Extend the life of your wardrobe!

Guess where I am today?

I'm guest posting over at Sew Caroline! So hop on over and join me there ;) I'm showing you how to extend the life of your existing wardrobe!

(Yes, I am aware that I have way too many photos of me in bounce houses.)

 I also have too many photos of me awkwardly jumping.

You mean, this isn't a normal relationship?

So, things got a little crazy last night between the bubs and I.

The series of events are as follows:

• Saw 80 bucks worth of Bub's cash chillin on the bed, so naturally I was all like "So, this is your dues money for us dating, right? Cause you're a couple of months behind".(Just kidding he doesn't really pay me to date him) (although that is a magnificent idea)

• I shoved said 80 bucks down my shirt, and run out of the bedroom with bub right behind me. Juuuuust as I was about to make it out the door he scoops me up and throws me on the floor.

• Got tickled to death by him, managed to get the money back. While he was counting his change I grabbed a nurf gun and started to nail him. (VICTORY IS MINE!) (at least I thought)

• Again I get tackled, nurf gun becomes fair game and ends up in the hands of the enemy. Somehow in the process bub took off my boot and pelted it down to the laundry room. (he's super romantic like that)

• In a panic I waddle with one boot left on me and lock myself in the office. I find a piece of 2x4 with nails sticking out of it.  I collected it as my weapon of choice. I also managed to find a giant piece of styrofoam that i use for my shipping supplies and used it as a shield. Basically the movie 300 was being reenacted in my apartment using things that could be found on regretsy.

 this happened. ok maybe not as violent, but pretty close. img via

• Finally come out of the office with 2x4 in hand and started to get pelted with nurf gun amo. I start swinging my 2x4 and bub is all like "DUDE THAT HAS NAILS!" and I'm all like "bitch suck it up it aint THAT bad" (ok I didn't say that) (but really, I'm fighting for the death here, I will not go down lightly)

• I eventually get cornered into our bedroom where my ass took the brunt of about 8 nurf gun shots at point blank range. I yelled for mercy. Bub gives in and then like a ninja I gain control back of the nurf gun.

• Bub then runs away and locks himself in the office.

• I realize my gun is out of amo but will never let the enemy know that. They can smell fear ya know.

• Not knowing what to do I just stood in front of the office waiting for him to come out now knowing what in the world he could be using as a defense mechanism (My guess was he was going to come out swinging our wireless keyboard) Instead he comes out looking like this.

He took 1/2 of my scarf collection and surrendered. I have no words. When I asked about the scarves he said "well, I thought you would be mad if I wore your ENTIRE scarf collection"

How thoughtful, so now  I only have 30 scarves to put away as opposed to 60.

And this is a typical Tuesday night in the Bubs/Toots household.

Still want me to babysit your kids?

Share The Beauty! A Link Up Party: Favorite Hair Tools Week

Welcome to the Paaar-taaaay!

I just got back from Creative Estates, but more about that later.

I am so stoked to start off our first beauty prompt this week which is "Favorite Hair Tools".

WHAT I'M WORKING WITH: MY HAIR TYPE

my hair is on the "thinner" side, but I do have a lot of thin hair so you can't really tell. Also you all are used to seeing my hair pin straight, well confession alert: Its naturally wavy. I also have been hair dye free for the past 5 years. I miss dying my hair, but honestly I couldn't keep up with the maintenance or the moola. Besides I kinda wanna know when I start to go gray, 27 and going strong! (totally just jinxed myself here) (side note: I keep ripping out of my head pretty little golden blond highlights that I think are gray hairs, what is wrong with me?)

 say whaaaaa your hair is naturally wavy?

MY ARSENAL OF SUPPLIES

1. Chi Ceramic Flat Iron

2. Infiniti by Conair (Curling Wand)

3. Padded Cushion Brush by Hoopla

WHY I DIG 'EM LIKE WHOA

Now I don't know about you, but I need to give whoever invented the "flat iron" my first born child as a big fat effin' THANK YOU.

