Blonder Ambitions

Category: DIY

  • HOW TO – MAKEOVER A BROWN PAPER BAG

    I always seek originality when giving a gift.  A gift, even the wrapping, should feel personalized.  This is especially true on Valentine’s Day… a day when the whole point is to show someone that you took a little extra time to show them you love them.   I decided to hit up the local craft store and buy some glittery paper, some V-Day style glittery hearts, and some brown paper bags.  Then I let my imagination run wild.  The result is an eye-catching and completely unique gift bag.  No need for a gift card… The bag is sentiment enough.

  • How To: Make Your Own Vintage Headband

    I was obsessed with a certain Grecian headband (found here)… I was looking at one of my jewelry boxes and it was brimming with my late grandmother’s brooches.  I thought to myself… “Why not make your own one-of-a-kind headband?”  So I did.  I grabbed some thick satin ivory ribbon and then fastened the brooches to the ribbon.  I tied the whole think in my hair and was (very!) pleased with the result.  You may not have a ton of vintage jewelry lying around… So head to a thrift store and buy a bunch.  Go classic or garish.

  • How To: Make a Display Board

    I was facing a conundrum commonly faced by young accessory laden women… I didn’t know where to put all of my necklaces.  I had the standard jewelry box solution covered… But there were some long, dramatic necklaces that were too pretty to be put away.  And so my jewelry board was born.

    Simply purchase a cork board (I got mine from Michael’s) and paint the wooden trim whatever color tickles your fancy.  I like white.  Then, lay the board down and find some paper with a repeating pattern.  Cover the board with it.  Next, cover the paper with a layer of lace.  To secure the paper and the lace to the cork board, use white thumbtacks.  I also decided to adorn the corner of my board with paper flowers (Martha Stewart makes some great ones).  To create the hooks for my necklaces, I used tiny finishing nails and hammered them into the cork board at a slight upward angle.  Voila! Jewelry on display.

  • Christmas Decor for the Girls

    Who says Christmas has to be all red and green and holly-jolly? Not me!  I threw a little Cupcakes and Champagne party for my best friends before we went out for a night on the town.  I stuck with vintage lace, preppy blue and white striped fabric, hot pink satin ribbon, candles, and lots of glitter and sequins.  Jazzy Christmas music (Eartha Kitt, Ella Fitgerald, Louis Armstrong) played in the background.  The Christmas Tree I had decorated earlier served as a focal point.  The holiday cards and gifts that I had made for them doubled as place cards.  Overall, it was beyond a wonderful night… One of the best nights I’ve had with my best friends.

    ♥ We had so much fun that we couldn’t even sit still for a picture ♥

  • How To: Decorate a Christmas Tree

    I know that “designer” style Christmas trees are a big thing right now… And I always have people asking me how I put together my (very girly) Christmas tree each year.  So here’s a little “How To” to help you get that fabulous Christmas tree that you deserve…  And, go way over the top.  It is the holidays, after all.

    ♥ First, lay out all of your ornaments so you know exactly what you’re working with ♥

    ♥ Next, light your Christmas tree (mine had pre-strung lights) so you know exactly where to put your decor.  Start by placing your ribbon… I used hot pink and antique pink wired ribbon.  Wired ribbon is easiest to work with because it holds its shape ♥

    ♥ Then, embellish your tree with branches and flowers… It adds something extra and makes your tree appear to have been professionally decorated ♥

    ♥ Add your largest ornaments… Usually bulbs.  I love mixing bulbs with a matte finish with bulbs covered in glitter.  Chic and unexpected… Add your large decorative ornaments next ♥

    ♥ Make sure some of your ornaments are personal and fun.  Marilyn Monroe is one of my icons ♥

    ♥ Add your tree topper and… voila!… a very custom, very chic, and very personal Christmas tree ♥

    ♥ Merry Christmas ♥

  • How To: Make a Candy Station

    ♥ Every good party has party favors.  Why not let guest make their own sweet creation?  Decorate a table with different sized bowls and jars and stack them at different heights for visual interest.  Provide the guests with clear plastic bags and twist ties.  Let the festivities… and sugar shock… commence ♥

    ♥ Use whatever glassware you already have.  Different sizes and textures add to the charm ♥

    ♥ Make customized labels to make the table more fun and to let guests know where to find their favorite candy ♥

    ♥ You can stick with only one or two colors of candy or mix it up.  It’s up to you ♥

    ♥ Wicker baskets and apothecary jars are inexpensive but pack a lot of visual punch ♥

    ♥ hand-made details add extra charm ♥