Operation Bring the Spa Home - Part One

The latest project that I have taken on in my quest to turn my apartment into my own private oasis is 'Bringing the Spa Home'. The goal is to make it so that I don't have to leave the comfort of my own home when I want to unwind. The addition of a hanging eucalyptus "bouquet" (I found mine at Trader Joe's) in my shower has taken me one step closer to achieving the in home spa feeling that I so crave. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, the scent that is released during a steamy shower is both calming and refreshing, and can help to relieve congestion.

So tonight I started laying out my vision board. I decided to just focus on the current year instead of the vision for my life as it just seems clearer at the moment. The purpose of a vision board, for those who aren't sure, is to help identify and give clarity to your vision, keep your focus on what you want and to reinforce your daily affirmations. This is just a sneak peak of the beginning of mine.. I still have a long way to go before it accurately reflects all that I want to materialize out of this year. I encourage you all to try it. Flipping through old magazines took me back to high school when I used to cover my composition notebooks with a collage of cutouts... and seeing the words/ things you're drawn to when creating this project is very telling in so many ways.  I'll post the final project when it's complete.

it only gets better with time.

( SIDENOTE: I want to try this. )

this weekend I hosted a DIY ugly christmas sweater party. 

originally the plan was to just host a regular UCSP... but I couldn't find them anywhere. 

I think it worked out better this way. 

we had so much fun, and in turn I've added a new holiday tradition to my list. 

I would definitely suggest hosting your own!

xoxo

my cousin and I

used the holiday to experiment with a 'rockabilly' pin up look

after doing some research on the hair and make-up I decided to attempt the pin up bang

so easy - it only took one try.

 

my pin up hair:

created a diy hair 'rat' out of a mesh hair bun that I found at h&m

( but I'm sure you can find one at any regular beauty supply store )

cut it in half and roll your hair over and up, as if it's a hair roller, until it looks like a "bang"

secure in place with bobbie pins and smooth

 

the curls were achieved with a curling wand and flexi's over night

( I find this keeps the curls from falling so quickly and makes them more defined )

 

the scarf was a last minute thought

 

I loved the outcome.

 

what do you think?

 

 It's the little things.

Cilantro stuffed chicken over a bed of greens.

I've included the recipe and a simple picture tutorial after the jump.

my latest DIY attempt - tribal necklaces.

:)

thoughts?