Four Hearts Greeting Card

This is a project I made on order, and my first time so. I made this for my dear friend to present it to her husband for his birthday. It was customised as per her colour specifications and design preferences. 

She absolutely loved it and said it is better than any card she would have to buy from Archie's otherwise. Big smiles for the compliment :D!! She insisted on adding a hand written message personally.

The pearly white contrasts as well as compliments the red shimmery texture well, don't you say?

My August Vellvette Box - The Bag is Back

My August Vellvette Bag Review
Last week, Vellvette did a poll whether we preferred a pouch as in the June Travel Edition or the classic black box. Very promptly, Vellvette sent us a bag this month, clearly declaring the winner. Satisfactorily, mine arrived pretty early too. I got 3 goodies packed in the black version of the previously pink pouch. Have to say, the black looks classier than the pink one but is just as handy. Happy to pile these on!

My August Vellvette Box/ Bag contained the following:
1. Sally Hansen Lip Plumper - Sheer Cherry
2. LA Splash Glitter Mascara - Abyss
3. H2O+ Waterwhite Advanced Brightening Hydrator Cream

    

1. Sally Hansen Lip Plumper (Full size worth Rs. 775/-):

This lip gloss smells like a combination of cinnamon and bubble gum. It says on the packaging that it might tingle a little and as promised, it does tingle (not a little). On first application, I felt like the lip gloss is literally trying to poke, sting and irritate my lips into swelling up! Soon enough, the stingy feeling subsides. Once that's gone down, the lip gloss isn't too bad. The texture is fairly smooth, smells good and surely makes the lips look fuller (nothing exponential though). I got the shade Sheer Cherry/ Cherry Red but gives a light pink tint to the lips. I find this very wearable but preferably with a lipstick to enhance the transparent shade. The brush applicator is a positive add-on.

2. LA Splash Glitter Mascara (Full size worth Rs. 895/-):

I am glad I got this mascara instead of the hair cream/ cleansers few others have got. I can't thank the Vellvette team enough for sending me the black shade and not the blue one. This mascara definitely gives a clump free application and makes the lashes look longer as claimed but does nothing the volume of the lashes. I particularly like the ease of use of the applicator as compared to other brushes that usually touch the eyelids creating a mess. The mascara claims to have glitter and we do see tiny golden specks of it on the bottle but they are in pretty futile on application.The mascara didn't budge even after I rubbed my eyes several times. Thumbs up for being smudge proof as claimed. This product is very usable on a daily basis where creating dramatic eyes is not the aim. 

3. H2O Waterwhite Advanced Brightening Hydrator Cream:

This product came in a super-tiny sample size. And by super-tiny I mean super duper tiny (just 8gms)! Although I am excited to use this and was in need of a skin brightening moisturizer, I really wish they didn't send such a midget of a product. I am not even sure it will last long enough to make a difference. Well, I hope it goes a long way at least in it's performance.

As always, the Vellvette box this month is value packed. Loaded with 2 full sized products and a sample, it's value this month is over Rs. 1670/-. Lets not forget the pouch which is a starlet in itself. The best part is that I find all products fairly tailored to my preference and employable in my regime. 

Somehow, I feel I usually receive less products than most others. Ugh! EVERYONE receives 4 products but me (y u hate me vellvette?)! 

I am looking forward to the September box which is supposed to be their anniversary box. I hope it is way better than this month. Although this month was satisfactory, there was no OMG factor. Are you renewing your subscription?

If you still haven't booked yourself a box, book the subscription from their website:

http://www.vellvette.com/

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JULY VELLVETTE BOX

Helloo girlies!!
Today, my July Vellvette Box arrived after a month of desperate waiting and I must say, it was well worth the wait. This month's theme was "Quick Fixes" for all those products that give you a fabulously glam look in minutes. Unlike June, this month's box came in the classic pretty little black box wrapped in a hot pink ribbon instead of a pouch. I was super excited to receive my box and very happy with its contents.

