diy – Adventures in Polishland

Tag: diy

Dollar Tree DIY | Easy Halloween Wreath

Posted on September 8, 2017 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Halloween is just around the corner, and today I am excited to share with you a fabulous and affordable DIY project that will help you celebrate the holiday in style. I recently stopped by my local Dollar Tree store and found everything I needed to put together a cute Halloween wreath. This DIY is easy and quick, but the finished product looks stunning. Plus, since all the supplies you need are at the Dollar Tree, this wreath only costs $6.00 to complete. Let me share with you how to create this spooktacular wreath!

I am not sponsored by or affiliated with Dollar Tree. I simply love shopping at the store and want to share this DIY with you!

WHAT YOU NEED:

Floral Garden Metal Wreath Ring (14″ inch wreath form)
4 Rolls Crafter’s Square Decorative Mesh (20 yards of mesh total)
Decorative Spiders
Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks (not pictured)

I found the wreath form in the floral aisle of Dollar Tree, and the decorative mesh in the front of the store with the Halloween items. The mesh comes in black, orange, and purple. I went with two rolls of black and two rolls of orange. I decided to purchase a pack of purple spiders to add to my wreath, but you can grab any decoration of your choice. I went with purple so the spiders would stand out against the black and orange wreath. The one supply I did not purchase at Dollar Tree is a hot glue gun that I used to attach the spiders to the wreath. If you do not have a hot glue gun at home, you can purchase super glue from Dollar Tree to complete the project.

Now it’s time to begin the wreath! I followed THIS YouTube tutorial created by Paige Nicole. She demonstrates how to weave the decorative mesh through the wreath form to create the wreath. This process is very simple, but it does take some time. Set aside 20-30 minutes to complete the wreath. The decorative mesh can be a bit tricky to work with since it sticks to itself, but be patient and take your time during this weaving process. You can always unravel the wreath and start over if you make a mistake! As a guide, I made 5-6 loops in each section of the wreath form to achieve the fullness I liked.

The second and final step is attaching your decorative items to the wreath. I used a hot glue gun to glue my spiders onto the mesh. I planned out where I wanted the spiders to go, and simply glued them onto the wreath. I recommend getting lightweight decorations so they do not weigh down the mesh. As mentioned above, you can also purchase super glue at Dollar Tree if you don’t have a hot glue gun. Once the glue is dry, your wreath is complete! The wreath hangs very easily as well – simply place the top rung of the metal wreath form over a hook.

I am amazed at how easy this Halloween wreath is to make, yet it looks so expensive! In fact, similar wreaths sell on Etsy for $30.00-$50.00, and ours only cost $6.00 to make! This is a great gift to give during the Halloween season, and you can adapt this tutorial for any holiday by using different colored mesh and decorations. I’m so excited to hang this on the front door once October hits!

If you make this wreath, please tag me on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook so I can see it!

Want more Dollar Tree DIY projects? Let me know in the comments!

Visualize Your Health Goals with a DIY Star Jar!

Posted on January 19, 2016January 12, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! Today I’m excited to share with you one of the DIY projects I began at the beginning of this year. One of my New Year’s Resolutions is, of course, to be healthier. I talked all about my goal in THIS blog post, but today I’m sharing how I’m visualizing that goal. Growing up I absolutely loved origami, and last year I purchased some star paper at a Sanrio store in Los Angeles. I decided to finally put that star paper to use and track my health goals in 2016. Let me show you my jar, and tell you how I’m using it!

I first got the idea for this star jar from the book community, which uses it to track the books they read throughout the year. I’ve adapted that for my health goals because that is what I personally need to visualize. This year I want to make sure that I am exercising on a regular basis, taking my daily vitamins, and losing some weight along the way. I often feel discouraged that I’m not exercising enough if I skip a day or two, so I’m hoping that when I see a jar filled with stars that represent all the working out I’ve already done, I’ll be more confident. I also want to focus more on non-scale goals, so even though I’ll be tracking my weight weekly, I’m putting more of an emphasis on my overall health.

Visualize Your Health Goals with a DIY Star Jar! Here is a look at my color coding for the star jar. I’ll put in a pink star every day that I work out, a purple star for every day that I take my doctor-recommended vitamins, and a yellow star for every pound I lose. I’m hoping to put in at least 100 pink stars and 200 purple stars by the time the year comes to a close. I’m not putting a goal on weight, just so I don’t dwell on it.

