ALDO Massive Sale & Free Shipping!

For a limited time ALDO is having a massive online blowout sale anddd free shipping! Plus if you're new to their website and sign up for emails they'll give you an extra 10 % off code! Woohoo!

So what's worth looking through on their site? Well there's a lot, but here's some note worthy items;

I bought these:

http://www.aldoshoes.com/ca-eng/sale/women/sale-shoes/82125500-checo/32

Debated these:

http://www.aldoshoes.com/ca-eng/sale/women/sale-sandals/84274462-lampe/28&flagid=wsa30to50off

And two of my friends got these:

 

http://www.aldoshoes.com/ca-eng/women/sandals/flats/84369138-cordes/12&flagid=wsa30to50off

A New Found Love: Selective Potential

While wandering through some various posts of interviews of fashion bloggers I came across a real stand out. I LOVE this blog, its a must visit!
http://selectivepotential.blogspot.com/

Kitchen Redo

In redoing my kitchen we decided to stick to a red white and blue retro colour scheme. After deciding this we designated a "knick knack wall" above the kitchen table, and this was the result:

The shelves are a set of three from Canadian Tire for about $17, we then painted them a white (using PARA Paints- my favourite, a definite recommendation, available at Lowe's or independant retailers)

Then from left to right we have: rooster- Pier 1 a few years ago, mini casserole dish- HomeSense- $4, papered elephant- Michael's- 90 cents on sale, mason jar- on hand, painted metallic on the inside and spraypainted the lid, white mini vase- BouClair- $4, red flower plate- BouClair- $15, and finally the silver apple from BouClair for about $5

Happy Birthday Studs and Pearls

This past Thursday was Studs and Pearls' first birthday and my my what Kirsten has managed to accomplish in a year! She is definitely my favourite blog to read so if you don't already know her go check her out!
http://www.studs-and-pearls.com/

GoJane=amazing

I love gojane.com, I constantly check their inventory of shoes because I've gotten a LOT of good deals from their in the past.  I highly recommend it to everyone! Here are a just a few examples of what I've bought:

And I've never payed more than $50/pair including shipping! Also while you're there check out their eyeshadow palettes- they're great when used in combo with Urban Decay's Eye Primer Potion :)

A Quick & Simple DIY- Flower Cabochon Rings

I love flowers, and everything floral, so of course I love flowery jewelry.
Thats what prompted me to make these:

These little guys are made of three ingredients: 1) Flower Cabochons (a cabochon is basically a nice term for jewelry do-hickey)- I get mine off of eBay. 2) Ring bases/blanks- again easy to find on eBay and 3) My trusty E6000 industrial strength glue

Happy Crafting! -Darby

Urban Decay Eye Primer Potion

So I'm not really the kind of girl that feels the need to spend oodles of cash on make-up. I'm pretty satisfied with the drugstore stuff. But there's always been one product I could never chinse out, and could hardly even wear at all for that matter.....eyeshadow! I have oily eyelids so my eyeshadow always creases and basically disappears/ looks like crap.

But not anymore! Thanks to this magical stuff:

This is Urban Decay's Eye Primer Potion (mine's in "Eden"- or nude if you will)

It makes my eyeshadow stay on and look extra-pigmented no matter what brand I'm using!

It's probably the wisest make-up investment I've ever made

and you can find it here or in a Sephora store near you! 

Coupon Codes!

Okay so this is a post for online shoppers. The biggest tip I could ever tell you is NEVER forget to look for coupon codes. The easiest way is just to open a new window and google the store's name and coupon code- open a few of these links and see whatchya can find (just make sure they're not expired)! There are also many forums that constantly keep up to date on these like http://www.smartcanucks.ca/ and http://www.retailmenot.com/
Sometimes coupon codes are even listed on the online store's home page!
Coupon codes are also often e-mailed to subscribers so get signing up to you favourite stores' websites!

Also, since I'm talking about coupon codes I happen to have one to share with you all! For those of you Canadians right now until August 15th you can use the code CANADA2011 on http://www.roots.com/ to recieve 25% off red-ticketed items or 20% off original priced items.

