WIWW and eShakti Review

I was recently given a wonderful opportunity to do a review on an eShakti dress. Have you ever visited eShakti? If you haven't seen the dresses from eShakti you must go check out their site. They can customize a dress specifically for your body type. I wish I would have had this site available to me when I got married several years ago. I think they have some really cute dresses that would be perfect for a bridesmaid. Here are the pictures of the dress that I picked out to review and here is the link to it on eShakti. 

I am a huge fan of the color blue! I think it looks good with my dark hair and  the color combinations are endless.  

The length of the dress is perfect!

I had bought these Nine West shoes at Goodwill last year (similar to these). I love the coral color with the blue. 

Aren't the sleeves and collar adorable? The sleeves are very comfortable and don't cut off circulation to your arms. You know what I am talking about!

I also like the little buttons and how the dress fits around my waist.

Coral Necklace: Groopdealz

I would highly recommend buying a dress from eShakti. The quality, customization and selection are unbeatable.  And you all know how much I love a good deal!?!?  Well, the very nice people at eShakti are offering my readers a 20% off discount through 3/10/13, just enter in code: KEEPCLMNDD  

I am linking to: 

The Pleated Poppy

Goodwill Owl Makeover

I have had this little owl for 2 and a half years. I knew that I would use it in my daughter's room, but you know how projects go.  I know owls are not everybody's cup of tea, but there sure is something cute about them to me. It's sad because I don't find them at thrift stores as much as I used to because they have become very trendy. And I am not going to lie to you, I  might have some shirts and sweatshirts that have cute little owls on them. My daughter also has a nice collection of owl apparel as well, she can pull it off way better than me though. :)  Anyway, enough with my ramblings here are some before and after pictures of my Goodwill owl.

BEFORE

Don't his feathers look more like a reptile than a bird? 

I bought Kylon's Ocean Breeze spray paint to paint over the 70's version. I didn't do any priming (I don't have the patience), I just sprayed a few coats of paint onto the owl and let it dry. I was pleasantly surprised with how well the paint stuck to the ceramic. 

AFTER

Awe, isn't he pretty? He kind of looks like something from Anthropolgie or West Elm.

How you doing?

I got the sunglasses at the the Dollar Tree and this little toadstool hat was the hat we put on my daughter as newborn. I found it on Etsy.  It is my favorite thing from when she was teeny tiny baby...makes me want to cry. 

Spray paint and Goodwill it just doesn't get any better than that my friends! I hope you have enjoyed this little treasure find makeover. 

I am linking to:

Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Party

Domestically Speaking: Power of Paint Party

House of Hepworths

Designed Decor: Talking Thursday

Tatertots and Jello

320 Sycamore

WIWW

Does anybody else feel like winter is just dragging on? We had 50 degree weather on Monday and then it was cold and snow...yuck! I have been having a hard time this week feeling inspired to do anything. I have just wanted to lounge around in my yoga pants and do nothing. I am so ready for spring!!!

Anyway, here is another edition of WIWW from yours truly!

Striped Hoodie: Old Navy (I just got it in January, but they are sold out)

Black Puffy Vest: Not sure because it is 5 years old

Jeans: Levis from Kohls

Black Boots: Kohls

Oh Hi there! 

I couldn't get a close up of me wearing my earrings. I love these earrings because they look like diamond crowns. Um, you know where I got these?!?! Yep, I got them at Claire's.  Ha, I know I am way too old to shop there! They have cool stuff though and usually pretty cheap. 

I am linking to The Pleated Poppy

Dollar Tree Shamrock

Now, that we have Valentine's day under our belts I have been itching to get my St. Patty's Day decor out. I found a cute shamrock at the Dollar Tree this past weekend. I didn't know what I was going to do with it when I bought it, but I was thinking spray paint or Mod Podge. Well, since it has been so cold out I can't spray paint anything so out came the Mod Podge. I thought it would be fun to do a little tutorial for you. This is a super easy and cheap way of decorating because I only used what I had on hand.

This is picture of the shamrock when it came straight out of the bag. It has a beautiful picture of Ireland (I assume).  It's not a bad looking shamrock but I think it could use a little help! 

The first thing I did was I cut off the green ribbon as well as the tags. Don't get too crazy with cutting of the ribbon because you are going to need that later (remember we are using what we already have).  I then picked out some green polka dot paper that I had on hand from forever ago. I traced the shamrock onto the paper and create a template to cut.

 I then glued my shamrock paper cut-out onto the Dollar Tree shamrock. It is probably best to use spray adhesive, used a roller tape to adhere the paper to the shamrock. 

I then brushed the Modge Podge on top of the shamrock (I used a small foam brush, but any brush would work). I wanted to use Modge Podge to give it more of a sheen look. Did you know Modge Podge comes in different finishes? I prefer the matte finish.

I did have to go back and dab a little hot glue around the edges after the Mod Podge dried. That's why I think spray adhesive might be a little better to use in this project.

I wanted to create a banner across the shamrock that said "Lucky" for St. Patty's day. I had alphabet, rubber stamps that I had bought from Hobby Lobby a few years back. I am sure you can something like these at any craft store.

I found some burlap color scrapbook paper in my stash and decided to use that for the banner. I first stamped a spot on the paper and created a triangle around it. I used this as my template for the rest of the letters. I would just cut this one out and trace it for the rest of the letters and then stamp. Stamping on a full sheet of paper is easier then stamping on an itty bitty piece. You might have already known that, but just in case.

I arranged my "Lucky" letters to my liking on the shamrock and then hot glued them down and added some buttons (each color of the rainbow) and twine. 

