UNDER CONSTRUCTION: 2015

HAPPY HOLIDAYS 2015!

I waited until the 11th hour to decide how to wrap my gifts this year.

I just couldn't decide what I wanted to do but the good news is I really wasn't stressed about it.

[translation: very very very low stress level about it]

The upside of going to Michael's Arts and Crafts at the 11th hour? Scoring these reindeer for 59 cents. I was STOKED. Merry Christmas to ME.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to everyone! 2016 is really going to be a good one!

I LIKE YOU A PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE

I actually drink black coffee or straight up tequila but I do appreciate the fun fall festive beverage that is the pumpkin spiced latte.

It's no secret I love snail mail and really enjoyed sending my Thankful For You cards a few years ago.

This year I hopped on the trendy train and made them pumpkin spiced.

I know. I can't even.

Teensy bit of glue. Trim

Write a loving message, pick a pretty envelope, and send those suckers out.

Cuz it is the season to be thankful for more than just Starbucks and in light of everything going on... there is a LOT to be thankful for!

I made you a template here!

I printed my template on a pretty ivory card stock and then cut them out.

I then printed my saying on kraft paper for the sleeve. Or Coffee Collar for all you Patrick Dempsey devotees.

Here is that template for you!

I love being prepared. LOVE IT. Please don't ever surprise me because my heart can't handle it.

And I like to help my friends who are taking the plunge be prepared for the big day.

I also like to craft with a big ol' glass of wine. Or Whiskey. Who doesn't?

I was prettttttyy bummed about not being able to attend Jules' Laurel Canyon bridal shower. Living on the opposite coast of can pose some problems at times. I wrapped up and sent her shower gift off to Annie's.

And waited for them to FaceTime me from the festivities.

Jules is not only a talented actress but the girl can cross stitch so fiercely that she can do portraits with strong resemblances and mermaids and microphones!

I am not that solid of a cross-stitcher so I kept it simple for her Oh Shit Kit.

I also mentioned that I was going to make a garter just in case I committed to doing so.

[I did. ]

It was Jules' own idea to use the navy velvet ribbon from her bachelorette and shower gift wrap. I told you she was crafty and creative.

I kept it simple using this tutorial I found on Pinterest.

I can't wait to see who catches that garter because they will be getting married next! Because that is not only logical but realistic.

I cannot even sit still in excitement for Jules and Ben's wedding. I am so excited to celebrate them and also be prepared with the black socks that I always bring for the boys.

TODDLER TOTE

We made a tote for Teds! Annie has WAY too many tote bags but I decided that her son Teddy needed one.

To take his snacks to the park in.

I bought the letterman "T" at M & J Trimming and bought the same tote from American Apparel that I used for my bunny bag.

I intended to sew it on the flight. That didn't happen and when I landed - my amazing Aunt Wanee had a closet full of crafting supplies including fabric glue.

It didn't stay so don't use Aleene's Original on canvas/waxy plasticy backing.

[Which I found out later is heat-sealer adhesive -smart, real smart]

Sunday morning I handed it to Jules with a helpless "Can you help me sew this?"

I totally could have done it but she did it SEW much better than I would have plus I love a collaborative effort. Wink.

Enjoy your tote to hold your toys and your snacks, Teds!

WEDDING WOODEN SPOONS

I REALLY tried to make this craft happen for Jules. And because I can't let anything go I'm going to blog about it. The beautiful Jules is so creative and crafty she would want me to share it with you.

I schlepped the stuff for this to the Bachelorette and went back and forth on sending it to each Bridal Shower attendee. But let's be honest Arts and Crafts is not everyone's MO. Especially at a Bachelorette. Annnd my behavior was not conducive to doing... anything. DON'T ASK QUESTIONS.

Purchase plain wooden spoons.

via amazon

Purchase Non Toxic Acrylic Paint in color palette your bride will enjoy.

via plaidonline.com

Have everyone paint their spoon to reflect their personality, something fun or match the Bride's kitchen!

If you really want to get in to it- have the Bride guess who painted which spoon.

I decorated my own spoon for this for this post. [Commitment].

I used a paint pen and kept it simple because of my unsteady hand.

Then I really got going and made one look like lace...

Because I may or may not be responsible for making her garter. That bachelorette behavior would be the reason that I have no clue what I committed to. I'm going to make one... Just. In. Case.

I love this idea for the right bride. Jules is the perfect bride for this and I blew it. Jules is not only talented on screen but she's incredible in the kitchen. Going to dinner at her house is such a treat. She effortlessly makes a meal that is so good you don't ever want to stop eating and an atmosphere that's so warm and loving you never want to leave.

