Newsprint manicure I saw this newsprint manicure over on The Daily Nail and thought it was adorable (especially for bookworms and word lovers like myself). I did a little Google detective work to see how to recreate it, and was surprised at how easy it is! All of the tutorials I found called for vodka or other clear distilled spirits, but we were fresh out. I used isopropyl alcohol instead, and it seemed to get the job done. I tried a quick and dirty version this afternoon to share it with you: Like this: Like Loading...
How I Study... in an Organized Way I'm super crazy about organization. I'm no where near OCD, but anyone who knows me knows that I'm all about things being in order. Perfect example: my closet is organized by type of clothing and then organized by color. I like to know where something is when I go looking for it, but I'll put that in another post. Today I'm going to explain how I study and get homework done in an organized way. I'll go through this step by step. Syllabi Let's start with the syllabi. Once an assignment, test, or reading has been finished, I highlight it so I know that it's done and I don't need to worry about it anymore. Planner My planner is my sidekick during the semester. My planner, much like everything else in my life, is color coordinated. Moving On...... Here's how I get my weekly assignments organized so I can do them: I like lists. I pick a color for each subject, and make a list on a piece of notebook paper, the Stickies on my laptop, and organize my syllabi with the corresponding color flag tags.
7 Spring Semester Study Tips The arrival of the new year means a fresh start in several aspects of life, including academics. If you didn’t do so hot your first semester of the school year, consider trying a few of these strategies for improving your GPA. Write facts you don’t know on post-it notes and put them on the wall above your desk This is a great method for memorizing formulas, dates, and the names of countries. You will retain nearly all of the information with minimal effort – how awesome is that? Study in a quiet, distraction-free location I know some people do well studying in the library, but there are too many people there for me to concentrate. Study at a desk, a table, or the floor – anywhere but your bed! As mentioned in the last point, I do my best studying at my desk. Repetition is key If you’re having trouble remembering an important fact, write it down and say it aloud several times. Highlight and use color coding Take breaks Pay attention in class This is my last and most critical point.
INTENSE STUDY TIPS Boy oh boy.... I'm going to attempt to get all of my study tips from the past and present into this post. I've been getting emails/tweets/questions asking for my secrets. Before starting... there are a few "ground rules" I will lay out. I don't have tips on how to be more motivated. Okay...... and off we go! ONE: In class, notetaking My rule of thumb: Paying attention in class is HALF the battle. If a professor uploads slides online before the class, download them and print them out beforehand. For classes in which intensive note taking is required, a laptop may be the best option. I prefer taking notes long hand. Use at least two pen colors. TWO: Homework This is the section where most make the mistake. Here is my game plan for homework: Every Friday, I crack open my binders and go through each syllabus. Starting on Friday morning let's me get a head start on the week. I use my planner to get an overall picture of the week. (this is old, from last year) THREE: The Big Exam (or test)... Agenda
Holder for Charging Cell Phone (made from lotion bottle) My husband and I both have cell phones. And both of us have phone chargers. And that means lots of obnoxious cords. You never know when one of us may be moving phone cords around, to give our phones an extra charge while we’re chatting away……… or trying to charge our phones up before running errands or something. Needless to say, those phone cords seem to be everywhere…..and are generally in the way and hanging all over the floor. (Okay, and how about when you’re in a hotel or visiting family/friends. I was looking around on the internet for a solution and found this. It made the perfect little holder for my cell phone while it’s being charged. Holder for Charging Cell Phone And no more phone hanging down from the outlet while in this room or that room……..the cord and phone are now up off the ground, and tucked away into the little holder, while the phone drinks up a full charge. If you look closely, you can see that the orange print is fabric. And turns out, it’s pretty useful.
