How To: Use False Eyelashes

False lashes--they look like so intimidating, but they truly aren't. With just a little bit of practice, you'll be a pro in no time...or just in time for New Year's Eve. Enjoy!

1. Buy your lashes. I highly suggest natural-looking ones, like these from ELF--only $1. If your lashes are light, go for brown ones, otherwise it'll be obvious you're wearing false lashes. I suggest applying mascara before applying lashes, but that's my personal preference. I don't use eyeliner until I'm finished with everything.

2. Get to know your lashes. You'll notice the lashes are tacky and how the lashes start from small to large--this helps you identify which lash goes on which eye. Play with them a bit. Bend them. Maybe try putting them on. Does it help to start in the middle? Beginning? End?

3. Cut and paste. If you still feel intimidated, try my best tip: cutting the lashes in half (or even in third or fourths). Apply the glue and wait a minute. Make sure to concentrate glue on the ends.

4. Apply. How you apply them depends on if you cut your lashes or not. You might want to try just half lashes, focusing on the ends, if you'd like. The rule of thumb is to apply from the center out. It's easier for me to apply them from the end to the beginning, so that's how I do it. Get close to the lash line and match it up to your lashes. Press and then just keep lining it up until the end. Then gently press the beginning, middle, and end and let it set for a minute or two. Remember, you are not in a rush, so take your time. Just peel off the lashes and start over. Don't forget the glue!

5. Curl. Using an eyelash curler, curl your joined lashes together--I'm just about to do this in the picture above. Add mascara and eyeliner to your real lashes/lash line if needed. When the party's over, peel the lashes and store in the original container or discard. Enjoy!

Have a wonderful New Year's Eve! I'll see you next year!

Be safe, behave, and be well. Love, Elle

NYE Survival Kit

Whether you're hitting the clubs, hosting, or attending a party, I thought you might wanna check out my New Year's Eve Survival Kit. Enjoy.

Get Ready:

• Holiday Hair Tutorials
• Winged Eyeliner
• Use THIS tip to stop clumpy lashes
• Subtle Shimmer Makeup
• Quick Party Makeup
• Glitter Eyes--3 Different Ways
• Choose the Correct Undergarments

Party Clutch Essentials:

• Blotting papers (I also suggest using a Makeup Setting Spray before you leave the house)
• Lip Stick/gloss
• Mints/gum
• Hand sanitizer (for gross public transporation)
• Foldable Flats
• Travel hair spray or hair clip/pin
• Perfume or deodorant (scented blotted papers work too) 
• ID/Cash/Credit Cards/Phone/Transportation Card

Hosting a Party:

• Hosting a party? Here's my inspiration from last year.
• Smokers at your party? Stop the smell using THIS tip.

Post-Party:

• Too tired to wash your hair? Use THIS tip to stop smelly hair.
• Hangover Helpers--these really work. Um, don't ask how I know.
• Need some pampering? Try my Hangover Facial Masque.

Cheap Treats: E.L.F. False Eyelashes

Every week or so, I share a Cheap Treat: something I love that is fewer than $10. This week's Cheap Treat is ELF's False Lashes Kit. The kits are only $1 and are fabulous. The $1 lashes kit comes in Natural or Dramatic. They are my favorite to use for when I want just a little something extra on my eyes. 

The idea of false lashes can be really intimidating, but with just a tiny bit of practice, you'll be ready for those New Year's Eve parties. I've found the ELF false lashes to be the easiest to use. They come in black or brown--brown definitely looks more natural. I'll be sharing a quick tutorial later on how to apply!

What did you get in your stocking this year? Or share another Cheap Treat below!

Outfit of the Week: Candy Cane Memories

As I write this, I've just returned to Atlanta from a five-hour trek home for Christmas and wedding celebrations. My eyeliner is smudged from rubbing the sun out of my eyes. My nails are chipped cherry-red, leftover from the wedding. My hair is a tangled mess of curls. My bun needs no pins to keep its shape; just a knot. I'm wearing a rumpled cardigan rescued from my cursorily-packed bag, as the temperature has dropped twenty degrees. This is the uniform my family sees when I visit them. I live in pajama pants from Target and think about brushing my hair. I am comfortable. I am content. And planning outfits is the furthest thing from my mind.

It's time to unpack and unwind. There's mail to be sorted (that can wait) and wine to drink (that cannot wait). Before I sign off, I leave you with the outfit I wore for my drive home last week. Christmas has come and gone, but I'm reminiscing of candy cane memories.

