DIY: Leather ipad case or clutch

June 14, 2012

I have been searching high and low for the perfect yellow clutch for summer, and when I was at the fabric store, I found the exact color I would dream it should be. With a half yard of leatherette fabric, I made it a size that would also work as an ipad case. I hope you can use this DIY and customize it to the color you like, and maybe even gift one to a friend:)

Materials:

1/4-1/2 yard of leather or faux leather (mine cost $7)

Matching thread & Needle

Magnetic snap (found mine at Hobby Lobby)

Super glue or glue gun

Instructions:

1) If you are making an ipad case, it would be best to make sure your measurements are an inch wider on all sides. (I cut my fabric approx. 12 inches wide and measured the length 18 inches long total to fold in half + 5 inches for the flap.) Cut your shape, and use a ruler to make sure your flap will fold over half way.

2) Hand stitch or sew along both sides of your piece and trip anywhere necessary.

3) Cut small slits where you would like to insert your magnetic snap fasteners on clutch and underneath flap. I cut a small triangle to insert top clasp and glued to the top flap so there would be no prongs showing on the front.

4) Insert your magnetic clasps and fold down prongs with pliers.

It actually took about 25 minutes to make this DIY ipad case & clutch I will be using all summer long:) Please let me know if you have any questions!

*arrow brushes via Creature Comforts

21 Dates of Summer

June 13, 2012

My husband Gabe and I were talking over the weekend about all the things we wanted to do this summer. Little things and big things. Outdoors and indoors. So instead of talking about it and maybe only doing a quarter of it, we decided to make it a challenge. 21 dates of summer. This challenge is going to stretch all the way till Labor Day weekend (I am all for making summer as long as possible). Since he is a teacher, the summer gives us more time to spend together. I can’t tell you enough how valuable it is to even get a few hours alone together now that we have little ones (I am sure you mamas can relate!). We really try to set aside the time each week for just us, since it helps keep our marriage strong, and in turn, helps us to be better spouses and parents. We will share the fun adventures we have here on IHOD, and hope you will follow along! Maybe it can provide some fun ideas to do with your lovah. ;)….

Date 1: Tennis. When we first started dating, Gabe found out that I loved to play tennis, so despite the fact that he had only played a few times in his life (he is more of a rugby guy), he showed lots of interest in learning. He wanted to find out ways to spend time with me that I enjoyed. One of the first signs I knew he was a keeper. Tennis continues to be a fun thing we enjoy and don’t get to do often, so we called our lovely sitter and snuck out for tennis and post-match smoothies:)

Date 2: Farmer’s Markets. (Gabe on the far left getting our brown bag full of peaches that are nothing but a memory now..) There are some pretty amazing farmers markets around Atlanta. We wanted to explore a few new ones. Lucky for us, this spot had the best peaches I had the grace of ~~gobbling~~ tasting.

(Market tote via Fabric & Handle)

What are some of your summer date ideas? We would love to hear!!

P.S. $100 Gift set giveaway for the men in your life on the facebook page today. Head on over!

Earning Amazon.com Gift Cards through e-Miles.com:

June 12, 2012

This is a sponsored post from e-Miles.com that is 100% my own opinion!
Hi friends! I feel like I have a cool secret to share today:D I was introduced to e-miles through a friend, and simply have to pass it along. e-Miles® is a company allows you to earn *Amazon.com Gift Cards through reviewing advertisements such as watching a tv commercial or taking a survey. I signed up last week, and already have some miles under my belt! Very excited about it:) Its kind of like getting paid for your time and simple feedback. Here’s a little infographic:

ALSO, you can do your normal shopping through the site (ie: Nordstrom, Groupon, iTunes and Fossil) and earn extra miles! Every time you earn 500 e-Miles miles, you can redeem for a $10 Gift Card. The good thing is that you set your profile so that you can choose the topics and interests to leave feedback on! Hope this is helpful and that you can earn lots of cool rewards!

