3 Yards of Chain = 3 Statement Pieces (DIY)

September 20, 2012

I admit I miss having an etsy shop and designing jewelry pieces (I don’t miss the crazy hours), so I will just continue to get my fix by sharing some statement jewelry DIY’s with all of you, and hopefully give you all some fun ideas for the upcoming holidays:)

Here is a DIY that you can do with just 3 yards of Cable chain…

Supplies:

3 yards of varying cable chain styles. I used:

1 yard large Acrylic chain (Tortoise or color)

1 yard 14 mm Textured Metal Chain

1 yard 9-10 mm cable chain (found mine at F21, but similar here or here)

Also good chain selection on Etsy.

1 Large Jump Ring

I Large Lobster Clasp

1 Medium Lobster Clasp

You can find all these supplies at a craft store or etsy.

(Polka dot tee- HM, also at F21)

Instructions:

Statement Necklace 1:

1) Measure out your large acrylic cable chain to fit around your neck and over your head (no clasp needed). Remove extra cables.

2) Lay first necklace piece on the table and fit your medium cable chain inside of the larger chain to help measure appropriate length. Using your pliers remove amount of cable length needed.

3) Keeping the end of the chain open, slide on the last set of 10mm chain and close the end shut.

4) Measure the last chain a few inches shorter than medium chain to layer, and remove excess chain with pliers. Add your large jumpring to the other end of your small chain and attach to the last link of the medium.

5)Add your large lobster claw to one end (I had bronze on hand but there are gold ones available), and try all three pieces on to make sure they fall correctly in length.

Statement Bracelet:

6) With excess chain from your 10 mm chain, attach a jump ring and medium lobster clasp to one end. Measure to wrap around your wrist 2-3 times, and remove excess with pliers. The clasp will link onto the last link well.

Statement Necklace 2:

Using your excess cable chain from your large acrylic and textured chains, measure together to fit and slide over your head. Slide textured chain ends inside each end of the large acrylic links.

Very simple and easy!

This project took 15 minutes for all three pieces!

And I may just be giving one of these lovelies away on the facebook page😉 Stay tuned!

Have a beautiful day~

Love, Anna

September 19, 2012

Thank you Lynzy for having me as a guest on Sparkling Footsteps!

Anyone else excited to see her as a beautiful bride?? Can’t wait to see the photos.

There is something magical about your wedding day.

Its the one time in your life that all of your loved ones can be in the same place, and you finally get to be united with the person you were made for.

These photos tell a little bit of the story…

(photos via timwill.com)

We danced for hours, laughed, cried, and cheered the night away.

Thankful for a man who continues to teach me the meaning of the word love, and for the little family that is beginning to unfold before us:) We are only in the middle of our love story.

Thank you for letting me share it!

21 Dates of Summer: Dates 17, 18, and 19

September 19, 2012

I realized that each one of these dates revolved around food. That says something about us…

We love to stuff our faces at every opportunity we get. Truth.

(Scarf via Deloom Boutique)

After New York, Gabe got a severe case of poison Ivy (as you can see on his knee) and we couldn’t so much as hold hands for days. Brutal I tell you.

It was a crazy week for both of us so when we got the chance to get away all we wanted to do was sit outside and have some time to catch up with each other – the kind of time when the little ones aren’t tugging on your legs or trying to talk over you to be apart of the conversation;)

Atlanta Bread Co. had this beautiful outdoor patio area – I was very impressed.

We had a movie night which was the perfect excuse to make up our own popcorn recipe.

We made caramel popcorn following Paula Dean’s recipe, except we didn’t bake it, just mixed it in a brown paper bag, and topped with fudge and marshmallow cream. Don’t even get me started…..divine.

I am a morning person by nature (this could be argued since babies entered the picture), so it was cool to change up the time of day for a date and scope out a bagel joint we had heard about. It was in a random place, but true NY style. Loud and to the point, and the bagels being the size of my face.

A dozen cream cheeses and two dozen bagel flavors, Gabe and I stared for a good ten minutes before deciding which to commit to. We will become regulars no doubt…they were fantastic.

*Next week is the last two dates of this series with the 21st date being on the last official day of summer on the 21st. The post will be open for you to link up your summer dates to as well!

Blog Takeover: Healthy, Beautiful Food with Marshall’s Abroad

September 18, 2012

I finally get to introduce you to one of my favorite food blogs! I mean, I don’t have to even say anything because after you read this post, Amanda’s blog will fast become your new daily visit!

————–

Like Anna, I believe design & inspiration are everywhere around us,

and that we all have the capability to be creative artists.

Among other things, Anna inspires us with her creative DIYs and gorgeous fashion; for you, maybe it’s the same, or maybe it’s through music, painting, calligraphy, photography, writing, styling, interior design, or cooking that you bless others. There is potential for creativity & design in every facet of our everyday lives. One of my passions is creativity in delicious, healthy, beautiful cooking. It is an art form and one that we all benefit from every single day!