When, Where, Why: Last week, driving, wedding & Christmas festivities
Heard: Gone Again, Best Coast

Wore:

• Red & white striped tee c/o Stylemint
• Black skinnies from Old Navy
• Black Foms, aka my Fake Toms I got for $5 in Chinatown
• Red polish to match my red bridesmaid's dress
• Just noticed this outfit is kinda the opposite of last week's! And someone needs to go on a stripe hiatus. I didn't take a pic-obvi-since I was driving/stressed, but here's the last time I wore this shirt, as seen on my HOLIDAY HAIR TUTORIAL.

PS:Thanks for you comments good/bad on yesterday's post! You guys are why I love blogging. And I hit 500 followers! THANK YOU!

Let This Be A Lesson...

this pic has nothing to do with this post

I've had something on my mind for quite a while now, and instead of letting it fester inside, I'm getting it off my chest. Some of you will laugh, and some of you won't read this at all, but I'll feel better having said it. This is something that has happened to me time and time again and I'm sick of it. Example: I had someone leave a comment with a typo about  loving my "eye scrub" recipe. There was no eye scrub mentioned in the post (who the heck would want an eye scrub? Ouch!). I had 8 others who left comments about this imaginary "eye scrub." Skip to the comments much? Let me share a story...

When I first started blogging, I made a personal goal of visiting 10 blogs a day. One afternoon, I clicked on one blog and saw pics of a beautiful girl at her wedding and lots and lots of text. In order to hurriedly meet my quota, I skipped the post and went straight for the comments. I saw a congratulatory comment and I followed suit.

And then I got an email I will never forget.

The beautiful girl at her wedding emailed me to tell me the post was NOT about her wedding, but about her husband who had just been killed in a car accident. If I had taken the time to actually read the post, instead of just hurrying to comment/copying a comment, I would've saved myself a horrible gaffe. Despite my apologetic emails and sincere comments, she never visited my blog, responded to my messages, and I didn't blame her one bit.

I learned a lesson that day and I hope you did too.

If someone takes the time to write a post, take the time to read it.


Don't copy someone's comment. Read the post first.

It is ALWAYS obvious when you don't read a post. ALWAYS.

And the sad thing is, the ones who are guilty of doing this, are the ones who stopped reading about two sentences in and instead will leave me a comment about books.

I'm grateful for each and every one of you who take the time to visit and/or leave a thoughtful comment, and so many of your comments make me smile from ear to ear. I can't thank you enough.

Developing a thick skin is part of blogging, but sometimes too much is too much. I am an emotional human, and I love sharing those feelings with you. But those insincere comments have also taught me a lesson: plot/plan/work on improving my blog. I have so many things to share with you in 2012.


I hope you join me.

Winter Bucket List

Ed. note: I'm still celebrating with the fam, so apologies for such late posting! Everything should be back to regular tomorrow. Love, Elle
So far I've made bucket lists for summer and autumn. Now I'm sharing my Winter Bucket List with you. Enjoy.

What's on your Winter Bucket List?

What did you get for Christmas/Hanukkah? I got a Clarisonic and Miss Dior, among other things, so I must've been quite good this year! Something else I got was this amazing stocking via a blog swap from Quincee! Thanks girlie! I'm loving all the goodies.

Autumn Bucket List: Revisited

How was your Christmas/holiday? Mine was a whirlwind of activity! Thanks to some awful traffic, I made it to the rehearsal dinner just in time. Then, my brother had his Christmas Eve wedding. I still can't believe my lil bro is married! *tears*

My brother and sis-in-law, just married!

Their son and my nephew, 3. 

He is so bad but adorable!

And yesterday was a flurry of wrapping paper and 2 nephews throwing toys. Whew! I'm glad to have a day to relax before heading back to Atlanta. I like a nice, quiet holiday. But I like to accomplish things as well, and that's where my Autumn Bucket List comes into play. Let's see what I did!

1. Make an apple pie--COMPLETED! I used this recipe and it turned out ok!

2. Visit a pumpkin patch--COMPLETED!

3. Visit a corn maze--COMPLETED!

4. Catch a falling leaf--COMPLETED! I don't have a pic of this, but trust me, I did it!
5. Go star gazing--COMPLETED! My sister and I did this, but not in the back of a truck like my original inspiration.
6. Make S'mores--COMPLETED! I didn't even think to take a pic of these. Hmph.

I'll be posting my Winter Bucket List tomorrow! Stay tuned!

