What to Wear Where: Girls' Night Out

I'm really enjoying coming up with outfits for I Pick Pretty's weekly What to Wear Where parties. I've mentioned it briefly before, but I'm in a bit of a dry period as far as money goes (started a new school this year and don't get a paycheck until end of September...yup, no paycheck from end of June to end of September...), so clothes shopping has dropped way down on the priority list. Online window shopping has created quite the wishlist, but that's all I'm allowing myself right now. Apparently when you're a self-sufficient adult, it's more important to pay your bills than stock up on your fall transition wardrobe...who knew?

Anyways, this week's theme is Girls' Night Out. I can't think of a better reason to throw on a bright dress and platform pumps than a night out with the girls.

Robert Rodriquez Lace Shift Dress, $398

Such a pretty color...and lace is a ladylike way to offset the short hemline.

Pour La Victoire Zimmer Pumps, $180

These give great height, and the beige color makes your legs look super long.

Lara Bohinc Solar Eclipse Yellow Gold Bracelet, $768

What in the what?? This bracelet is off-the-chain. Pricey, though.

I love online window shopping, but I usually find covetable things that are way out of my price range, like the lovelies in this outfit. I would have to find similar items to these, since, while lovely, are maybe not worth forking over two months' rent.

xoxo,

E

Friday Happies

Happy Friday!

Well, summer break officially ends today. I am really looking forward to getting back to a routine and am excited to get to know my new team. It's also my blog month-a-versary (that's a thing right?)! It's been so fun to have an outlet for all the pretty things that inspire me...thanks for reading!

Inspired by my recent move, (and by the fact that I've been cooped up for the past few days organizing things) here are some things that are making me happy this week...

This coffee table is amazing and is exactly what my living room needs to be complete. Bonus--the top comes off for awesome storage!! Coffee table fairy, are you listening?

My "dressing table" (aka Target desk) that is slowly coming together. I just need fresh flowers for the table and embellished tea lights or votives for the shelves flanking my jewelry organizer.

A teacup that belonged to my Noni on my mom's side. She also had beautiful delicate china with roses on it (Her name was Rosemarie) that now resides in my mom's dining room hutch.

A pretty glass vase of seashells from my hometown. My mom scooped up a bunch and sent them up with my dad...I love the reminder of home right next to the couch! It doesn't hurt that they pick up a lot of the colors in my apartment.

Have a happy weekend! I'm excited to go to lunch with a teacher friend from last year and finally get some a lot of school work done (you know...since school starts in 11 days...I should probably get on that...).

xoxo,

E

DIY Wrap Bracelet

I'm loving the wrap bracelets that I see everywhere. But, I just saw Chaan Luu bracelets on sale at Rue La La for $99! And that's on sale...they retail for $200. Yikes. This teacher's salary can't support that kind of buy. While I'm sure that Chaan Luu uses more precious materials than I do, mine is pretty cute and only cost about $22, and I have enough supplies to make at least two more! I found the tutorial here.

Yes, I used my lap top to bear down on.

I spy a nugget!

Finished product!

I hope you're having a happy Tuesday!

xoxo,

E

DIY Jewelry Dish

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a great weekend. I spent a relaxing one with my family in Florida watching the Olympics and crafting with my mom...perfect!

Over the weekend, I made this little guy to hold my bracelets:

I found the idea here. You'll need a dish (I got a plastic one from the dollar store), acrylic paint, painters tape, Mod Podge, and a paint pen.

Paint two layers with Mod Podge before each layer. In hindsight, I would've left out the Mod Podge between the first and second layers because I think it led to a snag I hit at the end.

I traced my first initial from an "E" that I printed on regular paper using pencil, and then went over it in silver paint pen.

Mod Podge over the top layer once it's dry. I would recommend taking the paint off a little before it's dry. As I took mine off, the paint pulled really bad. It ended up looking OK, but I was hoping for a smooth line.

Finished product with a few bangles.

Have a happy week!

xoxo,

E

DIY Jewelry Organizer

After stepping on a bag within a bag and breaking one of my favorite necklaces, I knew I needed a way to organize my jewelry that helped me see what I actually had (and kept it safe from inadvertent stomping). Pinterest to the rescue yet again! I saw a few variations, but settled on something like this. Instead of hooks, I decided to use drawer pulls/knobs, which I had seen in some other varieties.

It turned out really well, and I LOVE looking at it every time I go into my bathroom. It will probably go somewhere in my bedroom or closet in my new place, but you could definitely hang it on the wall, too. You would just have to make sure you really anchor it in there.

Supplies: frame (I used a 16" x 20" open back frame that was on sale at Michael's), fabric, wood cut to frame size (I used a piece that was about 1/2" thick), wood glue, knobs/pulls, drill, screwdriver, spray adhesive

I made this about a week ago and didn't have the presence of mind to take a lot of pictures, so...sorry about that. I know that pictures are way more cool.

1. Drill holes for knobs/pulls where you want them in the wood.

2. Spray adhesive and place fabric on the wood (press out any air bubbles). I used wood glue to glue the fabric down on the back:

3. Screw the knobs and pulls into place on the board. Once I did this and put jewelry on it, I realized I didn't like the placement anymore, so I had to McGuyver some new holes (I don't have a power drill like the bf does...) Here's the original layout I had:

I think it looks pretty good without the jewelry, but once it was on there, it didn't look very good. (Psst...don't you love that fabric! I managed to save enough for another mini project...keep scrolling!)


Here's the finished product:

Right now the board is just sitting in the frame since it's leaning against the wall. Eventually I'll need to either staple gun or wood glue it in (probably a little bit of both). I put all the knobs at the top so the longer necklaces would stay within the frame. I put earrings on the drawer pulls. Isn't it pretty? I feel like if I was lacking in art work for my walls, this could definitely pretty things up!


With my leftover fabric, I recovered my headband holder (aka a roll of paper towels + safety pins...easy, right?) and tied the ends with black satin ribbon:

I love looking at these two organizers next to each other! I'm not a naturally organized person (ask anybody who has known me for 5 minutes), but pretty organization is much more fun to keep up than boring organization!


Happy Tuesday!


xoxo,


E

Forget Me Knot

I've always been a little forgetful. When I was younger, my mom seemed to have this magical ability to find whatever I was looking for. Maybe having this sweet little ring would help me remember things a little better...

Left: Tiffany Twist bow ring, $575 Right: Kiel Mead Forget-Me-Knot Ring, $48

Obviously, the Tiffany ring is fabulously adorable, but, at less than a tenth of the price, the Fred Flare option is pretty smile-inducing, as well. Which would you go for?

Have a happy week!

xoxo,

E

Summer Lovin'

Even though I love all things accessories, I often find myself in a jewelry rut. I can typically be found sporting my trusty pearl earrings with maybe a few bangles if I'm feeling saucy. Still, and I know it's been a trend for quite a while now, I've been longing for some statement necklaces to dress up a simple dress or white t-shirt. Those, plus my pearl earrings, would definitely pull together a summer outfit for day or night.

Clockwise from top left: Pree Brulee Calypso Necklace, $37, Twisted Multi Strand Beaded Necklace, $26, Tangerine Teardrop Bib, $34, Aqua Peardrop Double Row Necklace, $6!!, Fire Elsa Necklace, $42

Based on these pictures, I'm also clearly have a blue and coral/orange moment.


How do you dress things up on during these hot summer days and nights?


xoxo,


E