My Take on a Tutorial- Polymer Clay Beads

So the other day I referenced a tutorial on how to make polymer clay beads (found here)

I did this project with my friends, and one friend- Hilary, suggested we marble different colours of polymer clay together. O.M.G. Most awesome idea. We used light blue, tan and neon pink, some plain leather cord ($1.50 at Len's Mills) and some jewelery making pieces (jump rings and lobster clasps).

Don't the marbled colours look so cool?!

From there I also did a couple other variations:

A keychain

And a couple of rings, by just using ring blank (or bases- I always get mine off of eBay), square or rectangular polymer clay pieces and some E6000 to glue it down!

Happy Crafting! -Darby

Urban Behaviour Sale!

So I don't shop at Urban Behaviour very often, but when I see a sale sign I usually haaave to go in. Well this exact scenario happened the other day, and what did I find?

This awesome peach, lavender and crystal bouquet ring! I couldn't resist it, and then I saw the price tag...

Yes, that right there is a markdown to $1.99! There was tons of jewelry on sale besides this- feather earrings for $3, a larger flower ring for $3, and plenty of bangles on sale as well!



A Shopping anddd Crafting Tip All in One

So I'm sure many of you shop at H&M (how could you not?!) but there's something about this store a notice many people don't pick up on.

Every single season for quite some time now, H&M releases a FREE (yes, FREE) magazine available in all their stores. Even if you don't plan on using it as a shopping guide it also makes the perfect magazine for collages! Orrrr you could read it and then chop it up like I do- best of both worlds!

3 Websites: 3 Wants

F21 Owl Coin Purse- $4.80

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Shadown Pencil- $20

 

 eBay Eiffel Tower Nail Decals- $2.25

Sweet Deals This Week!

Just a few great deals from shopping around!

Portfolio at Dollarama! $2

Bra from LaSenza Express- a shocking $5!!!

Ethnic Print Tee from Joe- $8

Rag rug from Dollarama- $1.25

I hate lipstick, I love lipstain.

Suuuuch a big difference. I can't stand that icky feel of lipstick on my lips, but lipstain on the other hand has no feel! So awesome! So what do I recommend?

Covergirl's OUTLAST Lipstain is the bomb!
looooooves it

I got mine in I believe "perfectly plum"? Its #425

The results?

You decide :) (p.s. that's my mama with me on the right in Las Vegas!)

And don't forget to add lip gloss- I used a clear Rimmel one because their's arent sticky or sparkley

Possibly the simplest DIY ever. No sewing, no glueing.

So I found this little globe on my trip to Hobby Lobby (aka heaven) for only $3 and couldn't resist! I love globes, especially this one for its interesting colouring!



So what did I do with it you ask?

....

Tada!
I bought a $2 glass candle holder from Dollarama and just sat it on top
Pretty sweet for only $5 and basically 0 effort!

Happy Crafting! -Darby

A Must Buy Inspires a DIY

Okay so I of course had to pick up a copy of Erica Domesek's "P.S.- I made this..." because her blog is amazing (check my side links for her blog- I got my copy at Chapter's, also available on Amazon!)

And low and behold I was right away inspired to DIY something, but its not what you'd think... While yes, I LOVE the book and the tutorials it inspired me to do something else not listed in the book.....








...

It inspired me to make my own book of crafts!
I took an old blue binder and decoupaged the front (first with half and half white glue and water, then a top coat of Mod Podge to seal it). Ah, I love a good collage. I also industrial strength glued (E600 is the best) on a black grosgrain clasp and sewed/glued some velcro, covering the messiness with those two purple rhinestones!

Then I rhinesoned the spine and printed out a label with my basic word program (you'd be surprised how pretty you can make a label out of "basic shapes" and some pretty background fill)

I then crafted a title page- I actually photocopied a collage I had previously done because I just couldn't part with the original, then hole-punched it :)

I then filled the front half with tutorials I had previously found and favourited. I condensed them down on my word program to save paper! (This tutorial found here: DIY Minaudiere)

Finally, I made a second section with only my own projects, for now just pictures and titles, but its a work in progress!
P.s. don't you love the birdy paper? Got it last week on sale for 30 cents at Hobby Lobby- score!)

And yet again it never sceices to amaze me what pretty labels can be made on word!

