Style Lush

Twistbands

by Jenny

In my Birchbox shipment last month, I received a Twistband. Now, I'd heard talk of them, (including Elizabeth's great tutorial, showing us how you can make them yourself for pennies on the dollar) seen them holding many a gloriously thick and bouncy ponytail at the gym--but didn't think they were for me. As I've told you before, I have fine, limp hair. Against my hair stylist's better judgement, we're letting it grow out. The last time I went to see her, I'd pulled my scraggly hair back into a ponytail, using the little rubber bands that I bought for my daughter's hair. They were the only thing that I thought held my hair back. As my stylist tried her best to delicately remove the grippy, punishing rubber band from my hair, she hissed through clenched teeth, "Why do you use these on your poor hair? Do you see all the wee little hairs that are being pulled out with these things?" Oops. Nothing like a stern talking-to from your hair stylist to whip you into shape. So, when I received a Twistband in my Birchbox shortly thereafter, I almost threw it immediately in my drawer, thinking that it wouldn't work in my fine hair. Little did I know, I was wrong.

Twistbands are so simple and really cute. Within a week or so of using the Twistband, I found myself panicking if I couldn't find it and needed it. I loved how it held my hair back nicely without leaving that awful, tell-tale dent in it after removing it. It is also so gentle on my feeble little hairs--nary a broken hair to be found when I remove it. So, after much consideration, I finally bit the bullet and ordered myself a 6 pack of Twistbands, lest I have to worry ever again about not having one handy. No matter what your hair type, I recommend giving them a try. I never thought they'd work for me, but I'm a believer!

To sweeten the deal for you, if you enter the code: KLUTCH20 you'll receive an extra 20% off your order at www.thetwistband.com. I'm not sure how long this code is effective--at least through January--so if you're interested, I'd jump on it! (Again, not as inexpensive as Elizabeth's DIY method of making these, but if you're lazy like myself, then this isn't a bad deal)

{Photos courtesy of www.thetwistband.com}

Easy DIY Freezer Paper Stencil Tutorial

by Natalie

There are freezer paper stencil tutorials all over the internet, but here's just one more for your viewing pleasure. I love to give a handmade gift, but after my homemade baby quilt kick a couple of years ago (which, while fun, was incredibly time consuming) I hadn't really found a replacement "personal" gift that I could whip out quickly and efficiently. Enter: the freezer paper stencil dress!

I have all of the necessary items on hand: freezer paper, fabric paint, an iron, scissors, and a paintbrush (I use a sponge brush, but you can use a regular paint brush or anything similar.) For the stencil, I chose a Martha Stewart bird punch, because it's easy and because I'm not great with an exacto knife. You can use an exacto to cut out any shape, letter, number, design, etc. that you would like... I took the easy path for this one and used the punch.

I chose this dress in both gray and green (about $20) from American Apparel; I buy these every summer for my daughters, and they hold up incredibly well. I love how simple they are, and they're so easy to dress up.

I cut my freezer paper into small squares and then punched the bird shape into each square. I then arranged them on the dress in a pattern, waxy side down (this is why it's important to buy FREEZER paper, not wax paper, as freezer paper is only waxy on one side.)

Then I ironed each square to the fabric, making sure to get all of the small edges of the cutout shape pressed flat to the fabric. Once the paper is secured, just paint inside your cutout area. I chose gold and silver for my colors and just did a little assortment on each dress.

Once you have your paint covering the cutout area, just let it dry overnight. You can also dry it with a hair dryer, as the heat will help set the paint. Then just peel off your paper and voila! Cute additions to a simple dress.

That's it! Seriously, the easiest "fancify your kid's clothing" maneuver ever.

{all photos by me except for that cute one of the girl in the yellow dress... that's via American Apparel}

 

 

Austin: A Wild Soapbar, Stephanie Jimenez and a Giveaway

Editor's note: Tara C. is visiting from Food Lush today, to share some gems from Austin (and to host a giveaway!). Check out her great food posts over there!

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By Tara C.

I am here today to tell you about two businesses in the Austin, Texas area that are near and dear to me: A Wild Soapbar and Stephanie Jimenez designs. Full disclosure: A Wild Soapbar is my brother-in-law's family business and Stephanie is my brother's fiance. The nice thing about this pre-existing relationship of ours is that I've had the opportunity to see, use and experience a wide range of their products.

A Wild Soapbar

A Wild Soapbar's products are handmade, gentle, and made of natural and organic ingredients. They hit that rare note of being both simple and luxurious. The soaps are scented with essential oils and smell fantastic. My personal favorite is the Sea Scrub bar, which is made with pink Himalayan sea salt. It exfoliates and smells beach-y fresh.

I've also used the Honey Oat body balm with great success when my babies had dry skin during the winter. It's great for soothing dry, chapped or irritated skin.

Stephanie Jimenez

Stephanie Jimenez is a fashion illustrator who sells her designs in the form of greeting cards and custom illustrations. Her top selling card is the These are a few of my favorite things design.

My personal favorite is this sweet thank you note.

Stephanie also does custom illustrations that can be incorporated into personalized stationary, postcards, business cards, t-shirts, etc. They make great gifts. With custom illustrations, you send a photo to Stephanie and choose outfits and accessories to tell your personal story. In this example, you can see how interior decorator Sophie's photo was transformed into her custom illustration.

