Monthly Archives: March 2015

Beauty

What’s in my Cart?: Sephora

March 26, 2015

whats-in-my-cart-sephora-2 whats-in-my-cart-sephoraI’ve been on somewhat of a makeup binge lately, with my “to buy” list longer than ever. Most of the time I can reign myself in, but when I take the plunge, here are the five products that I’ve been lusting after at Sephora.

I’m already head-over-heels for Hourglass Ambient Light Powder in Dim Light, but I’ve been dying to try it in Diffused Light. Its featherlight formula doesn’t settle into my pores and I’m excited to see if Diffused Light gives me that “just slept 8 hours hours” glow.

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner is a cult favorite, but surprisingly I’ve never tried it. With its stay-all-day formula, I’m looking forward to not smudging my usual slick of liner.

With its no-smudge formula and tiny wand, the Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara is a kind of genius! Most of the time I don’t wear mascara on my bottom lashes because of smearing and flaking, so I’m curious to see how this will hold up.

Since I’ve heard amazing reviews of the Bobbi Brown Corrector, I’m excited to try it. The shade Bisque is a creamy peach, which is perfect for canceling out blue and purple undertones in the under eye area, and the thick, emollient formula stays put all day.

Lastly, I’m in the market for a new brow product and looking forward to trying the Tarte EmphasEYES High Definition Brow Pencil. The ultra thin tip allows for feathery strokes to create bold-yet-natural-looking brows.

What’s on your Sephora to-buy list?

XO, J

Hair

How To: The Perfect Top Knot

March 16, 2015

top-knot-tutorial

Since my top knot has become known somewhat as my “signature” (but mostly just a reflection of my lazy girl ways), I thought it high time to put together a step-by-step how-to! My method for creating my crowning glory is somewhat unusual, so read on for the full perfect top knot tutorial!

step-2Supplies you’ll need:

  • Texturizing spray (I’ve been loving this one recently)
  • Two thick elastics
  • Bobby pins (useful if you have shorter layers that slide out)

step-1

1. Start with day old (at least) hair. Spritz with a little texturizing spray and tousle with your fingers.

step-3

2. Gather your hair up into a high ponytail, and wrap the elastic securely. Pull your hair tight, and then gently loosen underneath your ponytail and the front slightly (so the hair isn’t plastered to your head).

step-4

3. Split your ponytail into two even sections. Optional: if you have thin hair, tease your ponytail to make your knot fuller.

step-5

4. Make a small loop with one section of the ponytail and hold in place with your hand.

step--6

5. Using your free hand, wrap the other section of the ponytail around the loop clockwise. Continue wrapping until you get to the ends, and then incorporate the ends of the looped hair as well.

step-7-86. Secure your knot using the other elastic.

step-97. Tug with your fingers to gently loosen the knot to make it fuller.

step-108. Loosen some strands along your hairline and next to your ears for an undone, wispy look.

step-11Voila! Top knot so on point that a prima ballerina would be jealous! ;)

XO, J

Beauty

New In: 3 From Nordstrom

March 13, 2015

3-new-nordstrom

3-new-in-nordstrom-2When it comes to cosmetics, I normally make a beeline for Sephora. However, there’s a handful of brands that Sephora doesn’t carry. I recently did a mini Nordstrom haul and picked up a few products I’d heard rave reviews about and been wanting to try.

First up is theBalm’s Mary-Lou Manizer, a glowy, champagne highlighting powder. This compact is HUGE and is packed with super-pigmented product. I don’t think I’ll ever need to repurchase this because I don’t think I’ll ever run out! You only need to pop a tiny bit of product on a fan brush for major cheekbones.

At first glance, the Clarins Instant Concealer formula is thinner than most. But don’t be fooled – it is seriously pigmented and a tiny bit goes a long way. So far, my favorite way to wear it is to conceal my under eyes and around my nose, and then blend a bit onto the high planes of my face. With this method, I only need to set my look with powder for a flawless finish.

