2015...

2015…please be awesome.

I make resolutions every year. I’m sure most people do…and then forget about them a few weeks later.

Trust me…

It’s normal.

I always keep my resolutions in my Notes on my phone.

That way,

I always remember what I’m working on…and have zero excuses not to try and keep my resolutions.

ALSO, it’s important to keep your resolutions realistic.

My resolutions last year:

2014

Take up some sort of fitness class & take time to plan my meals. (Less eating out)

This was BIG for me. I knew that it was time to make a change in my life. I did a little guest post on my cute friend Hannah’s blog about my weight loss journey. I used the Kayla Itsines program and a healthy diet to complete my resolution.

Travel

We went to Hawaii and Yellowstone this year. Both trips were wonderful!

Take time to blog.

Obviously I took this resolution to the next level by starting E&Elle with my bestie Elise! I previously had my own personal blog that was used to document day-to-day life. So, with starting this new adventure, I’ve been able to dedicate time to blogging and make it a priority in my life. I love it!

Discover new music.

Music is one of my biggest hobbies. If you know me well, you know that I know almost every word to every song.

I love music!

So discovering new music every year & not getting stuck in a music rut is a big deal to me. My favorite songs this year?

1. Nick Jonas- "Jealous."  2. Schoolboy Q- "Studio."  3. B.O.B- "Not For Long."  4. Tove Lo- "Talking Body."  5. Glass Animals- "Gooey."  6. Azekel- "New Romance."  7. Made In Heights- "Wildflowers."  8. Raleigh Ritchie- "Bloodsport."  9. The Weeknd- "Often."

Try new recipes.

Here are a few new recipes I tried this year.

2015...

I've got my resolutions ready.

1. Take the time to photograph & document life.

2. Keep up my personal blog. (1 & 2 go hand-in-hand)

3. Lean a new skill. Knitting? Crochet? Woodworking? Videography? The sky is the limit!

4. Read a little more. Like....books....not magazine or online articles....real books.

5. Get some muscles. Now that i've taken the first step in a healthier me, i'm ready to take it to the next level!

What are some of your resolutions?

XO-Elle

glitz and glitter

 New Year's Eve...

the only time of year it's socially acceptable to wear a glittery mini dress,

glittery heels,

glittery nails,

and of course...

glittery makeup!

 and guess what?

getting your eyes to sparkle is e a s y!

all you need is some glitter.

some water.

and an eyeshadow makeup brush.

here's how to do it.

1. start by applying an eyeshadow primer to your lids.

2. dip your eyeshadow brush into a small amount of water and then into your glitter.

3. tap your brush unto your eyelid. 

[the glitter will stick directly onto your skin.]

4. continue doing this until your entire lid is completely covered in glitter.

 a lot of glitter will fall onto your cheeks,

so make sure you remove the excess glitter BEFORE applying your facial makeup.

top off this look off with lots of black mascara,

pink cheeks,

and a neutral colored lip.

 try this look with any color glitter!

purple,

pink,

blue,

black!

remember...

it's New Year's.

anything goes!

happy almost 2015!

k byeee

e

get ready to party in ten minutes or less....

I don't know about you...

but I am all about getting ready as quick as possible.

For me..

This also includes holiday events and parties.

I know...

I know...

So shameful.

BUT

 I like to keep it simple...

basic makeup.

basic hairstyles

BUT

still have a little somethin-somethin going on.

I am not the type of girl to spend 45 minutes blowing out my hair and getting perfect bouncy curls.

I also want to do my makeup as fast as possible, but look like I spent forever on it.

If you are like me, here are a couple ideas to help make you shine at your New Years party without having to spend the hours of prep time.

Look 1: Au-Natural

This look is simple.

Kinda like...

"Yeah, I knew there was a party tonight...but I look good everyday..so I don't have to try too hard."

At least, that is what I tell myself ;)

What you need to do to achieve this look:

1. Add some loose waves to the ends of your hair using a flat iron.

*be sure to keep the tips of your hair nice and straight to keep the effortless messy look.

2. Add a simple cat eye and a few swipes of black mascara

3. Dust your eyelids with a little mauvey-pink eyeshadow. 

*my favorite right now is this color.

4. Keep your lips on point by using E.L.F. Matte Lip Color in "Natural." 

*This color is a perfect dupe for NARS "Tonkin." 

Look 2: Pop-Out

Want to stand out...just a lil' bit?

This look is perfect.

What you need to do to achieve this look:

1. Use the same loose wave technique. It's a go-to look for me. Tie up one side of your hair using some bobby pins. Add one big twist, or mix it up with a few faux corn rows.

2. Add a little more color to your face by using a bright pink blush.

*since you most likely won't use a hot pink blush daily, try this one. It's cheap & does the trick.

3. Make your lips electric by using a lipstick from Maybelline's Color Sensation Vivid Collection.

*I love all of the colors, but my favorite is Fuchsia Flash :)

Look 3: Twisted

For some reason, I just feel fancy with my locks swooped on the top of my head. 

To make this look a little more edgy and a little less fancy, I used a dark dark lip.

What you need to do to achieve this look:

1. Twist your hair up with a headband. 

*I basically take the headband and place it on my head like a crown and shove the hair into the headband. Super easy.

2. Keep your eyes simple.

*I used this peach shadow to keep them looking natural.

3. Rock a dark lip.

*I used Revlon "Black Cherry." It looks a little dark in the tube, but it has a wonderful red undertone that makes your lips pop.

Look 4: Mad Hatter

When in doubt?

Throw on a hat.

What you need to do to achieve this look:

1. Keep it cool with some tousled messy hair. Add a few additional waves around your face for shape and body.

2. Rock your favorite lipstick.

*mine right now is "Pink Pout" by Revlon. 

3. Throw on your favorite hat!

*This H&M hat is a go-to for me. Unfortunately it is sold out, but here is a similar one!

What are your favorite holiday looks?!

xo-Elle 

oh so fancy

being the hostess with the mostess on new years eve is both fabulous and frightening.

decking your house to the nines is great...

until everyone leaves-

and you're left to clean up streamers,

party hats,

red solo cups,

and silverware.

well this year-

be oh so fancy.

 without the headache of rinsing, loading, unloading, and putting away your silverware.

try this//

this project is so simple.

here's all you'll need...

and this is all you need to do...

 

1.tape off your silverware where you don't want the paint to be.

2. spray paint.

3. let dry

4. remove tape when dry

wowza.

that was easy.

 

 i guarantee you're guests are going to die over these bad boys.

how could they not?!

k byeee

e

merry christmas to all....

...and to all a good night! Have a magical Christmas!

xo- E&Elle

merry christmas eve

we spy with our little eye...

C H R I S T M A S!

 we hope you have the loveliest Christmas Eve

and are surrounded by all the loves of your life.

be safe!

xoxo

e&elle

Try This: Make Your Own Wreath

I have loved the idea of making your own wreath for your home.

Sure...

You can go down to the store and purchase a pine wreath...

but...

when I found this mixed branch bouquet I knew I needed to give it a try.

All you will need is:

mixed greens

large metal hoop

floral wire

wire cutters

I removed individual sections and went to town!

There was no rhyme or reason to how i placed my pieces...and that is the best part of making your own wreath!

You can make a fuller thicker wreath

or a thin wispy wreath.

Whatever makes you happy.

I cut 2" strips of wire and fastened the branches to the metal hoop.

You can do this in a couple ways...

Have all your branches going in the same direction (clockwise/counter-clockwise)

Or have the two sections meet in the middle.

That is what I did :)

Having people at your house for Christmas Eve/Christmas Day?
This is the perfect touch to add just before everyone comes over to have your home smelling like forest-y heaven!

