DIY Sharpie Mug

It's been featured all over the internet: the amazing, wonderful, SHARPIE MUG! But don't let the flashy details fool you. You need a little more than a Sharpie to create a timeless and sentimental piece. Instead, you need an OIL-BASED PAINT SHARPIE and ACRYLIC SEALER. After you decorate it, put the mug in a cool oven and let in heat up to 350 then let it bake for 30 minutes. Once it's taken out and cooled off, spray it with the acrylic sealer. Then you're done! There you go; short and sweet.

PS: I made the one above for my dad's birthday. I used his initials and birth year for a nice, personalized gift.

5 Items Every Woman Should Have In Her Closet - Forever 21 Edition

I am a huge fan of Forever 21. They have a wide range of styles at affordable prices. They also sell men's wear, plus sizes, contemporary styles, and even kid's clothing. The talk is that their products are cheaply made and there are certain things, like jeans, that should have a little bit more money spent on them. That may be true, but most of my closet is from F21 and I have few complaints. 

This post is all about those key items every woman needs in her closet. Timeless and versatile pieces, on a budget, shall we say. Every item I'll show you today is from Forever 21. Let's get started!

1. A chain-link purse. Chain-link purses scream Chanel, but you don't need Chanel to get that expensive look. 

$27.80

$24.80

$32.80

2. A black blazer. Blazers sophisticate any look. They are great for the office, as well as a day (or night)  out and about. You can go fun and daring with a bright color, but having a black blazer is a must.

$32.80

$34.80

$32.80

3. A nude heel. Nude heels extend your legs a thousand miles and they go with absolutely everything. Short ladies out there? This is for you.

$32.80

$24.80

$27.80

4. A little black dress. LBD, duh! If you don't have a little black dress that you feel confident and sexy in, you're way behind.

$22.80

$27.80

$24.80

5. Finally, a bold bib/collar necklace. I am obsessed with these kinds of necklaces. They instantly glam up any outfit. Wear with a black shirt, jeans, heels and you're done!

$19.80

$12.80

$10.80

I hope these items inspired you to refresh your wardrobe! Check in soon for more posts.

DIY on a Dime: Bathroom

Wow! I am the queen of inconsistent blogging. But I have a good post for today. Over this past MLK holiday, my parents went to Savannah for a couple days on vacation. My sister and I had a great weekend together. On Saturday, after discussing how outdated out parents' bathroom is, we decided to surprise them and redo it! It was completely spontaneous and so much fun. They have a great bathroom, but it hasn't been redone since they bought the house in the 90's! Here are some before pics...

Yikes, right? The renovation was done in one day. We went to Home Depot and picked up paint, painting supplies, and Rustoleum spray. It took us about 3 hours to paint and maybe an hour and a half to clean from head to toe. The décor was all mismatched and random, so we took most of it out and added tasteful accessories. We went for a "spa" theme so white towels, tealights, and dark brown accents fit perfectly. Here are the after pictures!

My sister and I were so excited for our parents to see it! The blue-gray color looked great and brought out all the white in the bathroom. It's simple enough to look elegant, but it has lots of room for my mom to add and move things as she pleases. They LOVED it. My mom cried as expected and my dad thought it was perfect. The whole DIY cost under $100. It really shows how a little bit of paint and elbow grease can transform a room.

DIY Native American Costume

Happy November everyone! I hope you all had a great October. Mine was super busy which was why it took me so long to write new posts! Anyway, I thought I would do a quick tutorial on my Halloween Costume. I just went to my sister's house and Chipotle ($2 burritos if you're dressed up!) so I didn't go all out, but I did want to dress up. My costume was completely last minute and all I had to buy was a cheap, long-sleeved brown shirt! Ok here's what you'll need...

• Long-sleeved brown shirt
• Black skirt (black or grey leggings work too)
• Tights
• Moccasins
• Feather(s)
• Paint
• Earth-y jewelry (optional)

Once you have your supplies, you can get to work!

