DIY Tuesday

Happy Tuesday! Well, hopefully for you it is, because for me, it could be better....I am not feeling too well due to loads of stress at work. But in good news, I've decided to leave my job towards the end of June, then I embark on a 2 week vacation to Denver, Colorado! Needless to say, I'm excited for the summer.

So I decided to post a few pics/instructions on a few DIY projects that I did over the weekend, with my grandmother's help.

First we have denim bangles, which I first saw in June's InStyle magazine.

picture via tedrossi.com

They are so adorable, but at $50+ each, not in my budget, so I figured I would try making my own.

1.) Start with the materials. A piece of denim, scissors, a plain bangle bracelet, and glue (I found that E-6000 Industrial Strength works best).

2.) Cut a strip of denim. The width is up to you, although a thinner piece is easier.

3.) Using scissors, an Exacto-knife, or whatever tools you have, fray the edges of the denim strip.

4.) Starting from the inside of the bangle, add a small dab of glue, and attach the edge of the denim strip.

5.) Start wrapping the denim strip around the bangle, making sure the frayed edges are visible.

6.) After you have glued the end of the strip down, cut excess dangling threads.

End result!

7.) Or take it a step further as I did, and add flat-back gold studs or any other extras, such as chain, which was used in one of the Ted Rossi originals.

Another project I did was jazz up a boring sweater. My idea came from this Banana Republic one:

picture via InStyle.com, sweater- Banana Republic, $80

My version:

BEFORE

AFTER

And since I had some flat-back gold studs left over, I decided to embellish some plain Old Navy flip flops.

That's all for right now, but I have a few more DIY projects planned next time I'm off. I might not be posting again for awhile, because I'm going to get uber-busy! But I am still reading your comments and hopefully will have time for my Daily Reads.

California Casual

Sweatshirt- Target, shorts- thrifted/DIYed, hat- WalMart, watch- WalMart

Honestly, I put this outfit together at the last minute before going to run errands. My grandmother was like, "Wow, you look California Casual," and I was like, "They dress like this in California?" I guess she knew what she was talking about because I found the almost exact same outfit in a magazine that had something to do with California lol. Anyway, I absolutely LOVE this sweatshirt - so lightweight and soft (it was about 90 degrees here at noon, and I didn't break a sweat). I got two from Target, on sale for $4.95 each. Why didn't I get more????

This purse is thrifted, and it's so cute! I had been looking for a small black purse with a sort of chain-type strap for classy looks, and it is just what I envisioned!

Since it is now SUPER hot outside (i.e., it will reach 104 today), I had to stock up on some summer essentials. I have always LOVED Neutrogena - it is just a classic brand that can never fail. I love the Ultra Sheer Body Mist sunblock because it goes on so sheer (hence, the name), has a very light smell, and the spray bottle makes it easy to reach hard-to-get places (since we all don't have a hot guy to rub lotion on our backs :p ). I also love the Ultra Sheer Dry Touch sunblock for my face. I sooooo hate the greasy feeling that most sunblocks give you, especially on my face! This one is perfect because it seems to disappear into an invisible powder after you rub it in....great if you want to put a little makeup on after. Finally, I cannot stand my hair to be oily. And since I have a habit of needing to be places at the last minute and don't always have time to wash my hair, theres dry shampoo! I have been testing many brands out over the last month, and I have to say that Beyond the Zone's Rock On dry shampoo works best for me. It gives me tons of volume, brushes out super easy, and makes my hair look like I washed it. It's available at Sally's, for around $8. I got the sunblocks from Ulta for $10 each. What are ya'lls beauty essentials for summer?

So I am going to be uber-busy this coming week. A couple of people at work quit, so I will be working major overtime! I'm actually dreading it, because I'm already SO tired, but the extra money will be great since I'm moving. And hopefully I will be getting a new car next month - I'm leaning toward a KIA Soul or a Nissan Cube. We are supposed to be going on vacation at the end of next month, but who knows if my job will be able to let me off. I hope so because I need one bad! Anyway, my point is I probably won't be posting until Friday, which is my next day off.

Thank you SOOO much for all the Birthday wishes....you girls are so sweet!!!!!!

25 Years Young

Top- Old Navy, skirt- thrifted, wedges- Charlotte Russe, necklace- self-made

I honestly cannot believe I am already 25 years old today! It is crazy how time flies by. This is the first birthday where I've actually looked back on my many years to just think. Even though I feel like I have ALOT of growing up to do still, I think I have grown so much over the past few years. I have had so many ups and downs, issues that I needed to work through, and I have come to alot of healthy realizations. I've had my heart broken many a time (although thinking back, I am grateful for those experiences), I've been in some major trouble, I've learned how to handle myself in certain situations, I've learned so much in general about life and about myself, I've had to make difficult (but right) choices. I also feel that my life is barely beginning, in a way. After years and years of being indecisive about what I want to do in life, I've finally found the answer. I'm just getting started, and I'm excited for what the next 25 years of my life will bring.

