Tape it

Washi tape, or also know as masking tape, might be the biggest hype in DIY land at the moment.
The idea is actually quite simple: it's a tape made of rice paper, in a fun color or print. Because of the material it is easy to tear, easy to remove, you are able to use it multiple times and you can easily write on it.

So it's a cute looking tape. But what do you do with it?
Lemme show ya...

Tune up your dull keyboard into something colorful and fun

Make pretty labels! You can use them for gift wrapping, labelling your cookie or candy jars...

Super easy to make and so much fun as a cupcake topper or as decoration in a drink

Empty bottles or old vases become funky in a flash

Block time slots in your schedule

A temporary collage on the wall

Even phones and mp3 players aren't safe anymore

Still not convinced?
Then you should definiteley visit Pinterest for many, so many other fun DIY ideas.
Just type in washi tape or masking tape and pictures will keep coming.

Wanna get started?
The tape is sold at several online shops such as ebay, etsy and lots of individual stores.
Not such a fan of online shopping? Then you should definitely try shops for the creative arts in bigger cities but in Holland also at our one and only Hema!
I already bought a few different ones there and besides the fun prints they are also a bit cheaper than most online shops, really worth your while.

I hope you will all have as much fun with this 'piece of tape' as I do, enjoy!

Love,
Noes

Counting down

In just two days I will be a part again of the summer festival lifestyle!
Apart from the amazing bands and artists performing, I can't help but love finding and creating the cutest festival looks.

Since I have Pinterest, the finding part has been so easy...

 The casual look

 The girly, pastel look

 The most amazing festival dress, especially for hot summer days

 Sunglasses and boho hair

And not to forget and ultimate look, the head scarf

Of course you could also just let it all go and have fun!

I know we will!

Love,
Noes

Interior inspiration

For a lot of people the design of your home interior is close to the best part of moving, but where do you begin?
Even though I am not moving myself at the moment, I love my Dutch interior magazines like VT Wonen, Ariadne at Home. I believe a lot of other people do too but we still sell ourselves short...

Magazines are by far not the only or best source of inspiration.

For all of you who are not sure if they agree with me but love home interior, now tell me: What is it that makes your favorite movies your favorite?

Right.

That one movie you could watch over and over again but still love it, to me it is 'It's Complicated'.

The set designer, Beth Rubino, read my mind on so many things. The kitchen, the clawfoot bath tub , the bakery, the garden... wow.

Surely I wouldn't mind living in a house like this some day!

So for all of you moving or redecorating any time soon, look further than only the magazines. You will be surprised!

Love,
Noes

Studded phone case

Since festival season is coming up again, the trends in fashion are also adjusting.
Something that belongs to my favorites: studded items, you can apply them on almost every piece of clothing but what I also really like is this tutorial.

Ready, set, diy!

What do you need?
- A silicone cover for your phone, color is of course to your taste
- Pyramid studs, I used 10 mm ones

I bought both the covers and studs on ebay, it may take some time to arrive but it has the best result: fun and cheap!

- A ruler
- Pliers
- A needle
- A pencil

Step 1. Figure out a design, what pattern do you like? Not a clue? Try Google, Tumblr or Pinterest for some examples.

Step 2. Use the ruler en pencil to create a grid, if you don't it is very hard to create a straight line while applying the studs.

Step 3. Start in the corner with your first stud and work in rows. Take a stud and push it onto the case in the right place, it probably won't go all the way through but that is what the needle is for. If you now lift the stud you will see little marks, pierce through those with your needle and the stud will go in much easier.

Step 4. When the stud is all the way through, hold it in place and use the pliers to flatten the prongs. Really use the pliers and not your hands or nails, they can be really sharp.

This is an example of the inside of a case which is studded. That is what the flatted prongs should look like.

 

Step 5. Continue like this until all studs are in place. Check if every stud is secure and your case is done! You could add a piece of fabric to the inside to prevend your phone from scratching.
The first case I created is the picture all the way to the top. You could work with all colors of studs and covers to create various results, there are tons of examples online so don't hesitate to look around before you buy everything.
Have fun!

