Microwave Popcorn in a Box

By: Brunilda on 10:29 AM

I'm sure you can tell from the title of this post that I was craving popcorn but had discovered that I was out of those individually wrapped microwave popcorn bags. So what's a hungry girl to do? Make her own microwavable popcorn! And now you can too.

Here's what you will need:

1. Roughly 1/4 cup of kernels, make sure they say POPPING CORN on the package or else it probably won't work. I got mine from my local health food store for really cheap.
2. A smallish cereal box, or any smallish box. Or if you have a big enough microwave, any size box.
3. Microwave

 

Just on a side note... don't make the same mistake and put the kernels in melted butter before putting them in the box, it won't make a difference in taste at all. If you want butter or any other flavor, pour/sprinkle it over the popcorn when it's out of the microwave.

Now, I didn't use a measuring cup but I'd say a quater of a cup is enough for a smallish cereal box, since the kernels should have some space to move around in. Put the kernels in the box, close the flaps of the box and place it in the microwave. Make sure not to place it on any of the ends, but on either of the two biggest sides.
I'd recommend about 3or so minutes in the microwave, I gave it around 4 and they started to burn a little bit, but not enough where they were inedible.

Be patient, they take a little while to start popping.

You should end up with this...

Pour them out into a bowl, add whatever you fancy, and enjoy!

♥ Bruni

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Two Tone Reversible Cobra Bracelet

By: Brunilda on 10:42 AM

Hey guys! Bruni here, back with another DIY bracelet tutorial. Now this one's on the ever so popular cobra or square knot bracelet, but with a twist! It's basically a two for one sort of thing; flip the bracelet over and the colors reverse. Let's get on with the tutorial...

You will need..

1. A wrist (har-dee-har-har)
2. A length of cord about half the width of your wrist when doubled, or about 3-4 inches long
3. Another two lengths of embroidery floss or chord [depending on your preference, the floss will look tighter and closer together while the chord will make a chunkier bracelet] about 11-12 times as long as the doubled up chord in #2, if you're only going to use one color than keep both chords/floss the same color
4. Chain or any shape, color, or size
5. Round nose pliers
6. Super glue or clear nail polish

If you're going to go ahead with the two tone bracelet, pick two colors of floss that look good together; I personally like the look of a lighter and darker version of the same color so I chose lilac and dark purple.

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[pretend I started at the top of the bracelet in the photo below] So tie a knot with the ends of your two colors, try to keep it small and you can glue it to make sure it's secure. Put the knot underneath the top of the folded up chord (now known as wrist chord), making sure to leave a little loop at the top where you'll put your chain later. Then go ahead and create your first knot; step-by-step pictures below 

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Fold the right string over the wrist chord (just a not when you go onto your second know you will start with your left side and then alternate; or to make it easier, just always fold the lighter color over the wrist chord)

Bring the left string (dark color/purple) over the right string (light color/lilac)

Then bring the purple under the wrist chord and under the loop created on the right by the lilac string

Pull the purple string through the lilac loop on the right...

And pull the two strings away from each other, both at a 90 degree angle to the wrist chord

Make sure each new knot is right below the previous one to make it look neat. If you want a chunkier bracelet, once you get to the bottom, flip the bracelet over and start knotting down again. Once you're done knotting, cut off any excess string and glue the cut ends to keep them from unraveling.

Now for the chain; measure out a length that, when added to the knotted part, will be long enough to let you slide your hand through but not long enough to have your bracelet just slide off your hand.

Then use your pliers to separate the length from the rest of the chain and open up the links on each side. Slide the links through the two loops you've hopefully left uncovered on the wrist chord and use the pliers to close them back up. Voila!

[I made the bracelet on the left using a thick chord so you can see how chunky it looks compared to the one on the right, made with two colors of embroidery floss. ]

Until next time, stay stylish!

♥Bruni

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Wrapped Chain Bracelet and Upcoming Nail Tutorial

By: Brunilda on 6:15 PM

Today was a rainy day, I was in a slightly lazy mood so instead of cleaning my room I decided to make another bracelet. I later regretted my choice while my back cramped up from hunching over my work space for literally hours. But the end result was well worth it. I created a true DIY wrapped chain bracelet, not like the ones that claim that they're wrapped but are actually only half wrapped; like so....

(Photo from I Spy DIY, one of my favorite DIY blogs. Go check it out!)

