How to look better in the clothes you already have.....

You can look better in the clothes you already have by following these 5 simple tricks!

This blogger shows how simple alterations make the difference!

1. FIT! Make sure your clothes fit the way they are supposed to fit you. Pants that are too long and clothes that are too baggy are easy fixes with a trip to the dry cleaners. I take anything ill fitting in for tailoring. Within a few days and usually $5-20 per garment charge....it's well worth the time and the money. inexpensive clothes tailored to you, instantly look more expensive!

Buttons shouldn't gap! Either wear open or use fashion tape!

Make sure your clothes aren't too small either. Nothing worse looks than clothes that are toooooo small! For more on fit, visit this bloggers tips!

Really Bradley?!

2. CLEAN! This seems simple, but you would be surprised how many people overlook this! Make sure your clothes are free of loose strings (especially around buttons). This is an easy fix with a few snips from some scissors (don't pull!)

Lint roll items to remove dust, hair, or lint. Remove pills on sweaters with a pill remover, razor, or a hair curler (go here for how to).

Don't wear clothes with stains, makeup or other spots (especially the often overlooked: COATS!)

Dry cleaning clothes will also keep your clothes looking better for longer, especially cheap items from stores like H&M and Forever 21.

Don't forget to clean your shoes and handbags. Don't let your footwear get scuffed up and worn out, covered in mud or in salt. You can wipe with a damp cloth, magic eraser (especially on athletic shoes) and use restorer (for leather). Soles can be repaired at a shoe cobbler.

3. LOOK! Make sure your clothes look the way they are supposed to! If wrinkled, iron or steam. A crisp white button up oxford will look terrible if wrinkled and not properly starched. Store sweaters and shirts properly to avoid them from being stretched out in the shoulders or sleeves.

4. PAIR! Pair your outfit with the right accessories: jewelry (always earrings), belt, handbag, scarf. These items can make an inexpensive or plan outfit look high end and amazing.

5. BEAUTY! If your hair and makeup is a mess, it doesn't matter if you are wearing a top designer runway dress! Amazing hair and makeup can make a jeans and t-shirt outfit look like a million bucks. It doesn't have to be a ton of makeup (overdone can be trashy). Hair just needs to be maintained with no roots and trimmed free of frizzy ends, basically clean, and styled. Groomed eye brows and manicured nails are a must!

Shine Bright Like a Diamond!

When I first got engaged, I babied my ring! I cleaned it all the time and took it off when I applied lotion or hair products. Years later and now married, I forget I'm even wearing it and needless to say it's definitely gotten dirty.

 

I came across this at home ring cleaner recipe that is supposed to really make your bling sparkle and decided to give it a try.

 

 

Here's what you need:

• Small bowl
• Aluminum Foil,
• 1 tablespoon Baking Soda
• 1 tablespoon Dish Soap
• 1 tablespoon Salt
• Warm Water

Here's how:

1. Heat water in microwave 1-2 minutes (I did 1 min. and 30 sec).
2. Cover bowl with aluminum foil.
3. Pour baking soda, salt, dish soap into bowl ( I didn't measure, just kinda eyeballed it). Top with warm water and mix together gently with a spoon. Mixture should become bubbly.
4. Let ring soak in mixture for 10-15 minutes (I let my ring rest on the spoon so I could easily fish it out).
5. Remove ring and rise with cold water. Dry with a soft cloth.

for more go to:
http://www.food.com/recipe/jewelry-cleaner-180133

I have also tried Windex (go here) and also toothpaste (yes used an old toothbrush, water, and paste and literally brushed my ring seen it here). Neither seemed to clean as well as this at home mixture.

You can do it!

Although I do not live alone, I think there are things that every girl should know how to do around the house. Here are a few easy to learn if you don't know already....

Cooking/Baking

This is so basic and with cookbooks, shows, and the Internet- there is no reason why you cannot make a tasty and healthy meal. If you haven't already, master one really great dessert or side dish you can take with you to parties, BBQ's, and potlucks. Experiment with the crock pot, try broiling, and make cakes and cookies by scratch. If it's terrible, throw it out and try something else.

You really need have the basics too- good knives, measuring cups, mixing bowls, and a mixer. Without these cooking and baking can be difficult. Before starting any recipe, make sure you have all the ingredients as well.

Using a Grill

I admit, I'm still a little scared when it comes to using our gas grill. Knobs, fire, and a propane tank can be intimidating, but food on the grill is healthy and tasty!

