Winter Inspired Nails

Here's one of many inspired nail art looks for the winter season. Although it's very simple I think it looks adorable with whatever you're wearing. 

I used these colors for the design. Sparkles are another cute touch also :)

DIY Bold Ribbon Bracelet

Just a quick DIY for Day 6 of 25 Days of Christmas Crafts! This bracelet is a perfect gift to give away or a wonderful piece to a holiday party outfit! :)

What you need:
~Solid colored bangle
~Ribbons

What to do:
Without cutting the ribbon, wrap it around your bracelet and tie a bow; don't worry, it doesn't have to be perfect. Cut off the excess and then untie your bow. You can now use this length of ribbon to measure out the other ribbons. You can have as many as you want; for mine I chose to do three. Simply tie your lengths of ribbon in a bow around your bracelet and pull it tightly. Get creative with other colors combinations like red and white or different hues of blue. :D

Holiday Decoration Inspiration

Need some new ideas for your holiday decorating? Here's 4 new things you can do with your decorations.

1. Display a Scene: This doesn't have to be a nativity scene, there are many more possibilities! Try a winter theme with fake snow and snowmen and possibly some snow covered trees. This scene can be displayed on a shelf, on top of tables or cabinets, in a shadow box or below your Christmas tree. 

2. Focus on the Dinning Table - Your table in your dinning room is one of the main places that you should focus on decorating. Try making a center piece, the options are endless for what you could do. Candles, golden accents and festive trinkets are a must for the holiday season. Chose some colors you really love that you can use on your table setting as well as the rest of the room to pull the area together.

3. Add Your Own Artwork - You don't necessarily have to know how to paint to add a cute photo to the wall of your house, thrift stores are a great way to find unique paintings. You can re-purpose the painting and add a new matte with an intricate frame. In this picture I have two newly matted pictures as well as some cute wall stickers. Though you may not have painted the pictures yourself, the display of them is artwork on it's own.

4. Lights - Think of some different places you can use your extra Christmas lights or maybe even change up the lights you normally use on your tree. Putting white lights on your tree give it a gold like color and a classic feel while multicolored lights add a festive feel and is obviously much more colorful; blue lights are also a wonderful way to create a wintry essence. The best part about the holiday season is that you can pretty much get away with putting lights anywhere and everywhere. Don't be afraid to add a string around a mirror, doorway or window.

The Classic (Extra Sweet) Hot Chocolate

What better way to spend your time lounging by the fire than with a cup of hot chocolate? This is my classic recipe for hot chocolate - probably the most simple but definitely delicious. The best part is it's very flexible, you can add or take away anything you want from this recipe to make it your own. 

Here's what you need:

~Your favorite mug

~Milk/Water - whatever you prefer. 

~Hot Cocoa Mix - mine also had mini marshmallows :D

~Whipped Cream

~Cinnamon Sugar

~A Candy Cane

What to do:

Heat up your milk or water, whatever you chose, and add in your cocoa mix till it satisfies your chocolate desires. Next, mix up some cinnamon sugar by combining 3 spoons of sugar and 1 spoon of cinnamon. Top your hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on top. I also add a bit of extra cocoa powder. Finish it off by adding a candy cane on the side. This hot chocolate is both minty and super sweet. :) 

Christmas Playlist

The best gift to give (well one of the best) is the gift of music. Here I collected a list of my favorite seasonal songs. You can burn these songs on as a mixed CD and give it to a friend in a cute decorated CD case. Here I've also included a tutorial to burning CD's with iTunes as well as ways to decorate your CD case and things you must inclued.

Top 10 Favorite Seasonal Songs:

1. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays by Chicago
2. Peppermint Winter by Owl City
3. Jingle Bell Rock by Brian Setzer 
4. I'll Be Home for Christmas by Dean Martin ft. Scarlett Johansson (2011)
5. Miracles by Kenny G
6. Last Christmas by Metro Station
7. Winter Moon by Mindy Gledhill
8. I Don't Want to Spend Another Christmas Without You by The Ready Set
9. O Holy Night by He is We
10. Meet Me Under The Mistletoe by Never Shout Never

How to Burn a CD with iTunes:

Step 1: Go to the top left corner of iTunes and click on the tiny black and white box. Select new and then new Playlist. Or just press Crl + N for a shortcut.

Step 2: Add the songs or albums you would like to your playlist by dragging them over to the side. If you add too many your CD may not be able to burn all of them so don't go overboard. Name the playlist if you would like and then click done when you're finished. 

Step 3: Go to playlists in your iTunes library. Right click on your playlist and select 'Burn Playlist to Disc.' 

Step 4: This message will pop up. Select the amount of gap time you would like between each song and click burn. Your CD drive will pop open and you can insert a blank CD. 

Step 5: Wait for iTunes to do it's thing and enjoy your newly burned CD! 

CD Case Decorating Ideas/Must Haves:

• Include a list of the songs ~ Make sure to let the receiver of your gift know what songs are included on the CD so that they can continue to share the songs to more people. You can type or hand write the list out in order cut a cute border and paste on the back of your case with ribbon or buttons. 

