DIY Custom Scented Candles

A few months ago Justin and I went searching for a scented oil for his {HIDEOUS} oil burner lamp. I ended up loving the scent he picked out, and found myself wishing we had candles all over the house that produced the same scent. After seeing the DIY Queen's tutorial yesterday, I was inspired to take charge and make some myself.

However I was disappointed when I arrived at the craft store and my attempts to find a set of glass tumblers that I liked were futile. So I took my DIY one step further and decorated my own. Here's what you'll need:

• wax flakes or crystals
• essential oil in whatever scent you like
• waxed wicks
• glass tumbler
• glass or swarovski crystals
• jewelry glue
• toothpicks
• painters' tape

Begin by taping a straight line all the way around your tumbler to ensure that you glue your crystals on straight. Using  the toothpick, dab glue onto the tumbler and immediately stick your crystals on in whatever pattern you choose.

While your glue is drying, use the double boiler method to melt the wax and essential oil together. If you have a bowl with a spout or a large glass measuring cup it will make the process of pouring much easier later.

Dip the bottom of your wicks into the melted wax and stick them to the bottom of your tumblers, letting the wax dry. If you use waxed wicks, like I did, they will stand up straight on their own. Pour in the melted wax, let them dry overnight and voila!

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Short Film Break: Calamari Sunset Part IV

This past year the Little Rock Film Festival held the 48 Hour Film Project competition. The winning film directed by Zach Turner was Calamari Sunset Part IV. It's kind of hard to explain it so we're not going to. It might have some language that isn't safe to watch at work, but we hope you enjoy it.



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Budget or Binge :: Neon Statement Necklace

This Budget or Binge tackles a pretty big trend at the moment, the neon statement necklace. While one can totally make an outfit, they could at the same time, totally break the bank. Here's how to avoid that whole bank-breaking thing while still looking extremely stylish!

Tom Binns Neo Neon hand-painted rhodium necklace- $625
Bauble Bar Neon Colorblock Collar- $62.00


Both options are equally crave-worthy, but at only $62.00, the Bauble Bar version comes in at just 10% of the Tom Binns version! Now the Tom Binns necklace is made of a precious metal and hand painted, so the quality is exceptional, but if you're not looking for an investment piece, the Bauble Bar necklace is a high quality {and good looking!} piece of costume jewelry. 

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We Love This Band

There's a new video online of Amasa Hines, one of the best bands you've never heard of.  It's got a couple of glitches, but be sure to watch it!




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Budget or Binge :: Leopard Jeans

I'm sure we've all been there. Some super trendy item comes along one season. Something you see everywhere and immediately fall for only to hate the next season because it was, after all, a trend. These things come and go... and come back years later... and go again. They're fun while they last but, unlike the staples, they never do {last, that is}. Sometimes they're just too irresistible to pass up though, so what's a girl to do? Snatch up a budget friendly version that you won't feel bad about tossing or donating later! I've been seeing a lot of leopard jeans lately {even wore some myself recently!} so they seemed like the perfect way to start a new series - Budget or Binge?

Current/Elliott Leopard Jeans- $198.00
Baby Phat Leopard Jeans- $47.99

Are the two pairs indistinguishable? No. But the patterns and shapes are similar and give the same look overall. And for a $150 savings, I'm willing to allow for some wiggle room! What do you think?

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Color Block POP!

Top- old {similar here}, Pants- J. Crew {similar here}, Shoes- Target, Clutch- Andy Warhol Foundation for Visual Arts, Necklace- Angel Court Jewels

Last weekend we finally got the opportunity to see a buddy's band play, something we've been wanting to do for a long time. The catch was that the venue was a total dive. My solution was to brighten up {at least} my experience by donning bright colors piled on top of each other.

The wind caught me!

