Oh the Cuteness!

I have to admit, lately I've been feeling a little down. Just kind of a general blah, which is unusual for me, especially in summer. I've just been sitting around too much I think, getting chubbier, so I really need to exercise more. It's amazing how much more exercise I got working a regular 9-5 retail job; I was on my feet all day. Since I made the transition to working for myself and freelancing at other creative companies I sit around all day making things now... So to get myself out of the dumps and feel special, I decided to go all out and do my hair and makeup big-time, all on my own. For those of you who know me this is no small feat. I went to the 15th anniversary show of Thrillville at our local tiki lounge, and I decided that would be the day. I did my hair up in pin curls while it was still damp, then gently blow-dried it to set them. I've never done them before, but I was sure I could do them since they're so simple, inspired by this video from ...

Dennis and I had a little date at the lake, going to the new Oaktown Spice Shop (love love love), and grabbing some Ethiopian food for lunch. I brought the camera along and let (okay, begged) Dennis to play around with my fancy new lens and snap some pics of my fancy pants outfit. (My friend Vanessa says if I get more colored jeans my new nickname will be fancypants. Swoon!) I must say he took some good ones! Pants from the Gap, shoes from Urban, purse was second-hand from a Crossroads in Berkeley. Shirt and tank from Target, Necklaces and rings are all handmade from various local places, watch from Anthropologie, and bracelets were a gift from my mom. The knitting needles in my hair are vintage acrylic.  ^_~ Oh! By the way, I figured out how to put my hair up with those knitting needles from a pic I found on Pinterest. I'm so terrible with hair, so if I can do it, anyone can. Here's the link:  http://pinterest.com/pin/147000375307048558/

I try to be "fashionable" as much as I can, but most days I only have the energy to throw on jeans and a tee, haphazardly blow-dry my hair, and maybe put some jewelry on. But that darned  Pinterest  site is so full of lovely fashion inspiration, and it's making me want to put together "outfits" and try doing my hair and makeup here and there. I suppose it doesn't take  that  much extra time... So, is this any good? Or do I look like a dork? Well, I like it, and I that's all that really matters, right? Shirt is very old, from Target, belt is from Urban Outfitters, my sister made me the skirt, the tights were from a swap party, and the shoes are Urban, as well as the glasses. Mom got me the yellow leather wallet and the pearl bracelet, and Dennis gave me the necklace and antique silver bangle. I managed to pull my hair out of my face and my bangs are getting so long that I have to pull them to the side now! I feel pretty! ^_^

... And we're back on track! We got back from Portland the day before New Year's Eve and my sister came into town about an hour behind us so I got to spend the New Year with her! We went to a party thrown by my friends Vanessa and Glen. Good times: a balloon drop, party poppers, good food and champagne, and pretty people! But sissy made it extra special for me by doing my hair and makeup. For anyone who knows me this is a big deal! Fake eyelashes even, which took some getting used to but were really fun, and I felt very pretty. It was a great start to what is sure to be a very interesting year, but more on that later. Cheers everyone!

Happy How-Tuesday! This week we have a shift dress pattern, a video tutorial for turbands, and a chicken pot pie recipe! Oh Martha, how I love thee. I love that she has been doing more fashion-y stuff lately, and this dress is lovely and super-duper easy to make. Check out the video/tutorial here. Turbands are a recent blip on my fashion radar and I am very interested to see if I can pull the look off one of these days. This sweet little video tutorial has 3 different variations and they look nice and easy, so someday soon I will give them a go. Watch the video here. This pot pie recipe has me drooling, I cannot wait to try it! Try it for yourself here.

Happy How-Tuesday! This week we have a designer-style necklace, homemade eye makeup remover, and a stylish tomato soup recipe. Enjoy! This is a great necklace, and it is a really well-done knock-off of a ridiculously expensive designer one. I love these kinds of things. Stick it to The Man here. I recently started wearing a bit of makeup when I go out on the town, and I am running out of remover. As soon as do I will give this recipe a try! Check it out here. And last, but certainly not least, is this ever-so-posh take on the traditional tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich combo. It looks delicious and I cannot wait to try it as soup weather will be upon us any day now. Here is the recipe.

Hey everyone! I just listed close to 100 little lots of beads over on my etsy shop . Some of you might remember when I was selling lots of beads on another shop, and then I closed it because I decided I would rather make jewelry with what I had left. But when I was making earrings and such for the craft fair I sold at I realized that I just have way too many. Seriously. Like, more than I could ever use up in my lifetime. So it is time for a good old Destash Bash at Oh the Cuteness! I am starting with the beads, but my fabric shelf is going to get a good going-over too, along with other miscellaneous supplies. I listed the beads for much cheaper than they used to be in The Slug and Lettuce because I just want them gone! Hope there is something special waiting for you. Oh, also I photographed a bunch of new owl pincushions (along with some other bits and bobs) yesterday, just need to do some light editing and they will be listed this week! Woot!

Happy How-Tuesday! I almost missed it this week, but here we go: we have tap pants, bangles, and a bombe! Enjoy. These tap pants are super cute and look very easy to make. I have been meaning to expand my collection of slip-like undergarments. Here is how to make them. These bracelets are inspired by expensive designer ones and are super easy! I am going to make a ton of them! Here is the tutorial. Oh Martha, you have done it again. A banana split bombe that looks too good to eat! Here is the recipe.

I recently got to visit my parents in my home town for Fathers Day weekend, and I had a lovely time. My family always makes me feel better about, well, everything. This particular trip was really great because I got a lot of encouragement when it comes to attaining my goals for the future. Oh, and some feather hair extensions, lol. My lovely  sister always does my hair when I go to visit, and she always makes me feel fabulous! If anyone down on the central coast is looking for a great hair stylist I suggest you look her up. Aura at Salon 544.  I mean, look at how cute she is! She is a genius when it comes to hair and a color specialist too. I would look like such a derp if it wasn't for her lol. Mom and dad were happy to see me, and I grabbed these pics of them being goofballs (Which is hard because mom never used to let me take her picture, but she is so pretty!): Anywho, mom and I went to downtown Paso for one of the days I was there and we went to our f...

I am in love with baby doll dresses. They make you look like you have an hour-glass figure no matter your body type, they hide your tummy, and are so feminine and sweet. You can wear them to a fancy brunch or just to work. And its a no-brainer in the morning when I am half asleep and cannot put together an outfit to save my life. Plus they are super trendy right now, though I can't think of a time when they would be out of style. The problem I find is that so many are so gosh darned expensive for such a simple dress. Even Anthropologie has a couple, namely here and here , and both are over $100. Granted I have found a couple at Target for about $25, but I knew I could make one on the cheap in no time at all. And here she is: Now, before you get all impressed I have to confess that I did not make this completely from scratch, but rather I made it out of one of my favorite old skirts and an old shirt: The skirt can be seen multiple times in my self portrait challenge over on fli...