Only 2 more sleeps til Christmas!

xo- elle

jingle in a mason jar

t-minus 3 days until Christmas.

yikes!

i'm not doubting that you're totally prepared and have everything under control for the holidays....

but sometimes things slip through the cracks.

like stocking stuffers,

Christmas cards for your second cousins aunt twice removed,

and your neighbors gifts.

i can't help stuff a stocking,

or forge your xmas card,

but i can help come up with a quick gift for your neighbors!

try this //

 decorative mason jars filled with candy, cookies, or my personal fav, caramel corn.

what you'll need //

ribbon,

paint,

string,

glitter,

pine cones,

pom poms,

basically... 

anything and everything you want to decorate with.

seriously you guys,

these are perfect for your friends and neighbors.

i can't wait to see what creative jars you come up with!

remember to tag us and use the hashtag #eandellemademedoit

k byeeee

e

A little peek into...

Who doesn't love the holidays?

Every time I put up my decorations, I end up wanting to leave them up all year round.

I wanted to share a few pictures of our home decorated for the holidays!

This is just because she is too damn cute not to include.

Isn't Christmas time just the best?

xo-elle

Holiday Hairpiece

make any outfit holiday worthy with these fun diy hairpieces!

 oh...

and did i mention they cost less than $10 to make BOTH hairpieces?

yeah-

that's right.

$10 for 2 fabulously festive hair accessories.

here's what you'll need //

 hair clips

faux leaves/flowers/branches/etc of your choice

hot glue

here's how to create your gold leaf hairpiece //

1. start your hairpiece by gluing two leaves together creating a heart shape.

[this will frame the back of your head b-e-a-u-tifully]

2. start to glue your smaller leaves by layering them and creating a "fan" with your leaves.

3. fill in any empty spaces with your smallest leaves.

4. add your hair clip.

to create your green & gold leafy hairpiece //

1. trim which "branches" you want to use.

2. apply hot glue to your hair clip,

3.  and add the branches!

 

SO EASY!

 these accessories are sure to be unique 

and a conversation starter at any get together.

sport one of these beauties at your Christmas Eve party and you'll be a STAND OUT!

enjoy!

k byeee

e

 

DIY Clay Coasters

These coasters are simple 

classy

&

impossible to mess up!

Seriously, a five year old could make these and end up with a beautiful outcome.

These would be adorable little stocking stuffers or neighbor gifts this holiday season!

 Here is what you will need:

Clay: I used three colors, but you can always use more :)

X-Acto Knife

Glass Jar or Rolling Pin

Cup. (to use as a template for how large you want your coaster)

Felt Pads (optional)To place underneath your coasters.

Take a section of each color and roll out into thin strips.

Twist, shape and roll your clay:

Roll out your clay ball.

(For a more marbled look, pull and knead your clay ball more to add ribbons of color throughout)

Once rolled out, use your cup and x-acto knife to cut out your coaster

Follow the baking instructions for your clay (I baked mine for 15 min at 300 degrees)

If you want to add felt pads to the bottom of your coasters, wait for them to cool completely.

I loved playing with different patterns.

Like I said, no matter what you do, they turn out beautiful! 

xo-elle

old supplies // new project

the holidays are wonderful.

but they are also

e x t r e m e l y  e x p e n s i v e.

 

so this week...

 i challenged myself to make a new holiday decoration

using materials i already owned.

i made this //

  a festive 

yarn pom pom (from this post)

feathers (from this post)

painted pine cone and jute twine garland.

it's so easy,

i don't even need to give you a step by step tutorial.

[all you'll need is your materials, your twine, and a hot glue gun to but it all together.]

 it was fun to go through all my crafty goodness and mix and match supplies to make this lovely garland.

so here's my challenge for you...

don't break the bank this week.

use craft supplies you already own to create something new!

 and when you do-

email some photos to eandelleblog@gmail.com so we can feature you're lovely creation!

happy holidays beauties!

k byeee

e