May 14, 2014 | DIY
Now I’m sure you guys have heard of that amazing crafting supply that does practically everything: Mod Podge. There are major devotees to this glue/decoupage medium/finisher, and for good reason! Because it’s nontoxic, cheap, provides a variety of finishes, and it just plain flat-out works!
Amy Amderson, the amazing and multi-talented blogger brand representative of Mod Podge (and the brainchild behind the cool blog Mod Podge Rocks!) sent me a package from her brand-new Mod Podge Peel & Stick Stencils line, designed exclusively for PLAID Enterprises. I had a blast playing with the stencil, and I fashioned this chic patterned update to an old photo frame I had. Check out how I did it:
You Need:
photo frame / Mod Podge Peel & Stick stencil (mine is in Tangier) / foam pouncer / Mod Podge (matte) / silver leaf / gloss spray acrylic sealer / paintbrush (not pictured)
How To:
1. Place your stencil onto your photo frame. (If your photo frame is very smooth, you may need to rub it with fine grit sandpaper to give it some surface to the Mod Podge to stick evenly on to.)
2. Pour out some Mod Podge and dip the foam pouncer into it, wiping off excess.
3. Dab the pouncer on top of the stencil.
4. Peel off the stencil and allow the Mod Podge to sit for a few minutes to become tacky.
5. Place some silver leaf onto where the Mod Podge was applied.
6. Use a soft, dry paintbrush to remove the excess silver leaf.
7. Once one side is fully leafed, repeat placing the stencil, applying the Mod Podge, and applying the silver leaf in sections across the photo frame.
8. Finish wish a spray of acrylic sealant to keep that silver leaf looking gorgeous!
And that’s it! I love how designer-y and high-end the photo frame now looks…even though it was a super-cheap piece from IKEA. I also love the worn look of the silver leaf and the great pattern that emerged as I applied it. The stencil was super-easy to work with, and sticky enough that I could wipe it off each time and re-use it on different parts of the frame, no problem. The perfect addition to this frame was a photo of Lil Tot practicing his best flying ninja stab jump with my rake. Stab that leaf pile!!
You can find Mod Podge Rocks! Peel & Stick Stencils in craft stores such as Jo-Ann Fabrics and Michael’s, or at the PLAID store online here. I guarantee, they will take your Mod Podge projects to the next level!
Thanks Amy and the team at PLAID! It was so fun to make this little project 🙂
Happy DIY’ing!
xo
Carly
FTC Disclosure: I was sent a Mod Podge stencil, 2 small tubes of glitter, and 2 foam pouncers courtesy of PLAID Enterprises. I have received no compensation for this post. The above opinions are my own. To read my full Disclosure Policy, click here.
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Apr 21, 2014 | Fashion, Score!
Just like everyone these days,
my life is jam-packed. From morning to night, I’m going to the gym, taking my son to school, running errands, scouting locations, meeting my business partner, chatting with the girls over tea, picking up my son, and going to after-school activities (and then maybe out to dinner if I’m lucky!). Basically, my feet are
two busy dogs and I usually hit my 10,000 steps daily with little effort needed. With the new feather-light
Reebok Skyscapes, I can go from errands to car to walking to running around – all while
supported, comfy, and stylish.
The lace-to-toe molded silhouette and unique design provide
amazing comfort (seriously, you have to try these to believe it!!). This shoe is crafted borrowing the materials and soft molding process used to create lingerie, which provides all-around comfort and creates a shoe so lightweight that it weighs only 5.0 ounces. (The soft foam material in the upper feels just like my favorite molded bra – which feels almost like I’m wearing nothing on my feet at all.) I love that the shoe isn’t covered with all sorts of stitching and rubber bits and things that catch and weigh me down: the design is sleek and streamlined and looks like
a hybrid between an athletic shoe and a casual sneaker. Inside the footbed the Skyscape features
Skyspring technology, which is a unique design architecture designed to help support the foot and provide all day comfort for my on-the-go lifestyle.
It’s just like walking on clouds. (
“So lightweight and comfortable, you’ll forget you have them on” is their tagline.)
Perfect for keeping up with the dog: Pudding may have super-short legs, but she can run!
