An Embroidered Map

This week I attempted to venture into the unknown world of hand embroidery. It (thankfully) didn't involve tears but it did involve a lot of Pinterest and staying up until 5am. (sorry, mom and dad pretend you didn't read that last bit)

For my Design Fundamentals class, we were instructed to create a map any way we want. I decided to experiment with embroidering! After much deliberation, I chose to embroider Ireland on a pillow because I'm dreaming of going there one day. Heh…get it? Get it? I have to thank my sista Liv for that one. The real reason I procrastinated so much was because all week I was asking myself, "Should I seriously do this? Is this too corny? Will my professor laugh or tell me I suck?" Fortunately, I think it turned out pretty darn well #yayme

I think I'm gonna go back and add another layer of light blue around the border and maybe fill in a few more of the counties. Even though my professor said he kinda liked the "unfinished look" of it. He then followed up with that by saying, "or is it actually unfinished...?" Heh…heh…uh no of course not!! Its totally finished just how I planned it…not.

I would like to thank the Pinterest gods and all the lovely middle aged women who post YouTube tutorials on hand embroidery. Y'all da real MVPs. Without you I would be nothing.

Kate Middleton Inspired Look

My family and I are all Kate Middleton wannabes so I decided to make a video inspired by her! I show you my take on her hair, makeup and style. Of course I could never actually achieve her level of perfection, but a girl can always dream. I'll never get over the fact that I'm not british. Take a look and let me know what you think! 

My Current Favorites | Tara Elisabeth

In my most recent video I tell you all of my current favorite beauty and skin care products! Watch my video and tell me what you think! (Yeah I'm talking 2 u daddio, I know ur lookin at dis.)

Fall Makeup Video!

I recently started a YouTube channel and I've just posted my first make up look! I would love it if you checked out my channel, that would be da bomb. If you like it, feel free to subscribe to get notified of all my upcoming videos!

My Next Step

I started this blog for a few reasons: I was bored over Christmas break, I wanted somewhere I could communicate with other beauty/make up lovers, and I wanted a place to share my own thoughts and interests.

I have never considered myself a good writer, or even a writer in general. Starting and continuing with this blog has been a challenge for me and I've posted much less than I intended to when starting out. Though it wasn't what I imagined it to be, I am okay with it. I am a much more chatty person so I have decided to start a YouTube channel in addition to posting on this blog every so often. I will be posting content more often there since it's easier for me to get involved in. Similar to this blog, I'll be making beauty related videos since that is what I'm most interested in. But I don't want it to be just a beauty channel as I am not a make up artist!! Right now I want it to be a combination of beauty, "comedy", and any other adventures. (I put "comedy" in quotation marks because I really didn't know what else to call it. By saying comedy I mean "other fun/funny-type videos").
   
I had been thinking about making a channel for the longest time but I was nervous, shy, blah blah all the excuses. But after many friends telling me to go for it I finally have! I DUN DID IT. #aintnostoppinmenow

Check out my first introductory video and subscribe for more videos!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpwTeZ1wu5I

Pinterest DIY: Ring Bowl

I've decided to start a little yay or nay Pinterest DIY series of blogs. Let's be real-half of the stuff of Pinterest doesn't turn out like the perfect picture shown. I'll pick a project, document the steps and then determine whether it made the transition from Pinterest to reality successfully or not.

For this project I chose to make a ring bowl for a friend who is getting married soon. I found a picture of a little white bowl and it led me to a blog with directions. So I went and bought the materials from Joann's which cost me around $16 with a discount. I then prayed for the outcome and got to work!

For this project you'll need:

Sculpey oven back clay (I used white, $15 at Joann's)

Fabric doily ($2 at Joann's)

Rolling pin

Some type of letters you can use to make an imprint

Bowl to cut out circle shape

Oven safe bowl

Super glue

Sand paper

Preheat the oven to 275. Roll the clay into a ball to start off. I used a little less than half of the clay in the package. Then use a rolling pin and roll it out to about 1/4 of an inch. (Say roll one more time, Tara…) ROLL

Place the fabric doily and your letters on the clay. I used some letters I had left over from another project. I pressed them in slightly and then went over them with my rolling pin.

Take the letters and doily off and place a bowl or lid on the clay. Push down to cut out the circle shape.

Using the excess clay you just cut off, form two little love birds (I forgot to take a picture of this part because I was getting fussy as this step took me many tries).

Place the circular piece of clay in your oven safe bowl. Make sure to push down on it a bit so it takes the shape of a bowl. Then place the birds on the edge of the oven safe bowl. Place the bowl on a cookie sheet and put it in the oven for 25 minutes.

Take it out and let cool for 15 minutes. Sand the edges down so they're nice and smooth. Then glue the birds to the edge of the bowl. I let this dry over night just to be safe.

Pinterest vs. Mine

This Pinterest project proved to be a success! So far I'm one for one, good deal. Wahoo!

xx

Tara

The Last of Winter Nail Polish

I am a huge fall/winter fan and I'm trying to make everything winter-esque last for as long as possible. One of the main reasons I love winter is because of the clothes and beauty. I hate summer clothes with all my heart, with the exception of rompers. I've never been into shorts, sandals, or sleeveless tops; I'd much rather layer up with sweaters and jackets. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, so I'm trying to wear all my winter favorites while I still can.
I rarely ever wear bright colors, shimmer, or glitter on my nails, which is why winter is perfect for that. I love the dark colors. As spring approaches, I'm trying to talk myself into being more brave with nail polish colors. I'm still not brave enough to wear bright colors but I have been wearing some more shimmery ones. Here are some new winter-like nail colors I've been trying within the past few weeks.

Avon's 'Opening Night Premier'- This is a dark pink/copper color. It looks so different in different lighting, which is why it looks like dark pink in this next photo.

Crabtree and Evelyn's 'Black Cherry'- Although the name is 'Black Cherry' I think that name is so deceiving. It should definitely be renamed 'Eggplant'. But I do think that this nail polish lasts for a good amount of time (for now, at least). I've had it on for a few days without a clear coat and I haven't had any chips yet yippee!