DIY Minimal Wreath

With the holiday season in full swing and Christmas fast approaching, decking out my house in all things festive is definitely on my mind. This project actually wound up killing two birds with one stone; I had been holding on to my dried wedding bouquet for sentimental reasons, but it took up so much space, and I didn't really have anywhere to display/store it. I debated what to do with it for a few weeks after we moved, since I really didn't want to throw it away! Finally, I carefully disassembled and sorted the parts of the bouquet and used it to create a wreath that added a nice decor element to our home, and could remind me of my beautiful bouquet. So, if you, too, are racking your brains for something to do with your giant wedding bouquet, or just want to learn how to make a pretty wreath, read on!


You will need:

01. Scissors

02. 12 gauge wire

03. Florist's wire

04. Wire cutters

05. Pliers

06. Your chosen greens and flowers

07. A long piece of ribbon (optional for hanging)


First, I carefully took apart the bouquet, taking it from this...



...to this. I had a lot of greens, like all that gorgeous eucalyptus, and a few pops of color that I wanted to incorporate (By the way, can we all just take a second admire the amazing work my friend did on this bouquet?! So good.). I also wanted to find a way to use the gray ribbon.


Then I used the wire to create a large circle, about fourteen inches in diameter. I used a large bowl to get the rough shape. I left a little extra so I could wrap it as shown in the photo.


After that, I began to add in elements of greenery. I began with the larger pieces that I wanted to be on the bottom, and fastened them to the wire frame with the florist's wire. Make sure to start where you wrapped the wire to secure the circle, so that it's covered.

Then I layered on the other pieces. I did a little experimenting to get the placement I wanted, then secured it on top of the other pieces. It was about this point that I realized how brittle some of the dried pieces were, and I hot-glued some of the bits down to add extra staying power. If you are working with fresh greens and flowers, this won't be a big problem. I wound up completely gluing the roses on at the end, because everything was so fragile at that point!




I finished up by tying the ribbon around the top for hanging purposes. And voila! I had a beautiful wreath that not only made a beautiful addition to my home, but also could remind me of my wedding every time I looked at it!



Be sure and let me know if you try your hand at wreath-making! I'm also thinking about making a couple more "Christmas-y" ones in different styles, so look out for those posts in the coming weeks!

The Beauty Capsule 03 - Let's Face It

Hey there! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Our little family began the day at church, then headed off for two family feasts. I made a pretty mean batch of sweet potato casserole (seriously, so good! whatever would I do without Pinterest recipes?), and a couple batches of cookies to continue fueling my serious sweet tooth. And although I'm still recuperating from the long day, I must say, it was really nice to be able to spend time with family and catch up.

Anyway, this segment of the Beauty Capsule should be fairly short and sweet! Today we're focusing on products for the overall face.


First up is primer! I don't use primer on a daily basis, but I like to have it on hand for special occasions or just when I want my makeup to wear well all day. Between the budget primers I've tried, I haven't seen much of a difference, so currently I'm using this one, Pore-Filler by NYX. It was rated highly online, and I think it does its job just fine.



I have extremely pale skin, and it has always been a chore finding a foundation that actually fits my skin tone. I'm a little embarrassed to admit that up until a few months ago, I was still using a foundation that was a shade too dark (because I'm cheap, and I had to finish the product first, haha). Then when I went to Target to stock up, I found the Revlon Colorstay Foundation (shade 110 for me!). It was less expensive than my other one, though still the same brand, and a whole lot closer to my actual skin tone. So I snapped it up, and I really like it. It's great all-day coverage. For budget foundations, Revlon has always been my favorite, and I'm glad to finally have the right shade!



As far as concealers go, I really like the HD Concealers by NYX. The green one I use under my foundation to help tone down any redness, then I top it off with the flesh-toned one, which I also use to help brighten my undereye area. The formula is really creamy and pigmented, and it lasts well.

Finally, I like to use Rimmel's Stay Matte Powder over the top of everything to keep it in place and provide a nice finish (no picture of this one, since my case broke!).



What are your favorite face products? I'd love to hear!