Can't wait to celebrate Jules and Ben in Martha's Vineyard in a few weeks! XO

Incase you were wondering:

Acrylic paints are considered non-toxic. And since only the handles are painted, there is a added level of safety. If you have concerns about toxicity- apply a coat of shellac - a natural sealer. Dried shellac is extremely food safe. The internet told me that shellac is used in coating on pills and candy -WHAT!

THE BEST BACHELORETTE

There are really endless opportunities with Bride Corie's [soon to be maiden] last name. And her Miami Bachelorette was one of the BEST.

I cannot take credit for this execution or even half of the ideas. Meg and I tackled this together and we outsourced it all to her amazing mom Darla.

We went down to Miami for some sun, some tropical storms and some hot wings in a hot tub [don't ask].

Do you see the trusty old headband? I definitely didn't hot glue it in the airport.

See here.

Inside everyone's "pool bag" [made of striped swimsuit material] was...

A Personal Hand Fan. A Croakie. The Itinerary. Custom Chapstick.

What else does anyone need?

I did some games but not EVERYTHING is disclosed on this blog, ok?

[I mean, most everything is but Miami is crazy, y'all].

Congrats Corie! Love you and Alan and this Bestlorette went down in the books.

CUSTOMIZED CHAPSTICKS

These are going to show back up again with the rest of Miss Best's Bachelorette post but I was too ~~impatient~~ excited to share to wait. Oh what gets me going is so nerdy.

Plus it's now Summer time so who ISN'T thinking about lip balm?!

CUSTOMIZED CHAP STICKS ON THE CHEAP PEOPLE.

I bought chapsticks for everyone Miami bound for the Bachelorette.

Peeled off of the label.

Pulled Microsoft WORD [fancy] on my mac and printed everyone's names on a clear mailing label. I actually printed at the place formerly known as Kinkos because my apartment is too tiny for extravagances like printers.

Slapped those stickers on the chapsticks!

[Trim the edges to fit]

P.S. The "Broadway" is a super close [free font] to the MIAMI VICE font.

Hey guys...

Do I need a manicure?

And Miami VICE viola! Custom Chapsticks for the Best Bachelorette!

Now I have go finish off the rest of the crew's!

Hope everyone is kickin' off Summer by soaking up lots of sunshine and keeping those kissers moisturized.

NAILED IT

90 percent of the time I feel like I am NOT nailing it.

I woke up with a bunch of things I needed to do and an abundance of anxiety.

So I decided to make my DesignBuilder/Bestie/ExBoyfriend/Boss a card.

Because that's what I do when I am avoiding being a grown up.

Cards. Make. Me. Happy.

So I made that Design Builder a card and used a real nail and my vintage Dymo label maker! Oh man you guys that Dymo gets me going and now I'm going to do adult things like pick up my dry cleaning and pay my health insurance.

Hope you all are nailing it. I know you are.

SUPERVAN

I love a little danger in my life so I do things like craft with a crappy kitchen knife.

Baby sis walked on me doing this and didn't bat an eye.

My friend Van is a great guy who likes all things comic so I wrapped his birthday gift like Clark Kent with a superman surprise inside.

Surprise!

Superman wrap for a super fan and super guy Van.

Although Clark and I live on the edge, I must invest in an exacto knife. We all know I'm a spazz who shouldn't be allowed to craft with crappy kitchen cutlery.

Hooray for not chopping off a digit!

HAPPY EASTER 2015

I was in back in Cali for the holiday ~~to avoid being disowned by my mother~~ enjoy the warm weather with family.

Last year I made this little easter basket and this year hmmm and hawed over what to make.

Luckily for my parents [me] most of my craft crap is in their garage. I wanted an easy DIY that wouldn't make too much of a mess.

I love seeing what other crafty bloggers are doing so I did a take on the talented oh happy day's great little bunny bag idea.

Tutorial in the link.

They went to all the Californian kiddos in my life.

I filled them with Annie's Graham Cracker Bunnies.

Happy Easter Everyone!

A BIG TAYLOR SWIFT RED LIP PARTY

It was time for Tiffany's little birthday bash and because the only person who rocks a red lip more often than Tiffany is Taylor Swift... we went with that idea and ran with it.

Meg and Ry threw the party...I just interjected some ideas and crafts. It was a little last minute [sh!] so everything came from our second favorite local party store or Amazon.

Our favorite party store burned down in the Village a few years ago and we were pretty devastated. Thankfully no one was harmed but the excellent selection of party crap didn't make it out in time. We've evolved into amazon priming party animals.

