"Ruff" Patch

I've been so MIA lately, from blogging, from social media, from life really. I don't think that I've mentioned it before but one of my two dogs, Lexie, is really sick.

Last August we noticed her being very lethargic and weak. We later found out that it was caused by what's called Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia. Basically her red blood cell count was extraordinarily low, so low in fact that when we brought her in, they told us that they were surprised she was even alive. We had to rush her into a blood transfusion to pump some fresh red blood cells into her system. After her transfusion things were getting a bit better. Her red blood cell count was up but unfortunately the medication (a steroid) that she was on caused extreme weight gain. With hopes of getting some of the weight off, we began weaning her off of the steroid. Unfortunately, about 2 weeks ago, her numbers dipped so low that she had to have yet another (expensive) transfusion. After this transfusion there have been more complications than last time. She contracted a urinary tract infection, her bone marrow didn't seem to be responding and producing more red blood cells, and... on top of it all... she acquired diabetes, which means I have to now give her an insulin shot twice a day along with an array of other medications.

Between the MANY vet check-up visits (which is about a half our away) and the horrible battle with medication administration, I've been so exhausted and drained I haven't really been doing much of anything else, let alone blogging. I really just wanted to write a little something to explain where I've been and why I've gone missing so there it is, what's been going on with me.

In the last couple days things have been getting slightly better and, luckily, my roommate Stefana has been a HUGE help along with my mom. I don't know what I'd do without the two of them helping me through all of this. Also, thanks to everyone who has been checking in on me through text and social media. It has really meant a lot. My heart hurts knowing that my little girl is so sick but I'm hoping for the best and giving my sweet girl as much love as I can in the meantime.

xoxo,
shea

Funny Friday

Earlier this week I posted the blooper reel that I had promised in my last Birchbox video. If you haven't watched it and feel like laughing at my expense, then I definitely recommend it.

xoxo,

shea

March Birchbox

March is almost over already! I swear every month goes faster than the last but, I'm excited for Spring. Not that Southern California has a rough winter WHATSOEVER (we had days in the 90s in the past couple months!) but it's still nice when Spring rolls around.

So... even though I said I would most likely NOT be getting another Birchbox, here I am, with another one.

It's a funny story (which I also mention in the video). Last month some (insert derogatory noun here) stole almost a thousand dollars from my checking account through the e-quick pay system. Because it was through my online banking I had to close and re-open ALL of my accounts. My checking account. My savings account. AND even my credit card. My bank was wonderful throughout the process but it's still SUCH a headache. As I mentioned, I was planning on cancelling my Birchbox membership. My membership fee comes directly from my credit card every month so I kind of thought to myself, well... since the card doesn't exists anymore, I guess I don't have to cancel my membership, it will just, in a way, cancel itself. Well... needless to say, I was wrong. A few days ago I got an email saying "Your Birchbox has shipped!" and sure enough, yesterday it was in my mailbox. Don't worry, I plan on calling and straightening it all out but, until then, here's another Birchbox video for you!

Also, as I mention in the video, I've been cookin' up a bloopers video that I can't wait to share. I'm not sure if I should wait and keep adding to it until its a good length OR if I should just make several shorter ones as I go but what I have so far is pretty good, not gunna lie. Haha. I hope everyone had a happy and safe St. Patrick's Day!

xoxo,

shea

Let's Play Catch Up

I pretty much didn't blog for the entire month of February aside from a Hair Bow Tutorial and a Birchbox Video post. So I'm going to play catch up on all of the things I've done in the last month and a half.

(courtesy of my Instagram)

 

I started the month off by buying a couple of new storage pieces for my craft room. I LOVE them both and this first one I got for almost half of in the "As Is" section simply because it was a floor sample at IKEA!

Then I got this awesome storage cart. Supposedly it's for the kitchen but makes a great catch all for all things crafty (plus... look at that color!).

I was feeling extra festive and decided to made a bunch of Valentine's Day goodies for the guys at work.

 Since both of our men ended up working on Valentine's Day Danica and I ended up spending the evening together at our favorite local bar.

Burgers, beers and wings.

The stuff Valentines Day SHOULD be about. haha.

My little cousin (who isn't really little anymore... she's SIXTEEN!) had winter formal and I went over and helped her with her hair and makeup. I miss doing that kind of stuff. After graduating college I always helped the younger girls in my sorority get ready for all their formals. It was a lot of fun, and this made me miss it.

Sam and I had a fun post-Valentines Day date night since we couldn't actually be together on Valentines Day and went to this great little Italian Restaurant called La Traviata in Long Beach. If you have never been, it's definitely a place I would recommend.

We went to the Long Beach Flea Market (one of my favorite things to do). Both of us actually left empty handed but it's always a good time.

We spent a Saturday in Santa Monica and found a place with a great happy hour.

Sometimes I definitely take for granted the beautiful place that I live and a nice sunny day in Santa Monica is a great reminder.

Being the Irish girl that I am, I got the house in the St.Patrick's day spirit with a fun banner (and the Valentine's Day flowers Sam got me had just the right amount of orange and green to go perfectly!)

I found this killer pair of roller skates UNUSED at Goodwill for $9.99! I haven't actually used them yet but I can't wait!

 After looking FOREVER, I finally found an adorable salt and pepper shaker set at Target and I LOVE them.

Went to my little cousins basketball game. And he's only 5 so I think I can still get away with calling him my "little cousin". Haha. It was adorable.

 BUT not as adorable as his first baseball game. He was such a little stud! Here is is playing first base like a champ!

I know it's kind of blurry but I got this one of him batting. Look at him keeping his eye on the ball.

Running to first after a great hit.

