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As Valentine’s Day looms around the corner, it’s the perfect time to dress up and look pretty. Blair Waldorf made it cool to wear fascinators (Yes, those things are called fascinators. How fascinating right?), and since I’ve been dying to get one of my own, I decided that this was the best time to make one! A DIY gift for myself! Haha. This is also a great Valentine gift idea if you’re thinking of making something for your loved one.

Things you need
1. Feathers (any colour you like)
2. Small piece of cardboard
3. Red cloth approximately 4.5″ x 19.5″ or 12cm x 50cm
4. Red thread
5. Red hairband
6. Scissors
7. Needles

First, we will make the rose. Turn the cloth over and fold the width into half, making it about 2.5″ wide. This is the side that wont be exposed. Sew the edges down with small stitches. You dont have to be neat as we will be hiding this on the inside. Once you are done, turn the cloth inside out. The side that you want to show as the rose petals should be on the outside now.

Now we have to make the rose. You start by rolling the first edge of the cloth in for about an inch or so before folding the cloth outwards to make the “petals”.

Fold the long end of the cloth outwards to form a triangle. The triangle should be nearest to where the new “petal” will be (see visual). Wrap it around the rest of the “petals” you’ve made and hold securely at the base with the other hand.

Fold. Roll. Hold. Repeat.

When you’ve reached the end, sew the loose ends securely at the base/stalk of the rose with the needle and thread and admire your beautiful work. It might be a good idea to sew across the petals too. This helps to keep the shape of the rose. Make sure the sewing’s tight because we dont want the rose to come undone!

Now comes the easy part.

Glue stick the rose and feathers to the hairband at desired position with a glue stick.

To provide extra support for the rose on the hairband, we’ll use cardboard. Cut a circle from cardboard big enough to cover the base of the rose, but small enough to be hidden.

Cover it with the same red cloth you use for your rose so it camouflages.

Finally, attach the cardboard underneath the flower and feathers for stability.

VIOLA! Your new Valentine’s Day fascinator.

In case, you’re too lazy to try it out yourself, here’s a GIVEAWAY!

I honestly wasnt sure if I should give out this DIY item I personally made. I mean, I wanted to, but I really dont think it’s good enough. It’s definitely not store material of course. There’s a reason they call it DIY.

But since it’s Valentine’s Day and I’m in the spirit of giving (isnt that Christmas though?), leave your name and working email address in the comments section if you dont mind my brilliant (HAHA!) handiwork. One LUCKY commenter will receive this DIY fascinator in your mailbox!

Draw ends 11th of February 2010, 1200hr! So start commenting now.

All comments will be screened. Applicable to Singapore addresses only.

I’ve never had to bother with fake nails. Being absolutely clumsy it was either I cut them short, grew them out or get gel/acrylic extensions. But if you’re always busy working with your hands, what happens when you need a temporary permanent situation?

Fake nails to the rescue!

I only used them a couple of days before the actual Coronation while other girls sported extensions the whole time. Turns out they’re actually pretty easy to use!

What you need
- a fake nail kit (you can easily purchase them from a local drugstore)

The nail kit usually comes with an emery board, cuticle stick and nail glue. Otherwise, you will need to purchase them separately.

How to
1. Remove any trace of nail polish on your natural nails using cotton balls and nail polish remover. Wash your hands and dry thoroughly.

2. Apply hand-cream and allow it to soak into your skin.

3. Before applying the artificial nails, select the most appropriate sized one by matching the artificial nail to your natural one. The artificial nails should cover your natural nail and not be smaller than your actual nail.

4. Push your cuticle back to expose as much of your natural nail as possible.

5. File your nail surface using the emery board until it is smooth. This allows the glue to spread evenly and provides a better adhesive when you apply the artificial nail.

6. Spread an even layer of glue to your thumb and apply the fake nail starting from the edge nearest the cuticle. Apply gentle pressure and hold the fake nail down for 5 to 10 seconds before releasing.

7. Repeat Step 6 for the rest of the fingers.

8. Once you are done, viola, stretch your hands out and enjoy your handiwork! You can also choose to file any rough edges down or even shape the nails to any shape or length you want.

I’ve never had to bother with fake nails. Being absolutely clumsy it was either I cut them short, grew them out or get gel/acrylic extensions. But if you’re always busy working with your hands, what happens when you need a temporary permanent situation?

Fake nails to the rescue!

I only used them a couple of days before the actual Coronation while other girls sported extensions the whole time. Turns out they’re actually pretty easy to use!

What you need
- a fake nail kit (you can easily purchase them from a local drugstore)

The nail kit usually comes with an emery board, cuticle stick and nail glue. Otherwise, you will need to purchase them separately.

How to
1. Remove any trace of nail polish on your natural nails using cotton balls and nail polish remover. Wash your hands and dry thoroughly.

2. Apply hand-cream and allow it to soak into your skin.

3. Before applying the artificial nails, select the most appropriate sized one by matching the artificial nail to your natural one. The artificial nails should cover your natural nail and not be smaller than your actual nail.

4. Push your cuticle back to expose as much of your natural nail as possible.

5. File your nail surface using the emery board until it is smooth. This allows the glue to spread evenly and provides a better adhesive when you apply the artificial nail.

