Monograms Are Taking Over Campus

I am completely obsessed with the picturesque perfection of prep and its sweet, southern charm. As the days draw nearer til August 21st; I become increa

singly more prepared for my life as a college freshman. I am only taking 3 classes for Fall A and a 4th will be added in Fall B (I am quite pleased that my workload will be light at the very start.) I decided to make monogrammed binder covers as part of my ongoing DIY obsession and college preparation. I used Lilly Pulitzer prints from Google and Microsoft Word to help me create my little masterpieces. The font I found on Dafonts.com, simply titled ‘Monogram CS.’ They go perfectly with my monogrammed agenda.

What do you think?

-xoxo

 

Haul Of The Week

I am completely obsessed with fashion; it is always changing and evolving (much like myself.) Plato’s Closet is a consignment store in Gainesville where you can bring your old and used clothes and get a small amount of cash for them. Yesterday I brought in quite a few items and got around $10 back, which although may seem like a small amount, it was basically like getting free money since those clothes I had not worn in a VERY long time, and as they say, “Out with the old, and in with the new.” And with that, I purchased two new items from Plato’s Closet. I found a nautical-style skirt from Forever 21 for $6.00 and a pair of  never-worn, Dartmouth Green, high-waisted shorts from Vince Camuto that still had the original price tag of $74 on them, which I ended up purchasing for $12! The best part was yet to come. When you sell your clothes and buy new ones on the same day, you get an additional 10% off on your purchase. So all around, it was a very successful shopping trip… Recycle. Reuse. Re-Trend.

My third buy of the day was a chevron-pattern dress from The Colorful Gator Boutique in the Town Of Tioga. I am simply bewitched by Lilly Pulitzer and the preppy style; the Colorful Gator Boutique has it all! A bit pricier than my Plato’s Closet finds, but it is an adorable dress made out of a durable but soft fabric and which will keep me cool in the Florida-summer months.

-xoxo

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More DIY…

‘Do-it-yourself’ has become very much like a disease to me, it has attached itself to my bones, flows through my blood and it has become all that I can focus on. While trolling through the cabinets in my living room, which house all sorts of nick-nacks, I came across a vintage photo frame that was a dark peach. I loved the frame itself and like everything I do lately, decided to spray it white. I printed out a beautiful photo of my best friend and I on photo paper and in under 2 minutes, had the most amazing and re-vamped piece of art.

The second DIY project I completed today was my planner for the upcoming school year. I love the Lilly Pulitzer planners but was disappointed with the patterns for this school year. They were a little too-flowery for my taste, and because I am obsessed with monograms, I decided to make my own planner. I purchased a pink planner from Walmart for under $5 and using Microsoft Word and the monogram font from Dafont.com, I managed to make the most adorable cover for my planner. Using Modpodge and tape, completed the look.

Lastly, I finally completed my DIY cork/dry-erase board. Using fabric and thumbtacks from Joann Fabrics and a dry-erase board from Walmart, I was able to make my idea come to life.

-xoxo

“Hey Macklemore, Can We Go Thrift Shopping?”

I absolutely love thrift shops. I always feel like I’m on a treasure hunt, trying to find the greatest vintage pieces at bargain prices. Whenever I visit my grandparents, we take short visits to their local thrift shops as well. I couldn’t believe the great and affordable pieces I found during my hunt. After all, I did find my beautiful Tiffany & Co. ring at a thrift shop (as can be seen in an earlier post.) I am constantly drawn to fixer-uppers and DIY projects which is why I love thrift shops so much. You never know what you’ll find; it’s always an adventure, filled with culture and surprises.

-xoxo

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Happy Birthday, Rachel!

Happy Birthday to my lovely ‘not-so-little’ sister, Rachel, who turned 17 yesterday. I love you so very much and will always be here for you. I can not believe that you are finally 17! For those of you who are wondering, we decided to spend the day shopping and had an early dinner at Cotillion, a charming, southern-style cafe with homemade cakes, catch-of-the-day seafood sandwiches and sweet tea served in Mason jars. It was a truly enchanting day filled with love, laughter and even a little Lilly Pulitzer (and the best big-sister award goes to Moi.)

