Category — DIY

In case you haven’t caught on yet, I’m a huge fan of body scrubs, creams, and whatever other skin softening products I can get my hands on.  I obsess over my skin – gotta have that bare confidence, and it starts with your skin, and I seriously hope it pays off in spades when I am old and [less] wrinkly than my friends.  Ha.  Okay, I kid.  I’m going to make all of them scrub, exfoliate, and hydrate away, so they can be [less] wrinkly, just like me!

So let’s talk scrubs.  There are oh so many scrubs available at every price range, but all have two common elements - a moisturizing liquid and a coarse exfoliating agent – and, lo and behold, the mix can be recreated at home without much trouble.

One of my latest “swoon list” participants (oh yes, I have a laundry list of products I swoon over!):  Brown Sugar Body Scrub.  So to the grocery store I went.  At first I thought I’d make a brown sugar scrub, but I quickly realized none of the brown sugar options had the coarse-ness I was looking for.  In the end I chose an unrefined sugar (and it worked beautifully!)  Did I mention everything I needed was at the grocery store?  Score!

DIY Sugar Scrub:

• 1 cup Coarse Sugar (or brown sugar for a less coarse version)
• 2 Tbsp. Honey
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Any High Grade Oil such as Jojoba or Sweet Almond Oil (I used Sweet Almond Oil)
• 1/2 tsp. Fresh Lemon Juice or Lemon Oil (If using oil use 1/8 tsp.) (Optional)

Pour the brown sugar into a bowl and add in the oil until the brown sugar is moist, but not over-saturated.  Next, stir in the honey and mix.  Finally, add fresh lemon juice, stir again, and voila!

On a side note, the lemon keeps the scent light and fresh, but it’s not necessary, so if you’re looking for warmer tones – the sugar and honey will smell buttery sweet on their own.

The scrub leaves your skin feeling incredibly soft and the scent is amazing!

I stored my sugar scrub in an air tight container and quickly realized with a bit of ribbon, your homemade sugar scrub would make a great gift too (hint hint: mother’s day!)

Do you have any DIY beauty tricks?  Do you ever make your own beauty treatments?

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I have big, BIG, weekend plans … it involves sweat pants and blogging.  So relieved to get back in the swing of things.  Don’t get me wrong, vacation is magical, but it’s also a whirlwind and the first and last few days of any trip I fret over what I still have to do, what I may have missed, and all that needs to be done when I get back.  Have I mentioned my Type-A personality is ummm, very Type-A?

Anyhoo, these are a few of my {current} favorite things …

• ~ I’m going to start with Shoes.  These Diane Von Furstenberg Leopard beauties are screaming my name.  Woe to my budget.
• ~ I’ve been dreaming up reasons to wear and make a floral headpiece/crown, and I’m starting to think that Halloween is just too far away.
• ~ If you’re looking for a bit of pretty inspiration, this sweet-as-pie backyard wedding is just the ticket.
• ~ Sunday afternoon the fam is gathering to watch the Heat in the playoffs (a.k.a., an excuse to eat), and I’m thinking about taking this peanut-butter-and-jelly-sandwich cookie recipe out for a spin {finally!}.
• ~ Do you think if I strung doilies on our bathroom mirror my husband would notice?
• ~ Low-cal Sangria? Yes, please.  Any big Cinco de Mayo plans?

Image here

I heart donuts.  I’m not sure why exactly.  For starters, I am completely and utterly intolerant of sugar, so my donut eating involves a tiny nibble and a feigned “I’m satisfied after that measly one bite” smile.  Also, donuts are probably one of the least sophisticated of desserts, and I love baking.  But the mystery behind the fried dough deliciousness is much of the donut’s appeal as well.  Plus, who doesn’t travel up the east coast for donuts?  Oh, err, that’s just my family?

But I digress.  Let me get back on topic (it only took me a paragraph today … not bad, self!)  My mom and I had been oohing and aahing over cake pops for some time, and for my Poppy’s most recent birthday, we wanted to do something a little special as a party favor.  The event was set to be a brunch, and that weekend quickly came upon us and homemade cake pops seemed just a tad daunting at the eleventh hour.  So we thought and thought, and what goes better with brunch than donuts?  So to Dunkin Donuts we went … begging for donut holes.  (Let me just say, donut shops are not big fans of giving away their day’s supply of donut holes.)

What you’ll need …

• donut holes (lots + lots of donut holes)
• lollipop sticks
• styrafoam or green foam board (to prop pops while they dry)
• chocolate (we went with dark + milk)
• edible glitter, spray paint, sprinkles, etc.

