Tuesday, December 27, 2011

HOWTO- Peppermint Lipbalm

You will need:
8 teaspoons Vaseline, cocoa butter, shea butter, or refined coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon vegetable shortening
20 drops peppermint essential oil

Just mix together & warm up for a minute, until everything melts together.
Then freeze it for 15 minutes!
And you're done!!!

This will make 3 ounces

Friday, December 23, 2011

Pretty Little Liars Bracelet

Do you love Pretty Little Liars? The mystery of who A is? I've been obsessed with the infamous PLL bracelets! They are so cute and chic!

If you didn't already know, you can purchase the PLL bracelets here: 
http://www.PLLBracelets.com
Each of the bracelets are hand stitched by Alison Merritt, using these super small japanese beads and each bracelet takes over 4 hours to make. You can see by the perfection of these adorable bracelets, that they take a lot of time and effort to create. Unfortunately there is a waiting list for about 6-7 weeks, so if you were planning on buying it for Christmas, you cannot (I of course specified in my wish list that it doesn't have to arrive my Christmas, I don't mind waiting), but it's the perfect gift for the ultimate PLL fan.
I had the extreme please of asking Alison Merritt a couple of questions. As I was talking to her on Twitter, I realized how sweet of a person she is, and agreed to answering a couple of questions for me!



 1) How long did you have the PLL bracelets before they got discovered?
I have been making this type of Bracelet for over 25 years.
 2) Who discovered the PLL bracelets on the set?

The Prop Master discovered and ordered the Bracelets for the show.
 3) Who is your favorite PLL?

My favorite PLL is Hanna...I was much like her growing up.
 4) Did you read the PLL books first? Or watch show?

 I watched the show first, then read the books...I'm totally hooked on both..Sara cannot write the books fast enough!
5) You stated on your website that it takes about 4 hours to make one
 bracelet, how much time do you spend on the bracelets on a daily basis?

I spend around 10 hours a day working on the bracelets...not continually, but throughout the day.
6) I saw on your Twitter feed that you have a daughter? Is she a PLL fan
 like you?

 My 14 yr old Daughter Paige is a major PLL Fan.  We always watch the show together and have never missed an episode.  We enjoy discussing everything after the show and even DVR them so we can watch them over to make sure we didn't miss a single clue :)
 7) Have you ever been to the set of PLL?


Sadly, I have not yet been to the set of PLL...I would very much love to one day and would absolutely love to meet Marlene King, the creator of the show. She is an amazingly talented woman.
 8) We all know the PLL is a series that has made it's mark on history.

What is your favorite part of being such a monumental part of PLL?
 My favorite part of creating the PLL bracelets is the joy that they bring to the fans..it gives me chills just to think about it. AND I love when I see the Bracelets on tv :)

 9) The PLL bracelets are a signature item for the fans but have you made
 PLL bracelets for any of the cast members it self? If so, who?

I have not knowingly, however some of the fans have ordered bracelets for names of Lucy and Ashely with the intentions of sending them to the actresses. Now that is a dedicated fan! :)
 10) PLL is an international show now, around how many countries have you
 sold the PLL bracelets in?

 I have shipped PLL Bracelets all over the world, it's amazing and wonderful how far spread the show and fans go. I have shipped to over 20 different countries. I just recently sent a PLL Bracelet to Iceland and El Salvador. My local post office loves when I come in, they can't wait to see what countries I'm shipping too next. :)
 11) Because of the hold up, we know that you sell a crazy amount of
bracelets, around how many do you think you've sold?

I can't give an exact number since I have lost count..lol  I would be safe to say over 1000 PLL Bracelets have been created since the show began and I hope to create many more with Season 3 on the horizon :)




I would like to add how much I enjoy being a part of Pretty Little Liars, even if it's behind the scenes. I have always loved to create, it brings me much joy and satisfaction. My favorite part is the love and gratitude I receive from the fans. The Pretty Little Liars Family is an awesome family, thank you.



Not only does Alison Merritt make the bracelets, she also makes (All three inspired by PLL)
I Love PLL Barrett 
An Owl Pendant 
(Like the one Jenna was wearing, so gorgeous)
A PLL Charm Bracelet- All of the charms are silver plated, and mean different things! 
Owl = Jenna's Flashdrive Necklace
Cell Phone = Texts from "A"
Gloves = "A" Gloves
Sunglasses = Jenna's
Miniature Pretty Little Liars Bracelet = Says "PLL"
Friends with AB Crystal Center = Alison, Aria, Hanna, Emily and Spencer
A = "A"
Diary with 5 Vintage Swarovski Crystals = Alison's book of Secrets
Shovel = Used to take Ali out
Pumpkin = Halloween = First Secret, when it all began
Boot = Dr. Sullivan
Heart Shaped Lock and Key = Got a secret can you keep it?
Apple = Teacher = Ezra


PLL Bracelets


So if you're a PLL fan, and you haven't already ordered something, go over to her website
 and buy yourself the perfect Christmas present!

Monday, December 19, 2011

Tis the season!

