DIY – Lace-Up Ballet Flats

JUNE 20, 2014 • DIY

I used to think ballet flats were not the best way to jazz – see what I just did there – up an outfit. Then, I read Man Repeller’s post and Paris Street Style. These things have a way to creep in your mind and make you change it. Ballet flats are iconic and classic and the lace-up update gives them a bit of extra interest. So DIY time. Ready? 1, hold, 2, demi-plié, 3…

Warning: Do try this at home!

YOU WILL NEED: Ballet Flats | Hair ties | Scissors | Ribbons | Glue

STEP 1: Cut the elastic band in four equal pieces. You will need 4 for each shoe for a grand total of 8. And that, right there, is about as good as my maths get.

STEP 2: You can stitch the loops closed beforehand so they are easier to handle. Glue the loops inside the shoe as close to the insole as you can. Place 2 on each side, one in the middle and one in the front. I suggest using the craziest and strongest glue you own. You’ll be lacing and pulling on the ribbons a lot so they need to be extra secure. Let dry overnight.

STEP 3: Lace up! I used about 5 feet of ribbon for each shoe to wrap around the ankle and tie in a bow nicely.

And… you’re done! You can now pas de deux to your next destination!

Let me know on Twitter or Instagram if you try this project. Use the #FreeSeriesMadeMeDoIt so I can find them and rejoice!

DIYSHOES

©freeseries

http://www.freeseries.ca/diy-lace-up-ballet-flats/

Easy DIY: Wood Round Artwork 9

I have a project for you guys today that's so easy, it's almost silly to call it a DIY! I got the idea for this when I saw this quote on Pinterest: "Great things are done by a series of small things brought together." I love this quote--it's a great reminder that success doesn't happen overnight, and all the little things we do every day are adding up to something bigger. And since a tree is a perfect example of that (all the tree rings represent years and years of growth), I thought it would be really fitting to write this quote on a wood round. Ben's parents recently had to cut down a big tree from their front yard, the one that Ben grew up climbing in his childhood, so at first I was going to cut a slice from one of those tree branches so we could keep a piece of that tree in our home...but in the end I was too lazy to even do that. I ended up just buying a wood round at Hobby Lobby!

All you need for this project is:

1. A wood round. You could cut your own, as I originally planned to do, or buy one (they're about $7).

2. A pencil and eraser

3. A Sharpie

Boom. Easiest project ever, right? I bet you can already guess what the steps are, but I'll share them anyways.

Write out the saying lightly in pencil.

Once it looks good to you, write over it with Sharpie.

Give it a minute to make sure the Sharpie has fully dried, then erase any pencil marks that are still showing.

That's it! You can add a picture hanger on the back if you'd like to hang it on the wall, or just prop it up on a shelf like I did. Easy and affordable art!

You can apply these same steps to write any saying on a wood round--or even do a simple pattern or picture. But I do think this quote is especially fitting! Hope you like it.

P.S. Those belt strap shelves are also a DIY project! Check out the tutorial here, if you’re curious.

©athomeinlove

http://www.athomeinlove.com/easy-diy-wood-round-artwork/#

DIY MARBLE PLANTERS

These DIY marble planters are quick, easy and ridiculously cheap to make. I’ve been hoarding empty food packaging to make concrete vases (alas one day) but it was getting a little too bag lady in my office and I needed somewhere nice to put my one remaining basil. Such a trooper, he’s come back from near death and needed somewhere nice to grow. And you know me. I’m always looking for excuses to pull out the marble contact paper…

Materials:

Cylindrical Packaging

Noodle Pot (Totally my guilty pleasure)

Strong Multipurpose Glue

Craft Knife

Contact Paper

Instructions:

1. Measure the length and diameter of your packaging and add 2cm to both measurements.

2. Peel off the back of the paper and carefully stick the paper to the packaging, slowly working your way around removing air bubbles as you go.