I find it weird that I look so much like my mother here. Oh, how we grow...

Don't forget to follow me on Blog Lovin'! Let me know, and I will follow you back!

Birthday Weekend

Dress- handmade, denim jacket- Steve & Barry's, purse- Payless, sandals- Cynthia Vincent for Target, belt- thrifted

So today officially started my Birthday Weekend! That basically means, my birthday is really on Wednesday, but I'm taking the weekend before as well as the weekend after lol. And yeah, I can do that, because it's my birthday! I actually got to take 'live' photos, as in, these were taken a few minutes ago. I got off work at 8am, and I haven't gotten any sleep yet. I was too excited to start my birthday weekend!

I absolutely love these bee rings. Bees are so cute, don't you think? Except in real life, I'm scared to death of them. Nail polish is Mint Sorbet by Sally Hansen.

Short post because I'm exhausted. I might need a cat nap. :)

Bricks and Stripes

Striped tee- thrifted, denim blazer- thrifted, black denim leggings- WalMart, peeptoe flats- Payless, purse- Sag Harbor

Thanks for all the sweet comments! I found a new place to take pictures, an abandoned brick building. The brick was too beautiful to pass up. I'm usually against wearing jeans in the summer because I have a ton of skirts and dresses I'd rather wear, but when I put this look together, I couldn't resist. Luckily, it was about 9am this morning, and not too hot yet.

I got to wear my new jewelry, and I think it goes perfectly with the blue of the outfit. I made the necklaces, the square ring is thrifted, and the blue ring is from WalMart. It matches my nails! The polish I'm wearing is Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Blue Me Away.

Follow me on Blog Lovin', ya'll! :)

That 70's Vibe

Green dress- Target, denim jacket-  Steve & Barry's, belt- Old Navy, wedges- thrifted

This stairwell has become my favorite setting for photos. It's actually an old, abandoned antique store, but I just love the architecture of it. Do you ladies ever get caught taking photos of yourself? I'm not really one to attract attention, and I have to scout places before I get ready to have a photo session, to make sure there are no curious people or weird pervs. I've been doing pretty good at this spot, which is right across from the thrift shop I go to. But today, when I was leaving the thrift store, a nice lady that works there asked, "Did you get some good pictures?" LOL...caught red handed. She asked why, and I told her about my blog, but apparently she wasn't that amused...oh, well.

I made these three necklaces. I love how they go with any color and every outfit! They also kind of add to that 70's vibe.

These wedges went so perfectly with this dress, although they are a half size too small for me. Oh, well, the price of fashion, right? I also made the little anklet with some ball-chain and a tiny peace-sign charm.

I'm so glad Blogger is back up! I couldn't post last night or comment everyone. That's what I'm gonna do now! Au revoir!

Classic Lady

Trench- Target, top- thrifted, jean leggings- Wal-Mart, wedges- Charlotte Russe, bag- Maurices, earrings- Wal-Mart

I felt like a genuine lady in this outfit....somewhere along the lines of Audrey Hepburn, maybe. Another plus about this outfit was how comfortable it was! I went out shopping for hours in this outfit, and my feet never hurt nor did I just want to come home and put on sweats. I was so happy that the weather had changed a little bit for this day; it was quite chilly, so I finally got to wear my new Target trenchcoat that I bought months ago. Sadly, since it is May and I'm in Texas, it's only going to get hotter - which means, no more cute sweaters and coats :( But it does mean sunny summer dresses and sandals :)

These Charlotte Russe wedges instantly caught my eye because of the cute little bow on the side (I am so obsessed with bows right now!) and the neutral color, which means they'll go with alot of different outfits. Plus, the shoes over at Charlotte Russe were Buy 1 pair, Get the 2nd for $15 - so these were the $15 pair!

Did I mention I am obsessed with bows? I could not pass this ring up! I'm also obsessed with nail polishes of all colors lately, and I absolutely love this lilac color by Sally Hansen. It's Lacey Lilac from Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear, and I picked it up at Wal-Mart.

Speaking of Wal-Mart, has anybody noticed the CUTE jewelry they have currently?? I absolutely die! This set was $5, and they are so classy and girly! I'm wearing the top pair in this post.

I'm kind of sad to say, but I'm starting my extremely tight budget this month. I've been spending SO much, and I really need to save so I can buy some cute home decor items for my new apartment. Also I don't want to buy so many things right now because I'll just have more to pack. It's going to be very hard, and the only way I won't spend is by becoming a hermit and staying in the house LOL. Oh, well, I don't think it'll last long!

Have a great weekend!

Long Time, No See

Tee- Target, Skirt- Kohls, flats- Payless

Wow, okay, so it's been awhile! Seriously, I wish I could quit my job so I'd have more time for blogging. But since we don't live in a perfect world, I have to make the best of things. These photos were taken last week sometime for doing a little thrift shopping and out to lunch with my grandmother. I have got to say, I LOVE this tee from Target. They are so soft and comfy, I went back and got 5 more in all colors. Best part of all, they were just $8. Perfect lounge tees.