- Wonder Forest -

The Right Swim Suit For Your Body Type!

2013-05-20T19:15:00.000-04:00

Shop these suits: 1. Vix Swimwear Sierra Tri Top 2. High Tide Style One Piece 3. Mint Triangle Top and Banded Hipster 4. Beach Riot Sophie Top 5. Anna Kosturova Filigree Maillot monokini 6. Freya South Pacific Underwire Halter Top

I've been doing a lot of bathing suit browsing lately and wanted to share some tips I've picked up along the way! As a girl with some curvier hips, I always thought boyshorts were my best friend. Turns out they have been my enemy all along, and probably the reason I hadn't found a suit that I was entirely happy with! Here are some more tips to remember:

- Anything with ruffles on the top is going to make your bust look fuller
- Higher cut legs are better for slimming wider hips than boyshorts or styles that sit straight across the thighs
- Padded tops are also great for getting that extra boobage if you're lacking in that department
- Retro style high waisted bottoms help hide unwanted pooch
- String or ruffled bottoms enhance curvy hips
- Tiny prints (as opposed to large prints) make you look smaller

What body type do you have and what do you find works best for it?

p.s. BlogGo is only .99 cents today only!!! If you're a Blogger user, get it here!

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Comments

I find when you're a bustier gal, your best be... by Nikkiana http://www.blogger.com/profile/08769877554857471397
Wow I love your blog! Great post! Maybe we can fol... by Alexa Carey http://www.blogger.com/profile/04286784113056503696
really good and helpful post! thank you so much fo... by Anne Knopp http://www.blogger.com/profile/10849740978086692729
You need a top with a bigger, more supportive band... by dana @ wonder forest http://www.blogger.com/profile/16765434513591686519
Here's my issue: I'm very much so 'to... by Katy McKinley http://www.blogger.com/profile/09567844166229871859
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Weekend Updates

2013-05-18T10:24:00.000-04:00

Happy long weekend, Canada! This is when our town starts to get busy and pretty insane... but it's also when the garage sales begin, so I guess I can't complain. This post is basically a random collection of updates and stuff I've been working on. I like to log this stuff for my own personal reflection, and also to just let you know what's new in case you want to check anything out!

1. I added a new Blogger template to the design shop yesterday. I hope you like this one! I know I do. I wanted to keep it simple but also throw in a bit of character. You can check it out and download it here.

2. The brand new BlogGo update is out! I added in some new features so go to your update screen to grab it. They are the result of tiresome and frustrating days spent on my Mac, but also a huge learning experience for me. I did all of these ones without any help from my developer friend, so it's an accomplishment too, in a way. I also moved it from the Social Networking category to Productivity because I was curious to see how it will do in there. That also means my previous rankings are scrapped, so if you'd like to help get it ranked again please share it with your friends! Don't forget to leave a review for this new version again if you like it!

3. I also wasn't going to mention this until later, but I am too excited to hold it in anymore. Since I've been on this extended "work break", I've actually been working on a brand new app that everybody can use... Something fun and not just for Blogger users! Without giving too much away, I've been sort of combining stuff from my design shop, Envye, into a photography type app. I'm trying to bring my Photoshop actions to life along with a bunch of other cool features. It's gonna take a little while to finish up but when it's done I will let you know of course.

4. Envye is also going to be welcoming some talented designers to the team so stay tuned for that!

5. ^ THIS IS HAPPENING. Finally! We are building a fence with our neighbors. That is one of them in the pic, and let me tell you... he is a machine! He's out there right now cutting wood by himself. I keep telling him to wait until D gets home from work so they can do stuff together, but nope, he wants to do it all! Fine by me! (I think he's a bit of a control freak)

6. Garage sale time! Have a great weekend, friends! How do you normally spend long weekends??

(google reader is going away. follow me on bloglovin' to stay updated!)

Comments

Cute blog design and the app sounds exciting! &l... by jenniferpleung http://jenniferpleung.wordpress.com/
Great post :) Love the app xxx http://jeminixlife... by Jemma x http://www.blogger.com/profile/05232155737520099120
LOVE the template, you're so talented :) ♥ ha... by Hannah Therese http://www.blogger.com/profile/15355588773306944375
Congrats on the fence! I've enjoyed looking t... by Donna B http://www.blogger.com/profile/04342476338036422353
I love the simplicity of the design! Defiantly me!... by emma christine http://www.blogger.com/profile/02811860600309531340
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Blog My Life.

2013-05-16T11:12:00.000-04:00

If you've been anywhere near YouTube lately, I'm sure you've seen a million "Draw My Life" videos. I love watching them and had thought about doing my own, but I'm not really a YouTuber so I decided to do a written version... blogging style. I'd love to hear your own life stories too, so if you want to take this blogging prompt and go with it, feel free to link up your own post below!

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

I was born in the city and my family moved us to the country when I was two years old. I lived in that same house until I was able to move out on my own.

My brother is three years, three months, and three days older than me, and growing up we were never really that close, but I looked up to him and thought he was the coolest person. In our early years, both of my parents worked so we were babysat over at my neighbor's house. She was a mean woman and thinking back on it I don't know why we didn't tell our parents about how cruel she was. I distinctly remember one time when she brought all of the kids over to our house to use the above ground pool in our backyard. We were running around the edges making a whirlpool and she was standing on the outside. As I ran past her, she grabbed my head and dunked me under the water... holding me there. She knew that I always refused to stick my head under so I think she did this to humor herself. One day, my brother and I were outside waiting for our parents to arrive home and he told me that he found some coins and that we should bury them in our garden so that when we break out of the babysitter's we will have some money. So we did, and they're probably still there.

A few years later, my mom left her job and decided to start her own home babysitting business. My mom was always involved in helping out at the school I went to and was basically just known as being a nice person. In fact, I cannot ever recall her getting angry or swearing or anything like that when we were kids. I've never heard my mom swear, ever! My dad was the manager of a metal plant and we used to build things together. Barbie houses, cat houses, wood crafts. I used to think he was the best!

I went to a public school that was just up the street, so was lucky enough to never have to catch a bus and usually rode my bike with friends. Since our town was so small, my class grew up together. The exact same people beside me in the same classes in every grade for my entire kindergarten through grade 8 life. I enjoyed school, but I also was mysteriously sick all the time. I remember moments before my mom sent me off to school where I would just stand there and think to myself "I can't go to school today I feel sick." so would tell my mom, and actually physically make myself sick. Now I realize that this was the earliest days of my anxiety and I wish that somebody would have noticed it earlier. I had 65 sick days one year, and thankfully my grades were always good and I was always able to keep up with the work because otherwise I'm sure they would have failed me. My mom spent countless days taking me to the doctors trying to figure out what was wrong with me, and there were never any answers, and there wouldn't be because I now realize it was all in my head.

Around grade four, my life started to change. My dad was an alcoholic and it was the first time I began to realize what that actually meant. I discovered that he had this secret life where a bottle was more important than his family and wasn't the awesome person I thought he was. I realized that my mom wasn't happy. The school had me see a therapist every Tuesday, and we just talked about life and stuff, and him. My classmates didn't understand why I had to leave the room every week and I never told them.

About a year later, I got really into drawing and writing. I was always drawing, but this is when I actually decided that I wanted to get better and had my mom sign me up for these cartooning classes for kids. My teacher's name was Gary and he used to play the voice of a rat character in the Muppets. He was amazing and I was so inspired by him and his attitude. The classes were held in the back of his art supply store and those were probably some of the best times of my childhood.

Soon after, I wrote a book called The Dust Bunnies and created all of the artwork for it and everything. It was about a fluff of dust (with bunny ears) that ran away from home and had a great adventure along the way. There was a life lesson in it and everything! My principal got a hold of it from my teacher and called me into his office. I thought I was in trouble when he asked me "Did you write this?" I nodded. He then proceeded to tell me that I should get it published. I didn't get it published, but it was the encouragement I needed to continue writing. I wrote and wrote and wrote.. Poems, stories, even attempts at novels.

In high school, it was hard for me to make friends with people at first. I think that having been split up from that one group of kids that I shared classes with every day and thrown into this sea of 2500 other people was overwhelming to say the least. There was one girl who I had met at an orientation and we totally hit it off because we were huge fans of the same band. We became instant friends. I had made it into the school's art program after auditioning (you had to audition in my school... it was a special school for the arts) and she was in my class! I met another group of awesome friends who lived in my area and we had some of the best times together. We spent what seemed like every moment hanging out at each others houses and just being crazy teenagers. I still miss those days. They were carefree and full of laughs. I even experienced my first kiss (it was gross by the way... saliva all over the place! I laugh every time I think about it), and first high school boyfriend, which I think only lasted 2 weeks.

The next year, everything changed. I felt like that tight group of friends abandoned me and went their separate ways. I became closer with that girl I mentioned and we started going to concerts together. We met two new guys in our school who were a year older and dated them. This was my first longer-term relationship and it felt magical. We all had so much fun together. And then one day something tragic happened. We were out at the movies when my friend's mom called and said that my boyfriend's mom needed him to go home immediately. She picked us up and drove us to his house. There were cop cars and lights flashing. We were scared but she wouldn't tell us what was going on. After we let him out of the car she turned around and told us that his dad has just killed himself. He shot himself in their shed. After that things weren't the same. I tried to help him out the best I could, and even got the school to let him stay after they told him he could no longer attend there (I think because he was missing classes or something and like I said before, you have to audition to get into the special programs and when not pulling your weight you can be dropped). We were okay for a while, but then things came to an end.

My parents decided to separate. My dad's alcoholism had become too much for any of us to handle anymore, and his many failed attempts at rehab became frustrating. I hated him for this. He had lost his job due to his problems and it was useless trying to help him anymore. All of the stuff we dealt with over the years emotionally were because of a stupid drink. I was so happy that my mom finally put her foot down and decided that it wasn't worth her (and her kids) being miserable all the time. When he left, the house felt like a weight had been lifted. I remember my grandmother saying that we all had a different vibe about us. It was what needed to happen.

