Wearing Your Heart on Your Sleeve

Do you wear your heart on your sleeve? I can't say that I am that kind of person, but here is my version. My girly, fashionable and creative version.

Here is exactly what I used:

1. Gealous Advanced Nail Gel Coat {Buy here}

2. Any nail polish will work (I used Essie limo-scene)

3. Out The Door top coat {Get here }

4. Nail File of choice to smooth out nails & shape

5. Toothpick

6. Metallic Sharpie- [I used gold]

7. Magazine & scissors to cut out your word of choice

Flip through your magazine {before you start painting} and find your word. I wanted "love," but I was too impatient & settled for "heart." Cut that baby out! Carefully and as straight as possible.

   Basically I started out doing my DIY Gel Nails and then added a few steps.

Choose which finger is going to get the "word" and be prepared to apply it as soon as you put that top coat on. You want something for the word to adhere to and the Out The Door Top Coat dries super fast! 

For the word nail:

1. As soon as you apply the top coat, lay the word gently on your nail

2. Take the toothpick and softly press the word down, especially the corners. I kept pressing till I thought the top coat was dry. (If you wrinkle the top coat, it will be fine. Once you put another top coat on, you won't be able to tell)

3. Wait a few minutes then apply a top coat over your word nail. This will prevent any water ruining your word. 

 For the Sharpie nail:

1. After doing the DIY Gel Nails tutorial, let the top coat on your sharpie nail of choice dry completely! I mean completely!

2. Take your sharpie and draw away! Whatever your heart desires! {no pun intended}

3. Apply a top coat over your Sharpie nail to protect it from getting rubbed off.

{If you mess up with the Sharpie, take rubbing alcohol to get off & start over}

TA DA!!!

Aren't you excited?

Body Candy

I just discovered a new website today! Oh how I love my online shopping! It's an addiction, a craving, a high; but please don't tell my work... {wink}

This website is a jewelry lovers dream! Necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings! A one stop shop! I hate to say it, but I'm not much of a ring or earring person. I have my diamond earrings that I never change out. Never. Ever. Like ever. {Taylor Swift Shout Out} I also just have one ring I wear on my right hand & of course I'm saving my left hand for that special ring. BLING BLING

OK, here are a few of my favorites from Prettymints. 

Oh and did I mention their deal right now? 15% off all orders with the code SPRING15

Go ahead, check out what else they have [here].

Makeover

OK, so maybe it's not a makeover...it's more like an overdue clean up. {wink}

I know, I know...it's really bad!

My thinking behind putting the tray on the bed was: If it is there, then I at least don't have the whole bed to put my clothes on. Or maybe if it looks pretty, I won't mess it up [doubt it]. The problem is this is where I get dressed in the mornings and change in the evenings. I tend to rush and lay throw my clothes on the bed and go on to the next thing. I am literally always late! We will see how long this will last. 

{See the tag still on the flowers? I'm really bad about this}

Lanterns are some kind of obsession I have. And BOOKS...love books!

REAL books are the best interior accessory. It's like jewelry to fashion. I absolutely go for previously "loved" books. My favorite place is Half Price Books or I buy books on clearance at Tuesday Morning (one of my many jobs). 

I wanted to mix a couple of colors/patterns/textures, but I am definitely in the market for a patterned pillow of some sort! Below are a few options that caught my eye.

Do you have a favorite? Comment and help me decide!

This closet will be my next undertaking. I let the BF take the master closet because he was in the house before me, so I took the two guest closets and every door to hang organizers on. :) 

So. here's what I'm thinking for the new organization of this closet. Bookcases for my shoes..boots probably on the floor.. and I really want one of those clothes valets so I can set my outfit out the night before. 

Oh, and this cute ladder {OMG totally doing this!}

I will hopefully have some "after" pictures soon. 

Paying It Forward

So, earlier this year I posted on Facebook the above post. It is now the middle of March & I haven't done one thing. I've been a little busy blogging, OK. ;)

The other day I finally got inspired and wanted to help someone that I really knew needed it. Deserving, I should say. She always puts everyone first and no matter how many times we all agree we aren't buying any gifts for Christmas or birthday...she always does. 