Happy Crafting! -Darby 

DIY Tutorial #2- Shoe Upcycle!

So shoe redecorating has become this huge craze lately, especially with things like "shoe embelishment clips" being sold now!
But i decided to do my own spin on it!

And this is it!
These t-strap shoes used to be so tacky, with not-quite-right ruffles running down the center...I hate them, but they were on sale for $7 at Old Navy, how could I resist right?

So i stitchripped the ruffles off and hand sewed this trim (found at Len's Mill Stores for approx. $3) down the front of it. Not big on sewing? No worries, I'm not either, I just kind of went for it and made sure they were secure.

I know this DIY is more specific to these shoes, but maybe this will inspire you to upcycle your own shoes with trim!

Happy Crafting! -Darby

My first DIY tutorial! Black and White Collaged Shelf

So unfortunately I have like no before pictures of my tutorials (yeah im still a newb lol) but I must say, this shelf was soooo ugly before- sage with gold accents. Bleck.

Step 1) Spraypaint shelf colour of choice, consider painting knobs an accent colour (i.e. mine are black).      Allow drying time!

Step 2) Get picture hunting in magazines! It's best to stick to a colour palette to keep a more uniform look

Step 3) Experiement with the layout of your images, take a picture to reference if you can- saves a lot of time, also consider which pictures must be layed down first

Step 4) Mix half and half white school glue and water in a cup and lay images on- putting mixture below and on top with a cheap paintbrush! 

Step 5) Let dry, then hang!

Happy crafting! -Darby

A MUST Read

One of the best DIY roundups everrrrr ah! Go go go ladies!
Design*Sponge DIY: Best of Shelving

Tutorials I Love Right Now

diy polymer clay beads at Delighted Momma

       

DIY Rope Necklace at ...love Maegan      

DIY Silk Ribbon Roses at...love Maegan 

 DIY Stained Glass at Mark Montano



My Shower Products ♥

So in creating this blog one of my big goals is to share tips :) so here's a list of what I use in my shower that i DEFINITELY recommend:

(From left to right, back row then front)
1) REDKEN Color Extend Shampoo and Conditioner
This stuff if only available in salons (so keep in mind i get it much cheaper) and is way cheaper when bought by the litre. It makes your hair soooo soft and extends the length of your colour (obv lol). If you only wanted to by one I'd say the conditioner's priority. Both litres are about $40 per bottle

2) Pantene Pro-V Colour Preserve Volume Shampoo
Much cheaper then the REDKEN, I like to alternate with this shampoo because it gives more of a deep down clean than REDKEN. It also smells super good! Find it at your local drug store. I usually get mine for about $8.

3) Tressa Watercolors Color Maintenance Shampoo (mines in Wet Brick- for auburn tones in brown hair)
There is nothing else like this stuff, its a color depositing shampoo so you can basically top up your colour between salon (or DIY) colourings, or to give your hair an extra pop on special occasions. Salons only (or the Beauty Supply Outlet- though this "outlet" isn't really cheaper) Usually about $16.

4) Nexxus Humectress Ultimate Hydrating Conditioner
World's most amazing conditioner, hands down. Nothing makes your hair this soft or smell so naturally good. The majority of the ingredients are natural (bonus) anddd while this used to be (back in the day) a salon-only brand, its now available in most drugstores (and goes on sale often-woo). Usually about $16.

5) Softsoap Milk Protein & Honey Body Wash
I have super sensitive skin and this stuff makes my life a lot easier, definitely recommend it. The price varies from $2.50 on sale to $8, and is available at most drugstores.

Inspiration

Some of my latest inspiration came from a trip I just took with my family to Las Vegas, and I felt it needed sharing:
1) This whimsical glass ceiling inside the Belagio, each flowers about the size of me

2) JABBAWOCKEEZ at the Monte Carlo was uuuuunreal. For those of you who don't know, I'm a hip hop fanatic, and not only was this one of my favourite crews from America's Best Dance Crew, but it also included super cr3w and was choreographed by Tabatha and Napoleon, or NappyTabs if you prefer (if you don't know any of these references YouTube them!)

3) Yet again in the Belagio was this whimsical tree outside their butterfly conservatory. So Alice in Wonderland-esque AH love it.