1. Cut out the seams from the collar and bottom of the shirt. Just cut on the seam all the way around.
2. Cut chunky strips at the bottom of the shirt. If you want to be precise, you can use a ruler and mark how far up you want to cut all around the shirt.
3. Once you have chunky strips, cut those into halves then halves again. It depends on how thin you want the fringe.
4. Pair the shirt with a blank band skirt, tights and moccasins.
5. Add Native American themed jewelry (I had a sun necklace).
6. Either pull some hair back and stick in a feather or make a head piece out of construction paper and multiple feathers.
7. Finally, get black, teal, or red face paint and paint designs onto your face (I kept mine simple).

And you're done! 

Day 12: e.l.f. Essential Brightening Eye Color

Finally!!! Day 12 is e.l.f. Essential Brightening Eye Color in Day 2 Night.

Price: $1.00

e.l.f. Description: Luxuriously smooth, pigmented formula provides your eyes with a bright and beautiful sweep of rich color. The formula blends into skin for a long lasting, beautiful effect. Each quad is comprised of 4 coordinating shades that allow for both natural and dramatic looks. Built-in mirror and applicator included.

Directions: n/a

Review: These little eyeshadows are so cute! I bought Day 2 Night, Luxe, and Butternut. Unfortunately, the colors are not very pigmented. You have to put on multiple layers for the color to show. The palettes do have colors that I would not usually try, like red, so that was fun! I recommend this product for anyone who wants to try or buy new and fun eyeshadows.

Verdict: ★★★★

Day 11: e.l.f. Essential Hypershine Gloss

Day 11 is e.l.f. Essential Hypershine Gloss in Baby Lips (retired).

Price: $1.00

e.l.f. Description: Hyper, glass-like shine infused with micro-mirror technology to reflect light. Smoothes lips on contact with a conditioning shine that lasts for hours. Create that natural lip stain of color that's sheer, subtle and beautiful!

Directions: n/a

Review: I don't really like lipgloss because it's sticky, and this product was no different. It tasted good and looked nice but it was so sticky! I will not buy this product again.

Verdict: ★★★

Day 10: e.l.f. Essential All Over Color Stick

Day 10 is e.l.f. Essential All Over Color Stick in Persimmon.

Price: $1.00

e.l.f. Description: This 3-in-1 Color Stick adds a beautiful glow to your eyes, lips, or face! Get gorgeous color that illuminates and instantly conditions skin for fresh and natural color all day long. Blend anywhere you would like to highlight and brighten your cheeks and brow bones.

Directions: n/a

Review: I think the idea for this product is really cool, but the packaging is poor. The first stick I got broke after it's second use, so I'm being extra gentle with my current one. I think the color is really pretty. It's a little shimmery so I prefer it for my lips but I'm sure it would look good on cheeks if you paired it with the right products.

Verdict: ★★★★

Day 9: e.l.f. Essential Tone Correcting Concealer

Day 9 is e.l.f. Essential Tone Correcting Concealer in Light Beige.

Price: $1.00

e.l.f. Description: Cover up those unwanted blemishes, undereye circles, and spots! Multi-tonal treatment masks skin tone imperfections and redness leaving skin with a fresh, flawless appearance. The lightweight formula blends evenly into the skin for buildable coverage.

Directions: n/a

Review: This was my first concealer and I really like it. I use it everyday for dark circles and occasionally for blemishes. It also smells SO good! I can't even describe it. It's not the best coverage, but for a dollar I think it works pretty well.

Verdict: ★★★★

Day 8: e.l.f. Studio 3-in-1 Mascara

Day 8 is e.l.f. Studio 3-in-1 Mascara.

Price: $3.00

e.l.f. Description: An all-in-one professional mascara that lengthens, defines and volumizes lashes. The uniquely shaped, multipurpose silicone brush has precision bristles to coat every lash for a dramatic look. The maximum performance, long-lasting formula gives all day smudge-free, budge-free wear for gorgeous lashes.

