Mama's Got a Brand New Bag

Awhile ago ...love Maegan did a post about some awesome things she found at the leather store Tandy Leather Factory. Randomly I had spent some time searching, unsuccessfully, for leather at my local fabric and craft stores so I was really excited to learn that there was a Tandy's near me. I went right away and ended up buying some lovely black leather, metal studs, and handle hardware all with the idea of making a purse. Mind you I had never worked with leather before, never made a purse, and really hadn't sewn much in the last several years, but I was optimistic and high on the fumes of animal hides. Did I also mention I'm impatient? So instead of searching out a tutorial online I decided I would teach myself. I thought a bucket bag would be simplest and still stylish so I took a bowl, traced it onto the leather to form the bottom of the bag, and cut. There was no turning back. Several days and sore fingers later this is what I had.

Not too bad. My biggest regret was not having bought a larger piece of leather. Size really does fool you. I thought I bought a piece that would give me a small/medium size bag but this is definitely small, similar to evening bag size. In fact I ended up using it as a night bag when I went to a friend's bachelorette party in Vegas.

Taking my id out of my new bucket bag

all parties shall remain faceless to protect their identities ;)

Do you ever get optimistic and just start creating? If so I want to see! Leave your links in the comments. I check them all.

Don't Step on My Toes! A Shoe DIY

Which pair is mine ;)

I have a love for pyramid studs and spikes that borders on obsession. It probably is related to my love of Punk, but maybe not. I don't care, I just love that studs and spikes are currently covering all types of things, including some incredibly amazing shoes. Being bored one day I decided to create my own pair of spiked shoes at a small fraction of the price of the shoes I've been lusting after. My original idea was to cap the heel and toe in spikes, but since my spikes were so big I had to go for a really minimalistic look. If I get smaller spikes I will definitely try my original idea.

Materials

-1 pair cheap/old shoes you don't mind putting holes in

-marker/pen

-flat top screw in spikes (Pay attention to the size you buy. I wish mine were smaller)

-leather punch/something that can cut through leather

1. Use a pen/marker to mark where you want your spikes to go on your heels. You probably want to use a measuring tape to measure spacing so you can easily make the shoes identical. Not doing this lead me to punching extra holes.

2. Use leather punch to create holes make sure you are making the holes as small as your screws or smaller. Large holes will lead to limp spikes :(

3. Screw in you spikes.

*Use spikes with screws like those pictured so they will lay flat on the inside of the shoe. If the screw heads still irritate your feet you can use fabric glue and a small piece of cloth/leather to line the part of the shoe were the heads are.

4. Enjoy!

I'm Melting....

It's currently 106 degrees outside clothes feel like a burden and I just bought Jeffrey Campbell's Lita boots online. Something is wrong with this equation.

Sending some LOVE your Way

My sister is attending law school on the East Coast right now and since she's spending a lot of time sitting at her desk reading she asked me to make her some artwork to cheer up her room. I'm by no means a real artist but I enjoy doodling and wanted to do something nice for her since she's so stressed out. I hope these make her smile.

Flaming Lips

I love makeup. In school I enjoyed experimenting with colors and looks and seriously considered becoming a makeup artist. Then I entered the work force and got into the habit of doing a quick 5 minute face. While I'm pretty happy with my routine I still like to follow trends and have been really intrigued by the orange lips popping up all over. I'm more of a neutral lip girl but found this color the last time I was at Target and for $5 thought I would give it a try. Definitely brighter than my normal look but I'm liking it.

Revlon Coral Reef Lustrous Lipgloss

Equipment Washed silk pocket shirt,
Bird by Juicy Couture Bold-shouldered faux-fur jacket,
La Story Skirt,
J.Crew Joey sequin-embellished skirt,
J brand trousers OLIVE,
Sam Edelman Lorissa,
Christian Louboutin: Loubout 150 Flannel/Marin Booties,
Jeffrey Campbell PROSPECT,
Laundry by Shelli Segal Double-Breasted Military Wool Coat - Women's -...,
Vena Cava for Aqua Carrot Pants - Contemporary - Bloomingdales.com,
Henry Holland for PP House Mock Stocking Tights - Pantyhose, Stockings...,
Tory Burch "Brent" Lace-Up Leather Paddock Boots - Shoes -...,
QUEEN'S WARDROBE
Boxing Kitten — Bronze Venus

We've had a very mild Summer in So Cal and it has made me want to rush into Fall. I'm glad that September has finally rolled around because now I can embrace the pants, blouses, boots, and tights that make Fall so fun. Here are just some pieces I've seen lately that I'm in love with.

Quick Fix Lace Ups

Brian Atwood Boot

A few months ago my Mom was in Nepal to visit my Sister who was over there working with anti-trafficking organizations (yes she is the good child of the family who is currently attending law school so she can spend her life fighting slavery while I sit on my butt and blog) Anyway, my Mom brought me back these cute sandals. As soon as I put them on one of the zippers fell off. Being the nice lady she is my mom got the zipper fixed for me. I tried them on again and bam the other zipper falls off. These are just cheap little street sandals that are cute so I don't want my mom to spend any more money getting them repaired but I also don't want them to go unworn. I finally came up with a solution. I would make them into lace ups. I've been seeing a lot of corset lacing on the back of shoes so I figured this would be a fun, free, and fashionable fix for my footwear dilemma.

Here is the ridiculously easy process:

1. Cut off the zippers.

2. Mark your holes and use a leather punch to punch them out

3. Insert laces

*I suggest leather cord but I didn't have any lying around so I'm using plain black laces for the moment.

4. Enjoy!

Jac

She's crafty and she's just my type

Being unemployed I once again have a lot of free time, and while some people say this time should be used to apply to every possible job I can find, I disagree. Of course I spend some time each day searching/applying to jobs but I've done the gung ho all out affront on the job market and frankly it sucked. Now I break up my time, job search in the morning, free time in the afternoon, then playtime with my daughter after I pick her up from school. While I'm still stressed about finding a new direction in life the time balance really helps me feel a little more like I have a normal life and am not just a job searching zombie. Anyway, my free time often means craft time since I have a lot of craft/art/jewelry supplies lying around thus giving me the ability to be crafty and thrifty. Also, I find working on projects to be very therapeutic which is a big bonus right now. I'm not going to kid you or myself and say I'm some craft genius but I've been having fun with what I've been doing so I'm going to show you too, just promise not to laugh.

Thanks!

Jac

p.s. Ignore the dates on the photos. I had to reset my camera and it added a time stamp to my pics without my knowledge.

p.p.s The top image just involved a blank canvas, craft paint, a sharpie, and some imagination i.e. feathers and glitter for their hair.

Mirror I found a TJ Max Home Goods store for $20

It was black but I added some gold spray paint and ta-da super fancy.

I'm actually thinking of turning it into a table top just not 100% sure yet

I purchased this print at a Indie craft fair awhile ago

and didn't want to spend a bunch of money framing it

so I purchased a white $5 frame sprayed it bright pink

and glued on some jewelry findings to make it super girly for my daughter

close up

Happy Labor Day!

So I have not posted anything for awhile. The reason being I had gotten a 8-5 job and I really didn't feel like I had time to keep blogging without taking time away from my family and friends. Unfortunately, because the economy is still in the crapper, especially in California, I was laid off. That makes 3 lay offs in two years. I'm on a role, but I really wish I wasn't. Anyway, now I have time again to blog and be crafty so that's what I'll be doing to keep myself sane while I figure out what the hell I'm doing with my life. Anyway, I just wanted to say hello again and I hope you enjoy the last "unofficial" weekend of Summer. And if you have a job remember to be thankful for it, even if you think it sucks.

Thrifty Thursday

Ship Shape Style by marqu104 featuring Forever21 shoes

Cuffed Shorts, $30
Forever21.com - Shoes - Casual - 2055986379, $15
Women's AE Sailor Knot Bracelet (Natural Brown), $12
Old Navy Womens Cats-Eye Sunglasses, $8
String Bag- Natural, long handle
Ahoy There - Join the NAVY - patriotic metal pinup sign
House of PlumRed - Striped Casual Top
Flowers Wedding Flowers Magazines: Going Nautical | Brides.com
nautical prop

BCBG Sample Sale

I trekked up to Vernon today to shop at BCBG's Friends and Family Sample Sale. Oh my gosh! There were so many pretty dresses. I was overwhelmed. Now if you have ever been to a sample sale you know that you have to walk in with a game plan and the right mindset or you will be slaughtered. So after spending a half hour searching for parking and then another hour waiting in line to go in I was a little exhausted but I manned up powered through the next 2 1/2 hours to get some shopping done. The biggest mistake you can make at a sample sale is just grabbing something because it's your size. You need to look at each piece carefully inspecting it for deformities and tears because samples are notorious for having flaws (I know I used to have to work the sample sales at my old job). Also, be honest with yourself about whether you will wear it or not. Trust me, you're not really saving money if it just sits in your closet collecting dust. So anyway after much searching, grabbing, inspecting, and editing I came away with the following:

3 dresses

2 blouses

2 bathing suits

1 sweater

1 skirt

GRAND TOTAL $71

Yep, that's right only $71! If I had just purchased one of my blouses retail I would have spent more than that so although I'm exhausted and sweaty I am very happy I went. Thanks Tayler for hooking me up with the pass!

Thrifty Thursday

Date Night Deal by marqu104 featuring Forever21 jewelry

Womens - View All Shoe Styles - Special Occasion - Payless Shoes, $35
Luxuriant Bracelet Set, $7.80
Sparkling Affair Earrings, $7.80
ROBERT INDIANA LOVE Paper Weight, 90 EUR
How to Take Care of Your Smoochers
Wedding Invitations, Letterpress Invitations, Save-the-Date Cards,...
House of PlumRed - Drapes Dress w/ Shoulder Accent
Ebisu Leila Eve Clutch

Twofer Tuesday

Twofer Tuesday by marqu104 featuring TopShop dresses

Grecian Chiffon Dress, $90
Tops | Designer Clothing | NET-A-PORTER.COM, $70
BLANK Dark Denim Cut Off Short - Denim Shorts - 25Park.com, $68
SteveMadden - ANNTON COGNAC LE women's sandal high wood bottom, $130
Tory Burch Stud Flat Sandals, $193
Backpack, $70
ASOS Enamelled Ring With Metal Surround, $8.45
Juicy Couture 'Mini Dalton' Bracelet Watch, $250
Handmade Stacked Brass Bar Necklace from Kenya || Fair Trade..., $24
nOir Jewelry - Earrings - Cone Spike, $50
Amazon.com: Calvin Klein Liquid Leather Woven Envelope Date Bag:..., $178
House of PlumRed - modern sexy zipper jacket

La Quinta

So I returned from the bachelorette weekend yesterday a lot more tan and a little more worse for the wear, but overall I had a great time. Days were spent eating and laying poolside. Nights were a little more productive eating and drinking and loudly making ourselves the center of attention wherever we went. We even got security called on us for being obnoxiously loud on our patio around 11:30 at night. I mean what do you expect when you get 9-11 women in their mid-twenties together in a room.

We stayed at the La Quinta Resort and Spa which was set right against the mountains. So pretty. I had never stayed in Palm Desert before but I loved it and can't wait to go back. We even lucked out with nice weather that didn't break 100 degrees!

I love the progression of faces in this shot. Once everyone discovered we were a bachelorette party there was no end to the free shots, which of course led to the downfall of several in our party.

The bachelorette getting ready for her first drink. She deserves it after waiting 9 years for her fiance to man up ;)

This sums up our first night.

This as productive as we got during the day. Reading gossip mags without getting print all over your oiled up body is actually really hard work.

Las chicas and me. I have known these girls since freshman year of high school and I love them as much as ever. We've been friends with the bride and groom through their whole relationship and I am so excited that in a month's time we will get to witness them getting married. Congrats M&J! I love you mucho and can't wait for Santa Barbara.