During this time is when I discovered my love for music and rockstar stalking. Going to events and concerts with my art school friend turned into a whole new life outside of class. We skipped school some days for shows, stayed in hotels, camped out at venues, and just had an all around crazy time while chasing band boys. I met some of my best friends during these years, all of which to this day I still talk to, as well as my best best friend who was almost like my sister. I stopped hanging out with the arty girl eventually for various reasons, but when high school ended, my new groupie friends and I had just started our adventures. We snuck into shows, had hotel parties, drove far and wide for events, we became friends with some of our favourite musicians, we experienced things that only us would understand and remember for a lifetime.

I went to visit my dad for the first time at his newer place with my brother. It was probably one of the worst memories of my life because he said hello to my brother, and then asked who I was. He didn't even know who I was! I felt so small and angry. By this time, the alcohol had pretty much taken over his mind. Like, seriously ate away his mind. He had hallucinations and would call our house all the time saying the weirdest stuff. He truly believed that I lived with him (only I think I was a younger version of myself, and apparently was 2 inches tall and lived in a potato chip bag) and he would ask my mom time and time again to come and pick me up because I wouldn't leave. I honestly don't even know how he managed to live on his own for so long. If there is anybody who has seen the full extent of what alcohol can really do to somebody, it's this girl! I realized at that moment in his apartment that my relationship with him was over. That was the last time I saw my dad.

I met my new boyfriend and was head over heels for him. I got my dog, Bear, and then I decided around that same time to get my own place in Toronto and leave the nest. I was terrified and excited. I couldn't wait to have a place to call my own but I had never lived anywhere else before, and I had no idea what I was in for. My new apartment was a couple blocks away from my boyfriend, so I'm pretty sure I was most excited about that. Moving day came and went, and that night I felt like I was living that Taylor Swift song Never Grow Up. I laid in my bed all alone and wondered if I had done the right thing. It felt so weird. I was no longer down the hall from my mom and I was in the middle of a random city. And all of my stuff was there. There was no going back, and I freaked out a little bit. It didn't take long to get comfortable with my new space though and soon I was fine with being on my own. Although, every weekend I visited my mom she would cry when I left!

Around this time in Toronto my anxiety started to come back. I didn't want to go out anywhere besides my boyfriend's place. I would never admit this and was always quick to make an excuse about why I didn't want to go out. Everyone was oblivious, and I was great at hiding it. About a year and a half later, he randomly broke up with me. I was crushed. The worst part was that he didn't even have a reason. He just kept saying that he just didn't want to be in a relationship, and I didn't understand because we were supposed to be in love. We did love each other, which is why it was so strange. Or at least we thought we did. There were no signs at all. It took a long time for me to get over that. The worst part was meeting up with him a month later to and having him tell me that he was dating somebody else. Burn.

I became isolated. I turned myself off from friends and even my best friend in the entire world, who had been by my side since our band loving days. I made the decision to move out of the apartment and buy a condo in another part of town. I thought it would be a good investment and would have rather paid a mortgage than rent. My realtor and I found a place on the first floor of a nice building. I signed the papers and it was mine! I lived there for about 2 years I think. Had another relationship, and ended it when Dustin came along. You can read that story on my about page.

When Dustin moved in it was life changing. I'd always been on my own and didn't really know how to have a room mate. Thankfully we made it work. Since he was American, we struggled with immigration documents and getting him legalized so he could actually work here and stay for good. That part of our relationship was stressful, and took about 2-3 years just to get his permanent paperwork. After a year or so of living together I decided that I wanted out of the city. I couldn't stand it anymore and wanted to be back in the country. I found a new development that they were building by the beach and bought a house. We are going on three years living here now. My mom still lives in the house I grew up in, my brother and his wife had a baby, and my dad is now in a care facility somewhere. I've recently reconnected with that old best friend again and am pretty happy right where I am.

So there is my life story, in a nutshell. There is obviously so much more to it but I did the best I could of condensing it into one blog post!

Note: I didn't talk about my business endeavors in this post because I already covered all of that here, in my Building a Business series.

I'd love to hear your story too! Add a link to your post below. You don't have to link back to Wonder Forest, but I would love it if you did :)

(google reader is going away. follow me on bloglovin' to stay updated!)

Comments

I think that this is a brilliant concept and I'... by Jen Blackman http://www.blogger.com/profile/07810635487723071132
Thanks for sharing your story. It's always so ... by Jenn Staz http://www.blogger.com/profile/05752221330686651420
Such an amazing post :) xxx http://jeminixlife.bl... by Jemma x http://www.blogger.com/profile/05232155737520099120
Wow, this was amazing- so genuine and heartfelt. T... by Alexandra Marie http://www.blogger.com/profile/05371986824675482824
Hi! You've got a great blog here and I'm y... by Tanya Soyer http://www.blogger.com/profile/05578154650294728097
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Boho Braided Bangs // Festival Style with LuLu*s

2013-05-15T10:09:00.000-04:00

Billabong Earth Dancin' Bell Sleeve Top c/o LuLu*s

Solar Flare Gold Necklace c/o LuLu*s

Peak Me Up Gold and Mint Bangle Set c/o LuLu*s

Sandals + Belt: Urban Outfitters

Happy hump day, forest friends! I've teamed up with LuLu*s again today for our Festival Style series! This top I'm wearing is actually a shirt but I like it as a little dress too! It looks equally cute with a pair of jeans! I've been doing my hair this way lately and thought it was perfect for this look.

Braiding your bangs (or "front pieces" if you don't have actual chopped bangs) is a quick way to get all of that hair out of your face. I'm sure you ladies can appreciate this when it's a hundred degrees outside! I was going to take photos of the process, but I think it's pretty self explanatory:

HOW TO: Grab a small section of your hair from one side just above your ear. Working up towards your forehead, start french braiding (aka grabbing additional pieces of hair as you go) and end at your other ear. Secure with a clear elastic and pin in place. I like to loosen mine up a little by gently wiggling the braid and finishing with hair spray.

You can leave it as is, try a top knot, a low knot, or a ponytail like me! This style is extremely versatile which is why I love it! How do you do your on hot summer days?

LuLu*s is also giving one lucky Wonder Forest reader a $100 gift card! Enter below to win:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(google reader is going away. follow me on bloglovin' to stay updated!)

Comments

hope I win :) izabellamosqueda[at]hotmail[dot]com by Bella Mosqueda http://www.blogger.com/profile/00156499454830618593
what an amazing outfit x by caroline http://www.blogger.com/profile/09251061608559607431
you look wonderful :) love your hair style! by Karolina Wajs http://www.blogger.com/profile/13352539168779995854
Adorable hair and amazing outfit!! by Megan G. http://www.blogger.com/profile/12251760723158405216
Love, love, love the whole outfit!! by Lynda Del. http://www.blogger.com/profile/12794656773861478211
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Let's Go Geo!

2013-05-13T16:24:00.002-04:00

Get them: 1. Jonathan Adler iPad Case, 2. Modcloth Chevron a Whim Dress, 3. Modcloth Peak Time Watch, 4. River Island Aztec Print Bag, 5. Canyon Feel The Love Sandals, 6. Neon Geo Acrylic Necklace, 7. TEEPEE2 Aztec Hi-Tops

I'm pretty sure Mother Nature was pissed that nobody remembered her on Mother's Day yesterday, because she sent us a lovely and ever-so-thoughtful gift of snow. SNOW!!! Last week I was sitting outside in eighty degree weather and this weekend she dropped it to two degrees combined with a snow blizzard. What gives? (Canadian problems.)

I figured I needed something to pull me back into the summer spirit, so online browsing I did go! How cheery are these bright and geometric finds? Do you "colourize" your wardrobe in the summer or stick to plain neutrals?

(google reader is going away. follow me on bloglovin' to stay updated!)

Comments

Great finds! Love the dress! by Savage Seeds http://www.blogger.com/profile/09028260680499245370
Love the dress and the bag :) xxx http://jeminixl... by Jemma x http://www.blogger.com/profile/05232155737520099120
Loving that dress. it was pretty warm here.thanks ... by Linda Matthews http://www.blogger.com/profile/00923748918495585384
That Jonathon Adler pattern is just awesome! He al... by Richelle Lynn Garn http://www.blogger.com/profile/13998520250202362028
I love to add a bit of colour in the summer, in fa... by ashleighsteaparty http://ashleighsteaparty.wordpress.com/
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My $50 Bathroom Makeover // How To Redo a Room... Cheap!

2013-05-10T14:46:00.001-04:00

Welcome to my latest home project! I recently gave our guest bathroom a makeover because it was really getting on my nerves! It had plain off-white walls, a bright green rug and toilet seat cover, mismatched artwork, and a childish owl curtain. It was basically the room in the house that got no love and I desperately wanted to change that... only I really didn't want to spend a ton of money. Here is the outcome and my money saving attempts!!

paint swatch I wanted originally, and what I ended up with on the wall!

My first big save that started it all was the paint. I knew I wanted to paint the room this colour, and it just so happened that while at my local home improvement store I lucked out big time. In case you didn't know this, you can go to the paint area and they will usually have cans of "error" paints. Paints that were mixed incorrectly or the wrong shade. They price them to sell so you can really score some good paint deals this way. They just so happened to have a colour extremely similar to what I wanted, so I picked that up for just $15 (normally would have been about $38).

I'm sure you all know those lovely waterfall ruffle shower curtains currently selling in Anthro and Urban Outfitters quite well. I have always loved them, but have always hated the price tag. They retail for $80+, and honestly I just don't think they're worth that much. I considered making some myself since it would be super easy to do, but after I found these ones on Amazon (for just $24!) I figured the cost of fabric would probably be about the same anyways, and I wouldn't have to do any work. I also grabbed that brown and white window curtain from Urban Outfitters on sale for $9.

Towels are always an easy update. You could spend $4 per towel at your local home store, or you could head on up to the dollar store and stock up! The brown ones came in packs of two. They aren't as great of quality as the white ones that sold separately (which I'd totally compare to those $4 ones in stores), but they work for colour. Total cost: $4.