You can Sign up here🙂

P.S. We have a winner for the Stitched + Adorned Giveaway! #99, Danielle! Congrats! If you did not win, remember you can use your discount with code IHOD10 for 10% off your order:)

Currently, membership in the e-Miles program is only available to residents of the United States and its territories who are age 18 years or older. Other restrictions may apply.

*Amazon.com is not a sponsor of this promotion. Except as required by law, GCs cannot be transferred for value or redeemed for cash. GCs may be used only for purchases of eligible goods on Amazon.com or certain of its affiliated websites. For complete terms and conditions, see www.amazon.com/gc-legal. GCs are issued by ACI Gift Cards, Inc., a Washington corporation. ©, ®, ™ Amazon.com Inc. and/or its affiliates, 2012

True Beauty Files: Pink + Green

June 11, 2012

{Jacket: J.Crew, Top: Old Navy, Necklace: c/o Loren Hope, Jeans: Banana Republic, Shoes: H&M, Watch: Aldo, Bracelet: c/o Loren Hope, Ring: c/o LYLIF}

How was your weekend? We explored Atlanta, hit up the market, caught up with friends, soaked up the summer evenings, and worked on a new summer series coming up for IHOD. (Excited to share it with you!)

P.S. Last day to enter the Stitched + Adorned Giveaway! Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post….an awesome company to introduce you too involving amazon gift cards:D

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

June 8, 2012

If I write a goal down, I much more likely to fulfill them:) So thankful to Anna for having me as a guest, and motivating me to write down 5 things I hope to accomplish this summer….

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1) Travel to a new place…maybe even a new state.

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2) Write real handwritten post cards. I have had a goal all year long to write more handwritten notes. This summer, I want them to be postcards. Something so nostalgic about them:)

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3) Take bike rides….lots of them. We just got a bike trailor than can even fit both of my babies in so we can have family bike rides. Maybe I should get a bike basket to make it a real show.

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4) Explore my city. Atlanta has so many mom & pop shops, restaurants, and spectacular parks. I loved this journal to record the expeditions.

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5) Do something unexpected. Its always good to venture outside of your comfort zone and grow spiritually, mentally, or challenge yourself physically. I am not sure what I will do yet, but I am excited to jump:)

3 Step DIY: Neon Trim Cardigan

June 7, 2012

{Tank: Old Navy, Jeans: Paper denim, Sandals: Nine West, Neon Studs: Loren Hope, Bracelet: Loren Hope}

This is a fun way to revive your old cardigans, or add a little flave to your favorite:)

I saw this image on pinterest via Sincerely Jules, and since I couldn’t find the cardigan source, I decided to just re-vamped my own. Read on for full instructions!

Materials:

1/2 yard fabric (ribbon can also be used!)

Liquid Stitch

Scissors

Cardi of choice

Instructions:

1) Measure out your fabric of choice in the lengths of your cardigan edges.

2) Cut strips along the edge of your fabric approximately 1/4-1/2 in. wide.

3) Using liquid stitch, slowly attach your strips along the edges of your cardigan and let dry.

I am keeping these DIY’s simple for you folks! They are the only ones I have time for;)

I hope you enjoy!

Blog Takeover: Marisol of Boutique No. 1524

June 6, 2012

I am honored that Anna has invited me as a guest in IHOD, as I truly admire her talent and integrity in everything she shares.

I am Marisol from Boutique No.1524, a little space created to curate beautiful details that would inspire me for ongoing design projects; while sharing with others in the process. I consider myself a modern/classic and I believe this reflects throughout my blog.

{No. 1 – west elm | No. 2 – anthropologie | No. 3 – west elm | No. 4 – pandora | No. 5 – stone textile | No. 6 – liberty london | No. 7 leather bracelet via hermes}

Inspiration comes in different forms, but one of my favorites is within the ‘collections’ series; where I get to curate beautiful fashion and decor within a given category. Today I would like to share one of these collections which I hope becomes one of your summer musings!