Depending on the type of grill you own: charcoal or gas...refer to the manual for manufacturer specifications and recommendations.

Tools

Every girl should own tools or at least have access to their hubs or boyfriends. I'm not talking about hack saws or anything crazy, but the basics such as a screw driver, hammer, and wrench. Every girl should be able to tighten up a loose hinge, hang a photo on the wall, and make minor repairs around the home.

Sew

I don't own a sewing machine nor do I know how to operate one, however I can sew. Sewing kits, containing string, buttons, and needles are available at most stores in the craft isle and are a must have in all homes. It's easy to repair small holes in shirts or sew on missing buttons.

Learn:

how to sew a button visit:
http://www.marthastewart.com/268329/sew-on-a-button?czone=crafts/sewing-cnt/sewing-techniques-tips&center=326405&gallery=275336&slide=268329

Fix a small hole:
http://www.marthastewart.com/274965/how-to-patch-a-hole-mend-a-seam-and-fix/@center/277000/homekeeping-solutions?czone=crafts/sewing-cnt/sewing-techniques-tips&center=326405&gallery=275336&slide=272639#187304

Cleaning

Yes I am OCD when it comes to cleanliness, however every girl should know how to clean their house thoroughly. I'm talking about cleaning you don't do daily, but should do. For example, changing air filters in your home, replacing water filters in your fridge or water pitcher, cleaning the inside of your washing machine, and changing filters in your vacuum. Doing this type of upkeep will keep you healthy, your home looking good, and keep these types of appliances running smoothly for years to come.

Inside your home, don't overlook your microwave, oven, toaster, fridge, and baseboards when cleaning! Don't forget about your makeup brushes too :)

How to arrange Flowers

When flowers arrive to your doorstep either by a carrier or by a hot date, you should know the basics from selecting the right vase to trimming the ends.

Here is a quick step by step! Also to keep your beauties alive, use flower food (the small packet that usually comes with the flowers). Florists also recommend you change the water every few days, some suggest distilled H20 over tap, or warm tap instead of cold, but in all food, trimming, and water should keep them alive and looking their best!

My Pinterest Fails

Pinterest is filled with seemly endless inspiration, recipes, and home remedies. Some pins I have tried and loved and others were nothing more than a waste of time and money.

 

After stumbling across this hilarious blog Pinstrosity, I learned I was not alone and I thought I should share some of my own misses as well.

Let's start with food:

This is the picture of the only 2 ingredient recipe for pineapple angel food muffins. Looks good right? I thought so as well and sounded so easy- only 2 ingredients and the pin also boasted to be "fat free"!

 

I followed the instructions as directed and combined the two ingredients which whipped up into an almost science experiment consistency. Not dissuaded, I continued and filled the cupcake tins and baked for 350 for 40 minutes or until golden brown. I was left with dry and overflowing muffins that not only looked disgusting but tasted awful too. Not to mention this recipe could have made at least 4 trays of 12!

 

My advice is too not follow any pins that do not link to an actual web page. I have never seemed to have any luck with this type and it's also a disadvantage since you cannot read any feedback, reviews, etc.

Another Crappy Recipe:

 

Chipolte at home and healthy!? Yes please! So I tried this "Copy Cat, Skinny Barbacoa Beef" and should be renamed to Barbacoa BARF! This one had tons of rave reviews.....however my husband and I couldn't even stand the smell of it! This was a HUGE waste of ingredients, time, and left me scrambling to find something else to make for dinner last minute.

Around the house tip:

This tip was to soak old paint brushes in vinegar for 30 minutes and they would be "as good as new!"

 

Wrong! Not only did I waste my time and a bottle of vinegar- I had to wash out the gross smelling paint brushes. My brushes looked exactly the same after as they did pre-vinegar.

Hair Tip:

Simply flat iron over twisted sections of dry hair for easy beach waves! WOW! Sounds to easy- well because it doesn't work. No other way around this one, just really doesn't work!

Beauty tip:

Ohh looks sooo easy! And this one comes from Martha's people at Real Simple? Just had to try!!! Simply dip your wet nails into a bowl of could ice water and just like magic they dry! NOT! There is a reason you don't see this at any salons, because it doesn't dry your polish it just f*cks it all up!

 

 

Hope you enjoyed my Pinterest Fails....I'm sure there will be more to come!! Feel free to comment with your fails :)

LIFE SAVER

 I wish I would have discovered these 2389 meals ago!