This chandelier was in the entrance of my old condo. Since we moved here, it had just been sitting in the basement, waiting for a new home. Dustin and I installed it and I think it works perfectly with the space. Total cost: nothing!

A room isn't complete without artwork! Remember these DIY Book Printed pieces I shared with you a few weeks ago? They've found a permanent home in the guest bathroom.

All of the other little things found in here I simply moved from other areas of my house. For example, the laundry room had a white mat, so I moved it into the bathroom. You can pretty much decorate a new room by just moving things around your house!!!

And just in case you wanted to see the ugly "before" (sans colourful towels and hideous mat):

I'd say it's quite the difference! And now a room that I enjoy passing by. What's the cheapest amount you've ever spent on a room makeover?

(google reader is going away. follow me on bloglovin' to stay updated!)

Comments

LOVE the new style!!! I might try accessorising my... by Iona http://www.blogger.com/profile/15852820428899925994
Beautiful! And that chandelier is sooo pretty. I w... by Linda Matthews http://www.blogger.com/profile/00923748918495585384
look great! I love how much paint can make a diffe... by Elizabeth Mayberry http://www.blogger.com/profile/09314375053949246450
such a great and quick redo! grace http://herumbr... by Grace Lynne Fleming http://www.blogger.com/profile/18363842839944440754
looks great! <a href="http://dreamingisbelievingr... by Niki http://www.blogger.com/profile/08945187715877093134
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Dip Dye Ombre Tank Tutorial : Festival Style with LuLu*s

2013-05-08T08:00:00.000-04:00

Last week I mentioned my collaboration with LuLu*s and showed you how to make a fun feather crown for this festival style series. This week I had the task of creating a piece to wear with these Southwest Print Jeans (which, by the way, I am obsessed with!), and immediately remembered a fabric dye I had stored away that would match them perfectly. In case you haven't guessed yet from the photo below, I'm showing you how to make your own dip dye ombre tank! I hope you like the photos and tutorial at the end!

Like this? Share it!

Tank: DIY

Jeans: Southwest Print Jeans c/o LuLu*s
Bag: Roxy Aquarius Cream Macrame Fringe Bag c/o LuLu*s

Shoes: Blowfish

How to make a dip dye ombre tank

You will need:
- A plain cotton tank or tshirt (polyester or other materials don't work as well)
- Fabric dye. Try RIT powdered dye.
- A stick or poking utencil
- A bowl large enough for your shirt

1. Start by mixing up your dye. Follow the instructions as per the label on the box. Mine required hot water.

2. WET your tank beforehand. It helps the dye grab on better. It doesn't have to be dripping wet, just damp. Then, stick it quickly into the dye, poking it down with the stick.

3. Lift the shirt out of the dye a few inches and let it sit some more. The longer you let your tank sit, the darker the colour will be... so you're basically gradually creating a gradient as you move your shirt out bit by bit.

4. Continue doing this until you are happy with the outcome! Then take it out of the bowl, rinse in cold water until the water runs clear, and let dry. How easy was that?!

After you do this, you'll find yourself wanting to dye everything in sight. Trust me... I have ombre coloured paper towels and socks sitting in my kitchen right now!!! What other things would you dip dye?

LuLu*s is also giving one lucky Wonder Forest reader a $100 gift card! Enter below to win:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

(google reader is going away. follow me on bloglovin' to stay updated!)

Comments

this is awesome! I like the idea of ombre clothes ... by Linda Matthews http://www.blogger.com/profile/00923748918495585384
Did you dye your hair??? If you did, it looks amaz... by Jessica Raquel http://www.blogger.com/profile/06809216588937666034
I am in love with your blog! Found you via craftga... by Jennah http://www.blogger.com/profile/17171611217827409943
You look amazing(as per usual)!!<3 Follow me a... by Salihah M http://www.blogger.com/profile/02117509104755862628
It turned out so nice! Such a great DIY tutorial D... by Kathryn Sarah http://www.blogger.com/profile/06306614460969334558
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Smokey Eye Summer Moss Makeup Tutorial

2013-05-06T12:15:00.000-04:00

A lot of times girls are afraid to try wearing bolder or brighter colours on their eyes for fear of looking too wild, but here is a look that is great for trying out those brights, while not going overboard. The trick is to combine your bright shades with a neutral, warmer colour, like brown. This way, you still get that pop of colour but it doesn't look too 'over the top'. With vibrant colours popping up all over the place this season, now is the perfect time to stray from your comfort zone a little bit and give this a try! Green tends to work well on any eye colour which is why it's one of my favs! Here is how to get this look:

1.Brush medium brown shade onto outer half of lid and into crease. Continue onto bottom outer half as well.
2. Using a green shade, brush onto middle of lid and extend to inner corner
3. Continue the same green shade under eye, half way
4. Darken outer corners and under eye with a deeper brown (on top of medium brown)
5. Line upper lids
6. Line waterline with white or nude eyeliner and finish with mascara!

I used the 88 Palette for the blueish green, and my Lorac palette for the browns.

Get this look:

Hope you liked this one!

View more makeup tutorials!

Share the love:

Comments

hahaha! I curl them, put on Lancome CILS booster (... by dana @ wonder forest http://www.blogger.com/profile/16765434513591686519
What I want to know is how you get your eyelashes ... by Julie Ann http://www.blogger.com/profile/00713796236156427406
This rules!! Sometimes I get stuck trying to find ... by Amie http://www.blogger.com/profile/09820317334123270467
I love your blog! Nice post :) please check out ... by Katrine Korning http://www.blogger.com/profile/13240571101069791022
So pretty :) xxx http://jeminixlife.blogspot.com by Jemma x http://www.blogger.com/profile/05232155737520099120
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Lately...

2013-05-03T16:03:00.000-04:00

Happy Friday my little forest friends! I hope you all had a fabulous week and have an amazing weekend (hopefully in the sun!). It's been GORGeous here lately and I've been quietly enjoying afternoons outside in summer clothes... at LAST! I think we skipped spring and went straight to summer which is fine by me, especially after this super long winter. This break from design work that I've been on has been so refreshing and I highly recommend you take a break too if you need one and can manage it ;). I've been promoting the app every chance I get and dedicating much needed time to my own projects for once. (I redesigned the website thanks to your photo suggestions too, so let me know what you think!) I feel GREAT! Here's a look into my life via Instagram lately...

lace nail stickers // two fav colours for spring/summer

made the best peanut butter cookies ever // another fav colour for summer

sushi finally!! // wise words from a fortune cookie

little worm. his fav way to lay // pulled a neck muscle badly. made a quick heating pad!

Follow me on Instagram!

Side note on the sushi: I used to live right beside a sushi place when I had my condo in Toronto. I literally walked 30 steps to the tiny place to pick up my food. Which meant I ate it pretty much every day. I have to say it's the thing I miss the most of all... and I miss it a lot! This town has no sushi place and I have no idea why. Thankfully, I just discovered a restaurant right next to where Dustin works in a different town and have been in sushi bliss lately. I don't know why I thought that was news worthy, but it's Friday so whatever!

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Comments

The nail stickers were from Forever 21! by dana @ wonder forest http://www.blogger.com/profile/16765434513591686519
Great photos :) xxx http://jeminixlife.blogspot.c... by Jemma x http://www.blogger.com/profile/05232155737520099120
loving all the nail shots x by kirstyb http://www.blogger.com/profile/10588508304788464579
I adore your blog! And I'm craving sushi now!!... by Caitie S http://www.blogger.com/profile/11513621383938234766
What nail stickers are they, they are gorgeous. I ... by Lois Kelman http://www.blogger.com/profile/14738552199813056617
Plus 20 more...

Rock a Feather Crown (DIY Tutorial): Festival Style with LuLu*s

2013-05-01T10:22:00.000-04:00

For the month of May, I've teamed up with the amazing girls over at LuLu*s for a special festival style series! I'll be creating some of my favourite festival looks from hand-picked pieces and also throwing in a fun and easy DIY project with each one! When we were in talks about what to do, I knew instantly that I wanted to do something festival themed as a homage to my rockstar loving past, and simply because festival style is so fun and carefree... right up my alley! I hope you enjoy this first outfit and project and are as excited for this month as I am! There is also a special treat for you at the bottom of this post!

How to make a feather headpiece:

1. Cut strips of fabric or lace about 1 inch or thinner in width and about 30 inches long. I chose to cut up an old brown t-shirt (pull on the strips to make them roll up and stretch), an old vintage multicoloured upholstery fabric, and a nice white lace. I used four strips and combines one brown strip with the white lace.

2. Starting at about 8-10 inches down, braid your strips together! You'll want to leave those loose ends long so you can tie it together when you're done.

3. When you reach the end, wrap one of your strips around the ends and hot glue it in place. Do this to both ends.

4. This is what it should look like after wrapping and gluing a strip around the loose ends.

5. Start hot gluing your feathers onto the back of your braid! Start with the shortest feathers and then add the taller ones on top.

6. Add a piece of fabric or felt to the backing of the feathers to finish it off. Hot glue it on. Now you're ready to tie it around your head and rock it!

Dress: Volcom Wandering Eyes Light Blue Belted Dress
Boots: Steve Madden Troopa Blue Leather Combat Boots
Bracelets: Peek Me Up Gold and Mint Bangle Set
c/o LuLu*s

LuLu*s is also giving one lucky Wonder Forest reader a $100 gift card! Enter below to win:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Comments

This is amazing! I have wanted to make something l... by Laura http://www.blogger.com/profile/17330955717631680475
Love this! Thanks for the giveaway! xo-Kimberly by Kimberly http://www.blogger.com/profile/11410778061052388204
I LOVE lulus! They are the best, seriously :) by dana @ wonder forest http://www.blogger.com/profile/16765434513591686519
SUPER simple! ;) give it a try! by dana @ wonder forest http://www.blogger.com/profile/16765434513591686519
glad you like it! xo by dana @ wonder forest http://www.blogger.com/profile/16765434513591686519
Plus 11 more...

Chalkboard Paint Tutorial... How to Make Your Own!

