Smart Home: Jewelry Box Refresh

I've had this jewelry box since college. There is nothing particularly special about it but for some reason I never want to let it go. And why would I? It's a perfectly good jewelry box. So without even realizing it (until Saturday) I've taken to updating the thing every few years to reflect my current style.

During college, it was a decoupage of great memories...concert tickets, pictures, my idols. Then after moving with SSF it was repainted  to the dark brown color you see. Now, its something a little more modern.

Total Cost: $0

I used some craft supplies I already had around the house including:

Acrylic Paint
Painters Tape
Leftover Fabric
Fabric Glue

Even if you didn't have all of this stuff laying around I couldn't imagine it costing more than $10-$15.





And... done! I'm obsessed with how it turned out.



What did you do this weekend?

Cheap Thrills

It's Friday! Woooooo!
I just wanted to share some of the (cheap) things that have got me all excited over the last couple weeks.

Have a great weekend!

Making my closet feel more J.Crew than T.J. Maxx

Cost: $14 for the vase and fish bowl (Hobby Lobby)

Who says you can't merchandise your closet? 

Personal finance books on clearance at Border's "going out of buisiness sale".

Cost: $9.. total.

A hot topic for SSF I these days has been retirement savings, hopefully that bottom book should help. 

The most perfect pair of "end of summer beginning of fall shoes" at 70% off.

Cost: $35 at DSW

I've been wearing these things everywhere, all the time. 

Breathing new life into thrifted skirts.

Cost: Free! Already owned both skirts and I used the leftover stitch witchery from my roman shade project.

I can't wait for some serious fall weather to rock these with boots and tights, but first I need new tights. 

I Did This! DIY Roman Shade

If there is one good thing I can say about Hurricane Irene is was that she gave me the time to finish up my roman shade project. Thank you Irene.

Two full weekend days and a pile of blinds later here is the end result of my no-sew roman shade:





Not too shabby, right?
There are a few little hiccups (like the fact that shade in the small window doesn't go up very nicely because of a last minute decision by SSF for add blackout lining) but all and all I would say it went relatively smooth.

In total this project cost: $66.87

Decorative Fabric: $42.35(on sale, 7.99/yard)
Blackout Lining: $17.47 (on sale, 3.49/yard)
Hem Tape & Fabric Glue: $7.05

You can see the full step by step tutorial here or here.

Here are some of the things I learned:

-hot glue does not work, or least didn't work for me--- use permanent fabric glue.


-consider using a liner with lighter fabrics, when the light comes through you can see the blinds, which bothered SSF and I more than we thought it would.


-go to the store to scout fabric, but check online for a better deal: my fabric was $19.99/yard in store but landed it from joanne.com for a much more manageable $7.99/yard.


-you can't measure enough, seriously. measure once and then measure again to make sure your blinds aren't too short, too long, too wide, too narrow.


-above all else, just enjoy it! I loved creating something with my own two hands that is now a fixture in our bedroom.

Overall, this was a great project that got my hands dirty and was a cheap alternative to brand new window coverings. What do you think?

I Did This: DIY Zip Top Clutch

Source: morganlynstyle.com via Grace on Pinterest

I've been totally obsessed with Celine clutches. I've been seeing them and their budget friendlier kin everywhere. I want. I need.

I didn't know how much I wanted one though until I found this easy DIY on Just B.
For $20, I created my own version with just a bag, arcylic paint, painters tape, and some sealer.




*budget friendly hint: scour ebay for discounted American Apparel clutches (the best substitute to the original Celine I could find

DIY: Braided Headband

I know it's taken me a couple weeks to get to this. Forgive me? Good  because you don't know how excited I am to do this. I almost never get so many compliments on my hair and to both get compliments and a request for a DIY just made my day week.
Let me start with my inspiration: the lovely Erin Featherston.

Source: littledwell.blogspot.com via Grace on Pinterest

Awesome right?
It's super easy. Here is what you'll need.
1. Hair extensions (real or fake) at least 20 inches long.
2. Two elastics
3. The ability to braid.

I love the thickness of Erin's braid but couldn't find something similiar anywhere.
I personally purchased this Scunci Jaw Clip Extension from Amazon. I wasn't sure how it would turn out so I didn't want to pay a lot for it. Luckily, this was cheap and actually turned out amazingly.

If you go the jaw clip route you will have to cut the netting off the hair before starting. Once that's over though simply secure the hair from one end with an elastic (preferably similiar in color to your hair).



Next braid down to the other end and secure.



Then wear! (rocking out to Journey optional)



Now go forth and wear braids!