Sweet Rosemary Chicken Over Parmesan Orzo

Pumpkin Ravioli with Brown Butter, Rosemary & Thyme

Lemon Nutella Cake

Prosciutto, Pecorino & Arugula Pizza

Big Molassas Cookie Mango Sorbet with Peaches & Dragon Fruit

Farmers Market Pizza

Apple & Goat Cheese Crostini Drizzled in Warm Honey

(our home on the East China Sea!)

Roasted Caprese Capellini & Grilled Pear & Papaya Salad

My philosophy is to cook simple meals with the freshest, most natural ingredients, straight from the source whenever possible — whether that be the garden, the fish market or butcher, or your own fruit trees. With the vast variety of fresh foods, meals don’t ever have to be boring; instead, it can be a beautiful gift to those you are cooking for.

I still have so much to learn (which is why it’s fun!) but here are some of our favorite recipes thought up and created in our tiny Okinawan kitchen… (:

Thank you so much for having me, Anna!

True Beauty Files : Lace and Leather

September 17, 2012

{Utility vest: ON (out of stock but similar here), Lace tunic: c/o PB&J Boutique, Leather leggings: Nordstrom, Shoes: Zara (similar), Tote: H&M, Bracelet stack: c/o Angel Wings Accessory, Necklace: BMB}

I am almost whispering to you that I am indeed wearing leather leggings.

Going out of my comfort zone yet again and sharing with the general public. I may regret this later…. However, surprisingly comfortable and versatile, these leggings will most likely make a reappearance.

Style Word: May I just get this off my chest….leggings are not pants, hence they must be styled with caution! Raise your hand if you have seen leggings styled with a short shirt. Unfortunate, right? It just reveals TMI if you know what I mean. I feel so much better now that I have been able to share my distress over this matter;) Long tunics like this lace one, or an oversized sweater are great balance of length to pair them with, as well as a good pair of boots:)

Seen any fashion faux pas lately?? Do tell.

Hope you all had a great weekend!

Love, Anna

The True Beauty Files

A lookbook for the modern modeste.

“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It’s the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows & the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.”

~ Audrey Hepburn

NYC Store fronts, You’ve Got Mail, and Fun Links

September 14, 2012

I had little to no time to shop while in NYC (probably a good thing), but I did get an hour to run in and out some of the fun shops in SoHo:)

If you have a huge open closet, this might be a fun solution for scarves:)

Loved the details in the Madewell NYC store. I would have raided it of all its delightful treasures but then I remembered…oh wait, I can’t even afford one of their socks. Okay I might be slightly exaggerating but still…

Kate Spade always without fail has the coolest store fronts.

I sometimes dream about being store front stylist in another life…

Whats that job you like to tease up in your dreams?

Oh and then I got to visit this little cafe…you know the one in You’ve Got Mail? (Only one of my favorite movies ever.) I died a happy death in that moment, as quotes ran through my head…

“She has to be! She haaaassss too!!!!”

“Pride and Prejudice….I bet you just love that book. I bet you read it every year. I bet you just love that Mr. Darcy and your sentimental heart must beat wildly at the thought that he and whats her name are going to end up together?”

“If I really knew you I know what I would find, instead of a brain a cash register, instead of a heart, a bottom line.”

“Is this a rose? No this is a crimson rose. Something you read about in a book no doubt.”

“You’re nothing but a suit.”

Okay I could go on but I will spare you…

Funl links for your weekend:

I will never look at folding chairs the same after this makeover.

Matine launched their fall collection. Don’t even get me started..

Is quilting among your skill sets? Amazingly sweet project for NICU babies.

DIY Leather Tassel Bag Charm. (L.O.V.E.)

Head over heels for Nina Garcia’s line for Bauble Bar. Affordable staples.

Rue Magazine 2nd anniversary issue.

Matchbook mag also dropped another fantastic issue.

Happy September weekend!

Love, Anna

Personal Branding – DIY Business Cards

September 13, 2012

Nothing like a blog conference to light a fire under your tail!

My business cards were in need of re-branding so the IFB Conference became my self-imposed deadline to get on it! I wanted something that would not only reflect IHOD but also deliver a mini party and reason to smile:)

I was so excited when Tiny Prints was willing to collaborate on my scheme. I was able to upload my own design through their custom business card option. The quality of paper turned out superb. Its a textured thick card stock with clean cutting.

I used watercolors and markers to create the colored circles on the front, added tape on the back, and then filled the mini envelopes with stickers and confetti.

Business Cards – Tiny Prints

Neon Hearts – Paper & Present

Washi Tape – Banana Splits Boutique

Cellophane Envelopes – In the Clear

Confetti – made from tissue paper

I have a whole pinterest board dedicated to package and brand ideas. Have you seen any favorites lately? I love seeing others unique ideas:)

Happy Thursday! Love, Anna

P.S. I have been thinking about adding disqus in the comments section so its easier to respond to you all. Thoughts? Is it easier for you to comment in disqus or are you indifferent?