Oodles of Jewels

I am so excited about work. I realize you probably read that last sentence at least 3 times in order to confirm to yourself that I actually typed those 6 words in that order.

I am so lucky to be in a career that I enjoy, and a position that challenges me daily. I am currently working for a jewelry line based out of Manhattan Beach, CA. We feature French vintage medallions and mix them with chains, stones, and freshwater pearls. Jewelry is an exciting new challenge that I find myself falling deeper in love with each day.

Here are a few pictures of what I have been working on! 

To see more you can stop by www.FrenchKande.com or Like us on Facebook.

Im just a few months in and I have already been a part of so much! I will be sure to update on all the new designs and up coming photoshoots. 2013 is looking good my friends.

Cute Decor for Under $20

Shelves. They can be daunting. Bookcases, dressers, even closet space can sometimes leave you feeling empty and incomplete when it comes to decorating.

My brother recently moved out of the house, leaving all his shelves blank. Awesome for me, because I had new space to decorate!

Here's how I spent under $20 and spruced up a shelf in less then 15 minutes.

If you know me at all, you know I spend in insanely unhealthy amount of time at the swapmeet. I prefer the Goldenwest Swapmeet in Orange County over others I have been to. I've found some amazing antiques and storage pieces for CHEAP! Going to Goldenwest is like going to 50 different garage sales in a matter of hours. I try to go at least once a month.

The two vases were a swapmeet find! I scored both for $7. Always be ready to bargain! You can always work them down to score an even better deal.... and use the American Pickers rule! Try to bundle a few pieces together for one price.

The bird print was found at World Market. Originally $12.99. It came matted, and with my weekly newspaper mailer coupon, I saved 10%!

The brown frame is from Michael's craft store. I could live there.... in fact, I almost do already. They ALWAYS have great items on clearance, and usually have frames on sale. Wait for a great sale and use their coupon mailer from the newspaper at the same time to rack up on great savings and cute decor.

The grand total for this look was $18.98. The print, the frame, and 2 vases. Not a bad day of decorating!

Girl on Fire

... and I'm not talking Hunger Games style.

Im talking about my new favorite color. 

It's rusty, its lovely, its burnt orange.

I almost had a cow when I flipped through the August issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine and saw this spread of all things rusty and beautiful. Not only would I love to own each and every single one of the pieces, but surrounding myself with all things orange is seeming like a better idea each day.

I already have my crossbody bag...

My spicy scented candles...

and this lovely fabric I found on the discount rack.

I really had an amazing moment with this fabric find, and bought 3 yards on a whim with no particular purpose in mind. Cosmo only confirmed the fact that I was truly onto something great. I decided to make some pillows to bring a little color and character to my bed. I love pillows. They are an easy and cheap way to give furniture an update!

So my assistant and I went to work.

Cutting 14 inch squares, 2 for each pillow. (1 front and 1 back)

Luckily for me he has 4 limbs, which helps.

After just a few minutes at the sewing machine... Voila!

New pillows.

In my new favorite color.

The Engagement Party

I am so excited about my current project,

 the wedding of my friend Ashlee and her hubby to be, Chris!

Ashlee originally asked me to be her wedding coordinator and decorator a few months back when she got engaged. I was so excited and obviously accepted the position for my new job.... then realized I had no experience in planning events.

So here is the first part... The Engagement Party, 

and I'll be sure to update you as the festivities continue!

Chris was recently accepted to UK, where he will finish school. Ashlee will be joining him in Kentucky after the wedding.

We've spent months now collecting jars. Jelly, Tea, Spaghetti Sauce... all of them! I bought burlap by the yard, and found vintage lace at the swap meet to decorate each one. 

We bought all of the flowers from the Los Angeles flower mart the day before the party. It is worth the drive! We were able to make the prettiest arrangements!

The Shimizu Ranch crate was a swap meet find! 

Perfect to hold up a picture and bring some life to the dessert table. Perfectly fitting, as the couple will be getting married in a barn at Strawberry Farms next May.

I made this flag banner out of scrapbook paper. Cut out the triangles, and hot glue them onto twine for an easy way to add a personal touch. The wedding colors are black, white, taupe, and pale yellow.

Here they are, my bosses. The happy couple.

Can't wait for the big day! Still so much to do, but so much fun to be had!

Plants in a Jar

Yes. It's true, today I bring you plants in a jar.

If you know me, you know that I have a border-line unhealthy addiction to the swap meet. I go at least 3 times a month, and spend barely any money, and find the coolest crap.

I was lucky to score these old school mason jars for a quarter a piece a few weeks ago. 

The ideas were flowing, believe me.

I finally decided to use them for my succulents, which I also scored at the swap meet. 

(6 for $5.00)

I picked my favorite 2 plants, grabbed some soil from the yard, some sand from the beach, some pebbles from Mom's candle cupboard, and started layering all of the items within the jars.

Before I knew it, these beauties were on the window sill. 

Total cost, less then $6.00.

Plants in Pots are so last season.

Spiffy Thrifty Finds

Who needs a headboard these days?

Today I bring to you the newest addition to my bedroom. My make shift, thrifty, "headboard" if you will...

The best part is thats all the pieces, the mirrors and the center iron detail are all thrifty finds. I found the decorative iron piece at the Goldenwest Swap Meet in Huntington Beach, and bought it for only 12 dollars. The mirrors were a Christmas gift from my friend Ashlee, but she bought them for me at a garage sale.

When you're looking to spruce up a space, remember you don't have to buy something "new", check out the local garage sales and farmer's markets for cheap ways to make an impact!

Let's Get Personal

Im pretty excited to be sharing my first project of 2012! This is something I actually completed a few months ago, but thought the time was right to share it with all of you for the new year. So here it is... now let's get personal!

There isn't a better or more special feeling, then the one you get when you see an object or piece that is actually made for you. A "one-of a kind" if you will. I like to make people feel special (and I like to save money while doing it... shhh!) so this was the perfect project for me. I was originally inspired by Under the Sycamore and her idea of stamping on fabric, so I did my own take on her idea.

I was really excited to find this box of assorted textured cards and envelopes on sale at JoAnn's for only $5.99.

Obviously this lead to a purchase...

I looked through all of my old fabric scraps and found these two yellow floral patterns that were leftover from a quilt I had been working on. (More on that later.)

I cut the fabric into squares of different sizes.

You can use any shape, I think I will try using circles next!

After, I used my stamp set to press on the word "Thanks".

You can really use this idea for any occasion...

Thank You, Birthday, Keep in Touch, or even party Invitations!

After the ink dries, lay your squares on top of one another, like the picture below.

I cut out strips of polka-dot scrap booking paper. I laid the black strip on top of the fabric to act as a guide for the next step...

Lastly, I used my sewing machine for the final step, and sewed directly across the black polka-dot paper to secure all the layers on the outsides of the cards.

Finish the cards by trimming any excess paper or fabric on either side of the notecards!

Not too bad for a first timer! I am really happy with how these turned out, and everyone that received them commented on them being "hand-made." I had most of the materials to begin with, but the total for this project would probably run you around $25, but you can make up to 40 cards.

Supplies: Box of textured cards and envelopes ($5.99), Stamps ($9.99), ink pad ($4.99), fabric ($2.99). You can use random scrapbooking paper and thread. I was also excited to find out that the Orange County swap meet has a booth with scrapbooking supplies, including stamps and ink pads for cheap!

So be thankful for this brand new year, and get creative! Your friends and family are sure to appreciate all of your hard work!