DIY: Nail Stickers

This is a very simple technique if you wish to make your own nail stickers.  You can create little accents, or stickers for your whole nail.  This is great if you are painting the nails of a bunch of friends and want to prepare ahead of time.  Also, if you're not very good at painting with your non-dominant hand, this is great for more precision.

1. With your nail polish, paint your design on a plastic zip-lock bag.

2. Let dry completely.

3. Peel off carefully.

4. I find that it sticks best on top of nail polish that is still slightly tacky/gooey.  Place the sticker on top of your already painted nails.

5. Add a top coat to seal it in.

That's it!  Take care,

Ali

AUGUST 2012 BIRCHBOX

This month's theme was Beauty School Supply Kit.  Instead of the typical product card, we got a pamphlet full of tips and tricks with our products listed on the final page.  

1) Juicy Couture - Viva la Juicy La Fleur

"blend of wild berries, mandarin, and waterlily."

2) stila - forever your curl mascara

This is meant to keep lashes curled.  I really like the wand on this.

3) SHU UEMURA Art of Hair - Essence Absolute Nourishing Protective Oil

This oil keeps hair soft and silky.

4) TALIKA - Oil-Free Lash Conditioning Cleanser

This is meant to be a makeup remover that will get rid of any waterproof mascara you may be wearing.

5) Birchbox Finds: SCHICK - hydro silk razor

"water-activated serum moisturizes skin while you shave, and the innovative oval-shaped design hugs tricky areas like knees and ankles."

Let me know what you got in your Birchbox this month!

-Ali

Nail Art - London 2012 Summer Olympics

I made my own nail stickers with the Union Jack on them to create a second Olympic-inspired manicure!  I'll be posting a nail sticker DIY tutorial soon!  Until then, enjoy this look!

-Ali

UPDATE:  The DIY nail stickers tutorial: http://newenglandschoolgirl.blogspot.com/2012/08/diy-nail-stickers.html

JULY 2012 FAVORITES

1. Bandanas as headbands with the knots tied in the front.

2. Aviators.

3. Using my phone's camera.  Gives a wierd-but-cool effect to the picture.

4.  Friendship bracelets.

5. Body Sprays/Mists (like this Coconut Lime Verbena from Bath and Body Works).

6. Neon Trees' Everybody Talks & Coldplay's Every Teardrop is a Waterfall

7.  And last, but certainly not least ... RYAN LOCHTE.  #jeah

Well, that is all!  

-Ali

DIY: Galaxy Shirt

Materials:  Let's see what's inside the goodie bag for this DIY!

• Bleach.
• A plain t-shirt.
• A spray bottle.
• Water.
• Something to put between the layers of your shirt as well as under it to protect it from the bleach.
• Protective gloves.
• A hanger.
• Scissors

Now, let's move on to the bleaching technique!

• Gather sections of the shirt and twist, as if you're getting ready to tie dye.  
• Using the spray bottle, spray the twist multiple times. 
• Straighten out the shirt to reveal a cool nebula pattern.  Repeat all over to get desired effect.
• To add 'stars' or 'planets', use the tube in the bottle to speckle drops of bleach all over.
• Leave out in the sun for about a half hour (usually between twenty and forty minutes, but sometimes more).  I checked on the shirt every ten minutes just to be safe though.  
• When the shirt has lightened enough to tickle your fancy, bring it inside and soak it in water.  I switched off between temperatures ranging from luke warm, to room temperature, to mildly cold.  
• Squeeze out water and leave to dry.  I hung mine in the shower to catch the water.  Be careful, bleach and the pigment of your shirt may drip.  

 Cutting the shirt!

• This part is optional.  With scissors that cut cleanly through your fabric, decide how you'd like your shirt to lay.  Feel free to use a tank top that fits you well to measure out where to cut to mimic that style.
• I cut along the seams of the arms, neck, and bottom.  Then I evened everything out.  I may cut the neck a bit deeper too.

I tried this technique on another shirt of a different material, and the bleach didn't show up as well, so just be ware!  The shirt I used is one from a craft store - the usual cheap boxy shirts.  The pattern came out looking  great!  Purple shirts give a light purple/pink look, black gives off orange, and other colors usually produce a lightened/whiter version of the original pigment.  I also used ripped up pieces of paper towel to sponge on some pink, blue, purple, white, and gray fabric paint.  You can use a tooth brush dipped in white paint to flick on little dots as well.  I hope you enjoyed this DIY! 

-Ali