Look For Less

I am going to a wedding in a few weeks and have been looking for a new dress.  I came across this outfit on Rent the Runway and loved it.  But didn't love the price.  The dress rental was $60, which isn't bad, but the necklace rental is $85.  For that price, I could buy something new.  I am trying to save money here, people!

The necklace retails for $325. Yikes! It is beautiful though.

ShopBop

So here is my recreated look, for much less.

Nordstrom Junior's dress, $49

Forever 21 necklace, $11

Verdict is still out on what to do.  It's going to be cold, so maybe something long would be better.  Decisions.

Leather and Burlap

I have been seeing a ton of leather and fabric combinations in fall fashion.  I especially love this jacket from Lulu's (sadly, it's out of stock).

And these ASOS heels...

And some looks for the home...

$170

Source: google.com via Decor & Dior on Pinterest

$800, Jennifer Convertible

Source: products.jenniferfurniture.com via Decor & Dior on Pinterest

A leather pillow? Sure, why not!

Source: house8810.com via Ginger on Pinterest

Floor to ceiling burlap curtains? Yep!

Source: remodelista.com via Michelle on Pinterest

These have a faux-leather look.

Source: westelm.com via Jamie on Pinterest

This beautiful chair has interesting lines, yet seems very sophisticated.

Jonathan Adler

Although this photo doesn't include leather or canvas/burlap/linen, I thought it was too beautiful and sexy to not include :)

Source: hgtv.com via Brenda on Pinterest

Shabby Chic Coat Rack

Over the summer, my parents' neighbor was throwing out a mirror that had cracked during the east coast earthquake. I saw the top of the mirror out by the trash and knew I could do something with it.  

Here is the original piece.

 There were edges on each side which I sawed off and then sanded down.

Using a saw is not as hard as I thought! Woohoo.

Smooth as a baby butt! I then painted white and distressed.

I then added hooks to the bottom. I drilled holes and screwed the hooks in.

Then I measured a few inches from the sides and top so I could add the metal hook which will hold the mason jars.  The mason jars are held up my a hose clamp which I attached to the metal hook and then tightened the hose clamp screw to ensure it wouldn't fall.

this is the hose clamp screw I was referring to

Then I added flowers and hung!  Here's the final product.

Heaven

Look at this room.  Amazing!  I love the warm colors and layered textures.  And that chandelier! Looks like the morning after a great party.

Bright Bold Beautiful blog

If I lived in that room, I would be drinking champagne and wearing this jumpsuit.  And yes, in my fantasy, I can pull off a jumpsuit.

ASOS jumpsuit

Ok, maybe not a jumpsuit, but something romantic and chic, like this.

Wearing Today

While it's the end of September, New York City has been unseasonably warm.  And humid.  But I am determined to start wearing my fall wardrobe!  Here's what I have on today.

I bought the dress at Macy's.  It was on the sale rack for about $20.  The blazer from H&M was about $39.99 and the scarf was $12.99.  The belt was on sale at Anthropologie for about $12.   The Bandolino sandals have been in my closet for about 5 years now. I can't bear to part with them.  They complete broke a few years back and I spent, probably, more than the shoe was worth on fixing them. 

this dress, sadly, gets very wrinkled after wearing it all day :(

Surprise Party Invites

I am throwing a surprise party. And no, I won't say for who ;) I blurred all the pictures, even the menu, since I don't want this person to get any ideas.

Here's the invite...

and the envelope label.

And here is the finished product!

I mounted the 4.5x6.5 invite to gray 5x7 cardstock. I have glue dots, but of course forgot to use them!  I used regular clear craft glue.

And the finished envelope.  I hand-cut the label off of regular printer paper.  If I was smart, I would have used adhesive paper, but I knew I was only doing about 15 invites, so I didn't bother.

I also still have to print the menu and some labels for favors, etc. 

I think I sufficiently blurred all these pictures so this person has no idea :)

Turquoise Bliss

Sometimes color just makes me happy on a rainy day.  Today, that's turquoise.  Hope this makes you guys happy too!

ASOS top and skirt

The amazing Raleigh Hotel in Miami. Sigh.

Quilt Home

Urban Outfitters shower rack

Material Girls blog

Tilly and Fran blog

So Darling blog

On an unrelated note, what's the deal, Blogger?  Center my images!  Why is it so hard for you to do that?  I hit the 'center' button, and you center.  See how easy that can be?!?  Sheez.

Textured Walls

I have been thinking about.... wallpaper.  I know.  Cringe.  Well, maybe not wallpaper, but some sort of wall texture.  And not the entire room, maybe just one focal wall.  

I love this, but fear it's wallpaper.  

ELLE Decor

Seems like paint and a stencil?

belle maison

I can paint.  *That* I can do.

La Dolce Vita

 Again, love this look, but shake my head at the thought of putting up wallpaper, even if it would turn out this gorgeous.

 Palmer Weiss

 Definitely paint + stencil. Shuttle and elegant. And it was done with a Sharpie!

Apartment Therapy

 With my luck, my stripes would be completely crooked and my husband would bring it up every time he saw it.  Cuz that's what he does!

Either it's wood or really cool wallpaper :)

ELLE Decor

I recently saw a tutorial on Martha Stewart about faux bois.  I turned out great, and I am definitely going to try it.  Not sure if an entire wall would work, so I am going to try out it out on something smaller first.  It's on my long list of things to do.