M is for Mod Podge

I’m going to let you in on the ultimate Poor Girls’ Secret… ready… it’s… drum roll, please……

MOD PODGE

{Courtesy of Flickr}

You may laugh. Giggle, even. Mod Podge may be a remnant of your youth. A afternoon activity that involved making hideous ornaments (that, at the time, you thought were beautiful, of course) or kitchen magnets your mother never used.

Not anymore. I own one bottle of Mod Podge, and I’ve already gotten three projects of my own, plus two projects others friends did (sharing is caring… ah, more memories of childhood!). So, five projects. Two frames and three boxes.

Joanne’s offers a great selection of Mod Podges (the next kind I plan on buying is one of the shimmers or sparkles). Once you have your Mod Podge, you may be wondering what you’re going to be ‘Podging on. Well, Michael’s has tons of wooden frames, boxes, etc. They tend to be super-cheap – which is, of course, a plus! Then, all you need is some magazines to clip images from.

My most recent Mod Podge endeavor was a round box I got for about $2. I quickly decided that it would be the perfect place to keep my headbands in. Since this was my third Mod Podge project, I decided to do more of  theme with how I laid out my cuttings. I did darker photos on the lid, and lighter on the bottom. Then on the inside, I, for the most part, tried to go with black and white. Once the Mod Podge had already set, I realized maybe doing the light on the inside – DUH. Whatever, I’m happy with the result!

{Two coats of Mod Podge helped make it more shiny & smooth!}

{Summery, bright colors for the bottom half}

{Monochrome color palette on the inside}

{Inside of lid, har har har}

Other Mod Podging projects I’ve done…

{Wood box from Michael’s}

{“Les Lettres” – it’s a box where I keep all the special notes I’ve received}

{The inside, with a picture of my blogging idol: Emily Schuman}

{My “headband mirror.” It’s next to my closet & I can make sure my headband is well-adjusted before I head out the door!}

So, all you need is some Mod-Podge, a surface, some paint brushes, and time! Then there ya go – a great way to make new accessories for a room or a heartfelt gift for a friend!

Restore us, God Almighty;
make your face shine on us,
that we may be saved.

Psalm 80:7

L is for Lace

Hello, Lovelies! I hope you can all forgive me for my lack of posting over the last few days… I’ve had tons of babysitting jobs and my best friend was home from college last week, so there was tons of hanging out & catching up going on, but unfortunately not a lot of blogging!

I digress… L is for Lace! Lace is one of my absolute favorite things. Spring or not. However, I think there is  something so light and soft about lace that makes it perfect for spring. It is supremely girly.

Since I’ve been pretty lacking on posting lately, this will be a SUPER JAM PACKED POST today. Soooo, get excited!

Before we get to crafting, I’m going to do a little something I’ll call Splurge or Save. I know,  a pretty common segment on morning talk shows. But, it’s always been one of my favorites. When it comes to lace, you decide. If you’re willing to splurge for a fantastic lace piece, it’s likely that there will be more attention detail and it will last you longer. However, if you just want something to wear just for the season, then don’t dip into your crafting budget to buy it!

{Lace Bandeau from Free People, $28}

{Lace Bandeau from GoJane, $12.70}

For me, the save would be the option. Bandeaus were on-trend last summer as well, but I don’t see much staying power in them. However, they’re a great alternative to a bulky cami for under your low-cut tops. A bandeau is also so cute under a shirt or tank top that has large armholes. But I implore you not to wear this item solo.

{Lace Skirt from ModCloth, $59.99}

{Lace Skirt from Forever21, $13.50}

An item as basic as a cream lace skirt is something I’d be willing to spend a bit more on. The ModCloth skirt has a great, full shape. The Forever21 skirt is fantastic as well, though. I adore the little pocket detail! But something as versatile as a simple skirt is an item I would be willing to splurge on.

{Lace Dress from Modcloth, $64.99}

{Lace Dress from Forever21, $24.80}

Both of these dresses are beautiful. Honestly, I don’t think you could go wrong one way or the other!

{Lace Tank Top from Nordstrom, $36.00}

{Lace Tank Top from Forever21, $19.80}

I’m a strong proponent of not buying shirts that are sheer lace. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous to buy a top that you have to buy another top just to wear! Both of these tanks feature the lace as an overlay, so there’s no additional purchases required. Both shirts are equally beautiful. The Nordstrom one is perfect if you’re looking for the crop-top look and the F21 one is great for a longer look.

{Lace Cardigan from Nordstrom, $36.00}

{Lace Cardigan from Forever21, $15.80}

This comparison is the perfect example of how spending more will  get you a more detailed item. The Nordstrom cardigan features a ruffle along the bottom whereas the F21 does not. A piece as basic as this cardigan is something I would totally be willing to spend a bit more on. The ruffle detail completely makes the first one for me.

