Bedhead to Elegant Updo [Video] Tutorial

Inspired by my sister-in-law and friend, Breanna, who has an awesome hairstyle/fashion/personal blog, I’ve decided to share a tutorial for a quick, easy, and elegant updo that will transform your messy hair into a neat, beautiful, romantic hairstyle.

You’ll need:

• About a million hairpins
• Hair flowers or other hair accessories (optional)

Note: my hair had a bit of texture in it from the previous day, so if your hair is very flat you may want to add some product. I love TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Spray Gel.

And here’s the tutorial:

4 Responses to Bedhead to Elegant Updo [Video] Tutorial

1. Sereina 
   November 1st, 2011 at 10:47 pm Moderate
   Very pretty! I love the flowers you added.
2. Susanna 
   November 2nd, 2011 at 7:23 am Moderate
   Loved it! Absolutely beautiful–think I’ll have to try it!
3. Steffani 
   November 2nd, 2011 at 8:23 am Moderate
   Hello Erica! I am a new reader of your blog, and I would like to tell you how much your blog fascinates me.
   Thank you for this tutorial. It’s a very good timing, since I crave to learn more hairstyles for my unruly hair.
   I am looking forward eagerly to your future posts! :)
4. Kathryn Grace 
   November 7th, 2011 at 12:55 pm Moderate
   Lovely! I have done a similar style to this on someone else but I haven’t tried doing on myself. It’s so nice to see tutorials for updos with straight hair! It is so hard to achieve a nice looking updo if you don’t have curls.

“Let Them Be Little” Photo Challenge

My cousin’s little girl, Mariah, from Ireland. What bright, beautiful eyes she has!

For the I Heart Faces photo challenge.

To see many more “Let Them Be Little” photos, stop by I Heart Faces.

10 Responses to “Let Them Be Little” Photo Challenge

1. Cindi Murphy 
   October 24th, 2011 at 8:38 am Moderate
   Love his cheeks!!
2. Kel 
   October 24th, 2011 at 10:05 am Moderate
   Oh my goodness!!! She is so cute!!!!!
3. Fairly Candid 
   October 24th, 2011 at 10:24 am Moderate
   Thank you for stopping by my blog. I love your entry as well. Great clarity on the eyes! Congratulations on your UHF winning photo and top 10 entries. You certainly deserved them. :-) Mary
4. Fairly Candid 
   October 24th, 2011 at 10:25 am Moderate
   Oops, I meant IHF entries, not UHF (fumble fingers).
5. Melanie 
   October 24th, 2011 at 10:43 am Moderate
   I heart that face too! My little sweetie pie! I love your pictures, Erica.
6. Jackie 
   October 24th, 2011 at 12:56 pm Moderate
   cute, love those blue eyes!
7. Ashley SIsk 
   October 24th, 2011 at 1:06 pm Moderate
   Love those eyes!
8. lynne 
   October 24th, 2011 at 2:24 pm Moderate
   Such a determined look in her beautiful eyes as she pulls herself up. Love it.
9. Annie 
   October 24th, 2011 at 8:22 pm Moderate
   Erica, what a beautiful photo! Soooo precious! =)
10. Kathryn Grace 
    October 25th, 2011 at 3:03 pm Moderate
    Wow, what eyes! Love the colors in this shot.

Grandma’s Hands

Grandma’s skilled hands teach my sister how to roll up apple strudel.

For the I Heart Faces photo challenge.

To see many more “hand” photos, stop by I Heart Faces!

13 Responses to Grandma’s Hands

1. Regina White 
   October 11th, 2011 at 9:30 am Moderate
   Those Grandmother’s hand can tell so many stories. I love this. Thanks for your blog love as well.
2. Tania 
   October 11th, 2011 at 9:58 am Moderate
   … this made me miss my grandmother so much. I love this image.
   http://www.redhandedphotography.blogspot.com
   http://www.redhandedphotography.com
3. Trude 
   October 11th, 2011 at 10:55 am Moderate
   Absolutely love the story this shot tells. Fantastic!
4. Christina 
   October 11th, 2011 at 11:01 am Moderate
   Great shot. I love baking with my mom and this reminds me of how she’s always teaching me. Beautiful!
5. Felicity 
   October 11th, 2011 at 2:29 pm Moderate
   This is a fabulous shot! I love *everything* about it!
6. Kathryn Grace 
   October 12th, 2011 at 12:09 pm Moderate
   Love this photo… makes me think of a quiet, relaxed afternoon at Grandma’s house, baking. Lovely!
7. Jen 
   October 15th, 2011 at 9:39 am Moderate
   Such a beautiful photo! I love the story it tells of passing down treasured recipes.
8. isea 
   October 15th, 2011 at 11:21 am Moderate
   Congratulations! On the win. Beautiful Photo.
9. jill 
   October 15th, 2011 at 11:33 am Moderate
   congratulations on your first place prize! …..love the photo.
10. Mallory 
    October 15th, 2011 at 11:49 am Moderate
    This really is beautiful! Congrats on the win!
11. Sereina 
    October 15th, 2011 at 3:43 pm Moderate
    Whoo-hoo! You got first place! Congrats!
12. Kathryn Grace 
    October 15th, 2011 at 9:39 pm Moderate
    Congrats on the first place win! :-)
13. sarah bryant 
    October 16th, 2011 at 12:10 am Moderate
    I LOVE this! So perfect.

Golfing at The Sand Trap

A short movie that I filmed & edited. Enjoy!

