Throwback Thursday

December 2009

DIY Constellation Light

I originally got the inspiration for this project from Refunk My Junk. I started off following her tutorial but then things changed a bit. I will talk about that as we go. 

Ok, so here are the materials you need:

• Large Canvas
• Spray Paint - the original creator used Midnight Blue but I could not find it so I just a flat Black
• White Chalk Pen/Marker
• Some sort of LED strip lighting. I used this one from Ikea.

**You will not need the lights shown in the first picture for my version of the project

So first, I just spray painted the canvas. As you can see it was not even. I am terrible at spray painting but I think it actually worked out because the night sky has dimension to it.

Then I started to draw my constellations with a pencil. I looked at a picture of the summer constellations and kind of just drew what I wanted to. I am not an artist in anyway so this task made me kind of nervous - hand drawing something? Oh dear.... 

It actually turned out really well though. I mean - come on Lauren, how hard is it to draw dots and lines? Anyway. I did keep it simple though and only drew the more simpler constellations. Brandyn asked me why I didn't draw Aquarius (we are both Aquarius) and I responded with, "Well, as an Aquarius, we are very complex creatures.....and the constellation was too" ... Seriously. Aquarius was crazy. 

Then I went over the drawings with the Chalk Marker. 

 

Then I wanted to represent distant stars. In the original tutorial, she said she "splat" the chalk marker. I could not figure out how to do this for the life of me so I just decided to put random dots. I was very nervous to do this part because I didn't want it to look intentional but I didn't want it to look ... well ... stupid! So I just decided to do it and I randomly just threw the chalk pen down all over board (I didn't literally throw it, that wouldn't work.). It actually turned out pretty good.... See this project has a common theme - me being surprised at my ability. 

 Then I took a craft knife and poked holes where all the dots were. 

Here is where the project changed. As you can see, I am poking the garden lights through. In the original project, the garden lights stick through the canvas and light up that way. When I did that, I didn't like it. The lights fell out and it was really bulky on the other side. It just frustrated me so I decided to do without them. 

 

I leaned it up against the window because I thought - hey with the holes, the light will shine through. That stayed there for a bit but I needed to figure out a new solution to the project because it didn't really look nice to have a big canvas blocking the window.... That is when I went and bought the led lighting strips from Ikea.

Once I put it together, I stuck the strips on the back of the canvas like shown in the picture

Then I bundled up all the wiring (bane of this project's existence) and taped it down. The tape did not hold it. This was only temporary until I stuck it on the wall using command strips (which would hold it in there)

And here it is - all hung up and pretty! I must say, I do like this version better and am pretty proud of myself for it. I am not an artistic, crafty person so this was a huge accomplishment for me. We are going to put a few things up beside it - it won't stay solo up in that spot forever.

Weekly Recap

Although, I said last week I would jump back into blogging, I didn't. Oops. I am going to try this week. 

The last week the only real exciting thing that happened was taking my dress in to get altered. I work with someone who runs her own sewing company on the side so it was really nice to have that connection since I bought the dress back in B.C. and definitely could not get it altered at that store. 

I was really unsure about having a bustle because I hate the look of them and I didn't want the skirt part of my dress to change in look but she was able to do it in a way that didn't change the skirt which really pleased me! 

Also... the dress still fit me! People kind of frowned at me (best way I can describe it) for buying my dress 2 years before the wedding. What if I didn't like it? I didn't need to buy it that early.... what if it doesn't fit me? Yea. It still fits me. And that... is called self control. I did not lose or gain - I maintained the same weight for 2 years. I believe maintaining is harder than losing or gaining so I applaud myself (without sounding full of myself lol)

I also have a sneak peak at some decorations - been slowly getting those together too! 

Yes, those are fake flowers. I am only having two pots like that in all of the reception so do not worry, guests will hardly notice it (except for the ones reading this lol). I figure it just makes more sense because then I can use it somewhere around the house. Going out and buying flowers the day of just seems like such a hassle and they will probably wilt by the end of the night so... I chose to go this way. By the way, isn't Gizmo just so handsome!

And here is a pretty picture I (well Brandyn) took of my bow from Aldo accessories. Love bows :)

And of course for my favourite song of the week:

Throwbaack Thursday

November 2009

Weekly Recap

I can't believe it is already April. Time is just flying by! I don't really have much of an update in terms of what we have been up to. I finished my Pinterest challenge so I will definitely be posting about that sometime soon. I'm actually really proud of this DIY because I started with this tutorial that I found but then I changed it after and made it something different. So yea, can't wait to share that.

I also finally finished the last Hunger Games book. I started it in November after I watched Catching Fire. I had read the first two books back before Mocking Jay was even released and then I just never got around to reading it but after watching the movie - I just had to find out what was going to happen next... yes I am one of those people that will read the last page and throughout this book, I had to fight with myself not to do so. I was actually thinking of starting a separate blog just for book reviews and all that. Will keep you posted if that happens.

