Friday, August 24, 2012

DIY: Personalized Binder Covers

It's the anticipated  dreaded time when us Rowan County kids head back to school! To me, if you have to go to school, you might as well make it as colorful as possible. Which is the whole point of this little tutorial. 
Mine! the monogrammed one will be used for my Spanish 1/ Visual Arts binder!

Personalized/ monogrammed items are all of Pinterest now-a-days. So I decided I was going to make personalized/monogrammed binder covers, to go into the front pocket. I used Lilly Pulitzer backgrounds for mine, but you can certainly use whatever print you like. I like Lilly prints because they are preppy and girly! Vera Bradley patterns are also fun ones to create these with! A little less preppy than Lilly, but you'll still have a great pattern!

You'll need a photo bucket account before you begin this tutorial- they take only a minute or two to make. You also need a blank white photo saved into your computer. For mine, I opened up the "Paint" programmed on my computer. Then when the default white "canvas" popped up, I just saved it as "white" to my documents and bam, done. 

I took the photos for this tutorial using my phone so they are a semi-awkward quality. But the captions underneath will fully summarize what the picture is showing.


Let's Begin!:

Step One...
Go to google and search "Lilly Pulitzer wallpaper" or "Lilly Pulitzer backgrounds"

Step Two...
click on the print you wish to use, right click, and save the image to your photos.

Step Three...
Open up photo bucket and upload the print you saved (wish to use)

Step Four...
once uploaded, open up the photo, and select the "Edit" option.

Step Five...
Under the adjustment tab, select rotate & rotate the photo so it is vertical, like the one pictured above!

Step Six...
Also under the adjustment tab, select the option "Add Image." Then click "Browse" and select the white image you created before we started.

Step Seven:
Now put the white image over the print where you want the label to be... top, bottom, center, etc.

Step Eight:
Now go to the "Text" tab. You can select whichever category of fonts you like. I either use Handwritten or Retro. The others are "Plain Jane." For this one you see, I used 'Jenna Sue' under Handwritten. I wanted to do a monogram style so I did a B first, the biggest (my last name), then did separate R & separate E to go on the sides (my first and last name). Color matching isn't an issue. When you accept your first letter, and go back to do the next, if you'll click on the white block saying "color," the little circle will be at the same place you left it!

Step Nine:
When all your edits are complete, select either the Save & Replace, or Save as copy. Save and Place will replace the original file you uploaded with the one you just created. Save as a copy will keep the original and also save the new creation! Save as copy is the safest route, just incase you want to change the tab later, it saves you from having to repeat the whole process.

Step Ten:
After you have saved your new creation...download it to your computer. 

Step Eleven:
Now, navigate to your "Downloads" and open up your creation. Hit the print button. Make sure you are printing this image "Full Page-letter style.."

This is what you've just learned to make!!! Since I am so nice, below you will find the "binder cover" without any text... you are free to save it to your computer and add your own words. I do ask that you link back to my blog, if you use it for any "showing off" in the cyberspace world!


PS: I added a pink & green boarder for extra preppiness! You're welcome♥

Enjoy!!! If you have any questions, shoot me an email or comment below!!



















High Five Letters

{one}
Dear DIY monogrammed lock screens... thank you for making mine, as well as my BFF's lock screens beautiful. Tell your pal Lilly Pulitzer she needs to keep producing amazing prints. Thanks♥

binders: Staples ~ others: Walmart ~ book bag: Jansport with local embroidery detailing ~ lunch tote: Thirty One
Dear upcoming school year... the supplies I got rock, could you rock too?

{three}
Dear traumatizing MRI... you answered prayers and proved I have no tumors. So thank you♥ But could you assist some other high tech gadget find out whats wrong with me? These headaches are getting old.

{four}
Dear returning boyfriend... I am so thankful you had a fun and safe week-long fishing trip at the Outer Banks... however, I miss you terribly and cannot wait to see you when you get home today. I love you Tyler Reid!!

{five}
Dear Marshall's... you rock lately!! Total money spent: $19.24!!
sandals: Union Bay $10.00
belts: $3.99 each!


linking up with...


&&&

High Five for Friday + Friday's Letters = High Five Letters!!


Be sure to come back in an hour and check out my tutorial on how to make your own personalized/ monogrammed binder covers!!!











Thursday, August 23, 2012

5 Ways: Little Black Dress


This little black dress has always been a favorite between my mom, sister, and my closets! I love to wear it every time I am over at her house. So I asked if I could use it in my little sporadic "5 Ways" series. If you didn't see the last one I did, I took a classic v-neck shirt from Old Navy and styled it five different ways, which is what I'm doing with this little black dress!

This dress, if I'm not mistaken, came from Marshall's awhile ago! I think a little black dress is a must have in any woman's closet. They are so classic and versatile! I hope you enjoy what I have done!

{outfit #1}



scarf: Target *old
wedges: Marshall's (Guess)

I love the vibe of this first outfit! I wish I had a different scarf to show with this look but I didn't so I just threw one on to interpret my "idea" for this look! I would wear this out to a nice restaurant or nicer event. I don't consider this causal wear with the wedges. A sandal would tone down the fancy scale for me. 

