NYE: Entertaining

If you missed my last two posts on this New Years Eve series, start here with creating your outfit, and then to the second post on beauty.

If there is anything you should know about me, it is that I love to throw my own soiree! The "entertaining gene" is so deeply rooted in me that I'm always dreaming about what party I want to throw next. In fact, the past couple years I've thrown a "CEO & Office Hoes Party" (huge success bt-dub), "ABC Party" (also a huge success) and my most recent for my housewarming was "Party Like a Rockstar". With all that said, a simple guide to entertaining on New Years!

Thou Shalt Not Let Friends Drink & Drive

As the hostess, it is your responsibility to make sure that people are being smart. So, as the fancy pants that I am I suggest finding the coolest, most awesomest (just made up a word!) party bowl you can find. Stick everyone's keys in it, and have them find you for the keys before they try to leave. It's an old-fashioned idea I know, but hey...with the fancy party bowl that their keys get to sit in, it's more exciting!.....maybe?

Thou Shalt Have The Coolest Party Decor

Get creative. I found this neat idea of counting down from 10 with old wine-corks, and decorating with hand-made clocks as decoration. When I throw a party, I'm usually on a limited college money-limit, or as I like to say "I'm always ballin' on a budget!" The easiest way to fill the room with decorations are balloons you can find at the dollar store. Since it's NYE, stick with Black, Silver/Gold and White for a theme. Or, here's an idea...

Re purpose your silver, black, and/or gold ornaments.

Hang them with opaque tulle and transform your space into a classy affair.

Party Trick:

Try covering balloons in confetti for an added pop!

Thou Shalt Have Delicious Cocktails

Everyone knows the key to a successful party is to keep the drinks flowin'! Ask your guests to each bring a bottle of champagne. Chances are, they won't mind contributing since you're providing the party and you won't mind because that helps you not go over budget. Search Pinterest for interesting cocktail recipes like this one; NYE New Orleans Drink Recipe called the French 75. Click on the picture for the recipe :)

Party Tip: Trash-Can Punch is never a bad idea, especially as a back-up!

Also, Here is a cute idea to re-purpose old mason jars by painting them Gold for New Years Eve! You can even go one step further and taking a black sharpie to each one as people arrive to add their name to it.

NYE: Beauty

Yesterday I touched upon some style-tips for creating the perfect NYE outfit. The next step is to coordinate your hair, make-up, and nails to complete your look!

Nails

Normally, I'm not the type of gal to paint my nails specifically to coordinate my outfit. Heck, i'm guilty of letting my finger nails run around naked most of the time! However, I've seen quite a few dashing little nail ideas running around on Pinterest. Does everyone remember my Pinyada-Yada-Yada nails from my birthday? Well...I've been toying with a couple of similar ideas for my own NYE ensemble. 

Sparkle White Nails (China Glaze, Snowball)

Matte black with lustre french-tip

Hair

On an everyday basis, I am guilty of sportin' a very plain hair-do. However, I dare you to change it up a bit for the sake of New Years Eve! Keep in mind of your outfit (since that was Step 1 and this is now Step 2 ;) In other words, if you're wearing an open-back, opt to have your hair up as to flaunt it. 

Loving the idea of big & bold curls

Hair-Chalking

Semi-Permanent color, perfect for an evening like NYE

PS: This is my inspirational photo for my own New Years look

Depending on the look you're going for.

But I'm all for the "Big Tease" as I like to call it

Then again, I am from Texas so go figure.

Makeup

Finally! The path to your perfect look is almost complete. My oh my! By now I shouldn't have to tell you to keep in mind the overall look you are going for, but in case you forgot...just remember k? And although I've already said it...New Years is a time for sparkles, dramatic looks and things you can't normally get away with an everyday scale. So have fun with what you decide to do!

The Classic Smokey-Eye

Glitter & Sparkles

Dramatic, Smokey-Eye/Glitter/Eyelash Galore!

In case you missed the last tutorial, Click Here for a style-guide on how to create the perfect outfit for New Years Eve

NYE: What to Wear

There is a theory that states the way you spend your New Years Eve can determine the way your year will be. Well, I don't know for certain if this is correct, but what I do know is that last year I had a very secluded and dreary NYE and overall this year has been anything but peachy. 

So...

With that said, this next series of posts will be how to have a fabulous New Years Eve. And it all begins with the outfit:

Dress Code:

I am a huge fan of New Years because it is one of those occasions where it is absolutely appropriate to dress head-to-toe in sparkles. There's a couple things to incorporate when creating the perfect NYE outfit.

