Makeup Tips & Trends From the Spring 2014 Runways

These makeup tips and trends from the spring runways are brought to you by Walgreens and Collective Bias®.  #WalgreensBeauty #shop #cbias

Spring is in the air here in Southern California.  Would you believe that our weather has been a very warm upper 80's all week, with one day getting as high as 92 degrees?  With the weather getting warmer, it's time to update our looks and freshen up our makeup for spring!  Using the Spring 2014 New York Fashion Week runway photos and looks as my guide, I came up with a list of hot new makeup tips and trends to help you look your best in the new year.

While some of the runway looks are a bit more conceptual, there were a handful of trends that you can easily incorporate into your beauty routine to get a hot new fresh look!  A big thanks goes out to my lovely sister-in-law for modeling these new makeup looks for us. Isn't she gorgeous?!

Makeup Trend #1- Orange Lips

Wait, stay with me here!  Surprisingly enough, orange lips are very flattering on most skin tones.  You can choose a bright orange lip, or go with more of a red-orange look.  The whole idea is to have a neutral face and eye but add that pop of color on the lips.  We did a little bit of eyeliner and mascara, but kept it minimal to really let the lips steal the show!  The lips look very red in these photos, but they were a lot more orange in real life.

Before our makeup shoot I stocked up on new makeup from Walgreens.  They have a huge selection of brands and colors to choose from, and prices that won't break the bank!  I went with Revlon products, and bought some fun new shades that I was excited to try.

When using a bright lip color, be sure to line your lips first with lip liner so your lipstick doesn't bleed outside your lip lines, and to keep your lip line nice and crisp.

For this look we lined the lips with Revlon ColorStay Lip liner in Red, and then used Revlon Moon Drops Creme Lipstick in Hot Coral.

I LOVE this bright lip color, and it looked amazing on Holly and I both.  You can also dot a tiny bit of a lighter lip liner on your cheeks, and then rub it in for a light, natural-looking rosy cheek.

Makeup Trend #2- Black Liner

The retro black lined eyes were definitely HOT on the runways for spring, and can be done a few different ways.  Precise cat eyes are big this season, as well as smudgy black eyes that are lined on the top and inside the bottom lid.  You can go neat or a little smudgy and messy with this look, but either way will make your eyes stand out.  A neutral lip is best for this look.  You can stick with a nude lip, or add a little pink for color.

I used Revlon's ColorStay Liquid Liner in Black to create these cat eyes.  Be sure to start on the inside edge of the eye with a very thin line.  As you get closer to the outside of the eye, gradually make the line a little thicker, and slightly higher.  You can take the edge of the liner out as far as you want depending on the look that you are going for.  Mistakes are easy to fix with a Q-tip dipped in a little water or makeup remover.  You don't have to line underneath the eye, but you can for a more dramatic look.

We used Revlon's Luxurious Color Eyeliner in Black to create her bottom line.  This pencil was perfect, because it came with a little smudging tool on the end of the pencil to help soften the liner line to create more of a smudgey look.

Makeup Trend #3- Light Wash of Pastel Eye Color

This is probably the most "springy" of the three looks I'm sharing with you today, and is very simple to create.  A pretty wash of pastel eyeshadow on the lids was huge on the runways, and can be a great way to add a little spring to your makeup routine.  Light green and purple were frequently spotted, but light blue and pink are also great colors to use as well.

This technique couldn't be easier!  Just sweep the color along your eyelids with a brush.  You can add a little liner if you like, along with some mascara, but the idea is to keep the eye simple and light.  We used Revlon's cute little compact eyeshadow single in lime.  To keep the look soft and airy, I used Revlon's Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Snow Pink on her lips.

I hope these trends help you to freshen up your makeup look this new year, and make you feel great about yourself!  It's so fun to try out new looks and colors… which look are you the most excited to try?

If your powder makeup ever breaks, don't throw it away!  Did you know that you can easily fix it?

It's easy to make your own DIY glitter shoes from a worn out pair of heeels that are sure to make you sparkle!  Check out the tutorial here.

If you liked this project, please follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Bloglovin', and Instagram.

xo, Laura

DIY Anthropologie-Inspired Snow Globes

Last year I posted a Christmas project tutorial that was very popular.  It was inspired by an Anthropologie version of a snow globe that was pretty, but was soooo overpriced.

I don't mind paying for some items at that amazing store, but when it's something that I know I can DIY at home for so much cheaper, then you can bet I'm going to do it!

If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen that my version was just featured in Mother Earth Living Magazine, a wonderful magazine that is sold in Barnes & Nobel, Walmart, and many other places.  It's my first time having my work featured in print, and I can't describe how cool it is to flip through the pages of the magazine and see my project!

In honor of it being published, I thought I'd bring back this tutorial and share it with you today... enjoy!