The instructions …

1. We set up our area first (because I’m totally anal like that) with everything in reach.
2. We melted the white chocolate and dark chocolate in two separate containers, microwaving in 30 second and then 15 second intervals until the chocolate was melted and could be mixed easily with a spoon.  (You can always re-microwave for a few seconds if the chocolate starts to harden.)
3. One by one we pushed candy sticks about mid-way through one side of the donut hole.  And as a cheat, to get the donut to adhere better on the stick, we dipped the tip of the stick in a bit of melted chocolate, then pushed the stick into the donut hole, and gently allowed each donut-on-a-stick to rest for a few minutes so that the chocolate would harden, holding the donut to the candy stick.
4. Then we rolled the donut-on-a-stick into the melted chocolate, using a spoon to pour chocolate on the parts of the donut that couldn’t easily be covered.  Carefully, after rolling any excess chocolate off, we stuck the end of the stick into the styrofoam board and allowed each chocolate covered donut to cool and harden completely.
5. Once the chocolate-covered donuts were dry, we covered some in edible glitter and some we sprayed with edible metallic spray paint.
6. Once all of our pops were completely dry, we wrapped two per clear plastic candy bag and tied with a twist tie and a bow (not shown.)

The donut cake pops were a huge hit!  Not only did the donut pops look great, but they tasted AMAZING (satisfied one bite of a donut lady, right here.)

I’ve wanted arrows since I met Katniss Everdeen on the pages of the addictive Hunger Games series (yep, addictive: as in, read it in a weekend, barely came up for air though did make time for gummy bears; ask me about it – I’ll convince you to read them all, twice.)

So now I want to fling arrows.  But between my inability to throw in a straight line (that is, if the object takes flight in the first place) and the clear danger (nerdy personal injury lawyer in me is shivering in my patent heels), I’m thinking this is not one of my better ideas.  Lucky for me, it’s pretty sweet to decorate with arrows instead.

There are a few gorgeous arrow options on Etsy.  Check out sweetshorn and  NativeShop for beautiful, handmade and colorful arrows.

But if you’ve got that can’t-shake-the-DIY-mindset (I feel your over-achieveing pain), a few oh-so-helpful step-by-step plans to a perfect arrow …

Design*Sponge offers up a gorgeous Valentine’s Day arrow DIY using paint, feathers, and hearts.

Danielle over at the Thompson Family has another great arrow decor DIY, using paint, feathers, and felt.

I spotted these super bright tablecloths on The Merriment Blog and I was immediately smitten (and bit by the DIY bug.)  I need more hours in the day, less work piled up, and maybe a calorie-burning brownie.  Asking too much?

And without further ado, a DIY ombre or dip-dyed tablecloth tutorial on Oh Happy Day, by Brittany of The House that Lars Built.

Images found on The Merriment Blog // 1 + 3: Photographed by Polly Wreford for Red Magazine – here and here at Bright Bazaar // 2: Photographed by Emma Lee via House to Home

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Don’t forget about The Limited $100 Giveaway!

When I spotted Lindzi and Bachelor Ben toasting their 5-way relationship earlier this week with mason-jar-wine-glass hybrids, I squealed, “ooooh fancy!”

I’ve now given away that I am an avid Bachelor fan (cricket), and I will also tell you that upon researching like a maniac post-show (after first spending 5 full minutes scratching my head over Ben’s preference for Courtney), I learned that the glasses that I thought were soooo fancy, are in fact called “redneck wine goblets.”**  Not so PC term aside, I’m in love.

**Note: This is not in fact, my first turn in the “embarrassing rodeo.”  I studied abroad for a few months – went to Cambridge and everything.  Evening one in the school bar – yep, the school has a bar – my friend and I asked for “girl” beer (I was a mere Junior in College – don’t judge.)  We were offered Stella Artois, before Stella had commercials and was sold in every restaurant with onion rings on the menu.  My friend and I drank Stella like it was going out of style.  We thought we were so posh and Brit and Cambridge refined.  As the term came to an end, our beloved bartender noted “you American girls sure do love your white trash beer.”  Yeehaw.

First Image + DIY: White Water Crafting // Bachelor Image Via: Glamour // The Original RedNek™ Wine Glass // Sassy Southern Wine Glasses

OB-sessed with these star hair clips featured on the models’ glossy coifs at the recent Rodarte show.  The hair artists used star hair accessories from Rodarte on some girls, and rows of bobby pins on others.   I’m dreaming in DIY.

Images: Rodarte // Found on: Into the Gloss

I’m not really what people would call an outdoors kind of girl.  I shudder at the thought of camping, picnics, walks from my car to my office building.

Twig bracelets are about as close as I get to nature-loving.  And these twig bracelets are gold and double as a fun arts and crafts project.  Much more my speed.

What you will need:

• Twigs – Fresh twigs, yes, the kind found in nature, are best because they are more bendy.  If even a twig repels you and your indoor tendencies, hunt down stems and twigs of those fake flowers at Michael’s (which may work well for this project anyway, as the wire in the faux branches will bend easily into your bangle shape)
• Gold or Silver Metallic Spray Paint
• Glue or a Glue Gun (I prefer the gun, because it’s cooler … and also dries quicker)
• Thread/Floss

The how-to:

1. Cut the twigs into lengths that will fit around your wrist plus a little over 1/2 an inch extra (but also can slide over your wrist).
2. Bend the twigs into a circle, with a bit of overlap on each end.
3. Wrap the overlapped ends with thread to secure the bangle shape. (Note, you might be able to skip overlapping the ends, if you’re crazy awesome with the glue gun and can simply glue the ends together – though my vote is for thread/overlapping to keep the bracelet more secure.)
4. Use a dot of glue to secure the thread.
5. Spray paint the bangles – making sure to coat entirely. Do a few coats if necessary.
6. Let your bracelets dry completely before wearing.