My July Vellvette Box contained:
1. Sally Hansen Miracle Cure
2. Nyassa Morning Dew Body Mist
3. Flormar Deluxe Shine Gloss Lipstick - D34
4. BONUS: Bling Nail Appliques

1. Sally Hansen Miracle Cure (Full size, worth Rs. 675/-)
Transparent nail base coat that claims to strengthen, moisturize, seal and bond the nail layers together to give 50% stronger nails in just 3 days. I am sold! This product goes on my use ASAP list!

2. Nyassa Morning Dew Body Mist (Cute Little Sample)
I absolutely love the fragrance! Totally goes with the whole monsoon ambience. Utterly fresh and uplifting fragrance that just lingers around exhilarating you each time you get a sniff. I have been wearing it for a few hours and it still smells pretty strong. I feel it will keep me fresh all day and will need an extra puff for the night. The tiny little glass bottle is a cute touch!

3. Flormar Deluxe Shine Lipstick - D34 (Full Size, worth Rs. 700/-)
The lipstick feels lusciously smooth and smells delicious. Although the lipstick has light to medium coverage and needs to be used on buffed lips, the formula is soft and leaves the lips very moisturized. The lipstick feels just like a lip balm and the colour is sheer and shiny enough to elude the lip gloss. Very handy and comfortable for daily use. After I swatched it, my baby girl went to town with it (lol girls will be girls). Doesn't smudge off too easily, however, it will need reapplication every few hours or after meals.  I give it two thumbs up!

4. Bling Nail Appliques (worth Rs. 150/-)

To use these, I will need to let my nails grow out for a while. It claims to stay on for upto 2 weeks, which sounds awesome. So, I am going to shelf it for a while and use later. I do love the pattern they've sent me as well as the price tag on it.

Not to forget, as always this box packed with awesomeness also enclosed discount vouchers of  Rs. 50/- on the full sized versions or repeat purchases of any of these products from their website.

I am totally elated with the July Vellvette Box. At prices starting as low as Rs. 300/- going up to Rs. 499/- based on subscription period, these boxes are packed with goodies of value well over Rs. 1,500/- this month. Thanks a ton Team Vellvette for sending me all products and shades according to my liking unlike last time. I am very glad I didn't receive the LaSplash mascara (I couldn't bear getting a blue one!!) or the nail paint (I like to keep my nails nude) that some others got. The Sally Hansen hand, nail and cuticle cream from other boxes would also have been a good pick for me though. 

Let me know what you got in your Vellvette Box this month and which product is your favourite. 

If you still haven't booked yourself a box, book the August subscription from the following page:

http://vellvette.com/index.php/the-august-vellvette-box.html

Follow or like their face book page from the link below:

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Three Heart Easel Card

Helllooooo People,
It's been a busy couple of weeks on my side; and the card-making process was slow, and painful, yet steady and fruitful. So two weeks ago, I hit the craft store and got myself some beautiful coloured card stock that had brilliant textures on it. Couldn't make up my mind on which colours I would settle for, nor had any embellishment ideas. Absolutely clueless, I picked up 6 large sheets and a few craft supplies.

Then for days, I browsed through blogs, card making tutorials, pinterest, etc., and I still hadn't decided on what I would want to make. Then I just rested for a few days to let the inspiration flow in... and I waited and I waited till I could wait no more! Then I started putting the card together and the puzzle pieces slowly became clearer. This is the final outcome...

This is by far the most complicated and time consuming card I have made. Next time, I might just make something simple. Phew! 

All three hearts of the card fold down flat (not entirely flat because of the flowers), with the biggest heart landing on top. After being opened, this card can be placed as a trophy plaque on any flat surface. The smallest heart then folds down to reveal the message on the heart behind it. The medium sized heart folds down over the smaller heart to reveal the banner behind it. 

The card is embellished with simple flowers, butterflies, and a birdhouse with two lovebirds - which I found perfect for an anniversary theme. I set it in the colour theme of dark blue and sea blue which seemed fitting for the male on the receiving end. The textured paper was impossible to write on, so, I completed the message with a glass liner (hence the shakiness). 