2013-04-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

I've been meaning to try this DIY project for quite a while but had never got around to it, and didn't realize just how easy it is to do! Instead of buying your own chalkboard paint, why not make your own for a fraction of the cost?

All you need is a surface to paint (I just used a piece of wood I had laying around, but would recommend something with a smooth surface if you don't want the grain to show), ANY colour latex paint, and some unsanded grout. Luckily, I had some grout set aside from a tiling project I recently completed which made this super quick and saved me a trip to the store.

Then all you need to do is mix 8 parts paint to 1 part grout. Mix, mix, mix! Get rid of all of those tiny chunks from the grout. Then get painting! Use a brush or a roller and do as many coats as you need to cover the surface.

When your surface is dry, I recommend covering the whole thing in chalk and then wiping it off to "prep" it for use and give it that old chalkboard feel. You can save the leftover paint in a container for later use if you want to!

The fun part comes next... deciding what to write/draw on your chalkboard. I copied this text from darkgravity on instagram, who is an awesome hand lettering/calligraphy dude. My version isn't half as good as his but for demo purposes it will do! How about creating a grocery list for the kitchen, or a to-do list or calendar for your office?

How easy was that? You can make any colour you want with this recipe, which makes it super functional and unique for any room of your house.

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Comments

if you really knew me

2013-04-25T06:00:00.000-04:00

If you really knew me, you'd know that I have a boy-ish gross sense of humor. I am by no means a clean speaker and have quite a potty mouth. I would also probably never say "potty mouth" in a real life conversation.

I hate the telephone. I hate when it rings and I hate feeling like I have to talk to the person on the other end, especially if I am busy. I ignore 90% of the phone calls I get. It would be so much easier to just send me an email or a text so I can reply at my leisure.

You'd know that I don't like making plans or RSVPing to anything because I worry about how I will feel on the actual day and I don't like letting people down by bailing at the last minute.

If you really knew me in real life, you'd know I probably wouldn't want you to read my blog. I feel shy and insecure when family/friends read my posts because it's like they've discovered my "blogging side". I am very choosy with who I keep close to me in real life, so I can't help but feel a little strange when people I know read my ramblings and look at my pictures, or worse, bring up certain posts for discussion. I don't know why this bothers me so much but it does.

You'd know that I would never be caught dead on a cruise ship. A floating hotel in the middle of the ocean with no escape route but the water and sharks? NO THANKS!

If you really knew me you'd also know that I am a terrible swimmer. I enjoy the water and floating around in it, but for my entire life I have refused to jump into a pool or lake and submerge my head under water. Why? Because I've nearly drown to death about five times. All of which were at the fault of somebody or something else. I'm convinced that death awaits me deep in a lake somewhere.

You'd know that I never smile with my teeth in photographs. I hate my teeth so much and have been trying to get some dental work redone for years. I was born without enamel on them which later led to tons of other issues (which are kind of gross to get into), specialty dentists, and veneers (that I need to get redone). Then came my wisdom teeth which messed everything up even more, a crooked jaw, crooked teeth, TMJ... basically my mouth hates me and I should probably just get dentures.

You'd know that I really do struggle with really bad anxiety issues and I'd never make this stuff up or wish it upon anyone. (contrary to what some people think...) You'd see how long it takes me to prepare to go somewhere. You'd see me grab hold of my upset stomach with my sweaty palms and sit in deep thought while I contemplate whether or not I should actually go somewhere. You might even be the recipient of a phone call saying that I couldn't make it today. You'd see me practicing deep breathing and you'd see D do this funny dance he does to try to get me to laugh and snap out of it. You'd also see me proud and beaming when I force myself to drive somewhere and come home alive.

You'd hear me talk to my animals in my animal voice. It sounds sort of like an old lady with an underbite.

If you really knew me way back in the day, you'd know I was incredibly skinny and would constantly be called "anorexic" even though I ate like a normal human being. I would eat and eat and never gain a thing. I was embarrassed about my long and super grossly skinny bone legs and knobby knees, and never EVER wore shorts, skirts, or dresses. Pants in the summertime... all the time. I dressed like a tomboy in baggy skater clothes to cover up my skinniness. I call those my awkward years. Thankfully I grew into a woman and now I quite like my legs.

You'd see that in the summertime I get freckles all over my face and the tops of my shoulders from the sun. I hate the face ones, but luckily they fade quickly.

If you really knew me and we were friends, you'd know that I'm not a very serious person. I joke a lot and goof around like a 15 year old. Sometimes it makes me sad that the online world doesn't get to see that side of me.

Tell me something about you...

Comments

In the first part I felt like I was reading my own... by Miranda's Spring Fling http://www.blogger.com/profile/04054293730144015389
thank you for the inspiration in the post. I just ... by Amalia Corbett http://www.blogger.com/profile/15316991978359506738
We sound very much alike, except I don't get l... by Angie http://www.blogger.com/profile/02281741312772212445
I love this post...I am the same with most of what... by shanat grant http://www.blogger.com/profile/09662300805845327418
It's a running joke my house about how much I ... by Torrie @ Fox + Hazel http://www.blogger.com/profile/10321357273024452331
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Shop my closet!

2013-04-24T10:34:00.002-04:00

Hey girls! With summer (slowly) creeping up on us here, I did another sweep of my closet and added a bunch of stuff to my closet sale site for you! There is a ton of new stuff and I have also discounted a bunch too. Be sure to visit the site for everything! (I ship worldwide and have a variety of sizes).

Also if you are participating in my design shop coupon deal, be sure to email me after you leave your rating! I've just sent out the last of the coupons so if you haven't received yours yet and have emailed me already, please send again as I didn't receive it! You can still participate in this as well! Just go here for the details.

Have a lovely hump day!

(google reader is going away. follow me on bloglovin' to stay updated!)

Comments

Layered Scallop Nail Art

2013-04-22T08:00:00.000-04:00

For this look I used all China Glaze polishes:

Blue: Sci-Fly By from the brand new Holographic collection. This collection is awesome! It includes a variety of shades that look like exactly like holographs when the light hits them.

Mint: Keep Calm Paint On from the Avant Garden collection I posted about previously.

Coral: Surreal Appeal from the from the Cirque Du Soliel collection.

To get this look:

Start by painting nails solid colour. When dry, paint on the first layer of scallops (mint), then follow with second layer (coral), leaving space between the two. Start with the longest scallop and decrease the height as you move along. Finish with a top coat and you're done! It's easier than it looks!

Hope you like this look!

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Comments

Aack! This is so cute! Must do! :) by Tagg http://www.blogger.com/profile/08864833335358318721
Hey darling) nice blog)loves it) would you like t... by Christy Sidorova http://www.blogger.com/profile/16077327451074364307
Looks gorgeous :) xxx http://jeminixlife.blogspot... by Jemma x http://www.blogger.com/profile/05232155737520099120
so pretty! by caroline http://www.blogger.com/profile/09251061608559607431
What a fantastic idea! Jillian - http://epic-thre... by Epic Thread http://www.blogger.com/profile/06126219496559356899
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New in the design shop (+ a coupon for you!)

2013-04-20T08:30:00.000-04:00

This week I've managed to get a lot of stuff done for myself, which has been pretty amazing! I recently gave my design shop an entire makeover which was on the top of my "to do" list. I had been wanting to do this for so long because the other one was basically something I put together super quickly just so people would be able to purchase stuff. So it feels good to have it done. Along with the makeover came some new things...

Clipart! I started a new clipart section which I will be filling up as the weeks pass. For now there is a small variety of graphics you can use on your blogs or projects, like this floral frame above that comes in three colours. Check all of the clipart out here.

I also added a couple new Blogger templates, so head on over there too to check them out and download one if your blog needs a makeover! Are you a fan of minimalist layouts, or layouts with more of a design?

A lot of you have been emailing me, tweeting me, and facebook commenting me asking when my custom design services will be back up and running. Currently I don't have a set date or anything because I literally just "officially" started my little break this week and still have some things I want to get done for myself. I promise I will announce when my services back up all over my social network sites, and as soon as that happens, the "custom design" link will be visible again in my design shop.

Want a little discount to my shop?

I've also been working on some BlogGo promotion stuff, as well as a whole new website. Which brings me to my final paragraph which will hopefully tie this whole post together, haha. If you download the BlogGo app (or already have it) and leave a star rating I will send you an equal value coupon to my design shop as a thank you! That means 5 stars = $5, 4 stars = $4, etc. With that you can grab some social network icons or other blog content, or put it towards anything you want (or give it to a friend)! All I need from you is your reviewer username sent via email to let me know you want your coupon and I'll send you one within 48 hours. So to break it down:

Thanks for sticking with me through an update post!

Visit my design shop for tons of goodies!

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10 Tips For Getting Started in Graphic Design

2013-04-18T12:57:00.001-04:00

photo

I get a lot of questions in my inbox asking me how to get started in the design biz, so I figured it would be easier to just write a post about it to share my tips. This will cover the basics about what you need and how to jump right in!

1. Be Creative
First of all, if you've decided that this is the path for you, I think the main thing is to have a sense of creativity. An artistic background definitely helps and also means that things will come easier to you. I'm a strong believer that this path is not for everybody. I believe that design is art and that to be successful in this industry, you need to have a sense of artistic know-how. Design is not a career path to choose if you simply want to make money and place yourself into some sort of industry. Before you can design, you need to understand design. That means everything from colour theories to styles to where you draw your inspiration from. You need to understand what goes together and what doesn't. You also need to love it. Once you've got that covered, here are a few things you'll need:

2. Get With The Program
If you're serious about this design business, you need Photoshop. Not the cheapo versions like Elements, but the real, full featured CS ones. The version you start out with is really up to you. I know some designers always want to stay on top of their game and get the latest versions, but personally I use CS3 for the majority of my stuff. I've tried every upgraded version and always ended up downgrading back to CS3. I think the whole integrated addition of Adobe Bridge really ruined the whole flow for me. Either way, they all pretty much do the same things. If you really want to go all out, grab a suite version which includes Illustrator among other things.