TIP: Pull the paper tight as you wrap it around the tube. This will stop bubbles from forming.

3. Cut off the excess at each end with a craft knife.

4. Add blocks of contact paper to create variety.

TIP: Use the straight edge of the contact paper to create a really nice, crisp line around the ‘middle’ of the pot and cut the uneven edge straight with the craft knife

5. Glue your noodle pot inside with strong glue. The plastic will be able to hold the water well.

TIP: Only grow plants that don’t need drainage in these pots. Succulents are perfect and massively fashionable right now. Win!

©fallfordiy

http://fallfordiy.com/blog/2014/03/28/diy-marble-planters/

DIY FAUX AGATE

I’ve been so looking forward to sharing this project with all of you. After my first venture into polymer clay I realised what a wonderful and versatile material it was. It got my mind ticking over. I wanted to see how far I could take it. Can I transform a cheap and accessible substance into something precious and desirable? I had a ton of ideas, many of which I’m still planning on experimenting (and hopefully will be showing you all) with. If you like the look of this one, here’s how to do it:

Instructions:

1. Work pieces of pink, blue and white polymer clay, each into a ball around 2cm wide. Work two larger pieces of translucent polymer clay into slightly larger balls.

2. Mix the pink and blue together to make purple. Take a small pea sized ball from this and mix with one of the transparent balls.

3. Take the lilac, translucent and white ball and pop them in the freezer for an hour.

4. Grate the whole translucent and the whole white ball, but only half on the lilac. Put the other half of the lilac aside and roll the grated clay up into another ball, freeze again, and then finely grate.

5. Roll this into another ball and roll out.

6. Take a piece of grease proof paper and scrunch up into cylinder. Wrap the mixed piece around it as many times as in will.

7. Roll out the leftover lilac, roll that out and wrap it around next.

8. Then lastly take the rest of the purple and wrap that around as well. Roll this gently in between your hands. Don’t make this into a perfect circle, use your fingers to create indents and odd shapes.

9. Heat in the oven for around 30 minutes on a medium to low heat. Leave to cool and with a sharp scalpel knife carefully cut off thin strips.

10. Cover the inside with glue and sprinkle with crystal glass. Leave to dry and cover the rest of the slice with a glue such as glossy accents to give it that polished look.

It’s quite a process, but it makes loads of pieces. I’ll be putting up an awesome earring tutorial to give you an idea of what you can do with them. And of course you can create different colours and contrasting colourways. But lets take this one step at a time! What other precious stones do you think would look good?

©fallfordiy

http://fallfordiy.com/blog/2013/08/19/diy-faux-agate/

Romantic Twist Braid Hair Tutorial

Last summer I shared an updo hair tutorial by the incredible Heidi Marie Garrett. It received such a positive response—and I so loved Heidi's skills with my strands—I've been dying ever since to do another one. So when I learned that Heidi was teaming up with makeup artist Amy Clarke for some mini boudoir sessions by Woodnote Photography, I jumped on the chance to submit myself to the beauty ministrations of these talented ladies!  

We decided to try something soft and pretty (Valentine's Day isn't too far away, after all!), but we definitely wanted something beyond the usual braid or bun. Heidi, hair genius that she is, came up with this romantic twist on the spot! The style looks much more complicated than it really is, and would be great for any hair type that's shoulder-length or longer. Heidi clipped a couple extensions in for me, more for volume than for length as I have really fine locks.

Bobby pins are the secret to making this twist happen. Rather than incorporate strands gradually down the tail as you would with a braid, you'll twist them around each other and pin them in place. Don't be afraid to use a lot of bobby pins; we even secured the tail with them rather than with an elastic. And if you end up with a somewhat lived-in result, embrace it! After all, the best winter hair styles are the ones that only look better after you've worn a hat in a snowstorm!

