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Thursday, April 28, 2011

wine about it.


If you're anything like me and my friends, you probably love wine. Nothing's more satisfying then sharing a bottle of wine, (or two) with friends after a long stressful week. Before you know it these bottles begin to pile up and start to take up space in your house. So I was beginning to wonder if there are ways to save and reuse all of these bottles. Below are my top five favorite ways to reuse your wine bottle for something that is not only useful but beatiful too!

1.  Wine Bottle Candle Holders



These candle holders are fairly simple to make. All you need to do is collect some clear wine bottles, strip them of their labels and buy taper candles to fit. Voila! You now have a beautiful candle holder.

P.S. Letting the wax drip down the bottle only increases the whole romantic feel!

2. Vase or Olive Oil Holder



This faux dichroic glass finish is great way to give any bottle a new life and [re]purpose. This process is a little more complicated and requires a few more materials and tools to get started. If you want to learn how to make one for yourself check out the full process here.

3. Wine Bottle Shelving



This is by far the coolest way I've seen wine bottles being reused. You're not just using it as a vessel to hold some flowers but as a whole new piece of furniture! This is probably not an easy craft to produce, but if you know any hands on guys, you should put this on their to do list ASAP! Check out instructables for a step by step guide!

4. Wine Bottle Label Art



Walking down the aisle of the liquor store, you can't help but get pulled towards the wine bottles with the pretty labels! Since that bottle of wine is now empty and you're now left with the pretty label, you so very wanted, you might as well make use of it! To remove the label all you need to do is soak the bottle in hot water for 20 minutes, with the addition of 2 or 3 drops of liquid detergent. If the label doesn't float to the top then I suggest you check out further options here. Once you have the label it's up to you to decide how to display it!

5. Wine Cork Board



Although this doesn't actually involve the wine bottle, corks can be just as fun to collect. All you need are corks, a bulletin board and your trusty hot glue gun. Ta da! Now you have a gorgeous cork board to fill with equally beautiful photos!

Now you have five great ways to repurpose and reuse your wine bottles. Enjoy!


xoxo sprinkles && twinkles

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

jewelry trends spring/summer '11


Like most women, I have a love for shoes, handbags and especially jewelry. The four big Spring/Summer '11 trends seen on the runways this past Fall include Cabochon-Style Stones, Tassels & Fringe, Clean & Architectural and Plastics & Perspex. Below are the trends seen on the runway along with there affordable counterparts, all under $50!


Cabochon-Style Stones

1, 2, 3, 4

Whenever I see coral and turquoise I know Spring and Summer are just around the corner. These cabochon-style stones are the perfect accessory to add a pop of color to take any outfit from average to amazing! Since these piece are pretty loud I suggest you only wear only one statement piece at a time, otherwise your at risk looking like an aztec warrior!

Tassels & Fringe

1, 2, 3, 4

If you've been following my blog you are quite aware of the 70s trend that has been seen everywhere this season. From dresses to bags to sandals, fringe was all over Coachella this past April. Wearing tassels and fringe is hard to pull off without looking like a show/cow girl, so wearing this trend in the form of jewelry is the perfect solution to pulling off that cool 70s vibe.

Clean & Architectural

1, 2, 3, 4

When it comes to jewelry my eye is typically drawn to colorful bold pieces. After getting a glimpse of these clean yet intricate pieces, I've had a change of tune. The fact that these pieces are all in gold, gives them a polished and sophisticated feel that I can't resist.

Plastics & Perspex

1, 2, 3, 4

When you think plastic jewelry you're probably assuming cheap and tacky, but in actuality it's quite the opposite. The pieces seen here are from high end designers such as French Connection, Marc Jacobs and Betsy Johnson. These pieces are fun and whimsical and allow me to relive a piece of my childhood.

What do you think about these trends? What are you favorite jewelry pieces?


xoxo sprinkles && twinkles

Saturday, April 23, 2011

diy, fix your broken compact


I know at one time or another we've all dropped our favorite blush, bronzer or eyeshadow and watched it break into a bunch of little pieces. At this point i'm probably so upset that i'm thinking irrationaly and throwing the compact in the trash. Well I just found out that you can actually fix your shattered make up! It's a fairly simple and easy process. All you need is:
  • rubbing alcohol (70% or higher)
  • a spoon or knife
  • ziploc bag
  • a quarter
  • a piece of cloth or kleenex.
Below is a video with a step by step tutorial posted by Kandee Johnson. Not only is she super sweet and cute but she's really great at explaining or as I like to call it, dumbing down, the process.