Plus whilst wearing them I love to
coordinate them to my outfit – and they don’t look as if I just walked out of a spinning class or something. (They’re now my choice of footwear when picking up my son at school for the long walk from the car to his classroom, standing around the playground, and then back to the car.) They come in some
fun and fashion-forward colors (mine are Pink Fusion!) and cost under $70 for a pair. Reebok Skyscapes are available for
online purchase, or at select Kohl’s, Reebok FitHub, or Outlet locations for
in-store purchase.
Giveaway
You can win a YourReebok Custom Card and create your own pair of Reebok Skyscape shoes!
How to Enter: Leave a comment telling me where you would wear your Reebok Skyscapes. To work, on the playground, to school, walking the dog, heading to the gym, hiking, etc.? Where would you rock these babies? Let me know in the comments on this post! (Comments on this post only; no comment within Facebook will be counted.)
Good luck to everyone!
xo
Carly
FTC Disclosure: I wrote this post as part of a paid campaign with BlogHer and Reebok Skyscape. I received 1 pair of Reebok Skyscapes for review purposes, and 1 pair will be provided to the winner of the giveaway. The above opinions are my own. To read my full Disclosure Policy, click here.
Sweepstakes Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
- Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
- Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
- Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
- For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 4/21/2014-5/18/2014.
Be sure to visit the Reebok Skyscape brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!
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Apr 1, 2014 | Media, Score!
Studs & Pearls : 30 Creative Projects for Customized Fashion is from the eponoymous blog Studs & Pearls by Kristen Nunez, founded in 2010. We’ve been reading each other’s blogs for quite some time, and we’ve been frequent commenters on each other’s projects. Kristen’s DIY’s are always fun, simple, and have major visual impact. With this book you can get a ton of ideas for how-to’s that can easily take your basics and jazz them up a notch.
The book covers DIY basics, like Tools and Supplies, and then dives straight into the projects. It includes 30 projects, with multiple variations on each so you can put your own spin on them. 
It covers a variety of techniques, including fabric dyeing, stamping, no-sew projects, trim embellishment, and painting. 
Plus the photography features real-life girls (like in street snaps) modeling the finished creations so you can get an idea of how the DIY’s will look when worn.
Most of the projects are extremely easy so even beginners or kids/pre-teens can get in on the fun. It’s a great jumping-off point for those just getting started to DIY.
It also includes many projects that speak to current trends, like the embellished sunglass case-turned-clutch trend, trim-detailed mini-skirts, tie-dye, embellished sunglasses, beanies, mixed media embroidery thread-and-chain bracelets, and cocktail rings. Many of the project use easily-available or unusual materials, so supplies are a cinch to come by. (There’s a directory of sources and where to buy in the back.)
This statement clutch turned out so pretty with some well-placed painting!
An interesting take on the plastic tube bracelet.
These cocktail rings from buttons are particularly pretty.
Overall: It was nice to see all the variations on all of the projects. Many of the techniques are quite simple, which speak well to a young audience maybe not so familiar with DIY blogs and projects elsewhere. (There are 3 projects that do require a higher skill level, with dyeing and sewing a dress, but they stood out as somewhat incongruous next to the other projects.) It does provide inspiration and ideas on the variations, as well as styling tips, so it can be very useful in planning out your project. This would be a great book for a young teenager or someone who is just getting started to DIY.
Score: 
Giveaway
One lucky winner will receive a copy of Studs & Pearls : 30 Creative Projects for Customized Fashion by Kristen Nunez.
Enter using Rafflecopter below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck!
xo
Carly
FTC Disclosure: I was sent a copy of Studs & Pearls for review from Laurence King Publishing. I am sponsoring the giveaway and shipping the item to the winner at my own expense. The above opinions are my own. To read my full Disclosure Policy, click here.
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Jan 15, 2014 | Media
The folks over at Laurence King Publishing generously sent me a copy of one of their latest books: Bag: The Ultimate Fashion Accessory by Sue Huey and Susie Draffman. It’s an absolutely gorgeous coffee table book in a pleasing mini size (so that it incidentally actually fits in your bag! ;-). The bag on the cover appears to be heat-embossed so the quilting seems to jump of the page; that and the gold foiling would make it beautiful just sitting out for all to see.