Tipping the scales at one of the spendiest products in my collection is Kevyn Aucoin ‘The Sculpting Powder.’ This powder looks dark in the compact, but the cool gray tone actually creates the most natural looking shadows in the hollows of your face. Using a light hand, you can build the color slowly to create the perfect contour. It is an absolutely phenomenal product.

XO, J

Home Decor

Make It: Rustic Glam Headboard DIY

March 9, 2015

diy-rustic-glam-headboard

February has come and gone and Sawyer and I have officially been in our new apartment 2 months. I’ve been dying to make a headboard for our bed since we moved to SF over a year ago, but alas, no car = no home improvement DIYs. We have wheels now, and since I’ve had this rustic headboard DIY pinned on Pinterest for about as long as we’ve lived on the West Coast, I thought it was about time I tackled it! It was a fairly easy project with only ONE TRIP to Home Depot (!!!). I’m so happy with the way it turned out.

supplies

Supplies you’ll need:

  • 5 1x6s of whitewood cut to the width of your bed (we have a California King bed, so ours were cut to 72″)
  • 1 1×3 of whitewood cut into 30″ sections (we needed 3 30″ sections due to the length of our headboard)
  • 80 grit sanding block
  • Rubber glove
  • Small can of Minwax in Jacobean
  • Rag or old sock
  • Drill
  • 12 1.5″ wood screws
  • 9′ hanging wire
  • Stud finder (and if you buy a new one, also buy a 9-volt battery)
  • String of twinkle lights (optional)

drilling1. We closely followed the direction of this tutorial, but needed to make a few tweaks along the way. First, lay down all of your wood and dry fit (make sure all the planks fit nicely together). With each plank, decide which side is going to be the front and which side is going to be the back. Since we used whitewood (which is cheaper than pine), one side of every board had machine markings on it, making it pretty easy to figure out. Place all the planks together, good side down. Note: I would suggest staining the wood prior to screwing it together. We didn’t and wished we had.

drilling-22. Evenly space the 30″ pieces of 1×3 on the planks. Since we used 3, we placed two on either side and one in the middle. If you’re making a smaller headboard, you’ll probably only need two pieces. You’re going to drill a screw through the 1x3s into each of the planks on both sides, so it helps to drill pilot holes first so the wood doesn’t split. Carefully drill the screws in, taking care not to drill through the front of the headboard.

drilling-33. Make sure to leave each top screw sticking out about 1/4″. This is where you are going to tie the wire.

sanding

4. Once everything has been screwed in and the headboard feels secure (doesn’t wobble or twist), prop it up and give it a quick sand with the sanding block. The edges of our boards were still quite rough, so be sure to sand those thoroughly to prevent accidental splinters.

staining

5. Put on your rubber glove (I wrapped my hand with a plastic bag and it didn’t work very well…). Cover your gloved hand with an old sock or rag and dip directly into can of stain. Apply the stain to the wood in a buffing motion. We only ended up needing one coat of Minwax Jacobean, so definitely buy the smallest canister of stain available. Allow to dry in a well-ventilated area for an hour or two.

staining-26. I didn’t include photos, but once your stain is dry, string the hanging wire onto the top screws of your headboard. Once the wire is on as tight at you can make it, use the drill to finish screwing in the top screws. This will anchor the wire and hold it taught. Using the studfinder, find two evenly-spaced studs above your bed. Drill two screws into the studs. Carefully hang your headboard. The first time we did this, our wire wasn’t tight enough and the headboard drooped lower then we wanted, so it might be a little bit of trial-and-error.

finished-1TA-DA! The headboard gets the Buddy stamp of approval!

diy-headboard-1For a glam touch, string up some twinkle lights. This DIY really was fairly simple and headache-free! I only spent $63.07 total for all my materials and tools (not including a drill). Our bedroom has finally been elevated to ADULT status! Not bad for a Sunday afternoon.

mouse

XO, J