Last Minute New Year's Eve Ideas

          Are you having a New Year's Eve Party? Did you forget to get decorations or were you unable to find enough at the store? Last year I decided to go to the dollar store on New Year's Eve assuming there would be plenty of decorations. I was sadly mistaken. I only found a few decorations and that was after hitting up 2 or 3 dollar stores. I did however pick up some other art supplies to make my own stuff. Here are a couple things I was able to make.

2013 Glasses

       
          Whenever I go to a 3D movie I always keep the glasses in the hopes that I may have a use for them in the future. And finally I do. I always wanted those New Year's glasses that I see people wearing on TV but I can never find them. So I decided to be creative and make my own using the 3D glasses from the movies.
For this DIY you'll need:   3D glasses/ sunglasses, glitter foam or construction paper, glitter, tape, a permanent marker, and scissors. 

Step 1:    Using your permanent marker draw out your numbers on the glitter foam (if you can't find glitter foam/paper you can use regular foam/paper and put glitter on it).

Step 2:    Cut out your numbers.

Step 3:    Use a little folded square of tape and stick numbers onto glasses!

Step 4:    Wear them!!

 

Party Hats

           A few years ago I was able to find these glittery hats at the dollar store and these big crown thing to sit on the rim of it that had the year on it. Unfortunately I couldn't find it this year so instead I wrapped a tinsel garland around it for extra holiday sparkle.

"Photobooth"

          Don't you love going to parties with photobooths and props to take pictures with? I know I do. So why not make your own? All you need is a plain wall to use as your background. I decorate mine with new year's banners etc  and I keep the hats, glasses and New Year's necklaces there for people to take pictures! All you need is a designated photographer, a camera and you're set!

Happy New Year everyone, party hard and be safe!

Asian Invasion

Hey everyone, so remember when I was MIA in the summer for a month because I went to Singapore, India and Sri Lanka? Well I realized I only told you about all the stuff I bought and haven't shown you any pictures. So here are few of hundreds of pictures I took over my trip. enjoy :)  photo cred to my sister Samanta

Harry Potter and Andy Warhol Exhibit at the Arts & Science Center of Singapore

Amazing Singaporian food from the outdoor food centers, Hawker Centers

Immitating my Buddha at the Buddha's Tooth Relic Temple, Singapore

Yummy Coconut Water, Singapore

Outside the President of Singapore's House

Rubbing Buddha's Belly in China Town, Singapore

India Gate in New Delhi

Taj Mahal, Agra , India

Infiniti Pool overlooking the Bay of Bengal

Probably the nicest I looked on my entire trip!

A relaxing day at our resort in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu , India

Overlooking the Kanyakumari, the southern most tip of India where the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean meet.

On a house boat in the state of Kerala, India

Macwoods Tea  Estate in Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka

Cinnamon Grande Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Elephant Orphanage in Pinnawala, Sri Lanka

Shine Bright Like a Diamond

Christmas time doesn't have to mean red & green, it can just mean adding a bit of holiday shine to your look.

This is the outfit I came up with for the Christmas party at my office, and it was a big hit. Here's a breakdown of what I wore:

Black blazer (not pictured), $19.95 @ H&M

Black & gold glittered tulip back top, $17.80 @ Forever21

Material Girl black & white vertical/horizontal stripe skirt with a back seam, $9.99 @ Macy's

Black suede platform pumps (not pictured), $29.99 @ Payless Shoe Source

Gold arrowhead necklace set, $5.95 @ H&M

Various bracelets from different Forever21 sets 

Gold etched square studs from a set, $3.80 @ Forever21

Black stockings (not pictured), $4.95 H&M

So I shared my look, now it's you're turn; We'd love to see what holiday inspiration works its into our reader's ensembles. Let's all get into the spirit together! -  J

C's New Room

          At the beginning of the school year we went through how to move into a house or dorm room. On a student budget it can be difficult to find inexpensive but cute things- though if you look hard enough and shop savvy you can have a great new place to call home. As promised in my previous post, here's a look at my new room.

          << This is my primping station- where I keep everything I need to beautify in the mornings. The mirror is from Wal-Mart ($14.99, CND) and I taped some leftover artificial flowers around it for a special touch. I also brought a jewelry holder from home that I'd bought from Home Sense ($3.99, CND) and placed it to the right of the mirror. I found this white shelf in my garage and thought it would work perfectly in my new room. For a nice pop of color I laid two of the pillowcases I bought in India as place mats.

Here's a breakdown of my how I've organized my table top.

-A bowl, that I painted at a little pottery place, filled with my lip balms and creams.
-A small basket from the dollar store, which holds all of my big bracelets and bangles.
-A little mason jar, also from the dollar store with my make-up brushes.
-In another basket I have all my hair ties and hair clips.
-For added decoration I filled a mason jar with sea shells.
-My mom found the wooden chest at a TJ Maxx in Florida for only $5 bucks. It's great for all my bracelets, rings and earrings.
-In the second shelf I have baskets for all my nail supplies, make-up and a stack of fashion magazines.





         << On top of my mirror I put up pictures of Paris that I had ripped out of a calendar. I also found a quote in a magazine from Pretty Little Liars' Shay Mitchell and placed it on my wall; It reads "Sometimes life has to get really ugly before it gets pretty."

 For some fashion inspiration, on the left of my mirror I put up a bunch of cut-out pictures from magazines and a couple of quotes by Coco Chanel. >>

         
          Here's my closet. (It didn't have a door so I hung up curtains on a wire) It may look really messy, but there is order to the madness. On the left side there is a built in book shelf where I keep my textbooks, books, and other miscellaneous baubles. I have a few closet organizers: one for shoes, one with drawers (great for hair products, scarves, headbands etc), and one with all my clothes jam packed in. To the right of each organizer, bought at Ikea, I have other clothes hanging.

          In the picture to the right, I've put up some photos on the wall by my bed in the shape of a heart. I saw this on Pinterest and wanted to try it out. It took a while but I think it turned out well. On top of it a have the words "Live Your Life" that I cut out from several magazines. I also put up twinkling lights all around my room that I got from the dollar store.

          The main piece of furniture that I had to buy once I moved into this house was my bed; It's a twin size with an aqua and lime green colored bedspread. My side table is an old piece from back home. My desk, which I love, was gifted by a friend, so luckily I didn't have to buy that. My lamp, chair, and side table are old pieces from home as well and the curtains are from Wal-Mart.

Holiday Vixen

Top Half Color ... H&M polish in a pewter glitter
Nail Accent... Crystal studs from my Kardashian Kollection wallet

Separating Line Color ... Black nail design polish from dollar store

Bottom Half Color ... H&M polish in "Midnight Passion"

Clear Top Coat ... Sally Hansen Anti-Chip Top Coat

A Day at the Farm

          "Markham Fair" is an annual event in my town. There's food and lots of different activities during the day such as concerts, woodcarving demonstrations, Moto-cross, wine tastings, and knitting & quilting classes. When I was little my school would visit the fair for field trips, and as we got older my best friend Nikki, my sister, and I started to make a day out of it.

          Though it's fun, the fair does have a farm which has a distinct cow poop smell, and so this year I wanted to pick out a cute look that I wouldn't mind smelling. With that in mind and to avoid being overdressed, I went with a plaid button up shirt (that J gave me) over a white v-neck t-shirt. I paired it with skinny jeans, brown knee high boots and a black leather jacket.

          Nikki (whom I'm pictured with to the left) wore her new beige buttoned Uggs, mint green jeggings from Garage (which I absolutely love) and a beige twill utility jacket from Aritzia which is really trending right now. I loved her red nail polish too- it's a really fun contrast to the light colors of her outfit.

          My sister, Samanta, (pictured below) wore a basic white tank with a cream and black striped open cardigan. With dark blue jeans and black boots she was ready for the fair. We'll see you same time next year, Markham Fair. xx

CUTE-TIP #42

Are your sassy curls falling flat? Define them with a light spritz of spray gel, then twist or scrunch small sections of your hair with your fingers; This simple step will coax that lovely 'do back to life. 

The United States of Summer

          Remember the sun? Hot days and cool nights? Wearing shorts and sandals? I sure do. And even though I love layering and rocking my outerwear & boots, I miss those summery days too. Given the crazy weather and freezing temperatures here in the Northeast I figured now was a great time to share a few pictures from my vacation this summer and reminisce. My Route 66 roadtrip became a once-in-a-lifetime vacation and I loved driving through the country seeing different landscapes and landmarks only ever seen on TV or things I'd never even heard of. 

          My friend Kat and I got to experience all new things everyday, there was never a dull moment on our road trip; Whether it was intense weather (110+ ° temperatures, 70 mph dust storms, forest fires, etc.) crazy characters (old men with no teeth for example), amazing scenery & natural wonders (Umm the Grand Freakin' Canyon), or cool activities (a free Cake concert!, etc.) there was always something interesting just down the road.

Below are just a few shots from the stops we made along the way... from New Jersey to California and everywhere in between. <3

Walking the hills of San Francisco, California.

Taking in the view... The breathtaking Grand Canyon in Arizona.

Just lounging in the Redwood Empire...  Leggett, California

Hangin' with James Dean...  Braidwood, Illinois

Tinkertown Museum...  Sandia Park, New Mexico

The Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma 

Citygarden's urban oasis... St. Louis, Missouri

          For more details on any of my outfits or my trip in general feel free to message me on Twitter, Facebook, or our email fashiontakesmyheart@gmail.com. I wish I could share all of my 1500+ pics on here, but that might be a bit excessive. haha... They are gorgeous though so I'll probably have to devote another post to some nature shots soon. Keep an eye out for that one. ;-]