3. Tablet... Your New Best Friend
This is insanely helpful and I don't know how I did anything before I had a tablet. I have a Wacom Bamboo which is not the most top-of-the-line tablet, but it has treated me well and does what I need it to. Trust me on this... There will be times when you will be designing something and just wish you had a tablet to make things more free-flowing.

4. Mac vs. PC?
Along with these things you should probably invest in a decent computer and a great monitor. There is nothing worse than a super slow system (and believe me, Photoshop can eat up your resources) and a monitor that doesn't display the correct resolution or colours. It's no fun if you see your work on somebody else's screen and it just doesn't look the same as you originally meant for it to look. If Photoshop takes more than 2 minutes to open, that is probably a sign that you need a better computer. Trust me, it will only frustrate you if you don't upgrade. You'll come to a point where you will need to choose either PC or Mac. Mac, for some reason, is more common in the design field (personally I'm not a fan of Macs because they don't satisfy my techy side and I find they lean too much towards being a media computer than a technical working computer). This is totally up to you and what you are most comfortable with using. The type of computer doesn't affect your design work.

If you have a techy friend, get them to build you a computer. Usually barebones PC kits are a fraction of the cost of a manufactured system (and like WAY cheaper than a Mac) and run better without all of that pre-installed crap on them. Dustin and I always build our computers, and it's easier than you may think. Like I said, if you don't know what you're doing ask a techy friend.... a true techy friend would definitely know how to go about this and could also probably give you insight as to what you need (a great processor, space, and graphics card to name a few).

5. Stock Up on Fonts
Once you're ready to begin, it's always good to have a bunch of fonts on hand. Head on over to a site like DaFont and take your pickings! Remember to adhere to the license terms which differ per font. You can also purchase fonts from sites like MyFonts, where designers sell fonts that they've created. I've also got a few hand written ones in my design shop.

6. Learn Your Stuff
I find the best way to learn Photoshop is to just start playing around with it. Create a new document and test out all of the tools. Import a photo and try to add some effects to it. Do a search on YouTube for a tutorial and follow it. Tip: Don't be lazy! It takes time to learn Photoshop and get to the point where you don't have to follow tutorials. Be patient and keep trying. I get a lot of emails asking about certain books to read to learn design and Photoshop, and to be honest I haven't ever read one. I'm a hands on learner and found that by simply playing around with the program and reading online tutorials or watching videos is much easier for me. If you are someone who learns better by book, I will include a few highly rated books at the bottom of this post.

7. Who Do You Want To Be?
You can decide this either before you dive into the design world, or after you've familiarized yourself with the programs and found your style. You will need to decide what type of designer you want to be. Web development, animation, multimedia, print...? What appeals to you the most? Each area will have different skills you'll need to learn.

8. Get Educated
I'm a little bit on the fence about this one, because I never went to a post-secondary school for anything, so am a firm believer that if you have the drive, the ability to teach yourself, and the skills to back you up, you might not need to get a design or arts degree. However, if aren't too keen on going the DIY route, you might consider taking a course. Unfortunately, some employers are still stuck in the mindset that you need some sort of degree to qualify for an ARTS job despite your experience (some, not all), so if this worries you it is something to look into. Personally I made the decision long ago that I was going to be working for my own business anyway, so this didn't apply. A few years ago there was a company who wanted to hire me to do all of their design work, and during a telephone interview asked for my education and degrees. After telling them I had none, they gave the job to a fresh-out-of-college guy with a fancy schmancy degree, who hadn't done any work outside of school. I guess my many years of experience, hundreds of clients, successful business, and working knowledge that I used every single day didn't compare to a piece of paper in their eyes ;). Fortunately, that is not the kind of client I would want to work for anyways.

9. Find Your Style And Keep At It
As you learn you will start to develop your own style. This could be what sets you apart from other designers. Keep trying new things and building your skills. A great way to learn how to do certain things is to try to redesign other styles or graphics. Recreating other people's designs in your own way (for educational purposes only) teaches you not only how to do certain things, but to develop your own style while doing it.

10. Build a Portfolio
A great way to build a portfolio is to create graphics for make-believe brands. Come up with a business name and try to design all of the marketing material for it. A portfolio can not only show others what you're abilities are, but it also helps you to constructively criticize your own work and make things better as you progress.

This was a long list, but hopefully of use to some of you. If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment!

Want to work from home? Check out my 7 Tips for Working at Home!

Some books to check out:

A Destination Wedding??? (+ a Sweet Giveaway!)

2013-04-16T10:55:00.000-04:00

This past weekend, Dustin and I were talking about the possibility of a destination wedding. Wait, I can hear what you're thinking already... "Dana, you still don't have wedding plans?!". This is where I hide my head in shame and tell you no. We've only been engaged like, 3-4 years... that's totally normal right?! Okay, so we've been slacking. It seems like every time we try to talk about it we never come to any conclusions because of various situations. We know that we want it to be a small ceremony, but how small is what we keep getting stuck on. We're in that position where if you invite one person, you have to invite another, and if we don't invite certain people we (and they too most likely) will feel terrible. So what do we do? Elope? I can't bring myself to get married without my immediate family. It's been an ongoing, no-end-in-sight discussion for the past couple of years.

Then the topic of destination weddings came up and it appealed to us... Well, mostly him because this girl is absolutely terrified of flying. Still, it might just solve all of our issues. The people who could come could come, and the people who couldn't don't have to. We wouldn't have to worry about a ton of planning and little details.

After this realization, I started putting together a mental list of the things I would take on a romantic tropical vacation slash wedding, and that's when Sweet Relish approached me asking me to try out their site. It's basically like Pinterest, only you can actually buy the products because they're all properly sourced back to the original store website. Here is what I included in my Destination Wedding list:

First, I'd need a dress. I already purchased a dress last year but I'm not really feeling it anymore. This one from Free People is called the Castaway dress (perfect right!?) and is so gorgeous for a laid back wedding. Of course I'd have to top it with a floral crown, and bring along a tropical inspired phone case. If we chose a sunny destination, a swim suit would be a must for the other days spent on the beach!

Currently, this is looking like a pretty solid option for us. The only thing I need to do is work on my fear of flying or have somebody knock me out before stepping onto that plane.

To check out all of the sources and where to get this stuff, visit my Sweet Relish list! There are a bunch of other goodies I included on there as well that didn't fit into this post.

Keeping with this whole wedding theme, Sweet Relish wanted to give away this Kiel Mead "Forget Me Knot" ring to one Wonder Forest reader! It retails for $50 and is solid sterling silver.

To win, sign up for a Sweet Relish account and leave a comment here telling me you did so and also let me know:

where would YOU go for a destination wedding?!

this is a sponsored giveaway and post for sweet relish, however the topic, all opinions and product choices are my own.

Everything I know about blogging, I learned in Kindergarten - by The Daily Tay

2013-04-15T09:54:00.000-04:00

Happy Monday, friends! Today I have Taylor from The Daily Tay sharing some of her classic witty insight into the world of blogging. Her blog is hilarious so if you enjoy this post, head on over there for even more afterwards!

* * *

If you've ever read my blog before, you know that I'm not one to dish out advice about blogging. Let's just say it took me about three years to realize I should probably start adding photos. I didn't know I could check my "reader stats" up until about nine months ago. And I'm still trying to figure out how to take a selfie without feeling like a complete idiot... But what I do know about blogging, I didn't learn from the online world. It was simply the basics I was taught back in kindergarten.

Just be yourself.

This sounds so cliche, but I've found it to be incredibly true. It's important to find your voice in blogging, and not just try to do what everyone else is doing. Unfortunately we can't all be beautifully dressed Mormon momma bloggers. Trust me, I've tried. But I'm not Mormon, or a mother...

Share.

(But don't overshare.)

I'm a huge creep when it comes to learning about other peoples lives. I love reading personal stories about relationships, and everyday life situations. But I'm not a big fan of reading "bathroom related stories." Here's a good rule of thumb, if your "story" happened near the toilet, keep it near the toilet.

Same goes for you anything about your adorable little children, as well.

Nap time is essential.

Have you ever wrote a post when you're exhausted? It's almost painful. It's pretty much just as bad as writing a post when you've drank a little too much. Which brings me to my next point...

No drinking allowed in class.

(Although back in kindergarten this had more to do with milk, I think.)

I once wrote a post under the influence while at a bachelorette-party stripper class. I don't know why I thought it was a good idea. If I remember correctly, I was just so uncomfortable with everything about the stripper class that I decided my time would better be spent writing about how uncomfortable I was. The post turned out just like me that day, sloppy and unnecessary.

Moral of the story- put a breathalyzer on your computer.

Don't be in such a hurry.

From day one, every single teacher I've ever had always told me I finish my work way too fast. And it was true, I always wanted to be the first one done. I still do. So as you can probably imagine, this leads to one too many grammatical errors in posts. I'd like to say I've gotten better at editing, but that would just be a flat out lie. No matter how much I proofread, something wrong always sneaks in. And people are always going to judge me for it... But it's fine, I judge me for it too.

Play nice.

There's a difference between speaking your mind, and just stirring the pot. When I come across a blog I don't happen to enjoy I just move onto the next, seems a lot easier than taking the time and energy to write a nasty comment. Then again, I'm a pretty lazy commenter. So to each their own I suppose. I've just discovered life is easier with allies rather than enemies.

And most importantly, never give up.

In my opinion, the number one reason you should blog is because you enjoy it. If you're blogging for any other reason, well then I wish you the best of luck. We've all seen blogs come and go. Those of us who stick around do so because we love it. We appreciate the kudos, try to learn from the criticism, and always make sure to photograph our food before ever taking a bite.

At the end of the day, just look both ways before crossing and you'll be fine in whatever you do.

Visit The Daily Tay: Blog | Facebook | Bloglovin'

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Glamour Magazine... May 2013 Issue

2013-04-13T13:49:00.001-04:00

So, this happened!

