How To: Make Your Own Floral Bouquet

Whether you're getting married, your friend is getting married (and you want to help her!), or you just want a beautiful bouquet to display in your home - You'll find this quick and easy tutorial very useful! (If you're like me, you'll begin to aspire to become a florist... BAM! Just like that.) lol 

I went to Walmart and bought a glass vase for $2.97 and a dozen roses for $12. You know the kind, the ones that come in the plastic with the "flower food" attached with a rubber band. You need floral tape but I bought the wrong kind so I had to ghetto rig my bouquet with a ponytail holder. 

1. Lay out all the flowers in front of you like below.

2. Discard the greenery. 

3. Start with the largest bloom in the center, and start "building" the bouquet by placing the rest of the flowers around it in a circular motion. Make sure you always bring the stem around to the front (see picture - how it spirals) and while you hold the flowers at the base, be sure not to squeeze too hard or you'll break the stem. (I did it twice) lol

4. Even out your bouquet. See how some flowers are sitting higher than others in the picture below (to the right)? You want to carefully pull the lower flowers up to be even with the higher flowers. 

5. Look in the mirror to make sure you like the way your bouquet looks from the front. Make any final adjustments. Once your bouquet is how you want it, wrap the floral tape around the base (where your hands have been) OR this is the time to ghetto rig it with a ponytail holder. lol 

6. Also wrap the bouquet with the floral tape a little lower (however low you please) then cut the stems evenly across. At this point, you can put them in a vase or wrap the base in ribbon or whatever decor you or the bride wishes.

Now what about those flowers you broke? (Because you will, most likely. lol) Use them to pin on the suit for the groom and groomsmen (see below) OR you can tear the petals off for the flower girl :)

This was pretty simple and so much fun! I can't wait to practice with more flowers and different kinds :) For my wedding, I plan on going to the farmer's market and buying a ton of fresh flowers and doing everything myself. I'll have to refer my bridesmaids to this tutorial and volunteer them to help! lol

Here's the video where I learned this technique.

11/11/11

My fiance and I have been together a little over 5 years. We've had our ups and downs and gone through many trials and tribulations. We've separated and ran back to each other... twice. I have learned that a healthy, functional relationship where two people can truly be happy cannot be centered around him or her. It must revolve around God. It's amazing how when you let go of the wheel (a la Carrie Underwood lol) and let God take control - things just fall into place. 

I took the photo above to remember the 3rd and final time he'll have to ask me to marry him <3

Review: Conair Pro 1 inch Ceramic Flat Iron & How I Straighten My Unruly Hair

This is my natural hair. Now, let me preface this picture below by saying that this picture makes my hair look slightly better than in reality. I have thick, coarse, frizzy, curly hair.  I've always sworn by my beloved Sedu 1 Inch flat iron but recently, I found myself wanting something that packs a little more heat... 

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The Conair Infiniti Pro 1 Inch Ceramic Flat Iron (Ulta - $39.99)

- heats up to 455 degrees

- 30 heat settings

- 15 second heat up

It promises high shine and smoothness - which I found to be true!

How I straighten my hair:

- I spray my hair all over with the Tresemme Heat Protector spray

- I start at the bottom and work my way to the top

- I section off about an inch of hair, brush it, and respray it with the heat protector

- I glide the flat iron down the hair in a constant motion

**NEVER stop moving the flat iron when it's touching your hair!

- I get the best results when I use the brush to hold my hair and "chase" the brush with my flat iron to insure that my hair stays taut and separated. 

The picture below is from the next day after sleeping on it. (And just between us, I didn't even brush it! lol I was running late... don't judge me.)

This is my new favorite straightener. It's better than the Chi and my old Sedu AND it's only $40! I would most definitely repurchase. It straightens my coarse, curly hair easily and my hair stays frizz free for days after. If you're in the market for a straightener that works, then I highly suggest this! 

(and Conair or Ulta aren't paying me... pshhh, I wish! I just really love it and wanted to share my discovery with you!)

Are we Twitter friends yet??? 

Twitter --> lindsaycene

Happy Monday! I hope you all have a beautiful week!

CMA Awards 2011 - Fashion

Carrie - I love this look. And those cap sleeves are perfect! The color of that dress really makes her skin glow. Bring on the sparkle girl! (On a side note - she has got to have the best legs in the business!!)