Directions: n/a

Review: I was a little disappointed with this product. The only thing I liked about this mascara was the little ball at the end of the wand. It's good for those pesky little lashes. But using this as your everyday mascara is a no-go. The mascara did not go on evenly and left my lashes kind of crunchy. I would not buy this product again.

Verdict: ★★★

Day 7: e.l.f. Essential Shine Eraser

Day 7 is e.l.f. Essential Shine Eraser.

Price: $1.00

e.l.f. Description: These amazing little sheets instantly absorb oil, minimize pores and transforms shiny skin into gorgeous matte perfection. Woven texture eradicates shine and keeps skin matte for hours. Green Tea Extract helps re-texturize skin and mask facial imperfections. Travel pack fits neatly into your purse for on-the-go touch-ups. 50 sheets included.

Directions: n/a

Review: This little pack is a life saver for us girls. I noticed my nose was a little shiny before going out and I remembered the little pack of shine erasers that I left at the bottom of my drawer! The sheet immediately soaked up the oil. At $1.00, I would buy a few packs to keep at home, work, your car, and your purse.

Verdict: ★★★★★

Day 6: e.l.f. Studio Contour Brush and e.l.f. Studio Small Angled Brush

Wow sorry guys! I have been super busy and haven't been able to finish these posts! Let's get right back into it. Day 6 is the e.l.f. Studio Contour Brush and the e.l.f. Studio Small Angled Brush. 

Price: $3.00 each

e.l.f. Description: Contour Brush- This new anti bacterial, synthetic haired Taklon brush is softer and more absorbent and can be used with wet or dry products. Be a professional makeup artist and create a flawless look with this e.l.f. studio brush! The domed bristles pick up a lot of color and deposit it onto the eyelid for extra definition. Adds depth close to the lash line and in the corner of the eye. Use to sweep colors along the lash line for concentrated color.

Small Angled Brush- This new anti bacterial, synthetic haired Taklon brush is softer and more absorbent and can be used with wet or dry products. be a professional makeup artist and create a flawless look with this e.l.f. studio brush! Creates precise color application. Creates even, thin and straight lines every time. Use to apply lip color, eyebrow color, or to line eyes.

Directions: n/a

Review: These brushes are GREAT! I had been using the little sponge applicators that come with eyeshadows but it makes a world of a difference when you use quality makeup brushes. They are so soft and apply makeup like a dream. The contour brush is great for your crease and blending eyeshadow. The small angled brush is great for using eyeshadow like eyeliner to create an easy, soft, look. Plus, these brushes are vegan friendly! Refresh your makeup supply and stock up on e.l.f. studio brushes!

Verdict: ★★★★★

Day 5: e.l.f. Essential Shimmer Eyeliner Pencil

Day 5 is e.l.f. Essential Shimmer Eyeliner Pencil. Pictured are Twinkle Teal, Iconic Ivory, and Boldly Bronze. 

Price: $1.00

e.l.f. Description: Instantly brighten eyes with e.l.f. Cosmetics shimmering metallic liners that put the spotlight on eyes. The smooth formulation glides on effortlessly without tugging at the delicate eye area. Choose from an assortment of 9 vibrant shades designed to add depth, definition and a special sparkle to create a very glamorous look! Pencil includes a convenient sharpener cap for easy use!

Directions: n/a

Review: I was really excited to see these liners because I have always wanted to try colorful eyeliners but I didn't want to spend 5+ bucks on them. So for the five dollars I would've spent on one eyeliner from one brand, I bought five from e.l.f! These eyeliners are nice and go on smoothly. I use them on my waterline and they don't irritate my eyes at all. They do fade throughout the day though. 

Verdict: ★★★★

Day 4: e.l.f. Studio Baked Eyeshadow Palette

Day 3 is e.l.f. Studio Baked Eyeshadow Palette in California.