Giveaway

A Wild Soapbar and Stephanie Jimenez are each giving away a product for Style Lush readers to try! A Wild Soapbar is giving away their wonderful Sassafras Soap on the Rocks. This exfoliating sassafras soap is scented with cinnamon, sassafras root, and orange oil. It comes on a soap dish made from fossilized Texas Hill Country limestone.

Stephanie Jimenez has also agreed to give away a custom illustration to one lucky winner. The recipient of the custom illustration will work with Stephanie to create an illustration like this one.

Her custom illustrations (valued at $200) are printed on archival paper and take roughly 4-6 weeks for completion.

One lucky winner will receive both the Sassafras Soap on the Rocks AND a custom illustration from Stephanie Jimenez.

The rules & guidelines:

• To enter: Leave a comment answering the question: Where is your hometown?
• Giveaway ends: Tuesday, 7/17, at 11:59 p.m. EST. 
• Who can enter?: Anyone in the U.S.
• Other notes: One comment per person, the winner will be selected by random.org and announced on the site by 7/18.

(photos from: A Wild Soapbar and Stephanie Jimenez)

Made in the US of A

By Sara

With our Independence Day holiday right around the corner, I thought it only appropriate to showcase a new site dedicated to celebrating America and it's artisans. U.S. of Awesome in their own words:

U.S. of Awesome is a celebration of Americana and all the people, places and ideas that make the United States of America awesome. We believe that the American spirit is alive and well. We aim to kindle its flames and along the way, refresh patriotism and spread optimism. Like generations before us, with a little grit and determination, we can work to make this country even better. Our glass is half full and we raise it to the U.S. of Awesome!--from U.S. of Awesome

Right now U.S. of Awesome is producing locally made tees for men, women, and kids and they are, well, awesome!

Awesome Since 1776 Tee in Gray, $29

 

Love Tee, $29

 

Happy Sam Kids' Tee, $23

What makes the U.S. of Awesome even more amazing is that they will donate $1 of every purchase to one of three charities that will help to make America even better. Go here to find out more!

 

Happy 4th of July, everyone! Stay safe and have fun!

July Fourth Neighborhood Bike Parade

By Janet

Does your town have a neighborhood 4th of July bike parade? I've been to neighborhood bike parades in several towns and they are such a fun way to celebrate! If your town doesn't sponsor one, it would still be fun to gather the neighborhood kids, help them to decorate their wagons and bicycles, and cruise around the neighborhood. 

Martha Stewart has tons of great ideas for decorating bicycles (of course she does!), including some festive printables.

(Photo from: Martha Stewart.com)

Lemon and Line

By Janet

Handcrafted in Newport, Rhode Island (the sailing capital of the world!), these Lemon & Line nautically-inspired bracelets are a fantastic summer accessory and would make a great gift for a friend who loves to sail.

Fifty percent of the proceeds from the bright pink bracelet support Thomas Watson's efforts to sail around the world to raise 1 million dollars for breast cancer research (in a pink boat!).

(Photos from: Lemon & Line)

Colorful Eco-friendly Floormats

By Jessica

Summer is very clearly ON down here in Texas. It's already in the mid to high 80's with mid to high humidity so it feels much warmer (and by the time this posts, IT WILL BE WARMER) most days and I'm loving all the bright things. ALL the bright things. Especially bright things outdoors. I'm thinking I'd like to accent my front porch with one of these Down East Doormats from The Maine Float-Rope Company

They are made from float-rope, which is what lobster men have used to connect their traps together on the ocean floor. Unfortunately, this type of rope can ensnare whales, causing injury or death and they are now required to use sink-rope instead. This change would lead to hundreds of thousands of pounds of float-rope ending up in landfills without some other method of using it, which is how these doormats came to be.

They come in multitudes of colors and patterns and as they are made from rope that is designed to be on the ocean floor, they are waterproof and stand up to the elements, perfect for a hearty doormat!

The real problem is deciding which one.

Orange with Green & Yellow Stripes (muted)

Purple with Yellow & Teal Stripes (bright)

Orange with Aqua Stripes

Sea Glass (muted)

{Photos from: Maine Float-Rope Co}

Currently Coveting: Astrology Cuff and Necklace

By Janet

Although I consider myself a true Aquarius, I've never been much into star sign accessories. That is, until I discovered these birth month constellation cuffs and necklaces. Patterned after a Swiss astrology calendar from the 1900s, the accessories are handmade in Brooklyn by artist Julie Nolan.

Brass Astrology Cuff, $50

The Stars are Aligning Astrology Necklace, $45

Aren't they lovely? I think they would make a perfect gift for the brightest stars in your life.

{Photo credits: uncommongoods.com}

Fingerprint Guest Book

By Janet

I want to have another wedding (to marry the same man, of course) just so I can have a so-adorable guestbook from Bleu de Toi. The poster allows each guest to leave his or her fingerprint (and sign, if you choose). Such a sweet, frame-able keepsake. 

 

(I'd choose the bicycle!)

Where were these ideas when I got married eight years ago?

American Made: NameTrain Letter Cars

By Lisa

Our three-year-old son has finally started getting into playing with his train table set (the one my husband spent hours constructing on Christmas Eve). It is so fun to watch him push and pull the cars along and figure out how to assemble the tracks. I'm not sure how it could be cuter ... except if the cars spelled his name? Yes, that's it.

Introducing: NameTrain Letter Cars from our friends in Vermont. So fun, right? I think these would be an outstanding gift for your own child or for a friend or family member. The price is good and the quality is excellent. Also, they are compatible with Thomas and Brio train sets! So convenient. They think of everything. Chooo choooo!

{photo credit: fatbraintoys.com}