Saturday Afternoon DiY

Hello Lovelies! I have little DiY fun for you this afternoon. Remember this adorable necklace from last weeks Fav Friday? Well I ordered my crystals from this super cool shop that has great prices and decided to make my own(when you buy from this shop you get a pack of 20 crystals so I had enough left over to make friends some too).

Supplies:

CrystalsAny kind I actually bought the yellow ones with the clear ones which saved on shipping.
Most shops will discounts shipping if you purchase more than one item form their shop. 

Eye Pins 

Hobby Lobby. 70pcs for 2.99. I had them left over from Christmas crafts

Jump HooksI always have these around for fixing other jewelry. These particular ones I got at Walmart.
t comes with 3 sizes and 240pcs for about 3bucks.

ChainI got mine from HL, the smaller links are cheaper and every so often you can get 50% off on sale

Necklace Clasps
O have the toggle kind as well as the spring-loaded kind.

Beads-optional

Mini pliers and wire cutters - mine are specific for jewelry. 

-The crystals come already drilled which is awesome, so all you have to do is organize a string of 3,5 or 7 crystals and slide them on one of the eye pins, leave about .25 inches and cut off the excess with the cutters. 

-Using the pliers, make a loop at the new end of the pin.

-If you want to add beads you can alternate with crystals, or using more eye pins thread the pins and attach at the ends of the crystal pin. Be sure to add another jump hook to the bead pins to attach the chain. (make sure you adjust your chain length if you add beads) 

-Attach jump hooks to each end, I use the smallest size.

From here cut your chain to a desired length, attach the clasp with 2 more jump hooks. Now you have a whole necklace with no crystals.

-Find the exact middle of the necklace and cut it. Attach each jump hook to each end of the chain and your necklace is complete!

Have a great weekend Lovlies!

Fav Friday finds

1. Music - Horse Feathers, I saw one of their video's in my facebook news feed and it reminded me how much I really love this band. Everything they do is so beautiful. It's the perfect snow music. A cup of tea and a Horse Feather album and I'm set.
I found this band doing my monthly playlists last year and they quickly became one of the bands I frequently included. Introduced to me with one of my favorite songs Belly of June, I fell in love instantly with lead singer Justin Ringle's amazing voice. Even more amazing is when Justin and Heather Broderick sing together in songs like Cascades, Heather has this sound that sounds like a ghost and an angel at the same time. The combo of strings, banjo and guitar is something I, personally haven't heard before. The sound is so rich you can't help but sway along with the lyrics.
Here's a little taste...


Belly of June mp3

2. DiY - Honestly WTF, another DiY gem. Seriously I don't know why I even bother coming up with DiY's when I just find better ones on this amazing blog. Check it out here

3. Etsy - Raleigh Vintage is a little vintage shop I stumbled on. Their stuff is adorable and well thought out. They have a little something for everyone.
Love this dress

These adorable boots!!

4. Fashion - These Verbier boots by Hunter were sent to me and I immediately laughed out loud. I find them AWESOME! It's about time someone made sexy rain boots. If only they weren't so expensive. I adore the blue ones.

5. Pintrest - Make Mud Pies. I adore this poster.

Source: etsy.com via Sugarlily on Pinterest

Color Stories

I've been seeing some interesting color combos lately. I really like mixing odd colors into my wardrobe. Mustards and chartreuse, dusty plums, etc. I'm always up for color. Anyway, I'm thinking about testing some of these out this year. What do you think?

Cobalt + Camel + Grey

 

image via Fashionologie

 

image via Raleigh Vintage

Grey + Yellow

 

Source: ruemag.com via Jess on Pinteres

Isn't this boy just the cutest in grey and Yellow? A yellow sweater and grey blazer is a combo even I would wear.

