The Perfect Red Lip tutorial for NYE

A perfect little red-lip tutorial just in time for New Year's Eve

The first thing to do is the most important: Prep your lip. You can have a gorgeous red lipstick on, but if your skin is peeling, it will look horrible.

1) Apply a lip balm and massage your lips with your fingers.

2) A good way to get rid of any extra skin on your lips is to rub them with a very clean toothbrush.

3) Use a translucent powder as a lip primer, this will act as a base for the lipstick.

4) Line your lips carefully with a red lip pencil.

5) Fill the rest of the lip in with the lip pencil.

6) Now, you can either apply the lipstick directly on your lip, or you can apply it with a lip brush. I recommend using a lip brush for longer wear.

Applying the lipstick with a brush gives you more control, uses less product, and will last longer.

7) Lightly blot your lips on a tissue.

8) Then, set your lips with translucent powder.

9) Reapply the lipstick for 1 last coat, and you are finished!

Tiffany Blue Lovebirds with Crowns

"Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction..."

A sweet pair of love birds in your choice of colors. The birds are made with a dowel rod that can be inserted in the cake so that they can perch sweetly on the edge of the tiers and look lovingly into each others eyes. How precious can it get?! Each bird is hand-sculpted out of polymer clay and painted in your choice of colors. The gilded accents on their chest, beak, and wings gives these sweet birds a romantic and luxurious feel that would be the perfect addition to any cake. 


http://www.etsy.com/listing/109389753/tiffany-blue-lovebirds-with-crowns?ref=sr_gallery_13&ga_search_query=love+birds+crowns&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=GB&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=love+birds+crowns

These cuties are made from artist-quality polymer clay and sculpted by hand. They are each approximately 2" high and 3 1/2" long, making them a perfect fit for the top tier of your wedding cake.

Lilac & Lace

I think a lot of brides would have loved to be in this bride's shoes! She did not have to worry about her wedding cake.

Her closely-knitted friends organised a special wedding present for the couple... a Wedding Cake!

The theme colour was Lilac... which is romantic in nature and blends well with a number of other colours.

The bride specifically requested 'Lace' embellishment to be used on the cake & a couple of feature flowers...

'something pretty... but not over the top'

Tree slices... represent your life together

Hello beautiful brides to be

I have finally got my tree wood stumps or slices to use at our wedding, as part of our table centrepieces. They are beautiful and the pine smell is gorgeous.



WHAT INSPIRED ME ??

A tree slice REPRESENTS a moment in time where you reflect on where you came from, where you are and where you are going. The rings gently spiral out from the centre and journal every moment in your history together ~ the knots where your relationship became stronger ~the tiny cracks where you learned how to be apart and mend what was weak ~ the imperfections which give your relationship character and life.

"Tree slice cake stands are a beautiful sentiment to represent your life together."

Pinwheels Garland

These cute pinwheels capture all the fun

Step 1...... Gather tools

Step 2...... Gather Supplies - BIG HUGE IMPORTANT DETAIL... when making the OVERSIZED 12 inch diameter pinwheels you need TWO sheets of the 12 inch scrapbook paper. Buy duplicates or scrapbook packets that have multiples. A package of 12 inch long dowels. A spool of twine. Oversized buttons. These happen to be ones I pressed and cut from polymere clay... but any kind will do. (Yes be impressed by me for a moment) I don’t iron my shirts, but I make my own buttons. I don’t get me either!

Step 2

Step 3......Cut Strips and Fold Accordion Style- I recommend lining the patterns up on your two sheets of paper and folding or “measuring” them in half and cut in the same direction so your pattern continues end to end to end to end for 48 inches! Stack all 4 strips on top of each other and fold in either a 1/4, 1/2 or 1 inch bend. If you are making multiple pinwheels it looks really cool varying the fold width. (**Note…have glue gun plugged in so it is ready to roll shortly)

Step 3

Step 4.....Staple or use permanent adhesive squares. 

(Use a discrete amount of staples). Staple all the way around until you make a full circle. The accordion will stand upright like a lampshade. This is where it gets very tricky to lay the paper design side down. You need to “manhandle” it and show it whose boss. I kid you not. That thing will spring up in your face and cause great frustration.

Step 4

Step 5....Flatten Pinwheel/Insert Dowel- With one hand you need to hold it steady while you get your glue gun ready. The dowel is the KEY to the stability of the pinwheel. One this large does not want to lay flat without the extra support, especially if you are using them outside and wind is involved. You will thank me later!

Step 5

Step 6......Glue the snot out of it- You will win no prizes for aesthetic reasons on the backside of your pinwheel….but you will have a sturdy pinwheel in the end. If you really want to go the extra step you could cut out a 12 inch wide circle and glue it flat over the back to cover up all the mish mash of adherent.

Step 6

Step 7.....Glue on Button- put a lot of extra glue on the center point under the button as well as on the back of the button and hold firmly for a good 1-2 minutes until glue is absolutely cooled.

Step 7

Hang up and Enjoy- I just hole punched and added twine.

OMG...how cute are the "mini ones"...love these!!

Paper flowers

Did you happen to see the paper flowers in the Oregon Barn Yard Wedding? All made by Makela from Tie That Binds Weddings. Adding a crafty element to your decor for less than pennies. Use them as the wedding centerpiece on your table, a boutonniere or even your wedding bouquet. There are countless ways to dress these up. Possibly place them in a mason jar and wrap some lace around the jar or you could hang them from the ceiling from twine. We would love to hear how you would use your paper flowers. Read on for exact instructions and materials on how to diy paper flowers.

Materials and instructions on how to make DIY Paper Flowers

Yellowed Sewing Patterns (Tissue Paper), Ruler, Scissors, 24-gauge floral wire, Skewers (optional)

1. Stack 10 sheets of sewing pattens cut to 10″ square

2. Fold 1-inch wide sections of the stack, working into an accordion fold

3. and 4. Pinch, loop, and secure a 12-inch length of wire around the middle of the folded pieces. Round the edges using sharp scissors

5. Carefully unfold the layers of paper, fanning into a round bloom

6. A few gentle scrunches of the bloom will create the round “hydrangea” look that you want

7. If you will be arranging the flowers in a big bouquet using floral foam, wrap the remaining wire around a skewer. You can wrap up to three blooms around one skewers

Ta-da! And there you have it, a bouquet of stunning paper flowers!

Festive cocktails & pretty florals

It is an especially happy Friday around here since I get to talk about cocktails & florals with you. 

I have pulled together a few cocktails that have inspired me. 

They are both the perfect colours for fall and delicious, and floral arrangements that would make any fall wedding dreamy. Who knows, maybe one of these could be your signature wedding cocktail & bouquet (wink wink), or they could just be something you shake & stir tonight!

Sweet Pea Sangria

Ranunculus Bubbly

Dahlia Cooler

Autumn Elegance...

Fig, Light Plum, Antique Gold, Ivory & White

As we near the end of Summer, it seems to me that there are two schools of thought. Some people wouldn't love anything more than to hold onto Summer as long as they can - and then there are others, like myself, who more than welcome the change of season and everything that comes along with it. I think Fall has some of the prettiest palettes. And this one is no exception. Here lately I've really been attracted to shades of purple and I especially am loving this fig colour. It's such an intense colour and it really goes nicely with antique gold.

Berry kissed...

Berry, Lavender, Camel & White

Want to know the colour I'm secretly swooning over? That would  most definitely be this pretty shade of purple! Vibrant, beautiful and absolutely striking, this colour just exudes elegance. Looking for a colour that will work for any season? I'm loving this shade for Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. A gorgeous hue that mixes well with understated neutrals, berry really is very pretty. Wouldn't you agree? I'm absolutely loving this sweetheart chiffon bridesmaid dress and it's flattering style. Plus the texture is just fabulous if you ask me.

Oh, and no look could be complete without a few accessories. I'm loving how these tear-drop earrings pair so well with this gorgeous dress. Plus I just love how this woven clutch and that pair of heels coordinate so effortlessly. So what do you think? Are you a purple girl at heart? And would you consider using this colour in your wedding? Or even simpler, in your wardrobe?

Red hair... Wild & Sexy

Curly half up – half down wedding hairstyles give you the best of the both worlds. The updo at the front is sophisticated and formal, adds height at the crown, and works for all styles of bangs. Long flowing locks at the back feature romantic curls, showcase beautiful hair, and cascade sensually over the shoulders and collar bone. Check out these beautiful half up bridal hairstyle for red hair in ringlets accented by a white orchid.

This curly half up hairstyle is perfect for outdoor or beach weddings. Hair is secured at the front and gathered to achieve sophisticated height at the crown. A waterfall of curls or ringlets falling over the shoulders and down the back soften the updo, adding romantic tendrils. The curls look beautiful against skin revealed by a strapless wedding dress or blowing in the wind of your beach or outdoor wedding.

Auburn hair is a beautiful backdrop for the white orchid. Orchids are a wonderful choice for a wedding, representing love, luxury, beauty and strength. White flowers are used to mark new beginnings, so this colour is a natural choice for your wedding day. Select the colour and type of flower to complement your hair and work with your personal bridal style and wedding theme.

Lavender & Love

Lavender & love… what’s more romantic than a lavender infused wedding…? It’s such a dreamy, rustic notion and conjures up images of never ending summer days and hazy nights. Pretty and bohemian ~ inject some lavender & love into your day!

There are quite a few ways to incorporate a lavender colour palette into your wedding day, gorgeous with sage, whites & creams, rustic wood textures as well as lace or maybe even contrasted with mint or raspberry! 

Lavender Lemonade

Our all-time favourite! This delightfully refreshing drink turns a pretty pink colour after you add the lavender, and it has continued to be something that festival goers look forward to every year. Our favourite culinary lavender variety to use is Hidtcote, although any culinary variety may be used.

Serve over ice in your favourite glasses, and garnish with fresh lime slices and lavender sprigs for extra pizzazz!!

• 6 lemons
• 1 cup organic cane sugar
• 6 cups cold water
• 1/4 cup fresh or 1 TBSP dried lavender buds
• Ice Cubes
• Lavender Springs and Lime Slices for garnish (optional)

1. Juice the lemons to make 1 cup of juice. To extract the most juice, FIRMLY roll the lemons between your hand and the counter top before cutting in half and juicing. Place the lemon juice in a pitcher, and set aside.
2. In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the sugar with 3 cups of the water. Over medium-high heat, simmer and stir the water until the sugar is completely dissolved.
3. Stir in the lavender to the sugar water, cover, and remove from heat. Steep for 25-30 minutes.
4. Strain the lavender mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, and discard the lavender buds. Pour lavender infusion into the pitcher with the lemon juice. Add the remaining 3 cups of water, and stir well.
5. Pour into tall glasses half-filled with ice and garnish with fresh lavender sprigs and lime slices. (optional)

Something Blue...

You have probably heard this wedding tradition many times…

Something old, something new

Something borrowed, something blue

And a silver sixpence in her shoe.

But where does it come from and and what does it mean?

A sixpence is a coin that was minted in Britain from 1551 to 1967. It was made of silver and worth six pennies. This wedding tradition can be traced back to England, and many sources say that it began sometime in the Victorian Era. Each item represents a good luck token for the bride – if she carries them, it is said her marriage will have good fortune.

Something Old: The old item has several different meanings, but one general theme:

a link of continuity from the bride’s past. Some say this is a desire to remain connected with your family even after you established a family of your own. Other sources say it represents the life you are leaving behind. Another idea is that the tradition of family values and the connection family brings is being passed down to you. It is safe to say that all of these assumptions are correct; the bride is leaving behind her past to start a new beginning, but not to forget where she has been. Things you can use for the something old theme are: jewelry from your mother, grandmother or great-grandmother, an old wedding photo from your family, a love letter from your father to your mother, a picture of your parents in your purse, an old handkerchief, a childhood pillow to hold your rings, a piece of lace sewn into the hem of your gown.

Something New: means optimism and hope for the future. It conveys the message that you and your husband are creating a new union that will endure the test of time. Many brides choose to use their wedding gown, flowers or rings to symbolize the “something new” in this tradition.

Something Borrowed: Again, there are several meanings behind borrowing an item from a friend or relative. Some sources say borrowing something is borrowing happiness from a happily married woman, so that their happiness will carry over to the new bride. Other sources have said it is symbolizes the love and adoration you have for the person from whom you have borrowed the item from. If you borrow an item from your happily married grandmother or mother, you can fulfil both of these meanings. Doing this lets your parents (or grandparents) know that you admire their marriage and the respect they have for each other and that you hope to have an equally happy marriage. The borrowed item also signifies to the bride that she can always count on her friends and family for support. Items that can be used for the something borrowed theme could be: family jewellery, a prayer book from your mother or grandmother, strands of pearls, or your parent’s cake cutting set.

Something Blue: The colour blue has been connected to weddings for centuries as a symbol of love, modesty, fidelity, good luck, purity and loyalty. Many brides incorporate this colour into their clothing, by either wearing a blue stoned jewellery item or wearing a blue garter. However for a modern spin, you could use blue toe nail polish, blue eye shadow, a blue ribbon tied into your flowers, blue underwear, even wear light blue shoes! The possibilities are endless and limited only by your imagination.

A Lucky Sixpence: A sixpence in the bride’s shoe represents wealth and financial security. For optimum fortune, the sixpence should be worn in the left shoe. This tradition may date back to the Scottish tradition of the groom placing a silver coin in his shoe for good luck. Many companies sell keepsake sixpence pieces for weddings.

Brides have been honouring the something old, new borrowed, blue tradition for centuries. Although these items are supposed to bring good luck to the bride, many brides are following this tradition to honour people close to them on their wedding day.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/690931

Wedding flowers & their meanings

Have you ever wondered what meanings or connotations your favourite blooms have?

Sweet pea

The sweat pea symbolises pleasure and bliss. Strangely bittersweet as a wedding flower, it represents leaving after having had a good time. An incredibly fragrant blossom, the sweet pea has a short shelf life once cut and must be handled very carefully to be used as a wedding flower, but will fill the room with its sweet scent. 

Sweet pea

Anemone

Originally from the Greek word meaning “daughter of the wind”, Greek mythology says that the anemone grew from Aphrodite’s tears of mourning over the death of Adonis, which is why some sources say that the anemone indicates fading hope and abandonment. Some believe that when the anemone closes its petal, it indicates the coming of rain, while others think that the anemone is a lucky flower that protects against evil. Despite the darker side of its mythology, modern sources think that anemones stand for anticipation and excitement.

Anemone

Freesia

The freesia is an extremely popular fragrant flower, and it’s no wonder then that for many it has become the symbol of sweetness, friendship, innocent, thoughtfulness and trust. The Ballerina freesia is among the most popular of its varieties, with its delicate and elegant characteristics. 

The freesia is also the official flower for a seventh wedding anniversary.

Freesia is funnel or goblet shaped flowers with 8 to 12 funnels per stem, and their leaves resemble with Iris flower. If you plan to do your own wedding flowers, do not forget to ask your provider how long to delivered Freesia. Freesia is not a successful garden plant for North American, but available on your local florist as a cut flower all year round. In a vase life, Freesias can last up from 10 to 14 days.

Freesia

Gardenia

The gardenia symbolizes purity and sweetness, indicates secret love, and conveys joy and is thought of as a way to let the receiver know that they are lovely. Many believe that the gardenia also represents hospitality, grace and secret love, and in 19^th century England, the gardenia was worn on the lapels of men’s formal suits as a symbol of good luck.

While the gardenia has many wonderful qualities, one little known fact is that, if handled incorrectly, its petals will turn black.

Gardenia

Hydrangea

The hydrangea is a very soulful flower, which symbolizes heartfelt emotions. Some use it to convey gratitude for being understood, or to express friendship and devotion. Some more pessimistic flower experts believe that the hydrangea stands for frigidity and heartlessness, boastfulness or vanity. The hydrangea is the official fourth wedding anniversary flower.

As well as being a popular and beautiful flower, the hydrangea also carries medicinal purposes. Native Americans used the root as a detoxifier, while, according to alternative medicine, its bark is said to give relief for muscle sprains. This is on top of its supposed magical qualities – according to folklore, the hydrangea is used to break curses.

Hydrangea

Lavender

The lavender flower has the most simple meaning, which is widely agreed upon by flower experts. When given as a present, lavender flowers convey purity, silence and luck, as well as devotion. Lavender is often used in wedding arrangements for its sweet aroma, which quickly fills any reception hall. It also lasts incredibly well and has enjoyed a recent comeback due to vintage and country-style wedding trends.

Lavender

Peonies

The history of the peony is long and complicated. With the flower having been in recorded existence for thousands of years, the mythology and stories surrounding its origin is widely debated. Greek mythology in itself has several versions of events – one that the peony is named for Paeon, a physician to the gods, who was given the flower on by Apollo’s mother on Mount Olympus. Another says that the same physician was “saved” from death by being turned into a peony flower.

The peony has many meanings in different cultures and is both the floral symbol of China and the state flower of Indiana. Officially the flower of the twelfth wedding anniversary celebration, according to various sources, peonies represent bashfulness, compassion, riches, indignation, shame, romance, prosperity and honour. It’s no wonder that the peony is such a popular wedding flower. In its pink form, its softness makes it an incredibly sought after and expensive bloom, but it also symbolises a happy life and marriage, as well as good health.

Peonies

Ranunculus

Ranunculus represents radiant charm and attractiveness. ranunculus boasts brains as well as beauty, with its wide medicinal properties. According to various mythologies, a coyote was throwing his eyes in the air and catching them again, when they were stolen by an eagle. Ranunculus is said to have been created as a pair of new eyes for the coyote.

Presenting somebody with a bouquet of ranunculus says , “I am dazzled by your charms.”

Ranunculus

Stock

Stock is another symbol of happy life and contented existence, as well as lasting beauty, which makes it extremely appropriate for a wedding. It is also symbolic of promptness, so you organised brides out there should take note!

Stock

Such a fantastic post! Not only will you have beautiful wedding flowers on your day, you’ll also have that extra special dimension of knowing what each pretty blossom means too. So have any of these meanings influenced your decision on what wedding flowers you’ll choose?

xoxo