4 Responses to Golfing at The Sand Trap

1. Sereina 
   October 7th, 2011 at 3:57 pm Moderate
   Fun video! I love the music; Up is one of my favorite soundtracks.
2. Melanie 
   October 8th, 2011 at 3:09 pm Moderate
   We enjoyed that, Erica. Thanks. :)
3. DessertForTwo 
   October 11th, 2011 at 12:29 am Moderate
   Cute :)
   What inspirted you to do this? Are you expanding your creative space beyond photos and baking? Do tell! :)
4. Erica Lea 
   October 11th, 2011 at 8:42 am Moderate
   DessertForTwo: I’ve always been interesting in making “films.” When I was thirteen my sisters and I bought a little digital video camera, and my siblings and I spent many, many hours making movies. I’d love to get more into making films, and with HD video capability on my new camera (the Nikon D7000), I’ll be doing some experimenting. :)

Earring Storage

While I’m just starting my earring collection, I’ve discovered a handy, pretty way of storing them neatly. I simply hang them from a lovely little bowl given to me by a dear friend.

Once my earring collection grows a bit, I’ll have to upgrade to a more substantial organizer. Like so: {link}

How do you keep your jewelry organized?

2 Responses to Earring Storage

1. Sarah W. 
   October 6th, 2011 at 11:21 am Moderate
   The organizer you linked to is super cute, and you could totally DIY!!
2. Crystal 
   October 6th, 2011 at 8:53 pm Moderate
   I did something similar to the link that you posted, but with chicken wire in the frame instead. There is a picture of it in my Facebook album “Crystal’s Creations.” I’ve also seen a picture frame with window screen on it that was really cute! :)

Katelyn, With a Point-and-Shoot

Taken with Reuben’s Sony DSC-H20

Shutter: 1/50 sec. ~ f/4.0 ~ 32.3mm ~ ISO 100

How I got the look:

Positioned camera with sun at back of subject. Backed away from subject and zoomed in to eliminate wide-angle distortion.

Do you shoot with a point-and-shoot? Any tips for getting great shots?

3 Responses to Katelyn, With a Point-and-Shoot

1. Robin 
   September 22nd, 2011 at 10:49 am Moderate
   Hi Erica Lea :)
   I have a fairly simple point and shoot camera…..a Sony DSC-S750. I would love to know if this picture of Katelyn (gorgeous!) has been edited or photo-shopped in any way or is it straight out of the camera??? I would love to have a fancy shmancy camera but I just can’t afford one right now. I am a stay at home mom and I take pics of my kids all of the time. I would love for them to turn out as beautifully as this one!!! Any suggestions you have would be much appreciated!! Thank you!!
   PS Love your blogs!! Thanks for sharing your wedding photos….absolutely beautiful.
2. Erica Lea 
   September 22nd, 2011 at 11:21 am Moderate
   Robin: Yes, I edited the photo using Paint Shop Pro Photo XI. Most photos can benefit from a bit of a touch-up! For portraits, I usually soften blemishes, whiten eyes and teethe, and enhance the eyelashes and lips a bit. I also like to adjust the color if needed (usually photos are a bit too “warm” or “cool” before editing).
   Here are a few tips that I have found useful:
   Turn off your flash. Most on-camera flashes are pretty awful.
   Step away from your subject and zoom in. This is much more flattering than standing close to your subject and using a wide angle.
   Experiment with different angles. Most people look best when the camera is at eye level or a bit above.
   Edit your photos! A little boost in post can turn a boring photo into something exciting.
   Don’t over-edit your photos, though! You want it to look natural. :)
3. Robin 
   September 22nd, 2011 at 2:10 pm Moderate
   OMGsh! Thank you so much!! I will try it out these tips. Can’t wait to see how they turn out. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply. Very sweet of you :)

Fall Knitting Wish List

Things I wish I had the time/inclination/materials to knit:

Lovely shawl using fingering weight yarn and US size 6 needles. {link}

Que Sera Cardigan. So pretty. (Worsted?) Cotton yarn, US size 8 and 6 needles. {link}

Reading Mitts. DK weight yarn, US size 5 needles. {link}

Queen Anne’s Cardigan. Old-fashioned but charming. Pattern $6. Sport weight yarn. US size 6, 7, and 8 needles. {link}

Dianna shawl. Lovely colors. So Autumnish. Lace weight yarn. Us size 6 needles. {link}

Another pretty shawl pattern. Fingering weight yarn. US size 6 needles. {link}

Milanese Lace Topper. Like I need another hat pattern. But this one is lovely. Worsted weight yarn. US size 4 needles. {link}

Rikke Hat. Sorry, another hat. But I’m in love with slouchies. DK weight yarn.  US size 4 and 7 needles. {link}

A Little Ruffle scarf. Sport weight yarn. US size 7 needles. {link}

Dionysus Socks. Fingering weight yarn. US size 1 needles. {link}

What’s on your to-do list this fall?

3 Responses to Fall Knitting Wish List

1. Marilyn 
   September 19th, 2011 at 11:27 am Moderate
   I really love those socks. What a cheerful color to look down and see. :-) I’m more than a little embarrassed to admit that I’d like to continue crocheting the blanket I’ve been working on for eight years. Fortunately, it’s more about enjoying the process and rhythm for me. I’m also hoping this is the year that I finally stop being intimidated and make my first apple pie.
2. Jude 
   September 22nd, 2011 at 5:47 am Moderate
   Hi Erica,
   Congratulations on your recent wedding. I am so glad you put all those beautiful wedding pictures up, they tell a lovely story.
   I agree with you, so much knitting, so little time. Make the mits – they are a very speedy knit. I have made two pairs as gitfs and they knit up very quickly and are very feminine.
   I enjoy your food blog very much and have it linked from my own.
   Cheers,
   Jude
3. diablo 3 trailer 
   September 24th, 2011 at 8:25 pm Moderate
   Everything is extremely open and extremely clear explanation of concerns. was truly info. Your web site is really useful. Many thanks for sharing.