DIY with some drama?

So I have a love/hate relationship with wallpaper.

Hate it because I had to live with the same Laura Ashley pink ribbons until my awkward teenage years when all I wanted was anything-but-pink {sorry Mom... I know you still love that wallpaper and miss it each day!}... it seriously was the nursery that lasted til I was nineteen! And I also really despise the process of removing wallpaper. My sister and I once tried to surprise our parents while they were out of town over a weekend by taking down their outdated bathroom wallpaper and painting the walls, but in the process we ruined the walls {again, sorry Mom!}.

But, I do love the wallpaper from a design aspect. I think there are some really stellar options out there. Colors, patterns, all around gorgeousness.

Will I be a homeowner that takes the wallpaper plunge? Verdict is still out and I'll keep you updated, but for now, here is an option that has really caught my eye:

source

Dramatic, huh? Nothing like taking the wallpaper plunge with an oversized print in a color combo like black and white!

I'm thinking this could also be a cool DIY with some drama! Using supplies like so:

Think I could do it? I think so! Watch out new house... I'm coming for you! When I finally find you!

Frumpy to Fancy Again!

So remember when I updated a basic $6 sweatshirt to go from frumpy to fancy?

Well there is just something I love about a simple grey sweatshirt and I think it's time I update another! Here are a couple of cute options I am considering:

stitched to perfection

beauty in the back

I'm thinking using a wide ribbon for option 2 would be really cute!

Bandwagon

Yep. I jumped on it... the washi tape bandwagon, that is. You've probably seen it out there in the blog world and on pinterest.

Design Sponge did a great little spot on washi tape a few months back and ever since, I've been thinking of ways I could use it!

So that's my crafty purchase for the week! Stay tuned and I'll share what I use them for once they arrive!

images via Design Sponge

Wrap It Up

So I'm not even close to being done with my Christmas shopping {I know, I know... take my own advice and follow the gift guides!}, but my wheels are already turning on how to wrap up all the goodies that I'll be gifting this holiday season!

Here are some great options that I am considering:

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

I think the photo option could be really fun for old friends! I have some great pictures of my girlfriends in our their awkward years that might need to come out of hiding. 

And you all know me, anything with a monogram is great! Options 1 and 3 are definitely calling my name!

Last year I did my own little version of option 6:

And I do have some of that craft paper left over, so maybe option 5 is for me this year!

Decisions, decisions! What's your favorite?!?

Done and Done: Part 4... delayed

Tis the week I get back to business and back to my DIY projects. I promised to do 8 before Christmas, and this project marks that halfway point! Wahoo! Here are the first few if you're curious: 1, 2 and 3.

This week's project was inspired by a good old Anthro catalog. Gosh I love Anthropologie!

Using supplies I had left over from other projects, I made some fun and colorful magnets for my office. I chose patterns and colors in the photos of merchandise that I thought were bright and fun like so:

And with the help of the magnets, I traced circles over the colorful images, then simply cut them out... that being the most tedious part of the project! 

Then with the help of a little glue {I used a glue stick, but next time I would switch to spray adhesive} I had my finished product:

Already hard at work on my filing cabinet... I had to find some way to make a filing cabinet more fun!

Hope everyone has a great week! Thanks for stopping by :)

It's the Holiday Season!

In honor of the feast of St. Nicholas {anybody remember to leave their shoes out last night?}, I'm thinking it's time to get into the holiday decorating spirit! The only problem is, I can't decide what theme to go with this year... fun and bright or classic and traditional? Oh the choices!

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I'm usually all about it when it comes to decorating for Christmas, but I'm having trouble getting into the spirit this year. I feel like the holiday season is already moving too fast! Plus, with the crazy warm weather I haven't even had the need to pull out a coat yet! 

Check out my Holiday Happiness page on Pinterest for more great decorating, wrapping and general merry-making ideas!

Done and Done: Part 3

Well, it's time for one of those posts where I just have to "keep it real." 

As part of my DIY series {check out part 1 here and part 2 here}, I had this grand idea to DIY a cute sweatshirt that was a combination of two of my favorite things: polka dots and sparkles... {you thought I was going to say leopard, didn't you?}.

You see, I've seen all of these cute sparkly sweatshirts around and thought to myself, 'I could do that!' And then in the October edition of InStyle magazine, a girl DIY'd her own pair of polka dotted jeans. I was on a mission.

Here's where I started:

A comfy grey sweatshirt from WalMart for a whopping 6ish bucks, a couple gold acrylic paints {one solid, one glittered} each around $1 or $2 and a round sponge. All in all this project was less than $10, {sidenote, I promise I will get better at keeping track of project budgets! Save your receipts, Katie!}

I added a layer of solid gold polka dots:

I chose gold for two reasons: #1 I had it on hand from this project and #2 the glitter I chose was a silver/gold combo, so I thought it would be a nice way to pick up the gold while the grey in the sweatshirt picked up the silver.

And here is what I ended up with:

I like how the sweatshirt ended up, but I'm not in love with it. The project itself was quite time consuming as it took 4 applications {solid dot front and back, glitter dot front and back}. The finished dots are not quite as glittered as I thought they would be, but on the other hand they shed plenty as is, so adding more glitter would just be asking for more trouble. 

I'm glad I finished a project for this week of the series, but let's just chalk this one up to a learning experience. And watch out if you see me wearing this little number... I will shed glitter on you. 

Done and Done: Part 2

I've done it again! I've completed my promised DIY for the week! {You can check out week 1 here if you'd like :)}

This time around, I found inspiration from a couple of my favorite blogs: Bower Power {Katie Bower is hi-lar-ious!} and Little Green Notebook {I think Jenny Komenda is a genius... I live my NYC dream life vicariously through her!}.

left / right

Do you spy with your little eye what I spy with my little eye? The painted edges on the black and whites add an extra POP. Now, I didn't go as far with my craft project to try the engineer print like the gals above {although that is a project on my list someday}, but I did get fancy this black and white that I look at everyday...

ugh, I know... awful iPhone photo again!

Audrey hangs on the wall in my room and serves as a daily reminder to be classy and stylish. 

So what color did I choose as my pop? 

source

PINK of course! If Audrey believes in it, then so do I!... and truth be told, I love pink and realize I need to get my fill of it while I'm single because I'm sure my future hubby won't share the same sentiment towards the girly color! 

Here's a little play-by-play:

I used paint that I already had on hand from a former project... just went back to my elementary school education and mixed red and white together to make pink! I ended up only using the paint brush to mix my paint. The foam brush was my tool of choice when it came to dressing up Audrey's sides. I went back and forth considering whether or not to tape off the sides or to freehand this project, but in the end, I decided better safe than sorry.

After taping, I got my paint on...

And after a couple of coats of bright pink and a night of drying time, Audrey was ready to back up on the wall with her fresh new facelift!

Ahhhh! It's the little things in life like a POP of pink that make me smile!

Look what a big difference a little bit of paint makes!

Done and Done

Were you guys getting worried that I didn't complete my promised DIY for the week?

left / middle / right

Well, I DID! One thing I learned for sure is I need to step up my camera game for this here blog... the iPhone just won't cut it! Sorry for the not-so-great pictures, but at least there is some proof that I got my craft on!

I also need to make a note to myself not to take pictures in the evening when it is d.a.r.k! {Thanks a lot day light savings time!} 

I really like the way the crafts turned out. My plan is to pick up white pieces here and there and tie them together with a little golden updating. I'll be sure to keep you all updated as the "collection" comes along. I even added a little surprise in the bowl {which, by the way, is much shinier and golden in person... again, bad camera and lighting... darn it!}... anywho the surprise that makes me happy:

A little surprise initial inside. Ohhhh the small joys in life!

You know what is a HUGE joy in life? FRIDAYS. Happy Friday to all! Have a great weekend! I'm off to cheer on my Jayhawks tonight for the first official basketball game of the season... Can't wait to be back in Allen Fieldhouse. ROCK CHALK.

Let's Party!

I have something kind of odd to admit... I don't really like birthdays. I feel they are just added pressure to be the center of attention {not my bag!}. BUT I do love a good party! It makes me much happier to throw a party for someone else other than myself and lately I've been collecting lots of fun inspiration for a grown-up birthday party! 

First, I'd start with some fun and fringy decor:

1 / 2 / 3

And then I would add some balloons and a bit more fringe for good measure:

1 / 2 / 3

Of course there would have to be a fancy area for food and maybe a little DIY photo booth area {which I'm now seeing in fringy as well... I think I see a theme here!}

1 / 2 / 3

At the party, we'll keep the festivities alive with a bit of champaign {how cute is that sparkly bottle?!?} and lovely polka dot napkins... I love my polka dots!

1 / 2

My sister has a big birthday coming up... maybe I can talk her into having a grown-up party so I can put a few of these ideas work!

Go for the Gold

Now that I have a little time off from travel, I think need to get back in touch with my inner crafter! 

I have eight weeks between now and when I hit the road again, so I'm making a one-project-per-week goal. {Whoa! I just said that out loud, so now I really have to stick to it.} You better believe I'll keep you lovely people posted here on da blog.

First up: Something gold...

left / middle / right

I think I'll start with the picture in the middle... I already have a 4-pack of frappuccino's just waiting to keep me caffeinated this week! 

Stay tuned for my crafty after pics!

TGIF

Thank goodness it's FRIDAY! Hope you all have a great weekend!

What's everyone up to this weekend? I think I'll get to work on my personal pumpkin patch, do some shopping and hit the refresh button.

Pumpkin Party

We all know what writers block is, but I think I have pumpkin block. I would have to clear out an entire pumpkin patch just to complete all the pumpkin pictures I've pinned!

Here's where I'd start my pumpkin party:

ribbon / glitter / brights / golden / dot / patterns

Any votes for favorites? Where oh where should I begin?

Luckily I'm home all week, so pumpkin painting/carving/glittering is definitely on the agenda. Better go get me some pumpkins to start this party!!

Leap List: Art

Have you ever heard of a "Leap List"? It's similar to the idea of a "Bucket List," but rather that making a list of things you want to do before you die, you make a list of things you want to do in a shorter time frame... say by the end of the year. Starting this blog was on my Leap List. Check!

Another item on my Leap List is to get back to creating art. I wouldn't even dare coin myself an "artist," however I do love color {as mentioned here and here} and expression through creativity. I could spend hours at art fairs and in art supply stores! Recently, I wondered around an annual art fair close to my house, and I kept catching myself thinking, 'I could do that!' Now, it's just about actually doing that.



clockwise from top left: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

 clockwise from top left: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4


Here are a few inspiration pieces that I'd love to try and create for myself. Interesting that all of them seem to have a similar color scheme with a touch of metallic. I guess I know what I like.


Now the question is when will I find the time to do it? I'm going to have to make the time! I've been gone more than I've been at home for the past couple of months, so I think this would be a great project to do over the holidays when my travel schedule calms down a bit.


Leap List, here I come!