If you’re looking to create your own Health Star Jar, all you need is a jar and star paper. You can get the jar at the dollar store, Target, or upcycle an old food jar. I got mine at Target for $2.29. Star paper can either be purchased at specialty stores or on Amazon HERE. You can also make your own! This video tutorial on YouTube shows you how to make your own star paper and how to fold the paper into stars: LINK.

I hope you enjoyed learning about my Health Star Jar today! I’m always excited when I can put a star in the jar. It’s really helping to motivate me, and I can’t wait to see what it will look like at the end of the year. If you create a Health Star Jar, please tag me on social media so I can see it!

This post includes an Amazon Affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

How to Use Finished Coloring Pages | DIY Holiday Projects

Posted on December 12, 2015December 5, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I’m exciting to share with you some very simple DIY projects that are especially relevant during the holiday season. Adult coloring books are super on trend this year, and I decided to purchase the Erin Condren Coloring Book & Sketch Pad to join the party. As I was coloring one day, I thought about how I would use the coloring pages once I finished them. I didn’t want to just recycle them, so I got creative and thought of some uses for them. In this blog post I have some holiday themed DIY projects, and in the future I’ll be sharing even more ways you can use coloring pages. Let me jump right in and show you the projects I recommend!

Wrapping Paper

How to Use Finished Coloring Pages | DIY Holiday Projects

A really easy way to use your coloring pages is for wrapping paper! I’ve always felt a little guilty about all the wrapping paper I use during the holiday season. It’s so wasteful to just buy paper, wrap a gift, and throw out the paper afterwards. Now I can create my own wrapping paper! Not only does it look really cute, but it gives my paper another life. Coloring pages are the perfect size for stocking stuffers and other small gifts. Feel free to dress it up with bows, tags, or twine!

Christmas Tree Ornament

There are so many cute ornaments that you can create out of paper! I decided to go with the classic bauble shape. All you need for this ornament is a small brad, some glue, and a piece of ribbon. Cut the paper into half-inch strips (I used five), and punch a small hole in both ends. Secure the ends together in a loop shape with a brad and spread out the loops. Finally, use a dot of glue to secure the ribbon on top. Voila! You have an ornament!

Wall Art

Coloring pages make awesome wall art, and a great holiday gift! Pop your page into a frame and you’ve got a great gift item that’s made from the heart. I used a small frame from Birchbox to showcase the leftovers from my ornament project, and a larger black frame to house a quote. Wall art makes a perfect gift for your friends at the office, as it dresses up any cubicle, and it also makes a nice hostess gift. This is also a great way to gift your child’s art!

Writing Paper

Last but not least, coloring pages make excellent writing paper! It’s the perfect time of year to send a note to a loved one to check in and say hello. Your friends and family will enjoy that you took the time to not only write to them, but to color in a page, too. Of course, you can do this all year round!

I hope you enjoyed seeing some of the ways I’m using finished coloring pages this holiday season! It’s great to have a relaxing hobby that can turn into something functional, too. If you recreate any of these projects, make sure to use the hashtag #PlanWithPolishland on social media so I can see your posts!

DIY Washi Tape Storage | Birchbox Upcycling Project | #PlanWithPolishland

Posted on August 8, 2015August 7, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Saturday! Today I have an exciting #PlanWithPolishland post to share with you! I don’t know about you, but whenever I get a new hobby a get a little too excited and buy all the goodies I can get my hands on. This is definitely true with my new planner obsession! Just take a look at all the hauls I’ve posted on my YouTube Channel if you don’t believe me. Well, if I’m going to have a planner supplies collection I want to make sure it’s organized. Washi tape is one of the new-to-me products I’ve been collecting, and I wanted a cute yet functional way to store it. I saw a video on YouTube by Xao Vang that really inspired me to make my own washi organizer. In her video, she transformed an entire desk drawer into her washi storage. That didn’t fit my needs, so I grabbed an old Birchbox and decided to put it to use!

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS!

If you don’t have a Birchbox, feel free to use any sturdy cardboard box you own. The dimensions of a Birchbox are around 7″ x 5″ x 2″. In the DIY video I also mention a gold washi tape. It can be purchased on Etsy HERE.

As you can see, it is super easy to create this washi tape storage box! I created it about a month ago now, and it fits my needs well. Not only does my washi stay organized, but it was easy to pack during my move. I currently store the box on a crafting bookshelf in my bedroom, but carry it down to the kitchen or family room to do my actual planning. I never need to worry about the tape being lost or damaged, and I have plenty of room to grow my collection if I want to in the future. There is no need to spend money on a washi tape organizer when you can make one yourself!

