Jan 18, 2012 | Fashion
Ever since I could remember, I’ve had a pack of Q-tips in my makeup drawer. I’ve always thought of them as a bathroom essential, and I use them in a variety of ways.
They’re the only thing, for instance, that will truly remove my black, black kohl eyeliner – and the only tool gentle enough not to irritate the rims of my eyelids when I apply eye makeup remover liquid. Since they just came out, I now use the Precision Tips version (the kind that has the pointy tip) for ultimate precision. (And not to remove my mascara at the same time if I want to change up my makeup look!)
But I’ve also begun using them as a DIY tool lately – and have found them super-easy and fun to use…plus no messy cleanup required!
Here are some other uses I’ve discovered for the ubiquitous cotton swab:
The Perfect Paintbrush for Little Hands
My 6-year old son loves using these little swabs with dabs of paint to make pretty pictures of dots and swirls. They’re also great for decorating Easter eggs!
Precision Glitter Remover
Glitter’s a tough thing to get rid of when making DIY projects – and I’ve found that the cottony ends of Q-tips swabs scrape away the excess effortlessly (as long as the glue is still somewhat wet!) Plus, the precision side can do the scraping…and the round side the applying for maximum versatility. Photo from my DIY Glitter Zebra Clutch tutorial.
The Best 10
nail color: butter London 3 Free Nail Lacquer in Wallis
.
For awhile I’d been using regular Q-tips to clean up my at-home manicures…but no more. The precision tips are exactly what I need to get into the sides of my nail beds and clean up any over-paint. Salon-perfect, every time!
You can also get more tips and tricks for using Q-tips, as well as coupons and promotions, on the Q-tips® cotton swabs Facebook page. You can also follow @Qtips on Twitter to stay up-to-date and get even more…tips! 😉
What’s your favorite usage for Q-tips? (Besides cleaning out your ears;-) Any cool DIY tips?
xoxox
Carly
FTC disclaimer: I was provided with Q-tips cotton swabs® and information about the product by RocketXL. All opinions are 100% my own. For more information about my Disclosure Policy, click here.
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Jan 17, 2012 | DIY
3 weeks have passed since my last DIY Roundup…and there’s been some great projects in the meantime! I hope everyone’s enjoying a wonderful start to 2012, and if even if you aren’t…things can only get better, right?! So here’s to creativity, craftiness, and a ton of FABULOUS DIY for the coming year!
So in the past couple weeks, here’s what’s been on my radar…
A Matter of Style DIY’d those famous glitter Miu Miu booties – curved heel and all! Just mind-blowingly awesome! See how she did it here.
Smart n Snazzy got her weave on and used pretty sparkly ribbon to create a DIY Bottega Veneta Woven Clutch. I literally can’t tell the difference between her DIY and something from a store – and it’s a great way to cover up an old clutch that’s dirty or ripped. Bravo!
Got an old sweater? Upcycle it into a DIY pretty pair of mittens and a cloche hat, with some contrasting buttons and applique flower. One Pearl Button has the how-to.
I love this little DIY Faux Fur Vest from The Style Projects. With only 2 sewn seams, it’s a quick’n’easy project that will have you out the door – bundled up in stylish, fuzzy warmth- in no time!
In the same gotta-wear-something-to-cover-up-when-it’s-cold vein, Chictopians Lipglossandblack posted a DIY for a blanket-style poncho. This is pretty much the same as P.S. I Made This’s DIY Plaid Cape, except it doesn’t have the collar lapels. Either way you do it, it’s still one stylish cover-up.
Swellmayde‘s Neon Envelope Clutch/iPad Case provides that perfect pop of color for those dreary Winter months. LOVE that she used vinyl and not real snakeskin…all the better for a more affordable (and humane) project!
Naughty Secretary Club embraced the kitschiness that embodies the IFC series Portlandia and created a Put a Bird on It Brooch. As a fellow Portlander, all I can say is…awesome! (And that the dream of the 90’s is obviously still alive.;-)
Outsapop posted a couple videos of people making their own DIY Alexander McQueen armadillo heels. Insane. Utterly insane. But if you ever wanted to make these for yourself, that’s’s how!
If your project was featured above, feel free to grab a button and share the DIY!
<a href=”https://chiccreativelife.com/category/links-of-the-week”><img src=”https://chiccreativelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/diylotwfeaturedbutton.png” /></a>
If you have a DIY how-to or tutorial that you’d like to see featured on Chic Steals, please email me at carlyjcais at chic-steals dot com – and I’ll try to squeeze it in to one of my Links of the Week posts! (Tutorials/how-to’s with steps and photos included please! So everyone can share in the DIY goodness:-)
xoxox
Carly
-all photos copyright their respective authors; photo array by me-
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Jan 15, 2012 | Life, Media
image source (FYI you can actually buy these magnets on Zazzle!)
DO YOU LOVE CRAFTING MORE THEN ANYTHING ELSE?
IS YOUR CRAFT ROOM TAKING OVER YOUR HOUSE?
DO YOU HAVE A CRAFTING OBBSESSION?
ARE YOU ADDICTED?
ARE YOU A SELF-PROCLAIMED “CRAFT HOARDER?”
IS YOUR CRAFTING CAVE THE BIGGEST AND BOLDEST?
A major television production company is casting extreme crafting enthusiasts for a new major television series. They are in search of the most obsessive and devoted crafters, who consider crafting not a hobby but a way of life. They are looking for solo crafters as well as groups of crafters of all specialties from needlepoint to decoupage…nothing is off limits, the more insane and extreme, the better!
If you own more fabric then the local fabric store and you have glitter shooting out of your ears, they want YOU!
Interested crafters should email Sean De Simone at craftercasting@gmail.com with your story and interest in crafting, along with a current photo of yourself and some of your crafts. Also include your current contact telephone number and email address.
I know some of my readers definitely fit the description above…and please pass this on to anyone else you know who might fit the bill! Thanks!
xoxox
Carly
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Jan 13, 2012 | Fashion
Alloy Pallai Bootie, $46.90…now $39.90 with code APA15A
I’m feeling patterns for Spring, and this print wedge open-toe bootie is bizarrely attractive, no? I realized I have almost no shoes that are in a print…but this one is a toughie for me.
Pros: Ikat-patterned (trending for Spring!!), super-high wedge heel, orange, brown, and turquoise mixed together so they could go with anything.
Cons: Suede faux-lacing at the front and Frankenstein stitching at the seams. The print does the heavy lifting here; it’s kind of too much of a “tribal” stereotype.
I’m so torn.
…..
…But they’re still yummy.
xoxox
Carly
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Jan 12, 2012 | Fashion
*wipes forehead* Yes, I think I’ve fixed the issue.
If you made any comment on any of my posts over the last 2 days; I’m sorry but those comments were never retained by WordPress so I have no idea what anyone has said.:-(
But you can now also comment on my blog using your Facebook profile!
Everything should be working now. Thanks for your patience and understanding!
xoxxo
Carly
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