Blonder Ambitions

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HOW TO – DECONSTRUCT & RECONSTRUCT A T-SHIRT

I was headed to the Big Four… basically a huge metal music festival where Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, and Anthrax would be playing… and I had no idea what to wear. My man gave me one of his cherished Metallica T-Shirts and told me to do whatever I wanted with it. Perfect. With the assistance of an embroidery needle, a silver Sharpie, some awesomely sharp scissors, crimson ribbon, and a safety pin… I got exactly the Metallica shirt that I wanted.

1. Gather your supplies… T-shirt. Silver Sharpie pen. Scissors. Ribbon. Etc. 2. The beginning T-shirt… Cute, but not quite the look I was going for. 3. My “Aha!” moment when I thought… “I can make over this shirt.” 4. Using the silver Sharpie to mark where to make the cuts. 5. Close up of the Sharpie markings. 6. I like this much better… a tank top! 7. No… I don’t. I can make it even better! 8. Cut a slit down the middle… yeahhhhh. 9. Love it. 10. Only loved it for .5 seconds… decided to cut up the sides. 11. Decided to re-stich the sides with some satin ribbon. 12. Stitching myself back up. 13. Happy! That’s what I wanted. 14. The finished product. I even added a metal-esque safety pin. Love.

April 25, 2011
HOW TO – MAKE THE PERFECT GIFT BASKET

One of my childhood friends was having a tea for her bridal shower… after settling on a Betsey Johnson New York crocheted navy and pink frock and hot pink ruched pointed toe pumps, I decided to shop for her {coordinating} pink gift. I figured that with Easter right around the corner… a bridal basket would be right on point. What bride-to-be wouldn’t love some pink kitchen accessories, killer cupcake mix (with the perfect pearl topping!), and some gourmet truffles to eat while she bakes? A simple gift basket how-to is below.

1. Gather all materials… basket, tissue paper, ribbon, any other accessories, and the gifts. For the gifts, try to stick with some kind of a theme (here the theme was twofold: pink and cupcakes)… All these gorgeous goodies are from Williams-Sonoma. 2. The adorable edible sugar pearls that are ideal for chic cupcakes. 3. Yum. Chocolate + champagne + pink + gold leaf = p.e.r.f.e.c.t.i.o.n. 4. Tie your ribbon around the basket and line the bottom of the basket with coordinating tissue paper that is all bunched up. 5./6. The final basket… with tiny faux flowers in the corner for a sweet touch. ♥

April 22, 2011
JEWEL TONES

Dress and Belt, Custom made {vintage}. Shoes, F21.

Another full day of design work and a going away party for a dear friend demanded an outfit that would seamlessly transition from business to happy hour. Cue the jewel toned sheath dress. Jewel tones are for women what a red power tie is for a man. It is fashionable, makes a statement, and helps you appear confident/powerful (which… my love… you are!). Gold embroidery (the dress was custom made in Thailand) negates the need for accessory overload. A simple belt is sufficient. And… if you haven’t picked up my rule on color mixing by this point… it’s simple: anything goes! Especially an emerald sheath and sapphire jewel toned shoes.

April 21, 2011
LADYLIKE

Suit, Vintage {Custom Made}. Top, Hollister. Pearls, F21. Shoes, Poetic Licence. Watch, Michael Kors.

A day trip to Los Angeles, scouting a reception venue for my business, a Santa Monica lunch with my sister, and a quick meeting with one of my best friends called for an outfit that was professional, unique, and a lot of fun. Enter: the vintage skirt suit. With its bold pattern, oversized buttons, and cinched waist… I knew I had exactly what I needed. The addition of playfully large pearls, a sheer top with floral detailing, and faux ostrich secretary heels completed the look. Being ladylike is anything but boring.

April 20, 2011
HOW TO – 70s CLUB CHAIRS BEFORE & AFTER

I decided to continue on my DIY journey… and I took some 70’s club chairs (complete with chipped wood and torn fabric) from one of my friends who was going to just toss them {only aghast… because… as stated in an earlier post: “I see the best in people. And furniture.”}… I saw so much potential here. Good bones… Just in need of a little TLC. With the help of some fine grain sandpaper, clorox bleach wipes (always disinfect reclaimed furniture), hot pink high-gloss paint (Disney’s “Invitation to a Princess”… I died.), and some thick pink embroidery thread… my new “Cocktail Corner” (pics to come soon) was one step closer to completion.

1. The original chair. Cracked, torn… so much potential. 2. Putting in the work… First rub sandpaper over all wooden components and then paint (4 coats!) on all of it. 3. Bam! Hot pink! 4. Embroidery thread (it’s strong stuff) and very thick needles… They have to be able to pierce through the thick material… I had to use a hammer to get the nail through. 5. Cocktail Corner is coming along. 6./7. Detail shots. Love the brass studs and the perfectly imperfect stitching.

April 19, 2011
CURRENT OBSESSION – ETSY

If you haven’t been on etsy.com… well, you’ve basically been living under a rock… or in a poorly decorated place not enhanced with ridiculous etsy goodness. I get stuck on this site for hours… it’s an amazing place to find one-of-a-kind goods, humorous decor items, sweet soaps, customized wallets, and a whole plethora of fabulous goodness. Log on… buy something… or just browse and get inspired. Obsessed. Here are some of my current etsy obsessions.

1. Natural Bamboo Wooden Case by Signimade $34.99
2. “Ok Monday, Let’s Do This” print by Pixelcloud $20
3. Handmade Wallet by Cottonpurr $47
4. Raspberry Cream Cupcake Soap by WhippedUpWonderful $6.99
5. Ceramic Retro Owl by Snew $15
6. “Bloody Hell We’re Buggered Now” T-Shirt by ScreamPrinting $14.95
7. Crochet Amigurumi Christmas Angel by Yillup $15
8. Cake Pops by Cakepopboutique $30
9. ClawandBall Foot Coffee Table by CircaFurniture $115
10. “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” by BirdAve $20
11. Driftwood Lamp by Typewriterboneyard $140
12. Steampunk Stag Antler Neclace by Lifelittle $4.99

April 18, 2011