Thursday, January 31, 2013

pinspired: hair chalking is a bust! for brunettes

I've been wanting to try this hair chalking for over a year, and I finally got a huge thing of them for Christmas! Today I finally had enough time to play with them and a reason to make my hair fun [we have another club night tonight]!


I totally thought this was going to be easy, it'd stick to my hair even more because of the coloring in it, and I'll be rainbow-fabulous in no time. I followed the directions on the box, which was simply to spray my hair with water or leave-in conditioner, then rub it on. This is what I got: 


With flash, hoping it'd look a little different. 

Not only can you barely see it, but within an hour, it was off my hair and dusted all over my shirt, just leaving my hair feeling gross. 

I decided to watch YouTube videos and see if there was a better technique, and this chic seemed to have it down. Tried her trick of wetting your hair and the chalk, then coat the chalk on heavily, but only in one direction. 


While it's clearly much more visible, within about 30 minutes it looked like this [super clumpy/flaky].


I tried to straighten it and comb it once or twice to even it out, and that just took all the color right out. AKA: 


I say only for brunettes because it was definitely more bright and noticeable on my blonde streaks, so when I go lighter in the summer I will absolutely be trying again, but I think it's a lost cause for now. Hair has gone up in a bun.

The chalks I used were a Christmas gift, so I don't know if the kind/brand has anything to do with it [I'm sure some work better than others], but I'm assuming these pastels are basically the same across the board unless you pay a lot of money.

If you've ever done it on darker hair and have a different technique for me, PLEASE help a girl out!

love,
elizabethany

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

what ya wearin wednesday 013013

You guys.... I've never loved Wednesdays more than I do these days. I pop up out the bed in the morning like OMG WHAT YA WEARIN?!

Thanks to the warm weather, @toribabyy14 broke out her sandals and sundress!

@KaciKruz is rockin' a designer dress she got at TJ Maxx for $120 LESS than the original!

@ohsomeganrosee is the epitome of casual hott.

@siarrahhh is rockin' my favorite eye make-up trick, the cat-eye swoop!

Outfits like @alliewinkelmanxo's make me want to get a vest, real bad.

I wish I could pull off layers like some of you... and like @allisonjaffeid!

@maddiethomson's slightly country look is super cute!

Again, I love the feminine/masculine combo that @allthingzglam is rockin' tonight!

@cjmac8 was wearing his must haves- jeans and cowboy boots

LOVE the pops of color in offices nowadays, as @abaker1804 shows off 

I also love deals, and @ksnedegar got both of these beauties on clearance at NY&C!

@csauro20s went with her "young gothic look" for work today! Tees at work= win!

I can't decide if I like @BrookeonHOT's scarf or $20 wedges better! Or the fact it's really a relaxed blazer look.

The skirt, the boot socks, the infinity scarf! @EmilyRose0905's teaching outfit is fantastic.

@thecullenbunch1 was also keepin it chill today!

@SkyeBofante's shirt is sexy without being too much, and I like that she dressed it down with her shoes!

Look at how good @dubwalston looks! Like he's got his ish together

@katiecakes26 has more color poppin' at work! I can't even pick a favorite piece from this. Love it all.

Kelly got this Michael Kors jacket/hoodie at the thrift shop for $7! Paired with pink jeans it's effortless but cute!

I want a pair of boots like @jannashepherd's, but then I'll need her to style them on me.


As for me, I promised myself that I would wear this lace peplum shirt this week because I haven't worn it since the first time ever, four years ago... here goes nothin'.



When I first put it on, I hated it and had to force myself out of the house. Then I really started to like it after a couple hours, now I'm questioning it again... so feel free to help me decide if it should stay in my drawer or go! I feel like it's not good for my figure.
-peplum shirt from F21 for $14
-pink jeans from F21 for $10
-black pumps from some store for $20
-necklace from Charlotte Russe I believe for $8 [with matching earrings]



When I say you all are making me a better person every day, I mean it! You're inspiring me and keeping me motivated. I don't mean to get all sappy on ya, but I don't think I say it enough. Thank you for participating in this. I can't tell you how many times I've bragged about you all joining me on WYWW to people in the biz.

