Closet Crafter

So now that I am almost 35 weeks along, the nesting has definitely begun! It's borderline ridiculous this time around. My mind is on overdrive thinking of what needs to be organized, cleaned and decluttered. However, I have had lots of fun doing DIY projects for little miss' room, so I thought I'd share my favorites so far:

Bowholder: 

     People have been so sweet and given me tons of bows and headbands for Hadley, she is all set for years to come! My problem was I had no way to store them besides shove them in a basket. With my newly developed OCD/nesting, this would just not do. So thanks to pinterest I decided to tackle a bow holder. I've seen them on etsy for $20-50, but I just couldn't justify the price tag plus shipping to hang silly little bows! So off to Joann fabric store I went

    I lucked out and only needed to purchase some ribbon, I got 3-4 yards of a pretty lace ribbon, and used a 40% off coupon. Hot dog! Then I went to home depot and purchased some cup hooks, they came in a pack of 40 for like 3 bucks. I had some extra fabric left over from the lamp I made. The board is just a canvas that I also had left over. 

    I just took the fabric and hot glued it to the canvas real well, then hot glued the ribbon on the back of the canvas. Lastly I took the cup hooks and screwed them in to the bottom of the canvas. Voila! A bow holder was born. You could also do this with just a picture frame and skip the fabric if you want if you don't have canvas. 

Rosette Lamp:

    The lamp is one of my favorite elements of Hadley's room, but it was definitely a labor of love. It isn't hard, just really time consuming. But if you sit down and catch up a few Housewives shows on DVR you should be good to go. I first saw the lamp on pinterest, and then just googled how to make it. I purchased 4 yards of a 100% cotton fabric. I think muslin would work best, but I couldn't find it at Joann's. I found the lamp and shade from Ross for $9.99, the lamp originally had a polka dot fabric on it, but I just ripped it off and it was white underneath. 

    Then I took the fabric and cut it in 1 inch strips, you can just cut about an inch or two down and then rip the pieces off. It doesn't need to be precise and I had lots of frayed edges. Then you just roll and twist the fabric around itself like a donut and it will start to resemble a rosette. Hot glue along the way to make sure it all stays together. Then glue the rosette after its the size you want to the lamp. And repeat. Like 500 times. Ha! Just kidding 

Origami Dress Art:

This last project I just wanted something cute above her crib. I'm not sure I love the end result, but it turned out cute and is a special decoration made with love for my little girl. I took shadow boxes from Joann's (use that coupon always!), and also bought origami paper in a pink print I liked. Then I went on you tube and searched "origami dress" and there are a TON of how-to fold an origami dress. Just pick one that tickles your fancy and follow the steps. It  took me a couple tries to get the hang of all the folding, but the whole project took like 10 minutes. 

So there you have it! My DIY projects so far. My next mission is to transform the playroom in our house because to say it is a chaotic mess in an understatement. I want to organize and revamp it before little miss comes and adds to little mister's toys and mess! 

Faboosh finds

I think this time of the year has some of the best sales, and this year is no exception! I don't shop for myself much anymore, so most of the deals I have found are for Mr. M and Little Miss. It's a great time to get clothes for next season, so it's tricky trying to guess their size but well worth the savings if you can guess it right! Here are some recent items I have been able to snag:


Chooze shoes for Toddler

Love love love these shoes! I think it's so cute how each shoe is "different", but still match in their own way. The profits from Chooze go towards investing in anti-poverty programs. So a double plus in my book. I got these from piperlime, where they had a 20% off sale on everything on the website. I also used my Gap Card and got an additional discount. 

Floral Romper

So I have to admit I was never a huge Gap fan. That all changed when I had Mr. M! I can't get enough of their kids clothes. Or their sales. Add a gap card on top of it and you have a match made in heaven :) I purchased $100 worth of Gap kids clothes for $30 last week! I had a $40 rewards certificate AND got 30% off on top of that using my Gap card. I'm usually not one to push credit cards, but this one is fab. You get points for every dollar you spend, then each month you get rewards certificates in the mail. PLUS you get extra discounts when they have sales and they always send an email with a coupon.

Tory Burch Miller Sandals

Ok Ok. So these weren't technically on sale. BUT Nordstrom is having their yearly anniversary sale which is great way to get ahead on some fall fashion shopping. I just can't mentally put myself in fall mode yet, but if you can this sale is the way to go. I'm leaving for Phoenix in a couple days for a girls trip and just had to snag these little lovies for my weekend in the hot summer sun :) 

Tritan Flavor it Water Bottle

I can't get enough of these water bottles! You put any kind of fruit or flavor you want into the little chamber and it makes your water taste so refreshing and fresh the rest of the day. My faves right now are slices of lime or cucumbers. I got the bottle off Amazon for a good deal. I am a prime member and it saves me a ton on shipping, plus it gets shipped in about 2 days. 

