Merry Christmas to all

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and to all a white fluffy magical night!

How to: buy affordable flowers for your home

I love having fresh flowers in my home but I am a girl on a budget!  I can't afford to go crazy every week buying flowers that rival my grocery bill!

But I learned a little secret from a friend I want to share with you :)

Go into any flower shop, if it is a warehouse even better, and ask for how ever many dollars you want to spend in scraps.  These shops have scraps because of broken arrangements, snapped bases, etc.  If it is a small flower shop you may want to call ahead to make sure they have some on hand.  

For these flowers you see in the three pictures above I asked for $5 worth of scraps and this is what I got!

I know it isn't a ton of flowers, but for me a little splash of color and greenery in a few rooms is all I really need.  If you need more, you can always ask for more :)

These flowers lasted for two weeks because of the sugar I put in their water making my flower budget $2.50 a week!  I also displayed them in mason jars, and thrifted vases. 

That is lovely and cheap!

Quickbread in a jar.

I while ago I made these for gifts.  They are easy and fun to make and look really snazzy with a cute label too.  Go here to see how!

My first and best black friday deal

I must start off by admitting I never go to black friday sales.  Why?  Because I value my sleep more than a few dollars off anything.  

But this year when I caught wind of Anthropologie having a black friday sale, boy was I in!  An additional 50% off all sale was enough to tempt me out of bed bright and early. 

I was mainly looking for myself for Christmas when I found the Natalie Lete Galah Dress dress I had been stalking for months that had sold out eons ago still too expensive for me.  It was the only one left and fit me like a dream!

BUT!!!  Today it had been marked down from the original price of $178 to 79.95, then to 49.95 then an additional half off for black friday to make it $25.00!  

When I approached the register with a few other things the girl looked inside the dress commenting that the slip that goes with it is missing.  That is totally fine I said. . . I want it anyways.  

Well, that wouldn't do so she marked it half off of that making it $12.50 for a silk dress.  How do you like that!?  This may go down in history as the best black friday deal ever!

My hair miracle in a can. . . batiste dry shampoo!

I have learned a thing or two about my hair which I would like to share.

1. My hair is oh so fine and that means it looks limp quite a lot, and soaks up grease quickity-quick!
2. My hair is blonde and already damaged from bleach, so washing it daily isn't going to help at all.  
3. I have nor the time nor the patience to wash, dry and style my hair every day. . .

Solution? Dry Shampoo!  *cue bells*

But not only any dry shampoo will do!  oh no!

I have tried them all which means when I tell you this stuff is amazing you are obligated to believe me.  This dry shampoo is fabulous for numerous reasons and even though no one is paying me to say this I will shout it's praises from the rooftops anyways. . . cause i love it that much.

I cannot live without this stuff because. . .

It makes my hair fluffy and feeling freshly washed.
My hair smells like a dream.
My hair gets a load of volume and bounce.
The grease vanishes instantly.
It is light colored and fills in a few areas of my regrowth making it look like I just dyed my hair.
Leaves no residue, no sticky or thick feeling gunk, just fresh hair.  
All for just 7 dollars! 

If you are blonde with hair condition being similar to mine, you NEED this product!

Not blonde?  I just found out they make this for all hair colors and types!

I found this at Sally Beauty Supply in Utah.  But I have seen it just about everywhere!

I will have you know. . . this is basically my dream sweater.

Have you ever been shopping before and wondered later on, how come they can't nail my style?  Why can't I find anything that is REALLY ME?

I wonder that all the time, because I feel my style is really unique and feminine and edgy at times.

But once I saw this sweater I was baffled I didn't design it myself it is so much like me!  Only problem?

Price tag reads $328.00

Ouch!  A girl can dream :)

Who doesn't love a good story about paris?

Last summer while perusing a craft fair I found a book on writing.  I have been meaning to brush up on my skills for a while now so I bought it and paid 30 cents.

The real treasure came later as I was flipping through the pages and this ancient postcard of the Eiffel tower fell out. 

It took me a moment to realize what it was and once I did I was mesmerized.  I had never seen the Eiffel tower not completed and in its grand glory, have you? I hardly recognized it.

As I thought about it I couldn't help but think that before it was great, it really wasn't.  It doesn't look like much in this picture but yet it is one of the most famous landmarks in the whole world.

