DIY – The Rachel Whatever…

February 17, 2015February 18, 2015

#DIY: The Easiest, Best, Most Thoughtful Present Ever.

When Valentine’s Day was rolling around and I was scrambling for a present idea (as usual) I had thought of this and went back to my Pinterest to find the original pin, when I realized I had not re-pinned! I hadn’t even LIKED the friggen thing. So, this present was thrown together from memory, but I’m pretty sure it’s spot on, and if it isn’t, it’s a pretty amazing gift idea anyway so it’s cool.

The idea: one ‘love note’ for every day of the year. 365 little notes that are memories, quotes and lyrics, or things you love about the person you’re giving the gift to.

What you need: a container large enough to hold 365 pieces of scrap paper – I bought a big container of cheese balls (a decision I really, truly regret. I. ATE. THEM. ALL.) emptied them out into a big bowl, and cleaned out the container. || 3 different colors of construction paper. And that is really pretty much it.

What you do: Separate the construction paper by categories: I used white for quotes and lyrics, pink for memories, and red for things I love about him. Write a little note for each thing.

TIP: START EARLY!!!! I took on this endeavor a few days before Valentine’s Day and I grossly underestimated how long it would take me. Nevermind the fact that you have to think of 365 things, you have to write them all down (or type them, but I wanted the personal touch of handwriting them) AND cutting them out, THEN folding them! My god guys, I had carpal tunnel by the time I was done, seriously. Bottom line, plan ahead. And any time you think of something that could work as a ‘love note,’ write it down, put it in your phone, do whatever you have to do to remember it because you will be scrambling for things by the time you reach the 300 mark.

This is perfect for: Birthdays, anniversaries, any holiday! This is a pretty romantic gift, so it was perfect for Valentine’s Day, but it would also be the ultimate anniversary present.

This was the cheapest gift I’ve ever given, save for a macaroni picture frame from my pre-school days, but it was the most thoughtful present my husband has ever received. Now he just needs the patience to go through this one day at a time because every time he looks at it he wants to go through every single one note in one sitting.

Side note: I’ll be back with outfit posts soon, but this arctic tundra I’m living in has sucked all motivation out of me to stand outside for even 10 seconds longer than I have to, to take outfit pics. Also, I haven’t really worn anything other than sweat pants in a week sooooo, there’s that.

July 24, 2013

DIY No Sew Turban Headband

I posted this video a few months ago, but I figured since it’s summer and these headbands are huge right now, I’d repost it for you guys. This is the eeeeeeaaaasiest DIY headband tutorial out there! And trust me, I’ve watched a ton just to compare, hah! Side note… this video makes me miss my dark hair. & that sweater! It was my favorite until my husband shrunk it :[ womp womp. Anyway… Enjoy! xo

June 12, 2013

Que pasa, ombre?

About a year and a half ago I took the plunge and joined the ombre trend. I have the absolute best hair stylist, Jacki from Glen Goldbaum 72, in Red Bank. She did a bang up job, I loved it. I was, however, super pregnant and started to get all fat and gross and decided that I would look much better with simple hair, so I went all back to brown. Every time I saw someone with ombre hair I missed mine a little bit, and then L’oreal came out with their DIY at-home ombre kit. I’m a big fan of at-home things lately. I’ve recently purchased the at-home gel mani kit, and I’m obsessed. So I figured I would try this. Here’s my thing, I figured if I didn’t love it, I at least didn’t spend an arm and a leg on it, you know? So I’ve been doing it myself. And I looooove it! I have to do touch ups about every 2-3 weeks to the ends to get it to the blonde that I want, so next time I’ll make a how-to video. This is a little teaser post, I suppose! ;]

This is the latest pic of my hair. This is about the 3rd process. There are 3 levels of color, one for brunettes, one for medium blondes, and one for blondes. I used the one for brunettes the first time and started applying the color by my ears to the ends. I waited about 3 weeks then used the color for medium blondes on top of that. I started by my chin and applied the color all the way down to the ends. Last night (about a month or so after the 2nd application) I added the color for blondes to the ends only. I promise I will post a how-to video with step-by-step instructions in about two weeks when I reapply color to the ends, it’s SUPER easy to do! I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

Here a few pictures from throughout the process so you can see the differences.

560113_4268120584837_1932221655_n — Before.

So there you have it! It’s gradual, which is important because if you apply too much lightener at one time your hair will break and die and fall out of your head!!!!! Maybe not, but maybe it will! Just be careful and know that if you have darker hair like me it will have to be a gradual process. And toners are your friend! But I’ll get into all that when I make the video. For now, enjoy these pics, ha! Until next time, kisses!

January 30, 2013

Pushing 60, Not Daisies.

Folks, we’ve been seeing each other long enough… it’s time you met my mother! No but seriously, my mom just started a blog and I think it’s going to be pretty fabulous. She is looking 60 in the face, and her blog is all about how she is going to embrace it. My mom is one badass chick. Previously first in the world in karate, owner of her own newspaper, tattoos makeup on her own face… badass. So anyway, there’s a link to her blog below, she has one introductory blog post so far, but there’s much more to come. If you’re into fun DIY projects, cosmetic surgery, tattooing your own makeup, and turning any age you’re not sure you’re ready to cope with, her blog is for you! She’s known to be quite quirky, never disappoints. There’s a couple pictures of us below too. [Me & mom in Aruba a few years ago, and the two of us with Char this past Christmas time]. Enjoy!