Color: Black, Silver, Gold or Blue with the option to add pops of color are my favorite ensembles

Embellishments: Glitter, sparkles, gems, anything metallic, feathers, and fur are appropriate and encouraged

Variety & Balance: Keep in mind the entirety of your outfit with the look your trying to accomplish - this is true for any day and any outfit

Here are a few items from Miranda's Most Wanted list for some inspirational ideas

Post-Christmas Goodies

Greetings from my new laptop that doesn't die the second the power cord is removed! As always I hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas and survived visiting with family ;) I'm not a huge fan of bragging all over Facebook and Twitter about how AWESOME my gifts were and how I definitely made out like a bandit, but this is my personal blog...so here's a couple of my goodies:

Finally! Black Sparkle Toms! 

They've been on Miranda's Most Wanted list for quite some time

"How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World"

"Miss Manner's Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior"

Quite a thick book. Can't wait to read it!

Vera Wang Sheer Veil Eau de Parfum

Also a Miranda's Most Wanted item.

Very light yet distinct, very feminine and classy smell.

Now that it's after Christmas, it's time to prepare for New Years!

Friday Favorites

Favorite Hair-Do

Click on the photo for a tutorial

Favorite Glamour Look:

Favorite Quote:

Favorite Festive Drink:

Candy Cane Martini

Click on the photo for the recipe!

Favorite DIY Christmas Ornament:

Favorite Space:

Loving everything about this room

Tuesday Ten: Tips To Surviving Finals Week

Finals Week has a funny way of creeping up on us and driving nearly every college student to the brink of insanity. And when I say funny, it's more of the can't eat-can't sleep-heart's racing-caffeine overload-omg feeling. One day we were looking forward to a delicious Thanksgiving feast and the next we have woken to what feels like "survival week" (which is ironic since it comes after "dead week"). 

10. 

 Take Breaks - Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr are great ways to take a break from studying, yes. However, do not underestimate the power of meditation. Sounds silly, I'm sure, but effective at managing your stress overload.

9.

Nutrition - During a week of feeling like you have no time for cooking so you resort to a quick trip to Taco Bell, Taco Bueno, McDonalds, etc because it is more convenient may not be doing your brain justice for all the hard work you're putting in trying to to study. Remember to eat some fruits and vegetables, and drink lots of water. For some, just remember to actually eat something. You'd be surprised at how many people forget to eat because they've been cooped up in the library for 8 hours.

8.

Remember your vitamins - I especially recommend taking vitamins that focus on brain power. These include: B vitamins, Antioxidants, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, etc. 

7.

Manage your caffeine level - I cannot stress to you enough how important it is to keep track of how much caffeine you've had throughout the day. My sophomore year of college I drank so much coffee that not only was my hand shaking, but I couldn't even focus because I was too hyped up. I wasted time worrying and stressing about everything I had to get done, which needless to say is counter-productive.

6.

Make a list - ...of things that you need to get done throughout the week. Make a list of what you need to get done that single day. Put a reminder of when each task is due and at what time. 

5.

Keep track of what time each final is and where. By now I'm well versed in surviving finals week, but I always have that brief moment of forgetting when my actual final is. Check the schedule and write your exams down.

4.

Check your grades - Go online and figure out what  you currently have in the class. Add the total amount of points together, and figure out what you'd need to get on the test in order to get a C, a B, or an A. Sometimes it's nice to know all you need to score on the exam is a 35 in order to keep your grade the same.

3.

8am finals are never pretty. Quite frankly, neither is a 3 o'clock in the afternoon final. Find some time to primp for the day and "get ready". You'll feel better, and it just helps.

2.

It seems inevitable that you're going to lose a significant amount of sleep during Finals Week. The key is that even if you have to stay up all night during Monday for your Tuesday morning final, schedule some time to take naps. Otherwise, you won't be doing yourself any favors while trying to remember everything

1.

Remember everything you're looking forward to once Hell Week is over! Going home, seeing old friends, not having to worry about any assignments or exams, Christmas and New Years!

How To Be Lovely: Etiquette

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” — Audrey Hepburn

Ladies! I am thrilled to announce a new series I will be doing from here on out entitled "How To Be Lovely". Needless to say, when I first started this blog I knew from day one that I would be dedicating posts to this. I've recently been inspired by Lauren Conrad's series of Ladylike Laws. She put it quite simple, " Etiquette makes social situations easier to navigate. Furthermore, having good manners is key to showing and gaining respect". With that said, I think it is important for ladies of all ages and graces to understand the keys to etiquette. It is never too late. Along the way I'll be giving advice in regards to being lovely for every occasion. If you have any special requests, leave them below in the comments section or on our brand new All Things Lovely Facebook Wall!

Up Next: Holiday Gift Giving

DIY: Magnet Board

Pinterest-Inspired DIY Magnet Board!

This fine Sunday afternoon, my sister-in-law, Clare and I decided to make magnet boards out of a cookie sheet that you find from the dollar store! It's very simple, and it's fairly inexpensive. Originally I had gotten the idea to do this off of Pinterest (of course), from this photo below:

They did the same thing with the cookie sheet and scrapbook paper, but they cut the cookie sheets down to fit old vintage frames (tres cute!)...Mine, although not as fancy still came out pretty good.

