I’m a big proponent of going as long as possible between shampoos but usually when I’m nearing day 3, and sometimes even day 4, I’ve got to get creative so that everything still looks “day 1″. For most, the battle between dirty hair and good ole’ shampoo is won by grease. When your roots begin to look like they’ve been pomaded, it’s probably time to suds up. But before you throw in the towel, a cute scarf conceals the grease and is oh-so-adorable in the summer with some cut-offs or a maxi!
Last weekend I went home to celebrate my birthday (and an engagement, and Father’s Day!) with my family and friends. It wasn’t a big birthday for me and there were other events to honor, so I kept it to a low-key dinner and drinks with my friends and husband. It got me thinking though, if I was going to have a big birthday party this year, what would by party be? Being born in the summertime in the 1980′s it would only seem fitting to have a party with a healthy does of neon. It’s bright and fun, current yet nostalgic and has a serious visual impact. More abstract themes like a color palette can be just as fun and often easier than choosing something more concrete and specific. It allows you to have a bit more freedom, while still creating cohesion. Neon has been making its way back into the mainstream over the last couple of years and now there are plenty of places you can find the colors of the more electric spectrum.
Earthy kraft paper makes a great contrast to the crisp neon colors on this invitation from Charm and Fig. Kraft and neon are both having huge moments in paper right now and this is a fun mix of these two trends.
If neon food coloring works as well as I’ve been seeing, I think I’ve found my new baking best friend! These are actually in a Halloween post but the color is amazing and how great would these look in metallic gold wrappers? This cupcake actually has a hidden talent, dipped in a tonic water gelatin solution, the frosting actually glows in the dark!
Fig.2 Design Studio has so many amazing wrapping paper patterns and they use neon quite liberally. Not just on their gift wrap but on some pretty amazing letterpress cards as well. These papers are amazing for wrapping gifts but can also be put to great use for party decor. Try these as place mats, table runners, vase wraps or wrapped around those neon cupcakes after baking. Napkin rings, paper chains, homemade party hats, the list goes on and on!
No party is complete without libations – the amazing color in this margarita comes from the juice of the prickly pear cactus. Some of the blended versions call for fresh pieces of the prickly pear fruit. The drink is very popular across the southwestern United States. You can find a recipe from Bobby Flay, king of contemporary southwestern cuisine, here. A few other liqueurs to work with for brightly colored drinks are Curacao, Chambord and Midori.
These smoothies are served in neon pink cups. Neon dishes are easily found even at regular party stores and many sources online. For more neon inspiration, check out this neon glow-in-the-dark party here. The birthday girl and her friends must have had an amazing time!
Finding the perfect gift for every occasion is so gratifying. These unique handmade plates by Nicole Porter Designs are an ideal choice to give at a neon party!
Hope you like these bright ideas!!!
Sources: Martha Stewart, Charm and Confetti, Recipe Snobs, MStetson Designs, Style Sweets
One of my absolute favorite wedding details has to be the sweetheart chair swags and signs that brides are doing. Sometimes it’s the small things that make a really big impression. Here’s a few of my top swag picks, starting with these darling ones by Yuling Designs, pictured above. They’re perfect for an outdoor rustic event!
I am obsessed with kraft paper at weddings! These ones by Sweet Emilia Jane are inexpensive and totally fab!
These hubby and wifey chair swags are perfect for a Vegas or Atlantic City wedding! And love these delicate watercolor triangle swags!
Try these simple and glittered signs by BHLDN or these free printable Bride and Groom signs from Love vs. Design – sweet swag!
Sources: Grey Likes Weddings, Style Me Pretty, Etsy, Martha Stewart Weddings, BHLDN, Love vs. Design
Like the bridal bouquets of today, vintage bouquets can be both big and small! Take inspiration from some of these gorgeous retro brides for your nuptials!
There are a great many fall and winter weddings in the works these days, so why not take a break from the summer heat to fantasize about a romantic, woodsy wedding, set atop a piney bluff, deep in the forest, or really any little spot surrounded by trees and cool crisp air. These are some of my favorite ideas to work with because there’s just so much inspiration to be found in nature. Cakes and fresh flowers, branches and leaves are a perfect pairing and one of the most beautiful and sophisticated choices for elegant wintery weddings. The whimsical fauna of the forest provides an adorably playful place to pull inspiration for weddings that are after some enchanted charm. So many ideas to fit so many styles…
Garland Greens: Wrapping garlands of rich leafy greens around crisp white cakes and rustic desserts is a stunning way to style your table. Request these custom items from your florist.
Crowned with Herbs: A clean white canvas is the perfect way to let an earthy mix of fresh picked herbs or branches shine. These cakes execute that concept perfectly.
Elemental Styling: Some of the most striking cakes are those that are styled with found objects and as found objects. These little twists are clever moments that seamlessly intertwine the entire event’s style.
Forest Creatures: Fungi, squirrels, insects…these cakes leave no stone unturned…and in so doing, the cakes created are beautiful and unforgettably quirky, speaking to the wedding’s fun vibe!
xoxo -
Sources: Cluney Photo, Tec Petaja, Apryl Ann, Cake Walk (created the sweets on the dessert table), Bows and Arrows (garland on the dessert table), Martha Stewart Weddings, Clare West Photography, Ryan Ray Photography , Enjoy Cupcakes (created the rosemary and berry cake), Heather Roth Photography, Rebecca Hollis Photography, Captured by Jen, Kiss the Groom, M. Robin Cakes
Now that we’ve gone over the whole soak-rinse-dry-overnight method for your makeup brushes, let’s go over daily maintenance. Although it may sound irritatingly fastidious, I highly recommend that you clean your brushes after each application. Your brushes have the potential to become a breeding ground for bacteria, resulting in breakouts and poor health. Not to mention, dirty brushes distribute pigment unevenly. You wouldn’t dream of painting your walls with a dirty paintbrush so why use oil and makeup clogged bristles on your pristine skin?
What to do: Use a spray brush cleaner that dries within minutes. Best of all, you can save your precious pennies and make it yourself!
You’ll need:
1 cup distilled water
1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
1/2 tablespoon Castile soap (again, I recommend Dr. Bronner’s Gently/Baby Liquid Soap)
1/2 tablespoon hair shampoo
1 tablespoon spray, leave in conditioner
Mix the above ingredients and pout the solution into a small spray bottle. To use, spray directly onto the bristles and wipe down with a tissue until all pigment is gone from the brush, like so:
Once you’ve made your solution, the spray is quick and easy to use!
In short, be good to your brushes and they’ll be good to you!
