Nail Polish - Favorite Colors for Fall!

Put away those summer shades and make room for some amazing and eccentric fall nail polish colors! Fall is definitely one of my favorite times of the year and nail polish is one of my favorite beauty products. Luckily, for a few moths during the year I get to combine my love for both fall and nail polish! I always try my best to keep up with the nail polish colors that are currently in style, I rocked mint on my nails and toes pretty much the whole summer! But, now, it's time to move on to fall and switch your shades!

Raspberry

Show off your chic side from day one with a bold, raspberry polish! It's an unexpected, darker shade that's more exciting than plain black nails, but not quite as overtly girly as a bright pink.

Try:  
1. "Laurel Canyon Lolita" by NCLA, $16, shopncla.com  
2. "Pulp Fiction" by Sonia Kashuk, $4.79, target.com  
3. "Intuition" by Seche, $8.50, Ulta and salons  
4. "Don't Make Me Wine" by China Glaze, $8, salons

Dark Cherry

If you and your crush have plans to walk through the park drinking maple lattes, give your mani a subtly romantic vibe with some this deep cherry polish. It's a bit more mysterious than your average red, and the darker shade pairs perfectly with cozy fall flannels!

Try:  
1. "Dinner Party" by Candie's, $8, kohls.com  
2. "From The Heart" by SpaRitual, $10, sephora.com
3. "Lost on Lombard" by OPI, $9, ULTA  
4. "Control Freak" by Sephora X, $9.50, sephora.com

FRI"DIY - Illuminating Candle Holder

Good afternoon and happy Friday! I know everyone is in a great mood today because, who doesn't love Friday? The reason I do is because I get to blog about DIY projects which happen to be one of my favorite down time hobbies. Today's DIY is very quick and easy but awesome! Anyone who knows me, knows I love candles; especially fall scented ones :-). Which is why you'll probably be seeing a lot of candle-based DIYs on my blog. Anywho, this blog is really simple and fun, only took about 15-20 minutes and I can show you in three short steps!

What you'll need:

A candle holder (of your choice) I purchased this one from The Christmas Tree Shops - $4.00

A glue gun, I purchased this one from A.C Moore and it was around $3.99. I would also grab extra glue sticks, too!

Mosaic Stones, I purchased the mini bags above from The Christmas Tree Shoppes, they were $1.99 each. I didn't need as many stones as I bought, I just figured it's better to buy more and have some left over than to be short stones. You can choose whichever colors you want *HOWEVER* they must be transparent (see through) or the light will not shine through them. I chose red, orange, yellow and clear because they're fall colors and I love fall!

Time to start!

Alex and Ani

I've been hearing lots and lots of talk about Alex and Ani bracelets, so, I've decided to check them out for myself and post about them! If you're sitting there scratching your head, wondering, "What is an Alex and Ani bracelet" .. No worries; that's what I'm here for! There are three main and very important facts about Alex and Ani jewelry. 

1) They are made in America.

"Alex and Ani is a company dedicated to creating products of unparalleled quality and beauty that promote consciousness and unity. Manufacturing in the United States and reusing and recycling materials is an integral part of Alex and Ani’s mission as a conscious and eco-friendly company. Alex and Ani’s collections are not only eco-friendly, they are made up of powerful, meaningful, and spiritual pieces, which uplift and inspire all who wear them."

2. They are Eco-Friendly

"The Alex and Ani aesthetic underscores the idea that what is pure and natural is most beautiful and creating jewelry from recycled materials enriches the beauty of each piece. Founder and creative designer Carolyn Rafaelian embraces a philosophy that is based upon using eco-friendly, recycled materials made entirely in the United States. Because of this, Alex and Ani is able to purchase metals from local mills who have received recycled scraps from refineries, which in turn, use those pieces and sell their scraps back to the Mills."

3. They are infused with "positive energy"

FRI"DIY" - Mason Jar Candle Holders!

Good morning and happy Friday! Friday is definitely the best day of the week, right? I think everyone will agree when I say that the weekend is awesome! The weekend is my chance to have some down time and relax. My forms of relaxation are taking baths and reading. Another thing that helps me relax are candles, especially when candles are lot while I'm taking a bath or reading. I'm always so paranoid when I lite candles while taking a bath because I'm worried that they'll spill over (etc). Which is why I got the idea to combine two of my favorite things: mason jars and candles! Since mason jars are a great size, they allow the candle to be surrounded by the high walls of the jar to prevent spilling. After I got that idea, I said to myself, "Well, you can't just throw a candle in a mason jar and call it a day.. It has to be decorated!" Annnnnd here we are! Let's get started!

What you'll need:

I got the mason jars from Michaels, the tape, spray paint, sanding bar and tape from Lowe's. Michaels had spray paint; however, it was $11.99 a bottle which is why I went to lowes.

Two mason jars - 2.99 ea.

Sanding sponge - 2.99 

Scotch painters tape - 1.99

Valspar spray paint - $5.99 ea.

Back to School Backpacks! (On A Budget)

Now that September is rolling around, I'm totally in the school spirit. I recently wrote a post called Back to School Bags (On A Budget) and typically after every post I write, I ask my friends for opinions. After the Back to School Bags blog all of my friends were surprised at how inexpensive each bag was that I listed; but the post couldn't help but make us all feel nostalgic for our grade school back pack days. Each bag I posted in the Back to School Bags blog was either a tote bag or a handbag big enough to carry your school necessities. While my friends and I fell in love with each bag I posted, we all miss the days where you looked forward to picking up your funky colored JanSport backpack; which all of your books and pencil cases fit into perfectly.

JanSport "Overexposed" - $35.00

 

I love JanSport! However, now a days, JanSport isn't as popular for the high school and college crowd.. But I'm here to show you some backpacks that are! Who doesn't love a good backpack?

For men:

Tilly's "MI-PAC Nordic Backpack" - $31.99

(Available in different colors and patterns) 

FRI"DIY" - Tassel Necklaces (On A Budget)

Hello and happy Friday! I always get really excited for Fridays, not only because it's the weekend, but because it means I get to try out a new DIY! This weeks DIY is one of my favorites. I've been dying for a tassel necklace for fall! They're adorable and match with mostly everything. They're definitely funky, new and something I'm willing to try out!

If you haven't seen tassel necklaces yet, here are some I found online at Anthropologie:

Anthropologie "Neon Plume Necklace" - $38.00

Anthropologie "Tassel Plume Necklace" - $38.00

Anthropologie's website has a bunch of tassel necklaces and they range in price from $38-500+.

I loved their tassel necklaces so much that I decided I wanted to make my own.. On a budget! I got all of my products from AC Moore and it was one of the most simple DIY's I've done! Let's get started on your trendy tassel necklace.

The cost of this DIY is completely up to you and how many necklaces you want to make. I knew I would want to make more than one so I picked up a few extra items.

Tassels - $1.99 ea.

Jars of beads - $2.99 ea.

Beading wire - $3.99 ea.

Mini Diagonal Cutter - $2.99 ea.