Materials:

• Cookie Sheet from the Dollar Store (however many you plan to make)
• Ribbon 
• Scrapbook paper (from Hobby Lobby or Michaels)
• ModPodge and brushes
• Acrylic Paint
• Drill and drill-bit

Step 1:

Using the power drill, cut two holes at the top of the cookie sheet. This will be for your ribbon.

Step 2:

With the acrylic paint, cover the top and inner edges of the cookie sheet. You will probably need two coats. So, let the first coat dry or use your hair-dryer to save some time. It's acrylic, so it should dry fairly quickly.

Step 3:

Brush over the paint with ModPodge to give it a final coat, and let it dry

Step 4:

Adjust the scrapbook paper to fit the cookie sheet. Brush on the ModPodge to the cookie sheet and add the paper. If you're using textured scrapbooking paper, I would not put ModPodge on top but just on the bottom as if you're gluing it to the cookie sheet. Let dry.

Step 5:

Add decorative ribbon, and voila! 

DIY: Christmas Ribbon Tree

I trust everyone has been able to stay warm here lately. I know it's been quite chilly and rainy here in good ol' North Texas, so how about a simple DIY craft while you're cooped up indoors this Christmas season?

As always, Pinterest-Inspired

So, while I was home over Thanksgiving Break I so bravely ventured out into the evening of Black Friday to hit up Michael's and found some good deals. One of which was 6 spools of Christmas ribbon at $0.60/spool! I'm going to recommend sticking with the Styrofoam cone instead of doing what I did which was using a cone made of Cardboard (tried to save a couple bucks). I recommend this for a couple of reasons: You can use the pins as showed in the pictures above instead of hot glue (which I used) and I think it will be less time-consuming. Also, another time I would recommend is to use a relatively small cone, or make sure you have plenty of ribbon! You can't really tell in my photo, but the bottom three layers didn't make it completely around before I ran out of ribbon.

The steps to this are very simple:

1. Select your spools of ribbon and one Styrofoam cone from the craft store. Make sure to have plenty of ribbon, depending on the size of the cone you use

2. Cut strands of ribbon into approximately 3in strips (play with the length and use the length you prefer). Do this for each color of ribbon

3. Hot-glue or pin ribbon loops around cone using the same patterned ribbon on each layer

4. Repeat with different patterns of ribbon on each layer. 

5. Don't get frustrated if it doesn't come out exactly as you had hoped, or if it's not completely perfect. Afterall, it's part of the learning process!

DIY: Christmas Ornament Wreath

Hi Lovies. It occurred to me over Thanksgiving Break that I have been neglecting my blog recently. So allow me to introduce to you the first post in my 2011 Christmas Series. Today, a Pinterest-Inspired DIY Wreath

So, my senior year of high school I convinced my mom that we should do our Christmas tree in purple and gold, the colors of my high school. Needless to say, that was the only year we had a purple/gold theme and all of our purple and gold ornaments have been quite neglected. I was really hoping to make a peacock colored wreath (purple, teal, and a splash of silver/white) but that just wasn't in the cards...

Anyways, the steps to this are pretty simple and although it may not look like it, there is an actual a pattern to this. 

• Materials:
• Styrofoam Wreath (Choose a medium-sized one because once you start adding ornaments, the wreath gets much bigger!)
• Hot Glue Gun
• Plenty of glue sticks
• Lots of ornaments, varying in size
• Sparkly Tinsel (optional)
• Large Ribbon (optional)
• Scissors 
• Wire

These are the steps my mom and I kind of followed. You basically get the gist of it.

Step 1:

First and foremost, at the beginining of this project you want to add wire to the top so you can easily hang it once it's finished. Then,take your Styrofoam ornament and glue ornaments around the outer edge, as well as the inner part of the Styrofoam.

Wrap the wire around a few times for good support. Make a loop, and secure it. 

Notice, there is a bit of a pattern to this thinking

Step 2:

Continue filling in the second layer of ornaments, keeping in mind of how you want the ornaments sitting next to each other. You may not want the same exact color/shade ornament next to each other. You might. Just play around until it looks right to you.

Step 3:

Continue adding "filler ornaments". These may be smaller ornaments to fit into open areas, or larger ornaments that fit in the inner part of the wreath. Keep in mind of texture, luster vs matte, size, and embellished/plain ornaments to add variety, balance and interest. 

(Just showing the variety)

Step 4:

Make sure there are no open gaps. If there are, add a few more filler ornaments. Or, try cutting about an inch and a half of tinsel to stick in the holes. Once you have done that, you may choose to finish it off with a ribbon at the top or not. Voila! You have just made yourself a wreath that could have cost you up to $300.