Inside the 208-page book are sumptuous, high-fashion photographs of the world’s most iconic bags. Chanel, Celine, Marc Jacobs, Burberry, Hermes, Jamin Puech: they’re all there, accompanied by quotes and insights about the designers and the arm candy itself.
In addition there are interviews with the designers and design sketches: one of my favorite behind-the-scenes things to see that really brings the bags to life and conveys the designers’ intentions.
The book, though not exhaustive on the history of the handbag (and notably missing a mention of some other iconic brands like Prada and Furla for instance), is a fun and fashionable romp through some of the best accessories out there. If you’re looking for a small addition to your fashion library or coffee table book collection, I’d highly recommend this (if not solely for the chic Chanel piece on the cover!)
xo
Carly
FTC Disclosure: I was provided 1 copy of Bag: The Ultimate Fashion Accessory for review purposes from Laurence King Publishing. The above opinions are my own. To read my full Disclosure Policy, click here.
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Jan 8, 2014 | Beauty, Fashion
I was contacted by Beauty Box 5 to see if I could do a review of their monthly beauty subscription box service. I immediately agreed (after all, who doesn’t like free beauty items?!) and they sent me a customized box in December.
My BB5 box came with Coolway Cool Cleanse & Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner, be a…bombshell Eyeshadow in Bora Bora, Spongeables Pedi Scrub Foot Buffer
, and NUBAR Nail Lacquer in Blondie. Here’s what I thought:
Coolway Cool Cleanse & Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner
I was glad that I received both the shampoo + conditioner in the box (sometimes you only get sent one or the other and it makes it tough to tell if it works). The duo smells spicy and minty, with a fairly light texture. Once my hair dried, I could tell it was shiny and there seemed to be fewer flyaways…but I love messy volume and texture so these weren’t my favorite.
be a…bombshell Eyeshadow in Bora Bora
This eyeshadow from be a…bombshell is a bright teal: a beautiful turquoise blue with a green shimmer to it. It’s very, VERY pigmented and bright. Normally I don’t go for a ton of bright eyeshadow, but this is a fun one even just used as a thin liner close to the eyes. I have to do a full face of makeup to feel even remotely comfortable wearing it, but it is quite a head-turner and long-lasting.
Spongeables Pedi-Scrub Foot Buffer
I think this was my favorite product in the box: this little workhorse of a foot scrubber from Spongeables. Besides it being so well-timed (my feet are definitely feeling ravaged by Winter lately!) it smells amAHzing: soapy and vaguely floral. It lathers up quickly and scrubs efficiently, all while releasing that lovely scent. My feet never felt so pampered! (I was sad that the trial size I received only lasts 5 uses…this full-sized versionlasts a good 15 uses before you have to dispose of it.
NUBAR Nail Lacquer in Blondie
This glitter polish from NUBAR is great – LOVE that it is vegan and cruelty-free. It has scattered glitter in large hexagons and small dots – that ranges from light gold to light turquoise depending on the angle. Two coats is what it took to get the coverage above – and I found it was quite easy to take off with a nail polish remover (no scrubbing or soaking like some glitters).[line]
So is Beauty Box 5 worth it?
Starting from $12, Beauty Box 5 subscription plans are one of the most affordable out there, and deliver 5 beauty samples and products each month from drugstore, vegan, and luxury brands. (For only $30 you receive a subscription for 3 months!) You specify your personality and beauty issues and you receive a personalized selection each month. Every month there is always 1 full-sized product in the box, so the monthly subscription pays for itself.
If you love trying new beauty products and especially like vegan or cruelty-free brands, I’d recommend trying our Beauty Box 5. Every single item in the box may not be a keeper, but it’s certainly fun to try new things – and is way less than a splurge at Sephora. Plus, you’re bound to come across a new product or favorite brand that you find you just can’t live without. 🙂
xo
Carly
FTC Disclosure: I was sent a Beauty Box 5 with 5 products in it for review purposes. The above opinions are my own. I have not received compensation for this post. To read my full Disclosure Policy, click here.
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