diy Valentines

This year I sent off homemade Valentines to a few friends. A few months ago I purchased one of the huge albums of photo album paper from Michael's (40% off!). So I combined that with some traced German stencils and all original steamy love letters.

"Katie, you are far from my body but never far from my heart. I am nauseous with desire for you, my pudding-cup. Be mine, my spritely love-butterfly, and let us frolic forever in the fields of bliss. Answer me with a kiss, or not at all."

Tiffany blue shoes

The end result

Confession: I love thrifting. That song "Thrift Shop" may as well be my anthem. So when I saw a perfectly good (if bland) pair of shoes for $3.50, I had to get them.

These are the bland shoes. They are actually brand new (had original stickers), so I assume they were surplus? But I already have a very nice pair of brown suede pumps, so I knew this would be the perfect time to try PAINTING SHOES!

I used a simple combination of teal blue acrylic craft paint and glossy modpodge. I did 3-4 layers to make sure it was opaque, hard-wearing, and not too brush stroked. This is a picture as they're drying for the last layer, the brush strokes are a lot less noticeable once it's all dried! And I did this outside on a sunny day so it only took 5-10 minutes for each layer to dry.

Waiting to dry....

So far they are wearing wonderfully! I like the gloss finish, it almost makes them look patent. But I think this would be an equally great look with a matte finish.                                       

Feeling Body Positive!

Wanted to share this today, hopefully it will make you feel good- about YOU! There are all kinds of stigma attached to body shape and size, and we need to recognize that no amount of exercise, dieting, and self-loathing will change our unique selves. I don't mean to be preachy, but there are a lot of negative feelings between women- women who judge 'big girls' and women who judge 'skinny girls'. Let's all just get along! -skincat 

Body Positive Style Guide - Inspiration For All Shapes & Sizes infographic