Project Better Myself.

So, some of you might think that this blog post might end up being a cop out, but that's your opinion. Part of me is making this post for myself more than for anyone else, but at the same time, its nice to have some support, you know?

Basically, it all started last Friday when I went out with some of my friends from school. I came home after having a good time with them feeling a little better about myself than I had in a long time. Its amazing what compliments can do for a person. But then I reached a point in my internal monologue before bed that I realized all those quotes I've been saving a true. You know, the ones that basically say if you want something to change, then take the initiative and change it. There for, I'm beginning Project Better Myself.

Its simple things, nothing too terribly big. You know, the general eating better, taking longer walks with the dogs, and that kind of thing. But, There's a bit more to it. Little things to help me feel better about who I am and what I can do. Therefore, A more conscious effort to make myself presentable each day for class. Not just throwing a head band on, pulling my hair back and calling it a day. No, I'm gonna make myself look cute.

I want to take a little time to myself at least once a week to do something on my own. Right now I'm really feeling the whole going to Books*a*Million or Barnes and Nobel to enjoy an ice chai tea looking at the books or reading the local entertainment paper supplement things. I also want to enjoy time with my friends and going out and doing something with them at least once a week as well. Like, tomorrow, I'm going bowling. Who can't enjoy their life more while bowling? I mean, really?

The biggest thing that I am going to be working on is trying to compliment myself at least three times a day. Because, its one thing for someone you know to compliment you. Its another thing entirely to compliment yourself and truly believe what it is that you are saying.

So, this is my personal project and I'm pretty excited to get started on it, to be honest. And I think that once I really start enjoying things more, then I will be more apt to actually do so many of the projects that I have planned in the near future. And that has me pretty stoked.

Tutorial Tuesday Begins! Singed ribbon rosettes.

Hello my darlings! Look at me! I'm really trying to keep up with my schedule! I have to admit, I'm quite proud of myself really. But, I would be more proud if I had a better tutorial lined up for you. The past couple of days can only be described as "One of those days." But, just so you know, if you get hair color ALL over your white scrub pants? Hit them with your every day at home bleach bathroom and kitchen cleaner instead of the laundry prespray stuff. Let me tell you, that bathroom and kitchen cleaner? It does NOT play around. That stuff means serious business.

So, today's tutorial is from the post I made last month that showcased some headbands that were ridonkulous fun to make.

These little sugar blossoms of joy are not that time consuming. The most tedious part is cutting out all of the little circles.

And I might have gone just a teensy bit overboard. >.>

BUT LOOK AT ALL THE PRETTY COLORS!

For this project I used just your run of the mill satin ribbon. I cut out a plethora of circles in various colors and circle sizes. Then came the fun part! Sadly, I don't have any pictures of this because I was home alone and the idea of playing with an open flame with material dangling over it with one hand while trying to snap a picture in the other as my neighbor that lives below me was probably smoking while on his oxygen tank didn't really sound like a fun time to me.

Basically, I just took one of my hair clips to hold the circle over the flame of a candle. This was easier for me to control the distance I held the material and how I was turning it but easier than holding a lighter or something to do it by. Then, it was almost like roasting marshmellows. You know, where its best if you hold the fluffy white goodness out NEAR the flame and not so much INSIDE the flame.

Holding it close to, but not in the fire is how you get that nice, melted edge. Otherwise, it will turn black and singe instead of whatever it is called that it does (I'm totally up to par with technical terms and jargon...TOTALLY). It takes a little getting used to, there's no doubt about it. But once you get into a grove with it, it is quiet enjoyable, really.

Next comes the part where you get to layout your rosettes and pick how you want them to look. I did a bit of color mixing and matching today, and was pretty pleased with how some of them came out.

Once you get your order, hot glue the suckers together. I usually make a pile of the order I want, then turn it upside down so I can build up. I found the putting a dab of hot glue in the center of the bottom works better than putting it on the layer that is going down next.

(I would also like to point out my nails. Yes, they are grey and yellow with a grey design on the ring finger. I think The Daily Nail would approve.)

Once you get it all how you want it, sit back and bask in its cuteness.

But WAIT! It doesn't look finished! What do I do?!
Well, my friends. Much like with Captain Planet, the power is yours! You can put whatever tickles your pickle in the middle. I've been doing rhinestones and buttons, but anything could work. Just depends on the look you are going for.

And now that you've made a whole house load of these singed ribbon rosettes, what are you going to do with them? Anything you want! I made some rings and bobby pins that I am not going to show until I give them as presents for those that I made them for. So, you'll probably see them tomorrow. Glue them onto a headband for an adorable look. Which, as you can tell, is one of my favorite things to do with them.


Now, if I could only find a tutorial for how to keep your nail polish from chipping while doing crafts, that would be amazing. I'm in the processes of redoing four of my grey nails because of whatever reason my crafting made them chip. Sad times.