That brings us to the end of another #PlanWithPolishland blog post! I hope you enjoyed this simple DIY. If you make one, use the hashtag #PlanWithPolishland on social media so I can find your post. I would love to see how you decorate your washi storage! If you would like more planner content, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel HERE where I do planner related videos 2-4 times per week. I also have a planner Instagram account HERE where you can see photos of my weekly spreads and hauls. Stay tuned for more #PlanWithPolishland blog posts on Saturdays!

Pinspiration | Eyeshadow Sponge Gradient Nails

Posted on March 27, 2014August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Thursday! I’ve been trying to perfect gradient nails since I started this blog nearly two years ago. No matter what method I try, I just can’t get it down! I recently spotted THIS pin that suggested an eyeshadow sponge as the tool to use when creating a gradient manicure, so I had to give it a try. I first tested it out with Zoya’s new polishes (see that post HERE), but wanted to create another look. Let me show you my gradient nails!

To create this look I used two of my all-time favorite polishes – Essie Butler Please and Essie Play Date. First, I painted a full manicure using Butler Please. I let that dry a bit, and then took a clean eyeshadow sponge, added a drop of Play Date to it, and carefully dabbed it at the top of each nail. Then, I used the other side of the applicator, and repeated the process with Butler Please until I got the look the way I liked it. I completed the manicure by adding a coat of Essie Good to Go! top coat.

I am loving the result! It’s still not quite perfect, but I’m really getting the hang of this gradient method, and plan on using it for all my gradient looks in the future. Not only is this technique simple, but you can use nearly any nail polishes you like. If you don’t have any spare eyeshadow sponges, check your local drugstore or grab THIS pack on Amazon. They are super affordable, and one pack will last for several manicures. Let me know what you think of my eyeshadow sponge gradient in the comments!

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Winter Wonderland Week | Candy Cane Nails

Posted on November 24, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Sunday! Today is the first day of Winter Wonderland Week here at Adventures in Polishland! I’m excited to be celebrating the holiday season with all of you through nail art, gift guides, and more. I will have a new post every day this week, so be sure to follow my blog for all the details. First up, an easy nail art look! Let me show you my festive fingers!

To create this candy cane look, I followed the directions set forth in my Scratch Art tutorial HERE. I began with a base of Julep Isla, a metallic white polish. You can use any white nail polish you own, but I liked having a metallic base for a bit more of candy shine! Then, once my base was completely dry, I used a striping tape to create diagonal lines on each nail. For the red stripes, I used Sephora X Pyrotechnic [see that review HERE]. After finishing up with a top coat, I’m good to go!

I’m loving this candy cane manicure! It is very easy to create, but looks amazing when completed! If you’re looking for a festive manicure this season, I highly recommend this one. Plus, you can create the candy cane design on just one or two nails as an accent if you’re in a rush. If you decide to create this look, please share a photo of your nails on my Facebook page HERE! Stay tuned for more holiday posts during Winter Wonderland Week!

This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Gradient Nails featuring Milani Textured Creams for Fall

Posted on October 29, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! I’ve been wanting to post a gradient manicure on Adventures in Polishland since it’s creation, but I’ve never been able to master the technique. When trying out the new Milani Textured Creams collection, I knew I just had to give the gradient another try. Let me show you how it turned out!

I used both Gracious Green and Lovely Lavender to create this manicure. First, I added added a thin coat of each polish to roughly half of each nail. It doesn’t have to be precise, since the colors will be smudged together anyway. The next step is taking a cosmetic wedge, and placing a bit of each color on it. Then, smudge the sponge carefully over each nail to blur the colors together. And that’s it! For more help, check out THIS tutorial on Pinterest.

I really like the way this gradient turned out! The textured finish is very forgiving, and makes for some easy nail art. I can’t wait to use this technique again, and maybe even use three colors. For a full review of the Milani polishes used in this post, including where to purchase them, see THIS blog post.

The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Hello Kitty Nail Art Stickers from Born Pretty Store!

Posted on March 29, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I have another review of a product from the online retailer Born Pretty Store. While I was not impressed with the Sweet Color nail polish (see that review HERE), I am loving these adorable nail art stickers! As a lifelong Hello Kitty fan, I was super excited that I got the opportunity to review these stickers for you. I hope you love them as much as I do!