Faith - Love it all except the back and girl, you gotta do something with that hair!

Hilary - see Carrie's comments. lol I really love the top of Hilary's dress except I would've gone with a conservative sweetheart bodice instead of the plunging neckline.

Jennifer - This dress is stunning! Minus those pocket-looking excess fabric at her hips.

Kellie - Gorgeous dress but I would've went with a more sophisticated hairstyle. She would've looked so chic with a messy updo!

Kimberly - She's so cute! I just love her. That dress suits her perfectly in my eyes.

Miranda - I love her and Blake! They seem so down to earth. This dress is gorgeous but is it just me, or does it seem like the neckline is sitting low on her chest? (You guys see the "x" on the ground?? lol I've never noticed those before on the red carpet!)

 

Taylor - This dress is gorgeous!!! So soft and perfect. And her makeup is stunning to! Not sure if this is true or not but Covergirl wrote on Facebook all the products she used last night. What do you guys think?

My favorite? - Taylor Swift

What was your favorite look at this year's CMA's???

all images via usmagazine.com

If it were up to me...

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I would -

photograph beautiful things

be a country music artist

be a paid writer

see the sun more than on my way to and from work

have a creative profession

.................................................................

and lastly,

be a permanent character on Saturday Night Live

seriously.

Target Haul and First Impressions

I give you props if you can walk into Target and only leave what you came for! Me? I'm not so strong... these are my extra goodies I picked up. I wanted to share them with you and my first impressions!

1. Sonia Kashuk Small Duo Fibre Multipurpose Brush - $10.99

A nice, soft brush. Good quality. I've used this brush twice to apply my foundation (Maybelline FIT Me) and I really like it! It blends well. Honest first impression - It blends no different than my ELF Angled Foundation Brush. But I can always clean it and use it to apply a highlighter or something!

2. NYC Smooth Skin Loose Face Powder in Translucent - $2.79

Very nice!! I am actually surprised at how much I like this powder. It's very fine so it's blends out seamlessly. Definitely not a "cake face" product. I bought this to use as a setting powder with my Maybelline FIT Me foundation. Honest first impression - I'm hooked! 

3. Wet n Wild nail polish in Private Viewing - $1.99

The color is beautiful but it's very thin. After 2 coats, it's still pretty transparent. I've had it on over 24 hours and it still hasn't chipped! (That's a plus!) But I must say... I have to agree with The Bargain Blonde's theory about nail polish. Honest first impression - Pretty, but I wish it weren't so watery. 

4. Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain in Dawn - $7.09

I'm split 50/50 on this product as of now. It's a little darker than you would imagine. I was wanting a natural color I can slap on my lips and not worry about the rest of the day! I have to apply very lightly to make sure it's not too dark. After I apply and let it dry for a moment, I wipe my lips with a towel to tone the color down still. After that it's a pretty nice color for me. As for the balm on the opposite end, I love that! It leaves a gorgeous shine but it's not messy. Honest first impression - good product but no different from cheaper alternatives (Covergirl, Maybelline, NYC).

5. Milani Crystal Gloss in Whisper - $3.99

This is a gorgeous lip gloss! It's a soft neutral color with just enough shimmer but not thick glitter chunks. It smells delicious too! (BONUS!) lol Good quality for only $3.99. I believe it would look great on any skin tone. Honest first impression - Love it!

Have you discovered any new products you love or are worth sharing? Please let me know!

*Prices are from Target in Dallas, TX - may differ in your city!

End of Summer Shopping

I leave for my very first cruise in just 1 day! I've been doing a lot of shopping here lately and I just figured I'd share some of my finds with you guys!

I found this adorable pen holder at Forever 21 for only $5. Sounded like a great deal until I went to Burlington Coat Factory and found it priced there for $3. Hey, what's $2? lol I will not complain!

keeping my desk in style :)

I bought this adorable swimsuit top yesterday at Target for $17.99. I love the simplicity with a touch of glam! It'll look good against my spray-tanned body :)

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If you are in need of some sandels, hit up Burlington Coat Factory! They had SO many on sale! Every color/style you can imagine! I bought both of these for just $6 each. I'm a very happy girl :)

We leave on Saturday and I am so excited! A bit anxious but I can't wait to just be able to relax for a whole week. Ahhh, no work for a whole week. :)

"Only worry in the world is the tide gonna reach my chair."