Crave: This vs That

So lately I've been craving big thick eyebrows.  I'm not talking thick, I'm talking thick, thick.  I already have pretty thick brows (thanks to good old dad), but I wanted to make them look a little more polished and a little darker.  I researched the topic of thick eyebrows for a while; reading tutorials, watching some YouTube beauty videos, and discovering the ideal eyebrow for my face.  The best video I came across was this one...

Now this girl looks amazing (and makes it look effortless)!  However, when I attempted this routine it wasn't as a success.  I believe my sister's exact words were "you sorta look like a drag queen".  Hmm... that could actually be a compliment?  But lets face it, I probably need some practice.  I'm just not a makeup kinda girl.  I try to be.  I want to be.  I didn't actually start wearing makeup til my junior year... in college.  And I was taught by a friend, not a professional.  I'm actually the girl who after doing her makeup will look in a different mirror and thinks... Geeze Jamie! That's not good!  So I never really learned how.  Basically what I got from this experiment experience is that practice really does make perfect.  And that you can find a much cheaper eyebrow kit then the one featured in this YouTube video at Rite Aid for $10.99. 

So instead of getting this for $65.00

You can get that for $10.99

Ok, so this isn't the exact kit I purchased (in fact I think Rite Aid had a better selection), but it does have similar features.  You can't beat a kit for this price.  What can I say, I love a deal!  It is pretty awesome and for sure did the job.  If you have any tips/tricks for thick brows, or just have any good makeup tips then (please) leave a comment. (I need all the help I can get.) 

DIY Friday

Last Hot Drink of The Cold Season

Hot Toddy

Ingredients List:

* 2 fluid ounces boiling water

* 1 1/2 fluid ounces whiskey
* Honey to taste
* 6 whole cloves
* 1 cinnamon stick
* 1 slice lemon
* 1 pinch ground nutmeg


Directions:

Start by boiling water to desired temperature. I like my toddy to be super hot and then let it steep a bit. Pour in 1.5 ounces of whiskey. I used the Bulleit Rye. Add honey and one cinnamon stick. Slice a lemon so it is a thin circle. Push cloves in lemon and let float. A pinch of nutmeg and your hot drink is complete. You can add more honey if you would like a sweeter drink. This is a great cocktail after you've been out in the cold for a bit. Enjoy!

Pretty Pastels

So I tried hair chalking last Friday and lets just say I LOVED it!  Super easy, super fun!  I've read about a lot of different ways on how to do this technique, but would give this link a 10 out of 10.  I spoke to my hairstylist about this (just to make sure it was really safe) and she gave it the go.  My only complaint is it did slightly dry out my hair.  But lets be honest I already do have dry hair.  I'll post pics of the final product soon (with my one little DIY).  Thinking about using this look in an upcoming jewelry photo shoot.  

Shop Update

DEUCE

Hey all you little Deuce lovers!  Sorry I've been out for a bit adding lots of new goodies to the store and working on some wholesale accounts.  Busy, busy, busy!  Recently I have decided to focus on Deuce full time!  So excited to be doing this (it has been a long time coming).  So to celebrate this lovely transition I want to give my blog and Facebook followers 25% OFF all new Deuce jewelry!  Just use the code NEW4YOU upon checkout and receive 25% OFF your entire order.  Promo ends 2/24/2012.  Thanks for all the awesome support and Happy Shopping!

DIY Friday

Basics of Building an Urban Chicken Coop

Materials:

*Wood
*Chicken Wire
*Nails/Hammer
*Stain
*Hinges
*Handle
*Concrete/Shovel
*Water Dishes
*Nesting Boxes
*Hay
*Chicken Feed

Step One: Building the Hen House

The hen house should be a dry and safe place for the hens to rest and lay eggs. Our hen house measures 2.5ft. by 2.5ft. by 3ft. The roof is done at a slant to keep rain and snow from building up. One side of the house has hinges and the other has a handle. This enables you to open the top and collect eggs. It is also important to note that if the wood you are using is not treated, staining is required.

Step Two: Roaming Area

It is important your hens have an outside space to roam and scratch in the dirt. Chickens like to take dirt baths and peck around in the mud. We caged off a section which measures about 6ft. long, 2ft. wide, and 2ft. tall. We started by first digging two holes at the front of the caged section. Inside the holes we poured concrete around two posts and let it set over night. Concrete can be bought in smaller bags from your local hardware store. After posts are set, attach four 2 by 4s to the posts which were set in concrete. Attach two of the the 2 by 4s at the top of the posts, to the top of the hen house and two to the bottom of the concrete posts and the bottom of the hen house. You have now formed and rectangle shaped box. Stain all of the wood. The box will then be wrapped completely in chicken wire. Bend and shape the wire around the rectangle. Even putting wire on the ground and wrapping it upwards toward the bottom posts. Chicken wire can be attached using nails shaped like staples. It is important to make the structure tight with no gaps, in order to keep predators out. Cover bottom of fenced off area with dirt.

