metallic mani

I wanted to try a metallic french manicure when i saw this picture.

Obviously...I needed to try this. 

But, I knew myself a little too well and realized there would be some struggles.

1. I have a hard time with nail polish. (For some reason, it is impossible for me to not smudge my nails. My shellac kit changed my life.) The picture I found used an Essie nail polish for the rose gold tips. 

2. Not only do I struggle with nail polish, I knew the biggest challenge would be getting crisp lines..using nail polish...on my right hand. My poor little left hand can't handle that kind of pressure.

3. There had to be an easier alternative.

DING DING DING!
Metallic Sharpies.

I initially thought of doing a gold tip, but once I saw that bronze color the decision was practically made for me.

So here is what went down...

Cuticles pushed and trimmed...check!

Nails trimmed short, short, short....check!

Filed & ready to go.

 I did my nails like usual. (The color I used is called Camera Shy by Red Carpet.)

 Right before i did my topcoat i drew on my french manicure.

Added the topcoat.

BAM.

Metallic Manicure.

 Now here is the thing.

This didn't work as well as planned.

The sharpie lasted for a while...but the tips of my nails chip fasty fast.

So, my manicure looked perfect for about 2 days.

I was hoping, since i used shellac, that it would last as long as usual...it did not.

The moral of the story?

Maybe stick to using the sharpie more towards the middle or base of the nail.

Here are a couple other nail styles I can't wait to try using my metallic sharpies!

[pin]

[pin]

good...better...BEST: eyelinerfor creating the perfect winged eye

With so many products out there, how do you realllly know which is the best?

Don’t you always want to know whether to save or splurge on a purchase?

I know I do.

That is why we have created a project E & I have been SO excited to share with you all…

Good, Better, BEST!

What is Good, Better, Best? 

Weekly we will be reviewing and comparing various products and give you the scoop on what is good, better than good…and the BEST.

^{You ready for this?}

^{This week we are talking w}inged eyes, cat eyes…(whichever term you prefer.)

^{and the BEST eyeliner for the job.}

^{We compared and tested 3 products.}

^{#1. E.L.F Liquid Eyeliner. ($1) That's right...a dollar.}

^{#2 Almay Liquid Liner ($5)}

^{#3 Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner ($24)}

When it comes to makeup, I'm usually a firm believe that if it's expensive, it must be the best.

That my friends was not the case with the liquid eyeliner test.

The GOOD: Almay

The BETTER: Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner

The BEST: E.L.F. Liquid Eyeliner

I know, I know.

There is NO WAY a $1 eyeliner could be better than a $23 liner.
But, it's true.

I wouldn't lie to you.

Here's the scoop...

Almay was.....good. That's all. It wasn't very thick, and separated easily, but it got the job done.

Benefit was definitely better, but was a little clumpy and slightly difficult to apply & get a sharp clean point.

E.L.F. was hands down the best. Not only is it inexpensive, it was thick, smooth and easy to apply.

Here is the thing with winged liner...

^{I'm sure most people probably save a winged eye for special occasions.} 

^{For me, is a staple in my makeup routine.} 

^{You heard me…I do a cat eye….every.single.day.} 

^{If I don’t wear a cat eye one day I usually get a comment like:}

^{”Do you feel okay?”}

 ^{“You look different, but I can’t tell what it is…’’} 

^{Well I’m here to tell you…it’s the eyeliner!}

^{After doing this style of winged liner for so long, I feel I have mastered the easiest and quickest “no-fail” technique. And yes, I am using E.L.F. liner...after all, it is the best. :)}

^{Step 1:}

^{Put on Mascara!} 

Step 2:

Line the rim of your eye.

I think this is the trickiest part. People hear cat eye and try to go a little too thick. Don't make that mistake. 

Keep it thin. 

Step 3: Draw a line!

Getting this line even is key! I always do this because I can try and make sure my eyes will be symmetrical. 

Also, it keeps you from extending your winged liner out to your temples. 

It will look a little something like this with the thin line drawn:

Step 4: 

Connect your lines!

 This will result in a little gap. Just fill it in with your liquid liner!

AND THAT'S IT!

So simple. 

XO-Elle

caramel apples

fall is our fav.

crisp cool air,

sweaters & boots,

the leaves changing,

and of course...

fall sweets!

which is why we decided to make the yummiest caramel apples ever.

all you need is apples.

[we prefer green.]

caramel.

wooden sticks.

and your toppings of choice.

now...

let's get started.

1. make sure apples are clean,

your toppings are placed into individual bowls,

and you have wax paper under your workspace.

 2. on your stove,

place caramel + 2 TBS of water in saucepan

on medium heat until it melts.

[stir every 30 seconds]

3. once caramel is melted,

immediately pour caramel into seperate bowl.

4. dip apples in caramel making a circular motion!

this will help the caramel spread evenly.

 5. wait 30-45 seconds until dipping apple into your toppings.

 6. set on wax paper until cool.

and then...

obvies take fun photos of your beautiful creations!
[ours were taken by the amazing Ali Anderson Photo @aliandersonphoto]

 now these little beauties might not be the most gorgeous caramel apples you've ever seen...

but i promise you they are d-e-li-cious!

enjoy!

loves,

e & elle

Try This: DIY Polaroids

Want a quick way to make your instagram pictures come to life?

Try making these quick homemade polaroids!