Now I'm not hating on these types of bracelets, I love them and have a couple myself. But as I said it's only half wrapped as there is CHAIN showing through. So I decided to make myself a fully wrapped chain bracelet in pretty pastel colors. Here's my final result. (LOVE!)

Isn't it pretty?! Wrapping each link in alternating colors took a long time, but it was worth my inevitable hunchback. I'm currently working on editing the tutorial I filmed on this. I forgot to change the white balance until I was halfway done so half of my video is now orange. Anyone know any free online color correcters for videos???

So I will be posting the video on my new Youtube channel that I created under the same name as this blog. I still have my nail design channel so now I will be balancing two channels. Ooo that reminds me I have yet to edit and upload my most recent nail tutorial, a subtle gradient look....

here's a sneak peek :)

So the camera doesn't really show the gradient that well, but it's there people! I swear!

So until next time, stay stylish!

♥ Bruni

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Awesome Crackle Nails

By: Brunilda on 6:47 PM

So I wanted to really try out my black crackle nail polish, from OPI [the god of nail polish]. Instead of doing one color beneath the black I used three colors so I could achieve a gradient effect. I did a different color gradient on each nail, of course you can stick with one color scheme on all your nails and be normal; but normal is overrated.

So here are step by step photos of all my nails. There are a bunch of naked nails; don't say I didn't warn you.

Final effect: 

Step by step:

Forever 21 Scented Nail Polish- Passion Fruit

Sally Hansen- No hard Feelings

Wet n Wild- French White Creme

OPI- Black Shatter

Unless you want to keep the matte finish of the crackle, I would definitely recommend applying a top coat since it intensifies the colors underneath.

Enjoy!

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Pink and Gold Nails

By: Brunilda on 5:42 PM

Finally got another youtube video up after like a month. Graduation and going to Canada sure took up a lot of my time, but now that everything's started to slow down I had time to do another nail tutorial. I was inspired by a bracelet I have, here's some photos of the finished design...

here are my tools..

and close ups..

and last but not least, here's the video! Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDLbnAmVgfs

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Ikat Print Nails

By: Brunilda on 12:36 PM

So I just recently bought myself a pair of printed shorts. They're a blue, white and black ikat print (see below) and they're my absolute favorite new shorts!

So I was inspired by these shorts and MissJenFabulous's youtube video on Ikat nails, to do an ikat design on my own nails :D This was my result...

Needless to say, I'm really happy with my nails :D

[Polish used]

• base: Borghese- Menta
• White: L.A Colors Striper in White
• Yellow: H&M's Summer Sunrise
• Blue outline: Forever 21 Indigo

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Sephora Nail Inspiration

By: Brunilda on 5:14 PM

So I was walking through the mall earlier today, happy as a clam, when I saw this picture in the window display of Sephora. There were a lot of other nail designs on the display poster but this one was my favorite. I  knew that I had to recreate it as soon as I got home, and I did ☺.

I will be posting a tutorial on my YoutTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/chasingthelight4/videos) soon so keep your eyes peeled!!!

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here's the video!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RTqllpR454&feature=youtu.be

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Arm Candy

By: Brunilda on 4:26 PM

Everywhere you look, you are bound to find it. From a couple of dainty bracelets to bangles and spikes stacked up the the elbow; arm candy is big this season.
I've fallen victim to the trend too and though I'd show you some of my current favorite pieces.

A rose gold, large faced watch is a major staple in any arm candy. As I'm saving up to buy a Michael Kors watch, I wear my rose gold watch from New York & Company every day (only $27! Buy one get one 75% off!).

My dream MK watch would be one of the chocolate ones, if you think the rose gold ones are awesome check this one out :)

[Michael Kors Mid-Size Showstopper Chronograph Watch in Espresso $275]

*drools*

Moving on to my bracelets; I just got these two pastel bangles from H&M for $7.95, one's a peachy pink and the other is the perfect shade of mint. Mint is another trend this season and my favorite color after Mediterranean blue.

I love these bangles so much, I just think that the little toggle closure makes them so unique. Just a warning, unless your wrist is as thin as a stick they're going to hurt a little when you put them on since there's no give in the bangle, there's just the opening that you have to shove your wrist through. Other than that they're great :D

My next bracelets at also from H&M (seeing a trend here?☺), each one is just a strip of suede like fabric with letters that can be moved up and down the strip. The London one is a blue strip with silver letters, Paris is black with multicolored letters, and New York is magenta with gold letters (shown below). The set of three is $5.96 and there's also a more neutral set, with white, black, and cream bands. 