P.S. If you try this style, won't you please let me know on Instagram? Be sure to tag both @citysage and @heidimariegarrett so we can admire your handiwork! Hair: Heidi Marie Garrett Makeup: Amy Clarke Photography: Woodnote Photography

©annesage

http://www.annesage.com/blog/2014/01/romantic-twist-braid-hair-tutorial.html

GET READY FAST WITH 7 EASY HAIRSTYLE TUTORIALS FOR WET HAIR

Some days dry shampoo just won’t cut it.

You need to wash your hair but those precious minutes you used to apply a conditioning treatment mean you don’t have time to style your hair.

Now I normally wouldn’t recommend going out with wet hair but sometimes there’s no other option.

That’s when you need some chic and easy hairstyles you can do in wet hair.

If you like to go the the gym in your lunch break, these hairstyles are also a fast way to get back to work in time.

Or in summer, when you’ve been swimming, these styles are simple enough to do poolside. All you need are a few bobby pins and maybe a hair elastic or two. You’ll be ready for sunset drinks before you know it.

Try my 7 easy hairstyle tutorials you can do in wet hair and let me know which is your fave look.

Wet Hairstyle Tutorial – Low Twist & Pin Buns

The low Twist & Pin buns are probably my favourite hairstyle for wet hair. This style smooths down the top half of my hair but leaves loose waves in the ends of my hair when it dries.

You can see my video tutorial of the Twist & Pin buns here or see my step-by-step instructions below.

Step-by-step

You’ll need: Bobby pins

1. Comb your hair back and split it into three equal sections.
2. Twist the middle section down and loop it around into a bun at the nape of your neck. Pin in place with bobby pins.
3. Do the same with the right section, twisting it into a mini bun next to the first bun. Secure it with bobby pins. I like to weave a pin through both buns to make sure they stay in place.
4. Twist the left section into a matching bun and pin it level with the other two buns.

The bonus with three buns is that your hair dries faster than when it’s twisted into a single bun so this style if perfect if you have thick hair. You can even style four or five buns if you like.

Wet Hairstyle Tutorial – The High Ponytail

When your hair is wet, embrace sleek styles like this simple high ponytail. Just remember to do my trick to remove comb lines from your hair.

Step-by-step

You’ll need: A strong hair elastic, or hair bungee

1. Gather your hair high on the crown of your head.
2. Use a comb to smooth your hair and get rid of any lumps and bumps.
3. Then use your hand to smooth away the comb marks. Run your fingers or the side of your hand over your hair to flatten any comb marks in your hair.
4. Secure your ponytail with a strong hair elastic or wrap a hair bungee around to hold your ponytail in place.

Wet Hairstyle Tutorial – The Fishtail Ponytail

Take your ponytail up a notch with this simple fishtail braid. And yes, I said simple! Fishtail braids look more complicated than they are to do.

Step-by-step

You’ll need: A strong hair elastic, or hair bungee and a small clear hair elastic

1. Put your hair in a high ponytail following the tutorial above.
2. Split your ponytail in two. Hold one side in each hand and keep these separate as you braid.
3. Cross a small section from the left to the right. Take a small piece of hair from the left side of the left ponytail and combine it with the right ponytail.
4. Repeat on the right. Take a small piece of hair from the right side of the right ponytail and combine it with the left ponytail.
5. Repeat this process all the way down the ponytails. Each time, cross a small piece of hair from one ponytail to the other side. As you move down the ponytail they cross over, forming the fishtail braid.
6. Tie the end and stretch it out. Secure the end of your fishtail braid with a small, clear elastic. Gently pull at the sides of the braid to stretch it out. This makes your hair look thicker and fuller, and emphasises the shape of the braid.

You can also try this fishtail braid in a low ponytail or in a side ponytail too. Don’t forget to stretch it out as this really shows the braid. As your hair dries you can mess up the braid a little more to add texture to your fishtail. I do love a messy fishtail braid.

