Tutorial City

Tutorials are fantastic for visual learners like myself. People are always asking where I find ideas for craft & sewing projects, so I thought I'd share my favorite tutorials with you from various blogs and websites. Some of these things I've made and some are on my "to-make" list. Basically, anytime I come across one I like, I save it to my Favorites list.  Needless to say, it's becoming a pretty long list!

These are also projects that would make great Christmas gifts! I know, I know, no one wants to talk about Christmas yet, but if you start planning for it now, it'll be a more joyous time of year and you won't have to pay retail and deal with crowded parking lots. Plus, it'll be from the heart... awwwh.

Infinity Scarf Tutorial

Basic sewing supplies, less than 2 yards of fabric and you can have 2 of these beauties.

One for yourself and one as a Christmas gift. Flannel is nice, but you can also use a stretchy knit fabric or even linen. Depends on the style you want to achieve.

Link: http://hisforhandmade.blogspot.com/2010/10/infinity-scarf-tutorial.html

Wine Gift Bag Tutorial

This is one of those addictive projects. Once you make one and realize how easy it is, you'll end up making 5 more. Great for gift giving, and then your recipient can reuse them at BYOB's.

Link: http://www.prudentbaby.com/2010/12/how-to-make-wine-gift-bag.html

Magazine Gift Bow Tutorial

Another fun & creative way to wrap up your Christmas gifts. I went nuts one year and made like 40 of these. Now I have a container full of them and whenever I need to wrap a gift, I just use plain paper and slap on a colorful bow.

Link: http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2009/10/make-gift-bow-from-magazine-page.html

Tote Bag Tutorial

You could easily get carried away with this project, as well. Reusable bags are all over the place now and I feel like I never have enough of them. (I actually feel guilty when I forget mine and walk out with my goods in plastic.) This alone could be a gift, or you could fill on with more homemade goodies. I'll take one filled with tums. This preggo heartburn is killing me.

Link: http://www.purlbee.com/the-twenty-minute-tote/

French Pouf Tutorial

Stick one of these anywhere & it's instantly cuter.

Link: http://www.prudentbaby.com/2011/09/how-to-make-french-pouf-from-t-shirt.html#more

Citrus Scrub Tutorial

Move over, Bath & Body Works. (Does anyone still shop there, anyways?)

Package your DIY scrub in a fancy jar with some ribbon and gift away!

Link: http://petitelefant.com/how-to-citrus-scrub/

Potted Wheat Grass Tutorial

This is another great gift that looks expensive, but it's so not. Maybe you wouldn't give this as a Christmas gift. Hostess or housewarming gift... absolutely. These would look super cute lining a windowsill in the winter. Green grass... remember that?

Link: http://blogs.babble.com/the-new-home-ec/2011/10/04/how-to-plant-wheatgrass/

Wool Poncho Tutorial

This is one project I need to jump on while it's currently in style.

You don't have to sew ANYTHING. No excuses. You have to make one now.

Link: http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/09/diy-wool-poncho.html

And since we're talking about the holidays, enjoy this little number!

Everybody Look at Me 'Cause I'm Sailing on a Boat

DSW is my homie!

I found the cutest boat shoes online.

I wanted them. But I waited.

A whole 24 hours later, a $10 rewards certificate magically appeared in the mail.

And bam, I went to the store after work and picked up these puppies for $20.

How can you do better than that?

You can't.

I don't actually have a boat, but at least I can strut around this Spring like I do.

(Shh, don't tell anyone.)

Oh, and duh, I can't do a post with the word "boat" in it without giving you this delightful video.

Thrifted V-Day Dress

[Before, Sal Val, $4]

Not my first, and certainly not my last thrifted item of clothing.

However, it's the first one I saw potential in on the rack.

I knew with a little snip here and a little hem there, I could turn this Amish-esque disaster into something a little more modern.

It turned out great & I ended up wearing it to dinner on Valentine's Day.

[After]

While we're at it, let's see how cute my husband looked.

For the record, this is as dressed up as you'll ever see him, besides in our wedding photos.

I don't think he even owned a button-down shirt before I met him.

Smurf-tastic

See those things on my head?

SUNGLASSES!

It's actually been sunny in the mornings lately. 

This is very exciting to me.

I think that groundhog is going to be right this year. 

Lots of warmer weather in the forecast for February.

Hooray!

However, the day quickly turned dark & gloomy.

Less than 10 minutes into wearing my new tights, my leg rubbed against the rough underside of the kitchen table and they got a run in them.

#$%&!

I went back to Target on my lunch break and bought another pair

because the blue tights and I had fallen madly in love

and I realized I could not be without them.

Shhh... don't tell Tim...

Half Summer/Half Winter Outfit

Yes, the title is a reference to Kourtney & Kim Take New York which premiered Sunday night on E! Scott, Kourtney's boyfriend & baby daddy, always wears very fashion-forward ensembles, and the sisters told him his outfit was half-summer & half-winter.

(Not pictured below, but you get the idea.)



[Photo credit: Life & Style magazine]

It wasn't until I got fully dressed this morning that I realized my outfit was too!

Needless to say, I was quite pleased with myself.

[skirt: forever21/cardigan: old navy/tank: express/belt: old navy/tights: target/shoes: payless]

I'm having a love affair with my high-waisted skirt. You've probably noticed that I won't shut up about it. Apparently high-waisted jeans & shorts are making a comeback, too. This is AMAZING news for gals with rectangular bodies like myself. J. Crew has expensive versions , but I checked out my fav cheaper sources to see if they had anything similar.

And boyyyy do they!

All for around $20. Hot dang.



[Photo credits: Forever 21.com]



P.S. That "no white after Labor Day" rule is malarkey! I'm not following it anymore. 

Who's with me?

Snow (Ice?) Day Attire

[Dress: target/Shirt: forever21/Tights: target/Scarf: old navy
Belt: goodwill/Breakfast: grapefruit]

So what do people normally wear on a snow day?

Or, an ice day as we experienced today.

Pants, right?

Not this girl. Because I've come to a delightful & life-changing conclusion.

Pants stink.

You heard me.

I. hate. pants. 

And for that, I will make NO apologies!

Tights are far superior in every way. Not because they keep my legs warm or anything. Far from it.

I'm talking about the ease in which they slide into & out of boots.

This is essential since I bring heels to work in my purse & change into them.

When I would wear pants stuffed into my boots, they'd be wrinkly & static-y for the rest of the day.

And it drove me bonkers.

But with tights... easy in, easy out.

Simple.

Keeping Up & a Monday Outfit

[Sweater: old navy/ Shirt: bitten by SJP/Skirt: gap/Belt: old navy/Tights: forever21/Heels: payless]

Ahhh, the good old "self-pic in the mirror."

It's the best I can do for now with my crappy '07 digital camera.

Our goal is to have a nice SLR by the time we have kids. Can't have those memories looking grainy & discolored.

This outfit was the best I could throw together on a Monday. The Monday after I consumed an entire bottle of wine. WHYYYYYYY?! I might go get myself a Winona Wino tattoo like Johnny Depp soon.

I used to hate the way button down shirts felt. But lately, I've become more accepting of them. And I seriously need a new cardigan. This one is from Old Navy circa 2006. Loving my new black tights though. They go with ev-er-y-thin-g.

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Currently Reading: Kardashian Konfidential

It keeps me entertained during my lunch breaks. And it's actually pretty cute! 

It's like reading a book written by the big sisters I never had.

I recommend it if you need a quick, fun read and don't feel like getting into anything deep or philosophical. And if you loooove the Kardashian/Jenner clan like me :-) 

Don't be ashamed.

The Friday Five

No more Fab Five Friday... it's now just "The Friday Five" because frankly, life isn't always fabulous. Can I get an Amen?

#1

This changing zodiac sign business.

Who really bases their life around their zodiac symbol anyways? Unless you're a palm or tarot card reader, it doesn't make a bit of difference what zodiac signs mean. You are who you are and only God knows how your life is going to turn out. End of story.

#2

Bad things happen in threes.

I have had this superstition for a while, and it always proves to be right (in my life at least). Yes, I know, I'm being a bit of a hypocrite by believing in a superstition and dissing zodiac signs. Just hear me out. In the past 2 weeks, I've lost my new gloves, free tickets to an event, and my debit card. The rule of threes doesn't just apply to losing things. People die in threes, catastrophes happen in threes, things go wrong with your car in threes... I'm serious. Pay attention to this and you'll be like, wow, Meg was right, that is crazzyyyyy.

#3

Coffee breath.

For the past few days, my coffee breath has also tasted like cigarettes. And I've never smoked cigarettes in my life! It's really grossing me out. Maybe it's this new french vanilla coffee from Target.

#4

Woven belts.

They have changed the way I dress. I look like I actually have a waistline when I strap one on. The best part? My favorite brown one is from Goodwill. $1.50. Wrap your mind around that.

#5

Waking up early.

It's really underrated. I just went through a phase of waking up 30 minutes before I leave for work and it was awful! I think that's what started my run of losing things. So this morning I woke up an hour early and it was amazing! I had time to unload the dishwasher, make coffee, kiss the Mister goodbye & take a few pics of my outfit.



[Sweater, Skirt & Scarf: old navy/Boots: dsw/Socks: gap/Belt: goodwill]

Why is she posting pictures of herself?

Does she think she's a model or something?

HA, absolutely not! That's what is so great about the whole "fashion blogging" thing. You don't have to look like a model to do it. Some of my newest favorite blogs are what you'd call "fashion blogs." I prefer calling it "personal style," however, because I know that I am in no way, shape or form, fashionable. I'm not wearing anything new, expensive or trendy. I don't know how to pose. And I'm not 5'10" walking a runway.

I've been in a style slump. I felt like I was wearing the same thing to work day after day. Dress pants & a sweater. Dress pants & a button down. Dress pants & a turtleneck. I would walk out the door feeling frumpy and this icky feeling would follow me throughout the day.

I decided to reassess my closet and kick my frumpy work attire to the curb. With the help of a few lovely ladies (who's blogs I read daily, see my Links page), I've started wearing the clothes I have in different ways, I've picked up a few essential pieces that I had been lacking, and I feel fan-flippin-tastic!

Posting photos of what I wear is also part of this personal transformation. It forces me to stay on track. I mean, I can't be posting pictures of any lame outfits. That's just embarrassing.

So no, I'm not trying to be a model. No, I'm not vain. I'm just trying to develop my personal style and get out of my boring routine of dress pants & sweaters.

Amen!

It's another... Awkward & Awesome Thursday!

First, I'd like to give a shout out to Sydney for coming up with the whole "awkward & awesome thursdays" idea... they are by far my favorite posts to write! And that Traveling Bag makes me want to be a purse-snatcher. You better hold on to that thing tight... 'cause I'm sure I'm not the only one eyeing it up right now.

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AWKWARD

 - Being one of the only women at my office who attempts to dress nice for work. Since when is a fleece pullover considered business casual? That awkwardness should be on you, not me, lady! And yeah, I totally caught you playing free cell on your computer yesterday.

- Bathroom air freshener. It never really covers up the smell... and yet we continue to use it.

- When I try to relate to co-workers and end up making them feel terrible about their age. Maybe because I say things like, "Oh yeah, my Mom used to do that, too!" I'm sorry, I am 25 years younger than you, and we will never be able to make conversation about something that happened in the 1970's.

- My attempts at taking pictures of my outfits in the morning with my iPhone. I'm slightly embarrassed to even post them.

- Still needing my Dad's help doing taxes. Even while using Turbo Tax...

- Walking 3 blocks to my car the day after a snowstorm... in heels. I looked like a baby deer learning how to walk for the first time. Cars had to slow down for me.

- Having to tell the IT guy your password so he can log-on when something goes wrong with your computer. "It's umm... TimmyCuteButt32." (You force us to pick something with upper & lowercase letters & numbers and it's the first thing I thought of, okay?!)

- Leaving voicemails for people and still giving my maiden name. Sorry, Tim!

AWESOME

- I finally drink my coffee black. Cutting out those sugar & creamer calories feels gooooood!

- Rocking purple tights at work. It's not specifically forbidden in the dress code... so...

- ING checking accounts. Okay, a bit of a plug because my brother works there, but seriously, they are awesome. I can set up all of my bills to be paid online and then it gets done automatically on whatever day I choose. Bye bye late fees, writing checks & using stamps!

- Looking through old photos of yourself as a little kid with your husband and hearing him say, "We are gonna have the best looking babies ever!"

- BUT... the fact that we currently do not have a baby is also awesome. Sometimes we want one... and then sometimes we'll be out and we'll look at each other and say, "We couldn't be doing this right now if we had kids!" and then give a loud, triumphant laugh.

- The fact that the days are only going to get longer from here on out... slowly but surely there will be daylight when I leave work at 5 pm.

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Have a TREMENDOUS Thursday, my lovely blog readers!

Scarf Obsession

Around the month of October, I break out my scarves. There is just something about a warm neck that tricks the rest of your body into thinking it's warm. I've even worn shorts or short-sleeved shirts with a scarf, that's how much I love them. People probably think I'm trying to cover up some hideous scar on my neck, or weird fat rolls like that of Kimora Lee Simmons.

But no, I just love them. They can be tied in so many different ways, and like I've mentioned before, they really help to add some color to the all-black outfits I find myself in.

And it's not just me. One of my favorite style icons, Jennifer Aniston, also seems to be a little scarf obsessed. (Or as my Mom would call her, "horse face.")

But anyways... who cares about celebrities?! This is my blog!

I now present to you... MY COLLECTION.

Top: green pashmina (gift from Jackie)
2nd Row: mustard infinity scarf (strawberry country, etsy); orange & black cashmere scarves (green dragon market); gray fleece scarf (old navy)
3rd Row: black pashmina (macy's); gray fuzzy scarf (made by my mom); gem-tone multicolored scarf (gift from San Francisco); bright multicolored scarf (old navy)

[Wins "most worn" award]

[Wins "best knock-offs" award. Not real cashmere.]

[Wins "favorite colors" award. Thanks, Mom!]

Last night, after I gazed lovingly at my scarf collection for several more minutes, my husband and I scarfed down some food (get it?!) It was a "breakfast for dinner" kinda night. For some reason, snow storms make me want breakfast. It's a weather phenomenon.

[Spinach & Cheese Scramble]

Fab 5 Friday!

[The very first edition!]

As if Fridays weren't fabulous enough to begin with, I've gone ahead and decided to do a weekly post about five things I love. It snowed last night, everyone is very angry about the state of the roads, so I'm going to attempt to brighten your day by reminding you about some little things that make life better.

1. Changing Up Decor

I probably do this way too much, but hey, it makes me happy. You don't have to buy anything new. Just by moving decor around, repositioning things & rotating in some seasonal items, it will give you a whole new perspective on a room that's getting boring. I also like to grab my duster and get that chore out of the way at the same time.

2. Snow Covered Trees

My drive to work this morning was pretty terrible, but the view from my office is quite lovely!

3. Black Pencil Skirts

This was one of the best clothing investments I've ever made. And by investment, I mean it cost $40. (That's a lot for me to spend on one piece!) So versatile, fits perfectly and easy to wash. I wear it to work with a button down shirt & flats. Then wear it out to dinner with a flowy tank top & pumps.

4. Farmhouse-Style Dining Tables

[See Apartment Therapy for more of this beautiful home]

I love the roominess of the benches and the vintage-feel of the wood. It really makes a great focal point for the room, especially with the top painted red.

5. Layering Tanks



[Old Navy - $10.50]



Oh man, do I love these! I don't know when it started, but I have this thing where I have to wear a built-in bra cami under everything. They're perfect for work because I can wear low-cut tops without feeling like a hussy, and also great for thin button-downs in light colors. I don't need my co-workers seeing my bra straps. I have almost every color, but my black & white camis get the most wear. I have a black & white obsession. I hope my colored camis understand!

Have a FANTASTIC weekend, everyone!

If all goes to plan, Tim and I will have our new bed set up, lots of pictures from Longwood Gardens and our sad, dead Christmas tree out back by the dumpster. So long, friend. You were so pretty over the holidays. But you're dropping needles everywhere and getting on my nerves.