If you loved Kandee's video be sure to check out her other great tips here as well as her adorable blog.

I plan on trying this out asap! Do you have any great beauty tips that you'd like to share with us?

xoxo sprinkles && twinkles

Friday, April 22, 2011

viva la tiesto.


If you haven't heard of Tiësto..then you must be living under a rock! Tiësto is one of the biggest DJs known on the electronic music scene. To us fellow electronic lovers, Tiësto is to us as Jesus is to Christians. God. Since he hasn't released an album since Kaleidoscope in 2009, I was extremely excited to hear that he was releasing a his first installment in his new mix compilation series called Club Life. This is the first of I hope many installations. After listening to the cd, numerous times, all I got to say is WOW. He is still working his magic, and I can only hope he continues on producing such euphoric music. Below is the tracklist of the cd with a sample of my personal favorites! (Btw all the songs are amazing, so be sure to check out the others too!) If you love the cd as much as I do, you can buy it here.

Tracklist:

01. Henrik B ft. Christian Älvestam – Now and Forever (Original Mix)
02. Tom Hangs ft. Shermanology – Blessed (Original Mix)
03. Cazzi Opeia – I Belong To You (Axel Bauer & Lanford Remix)
04. Steve Forte Rio ft. Lindsey Ray – Slumber (Original Mix)
05. Lune – Girls With Bangs (Tiësto Remix)

06. Rebecca & Fiona – Bullets (Club Edit)
07. Dúné – Heiress Of Valentina (Alesso Exclusive Mix)

08. Tiësto & Marcel Woods – Don’t Ditch (Original Mix)
09. Amy Meredith – Young At Heart (Angger Dimas Remix)
10. Alex Sayz – Faces (Original Mix)

11. Moguai – We Want Your Soul (Thomas Gold Remix)
12. Boys will be Boys – We Rock (Original Mix)
13. Tiësto & Hardwell – Zero 76 (Original Mix)
14. Kaskade – Fire In Your New Shoes ft. Martina of Dragonette (Sultan & Ned Shepard Electric Daisy Remix)

15. Tiësto vs Diplo – C’Mon (Original Mix)

I hope you enjoy this album as much as I have! Be sure to check out Tiësto's other work, I can guarantee you won't be disappointed!


xoxo sprinkles && twinkles

Monday, April 18, 2011

coachella ella ella.


The only thing more amazing than the electrifying music and the massive amount of celebrities flocking to Coachella, was the fashion. This festival has quickly received attention from bloggers and fashion elite alike the last couple of years. This year it was all about 70s cool, evening wear for day time and bright bold pieces. Below are some of my favorite looks along with pieces corresponding to the trend. It was really hard to narrow down but I think these looks are a great inspiration for what to look out for this summer, especially if your planning on attending any festivals!

FRINGE

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

EASY BREEZY

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

SHORT SHORTS

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

BRIGHT COLORS

 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6


I heard the Sahara tent was made to light up in accordance with the music/beat. Pretty cool if you ask me.

Although we're not all lucky enough to go to Coachella, I hope you got a taste and a feel for the atmosphere and the vibe.

What do you think about that fashion trends seen at Coachella? Have you ever been or do you plan on attending in the future?


xoxo sprinkles && twinkles

Sunday, April 17, 2011

cheetahlicious nails.


When probing the web for random photos and quotes, I tend to find inspiration within each and every one. After coming across these amazing shoes (see above), as well as viewing multiple cheetah themed nails, I decided to do my own version. With a little time and lots of patience, these nails can be easily done.

french tip: revlon - gum drop (scented)
cheetah print: opi - just a little dangerous
separation line: sally hansen - pure chrome
top coat: rimmel london - clear

Things you need:
  • nails polish for french tip
  • nail polish for cheetah print
  • tooth picks, a very thin paint brush or if you want to spend a couple more $$ and save the frustration try nail art pens
  • a steady hand
  • LOTS of patience
If you ever have free time on your hands (no pun intended), nail art is something worth trying out. You can experiment with an endless amount of patterns and different shades of colors. It's something you can definitely enjoy with friends (and it would probably be easier with an extra pair of hands!) If you ever need any inspiration I suggest you check out fuckyeahprettynails and fuckyeahnailart.