For this project you will need:

Cardstock (I used white for a more classic look, but you could make these with printed papers for some added color!)

Pictures (I printed some of my Instagram pictures and edited them to fit the polaroid dimensions)

X-Acto Knife

Rubber Cement

 Ruler & Pencil (If you are not using the template) 

 Step 1:

The dimensions for the polaroids are listed below, but I have also included a template that you can print that is blank! ! You can simply print the template on whatever cardstock you would like to use!

(If you don't use the template, trace the dimensions using your ruler on your cardstock.)

Step 2:

Using an X-Acto knife, cut out the polaroid frame.

Step 3:

Trace and cut your picture to fit on the frame. 

*make sure you are leaving enough room for the top of the frame to cover the edges of the picture. This picture is a perfect example of what you do NOT want to use.

Step 4:

Place a layer of rubber cement on the bottom layer and lay your picture on the glued surface.

 

Step 5:

Add a layer of rubber cement to the back of the frame and place the top on the photograph.

Step 6:

Place your polaroid under something heavy to make sure the polaroid dries flat.

Enjoy your new polaroids!

XO-Elle

saturday style // transitional wear

we all know Utah's weather is cray.

one day it's freezing,

and the next it's 80 degrees.

you'll start your day in a big bulky,

oversized sweater.

but by noon,

you're sweating to death.

what's a girl to do?!

here's the answer...

transitional wear.

clothes that are versitile enough to be worn when it's warm outside,

but look fab under a few layers.

here are some of my favorite finds for [almost] sweater weather...

 BDG Twig High-Rise Jeans // $59

 Lady Girl Vintage Tank 

 ASOS FAITHLESS Leather Sandals // $20.85

HEATHER by bordeaux sweater // normally $120 - found at Nordstrom Rack $40

 the best part of transitional wear

is that you don't have to go buy all new fall clothes!

mix and match summer pieces,

with new fall buys.

i hope you are enjoying these few last days of warm fall weather, loves!

k byeee

e

the BEST: Citrus Cheesecake

I know, I know.

The idea of baking a cheesecake sounds a little intimidating.

I thought so too.

You guys...

 this recipe my sweet sister gave me is foolproof...afterall...i made it...and it turned out. 

That's saying something.

The hardest part about this recipe is waiting for it to cool so you can eat it!

It is perfect. Sweet but tart. Creamy and smooth, but not too rich. 

Divine.

Preheat oven to 350

For the crust:

• 1 3⁄4 cups finely crushed vanilla wafers OR graham crackers

Stir together until well combined:

• 1⁄2 cup melted butter

Press crumb mixture evenly onto the bottom of a greased 9” springform pan.

For the filling:

In Kitchen Aid mixer, beat until smooth:

• 32 ounces softened cream cheese

• 3 tablespoons flour

• 1 cup sugar

Add one at a time, mixing well after each addition:

• 5 eggs

Stir in:

• 1/3 cup heavy cream

• 1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel

• 1 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Pour the cream cheese mixture over the crust. Bake for 15 minutes. Lower the oven temperature to 2000

for 80 minutes, or until the center no longer looks wet and shiny. Remove the cake from oven.

Stir together:

• 1 cup sour cream

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla

Spread over warm cheesecake and return to oven, baking for 15 more minutes.

Remove from oven and run a knife around the inside edge of the pan. 

DO NOT CHILL YET.

Set oven temperature to 350 again.

Stir together:

• 1 cup sour cream

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Spread over warm cheesecake and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

Chill, uncovered, overnight.

This cheesecake doesn't really need toppings because it is so damn good on its own.

That is a true test of a good cheesecake in my opinion.

You can also top with your favorite toppings.

I'm a sucker for a classic cherry topping...but there are so many options!

 Give it a try!

You will not be disappointed :)

XO-Elle

drab or fab // brow drama

if you know me at all...

you know how absolutely,

completely,

out of control

obsessed i am with eyebrows.

i have a long history with my brows.

it all started in the 8th grade...

when i plucked all my eyebrows out.

and continued in the 10th grade when i dyed them for the first time...

by myself...

and they turned red.

and even when i was a 20,

and i they were over tweezed,

super thin,

and wayyyyy to severe.

as you can tell-

i have had some serious drama with my brows.

luckily for me,

they've grown back,
and i've learned from my mistakes.

[thank the heavens]

and now...

i'm obsessed with finding the best in brow products.

so this weeks assignment...

test out Maybelline Brow Drama.

and report back letting YOU know if its...

drab or fab!

here's what i found...

the positives-

brow drama is basically a mascara for your eyebrows.

it's going to instantly darken each individual brow hair.

it's a great consistency that lasts all day.

it doesn't flake off or move throughout the day.

the color is great.

it's not too warm-or too cool. 

[i would recommend getting one shade darker than your natural brow color]

 the negatives-

brow drama isn't going to replace your brow pencil or powder.

it's not going to fill in sparse areas,

or magically make your eyebrows look thicker than they are.

it'll only make the hairs you already have appear darker.

the conclusion-

brow drama is.....

FAB.

it is a great finishing product for your brows once you fill them in.

 it'll give them that little extra oomph they need to look bold and beautiful.

for $6.56 it's absolutely worth it.

 [in this photo i am using Anastasia Beverly Hills brow wiz + Maybelline Brow Drama]

i hope you all enjoy going a little more bold with your brows this fall!

k byeee

e