A Tutorial for Your Tuesday

In an effort to purge the clutter from around our house I have been flipping through the gazillion magazines I couldn't previously part with and saving my favorite pages for a tips/inspiration binder. In this month's issue of InStyle this collection caught my eye and my feet began to ache for the comfort and beauty of a new pair of ballet flats.

My wheels began to turn. I knew I was gonna have to create myself a pair. (Let's face it, it would be a creative outlet AND cost a LOT less) Imagine my elation when I came across this lovely pair of bronze ballet flats at Target...on SALE...for ONLY...10...DOLLARS!

J. Crew sells this pair at a whopping $125.
{Keeping in mind they are real leather.}

So I began rummaging through my bits and baubles and put together this final product:

This is what I did...

1. Removed the center from a set of flowers. (Free...swiped them from my Mom.)
2. Used sharp scissors to clean up the edges of the petals.
3. Applied Fray Check to keep the edges tidy.
4. Used a blow dryer to speed up the drying time.
5. Glued the petals together with E-6000.
6. Glued the flower in place on the shoe.
7. Added the vintage earring center (post removed, $2).

Tada! Very simple, chic, and inexpensive (only $12) for a classy pair of shoes with a costly attitude. I loved mine so much I made a pair for my sister's birthday.

I can't wait to wear them!

Sassy

This picture screams:

"I am SO your daughter, Mom...just wait!"

Gypsy Boheme Voyage {Part 3}

{Mary's Bungalow}

The stage was set for the arrival of our fellow Gypsy Voyagers...

Welcome

{The Living Room}




{Kitchen/Dining Area}



The Talented Tricia



{Powder Rooms}





{Guest Room}



{Master Bedroom}
Christi

Fran


{Back Patio}





The Studio is ready for our classes.

I will give you some time to catch your breath... Can you believe this place? Gorgeous, right?
Next time...How Gypsies Party.

Gypsy Boheme Voyage {Part 2}

{Friday}
The day started with a trip downtown to the Flower Market. On the way there we scoped out some spots to visit on the next trip. (Hoping that Trish and Mary loved me and want to adopt me into their gang...Hint! Hint!) We gathered arm loads of fresh flowers to add the "gypsy flair" throughout Mary's house.



Next, we stopped here...

...to have a pre-view of the shops we were to visit with the "gypsy caravan."
{Eye candy like you would not believe!!! Photos of the shops and displays to come.}

Isn't she a beauty? The fan...OF COURSE Mary is!

Afterward, I enjoyed an ice cold lemonade while my comrades sipped a glass of pink champagne at a little french bistro. Soooo tre chic!

I had the extreme pleasure of helping with preparations for the arrival of our gypsy sisters. Mary's home is just incredible! See for yourself...

{This is only a sneak peek. I'll have more photos of the finished product in later posts.}






{This is Mary's studio and shop - Sweetpeas & Snapshots}

We made it down to Venice Beach in time to see the sunset...





Our last stop of the day was for a nutritious dinner...Bavarian Pretzels. (At least I think that is what they were called!) We attempted to play darts, but the machine was broken...so we headed home.

The night wasn't over...Oh, no! That's not how we roll! We stayed up dancing and chatting at Mary's table. I know that the weekend was about crafting and shopping, but I consider my greatest "score" to be the friendships I was able to gain while pre-pairing for the festivities. I will forget what "stuff" I found in L.A., but I will always remember the fun, generous, lovely women I came to know there.

Until next post...Coming up, "Showtime!"