Makin' It Happen: Chip Clips

Sometimes you have some extra scraps of fabric.

Sometimes you also have clothes pins.

Some other times you also need clips to keep chips and such fresh; a chip clip, if you will.

When you live with a Master Crafter, the math is really easy on this one. We made really cute fabric covered chip clips.

So here's how we did it:

First, we took apart the clothes pins completely, careful not to loose the spring.

Then the sticky part began. Using (FIND OUT WHAT GLUE), we stuck the flat sides of the clothespins on the fabrics. Once that was thoroughly stuck, it was wrapping time.
Little by little, we would spread some glue and use our fingers to roll the clothespin on the fabric as tight as possible and our fingers to spread the glue (hence the sticky).

We let it dry after each step.

After that, we Modge Podgeed them to seal them (and make them shiny)

Next day, we put them back together and BOOM- we have adorable chip clips.

Not too shabby, right?

Dress Is More: Denim and Leather

I love a denim dress. I especially love this Gap denim dress from the Mama Cravens. It has a cute collar, a pleated bib front, and big pockets. It also has these little rolled sleeves and a nice, easy fit. This time, I layered it with my leather vest to toughen it up a bit. Finishing touch was my ankle boots. The textures and colors worked great together and I'm a HUGE believer in mixing soft and hard elements. it always ends in a balanced, quirky outfit like this one. Plus, I was so, so comfortable in this weird summer weather.  Which is always a win.

Wish List: Small Purses and ID Wallets

So I have a bus pass. And I'm not gonna lie, its kind of annoying having to dig through my purse, grab out my wallet just to flash my bus pass every day. So I'm looking at those little tiny wallets with the ID space on the outside.

Take a look:

What do you think?

Things I Want To Make.

Living with a master crafter makes one want to do nothing but craft. It's literally all I want to do. You may have noticed that my Pinterest has been inundated with DIY after DIY... this is no coincidence.

Seeing this, I decided this morning to focus in and maybe zero in on some crafts in particular that tug at the heartstrings. Or make me say "I-want-to-go-to-there". Either way.

Let's take a look, shall we?

Ok, lets break it down.

There are a few different categories going on here. There is jewelry, home, and cute little things.

The biggest category is jewelry. I have always been drawn to jewelry making, and have even worked for jewelry designers, so it makes sense that my brain would click when I see jewelry ideas. I really like that the DIY ideas I choose also happen to be my styles of jewelry: small and delicate or simple and linear.

 Then there's the home things. These consist of mainly shelves or vases. The shelving ideas is mostly wishful thinking (let's be honest), but it's really fun to look at. Maybe Future Katie will get around to those things.

Some of the projects I really get excited about are the vases, especially the ones with gold leaf or gold paint. I swear I must be half magpie; I just can't resist a sparkle!
I mean, look at those square vases with the little succulents- how cute are they?


Then, last but not least, there are the too-cute-to-stand things. like this guy:

I mean... do I even need to justify these guys?

I didn't think so either.

My Favorite Things: Bracelets

I'm one of those people who buys a pair of ballet flats and wears them until they literally fall apart.

The same goes for my bracelets. I find bracelets I like for every day and I just never take them off.

Like these ones:

I love these. I literally never take them off. I got each of them with people I love, and they remind me of them. They also help me remember to look for the color and the brightness in life. As cheesy as that sounds, I need that reminder sometimes.

I got the two leather ones with my friend KZacher. She's my big sis in my sorority and a huge part of my college experience and me being who I am. They remind me of the ties i made in college and how true friendship can be.

The burgundy and red ones I got with my cousin in Paris. She's one of the most important people I know, and I have the good luck to share blood with her. The colors stand for hope and strength, two things I needed and didn't have at the time I got them. I think of her and how important she is to me and how much I admire her every time I glance at my wrist.

I love the colors and how these pieces stack, but for me jewelry has a more important place. The pieces I hold on to and wear are the ones that resonate with me and have a story.


But the ones I truly love, like these ones, are tied to people I love.

Wish List: Tea and Coffee

Is there anything better than a warm cup of tea or hot chocolate in the morning?

I really don't think so.

My love of the warm beverage in the morning started when we lived in London fifteen years ago. On saturday mornings, I would wake up to watch cartoons. During the commercials I'd jump up and sit on the counter, placing a mango ceylon tea bag at the base of the mug while I patiently waited for the electric kettle to cluck its tiny *click*. Then, dloop, dloop! Two sugar cubes and a quick stir, then back to the couch for the remainder of whatever Blue Peter re-run I was watching.

I loved these mornings- they were so quiet and warm. I still get that wave of serenity when I waft of the warm, sweet tea or feel the heat against my palms as I cradle a mug.

So for this weeks wish list, I compiled some of the mugs and teapots I'd like to add to my collection.


Go grab a mug of something toasty and see what you think...

Apartment Update!

my picture wall in my room

So it's been about a week in the new place, and we are settling in quite nicely. Here's some of the updates we've made:

bits form the living room- our theta wall, our wall of pictures, and our amazing bookcase complete with tea set AND joan holloway barbie 

from this...

to this! dining room table- we found an awesome little grocery stores that has a great flower section

sad bar...

happy bar!!- those are our royalty/ LU shot glasses

empty bathroom...

cute bathroom! my babushka glasses, my side of the sink, and our bathroom post cards

my amazing bed and nigh stand- not over how much i love the lamp

first bedside table...

bedroom details- my bedside table, my jewelry and a purple tray (i made it!)

What do you guys think?

Inspiration: Bar Carts

Is there anything more elegant than a sophisticated little bar cart?
I think not.

I realized this little item has become something of an obsession for me, so I thought I'd compile my favorites and give you guys a peek:

What do you think? Which are your favorites?

Weekly Pin Ups

Here's the rest of the pin ups. Enjoy!

Weekly Pin Ups

Since it's been so long since I've posted the pin us, this weekend is going to be a double whammy. So get ready!