Easy Twisty Bun

It's been a little while since I've done a hair tutorial. I snapped this just before I cut may hair a couple of weeks ago but will endeavour to do some mid-length hair tutorials in the coming weeks.  To do this style, you need 2 hair elastics and bobby pins. As usual, I find this works on day or 2 old hair. Freshly washed hair will be too flyaway.

STEP 1 Section your hair in half and tie each section into high pigtails toward the back of your head.

STEP 2 Separate a pigtail in two pieces. Twist each piece in opposite directions and then twist the two pieces together (you can do a plait if you find this step too tricky or have fine or freshly washed hair). Secure at the end with a bobby bin or elastic while you repeat on the other side.

STEP 3 Shows your two twisted ponytails before you twist them together

STEP 4 Remove your bobby pins or elastic from the end of each pigtail. Then wrap your pigtails together and secure with bobby pins. Once you have your hair pinned securely, use your fingers to slightly loosen the twists for a look that's a little more undone. Spray with hairspray to hold.

DIY Doily Heart Jar Lantern

I've seen different little tea light jars all over Pinterest but this type really caught my eye so I had a go last weekend with a few old glass jars I had laying around. I know what you're thinking - I have too much time on my hands (yes, I probably do!), but to be honest they took about 10 minutes to make. All you need is:

- Old glass jars
- White doilies (I got mine on etsy here)
- Red paper or newspaper hearts (I cut mine from red wrapping paper)
- Twine
- Scissors
- Tea lights

You don't really need instructions: simply place a paper heart on a doily, wrap some twine around the jar a few times and tie to hold in place. Put a tea light inside the jar and away you go.

They look really lovely in all different sizes along a fireplace or as a table centre piece.  Newspaper hearts and brown twine also work really well.

DIY Flower Pin

A couple of weeks back I made a tulle flower pin. I really want some ban.do pom pom flower pins but the shipping to Australia is crazy expensive (more than the four pins I have in my cart) so I decided to make something similar myself. I will buy a few band.do pins but for now this is a cheap DIY alternative that adds a little colour to an outfit. I must also point out that I have absolutely no sewing abilities whatsoever (I can sew buttons on and that's about it) so anyone can do this. To make a tulle flower pin like mine you'll need:

Tulle (I used a 45cm square piece)
Scissors
Elastic band
Needle and thread
Brooch safety pin

Step 1: Bunch and fold the tulle into a flower shape.

Step 2: Use an elastic band to hold it into shape (you don't have to be too fussy about this as you'll cut the band off later)

Step 3: With a needle and thread, secure your flower from it's centre into your rubber band. Repeat this until it feels secure then snip off the elastic band.

Step 4: Sew on your brooch clip.

Step 5: Trim your flower folds and edges with the scissors to make it fluff up.

DIY Printed Tote Bag

On Saturday I made some printed canvas tote bags - one for me and a couple to be used as library bags for my friend's children. They were really easy to make and took no time at all. The trickiest part was deciding what to put on them. To make one yourself you'll need:

Canvas tote bag
Fabric paints
2 pieces of cardboard
Paint brush
Stencil design (I just printed shapes from the internet)
Stanley knife

STEP 1: Get all your materials ready on a board or work surface that you can use a stanley knife on. Alternatively put extra card down to protect your tabletop.
STEP 2: Draw or trace your stencil design onto a piece of cardboard and carefully cut it out with the stanley knife.
STEP 3: You'll be left with a stencil that will form your tote design
STEP 4: Put a piece of cardboard inside your tote to prevent the paint getting through
STEP 5: Position your stencil onto your tote and paint within your stencil. Make sure you get to the edges to ensure a clean line. Remove the stencil and leave to dry for 3 hours or overnight.

