Happy Memorial Day!

From Wikipedia: Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. Service Members who died while in the military service. First enacted by an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War. It was extended after World War I to honor Americans who have died in all wars.

Memorial Day often marks the start of the summer vacation season, and Labor Day its end.  

Begun as a ritual of remembrance and reconciliation after the Civil War, by the early 20th century, Memorial Day was an occasion for more general expressions of memory, as ordinary people visited the graves of their deceased relatives, whether they had served in the military or not. It also became a long weekend increasingly devoted to shopping, family get-togethers, fireworks, trips to the beach, and national media events such as the Indianapolis 500 auto race, held since 1911 on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.

Enjoy the long weekend and remember our service men and women!

DiY Scarf Vest!

I have to share this quick-and-easy solution for a vest accessory!  From the amazing studs & pearls blog, this super simple and fast vest-from-a-scarf DiY.  Looks AMAZING!

DiY: Scarf Vest at studs & pearls

Technorati Tags: crafting,creativity,DiY,fashion

Totally in Love!

With Nick, of course, but I recently found a new clothing store that I’m totally enamored of… Ruche!  They held a Polyvore contest last week, and here’s what I came up with:

Based on their “Unending Love” collection, I used Polyvore to put together a fun collection of my favorites!  The new "remember darling" dress is one of my absolute FAVORITES! I wanted to highlight the delicate, romantic feel of it with warm, sweet accessories and colors, and make it suitable for any occasion, professional or personal. The focus is on warm peach and gold to accent the warm white of the dress' lace, but with a cool surprise in the shoe color. With your hair up, the earrings would really sparkle, but no necklace to interrupt the cute buttons and high neckline. All the focus here is onwards and upwards!

What’s your recent favorite shopping find?

Technorati Tags: fashion,creativity,jewelry,shopping,accessories

A bit of organization…

My recent finds in accessories left me with a delightful problem: I needed better storage for my scarves and belts.  Before, they spent time hanging on the builder wire shelf organizers that were installed when the house was built.  They’re not a bad system, but they leave a lot to be desired for storing small items, and my accessories sort of hung there limp and neglected, and I couldn’t see anything or access anything easily.  I had a few requirements for my new solution: pockets needed to be clear or see through, so I could identify what was there, and they should be vertical storage, both fairly easy to come by.  I came across two separate solutions…

A traditional wall-mounted belt hanger was useful for not only some of my belts, but for my bathrobes and some of Nick’s belts, too.  My second solution was the over-the-door shoe hanger!  This version was made with a great open mesh that would let me see what was inside the pocket!  And with 24 compartments, there’s plenty of space for lots of accessories!  I haven’t even filled it up yet!

  

The shoe organizer does hang on the ‘front’ of the closet door, but we rarely close it, and our master bedroom is fairly private, so I’m not too worried about the decorative implications for the moment.  I’m definitely feeling more creative and have a lot of new inspiration when getting dressed in the morning!  Bring on the accessories!

What are your favorite organization solutions for accessories?

Technorati Tags: decorating,organization,shopping,fashion

Got stuff?

I helped my sister this weekend by organizing and photographing some leftover décor items from her wedding last August.  She had a lot of great items good for weddings or just everyday décor!  I thought sharing here would be really helpful!

These photo frames are 3.5x5” metal, and we used them to hold charming childhood photos of the bride and groom.  Silver tone, we have 8 left!  “Gold tone,” which looks more like silver or platinum, we have about 50 left!  Get them for .75 each.

We used this square glass jar in the “candy bar” which we all enjoyed very much!  It’s a big one, at 17.5” tall x 6” across both ways.  Asking $15.

This giant glass ‘snifter’ vase was also part of the candy bar!  It’s 12” high, ~ 9” across at widest, with a 5” base.  Asking $5.

Please contact nikki285@hotmail.com (my sister) for purchase or more information!

I have driven 300 miles…

I spent the last few days with family and just got back!  I spent a good chunk of time helping my sister decorate by sewing curtains and assisting in hanging shelves.  I do love me some decorating!  My adorable nephew also turned 6!  I can’t believe it!  It was a fun trip, and I’ll be back on schedule on Monday.  To complete this post, here’s what I woke up to Thursday at my parents’ house:

Oh, Wyoming.

