I wanted to make my own cards & I knew that I wanted to them have some relation to New York.  If nothing else to keep the people I'm sending them to up to date with my whereabouts. :) and this is what I came up with.  

This idea would also work for pretty much any location, you would just cut out the state instead and pinpoint the city you live in.




this one is still awaiting my final touches...
this project turned out to be insanely time consuming and tomorrow I'm going to go to Kinko's to try to speed up the project with some color copies. :( fail. 
so... I don't recommend this if you need more then a handful of cards OR go for it if you have a ton of time on your hands.   

Supplies I used (but open to interpretation):

heavy card stock to be the foundation of the card
scrap booking paper in holiday colors & prints
a simple print out of the island of manhattan
fun holiday stickers & letters
rubber stamps & ink
a felt tip marker
a hot glue gun & scissors
embroidery floss & large needle
a safety pin to punch a few holes
& gold dome studs 
or whatever you feel like embellishing it with!


bottom right image shows my embellishments.  
I used red embroidery floss to indicate the NYC bridges.  
top to bottom: queensboro, williamsburg, manhattan & brooklyn.  
& I also attached a gold dome stud to the approximate location of my neighborhood within the city.
LES.





Thursday, December 8, 2011

christmas @ starbucks.

I love Starbucks.  I love it.  I love it.  I love it.




 I don't care what anyone says about it being corporate & mass produced...
 It is delicious and they have so many options for me to pick from. Especially around the holidays!

Lately, to spice things up, I've been adding 2 (they usually use 4) pumps of the caramel brulee syrup to my triple grande soy lattee. (incase anyone wants to bring me coffee)

AND they have free music.  This weeks free download is She & Him - I'll Be Home For Christmas 
What's not to love?






brigitte bardot inspiration.

Hair Inspiration & Style Icon: Brigitte Bardot.  
I, apparently have been channeling her more then I realized. 


Me with wispy bangs.
Bang Extension by Sean Gallagher




Me with a major back comb.
Hair & extensions by Sean Gallagher




Me with a crazy big bun, and a head wrap to cover my tracks. (beauty tip #100)
Hair styled by me.





The Fun Bun.

My version of this wouldn't be nearly as substantial. But... for not a lot of teasing this girl got it.
Oh. and it appears she's holding a can of Oribe hair spray in #8.
Great look though if you have hair like this lady.


vintage vixen.

Interesting concept Lauren Conrad.
I've done this look before but never with step 3 & 4.


Wednesday, December 7, 2011

hunter: form + function

The weather in New York has been absolute crap for the last two days.  
Normally I appreciate a good rainy day or two because I am the polar opposite of most people.  
I prefer overcast to sunshine & winter blizzards to 87° and sunny.
But these last 2 days I actually had things to do and traipsing around the city in a down poor is not at the top of my most favorite things to do. Especially when you can't find your umbrella.

But... there is one thing that can brighten a rainy day & make you feel better about being soaking wet. 
Hunter Rain Boots available almost anywhere for about $125

The One Hundred by Nina Garcia
96. Wellington Boots
"Closet Obsession: Hunters are a UK institution. Every Brit has at least on pair in his or her closet, and the Royal Family always wears the classic green version for mucking about the country.  Because of their comfort and practicality, Wellies have become more than just a UK institution.  Women around the world eagerly order Wellies (and the ones who know what they are doing know how to order a size down from what they usually wear - they run big)." 

It's such a classic look. They are well worth their price.

oh yeah, this isn't me. incase you were wondering.



















nails. champagne stripes.

pink/champagne. $2.80 love & beauty from forever21 with white stripes.
from Clinton Nails