Twig bracelets found on Oracle Fox and another DIY on a pair & a spare.

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OR why not try a metallic DIY rope bangle …

And don’t miss all of the funky knots that the incomparable Martha Stewart brand offers up …

You can purchase the twig bangles in the first picture here.

Visit Glitter Weddings – WEDDINGS FOR THE TYPE-A BRIDE {WITH GLITTER ON TOP}

This Friday’s Link Love is mostly an ode to nerdy chic – because being geeky is totally awesome.  2012 = embracing my nerd.

It’s like Marc by Marc Jacobs climbed inside my brain, asked “what would lexi want”, and then spit out conservative-sweet flowy dresses and cardigans decked in sequins and fur.  This is love.  {Marc by Marc Jacobs: Cordosa Shimmer Dress, Hobbes Cardigan, Limelight Gold Leather Skirt, Wingtip Platform Leather Booties,  Viva Cable Sweater Dress; Accessories: Rag & Bone Moto Boots II; Low Luv x Erin Wasson Arrow & Leather Bracelet}

I used to love cross-stitching on family road trips; life got in the way, and I put the hobby aside, but seeing this DIY Iphone cross-stitched case, I’m thinking of trying again!  How sweet does this case look?

This DIY chalkboard platter is FABULOUS. I love chalkboard paint; really, love all chalkboard, and any excuse to serve cheese is my kind of excuse.  This chalkboard serving platter is no exception.

I’m totally geeking out over the upcoming release of the book-turned film version of The Great Gatsby.  I was one of three in my high school English class who actually liked reading The Great Gatsby – scratch that – I was one of three who actually read the assigned reading.  And if I wasn’t excited enough over a classic book-turned-movie, the likes of Carey Mulligan, Leonardo DiCaprio,Tobey Maguire and Gemma Ward playing the main characters, and all of the stunning 1920s costumes, the announcement that Tiffany & Co. supplied all of the jewelry showcased in the upcoming film has me giddy.  Like I said, geeking out.

And finally, in case we miss each other in the worldwide blogosphere on Saturday, Happy Almost-New-Year!  Here’s to a perfect 2012.  {Image here.}

Visit Glitter Weddings – WEDDINGS FOR THE TYPE-A BRIDE {WITH GLITTER ON TOP}

I’m obsessed with decking out my nails.  I think nail polish is such an inexpensive pop of fashion, and the more that polish and manicures become popular, the more fabulous options the stores stock.  Two painted thumbs up!  Which brings me to this week’s home-done manicure.  Every year I scour the stores for that perfect sparkly dress for New Year’s Eve, and every year I throw my hands up and roll up to the party in a black dress, black tights, loud shoes … lexi-style.  So the manicure is my big “statement.”  Also, if you follow this little blog of mine, you’ll know that in addition to my penchant for tights, and varying shades of black, I fancy myself a rapper.  “Every time I come around this ____ (fill in the blank … this weekend = raging house party), bling bling.”  Yep, so so good at this rapping thing.

Right, the nails – I blinged them out!

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Base Coat/Top Coat – Sally Hansen Advanced Hard As Nails
• Color Polish – Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Color in Red Carpet
• Flat-back Crystals – Jolee’s Jewels Crystallized Swarovski Elements
• Q-tips
• Lotion

I like to set myself up first – I place a pile of crystals, crystal side up on the table, and I dip my q-tip into a small amount of lotion.  Crazy as it sounds, the q-tip and lotion trick will save you every time you work with small crystals or rhinestones.  Basically your q-tip (with lotion), when touched to the top of a crystal, gently adheres to the stone, making it oh-so-easy to place the crystal onto your nail.

You can use nail adhesive or glue to place the stones, but I just painted a thick coat of clear topcoat, and placed my stones one by one.  I tried lining up the stones on my nail, but ran out of space (tiny nails), and the nails where I simply scattered stones looked best.

Once I had arranged the stones where I wanted them on the nails, I waited patently (probably a whopping three minutes), for the nails to dry, and then painted a generous coat of clear polish over the nails to seal the stones.

I absolutely love the results!  And just to make the whole project a tad more affordable, next time I would probably just use small rhinestones – but you know, I had to bling it out for New Year’s.

The best part about this glitzy at-home manicure is that I can’t stop oohing and aahing over my nails.  Fancy.  Fun Fact: having your nails bedazzled makes everything you do look fancy. I shaved my legs all fancy last night, my typing = fancy, cereal pouring – fancy with a side of Special K.

Here I am fancily tweeting.  Enjoy!  (And send pictures of your own blingy mani!)

Ring: Melinda Maria Tiny Pod Ring (here) // Necklace: Low Luv by Erin Wasson Monacle Necklace c/o Shop it To Me (here, and similar here)

Visit Glitter Weddings – WEDDINGS FOR THE TYPE-A BRIDE {WITH GLITTER ON TOP}