The Beauty Capsule 02 - How Cheeky

It feels like so long since I've sat down and typed up a post! In-between illnesses that hit me, Adelaide, and Josh, and a generally busy schedule, I've felt swamped with work. Today is a catch-up day--the house desperately needs cleaning, phone calls and paperwork need doing, and I need to wash all of Miss Adelaide's six-month outfits as she's just starting to get too big for her three-month clothes. Also, how is Thanksgiving this week? I can't believe how quickly time flew this month!

Anyway. Time for the second installment in my beauty capsule series! This week we're covering cheeks, which means blush and bronzer!



I remember when I first started getting into makeup, I bought a bright, sparkly pink blush from Claire's and thought it was the bee's knees. In reality, it made me look quite a lot like a clown, and once I realized that, I stayed away from blushes for a long time. I only started using them again in the past couple of years, when I picked up an inexpensive elf blush (this one, in "Twinkle Pink") to give my cheeks some color. This time I took into account my fair skin tone, and went for something peachy that would compliment it, but still look fairly natural. And it worked! As far as budget blushes (and, since we're on the subject, brushes!) go, I definitely recommend elf's products. They're pigmented and have a nice texture--they go on not too cakey, not too powdery, nice and light. I have kept the first blush I picked up from them in my beauty capsule, and I find it really nice for summer looks. When I was getting married, I decided I wanted something softer and more mauve. I tried the Benefit Rocketeur blush at Ulta and thought it was perfect, but I was at the point in wedding planning where I was pinching pennies wherever possible. So in the end, I picked up this elf blush in "Mellow Mauve" on a whim, and it was a close dupe.




I did splurge on one cheek product for my wedding, and went ahead and bought the Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour palette after testing it at Sephora. It is so versatile and pigmented and blends really nicely on my fair skin. Also, I've found that some of the lighter browns work great as a neutral blush. I've been swiping on Shadowplay almost every time I go to do my makeup. It creates a really nice fall/winter look. And although I've used it nearly every day since my wedding, I've barely made a dent in the product. That's how pigmented it is! :)

Well, there you have it! Short and sweet for this segment of the capsule. What cheek products are your favorites?

5 Ways to Start Living More Intentionally at Home

I have discovered over the past couple of years that I am a person who gets stressed easily, and I don't function well when I'm stressed--I become flustered, fidgety, and frustrated. This has become especially evident as I entered motherhood and the lack of sleep compounded my stress level. Because of this, I have been taking steps to cut the stress from my life by striving to live more intentionally. And you guys, it really helps. These are a few steps I strive to help eliminate stress and live with intent.


01. Cut the Clutter

This is a tip I've read over and over from numerous sources, but it's true. If you cut down on clutter, you will inevitably cut down on stress. My husband and I decided early on in our relationship that we didn't want an excess of stuff. It makes more work for cleaning (which is huge for me), and too much visual clutter crowds a space and makes it difficult for the mind to calm. When we moved into our little condo, I went on a purging rampage, with my husband's support, and now I can breathe much easier.

So, tackle a room at a time, or even just a part of a room, and get rid of anything you don't need or want. I wind up taking almost everything to Goodwill, but you can also check with friends and relatives to see if they want anything before you donate. You can also try selling some items to get a little extra cash.

Personally, my biggest project has been my closet, because I do get emotionally attached to clothes, and getting rid of dresses that I like but never wear or no longer fit (ah, postpartum body woes) has been a drawn-out process. I'm also guilty of holding on to clothing because I like the idea of it, but it's super unflattering!


02. Develop a Routine

This has been so helpful for me as a wife and mother. It took me a really long time to develop a routine after I had Adelaide, but once I finally decided that I needed one, it took such a load off my mind.  If you set habits in place and stick to them, your life will fall into an easy rhythm and your day will feel more intentional and productive. And it doesn't have to be a complex routine--it can be flexible, like picking days to accomplish certain chores, jobs, and goals. For example, I like to have specific days for things like laundry and deep cleaning, but every day I will make the bed, do the dishes, tidy the house, do blog work and pay any bills or make any important phone calls (the order is mostly dictated by Miss Adelaide, who still doesn't have a real schedule). And I've got it down so that (usually) everything is accomplished before my husband gets home from work, and I can relax with him.