He's always been pretty small for his age so, not gunna lie, I never really thought he'd be real great at sports but he has TOTALLY excelled in EVERY sport he's tried and it's been SO fun to watch! He's only had two baseball games so far and he's already such a stud! He understands the game much better than most of the other kids. Because they're all so young, they really don't keep score or have outs and it's funny because you can see my cousin looking around like "wait, this guy is out. Why isn't he going back to the bench" Haha. I can see a future of me cheering on this little guy for a long time and I can't wait.

 

Well. There you have it. A little bit of what I've been up to lately. (And I'm workin on a blog post for The Cream Event that Danica and I went to this weekend.) If you follow me on Instagram I apologize that you're seeing the same things twice but I figured I needed to show my blog a little love. I can't even believe it's already the middle of March. I really have no idea where the time goes....

 

xoxo,

shea

 

Curls Just Wanna Have Fun

I've often been asked how I get my hair to curl the way that I do. I don't really find it to be anything special but, after being asked I realized it's hard to put into words what exactly I do so, I decided to make a video.

Sadly, the video ended up pretty awful due to some memory card issues (AND the fact that it's harder to talk and curl at the same time than it may seem!). This video is definitely not my best but, I'll probably make another {better} one in the not-too-distant future.

With all that said, my curling routine (which I mention in the video) consists of:

after washing my hair I apply both:

Moroccan Oil

 and Vavoom Volumizing Foam by Matrix

And then I dry my hair as normal.

 

The iron that I  use is a Conair 1 1/4 inch barrel.

And that's about it. Again, I want to appologize for the less-than-stellar quality of the video but, it's a video none-the-less so, with that being said, enjoy!

 

xoxo,

shea

February Birchbox!

Well, it goes without saying that I haven't made time to blog recently. Lately I've been so busy this is always the first thing to get neglected but, nonetheless, here I am! (and with a Birchbox video no less!)

So, last month, when I did this video with my friend and roommate Stefana I had mentioned how my excitement for Birchbox had been dwindling pretty much more and more each box. This box marked the 8 month mark and, while I've enjoyed receiving the boxes, I think that the excitement might have run its course and it might be time to try something new.

This month because of the big storm "Nemo" on the east coast my Birchbox was snowed in. Generally boxes are sent out by the 10th. I received an e-mail on the 9th saying that my box was snowed in. Then on the 13th I got an e-mail saying that it had shipped BUT because of the holidays and everything I didn't get my box until the 19th, not to mention, my roommate Stefana STILL hasn't received hers. As I mention in the video, I just kind of see all of this as signs that its probably time to move on. I just know that when I cancel my subscription the next box is going to be like the BEST one, because that's the kind of luck I have. So, we'll see what I end up doing but for now, enjoy my latest installment of Birchbox videos with my spaz of a friend Danica.

 

(If you'd like to see any of my previous videos be sure to check out my YouTube Channel)

 

xoxo,

shea

Hair Bow Tutorial

So lately I've been on a bow making rampage and thought I should do a tutorial so that everyone can make some for themselves!

 

I will probably be listing some on my etsy shop soon so, I probably shouldn't be posting a tutorial but there really isn't much better than making something by hand and the feeling of pride that comes over you once you finish and I just want to share that.

What you'll need:

1. Fabric of choice (If you'd like you can chose an alternating fabric for the center piece). You really don't need much. Even if you just have some scraps lying around. As long as they are as big as the measurements listed below (and even if they aren't, you could just make your bow a little smaller).

 

2. Templates. Technically you don't need to make these. You could just cut your fabric using a ruler but I always prefer to make a template. I find it makes cutting my fabric easier. I used some card stock. You can use any sort of paper you want. Sometimes I even use just plain white printer paper. Your two templates should measure 4 inches by 8 inches and 1 inch by 3 inches.

 

3. Barrette. Ideally I'd like to make these with alligator clips but, I had these barrette clips lying around so that's what I used. It's up to you.

 

4. Scissors

 

5. Glue Gun (and glue)

 

(Not pictured: felt)

 

(Optional: Iron)

First: Start by using your templates to cut out your two pieces of fabric. (Again, it can be from the same fabric, or two different, it's really just personal preference.)

Then, fold the bigger piece in half long ways with right sides facing in.

(I'm gunna go back to kindergarten here but, like a hot dog, not a hamburger). 

Sew along the raw open edge.

Then turn the fabric right side out.

 Once it's turned right side out, line up the seam in the middle as pictured.

 Fold the edges of one end into itself to hide the raw edges.

 (I ironed mine to give it a good crease) 

 Then slip the other end inside. 

It should look like this.

Sew the two ends together.

(Being careful not to go through both sides of your loop.)

 It should form a loop like the photo below. 

Take your smaller piece of fabric and fold in both sides.

(Iron for a cleaner edge)

Set aside. It will be used soon. 

Line up your seam in the middle. 

This will be the back of your bow. 

Flip your bow over and pinch in the middle.

Play around with it until you like the way it looks.

 Use your glue gun and put a little glue in the middle to keep it in place.

Wrap your center fabric around your bow. 

(The little bit of glue should help it stay in place)

 Wrap the fabric around (if it is too long, which it most likely will be, trim it to fit).

Use your glue gun and glue in in place.

 When you flip it around, you'll see... you're almost done!

 Grab your barrette and a small scrap of felt. 

Fold and glue the felt around the barrette. 

(The reason that we do this is because oftentimes the glue doesn't form a good bond on the metallic surface so the felt creates a sturdier bond for the bow to hold onto.)

Then, glue your felted barrette onto your bow and, voila! Your bow is now a cute hair barrette! Now that wasn't so hard, was it?

xoxo,

shea