I'm going to be honest, I absolutely love ugly christmas sweaters, or even just ugly winter sweaters in general. They bring you into the Holiday spirit and they look so cute!!!
When I was talking so some of my friends, it came to my attention that people don't know where to buy them. So I thought, why not look for a bunch of them on Polyvore!
I actually found a bunch down here from American Apparel!
However, they are quite expensive, for a sweater that you would only wear a few times a year (I only wear mine the day school lets out for break & Christmas Eve or Christmas Day).
I would suggest raiding your local thrift store, so many people get rid of their sweaters, checking out Walmart or Target (not in the juniors department)! They're so inexpensive, but work for you!
I also know Macy's, JC Penny, and other department stores has a bunch of them! As I mentioned before, don't look in the Juniors Department. The Juniors Department will have fitted sweaters... but they won't give off the whole ugly Christmas sweater look!




Okay so consider the fact that you got your sweater... took you a while but know you have you're stuck with the dilemma of how to style it.
As you see above, you can pair it with a cute skirt (not plaid, it makes you look TOO christmasy) 
with leggings
(not the same color as the primary color of your sweater, we are not clowns) 
and oxfords.
However, I love going for a super oversized sweater, black leggings, and boots 
(maybe even some bells for earrings).
Keeping it simple is the best way to go, it'll make you look the best!
As you see in the slideshow below, a lot of people have styled theirs with skinny jeans! 


Make up Ideas: Something outstanding

This first l think is perfect if you want to get attention, but not too much! First step is to find a good dark lip color for you, test out different shades before you buy it, the darkest or lightest shades may not work for you! And of course, whenever you're playing up the lips, make sure not to put on too much anywhere. Like the picture below, just use a little bit of mascara and eyeliner, and just bronzer, not too much blush!


When using colors in your eyes, then make sure not to have too much color anywhere else, bronzer and a nude lip would be perfect!


In this last picture, we're playing up the cheeks. Notice how the model as a light bronzer to contour her cheeks, and everything else is so natural! Personally I think this look is the best because this way, you can be more outstanding in your outfit too... if you're make up is crazy, then your outfit shouldn't have a big statement piece! 



Standing out is good, it brings change and a refreshment to our everyday lives, however, too much of anything can look clowny and unfashionable. It will make you look like you have no idea what you're doing. Always remember, fashion and beauty go hand in hand, and you have to find the right balance for yourself!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Oh My dear ;)

That slightly boho chic look that we all love, yet don't know how to make it look super casual? In the fall, the boho look I love is SCARVES! This is my ultimate go to accessory!

Below, I've paired it with a cute loose dolman sweater. These sweaters aren't super warm, but extremely comfy, and if you've got a small waist, they're perfect.

I've also chosen skinny jeans, while the top half is very flowy and loose, you need to balance it out! I recommend dark wash and of course, pairing it with some cute floral lace ups and a trench coat!

I don't think you'll need your full blown winter gear, however, especially for those colder fall days, I recommend buying a thin trench coat, they don't cost much, and they complete any outfit!

Oh My Dear!




























Friday, November 4, 2011

Justine Blog Example

Ways to look cute this fall!


Fall is one of my favorite seasons! It's so cute and sweet and it is by far my favorite way to dress! 


Living in Chicago, I know that it gets really cold outside, and sometimes it's hard to find the perfect look! 


1) A green tunic with jeans and a blazer. This outfit is a great mix of casual and formal. That blazer and jeans add the warmness needed for a fall outfit. My favorite part is the pink bag, I love how it works so much with the green!
Forever & Always





2) Oversized cardigans, they are so comfy and cute! I like to pair mine with a cute dress and a statement necklace! This outfit is so girly and perfect for a dress up day in school! If it gets really cold, you can always add like tights, or play it up with textured tights with stripes or hearts!

Style

Style by riya featuring antique belts



3) This is my outfit! like literally the outfit that you can see me rockin throughout the week! I have a pair of simple jeans that aren't super skinny, yet don't have a huge opening on the bottom. For the top, i love the stripped top and a scarf! This season I'm all about the scarfs; plain solid ones and printed ones! I'm also choosing cute Sperry's because they're look so clean and work really nicely with the outfit! It's a perfect school outfit that you can wear on a daily basis! Don't you just love the addition of the chandelier earrings? I love how they spice up the outfit, but not too much :) You don't even have to buy your own pair, I like to use my moms because she has so many cute ones that work so nicely!

 Makeover for my mom :)




3) This is a trend that I love to wear at the mall with a few friends! It's one thats a bit harder to pull off... and that is pants with pleats! They are so cute and with a  comfy sweater, it's perfect! Remember, although it seems that shopping at a thrift store is lame, I love going there because they have so many choices, and since sweaters are a classic, you can find branded, cute, things that is really cheap!

My mom



4) You never think of fall as a season that you can have a lot of color in! But I think a little bit of color can always look good! That's why I like to go for some cute green, skinny cargos with a bright tank and a scarf! of course I never forget to add a fitted cardigan! For this outfit, I've gone for bright lace-ups, however, you can always substitute them for regular boots, like UGGS.
Trend Reports



5) My 5th and final outfit, is a simple classic. Its a mix of chic, simple and cute! We're pairing a simple pair of skinny jeans with a light cardigan and a tank top! I never forget to add a jacket for outfits because it's always so cold! You may have noticed that I've chosen flats for this outfit! While boots are completely fine, i want to show you that you can always go for outfits without boots in the fall too!
A Quiet Comfy Day