Salon Makeover

The reception area in the salon that I work at was in need of a makeover. It had a really cute boutique feel before, but now that the salon is growing and the clientele is increasing, it only made sense to update the interior.

There are a lot of spray tans done at this salon, so I knew I needed to stick with colors that could take the over spray. The chairs before were so cute but were practically ruined by spray tan seeping from the rooms. I started with choosing a semi-gloss pant for the wall. I thought about doing the entire wall as an accent wall with one solid color, but then I realized it may actually make the place look smaller. I remembered learning how stripes elongate spaces. Vertical stripes make rooms appear taller, while horizontal stripes make rooms appear wider.

I used the same color on the doors across from the striped wall to unify the space-also to hide any spray tan that tends to seep out from time to time. I left the frames white to keep a nice contrast.

 The original desk was really cute but definitely needed a more professional desk with more separation. I browsed a few showrooms in Burbank and found a place where I was able to order one custom. I was able to select the shape, color, and exact size so that it would fit in the space perfectly. It was affordable and delivered directly to the salon!

Selecting chairs was a bit of a challenge. I needed to find something that was small enough for the space, and something dark. I first focused only on upholstered accent chairs, then I realized dining room chairs would really be a more ideal size. I knew microfiber material would be perfect because it's super easy to clean, and it also looks really fancy. I found these chairs at World Market in a beautiful chocolate suede. The quilted pattern on the back is a perfect match with the stripes and the rich wood. It almost reminds me of Hollywood Regency meets the beach.

The last item I purchased was the fun side table with the dark wooden legs. I loved the idea of a glass top because glass really helps spaces stay open and feng shui. (funk-shway) Topped it off with some greenery and some magazines and voila! Brand new look and feel. I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out.

Tiffany's Nightstand Makeover

One of my girlfriends really wanted to find a unique and affordable nightstand or dresser to add additional storage to her closet. We browsed a little and ended up finding a great piece that had a ton of character, and no serious flaws as far as structure. Those two elements are always important when selecting something to redo. 

This stand was only $20.00 so we couldn't resist! I love the flower details on the doors.

First we made sure to lay out a plastic tarp that we got at the hardware store. It really pays off to invest in items you can use over and over when crafting. The tarp will protect the ground and creates a great surface to be painted on. 

It's really important to completely wipe down and item with rubbing alcohol or an all purpose cleaner before painting. That way, no dirt or dust will get stuck under the paint creating an unfinished, bumpy look. Next, always be sure to use a primer of some sort. Many spray paints now have primer included, so just be sure to look. I really liked this particular brand of spray paint because it's able to be used on multiple surfaces and dries really fast! We decided that powder blue and pearl were the colors we would use. 

Always remove doors first on items like this. I unscrewed all of the hinges and knobs and placed them off to the side. These doors look so cute in a modern  color! Totally accentuates the floral carving. I made sure they were completely dry before putting them back on the nightstand. I spray painted all of the knobs and hinges, and screws separately and off to the side. I chose to use a white to give it a Tiffany's look. I covered them completely with two coats and let them dry 

completely.

      

After everything was totally dry, I reassembled the nightstand and maneuvered it into the closet for additional storage. The finished piece looks so cute and updated! Adds a great pop of color to the closet and is visually interesting. 

DIY Birthday Cake-Pops

Being that it was my birthday yesterday- It was only appropriate to finally try making cake-pops at home! I found a recipe online but ended up going off track here and there-

First, I gathered all ingredients that you would normally use for a standard cake mix. Use any type of cake batter you would like. I chose vanilla-being my favorite. 

Make sure to include the yolks in the mix, cake- pops need to be made from moist cake. I used a 9x9" pan and poured about half of the batter in the pan, baking for 25 mins total. Put the baked mix directly into the fridge, letting the cake sit for at least an hour so it's completely cool. 

 

Once the cake batter has cooled, break up the mix using clean hands into crumb-like pieces. Just kneed the batter until there are no more huge chunks of cake. Add a few table spoons of vanilla frosting to the broken up cake mix and blend together. The frosting should be evenly distributed throughout the batter.  It should eventually be sticky enough to be able to create a large ball of cake.


















Once this is done, break off parts of the large ball into smaller ones- a little smaller than two inches in diameter. Set the small balls of cake on a greased cookie sheet off to the side.

Next, you will need to find a chocolate coating for the outer layer of the cake-pops. I used a white chocolate, they come in chocolate chip form as well which is easy to melt. Melt the chocolate chips in a small bowl, mixing the chocolate every 20 seconds. Be extremely careful not to burn the chocolate.














After the chocolate is melted, dip any type of lollypop stick into the melted mix. Immediately insert the chocolate coated stick into the small pre-rolled cake pop and let the chocolate cool inside of the cake. Making it sturdy enough to hold up the cake. Let the cake pops cool again for an additional hour.

If you are planning on coloring the cake pops, definitely use white chocolate so it's able to be colored. Milk or dark chocolate will not work for this style. Heat more white chocolate, mixing every 20 seconds again. I added a little bit of red food coloring to make the white chocolate pink! Use any color that you may like for outer shell of cake pop.








Dip the cake balls into the colored white chocolate, covering the cake batter completely. The best way for them to harden and dry, is by sticking them into something styrofoam so they are able to dry standing up right. Once they were upright I added some fun sprinkles. Place the cake-pops back in to the fridge overnight. More decor can be added once they have hardened. Super easy and fun to make at home! Great for birthday parties-less messy than cupcakes!

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.