Don't get me wrong, I love Anthropologie as much as the next person, but seriously, $28 for a small and $40 for a large mason jar snow globe?  These snow globes are adorable, but I knew that I could make them for a LOT cheaper using some mason jars from my collection and some bottle brush trees.

I've been wanting to make these for weeks, but those darn trees have been so elusive!  The only place I could find them in stock (finally) was at Home Depot, of all places, for around $7.50 for a whole bag of 21 trees. Great deal!

So here's my Anthropologie Inspired Snow Globes, with a much more reasonable price tag. And they can be made in under 5 minutes each!

And just for fun, let's compare versions and prices:

I think Anthropologie has some serious competition with my DIY version, don't you agree? Especially when mine costs 1/20th and 1/14th of their price!!  Here's how to make your own beautiful snow globes...

Supplies:

• Mason Jars (any shape and size you would like to use)
• Bottle Brush Trees (from Home Depot, Michaels, Joannes, etc...)
• Fake Snow or Epsom Salt (I used fake snow because I wanted it fluffier than Anthro's version)
• Glue Gun
• Clear Glitter (optional)
• Small Rocks or Clear Pebbles (optional)

Step #1-  Glue a tree onto the inside of a mason jar lid.  If you want your tree to sit higher, so that you can add more snow, then glue your tree to a small rock or pebble like I did.

Step #2-  Add as much snow and glitter as you would like to the jar, with the opening up top. Screw on the lid, turn the jar upside down, and be amazed at how easy and beautiful your new snow globe is!

These snow globes are so pretty to decorate with, and would make a great gift with a cute tag and ribbon wrapped around the base!  I hope you enjoy making these as much as I did.  Cheap, fast, and easy, the best kind of DIY project, right?!

P.S.  If you were thinking about adding water and glycerin to this version, DON'T, unless you want to have a "blue Christmas" ;)  Not that I would ever try such a silly thing.

If you liked this project, please follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Bloglovin', and Instagram.

XO, Laura

My Bedroom Makeover with World Market

We recently made some room changes in our house, and turned our downstairs family room into our master bedroom.  I love that I now have my computer armoire in our bedroom.  I even had extra space to bring in a large desk as my craft/work space. 

With this new space, however, I am in desperate need of a $5,000 dollar makeover to get some fun accessories and some added color to spruce up my new bedroom work area.

So of course I turned to World Market for some design inspiration for turning my new space into a cozy, comfortable retreat and fun working space.  Some virtual shopping was definitely in order!

Here is what my current craft and work space looks like in my room... nice, but a bit blah.  We just put up these shelves that I love, but they are currently sitting empty until I get a plan.  I desperately need to add some accessories and some color to make my area more fun and inviting.

Here are the amazing items from World Market's new fall collections that caught my eye, perfect for sprucing up my boring office space in my bedroom....

1 Natural Bistro Chair Cushion // 2 Espresso Austin Metal 3-Tier Cart // 3 Austin Paper Tray // 4 Black Bailey Wall Clock // 5 Yellow Austin Metal Box // 6 Large Moving Wooden Hands // 7 Two-Tier Wire Spice Rack // 8 Baldwin Barrel Umbrella Stand

I need storage space in my work area, so I love the rolling cart to place my current projects on, as well as the matching paper tray that can be stacked to organize all my paperwork and multiple lists that I always have going!  The wall clock would  fit perfectly and look amazing in the top right bare area above my desk.  I just LOVE the yellow Austin metal boxes- they are just the pop of color that I need in my work space, and are a great storage option, too!  

The two-tier spice rack would look great on my wall in the bare space just above my desk. I would use it to hold containers full of my most used craft and office supplies, like pens, pencils, scissors, small bottles of paint, etc.  And the barrel umbrella stand?  A perfect place to hold anything I want, like tall wrapping paper rolls.  

Since this is my bedroom as well, I also want to add some color to my bed area. Currently I have a nice big wood bed frame with a leather ottoman at the foot of my bed. Again, good bones, but it could use a little more accessorizing, don't you think?

World Market's new collections have some perfect options for making over my bed area...

1  Light Natural Cowhide Rug // 2  Amber Art Nouveau Chenille Throw Pillow // 3 Chunky Lurex Fringe Throw // 4 Amber Velvet Lumbar Pillow

Can we just take a minute and marvel in how beautiful the cowhide rug is?  This would look amazing at the foot of my bed in front of the leather ottoman, don't you think?!  The two yellow and white pillows blend perfectly with the pop of color that the metal boxes gave to my desk area.  I would have to get new bedding to match, of course.  And the fringe throw?  I would lay that over my leather ottoman, for those chilly nights when I want to cuddle in bed with a good book or movie and be nice and snug.