Never in a million years would I imagine that Glamour would reach out to me to be featured in their magazine, but sometimes the most unexpected things happen! When Theodore contacted me, I had no idea what this piece was even for, when it would be out, or what content they were going to use (aside from a last minute review of the already selected photos... which, by the way, I have no idea why they chose an Instagram photo of me and that particular tutorial because it was just one I had translated) so when my friend Catherine tweeted that she saw me in the latest issue I immediately made her send me pictures!

I've already had some new fans tell me they found me through Glamour mag, so I couldn't be more thrilled! I had actually done an interview for this piece which they didn't end up using, so instead of having it go to waste, I thought I'd include it right here as a little extra!

If you want to read the unpublished interview, continue reading...

The Interview

What is your background?
I’m from a small town girl from Ontario, Canada. I grew up in the country and always had a passion for art and creative things.

How do you decide what to do in your posts?
I post whenever inspiration hits me. I try to focus on topics that make sense for my blog and readership. I admit, there are times when it’s tough to come up with a post or when I just don’t have the time to create something new. I try to stay inspired by flipping through magazines, grabbing my sketchbook and just drawing away, or trying new beauty/hair techniques.

Do you have a “day job”?
Yes of course! I’ve owned my own design company for over 8 years now. I’m pretty sure I’ve been an entrepreneur since birth, so working for myself comes pretty naturally for me. I do blog, website, and graphic design full time for the comfort of my home office... and I seriously couldn’t ask for a better job! Over the past year and a half, blogging has really changed the direction of my business. I went from working with big time musicians and businesses to creating custom designed blogs every day, for people just like me! I’ve found a new market and new success with my design business all because I decided to start a blog and share my passions (and thankfully people liked my work!).

How did you start your site?
Wonder Forest actually started as a way to showcase some of my handmade creations. After a couple of months, I realized that I wanted to share more of myself with people. I wanted to inspire and create things that others would be drawn to and even find helpful. I stopped doing those boring promotional type posts and started adding in some beauty tutorials, DIYs, outfit posts, and basically just things that I love, in hopes that others would love them too!

What was your first post?
My very first post was a super boring “welcome to my blog” type post. I’m not too proud of my first posts as they don’t really portray what my site is today! Sometimes I look back on them and roll my eyes because I really had no idea what I was doing, haha. It’s kind of like when you think back to how you were in high school and have that moment of... “oh my gosh, what was I thinking!?”

How has your site evolved?
I spent a while trying to find a specific “niche” for my blog. After a short while, it just seemed like there was too much going on and I wasn’t happy with the content. I spent some more time refining exactly what I wanted to showcase and creating posts that I would be proud of.... those posts that make people want to keep coming back and share with their friends. I learned SO much about the blogging community and even about myself, so I think that as I grew as a person, my blog evolved and grew as well. It basically went from being a mish-mash of random content to a more structured place that focuses on style, design, and life.

What will we see next?
I actually just released an app for Blogger users. It’s called BlogGo and is in the iTunes app store right now. It is an app for blogging on the go and I really think that it will benefit tons of users! Aside from that, I’ve been working on coming up with fresh blog content, more beauty and makeup tutorials in particular. So stay tuned! There is a lot of awesome stuff I am working on at the moment!

Why is beauty a big part of your blog?
I’ve been obsessed with makeup ever since I was little... rummaging through my mother’s makeup case and trying on every colour possible all at once. My grandmother used to work for Elizabeth Arden (yes, the actual Elizabeth Arden) and would always bring me lipsticks and little makeup bags full of samples. Beauty is like a different form of art that can change your whole mood! I love creating tutorials and showing people how I do certain things, and I think it has just become natural for me to post about beauty because it is such a big part of my life. Sometimes when I’m doing my makeup in the morning I’ll stop and think “this could be a great tutorial!”. It just works. If I wasn’t a designer/artist I have always said I would have been a makeup artist... so I guess if everything else falls through you’ll know where to find me ;)

Explain the businesses that have come from your blog.
Having this blog has been a HUGE inspiration for business. I didn’t expect that because of it I would be creating blog designs and other graphic content for other bloggers... but that’s just what has happened and I haven’t had a blank “to-do” list since I started! Last year I launched a design shop site (www.envye.com) , where people can buy premade blog templates, graphics, and a bunch of other things. I created that site simply because I was so busy doing custom designs and wanted my work to be easily accessible and affordable for other bloggers or shop owners. I’ve also released a blogging book called Blog Wonderful (www.blogwonderful.com), that is available in e-book format and paperback and can be found on Amazon. Blog Wonderful is basically a “Coles Notes” type book for bloggers. I spent that first year of blogging trying to grow my blog, and I actually documented what worked for me and what didn’t. All of that information is what Blog Wonderful is. I wanted to help others who may be in the same position that I was once in! Lastly, as I mentioned above, the BlogGo for Blogger app (www.bloggo.ca) is my newest venture. Without having this blog and falling in love with blogging, none of these projects would have happened, and I’m honestly not sure what I would be doing right now!

I hope you all have a great weekend!

(google reader is going away. follow me on bloglovin' to stay updated!)

that girl you don't know

2013-04-12T08:00:00.000-04:00

top: wildfox (old season)

polka dot jeans: c/o Lulu*s

boots: steve madden c/o Lulu*s

cestino tote: c/o massi

hat: romwe

Happy Friday, friends! I'm ending the week in this laid back get-up... stripes and dots! This tote is going to be perfect for the summer and I can't wait to fill it up with beach supplies! I'm trying to decide whether or not I should take these jeans in or leave them a little loose, what do you think? I love the polka dots either way!

"We see that person how we want to see them, which could be so far from reality..."

Wow what a week it has been. My emotions have been all over the place, having experienced the lowest lows and some pretty great highs, which I'll get to later. The internet can be a pretty crazy place. I'm still trying to get used to the fact that even though my online dwellings are a representation of me, in a lot of ways they are not at the same time. I think that we are so quick to define somebody we see or read about online when in actuality we haven't the slightest idea who they truly are. I don't mean that blogs and websites are like a mask we hide behind, actually they are quite the opposite. We try our best to let the real US shine through, but even then, we're not fully giving ourselves to everyone. What I mean is, we don't know about the struggles another person goes through, the things they deal with on a daily basis, or the affect some words have on them. We see that person how we want to see them, which could be so far from reality. I hope that when you read this you'll realize that maybe that one girl you think has it all together is really falling apart inside, or that another person you idolize is not any more special than you are. Maybe we would rethink our words or opinions if we took a moment to recognize this. We all have our stories, but you can't write someone else's for them.

(google reader is going away. follow me on bloglovin' to stay updated!)

7 Tips For Working at Home... And Doing it Stress Free!

2013-04-10T08:00:00.000-04:00

photo

Working from home has benefits. You can sleep in, play music as loud as you like, and work in your underwear if you wish. All of that sounds fun and dandy, but despite all of those things, you can still get tons of hardcore work done. As somebody who has been working out of my home office for 7-8 years (? I've lost count!) I thought I might be able to offer a little advice to some of you who might be considering the transition or have recently started running your own businesses.

1. Find Your Routine

This really sounds like more of a daunting task than it actually is. You are the boss, so you can make your schedule however it meshes best with your life. Instead of calling it a schedule, think of it as a routine. Once you find a routine that works for you, you'll find that you're more productive and less stressed. You don't have to be super structured about it (i.e. "I will have lunch at 1pm then be back to my desk by 2pm), just let it flow naturally. A routine that works with your life and still manages to keep you productive is key! Every day I wake up, spend about an hour being lazy in bed and checking all of my messages and social network sites, walk my dog, then mosey on over to my office. I usually begin with emails and then check my project board to see what I have to get done for the day. I spend a few hours on the computer and usually start to tackle one job. By noon, I take a break. I do a workout and do my hair/makeup. Then it's back to work. This routine sounds pretty laid back to the average person, and I guess it is, but it's what works for me and keeps me from getting too stressed out.

2. Take Breaks

People assume that when you work from home, your entire life must be work. They wonder how you ever find the time to do "normal" things... as if working from home means that you are tied to your job at the hip. In some ways, I suppose you are, but that doesn't mean you have to force yourself to sit at your desk all day long. I take breaks, and I take them often. Every couple of hours, even if it's just 5 minutes. I'm a firm believer that taking breaks helps to recharge your mind and abilities. Some of my best ideas or "a-ha!" moments have happened while taking fifteen minutes out of my day to take my dog outside.

3. End Your Day

Just because you work from home doesn't mean that you can't end your day just like everybody else in the working world. When I first started working for myself I was terrible at this. I would work past dinner, all into the wee hours of darkness. 3A.M. shut-off time was normal. I quickly realized that I would need to dedicate my time accordingly, and shut down the business at normal hours. I work from about 10-6 on weekdays and don't ever work on the weekends. A girl needs a life too!

photo

4. Tell Others Your Work Hours

This is an ongoing issue in my home business life. It's mainly about how other people make assumptions that because you work from home, you must be available 24/7. They believe that when they arrive home from work, you must still be sitting in your office because you live there. I've had clients call my home at 9-10pm to ask questions. I've had others give me a job to do on a Friday night and expect it to be done on Monday. Make them aware that you work regular business hours and direct them to your email if they need to leave you a message. Which brings me to my next tip....

5. Don't Let Technology Win!

I read an article recently about how technology has turned us into humans who want instant satisfaction. In the business world, everybody is now connected by email and cell phones... everywhere they go. If something can wait until the next work morning, let it wait. There is no reason you need to be on call 24/7 just because technology lets people contact you whenever they please. Unless it's an emergency and absolutely cannot wait, answer your emails and messages when you're back at your desk.

6. Yes, There Will Always Be Distractions

Trying to work in a distraction-free zone is a little ridiculous. There will always be distractions. In fact, it's actually been proven that a workplace environment (an office with colleagues) has more distractions than if you were to work from home. People who work from home actually get more done than somebody in a workplace. This video is one that I always think about and is worth a watch: Why work doesn't happen at work. Kind of makes you wonder why we can't ALL just do our work from home, eh? The internet is one huge distraction just waiting to tear you away from your day. The thing to try to remember is that you shouldn't get down on yourself for getting distracted now and again. It happens! Once you've had your fill of YouTube videos and Facebook, jump right back into your business. I promise you'll even feel less stressed after getting it out of your system. Just be mindful that the work is actually getting done and distractions aren't ruining your business.

