TT: 3 Simple Steps to Color Blocking

I have a thing for color.

In fact, I'm pretty positive if I let my creative juices flow to their lil' hearts content, I'd probably end up looking like a mash up of:

Lisa Frank:

 

And Rainbow Brite:

 

Which, you and I both know would be awesome, but apparently not appropriate for the workplace.
So, instead, I color block. :)


Step 1:  Grab your handy-dandy color wheel:

I'm a visual person, so being able to actually see color pairings together helps me avoid raiding my closet.
(As a bonus, Mr. Wonderful doesn't come home to a house that looks like a clothes bomb went off inside.)

Just to give you a sneak peek into my nerdtastic color-obsessed self, in addition to my handy-dandy color wheel, I also have my side of the closet divided by color.  As crazy as it may sound, it really does help when it comes to putting outfits together.


Step 2:  Decide how you'd like to pair colors.
Some options are:

-Neighboring
This is a grouping of 3 colors found side-by-side on the color wheel, like red, orange and yellow.
-Monochromatic
This is one color in a variety of intensities.
*Neighboring and monochromatic tend to be calmer ways to color block.*
 

-Complimentary
These are the colors you find directly across from each other on the color wheel, like purple and yellow.
-Triads
These are 3 colors equally spaced apart on the color wheel, like blue, red, and yellow.
*Complimentary and Triads tend to give a more dramatic look.*


Step 3:  Try it on.
For me, color blocking is all about how the color makes you FEEL. 
Maybe you put together a super cute orange top and an awesome blue skirt, BUT once you've put it on, you realize you just don't feel comfortable rocking blue and orange that day. 
No worries!
You can always re-try that color combo later.
Green is an excellent example of this for me.  Some days I can wear it, but other days, green refuses to work with my skin tone.   As my mom always says, "work with what you've got instead of trying to fight it."
  

Life's too short to be in a bad mood, so use your favorite colors to help brighten everyday.

"I believe in pink.  I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner.  I believe in kissing, kissing a lot.  I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong.  I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls.  I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles."

-Audrey Hepburn

TT: How to ..um... do something

Three weeks in and I'm already slacking.

I know, I know.  I'm sorry.

"But, but, but.... why?" you ask?

Well because if I didn't do this, I'd most likely have written a tutorial on something like "The Top 10 Ways To Avoid Committing a Violent Crime During Your Aunt Flow's Visit" kind of post and we all know things could get pretty ugly with that soooo....

Here are my top 4 ('cuz I gotta be different like that) favorite DIY projects out there at the moment:

1. Terrariums (aka plants that even I would have a hard time killing.)

Photo via National Geographic Kids

 Mister Wonderful and I watched a segment about terrariums on CBS Sunday Morning a few weeks back and I have been obsessed ever since.  I love the idea of being able to bring the outdoors in without having to have a green thumb. :)

2. Recycled Light Bulb Hot Air Balloons

Photo via Dollar Store Crafts

How cute are these??!!  I don't have any munchkins of my own yet, but these would definitely need to be hanging from the ceiling in their room if I did. :)

3. S'more Teacher Appreciation Bags

Photo from Dollhouse Bake Shoppe

Mr. Wonderful is a middle school teacher so I'm always on the lookout for fun and simple ways to let him know how amazing he is.  He likes to take s'mores up a notch, so I'd just need to switch out the Hershey's for some Reese's and he'd be one happy man.

4. Repurposed T-shirt Pillows

Photo from Better Homes & Gardens

If you haven't noticed by now, you probably will soon, but I love me some random sayings tees.  And the possibility of making them into cozy household items just makes me smile.

Tutorial Tuesday: Good as Gold

I hate throwing things away.
Granted, I'm not exactly to hoarder status yet, but you could certainly classify me as a Pack-rat.

And sadly, some of the items I keep aren't even things that have nostalgic value.
I mean, I feel bad getting rid of toilet paper rolls.
I know, I know.  That's crazy.
But for me, each time I toss something, I have these "Toy Story 3" moments.  Like the items I'm getting rid of are sitting in some dark, clammy corner of a bin wondering why I don't need them anymore.

OR (one of my more frequent and less crazy thoughts) that a few days will pass and I'll think of something I could have used the item for, but,
WAN, 
WAN, 
WAAAAAA!
stupid me threw it out.

It's a vicious cycle.

But not today!
Today I figured out just what to do with an empty cereal box and a left over piece of scrapbook paper!
Here's what you'll need:

Haha!  Two seemingly useless items down!  Only about a hundred more to go! :)

*Tip: Try coating your earrings with outdoor ModPodge.  It will make them a bit more durable and add a nice shine.

Tutorial Tuesday

   I don't usually follow trends.
::she says as all the style bloggers gasp::
   I know, I know, shame on me, but I did try on an oh-so-trendy tube skirt the other day, and if you saw what was glaring back at me through the mirror, you'd understand my trend-pidation.  I may only have the one curve, but it's kinda like a a tractor trailer attempting a sharp turn on a snowy mountainside.
   That being said, I do love me some bow rings.
   They give that added bit of feminine flair without being over-the-top girly and can easily be created out of materials you probably already have!

Here's What You'll Need