The Inward Tuck Ponytail

Hello!

 

 

   Many moons ago, I discovered the easiest hairstyle of all time (thanks, mom). It's so simple you've probably already tried it-- but if you're like me and late to the game, here's a little tutorial. It only takes five little baby steps, and wham-bam you instantly look more put-together! I'm going to go ahead and point out the awful quality of the diagram images; as it turns out, taking pictures in front of a bright window isn't such a great idea. I tried taking the photos at night, but the flash hit the window and messed everything up, so this is the best it can be. You can still see what I'm doing, though, so just excuse the quality and the diagram's good to go!

 

   The Inward Tuck Ponytail

 

  1) Tie your hair into a somewhat loose, low ponytail

 

  2) Right above your hair tie, divide your hair into two sections. Grab one section with each hand and pull apart, creating a hole

 

  3) Take your ponytail and tuck/pull it through the hole (entering from the outside)

 

  4) Ta-da! All done! Told you it was easy.

  This hairstyle probably won't take you more than two minutes, one minute after you've practiced. It's perfect for those bad hair days!

  xoxo,
    Zoe

How To: Make Sunset Cupcakes

  Hello!

  Remember my sunset nails? Well, this cupcake tutorial is inspired by them! The recipe below is so delicious. It's not vanilla so much as just white cake flavored; it's reeeally sweet! It's originally from here, but I added the food color/frosting details.

  You'll Need...

  1/2 cup milk

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup butter

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
Red food coloring
Yellow food coloring
Frosting
(I used cream cheese)

No AA batteries means I had to use my iPhone..

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees (Fahrenheit). Line a muffin pan with paper liners (or grease a 9x9 pan if you want to make a cake instead).        

       

2) In a medium bowl, cream together the sugar and butter. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder, add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Finally stir in the milk until batter is smooth.

3) Divide batter into three separate bowls. Add yellow to one, red to another, and an even red/yellow combination to the last one (remember, a little goes a long way!). Stir until desired color is achieved. When spooning the batter into your cups, remember you still have two colors left... don't overdo one color!               

 4) Bake 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or 30-40 if you're making cake. Cupcakes are done when they spring back to the touch.                      

In the nail tutorial, I added palm trees. With the cupcakes... At least I can say I tried.

 5)  After they've cooled, frost them. I used standard Duncan Hines Cream Cheese frosting, but I'm sure there's a trillion sugary recipes fit for these little calorie bombs.


    Just so you know: The food coloring method can also be used for rainbow cupcakes! I tried this a while ago, but didn't blog the recipe (there was a cornstarch incident). The mini sunsets tasted much better, anyway. :)

 

    Enjoy!

 xoxo,

    Zoe

How To: Sunset Nails!

   Hello!

  I'm here today with a nail tutorial for super-easy sunset nails. I was inspired by one of my friends' manicure that she had done at a salon, but I took the main features of it and gave it an easier twist. Let's get this (beach!) party started.

You'll Need...

~ Yellow nail polish ~

~ Pink nail polish ~

~ Orange nail polish ~

~ Black nail art polish ~

~ Top coat ~

~ Base coat ~

Step One: After you started your basic manicure, apply yellow polish to 1/3 of your nail (the cuticle, the side, or the top). Mix up the way you apply it per nail, so no sunset is the same.

Step Two: Do the same with the orange. The colors should look like they're melting into each other.

Step Three: Do it one last time with the pink. I ran over them with a top coat while still mildly wet, to blend the colors even more.

Step Four: Make a palm tree with your black nail art polish. Start with the trunk (thick at the base), pulling it toward the center of your nail (thinning as you go). Make your "fronds" where you left off at the center.

Step Five: Repeat the palm-tree process with one or two of your other nails. I did my thumb, middle, and pinky fingers.

  It's vacation at your fingertips! :)

 xoxo,

    Zoe

How To: Do a Basic Manicure!

  Hello!

  I've made a little diagram on how to do a basic manicure...

 Allow me to elaborate...

1) Gather your supplies: (Clear) Base coat, (clear) top coat, nail file, nail clippers, cotton ball, nail polish(es)

2) Remove dirt and old polish. This will not only make your manicure smoother, but last longer, too!

3) Clip your nails, then file them.

4) Apply one even base coat.

5) Apply nail polish.

6) Apply one even top coat.

 Be on the lookout for my nail tips and tricks post soon!

 xoxo,

   Zoe

How To: Make a Bunting Banner

   Hello!

   Bunting banners/flags/pennants (let's just stick with banners) have become quite popular. Rather than buy one, though, why not just make it? Here's a super-easy tutorial to do just that.

You'll Need...

Glue

 Duct Tape

Scissors

Yarn or (thick) Ribbon

Pencil

Construction Paper (multiple colors)

 

 

Step One:  Cut out a medium-sized triangle, then use it as a template to cut out five more.

Step Two:  Using a different color, cut out circles or thick lines. Place them on a triangle, then glue. Decorate two or more of the triangles with various shapes. (I tried circles, but they didn't turn out too well...)

Step Three: Once the glue has dried, turn all your triangles over. Put them in the order you want them to hang, then place yarn or ribbon on them, near the top. Using a small piece, duct tape the yarn/ribbon to the triangle.

Step Four: Hang your banner!

Enjoy!

   xoxo,

        Zoe

How To: Make Cupid's Arrows

  Hello, hello!

  

   This is a super quick and easy how-to that teaches you how to make cute little Cupid's arrows; perfect for Valentine's Day!

 You'll Need...

• Felt
• Yarn
• Scissors
• Sticks
• Felt Glue or Standard Thick Glue
  (For the sticks, I used ones meant to be used as plant markers)

First: Prepare your felt. Per stick, cut out two small, matching triangles for the heads. Glue all the sides together except for one, and dot glue on all of that side but the middle (so you leave room for the stick). For the ends, cut out two matching rectangles.

Next: On the top of both rectangles, cut out an inward triangle. At the bottom, cut out an outward triangle. Glue the sides together, following the same glue instructions as with the head-triangles. (If you want, add subtle fringe to the ends, simply by putting little cuts on the sides.)

Then: Let dry. Make sure stick fits in well on both sides. If not snug, put a dab of glue on the stick's ends, and press the felt down on it. Near the rectangle arrow back, tie a piece of yarn.

Now: All done!

    I think the simplicity of the project makes written instructions a bit difficult to understand, but I'm sure you can do it!

     Have you crafted anything for Valentine's Day?

xoxo,
   Zoe