DIY Fall Wreath

What you need:

A Wire Frame (you can pick one up for about $3 at a craft store)

40 feet of Burlap

A Wreath Hanger

Ribbon/ Bow

Optional:

Seasonal decor. I bought this turkey for $4 and glued a clothespin to the bottom. This way, I can switch out what the theme is each month.

Make sure to buy enough burlap. I made the mistake of trying to make this wreath with one roll of burlap. I had to go back to the craft store for a second roll in the middle of making it.

I watched a fair share of YouTube videos on making this wreath and ended up not using any of the techniques I saw. I decided it was easiest to just pull the burlap through the wire in the same pattern throughout. I also like it doesn't look perfect, because if the loops are too perfect it looks strange to me. I also just wrapped the burlap at the ends. I didn't use any glue or wiring in this wreath.

After finishing up the burplap, I tied my bow on with pipe cleaners (they were attached) and put the turkey on the bottom. I am excited that I can switch out the bow and holiday decor at any time. For Christmas, I can add a red bow and a Santa for only about $10. I love how versatile this wreath is!

Dream Vanity

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Where you get ready is one topic I rarely discuss here on the blog, mainly because mine has changed so much over the past few months. My favorite mirror at my old house was inspired by Pinterest but I have yet to finalize my vanity area in my new house. It's a work in progress.

I was so excited when One King's Lane reached out to me and asked me to design my dream vanity. Here are few things that I must have in a space while getting ready.

Table/ Lamp/ Candles 1 & 2/ Bobby Pins/ Jewelry Dish/ Perfume

What are your must-have items for a dream vanity?
Check out One King's Lane's Home Decor Handbook here for more inspiration.

The Past Few Days

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I feel like every Monday has been starting off with "I had such a great weekend!" and this week is no different. Friday had a little more excitement than normal because I flew down to Vegas for work for the day. It was a great way to wrap up a busy, yet short, week. After spending the day getting updates and learning from my boss, I was able to sneak in a couple of beers with a friend before heading back to town. I came home and fell asleep by 10:30pm. Grandma status for sure.

 I woke up early on Saturday and wandered around my neighborhood garage sale with my madre. We sipped coffee while I found some great deals. I snagged a great wine rack for $5 and then a bookcase and coffee table. I combined the two and made a great new coffee table for my living room. Right now the only photo is on Instagram. Saturday evening my new dining chairs were delivered so my dad came over for some father-daughter bonding to help me put the chairs together. I am so happy I finally finished putting my house together this weekend!

Sunday was another great day up at Tahoe and I successfully only got sunburned on one shoulder. Woo hoo! I then decided to cook an elaborate meal for Sunday family dinner and then continued with my latest tv obsession: Arrested Development.

Sorry I don't have an outfit post for you today, but hopefully my fave picture from Tahoe yesterday will hold you over until tomorrow!

Hope your weekend was fabulous!

Weekend DIY

After weeks of searching for the perfect gold wall decor, I finally have exactly what I want on my bedroom walls. I searched all over looking for the right art to go above my bed but I kept finding that most gold pieces were gaudy or very dated. My room has a modern theme to it and I wanted to find art to match that. Enter: a weekend craft project. My friend Autumn and I decided we were going to make the pieces that I couldn't find at any store.

We started with three blank canvasses and two extras in case we messed up horribly. 

We did some research into what kind of patterns would look best and then taped two of the three canvasses. The circles ended up being done without tape.

After taping, we painted the first coat on the canvass.

The circles were made by dipping the lid of a Mod Podge jar in paint and then filling in the circle with a small paint brush. We tested other lids but this size ended up being perfect. Another great option is a lid to a mason jar-- but those were a little too large for this project.

After all the taping was done, we did one last coat of paint and let the paint dry for a few hours. It's probably best to let the paint dry overnight but I was too impatient to wait that long.

After we took the tape off, we grabbed a measuring tape and hung the canvasses on the wall. I am so happy with the way everything turned out!

Superbowl Snacks

Every year I look forward to Superbowl Sunday for a fun day full of drinks, snacks and football. One of the biggest problems with the day though is the lack of healthy (or somewhat healthy) options that tend to be served. One of my favorite healthy snacks these days is kale chips and so after a successful batch was made for our Bachelor Monday party, I decided to share my recipe with you.

First things first, this may be one of the easiest recipes you ever follow.

Step one: Turn oven to 350 degrees.

Step two: tear kale into small pieces, removing all stems.

Step three: drizzle with olive oil.

Step four: add sea salt.

Step five: bake for ten minutes.

Step six: enjoy.

Each of the girls who attended our Bachelor party loved these chips-- even those who had never had kale before.

I hope you like them just as much!

Weekend DIY: Metallic Mason Jars

Over the holiday weekend, I decided that my bathroom needed a little updating. I have been storing my makeup brushes in an old US Capitol cup that I received from my old office when I finished up my internship in 2009. Nothing in my bathroom has been matching in years and so I've decided to slowly add some finishing touches to make everything match.

If you follow me on Twitter, you already know that I scored a brand new box of mason jars at Goodwill over the weekend. I found 12 brand new jars and was thrilled to leave Goodwill dreaming of Pinterest crafts. After much debate, the first place I decided to start was with my makeup brush/ cotton ball holders.

I started off with just two of my twelve mason jars to see how the first attempt would go. I figured, if I ruin two, no big deal, I will still have ten left. Luckily, I love the results of the first two and wante metallic mason jars all over my house.

I then turned the jars upside down for painting so none of the paint got inside the jars.

I noticed that the paint dried quickly but they did need about 3 coats to not look messy and cheap.

Bathroom: Before 

(Sidenote, I noticed a date on the bottom of that sun/moon box and saw that I painted that in 2000.)

Bathroom: After

I am in love with the way these jars turned out and I can't wait to put the next ten jars to use.

Tutorial: Turning a Men's Shirt into a Women's Tank

Last weekend, Brad decided to get rid of some of his work shirts to make room for new clothes in his closet. Days that he cleans out his closet quickly become my favorite days because there are so many new clothes for me to test sewing projects on. This weekend was no exception. I decided to take one of his old collared shirts and turn it into a fun tank top for summer.

Here is how to make one for yourself:

Start with an men's button up shirt that is a few sizes too big for you. You want to make sure this shirt is not too tight when you wear it. The idea is for it to be loose fitting and comfortable--but you can always cinch it with a belt for more shape.

First, cut off the sleeves and the collar, leaving room for a seam allowance.

Then, cut off the top of the shirt in a straight line for where you want the top of the tank top to be. You can also choose to take off the pocket(s) if you'd like but I chose to leave mine attached. You can always take this off later if you change your mind.

Sew up the arm holes sew the sides stay together. You will not have a complete armhole as the top of the arm holes will be tied with the straps. Fold the top over (twice so it does not fray) and pin in place so you can sew it up. 

Leave enough room for the string-- you can decide how big you want to make this section but mine is about an inch.

Next, take one of the sleeves you cut off earlier and cut it into 1-inch strips. Sew these strips together to make one long piece. Then, pin the edges in and sew so you have on long "string". If you make this long enough, you can make on long enough for a belt and both sides of the shirt. I chose to only make "strings" for the shirt, no belt.

Once you have sewn the edges down, you will have one long "string". Cut this into the length you want for the sides of your tank. If you want bows, be sure to keep them long enough.

Last, take a safety pin and thread the string through the casing. Tie bows and you're all set!

Final product:

I would love to see any men's shirt DIY projects you have done and, as always, if you have any questions, please let me know!