Smitten--Christmas Edition

Every now and again I like to share what has me smitten. Of course this month, it's all about Christmas. Check out a few of my personal faves this year in random order:

 {Hanukkah vase}

 {accidental bokeh}

 {stockings hung by the chimney with care}

 {a break from traditional scents}

{ornaments from all of my travels--19 countries}

{spode snowglobe}

I hope where ever you are, whatever you're doing, you're having a wonderful holiday.
Much love and Merry Christmas!
--Elle

Best of Elle Sees

I hope you're having an amazing Christmas Eve! My "little" brother is getting married today, so while I'm enjoying time with my family, I'm sharing my Best Of posts. Since I've had so many followers over the past year, I thought I'd share some new-to-you posts. Enjoy. Be safe, behave, and be well. Love, Elle

Holidays

Christmas Corsage
Decorating for Christmas Without a Tree
Surviving Vacation

New Years

New Years Eve Party (Check out more parties here)
Stop the Smell NYE
Quick Tip to Stop Smelly Hair
Hangover Helpers
Hangover Facial Mask

Travel

What To Pack

Travel Beauty Hacks

Get Grease Stains Out of Clothes With Sugar 

DIY

Jewelry Knockoffs
Mosaic Wall Art

How To's

Scarlett Johansson D&G Eye Makeup

Hide a Tat

Winged Eyeliner

Misc

Drinks--all seasons are covered!!
Cheap Date Ideas
Tip for No Clumpy Lashes
Satin Pillowcase Benefits

How To: Holiday Hair

Happy Friday! Happy second day of winter! Happy day 23 of Blogmas. While you're reading this, I'll be making the 5-hour pilgrimage home for Christmas and my Brother's Christmas Eve wedding. I'll be attending parties and the wedding, so I'll need lots of hair style options. I thought I would share some of my ideas with you--these styles would be perfect for holiday parties, gatherings, or even New Year's Eve. Enjoy!

Loose Curls 

2 in curling iron and use this tutorial

Velcro Roller Curls

See tutorial here.

Poof & Pull 

Poof hair & pull back

Try this look instead.

Twist

Take 2 sections of hair and twist together. Secure with pins. If desired, repeat on other side.

Braided Headband

Take a section of hair behind the ear and braid.

 Bring through hair and over your head, like a headband. 

 Secure and repeat on the other side.

Braided Bun

Divide hair in half. Make 2 braids and pin in a bun.

Bun Behind Ear

Pull hair to one side and loop into a bun. Pin and add a pin/brooch.

Pony Pin

Pull hair to one side and fasten in a loose pony. Add a pin/brooch.

Check out another side pony here.

How do you wear your hair for the holidays?

Which style would you like to try?

How To: Subtle Holiday Shimmer

"You could NOT need anymore makeup!" said my friend as I opened the My Glam bag and I mentally removed him from my Christmas list.
"But I use this stuff all the time! I need it!" I pleaded.
"Ok, use all of those samples at the same time," he said.
I like a challenge, so that's exactly what I did!

Check out my Subtle Holiday Shimmer look--perfect for a holiday party or New Year's Eve. It's also great for those of us who don't wear makeup often, but want a little something extra. Read on:

• To remove any oil, I patted my face with the lavender Mai Couture blotting sheets.

• I applied the Urban Decay Eyeshadow primer to my lids.

• Using a flat brush, I patted the UD shadow in Sin (already owned it in the Naked Palette, shh!) all over my lid. I used a fluffy brush to blend it towards my eyebrows.

• I dabbed a the tip of the Lights, Cameras, Lashes mascara by Tarte on my eyelids--yes you read that right--and smudged it out.
• Next, I brushed on one coat of the Tarte mascara on my eyelashes. I define a coat as only dipping in the bottle once.

• The Mai Couture also came with blush papers--I rubbed one on my cheeks. These are amazing for travel--no mess!

• I completed the look by putting the NYX Soft Matte Cream on my lips--it goes on like a gloss, but feels like a lipstick that sets matte. Maybe it's because I have a cold, but it felt more like a lip stain that you could wipe off to me.
• For a little more subtle shimmer, I dabbed the UD shadow in Sin right above my Cupid's Bow and right in the center of my bottom lip.

The lid is very shimmery--but the camera isn't picking up on it!

I got these products mentioned above from My Glam--a subscription service like Birchbox or Glossybox, but so much better! All the products are full or deluxe sizes, and the products come in a cute little bag! I'm not getting paid to endorse them--I'm just ecstatic and wanted to share with my readers!