So anyway, as I promised, I would be posting some of my favourite songs. If you watch the show Nashville, please skip forward but the show is basically about being in the country music business (fictional drama show). What is great about the show is that they release one or two tracks per episode. So they will do covers and I think some original songs but the cast will sing them - kind of like Glee but less high school musical. Here are some of my favourite songs from the show.

WIWW: Movie Night

I have always been a little perplexed by what I see some girl wears to the movies. I just don't understand why it is necessary to wear 5 inch heels and mini dresses to a movie theater - you are sitting in the dark for approx. 2 hours....

I am the exact opposite. I like to be as comfortable as possible. Here is a quick snapshot of an outfit you might see me in at the theater. 

Nothing is here is what I actually own but it is pretty much what I will wear. 

I have a pair of fleece lined legging/sweatpants from Roots. Seriously worth every penny. They are the most comfortable pair of pants I have and even though they are sweatpants, they look like leggings. 

I might wear either a pair of moccasins from Forever 21 or just a pair of boots. I like to take my shoes off during the movie and cross my legs - it's all about comfort for me! lol 

And then some kind of over sized chunky sweater with a tank top underneath. The particular sweater I have is from Garage and I love it because it is really comfortable and not itchy or anything. I despise itchy clothes.

So that is what I will typically wear to the movie - sometimes I just go straight for the PJ pants but that is only if it is a really late movie....

March Favourites

I took last week off from blogging because I was going through a bit of a slump. I was having trouble coming up with good content and I would rather just not write anything than write pointless stuff. That being said, I've come up with some new content ideas.

 Along with my weekly recap, I will be adding a "Music Monday." I love music and finding great songs so I will be posting some of my favourite songs of that week.

I will also being doing a monthly pinterest challenge. I have 3000+ pins on Pinterest and I want to go through and actually try out some of those things, whether it be a craft, recipe, or outfit inspiration. I have basically finished my craft for this month so once I have it hung on the wall (ooo spoiler alert!), I will be posting all about it!

Now, for today's post. I have expanded my monthly favourites to include one thing from a bunch of categories. So, enough with the chatting and on to my March favourites. 

Hair: Tangle Teaser

This brush is my absolute favourite. My hair is unruly. I think I have said that before. It is thick, wavy and frizzy and it will tangle like crazy. I usually run conditioner through my hair twice to help it along but it is still a pain to get a comb through it after my shower. This makes it a breeze! I can't even believe how well it works. For those wondering where you can get it, Sally's Beauty Supply has them. 

Skincare: Caudalie Gentle Cleansing Milk

I previously said the Keihl's Ultra Facial Cleanser was a favourite but after a while, I realized it wasn't the right cleanser for me. I was still getting cystic acne and I'm pretty sure the reason for the rest of my face clearing up was because of my Clarisonic. I went to Sephora and talked to the skin expert and she reccomended this cleanser for me. I have never used a milk cleanser before so the texture was definitely different but I immediately started seeing results. I have not had any cystic acne since and the dark spots on my cheek from previous breakouts are finally starting to clear up. Needless to say, I think this is the one ;)

Bath & Body: Nothing this Month

Fashion: Fossil Riley Multifunction Stainless Steel Watch 

I had a gunmetal, I had a rose gold, I needed a silver watch. I originally went into Fossil looking at a watch with a turquoise plate but the price here in Canada is more than it is listed than on the website and I had not budgeted for that. I ultimately decided on this one and I am glad I did. The blue color is more of a blue-grey in real life and I find it a lot more neutral. I wasn't 100% sold on the turquoise one and I feel that it would be harder to match with everything so I am definitely glad I chose this one and I really love it!

Makeup: Real Techniques Accent Brush

This brush is part of the Real Techniques eye starter set. It is a bit hard to find because it is a UK Based company but they do sell it at Walmart and Winners so just keep perusing there if you want to find it. This is basically a mini kabuki brush for eyes and it is so soft and dense and just really great for putting the shadow on. I actually use it to put it all over my lid as oppose to the accent.

Nails: Nicole by OPI Carrie Underwood Love My Pups

And the Carrie Underwood nail polish saga continues. I'll have to admit, I have a few nail polish colors very similar to this one but I had to get it because it is Carrie Underwood. Simple as that. I just love this color and as I have said before, the line itself is a really great formula.

Book: Hunger Games Trilogy MockingJay

When I read the first two books, Mocking Jay hadn't even come out yet. Then the movies came out and I just had never gotten around to reading it. So when I watched Catching Fire in the theater - and the way they had the cliffhanger, I just had to pick up this one right away because I was not waiting a year to find out what happened! So I am currently reading this one and I haven't finished it yet (almost done though). It made my favourites by default because it is the only one I've read this month so far lol.

Movie: Divergent

I almost always read a book before going to see a movie - mostly because I had read the book before they even started making movie. I hadn't read this one though. The movie was realllly good. It definitely lived up to it's hype. I bought the box set because...even though it is really unconventional for me to do this, I am going to read the book after I watched the movie! 

TV Show: The Good Wife

I have many many TV shows that I love. I have been catching up on this one on Netflix and it really is amazing. Keep in mind, I have a passion for law, but this show, I just love! You should definitely check it out.