DIY | No - Sew Lace Trim Shorts

I know - just like me, you probably have a pair of denim shorts that you swear to never give up. It's been years of fraying and beach bum hugging so, maybe it's time to give them a sweet make over! (Plus, it's probably time to get a new pair of denim shorts.. Ahem.. Eunice) This also allows you to make them a tad more conservative as the lace trim adds some length. Just in case that was a concern for you - it may have been mine…or just an excuse to play with lace.

What you will need:

Shorts that won the make over challenge

Permanent Fabric Glue

Pins or Safety Pins

Your favorite lace trim (Measure your short's leg circumference - I bought 1.5 yards)

Step 1: Measure out your short's leg circumference. Mine came out to 22 inches per leg. Make sure you add at least an inch of overlap for error. Cut and optionally use fray check on the ends to prevent fraying. (COMPLETELY optional, you are going to glue the ends down anyways. I had some Fray Check laying around so I decided to be safe)

Step 2: Turn your shorts inside out and start pinning your lace starting about half an inch behind the inner seam of your shorts. This will allow the ends of the lace to meet towards the back side of your inner thigh to look infinite. 

 It's up to you to choose how much of the lace you want to peep out. My lace is 2 inches thick, so layered it 1 inch over the shorts. Pin all the way around until you've covered both legs. 

Step 3: Overlap the end of your lace about a quarter of an inch over the beginning of your lace. Cut off any excess and start gluing! I made a zig zag motion with my glue all the way around each leg. Then make sure to fully glue the overlapping piece over the other end so there's no lace flappies. 

Step 4: Make sure the lace is secure and set to dry for about 5 minutes.

Step 5: Turn your shorts inside out and wah-lah!

Your very own pair of lace trim shorts. And you didn't have to get out the sewing machine. (But may have to pick dry glue off of your fingers…not bad right?)

I've brought my favorite pair of shorts back to life - just in time for the heat this Summer :) I am contemplating cutting off the rolled up excess of denim but will wear it this way for now! 

Enjoy and happy DIY'ing! :)

Summer Gifts DIY

I work with several college students and with the school year ending, graduations and new endeavors for these bright-eyed kids; I wanted to send them off with some simple goods.

DIY Decorated Mugs

Via Pinterest, I found Danni of Oh Hello Friend's tutorial of sharpie decorated mugs and was sold. But instead of using Sharpies, I picked up Painters Markers in gold and black - no reason just wanted to keep some permanent craft pens around for future projects. (I recommend the fine tipped markers, the medium pushes out too much liquid for this project)

I really like that the imperfections of each design provides a unique gift for each person. I also had fun with the blank canvas - free spirit attitude I had when decorating these mugs - just go where the triangles take you!

With help from one of my dear friends, Linda - we wrote words that described each person along with their name for them to be reminded of how perfectly crafted they each are.

Mugs: Ikea $2.99 | Painters Markers: Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Store $3.99 (On sale right now for $2.99)

Lace Potted Succulents

I decided to act on my incredible weakness for lace and also my love for little, cute, low maintenance succulents. With three of the four graduating, I knew I wanted something extra special for each to take with them on their journeys. 

I was inspired by Elsie of A Beautiful Mess' Pretty Lace Flower Pot tutorial and went to Jo-Ann with ribbon lace in mind. And, low and behold found myself leafing through piles of crochet doilies instead. I was won over by how intricate the doilies were and knew they'd be perfect for my succulent pots. 

I simply folded the doilies in half, cut them, and used a hot glue gun to attach them to each pot. In the end, I also used the gold painters markers from above to write "Keep Growing" on each pot. 

Crochet Doilies: Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Store $1.99-4.99 | Succulents: Trader Joe's (Cost is around $5.00)

What are your go-to Summer gifts? :)

long hair don't care

It's been over 6 months now and I surprise myself with how long I can go without a hair cut. When my dog jumps on my bed in the morning to wake me up - he steps on my hair. Getting into the car requires swinging my hair around my neck so I don't end up ripping anything out when the car door closes on a chunk. Pony tails give headaches and my favorite - hair dipping into food/sink water/the vacuum hose (don't ask me how). But nevertheless, I have been enjoying my long locks, especially now that the weather is getting warmer - the inner hippie is reappearing. 

I did schedule a hair cut for this week, so I've been perusing the internets for some inspiration. Unfortunately, there's not much creativity beyond layers and a trim but I've picked up some of my favorite long hair looks from Allure.com's Hair Ideas for 2012. 

>> oh you know I can't deny a pop of color, a simple streak or maybe ombre?

>> volume + waves = Asian girl Hair Dream 

>> braids braids braids! I love them all - and I've got the hair extensions to attempt this look - ha! 

>> pompadour's have always been a favorite of mine. now for some hair teasing to make this work!

>> chignon's are a classic choice for a sleek look, adding lace takes it to the next level - and we all know I love lace.
>> bombshell waves - two words - must try. I always default with the messy curl look, wherever my hair curler takes me! I'll try wavy structure sometime soon.
>> pulled back beachy waves are my favorite. time to pull out the bb surf spray and get to texturizing.

A hair update soon!

June Muses

        American Apparel Neon Nail Laquer

Not ready to don the entire neon ensemble? Painting the nails is just a loud of a statement! 

Chevron Nail Decals

The BFF and I spent over an hour getting mani's this past weekend and explaining how I wanted a chevron pattern on my 4th fingers. Snagging a batch of these makes DIY chevron mani's possible!

Free People's Maxi, High-Low, and Mid Calf Dresses are causing me to run a high Summer Shopaholic fever. I'm heavily drawn to the color blocks, bright hues, neon and the timeless flirty garb. 

I've seen Norma Kamali don a pair of her Kamali Kulture Cat Eye ZYL Frames more than once and can't help but agree that these sunglasses are the MOST AWESOMEST EV-AR. I've been on a search for the perfect pair of cat eye sunglasses and these are the best combination of size, shape and print. You can pick up a pair in tortoise shell or black!

Kamali Kulture's Swim Wear line is sophisticated, sassy and simple. These two are my favorites. Don't you want to idiotically prance around the beach fantasizing a vintage photo shoot starring yourself wearing one of these? I'll let you guess whether or not I do.

Happy June! Summer is almost here! :)