there are some really great projects and ideas around the web, especially on blogs! with the warm weather coming closer the web is a great place for ideas for parties, weddings, special occassions... here are some of my faves:

EAT DRINK CHIC.  i really adore this blog.  she has the most creative/useful downloads and/or DIY's.  this iPhone wallpaper is the most recent (here's the second set) and makes me want to have an iPhone even more. 

fellowfellow.  free printable gift tags (just in time for mother's day) come in great patterns and colors.  this blog is so simple and refreshing and i want to buy everything from the shop too!

A Beautiful Mess Blog.  this was one of the very first blogs that i fell in love with and got me hooked on blogs.  this space is great for so many things : new recipes, DIY, and fashion help like this 5 Ways to Style a v-neck tee. 


hope you enjoy scavenging for all the lovely ideas and inspiration!

(all images from their corresponding blog links)


♥ happy monday.




i'm finally posting this DIY.  i really would like to post more DIYs, but they are time consuming ( the editing of images, uploading and posting on this space).  hopefully, no promises, i can post a few here and there because i do love sharing and trading creative ideas.  i hope you enjoy this simple DIY.

i've been so inspired seeing clutches, especially with these painted pretties, but some are a bit expensive and the ones i could afford i figured i could do my self.  the ones i did are Falcon Wright inspired, because of the size of the leather satchlets i found.

 
you'll need:  
- painter's tape. depending on your design you can choose a small or large width of tape.
- craft paint.     i have Martha Stewart multi-purpose paints....the best really.
- Sharpie gold paint pen (not pictured).  this is optional if you want to add an extra embellishment on the paint.
- assorted brushes.  use whatever best suits your design.
- leather satchletes.   u can use really whatever you have on hand.  an old bag, wallet, clutch.  got these at  H&M for $4!

note:  the blue leather satchlet pictured didn't make it to the end....i messed up. 


STEP ONE:  choose your palette
it's always good to choose what colors you want to use and plan it out.  i had a whole other color scheme for satchlette, but when i laid it out my eyes weren't feeling it.  so it's good to have a visual.


STEP TWO:  tape please
if you're comfortable with free handing a design, go for it! i free handed the design for the brown leather satchlet, but with the nude patent leather one i had to tape my design.  the patent leather is a bit slippery and the paint needed guides to help from smudging. also, tape any hardware like buttons or snaps.


STEP THREE: paint it
paint that color on.  for the patent leather above i had to use about 5-6 coats because i didn't want to see the brush strokes.  but if you have a preference, go with it.  for each coat give about 1- 2 hour drying time.   for the brown leather satchlet it didn't take as much coats because it was more porous.


STEP FOUR:  let dry
you need to be patient with this step.  it's tempting to pull up the tape, but don't.  i waited over night so that the paint could cure.  especially with the brown satchlet, i wanted the paint to be dry so that i could use the gold paint pen with ease.


when it's all dry, you can add more paint with other patterns or leave it bold and classic.  there were some rough paint spots around the button snaps, but only i would know that.  on the brown satchlet, i freehanded triangles and lines for a more abstract look.  i love how they turned out.  you can put these to so many uses for:  cell phones, business cards, first aid kit, coin/wallet or make-up.  i use mine for my make-up.


hope you enjoyed this mini-project. !


Photo credit:  some of my somethings.


 ♥ happy thursday.

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this blog will always focus on fashion trends and styling, but i do love the craftiness side of me and so i wanted to share the staples i have as a crafter.  going handmade and the DIY movement has really become a frontrunner in so many aspects of life (especially gift giving, weddings, party events) and if you're not into hand-making things....please do try!

above are some of the things that are in my craft stash and i must confess i'm addicted to washi tape---they are so pretty! ( some great washi tape sites:  Happy Tape, Cute Tape and Paper Pastries.)


Here are some tips for you first time crafters:


1.  explore your local craft stores like Michael's, Hobby Lobby and even Jo-Ann Fabric stores.  these places can be overwhelming and so much fun.  but if you don't know what certain supplies or notions look like these are great venues to "see-touch-feel".  to this day, if i want "me" time i'll pop in a craft store and walk down every aisle (seriously) to get inspiration. 


2.  surf the internet.  seriously the internet is so packed with great ideas, tutorials, and pictures.  DIY is really a growing movement.  my fave sources for inspiration : Pinterest, HonestylyWTF, iSpyDIY, Cakies, A Beautiful Mess, Ashley Meaders and Sincerely Kinsey.  


3.  pick a first project that is easy and you can finish.  putting washi tape on a notebook, painting a wooden heart...whatever you fancy...keep it simple and what you like.  


4. have fun and be creative...sometimes many people try to duplicate an idea they see and get disappointed.  add in your own take by changing up materials and even re-working steps.  


check out Creature Comforts for a detailed craft resource list, too!



i hope this weekend you take on a project to relax and enjoy! (please share if you do).

 
craft supplies:  notebooks/ kraft tags/ Martha Stewart multi-purpose craft paint/ baker's twine/ 
Matryoshka blank wooden dolls/ Singer sewing machine/ Liquid Gold marker/ Fiskars craft knife/ washi tape.



♥ happy friday.




























hey there! yes i've been away from the blog for awhile....just so much happened this weekend...it's been an overload.  lot's of prayer, lack of sleep, reflection and change.

to start off my return, thought i'd post my 10 hapi : things.  also, as you may have noticed, the title of the blog has changed (but don't worry this blog is still filled with much happiness). hope you enjoy the post.

























1.  snowball food trucks.  man i really wish that Chicago had a Skylite Snowball truck roaming around....i would order every flavor.  spotted on You Are My Fave.


























2. diy bracelet.  i spotted this on honestlywtf,  it's a bracelet made out of washers and hemp rope....following the "hardware" jewelry trend.  genius.


3.  dual purpose program guides.  of course only Martha Stewart would make a wedding program already filled with confetti. 































4.  polaroid birth announcement.  eek!  this is a great diy idea from Fresh Baked Paper Goods.


























5.  Bash Please.  this event production company is so artistic and looks at the aesthetic of moments.  check out the rest of their awesome studio tour here.  photos by : Laure Joliet
























6.  love that lasts.  this is a pic of when tay & nay celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary (circa 1990). a few days after nay passed away they would have celebrated their 70th anniversary.  happy 100th tay, nay you are missed.




















7.  spring shoes.  i'm a big shoe fan....and i'm loving these from F21.


8.  the chocolate cake from Fondant Etc.  my friend maureen makes the best cakes (design and taste). Photo by Maureen.

 9.  flying lanterns.  amazing.  from here.

10.  lace/eyelet details.  of course Anthropologie.  the details of the lace are so feminine.  lovely. dress here & skirt here.



hapi thursday ♥
























so this week's 10 hapi: things is a special edition of
d.i.y. projects from around the web.  hope it inspires...

















































1.  this table made out of real wood logs and sticks.  spotted here.


















































2.  i am so going to make this for Christmas 2011.  check  out Aesthetic Outburst.































 3.  Say Yes to Hoboken has this innovative diy for a simple v-neck tee.































4.  tee shirt to statement necklace.  spotted on a pretty penny blog.






























5.  check out Apartment Therapy to spot out this nifty clock design.






























6.  an Anthropologie remake of their rosette quilt. genius idea by Kojo Designs.






























7.  Lodekka is a double-decker bus turned into a vintage shop! (an ultimate diy project).  must see and spotted here.


 8.  make paper wedding cones.  found on Once Wed.
 
































9.  diy wrapping paper.  spotted and hearted...here.































10.  you know my feelings for goose grease undone = L O V E.  diy wooden supplies.


as i mentioned in the previous post there will be main staple features on the blog...including this one: 10 hapi things.  these are things that will make you smile, be inspired to make or buy...and most of all make you and me hapi! enjoy...

1.  oh Anthropologie....yes very hapi.

2.  i'm so in love with you floral oxfords.

3.  paper pom poms from the sweetest occassion.

4.  POP POP PORTRAITS has the most realistic watercolor prints.

5.  these wedding bouquets are made out of paper! check out Ruffled.

6.  anything owls, i want this one from Modcloth.


7.  mint chocolate truffles from here.

 8.  wooden dolls. goosegreaseundone is amazing...you can buy DIY or readymade.

9. stripes, florals...and oxfords! only Marc Jacobs.  (spring 2011)


10.  Modcloth has the cutest novelty things...the mug set is one of 'em


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