Wet Hairstyle Tutorial – The Fishtail Bun

I love the fishtail on its own, but if you work somewhere more corporate, you’ll love this bun version.

Step-by-step

You’ll need: A strong hair elastic or hair bungee, a small clear hair elastic and bobby pins

1. Place your hair in a high ponytail and fishtail braid as per my tutorials above.
2. Stretch out the braid and make sure your ponytail is tight so that it won’t drop as your hair dries.
3. Curve your braid around to form a bun. Make sure to tuck the ends underneath so that they don’t poke out of the finished bun.
4. Pin in place with bobby pins.

I love how the fishtail creates more texture and interest than a regular bun. It also makes your hair dry with a nice wave when you take your hair down later. If you don’t have time to do the fishtail braid, a normal three-strand braid will also look great.

Wet Hairstyle Tutorial – The Sleek Low Bun

The easiest chic style for wet hair is the classic low bun. Like the high ponytail, embrace the sleek when your hair is wet and smooth away all comb marks for this simple look.

Step-by-step

You’ll need: A strong hair elastic, or hair bungee and bobby pins

1. Comb your hair back and secure your hair into a low ponytail at the nape of your neck.
2. Twist your ponytail tightly and wrap it around to form a low bun.
3. Tuck the ends of your hair under and pin in place with bobby pins.
4. Smooth any bumps with your comb. Try not to leave big gaps like I did this time!
5. Run your hand over any comb marks to flatten them out.

Similar to my first tutorial, the Low Twist & Pin Buns, this bun smooths the top of your hair but leaves a nice wave from the shoulders down. If your hair is thick you may find it takes a while to dry in this tightly twisted bun. That’s where the loose triple bun comes in.

Wet Hairstyle Tutorial – The Loose Triple Bun

My hair takes forever to dry in tight hairstyles so this loose triple bun is a great solution. It leaves messier waves in my hair when I take it down. I like to use a sea salt spray in dry hair to further texturise my hair to make it look more beachy.

Step-by-step

You’ll need: Bobby pins

1. Split your hair into three sections – the top section is across your head above your ears and split the bottom sections in half down the middle of your head. Clip the top section out of the way for now.
2. Twist the bottom left section up and around into a loose bun. Depending on how long your hair is, you can fold your hair or make a figure-8 shape. Pin in place with bobby pins.
3. Repeat on the bottom right section. Loosely twist your hair to create a bun and pin in place with bobby pins.
4. Unclip the top section and loosely rake your fingers through your hair so that your hair isn’t flat against your head.
5. Twist the top section loosely into a bun on top of the other buns and pin in place with bobby pins.

These loose buns are a perfect summer style as they encourage some curl but it doesn’t look too formal. It will also dry faster as it’s not flat against your head. If you take your hair down when it’s about 80% dry, you can twist your hair into smaller ringlets to help shape the curls at the ends of your hair.

Wet Hairstyle Tutorial – The Side Twist Bun

I like the shape this rope twist creates around your face. It will help to create some waves in your hair and you can make it as tight or loose as you like. Modify the side bun to suit your hair. You can keep it sleek and more formal, or just leave it messy.

Step-by-step

You’ll need: A hair elastic and bobby pins

1. Make a deep side part on the right and comb your hair over to the left.
2. Start your rope twist at your part line. Take a 1-inch section of hair and twist it under a 1-inch section of hair from your hairline.
3. Twist the sections together, then twist them under the next section of hair from your hairline.
4. Keep adding in section of hair from your hairline and keep twisting your hair back away from your face.
5. Once you have passed your ear, combine the twist with the rest of your hair to create a side ponytail.
6. Twist your ponytail around to form a side bun. Keep this bun as neat or as messy as you like. Pin in place with bobby pins.

For more hairstyle inspiration, check out my 30 Days of Twist & Pin Hairstyles ebook. Full of everyday style inspiration, it only takes a few bobby pins to get your hair under control.

©HAIR ROMANCE 

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