Then I thought about people, like us, and that everyone incredible started off not so incredible, and started small.

I hang this in my living room in a frame and every time I look at it, it reminds me I have the potential to become something great and magnificent too. 

It has also reminded me when I see beautiful things that they once were still being created, like me.  Everything in life is more special with a deeper meaning behind it to give it purpose.  

Do you think about the Eiffel tower differently now?  I hope you do.

Steal of the century, or maybe the week

Have you ever noticed how bargain bins are always a hit and miss?

This week I stumbled upon these at my local Michaels arts and crafts store.  They are about 2 inches by 2 inches and are adorably tiny and a perfect place to store your favorite ring.

I love that they are simple, initialed and very simple in color scheme.  They are already sitting in my jewelry dish and I can't get enough.

a fantastic little soup tip

If you are anything like me you can't wait for the return of fall every year to do things like wear more boots, sweaters, drink hot chocolate etc.

I happen to love fall because of the soup too!  And this idea is so clever, a friend told me about it!

Take your leftover homemade soup and freeze it into little blocks using a cupcake tin.  They recommend you use a silicon flexible one so you can just pop em out, but all I had was a hard tin.

I used a little bit of "pam" spray first and they slid right out after they were frozen.

Now when you go to reheat some homemade soup you won't have to heat the whole bag!  Just heat how every many cubes you want!

Oh boy I am all for ideas like this!

Tiny bookshelf necklace

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I found this little necklace today.  What a perfect gift for the avid reader in your life!

light up the night

How cool is this starry sky lamp from J SCHATZ ? I definately want one.

Halloween treats

I had to get a little creative this year.  Cute and delicious!  Trick or treat!

Being picky and patience in finding what I like

So.. . while wandering the sale racks at Anthro last week I found this.

I loved it immediately and have been looking for something whimsical, yet aged for my living room bookcase, and thought this would be just the thing. . .

Only thing is, I am so TERRIBLY picky!

See, I have this "practice" once I buy something for my home.  It goes a little something like this. . .

1. Don't take tags off.
2. Place in home as you would if you were keeping it.
3. Leave it there for a week all while keeping a good eye on it every time you walk by the room.
4. Love it?  Good. keep it!  Don't love it?  Take it back!

I wish I knew if I could have something and keep it right then.  It would make things so much more easy.

You would think I would know if I loved something right off the bat!  But I am not like that.  I am one that needs to wait and see because if it isn't something I am going to love in five years, I will not keep it either.

I believe in timeless design and classic pieces that I will always love.  Granted I move things around in my house to keep it fresh, but I must love it or ditch it.

Oh the complications of life.. .

More than you wanted to know bout me?  Thought so. . .

and for the record?  I kept it :)

How to: Tie a scarf

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With fall coming and my bevy of scarves coming out of storage, I thought it would be nice to know how to tie them most stylishly for the seasons ahead.  

Enjoy! xoxo

New chances and mistakes.

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I found this on pinterest today and I could totally relate to it.  Who hasn't been afraid to do something with the worry of failure?

I started a fashion blog last year that was actually doing ok.  It got to be too much work though so I just up and dropped it.  I'm not embarrassed that I did something and it didn't work out, but that has definitely stopped me in the past before. . .

I need to not be afraid to make mistakes though.  We are all human after all anyways and so what if it takes a few mistakes before the big successes? 

What has made you think twice about going for it?!

Living room beauties in bloom ♥

At the beginning of the springtime I planted some bulbs in my living room.  For a while I thought that nothing was going to happen with them until we came home from a fun weekend away and saw these incredible red blossoms. 

Boy am I tickled! 

I would like to have more bulbs in my home because they are easy and low maintenance. . . I especially love them planted in open apothecary jars. 

Ann Taylor Clear Chunky Necklace Inspiration

I loved this when I saw it in the store.  Not too expensive either!  I waited for it to go on sale then forgot to go buy it so I made my own!

The beads are from joann's and the embroidery thread is from hobby lobby.  It looks just like the real thing.  Mine cost $6.00 to make compared to the $28 I would have spent.  Much better! 

You could switch it up with the color of embroidery thread you use.  I thought turquoise would be really pretty.  Also might look awesome with multicolored thread.   

Anthropologie Inspired Crystal Necklace

I loved the original by Anthropologie but I didn't want to spend $168.  This affordable version ran me a decent $2.50.  I got the crystals from hobby lobby and the ribbon from another leftover project.  

I love this necklace because it is so versatile and can be worn over anything.  I have worn it with a tee and jeans, and it looks amazing dressed up! 

Anthropologie Swan Song Inspired Necklace ♥

When I saw this necklace at Anthropologie for the first time I knew I had to have it.  When I saw the price tag of $298 dollars I knew I would have to make it or never own it at all!  

It started off easily enough.

1. Get your supplies: I picked up my rocks at michaels craft store, with a half off coupon, and my rope and trim at hobby lobby.  I also used hot glue, needles and thread.  

2. Glue trim onto rock: Use a very thin stream of hot glue to glue it on so it doesn't show through.

3. Sew around the trim: This is why you didn't need to use tons of glue.  Even if you did it won't stay on anyways.  That is why this step is crucial to this necklace.

Sew in all the little loops going the same direction to get the trip to "tighten" around the rock.  I sewed around the rock three times on each side to get it to be as solid as I wanted it.

4. Cut your rope in half and glue: To do this the best way position it before you glue it.  You will need to make sure that after you glue the top rope to the top of the rock and bottom rope to the bottom or the rope, you still have enough rope to go around your neck.  

After it should look somewhat like this.

5. Sew side ropes together: Make sure you get it as tight as you can when sewing the side ropes together.  This will make sure your necklace doesn't flop when you are wearing it and it will hold it's shape. 

After both sides are sewn.

6. Attach to clasps and wear: I used heavy duty large silver jewelry clasps for the end of my necklace.  I also twisted the two ropes on each side once or twice so it more closely resembled the anthro one above.

 

I love how this turned out and how economical it was to make.  I have been asked again and again how I paid so much for a necklace and it really looks pretty close to the real one.  

This necklace project cost me: 4 dollars for the rocks, 1 dollar for the trim, 1 dollar for the rope, and nothing for the glue, thread, needle, because I already had these at home.  


$6 instead of $298?  I think yes! 

Bang a Rang!

I seriously felt like I was in the biggest style rut of my life last month.  Has anyone else had the same hair-do for the last 15 years?  

My super talented friend talked me into doing something really scary. change. and I am so glad she did because you know what?  I simply adore my new bangs.  Change is good. 

Another reason to ♥Vera Wang

Last week at Kohls I literally couldn't stop myself from purchasing this vera wang necklace.  I have been experimenting with flowers and beads quite a bit lately trying to create something that looked a 1/3 as good as this necklace does.  

Can't help yourself either?!  Go here and get it.

♥ this fabulous pink chair that I wanted to buy but didn't

Last week while out treasure hunting I stumbled upon this beauty. . .

I knew I had no where to put it but wanted it so badly.  The tufting, the rivets, the baby pink color!  Three strikes for me!  This was basically my perfect chair. These are the days I wish I had an extra room { or two } to decorate.

Anthropologie Inspired Orimono Living Room Pillow

I loved the colors in the Anthropologie pillow.  They looked so fresh and colorful.  I found this look a like pillow at TJ Maxx for $15.00.

I am glad I didn't spend the $88.  Now I can find some more pillows to accent my plain ol couch!

German water walking balls

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It was a hot fourth of july weekend for us, yessir it was!  But not as hot or cool as it was for these fine folks in my homeland of Germany.

These are called water walking balls and this is on Lake Alster in Hamburg, Germany.

I can't imagine how amazing this would be!  *added to wishlist!

Best beachy picture ever

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I will do this idea this summer!  yeehaw!

I ♥ these Tiny Sock Monkeys!

Saturday night we found these adorable sock monkeys for the dogs.  Best part?  $1.49!!!  The one thing I don't love about shopping for dog toys is that they are always so dang expensive and rarely this cute.  Visit Walgreens if your dog needs a new friend!  I kind of wanted one for myself :)

Anthropologie Inspired Incredible Orbs Necklace

I love the way this necklace looks and the mixture of texture and color.  I made my version for $7.00 and saved $40 by making my own.

The ribbon is from Roberts crafts and the beads are from Michaels.  I also added a little bling for good measure :)