7. Stay Organized

Whatever your job entails, it's super important to stay organized. Sometimes my desk ends up looking like a bomb just hit, so I'll take the extra ten minutes to clean it up and get it organized in the morning so I can work more efficiently. I also keep a big glass board on my wall (like a whiteboard, but glass) where I write down every project and their statuses. My email program has a billion folders, all organized into sections, and each client gets their own so I can save all of our correspondence in there. Even my computer has a main "design" folder, with more folders inside for every letter of the alphabet. Each letter then holds a client's own personal folder, so finding things is quick and easy! No matter how you decide to organize things, make sure you are consistent with it. Being organized one day and then not following through and staying organized will only lead to troubles down the line. Trust.

Do you have any tips for working at home? Do you ever take the day off work to do it at home?

(google reader is going away. follow me on bloglovin' to stay updated!)

How To Measure Your Bra Size Correctly... Two Ways! (Updated)

2013-04-08T10:14:00.000-04:00

Ladies! Did you know that only 20% of you are actually wearing your correct bra size? That's insane, right!? I used to help women every day find their proper bra size and let me tell you, I've had more than my share of near-spiritual moments in the fitting room with a woman after fitting her with a new bra and watching her light up with glee. I've seen it all... larger busted ladies squeezing themselves into bras that are about four sizes too small for them. Poor little delicate and petite college girls wearing them three sizes too large. It's an epidemic, I tell ya! Hopefully after I show you how to measure your own chest before you shop, we can stop this crazy statistic together.

A couple things first: I realize that there are some people who do this completely differently and will tell you that their way is right and this way is wrong. Technically, neither way is wrong as it depends on the woman. The standard sizes they normally carry in-store (La Senza, Victoria's Secret, Aerie, etc.) are based on this method I share with you below. Everybody has different body types and you can't expect something to be 100% flawless and work perfectly all the time, for every woman, in every country... HOWEVER, these methods I am going to show you in the photo below are what I used in all my years as an in-store lingerie-fitter and have successfully helped many women. I realize that some women will disagree that adding the additional inches in Step 3 is oldschool and that "modern bras don't use this sizing"... I'm here to tell you that it does work for many women from A-DD, especially those who would rather shop in local lingerie stores instead of specialty shops. I will also share the "modern" method below this which may be of greater use to fuller busted women, and those who want to try their "true" fit. Give them both a try and see what fits you best. In North America we tend to favour the band size over the cup size when it comes to bras (larger band, smaller cup), as opposed to other countries that give the cup size more importance (smaller band, larger cup). Here, a 34B would be known as a pretty common bra size, whereas in other places that use more modern and realistic sizing, you might be a 30D or something similar. Perhaps our popular stores will catch up one day, but for now many have been sticking to this older method.

Here is how to find that measurement... And be sure read my notes below as well! Keep your arms at your sides naturally while you measure. (Click image to enlarge)

The "Modern" Method

If the above method isn't working for you, you are fuller busted, or you've had trouble finding the perfect fit for your body type, this modern method may be what you need. Your band measurement would be your actual under-bust measurement (rounded to the nearest even number), and the cup size would still be the difference between this and your full-bust measurement, as shown above. With these numbers, your bra size may look a little funny (like 28H for example) but this method caters to a larger number of sizes. This is more common in other countries and how many women are finding their true bra sizes nowadays, it's just a shame that more local stores don't carry many of these sizes. You can purchase true size bras online from retailers like Bare Necessities, Bravissimo, Boux Avenue, and even ASOS.

Got all of that? Good! Once you know your size you shouldn't have to do this often! The best way to know your size for sure is of course to try on a few variations. This method is not guaranteed to work for everybody (as mentioned above) since every woman has a different body type and needs. Also remember that different brands can fit differently! European brands I find to be a bit smaller.

"The proper support is super important, especially for larger-busted women. "

Why it's important to wear the proper size bra: If you are wearing the wrong size, you could be doing a number on your body. If you get back, shoulder, or headaches this could be why. The proper support is super important, especially for larger-busted women. Your breast tissue does stretch which is not healthy as it restricts blood flow and also contributes to poor posture (not to mention saggy boobs).

Your bra should fit secure, but not too tight. When on the smallest hook size, you should only be able to pull the band out from your back about 2 fingers. The underwire should not reach as far as your armpit (or dig into it!), but rather sit nicely right at the side of your breast. The center area in between your breasts should fit snug to your chest, the back of the band should not ride up, and finally the cups should not have any open space.

You can also swap sizes if you find a bra that you really really want but your size is sold out or you are having trouble with the fitting. This can work for women who are finding the band size too tight or loose as well. All you do is step down a cup size, and up a band size (or vice versa). For example, if you are a 34C you could try a 36B. This doesn't always work, but I have had success with some brands. I see a lot of ladies who are larger than me in the ribcage area but think their band size is smaller (a 34DDD for example). Technically, they could also be a 36DD which would probably make more sense and I would recommend they try that size on instead. All you are doing is adding more width around the band size, and shrinking the cup size a bit to accommodate. I've also had a friend who was tiny and thought she was a 38A. Turns out she was actually a 36B, which again makes more sense due to her smaller ribcage. Get it?

I hope this helped some of you in your quest for the perfect bra size! Now bust out those measuring tapes and kick some lingerie ass!

PLEASE NOTE: You should always try on bras for the best and most proper fit. International readers, I know you do things differently and some of you are enraged that this type of measuring exists. I don't know what else to say besides this post probably isn't for you, and until we start carrying a wider range of true sizes (and ditch the 4 inch band size add-on) this is how our bras are commonly made for measure in most popular lingerie stores. Please also note that it is possible for woman to fit into two different equivalent sizes properly and securely. This measuring guide is for North Americans looking to purchase bras from their local lingerie stores, and yes, it works wonders for a lot of ladies.

(google reader is going away. follow me on bloglovin' to stay updated!)

Dreamy Outdoor Backyard Living Spaces and Inspiration

2013-04-04T15:14:00.002-04:00

When this time of year rolls around, I turn into an outdoor/landscaping crazy person! I can't stop looking through photos for inspiration and ideas. I firmly believe that your backyard should be an extension of your home and be a place where you can just get away from it all and relax. It drives me nuts that our own backyard is just a huge empty space, but hopefully this year that will change. I've always said that if we ever win the lottery, the first thing I would do is hire a landscaper to finish off our yard and make it perfect. Here is some of my latest backyard inspiration... I am pretty sure you will fall in love with these spaces too and be yearning for yard work!

This outdoor living area is perfection. I love the look of the wood lower floor mixed with the stone upper level. The lighting really sets the mood for a summer get together on the patio. (photo: gdalandscape.com)

This home in La Quinta, California is like something from my dreams! I've always been a huge fan of having a bonfire area in the center of a pool, with stepping stones leading to it. It's such a fun idea and I doubt it would ever get old. Can this please be my house? (photo: pekarekcrandell.com)

I'm also a huge fan of comfy seating outside. I really love this first photo because you could easily make your own seat like this out of wood pallets. Hmmm... new summer project? I can just picture myself wasting an afternoon out there, reading magazines and eating fruit. The second photo would be perfect seating for a bonfire too!! I like how it's a permanent structure made of natural stone, with colourful cushions to top it off. (photos: gmconstructioninc.com; gracedesignassociates.com)

Yes, yes, YES! This is the perfect mix of function and design and I want to skip across all of those planks right now! I absolutely love how the stones (or are they wood?) are incorporated into the surrounding deck. This whole setup makes the idea of visiting a cabin in the woods by yourself a little less scary. (photo: trestlewood.com)

Doors!!! These make such better alternatives to your standard gate. I am obsessed with the first image. That rustic castle-like feel. With a gate like that, you know that what's beyond it is bound to be magical. On the right, an old door has been put to good use in this garden entryway. Easy to do too! (photos: rosewoodcustombuilders.com; roomsnblooms.com)

Oh hello there, puppy! Isn't this backyard area just lovely?! Framed by trees, comfy seating, and a fireplace for those cooler nights! The image on the right is something that I have been thinking about doing in our backyard. A slightly raised deck to hold a table and chairs. (photos: culbertsondurstinteriors.com; tdl.com.au)

Finally, isn't this just the coolest thing ever? This living area is outside! The deck is covered by an awning and the side of the house is wall-less. Imagine just walking from your kitchen into your backyard seamlessly! (photo: dannybroearchitect.com)

What would you do to your yard if you won the lottery?

(google reader is going away. follow me on bloglovin' to stay updated!)

Friends Helping Friends. The BlogGo Referral Post!

2013-04-03T13:31:00.000-04:00

I'm warning you now, this post is a lengthy one! A few weeks ago I asked you guys (my readers!) to help a sister out and spread the word about BlogGo. In return, I promised magical, wondrous things! Like your blog featured on my blog, and a cash prize for the person who refers the most traffic to the BlogGo website. Alright, so maybe not so magical, but I do what I can with the tools I've got!

Today, after finally finishing this post, I'm announcing the winner and sharing a ton of links from very amazing girls. Be sure to visit them!

Before that, I wanted to thank you for all of your support thus far with the app. I know I've said it before, but this blogging community means a lot to me and I wouldn't have been able to share this with the world without you all! Thanks to your feedback I've been working hard (and stressing a little!) to make this better! My goal is to make this app the best it can be. That said, there is one more update coming by this weekend that fixes a glitch in the editor!

Alright, on with it! The site that referred the most traffic, according to my trusty Google Analytics, is Simply Clarke! Thank you Marquis for your post and love! Check her out below:

Read Marquis's Full BlogGo Review
"This App makes blogging on the go so easy! You can: Create new blog posts, Edit, save, schedule, and publish posts on the go..."

Her Latest Posts:
Working On My Fitness
Wildcard Wednesday #2
Compare Yourself to Others?