Above you can see the nail art sheet as it comes. I love these stickers because they are glittery and have different sizes and shapes! This sheet retails for $5.23, but if you buy more than one you get a discount. As always, there is free international shipping from Born Pretty Store! I chose the sticker sheet in number XF314, but they come in a variety of designs. You can see all of the choices on the Born Pretty website HERE!

I was so impressed with how easy it is to apply these stickers! First, I painted my nails with Zoya Blu from the lovely collection (see that review HERE). Once my manicure was completely dry, I chose the stickers I wanted to apply, and carefully peeled them off the sheet and put them on my nails. I pressed each sticker down firmly, and then layered top coat over them. And that’s all there is to it! The smaller stickers are a bit tricky to handle, but I used a pair of tweezers to steady my hand. I can’t get over how much I love these stickers! I chose to wear one on each finger for this manicure, but you can use them easily for an accent nail as well. I love that just one sheet of stickers can be used for multiple manicures, and you can mix and match the designs!

All in all, I’m so happy I tried these Hello Kitty stickers! They are so easy to apply, and are perfect for someone like me who prefers not to do her own nail art. This design is also perfect for spring, but there are so many to choose from on the Born Pretty Store website. If you are looking for some great nail art supplies, be sure to head on over and see everything Born Pretty has to offer! Use the coupon code FZL91 to get 10% off your order as well! Happy Shopping!

The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. This post contains some affiliate links. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Indie Spotlight: Shimmer Polish Part IV

Posted on March 15, 2013August 12, 2015 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today I have the final installment of my Shimmer Polish posts for all of you. Shimmer Polish is an indie brand featuring a line of beautiful glitter nail polishes. Each polish is unique and versatile, and can be worn in a number of ways. In Part I and Part II, I wore each polish alone, and in Part III I layered each polish over a base color. Today, I used some Shimmers to create some fun nail art looks! Let me show you the manicures I created using Shimmer Polish.

For my first look, I asked my Facebook followers how I should use the glitter. Stephanie suggested a glitter gradient, and it worked out perfectly that the name of the polish is also Stephanie! I began with a base color of Sally Hansen Virtual Violet, and then added on Shimmer Polish Stephanie for the gradient effect. Stephanie is full of blue and purple glitters, with some pink thrown in as well. To achieve the gradient, I lightly tapped the brush across the top of my nails and lightly dragged the glitter down to about the middle of each nail. I found this technique to be much simpler than using a cosmetic sponge, and the glitter is very forgiving! Make sure to follow up with a layer of top coat to even out the finish.

Next I decided to do some geometric nails using the scotch tape method. I began with a base of Wet ‘n Wild in Fashionista Lisa, and let that dry completely. Then, I placed tape on my nails and rotated it to get a triangle cut out on either the top, bottom, left, or right of my nail. Finally, I applied two coats of Shimmer Polish in Tracy on top and peeled off the tape while the polish was still wet. Tracy is a gold, holographic glitter polish. I think it looks great against the purple shade of Fashionista Lisa! I also used my Butter London Matte Finish top coat to complete the look. I just love the combination of matte glitter and the geometric shapes!

I was loving the look of matte glitter, so I used the matte top coat again for my next manicure. First, I applied Julep Morganas my base color. Then I grabbed Shimmer Polish in Tammy, a glitter filled with gold, purple, black, and silver! I didn’t want a lot of glitter on my nails, so I applied the polish a bit differently. Instead of brushing on the polish, I dabbed the tip of the brush all over my nail. It spread out the glitter quite nicely! Finally, I mattified the whole look. I think this is the perfect manicure!

Last but not least is a funky manicure of my own creation! I began with black as my base using Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics in Tarred. I was hoping to create a jelly sandwich manicure, and applied a layer of Shimmer Polish in Vanessa. Vanessa is a cool mix of silver, red, and black glitters, with hints of many other colors as well. My manicure went a bit crazy when I attempted to use another coat of Tarred for the top of the jelly sandwich. The glitter was almost completely hidden! I got creative and dabbed a tissue over the wet polish to remove some of the black. The result was this neat look! It’s unconventional, but I love the rock star look I achieved. It’s also similar to a galaxy manicure! Sometimes our nail polish mistakes can lead to fun looks after all!

All in all, I am still so impressed with Shimmer Polish. You really can’t go wrong with polishes that can be worn alone, layered, and used in nail art. These versatile polishes can be purchased on Etsy HERE. You can also like Shimmer Polish on Facebook HERE.

What do you think of these nail art looks?! How do you use glitter to spice up your manicure?

The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.