{Leopard Nails Tutorial}

 

Start with a solid color base. I used OPI's 'Chocolate Moose', to create a neutral color scheme.

Add random dots of a brighter or metallic color complimentary to your base shade. I used a Gold Metallic OPI shade so it would stand out from the matte base color.

Now step #3 really takes a steady hand but it's worth it!  Take a black color, I used a cheap halloween black I found in my polish box, and make open ended circles around your spots.  The more uneven your lines are the better! Add some small dots of black to fill in blank spaces to complete the print.

Lastly, coat with a clear top coat like China Glaze 'Fast Forward' to set the design.

A pink and black color scheme would look amazing with this! Give it a try! :]

{Tutorial Try Out}

Evening Lovelies, today was a wonderful day playing hooky from work. ;) I got lots of great shopping and errand running done. I even had time to do a craft project and try out a small hair tutorial.  I get so excited on days when I can actually wear makeup and do my hair. This whole not working thing is awesome, lol, if only I didn't have to go back tomorrow...or make a pay check. Anyways, I saw this post on Pinterest and thought it was so pretty. 

All you do is pick out a cute elastic headband, and tuck your hair loosely into the back portion.  I used some bobby pins just so my layers wouldn't decide to stick out.  Give it a try!

blogs of note

'ello!
I wanted to share two blogs that I think are absolutely amazing. Definitely worth checking out. 
If your house were on fire, what would you save? What would you take with you on your journey forward?  Well...over at The Burning House people fill the blog with pictures (and accompanying lists) of what they would take with them.  As they say, it's a mixture between the "practical, valuable, and sentimental."  Here is a glimpse at a few...

The 2nd blog is a glimpse of the past.  Over at Dear Photograph people send in a photograph, of a photograph being held at the same spot it was taken.  Harder than I thought to explain in type ha ha ha.  People send in such sweet, cherished photos of their loved ones, accompanied with thoughtful captions.  A completely different take on reminiscing the past with more than just paper.  Well here are some examples..you'll get the picture :) (couldn't resist, you know you love it!)

Both blogs are stellar ideas, and something I would love to contribute to. Have a lovely weekend!

Wishing.

I'm planning on a few splurges this summer for our "nest".  Our home is slowly taking shape and it's been really amazing finding my own personal style! I can't wait to try and incorporate my style in my appearance personally, hopefully soon!  These are some of the lovely things on my mind right now.

having a real camera and not a phone would be amazing!

I am so looking forward to sending Polaroid postcards! Maybe you will be a recipient??

what an amazing idea! I'm definitely dusting off my treasured books

$20!? can it get any better?[click here for the Etsy shop!]

 

I would love a craft space like this! No need for a large space!

wishing...

 

 

i love the layers but i love the bow even more!

 www.modcloth.com

i may need to purchase these asap!

 www.modcloth.com

sewing + makeup = loving this!

 www.modcloth.com

i think this is the haircut i will be getting next month!

i love her accessories...i would love to own a House of Harlow item!

this may just be the perfect b-day gift for a best friend!

click here for this etsy store!

stunning!

click here for this etsy store!

no baby yet, but when i do this goes perfect with the elephant diaper bag!

click here for this etsy store!

 

 

 

i need this.

click here for this etsy store!

a girl can dream right lovelies?

bridal shower inspiration

I'm currently working on throwing a fabulous shower as MOH for a friend's summer wedding! I have been collecting inspiration and ideas for months now, and am ready to get started putting it all together....

 

 champagne punch recipe/click here

purple lily cupcake

French inspired wedding photo shoot/click here

I've got so many ideas! I hope I can bring it together ok, and host one lovely shower!

games galore

It's no secret I'm in love with boardgames.  Recently my husband and I had made some Scrabble theme gifts for last years Christmas.  We had so much fun and loved the end product. They are such a fun inspiration idea for so many projects, crafts, and parties! I decided to find some more boardgames themed projects to hopefully try out soon!

this is one of the signs we made :)

i would love to try these next since my bro has a screen printer!

Monopoly wine charms!

click here for "how-to"

colorful balloons and paper plates transformed to candy!

DIY info here

cozy and eclectic inspiration

There are some great antique shops just down by our loft that I am dying to scour. I am currently loving mustard yellow tones, as well as greenish greys (like below).  I really want to bring in the great colors of old books and vintage prints to hopefully achieve the cozy + eclectic look.  This is what's inspiring me... 

I love the exposed beams, colored couch & seats.

I love the layout of the clock & frames...so beautiful.

 above photo from casasugar.com

The hutch is absolutely stunning in this room.

 above photo from debutanteclothing blog

the modern chair fits so well against the simplicity.

 both chair displays from lovehome.co.uk

I really need to get some antique luggage.

www.elledecor.com

FRIDAY FINDS

So many wonderful things on the WWW!
Here are some things that caught my eye...

perfect bracelet for the sewing lover!

 www.modcloth.com

diy mini polaroid magnets

 tutorial at amrosiagirl blog

i'm going to try and attempt this hairstyle today! LOVE

are these not divine?!

www.lulus.com

what a great piece!

find it here

modern + vintage=love

So, being that the hubby and I are newly weds, we are putting together our little love nest one piece at a time.  I get so excited every time we save up for something we've been eyeing that we know would fit us just perfectly.  We currently live in a loft, but are dreaming of a wonderful little house we can make a home for a LONG while!  We are so ready to settle down in one spot, and to put everything in its place.

It's been spring cleaning time at the Orr home.  We bought some new storage containers and we are ready to shed excess clutter like no one's business!  We recently bought a shredder which is a must!  We get so much crap mail, hahaha, and we have some *ahem* salvage-rs that regularly look through our loft's community dumpster.  We have a great big box of shredding material that we are ready to consolidate.

Our main features in our living space are pretty modern.  The first is our TV base, from IKEA, in a black/brown finish.  Our second is a large micro-suede sectional in chocolate brown, with matching ottoman.  We wanted to break up the clean-modern with the quirky-comfy vintage.  We have yet to buy the other pieces to the entertainment center, but once we do we will have some wonderful shelving space to show off some great pieces.  One of which is a carved, ornate head of a woman that my dad bought in Germany and had fallen to it's demise when I was younger, only to be salvaged by a smart me!  My sis in law is fixing it up with a little putty and we are gonna give it a spray of a wonderful bronze color to bring it back to life with some luster!  More on that project later ;)     Here are a few details of things that we have, and also things we want to add to make a perfect space for the two of us!

so perfect for our lamp stand or entertainment center

i love adding different prints for more interest

these are exquisite and the yellow color is so vibrant and cheery

 Basically it looks like a bunch of random things together right now, but all this inspiration is going to make us one perfect room for two.  Have a lovely week!