Source: oliviagraham.com via Fashion on Pinterest

Yellow dress, silver jewelry. So chic

Navy + Gold

Source: dailycupofcouture.blogspot.com via Brittany on Pinterest

Who doesn't love a good navy blazer? And the little sequin gold cami underneather is so adorable. A great evening kind of outfit. And I adore these chevron cuff bracelets by Lilly Pulitzer.

Fav Friday Finds

1. Music - Beirut - Elephant Gun
This video, as stated by my friend Kim who clued me into this amazing piece of work is simply stated. Pretty.  -




2. DiY - Crystal ball...or necklace.
I'll be doing a DiY for a necklace similar to this really soon. I'm really liking these lately done in a not so 'weird hippie/gypsy' way, but I know I can do it for cheaper. So I ordered my crystals and am waiting for them to get here. I'm pretty excited. My dad gave me a gift certificate for Hobby Lobby so I'm going to gather up a few supplies. More soon!

3. Etsy - hand candy -I'm obsessed with this ring. I think it's gorgeous. An outfit stopper. I want it.
From this super cool shop.

4. Fashion - Chris Benz
With Fashion Week fresh on our minds I can't help but look at all the amazing runway looks. Chris Benz caught my eye with his sophisticated layering, fur collars, hats, amazing coats and blazers. Ugh, it's all so inspiring. Some of my fav looks:

Check out the whole runway show here via Style.com

5. Pintrest - something you probably don't know about me is that I used to write poetry, ALL the time. For about 8 years... about life and all that other bullshit. You know the kind, young, inexperienced, simple poetry. But I LOVE reading it. In most forms, free verse is the hardest to read, I like rhythm in my poetry. One of the best gifts, and most thoughtful was a book of Robert Frost that an ex spied me reading in barnes and nobles. Anyway, I've always loved this sonnet and since it was on pintrest I felt like it was time. Do you have a favorite poet?

Source: quote-book.tumblr.com via Mary on Pinterest

Tune-age Tuesday

So Esperanza Spalding huh. I wish I could say I saw it coming, I wish I could say I even knew who she was when she beat out heavy weights for the Best New Artist at the Grammy's, but sadly I do not. So after the Grammy's I've trying to get a handle on this velvety Jazz singer. She really isn't my stlye but I can't deny she has the 'it' factor. Decide for yourself.

Image courtesy of MTV.

Here she is at the White house honoring Stevie Wonder

Happy Lovers Day

Record Love

Somebody's been buying vinyl. And that someone is me. One of my goals for this year is to expand my vinyl collection. The mister and I have only really been into vinyl for about the last 2 years or so. I helped expand the Mister's collection for the first year mostly because I didn't know that much about vinyl, but I really liked antiquing and so it became a new fun outing to go thrifting and antiquing to look for vinyl. Also, I had seen some current bands putting ot vinyl when I was in the record store in Lawrence and here in Kansas city, but I didn't realize that more likely than not the bands I was really into were putting out vinyl too! Score! After a little searching, I got really excited finding band after band I liked putting out vinyl. Needless to say it's been really easy to get it, and so how can I resist. Anyway, here are the latest spoils. (Sublime was for the Mister for Valentine's Day).

From the Left:
The Who-Who's Next, CCR-self titled, White Stripes- De Stijl, Wanda Jackson (the new one with Jack White) - The Party Ain't Over, Fleet Foxes - Self titled & Sublime- Self titled.
The Who and CCR, I got from this shop, All the rest were purchased from Amazon.

Fav Friday Finds

1. Music -TV edition. So the Mister and I watch Parenthood and the last episode had a fantastic play list. It even ended with one of my favorite songs by the Bowerbirds, Northern Lights. Check out the list from the episode. Watch the episode here.

