Blog Banner Questions and Monday Makeup Randomness

Helllllllllllllllllllllo friends and happy Monday. (That's said with a period, not exclamation point for a reason-it's Monday.)

So, I want to make a new blog banner and/or play with my layout. (Yes, this is deja vu if you've been following me for awhile. I get all indecisive about what I want). I've noticed tons of you sprucing up the bloggidy for the fall and it makes me come over to mine and be all "ho hum..." Eric has the entire adobe creative package (photoshop, illustrator, etc). I don't, but he's agreed to let me hijack his computer soon and play around to make a new banner or whatever (the "or whatever" is evidence of my knowledge of how to do this..haha.. *nervous*).

I know a few of you have likely made your own banners in photoshop or illustrator, etc. I'll also be googling around, but thought I'd go straight to the experts and ask ya'll....how on earth do you do it?! I'll need to get a pattern (and buy it, right?) from somewhere and then put font on it and possibly also use a couple photos, depending on how creative I get with this.

So... Do you guys have any tips on where to look for patterns to buy? How do I use photoshop to lay out the banner, insert stuff, and get it on the bloggidy?

Tips appreciated!! Yes, I could totally buy one...but I figured I'd give it a go on my own to see if I can do it...and save some cash that way, too! :) I mean...I did just get back from a vacay..and the holidays are coming. Soooo...seems a leetle superfluous to buy a blog upgrade right now, especially when I'm somewhat indecisive.

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And while we're on tips and fun advice, etc, I got a fun makeup tip this weekend I thought I'd share! Sara and I had our makeup done at MAC this weekend for the wedding and I LOVED it. (I got fake eyelashes for the first time-totally dug em!). Anyhoo, the awesome dude who did my makeup used liquid foundation (or tinted moisturizer) and mixed it with mineral powder in a little dish. He applied it as one foundation and the result was great! It looked fresh and bright and stayed on a long time! I tried it on my own this morning and, while I didn't do as great as makeup dude did, I definitely like it! I don't like heavy feeling makeup so I just use tinted moisturizer (I'll insert a plug for Laura Merc!er's tintet moisturizer here.. love it). Just use the same amount of liquid foundation (or tinted moisturizer) you normally do, but add fingernail sized portion of mineral powder. Mix it together and there ya go!

Yeah, that was random, but I get excited about new makeup tricks. It is what it is.
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Now quit distracting me and let me get some work done.. sheesh. (wink) XOXO! Ah...and really quickly.. the XOXO just reminded me of Gossip Girl.. which is on tonight (YAY) and um.. if they don't tell us who that stupid girl is, I'm gonna lose it. I despise her and need someone to bring her down. That is all. Yes, I realize it's a show based on a young adult book series and I'm almost 30. Whatever.