darn

Wanted to do an outfit post today, but camera isn't allowing the use of the timer! darn darn darn.

Tomorrow is another day...I'll try somethign different
-b-

Weekend plans

It's beautiful in Houston right now. Which is awesome, but also means that I have to do housework this weekend. There are so many house-tasks that just plain can't be done during most times because it's too damn hot in Houston. No excuse this weekend - it's freakin' lovely.

Not sure what I'll tackle this weekend. Do you remember my window bars? I'm thinking that I'll finally strip the rusted paint and start to repaint. I bought the supplies in the spring but never did it. They are a little tacky to start with, and look much worse with rusted paint. Not sure how I can make this not mind-numbing....radio for sure.

I also have a halloween-related craft that I'd like to make this weekend, but I haven't figured out the best way to do it. The challenge: recreate Beyonce's crazy metal glove.....

source: people magazine

Source

Any ideas?


-b-

Craft time

I went on a huge crafting spree a week or so ago and never got around to posting. I made so many fun little things…with Halloween coming up, there were a lot of skulls.

These are earrings I made for each of the girls that came to my pumpkin carving night.

I have extras …want a pair? Shoot me an email at ramurray{at}hotmail.com with your address.

I made these for myself (hey I already have a pair of the skull only). I made a big circle using wire, then went back over it with a thinner wire and smaller beads. They are pretty fun earrings (clickable for closeup).
I also made these skull earrings. The skulls are carved wooden beads.


A NON-Skull item is this beautiful pearl necklace.

I loved the color of these, not too light and not too dark purple. I made this for a girlfriend that just announced her pregnancy. It’s too early to know if she’s having a girl or boy, so I thought I would give her something just for her as a mom. Moms deserve to look pretty and I thought the purple would compliment her skin.

Before my trip to Florida, I made one of these necklaces for each girl. You may recall this necklace is hanging from my dining room light!

The beads around the light were originally in 5 strands (one for each girl) when I decided that they would look good combined and hung from the light.

I came back a week later and made 5 new necklaces. I love these glass beads. They were super inexpensive from Joannes (I think $5 for a one POUND bag and then it was buy 1 get 1 or something like that). They make great necklaces b/c no two beads are the same and at least one bead in the necklace will pick up colors from your outfit. No brainer jewelry!

Remember to let me know about the skull earrings. I don't know how many pairs I had leftover or what colors, but I'll send what I have.

-b-

Pumpkin carving

I think I’ve said it before, but I’m really thankful that in the last year I’ve met an awesome bunch of girls. One example of their awesome-ness is the monthly Ladies Night In. This month was my turn to host and the theme was PUMPKIN CARVING.

I don’t know what is more fun than eating with friends, drinking wine and getting stabby with a pumpkin.

My pumpkin was a stunning white number (rare for TX, guess I didn't go local in this purchase):

*tough to see in the dark against a purple shirt, but I'm wearing my shell necklace. You can see it better if you click to enlarge*

I don't know why, but I was genuinely surprised that it was orange inside. I've never seen a white pumpkin, let alone carved one.

This is a group shot from the night. I was impressed with the variety and knife wielding skills.

What will your pumpkin look like?

Are you a tracer or do you freehand? I have a tough time carving designs that I think up, so I usually stick to a modified tracing.

-b-

Non-nautical shells

After reading a post by Punkystyle, I was inspired to make my own Alex & Chloe style necklace.

Here is mine from afar:
And Close up

I love it. It looks a little dark, but still comes across as an organic piece of jewelry. While in St. Pete, I picked up a lot of little shells and will probably make a couple more necklaces. Or maybe earrings?


I think I will try other colors with the next ones. Right now I’m thinking of hot pink and gray with glitter!

-b-

Haircut

I finally went in for a haircut and am really happy with the results. Here is a before:


And an after:

Not a huge difference, but it subtly revived my curls. I went to a ‘curl specialist’ this time, her name is Gerri and she works at Blue Mambo Salon in Houston. I learned all sorts of curly hair tips, such as:

• I don’t have curly hair, I have wavy hair


• Don’t brush and don’t comb, use my fingers for less breakage


• It’s fine to condition, but stop shampooing too much. Limit it to once a week so that hair isn’t dried out. When shampooing, use one without sulfides because you don't want all that bubbling (Suave naturals fits this, hello cheap!).


• Keep plunking. It works.


• I've been using Jessicurl's Confident Coils which has been helpfult and is good, but is supposed to be better when used with Rocking Ringlets

Not familiar with Plunking? Check it out here. At first it’s really funny to walk around the house with your hair tied up in a funny towel (I use flour sack fabric, but others use microfiber).

Here is me with my super cool drying flour sack thing (this is what I use instead of a microfiber towel):

Gotta go with what works!

-b-

Studly Shoes

I’m back! I was in Florida for the past couple of days seeing my girlfriends and also getting some fantastic family time with my sister and her family. We were on the west coast, mostly hanging out in the St. Pete area.

I got to visit the Lawry Park zoo with my niece and nephews, dance my butt off with the girls, and even relaxed on the beach. It was pretty great, I’m not going to lie!

St. Pete beach was nice and quiet on Sunday.

Hanging out with my nephew at the lake (my niece took this photo).

Goat feeding at the Zoo.

Before leaving Houston, I’ll admit to coping Kasmira’s star design, and bedazzled a pair of shoes to match my purse. It turned out great. I wore them this past wkd and got a lot of compliments with both the purse and shoes.

I think I’ve done my part to positively spread the word about bedazzling. I think my work is done!

-b-