Not Your Average Bun

This bun is extremely easy (it will literally take you 5 minutes) but looks like you've made a little extra effort thanks to the plait. All you need for this hair tutorial is a hair tie, bobby pins and a butterfly clip/hair grip. As with any hair up, this will work best on hair that hasn't been washed for a day or so as it will be easier to keep in place.

Step 1 Tie your hair up into a ponytail.
Step 2 Take a section of hair from the top of your pony tail.
Step 3 Plait this section and secure it away from the rest of the ponytail with a butterfly clip (you will use this later).
Step 4 & 5  Divide the remaining part of your ponytail into four sections. Loop each section under, one at a time, and secure at the base of the pony tail with a bobby pin or two. You should now have a messy little bun.
Step 6 Unclip your braid from Step 3, loop the end under and pin into the base of your bun.
Step 7 Loosen the plait slightly with your fingers and push it to one side.
Step 8 Finished look from the side.

Twisted Ponytail

Sometimes I need to tie my hair up out of the way in a ponytail but want something a little more special so I go to this quick and easy twisted ponytail updo - all you need is 3 or 4 bobby pins!
STEP 1 Start with day old hair that has a bit of texture or curl (mine was curled the day prior but if you're starting with it straight, I'd run the curling iron or straightener through it for some added texture)
STEP 2 Divide the top section and clip away from the rest of your hair
STEP 3 Divide the back section into two parts
STEP 4 Backcomb the top section at the crown for height and spray with little hairspray
STEP 5 Divide the top section of your hair into two and pin them down one at a time, right over left, so they overlap (later you'll tuck a piece of hair through this section where they overlap - Step 7)
STEP 6 Grab the back sections in two parts, collecting the hair from the top section and twist the hair, overlapping the pieces so they're going in the opposite direction
STEP 7 Leave the right piece of hair and thread the left side through the top section that overlaps
STEP 8 Pin into place and spray with hairspray
STEP 9 The finished look

Double Braid

This is a relaxed boho-style double braid - very messy but suprisingly easy to re-create if you can master a basic braid. This look will work best on hair that hasn't been washed for a day or so as it will be easier to keep the hair in place with bobby pins.

STEP 1 Make a deep part and separate two sections at the front of your hair (section with butterfly clips or pull to the front of your head to keep separate from the hair at the back)
STEP 2 Separate the back section of your hair into two parts
STEP 3 Twist the first section and secure at the back of your head with a couple of bobby pins
STEP 4&5 Grab the other half, twist and secure at the back of your head with pins
STEP 6 You should now have the back section pinned in a messy 'bun' at the back of your head and be ready to start on the front of your hair
STEP 7 Section the side with the most hair into two pieces (these become your braids)
STEP 8 Braid the section closest to your forehead and pin it into the bun at the back of your head
STEP 9 Braid the second section of hair, again securing into the bun with a pin
STEP 10 Twist the final section of hair on the other side of your head and pin it into the bun at the back
STEP 11 Look at the back and pin any additional fly-aways into place and set with a mist of hairspray
STEP 12 The finished look from the side

DIY Christmas Wreath

I made one of these last year after seeing it on Minimoz and my mum liked it so much I thought I'd make her one this year. They are so easy you can literally make them while watching TV. To make one yourself you'll need:

1 wire coat hanger or wire/metal hoop (from a craft store)
Wire cutters or pliers
Fabric (I got 6 different fabric off cuts)
Scissors
Christmas decoration (for the centre)
Ribbon

Push your wire hanger out to form a circle and cut the hook off with wire cutters. Cut your fabric into strips approx 2" x 9". Tie the fabric onto the hoop and continue, alternating the fabric until the entire hoop is full. Push the fabric tightly together as you go. Next tie your Christmas decoration to the wire with ribbon. Finally, tie another piece of ribbon to the wreath and form a bow so you can tie it to your door.

DIY Glitter Vase

I'm a massive fan of reusing old jars for vases, lanterns (see my DIY Old Jar Lanterns post) glasses and storage. Since seeing a number of glitter vases on Pinterest I've been dying to pimp some of my old jars so gave it a go with some bronze glitter this past weekend.

