...from my family to yours! If you're stateside and celebrating Thanksgiving (or even if you're not!), I hope you have a wonderful, long weekend full of happy bellies, hearty laughs, and blissful naps!
{Photo by LK Griffin}
...from my family to yours! If you're stateside and celebrating Thanksgiving (or even if you're not!), I hope you have a wonderful, long weekend full of happy bellies, hearty laughs, and blissful naps!
{Photo by LK Griffin}
If you're looking for a last-minute, super easy DIY project to make for your guests arriving to Thanksgiving tomorrow, here are some colorful coasters we recently made for the studio. Inspired by colorful clay necklaces, they're a beverage-friendly version that can be made in no time at all.
You'll need:
-polymer clay (FIMO or Sculptey)
-rolling pin
-circle cookie cutter (we used a circle cookie cutter 3.5" in diameter)
-optional: glitter
Here's how:
1. Preheat your oven to 265 degrees. Then, use a rolling pin to flatten out the clay to your desired thickness.
2. Use the cookie cutter to cut out your circle. Then create a pattern by adding other colored clay on top and using the rolling pin to flatten the clay.
3. Place your coasters on a baking sheet and bake at 265 for 30 mins (or based on the specific clay's directions).
And there you have some simple and fun coasters to hold drinks and welcome guests on Turkey Day or any other day!
{Photos by Casey Brodley, crafts and styling by Julia Wester for Oh Joy}
Lately I've been into the idea of surprise boxes and getting something from a store or brand you love, but not knowing exactly what you'll get. In celebration of the holidays and surprising someone you care about, I've partnered with the guys at Apolis to giveaway a mystery gift box ($200 retail value) to three readers that Apolis and I will be releasing on Cyber Monday, December 1st. On the same day, I'll share my inspiration behind the mystery gift boxes during a 24-hour Apolis Instagram takeover. The package will contain a handful of one-size-fits-all items which may include some of my favorites shown above. All which make for great gifts for Him, Her, or to keep for yourself!
To enter, simply visit the Apolis website and then leave a comment here telling me your favorite item from their shop. Entries must be posted before Black Friday, November 28th, at 8 a.m. PST, and three winners will be chosen at random*
UPDATE: Congrats to Vivien J. from Dallas, TX, Kaitlyn M from Novi, MI and Lisa A. from Berlin, Germany for being our winners this time!
P.S. Apolis is offering a special 20% off discount site-wide for Oh Joy readers for the holidays. Enter code "OHJOY20" at checkout through November 30th, 2014.
*Hooray! Open to ALL readers anywhere in the world. Please do not leave your email or web address in the body of the comment, only in the allotted boxes. $200 USD approximate total value. Winners will be contacted by email once comments close, and announced at the bottom of this post soon after.
As we gear up for Thanksgiving, I've pulled out my stretchy pants to get ready for the feast ahead. Around this time, I'm constantly trying new treats to keep in mind for the upcoming gift-giving season, and I'm loving this spin on buttery, crunchy toffee by McFaddy Candy Co.
With flavors like salted toffee, strawberry kiss, green tea, and coconut, they're treats that I could imagine bringing as a hostess gift to an upcoming party or sending to that person in your life who already has everything...
{Photo by Casey Brodley and styling by Julia Wester for Oh Joy}
Time flies when you're in a newborn cloud of a half-asleep baby brain and that new baby bliss. We've had a month full of changes for our whole family. My labor and recovery was way easier this time. But, this whole two kid thing is no joke, you guys. The newborn part seems easier than before, but the whole man-on-man, no-one-gets-a-break thing is still taking some getting used to. We can already see the bond forming between our girls, and it's nice to feel like our family is finally complete.
So happy one month to our little Coco-nut! She's still smushy and makes little squeaky noises like a squirrel. Sometimes for a moment, she's so quiet that I forget I have another baby. I'm excited to watch her grow and change and see what type of person she'll become and how she'll be different from her sister. Ruby had a rough first couple weeks as a big sister, but she's getting much better lately and loves to smother Coco (maybe a little too much). In the end, we're all still figuring this whole thing out, but we're having fun in the process...
P.S. A look back at one month with Ruby!
{Photos by Casey Brodley for Oh Joy. Blanket by Roxy Marj, leggings by Thief & Bandit, onesie by Babe, pinata number by Katie K. Franklin, duvet by Suku Home and Virginia Johnson. My dress by Rachel Pally and necklace by Coral & Stone.}
I've come around to wearing brighter lip colors in the last couple years, but I tend to stick to my same berry shade. I've always wanted to try wearing red lips and since it's a classic color that looks so pretty on every skin tone and instantly perks up your face. And, with the little sleep I'm getting these days, I sure could use any perking up I can get!
To figure out what shades and items to try, I turned to my makeup guru, Danielle Walch, who does my hair and makeup for my video shoots. She's always really good at keeping me looking natural, but adding a little extra to make me feel fresh and glowy. Here are some of Danielle's tips about wearing red lips...
When choosing a red lip, there are several options, and you don't necessarily have to apply anything in full concentration to get a beautiful red effect.
1. Lip Tint—There are lots of great tints out there these days like this Fresh tinted lip balm. They're low maintenance, so you don't have to look in a mirror to put it on, and unlike lipstick, a tint will wear off evenly as the day goes on. Since tints are sheer, they pick up a bit of your natural lip shade making each tint slightly different on whomever wears it.
2. Stain Stick—If you want a little more color, lip stains have a bit more pigment, and are more like a cross between a lip tint and lipstick. Here we used Tarte's fiery stain stick which still accents the natural lip color with a bit more saturation.
3. Lip Gloss—A gloss can be on the sheer side but offers shine for a more glam effect. This Bite Candy Apple gloss, provides a great, low maintenance way to fancy it up a little.
4. Lipstick—Now if you really want a bold and true red, lipstick is the way to go. But if you're still feeling a little timid, try this technique instead. Using a very pigmented lipstick—like this Nars Annabelle shade—use a lip brush apply a very sheer amount of lipstick. Then take a cotton swab, a firm eyeshadow brush, or your finger, and carefully, smudge any sharp lines on the edges of your lips. This creates a softer and less dramatic effect, but you still get a nice pop of red.
In the end, there are no set rules for wearing a red lip. Don't be afraid to experiment and try these the baby steps to wearing red lips! I know it's made me more excited about it!
P.S. You can see more from Danielle at Inside Out Beauty and her website right here.
{Photos by Casey Brodley and makeup tips from Danielle Walch for Oh Joy. My top by Loyal Hana.}
As we head into the holiday season, Rebecca and Patrick from Thuss+Farrell are back with some cheerful holiday projects perfect for getting into the spirit. Today, they're sharing how to make this fun Holiday Countdown Garland using the Oh Joy for Target "falalalala" banner!
Similar to an advent calendar, a countdown garland is super fun for both kids and adults during the holiday season and something they look forward to everyday. Reusable for a few years, this garland reveals the letters in a fun way...day-by-day.
We've provided this PDF that you can download right here with all the materials and directions on how to make it. The Oh Joy "falalalala" banner has sold out online (still available in some stores), but you can also use this technique on any other store-bought typographic banner. Enjoy!
P.S. Paper Lantern Mobile, Striped Lanterns and Party People!
{Crafts, styling and photography by Thuss + Farrell for Oh Joy}
Sometimes you visit a shop purely with the intention of stuffing your face with chocolate. But then you end up leaving feeling inspired by the beautiful colors and patterns that cover the above mentioned chocolate, and a recent visit to Compartes Chocolate shop did just that.
I mean, just look at that packaging! Chocolatier, Jonathan Grahm, creates every single recipe and designs the crazy, gorgeous packages for each flavor. That wall is literally eye candy, and the space designed by AAmp Studio is just full of beautiful details.
Some of our favorite flavors include Donuts & Coffee, Coney Island (milk chocolate with bits of waffle cone), Cereal Bowl, Campfire (dark chocolate with graham crackers and marshmallow), and the Blonde Bombshell (white chocolate with butterscotch). Every bar is full of fun both inside and outside, and all I wanna do it give a chocolate bar to everyone I know...
Compartes Chocolate | 8428 Melrose Place | Los Angeles CA 90069 | 323.475.8986
{Photos by Casey Brodley, styling of last two photos by Julia Wester for Oh Joy}
Lately, I've been...
...navigating the waters of having two kids, and trying to divide myself while also trying to multiple myself. I am happy, but oh-so-tired.
...going back to the office a bit and figuring out my own version of maternity leave (more on that soon). I've realized I can't feel guilty for working more than people think I should or not working as much as I think I should and to just to do what makes sense for me.
...getting some much-needed catch up time with friends as they come by the house to visit the new baby. It's reminded me how much I needed some down-time, how comforting it can be to have visitors, and how nice it is to have people shower you food and treats.
...eating whatever I want (hooray for a normal diet again), and not feeling guilty about it one bit!
{Photos by Oh Bob}
I've been eating like a 14 year old boy lately with my nursing mama's appetite! All I want is a ton of juice and water to drink and sweets of all kinds. So I welcome these seriously amazing donuts from Donut Snob.
The dough is light and fluffy and topped with just the right amount of glaze and toppings. With flavors like Chai Toasted Almond (chai tea glaze with almonds), Berry Best (cinnamon glaze with mixed berry coulis), Campfire S'mores (chocolate ganache and marshmallow), Pistachio Orange (orange zest glaze dusted with pistachios), and The Oinker (maple cinnamon topped with bacon), my sweet tooth is very happy indeed.
P.S. Donut Snob doesn't have a retail store yet, but you can find them at cafes around Los Angeles or order them to be delivered or picked up locally.
{Photo by Casey Brodley, styling by Julia Wester for Oh Joy}