Are you crazy for cheetah? Are you a fan of nail art? Let us know :)


xoxo sprinkles && twinkles


Friday, April 15, 2011

dubstep.


Ever since I heard Jakwob's remix of under the sheets by Ellie Goulding, I got sucked into the world of dubstep. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but with the variety of sub genres (chillstep, drumstep, thugstep etc), there really is something for everyone. With that being said, I plan on sporadically posting my top picks and updating you with what's hot on the dubstep scene. I hope to get more people introduced to this genre and fall in love with it as quickly as I did!


Every die hard dubstep lover has this song. So before you start looking for songs it's a MUST to take a listen to this. Bass Cannon really gives you a feel for dubstep and what it's all about.




Flux Pavilion - Bass Cannon by Neotixx

If you want to know what's hot on the dubstep scene, I suggest you look for anything done by Skrillex, Rusko, Skream, Nero or Bassnectar, just to name a few. Below are a couple of my favorite songs from some of these artists.




La Roux - In For The Kill (Skrillex Remix) by AlexPoulos



Hold On ft. Amber Coffman (Sub Focus Remix) by Rusko


Just so you know, this video knocked my socks off.


I hope you appreciate and enjoy these songs as much as I do! What do you think? Do you wub wub wub dubstep?

xoxo sprinkles && twinkles

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

got it in the bag.


Bags. A girls best friend, right next to shoes. There's something mesmerizing about bags. There are so many types: shoulder, hobo, totes, clutches. They come in a variety shapes, colors and sizes. They're perfect for the day to carry all your essentials to school and work, or to carry your basics for a night on the town. Personally I think purses can be over looked and deserve to be the star of the show. That being said, I decided to do a post on celebrity outfits with their clutches being the main focal point.



This look was totally unexpected from LC, but I'm in LOVE! Although this look is primarily all black, it's multidimensional. Taking a flowy blouse and pairing it with faux leather leggings is rock n roll chic. Adding a pop of color with a turquoise clutch is genius!


This hip hugging safari green dress is sexy all on its own, but when paired with some uber hot booties and leopard clutch, this look is down right wild!


This lace dress is ultra feminine! Adding a pop of red with the heels and purse takes this look from young girl to sophisticated woman.



If someone told me they put blue, yellow and purple together in an outfit I would probably think they are joking. This fun and colorful combination is totally unexpected, but it works!


What is your relationship with purses? Do you love these colorful clutches or could you do without?


xoxo sprinkles && twinkles

Thursday, April 7, 2011

s'meeps.


You know Easter is right around the corner when the shelves at your local grocery store are stocked with the neon colored marshmallow chickens, better known as peeps. Seeing that Easter is about two and a half weeks away, I thought this would be a fun post to share with you! Grace Kang from Serious Eats came up with the ingenious idea of taking an American classic, the s'more, and kicked it up a notch by replacing the generic white marshmallow with this eye catching Easter candy. When put together you get a tasty colorful treat, better known as the s'meep!




Recipe

*makes 4 s'meeps

Ingredients

4 Peeps (1 package)

4 graham crackers, separated into 8 halves

Four 1-ounce squares semisweet or dark chocolate (depending on preference)

Procedure

1. Preheat the oven or toaster oven to 350°F.

2. Place a 1-ounce square of chocolate on 4 of the graham cracker halves. Top each chocolate with a Peep. Say your goodbyes.

3. Put your Peep sacrifice laden graham crackers on an aluminum foil covered tray and pop them in the oven for 2 to 3 minutes. Watch them carefully as toasting Peeps can turn into burn victims beyond repair in the blink of an eye. Vigilance!

4. Once the Peeps are toasted to your liking, take them out of the oven and squish them with a graham cracker half. Feast.


How do you like to enjoy your peeps?  Would you test out this recipe for yourself? Let us know!


xoxo sprinkles && twinkles

swimsuit trends.


Well it's that time of the year already. Time for those last minute diets, runs to the gym, fake n bake sessions and don't forget about those dreadful bikini waxes! Yes bikini season is just around the corner. Although I might not be physically ready to to go out in public, with scraps of material smaller than a napkin, I'm pretty excited to share what's on trend this season. The four major trends to keep an eye out for will be Minimalist, Floral, Graphic and Moroccan. Below I posted one and two piece bathing suits from each trend that won't break the bank! I just figured that you might want to save your money to go on a vacation. Your Welcome :)

Top: figleaves, h&m, roxy Bottom: asos, asos, asos

I never really considered my style to be minimalist, probably quite the opposite, but after checking out these ah-may-zing pieces, I might have to convert. The color blocking and intricate details are effortlessly cool with out trying too hard. 