World Market has three new amazing collections that I chose my makeover items from: Maison Des Artistes, Urban Dwellings, and Glasgow Fog.  There are great pieces in each collection, and I love different things about each collection.  As you can see from my office makeover choices, I love anything and everything that has the word Austin in it, from the Austin metal three-tier cart, to the Austin paper tray, and the Austin yellow metal boxes.  I think they fit in perfectly with the vintage-style black phone that I currently have sitting on my desk.  

Which collection is your favorite?

Do you have a room that needs a makeover?  Right now you can enter to win a $5,000 World Market shopping spree, plus a personal shopping experience and design consultation with one of World Market's top design bloggers!  Three first prize winners will also receive a $1,000 World Market gift card.  

Be sure to enter World Market's "Spruce Up Your Space Sweepstakes" here.  You can also earn bonus entries just by liking their Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, & Tumblr brand pages.  Last day to enter is Sept. 6th.  Which room in your house needs a little sprucing up?  I bet a $5,000 World Market shopping spree could do the trick! ;)

Good luck!

xo, Laura

I am  a member of World Market's Trendsetter Tribe, and received compensation for this post.  All opinions are 100% mine.

Heffalumps and Woozles Jewelery

This post is brought to you by Disney and Blueprint Social.  All opinions are 100% mine.

I was raised on Disney movies.  Every Sunday evening growing up my family would gather around and watch "The Wonderful World of Disney" together.  I own almost every Disney movie there is, from the old classics to the new hits.  So you can imagine my excitement when I was asked to create a craft inspired by Disney's The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

I grew up watching this classic movie and have the whole thing pracitically memorized!  I recently watched it again, and loved reliving the friendships, imagination, and adventure of the Hundred Acre Woods.  I loved seeing some of my favorite characters come alive in this timeless classic, and loved sharing the magic of Winnie the Pooh with my four children, who are big fans too!

One of my favorite parts of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is the Heffalumps and Woozles song and dream that Pooh has.  Remember that scene?

Tigger tells Pooh to beware of Heffalumps and Woozles, who love to steal honey, so Winnie the Pooh falls asleep and dreams his honey being stolen by them.  The line from the song "They're green, they're blue, they're pink, they're white..." stuck with me, and I decided to create a colorful Heffalumps and Woozles necklace and bracelet for my girls to wear.

Supplies:

• Wood elephant buttons (found at my local craft store)
• Green, blue, light pink, and bright pink all-surface craft paint
• Paintbrush
• Natural color round wood beads
• Thin ribbon (or jewelery cord)
• Thick clear embossing powder (optional)
• Watermark ink stamp pad (optional)
• Embossing heat tool (optional)
• Glue gun

Directions:

1.  The wood elephant buttons come with an orange design on the front side, and a natural wood color or an orange color on the back side.  Paint the plain (or orange) back side and the edges of the elephants with each of the colors listed above, one color per elephant.  Leave one elephant back natural (to represent the white elephant in the song). This will be enough for one necklace.  Paint three elephants in any of the colors you like to make the bracelet.  Let dry.

2.  To give the elephants a shiny finish, ink the painted side with a clear watermark stamp pad.  Sprinkle on a thin layer of thick clear embossing powder, and heat with an embossing heat tool.  This will melt the powder onto the elephants and create a shiny surface.  Repeat two or three times to create a smooth layer.

3.  Using the thin ribbon, string one elephant, one round bead, the next elephant, etc., until all 5 elephants have been strung, with one bead in between each one.  Hot glue a small line of glue on the back side of each elephant under the ribbon, so that the ribbon sticks to the elephant and keeps them in place.  Use this same technique to make the bracelet.

4.  Use a slightly thicker ribbon to make two small bows, and attach to each side of the necklace with a glue gun.  Hold a lit match under the ends of the ribbon bow to seal the ends and keep them from fraying.

Isn't it cute and colorful?  My daughters are both in love with their new Heffalumps and Woozles necklace and bracelet, and they match with lots of their outfits because of the various colors in the jewelery.  I love that every time I see them wear their cute jewelery, it will remind me of the loveable characters in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh!

I have some exciting news for you!  The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack and HD Digital on August 27th!  Be sure to follow Winnie the Pooh  on Facebook... he's one popular bear with almost 8 million likes!!

Who is your favorite Winnie the Pooh character?

xo, Laura

You can also check out the links below for some crafts and snacks that other bloggers were inspired to create from Disney's The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

Inspired By: Anchors

I've been anxiously awaiting the arrival of summer lately, which means my anchor obsession is in full force.  Anything nautical makes my heart happy!  

Here are a few lovely anchor inspiration pieces that I'm drooling over...

1 //  Anchor iPhone Case     2 // Anchor Belt   3 // Anchor Tote   4 // Anchor Chair 

5 // Nautical Wrapping Paper   6 // Travel Bag   7 // Maritime Coasters

Do you love anchors too?  Are you ready for summer?  I'm counting down the days!

xo, Laura