Punchy Fun Surf Time

Story behind the title: We live about 30 minutes from the beach and my brother got really into sufing a couple years ago so when it starts to heat up a little he likes to keep track of the surf conditions.

He checks it on this local website created by the surfers that live on the beach and report the surf everyday and forecasts for the rest of the week. So I guess when he checked it today, they said it was "punchy fun surf time". We totally didn't get it but joked about it all day long.

My brother surfing with his friend, I apologize about the plumber's butt he's got goin' there.

Here are some more pictures of our "Punchy Fun Surf Time"! 

I guess this one isn't too fun but aren't they pretty? They're called Portuguese Man o' Wars and are the worst jellyfish of them all!

A wittle baby man o'war! I just can't get over their pretty colors...

Sand is kind of a new concept for Eliza...

She doesn't quite get it, especially how funny it acts when wet.

But she sure does like to dig in it!

my little family.

Saved the best for last! This picture might be my favorite one of her... EVER! Props to the fiance!

The water was a little cold to get in for Eliza and I but hopefully in a few warm weeks it should be just right! I guess it wouldn't really of mattered much because I think Eliza was a little put off by the waves. She didn't like all the pushing and pulling which is ok for right now. I'm perfectly fine with not having to jump in after her!

Only four days until my birthday, woo!  

Only a week until...

Most of the things I want are for my apartment but here are a few that are just for me!

Mini Ice Cream Maker (I really just want to make my own froyo!)
 
 

Thigh High Socks
 
 

A Pretty White Dress

Shoes!

Shoes!

Shoes!
 

and a shopping Spree!   

Daily Outfit Post #2!

 

Blouse- Thrifted

Skirt- Thrifted

Belt- Thrifted

Shoes- Either Payless or Target... I can't remeber!

Did you know that April is National Grilled Cheese Month?! When I was little I always pronounced it "Girl Cheese", my dad made them all the time (and still does), it's kind of his specialty. I made a really yummy one the other day and thought I'd share.

It is a bunch of cheese melted between two slices of Texas Toast. I used mozzarella, colby jack, gouda, and parmesan. The gouda was the main player here, I'm a little obsessed! So eat yourself a lot of grilled cheese this month!

On a side note, I turn twenty in 12 days! WooOOoo. It's kind of creeping up on me, I'm not really sure what I want except for stuff for the apartment but that's not too fun! We'll see I suppose, I think I want to spend my whole day shopping... that would be the best birthday ever! What's your favorite thing to do on your birthday?

 

Nightstand

My dad had this nightstand up in his attic and was going to trash it when I took it in a gave it a little makeover!

Fun fact: My mom is a faux painter and I worked with her during the summer's of my high school years so I picked up some awesome antiqueing tips. So this is how I gave this nightstand a much needed makeover!

What you'll need:

Kilz (primer)

Sandpaper

Paint (color of choice)

Vaseline

New hardware

 Optional

Pick thing

Hammer

1. First step is to sand your piece of furniture down a little bit so the primer can get a good stick.

2. Primer your furniture. I did three layers but it just depends on what kind you use and the original color of your piece.

3. Optional: Take your pick thing (sorry I don't know the real name of it) and your hammer and gently hammer a few shallow holes in random groups around your piece of furniture. Avoid making it look too symmetrical!

4. To make it easier to take off the last layer of paint, we are going to apply some vaseline to the edges and corners of the piece of furniture.  Depending on how much you want to antique will determine the amount you should use. My mom used special wax but I got this great idea to use vaseline from here.

5. Apply a coat of the paint you chose.

6. Paint your handle. Give it an hour or two to dry and then sand it a little to rough it up a bit.

7. After the paint on your furniture has dried, you're going to take your sandpaper and lightly sand the edges and corners.

8. Attatch your distressed handle, step back, and give yourself a pat on the back!

 I loved the way this turned out and it just looks sooo much better than before. What do you guys think?  

DIY Earring Holder

My old setup wasn't quite working out and all the earring holders I looked at were either too expensive or I didn't like them so I made my own!  This is what you need:  

 Empty Frame Hot glue and glue gun Some kind of netting or mesh (I got screen door stuff from a hardware store)Scissors   

First, cut your screen to the size of the frame. Then hot glue the sides down to the frame. And done!

Hang it up and put in your earrings. I like it because it's easy to take your earrings on and off. I may paint it eventually... we'll see.

Also a little inspiration for all those small business owners! This article, named Think You're Not an Expert? is very helpful for those who are feeling down or just need some encouragement. It's short, sweet, and really makes you want to get up and work! My favorite line: "Oh, and one more thing? You know who else works out of his home office? THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."

I don't think people understand the stress and responsibility that comes with owning your own business! So I'm just trying to spread the love! Everyone needs a pat on the back every now and then, right?


First Daily Outfit Post!

I'm in the process of revamping my wardrobe. I mean, I think people's wardrobes are constantly evolving but I am going through a major transformation! I am trying to embody what I sell and love in vintage/upcycled clothing. So I will start putting up daily outfit posts in hope that this will encourage me to do just that! 

 

This is my favorite skirt. It was supposed to go in my store but has a little stain so I decided to keep it and now I wear it like every week! Fun fact: I wore these shoes to my prom!

Cardigan: thrifted

Skirt: upcycled, thrifted skirt that I cut in half

Belt & Earrings: thrifted

Grey Socks: target

Shoes: Payless?

 

American Apparel Headband DIY and More!

I don't know if you guys have seen these but they are awesome!  

 American Apparel Twist Scarf

They have metal inside them and you can twist them around your head! I saw some at American Apparel but wasn't impressed by the colors and prices soo... I made my own!

You'll need:

A large t-shirt (color of choice)

Picture hanging wire

Sewing machine

First, you take your shirt and cut off about 5" from the bottom (or the width you want your headband to be times 2 plus 1" for seam allowance)

 

Cut one of the sides so that it's one long piece. Fold in half (hot dog style) and cut the tips like ^^^ this (shaped like the ends of a bow or whatever you'd like).

Then sew along the edge from one pointy tip to the middle, skip an inch and then sew to the other pointy tip. Turn inside out and push out the points.

Measure out a piece of wire the length of your headband plus about 2" for the loop. Make the loop at the end so you don't stap someone! Then slip it through the hole and pull it through to both ends. Sew hole shut.

Style your super cute headband! On the american apparel website they just kind of twist it and the ends stick out but at the store they twisted it into a little rose looking thing. That's what made me fall in love with them and that's the way I do it! 

To do this you center the headband on the back of your head, bring the ends up till they meet and twist the ends together. To get the rose, you just twist around themselves like a bun and the wire holds them in place!

Here is another extrememly easy version of this minus the wire.

You cut the end off of a shirt.

and kind of scrunch it up (if you just pull the ends, it kind of folds together).

Then wrap it around your head with the excess at the top and tie a knot with the extra. Sorry I don't have a picture of the end product but it looks almost exactly like the one above.

Two cute headbands in under 20 minutes, you can't really beat that!