Price: $10.00

e.l.f. Description: Each Baked Palette features 10 gorgeous baked eyeshadows so you can achieve a 

flawless look whenever, wherever. The silky and blendable formula of our Baked Eyeshadow provides smooth and even application with each sweep of color. Baked in an oven, these eyeshadows offer rich pigmentation for a beautiful effect. Infused with active key ingredients Jojoba, Rose, Sunflower, Apricot and Grape to nourish and hydrate the skin. The long-lasting and shimmering color can be worn wet for a vibrant effect or dry for sheer pigmentation, offering a variety of gorgeous eye looks!

Directions: Apply dry all over the eyelid with a brush for a subtle wash of color or apply wet for a vibrant effect. Choose a light color to apply all over the eyelid as a base or to highlight. Next, apply a medium shade over the eyelid or in the crease to contour. Then apply the darkest shade to define and line the eye for depth and a smoky look.

Review: This is the most expensive thing I've bought from e.l.f. And it's 10 dollars. Seriously, how can you not love this brand! When I saw the colors in the palette online I fell in love. So far, I have worn the 3rd and 4th colors on the top row. They are so pretty and shimmery. They are also really great quality. If you want to buy a nice, neutral, eyeshadow palette that's not ridiculously priced, this is the one to buy.

Verdict: ★★★★★

Day 3: e.l.f. Essential Eyelid Primer

Day 3 is e.l.f. Essential Eyelid Primer in Sheer.

Price: $1.00

e.l.f. Description: Preps your eyelid for smoother, longer-lasting and crease-proof eyeshadow. The lightweight liquid formula quickly absorbs into the skin for comfortable wear and increases eye color longevity.

Directions: Apply a thin coat to the eyelid and blend in. Allow formula to try before applying eyeshadow.

Review: Primer is a must when it comes to putting on eyeshadow. This is a great primer. First of all, how can you beat that price?! It gets the job done without breaking the bank. It feels like silk on my eyelids, no joke. If you're thinking about buying this, just do it!

Verdict: ★★★★★

Day 2: e.l.f. Essential Nail Polish

Day 2 is e.l.f. Essential Nail Polish in Coral Dream.

Price: $2.00

e.l.f. Description: Our Nail Polishes are back in stock and better than ever! Due to the new and improved formulation, the single nail polish price has increased to $2. This color-lock formula with chip resistant shield gives long lasting color with high shine. The bristle design glides color on flawlessly, and quick dry formula gives perfect application every time. Key nutrients infused infused with Vitamin E for stronger, healthier nails. Our formula is FREE of: Toluene, Formaldehyde, and Dibutyl Phtalate (DBP).

Directions: n/a

Review: On my last haul, I had a coupon for free shipping but was a few bucks shy of the minimum amount the coupon required. So, of course, I bought some nail polish. I got Coral Dream (pictured) and Smoky Brown. I like the bottle shape. Although when I just tried to take the top off, the black part came off of the brush. It went back on, but still. This is a really pretty nail polish. It went on a tad streaky, but another layer hid it well. It's also a total steal at 2 dollars. Overall, I would (and will) buy more bottles.

Verdict: ★★★★

EDIT: Only 2 days after application, it has started to chip. 3 stars.

Day 1: e.l.f. Studio Lip Exfoliator

Alright day 1! Let's get to it. The first product is the e.l.f. Studio Lip Exfoliator.

Price: $3.00

e.l.f. Description: Gently exfoliate lips to remove dry, chapped skin with our Lip Exfoliator! A sweet sugar and smoothing sensation, infused with Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Avocado, Grape and Jojoba Oils to nourish and protect. This Lip Exfoliator treats and smoothes lips for a conditioned and revitalized feel.

Directions: Apply to clean, damp lips and massage in a circular motion to exfoliate. Use a moistened cotton pad with water to gently wipe away scrub. Follow with a lip balm or gloss to condition.

Review: I've never tried anything like this before. It felt like a face scrub but for my lips! Once I took it off, my lips did feel smoother as advertised. I used the exfoliator about 6 hours ago and my lips still feel smooth. If you are confused, this product is not a chapstick. You will still need to moisturize with chapstick or lip gloss like you usually would. Overall, I like this product!

Verdict: ★★★★★