Wrapped Bangle Bracelets

I have a lot of jewelry. It really borders on the ridiculous, but that never seems to stop me from buying more. I also have a love of color. I was searching through my jewelry chest looking for some colorful bracelets when I came across a large stack of thin metal bangles. Since I have about 30 of them I decided to change a few of them up and create something new.

These bangles are so easy to make. All I needed were bangles (you can use any size and type), embroidery thread (which I already had in my stash from Michael's), and craft glue. And of course a good movie to watch while you make them!

Pink Slate Boutique - I'm a Winner!!

 

Do you ever enter blogger giveaways? I do occasionally and guess what... I won!! What did I win you ask? A gorgeous scarf and $15 credit.

Here's the story: My New Favorite Outfit blog (one of my favs) featured Charming Lucy blog (also one of my favs) who was hosting a giveaway for Pink Slate Boutique.

I was able to choose any scarf from their site. I ended up choosing the one that Susan was wearing in her photos because I just loved it.



With my credit I ended up buying a beautiful navy and matte gold necklace and earring set.

(How do you like my vampire pale look??!!)

 

 

My experience with Pink Slate Boutique was phenomenal. They were quick to contact me after I won and, after ordering, I received my pieces very quickly. The pieces are great quality and gorgeous!! So much so that I have already ordered another necklace set.

 

 

So go visit their website today! Be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram so you're in the know when they have a sale.

DIY Gemstone Statement Necklace

These last few days at work have been crazy and stressful. After a particularly trying day, I headed to Michael's to find a project. In the past I would deal with my stress by a good junk food binge. Since I can't do that anymore I've starting finding projects to relax me. (Along with buying a new pair of heels. That ALWAYS helps too!!)

I have seen several different versions of this statement necklace project on Pinterest and ended up using a idea from each one to create my own.

Materials:

• Felt
• Plastic Canvas
• Gemstones
• Ribbon
• Craft Glue

First, I cut the plastic canvas into a crescent-style shape. (You can create any shape you like, the possibilities are endless here)

I ended up changing the shape of the necklace at the end...

Next, I cut the felt to match and glued them together.

The next step was to determine what pattern I wanted to create with the gemstones. As I mentioned above, I changed the shape of necklace at this point. I didn't like the full crescent shape so I trimmed it to a semi-circle. I experimented with a few designs and finally decided on covering the entire area with the gems.

Next, I glued the stones to the backing by applying a drop of craft glue to the back of each gem and placing it back in position on the felt. (This was a fairly tedious process but thankfully, I had a good episode of NCIS to watch while I worked.)

The last step was to attach a length of ribbon to the outer corners of the backing after the gems had dried overnight. I attached with craft glue but also added a couples stitches to make sure everything was secure.

I really love how this turned out. And you get such bang for your buck! Excluding the craft glue, I only spent $5 for all the materials. I used half of the gems and have enough felt and backing to make at least four more necklaces.

I want to try this project again with jewel-colored stones of varied sizes. Maybe this weekend!!

DIY Valentine Hair Clips

I'm always looking for fun projects I can do as surprises for my nieces. For Valentine's Day I wanted to make them some cute heart hair clips. This is another super-simple, 5 minute project but the result is adorable. And the sky is the limit when it comes to decorating the clips.

Materials:
Felt hearts (varied sizes and colors)
Ribbon-covered hair clips
Craft glue

I started out by creating a few designs. I wanted to combine different sizes and colors.

After that, I was ready to glue the pieces to the clip. I started with a strip of craft glue down along the ribbon, then glued down the foundation piece of the design.

Next I added the finishing pieces.

After drying, the clips are ready to wear.

Linking up with:

 

I got a little abstracted...

I am just now getting around to showing you my Black Friday purchases. I didn't really buy much for myself - just this abstract floral print dress from Target and a few necklaces from GroopDealz.

