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!

No-Sew T-Shirt Necklace and Pin

Clutter. I can't stand it! My house is fairly clutter-free except in two areas: My shoes and my craft supplies. The shoes? There's no help for that. I am a woman who loves her shoes! 

The crafts? That I can tackle. While I organized, I noticed how many scraps of this and that I had around. I hated the thought of throwing them away so I found a way to use them instead.

To make the necklace I used a t-shirt. I laid it flat, then folded it in half longways. This made it easier to cut strips across the trunk section of the shirt. I continued to cut strips all the way up to the sleeves. I didn't worry about making even, clean cuts since the edges would not show in the end.

Bauble Bar inspired Jeweled Link Bracelet

I'm always browsing websites with the eye of a DIY-er. Now don't get me wrong, I love to shop and do it often. But there is something about the challenge of trying it myself (not to mention saving a little money) that always draws me in.


When I saw this bracelet on the Bauble Bar site I knew I had a project!

Source: Bauble Bar

Probably a year ago or so, my mom gave me a huge box of jewelry pieces. Lots of single earrings, broken necklaces, etc. I had no idea what I was going to do with them but it just goes to show there is something to be said for being a bit of a hoarder. I figured there had to be something in there that could work for the project. I pulled out a couple round filigree pieces that could have worked but then I hit the jackpot. I found almost the exact rhinestone link design as the original.

Anthropologie Inspired Tassel Necklace

One of my favorite time-killers is to browse websites like Anthropologie, Pottery Barn, and One Kings Lane looking for pieces that inspire me. I love the challenge of trying to re-create my favorites.

I found this Anthropologie necklace and loved it. I had just read a refresher tutorial on making tassels so I really wanted to try my hand at it. 

Off to Michael's I went!!!!

Materials: Necklace Chain // Embroidery Thread //Cardboard Template // O-rings //Scissors

I was in the mood for fun Springy colors so I chose these primary brights.

Me and J-Lo

Jennifer Lopez.... She really gets me! Or at least her line of clothing at Kohl's does. I got a Kohl's gift card in my Christmas stocking. It was really hard narrowing down what I wanted but when I saw this Jennifer Lopez leopard dress I knew I had to have it.

The animal print is subtle but the effect is definitely not. The faux-wrap effect, along with the ruching, helps accentuate the good curves while camouflaging the places I'm self-conscious about. I also love that the attached belt hits just below the waist and has a gold accent.

I don't love this necklace with the outfit though. I feel like it blends in too much. I'd rather have something that pops. Any ideas?

Dress: via Kohl's - exact // Shoes: old, via Marshalls - similar (love these Lauren Conrad ones!!) // Necklace: old, via Banana Republic Outlet // Bracelet: gift

 

Casual Leopard

Cardigan: (old) via Target // Blouse: via Ross // Jeans: (old) via Old Navy // Shoes: (old) New York & Company // Necklace: via Beall's Outlet

 

I've been trying to put together more casual outfits lately. They are not my forte. I do much better with work outfits and dressy looks. I think this one turned out fairly well. I like the mix of leopard and teal.

 

The Breakdown:

 

Cardigan: Target, $12

Blouse: Ross, $8

Jeans: Old Navy, $28

Shoes: New York & Company, $15

Necklace: Beall's Outlet, $7

 

Linking up with:

 

Life with Meg for Mingle Monday

 

 

Still Being Molly

 

 

 

DIY Jeweled Belts

 

Thursdays on the blog are going to be devoted to being thrifty. Money saving DIYs, crafts, tips, etc.

To start the series off I decided to create 2 DIY jeweled belts. We all need a little something sparkly and special to pump up an outfit for the holidays. It's even better when you have everything you need to make it!!

I am a bit of a jewelry freak. I have tons of it and that is not an exaggeration! A year or so ago I bought some gemstone brooches from a local boutique. I wasn't quite sure how I would wear them but figured they would come in handy. Well I have worn them exactly 0 times... until now!

Supplies:

• Belts - I used a wide, stretchy one for version 1 and a skinny one for version 2
• Brooch Pins -  any type will work.

Version 1: A wide stretch belt

I chose to create a cluster with 4 brooches but the options are endless really. You could line multiple ones up in a row, use one big brooch, create a square "buckle" shape, or cluster different shapes and sizes... Just use your imagination and you can have a different look every time.

My belt has a metal clasp so I twisted it around to be in the back instead of the front. I simply pinned the brooches in a cluster in the middle of the belt.

 

Version 2: A narrow skinny belt

For this version I decided to use 3 of the brooches lined up in a row. I again turned the belt so the buckle would be at my back, then pinned each brooch around the belt as shown below.

 

 

 

What I love about this project is that it doesn't ruin the belts or pins. I can take them apart and wear them separately or change them up any way I want. And it only takes minutes!!

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:

 

 

 

Blood of an Ox, Dead Animal Skin, and a Zombie

  

Is there something in my teeth?

 

Top: Burgundy Blouse via JC Penney //Skinny Jeans: (old) via Old Navy -  similar, similar // Leopard Flats: (old) via New York & Co - similar, similar // Elephant Necklace: (old) via a local boutique - similar, similar // Pave Gold Bracelet: (old) via Forever 21 - similar, similar 

 

I featured this burgundy (oxblood) blouse from JC Penney in my recent purchases post. It has turned out to be one of my favorite pieces. I love it with jeans but it's also gorgeous tucked in with a skirt. It looks especially good with charcoal gray.

 

I was really hesitant to buy a pair of skinny jeans. I just couldn't imagine them looking good on my body type. But I love them! A lot of plus-size jeans can end up looking baggy in the rear, like you're wearing a diaper. The Old Navy jeans fit without looking like a second skin.

 

And a huge thanks to http://www.swellandstylish.com!! I won the Starbucks Coffee Lover Giveaway!

 

The breakdown:

 

Burgundy Blouse: JC Penney, $20

Skinny Jeans: Old Navy, $20

Leopard Flats: New York & Company, $15

Elephant Necklace: local boutique, $1

 Stud Bracelet: Forever 21, $5

 

Linking up for:

 

 

 

1 Suit, 5 Ways

 

(Can you tell my camera refused to shoot in Manual mode? Sorry for the grainy photo!)

 

Suit: Monroe and Main / Shoes: Nine West via Marshalls / Necklace: Target / Brooch: Local Boutique

 

 

 

This week I'm doing a series that shows how versatile a skirt suit can be. Today's look is the basic suit - a blazer and skirt. Each day I will show a different look using the pieces.

 

At first I paired it with the black beaded necklace by itself but it didn't feel quite special enough so I added the brooch and it was perfect.

 

The colors in the suit will allow it to be paired so many different ways.

 

 

The breakdown:

 

Suit: Monroe and Main. $69

Shoes: Marshalls, $30

Necklace: Target $12

Brooch: Local, $1