Book Page Corner Heart Origami Bookmark This is another heart tutorial. Is the 'book page' trend over yet? I sure hope not, because I just love the look of this corner bookmark folded from a book page. The great thing about origami is that it is cheap and anyone can do it - with the proper instructions. When I was a kid, my parents bought me an origami book (from Thailand, all in Thai!). I was so excited to get it until I started to attempt to make the figures. I still see origami instructions out there that completely confuse me. I used a book page for this but origami paper would make awesome book marks also. Mermaid Nails - Cupcakes and Cashmere Share this image Share It Pin It For our trip to Costa Rica, I wanted fun nails that had an almost tropical vibe. Share this image {Essie's Mint Candy Apple & Martha Stewart's Aquamarine Glitter} {Paint two coats of the nail polish} {Add top coat along the bottom half of the nail} Share this image {Dip a separate brush into top coat and then into the glitter} {Apply glitter to the bottom half of your nail} {End result}
DIY Friendship Bracelet - Honestly WTF For several months now, we’ve been receiving emails requesting a friendship bracelet DIY. Well, friends, ask and you shall receive! Today, we’ll give you a step by step tutorial on the classic chevron pattern. If you used to whip up friendship bracelets like a champ in grade school and have since forgotten how, consider this a refresher course. And if you can make these with your eyes closed and arms tied . . . umm, can we still be friends? You’ll need:embroidery threada safety pin or tapea pair of scissors Start by cutting several strands of embroidery thread at about 24 inches each. Start on the left side with the outermost color (shown here in red) and make a forward knot by creating a 4-shape over the 2nd color, loop it under and back through the opening. Pull up and to the right to tighten. Now pick up the outermost color on the right side (show here in red) and make a backward knot, creating a reverse 4-shape over the 2nd color, loop it under and back through the opening.
CROWN OF BRAIDS photos + post design Kristin Ess It seems pretty easy, but it’s not. Not everyone has long hair that reaches all the way around the head to make a perfect crown of braids. Start with straight, wavy or curly hair. A veil of hairspray isn’t necessary but will help keep things in place if your hair tends to slip. Tags: braid, braid crown, braids, crown, crown of braids, crowns, DIY, do it yourself, hair, hair crown, hair tips, how to, kristin ess, kristin ess hair, spring, style, summer, summer hair, the beauty department, thebeautydepartment.com, tutorial Related posts: 10 Braided Styles I’ve been growing my hair out for about three years. That’s three summers of saying, “is it long enough yet?” Long enough, of course, to actually do something adorable and exciting with it. It’s the reason a girl sets her sights on mermaid-length locks… that effortless-looking updo, those perfectly undone braids. The Tie-Back. The Downward Milkmaid. The Over-The-Shoulder. The Inverted Braid. The Fishtail. The Tuck. The Fringe-Braid. The Free-Style. The Full Crown. The Traditional Milkmaid. Braids are a fantastic accessory for spring because they’re not just pretty, they’re functional, too. Are you a gal who loves braids? [lead image via ohsoprettythediaries.com, image source, image source, image source, image source, image source, image source, image source, image source, image source, image source]
Car Container Hope all the Aussie Dad’s have a great Fathers Day tomorrow! It can be difficult to think of quick gift ideas for men. This afternoon I have made my Dad a bin bag for his car using some Newsprint fabric. It has the following features: small and compactcan be tied on the back of the headrestit stays open at the top so it is easy to throw rubbish inits its sized so that you can recycle plastic produce bags as bin linersit uses a recycled round margarine container to form its shapecan be easily laundered Best of all, it can be made in well under an hour if you need a last minute gift idea!! Materials: one round margarine container with the bottom cut out – mine had a circumference of 14 inchesplastic bagrubber bandexternal fabric – 14.5 inches x 15.5 incheslining fabric: 14.5 inches x 5 inchesfabric ties – 2 inches x 28 inches Method: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.With right sides together, sandwich the ties between the lining and the external fabric and stitch around the top opening.
Awesome Blossoms - Paper Flowers I love flowers. Not so much receiving them, as my hubby has learned after 16 years of marriage ("You spent HOW MUCH on something that's gonna die in a few days?"), but making them? Maybe it brings back fond memories of elementary school, when my sisters and I used to glue sunflowers onto barrettes and clip them in our hair. Or perhaps they're so scrunchy and imperfect that it's impossible to mess them up. Yeah. Especially when you can use things you've already got around the house (pages from dog chewed books) and just play around, ending up with something that's kinda cool for having no skill. Tutorial (if you can call it that)here. That being said, I certainly have no problem cheating. You can roll 'em, or go full out Edward Scissorhands. (I know....another Johnny Depp reference) Make them outta crepe paper, source or tissue paper, or add a some tulle. Not in a hurry? or bling up a simple poinsettia. I've never bought wax paper before , but I'm adding it to my grocery list. I am SO doing this.