Pushing 60, not Daisies.

January 28, 2013

DIY: Turban Headband

Happy Monday loves! I’ve always been obsessed with the turban headband look but could never find them in stores (without spending an arm and a leg.. for a little fabric, geez!) SO I found this really great tutorial on Pinterest, BUT, it was only pictures. It could get a little confusing. I figured I’d do one better and make it a quick little video. This headband involves NO sewing OR glue! Easiest thing out there. Enjoy!

October 4, 2012October 4, 2012

HOW TO: Make your own clip in hair extensions

Hello loves! Below is a (not so quick) video all about how to make your own clip in hair extensions at home. Like I explain in the video, clip-in’s are SUPER easy (but a little time consuming) to make and they will last you FOR-EV-ERRRR (said like the kid from the Sandlot, OF COURSE). SO! This is a relatively easy step-by-step video on how to make your own hair extensions. Hope it helps! Feel free to fast forward through any of the boring parts. :] If you have ANY questions please feel free to ask! Ciao babes.

October 3, 2012

Shopping for Maternity Clothes 101

Hello my loves! So I decided to make this video because when I first got pregnant I was super stoked about shopping for maternity clothes. I mean, let’s face it, it’s just an excuse to go shopping, right? I needed clothes I can fit into! The hubs can’t argue with that, haha. But to be honest, I had no idea what I was doing. It seems like a pretty simple concept, but it’s not. All maternity clothes fit differently, some better than others. These are just a few of my do’s and dont’s for young first time moms like me. I hope you find these tips helpful! Let me know if you guys have any questions. Peace, loves.

September 29, 2012

Don’t call it a comeback, I been here for years.

HI! Remember me? :] I have been beyond MIA lately. Missed you guys, swear it. So I have a quick little video for you guys, it’s kind of a review of some liquid eyeliner along with my suggestions. Fascinating, I know. Just a quick little video to remind you how much you’ve missed me. Kidding, of course. Maybe? I’m not. I hope to make a video soon all about shopping for maternity clothes. Believe me, it may sound stupid, but it’s a freaking bitch when you are a young, first time mother. Finding flattering maternity clothes when you’re 23 is like trying to find love at an EDM festival with all those weirdos rolling on E feeling everyone up in their neon tutus. Well, you catch my drift. So! here we go. Enjoy all four minutes of it, I worked hard! And Baby R (also known as Charlotte, also known as Boogie) has a cameo, woo! I’m making her a youtube star! I’ll be back soon. Kisses.

May 10, 2012

The Upside Down French Braid

This is my take on this hair style. Usually you can find the upside-down french braid accompanied by a high, top-knotish looking bun. That doesn’t really work so well for me. First off, top knots never really look as glamourous on me as I want them to, ya know? Secondly, being that I am now 8 months pregnant, there’s some extra weight in my face that I feel like could be seen from the moon now and top-knot buns only seem to accentuate that. Wonderful. When I was in high school I always had a tendency to make this stupid face when anyone took a picture of me and it always looked like I had a double chin. He showed up so often, in fact, that my dear friend Jed thought it appropriate to name him Chester Cottompot. When someone would tag me in a picture on Facebook, Chester would get a tag as well. I lost him for a while, but he’s back now. Oh how I’ve missed you, Chester, really. So I modified this hair style a little bit to be more…. me (and flattering). This is how it’s usually found:

Gorgeous… elegant… beautiful. And unfortunately, not my cup of tea. This is my “elegant” upside-down french braid look.

I also noticed that my french braids do the opposite of normal french braids and I cannot for the life of me figure out how to make it stop doing that! Mine are like, inside out, they don’t lay flat against my head. Even when I do my own regular french braids this is how they come out. I know it has something to do with the way I hold the hair and the direction I weave it in, but I can’t change it. So my upside-down french braid is all kinds of different from everyone else’s, haha.

So this is how I do it, folks. I do an inside out french braid (purposely or not, who knows?), I braid the hair all the way to the end, then I use it to hold up my wavy, messy pony tail. And there ya have it. I’m going to keep playing around with this and see if I can figure out how to do the inverted braid, but for now this is my ish. What do you guys think? Have you tried this hair style yet? Would you try it with a sleek top knot or a messy pony tail like mine? I like the bun, and someday when I have something fancy to go to I may just attempt it. For now, I like the ponytail because I think it makes this hairstyle wearable for just, hanging out and going out. Keepin it fun without making it too fancy.

aaaaand this is just me being silly, HI. =p Til tomorrow, lovers! Have a wonderful day. Kisses.

May 8, 2012

How To: The Four (4) Strand Braid

Hola amigos & good mornin! I have a little tutorial for you lovelies today. It is how to do the newly popular four strand braid on yourself! I explain in the video that at first it can be really challenging, especially if you’re good at braiding hair, hah. And I say especially if you’re GOOD at braiding hair because your fingers are probably so used to the normal 3 strand braid that it can be a little confusing for them at first. If you can’t get the hang of it right away, don’t get discouraged! It took me many, many tries before I knew what I was doing. So here it is!

Hope you guys liked it! Let me know if you have any questions or comments. As always, I love hearing from you guys. :] Have a great afternoon & I’ll see ya later for some Tunesday beatzzzz. Kisses.