I mean, just look at her. Isn't she the most magnificient thing you have ever seen?

Those curves, that shine, and oOooO that COLOR!

The Chi Flat iron and I have been kicking it as BFFs since circa 2005. I'm gonna be straight up honest with you-this is a pricey flat iron. She will set you back about $100 bucks. BUT (there is a but) Bed Bath and Beyond sells these bad boys and what do you get in the mail from Bed Bath and Beyond pretty much every other day?

Oh right, their 20% off coupons.

I always try to buy any expensive hair products from BB&B because not many places will give you a discount on such a name brand high priced hair tool.

The reason why I bit the bullet and bought a Chi was because back in the hay day I would buy brands like Hot Tools, Conair and Revlon. They probably cost somewhere between $25-$40. The down side? I noticed that when I straightened my hair it looked like the bomb dot com for about an hour. Soon my quaff would start to frizz a bit and not look as "flat" (yes, I did say quaff and yes having wavy hair is a curse) Also? Even though those flat irons cost 3 times less than my faithful chi I found myself replacing my drug store flat irons every year because they would stop "holding their heat".

My Chi flat irons last me years AND they keep my hair pin effin straight. I am in love with my Chis and will never ever go back to drugstore brand flat irons. I literally use it every day. I love flat irons because its an easy way to touch up "day old" hair and tame fly always. The plates are also ceramic which give even heat distribution and is safer on your hair.

Also? If you look closely at the picture of the Chi you'll see that the metal plates slightly continue to the sides of the iron, thats so you can curl your hair with the flat iron. It's a little tricky but can be done. But I prefer another tool for curls.

The Infiniti by Conair curling wand is the first curling wand I've ever owned. Granted I do not like conair for flat irons I am lovin' me this wand. For $30 you really can't go wrong. I swore off curling my hair for years. The stupid curling iron clamp would leave creases in my hair or the stupid clamp would get caught in the previous curls I made causing it to pull at my already pretty curls and leave them frizzy and pathetic looking.

I wanted to give the wand a go since all you have to do is take your hair with your hand and just physically wrap it around the wand.

Seemed like a simple concept so I went for it. It only took me 2 attempts to nail down this tool. It holds a curl super well and my hair will literally last all day.

Don't get me wrong, gravity will play a roll and "droop" the my hair down, BUT the curls never "uncurl" themselves. Since my hair is thin I can divide them up into about 3 sections on each side (so 6 total) wrap a section around the wand for about 15-20 seconds, let go and BAM a curl. It takes me maybe 15 minutes tops to have a hair full of curls.

Also? If you want waves and not curls simply make your sections larger and dont leave on the wand for as long. The smaller the section and the longer you leave it on the tighter the curls. It's easy to dress up your hair from day to night.

And lastly my go-to brush is my Padded Cushion Brush by Hoopla. I stumbled upon this brush in a drugstore. I liked it because it was big and the bristles were plastic so I knew I could rock this brush with wet or dry hair.

The brush is gentle enough for me to comb through my hair right from the shower. It has "vents" in the back of the brush allowing me to use it while blow drying my hair. Honestly this brush is pretty much a 3 in one since it works for wet hair, hair that is being blasted with a hair dryer, and hair that just wants to be "tidy up".

NOW ITS YOUR TURN

wanna join the party and tell the world what hair tools make you swoon? Just link up to either my blog post, Lauren's or Heather's where your link will show up on all 3 of our blogs!

PARTY RULES

1. Make sure you link to your Share the Beauty Post NOT your blog domain

2. Please have the post you link up to be about "Sharing the Beauty" not a giveaway or a product promo. Anyone linking posts that are not related to our party will be deleted.

