Pretty & Simple Candle Centerpiece

I am a lover of candles. It's my end of day therapy after a long day of work or a swim. That little flickering light next to me while I write, read, watch a movie, or eat dinner: perfection. When Matt and I enjoyed an evening with Anne and Spencer the other night (sitting around their amazing West Elm dinner table eating a spread of delicious veggies and patties straight from the grill), Anne had a pretty vase with rocks and a candle right in the center. She said her inspiration was Anthropologie (because, if you haven't noticed, they do this same sort of vase and fill display with their delicious Voluspa and Volcano candles all throughout the store). And so, inspired by Anne who was inspired by Anthro, I now too have a little candle center piece. 

You could easily recreate this little centerpiece with a found vase at a thrift store and with rocks or fill from your yard. I happened to be at Target while their Nautical line was on clearance, so I picked up this Threshold hurricane and rock fill for $10 all together. I wanted a taller glass vase and was so happy to find something a bit nostalgic for the coast. (This candle holder is a more simple version from Target, and here is the Nautical hurricane / not shown on sale.)

Centerpieces like these are perfect for summers outside. Instead of a pretty smelling Voluspa, you could put a bug repelling candle in with the fill. Maybe a little pretty addition for a glamping trip? Thinking about having a candle outside on a picnic table makes me realize that Matt and Jayne, my mother-in-law, are outside hauling dirt and gravel for our yard reno! We have a huge haul off and a driveway covered in brick. More on that later. I better get myself out there and help get one step closer to a picnic table and yard worth spending all day and night in. Happy weekend, friends!

Pine Cone Decor!

It's Christmas Eve! And, boy am I ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Nothing better than a birthday bash, am I right? And what's not a party without some decorations. That's how I like to think of Christmas decor. All in preparation of the best birthday of the year. So, in case you are in need of some last minute decorations, this is a pretty simple project that I shared over at Thoughts by Natalie last week. Pretty metallic pine cone garland. You can see the tutorial in full--over here.

I sort of love the rustic touch these pine cones add to our room. They may be staying around for a bit, even after the birthday bash. Merry Christmas, friends!

DIY Berry Red and Gold Anthropologie-Inspired Necklace

It's that time of year with lots of parties, gatherings, and reasons to sparkle. Last week, I shared this DIY over at Thoughts By Natalie--fitting as Natalie loves sequins and a pop of metallic, as do I! (Especially pairing gold with anything and everything this season). When I saw this necklace mixing berry red and gold at Anthropologie months ago, I couldn't shake the inspiration. And so, as many DIYs go, I set out to see if I could recreate the look for less, hoping to wear a handmade pop of shine this holiday season. (And if you don't fancy red, this necklace would be pretty in any color, really!) 

What You'll Need:

21-25 wooden beads (an even amount for the painted portion of the necklace + one unpainted bead as a fastener)

Waxed cotton thread, 20-30 inches in length

Red Acrylic Paint

Gold metallic acrylic paint, gold nail-polish, or a gold sharpie oil paint pen

Flat work surface and paper to protect it from paint mess

Paint brushes (a thin brush for the gold detailing)

Scissors

STEP EIGHT: To get the length of your necklace just so, before tying on your wooden bead closure, hold the necklace up to your neck and test it out for length. Pinch your pincers in the spot on the thread where you feel your wooden bead closure should be tied on. For reference, my necklace measures 22 inches long once complete with its closure. On one end, thread through the hole of your wooden bead closure and tie it off around and through with a square knot (or any knot that makes the bead feel secure and in place). On the other side of the thread, create a loop that is large enough for the bead to slip into. This is how your necklace fastens. Tie the loop in place. Try on the necklace to make sure it is the length you want before cutting off the excess cotton threading.

Pretty, right? Hey, maybe the perfect last minute gift idea for your mom, sister or friend ;)

DIY Ideas | For Gifting & For Yourself

I tend to make things when I can. Really, that is how this blog even began--with DIYs coming out of its ears. Then the do it yourself mode slowed a bit as I matured as a writer and cultivated my style on here. But still, I love a good hands on project. It is so very much a  part of me, as you should have figured out by now ;) 

Especially with gifting season here, and round ups of all these great DIY gifts filling other lovely blogs and Pinterest, I've been nudged to remind myself of all the fun things I've created and perhaps shared on here. Lately, along with the smell of cinnamon and crisp cold weather, our house has been sprinkled with DIY remnants and ideas overflowing as I think about things I've made, and things I still want to make--all in the midst of making what I'm currently making. Oh how I love making things while in the warmth of my home on the weekend, while sipping coffee with my toes in wool socks. "Busy hands make busy minds" was always my motto as a teacher, and I pretty much feel these words are true even for grown-ups. Can I give you a challenge this season? Turn on some holiday tunes, and get to making something by hand. Bake it, glue it, paint it, sew it. Pick your fancy. Whether its intended for a gift, or for yourself, go make something--and then tell me about it! 

Here are a few DIYs from the past year, pictured above: 

Bib Necklace

Envelopes from Scratch

Dalmatian Heart Lace Ups

Repurposed Dinnerware

Color Pop Pencil Jar

Painted Lettering

Retro Fan

Burlap Wreath

Striped Mirrors

Lace Tea Lights

Mason Jar Candles

Napkin Ring Necklace

Personalized Ampersand Art

Hand Painted Tea Towels

You can also hop on over to my Pinterest board where I'm often pinning do it yourself inspiration. PS: Today I'm over at Thoughts By Natalie sharing how to make a Burlap Wreath! Natalie also has a great post all about gifts that you could make this season--which you can check out over here.

Roll Top Back Packs

Lately, we've been spending most weekend days outdoors. Even on early work days I find myself hurrying to City Park or Central Park to snatch up those last moments of light before the sun sneaks away for its slumber. I suppose now, my Colorado intuition is starting to set in and I know that warm sunny days are necessary to catch and enjoy before the winter arrives; besides, let's be honest, the California in me needs all that it can for good measure. (Although, even a winter day in Denver can be bright and cheery--more sunny days than San Diego they say!) We recently hiked over at Red Rocks, and all the while after our half day of hiking, I couldn't help but want to sew a hiking backpack. I do love the convenience of REI, but now that I have a large workspace, and almost functioning sewing machine, and a few skills to call my own, I really want to make a day pack (that could also double as my pack for summer biking, trips to new cities, overnights, etc etc.). These are a few of my backpack inspirations, sticking to mainly roll-top styles as what I could see myself making:

1 //  2 //  3 //  4 //  5 //  6  

7 //  8 //  9 //  10 //  11 //  12

Also, how simple and darling is this leather pouch DIY (Hobby Lobby has some great leather options) and this rope tote (doesn't this remind you of the Project Runway unconventional challenge?). And just in case you want a roll top backpack, but have no desire to sew your own, Barnacle Bags has a great Etsy shop that I have loved browsing for inspiration.

Saw Horse Desk | Part One of Two

This post is more show than tell, more camera savvy than instruction savvy, and more spacious than cramped. And I promise, dimensions, materials needed, and the play by play for this spacious beauty of a desk to be written about soon (just in case you want to spend a weekend busting this one out, like we did). For now, I'm just going to post this quick so I can look at the photos again and feel so proud that we made it.

Jar It Up

Jars aren't really new on the scene, but we never tire of unconventional (or conventional) uses for them. Whenever I find myself staring a vintage jar or container face on at a thrift store, there is no way of stopping me from adding it to my basket. Matt probably thinks I'm a nut with the amount of Mason Jars we've collected. But you can use them in so many ways! The latest jar I picked up was while shopping for multitudes of teacups back in August. This jar seems authentically old, even the metal clasp sings vintage. And I love the french "Le Parfait" across the front. This jar, now sitting in our kitchen, has become the bar of soap jar.

And just in case you have a few jars and containers laying around needing innovation:

>> Dye mason jars a vintage blue or stripe them gold.

>> Make a sewing kit, or any clever kit for a cute gift (or for yourself...)

>> No bathroom drawers? Jars are a serious life saver.

>> Collect and cluster as hanging light pendants.

>>Oh, these super cute match jars? Yes, please.

>> Add a pop of color to your pencil or paint jar.

>> Organize, label, and stow away spices

>> Create dainty lace tea lights.

Ampersand Wedding Date Art | DIY

When it comes to gifts, I've been on a mission to either give locally made items or make the gift myself, especially since moving to Colorado. Going into Christmas here in a few months, I'm already starting to plan out what I want to make (like more of these & these for my friends), and am really excited for snowy days spent "making". When Morgan and Josh got married this past September, I knew I wanted to make them something. Something that would be unique to them and Morgan's eclectic style--and continuing with the "handmade" approach that their wedding was. Remember when I painted that chartreuse cup and used left over paint to make an ampersand (here)? Well, this is what that became. 

Using the painted canvas, patterned paper, a large frame from Ikea, and the tools below, I made the newlyweds a piece or art that had a hint of their wedding colors and their wedding date framed in a fun way. (I figured ampersands are hard not to like, so I was pretty safe with the idea). 

The amerpsand is a cute way to symbolize the 'and' when you are talking about a newlywed couple. Morgan and Josh are now officially Morgan and Josh--hence, the ampersand. The numbers are their wedding date: 9-7-13. First I traced the matting and centered the patterned paper under it, placing the canvas on top to lay out how I wanted the end result. Then I cut the paper to matting size.

Next, with my paper the exact size of the matting, I could place the canvas directly center and that would center up nicely in the frame. I actually glued the canvas to the paper, allowing it to set for a few minutes before framing it. Then I flipped it over into the frame with the matting down first and replaced that back of the frame.

Orange and chartreuse, I just always love this combo--a bit vintage yet also current, which is a win win. I really like how it turned out. Yes, it is a painting, but it really feels more like a print (which is what I really like about it). Now for a busy week ahead. But get ready, because I'm going to be sharing a few newly styled posts this week. I'm excited to stretch myself a bit! 

Drawer Pull Tease

When I first decided to redo Matt's tall dresser, the snow came. The second time I bought the materials to strip and sand it, the rain arrived. And now with my third plans to get this dresser done, the 100 year storm turned Colorado upside down for a bit. So, I'm not sure exactly when this dresser will be done, but for now the pretty pulls I bought over a year ago are really just a tease until that diy day finally arrives. 

Wedding Week

It has been a hustle and bustle of wedding prepping, family gathering, and celebrating. Matt's sister Morgan married our new brother-in-law Josh this last night. It. was. a. blast. I cannot wait to share some of the details--like the florals that I got be a part of, as well as the table decor. Here are a few little glimpses of Morgan and Josh's amazing day. I still plan to share some of my blogging favorites this week, so stay tuned, that'll be happening as soon as I have some downtime ;)