love is in the air

It’s Valentine’s Day!  Are you the type of person who goes all out–flowers, candy, chocolate,and jewelry…maybe even making your sweetheart a special dinner or gift?  Or are you uninterested in the hype?  Is your philosophy that “Valentine’s Day was created by the card and candy companies” and you don’t give it a second thought?

I’m in the middle, I guess.  I enjoy an excuse to celebrate and love to spend time with my hubby, so I have no problem with Valentine’s Day, but I don’t go overboard and am ok if we don’t do gifts or anything crazy…a nice, quiet dinner is good.

We celebrated Valentine’s Day early this year and enjoyed a yummy meal at Bonefish on Saturday, so tonight will be pretty quiet.  But, if you’re celebration is only just beginning, I’ve come up with a few fun elements for your special time.

A great outfit!

{sweet and sassy}

A sweet card

you can download this one for free at Ruffled

A good meal:

you can get the recipe HERE

and, of course…

an amazing wine!

{my favorite–Moscato D’Asti}

Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day!!

top 10 in 2011

I have to say, I am a little excited about the end of 2011.  The end of this year has been rough, and 2012 seems like one, big, clean slate.  I need one, big, clean slate…I mean, don’t we all?

In the anticipation of a new year and a fresh start, I have compiled a list of the top 10 posts from 2011.  Everyday Clever celebrated it’s 1 year anniversary in 2011 and I’m proud of how far it’s come.  This list wasn’t created based on statistics or “hits”.  It’s just a list that I came up with (in no particular order) based on how satisfied I was with the post (well, and a little feedback from others, too).

1. top ten fabrics of 2011

2. diy| t-shirt scarf

3. printable| “a freebie & a confession”

4. tutorial| lemon sugar scrub

5. video| 25 ways to tie a scarf

6. recipe| my favorite dessert

7. boots!

8. asa’s room: idea boards

9. my very favorite blogs

10. tutorial| moss covered letter

I hope you’ll enjoy browsing through some old material.  You never know what you might’ve forgotten about.

Which one was your favorite?!  I’d love to get your feedback!

See you in 2012, friends!

no sew scarf

Today I am guest blogging over at Little Blue Prints!

It’s a no-sew scarf tutorial, so be sure to check it out because it’s super cute, easy, and inexpensive.

Also, don’t forget that the HUGE Holiday Art Print sale is still going on here.

Happy Tuesday!

how to tie a scarf

So, I stumbled upon this video today and HAD to share it with you.  I was just talking to some of my friends about different ways to tie scarves–I think I know about 4 {or 5…maybe}.  This video shows you 25 completely different ways to tie a scarf, and they’re all so cute!  I would use every single one of them if I could remember how.  I will definitely be using this video a lot this Fall!

This weekend it’s supposed to turn a little cooler here in Florida so I’ll try out one of the new methods–maybe the Bunny Ear or the Magic Trick!

Which one is your favorite?!

beauty and the beast

I’m a creature of habit and I like my routine.  Once I get set in it, making a change can be hard.  And it’s come to my attention that this is precisely the problem with my morning routine–which includes make-up and hair.  I’ve gotten comfortable with doing the same thing the same way, and it’s to the point where I’ve got to tackle the beast…which is exactly what change can be–a beast {and for all of you out there with middle schoolers–I mean beast as in “bad”, not beast as in “good”}.

I’ve been searching for new ideas and ways to freshen-up my style so that I’m not stuck in this rut anymore–here’s what I’ve found.

Check out how to make this perfect bun at 

The Other Emily 

{she has a video tutorial so it’s super easy!}

Or, learn how to do the backwards braid at Hair Romance

And I loved this from McLaughlin Designs

As for the make-up….

I thought this was really useful

I’ve also tried to add some color to my hands with some fun nail polish.  

Here are a few of my most recent favorites:

 

“First Mate” by China Glaze

“Mermaid’s Tears” by O.P.I

and “Coral Fever” by Sally Hansen

I also fell in love with this idea

 …and was pumped when I found the sparkly gold nail decals at Wal-Mart this weekend on sale for $5 (regularly $8.50).

 

So, I guess we’ll see what happens.  I am officially a work-in-progress.  

Hopefully the beauty fairy comes to visit me in my dreams tonight.