I have another exciting opportunity for you all coming shortly so stay tuned!

Carry on to check out the rest of the awesome bloggers...

Read Betsy's Full BlogGo Review
"I swear it is going to change my entire blogging experience. Okay, maybe I'm being a bit dramatic, but it is super duper cooleriphic and you download it ASAP!!!"

Her Latest Posts:
Instalife
A Quilted Flower Pot
Arm Swag by Ci

Read Katie's Full BlogGo Review
"If you use Blogger, you know that an app that can help you blog from anywhere is priceless."

Her Latest Posts:
Let's Get Crackin
April Showers Bring Trixiegirl...
Shop Update

Read Bettina's Full BlogGo Review
"I don't know about you, but how often are you able to actually sit down at your computer whilst your little ones are awake and actually get anything done?"

Her Latest Posts:
Easter Blues
Aussie Blogs to Love
13/52

Read Laura's Full BlogGo Review
"...when you have an awesome blog idea, with this app you don't need to worry about waiting to get home to post from your computer... "

Her Latest Posts:
Collective Haul
My First Favorites: March
My Easter Haul

Read Christina's Full BlogGo Review
"One of my favourite aspects of the app is the 'subscriptions' list which contains all of the blogs you are subscribed to in one easy-to-access list. "

Her Latest Posts:
Organic Face Oils
NOTD Essie Cascade Cool
Book Review: The Allure of Beauty

Read Teresa's Full BlogGo Review
"My last few posts have been written and published away from the computer and instead on my iPod. This is thanks to the amazing app Bloggo..."

Her Latest Posts:
Today's Nails #6
Mini New Look Haul
Today's Nails #5

Read Jessica's Full BlogGo Review
"I love this app, and for only $1.99 it was well worth it! It's incredibly easy to use, stylish and useful, this is what the blogging community has been waiting for!"

Her Latest Posts:
Sweet Dreams
Favorite Kind of February
Fire Walking for Comic Relief

Read Marzia's Full BlogGo Review
"For those who own an iPhone or an iPad show a new application which is called blogging , and allows you to post on your blog in extreme convenience and comfort."

Her Latest Posts:
Pampa Argentina Orodorienthe
Podotti Top Viso di Questo Periodo
Collanina Con Porta Delle Fate...

Read Priscilla's Full BlogGo Review
"I purchased the new app from Dana (www.thewonderforest.com) and so far I like it a lot. It's so much easier this App."

Her Latest Posts:
The World is Full of Magic
Special Friend
Manic Monday

Read Aloi's Full BlogGo Review
"If you do anything and everything from your phone -- including blogging -- you may want to check out this new app called BlogGo!"

Her Latest Posts:
Bookmark Monday
Fool For Books Giveaway
Happy Easter Egg Bookshelf

Read Ella's Full BlogGo Review
"There are a few blog editing apps out there already, but this is the only one specifically designed for blogger, meaning fewer glitches and more efficient service..."

Her Latest Posts:
Cave Girl Hair and Makeup
Messy Easter Braid
Are You Facebook Official?

Read Nicole's Full BlogGo Review
"If you are passionate about blogging and new tech goodies, please go check it out..."

Her Latest Posts:
Something A Little Sweeter
Keep It To Yourselves, Gentlemen
Motivational Monday

Read Katy's Full BlogGo Review
"It’s unbelievably well-presented and very simple to use so even the least tech savvy person could use it."

Her Latest Posts:
Eyebrow Threading
Boots Beauty Binge
March Favourites

Read Maria's Full BlogGo Review
"...if you had some quick words to share, this is a great app... I mean hey, I used it to publish this post."

Her Latest Posts:
Raspberry Vanilla Toffee Apples
MLP Loves You Giveaway
Foccacia Bread Two Ways

Read Eleanor's Full BlogGo Review
"I've been using the app for more than a week now and I'm really impressed. Yay for money well spent! You never know with apps."

Her Latest Posts:
Wanted: Watermelon Gold
A Welcome Favorite
Sewing Pattern: Flip Vest

Read Nay's Full BlogGo Review
"BlogGo is so simple to use and the amount you can do is 10x better than the original Blogger app."

Her Latest Posts:
Dealing With Dry Skin and Eczema
What I Brought Today
Scrunchie Making!

Read Gerry's Full BlogGo Review
"I can see me getting a lot of use out of this, since I always find myself with ideas for blog posts when I'm sat around traveling and usually can't do anything about it other that note it down."

Her Latest Posts:
Ten Things About Me
Easter Grazebox
Why Not Wednesday

Read Kaileigh's Full BlogGo Review
"This app allows me to post directly to my Blogger blog from my iPhone. It's available at the iTunes Store and I cannot recommend it enough."

Her Latest Posts:
Netflix Has Ruined My Life. Again.
Recently Read: DRIFT
Sweetheart Vox Box

Read Krista's Full BlogGo Review
"Love this! Worth every penny. Much easier to use than the Google provided Blogger app and much easier to look at."

Her Latest Posts:
Weekend Shenaigans
Monthly Round-Up: March
Happy Easter!

Read Sophie's Full BlogGo Review
"I love how simple the layout is and how easy it is to navigate your way around the app. Although it cost £1.99 it think it is worth every penny."

Her Latest Posts:
My Style Tag
From The Inside Out
Mother's Day FOTD

Read Nicole's Full BlogGo Review
"...the coolest part is how easily you can add the pictures (a lot of people's biggest problem with the official blogger app)... "

Her Latest Posts:
I Need Your Help!
Getting Motivated
Customer Love

Read Gia's Full BlogGo Review
"I downloaded it as soon as I can since it is a very beneficial app for a busy blogger like me! Since I'm already back to uni, I can't spend much time sitting in front of my laptop on weekdays..."

Her Latest Posts:
Bare Minerals Starter Kit Review
Don't Be An Asshole, Live and...
Sometimes You Just Gotta Stalk...

Read Laura's Full BlogGo Review
"...last week, I was in a rush, needing to do a post, and I had no computer. So I took the chance and opened up the app, and ten minutes later, I had a whole entire post..."

Her Latest Posts:
Howdy Style
Catholic to the Core // Closings
Visual Words

Read Chelsea's Full BlogGo Review
"As I am sure all of you agree, the Blogger app for iPhone/iPad sucks balls (can I say that here?), so I don't even attempt to blog via that app... "

Her Latest Posts:
Weekly Wrap-Up
Happy Easter!
Friday's Letters

Read Brittney's Full BlogGo Review
"I love all of the details that were put into this app to help it function essentially the same as Blogger itself."

Her Latest Posts:
Catching Up... Week of Photos
MIA
The Humor in Life

Read Julie's Full BlogGo Review
"In case you haven't heard, dana of wonderforest created an awesome blogging app; because ya know, the blogger one is no good...."

Her Latest Posts:
OOTD Easter 2013
Easter Bunny Hard Boiled Eggs
Blue with White Polka Dot Nails

Read Kimmi's Full BlogGo Review
"Monday's guest post here at Sugar and Dots was posted from my phone while in my car. I simply copied the HTML from my email account, pasted it into the app, and edited the post with a simple sentence."

Her Latest Posts:
Sumo Wrestler Bottle Bowling Pins
What I Whipped Up Wednesday
Yellow Heart Art Giveaway!

Read Jennifer's Full BlogGo Review
"...Because what are you doing while waiting in the doctor’s office or in your child’s carpool line? Might as well do something productive!"

Her Latest Posts:
Jennifer's Recent Pinterest Attempts
This & That
So What Wednesday

Read Karen's Full BlogGo Review
"No need to power up the ol' desktop computer... you can blog from your couch, your coffee shop, wherever you like!"

Her Latest Posts:
Tuesday Treasures
DIY Easter Egg Ladies
Tuesday Treasures

Read Beck's Full BlogGo Review
"...I'm always snapping away with my phone, wishing I could share things with you at that moment. With the BlogGo mobile app, I'm able to do this..."

Her Latest Posts:
Hooded Jacket + Brussels...
Egg or Eos
Spring Break Day

Read Lorelai's Full BlogGo Review
"The first thing I noticed was BlogGo had two extra features over Blogger -- the ability to read blogs you follow and the ability to moderate comments. Jackpot!"

Her Latest Posts:
Sewing For Victory
Impromptu Brunch
You're Invited

Read Crystal's Full BlogGo Review
"I downloaded it and immediately fell in love! Okay, so I could go on and on about why I love this app more than Ke$ha loves glitter, but www.bloggo.ca sums up everything and anything that you need to know about this awesome-tastic app."

Her Latest Posts:
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Easy DIY Art: Stencil Masking

2013-04-01T17:16:00.001-04:00

I recently showed you one of my new favourite ways to make quick and easy art using book pages and your printer, but today I have something totally different. This time it requires a little more time and some painting supplies, but the end result is a fabulous (and pretty much free!) piece of art for your home.

First, you'll need a canvas. They usually sell cheap ones at your dollar store. Canvas boards are usually cheaper than wood mounted canvases (and frameable!) so keep that in mind as well. I used a canvas board for this project.

You'll also need some acrylic paints (again, usually available at your dollar store!) and a paint brush.

Start by painting your canvas however you want. I did a sort of random ombre effect my mixing red, yellow, and white. Cover your entire canvas and be sure to get the edges too! (Pro tip: it helps to lightly sand your canvas prior to painting!)

Next you'll need a cut out of something. I chose letters, but you could do silhouette images, real leaves or flat flowers... really you could do anything you want! How about an initial, or a date? I used my Cricut to cut out these letters (you could just as easily print off something and cut it out!) and a spray adhesive to stick them temporarily to the canvas.

Once your have your image or lettering in place, grab a solid colour and paint over the entire area. I actually wanted to do this part with spray paint but didn't have any laying around. I would recommend using that for a speedier finished product!

When the paint is dry, peel off your image/letters and all will be revealed ;)

Fun, right!? Get creative and let me know what you would use or write on your canvas!

- Wonder Forest -

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Easy DIY Art: Stencil Masking