Happy Memorial Day

Thank you to all the men and women who risk their lives to help protect our families and our homes. You are all heroes.

Happy Friday!

Enjoy your 3 day weekend and don't forget to stop and smell the flowers!

Thrifty Thursday

Thrifty Thursday Floral by marqu104 featuring Forever21 jewelry

Items in this set:
Forever21.com - New Arrivals - 1000003555, $2.80
Forever21.com - New Arrivals, $5.80
Etched Floral Bangle Set, $4.80
House of PlumRed - One Shoulder Floral Dress - Pink
Adi D Studded Glditor Sndls : Target, $33

It's too easy nowadays to spend over $100 on a pair of shoes, forget a whole outfit. I've decided to challenge myself to create a complete look every Thursday for around $100 or less. It's tough, but also really fun to find those bargains and put them altogether to create something I would feel confident and cool wearing out.

House of PlumRed

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

modern sexy zipper jacket

one sleeve layered dress

ruffle pleated dress with red belt

I just want to give a shout out to House of PlumRed. I recently started doing some part time work for them and I have to say they have some great things going on. If you're unfamiliar with the name it's a online boutique that offers a hand picked collection of on trend clothing at a fabulous price. What's even cooler is that it was started almost a year ago by another 20-something Orange County girl, and you know I'm always down to promote another woman who is kicking ass and taking names in the business world. So if you haven't already go check outHOPR and then head on over to their Facebook page to become a fan and enter an awesome contest.

DIY Leather Studded Bangle

On a whim I bought two unfinished square wood bangles a few weeks ago and had been muling over what to do with them when inspiration suddenly hit. I have a boxes of jewelry making/art/craft supplies and rummaging through it I found a bunch of leather and immediately decided to cover one of the bangles in leather and studs. Overall it was a pretty easy project and I'm happy with how it turned out and hope you have fun making your own!

Supplies:

-wooden bangle

-leather (from Tandy's leather, thanks ...love Maegan for turning me on to them)

*obvi this isn't the leather but I wanted to give an idea of how big a piece you should start with.

-fabric glue

-craft paint

-small brass round studs

-scissors

-jewelry wire cutters

-jewelry pliers

Steps:

*I only thought about doing this post after I finished so I have no photos of the steps

1. Figure out placement of leather on bangle. There will be folds but ignore them for a second and just make sure that the bangle will be covered.

2. Start gluing the top and one side of the bangle and smooth leather down onto bangle. When you reach a corner pinch the extra leather on both sides and cut out what should be a triangle strip of leather. This will allow the leather to lay flat on the bangle while making sure you get complete coverage. Continue to do this all the way around the bangle. Trim excess leather from side. Flip bangle over, glue down third side, and trim excess leather.

*side note: you can wrap leather all the way around bangle for more finished look. I didn't because my bangle has a very narrow opening and adding the leather would have made it almost impossible to squeeze my hand through.

3. Take studs and remove prongs with wire cutters and pliers. Figure out where you want to place the studs and then glue them down. I placed my studs on the corner seams I cut to cover them up.

4. Since I didn't cover the underside of the bangle I painted it black to match the leather. I am not quite happy with the unfinished edges of my bangle but haven't figured out how to smooth them out completely. Oh well!

And there you have it. A stylish one of a kind bangle that would be perfect to rock with little cocktail dress or jeans and a tee.

Vegas Baby Vegas!!!

I finally have a friend who is getting married, so this past weekend some old friends and I decided to kidnap her and take her to Vegas for the weekend. It was amazing! I have been to Vegas once several years ago when I was not of age to do anything so this time was a completely different experience. I went with my closest friends from high school who I rarely get to see anymore because everyone is so busy with their own lives. By the time we drove up to the valet at the hotel my ear was ringing from being in a car with four other very excited females who speak at decibels similar to a rock concert. It's fine though. Who wants to have crisp hearing anyway? At the hotel we're greeted by another friend who now lives out of state. She had taken to decorating the room with paraphernalia that my mother would call crass, I instead laughed out loud. Sorry mom. The second we stepped into the room we morphed back into 16 year olds, yes go ahead shake your head, I'm embarrassed too. There was screaching, laughing, gossiping, awkward moments, dancing, and even a little cattiness, but you know what? It was all ok. Even after a few bumps and moments of tension the night turned out to be a blast. We walked(some stumbled) back to the hotel in the wee hours of the morn sweaty, dirty, and with aching feet but we were happy because we had each other. Sorry, if the cheese makes you gag but that's how I feel. A few days later as jokes become blurry and moments start to fade I still know that I will remember this trip for a long time to come and love these girls even more because friends like this are hard to find.

quote of the trip "I can't believe she's talking to the fascist. He told me he voted for the Conservative party."