New hair, no cares!

from this...

to this!

I haven't dyed my hair in months. It had been black, and then the black all washed out, and it was black with chunks of green and old colors in it. Once it gets cold, I usually go red. And this year was definitely not an exception to the rule. I missed it! I love it!

How-To Tuesday: Ladder Yarn Necklaces

A few months ago, I taught myself how to make ladder yarn necklaces, which have gotten pretty popular on the craft show circuit! In case you aren't familiar, they look like this:

All it is is just yarn, crocheted into a chain, tied together and adjustable via a bead in the back. While I was thinking of ideas for a HTT post, I thought this would be the perfect thing.

So, what you need is:

• ball of ladder yarn (also called trellis yarn)
• ruler or yardstick
• scissors
• crochet hooks (large and small)
• beads with a hole large enough to fit yarn's ends

Once you get all of that together, we can get started:

Cut five 2 1/2 yard pieces of yarn. I like to roll them up into themselves as I go, so I can keep track of how many I have. Also, since I make more than one at a time, it keeps me organized.

Measure 9 inches from one end, and tie a slip knot. 

Use a crochet hook and the chain stitch (I found this YouTube link to help), chain until you reach 9 inches from the other side, and knot.

Repeat four more times, until all four strands are completed.

Hold all five strands in one hand, pull knots until they are even, knot together. Repeat on other side.

                                     

Use small crochet hook to pull ends of yarn through the bead. Knot after you reach the bead, cut strands evenly.

                       

There you have it! Let me know if you try it out in the comments!

Book Club Monday #24: The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

Let me start by saying: wow.

I read a lot of books, by most people's estimation, and it is not often that one tugs at my heart strings the way The Light Between Oceans did. Most of the time, I read a chapter or two of a book before I fall asleep, and that's that. Not this one. I started it a few days ago, and finished it today after several marathon sessions. I really just wanted to know what happened.

The story centers on a lighthouse keeper in the 1920's, Tom Sherbourne. A World War I veteran, he doesn't mind tolerating the loneliness and isolation of the job he's chosen off the coast of mainland Australia. Of course, he doesn't mind until he meets Isabel, the woman who would later become his wife.

Isabel and Tom have the kind of relationship any couple would want. They love each other deeply, and they love hard. When it is found that Isabel cannot bear children, they are heartbroken. That is, until a boat washes ashore containing a dead man and a baby who is very much alive.

The heartbreak of their most recent loss via stillbirth, following two miscarriages, still runs deep with both Tom and Isabel, and they decide to keep the baby and raise her as their own. Tom wants to report the dead man and the baby, and give her back, but Isabel falls in love with the baby, which they name Lucy, almost immediately. 

Both of them have questions, such as is there a mother on the mainland missing her child as deeply as they love her? How did they wind up washing ashore so many miles off the mainland? The story that transpires is deeply heartbreaking. Each piece comes together to create a gripping, beautiful tragedy for nearly everyone involved.

Influenster Review: Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation

Prior to this review, I had never really used any of Rimmel's products. I might have an old eyeshadow quad or mascara sitting around, but overall I use higher-end foundation. Now this stuff, this stuff surprised me!

First of all, the color is great. It isn't too fair or too dark for my light skin, and after an hour or two of wear, my face doesn't look like an oil slick. I am definitely into that! I can wear it out for a night, and blot off my face once or twice, instead of going into the bathroom every twenty minutes because it feels like my face is melting. It gives me a nice, dewy look, and I'm into it. Usually, I have to mix two or more foundations to get a good color, and something that feels good to wear. The tube doesn't lie - it is incredibly lightweight! I have found that I really enjoy both the look and feel of a mousse foundation. And if you're like me, you'll like this one, too.

Every product promises to do this and that, and most of the time, doesn't deliver. As far as foundations go, this is definitely one I would use again. I have used a lot of foundations, and this one I would recommend, especially for those who use drugstore brands. It should hit stores in January 2014.

I received this foundation free of charge for review from Influenster.

You know, I've been thinking....

I've been thinking of a lot of things lately - but namely, having to do with the blog, I just feel like I haven't been completely honest with everybody. Like my personality isn't shining through the way it should, and maybe that's why I'm feeling as stuck as I am.

For as far back as I can remember, I have had issues with social anxiety. This dates back to being a teenager. Part of that is my inability to let a lot of people in, and the other part is a little voice in my head that subconsciously tells me that everyone is laughing at me behind my back and I'm the butt of the joke. If you asked me why, I couldn't tell you. It's just the way I've always been.

Recently, I've realized that I do a lot of living inside my head, instead of going out, meeting people, and doing new things. And you know what? It sucks.

I live by myself with two cats, work a full time job as well as a part time job, run a handmade business, and just try to do things that make me happy when I have time, like making things and reading books. I keep myself busy, maybe so I don't have to think about things so much.

With that being said, I am from this point on going to make a concerted effort to let you guys, my readers, in a bit more. To learn more about me, as a person, and not about what books I like and nothing else.

I no longer want this blog to feel forced, and I'm going to do everything in my power to make it better.

So, with that, here's a makeupless photo of me with my main man, Vegas.