Okay, now back to crafting! I found some fantastic crafts using lace that I’m super excited to share with you guys. I know, my crafting has been lacking recently. However, the next few letters in my A to Z involve lots of crafting. So I can’t wait to share that with you guys.

{Lace Bow tutorial from P.S. I Made This}

{Lace & Pearl Bracelet tutorial from Flamingo Toes}

{Modcloth Inspired Cardi tutorial from iCandy Handmade}

By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was punished.
He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
After he has suffered,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.

Isaiah 53:8-11

K is for Kaleidoscope

Did you have a kaleidoscope as a child? I remember I could have sat there for hours, twisting it and twisting it in front of my eye. Each time I saw a different pattern and combination of colors.

As I look at the new fashions coming out for spring, I can’t help but to be reminded of the colors that I would see in the kaleidoscopes of my youth. Vibrant colors in swirly patterns. I tried to look up some tutorials for kaleidoscopes, but they all use glass. And I don’t know about you, but I don’t have tons of mirrors lying around begging for me to cut them up.

So rather than take on a potentially dangerous project, I’ve put together some cute (affordable!) things that reflect this lovely kaleidoscope trend.

Kaleidoscope by ElizabethMarie

Forever21 dress, $14
Print dress, $43
Forever21 floral print dress, $14
Racerback top, $20
Forever21 printed top, $13
Forever21 knit top, $13
Floral top, $35
Women’s Pants, Shorts & Skirts | Mod Retro Vintage Clothing & Indie…
Vintage flower ring, $23
Bracelet, $13
Forever21 woven shawl, $8.80
Flower Shoppe Headband – $8.00 : Fashion Hair & Beauty at LuLus.com, $8
Forever21.com – Accessories – 2074201822, $11

I’m a little bit obsessed with the Modcloth shorts. Oh, and speaking of bright colors… I think this is THE prom dress.. eek!

Prom 2011 by ElizabethMarie

And my last thing to share with you in this post is my Vera Bradley Lizzy crossbody in Folkloric. Yes, Lizzy is my nickname, so this bag is perfect for me. The purpose of this bag is to take with me to Paris to pack my essentials around. I have waited over a month for it to arrive since the print was on back-order (they don’t even list it as an option online) and so I was beyond thrilled when it arrived yesterday!

J is for Jewelry

All of my prized possessions are jewelry. They include a silver chain necklace that belonged to my father, a pair of diamond earrings that he gave me for my sixth birthday, and a real gold 1881 coin turned necklace that belonged to my grandfather (pictured below).

Being a lifelong ‘girly-girl,’ I’ve always loved jewelry. Many of the first gifts I received was jewelry – a locket with my initial on it, a charm bracelet, and a pair of pearl earrings. I find there is nothing that is more special than someone going out and taking the time to pick me out a beautiful piece of jewelry.

While I love delicate jewelry, I also love costume jewelry. My grandmother has given me tons of vintage necklaces that burst off the strand with huge beads and bright colors. Forever21 is usually a drool-fest for me, and it’s all I can do not to buy up the entire jewelry section when I go.

Jewelry organization is extremely important. I have tons of ways to display, show-off, and organize my jewelry. For years I kept my necklaces and bracelets jumbled in a box in my dresser, but now that I’ve organized it all, I can’t imagine it any other way.

{Jewelry box}

{Hanging necklaces}

{Ring-turned-bracelet dish}

{Jewelry mannequin}

{Hanging bangles}

{Vintage necklaces hanging on 3M Hooks}

{Coin necklace}

Hopefully I’ve provided some inspiration for your own jewelry organizing!

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

1 John 3:1-3

I is for Irish

I’ve never been that all that in to St Patrick’s Day. Being that I have a fairly stubborn personality, the idea of having to wear green or risk being pinched annoys me. As does the fact that it’s really become known for nothing much other than a drinking holiday

However, as I thought more about it, I recalled the fond memories I have of celebrating the holiday as a child. When my classmates and I would return from recess to find that a “leprechaun” had caused havoc in our class – turning over chairs and desks and leaving silly notes on the white board along with little chocolate coins for everyone.

So maybe I’m not particularly fond of St Patty’s Day because I’m stuck in the in between: too old for the silliness and too young for, well, the alcohol-induced silliness (not that I ever see myself as being a huge drinker…).

Regardless of my feelings about it, I decided that since today, the day before St Patrick’s Day, was the “I” day, an Irish themed seemed fitting. I researched a few different green-themed crafts and such to do for you last-minute-Louie’s who are scrambling to put together a party, something for your family, or just want to make your March 17th a little more fun!

 

{Clover Hair Pin}

{Candy Button Clovers}

{Shamrock Party Accessories}

{Fuzzy Shamrock Craft}

{Shamrock Green Peppers}

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.

Psalm 57:1