I also glued back that little green ribbon to use for a hanger.

And here is the finished project, I thought it turned out pretty cute for $1.07 (gotta include the tax). :)

I am linking to:

Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday Party
DIY Show Off Party
Home Stories A to Z: Tutorials and Tips Party
House of Hepworths
Fireflies and Jellybeans
We are That Family
Tater Tots and Jello
Skip to my Lou
Or So She Says
A Glimpse Inside
Debbiedoo's
Diana Rambles
Mom 4 Real

Hey Girl!

Ok, I couldn't resist joining the Hey Girl party! Go check out these fabulous blogs to get the full scoop. You will get a good laugh out of what some other bloggers came up with. 

Ashley @ Domestic Imperfection

Bliss at Bliss Ranch
Chelsea at Two Twenty One

Kelly at The View Along The Way

Michelle at Decor and the Dog

My "Hey Girl" pictures are of my cat Rocky. There was no way I could get my husband to agree to me posting pictures of him. They are a little dorky but funny to me! 

I am linking to:

Ashley @ Domestic Imperfection

Bliss at Bliss Ranch
Chelsea at Two Twenty One

Kelly at The View Along The Way

Michelle at Decor and the Dog

What I Wore Wednesday

Welcome back to another edition of What I Wore Wednesday! It is amazing how much better I feel when my clothes are somewhat put together. I encourage you to go check WIWW on The Pleated Poppy. You will be amazed by all of the ways you can wear different outfits. You might also be inspired to join WIWW!

Cardi: H&M

Striped Shirt: Old Navy

Khaki's: Gap (from Goodwill)

Mint Necklace: Groopdealz

Chuck Taylor Shoes: Kohl's

6pm is having a good sale on Chucks right now. 

I am linking to: The Pleated Poppy

My Vintage Valentines

Wow, two posts in one day! With Valentine's Day being only two days away I thought I would post some pictures of my decorations. You might not know this about me but I like old, vintagey decorations. Oh, wait what am I talking about...I love all vintage things.

I found  these vintage Valentine cards at an antique mall that were surprisingly cheap (no more than $2.00 a piece). I had bought the twine and the hearts from the Dollar Tree.  The hearts were actually garland that was hooked together.  I took the hearts off the Dollar Tree garland and added them to my garland.  I had some red fabric scraps that I tied around the bows and bought the tiny clothes pins from Wal-Mart in the craft section. I added the garland to a shelf in my daughter's bedroom. I love decorating her room as well as the rest of the house with holiday stuff.

The little girl is my favorite, she kind of reminds me of my little girl!

I thought the light above our kitchen sink could use a little love. I got the doily, heart and twine idea from Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy with her mason jar decorations. You can use double sided tape to make the doily and heart stay and then wrap it in twine.

 

A little mason jar sitting by my favorite Valentine!

These mason jars have some kind of lights in them from October to February. I usually put orange lights in them during the fall months. The hearts are the garland from the Dollar Tree.

This little white dish was a Goodwill find from my last visit. I bought a bag of sparkly hearts from Wal-Mart and filled the bowl. I thought it was a nice pop of color for the little bowl. 

Do you like vintage decorations as much as I do? :)

I am linking to:

Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Party

Southern Savvy Style: Wow Us Wednesdays

House of Hepworths

Tatertots and Jello: Weekend Wrap Up Party

Goodwill Visit

Hello, my lovely friends! I visited Goodwill a few weeks ago and have been meaning to post these pics of my treasures.  It wasn't one of my best visits but I did find a few things and in Goodwill's defense I did have a toddler in tote.  I have to limit my visits to Goodwill because I find something every time. You see I tend to collect a lot of different things and just stash them away in my basement. I always have great plans for my little treasures but you know how projects build up. :)  Anyway, enough of my babbling and let's start posting some pictures.

These are B.O.C. shoes made by Born. I have this exact pair in black that I had bought a few years ago. They are my favorite and I had to pinch myself when I saw these especially since they had my size and the color turquoise. These set me back $10.00 which is usually more than I am willing to pay,  but I know back in the day they were $90.00 (and I paid $40.00 for my black pair on clearance). I think they were an awesome find.

I love this white, glass dish. I will post some pictures later but I put sparkly Valentine hearts in it for V-day. It's just a fun little piece and only cost $1.00! 

This little heart wreath was $.50 and just in time for Valentine's Day!

 

And one of my FAVORITE finds for the day was this little, child's suitcase. I must be honest I saw it in somebody's cart when I first got to the store and was jealous because they had found it first. I have been looking for an itty bitty suitcase to put on my daughter's dresser forever. Well, I was almost done with my trip when I just saw it laying on a shelf. What? Where? Who? It was like the lights from heaven were shining down on it. Ok, I am being a little dramatic...but I knew it was meant for me. Thank you to the very nice person who put it back on the shelf for me to snatch up.

See, isn't it just the cutest thing! I love the little mirror and pocket.

And those little ribbon straps..sigh. It set me back $2.00 and totally worth every penny.

Last, but not least an Ocean Breeze Pfaltzgraff plate that matches the pattern that I have. We have had some plates and bowls break and it's nice to be able to have some pieces to replace them. This place setting is also special to me because it was the first real set of dishes that I had ever bought. I was a college student when I bought these. That's really funny when you stop to think about it. Most college students don't save their money to buy Pfaltzgraff place settings. I know I am a decor nerd and proud of it! I thought this plate was a good find for $1.00.

I hope you enjoyed my treasure finds from Goodwill. If you have never been to a thrift store or to Goodwill you are really missing out. I know some of these places don't always smell nice or look nice but you never know what you might end up finding.