Thanks for another successful week!

love,
elizabethany




watch: kid president has a pep talk for you [and don't assume it's lame]

I saw a couple people post this link, and I blew it off for no good reason. I was an idiot. Now it's one of my favorite videos.

Get a look at life from a kid, who knows what he's talking about. [He appreciates Space Jam... that earns a lot of plus points for a little tike.]


It's like a shorter, kid version of "Wear Sunscreen." I love it!

"Don't be boring. Everyone can be boring."
"If life is a game, aren't we all on the same team?"

Those are my two favorites. Writing em down and putting them in my wallet along with my "Strivers achieve what dreamers believe."

love,
elizabethany

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

listen: the new nkotb song is really pretty good!

Okay, I know I'm a little biased when it comes to boy bands, but the truth is- I missed the NKOTB bandwagon by like two years. I've never had a bias for them.

So, when I tell you that their new song is actually worthy of your time, you should believe me! It's got the credibility of an old school boy band fun vibe, but is also evolving into the new stuff we're playing these days.



Maybe you agree with me, maybe you don't, but I'm on a mission to find out your true opinion here. I have some convincing to do with my bossman, but I don't wanna be wrong about it, so tell me what you think!


Ohhh this show is going to be so good. There better be good seats still available when I order at least 10 of them come Friday morning.

love,
elizabethany

what i've been wearing- 3 new outfits under $50

Well, I've been trying to make sure I wear all these clothes I've been getting on clearance after seeing so many ideas on Pinterest... so here goes nothin'! I've told you before, I don't consider myself any kind of professional stylist, so any suggestions are beyond welcome!




This is actually what I'm wearing tonight to my club night [at Bayside on Shore Dr, for you locals! I'm there every Tuesday! Tell me you saw this, I'll buy you a drink!]. It's warm outside, and I've never warn this shirt-dress that I've had for 2 years, so I figured it was time.

-dress from F21 for $9 [similar from Target]
-leopard tights from Target I think for under $10
-booties from GoJane.com for $15ish
-"necklace" was actually ripped off a shirt that was so "college years!" It was a halter and ties in the back, and I kinda love it as a necklace now.
TOTAL: $49

At first I thought the leopard tights were a bit much [I originally bought them for a Ke$ha costume], but now I think they're perfect for the understated dress. This outfit totally happened on accident, and I'm not mad about it.




Believe it or not, this is a skirt ON TOP of a DRESS! [And on top of a couple layers of Spanx....]
-dress from Ross- $12 [similar]
-tights $5 from Target
-beige blazer from F21 clearance for about $8ish?
-same shoes from GoJane.com
-gold earrings with one big fushia rhinestone at the end for $1 at Body Central
TOTAL: $49

This was for a fancier club opening so I was pumped to finally have a reason to actually get dressed up, until I realized I had spent the past 7 days doing Restaurant Week. Luckily I magically came up with this and felt pretty damn confident in it.



And now something that's more my speed and comfort...
-tank from Charlotte Russe $5
-jeans from F21- $10
-jacket from Rue21 I think... years ago for under $10
-shoes from Target for $20
-earrings from F21 for $2
-TOTAL: $47

I didn't feel like leaving my hair down, but hate the plain old pony, so decided to bring a braid from underneath over and around. Now that I see this, I wish I would have started it even further under/over, but it'll do.

Well that's a feeling of accomplishment rushing through my body right now. I can get dressed in more than just a hoodie or sweater! Whew. Now I just need to get some color on my body. Woah.

love,
elizabethany

Monday, January 28, 2013

i spy: people in the club that need better friends

REAL friends don't let their friends leave the house looking like a fool... which is why these people I saw in the bars and clubs last week need to re-evaluate the people they hang out with.

Pull your mother effing pants up, bro. You're WEARING A BELT, that holds up up under your butt?! Excuse me if I sound all grandma-like, but no girl in her right mind is going to find this hott.

Maybe this guy just needs to consult his kids before he goes out. Not only is he at a place full of 21 year old girls, but he's wearing a COSBY SWEATER. Ugly sweater season ended a month ago. It's time to move on.