"Off I Go" Greg Laswell
Plays at the start of the episode. - iTunes
"Double Knots" The Living Sisters
Plays as Crosby and Jasmine talk to the minister. - iTunes
"The Poet" Ryan Bingham
Plays when Sarah goes to see Seth. - iTunes
"Be OK" Ingrid Michaelson
Plays when Haddie returns home. - iTunes
"Rock & Roll Stooge" The Ton-Ups
First song played by 'Seth's Band' at the gig. - iTunes
"unknown song" Seth's Band
Second song played at the gig. - iTunes
"Alone in Babylon" F-Units
Plays in the background as Drew and Amber go back stage to see Seth. - iTunes
"Northern Lights" Bowerbirds
Starts to plays with Crosby along in his houseboat and comtinues to the end credits - iTunes

2. DiY - LAMPS! I saw this very cool DiY on Crafty Nest a few weeks ago and haven't stopped thinking about the possibilities since. These Hemp string lamps are so chic and could be done with many types of twine I think, but I'll let you decide. I think this is a task for the Mister. Read the whole DiY here!

3. Etsy - when I saw this I fell in love. I've always liked quartz, my neighbor as a kid had them lining his yard in all kinds of colors. I would totally rock this necklace, hee hee (I made a funny). I know I know. Too bad it sold before I got my hands on it, but I encourage you to check out the rest of the items in Sparrow Collective's shop! There is some cute stuff.

4. Fashion - I need this. I have the outfit already picked out for this oh so comfy looking sweatshirt! I could totally see it being my new antiquing good luck charm. And I love love off the shoulder boat necks. There is this cute dino one too. 

5. Pintrest - If you know me, you know how obsessed I am with scarves. And how much I love Scarf weather (Although, summer does not stop me)!!  I have so many scarves I've taken over a tie rack, a multi-bulb lamp, and bathroom fixture... I don't actually know how many I have... but I'd say a ton. I get scarves from everyone, for Christmas, birthdays, plus I can't help making my own (I make them for friends too!), Thrifting them.. I also don't discriminate on type; silk, wool, cotton, vintage, new, yarn, beaded, fringed, knitted, embroidered, long ones, square... sorry I'm rambling. Anyway, I think I've covered all of these except the bow, I'm not really a bow kind of girl. 
Houndstooth, hmm. I do not have a houndstooth scarf. Must find.

 

Source: tipjunkie.com via Heidi on Pinterest

Tune-age Tuesday!

http://www.spin.com/articles/panic-disco-grow-new-album?obref=obinsite
Panic! At the Disco releases a third album
Vices & Virtues

 

I've never really been a huge fan of this band. Not because I didn't think the music was good but because they were sort of a mood for me. That being said, when I'm in the mood, I do like some of their stuff. Not being a huge fan never stopped me from putting their music in cheer routines I choreographed, or listening to Nine in the Afternoon whenever I need a fun happy song that made no sense to me. I don't dislike this band, but they aren't something I crave or conscientiously choose to listen to. Which actually isn't a rare occurrence for me. 

BUT I was reading Spin Magazine last week about the White Stripes officially calling it quits when I saw this article on Panic! At the Disco and and how they "grew up" for their next album and that really peaked my interest. 

Their creativity is something I've always respected about this band. Their ability to create this Circus/Salvador Dali style with their videos and their sound is really cool to me and I, personally, don't think any other band has done it quite as well. Now, maybe that's because the band looks really good in top hats and tails, but nevertheless, I find it highly amusing and interesting. And I find something highly attractive about the lead singer's voice

So on to the new album. Their first released track off the album, The Ballad of Mona Lisa (mp3), seems ordinarily like a boy girl drama song, but lead singer and writer told Spin, "... it's really about what I've been going through, an inner-struggle within myself, and fighting the dualities of my personality -- the side that fucks everything up and destroys everything and the other side that tries to pick up the slack." The core of Panic! is there for me, you can't mistake his voice, but the musicality of this new stuff is evolved for sure, imho. I'm not sure it positively or negatively impacts my view of the band and their likability for me, but I encourage you to at least give it a listen.

"There's nothing wrong with just a taste of what you paid for..."