03. Unplug

I didn't realize how much social media consumed my life until I swore off Facebook for Lent. And all of a sudden, I had so much time on my hands. Taking the time to unplug allows me to be more mentally present, and therefore more intentional. It's especially important to me when I'm spending time with my husband or chatting with a friend. I feel like we all know that person who's continuously on his or her phone when you're trying to have a conversation, and it sends such a negative message.


04. Take 15 Minutes for You

Every day, set aside a block of at least fifteen minutes for yourself to relax and recharge your mind. For me, every morning, usually during Adelaide's first nap, I take the time to make myself that much-needed cup of coffee, and sit down with my Bible for a short devotion. For you, it could be reading a chapter in a book, writing in a journal, meditating, or whatever you find helps recharge your batteries.


05. Set a Budget

Setting a budget is something I've started only recently, but I'm sorry I didn't start it sooner. It's a great way to be confident and intentional with how you spend your money. Josh and I recently sat down and hashed out all of our bills and evaluated how much we wanted to spend on necessities, like groceries, and how much we wanted to be able to put into savings or into fun things. I don't know about him, but I feel so much better knowing exactly where all of our money is going. And setting a budget is honestly good for everyone, regardless of whether you work part-time and are still living with your parents, or are married with children. In the long run, it helps you save money.

This may be a little off-topic, but one of the best ways I stay on budget is through meal-planning. At the beginning of each month, I sit down and create a meal plan for the entire month. This may seem a little excessive, and you could definitely do just a week or two at a time, but it helps save money and eliminate waste, because I know exactly what we need for every meal. And I keep it flexible, too--meals can easily be switched around when needed.

I hope you found this post helpful! What are some ways you cut down on stress to live with intent?

The Beauty Capsule 01 - The Eyes Have It

As I worked on creating my beauty capsule, eye makeup was the most important to me. I swoon over pretty eyeshadow palettes, and I feel naked without a cat-eye or finished brows!The Kat Von D Shade + Light eye palette is my go-to for everyday makeup looks. I debated between this and the Urban Decay Naked palettes for a long time, and finally decided on this one because I felt that the matte shadows would be more suitable for everyday wear. And I love this palette. It's super pigmented, and the three quads are so versatile. If I could choose only one eyeshadow palette to use for the rest of my life, this would be it.In addition, I have a duo from Julep (in the shades Dark and Stormy) for when I want to mix it up, as well as my old Julep palette, which is still pretty amazing.For mascara, Rimmel's Scandaleyes Retro Glam is inexpensive and gives some of the best results I've had from any mascara. It has a great brush style and adds lots of impact!



I only use eye primer occasionally, but still like to have it on hand for days when I don't want to have to worry about my eyeshadow creasing. Since it's not really a must have, I just have this one from e.l.f. It does the trick, and it's only a couple of dollars, which is a win in my book! (I'm not sure why this one looks blue...I may have bought the wrong one last time!)

Speaking of e.l.f...No matter how many liquid eyeliners I tried, I kept coming back to this one. It's only $2, but the brush provides the perfect amount of precision, the color is nice and opaque, and it lasts the whole day.

As far as brows go, this pencil from Rimmel has been my favorite for filling in and grooming my brows. I've tried other products in the past, but kept coming back to this one.



My final item is by no means a necessity, but I'm a huge fan. Though I usually stick with my basic eye routine, sometimes I like to mix it up a bit and this "when pencil met gel" eyeliner in teal from Julep is perfect for when I want something a little different. Their gel pencils also have a great formula! It's really creamy and the pigment just glides right on with minimal effort. And it's a really quick way to add impact to your eye look, which I love.

What eye products are your staples? I'd love to hear!

Rainy Fall Days

Fall and winter are my favorite seasons, especially as a Seattleite. I love my cold, gray weather. I love listening to the rain as it comes down against the house. I love staying inside with blankets and a toasty fire when it's cold. I love hot beverages. And I love layering. I may be the only one, but I feel like a fish out of water when it comes to spring and summer fashion, where one tends to stay away from layers because of the heat. As soon as it starts getting warm, I start counting down the days till fall.

