Rip It Good! - DIY Shredded Jeans

So, I have  been fascinated for a while with ripped and tattered jeans, especially the boyfriend style and high waisted shorts.  As you know, they are priced to make your eyeball sweat....hence this post.  Naturally, I think I can do it myself. But of course. If you ever read anything at all on this blog, that is what I ALWAYS think so no surprise there.

This time though I have collected a few tutorials and examples before I plunge in.  I will upload my own results when I complete it so you can see how it turned out, Good or Bad.  Hopefully, it will turn the way  I envisioned it.

There are so many fabulous DIY examples and tutorials available on this, including this awesome video below!  Enjoy and if you decide to try this,  I would love to hear about it. :)

CHERIO!

Easy Peasy Yummy Recipes - Come Get Some!

I want you to meet brown sugar meatloaf, gnocchi in fontina sauce, baked sweet potatoes with ginger and honey, apple pie by grandma Ople,  and white chocolate cherry pecan cheesecake. There is more, 467 more recipes that I've tried, or saved at one of my favorite sites.

 
http://allrecipes.com

ARE

   

YOU

HUNGRY

     

YET???

 

http://allrecipes.com is the best thing to happen to my kitchen in years. If you are tired of chowing on the same old, same old checkout this site. I credit it with inspiring me to revive the Sunday meal tradition in our home. The site is thorough, with tons of recipes, step by step instructions, photos, videos, even reviews, and tips from fellow foodies. There something there for everyone. I love it. 

Take a minute to stop by plan, and a special meal for a few or your favorite people.

Bon appetit!

Guest post by Shanda Neighbors.

Bad habits & a DIY - Guest Post By Shanda Neighbors

This weekend did not go as planned. Me thinks I may have over scheduled yet again. For the purpose of this post we'll just called that bad habit #1. I wanted to turn the soil in the vegetable garden, and address the weeds there. I also wanted to expand the garden 

area. That was the priority.

Instead, I worked on this dresser. Enter bad habit #2: the unwillingness to adapt focus to ever changing circumstances, and environments. Also known as inflexibility. What is started must be finished, so I finished the other dresser, the sister to this.

From that:

To this:
 

If you look in the mirror you can see its previously finished mate. Yes, our bedroom looks a hot mess! Now you know why I'm doing all of this DIY stuff. I'm hoping I'll have pics of my bedroom redo on the cheap, in a few weeks. Maybe I'll even be brave enough to share them. Anyhow, somewhere in the middle of the dresser redo, I decided the project wasn't living up to expectation. Bad habit #3: unrealistic expectations. I hate when the projected outcome is not the reality. For a number of reasons this dresser is the poster child. I decided, it's time I make my peace with disappointment. Besides, I like it better as it is now, than it was, so I'm gonna keep the dresser as is...for now.  I can't promise I won't cave and fix it later. :)

Cherio!

Thought Of The Day

Hope you are enjoying your day.  If you are not, remember to believe in God first and the person he created you to be....have faith and BE BRAVE!

Print available here

The Messy Bun Hairstyle - A Gorgeous Haute Mess!!

Buns are all the rage right now, especially the messy bun....and there are so many good reasons why. 

The bun hairstyle is appropriate for almost any environment from casual dates to a more formal occasion like a wedding or black tie affair.  The bun is also no stranger to the spot light as it has been around for a very long time and has ALWAYS been a very chic and loved style by both celebrities and designers.  The Hollywood elites like Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn have made the bun a style that will forever be known for sophistication, classic elegance and style.  

Runways shows often show many variations of the bun.The modernized bun is messy, edgy, romantic and fresh!   It is also friendly to women with various hair types. Not to mention, you can create so many variations of this style!    

 Once you experiment with the bun and learn how to create it, the sky is the limit.  You can add braids, accessories, bangs, texture, fullness, change the texture and position of the bun and so much more. The bun hairstyle is so very versatile.  Below you’ll find lots of inspiration and a tutorial for styling your hair into an ultra-chic messy bun.  Now go and rock it!

                   

Old Hollywood Bun Styles 

Modernized Bun Styles 

Found on grownupshoes.com

Cherio!

