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A Scrabble-tile coaster is the perfect asset to great home décor. Photo taken by Domestic For Dummies.

Piece of Craft: DIY With Scrabble

I am a Words with Friends addict, plain and simple.  The game has taken over my life and I don’t even have an iPhone.  But the one good thing to come out of it (and of course, the old fashioned Scrabble itself) is all the inspiration for crafts.  There are so may cool and fun things you can do with the small, wooden tiles.  I want to share with you guys a few of my favorite ideas. Domestic For Dummies, a blog for all struggles domestic, featured a Pinterest challenge using a thin corkboard and Scrabble letters to make awesome coasters for your home.  Essentially, you make a coaster that is 4x4, using four-letter words.  You can make these words be similar or connect in some way, or have them all be totally random.  Glue each letter together and then glue the letters to a piece of the corkboard for an awesome addition to your home.  As a side note, I think you can also use cardboard instead of corkboard, or use neither and just use the tiles as coasters themselves. Another Scrabble-related craft found on the Stylelist home section is a Scrabble tile sign in a picture frame.  This seems to be a favorite of writers everywhere.  The craft is very easy: simply pick out a quote, line of a poem, song, phrase, etc., and glue your phrase inside a picture from of your choice.  The picture looks very elegant and even store-bought. These two projects are my favorites, but I have seen many others floating around the Internet, including Scrabble jewelry (rings, bracelets, and tile pendant necklaces), magnets, keychains, and various other crafts. All crafts made with Scrabble tiles are, for the most part, very easy to make and the closest to cheap you will ever come for a craft (especially if you have Scrabble and are like me and only play Words with Friends now.) If you have any questions, suggestions, comments, or want to send in pictures of your designs, feel free to e-mail me at fbresibl@asu.edu.

By Faith Breisblatt | January 23, 2012
John Sanders with his AK47. Photo courtesy of John Sanders.

Turf Talk: Guns A-Blazin'

John Sanders was hoping that his 18th birthday would arrive faster than a speeding bullet; actually, that’s the very reason why he couldn’t wait.

By Brendan Capria | January 23, 2012
The inside of Bar Smith. Photo taken by the author, Gabby Marshall.

Live and Otherwise: Bar Smith

The standard, unassuming font used for the sign display at one of downtown’s trendiest outings greets every visitor who chooses to grace its doorstep (and dance floor). Nestled between clubs PHX and Skylounge, Bar Smith brings its own eclectic touch to the downtown Washington Street strip.

By Gabby Marshall | January 22, 2012
Artist Joerael Elliott’s mural outside of Hair Pollution. Photo by Candace Porth.

Urban Culture Vulture: The Art of Hair Pollution

I have to be honest here -- I know almost nothing about hair. Ask me what I’m looking for in a haircut, and my answer will fall somewhere between “uhh” and “shorter”. I get my hair cut once a year, and I dread it every time.

By Jessica Pruett | January 21, 2012
A spray tan. Picture courtesy of spraytanningsolutioninfo.com.

Broke is the New Black: Bronzed to Perfection

Fake tanning is quite possibly one of the most debated subjects in the beauty world.  Tan skin has been a beauty feature sought after by many for decades, yet with all the recent controversies about skin cancer and other health complications due to UV rays, many people are looking for alternative methods or choosing to forgo tanning altogether. Nevertheless, girls still resort to tanning salons on a regular basis, whether it be to bake in a booth or spray tan.  This weekend I found myself trying a new tanning salon for the first time.  I know it seems menial and perhaps pathetic, but I’m sure many can agree it’s slightly uncomfortable to try a new place for any beauty regiment.  If you tan regularly or are trying to bronze over for a special event, there are multiple things to look for in a salon before buying in. When researching a new tanning salon, look for deals.  Almost every salon offers some type of special or coupon, especially for new customers.  With so many options, there should be no excuse to not land some sort of discount your first time. Do a little lotion research.  There are so many reviews online for every tanning product imaginable, you easily can have some knowledge for your choice.  The girl at the salon will undoubtedly try to sell you the most expensive bottle they offer considering they generally work on commission.  Try a single-use packet of the lotion first to ensure you like it. If you burn easily, make sure to ask how new the bulbs are.  If they were changed only a few days ago, chances are they could be stronger and harsher than normal.  You may want to consider hopping out of the booth a few minutes early. Spray tans are a great, quick fix for immediate color, but they are also the most noticeable when they go wrong.  When trying a new salon, ask the receptionist to walk you through the process and for tips.  Even if you’re a veteran, every booth is different and you would hate to end up looking like a zebra because you didn’t turn in correct sequence.  After you are sprayed, ask the receptionist again if she notices any lines on you.  If there are any streaks, she should have a solution to help blend it in.  If you notice a mistake when you get home, Windex removes fake tanning solution.  Still weary?

By Amanda Larson | January 21, 2012
Beautiful fabric rosettes. Photo taken from DFinnitive Creations' Etsy store.