Love,
Noes

Pinterest

Recently I have joined Pinterest and I can't help but wonder: Why haven't I joined sooner?!

Ever since I discovered Tumblr I am completely happy with the opportunity to browse through tons of pictures, not Google style but lovely pictures, to get the best ideas.
I never owned Tumblr myself so sharing these pictures and ideas was more or less out of the question. But since I have Pinterest now, the circle is complete.

The things I love most are 1. DIY projects. Bracelets, studded items, even lamps!
2. Fashion, style, everything! I like a lot of different styles and ideas in fashion but sometimes you just need a start. How do I pull this off? Or what is a cute match with it?

 Pinterest is the answer.

Curious about my pins? According To Noes on Pinterest

Here some examples to get you started, hope you will all join soon!

 

 

Have fun pinning!

Love,
Noes

Statement nails

It needs some getting used to, but I think I like it!

Love,
Noes

Cupcake day

My day off from work was well spend on not one, but two cupcake projects.
One in a pastel theme, the other cute and sweet for a bachelorette party. I'm very happy with the results!

The pastel project

The bachelorette project

It's always exciting to create something new, especially when it's a design you haven't made before.

I can definitely say that I had a lot of opportunity for that this time, so much fun!
I hope the girls will enjoy!

Love,
Noes

G'day Aussie!

For a bachelorette who will move to Australia after the wedding, I found tools for a very cute Australia theme.

But besides cupcakes, who doesn't love brownies?
Right... so I made a slightly different version. Blondies!

Despite of the weather, I hope you all have fun today! Enjoy the party!

Love,
Noes

Royal carrot cake

Tomorrow we are celebrating Queensday, here in Holland.
A festivity, a celebration. What better excuse is there to bake?

So I hereby present my 'royal' carrot cake!

Orange topping since that is the color for the royal family and is probably the color that 90% of the Dutch are wearing tomorrow.
For anyone unfamiliar with carrot cake, it is delicious! It actually doesn't taste like carrot at all, the spices used are the main flavor with a touch of carrot, walnut and topping.

The result of my cake was way better than I expected and it is definitely one for the According To Noes bakery from now on!

Enjoy your weekend and Queensday!

Love,
Noes

Springtime garland

While reading the easter edition of one of my favorite magazines I found such a fun idea.
Sure you can go ahead and just buy pretty things but when it comes to seasonal styles, how often would you like to change?

And how fun is it to make something yourself? Even just the process of it.
So instead of following Emily of Cupcakes & Cashmere and buy a very pretty tassel garland, I followed my magazine and made a springtime garland myself.

I used bird and feather shapes in pastel colors but of course you can design it any way you like.
What do you need?
- Several sheets of colored paper,  you can also use wallpaper or gift wrap.
- Pretty shapes or drawing skills
- Two threads, one regular for sewing, one more substantial
- Scissors
- A sewing machine

- Draw your shapes onto the paper with a pencil, mind that for wallpaper and such you should cut out double and mirror one to create a entire shape.
- Place all your shapes in an order you like.
- Place the bigger thread on top of your shapes and sew over it (zigzag) with the regular sewing thread. Go on until you're done!

Cute, isn't it?
Love,
Noes

It's not a party without cupcakes

So I made some!

 

 

Birthday guirlandes and new home cupcakes, yum

Love,
Noes

Fabulous Fifi

Cute, very fashionable and a huge celebrity... Who's that girl? It's Fifi Lapin!

Fifi only wears the most fabulous outfits from the runway and rocks them.

Admire all her runway (and off runway) outfits, here at her blog.

Fifi party proof,

Winter wonderland proof

and all ready for girls night out!

We definitely share the same taste since we have the same coat...

...and we both like to go for the casual look. This is probably my favorite so far.

Not only does Fifi lapin have the amazing blog for her outfits, you could also own your very own Fifi scarf, bag, shirt artwork and style guide.

This bunny is a star on the rise, mark my words!

Love,
Noes