-xoxo

Roommate Monograms

Awaiting the arrival of my roommates and constantly craving DIY projects, I decided to troll Pinterest to see what I could find. I came across these lovely wooden letter DIY projects (which also fueled my obsession with monograms.) It was really simple and decided to try it out for myself. I went to Michael’s and purchased a wooden letter for $2.99 with a raised surface and “3D-appearance” and spray paint for $0.97 from Walmart. I didn’t purchase the pearls however; my grandmother is an artist and had plenty to give me that were just sitting in her garage. It turned out great and can not wait to finish Hannah’s and even make one for Rachel for when she goes to culinary school next year. These are great to hang on the front of your bedroom door so that when people come over, they know whose room is whose and in a house of 3 friends, it’s nice to have a bit of individuality. Simple, Stylish and S.

-xoxo

Summer = DIY

Summer always gives off the most amazing feeling; it’s all of the new opportunities and adventures, the book-reading, sipping margaritas poolside, nights on the beach and endless parties. This is probably the last real summer I will have for a while, between the transition from high school to college. There is no summer reading or homework, there is just the few months we have left to find ourselves and prepare for the next chapter ahead. For me, this equivocated a little to boredom, and like they say, ‘idle hands are the devil’s playthings.’ I started researching Pinterest and similar websites to spark some creativity within me. Scrolling through the vast pages of projects and ‘Do-it-yourselves’ I found the projects I would be working on this summer! Full of excitement, I set out crafting.

The first project I decided to do was a jewelry/make-up tray. I was getting pretty tired of the jewelry hanger I had had before. It was a wire tree from Ikea that held my necklaces on each of its branches. I wanted to upgrade and make something classier and with my own two-hands. I had an idea in my mind of what I wanted and set out to find the bits & bobs that I needed. I started at the typical places, Walmart and Target but couldn’t seem to find any of the parts that I needed. I decided to try my luck at the Dollar General, and who knew, that’s where I would find every single part of my beautiful tray. The top (mirror) and middle (glass) tiers I found both in the candle section. The bottom tier is a pie-pan which I spray painted white. The pillars in the middle are glass candle sticks. In total, my elegant and opulent jewelry tray cost no more than $5!

-xoxo

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Keep Calm And Shop On

After my first year in college, my younger sister will be moving away to go to culinary school and my mom will return back to Amsterdam, which means that our house will be all to myself. I decided to rent out two bedrooms to my friends Trent W. and Hannah G. We could not be more excited about our future abode and the chance to decorate it the way that we want. It is the ideal situation and price for new college students.

While out shopping today I came across the cutest coasters to incorporate into the new house. I am obsessed with the ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ slogan and these just fueled my obsession. They were an amazing bargain too; from Ross for only $6.99. I can’t wait to see how they look with

 all of the new furniture.

-xoxo

Haul Of The Week

Today was a ‘mommy-daughter-sister’ kind of day. Woke up bright and early and went to do a bit of shopping. I did not realize the absolute bargains I would be running into.

From Kohl’s to Target, Bealls and more! Great finds were to be found everywhere today!

Pink Striped Blouse: $15.00 (Kohl’s)

Blue Bicycle Blouse: $17.00 (Target)

Bubble Necklaces: $6.00-$8.00 (Bealls)

Taupe Wallet: $15.00 (Target)

Pink Palm Tree Shorts: $17.00 (Target)

Brown Chiffon Shorts: $14.00 (Target)

-xoxo

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Vintage Tiffany’s™

Yesterday I was able to pick up my vintage Tiffany&Co ring from the jewelers where I had gotten it sized because it was far too large.
I have had a love affair with Tiffany&Co. ever since I watched Breakfast at Tiffany’s; with its opulence, shine and picturesque-charm, I dreamt for the day when I would own my very first piece of Tiffany’s and feel just like a mini Holly Golightly.
I stumbled across the ring at the checkout counter of Sandy’s Boutique in Gainesville. They sell high end items and designer labels. I was purchasing a wallet when the ring caught my eye in the glass case below. I was completely astounded and bought it instantly. The ring itself cost me $70 + tax and to size it cost $24 dollars + tax. The face value of the ring however, far exceeds $250. I was so pleased with my incredible bargain.
I still can’t stop looking at my finger!

-xoxo