Vices & Virtues tracklist:

1. The Ballad Of Mona Lisa

2. Let's Kill Tonight

3. Hurricane

4. Memories

5. Trade Mistakes

6. Ready to Go (Get Me Out Of My Mind)

7. Always

8. The Calendar

9. Sarah Smiles

10. Nearly Witches (Ever Since We Met…)

Here's the video for the Ballad of Mona Lisa

There's still time to get a great gift for valentines day. For me, Etsy is my go to for browsing and getting ideas for any occasion. I always liked Valentine's Day cause it let's me get a little more creative, or maybe I jsut take the opportunity to get a little more into this holiday, not because of the mushy factor but because it doesn't have any rules for the giving. Sure there is the status quo of flowers and other dumb shit that personally I could care less about. So for me, I turn this holiday into getting something for my other half that he wouldn't expect but still like. Once my Mister told me, after I gave him a crystal decanter set with rocks glasses, that, "The best gift is the one you didn't know you wanted." So that's sort of been my personal challenge with this holiday since then.
So, with that in mind here are few fun ideas to get you thinking.
Enjoy Lovlies.

1. Guitar Pick 2. STUD pillow 3. Heart&Arrow Shirt 
4. Re-purposed Suit Coat Messenger bag
5. Bonus: BottleHood.com. This site has some great gifts, especially if your man likes beer, and it's all recycled! Win Win!

1. Red skeleton key clutch 2. Adorable heart puzzle ring
3. iPod/iPhone case in vintage wool 4. Renaissance Ring

Fav Friday Finds

1. Music - Helplessness Blues
Back in 2008 a fantastic new band changed the face of the Indie scene with their unique sound of vocal harmonies, acoustic guitars (something I swoon for) and layered choruses. Seattle natives, The Fleet Foxes, are back with a new album called Helplessness Blues due out May 3rd. 
I don't think I can say enough about how much I like this band. I would highly suggest you delve into them without delay.. Their self titled album is dreamy on the verge of greatness and they are by far one of the best things that came out of doing play lists monthly last year.

Check out the self titled single off the new album: download mp3

Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues by subpop

2. DiY - More Spring Wishes. A Flower Halo Accessory

Honeslty WTF really has some of the cutest DiY's out there. If you haven't looked at the archive I suggest you spend a little while taking mental notes and then make and list for the craft store. This week I fell for their adorable large flower halo. It's so cute and brings out my inner flower child. Cute summer dress, a silk scarf and some cow girl boots? I think so.

 

 View the entire DiY here.

3. Etsy - The year of the rabbit! I couldn't help it seeing all the Chinese New Year stuff all over the place, so when I got an all bunny email from Etsy I fell a little for them. 

 

Um, I find these kick ass, do you?

 

Love bunnies! from here

I would totally rock this vest. I would.

4. Fashion -H&M's Easy Breezy (and Eco-Friendly) Conscious Collection

 

From Fashionologie:

H&M is taking Spring's white-out trend to a whole new level with its upcoming Conscious Collection, which uses eco-friendly textiles like organic cotton and recycled polyester. The range of light-hued pieces, ranging from flirty cotton eyelet dresses — perfect for Central Park frolicking — to streamlined blazers for the working girl, drops in stores on April 14.

I find it so fun and airy. I've always love white. And these cutie dresses look like a day on the beach, and believe me after this winter...I could use a day on the beach.

5. Pintrest - I keep seeing these pop up in places and other blogs, so when I got them on Pintrest I had to share. I'm in LOVE. I am ordering a catalog. They are from here and appropriately called Nestrest.
They are just so so cool.

Source: dedon.de via Marie on Pinterest

Jack White does it again.

Being snowed in has it's perks. I came across this article on Spin.com about Wanda Jackson and Jack White teaming up on Jackson's new album and I had to stop and stare. If you remember this post of Jack White's song with Loretta Lynn awhile back, I figured White's genius has to extend to all older female rockabilly legends and the like. And it does. Jackson's distinct voice mixed with White's amazing guitar skills sends you back to an old smokey bar with a modern twist. It's fantastically fun.
The song below is a highlight on the album, a cover of Bob Dylan's "Thunder on the Mountain" and this is the official video, just released. 