This outfit, or some variation of it, is what I typically throw on if I need to go out and want to look a little more dressed up, but still want to feel like I'm in pajamas. And with outfits like these, I feel like it's all in the details--it's made interesting by the different textures and the necklace. This dress, incidentally, is one of the most versatile pieces I own. It was kind of an impulse buy when I was out shopping after work. I had recently found out I was pregnant, and I was determined not to shell out tons of money on maternity clothes that might only be worn a few times. I thought that this little trapeze dress would be perfect to accommodate my growing belly. And it certainly was! I wore it all through pregnancy and quite often afterward, when I was self-conscious about my post-baby pooch. And obviously, I'm still wearing it. I feel like this dress, a cardigan or button-down, and a pair of leggings are just the perfect outfit.





Also, I want to talk about these boots. Forever 21 is hardly somewhere I would go to shop for items of quality. However, there are a few gems. These boots are one of them. I actually thrifted them three years ago for about $5, not expecting them to last very long. But I have worn them almost constantly throughout the fall and winter of the past three years, and they're still going strong. They're comfy and go with just about everything. Best $5 I've ever spent. ;)



Outfit Details:

01. Cardigan - H&M

02. Dress - Ross

03. Leggings - Forever 21

04. Boots - Thrifted, originally from Forever 21

05. Necklace - Charlotte Russe (old)

What's a purchase that you've been pleasantly surprised by?

The Beauty Capsule

I think my quest to minimize really started when I was about to be married and I was packing all the things from my childhood home. I just had one room and a desk, so I didn't think there could possibly that much in them, but there was. So. Much. Stuff. It was overwhelming, and I decided that I didn't need probably 50% of the items I had crammed into my tiny room. So, section by section I went through and cut out everything that I didn't need, want, or use. One such section was my makeup table. I was one of those people who was constantly trying new products. Every time I went to Target, I found myself in the beauty aisles, and usually, I went home with a new lipstick (or two!), or a new eyeshadow quad. It was bad for both my wallet and my storage situation! I decided that with my beauty products, quality over quantity was the way to go. I took advantage of my upcoming wedding to buy a couple of palettes I'd been eyeing at Sephora and otherwise stuck to the more inexpensive products that I liked and that worked well for me. I successfully trimmed my makeup stash down to one small box of essentials and a couple of "special occasion" items.
Over the next few weeks, I'm going to share my beauty capsule with you:
01. Eyes
02. Cheeks
03. Face
04. Lips
05. My Everyday Makeup Routine

Hello, November

Good morning, everyone! Happy November! I have been counting down the days till November because Thanksgiving is in November, and once Thanksgiving hits, it's acceptable to bring out the Christmas decorations in full force! This Christmas is especially exciting to me because it's Josh and my first Christmas as a married couple (in our own home, too! yay!), as well as Adelaide's first Christmas! Josh is most excited for the holidays because he wants to share the joys of mashed potatoes with the baby, and I'm most excited to start our own holiday traditions. And of course, I can't wait to decorate. :)





This outfit is kind of the epitome of what I wear on a typical day. It's comfy and casual, but it also has a classic, stylish vibe that makes it more than just a boring "mom" outfit. And I'll be completely honest, there are days when I don't get dressed before noon, if at all. Most mornings, I'm grudgingly rolling myself out of bed because I have a wide-awake baby that wants to get up and play, and I'll throw on one of my husband's sweatshirts over my PJs. That's why when I do take the time to get dressed, I want an outfit that I feel good in. I do like to put on a good outfit every day, because something about it makes me feel more successful and motivated to get things done. It's the same with makeup. If I have a lot to get done and am having trouble getting motivated, I swipe on some lipstick and get to work.

The other thing I do to make my day get off to a successful start? I make the bed and tidy our bedroom. I realized when we first had Adelaide and she was colicky and refused to nap, so that I was having trouble getting anything done, if I could just make our bed, I felt infinitely better about myself. The dishes could wait, so could the pile of laundry that needed folded, but so long as the bed was made, I felt like I had gotten something done. I've kept it up for the past few months, and I really appreciate it, and I know my husband does, too.

Outfit Details:

01. Sweater - Merona by Target (old)

02. Chambray top - Who, What, Wear by Target (no longer available)

03. Jeans - Forever21

04. Shoes - Charlotte Russe (old)


What do you do to help keep yourself feeling motivated and productive?