Some other places that have had good sales include Janie and Jack, J.Crew, and even Tory Burch. Check out their websites for 20% off already sale items and great clearance deals! 

The reason behind the envy....

Southern belles. Southern hospitality. Southern charm. Why the obsession with a place I've only visited twice in my life and live across country from? Ever since I saw the movie Steel Magnolias you could say I was hooked. There's something about the culture and lifestyle that has that certain je ne sais quoi.

On the surface it may seem slightly superficial. The kind of southern women I adore are always put together, classy, and possess a certain poise and grace. It's about being a Jackie, not a Marilyn. Think Reese Witherspoon and Carrie Underwood. Their homes are decorated impeccably. Monogram everything rules the land. Their charm is a skill all on its own. They can cut you down with criticism and you would have no idea because it's sugarcoated in the sweetest honey of compliments in between! 

But it's more than that. It's the way southern women are able to carry themselves and act like a lady, yet weak they are not. They don't call them steel magnolias for nothing. They seem to carry in them a strength that can weather the toughest of storms. It's also the priorities the southern culture has that I feel the rest of America has slacked on. Manners, family, religion, hospitality. Thinking of others and going the extra mile to make others feel cared for. Biscuits and fried chicken made from scratch. Taking the time to go to church, making a home cooked meal for a neighbor or friend after a death or birth in a family, spending time with family. "Nothing too easy, or done too quickly is going to be right. It takes time to create perfection, whether it is your tea or your hair". 

Honestly what's not to love?? Officially obsessed.

Etsy addiction round 2

Etsy and I had quite the relationship when I was pregnant with little man, then we broke up for a little while when he was born. We got back together a couple times like when I needed cute outfits for family photo shoots. Well now we are in a full fledged relationship once again now that little lady is on the way. *sigh*
Below are a few of my favorite stores right now....

Luna and Bean

This lovely shop has the cutest personalized (you will see a recurring theme here) burp cloths, travel changing pads and bibs. I want to snatch one of these travel changing pads with pocket, perfect to store a diaper or 2 plus wipes! 

Knotty Tots

I've seen those super expensive moccasins around on Mason Kardashian and other celebrity kids. I love this store because they have similar adorable moccasins for less- plus edgy little onesies that stand out! These little tan ones blow the cuteness factor outta the park, I mean come on now

James Paige Design

What's NOT to love about this shop? It fulfills my love for all things monogrammed (check), preppy (check),and just plain adorable (double check). She sells everything from burp cloths, bibs, onsies, party decorations, and announcements. I am drooling over this whale onesie and baby announcement. Heaven help me this child just may break my bank account

Momentus New York

This stores description is "simple.classic.always in style.". I thought for a second she was describing me, ha!  I kid, I kid.  I actually found this store back when I was having little man and scooped up a little gold bar necklace for myself. They also have other personalized and monogram  (see? told ya- huge pattern with me)- so you can carry your little ones name wherever you go. 

So what about you? What Etsy shops can you not live without? Excuse me while I go play Powerball to help try to fuel this unhealthy but intoxicating relationship.......

Nursery Inspiration

I have had the best time decorating for little lady's nursery! My home is filled with bright colors so I thought for her room I would mix it up and go with a soft, romantic feel. Luckily, (but unlucky for my wallet!) there is Restoration Hardware baby to fulfill my baby decor needs. I mean really?! Everything on that site is to die for, faboosh, amazing, and swoon worthy. I scooped up little lady's bedding from there and this adorable ballerina pillow below. The ottoman is by Surya and I am obsessed with it. The origami dress frame I was able to DIY and will post some pics of my finished product soon. I you tubed how to make the dresses, bought some origami paper and shadow boxes  from Joann's, and voila! Saved myself $50 :) 

So here's a little peek below, I will post the finished nursery when it is all done!

Nursery Inspiration by blissfulbride on Polyvore

Childcraft by Sauder Shoal Creek Double Dresser Matte White
target.com

Paper Dress 3D Paper Art 12x12 shadow box frame by PaperLine
etsy.com

Appliquéd Ballerina Decorative Pillow Cover & Insert | Decorative...
rhbabyandchild.com

DwellStudio Rich Pink Wall Paint Large Sample Card
dwellstudio.com