Oh well. Until tomorrow! :D

Portfolio Project, Post One

So, for those that don't already know I'm currently in cosmetology school. I'm working on my last semester before going into the nail tech classes next semester (which, I'm pretty stoked for, to be honest). In this semester we have to put together a portfolio, making it as professional as we can. Now, the main reason I got into cosmetology was because I thought it would be something good to have to go along with my theatre degree. And, well, it is. I have a plan of action, which I won't get into right now.

As for the portfolio, I am currently working on two. I'm working on one for my nails and the other will focus mainly on hair styling and makeup looks throughout the years. Mostly I'm doing things from 1900's to present, but we shall see if I toss in any other bits. So, one I realized what I wanted to do, I've been doing a lot of research on hairstyles and how to do them. Mostly, I got sucked into youtube videos. But, in the end, I found some pretty amazing channels with some very talented people.

My first portfolio look was with Stacey, a pretty awesome girl in my class. She just recently cut her bangs a bit more blunt across her forehead and instantly, I was reminded of a look that could be considered pin-up inspired or Rockabilly. For this look, I used an awesome tutorial by the ever fantastic Lisa Freemont Street. I somehow found her youtube channel and its been my best friend for the past few days. Here is the video of how to do the style I picked for Stacey.


Reverse victory rolls and curls.

A few things that I did differently on this than in the video, is that I did not use hot rollers. Which, I'm not happy about. My teacher made me use magnetic rollers and set her under the drier. These didn't make curls as soft as I wanted them, but velcro rollers wouldn't have given me the curl that I wanted in the back. Next time, I might use a mix of both, because the velcro are good for volume. But, I digress.

It took longer than I would like to admit to get the reverse rolls down, but I finally did. For my first time attempting this look, I'm please. I won't lie. Yes, there are things that bother me, but for the most part, I think it looks amazing.


She had a bit of bang that came out of no where, so I just pin curled it and sprayed it in place against the roll. This is also the better looking roll out of the two.


This side is a bit more bumpy than I would have liked, but that was because I couldn't get the breaks between rollers to go away. Something I still need to work on.


The back I had to hit up with the curling iron in the end, anyways. Which was annoying, but at least it looks good!


All in all, I'm seriously tickled with the end process. Even her makeup looks great! I honestly couldn't do it without the help of Ashley's (Lisa Freemont Street) videos. So, if you're reading this, Ashley. Thank you. Without your awesome videos I wouldn't even begin to know where to start on these looks. Knowing what tools to use is sometimes the hardest and I've learned so much by watching your videos and reading your blog.

And if you aren't Ashley, then I HIGHLY recommend checking her out. She's a self taught vintage chick. Her videos range from tutorials, to product reviews, to makeup, and so much more. I'm just getting into reading her blog and so far, I'm hooked. So, for you other vintage vixens out there, please check her out.

Until tomorrow :D

At least it wasn't a complete month, right?

Starting school again really kicks your tail. I don't care how old you are or how long you've been going to school. Its something getting used to a new schedule. Which, I know is a crappy excuse for not posting, but its true. I'm also in the process of trying to organize my entire life and starting Project Better Myself in the next bit. And because of this, I've come up with a posting schedule for my blog. I figure once I get set and all calendarized, then it will be easier to post. That way I know what I need to put up and when. Instead of just having this blank blog entry page with nothing in it. You know, because "I can get to that tomorrow."

Well tomorrow has come! And with it, a banner and new layout. :D
It also came with a few other ridiculously simple graphics.
It is also nonrefundable.

So, I would like to unveil to you my posting schedule. I'm pretty excited about it, even if I realize I'm in the minority. But, you know...whatevs. At least I have documentation of the things I've done and that's better than nothing.


Mane Event Mondays will mostly showcase something dealing with hair. Be it product reviews, styling suggestions, or portfolio pictures, it will be here. Though, I might mix it up a bit and include other things from cosmetology. You know, because Cosmetology Mondays just doesn't sound as good. And I'm all about alliteration, thank you.


Tutorial Tuesdays will showcase tutorials. Pretty self explanatory, I know. But I will also include recipes in this daily post. Because, as far as I'm concerned, if I'm telling you how to do it, then its a tutorial. So there.


Project Hump Day is a day to showcase any of the projects that I am working on or have finished in the past.


Trowback Thursdays are kind of dedicated to my friend Amber. I asked her a long while ago for some blogging tips and one of the things she suggested was something dedicated to the crafts of yore. Or, you know, primary school. So this day will showcase things from the past. Anything from revamping those school day crafts to just general childhood memories worth remembering will be fond on Thursdays.


Friday Night Links will showcase some links that I think are pretty nifty.


Wildcard Weekends are for whatever the heck I want to post about. Pretty simple, yeah?



So that is what we have to look forward to, internets. Now, let the pool begin of when my next actual post will be. *sighs* I'm shooting for Monday. For reals.