Eyelash Extensions-Makeover Alex

 My beautiful model Alex- before and after makeover + eyelash extensions!

Alex already has extra long eyelashes, so I had to purchase the long sized individual lashes so that they would be noticeable. I also shaped her brow with slight tweezing and an Anastasia Brow-Wiz in light brown. Adds instant definition and shaped her eyes beautifully. I used Tempting by Mac on her crease line to add a sultry shimmer and intensify the long lash extensions. She is wearing HD foundation in L3 by Smashbox, Sunlights bronzer by Smashbox, and Desert rose blush by Mac-applied by a fan brush to get the airbrushed look. Her lash is lined with JetSet eyeliner in Midnight black using and arced liner brush. No mascara needed, and these lashes stay put for about a week!

 Alex looks incredible and ready for a night out! I used a barrel curler (curling iron without a clamp) to create the soft beach curls. She looks stunning!

Eyelash Extensions-Makeover Sloane

 I am now doing eyelash extensions and full service makeup application! I'm super excited to ad to my clientele and continue artistry. My beautiful clients Sloane and Alex were kind enough to let me take before and after photos.

Sloane has incredible features that I really wanted to stand out. I used a Naked eyeshadow pallet on her eyes. I liner them with JetSet Midnight black, by Smashbox and smudged and dark brown shadow across her lash line. I kept the face makeup light with Halo powder over a tinted moisturizer also by Smashbox. On her lips I used Faux lipstick by Mac, and on her cheeks I used Desert Rose blush by Mac as well. She looks glam, and fabulous-without looking over done. Beautiful Sloane! 

Inspirational Self Promise

I'm really starting to realize that everyday is truly what you make of it. That saying no longer sounds like an overplayed cliche to me. Recently my best days have been those that I have literally repeated over, and over in my mind- I will choose to have a great day today. I found this 'promise' recently and it has inspired me more than words can explain. I wanted to share it in hopes that it could also inspire others! Take this promise with you wherever you go.

I promise myself.
To be so strong that nothing can disturb my peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person I meet.
To make all of my friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and except only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others, as I am of my own. 
To forget mistakes of the past, and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear and cheerful expression at all times, and give a smile to every living creature I meet.
To give so much time to improving myself that I have no time to criticize others. 
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble. 
To think well of myself and to proclaim this fact to the world-not in loud words, but good deeds. 
To live in faith that the whole world is on my side, so long as I am true to the best that is in me.

-Christian D. Larson

DIY Damask Dresser Revamp

I've had this old, worn, Malm dresser from Ikea for a few years now. Two of the drawers broke off and I never got around to fixing them. I was just about to toss it all together when I thought---"hmmmm, this could be a great way to showcase my favorite pumps!"

I started by painting the inside of the dresser with a matte white paint. Covering all of the inside, I was planning on leaving the inner sides black, but ended up getting paint everywhere!

Next, I knew I wanted to add some type of bottom to the dresses. I found an old shelf in the garage, and covered it in the wall paper I used in my previous entry-when refinishing the night stand. Always be sure to save left over materials! I wrapped the shelf like a present, applying a coat of spray mount to the shelf first. Make sure the seams of the paper are on the side that will be facing down.

I put the shelf inside the bottom of the dresser and placed my shoes inside of it. Now my favorite shoes are showcased beautifully and the dresser looks completely new! I'm so glad I didn't throw this dresser out, as it now ties my bedroom decor together perfectly.

Perfect at home manicure!

After a work week of constructing and painting, my nails were completely toast. They looked horrendous and I needed to fix them fast for the weekend! I make sure to get a really good manicure about once a month, then I touch them up in between. I get so bored with one color after a while anyways, it's fun to switch it up!

The best trick I've learned so far- is to completely coat the outside of the nail bed and outer cuticle area with Vaseline. (please forgive my half spray painted nails!) Make sure to avoid your actual nails-only put it on the skin. 

Paint your nails as sloppy as you'd like to! Going out of the lines is no longer an issue with the vaseline trick. It takes a lot of time and stress out of doing a manicure yourself!

The polish outside of the nail bed will wipe right off, without nail polish remover! You can even wait until the polish on the actual nail is completely dry and wipe the entire nail off with a dry cotton ball.

It looks like professional manicure. No paint on the cuticles, and they are moisturized and conditioned at the same time! 

I wanted to add a little fun to my nails! I decided to use a clear top coat, then coat my middle finger nail with a thin coat of nail glue...being very careful to not let it bleed outside the nail bed.

I sprinkled the craft glitter on my the middle finger that I coated with nail glue, and then used a tooth pick to put single pieces of glitter on the very tips of the other nails. Accent nails are really fun, especially with a bold style like this! Now I'm all set for the weekend, and I can wait an additional week to return to the nail salon!

How to Display & Organize Jewelry

My jewelry was in desperate need of an organizational makeover. Nothing is worse than going to put on a necklace and it being tangled with 20 others or not being able to find the perfect accessory when you're in a hurry!

I wanted to be able to hang my necklaces in a way that I could not only see each one, but also in way that would be visually appealing while adding to the decor in my bedroom. I had this old, worn, and dated candle holder that must have originally cost me around $8.00. I made sure to remove all of the wax from the candles, then sprayed the entire thing with one coat of spray primer. I then spray painted it with a Montana brand turquoise spray paint in a matte finish. I chose matte because I want it to eventually have more of a worn look which doesn't work with a high-gloss finish.

 Hanging it was a little difficult, I used a ton of clear tacks to support it (small nails or brackets would work much better) along the sides. I organized my necklaces to evenly distribute the weight, and voilà! A beautiful and unique display piece!

After completing that, I was totally inspired to create a display piece for all of my bangles and rings as well. I had some mismatched plates and cup that no longer went with my kitchenware. I bought them for my first apartment, so I knew I wanted to keep them some how.

First I spray painted the dishes with a lime green spray paint, also Montana brand, in a matte finish as well. I thought of stacking them together, almost like a cake stand. I used a glue gun in between pieces to make sure it would be sturdy. Now I will have these dishes forever, with a fun story behind the display piece!