I ordered the dress using my new Target Red Card debit card. Do you have one yet? It works just like a debit card but you save 5% on every in-store and online purchase and shipping is always free. That's a win-win in my book!!

This outfit is perfect for the holidays. I can dress it up with some different shoes and a great clutch for a party or wear it as-is for our Christmas luncheon at work.

Dress: via Target - exact // Necklace: via GroopDealz // Bracelets: Local Boutique // Shoes: via Shoe Carnival

Isn't this necklace gorgeous??! Have you tried GroopDealz yet? They have fantastic accessories and clothing at amazing prices. I ordered 4 necklaces from there and I love every one of them. I can't wait to find ways to wear them all.

Liniking up with Mix & Match fashion for:



and

The Tiny Heart/Penniless Socialite for:



 

GroopDealz Favorites

Still on the hunt for the perfect gifts for your friends and family? Have you checked out GroopDealz yet? GroopDealz is a Daily Boutique that offers jewelry, accessories, clothing, and home goods at majorly discounted prices. You can join their email list and get the deals sent to your inbox every day. The deals and supply are limited so you have to act quickly when you find that perfect piece. Each item has a countdown underneath it so you will know how long it is available but I'll tell you a secret... they will probably sell out before the deal ends. The deals are just too good!

 

I have been super-happy with the pieces I have bought so far. The only issue I have had is that shipping is a little slow. The pieces ship from the individual vendors so it is up to them to get it out in a timely manner. But the site was great about communicating with the vendor for me when I questioned the shipping date.

 

I would definitely recommend this site for finding unique, fun pieces as a gift or for yourself!

 

 

 

1. Personalized Cheese Board - $12.50

 

2. Golden Bow Bangle Set - $4.99

 

3. Crystal Stargazer Necklace - $7.99

 

4. Plain Birch Vases - $8.99

 

Linked up for:

 

 

 

Day 2: Shop your Closet challenge - The Outfit Formula

Today's assignment from The Wardrobe Code was to create 2 outfits using the Outfit Formula:

• A Basic
• An Item of Interest
• A Finishing Piece
• Accessories

We were encouraged to push ourselves out of our comfort zone. Since I'm comfortable dressing up and have trouble finding casual outfits, I chose to go with that. I did a day and nighttime outfit.

Outfit 1: Basic - jeans, Item of Interest - button tab-sleeved blouse, Finishing Piece - loose weave cardigan, Accessories: two-tone riding boots and statement necklace

 

Cardigan: (old) via Belks // Blouse: via JC Penney // Jeans: via Old Navy // Boots: via a flash sale site // Necklace: via Beall's Outlet

 

Outfit 2: Basic - skinny jeans, Item of Interest - sequin sweater, Finishing Piece - Houndstooth scarf, Accessories: stud clutch, shooties, statement necklace, pave stud bracelet, muted gold post earrings.

 

 

Sweater: via JC Penney // Skinny Jeans: via Old Navy // Shooties: via TJ Maxx // Scarf: came on my peacoat // Clutch: via Lane Bryant // Necklace and Earrings: via Beall's Outlet // Bracelet: Forever 21

 

 

 

 

What are your thoughts? Did I follow the formula? I feel like I over-accessorized the second outfit... The scarf was a last-minute addition because I realized I didn't have a Finishing Piece. I think I should have nixed the necklace when I added it.

 

 

The Breakdown:

 

Outfit 1:

 

Cardigan: Belks, $10

Blouse: JC Penney, $7

Jeans: Old Navy, $25

Boots: flash sale site, $90

Necklace: Beall's Outlet, $7

 

 

Outfit 2:

 

Sweater: JC Penney, $30

Jeans: Old Navy, $25

Shooties: TJ Maxx, $40

Scarf: came on my peacoat, $0

Necklace: Beall's Outlet, $7

Earrings: Beall's Outlet, $2

Bracelet: Forever 21, $5

Clutch: Lane Bryant, $25

 

Linked up for: