Little Changes: Finished Centerpiece!

Honestly I feel that there isn't a single "finished" room in my house.  Well, my husband has an office/ man cave that's not only finished but crowded with memorabilia.  One day we'll have a downstairs den and it will all fit nicely down there, but until then - there's a an overly sports decorated office in my condo.

I don't really have a craft this week.  My project was to get my table feeling finished.  It felt simple and it looked like it was a sad excuse for a centerpiece.  When I first moved in I had this expectation of a simple and elegant creme and emerald table.  Classy and understated.  I've since changed my mind about decor about 30 times.

So this weekend I decided to take advantage of Hobby Lobby's 50% off sale for floral stems and glassware.  I spent about $15 total and I feel like my centerpiece is now finished.

Until Christmas when I go nuts with Christmas decor.  Seriously - just wait.


I really liked House of Smith's color palette when she showcased her home's bright and airy kitchen and dining area.  That's where the green and blue small vases came in.  I also used the pop of yellow as well.  I have a love-hate relationship with the color yellow.  I can take it in small doses and this was the perfect amount.

I'm loving the difference!

 Before we have an almost-finished centerpiece.  The tray and table runner might look a little familiar but the centerpiece is just sad.

Now it's colorful and full!  I love curly willow.  I just do.  I used it at my wedding and I have it other places in my house and I'll continue using it - I just love it.  I also love the hydrangea too.  When it come to fake flowers it was the priciest but I think it was worth it.

Finally - a finished table!

What's next for this area?  An indoor wreath to hang on that door leading to the terrace.  And curtains for that very blank window.  We also have a picture we plan to hang on the blank wall in the background.

But it's coming together.

I feel this is kind of weak to link up.  I might end up linking up to a few places but probably not as many with my other crafts.  If you would like to see where I like to party please see the "I Like To Party" link up top!

Fridays Rock

 I know I just came back from a long vacation so I shouldn't get to talk about how happy I am that it's the weekend.  But I am.  This week kicked my trash.  It hasn't been the best or brightest, that's for sure.  But you just keep moving forward, right?  Hopefully things start looking up soon.

Today I'll just get right down to it and tell you that this little search began with that blazer.  Yes, I'm still on the hunt for a good blazer.  I came this close to buying one at Charlotte Russe before I left for vacation but my husband stopped me...I had already spent what I budgeted to spend.  We like to keep each other in check, the hubs and I.  I guess I'm just pouting a little bit because I want to find one for under $30.  I need to just scour my local Forever 21.

I did find a few options at Charlotte Russe, like the blazer seen below.  I like how airy it looks, casual and airy because summer is still well in swing.  Monday is August, which means it's going to get downright uncomfortable and hot around here and anything airy is good.

1. Here. 2. Here. 3. Here. 4. Here. 5. Here. 6. Here. 7. Here.

I'm loving the lace overlay on the things I found.  Beige is a good staple but its important not to overdo it.  What I mean is that you shouldn't wear all of these items at once.  Stacy & Clinton would find you and throat punch you.  Not really, but I'm positive they'd want to.  I'm also loving that headband - yes that's a headband on #7 - it's kind of hard to tell.

And because it's Friday we need to discuss some serious shoes.

Found: Heels
Brand: Promise Shoes
Model: Casual-Nude
Price: $49.99


These are just plain hot.  Nuf' said.

Found: Heels
Brand: Report Signature
Model: Leeton - Blush
Price: $189.99

Wouldn't it be nice to just drop that kind of cash on shoes and not worry about it?  Ah, one can dream.  And that's exactly what I'm doing.

Alright well have a good one folks, hopefully things stop being so crazy and I find the time to craft and contribute to this blog of mine!

Window Shoppin! 7/27/11

 Wow, I am still struggling.  Mostly because the giant mountain of work and stress that sits atop my desk is a wonder to behold.  Maybe it's the fact that ever since I got back I can't get a good night's rest.  Not that I got great sleep on vacation.  There was a loud fan and when you pair that with the fact that I shared a queen size bed with a 6'4" man, you don't get a lot of sleep.  But you don't mind it because you're on vacation and if you feel like it, you can take a nap at 1:00 pm...on the beach...in the shade of course.

I truly am trying to find the will to find a cute, fun outfit and accessorize - I really am.  But in all reality I would much rather be wearing my swimsuit with some sweats over it - dawning no make up - looking like sasquatch because that's how you vacation on a lake!

I know when you see this outfit you might think, "Yeah, that's what I wear on days I didn't feel like showering, Jessa."  I know - you see while I did shower today, it's what I feel like wearing.  This is what I would LOVE to be wearing right now.  Seriously - I love everything this outfit is.  Quick.  Comfy.  Doesn't care.    Seriously I would wear this if I had the choice - right freaking now.

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

So yeah, the t-shirt and jeans.  They're my bread and butter.  If you want to know what I actually wear most days - its t-shirts and jeans like these.  I have one pair of skinny jeans - the rest are boot cut.  And I would totally buy that orange shirt because it's on clearance right now and then you take another 50% off clearance, which is my kind of sale!
Also - that hat.  I have about 4 different military style hats like this - and I love each and every one of them dearly.  They're a Saturday-morning-milk-run staple!  While this hat screams "I did not want to do my hair today" I still think it's crazy cute.  And yes, I included Toms yet again because I'm still pining for them.  I need to just cave and purchase them already.  And by the way - the Cords Classics are calling to me a little too.  The bag is there because it's pretty.  It's far too big for me to be practical, but honestly that rarely matters when it comes to cute bags.


And here are some other things that caught my eye during my browsing today:

 Found here.

That's right - an adorable chevron chair.  Trendy?  Yes, but still so adorable that I want it really, really bad.

Found Here.

 I love this.  I just do.  I want to put it in my master bathroom for some punch-you-in-the-face color.  It's needed.

 Found Here.

Seriously, luggage is something you should just go ahead and spend the extra money on.  I need new luggage desperately.  For this last vacation I used a really old, falling apart carry on and my husband's gym bag.  Sad?  Yes, but it's all we have right now in the way of luggage.  The last large rolling duffel we bought is masculine and so my husband used it which left me with nothing.  Did I mention that my old red suitcase ripped somewhere between New York and Italy?  So its my turn for new luggage and I LOVE Roxy brand luggage.  Mostly because its colorful and you can always tell it apart from the 1200 other black suitcases at baggage claim.  And this is so cute too!!

 Found Here.

Yep - another white watch I want.  They're just so summery.  I want one something fierce.

 Found Here.

I love the ruffle embellishment.  Cute and simple - just the way I like my flats.

Found here.

And again we have a ruffle shirt because I can't get enough.  I also love this oatmeal color.  Is it just me or does it give off the impression that it's more comfortable than other colors?

Alright well that's all for today.  Hopefully next week will be more inspiring and less bum-like.  What are some of your finds?

Dude.

You know that feeling when you leave somewhere and you swear you forgot something?  Except you have no idea what it was, but somewhere deep inside you, you know you forgot something?

Well I have that feeling.  Except I know what I left behind:

My brain.

It's still on the beach in South Lake Tahoe, taking a nap and more than likely getting a sunburn that will peel.  Maybe it's sipping on a Caribbean Colada smoothie and is contemplating taking a dip in the pool, but not the lake because it's arctic temperatures and causes immediate shock to your system.

I got home very late Saturday night.  I had Sunday and Monday to decompress before work because here in Utah, yesterday was a holiday celebrating our statehood.  It's another day we get to light fireworks because we're cool like that.  I didn't though, I kept fighting off that sinking feeling I was avoiding at the thought of coming back to work.

Now I'm here and the sinking feeling hasn't left yet.  Maybe this will take a while...

But while I was gone I saw that I was nominated for some awards and that really helped lift the spirits!  Its nice to know people actually remember this little blog and even better - read it.

The first was the Liebster Award:  It's a blog that highlights smaller blogs - like mine

The Liebster Award is one you accept with the intention of paying it forward.  When you accept the award, choose 3-5 other blogs that you feel deserve more followers, and pass the word on to them.

After accepting the award, you are supposed to share 7 things that the blogging world doesn't know about you.

 

 

I was nominated by Stephanie from My Lil' Pumpkin Patch.

Because both of these awards require seven things about me.  And since I'm lazy, I'm just going to do this once down at the bottom, ok?

So for the Leibster Blog I nominate:
1. Kari at Newlyweds on a Budget
2. Gin at Life as Topher's Mama
3. Ginger at Literally Inspired
4.  Sophie at Babes & Sages
5. Hesper at Blended So Splendid

(In no way should you girls feel obligated to participate - I just wanted to give you a shout out!)

The second award I was nominated for is the One Lovely Blog Award.

I was nominated by Caroline from C.W. Frosting.
For this one I'll nominate 15 bloggers!  That's a lot.

Here we go:
1. Allison at Crafted Love
2. Lolo at Crazy About my Baybah
3. Taylor at Domestic8d
4. Gina at Hiya Love

5. Liz at Fresh Plate
6. Lisa at Grey Luster Girl
7. Kristi at I Should Be Mopping the Floor
8. Amanda at Little B
9. Rachel at Maybe Matilda
10. Lisa at Simply This, That & The Other
11. Trisha at The Sweet Survival
12. Amanda at Today's Top 20
13. Kimberly at Third Floor Design Studio
14. Delaney at Sweet Tea Serendipity
15. The Girls at Sweet Peas & Bumblebees

Alright now onto the 7 Things About Me:

1.  I'm left handed.  So is my husband and pretty much his whole family.  I'm the only one I know of in my family.  That includes extended family as well.

2.  I'm still a little afraid of the dark.

3.  I'm not an aggressive driver.  Honestly I'm not.  I just have little patience for exceptionally slow drivers.  And honestly I would just love it if everyone got out of my way. 

4.  Ever since I got married, I became a serious vacationer.  We've been to South Lake Tahoe twice, osemite, Newport Beach, Hawaii & Italy.  Not in that order.  And I've only been married 2 and a half years.

5.  The last time I was tested I type at about 82 wpm.  

6.  I have blond hair from a bottle.  It will remain this way until I die or natural disaster prevents me from going to the salon.  That's just the way it is.

7.  Originally my horoscope is Aries.  But according to recent changes, apparently now I'm a pisces.  This has changed my daily life...in no way.  

Alright - there are my seven random facts.  Thanks for the awards and thanks to my guest bloggers for having my back while I was out of town!

Hopefully things will be back to normal soon, but I'm not making any promises! 

Co-hosting the Tuesday Time Out Party!

Today I get to co-host the "Tuesday Time Out" party over at Reasons to Skip the Housework!  If you link up here it will link up there too so don't hesitate your decorations, crafts and latest recipes!  Thanks for stopping by!

Double Link Party: If you link up here or there, you'll be on both linky lists...but please go visit my co-host and say hi!

Following BOTH hosts is greatly appreciated. 

{Plus, it's the nice thing to do!}

Please link to your post - not your main blog address.

Please don't link up giveaways or shops.

This is for decorating, craft and food inspirations!

Comments are greatly appreciated - that way I can visit you back!

Have fun!

<a border="0" href="http://reasonstoskipthehousework.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i946.photobucket.com/albums/ad308/azparis3/link-party.jpg" /></a>

Guest Party: Literally Inspired!

*Today you'll get to hear from Ginger from Literally Inspired. Let me tell you why she is awesome: Well there's this lovely tutorial on adorable fabric flowers. Then there's this cute coat rack she made too. Then her reading list has me making mental notes about which books to pick up next.

Seriously guys, hop over and check her out - she's awesome!

Today Ginger has a really cute chicken wire frame tutorial for you and it's ADORABLE! I'm going to have to try this myself soon - so cute. Without further ado, here's Ginger:





hi, i'm ginger and i am so excited to be visiting jessajill today!

i blog over at literally inspired.
i have an obsession for books.
i craft because i am cheap.
and i have convinced myself that i can do any diy project.
literally inspired is about my life as i take on one book, one project, one day at a time.

today i am going to show you how to make a chicken wire frame.
i have seen them everywhere and i just had to have one for myself.

for this project you will need the following:

picture frame
spray paint (optional)
chicken wire
wire cutters (scissors will work as well)
hot glue gun or staple gun
clips to hold your photos in place
adorable photos of your family

my husband and i received this frame as a wedding present.
it has been sitting on a shelf for five years.
i feel like i know the models in the photo they have been around so long.

the frame as a whole isn't exactly my style.
so i thought it would be the perfect frame to turn into a chicken wire frame.

the first step is to spray paint your frame.
i chose a ocean breeze blue from krylon.
note: this step is optional if you like the color already.

next cut your chicken wire to size.
i did a double layer to close in the gaps.

once you have it set pull out the guns.
i tried a staple gun but my frame totally rejected it.
so i went with my trusty glue gun and it worked like a dream.

now it's the best part - add your favorite photos.
i used scrapbook photo accessories to clip my photos in place
and printed out one of my favorite quotes.

"a house is built with walls and beams.
a home is built with hopes and dreams."

pretty easy, huh?

i love this frame because it is so easy to change out the photos.
and it is pretty stinkin' cute too!

thank you jessa for having me!
it was a blast!

Guest Party: One Artsy Mama

*Today you guys get to hear from Amy at One Artsy Mama! Amy does a little bit of everything! She crafts for her cute little boy, she decorates her home, she comes up with helpful storage tips, she shares fun recipes, she instills values through crafting, has fun with photography, runs an Etsy Shop, oh, and she's a wife and mother. She's a renaissance woman! And today she's going to show you how to make some colorful and fun earrings!

When you get a second - hop over to her blog and take a peek!*

Here's Amy:

I have a confession to make. I'm completely addicted to Lucky magazine. The day a new issue arrives in the mail, I anxiously look forward to my Little Crafter's naptime so that I can curl up with my magazine and a cup of coffee and see what's new in the fashion world. One of the most practical tips I've learned and put into practice is using bright pops of color to liven up a dark outfit. As a dance instructor, I tend to have a lot more black clothing than the average person, so I find myself using this tip quite often. It's always fun to wear a bright pair of shoes {I know Jessa is a huge fan of those too!}, a colorful scarf, or carry a playful bag to do the trick. Hair accessories work well too...one of my favorites is this headband from Luxe Boulevard.

Lately, though, I've been getting into jewelry making, so I've been working on lots of unique, bright accessories. For example, here I am wearing a fun pink bracelet I made with a fabulous dress from Express {that I paid $9 for!}.

Today, I wanted to show you how to make your own pair of fun, bright earrings. They're really simple, so even if you've never ever made jewelry before, you can do it! Ready? Here they are!

I decided to make them a combination of hot pink, orange, and yellow so that they'll really stand out with a black outfit or match anything that has one of those colors in it. You can make them with any color beads you like. Here's how to do it:

POP OF COLOR EARRINGS

Materials:

2" eye pins

ear wires

4 10mm beads: the ones I used are cracked glass beads from the Potomac Bead Company, but you can use any color and type

6 small silver beads: these are available anywhere you buy jewelry supplies

needle nose pliers

wire cutters

STEP 1: Place your beads on an eye pin in a pattern you like.

STEP 2: Use needle nose pliers to bend the leftover part of the eye pin at a 90 degree angle.

STEP 3: Use wire cutters to trim it to about the length of your pinky fingernail.

STEP 4: Grab wire with needle nose pliers and bend into a loop {it's easiest to do this if you bend away from yourself}

STEP 5: Gently twist open loop on ear wire with needle nose pliers and attach to your earring. Twist ear wire tightly closed.

Ta da! That's all there is to it! Now you have a fun pair of earrings that will add some bright summer fun to any outfit. Thanks for letting me share my new hobby with you today, and of course thanks to Jessa for the opportunity! I'd love for you to stop by One Artsy Mama anytime and visit! And if you make your own earrings, please send me a photo so I can see how they turned out! Hope you have a great day!

Guest Party: Love Sweet Love

**Today's awesome guest is Angela from Love Sweet Love!  Angela is crazy talented and comes up with awesome projects like a Family Rules Canvas made from pantry doors, and she makes a cute tiered planter, along with many other cute and easy projects.  I'm definitely going to use her tutorial to make a Wipes Band for my niece coming in September!  And since Angela has Sweet Tute Tuesdays, you can hop over to her blog every Tuesday to see what she's come up with next!  

Today Angela has an ADORABLE jewelry organizer tutorial!  I have been looking for a tutorial like this and it turned out so cute!  And take a minute to visit Angela over at Love Sweet Love!**

Here's Angela:

HELLO Jessa Jill readers!!! I am Angela, the voice behind Love Sweet Love, and being the double B.I.G. fan of Jessa Jill and her StYlIsH blog that I am, I am pretty STOKED to be doing a guest post here while she's soaking up the sun on an awesome VaCaY! Not to mention that it's also my birthday week-the awesome 28- (yes I celebrate ALL week, why not right?!) so what better place to be than here with you?! (you know, since I guess we can't be with her)

I use my little corner of the blogging universe to share my creative ideas that involve easy DIY projects for the home, craft ideas for kids, thrift store makeovers, and holiday decorating (the reason I started blogging!). My life is over-flowing with Sweet Love and I needed a place to share it!!

So today, in honor of being on a total fashionista blog, I wanted to share a recent gift I made for my little (16 yr. old) sister! I call it the
Picture Frame Jewelry Organizer:

While I was down visiting there a couple weeks ago, I noticed she had jewelry everyyyywherrrre! And since the kidlets and I were staying in her room (and they love jewelry possibly even more than I do-yep even my little boy) they were constantly getting into it. I figured rather than have to buy her all new jewelry I'd just make her something to store it all on so I wouldn't have to keep little hands out of it. And it's SO cute so why not?!


Here's a quick tutorial in case you want to make your own!

First I found a cheap $2 frame at a thrift store:


My sister picked out the colors that she wanted and she chose this pretty aqua/turquoisy color :)


Next the hubby and I went and picked up an {ultra} thin piece of plywood from the hardware store and he cut it (using a utility knife since my mom didn't have a saw-the preferred and normal way to cut wood :) ) to fit the frame.




After picking some fabric out of my mom's stash we glued in to the wood using wood glue-making sure to pull tightly against the board so the fabric laid flat.




The finished board fit perfectly, snuggly into the frame as it was, so no extra support was needed to hold it in.


I screwed in 6 medium hooks (that I spray painted black) into the upper portion of the fabric board; meant to be used for necklaces, bracelets, rings, etc.


3 large hooks into the wood on the bottom of the actual frame to hang bigger items like scarves, hats, chunky bracelets, etc.


The very top of the fabric board I was going to screw in 5 small hooks for earrings, and then remembered my sister doesn't have her ears pierced so I didn't end up putting them in, but that's what the empty space on top is for! :)


And that's it! So simple, so cute and so fun for ANY girl ANY age! I'm on the lookout now for the perfect frame to make my own!


Thanks so much to Jessa for letting me take over the blog today! And thanks to you for reading along with me! You can find me blogging away all week long over at Love Sweet Love so come stop by to see what crazy project I'll be up to next! Have a Sweetly Lovely day wherever you are!!