To make one at home, you'll need:

- Old jars
- Glitter
- Glue that drys clear (I use Mod Podge)
- Brushes
- Masking Tape
- A paper plate or something wide to hold your glitter in

STEP 1 Put some paper down to protect your work surface (I did this outside as glitter can get everywhere)
STEP 2 Stick masking tape on your jar to mark out where you want the glitter to finish (you could do the whole jar but I wanted glitter 2/3 of the way up)
STEP 3 Brush a moderate amount of glue under your masking tape and roll your jar in the glitter (if you have any gaps, simply brush on a little extra glue and re-roll it)
STEP 4 Turn your jar upside down and leave it for 30 minutes to dry completely

Beaded Headband Updo

I love the step-by-step hair tutorials on Pinterest so thought I'd start doing some of my own. This look is surprisingly easy - start with a messy ponytail, add a headband, secure loose ends with bobby pins and finish with a bit of hairspray. Here's the step-by-step guide to making a boring bun effortlessly glamourous. 

STEP 1 Tie your hair up into a high ponytail at the back of your head
STEP 2 Put your headband in. I pulled my hair out a little at the crown to create height and add texture
STEP 3 Grab two sections of hair
STEP 4 Loop these sections of hair (one at a time) and use bobby pins to secure in place
STEP 5 You are left with a section at the top and the bottom
STEP 6 Loop the bottom section of hair under and secure with pins
STEP 7 Loop the top section under and secure with another pin
STEP 8 Check the back and secure any loose hair with pins. Spray with hairspray to hold
STEP 9 The finished look

Find A Good Tailor

I'm a big advocate for tailoring. Nothing makes cheaper priced clothing look more expensive than having them tailored to your shape. I have a brilliant relationship with my tailor - they know my style, shape and what looks good on me. I recently purchased this Tigerlily jumpsuit on sale, but as you can see in the before picture, the huge palazzo style trousers did no favours for my short legs and made me look stumpy. I loved the material, the top section fit lovely and I knew it would be perfect for summer with a little help from my tailor. So I had them taper the legs and remove some of the volume and now they work for my shape and lengthen my legs.

DIY Old Jar Lanterns

I have been making these handmade lanterns for years, using old pickle and mayo jars. They can be used inside or out, hanging or sitting, in groups or single, and as the whether heats up they are perfect for eating outside at night as the flame is shielded from the wind and the candle won't fall over as it's steadied by the sand.

To make your own you will need:

- Glass jars
- Wire (a wire coat hanger can be used)
- Wire cutters
- Candles
- Sand (you could use sea salt)

Wash glass jars in hot soapy water and dry completely. Wrap wire around the mouth of your jar and cut allowing a few extra centimetres to allow you to twist the ends together later. Cut another piece of wire to form your handle. Bend into a U-shape and twist each end around the opposite side of your circle piece of wire. Wrap the circle piece around the mouth of the jar again and twist the ends together. Fill the bottom of the jar with sand and place your candle inside.

DIY Rose Wrapping Paper

Making pretty custom wrapping paper is easy. Over the years I've used anything from sponges and buttons to vegetables and leaves. This weekend I got a little crafty with celery and was very pleased with the results. To create this this pretty ‘rose’ print wrapping paper you’ll need:

Plain paper (I’ve used recycled craft paper)
Paint
Something to hold your paint in (I used an ice-cream container lid)
Celery (Bok Choy works well also)

Simply cut the stalks of the celery, leaving the base (this becomes your ‘stamp’). Cutting them as cleanly as possible is key to a neat finish. Next dip the stalks into the paint and press onto your paper (you may want to paint a little on to ensure you have an even application). Repeat until you’ve covered your sheet. Leave to dry completely (speed up with a hairdryer on low heat if you need to). Now you’re ready to wrap.