Piece of Craft: Etsy Store Profile - DFinnitive Creations

As most of you who have read my blog before know, I am a frequent Etsy stumbler.  I like to try to find unique shops that have something new to offer to the crafting world.  Generally, I also attempt to look for shops that are local (anywhere really in the greater Phoenix area) so maybe down the line, I can meet the crafter and learn from him or her.  Today’s post about DFinnitive Creations falls into both these categories. DFinnitive Creations is an Etsy store featuring amazing hand-made rosettes, run and created by Debbie in Tempe.  Debbie has been creating and crafting since her early years and decided to sell her own designs and become self-employed in 1998.  She makes all of her rosettes and other items in her home-based studio.  Besides her love for the arts, she also has two children and is happily married. DFinnitive Creations intrigued me for many reasons, the main one being that the designs are so original and so beautifully crafted.  Debbie uses various fabrics, such as lace, silk and chiffon to craft beautiful flowers.  Many of the rosettes are just sold separately or in groups, but Debbie also makes headbands, hairclips, ponytails, and necklaces.  Also sold in this Etsy shop are some of the materials used, such as a few yards of lace or elastic. Each and every design at DFinnitive Creations is completely different from the next.  They are some of the most beautiful handmade flowers I’ve seen in awhile (and trust me, if you don’t know what you’re doing, making handmade flowers isn’t easy!).  I highly recommend this shop for any of your flower needs.  Any of them would be the perfect accessory to any outfit! If you have any questions or comments about DFinnitive Creations or anything else in general, feel free to shoot me an e-mail at fbreisbl@asu.edu.

By Faith Breisblatt | January 19, 2012
The Decentralized Dance Party on Jan. 4, 2012. Photo courtesy of the author, Gabrielle Olson.

Live and Otherwise: That Sweet Arizona Beat

It’s finally that time of year again -- let the concert studded madness begin. With Coachella’s line-up having already been announced (and its tickets already a tragic memory), shows are popping up on every concert venue in the Valley’s radar.

By Gabby Marshall | January 18, 2012
Spring Fashion Grid. Photo from Elle.com.

Springing into Fashion

Spring is fresh in the air but it’s not the pollen that’s making me twitch.  The newly found itch to make some wardrobe adjustments is right around the corner.  I’m sick of winter clothes and just so happen to love spring fashion.  Every year it revolves around the same idea of fresh, light, and delightful themes, yet fashion never fails to alter slightly.  Here is a fashion forecast for spring 2012: Shapes Peplums: Last year I mentioned peplums in a blog when they hit hard last fall.  Well, they’re returning this spring, but instead of topping warm trousers, peplums are transforming winter jackets to tailored spring crop tops.

By Kaila White | January 18, 2012
The State Press

Maroon and Gamer: Consumers with a Role

Back in the day, game development took place in someone’s garage or basement with a computer or two that were less powerful than the phones we use today.  In the 21st Century, games are multi-million dollar investments by big-name publishers such as Electronic Arts and Activision.

By Spencer Fawcett | January 17, 2012
Taken by Faith Breisblatt; two different glass bottles, both of which were painted with the glue and food coloring mixture and one was also Mod Podged with paper.

Piece of Craft: Paint Is Not the Only Solution

I have always tried to paint the empty glass bottles that I have to create vases or other items.  I was always too lazy and never really bought glass paint, so typically I would just mess around with the various paints I had (watercolor, acrylic, cheap washable paints) and see what worked.

By Faith Breisblatt | January 16, 2012
Up-Do Tutorial, thebeautydepartment.com

Broke's the New Black: Getting Golden-Globe Glamorous

I’m not sure what your weekend plans entail, but I can promise mine will include some form of Golden Globes spectator party.  Every award show manages to produce infinite hype and publicity, especially in the fashion industry.  From Fashion Police to celeb-obsessed magazines, every starlet will grace a cover somewhere based on her outfit or flawless foundation. So aside from hiring a glam squad and personal stylist, how can we look just as glamorous?  There are tons of occasions year round where dressing up is a must, but without a Hollywood budget, it can be tricky. Luckily for us, once you find one knockout outfit, it won’t land you on the “worst dressed list” if you bust it out again.  It’s easy to wear the same thing multiple times and even easier to modify it so it will look like a fresh outfit each time. To shake up an old dress, try layering it with either a blazer or jacket.   New accessories always change the theme of an outfit.  Try a statement necklace, chandelier earrings, a cocktail ring, and/or layering bracelets (just not all at once!).  Pairing it with different-style shoes opens an entirely new door.  The combinations of accessories are endless. If you’ve held on to your old high school dance dresses, consider shortening the long ones.  For the price of a tailoring appointment you instantly have a new cocktail dress. Don’t fret if you don’t have a dress stocked in your closet.  There are many more options than just maxing out your credit card.  Many retailers have dress departments that offer reasonable prices.

By Amanda Larson | January 13, 2012
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