Wrapped Headphones

I saw this idea on Pinterest and thought I'd give it my own spin. I first saw this idea here. I put my own spin on it to cut down on time and I looooove how it turned out!

Want to make your own? This took me a little over an hour, or one Jersey Shore reunion. It was very easy and it's a good project to put your own creativity into it without using too much brain power. Here's how I did it!

You need scissors, embroidery floss (any color combination will do!), a safety pin, and I also used clear nail polish to set the knots so it wouldn't unravel.

I attached a safety pin to a pillow to hold the headphone so I could pull the string to make it tight and so I could keep my sanity.

I picked two colors to start and tied a knot at the top of the headphone. I left a little slack and as I wrapped, I kept the excess close to the wire and wrapped it all up. That sounded real confusing. Essentially I wanted to wrap the very end into the headphone rather than tying a little knot and risk it unraveling.

I cut a looong string to start, about an arm's span. Then, start wrapping! I kept the two colors together and wrapped around the wire, pushing it up and keeping it tight as I went.

When I got to the end, I tied two knots and pulled it real tight.

Then, cut off the excess, ensuring your knot is good to go.

 I put a dab of clear fingernail polish to make sure it wouldn't unravel.

Do the same with the other parts of the headphones. The side of the headphone that had the volume adjuster in the middle was simple--I just stopped and started as I did the other strand. 

Here's a close up!

And here I am rocking my beautiful new headphones. I was a little nervous the string/nail polish wouldn't hold and it would unravel. I went on a run today and so far, so good! I was also a little nervous the thread would make the headphones heavy and they earbuds would fall out of my ears. Honestly, I couldn't tell the difference. Another benefit of this little craft is that my headphones don't get tangled! Gotta love practical crafts ;).

I hope you guys all have a great weekend! The weather is supposed to be beautiful this weekend and I'm looking forward to it. We have absolutely no plans and I am very excited to spend some quality time with my boy :).

My week in Instagram

Hi friends! As you may see, I spent a lot of time this weekend giving my blog a facelift. I was going for a clean-lined, less cluttered look. I am very happy with the outcome and I think this design will stick around for awhile! I will be updating my navigation links on the right with brand new pages this week. I have found that making the little link to individual posts is too time consuming and I easily fall behind keeping up with them. Thanks for being patient with me!

I think I am suffering from seasonal depression. I seem to be extra affected by the weather as of late. I am ready for spring and nicer weather and sunshine. I have zero motivation to do ANYTHING during those grey, dreary days of winter. I had so many crafts planned for this weekend but didn't do any :(. Hopefully this week will bring a change of mood for me.

Here is what I did this week via Instagram:

Had a long day of school, potatoes and peas always make that better. Anyone else mix their spuds and veggies?

My favorite episode of Boy Meets World ever was on. Remember Eric "Plays With Squirrels?" His manifesto? "Lose one friend, lose all friends, lose yourself." Love this show!

Been working out and eating right! This is what my evenings consist of.

How is it I stepped foot inside Ulta for the first time this week? This store is like heaven! I was killing time at the mall before I met Kevin and his co-workers for happy hour. I didn't buy anything unfortunately, but now I know where to find any beauty product I would ever want.

We tried a new restaurant, Corigliano's Pizza (thanks to Groupon!) The decor was very old-school and cozy. The pizza was unfortunately not so good.

We took a trip to Home Depot and I greatly embarrassed Kevin by helping myself to a bunch of paint swatches! I also got pipe insulation (the grey tube in the picture) for $1 to make a wreath. DIY to come this week!

We bought plane tickets to San Diego! We are going to SD at the very end of May with Kevin's sister, Heather. Now that the painfully pricey tickets are purchased, I am looking forward to researching the must-see and experience attractions. I am most looking forward to frolicking in the ocean and experiencing the culture of San Diego. Have any of you been there before? Any recommendations?

Loved this fortune in my fortune cookie :)

Not an exciting week but that's ok! Not stressful and lots of "me" time. 

You can find me on Instagram (@startactinmyage), and if you don't have Instagram, you can follow my here.

Have a happy Monday!

P.S. I have a wedding craft/announcement coming this week that I have been DYING to post! Check back later this week!

iPhone Cover

"Oh my gosh Allie we are so sick of hearing about your @$*!# iPhone!" If that is what you are thinking, I'm sorry, don't read any further. However, this post may apply to all cell phone users.

I love the sleek look of my perty white iPhone, but I obviously am not a dummy and knew I'd need a case for it. I searched high and low for a plain, clear case. EVERYWHERE. I literally spent 3 hours one day driving from the Verizon store, Target, Wal Mart, any-phone-store-that-carries-iPhones, mall kiosks, EVERYWHERE! GAH! How hard is it to find a plain, clear case? Apparently very.

You may be thinking plain and clear aren't two words that describe my style. However, crafty and innovative are! Of course I wanted this particular case so I can get crafty. I finally searched Amazon and ordered one (it was perfect, just what I needed) for half the price of what cases in stores retailed for.

Here is my crafty new iPhone:

It's not too elaborate but it's a nice little detail that makes me happy. I tried to use my exacto-knife to cut out the camera whole perfectly but in true Allie fashion I was in a hurry. I'm ok with it. I also tried to make a similar case filler with fabric but I was having trouble cutting it just right, and again, in a hurry. I might try slipping a few colorful feathers in there. I thought about painting the lace but I don't want it to stain my phone.

Anyone else getting crafty with their phones?

My Week in Instagram

I kind of like this little weekly recap via Instagram photos. If you have Instagram, my username is startactingmyage (naturally). Don't have Instagram? That's ok! You can follow my feed on the web here: http://followgram.me/startactingmyage. Or, you can just check back on Sunday's to see what I was up to this week. If that's not enough, I suppose you could become a stalker. But please, do us both a favor and don't.

Here is what I was up to this week:

Made some good ol' fashioned mac and cheese after a particularly long day and it was the most delicious thing ever.

I never get tired of writing my name on the board! But I do get tired of explaining how to say my name 24 times, so now I'm abbreviating it for the kiddos :)

Took a half day to take care of some things, such as an oil change. While I waited I spent some quality time with my friend my planner.

Another delicious meal. Grilled ham and cheese, strawberries, and chocolate milk. I hear chocolate milk is a good thing for your body to drink after a workout.

Yeah, I don't know why I took so many pictures of my meals this week. Maybe I was feeling proud I actually cooked. If you consider mac and cheese and grilled ham and cheese cooking? Ok, so I suck. Maybe I can redeem myself with my chicken, rice, corn concoction with a side of garlic bread?

And here are a few snapshots from Friday night. I don't know this small mustached man, but in the middle of "American Pie" he got up on our table and went on a rant about Rick Santorum, which prompted me to tell him after his performance that he was "my kind of people." I need to hang out in the East Village more often.

And here is Kevin serenading our roommate Brian with "All or Nothing" from O-Town to end the night. I did take a video of this performance but Kevin has forbid me to post it. You'll just have to use your imagination.

And our cab ride home. I thought for a minute this speedometer was telling the truth, that we were in fact going 100 MPH. However, I soon realized it was thankfully broken. I had a heart to heart with the cab driver about faulty dashboard readings and told him the story of my running-out-of-gas tragedy. We're having lunch next Thursday. Just kidding. But we should.

Again, if you have Instagram my username is startactingmyage. I would love to get to know my readers more, so be sure to leave your username as well! I'm kind of addicted to Instagram. If you aren't on the iPhone train, that's ok. You can view my feed here: http://followgram.me/startactingmyage

There you have it. 'Twas another fantastic week. And a bit of good news to share with you all, I was offered a long term sub job AND will be nannying for the same kiddos I nannied for last summer! All that news came to me in the same day. I will be the guidance counselor/reading teacher for the last two months of the year! I couldn't imagine a more perfect job for me. And of course I'm overjoyed to be spending another summer with Miss Peyton and Miss Haley! Polly Pockets, the swimming pool, the science center...it's all calling my name!

Make it a good week, folks!

What's In My Bag?

This theme has been floating around blogs for awhile now, and I always think it's interesting. Hopefully you think so, too!

I have two bags to go with both sides of my life. The first bag is my teacher bag that I take with me to school everyday. The second bag is my purse that I use when I'm beeboping around town or going on all those romantic dates Kevin takes me on. I want to start by saying everyone in my life hates this purse and thinks it's stupid. However, every single time I come across someone new, they LOVE it. I mean, who doesn't love a fox purse that comes equipped with ears, button eyes, and a floral print? I was very hesitant to buy this purse for the simple fact it had EARS. But (staying true to the meaning behind this blog) I am an 8 year old in a 23 year old's body and I knew I had to have it. And, I got it on sale at Target for $10! What do you think? Love it or hate it?

So... here's what's in my bag!