We ordered up some red lip balloons:

And red wax lips:

And I decorated my coffee because I literally thought the lyric was to all my "Starbucks Lovers". [I am NOT alone in this]

Party Favors to wipe your eyes if you cry because you've got a blank space.

Or because you're older and less successful than this little one...

Meg had a great idea for lipstick messages on the bathroom mirrors and I cut lips out of construction paper for some fun straw sipping.

Pretty easy party idea, right? B.Y. O. Kennedy and high waisted bikini bottom.

Happy Taylor Swifty Birthday Tiff! Shake off 27 and bring on 28!

ENGAGED AND ENRAGED

Christmas Eve morning, Larry presented Corie a box of Dom Perignon knowing she would immediately want to pop that bubbly and begin the celebration.

To Corie's surprise, she opened the box to reveal a little box of major engagement ring bling.

A pretty sweet and chill [ed] proposal for an equally sweet and chill couple.

Corie is kind, clever, crazy funny and incredibly compassionate. She is also the most laid back person I know.

In the group text of her new rock, she exclaimed "I'm going to be the biggest Bridezilla ever. And it is going to be awesome".

It is Corie. IT IS.

I made her this card to go with her new attitude and wrapped up a little Chanel "Vamp" nail polish so that her new nightmare bride nails can always be manicured.

Not only does VAMP go along with my card theme but it reminds me of the time Corie and I were getting our nails done before we boarded our flight to the Bahamas for Meg's wedding.

Charissa Thompson, Me and Miss Corie Best

Corie thought dark nails would look great with our gold gowns. She was right, but first cardinal rule of bridesmaidsing, you'd don't go rouge with nail color.

Meg wasn't answering her phone so we did what any good bridesmaid would do and tracked her down. The spa paged Meg out of her pre wedding weekend appointment so we could ask her approval. Poor Meg was out of breath and panicked when she answered the call at the landline at Bliss because she was worried it was an emergency.

I mean, it was an emergency.

Of course Meg was completely on board with it and totally appreciated our tenacity in asking.

The only shot of the nails. And my subtle arm accessories.

So then yesterday... THIS happened.

Champagne creativity? Get outta here! BEST. EVER.

Corie! I am SO excited and honored to be your bridesmaid. Let the Bridal festivities commence!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY MY PETS

Valentine's Day can get a little rocky. Not that I would know from an experience last year or anything.

BUT.

You Rock My World.

Happy Valentine's Day, my Pets.

Fifty Shades of Grey... pet happy heart rocks.

You know what is not cost effective? Mailing ROCKS. I hope they arrive by the Fourth of July.

I wish you all a rock star Valentine's Day!

My first Valentine and my favorite Tequila Valentine. And last year's too.

RENTER TILE REMODEL

It's time to talk about Tile.

This was what my kitchen looked like when I moved in to my spacious abode.

Because I can see it from pretty much anywhere in the apartment... I felt it needed a little face lift.

There will be a full [ha] kitchen reveal but for right now we are talkin about back splashes.

Renters. Remodelistas. Tile Lovers who don't care to learn the ins and outs of grout. I have the coolest and easiest thing on earth for you.

I am absolutely obsessed with Smart Tiles from the 'Po. It was so easy and fun to use.

It's a great removable tile option for renters.

Part of me worried I would feel cheap/fake with the fact that I stickered my kitchen but it ended up looking so good and being so easy it doesn't bug me one bit.

And it was so fun!

My Maison Midi Salt and Pepa shakers guarding the great orange Hermes.

This is just a sneak peak/I haven't finished the kitchen yet. Excited to share some more with you!

Bring on the cheap and easy.

CHEERS TO THE NEW YEAR CARDS!

I'm going to tell you something that I poorly attempted to keep a secret for years.

I was a cheerleader in High School.

One of my best friends Brittany Ross also cheered in high school and college and on most scripted shows on TV. And some movies. Not only is she a brilliant comedic actress, Brittany is a friend who makes everything better... sometimes times just by looking at her. And it's not just because of her beautiful face, she is an awesome friend.

Who happened to ask my advice on New Years Cards.

Cheerleading was the theme and easy was the name of the game.

Cheer Cards

Purchase fold over cards and matching envelopes of the size and color of your choice.

http://www.papersource.com/color/A2-Folded-Cards/2505.020/301.html

I attempted to make my "C" from scratch but that didn't go well so I bought it at M & J Trimming, ripped off the black backing and replaced it with IVORY felt because heaven forbid I make something that isn't beige.

I suggested self proclaimed non crafter Brittany purchase these: