What I Want Wednesday - Um...Spring to arrive!

Do you remember last year, during Spring when things were blossoming and you started smelling fresh cut grass and it felt SO good to be outside after a long, cold winter? Do you remember hanging out outdoors and prepping the grill for maybe some dinner outside on your porch or terrace?

Have you done some Spring activities this year?

If you have, I'm insanely jealous. While it hasn't snowed in a couple of days, it wouldn't shock me if we had another one coming. It's been raining and while the trees are blooming, the all-day rain kind of takes away from it.


I miss flip flops. I miss grilling. I miss riding around on my pink cruiser bike. I miss picnics. I miss Spring and I have since last year. And quite frankly the weather here in Utah is being kind of a jerk, so in the absence of nice weather, I browse and find inspiration for Spring outfits...

Like this:

1. Here. 2. Here. 3. Here. 4. Here. 5. Here. 6. Here.

I know this shows long pants and long sleeves, but I would roll up the sleeves and roll up the pants a little. Honestly this would be good for the weather now, except for the sandals. Its still too cold for sandals. I'm not bitter or anything. I like light and airy things for those warm days, and then those I'm-slowly-melting hot days in the summer. I love the floral printing on the belt and I love the coral and turquoise colors together. I also love the pattern on the sandals too. I would love to wear this...but sadly not yet.

Found here.

These I love simply because they're just plain hot.

Found here.

Ruffles...real shocker there. I like this tote. If I lived near a beach it'd totally be my beach bag.


Found here.

Chevron is a pattern I'm liking a lot right now and I'm doing my best not to get too caught up in it because trends come and go. But I'm kind of loving everything about this - I love the color, I love the bag, I love the price.

I also love the nail color and kinda want to send an email to find out where she got it...

Oh - I also love that the shop's named Madame Cupcake.


Found here.

I just think this is pretty. I love the color and the lacy look of it. Dressy or casual - I think it's cute!

Alright, well I'm done pouting about Spring weather and missing Spring fashion.


What are some of your finds?

Facebook!

I now have a Facebook page! You can "like" if you want.


But nobody's forcing you!

(Check out the sidebar for the link!)

Oh The Epic Awesomeness

This morning as I was doing my daily ritual of clicking through my RSS feeds and reading my favorite blogs, I noticed a post by Vintage Revivals that I couldn't help but share!

First off, I LOVE Vintage Revivals. The creative awesomeness of this woman boggles my mind. She redid a nightstand using TIN FOIL and it looks amazing. TIN.FOIL. Also - she took two different rugs and cut them and worked them together into an amazing zebra print rug...as in made the thing herself. I, myself, could never do this. I don't have the willpower or the creativity to come up with this stuff - but she does and she shares her unbelievable ideas.

Also - she's giving away a FREE ROOM MAKEOVER done by her and her creative genius. Seriously. She'll travel anywhere in the United States too.

Anyway...this isn't about my blog crush on Mandi at Vintage Revivals.

This is about a blog that was launched:

My Favorite Hate Mail: Where Mean Comments Go To Die.


A blog dedicated completely to the negative commenters of the world. I personally haven't received a negative comment, yet, but I have read posts about bloggers who get hurt and contemplate blogger suicide by deleting their blog forever. I HATE when this happens!

Yes, these negative people are entitled to their opinion and exercise the incredible right of free speech. However, this doesn't make them right and it certainly doesn't mean they're not complete D-bags.

I've also seen the blog posts where the bloggers put their commenters front and center and say "Screw the high road and your high horse!" I applaud these bloggers - I really do. High road or not, you have to take a stand somewhere!


And now there's a place for these bloggers to defend themselves! This is a place where bloggers can submit their own mud slingers and defend their blog, their creativity and their lives.


I know I haven't received a negative comment yet. (To my nice commenters: thank you, I wish I could hug you all individually. You truly brighten my day!)


But if and when I do: you can be sure to find it on My Favorite Hate Mail.


Even better? You can join the crusade as a blogger who doesn't stand for negativity! Click here to join! I did. I know this blog is tiny, but this is too big not to support!

I Heart Them: Polka Dot Bungalow

*First let me just say: I have never talked to the head honcho at any of these Etsy shop. I haven't been asked nor do I get anything out of discussing these Etsy shops. I'm just telling you because I "heart" them.


Have you ever been browsing through blogs or Etsy shops and stumble upon a shop so insanely cute, you literally squeal? That's kind of how I feel about Polka Dot Bungalow.


These camera straps are so cute I could explode in a fit of ruffles. Dramatic? I don't think so, take a look:

Even in solid colors the cuteness rivals most ruffled things. I'm just easing you in...

Green, damask, ruffles, rosettes...yep you have an overload of epic cuteness.

I LOVE these colors together.

Ruffles, rosettes, hounds tooth and aqua. Seriously - how can you possibly pick just one?!

Also - these are affordable. Between $30 - $38 these are high quality and considering the love and care that goes into them - it's fairly priced. (At least I think so.)

Honestly I'm just waiting for the break in budget so I can finally order one of my very own. I think my biggest dilemma would be narrowing it down to the one I want. Because all of them speak to me. Another fun fact: she does custom straps too!

To take a peek at her ultra cute blog, click here.


Also, I have a huge, ginormous, 12 year old girl, put-posters-on-my-wall crush on Shey B camera strap covers. I try to stay on top of my blogging news to see if any one is having a giveaway because the cuteness consumes me. Shey B is like the couture of camera strap covers. Legit. So obviously since I have couture tastes on a thrift store budget, I only admire from afar. But that doesn't mean I don't stalk her blog, twitter and whatever else accounts to see if she's having a giveaway anywhere. Hey - a girl can dream.


Until then make sure to check both shops to develop serious crushes on the cutest camera strap covers...ever.

Polka Dot Bungalow

Shey B

Little Changes: Crepe Paper Pomander

I'm stilling slowly incorporating some color into my boring living area. I've decided that blue is that color that was missing. There are some ideas I want to try, but I'm starting slow.

I decided to make a crepe paper pomander in blue to add a pop of color to my accent table. This isn't the first one I've made. In fact, I've made tons. I made fabric flower pomanders, fake flower pomanders and crepe paper pomanders. I have yet to try paper flower pomanders...one day though, I will. Pomanders and really versatile too, they can be displayed in a large bowl or hung with ribbon.

But crepe paper is by far the most cost effective. Since I already had the glue gun and glue sticks this entire project cost a grand total of $7.47. And it could have been cheaper if I re-used a candle holder around the house, but this one was the right size I wanted.

The essentials:

Styrofoam ball, crepe paper, some type of holder, glue gun, glue sticks, and a way to protect your table from the hot glue gun.

Instructions:

If you want all of the flowers to be the exact same size, you'll want to cut the strips the same size. If you want large flowers, you'll cut long strips and vice versa. I started out with the same size flowers but since they didn't cover the Styrofoam completely, I cut smaller ones to fill the spaces. I like to crumple the paper before I start. I think it makes it softer and easier to work with. After its officially wrinkled... You'll start rolling one side. You roll and twist at the same time and eventually you'll notice...

The shape begins to form a flower. Once it gets to this point, you'll put a dab of glue on the side as you go so it sticks together.

First one. Whenever I do this, the first one always ends up tightly wound like this. I learned that if you wrap it loosely the rosettes come out better.

In order to get the rosettes to lay flat, you'll need to cut off the little stem that formed while you twisted and wrapped.

I glued as I went and of course, I ended up with some uncovered Styrofoam. You can always make smaller rosettes to cover the rest. It doesn't have to be perfect. Or if it does, then best of luck to you with your 8-12 extra steps. I'm lazy.

A candle holder was what I was after so I looked at the candle holder aisle because they were all half off. This actually had a glass votive holder in the middle. I thought it was perfect because the sides came up to hold the pomander perfectly but I decided that I could save money by reusing one I had at home so I put this back...poorly. I placed it on the edge, it fell and smashed the glass votive holder...so new holder it is!

Here is the finished product.

I like the pop of color. I would also like to repaint the frames white, light blue and pale green. I'm also planning on re-purposing the lamp shade using white burlap ruffles. I'm also working on a stenciled canvas frame as well...so keep your eye out!

Featured:

Linking up:

I heart naptime, The Girl Creative, Under The Table & Dreaming, Skip to my Lou, Flamingo Toes, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Embellishing Life, Dittle Dattle, Craft-O-Maniac, Its So Very Cheri, Pinkopotomus, C.R.A.F.T., Making the World Cuter, Keeping it Simple, DIY Home Sweet Home Project, Life Made Lovely, I'm Topsy Turvy, This & That, Today's Creative, Sugar Bee Crafts, All Thingz Related, Giggles Glitz & Glam, Tip Junkie, Not Just A Housewife, Ladybug Blessings, Vintage Wanna Bee, Sugar & Dots, All Things Heart & Home, Blue Cricket Design, Sister's Stuff, Someday Crafts, DIY by Design, Type A, Passionately Artistic, Trendy Treehouse, Elements Interiors, Handyman - Crafty Woman, House of Hepworths,Paisley Passions, Yesterday on Tuesday, Shabby Chic Cottage, Fireflies & Jellybeans, Somewhat Simple, Momnivore's Dilemma, Sweetpeas & Bumblebees, Remodelaholic, 504 Main, Simple Home Life, Simply Sweet Home, Shabby Nest, 30 Days Handmade, Tidy Mom, Fingerprints on the Fridge, My Repurposed Life, Stuff & Nonsense, It's Fun to Craft, Lovely Crafty Home, Simply Designing, Its a Hodgepodge Life, Tatertots & Jello, Funky Junk Interiors, Be Different Act Normal,

Babes & Sages: 20% off hookup

Good Morning! I trust you're having a splendid Saturday morning! I'm happy to announce it's not snowing here in Utah! The sun is actually out! And because of that wonderful news I've decided to share something special with you:

I'm giving you a coupon of sorts. A hookup, if you will. And I would love to tell you all about it:



Meet Babes and Sages: An absolutely enchanting Etsy Shop and adorable blog!

What you'll find when you look around are adorable designs, crafts and goodies created by the very talented Sophie. Don't believe me? Well see for yourself:

LOVE this color!

I love this color too.

Incredibly cute clips!

And of course, the cutest of earrings!

This goes without saying but I think I "hearted" everything in her shop. I got "heart happy" from the cuteness.

And guess what?

When you purchase something at Babes and Sages you get 20% off when you use the coupon code:

JESSA20

So take a peek! Trust me, you'll be happy you did!

The weekend is almost here!

Today is Friday.

And while it is Friday April 15th...a day that most Americans despise, you can breathe a little because for some reason - it's not tax day. Monday is tax day.


And because it's Friday - I'm participating in:

With Terri at Peace, Love & Applesauce.

For once, the sun is out today. Yesterday it rained...and snowed. But today they're telling me it should reach 60 degrees. And while the forecast predicts nothing but rain for days and days - today it should stay sunny. I hate to get my hopes up, but maybe it won't snow again? Maybe? (I knocked on wood.)



With that said, look at these pretty pink, springy heels:

Found here

Steve Madden knows that the way to a woman's heart is through her feet.

Found here.

The ruffles did me in.

Found here.

Sometimes when I see a shooting star, I wish that these shoes were less expensive. I rarely buy shoes over $40. Ebay? Please make my dreams come true!

Found here.
Say what you will about Jessica Simpson, she puts her name on some hot, hot heels.

This weekend I hope to work on a couple things for my house. I'm still trying to decide if I want to do a canvas project or do a Spring Letters project for my little accent table. I'll head on over to Hobby Lobby and hopefully one or the other is half off. My chances are good.