3. At the bottom of your post link back to either myself, Lauren or Heather so people know how to find the party!

NEXT WEEKS PROMPT

If you missed this weeks linky then no worries! Next week we are talking about "HAIR HEALTH" in other words, what hair products do you use to care for or improve your hair? Some examples are: Favorite shampoos, conditioners, hair serums, deep conditioners, hair masks etc. Pssst don't get next weeks prompt confused with "hair beauty" where we will eventually talk about hair sprays, hair moose, pomades and things like that at another time :) thanks girls!

Taking a Poll

hey loves!

Ok, I need you guys to help a sistah out.

I have never done a craft show before because, well, 98% of the craft shows on long island are pretty "kitsch" meaning they involve very "folk" looking stuff.

Nothing against folk, but lawn ornaments are really my thang.

But I finally found an indie craft fair that is more my speed, I sent in the application and *fingers crossed* they accept me.

This is where you all come in.

I am inventory illiterate. I have never ever ever done any type of craft show before. Basically I know that I sould:

• Have a price sheet available on my table 

• A Banner with my shop  name

• Business cards

• Get a fancy square for credit card payments

•  bring food

• have a ton of singles

• find a clever way to display my products

• have bags for people to put their swag in once purchased

I was wondering if there way anything I was missing? A BIG thing I am having a hard time with is how much inventory does one bring?? I would be selling:

• Necklaces

 • Plushies

• Prints

I am unsure how many styles of each thing to bring as well as how many quantities of each.

For example: Do I bring 15 different print styles in quantity of 10 so there are 150 total?

GAAAAH please help! The fair would be going on from 11am-7pm for 2 days.

Thanks in advance, if I could give you all a Mercedes I would.

Color Blocking Makes Me Swoon

You all know how I love to share with you rad things that I stumble upon.

One of said rad things are these effin' cute color block tote bags made by my girl Erika from Rouge and Whimsy. (yes, they are that cute I had to add "effin" in front of it. Oh hey relax its not like I went totally "mob wives" on you) (now those women are FIERCE)

and the best part? They go quite lovely with red hair ;)

((erika makes me wanna get bangs))

I dont know why but I really wanna eat this bag. Someone get me a fork and some whip cream please.

Are you swooning out yet? ("swooning out" is the new "freaking out", use it, love it, be it)

You can check out these 100% handmade lovelies over here and here.

Double Bonus? Since erika is my homie fo lyfe (See thats how you can tell we're legit homies when you spell "life" with a "y") she is giving you all 10% off these lovelies with coupon code "LAUNCH" (For a sec I thought it said "LUNCH" which made me excited cause I really like to eat)

if you  buy one let me know so I can move next door to you and we can share the bag-mm kay?

good.

Xs and Os

Leonora

Share the Beauty! a NEW link up Party! (Will you RSVP?)

Hello Lovelies!

I am so excited to share this blog post with you! Lauren from The Elephant Trunk approached me a few weeks back about doing a linky party involving beauty products. Of course I was all over this like white on rice! We reached out to Heather of Just Lovely Things as well and she too would be co-hosting with us (can this linky party get any radder? Me thinks not)

Basically each week will be a different "prompt", for example one week will be dedicated to "Hair Care Products" where another week might be "Make Up Brushes".

In the post we would mention our favorite product (uh, duh) what we are "starting out with" (for example: If we are talking about hair products I would mention that I like this product for my non-dyed, straight, thin hair. That way other people with the same hair type as me can potentially use the product) and we would mention why we love the product and why it works best for us and our needs.

The reason for this link up party is to get the word out about other beauty products that maybe you didn't know existed or maybe to try out a different brand. Perhaps you have no clue what kind of anti-frizz serum to use on your curly hair or maybe your favorite foundation in the world has been discontinued (let's be honest, its a sad sad day when your go-to eye shadow bites the dust and falls into the retail black hole never to be sold ever again) This party will allow you to see what else is out there! Also? You'll get others coming to your blog too!

HOW TO JOIN THE PARTY!

