Product Review: Avon Nail Art Design Strips

Today I want to do something different for this blog. I want to do a product review. I see makeup and nail art to be somewhat of an artistic and creative outlet that allows individuals to wear their personalities in a somewhat subtle way when clothing and other outlets have been stifled.

You may be familiar with Avon products as the name has been around since 1886, providing all sorts of things for women and their families. Popular products included perfumes, ANEW brand products and Skin So Soft. Recently, a friend of mine has started to sell Avon products and I am thrilled (my dwindling paycheck is the proof there).

I bought the two nail strip sets you see above and thought tonight that I wanted to spruce up my nails, but didn't like the hassle of being in 'Wet Nail Jail' as I like to call it. I got out my strips, a pair of scissors, and a nail file. I also had pushed back my cuticles prior to application.

These are super simple to use and are essentially stickers but with a super adhesive that makes them last for weeks. There are easy to follow instructions on the back, but having tried Sally Hansen's version of these strips I was familiar with the method. I stuck the sticker that best fit my nail to the base of my nail and rubbed it out towards the top of my nail so not to get wrinkles or bubbles. I then rubbed it down with one of those wooden sticks that are flat-angled  on one end and pushed the sticker down again in all angles. I folded over the excess of strip that was not on my nail then cut it off. Finally, I filed down the small sharp pieces. It was as easy as that. I find that I can get nail strips to last one more week (they are said to last around 2) by coating my nails in a clear top coat of Sally Hansen's Tough as Nails.

My only complaint is not about the product itself but about my nails! My nails are oddly shaped and sometimes the sticker is not wide enough. Stinking genetics...

Making Ribbon Elastic Hair Ties

I have noticed that these hair elastics which are no pain, all ages friendly, and very simplistic are everywhere, and sometimes are even being worn as bracelets. I decided to find the materials to make my own.

First of all you can now find the elastic trim at Hobby Lobby. I'm sure JoAnn's, Michael's and other craft stores have them as well, but I found mine in both the sewing department and in the wearable art department at Hobby Lobby (also, they were half price at the time as they go on sale with ribbons and tulle spools). I know there are stores on Etsy that sell the material for these by the yard so there are probably many other vendors besides Etsy that sell it too.

The materials needed aside from the elastic trim are a pair of sharp scissors and either a lighter or clean nail polish to seal your ends. I went with the latter of these options.

First of all measure out around 9.5 - 10 inches of the trim and cut it at an angle.

Make sure both cuts are running the same direction when trim is folded in half.

Next, lay these out somewhere where they won't be disturbed for a few minutes and coat the ends of each cut with clear nail polish. Let them dry so that the ends can seal.

Once dry, bring both ends together to begin the knotting process.

Make a knot and pull it closer to the ends. Pull on both the end pieces and the now longer loop piece to secure the knot once it's where you want it to be.

That's it! (Don't my fingers look weird here. It was an odd angle now that I reevaluate the picture.) But now you have some fashionable hair ties that were really easy to make!

Learning A Popular Knitting Pattern

I thought it was time for some content and what better to post then what I am currently working on. So, here we go. This pattern is probably all over the web for free anyway (which is probably where I found it the first time I used it, but have since acquired a booklet with it inside.) It's very easy, great for beginners and makes for a quick, cute gift when included with some shaped soaps.

Basic Dish Cloth Pattern

YARN USED: Lily Sugar n' Cream Tie Dye Stripes # 21114

NEEDLES USED: size 6 straight needles

TIME TAKEN: roughly 3 hours

Start by casting on 4 stitches.

ROW 1: Knit

ROW 2: Knit 2 stitches, yarn over, knit to the end of the row.

Repeat row 2 until there are 50 stitches on your needles.

For the next row you will knit 1, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 2 together, then knit to the end of the row.

Repeat this step until 4 stitches remain. Bind off and weave in tails. An alternative is to crochet a loop for the wash cloth to hang by.

TA DA! FINISHED PRODUCT!

I'd like to also say that I knitted this whole thing while watching Orange is the New Black and Arrested Development on Netflix. I always enjoy watching mindless, silly shows while knitting.

Easy Three Part Candle Centerpiece

Isn't this simple candle holder idea just what your cabin needs? Even if you don't have a cabin it is the perfect addition to your dining room table and all you need are three things, all of which you can find at Hobby Lobby. You need a small glass dish found in the Candle Department, a white round candle from Candles as well and a bag of river stone from the Floral Department (or you can cheaply gather your own at a local lake or hiking). Just pour the bag of river stone into the the glass dish and insert your candle.

Banana Berry Smoothie

I would first like to reserve my right to come back and change the names of these smoothies as I see fit them, also my measurements are very kid-friendly as I have child-like hands.

Here is a list (here we go again with lists...) of what you will need:

1 cup of orange juice

1 hand-full of raw tender spinach

5 strawberries

2 small hand-fulls of blueberries
1 banana

BLEND!

The final result looks a bit more green than my pictures portray but it predominately tastes of banana. If you don't care for spinach, don't worry, because blended in you can't even taste it.

B-B-B-Bonus tip: freeze fruit that is about to go bad and use them in you smoothie experiments!

An... Introduction?

Hello all. Call me Melanie or Chuxxo. I've been known by both in my many years here on the internet. I'm not the best with words or blogging as I haven't done it in some time now, but I'm interested in trying my hand at it once more. Here are a few things about me that you're going to find out about me anyway, so I may as well tell you all now.

1. I make a  lot of lists... for everything. It's becoming more of an obsessive habit. I figured since I'm going to be listing this first post, I should at least call myself out on it.

2. I do something creative every day... Seriously, every day. If I had to be on my strange addiction, this would be what it is for. I make jewelry, I draw, I knit, I do it all. I have a half a room which my boyfriend graciously shares with me that is purely crafting supplies. It is the easiest way to vent my pent up creativeness. Everyone should have some sort of skills in life... Crafting is a skill, right?

3. I never want to get married... It's not something I want or ever dreamed of as a child. My boyfriend seems to feel the same way about it. Talk about an ironic way to meet a soul mate.

4. I work at a craft supply store... It was my first job and hopefully will be for a while (I mean it has been, I've been there a little over 5 years). I just mean that I would like to stay there until I find something I love. And by that, I mean that my etsy will take off and I can work from home. Or something like that.

5. If you do not like creepy and/or cute things, this blog is not for you... I do plan on posting relatively normal DIYs and crafting tutorials, but I have always love the occult, which would make you think that pink is my least favorite color (it is...), but I rather enjoy cutesy/ kawaii/ japanese-inspired things.

6. With all my creativeness was born my etsy shop... kind of. It all started with a pair of hairclips. I couldn't find any that I was in love with to wear to a con so I made my own. Then I started making my own everything. I was taking art classes with my education and one hobby grew into another and before you know it, Stylish Smithereens was born. Happy 5th birthday, SS!

I hope that you'll stick by me on this new venture with a blog. I'm thinking that my first post shall be a simple smoothie recipe tomorrow.

BTW, It's purple. My favorite color is purple.