Monday, April 30, 2012

Weekend in Pictures

What a weekend we had....can I just say, I can't believe how cold it was! It seems as though winter is here finally...I'm so glad we'll be back up in the 80's this week. It's officially the start of yard sale season here and hubby took Diva Darling and I around to some of the many community yard sales that were this weekend. We managed to score a few things, and I can honestly say it was worth it despite the cold weather. Here are some photos from the weekend.
 I love turquoise...especially during the summer months. I made this necklace over the weekend and I can't wait to wear it here soon.
 Vintage earrings that I picked up at an antique store a few weeks ago.
 I always keep a journal with me to write down ideas as they come to me....because if I don't I will forget.
 I love this little shoe! I found this at a thrift store a couple of months ago. It actually has a little cat...(I thought it was a lion) on the front...and it's milk glass to boot! Do any of you collect milk glass?

Let me know what you did over the weekend.

♥ Jen

Friday, April 27, 2012

DIY- Agate Bracelet

 I love agate and how it feels against the skin so naturally I thought this would make a great DIY project. Agate comes in a variety of sizes and shapes and is relatively inexpensive. The one I chose is black, blue and a little bit of purple running through it. It is a little dark but that is what I wanted for my bracelet...feel free to use whatever you like. Keep reading to see how I made it.
Supplies:

Wire
Toggle Clasp
Jump Rings
Small Chain
Large Chain
Agate
Tools:

Pliers
Rounded pliers
Crimping Tool
Side Cutters
First measure chain to see how long you would like to make your bracelet.
Slide wire through agate and wrap end around round pliers. I went around twice. Cut excess off with side cutters.
This is what you should have so far. Repeat on the other side and tuck ends in with a crimper. 
Add jump ring to the end of agate.
Attach agate to large portion of the chain.
Attach toggle to small portion of the chain using a jump ring.
Attach toggle with small chain to large chain using a jump ring.
Attach other end of clasp to agate stone using a jump ring.
 All finish! This was probably one of the easiest bracelets I have ever made. I am going to make these in a few different colors and different metals...maybe even adding some charms to the end to glam it up a little.

♥ Jen

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Agate Inspiration

Lately, I have been absolutely obsessed with anything agate...for the home, jewelry or fashion. It is truly one of my favorite mediums to work into my jewelry designs. These are some of my inspirations for this Friday's DIY.

Dang, I really wish I had snagged the West Elm pillow before they sold out...

♥ Jen

Monday, April 23, 2012

Weekend in Pictures

 A few weeks ago we had some family visiting from out of town, and they had never been to Washington DC...so off we went for a weekend adventure. If you have never been there, the most perfect time to visit is when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Here are some photos from our trip.
 The White house.
 The Vietnam Memorial. So many names....such a sad reminder of how many lives were lost.
 The Women's Vietnam memorial.
The Lincoln Memorial.

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.

♥ Jen

Friday, April 20, 2012

DIY- Thrift Store Crystal Box Transformation

A few months ago I found this beauty at a local thrift store. My first intent was to transform it from ugly green to a lovely milk glass white by painting it. So there it sat in my office for months...waiting for warmer weather (spray painting of course). I stumbled across it the other day when the weather was in the 80's...so out of the dungeon it came.

I first decided that it needed a little wash to remove all the dust it had collected. As I was drying it off I saw that the "paint" was coming off. I had no idea that it was painted! So instead of painting it, I grabbed some nailpolish remover and went to town.

Here's how I did it.

This is actually what is called a Wedding Box. Back in the day, a bride would bring a piece of her wedding cake home in this little box.
The lid actually serves as a base for this little box.
Supplies:
Crystal Box
Nail Polish Remover
Cotton Squares
As you can see the paint is coming off.
Apply some nail polish remover to the cotton square and scrub, scrub, scrub!
After removing the paint this is what you end up with!
This is perfect for storing jewelry or other precious items.
This is a super simple project and you can find these at almost any thrift store, estate sale, or yard sale. So next time you see one, take a closer look at it....you may have found yourself a little gem in the rough. Let me know if you try this project!

♥ Jen

Linking up over at Thrifty Decor Chick

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Casual Wear with Flair

Dorothy Perkins Orange Top, H&M Skinny Jeans, H&M Aviators, H&M Earrings, 3.1 Phillip Lim Handbag, Yves Saint Laurent Arty Ring, Gold Metal Bangles, Zara I Basic Sandal.

With the weather being so nice lately, I have been craving my warmer weather clothes. This is something I would wear to an evening out with my hubby or to a friends party. I love how well blue and turquoise go with orange and coral....reminds me so much of summer!

♥ Jen