I can not WAIT for this project! Waddya say, wanna RSVP? Our First party goes live on March 12th where we will be sharing with the world what our favorite Hair Tools are! So feel free to blog about your favorite flat iron, curling wand, brush, hair ties, hair dryer--whatever you want! Just make sure its a tool for your hair and not a hair product! We will be talking about our favorite hair products like hair spray and shampoo another week :) You will be able to link up to either mine, Lauren's or Heather's blog and your link will automatically show up on all 3 blogs!

Hope to see you March 12th!

X's and O's

Leonora

11 Things

11 Things...

I've been seeing these pop up all over and I was tagged by Heather, so of course I'm going to play!

Here are the rules:

1. Post these rules
2. Post a photo of yourself and 11 random things
3. Answer the questions set for you in the original post
4. Create 11 new questions and tag people to answer them
5. Go to their blog/twitter and tell them that you've tagged them.


11 Random Things:

 Me and Courtney <3 she took the photo of me below (I'm on the left)

1. My hair color is all natural. I used to dye my hair all the time. I recently stopped so that I can see when I start to go gray (true story) I'm 27 now and holding strong! But if bub continues to keep leaving his boots all over the apartment, hide his "car repair manuals" under the covers at the foot of my bed, thinks that cookies are an acceptable dinner meal & shooting me with nurf guns it might come sooner than later.

2. I MUST have "paper napkins" given to me at a restaurant while eating. I feel like wiping my hands on a "fabric" napkin does nothing for me.

3. Whenever I walk into any store I will always bee line it towards the back to the clearance section. Mama loves to save money.

4. I check to make sure I unplugged my flat iron at least 5 times before I leave the apartment. Its one of the few things I am absolutely OCD about. I will even stare at it for a good minute seeing it NOT plugged in, walk away and think "Ya know I bet you there is SOME WAY the flat iron magically got plugged in again…" then go back and check. Again.

5. Wanna know why my hair is super long? I will be donating it soon! I am letting my hair grow to Guinness world records lengths first so when I hack off the 9" my hair is still fairly long. The only awkward thing is when I get out of the shower my hair "tickles" my butt. It took me a while to figure out it was my hair and not a spider--by the way doing the "OMG THERE IS A SPIDER ON ME!" dance while naked and wet is not fun. You know what dance I'm talking about.

6. I think about death way more than the average person should. Let me clarify, I am not suicidal! I meant that I think about what happens "after you die" way too much. It freaks me out and gives me heart palpitations.

7. I write neater on a diagonal then on a straight line

8. One year bub and I had a hard time figuring out what to be for halloween. This of course led to an argument (duh). In a fit of fury and frustration I yelled "YA KNOW WHAT?! LETS BE PETER PAN AND TINKERBELL! CEPT I'LL BE PETER PAN AND YOU CAN BE TINKERBELL!" it was the best couples costume ever.

9. I dont tan. I have never been tan. I don't know what I would look like with a tan, and thats kinda sad to me. Worst.Italian.Ever.

10. My eyes are made out of 3 colors. They are outlined in gray, green is the main color with flecks of brown.

11. I miss the old "facebook" where it wasn't intrusive. I thought it was a nice way for people to keep in touch but STILL talk to each other to know what is going on in their lives. I worry facebook for the younger generation is going to kill them of any and all social skills. I am SO HAPPY it was not around while I was in high school, it first came out when I was in college but like I said back then it was minimal and no where near how it is today (annnnd my first "WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE" Moment is sponsored by ginkgo)


And.. the 11 questions Heather wants me to answer:
1- Sweet or Sour? how bout both because I order the sweet and sour chicken at chinese food places! (Bada Bum!) (yeah, I just "drum beat" myself) (im not proud of this)

2- What is your favorite kind of music? Going to be totally honest here, I'm not really a "music" person. I'll listen to the pop station or country station but I dont keep up with the newest thang. Although LMFAO's "sexy and I know it" is fun to "wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle" to

3- Where do you see yourself personally in 5 years? In 5 years I hope to at least be engaged (lord willing) have a pup named Hercules, make Yellow Heart Art my only source of income, be a home owner, and finally figure out how to plant seedless watermelon.

4- Do you know any other languages besides english? I know the language of the sailor. AKA I have a potty mouth.

5- What is your biggest pet peeve of all time? People who are always late. I mean COME ON *always* late? I always tell those people to meet me 1/2 hour earlier than planned so they come "on time"

6- Have you ever been in a fight and thrown something made of glass at someone, like they do in the movies? HA! LOVE this question! And no, I haven't. The closest thing I have come to this was one time in my "clubbing" days (yes, I live on Long Island, its what we did for fun in college ok?? JUDGE ME!) I was "seeing" this guy who was a few years older than me (that's all you're getting a "few" years ha!) My friend Heather was seeing his Friend at the time too, so it worked out perfectly whenever me and Heather wanted to go to the club to see this guy and his friend. The 4 of us planned to meet up at the club, but the 2 dudes were COMPLETELY ignoring heather and I. They made no effort to talk to us the entire night. When I found "my dude" huddled between 4 tall gorgeous blondes I took  my dumpy 5' 3" self over there, got in the center of the huddle, got in his face and said "DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND TAKE MY NUMBER OUT OF YOUR PHONE" I then threw a drink at him and walked away. Best moment ever.

7- Reincarnation: What do you come back as? I want to come back as a successful boy band member. I want to know what it feels like to have women flock all over me and be a bagillionare for singing songs about sharing ice cream and going to the mall.

look at me rocking out, total boy band member status right there. Also? I own at guitar hero. Ok, thats a lie.

8- If you could go back to any age you were and live it again, how old would you be & why? HANDS DOWN 22. You were past that exciting "WOOOO I'm 21!" Phase, and you were still in college and kind of an "adult" but not totally one quite yet. I frekkin LOVED IT. I was taking all graphic design and art classes at the time so my entire day consisted of creating things FOR GRADES (uhhh AWESOME) during "breaks" between classes my friend Erin and I would go back to her dorm room and make music videos. I also worked part time at Abercrombie and used my discount to buy sweet clothes. Damn, life was awesome.

9- Cats or Dogs? dogs hands down. I get freaked out by the way cats stare at me, they look like their plotting the best way to kill me while i'm sleeping or something.

10- Have any guilty pleasures? I watch family guy marathons on TBS. I know I know you can judge me, this time I totally deserve it.

I tag Erika, Julie Ann, Ilene, Amy and Caroline! (& anyone else that wants to play!)

To answer these questions-

1. If you could have any super power what would it be and why?
2. If you HAD to quit your job (or change your college major) and you HAD to pick a different career path what would you do?
3. What was your most embarrassing moment
4. It's 2012, when you were younger how did you think the world would be by now?
5. What is a fear you are trying to work on?
6. Do you remember POGs and if so HOW the HECK did you play??
7. What talent do you wish you had but lack skills in? (For example I do not have an athletic bone in my body, when I tried to ski I totally ate snow)
8. What store can you max out your credit card in?
9. What was your favorite childhood toy or activity?
10. If you could have a 2nd house anywhere in the world where would it be and why?

If you have been tagged by someone or end up tagging yourself from this post, leave a comment with the link I would love to come and check it out!

Rue Magazine Featured Us!

Um you guys, I don't even know what to say.

I noticed a TON Of new "hearts" in my shop on Etsy for my Diamond Plushies. I also was getting a ton of email inquiries about them.

I didn't think anything of it since I notice at times a random item from my shop will be the "it" item of the week. That was until I got a message on etsy that said "HEY! are you restocking these diamond plushies? I Saw them on Rue".

**light bulb**

Hold.The.Effin.Phone.

I'm thinking to myself "there is no way this chick means Rue Magazine...."