Diet shopping spree!

At the end of the semester I’m usually a little broke, but I REALLY needed a little shopping therapy!  So I headed to my favorite shopping-lite location, my neighborhood ARC!  Here’s some of the fantastic finds I made there!

Top left: random scarf, top and skirt from Forever 21, random belt; total: $17.  Top right: H&M dress, yellow viscose scarf; total: $9.  Bottom left: assorted belts and scarves; total: $8.  Bottom right: totally adorable vintage apron for just $3!

I was super excited to find some pieces from my favorite stores, and I can’t wait to wear them!

What do you do when there isn’t much extra money around and you need a SHOPPING fix?  Tell!

Technorati Tags: creativity,fashion,clothing,thrifting,frugality,shopping

A homey weekend.

Nick and I spent the afternoon on Sunday looking at some homes for sale in Denver.  We have a delightful real estate agent who is excited to be working with us in the long term (we warned her up front that we’re not ready to buy for about another year!) and she’s really nailed down the locations and styles we’re looking for.

We saw several houses remodeled by Dovetail Homes, a Denver company that’s focused on restoring vintage homes in some of the most charming, unique neighborhoods in Denver, such as Highlands, Park Hill, and Wash Park.  We saw two of their homes and were utterly blown away by the quality of work and choices in finishes (aside from my addiction to HGTV, Nick’s and my parents both have built homes, so we feel we have some good experience in making judgments about quality!).  They clearly have a focus on making homes into quality, contemporary, modern residences while retaining the original charm.  These are not your typical flippers, the layouts and changes are clearly well thought out, and the company itself has a sterling reputation.

We’re going to be keeping an eye on this company and their homes as we continue our home search, and I’m truly thrilled to see more of what they’re doing!

Did you focus on any builders or renovators in your home search?

Technorati Tags: decorating,home search,real estate

Friday Fi.. more like three!

Even though this is not Twitter (although you can check mine out @charmedseed, of course!), I wanted to share a few of the blogs I’ve been following lately!

Metal and Mud: Holy brilliant ideas, Batman!  I ran into this blog while participating in Thing-A-Day this year, and this artist is constantly working and creating.  Not only that, but she has a collection of amazing jewelry and art at Etsy, too!  The perpetual calendar project in the photo is simply AMAZING!

Craftastrophe: Is exactly what it sounds like.  Occasionally NSFW, silly and even occasionally appalled at some of the nuttier craft ideas out there, this blog is sure to bring a laugh or two to your day!  I pity the fool who doesn’t read this blog!

crafting an education: Here’s where I’m a total tool and toot my own horn.  This is my more education-leaning blog, but with a crafting aftertaste.  I discuss some of my teaching and learning here, but I also identify fun teaching-related crafts, organization, and décor!  I love making this connection between my two passions.

Go for it, share your favorite (or your own!) blogs!

Technorati Tags: blogs,blogging,technology,decor,decorating,DiY,fashion,food,frugality,sewing,shopping

Faux Mercury Glass Experience

I wanted to create some votive candle holders to double as décor and wedding favors, so I gathered my DiY wits about me and went after a beautiful vintage mercury glass look.  There are tons of tutorials out there on how to do this, and I read several, devising a plan that worked!

My ingredients included 72 small votives purchased from amazon.com for about $36.  What a deal!  Add to that some painters tape, a squirt bottle, and metallic silver spray paint, and you’re ready to go.

 

Since the votives came neatly packaged in these boxes, I opted not to cover them entirely in tape.  The cardboard shielded the bottoms just fine from extra overspray!

The key here is to spray the insides of the glasses with water to achieve an antiqued look, before spraying the paint.

On the porch with my tools and paper, so as to not continue to paint the concrete, like we’ve already done.  Squirt and spray, and then leave them for a while, of course.

I also purchased some LED tea lights because, hey, it just seemed safer.  No worries about kids or relatives lighting themselves on fire.  Also, LED tea lights?  Just kind of awesome.  Here’s the look, along with my sample table centerpiece (and some other stuff that I have on the dining table).  I love the soft, glowing look; I think it will really suit our reception location!

