Thrifty Wedding DIYs

Love is in the air......

But that doesn't mean your wedding budget has to be.

 

Many of my friends have gotten engaged recently.  Money is a big stress when it comes to the budget so, I found a few DIYs that will save you money and you can do in advance with inexpensive materials.  Please click on the underlined words for the tutorials.  ENJOY!!!

 

 

 

Dress up your pumpkins, bottles, vases with GLITTER.  This makes it look elegant and chic without spending a ton of money buying the same concept at the retailers.  You may use a stencil, tape, spray adhesive, glitter and set with HAIRSPRAY....yes, hairspray to prevent glitter fall out.

 

These star bursts to the right are small Styrofoam balls, dipped in glue, and rolled in glitter.....HOW EASY is that.  Then you spray paint some coffee stirrers or toothpicks gold and simply stick them in the foam to get the star burst look.  Hang these up for a dramatic look =)  ....gorgeous 

 

 

 

 

Paper flowers can be made with tissue or crepe paper, so inexpensive.  I LOVE THE LOOK and whimsy of it all.  Click on  "paper flowers" for the DIY link to these amazing creations.

 

 

 

Paper Garland is a great way to add your colors and style using tissue paper...this would be great for any party. 

 

 

 

REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE! Why not use what you already have or what others have used for their weddings.  Recycle your Wedding is a site where you can get GREAT deals for wedding items at a discounted price from previous brides.  You can even talk with  the seller to get more details.

 

  

 

 

 

Save bottles and empty candles for centerpieces

 

 

 



Fashion-Hair-Makeup

Tools of the Trade vol. 1



 I love makeup and watching makeup tutorials but let us be honest, I'm not going to pay $20 for a Mac brush when e.l.f. is less expensive.  E.l.f. can be found in Target and they have great basics to build your makeup collection as well as providing you with tools to practice new looks.  Here are some of my favorites.

 

Oh yeah!!! I forgot....who wants 50% off!!!!  If you get e.l.f. brushes take 50%  off when ordering $25 worth by 10/28. PROMO CODE "BRUSHES" !  ENJOY!!

 

FACE

 

e.l.f. Essential Total Face Brush- This brush is perfect for putting on setting powder and is only $1!!

 

 

e.l.f. Essential Foundation Brush- Although I do not use this for my foundation I do use it to put my concealer on under my eyes.  I first will put concealer on my finger, dab under my eye, and blend it in with this brush which is $1. 

 

 

 

e.l.f. Studio Small Tapered Brush- This brush is $3 and I use it to apply blush to the apples of my cheeks via the "smile" technique.  We have all done it, CHEEEESIN' for 2 min for blush =). 

 

 

e.l.f. Studio Angled Blush Brush- I use this $3 brush to contour and highlight.  If you want to give your face some dimension be sure to grab a bronzer a little darker than your complexion and place it under your cheek bones (upward motion with the "fishy" face).  Also place it on your temples for a slimming effect. 

 

EYES

 

e.l.f. Essential Eye Shadow Brush- This brush is $1 and is my go to for when I want to pack a color on my lid.  To make that color POP, wet the brush just a little and with a patting motion place it on your eye.  A swiping motion will not allow the shadow to stay in place.

 

 

e.l.f. Essential Blending Eye Brush- IF YOU GET ANY BRUSH GET THIS ONE! I love this brush for blending in the crease.  If you are doing a smokey eye this brush is great for blending any hard edges and making it look professional.  I also use this brush for contouring on the sides of nose. =)

 

e.l.f. Essential Eyelash & Brow Wand- Yes, the wand! Ladies, I have figured out that even if you don't style your eyebrows they are still the picture frame for the eyes so if you don't want to fill them in etc take a little hair spray and brush those brows it will look polished and put together. 

 

 

Both of these makeup looks were done with these brushes all under $3 ea!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Fashion / Hair / Makeup

 

Fall Fashion 2013 Trends

 

I have a serious love for fall and an even more passionate love for fall fashion.  Here are a few of the trends that I'm digging right now and some of the pieces I have purchased that coincide with these trends.  I will include links as to where I purchased items and will do a look book if anyone is interested.  ENJOY! (Dresslink Haul).  

 

1. Open Cardigans-  I love this comfy trend and how it can be dressed up or down.  The tribal look is still in and I am so excited.  Forever21 Cardigan  ($24) the cardigan I purchased from Dresslink ($8.88)

2. Flannel Shirts- Grab your school colors and wear this tailgating favorite.  Flannel shirts are casually cool with jeans but how cool are they with a black leather skirt and booties.  Go for it!  This J. Crew flannel is $89.50 while this Dresslink version is less than $10. 

 

3. Leather touches- Pairing really soft and girly blouses with a leather skirt is a way to toughen up a look and still stay inside your comfort zone.  Loving the leather touches.  These leather shorts from Nasty Gal are $68 dollars while the skirt I purchased was $7.50 from Dresslink.  Don't have to spend a lot on trends.

 

 

 

4. Black and White- There is something about black and white that is so effortlessly chic.  I grabbed a few pieces and I cannot wait to wear them with colored jeans or pencil skirts. 

Francesca's has a great selection of this season's neutral look!  Check it out, great prices and sales too! Since this is a Dresslink haul, I got these tops for all under $8 ea.

Cardi Blazer

Fly away cardigan

 

 Polka dot blouse

 

5. Last but not least, statement accessories- Chunky  necklaces, infinity scarves, bold bracelets, colored clutches........oh my, it's endless! I got mine all for under $5!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

That is it for now.  If you have any questions please leave a comment below.  I am overall satisfied with my Dresslink haul and the first time you order with them you get 20% off your total. 

 

Hope you enjoyed!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why Did I Start Blogging?

I decided that I wanted to start blogging because sometimes I find exactly what I want and other times I do not.  Sometimes I agree with people's points of view and other times I do not. 

I want to talk about the typical blogging things; family, friends, beauty, shopping, cooking etc.  BUT, I also want to talk about the things that people do not want to talk about like stigmas, reputations, the cloudy part of life. 

It's hard to relate to people that seem to "have it all."  I say "seem" because who knows what they are going through, really.  I just want people to be able to read what I'm willing to put out there and relate or perhaps realize that they are not alone in the daily struggles called "life."