Everything on this card is cut out by hand (except the tiny flowers in the centre of the large ones). If any of you want to try your hand on making something creative, don't hold back. 

Please let me know how you like my work in the comments section below.

Tiered Cake Handmade Card

Hello Friends,
I am posting pictures of another handmade card I made for my husband for his birthday last November. Needless to say, he absolutely loved it.

This is a 4 tiered cake card with a handmade rose embellishment on top. The materials used are only thick textured paper, scissors, glue and a small flower punch. The top 2 tiers of the card slide out completely to reveal a hand written message. 

I was absolutely elated that the end results came out just like I had in mind. Even though I was absolutely clueless on the measurements, the card assembled really well in the end. I did want to embellish the card a little more, but given the colours I got my hands on, going minimal seemed like the best approach.

Do let me know how you liked the card in the comments section below.

Flower Pot Handmade Card

Hello beauties,

Nothing says you care like a handmade card. And I have been trying to make my own hand-crafted cards over the past year. I haven't been able to share my ideas with everyone till today, but my baby turned one last month, and I fortunately have had some time for myself lately.

Stamping, punching, die-cut, distress ink, card stock, scoring, embossing, etc are techniques I have zero knowledge about and it is near damn impossible to find these tools out here. So, I start all my projects from scratch, cut them out by hand using a pair of scissors and stick them all with fevicol.

My second anniversary is coming up in 10 days and I want to make a card which I would love to share with all of you step by step. Just thought I'd share a couple of my past projects with you first.

Flower Pot Slide Out Card

I made this card for my first anniversary. It looks like a pretty little flower pot, the flowers slide out to reveal an inlay card with a hand written message (which I had to sensor). The embellishments are simple glitter, a golden ribbon and a few sequins used as flower centers.

The flowers and leaves are cut out by hand and embellished with glitter. Only the center of the flower is stuck to the card and petals lifted upwards, giving it a slight 3D effect.

Let me know how you all like the card in the comments section below.

June Vellvette Box/Bag

Hello Trolls,
Sometime last month, I stumbled upon Vellvette's website and the idea of a mystery box filled with luxury brand goodies, appealed to me almost immediately. Without thinking twice, I ordered a 3 month subscription. Since then, I waited and waited for my pretty little gift to myself reach me. After much ado, I received my package last week - THE TRAVEL EDITION JUNE VELLVETTE BAG.

Out of the package came this pretty little pink pouch that can be put to much use. It is roomy, decent quality and will hold all the necessary cosmetics you need on the go. Lets get into it... 

The pouch held the following:

1. LA Splash Glitter eyeliner in Eclipse - Full Size

2. Just Herbs Summer Kit 

3. TVAM Walnut and Apricot Scrub & Body Polisher

The eyeliner is black, gel based with pretty blue glitters. On first application, the glitters are not very visible. But after a swipe or two with the finger, they sparkle right through. I like the colour, the glitters are subtle and not too loud. Like other shades of the same product, I do not have the complaint that it easily comes off. The glitters embed well in the liner and stay put. Unfortunately, It is not waterproof and will sit in my dresser till the monsoons end.

The Just Herbs Summer Kit consists of a Skin Radiance Gel, Rose Facepack and a Sun Protection Gel. This  kit as well as the TVAM scrub are great picks for our organic product lovers and smell great too. I have not yet tried these products and hence cant review them.

The Vellvette subscription costs approximately Rs. 399/- a month. The cost of the eyeliner alone pays for the box twice. The pouch is an added attraction this month.

I love the pouch and liner. I am not a great fan of the other two products and wish I received the "I like..." shower gel and Toni&Guy product they've been featuring instead. Even though I wasn't exhilarated by my first Vellvette box, I am already impatiently waiting for my next one.

Don't just judge my review, ORDER YOUR OWN JULY BOX here:

http://www.vellvette.com/products/the-vellvette-box

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