Maybe Jack White has a little something going on with female country legends, maybe he knows something we don't, or maybe he just kicks ass and likes to see if he can reinvent a legend. Well, I saw he can and one of these days when Jack White is the legend in question, maybe the next genius of the time with reinvent Mr. White. Meh nevermind...I doubt it.

White Winter Hymnal

I love the Fleet Foxes. Just a great band and White Winter Hymnal was one of my favorite songs. I'm loving this cover of it by Oh Land today. Enjoy the snow.

Tune-age Tuesday

T H E V A C C I N E S -

I was looking around on another music blog I really like. T H E U N F O U N D. Mostly, maybe all, UK based bands. And I gotta say, our peeps across the pond can really throw down some good tune-age. I instantly bobbed my head to their upbeat fun rhythm. I don't know why, but I felt a little Beach Boy essence somewhere, maybe it's because it feels a little like summer and in the midst of ANOTHER snow-pocalypse here in the great midwest I'm longing for sun and nice weather, but you be the judge. Here is a link to their myspace, I don't know much about this band yet, but I plan to do some investigating. For now, here is what T H E U N  F O U N D had to say:

"I’m currently doing work experience at NME and I couldn’t ignore the severe hype surrounding this London four-piece. Their debut LP, What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?, will be released March 21st on Colombia, built up with much expectation by singles ‘Wrecking Bar (Ra Ra Ra)’ and ‘Blow it Up’. That they sold out their first hometown gig merely on the basis of a demo and a soon to be released debut single says everything about the massive excitement this band is creating."

 

Blow it up mp3

If you wanna mp3

P.S. Don't forget to check out the February Mix Tape!

February Mix Tape

Hey Lovlies! I like all kinds of music and in the case of a mix tape whether or not it's my "genre" is irrelevant to me. If it sounds good, it stays. Here is your February Mix tape! I had a good time making this one. Last year's was a little tame. This year I had more fun. Delete the ones you don't like, it won't affect the integrity.
Download it here

1. Crazy Amazing - V.V. Brown - I just love her. she is going to be huge, and with this song in particular I love how she spun an old song you can't help but bob your head to.
2. One Track Mind - Mayer Hawthorne - who can't fall in love with a modern and attractive crooner
3. Wild Thing - Noah and the Whale - a great band I discovered in 2010. I haven't disliked anything I've heard so far.
4. She's a Rebel - Green Day
5. Nothing Like You and I - The Perishers
6. Boxer - Lovers - great song, great lyrics
7. You Got Your Cherry Bomb - Spoon - Thank you Nathan Stewart for this gem. I've been waiting for a place to put it.
8. Better Than Revenge - Taylor Swift - yeah yeah, I think it's fun.
9. Rhinestone Eyes - Gorillaz - Not really a love song in the traditional sense, but the sound is so cool. I am loving the new gorillaz album plastic beach, it's such a new sound for me.
10. I'll Be Your Pillow - Eliza Doolittle
11. You Were a Kindness - The National
12. How Deep Is Your Love (Bee Gees Cover) - The Bird and the Bee - Such a great cover. I like this version better myself.
13. You Still Love me Blondie - Matthew & the Arrogant Sea
14. Here's Lookin at You Kid - Gaslight Anthem
15. This is for Keeps - the Spill Canvas - I love the story line in this song, the visuals. This is something I look for in a great song, lyrics that can create pictures, like art that tells a story.
16. To Be With You - The Honey Trees - One of my favorite new bands of 2011 so far.
17. Firework - Katy Perry - great song, great message, cool video...it stays.
18. Just the Way You Are (Remix) - Bruno Mars - I didn't like this song at first, but I can't help but be smitten with it, I especially like this little remix I found.

There you are, I hope you enjoy it.