Life Update

Hello there...

Well I'm finally back to blogging and its well, the end of January but hey at least I made it before the month was over! I had a terrifically swell holiday with a cozy room to sit in with people who wanted to be around me so it was pretty much perfect. Putting away all the holiday decorations was very satisfying for me. I finally did some cleaning and re-arranging while I packed up all the Christmas stuff and my home feels so good and clutter free...

The room looks suddenly bigger and its like a fresh start which is rather fitting being that its January and all... This month has pretty much been a blur. Prepping for the V-day shop update, filling orders, crafting, snacking, and a lot of Netflix has been going down. I always watch different movies and shows while I'm working on the shop or custom orders and I have been busy the past month. I was hopping around between Portlandia, Girls, Game of Thrones, Ally McBeal and so many more. I started watching Ally McBeal on a whim over the holidays and now I just really want it to be over. I liked it at first but then the Nineties-ness of it really started to bother me and it got really formulaic and so now I am just angry watching it until its finished because my OCD requires me to see it through. I always have to finish every show and/or movie I start even if its terrible.

Lately I've been thinking a lot about New Years resolutions and how they are typically bull shit. I mean, I said I was going to blog more and here it is the end of the month, but that led me to think about what I wanted to accomplish this year. Mostly I just want to spend more time with friends and family and people I like. I want to work on my business and my art/passions while working on my teaching degree on the side and become more financially stable. Like a real grown up. That, and of course blog more, read more, cook more, and laugh more. 

Outfit Details: 

Shirt- Urban Outiftters Jacket- Target Necklaces- Silpada,Tres Chic Boutique in Ocala, Pants- American Eagle Boots- Bamboo

DIY Long Beaded Necklace

So in the last few months I have been trying this whole "following my dreams to be an artist" thing and while its the most amazing feeling in the world to do what you love every day it also comes with a lot of sacrifices. Like a steady salary for instance. So this year with being a starving artist and the state of the economy I have decided to give mostly handmade gifts this holiday season along with a few small etsy purchases and thrifted treasures. Handmade gifts can be just as special if not more so as store bought gifts. I love a handmade gift because it is so special and unique and so much care and love went into making it. I have put together several easy thoughtful gift projects that are all under $10.00. I know I am not the only one having to make sacrifices this year but I didn't want to miss out on gift giving all together because I really enjoy giving the people I care about presents. Its one of the ways I say you are special to me and care about you and I'm so glad you're in my life. You can join me in making this cheap winter solstice even better than if we'd all won the Lottery or at least a more meaningful close second :)

DIY Long Beaded Necklace

Supplies Needed: Scissors, fishing line or bead chord, small beads, large bead or gem, ribbon, and hot glue gun. I purchased my beads and ribbon from Hobby Lobby and the other supplies I had on hand. If I have to go to the craft store to buy something I ALWAYS bring a coupon or wait for a sale. In this case the beads were on sale already at 50% off and I used a 50% off one item coupon for the ribbon. Craft stores like, Joanne's, Hobby Lobby, and Michael's almost always have some kind of promotion or coupon running in the weekly paper or online. If you take the extra time to print/cut them out you'll save yourself a ton of money. NEVER EVER PAY FULL RETAIL!! Craft stores can really be a rip off. 

INSTRUCTIONS

Cut a long piece of fishing line and tie a sturdy knot on one end big enough so the tiny beads can't slide off. String your beads and statement gem. Tie the ends together in a sturdy triple knot and trim the excess ends. Cut a small strip of your ribbon and place under the knot. Add a small dab of hot glue and tie the ribbon in a knot around the glue so that the necklace won't break. Trim the excess ribbon and voila! You're done. Easy and cheap yet still pretty. I love long necklaces and wear them frequently. I think they make excellent winter fashion accessories because they look so cute with sweaters. 

 If you make any projects from this blog I would love to see how yours turn out. Add it to the Homemade Holidays board on on my Pinterest. 

xo Kirsten

Mascara Diaries Part 3

Well it's been several months and I'm here to report my latest mascara reviews. I have researched four new kinds and more than one really made a lasting impression. Here are my thoughts on the latest conquests:

1- Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara

I do NOT care for this mascara. At first I was really excited about it because I love the really big brushes on wands but it turned out to be such a mess. It was gross. It got everywhere and on everything. Also it was really expensive and totally not worth the cost. I won't ever use this product again.

2- Estee Lauder Lash Primer Plus and Sumptuos Bold Volume Lifting Mascara

I absolutely love love LOVE this mascara. It made my lashes look so long. The primer made my lashes look like false lashes. I only wish that there was more of it for the cost. I felt like it was gone really fast. 

3- Clinique High Impact Mascara

This is just a good basic black mascara. I can't say anything unique about it. If I got another free sample of it I would use it but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy it. It wasn't too messy though. 

4- Benefit They're Real Mascara

I absolutely adore this mascara. This one is by far my favorite of the four. I love the brush, it lasts a long time, and it isn't messy. Also right now at Ulta they have a special where you get a free travel size when you purchase it. I have always been partial to Benefit mascaras but I believe they are truly superior to all other mascaras. I will definitely be purchasing this one again. 

<3 Kirsten