Did I mention this was ridiculously easy?  It only took me a few hours to complete 50 votive holders (I’ve reserved 24 for other designs, mwah ha ha!), plenty for the decorations and our attendees.  Next I will be creating the copper tags (saying “B & N”) to add to the votives, as a personal touch!

Made or seen any great DiY décor or favors?  Share them!

Technorati Tags: crafting,crafts,decor,decorating,DiY,frugality,wedding

Weekend Warrior

I have to say, I’m pretty proud of my haul this weekend.  I did a lot of cleaning, grocery shopping, and playing video games, but I still managed to make a big dent in the wedding décor!  Specifically my faux mercury glass.  I took this fun shot with “Retro Cam” on my phone and thought it was worth sharing.  These are the votives, taped up and ready to paint!  I’ll detail more about the process and the results on Wednesday.

Cinco de FOODO

I am admittedly a bandwagon celebrator of Cinco de Mayo.  I drink margaritas and go to Mexican restaurants for dinner.  I did the same thing last night, and we had a great night!  Here are some highlights!

We started the night out at Las Margaritas on 17th Street in Denver.  It was a lovely night and a lovely location!  I had the most fabulous tamales!

Fabulous margaritas!  Not too sweet, very fresh tasting, which I like very much.

After dinner, we needed some SUGAR, so we headed down the street to D Bar, Keegan Gerhard’s Denver restaurant.  I’ve been here once before for a birthday, and it is a totally fabulous location.

The most delicious caramel escaped when I busted open this incredible tart.  AND we were at the bar, so we could watch the incredible skilled chef create each of our dishes.  Also, I am currently having a love affair with caramel.

How was your Cinco?

Technorati Tags: food

Where there is potential

Nick and I are browsing regularly for housing now, with our impending wedding, and planning to purchase a house not long after we’re married (if all the cards fall correctly, anyway!).  It’s been an interesting search so far; we’ve gone from downtown lofts to outlaying almost-rural areas, to established urban neighborhood fixer-uppers.  We’re still in the deciding phase, but here is an example of something that sort of scares us regularly about purchasing an older, unrenovated home.

This is my personal nightmare.  I hate this layout with a passion.  I have purposefully strayed away from some of these styles of homes because of this terrifying kitchen.  But maybe I’m wrong…

WOAH!  Talk about impressed!  The combinations of wood, stainless, and brick are exactly what we were looking for in the loft-style homes we were originally after.  Also the sliding chalkboard, so fabulous!  This gives me a lot of hope for developing a great design even in a home that’s not (or even far from) perfect.  I didn’t realize there was this much potential in a kitchen like this!  Wow!  Makeover originally posted at Apartment Therapy.

What’s the most surprising transformation you’ve seen lately?

Technorati Tags: creativity,decor,decorating,kitchen,DiY

HUUUUUUGE Jewelry sale!

It’s so huge I’m not even putting it on my own website, I’m just going to let Etsy take care of it for me!

Wanna get a great lot like this at a ridiculously discounted rate?  Hit up my Etsy store for all the goods!  This lot is going for just $20!  Get on it so I can get it out of my house!  Save me some space and yourself some money!  Go go go!

Technorati Tags: jewelry,fashion,shopping,sales

Historical Days

“I've never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure.” - Mark Twain

As I said on my facebook status, this is awesome, truly, but in all honesty I think I've had just about enough historical moments for being only 30. I would be more than happy to exist through the next twenty years without any more life-changing events.

Like a lot of others, it’s not in my nature to celebrate death and destruction in any form, but this is a matter of closure for literally hundreds of thousands – if not millions – of people.  It is a triumph shrouded in a decade of tragedy, waste, and loss.  There is almost a frenzy, a fervor of celebration in response to ages of pain, and who can blame those who celebrate.  It is a breathtaking moment in time, caught up between grief and triumph.

It is not the end, of course, but it is an end.  It is an interesting marker as I have finished my student teaching: I will likely have students who have never known a world without terrorism, without Osama bin Laden in the forefront when I begin teaching this fall.  Ten years of mystery, ended in a moment.

Read about the death of Osama bin Laden at MSNBC.

Technorati Tags: personal,other,news