• Add another surprise inside ~ Like movie tickets or a gift card; you can fit them on the inside of the case as an extra surprise gift. 

• Write a message on the cover slip ~ After decorating a cute front for your case on some paper, fold it and add a letter or message on the inside. Slip it into the front of your case and add a small arrow in the corner to let them know it's there. 

• Decorate with fun items ~ Use things like stickers, buttons, ribbons, little doodles, fabric, fun patterned paper and music notes. Anything goes!

Homemade Beauty Products

We all need some time to relax during the holidays. Here's a few good homemade beauty products that you can use to pamper yourself when the hustle and bustle of the season gets too rough or you could whip up these products and give it to a friend as a gift.

Avocado Deep Conditioner:
Lasts: Use as soon as you make it.
Ingredients: Avocado, extra virgin olive oil and honey.
Steps: Cut your avocado (use 1/2 with short hair and a whole with longer hair) and mix with a tablespoon of honey and a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in a bowl. Apply a small amount to top of hair and a larger amount to the lower section of your hair; secure away from face and clothing. Leave the mask in for about 15-20 minutes and then take a shower.
Great For: People with dry hair. This mask will help strengthen, soften and moisturize your hair as well as reduce frizz and help your hair grow.

Homemade Lip Scrub:
Lasts: About 2 weeks (placed in fridge)
Ingredients: Olive oil, honey, coconut oil, brown sugar.
Steps: Mix about a spoonful of each ingredient in a bowl and pour into a container. Take off of your lips whenever you deem is the right time.
Great For: Gets rid of dry skin and softens your lips by exfoliating. This product is also edible :)

Easy Facial Toner:
Lasts: About 1 week
Ingredients: Water and chamomile tea
Steps: Heat up the water and add your tea bag. Once brewed for about 1-2 minutes pour into a container. Apply with a cotton pad in the morning or right before bed.
Great For: All skin types. This product will soothe and cleanse the skin.

Cute Candy Cane Jar

What you'll need:

~ Stuffing
~ Red and green buttons
~ Red and green ribbons of your choosing
~ Glass jar
~ Candy canes

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Tie your ribbons together in a bow around the top of your jar and arrange it to your liking. Next fill the jar half way with stuffing. Add in some red and green buttons of various sizes. Fill the rest of the jar with stuffing and buttons; this helps the buttons to be spread out evenly. Add candy canes and place wherever you want! You can use this jar for pretty much anything you like to add a cute little Christmas decoration to your home. <3

25 Days of Christmas Crafts

To get into the holiday spirit I thought it would be a good idea to make a new post everyday for the month of December until Christmas. What better way to prepare for the holidays than to share a new crafty DIY each day? You can use these ideas as gifts or simply for a cute way to decorate your house. Craft idea for day 1 will be up shortly so be on the look out! ~ Happy Holidays ~

Favorite Online Stores

I have a few online stores that are just so adorable that I had to share them with you. Hopefully sharing this list will inspire you to check them out and maybe buy some of the adorable things they sell; I know I'm gonna buy some things! ^.^


1. Hello Miss Apple: http://www.hellomissapple.com/ 

What it sells: 

Jewelry ~ rings, necklaces, bracelets, anklets and toe rings. 

Best known for: It's dainty jewelry. 

Favorite items: http://www.hellomissapple.com/collections/rings/products/fushia-heart, http://www.hellomissapple.com/collections/bracelet/products/anchor-bracelet, http://www.hellomissapple.com/collections/necklace/products/star-moon

2. Imsmi: http://www.imsmistyle.com/

What it sells: 

Jewelry ~ necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, anklets, watches

Phone case w/ logo

Best known for: Adorable and simple watches. 

Favorite items: http://www.imsmistyle.com/collections/watch/products/stripes-faux-leather-watch, http://www.imsmistyle.com/collections/earrings/products/anchor-earrings, http://www.imsmistyle.com/collections/new-arrivals-1/products/delicate-stone-necklace-1

3. Louun: http://www.shoplouun.com/

What it sells:

Jewelry ~ necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings, anklets

Best known for: It's many rings.

Favorite items: http://www.shoplouun.com/collections/ring/products/crescent-moon-ring-2, http://www.shoplouun.com/collections/bracelets/products/infinity-hand-chain, http://www.shoplouun.com/collections/frontpage/products/sideways-wishbone-necklace

Lemon Iced Tea

As the weather is getting warm, I love to make sweet cold drinks, I have another smoothie recipe that I will share with you also, but in the meantime here's a recipe for lemon iced tea:



What you need:
~A pitcher (enough to hold 4 cups)
~Water
~6 regular tea bags
~1 lemon
~Tablespoon of sugar

1: Boil 1 cup of water and brew your 6 tea bags in it for about 10 minutes

2: Once brewed, add to the pitcher with 3 more cups of cold water.

3: Cut your lemon in half and then cut one half into slices. 

4: Squeeze the half lemon into the tea and add in the lemon slices.

5: Add about a tablespoon of sugar and stir

6: Enjoy :)