Sure enough staring back at me on Page 12 of their Spring Edition magazine was one of my diamond plushies.

wha the WHAAAA?!

I am so incredibly honored to be up there with the likes of J Crew, Madewell, Crate & Barrel etc

And can't you just die from this color combo they chose?!

Guys, for once I don't even know what to say.

Thank you Rue Magazine for showing AMAZING love to Yellow Heart Art, I honestly can not thank you enough for the support.

What color combos are you swooning over? I'm thinking peach and navy is my new fav!

xoxo
Leonora

Works in Progress! The Spring Fling Edition

whoa it is has been a while since I showed you all some works in progress designs of mine!

Bad Leonora, what is WRONG with you?!

Sorry, I tend to beat myself up sometimes. But we're good now.

As you all know Jessica of Jessica N Designs is one of my home girls. I own quite a bit of her ballin' hand stamped pieces. Her quality and customer service is spot on.

So when she asked me last year to design a handmade holiday banner for her I was all like "girl, please, let's do this".

She loved it so much that she asked me to help her with her "Spring Fling Gift Guide" banner as well!

Doesn't that banner design make ya wanna frolic in a field barefoot while collecting dandy lions and making a dandy lion tiara out of them? (Side Note: Was I the only one who was mind blown when they found out that dandy lions were weeds? No? Just me? Got it.)

Bee Tee Dubs, I was part of Jessica's handmade holiday gift guide back in Decemeber. Basically its like an "online catalog" show casing your handmade goods. I did get a lot of traffic to my shop, if you are interested in being a part of Jessica's spring gift guide then holla at her!

iPhone/Smart Phone Photography Taken to the Next Level

As some of you may or may not know I actually love photography. Sometimes its just hard to find the time to dust off my 'ol Canon Rebel DSLR and get out there and take some way cool artistic photos. It's also kinda bulky to travel with so on the rare occasion that I do travel I don't even bring it with me.

This really bums me out because there are times when I see a suh-weet photo opp but have no way of capturing it.

Simple solution? Use your iPhone.

say whaaaat.

Now do not get me wrong, I am not saying that your iPhone or Smart Phone should replace your DSLR -or- that anyone with an "iPhone" is declared Ansel Adams. BUT you DO always have your phone on you and it does have a pretty decent lens on it.

Photojojo has some neat little gadgets to take your iPhone/Smart Phone camera to the next level. These attachments are small enough to stick in your purse and the best part? Everyone on instagram will be all like "duuuuude how did you TAKE that?!"

you are welcome in advance for impressing your instagram homies.

Fisheye, Macro, Wide Angle and Telephoto Phone Lenses

These lenses are versatile with MOST smart phones, not just your iPhone! These puppies use magnetism to stay put over your Phone's camera lens.

Use fish eye to get all your posse in a group shot!

 use telephoto to get a close up of your fav celeb that you're stalking in the bushes

 These are totally on my wish list.

Jelly Phone Camera Filters

These can be used with most Smart Phones. The jelly like substance on the back allows it to suction to the back of your phone! These lenses are cheaper than the 1st set of lenses mentioned above that use magnetism to stick to the back of your phone. 

This set allows your photos to have a Starburst, Kaleidoscope or wide angle look.

 

 

Use the starburst affect to make your friends look like super heroes! (or maybe they really are super heroes but choose to have their identities rename anonymous to protect themselves and others)

Holga iPhone Lens

 

Unfortunately this bad boy is only for iPhones. This is perfect for those of us that miss using film cameras! Turn your iPhone into a holga camera by applying this spiffy case to the back of your phone! Gives you dreamy photos with light leaks and a lo-fi look!

You can even get an awesome "kaleidoscope" look!


What are some techniques you use to spruce up your Smart Phone photos?

oh and bee tee dubs Photojojo did not pay me for this post, I honestly just have a mega camera crush on them and wanted to share their amazingness with you all. All photos in this post are from photojojo.com