You Versus You? - Guest Post by Shanda Neighbors

What motivates you?  No, I mean what really motivates you? I've been asking myself this question in an effort to make sure my actions are pure. I hate the idea of doing, or not doing anything based on something or someone else. To me, that's control, and I'm not in habit of handing control of my decisions over to others. Go ahead, call me a control freak. I'm OK with the label.
I'm not saying that I don't appreciate good advice, or sound counsel. I do. I just try not to live in the bondage of another person's expectation, or action. I'm free. The hallmark of freedom is a pure choice. It doesn't have to be the right choice, just an honest one. For the most part I have been able to practice this. I try to choose the things I HONESTLY want, not what others want for me, or what others are doing. My motivation comes from me. I'm not trying to be like anyone else, and I'm not in competition with anyone but me. It's me
verses me. That's the way it should be....or so I thought.




I just read a verse in the Bible "but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." 2 Corinthians 10:12.
That verse shifted my focus back to the fact that it's not always "me versus me." There is a MUCH standard higher than my own. God's. Turns out He and I are often divorced in our views. When it comes right down to it, I can never do what He does, or did, but I'm supposed to be more like Him. That means that my actions though performed by me, should look more like Him/His. Not easy, considering He said things like "love your enemies, and do good to them that hate you." Lots of things come to mind when I think of an enemy, but I assure you "love" isn't high on the list! I've got a long way to go before 
I can get excited about doing "good to those who hate me."

Anyhow, all that to say that I'm trying ever so hard to take a backseat in my life, to get out of my way and over myself. I still conform to my "you versus you" mantra in certain areas where it naturally applies like finances, fitness,etc. It' not an all together bad idea, and I truly don't need to impress or satisfy anyone outside of myself. I'm just trying to keep in mind that there is more to this equation than me. While it may feel good, and even right to say, "I'm going to do the best I can" if I'm honest I'll say, "God do the best YOU can with me." It's a surrender to a standard higher than my own, which also happens to be the "best" for me.

Cherio!

Eureka! - Wall Art For The Fashionista

So this week, I had a light bulb moment.  I suddenly had an idea to create some timeless fashion prints.  I did my best to infuse my own personality and originality but I wanted them to be classic and able to be mixed and matched with other wall art so I kept it clean and simple.  Let me tell you, this was so much fun!  Hope you like them.  They are all available at www.alligatorbay.etsy.com

Cherio!

A little "Cray Cray " In my Life

Let me just say how happy I am that fashion has lost it's ever lovin mind!  And there is only one word for it.  Fabulous!  It is about time! The neon wearin, acid wash color explosion with shoulder pads is here!  Again.   It is taking me back to the 80's and I love it.  As someone who grew up during this era this is so nostalgic and a well needed breath of fresh air. 

           How long this will last, who knows?.....but am enjoying every minute it! 

                                                            Cherio!

One Craft A Day Keeps Boredom Away

Hello lovelies!

I"ve been working on some new prints for my etsy shop.  I love these two if I must say so myself.  What do you think?

Power Print

Jesus Print

Cherio!

Eye Poppin Neon Colors - Spring Fashion For The Brave!

 

                   imgkid.com

The eye popping, pigment extravaganza better known as Fluorescent/neon colors are here!!   Like it or not, it is here and show no signs of going any where soon.  I personally like it.  A lot!

                     
                  thekellytang.com

For a while now we have been color deficient, a little pop here and there but for the most part, scurd scared of real color experience.  Well, this is it.  The 8o's revisited in all of it fabulous tie dyed, acid wash, neon CRAZY glory. 

                   roundsquarecollective.wordpress.com

Neon colors are making an appearance in nail polish colors, lip sticks, they are on umbrellas, dresses, watches, accessories, and even on pets. And so, if you are prepared to stop traffic and stimulate eyeballs all around you, these fluorescent-colored fashions are the way go!

store.americanapparel.eu

From high end and famous designers like Christian Louboutin, Chanel, Prada, and Michael Kors to middle rung and unknown designers, they all seem to be weighing in on this trend.  Shoes, bags and accessories with that unmistakable neon edge is showing up in stores all over the US and abroad which makes incorporating this look is so very easy.  And fun!  For those of us who are brave, really brave,...pants, dresses, blouses, jump suits and various other clothing are also available in just about every style imaginable.  So, feast your eyes and try this trend if you dare. 

                                                    www.jenniefresa.com

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                                  Photo via: kayture.com

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