Archive for the ‘In the Details’ Category

SNOW DAY SURVIVAL KIT

Friday, January 24th, 2014

snow day survival

I love snow days!  Call it wishful thinking {because we are in desperate need of snow in our mountains}, but I am ready for another one.  We were lucky enough to get a day off due to snow just before our long winter break.  Unfortunately, it all melted before lunch time!  We are due another one.  A massive snow fall, with multiple days off from school, would make me VERY happy.  I thought it would be fun to put a Snow Day Survival Kit together just in case.  Being prepared always makes for a much more enjoyable day.

After playing in the snow for hours, they eventually come in.  Spending uninterrupted time together is a major perk to an unplanned day off.   New activities go a long way for entertainment value.  My kit includes: cookies-in-a-jar, hot cocoa and marshmallows, a deck of cards, a game to play together, and an old school movie.

snow day cookies

Snow Day.  Cookies required.  The key is making it easy to bake them.  Using a large Mason jar, I layered the dry ingredients for Best Ever: Chocolate Chip Cookies {directions and recipe after the jump}.  Dump the jar in a bowl, mix with butter, eggs & vanilla, and you have homemade cookies. Since I plan to give a few kits as gifts, I also created colorful direction cards and labels to go on the jar.

snow day kit

Other kit essentials:

HOT COCOA:  No snow day is complete without hot cocoa and marshmallows to warm up. Individual packets make it simple to make a quick cup.

DECK OF CARDS:  Play go-fish, high/low, or rummy.  How about a friendly game of poker using goldfish crackers to wager?

DRAW A SNOWMAN GAME{link after the jump}:  It is a great way to add a bit of art and drawing to your day.  Kids of all ages can play successfully.  Bonus-you will have works of art to hang up!

OLD SCHOOL MOVIE:  When you are exhausted and need to cuddle up- just pop in a classic movie you loved to watch as a kid.  I picked Goonies because, well, it is just awesome.

Well, now I am set and ready!  I know my boys would love a chance to miss school and sled all day instead.  We are all hoping a major winter storm hits Western Washington REALLY soon!

snow day

Click through for cookie recipe, the Draw A Snowman Game, and resources:

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SJP + NORDSTROM

Wednesday, January 22nd, 2014

sjp and nordstrom

Shoe porn.  There is no other way to describe it!  My goodness.  How exciting is this launch?  The girl who can rock a stiletto like no one else- now has her very own line.

Sarah Jessica Parker’s exclusive line for Nordstrom will be available February 28th.  The excitement is palpable.  With sneak peeks and tons of press, I am dying to try a pair on!  If you live in the Seattle area, you will have to make your way to the Downtown Flagship store. {Peek here for other store locations.}  SJP will also be in Seattle to present her line in person on March 5th.  How do I get that ticket?!?

All images via Coveteur.  Check out all of the fantastic images from their shoot with SJP + O Magazine.

P.S.  More Sole Food. A girl can never have too many pairs.

 

CHALKBOARD WALL. YES OR NO?

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

chalkboard wall

It’s all the rage.  Grab a gallon of chalkboard paint and pick a wall.  I have to be honest.  I love the look, but I am a skeptic.  I worry that the idea of the wall is so much better than the reality of a wall you cover with messy chalk.  I don’t live in a magazine.  I am not an artist nor have I mastered hand lettering……skills that would make a chalkboard wall awesome.  I am a bit of a control freak.  Disappointment looms.

So, I have to ask.  Chalkboard wall.  Yes or no?  Do you have a chalkboard wall in your home?  Is it just how you wanted it?   How do handle the messiness?  Do you clean it often?  Where is it located?  I want to be convinced it is a great idea.  It is just paint after all.

Images 1/2/3/4/5

 

TV MARATHON

Wednesday, January 8th, 2014

parenthood

I may have a problem with Netflix.  I recently started watching the series Parenthood {from the beginning} and I cannot get enough.  I love the characters in this show.  They are all flawed in someway, but that is what makes them so interesting and funny.  The beauty of discovering a series, well after its start, is being able to watch {stream} one episode after another. With TV series available on Netflix, AmazonPrime, DVD, and OnDemand- TV marathons are possible whenever you may like!  {BE WARNED!  It is a slippery slope and can cause anti-social behavior.}

I have watched a few others series just like this.  I immersed myself in Gossip Girl, Downtown Abbey {Seasons 1 and 2}, Homeland, Sopranos {Seasons 1 and 2}.  I got to thinking.  If I hadn’t watched shows from the beginning, which of my favorites {past and present} would be good to watch as a marathon.  My suggestions are:  Friday Night Lights, Mad Men, West Wing, Six Feet Under, Breaking Bad, House of Cards {Netflix original} and Orange is the New Black {Netflix original}.

It won’t be long until I have no Parenthood episodes left to watch.  I need something in my queue.  How about Sherlock?  Scandal?  The Tudors?  I need your suggestions.

 

A NEUTRAL EYE

Tuesday, January 7th, 2014

a neautral eye

Almost every day I use basic, neutral makeup on my eyes.  I don’t have the time {or interest} in doing more than just the basics:  shadow, liner, mascara.  Today I am sharing the products I have used for years and one new addition!

Step 1:  Brows

Don’t underestimate giving your brows attention!  I love {LOVE} the Anastasia Brow Kit.  This handy kit comes with stencils, tweezers, brow powder, a brush, and brow gel.  It sounds a bit high maintenance- but I got the hang of using the tools and now it takes less than 30 seconds.  Really.   I use Brunette/Dark Brown Brow Powder Duo.

Step 2: Shadow

My lids are very dark, so I use MAC Paint Pot in Rubenesque  to even out the color.  Some days that is all I wear.  Other days, I either use Stila eye shadow in Kitten{a shimmery nude pink} or shadow from my Too Faced Natural Eye Neutral Eye Shadow Collection.  I adore this little palette. It comes with 9 shadows and three instruction cards with step-by-step application instructions.  I call that “Eye Shadow for Dummies” and it is awesome.

Step 3: Liner

For years I have used shadow as my liner.  Using an angled brush, it is easy to get a thin or thick line-whatever your mood.  Most days I use the shadow Sexpresso in my Too Faced palette.  For Christmas, Santa brought me Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Black.  I really like how easy it is to apply and it doesn’t smudge at all.  Super excited about this addition to my basics.

Step 4: Mascara

A quick curl of the lashes and a swipe of mascara and I am done.  My favorite is they’re real! mascara by Benefit.  It is truly amazing what it does for your lashes!  The dark, dark black color really makes your eyes pop.  Be warned: you will need makeup remover to get it off at night.

All told, it takes about 2 minutes to do my eye makeup.  Quick, easy, and somewhat presentable.

 

MERRY AND BRIGHT

Tuesday, December 24th, 2013

merry and bright

Celebrate each blessing that comes to you with true splendor and amazement.

Be merry and bright.  xoxox-denise

FAVORITE POSTS OF 2013

Monday, December 23rd, 2013

the best of 2013

With a relaunch in July, Where is June took on a whole new look.  It has been a year full of growth and creativity.  With over 200 posts, it was fun to look back and decide on nine to highlight as favorites.  Some were reader favorites, while others are my personal favorites.  Thank you so much for your continued support.  I truly love writing and creating this blog.  After taking a couple weeks off to rest and celebrate with my boys, I will be back here ready for a brand new year!  I hope 2013 closes with your hearts full and 2014 brings you nothing but happiness.

Top Row:

CELIAC AND WE

{JUNE LOVES} RANK AND STYLE

WHERE IS JUNE? MEETS OH JOY!

Middle Row:

KEEPING SUMMER MINDS ACTIVE

PLAYING DRESS UP

{DAIRY FREE} STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE

Bottom Row:

{MOM UNIFORM] MODERN COCKTAIL

HELLS CANYON RAFTING

MATTE GRAY NAILS

{See you back here on January 6, 2014!}

CLASSIC COCOA & CANDY CANE SPOONS

Wednesday, December 18th, 2013

classic cocoa and candy cane spoons

This year I wanted to put together a simple, handmade gift.  A jar of classic cocoa and a bundle of candy cane spoons is festive and it works for anyone!

I cut the original Classic Cocoa recipe from Sunset Magazine in half and layered the ingredients in a pint sized {wide-mouthed} Mason jar.  With a little Chalkboard Flat-Black Spray Paint on the lids, I was able to add messages and hand- drawn hearts.   Cocoa is always better with a bit of peppermint.  Well, at least I think so!  I almost fell over when I found these darling candy cane spoons.  I bundled them together in a clear treat bag and tied with baker’s twine.  Last, I created an enclosure with directions on how to make the cocoa.  {Download the template here if you would like to print the enclosure.}

You could make this gift in less than an hour and buy all of the needed ingredients at the grocery store.  {In a time crunch, use candy cane sticks and skip the chalkboard paint.}

Be merry and bright.

classic cocoa gift

 

DIY MONOGRAMMED WREATH

Tuesday, December 17th, 2013

monogrammed wreath

So excited to say this DIY project was all me!  Months ago I purchased this wooden “T” at Michael’s.  I can’t remember the cost, but I think it was around $5.  Like most things I buy at that store, I had no idea how I was going to use it!

I ended up using it to create my own monogrammed holiday wreath.  First, I taped diagonal stripes.  {To make sure the spacing and angle of the tape was consistent, I used an extra piece of tape between each stripe and then peeled it off.}  Next, I sprayed a few coats of gold metallic spray paint.  Then, I secured an eye hook to the back of the letter and looped floral wire through the eye.  Last, I wrapped the floral wire around a fresh wreath and attached my monogram.

After the holiday season, I can simply take off the letter and store it for next year!

Be Merry & Bright.

 

DIY PINE CONE GARLAND

Tuesday, December 17th, 2013

pinecone garland

I do love seeing DIY projects, but I seem to only pick the ones that are easy and require little effort.  I loved the idea of a rustic pine cone garland.  Actually, I quietly would like to replace my holiday decor with all white, metallic, and natural decorations.  Instead of throwing everything out, I am trying to add accents that require little to no budget.

For this garland, I purchased a bag of scented pine cones at the grocery store.  Next, I drilled very small holes into the base of the pine cones and screwed in small eye hooks with a pair of needle nosed pliers.  Everything is better with gold spray paint, so I gave them each a quick coat.  Finally I tied each pine cone on the line of twine.  If I was to do it again {which I will next year}, I would use heavier, rustic twine.  Mine looks more like kite string.

I simply hung the garland in front of a set of windows using small Command hooks.  It adds a natural element to our dining room and smells amazing to boot!

Be Merry and Bright!

Interested in other DIY projects?  Check out my TO DO board.  xoxo

 

Where is June?

 

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