Friday Five

I must be craving Spring cleaning or something, but I found myself itching to find new ideas for home organization.  I think I'll try some of these this weekend!

1/  Weekly menu planner would really help organize grocery lists!
2/  Printable labels for your kitchen basics... find 'em here!
3/  Paint over old tins to hold knick knacks
4/  Use lace to organize bathroom drawers

Then there's my personal favorite...

 

5/  Cute and feminine labels for all your bath products in Starbucks frap jars... see the full DIY here!

What are your favorite ways to organize?

Have a fabulous weekend!

Wine-O Wednesday... mmm

Last night, my sister and I had a little sister date at a local restaurant called The Wine Guy... needless to say, it was amazing!  It's known for their selection of wine (over 2,000 bottles for sale!) as well as their tapas plates.  We settled on a spicy red wine and multiple plates to share.  I loved the grilled bruschetta and the glazed scallops the most, but the chicken marsala and grilled salmon were also wonderful!

I must say... without a doubt, we'll be back again! Check it out here!

DIY Day: Leather Wrap Bracelet

I was inspired by yet another bracelet I found on (where else?) Pinterest.  I've made a couple of these guys now, but I will warn you:  they take more time than you would expect!  Find super easy, step-by-step instructions here, and see my consolidated instructions below!

Mantra Monday

Words to live by :)  Happy Monday!

What to Wear Wednesday: Mastering the high low hem

I wore my new high low hem skirt for the first time last Friday night to celebrate a friend's birthday.  I instantly fell in love with how it billows when you walk, creating a glamorous effect.  Since then, I've been daydreaming of how to outfit it more.  A friend of mine suggested a boxy crop top... I liked the sound of it!  Here's what I came up with:

[Created using Polyvore]

How would you outfit yours?

Quick & Easy Upscale Brunch: Breakfast Pizza

A couple weekends ago, I decided to try a recipe found here for a fanciful breakfast pizza. It was really wonderful and so easy to make.  Since this, though, I've created my own masterpiece with scrambled eggs, which I prefer!

Mantra Monday

Some food for thought this Monday...

Friday Five

This week has been a glorious mix of mingling with friends in the spring weather and getting to oft overlooked tasks at work while upper management is out of the office.  I don't know about you, but I'm really looking forward to another relaxing weekend... in the meantime, I'll look back on what made me happy this week.

[Check out the behind the scenes photo of the styld.by soiree I attended here]

DIY Day: Chain & Leather Bracelet

I saw this bracelet from Anthropologie and thought it was really cute... but a little overpriced for such a simple piece.  Naturally, I decided I should try to DIY it.  Since the chain I have is a little bigger, it didn't come out as an exact replica, but I still think it's a really fun addition to my wardrobe!

Begin by threading your needle with A LOT of thread (I used about 8 yards each side for a chain that wraps 3 times).  At the same time, measure the cording you need depending on the size of your chain.  I used the length of my chain + 2" and then double it since I wanted both sides wrapped.  Loop the cording through the top of the chain with your knotted end of the thread.

Using your needle, go through each chain link to secure the leather cording to the sides of the chain from top to bottom.

Finish up one whole side before tying off your thread.  Then, re-thread your needle and start on the other side!

Follow the same process to do the either side of the chain.  Tie off your thread and knot together the two sides of the cording.  Ta-dah!  You're done!

What to Wear Wednesdays: Sheer Maxi Skirt

While in LA, I kept seeing girls in Santa Monica rocking a sheer maxi skirt.  Last year, I finally found my first (read, perfect length!) maxi dress, which I LOVE.  Naturally, I wanted to try to this trend, too.  I purchased a navy and white polka dot patterned skirt and can't wait to wear it.

In the meantime, I've been thinking of how to outfit it... here's an idea:

[Created with Polyvore]

Easy Peasey Strawberry Fudge

I found a really simple, but delicious recipe while playing on Pinterest one day.  I decided to make some for my sister and I to share at work... and everyone loved it!  They couldn't believe how simple it was.  Find the recipe here and see for yourself!

You just need a bag of white baking chips and a jar of strawberry frosting.  Melt the chips according to the directions then stir in the frosting.  Pour in a lined pan, decorate it and pop it in the fridge for a couple hours.  Cut it up and enjoy!  So easy!

Mantra Monday

Friday Five

[Somewhere old... Siesta Key, Florida]

I blame the coming of March for my antsy feelings.  Yesterday, I booked my first vacation of the year!  My boyfriend and I will be jetting off to somewhere familiar... for me at least.  Siesta Key, Florida, is somewhere I go at least once a year so I'm looking forward to my trip next month.

After that, should I go to another old familiar place or somewhere new?  Thank you Pinterest, for adding to my uncertainty!

[Somewhere old... Maroma Beach, Mexico]

[Somewhere old... San Salvador, Bahamas]

[Somewhere new... Punta Cana, Domincan Republic]

[Somewhere new... Aruba]

Where do you want to go?

Have a great weekend!

DIY Day: Engagement Card

A good friend of mine became engaged in January, and I made her a lovely card to share with her fiance.  I shared this awhile back and have been meaning to put this how-to post up for awhile now!

What to Wear Wednesdays: Pastels

There's something soft and romantic about pastel colors, especially when they're dusty rose or a light lavender... however, I think my favorite pastel of the season is mint.  It's reminiscent of a spring day and very beautiful in a sheer chiffon fabric.  Here's how I'd outfit it:

[Created using Polyvore]

Corn Chowdah Mac & Cheese

The other weekend, I decided to branch out a bit and try a new recipe from Rachel Ray's Magazine (find it here).  It was a little daunting because the recipe seems really involved... but it was actually really easy!  It's definitely a must-try and I'm sure I'll be repeating it in the future.

Mantra Monday

Happy Monday all!

DIY's To Do

When the weather is as gloomy as is it today (it rained & snowed within a matter of 5 minutes so who can keep up?), I'm reminded again by the pile of DIY projects I've been meaning to do.  DIY's are the perfect thing to keep yourself occupied on rainy/snowy days, don't you think?

[found on pinterest - hand sew eyelet lace on denim cutoffs}

[i can definitely re-create this anthro bracelet!]

[found on pinterest - cork coasters & ribbon]

Dreaming of LA...

Last week, I found out that I was going to LA for a business trip... since then, I've been dreaming of fun, sun and, of course, Santa Monica pier.  Even with everything else going on at work this week, I can't get my potential wardrobe out of my head.

Wednesday Wishes: How to wear lace shorts

Another spring trend I'm dying to try is lace shorts.  Now, I've been searching for the perfect pair since LAST spring so I'm really hoping to find the right ones this year.

Here's my inspiration for outfitting lace shorts:

{Created with Polyvore}

What do you think?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Have a wonderful day filled with love!

Mantra Monday

Happy Valentine's Week!

Friday Five: Fall in love with satchels

For various reasons, I've been contemplating a big ticket purchase of a leather satchel.  Today, I'm featuring my top 5 favorites.

[Made with Polyvore]

1 - Glossy Ally satchel from Tory Burch, $475
2 - Classic Q Francesca Shopper from Marc Jacobs, $538
3 - Check Print Satchel from Burberry, $1,395
4 - New York Bond Street Florence Satchel from Kate Spade, $448
5 - Hamliton Chain Satchel from Michael Kors, $348

What do you think?

DIY Day: Beaded Hemp Bracelet

Wednesday Wishes: How to wear colored twill

I've been really wanting to try the colored twill bottoms that are popping up everywhere.  The problem is, I just haven't been thoughtful enough to determine how I would wear them.

{Made with Polyvore}

Now I think I'm going to have to try because they're just so cute! How would you wear yours?