For me, the term arm candy extends down to my fingers; from rings to nail polish. I personally am not a big fan of chunky rings. I prefer dainty ones that I can stack on my fingers. This first one says "Live♥ Laugh♥ Love♥" all around it. That's one of the reasons I had to get it; since that's one of my favorite motto's. ($16)

This next ring is just a crystal heart set onto a dainty silver band. At least I think it's crystal, I know the band is actual silver but am not sure about the stone. How awesome would it be if it were an actual diamond. I've had this ring for the longest time, I'm pretty sure I got it in the beginning of middle school. Ever since then it's been my favorite.

Last but definitely not least, nail polish!!! Never walk out the door without polish on your tips, it's just unhealthy ☺. You can tell when I'm being lazy when I paint my nails one solid color since I almost always do designs on my nails (http://www.youtube.com/user/chasingthelight4/videos). Since it's almost summer now, (there's what, a week or so left of spring?) stick to your bright colors. They'll instantly brighten up your outfit and your mood.

As I'm writing this I have OPI's I Vant to Be A-Lone Star from their Texas collection. It was a lazy day.

Au Revoir for now lovelies!

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Poshmark

By: Brunilda on 4:35 PM

I don't know why I'm not seeing tons and tons of people talking about this app! For those of you who haven't heard of Poshmark, prepare to be addicted. If you have an iPhone, iPad, or even and iPod Touch you can go download it in the app store for free.
Poshmark is a place where you can sell the clothing and accessories that you don't wear anymore. Let's say that you have a dress hanging on the back of your closet that you've only worn once or twice and forgotten about. You can make a listing for that dress; which means you take pictures of it, describe it, state the size, brand, original price, and the price that you're selling it for. After you post it, fellow Poshmarkers can like and comment on your listing
Selling: When someone buys one of your listings, the first thing that will happen is a happy little red flag saying "Sold!" will pop up onto your listing. The customer pays the shipping (which is now $7) so you don't have to worry about that. Poshmark immediately emails you a shipping slip that you can print out and put on the box you're using to ship, so there's another thing you don't have to worry about. After you drop your package off at your post office, you and the customer can track it's progress. When it arrives, the customer lets Poshmark know that everything is a-ok and you then get your money. Keep in mind that Poshmark deducts 20% from your listing price as a commission, so you're only getting 80% of that price. After that you can either use your money to buy other wonderful things from Poshmarkers or you can withdraw it by depositing it into your bank account or having a check mailed to you.
Posh Parties: Posh Parties are a easy and fun way to expose people to your listings. Just make sure you post according to the type of party it is; for example don't post a winter coat in a sparkly pumps party or you'll run the risk of having your listing pulled from the party.
Shipping: As soon as someone purchases one of your listings, a shipping label will be emailed to you and you can print it out from there. Try to make your packaging cute and practical. Don't wrap something in tissue paper, tie it up with a string, and call it a day. You need to make sure your package is going to survive the trip from New York to California for example. Even if you use one of those plain post office shipping boxes, put pretty tissue paper in with the item, this will ensure that it won't move around and will look nice and neat. Don't forget a thank you note!
Happy Poshmarking!
P.S.: follow me! my username is bruni1104, you can also browse my closet by clicking the poshmark widget on the right!

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Ombré Nails

By: Brunilda on 3:15 PM

 I started doing my nails a couple of years ago and fell head over heels in love. Today, the only time I paint my nails one solid color is when I'm feeling lazy; which is very seldom. The rest of the time I'm trying out one crazy design or another. 
I've currently been obsessing over ombré and gradient nails. They tend to look so effortless and somehow match every outfit. My most recent ombré design is up on Youtube (username chasingthelight4).

The method I used here is so much better than using a sponge as it doesn't leave that weird texture afterwards. It does take a little longer to dry so make sure you only use thin layers of polish. Also, make sure you're using a base coat to avoid from staining your nails yellow. Without further ado...

P.S.- The music that I used for this video is from a band I recently discovered and fell in love with called The Phenomenal Handclap Band. The song is called Radio Girls. My new favorite! Go check them out on rcrdlbl.com

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