{outfit #2}



cardigan: old navy
belt: Marshall's
sandals: Marshall's (Union Bay)

This is probably my favorite outfit out of the ones I put together. I love the leopard print belt and the gold sparkly shoes! I think it adds a little something extra to an otherwise boring look! I wore wear this outfit almost anywhere. If I was going to church or school I would switch this black dress for a longer-cotton material one! I think layering is a great new trend and find myself looking for items to layer constantly!

{outfit #3}




white button up: Old Navy
wedges: Toms
necklace: my moms 

This was probably my least favorite of the outfits. I love the layered look as well as tying the bottoms of shirts. I think this outfit is adorable but not necessarily on me! I saw my mom in a similar not to long ago and she looked fabulous! But I would love to wear an outfit of this style to church (longer dress of course), out to eat, to a party! I also loved the tied look with maxi dresses/shirts. I think it gives visual interest and a cut off point to an otherwise long piece of fabric!

{outfit #4}



boots: Tractor Supply *old

To me, this outfit screams country music concert! I think the boots give it that sweet country girl look, but the heel and fabric of the dress transforms it into a country rock star! I absolutely love these boots! They are surprisingly comfortable and great to walk in! I was wanting a short-length statement necklace in a bold color to match with this look but couldn't quite find the right one for my vision! I think the J. Crew bubble necklace that everyone is wearing would look great with this!

{outfit #5}



sandals: Wet Seal
bag: Betsyville 

You could catch me in this outfit just about anywhere. I love the over sized purse with this: perfect for shopping (throw all your purchases in it), also I carry this to babysitting gigs- filled with arts and crafts, snacks, and my Kindle! These sandals are older but unbelievably comfortable! 

So you've seen all my looks, what do you think? I said in most of the descriptions that I would wear this look anywhere, and I would! I never put together an outfit to show you all unless I would wear it! I am not an extremely fancy person so most of my clothes are versatile enough to be dressed up or dressed down! I never by a piece of clothing that I could only wear to one type of occasion. I guess that comes with being on a budget, or not liking to spend money! 

I really would love to hear what you all think of my outfits. I do apologize for the sucky quality of the photos. One camera died mid shoot, so then I switched to another which made some of them appear yellow! Boo! But I tried, and you get my gist!





Wednesday, August 22, 2012

WIWW: Day to Day

Today I am linking up with Lindsey { The Pleated Poppy }! She hosts an awesome link up every Wednesday! I usually don't like to do link ups all the time because I like to keep it real with my readers and not get caught up in all the link ups! However, this link up is great because not only does it motivate me to get ready at least once a week.. but it gives y'all peaks at my wardrobe each week! Double fun! Enjoy!

These outfits are nothing special. The first is one I went to dinner with family friends in. It is the same dress from last weeks WIWW post. Last week I accessorized this dress with ruffled sandals, an up-do, and simple silver jewelry. This week I wore it with a cardigan, belted it, wore a teal statement necklace, teal-beaded sandals, and a curled-half up do! 
I have been super busy this past week so I haven't had time to capture any good photos!
dress: old navy
cardigan: old navy
statement necklace: old navy
sandals: rack room shoes
watch & bracelet: boutiques at the beach
This dress came with a string belt... so I wanted to have a waistline in the cardigan so I tied the string around the cardigan as well! 

This next outfit is what I wore to a doctors appointment Saturday. I had to have an MRI and it was an awful experience. Bright side: no tumors in my pretty little head... bad side: back to square one in terms of diagnosing the cause of my everyday-headaches!

I love the stripes and the ruffles this 3/4 length shirt visually offers! The cotton fabric is super comfy. I'd love to have this shirt in several colors!
shirt: old navy
jeans: Buckle
locket: gift from Youth pastor 

This next outfit is one I wore many, many years ago. My mother had a thing for dressing my twin sister and I in the same clothes, just different colors. And I am assuming by this photo we had some crazy hair days...
I call this look "Too Hot Too Handle!" 
PS: I'm in the blue....





Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Awesome DIY's

So, we all know Pinterest. We all loove Pinterest. But with soo much stuff that we may miss out on some great stuff! So I am conducting this little post to share a handful of things I found, via Pinterest, that are for sure share worthy!!

{one}
bobby pin bangs back in a poof...then pull back hair in high ponytail. on the third twist pulling through stop half way and leave a bun. Long pieces of hair that are left pull around the front and start pinning them down. pull out hair here and there for the cute messy look.

{two}
Must remember for Thanksgiving next year! Dip tip of waffle cone in warm water for about 20 seconds then microwave for 20 seconds. Roll the softened end of the cone around a clean pencil then hold in place for 20 seconds. Little cornucopias.

{three}
take a old sweater (or one from Goodwill) and cut the sleeves so from the wrist hole back measures about 6 inches long... where them as "look-alike boot socks"...no bulk in your boot (it is just at the very top, not actually a sock)

{four}
Make Your Own Monogram plates! Buy plates from Dollar Store Use a Sharpie and decorate...Bake at 350 for 30 min. Becomes permanent and safe

{five}
Use a hot glue gun to apply a zig zag pattern on the arms of your plastic hangers to prevent all your wide-necked shirts from falling off. Works like a charm!

{six}
buy a pool noodle, a medium sized plastic storage container (with a locking lid) and some waterproof nylon rope. Cut the Noodle into 4 pieces (Two Long, and two shorter) Used the rope to tie them all together, and wrapped the noodle and rope around the lid of the plastic container.


Don't just sit around and think to yourself how great this is... go get your hands dirty!!!