I had fun "peeking" around Jonathan Adler's HQ. Ooh la la!
Great tips for a stylish and effective workspace.
Can't wait to try these out!
Add glitter to anything without it falling off! i have a few projects in mind for this.
I'm not yet on board with the whole oxford trend for the fall season, but then again I am a late adapter to many trends. I want to make sure I am getting the most bang out of my buck. The practical shopper in me. If you are gung ho and have your oxfords waiting for the first chill to strike, here are 10 ways to style them best.
HAPPY TGIF + WEEKEND
photo credit: 1, 2, 3
Follow me on:
Facebook | Bloglovin' | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
I instagrammed a photo of these two weeks ago, and I've been restraining myself from taking scissors to my entire jean collection. I distressed these in a few spots and I love the outcome. These were a pair of vintage levi's boyfriend jeans that I picked up at a thrift shop that needed to be re-loved.
*Jeans
*Measuring Tape
*Chalk or Fabric Marker
*Sharp scissors
Slip on jeans and measure where you want to cut jeans with chalk (or fabric marker). If you plan to cuff them, add about two inches to your desired length. Cut jeans at marked lines with scissors.
With scissors, cut two slits in area where you want to distress. Keep in mind the distressing will occur inside of the two slits.
Once you have cut your desired slits, pull at the white threads with a fine needle to loosen and separate from the blue threads. Pick at the white threads individually and lift them away from the denim edge. This helps to loosen the white threads and also the blue ones.
Use your tweezers to pull the blue threads out. This part is a bit of a challenge, but once you get the first thread the rest come out pretty easily. Continue distressing in other areas to achieve your desired look. Don't worry if you mess up here or there, the whole finished product is supposed to look imperfect. That's the whole appeal to the distressed look.
After you're done, throw them in the washer and dryer to get that fraying and tattered look.
Voila! Final product after wash and dry.
*In order to create the perfect denim shorts out of jeans, choose a pair that is slightly looser in the thigh area. I chose a pair of boyfriend levi's.
*One way to choose the perfect length for your shorts is to measure the intended jeans against a pair you already own and are the perfect length. It's always better to make them longer, just to be on the safe side.
*You do not necessarily need to use the needle to dig out the white threads; but I did find it easier on time (and my hands!)
*Always throw them in the washer and dryer. This step is essential to achieving the distressed look.
*If this is your first time distressing, it would probably be best to test out on a pair that you don't have too much love for in the event the distressing doesn't come out exactly the way you want it to.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to email me. I'd be more than happy to help!
Have fun!
Follow me on:
Facebook | Bloglovin' | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
What screams summer better than white nails reminiscent of wite-out?! Except it's not actually wite-out...stay with me here. It's Essie's Blanc. A true white that is opaque in color. It has become my celebratory summer nail color. And I love the way the white pops against my skin. It's difficult to apply, yes; it can be chalky, streaky, and show imperfections too easy for my liking. But, I have a few tips that I follow that may help you.
Step One: start with nails completely removed of polish. i like to buff mine to provide a smooth canvas before applying the polish and i swear this helps the polish last longer. if i have time, i apply a base coat. if you don't have time, start out by applying one thin coat of essie 'blanc.' this serves as the base or the 'primer', if you will. look away because if you are like me, you will be tempted to take the polish off because it hurts your eyeballs to look at your nails. umm, ok not literally. but seriously, don't worry about the streaks.
Step Two: once the first coat is set and dry, go ahead and apply a second fuller coat. for me, two coats is enough to get the perfect white lacquer. for others, three may be enough.
Step Three: do not skip this step, it is essential to any manicure. add one layer of 'no chips ahead' and let dry completely. the top coat helps to seal the polish preventing it from chipping and makes it shine. ever had a polish dry to a matte? not cute! my polish lasts a good 4-5 days without any chipping. LET DRY COMPLETELY.
A Few Tips:
- roll (don't shake) the polish bottle between your hands; this keeps bubbles out.
- to keep your hands (and feet) extra moisturized, soak them in a little olive oil and lemon juice once a week. this also helps soften the cuticles. you can also do this right before the mani.
- bottle of polish drying out or thickening? add a drop or two of nail polish remover to help thin it out.
- if you're in a rush, place hands in freezer or ice water to help dry faster.
HAPPY AUGUST
P.S. Thank you so much for those of you who emailed me on what to check out in the Lake George area. We didn't get to do everything we wanted, but that just gives us an excuse to go back right?!
Follow me on:
Facebook | Bloglovin' | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Sundays were meant for flea markets! Now that the warmer weather is here, going to the flea markets on Sundays has become a weekly thing. It is one of my favorite things to do because there are so many cool items you can find, and I am a sucker for vintage. Here are a few tips when heading to your local flea market.
Tips:
- Arrive early. You never want to miss out on the best pieces, so arriving early will ensure you get first dibs. By noon, chances are there will be a crowd. So arriving early will give you the best chances at leaving with quality pieces and there is almost nothing that feels better than scoring on unique and great merchandise.
- Wear comfortable footwear. As much as I love my heels, I always leave them behind when going to the market. You want to wear comfortable flats, sandals, or sneakers (Converse is my go-to) as you'll be doing lots of walking and sometimes the conditions aren't heel-friendly. Think crowds, gravel, and if you have to drag your items home on public transportation you want to be comfortable.
- Bring cash. Although there seem to be a growing number of vendors that are accepting credit cards, most still do not; like the fresh produce section. So be sure to stop by the ATM on your way to the market. You don't want to find yourself missing out on a great item if you have to run to the ATM while you are there.
- Bring your appetite. Depending on which market you go to, most all today have the best local food vendors. It's a great way to feed your appetite without having to leave the flea in search of somewhere to eat. Plus, you get to "sample" local restaurants.
- Travel light. Bring a backpack or shoulder bag filled with sunscreen, water, money, and a hat for cover. If you know you are looking for an oversized item, pack a tape measure. You don't want to be weighed down by extra items and you will need room for the goodies you just bought.
- Stay focused. If you know what items you are going for, keep focused on those items. If it's a big market, it can get overwhelming pretty quickly especially if there is a crowd. I usually go with a list of stuff I am looking for and stay focused on that. Overall, go with an open mind to bargain and most of all HAVE FUN!
American Eagle Outfitters blouse. Urban Outfitters bandeau bra. vintage diy Levi's boyfriend shorts. J.Crew leopard belt {old}. Report Signature sandals. J.Crew Factory necklace and bracelet. Kate Spade sunglasses. Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid in Electric Orange. Essie Hip-Anema and Blanc nails.
Photos by Larry Vila
Follow me on:
Facebook | Bloglovin' | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