All photos by Justin Nickels

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Dark Posters

Even though Dark Shadows is less than two months out, it seems like promotion for it went from zero to sixty in no time flat. I went from not knowing what the heck it was to hearing about this soap-opera-cum-comedy everywhere I went. It combines one of everyone's favorite duos, Tim Burton and Johnny Depp (trio if Helena Bonham Carter gets to play too). And now to add to the promotional list, 9 posters have come out, each featuring one of the main characters from the film. Here are a few of our favorites.

posters via collider

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Latest Trailer and Viral Videos for Prometheus

We were on a film set all day yesterday and unable to bring you these two big videos. The new trailer for Ridley Scott's Prometheus hits the internet after a panel at Wonder Con in Anaheim, California that hosted Scott and writer Damon Lindelof (Co-creator of Lost), as well as Michael Fassbender (X-Men: First Class) and Charlize Theron (Young Adult). Check out the trailer below followed by the new viral video going around.






UPDATE:

There's also another 1 minute trailer for it in IMAX 3D




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Sand Art

via

A work buddy introduced me to sand art recently and I was instantly mesmerized. I knew I had to share. So I watched tons of sand art videos {you're welcome} and here are the best. So sit back, let the trippy music lull you into a trance as you watch disembodied hands push sand around.



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Here's to Spring

Jacket- Marc Jacobs {similar here}, Dress- similar, Boots- Jeffrey Campbell {similar here}, Bag- Kate Spade        {similar here}, Shades- Kate Spade,  Bracelets- similar, similar, similar, Necklace- Angel Court Jewels

Be a doll, would you? Ignore my florescent legs? The downside to being a homeowner is that most homes don't come with a pool like most apartments do. This is particularly sad news seeing as how the weather is already nice enough that laying out wouldn't be a completely crazy idea.

All photos by Justin Nickels

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Vanilla Rose Star Candies

This is one I've been looking forward to. And while I probably should have had a couple of trial runs before I documented them in a blog post, I just couldn't help myself. I was inspired by Laura {and my family roots} to make something in honor of one of the least appreciated holidays, St. Patrick's Day. And since I got engaged on the holiday a year ago, it will probably always hold an extra special place in my heart.

I've seen these pinned quite a bit on pinterest, but I decided to switch it up a little. I am completely obsessed with anything rose flavored but not too many recipes call for the flavor, so I exchanged the mint extract that the original recipe called for for rose water. They turned out amazing! I was also surprised at how easy I found it to use the pastry bag to pipe out little star shapes.

DISCLOSURE These are in no way healthy. They use an obscene amount of sugar. Mine are going to work with me so they're not around the house, tempting us!

Here is the recipe I used.

Couldn't have done it without my sous chef, Vito.

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Thom Yorke and I are Twinkies...

Jeans- Forever 21, Top- Similar, Necklace- Angel Court Jewels, Shoes- Target

...sort of. I am by no means a career concert goer. Most of my concert attending experience falls into one of two categories: early 2000s pop {'N Sync, Britney} or classic rock {The Rolling Stones, Eagles}. I have also been drug to the occasional American Idol tour, a fact I am not proud of {sorry, Mom}. So when I decided to take the plunge and snag a pair of tickets to Radiohead for Justin's birthday, I realized it would be one of my first true rock concerts.Which begs the question, "What Would Thom Wear?" Turns out, Thom would wear a white shirt, jeans and his hair back. I'm better at this concert outfit thing than I realized.

And just in case you're curious, here are a few more highlights from our weekend in St. Louis.

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Meet Me in St. Louie- Instagram Roundup

If you follow us on twitter, instagram or facebook, you may be aware that we road-tripped it up to St. Louis this weekend to check out Radiohead. It was my first time in the city and, I must admit, I wasn't looking forward to using one of my precious vacation days on a weekend trip to Missouri. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed our time there. An outfit post is on it's way, but until then here are a few shots I snapped over the weekend of the Arch, Justin being able to die a happy man {now that he's seen Radiohead}, pretty hotel lobby flowers, and a reminder imprinted in the sidewalk.

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