I don't even know what to say about this man. I couldn't stop staring. I still can't stop staring. That 'stache. The sneaks you can't see in this pic. The hair. It's... real.

This picture doesn't do this act justice, but homeboy was not just chair-dancing.... he was chair-banging. It was a full on NC-17 chair porno in the middle of the dance floor.

As for this guy, I am naturally drawn to the light-up shirts [in a good way], which are probably more d-baggy than I'm willing to admit. You tell me if this should be allowed or not.

I've been working on making some gifs for some of these people's dance moves, along with a lot more, and let me tell you.... They might give my dad a run for his money. It's been a long time since I've done I Spy posts, but I need to bring it back. People watching is much too fun not to share.

love,
elizabethany

PS: If you ever see any crazy people out and about, you know I expect you to let a girl know?! [FYI: "a girl" is me...]

PPS: I really shouldn't be allowed to judge these people, considering I was seen doing this in the bar the other night.....

It's my [drunken] Kim Kardashian impression......... Don't ask questions.

Friday, January 25, 2013

pinspired recipe: bacon cheeseburger dip is delicious

It's kinda a skewed concept: You're poor, so you invite people over to watch football, and make food. While I may be sparing myself about 20 calories, I probably spend just as much.

That doesn't matter when it's worth it, though! The other day I made this delicious looking bacon double cheeseburger dip!



Well, that's what the original picture looked like, anyway. Take a less experienced cook and food photographer, and this is what you get:

Pre-lettuce....

Post-lettuce [and grubbing, obviously.]

It may not look as delectable and presentable as the original, but lemme tell you- It was delicious! Here's how to do it: 

Needed [to make enough to keep at least 8 people happy]: 
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 12 strips of bacon
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 8 ounces of fat-free cream cheese [trying to save myself SOME of the calories!]
  • 1 cup of fat free plain greek yogurt [or sour cream, if you're not cutting calories]
  • 1/2 cup of mayonnaise
  • 1 1/2-2 cups of cheese, your choice. We used cheddar and pepper jack.
  • 1/4 cup of ketchup
  • Whatever spice you like to add when making burgers
  • Lettuce, tomatoes, and any other toppings you include on your burgers.
  • Tortilla chips or baguette slices
To do: 

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Cook the ground beef in a pan with added spices and drain.
  3. Cook the bacon until crispy, set aside, but keep about a tablespoon of grease.
  4. Add the onion to the grease and saute until tender. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant. 
  5. Mix the ground beef, bacon, onions and garlic, cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, cheese, and ketchup and pour it into a baking dish. [I used an 9x9 dish] 
  6. Bake until the cheese is golden brown and the sides are bubbling.
  7. Let cool for a couple minutes, then add chopped up lettuce and diced tomatoes. 
  8. Let everyone swoon!

I feel like everyone's been on the buffalo chicken dip bandwagon lately, which is delicious, but if you bring a little somethin' different, you'll earn points! And this is simple and enjoyable for everyone! [You could even make it with ground turkey for turkey burger dip, hayyy!]

If you try it, let me know!

love,
elizabethany



Thursday, January 24, 2013

lauren conrad's spring line is revealed!

AH! It's time to drool, and countdown the days til spring collections are on clearance at Kohl's. LC released the first looks at her newest line, and as usual, I'm OBSESSED!

Get ready for a lot of polka dots! I'm so not mad about it.

These jeans, I need them. And this entire outfit for the 4th of July.

A little unsure how I feel about these jeans, but on her, I love them! Obviously.

She had two outfits in hot pink jeans, and I am obsessed. So glad I already have some, now I just need to take notes on the outfits!

I think I like this high-low maxi skirt style... especially after seeing a pin that shows you how to wear them as skirts, shirts, dresses, and halter tops. Awesome.

This whole picture right here... I need it. The polka dot jeans matched with stripes. The carefree hair. The adorable pup. GET IN MY HOUSE.

Those are just my six favorites, but they represent the whole line pretty well [unless you're a dress person... they're a little too girly/feminine for me this time around].

If anyone wants to surprise me with a free shopping spree at Kohl's, I'd fully appreciate it.

love,
elizabethany