Top: h&m, lands' end, roxy Bottom: j. crew, roxy, asos

By now it shouldn't even surprise you to see floral mentioned in my posts. Obviously I'm not the only one who's obsessed! Whether you like small dainty girly flowers or prefer big fun colorful flowers, these floral bathing suits have them all! 


These graphic designs are not by any means subtle. These eye catching pieces pack a punch of vivid colors and complex patterns that are made to tease the eyes. These living optical illusions are constructed with the body in mind in order to create the perfect silhouette.


These moroccan influenced bathing suits are infused with a little bit of boho, tribal and 70s all in one. The fun and colorful patterns give off a sexy and luxurious vibe worthy of any exotic location.


Are you ready for bikini season? What do you think about these trends? Do you have a favorite?


xoxo sprinkles && twinkles

Monday, April 4, 2011

what a high.


Nothing puts me in a better mood than music (unless it's cupcakes)! As I was searching for new songs to add to my ever growing collection, I realized the songs that I were drawn to had a commonality among them. They all had great beats and amazing female vocals!


Laura Jansen – Use Somebody (Armin van Buuren Rework) by ickicka

I'm a HUGE fan of Armin van Buuren. After hearing Laura Jansen's beautiful voice sing Use Somebody by Kings of Leon, I was blown away! Not only are the vocals angelic and dreamy, but Armin manages to make the song even better by adding the perfect beat to make this a dance song, yet the focus is clearly on Laura. Word on the street is that this was a big hit at Ultra.


Rimer London - Love Dagger - Magnetron Music by Low Life Inc

When I first saw Rimer London, I automatically thought mascara but quickly caught my mistake. Amsterdam native, Rimer, is a producer and artist that is known for his melodic tunes with an emphasis on house and electronic music. After sampling some of his singles, it was refreshing to hear a song with vocals. Cata Pirata's vocals left me in a hypnotic trance with catchy sing along lyrics, despite the repetiveness.



Medina, although the name might not ring a bell, is by no means a nobody. As the biggest female artist in 2010, Medina rules the Danish music scene. Welcome to Medina, is her latest cd containing electro pop tunes that have quickly skyrocketed up the dance charts. Although she is primarily popular in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, there are rumors that her tour may expand to other locations, such as the US!


What do you think of these songs? Do you love the beats? vocals? I can't stop playing these songs on repeat! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do =)


xoxo sprinkles && twinkles

Sunday, April 3, 2011

the key to transitioning.

me at work!

This time of year the weather is too warm to still be wearing your heavy winter coat, but it's too cold to wear your favorite spring dress without tights. As I was dressing myself for work I was thinking, how can I combine some of my favorite pieces from winter and make them work for me right now? My fur vest and wedged booties have been my go to staples all through fall and winter! Wanting to wear jean shorts in 50 degree weather, I thought it would be best to pair them with black opaque tights and the booties. Adding a flowy lace blouse, brings some lightness to the outfit and adds a bit of whimsy. I'm always a big fan of jewelry, especially rings, so the addition of a big bold ring adds a pop of color and helps complete this look. Below I created a look similar to mine, along with two other looks that combine pieces from your summer and winter wardrobe!  



I don't know about you, but i'm tired of wearing pants all winter long! I'm ready to put on my favorite floral skirt, throw on a blazer and tights and be on my way. To get this look you need a fun flowy skirt (you know i'm partial to flowers by now!), a cardgian of your choice, a shirt (I just happened to go with something a little more conservative but even a tank top would work), add a pair of heels (ie. clogs or wooden platforms) and throw on a pair of tights or layer on some fun knee highs!



People might think I'm crazy to even think about wearing a maxi dress now, BUT with the right pieces and accessories this look is easy to pull off! All you need is a maxi dress (I'm sure everyone has one by now), a pair of ankle boots/booties, a jacket (perhaps even a faux leather one?) and a fun bold accessory (ie. this tribal necklace, which is a must have piece for spring!)


All of these outfits are easy to do and most of these pieces you can already find in your closet. Try it out for yourself. Have fun and experiment! Happy transitioning!


xoxo sprinkles && twinkles