Step Three: Making Your Chickens Happy

There are a few things chickens need to be happy. The first thing would be nesting boxes. In order for your hens to lay eggs they need comfortable nesting boxes. Your hens should be snug in their boxes, surrounded by hay. The next thing hens need is water. Keeping lots of water is important, because chickens are like humans and they are constantly forgetting to drink enough H20. As far as food goes, you can buy chicken feed at the feed store or feed them table scraps like fruit and vegetables. They also love bread scraps. And finally, perching is the last thing chickens love. Having perches or poles in the hen house for your ladies to sit on makes them extra happy! Good luck and feel free to ask questions.

Special Thanks to Ben for all of his help!

♥

A little Valentine's Day Wishlist.

(click photos for links)

New From Me to You

Gold Shield Collar Necklace with Vintage Tortoise Shell Cabochon and Flat Snake Skin Chain

DEUCE

DIY Friday

Delicious Vegetarian Black Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 3 teaspoons chili powder
• 3 15 ounce cans black beans
• black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup of salsa
• 1/2 cup of shredded cheese
• fresh chopped basil
• 1 avocado

Preparation

Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Add onion, cook 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, cumin, and chili powder. Add first can of black beans. Drain last two cans of black beans and add to pot. Add 1 cup of salsa and 1/2 cup of shredded cheese. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring often. Add black pepper, to taste. Top with avocado slices, shredded cheese, and fresh basil.

V is For...

DEUCE

V is for Vendetta?  Nope!  V is for Valentine's Day!  I wanted to do something special for the big V Day and decided to design a necklace that was sorta Valentinish (so not a word).  You can check it out above and read more about it here.  Also because this is my 27th Valentine's Day I wanted to have a 27% OFF promo to celebrate!  I know, I know I am stretching it with that one.  Basically I just want to do something nice because I love you.  Stretching it?  Well, I know I like you a lot.  And you like me or else you wouldn't be here.  Use the promo code LOVE27 and receive 27% OFF your entire order until Wednesday, February 15th!  Happy shopping!

I Love

So we all know Valentine's Day is coming up.  What is it like 10 days?  Honestly I've never been a huge fan of the day.  I mean I guess it is a good reason to pig out on candy and not feel as guilty. Or get that perfume you've been craving.  This Valentine's Day my love and I plan on eating pizza at our local wood fire pizzeria and cruising along Alki (we always seem to do this).  Nothing crazy romantic.  As far as gifts for him I purchased a Crosley Record Cleaning Kit  as well as a book with the collection of Jean-Michel Basquiat.  Basquiat's work is unreal!  So beautiful.  I can see his work not being for everyone, but for me it sorta makes me stop and think.  Anyway, I could rant on that topic forever.  The orginal point of this post is that yes, DEUCE will be having a V Day promo, so if you need ideas for you (or your partner) visit our little shop on Etsy.  The promo will start tomorrow! 

 

Photo: Tom Walker



Crosley Record Cleaning Kit



Basquiat



Should I Get Bangs?

Crave: Ranjana Khan

     

                      

1) Diya Chandeliers  2) Clareta Chandeliers

I'm what some would describe as being a Looky-Loo.  I don't want to say I spend a lot of time online looking at new products, fashion blogs, food recipes, DIY tutorials, jewelry... But I do.  So in honor of me (and you of course) I have decided to create a Crave post once a week for your reading pleasure.  Sorta a way I can dish about my favorite products and day dream about some on my wish list.  So this week I want to talk about a current jewelry crave.  Her name is Ranjana Khan and I'm in love with her.  She currently resides at Anthoropologie in the form of earrings.  From what I can tell, Khan seems to have a pretty in depth knowledge of embroideries (you can totally see this in her designs), and has worked with Gaultier, Ebaz, and McQueen (no biggie).  The price point is a little high for me, but her work is A M A Z I N G with a capital A.  I'm thinking maybe I could possibly convince myself in purchasing a set of her earrings for my wedding?  I'm ending that with a question mark because I'm basically looking for your approval.  I swear I'd wear them after the wedding and promise they would get a ton of use all year long.  They would take you through every season.  It would be an investment piece.  Please, please, please!?  Glad I got your approval.  Now I only have to decide which pair...  What do you think?