dress bliss

It isn't odd for me to be found on occasion gazing at wedding things, when I'm not actually even getting married. You'll actually come to find that on the regular I'm thinking weddings. I hope you enjoy the wedding dresses I've been loving as of lately. The last two are my personal favorites, I think I just want to wear a wedding dress that's all.

nicole

DIY Canvas Photo Wall Art

A few weeks ago I was working on adding a few home decor items to my house. I bought some really cute couch toss pillows and curtains for my living room. Next I wanted to find something to put on the wall above my couch. I searched and searched for some ideas and just couldn't make a decision. Then I asked my friend Katie {who is amazing/creative/designer/good at everything} and she suggested that I do canvas photos on my wall. I started looking into places where I could order such prints and couldn't believe the prices. I wanted three 24x32 canvas photos and that was not going to be cheap by any means. Surprisingly the cheapest place I found to do it was Costco (even cheaper than Walmart!). But I still wasn't willing to pay almost $300 for that. So of course I started googling and pinteresting ways to DIY (do it yourself) my own Canvas photos. I found a few tutorials and decided to go with this one.

Linked this post up to Sugar&Dots for What I Whipped Up Wednesday. (I know, its only Tuesday!)
Here are the supplies I used:
2 16 oz bottles of Mod Podge (matte)
3- 24x32 canvas @ $16ea (after coupon) From Hobby Lobby. I went back 3 separate times so that I was able to use a 40% off coupon. This saved me ALOT. And it was worth it since Hobby Lobby is just down the street.
3- 24x32 poster prints. I had a hard time trying to find somewhere that printed this size at a decent price. I got mine at costco for only $7/$8ea. However, you have to go in the store to get this size, they do not offer it online. They were worried about my photos turning out blurry but they didn't, they turned out gorgeous!
Scrapbook paper
Foam brushes
Wax paper

I really like the tutorial that I used however, if I were to do it again I would do it a little differently. Rather than putting my scrapbook paper on the sides and then painting, I would paint the sides first and then lay the scrapbook down. Or just not use scrapbook paper for the sides at all. Overall, I am pretty happy with how mine turned out and I have had many compliments on them. I only paid about 1/3 of the cost to make my own which was totally worth it for my sanity and my pocket book.



XOXO,
Whitney

On Repeat.

Pretty much am dying over this song. obsessed with it. Anyways else feeling the JBiebs Love/Fever from this song? If you haven't heard just go give it a listen or two... or maybe just put it on repeat.

nicole

Fight

Yesterday I got in a fight, It wasn't pretty and I didn't win. I was just minding my own business making lunch in my own kitchen. I was using my new mandolin slicer that the Mr. gave to me for Mother's day. Slicing up a cucumber and then it happened. I sliced two of my fingers. It hurt, there was a lot of blood, and then there were some tears. My dear hubby came to the rescue and helped me to apply pressure and then he gently bandaged it up. Then came the regret. UGH! You know when you do something really stupid and afterwards you are paying for it? Yep, that's me. If I would have used the safety device that comes with the mandolin I would not be in this situation. Lesson Learned, the hard way.

While my Mr. was bandaging me up I was watching Tangled with the baby girl. The part was playing where Rapunzel wraps her hair around Flynn's wounded hand and heals it. I was secretly wishing that was me! I am hoping this heals fast!

XOXO,
Whitney

Mascara

I've worn the same mascara since probably 8th grade and I love it. I never would buy anything else because it was always too heavy too clumpy and way too flaky. If you are understanding that I am quite picky about what goes on my eyelashes yet stingey enough too not try every kind just for fun or spend my money and the expensive makeup, then you are understanding very well.
Sadly my lifetime, or so I thought... of my favorite mascara, covergirl red bottle with a metallic blue strip. ran out on me this week. Boom goes the dynamite my life was over. I didn't want to have to go buy some random mascara that wasn't going to work.

Well one thing lead to another and I was at the Ulta store looking at all he mascaras they had. I kept going back and forth back and forth trying to look for just the right brush and then a waterproof version of the kinds I liked. I settled on a Neutrogena Healthy volume mascara- waterproof. I had my doubts because I have such fine thing lashes and are straighter than a door nail. And I will be the first one to admit I use an eyelash curler. It is a must. The only problem is, is that sometimes even with curling mascaras are so heavy on my fine lashes they go straight back down. Life is tough. I finally got to trying my new mascara. And I'm. In. Love. My lashes look thicker and fuller  without being clumpy. It separates each of my lashes. They have such a natural curl because it doesn't weigh my lashes down. It doesn't flake on my or smudge. I also love that the brush is the traditional brush none of the silicone flimsy brush you know. I honestly forget I'm wearing mascara. Which means I don't pick at my lashes. I didn't know you could fall in love with mascara but I did all over again.  I would for sure recommend this to a friend.

nicole

Current Crush Thursday: Dream Catchers

So if you haven't been able to tell I like to link up on Thursdays and I have tried a few different link ups, which are all fun. Today I am trying a new one with Framed Frosting.

This week I have been seriously crushing on Dream Catchers. Maybe it's the Native American in me. Yes, I am part Native American. {Southern Piute to be exact} But how gorgeous are these dreamcatchers?? I am truly in love.

A Natural Dream

Brass Dream Catcher

Gypsy Dream Catcher

Handmade Dream Catcher

Neon Dream Catcher {My Fave!}

XOXO,
Whitney

Flying

The Moms and I on an airplane. Such a Lovely Photo and oh so fitting for this Post. Happ Flying!

I Just wanted to share with you all a few tips I have come to discover over the years I've been flying. Hope they help you the next time you fly.

Tip #1- Always have your headphones at the ready. Especially helpful when traveling by yourself or sitting by someone you don't know. Put those headphones in before you even sit down so that you then don't have to get to know your neighbor. It is less awkward then having to deal with small talk. A sidenote... you never know who your neighbor will be and on occasion you can have some interesting ones and some great ones... I play it safe with the headphones. They never fail me.

Tip #2- If you have a smart phone and like to have your boarding pass sent to your phone make sure you don't have a cracked screen... the scanner (or whatever it is) can't read it and then you slow everyone behind you down, awkward glares.... Check!

Tip #3- Prepare for security checkpoints before you leave for the airport. The pants you plan to wear need a belt? Either get some new pants or pack the belt in your bag to put on after security. Plan on wearing lots and lots of jewelry. Scratch that idea. There is nothing I hate more that someone with a bunch of jewelry who takes a walk through the metal detector sets it off the tsa asks you to remove your jewelry and you decide to only your ring off. Really people! You are just going to set it off again. So take his advice. Don' wear it.... or fine pack it in your carry on and put it on after security.

Tip #4- Don't wear shoes with laces... or just wear shoes that you can slip on and off easily.

Tip #5- While trying to pick which security line to get in... choose the one with business people they travel a lot and it's become a routine they know the drill. No offense but moms and families tend to be little bit slower, love em. But they have more to take care of then themselves. Business people. remember it.

Tip #5- Bring a jacket. The airplane can get cold and overall it is just more comfortable.

Tip #6 Bring some hand sanitizer wipes in the individual packets. They are lifesavers. Our family loves them and we can't leave for the airport with out them.

nicole