6. Spread an even layer of glue to your thumb and apply the fake nail starting from the edge nearest the cuticle. Apply gentle pressure and hold the fake nail down for 5 to 10 seconds before releasing.

7. Repeat Step 6 for the rest of the fingers.

8. Once you are done, viola, stretch your hands out and enjoy your handiwork! You can also choose to file any rough edges down or even shape the nails to any shape or length you want.

2 DIY posts in a row! I’ve been realllllyy hardworking these past weeks especially with the long holidays and half-days off work. Yay!

A couple of months back I did a tutorial on how to DIY a pair of bling lashes using glitter nail polish. That was the lazy girl easy way out. But here’s the REAL deal when it comes to blinging up your lashes.

These take a little less than an hour to do and in the final countdown your New Year’s Eve party, maybe you could do one up to add a little pizazz to your look later tonight!

Do you like them? If you do try this project out yourself at home, let me know how it goes for you!

Ive got mine all ready for my countdowns tonight and will probably post a picture of me wearing them bling in the next FOTD. So do check back for that look.

Have a Happy New Year!

In the impromptu Christmas gathering we had on Christmas eve, we all had to bring a gift for the gift exchange. We were told “whatever that was within your budget”.

Ookkkkaaaay.

I had trouble at first deciding what to get because I wasnt sure if we were supposed to get something for everybody or just one gift to swap. Then there was the problem of time. If I were to get something for everyone, I’d want to get different things for each person; personalised gifts that they each needed or wanted. Unfortunately, I didnt have the luxury of time so I had to get just one item that would be appropriate for everyone there.

WHAT TO GET?!

What was the ONE THING that everyone there would like or had in common? Umm.. Aside from wanting to be rich, it struck me that everyone there was going to be a blogger, so I decided to make something.

A “BLOGGER” keychain

Not just any keychain, but a bling crystalised keychain. Because I like bling and had some extra bling at home am good at this DIY stuff. HAHA. You can make it for someone as a Christmas present too!

Here’s what you need:
- a computer/font book
- your choice of backing for the keychain: plastic, wood
- crystals
- Epoxy glue

The how-to:

You can choose whatever font or text you prefer putting your name or the recipient’s name. Of course, I chose BLOGGER because I was making it for a blogger!

Once you’ve decided what font and text you want for your keychain, trace or copy the whole thing onto a piece of paper/tracing paper.

I just happened to have this piece of plastic at home. Seriously. Haha. But it wasnt nicely cut so my mum had to help me saw the darn thing to the right size and then drill a hole at the top for the chain. As you can see, a lot of sweat and effort went into making this keychain! Haha.

Once all that is ready, just trace the text onto your backing. Because my backing was clear, it was easy to simply use a marker and copy the outline. If you’re using other materials, tracing paper might work better for you.

Choose your favourite blings and get comfy.

Here comes the fun part. Armed with your glue and tweezers, make sure the area you’re going to cover with crystals has sufficient glue. Then carefully place each crystal where you want them and wait till the glue dries.

Dont stop. Almost there!

Done with the words. Now to add some extra sparkle.

When all that is done and you are happy with the final result of your keychain, wrap it up, put on a pretty bow and you’re good to go!

What do you think? Do you like it? I sure am hoping the person who got it likes it! Hahaha.

Merry Christmas!

source: http://www.shuuemura-usa.com

Shu Uemura with it’s Lash Bar has introduced some of the most dramatic and glamourous eyelashes. While some of the fantasy and over the top ones should be reserved for the pages of high end fashion shoots, they have a wearable glamourous range that I personally like. These come set with dazzling diamantes in brilliant blue and gorgeous gold.

Because I love falsies and love DIY-ing, I decided to get started on my own pair of bling lashes for almost 1/5 the price.

Things you need:

- a pair of your favourite eyelashes
- Epoxy glue (you can get them at most craft stores like Spotlight)
- Swarovski crystals or small gems slightly bigger than your lash bone

Alternatively, you can be a lazy girl like me and opt for a bottle of glitter nail polish.

With the crystals, to jazz up your lashes, all you have to do is apply a thin layer of the epoxy glue to your lash bone and then carefully apply each gem along the lash bone and let dry for about 6 hours. You can customise what colour gems you prefer on your lashes and might even consider putting rainbow coloured gems to match your outfit! It’s a little more tedious but the results are fantastic.

Using the glitter nail polish is much easier.

Just apply a thin layer of polish using the nail brush till desired amount of glitter is on your lash bone. Wait till the previous layer is dry before applying the next one.

You should end up with something similar to this pair I did myself.

I personally like polishes with glitter bits like the ones from The Face Shop. They go for about 9 bucks a bottle and you can touch up your lashes whenever!

If you decided to embark on this DIY project, let me know if it works for you like it did for me!

In the meantime, some fake lash rules:

DO buy different lengths of lashes and trim them so they fit comfortably on your eye.

DON’T forget to apply a slick of black liner (preferably liquid) on top of the upper lashes so the falsies blend in.

DO soften false lashes by bending them before application.

DON’T forget to curl your own lashes before applying false lashes on. You want them to point in the same direction as the false lashes do.

DO dot a little extra glue on the corners of the false lashes where they tend to come undone.