I wrote in cursive to disguise my writing (MAN, was that hard!)
I bet I haven't done that since elementary school! 

In this envelope is just a greeting card that says "(Outside) Just wanted to say Hi. (Inside) Just Because." I also included a $50 gift card that I knew she would use and enjoy. I did't sign it because I wanted it to be anonymous... all I put was a smiley face. We dropped this in her mailbox today and I can't wait to see if she calls us to say "Guess what someone left in my mailbox?!"

I plan on doing more for her because I think she is very deserving! I also want to "pay it forward" to the friends that commented on my Facebook post earlier this year. 

Try "paying it forward" to someone you know that deserves it. 

The feeling is truly rewarding!

Here are some ideas of what you can do to "pay it forward":

Send someone a "just because" card {here}

In the drive thru at Starbucks? Tell the barista you want to pay for the order of the car behind you.

Donate a few spare dollars to a charity you love.

Treat a friend to a movie for no reason.

Go through your closet and donate the clothes you don't wear to Goodwill or shelter.

Walk around your neighborhood and pick up trash.

Give a gift card to a deserving person.

Bake some goodies for a friend or neighbor.

Leave a thank you note for your mailman or garbage man.

Leave a larger than usual tip.

Fresh Flowers

I will admit...I am a HUGE addict of The Real Housewives. Mainly Atlanta and Beverly Hills, but I watch them all. The new age Martha Stewart, Yolanda Foster, is on Beverly Hills and she literally has inspired me. Weird, I know. 

Here's her blog

She's real, she actually does her own cooking, she grows her own food & flowers and she worships her husband everyday like the day they got married!

I mean seriously, look at her refrigerator! That alone is inspiring!

But let me bring you back to reality. Most of us don't have that kind of money, but I will say: keeping fresh flowers in your home, or at least when you have company over, is a MUST! It brings some sort of cleanliness and richness to your home. Most of the time you can get a dozen flowers from $8-$12. Trust me, it is so worth it!

Yellow Tulips {My Favorite!}

White Hydrangeas

Yellow Mix of Flowers
"Managers Special" for $7!

Pink Tulips

Yellow Double Delight Roses

 Aren't they just refreshing?

I dare you to just try it once.

Say No To Leprechaun's

Try doing your St. Patrick's Day outfit not so literal this year.  Pair it with a bright pink or yellow then add in neutrals. Throw in a little pattern {leopard or a stripe} to give it some interest. 

Here are some decorations I have around our house to get us in the spirit!

OK, now go drink some green beer!!

Getting Creative

I'm sure most of you have seen the {pins} about cutting up a swim noodle and putting them in your boots to help them stand up. TRUE...but I have a free solution for you to try!! 

All you need is: Old magazines!

Who doesn't have tons of these laying around? If you don't, start saving them..or ask a friend or relative.

Roll them up and plop them in your boots!

TA~DA!

How simple was that?? Seriously genius! 

Suggestion: If you have heavier or taller boots, just roll up 2+ magazines in each boot for more stability. I can't believe I haven't done this sooner!

Turning Old Into New

Recycle, Reuse & Repurposing 

When we remolded our whole first floor, every box seemed to make it upstairs in every corner we could throw it in. (Not good for an OCD neat freak like me) I was seriously having anxiety, for 4 months. AH! 

Anyway,  as we started putting things back in their places, I decided to go through everything and either throw it away or put it in the "yard sale" box. But, let me just state...whatever you call the opposite of a hoarder...I am that. I hate having things that I don't use or don't have a purpose. It just takes up room when I could go buy other things ;)

So....when I walked past the yard sale box the other day, I saw Andrew (my BF) had put a couple of his older Hollister button down shirts in there. A pink & white stripe and a yellow & white stripe. 

It's March 1st, so I thought "Spring is near, but it's snowing. I'll wear spring colors, but layer them to keep warm. Maybe that will tell spring to hurry the EF up!" :)

Yep, that's my boyfriend's shirt that I repurposed for FREE!

Pink & white stripe detail with my coral sweater (LOFT- on sale!)

And YES, I've received compliments today! From male and female. [I don't think they can even tell the difference that it's a man's shirt!] Shh..don't tell!