Sunnies: Forever 21, $5
iPhone: $50!!! (That never gets old!)--I'll be posting DIY cover ideas tomorrow!
Earbuds: I listen to music constantly
Lipstick: Freebie from Clinique (Thanks again, Grandma!) This is a 4 color palate with a brush. It's the perfect amount of matte and gloss
Wallet: Gift from my aunt for my 21st birthday... been using it ever since!
Chapstick: Damn wintery lips
Sub card: This is a "business" card I leave after all my sub jobs, a little self-promotion on my way to securing more sub jobs! I always carry one around with me, you never know who you're gonna meet!
Sharpie pen: My favorite kind of pen
Gum: You don't want janky breath!
ID badge: There are SO many stores that offer educator discounts! I always carry this with me just in case
Keys: Shows how few responsibilities I have... car, apartment, mailbox; Napoli keychain, bracelet from my little buddy Haley, and spreading that peace!

My second bag is also a favorite. I got it super on sale at Target for $4! It's big and it has lots of pockets. I also love the print on it.

Planner: I am OCD, I love crossing off items on my to-do list, and I love seeing all those sub jobs lined up!
Lunch box: Insulated from my mama! No school lunches for this lady.
iPhone: Oh, did you know I got it for $50? I'm sorry. That's the last time you'll hear that.
Camera: For taking pictures of great ideas I see in classrooms
Water bottle: I drink about 2 of these a day! I got to boot camp everyday and need to be well hydrated!
Wallet: Usually empty
Emergency books: A few of my favorites just in case I come to a class with no sub plans!
Bag o'Sharpies: I'm obsessed. See the DIY here.
Sub cards: More self-promotion. Secretaries, I'm coming for you!

There you have it. I feel like that was way too much information for a "What's In My Bag?" post but I'm ok with it. If you see me on the street, please don't mug me.

My Week In Instagram

Hey everyone! Hope you all had a great weekend. I had a relaxing weekend with no big plans which was just what I needed. Friday night we celebrated a friend's birthday. Their power went out in the middle of it so we got out the candles and flashlights which made it even more fun! I worked on a birthday present for Kevin all day Saturday and I'm VERY excited to share it once it's done.

Kevin kind of dropped the ball on Valentine's Day but made it up to me on Saturday. He surprised me with some lovely yellow daisies, a bottle of peach champagne, and a very sweet card. His excuse, "See, weren't you more surprised when I did this on the wrong day?" He's learning, slowly but surely! It's becoming sort of his "thing" to get me celebratory cards that are celebrating the wrong thing. For my birthday he gave me a "For My Wife" card and for Valentine's Day he gave me a "Happy Bar Mitzvah" card. It's an exciting game to see what kind of card I'll get next!

Saturday night we went on a nice little date and we spent today lounging around napping. 'Twas lovely. Here is a summary of my week via Instagram:

Cooked a Valentine's dinner of chicken alfredo

Started my new embroidery hobby and I am loving it!

Had a few nights of crafting...projects to come!

My lil sis came to hang out with me for awhile and we had a craft night, I taught her how to make an iPod cover and it turned out pretty cute!

Lots and lots of subbing :)

A belated Valentine's surprise :)

Sunday afternoon cuddle time (Kevin's gonna kill me)

Purchased the new Eisley EP and I am in LOVE! Can't wait for the new album.

I was sick all week :( I had some serious sinus pressure. Then we watched "Contagion" last night and I got super paranoid. Luckily I woke up today feeling better :)

Last but not least my diploma FINALLY arrived! Can't wait to display it proudly :)

Here's to a great Monday, friends!

P.S. I'm over at Crafted Love this weekend with a sponsor feature about blog tips! Check it out :)

Love At First Sight

I am too excited to hold it in any longer so I'm going to go ahead and get it out... I GOT AN iPHONE!!!!!! Yep, I've joined the masses. I've had a traditional old call and text only phone since I got my first phone when I was 16. I've been waiting for my old LG to die but it was going 3 years strong. It's virtually indestructible.  Now at the age of 23, I have upgraded to a smart phone and I am SO glad I did!

What made this even sweeter was the deal we got on it! This phone was originally $200 and we had a $50 gift card to Best Buy. Due to another Best Buy promotion we ended up getting two more $50 gift cards just by signing up online! Do the math--that's $150 worth of gift cards, i.e. a $50 iPhone! It was meant to be.

I must admit the app I was most excited for was Instagram. I take a LOT of pictures so having a high resolution camera on my phone is so nice. Having all my music with me at all times is also bliss.

Do you have an iPhone? What apps are you loving?