Monthly Archives: July 2014

Girls Want Pearls #49: DIY Cutout Top With Pearl Swags

Happy Monday! It’s all about fashion this week on Girls Want Pearls #49. In today’s video tutorial I will show you how to make this cute cutout top with pearl swags.

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I’ve worn this top once and received so many compliments! If you try it out, I’d love to hear from you.

Next week’s pearl post hint: Light the Darkness

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Talk soon,
 Ann

Linking with: Savvy Southern Style,The 36th Avenue, No Minimalist Here, Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson,The Scoop, Mod Vintage Life, Between Naps on the Porch, From My Front Porch to Yours, Cozy Little House, Knick of Time, A Stroll Thru LifeIvy and Elephants, Jennifer Rizzo, Style Elixir, Shabby Art Boutique, Cheerios and Lattes, Reasons To Skip The Housework, Classy Clutter, French Country Cottage, C.R.A.F.T. Monday Funday , VMG206, Bacon Time with the Hungry Hypo, That DIY PartyCasual Friday, I Feel Pretty, Rachel The Hat, Lena B. Actually, Because Shanna Said So, Not Dead Yet Style, Monday Mingle, Remix, Rewear, Restyle

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Thrifted! Leather Chairs for the Wine Cellar

I love yard sale season! I haven’t been to a lot of them this summer ~ why the heck not, I’m not sure! The first one that caught my eye and made me brake was just a block from my house. It was close to the road and my eyes spied something I have been looking for.
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A pair of chairs perfect for the wine cellar! We have been working on our wine cellar for several months now. Well, the truth is we worked hard on it for a couple of months, then got distracted and let it sit a while, then worked on it some more. I showed the “before” pictures a long time ago and still have yet to show you the “after”.

Having made a promise to husband that he could consider it his man cave, I agreed to decorate in fairly masculine décor, or at least not ultra feminine. Almost all the furniture is in place, using pieces I already had as far as side tables, bar cart, a few stools, shelves and some artwork. So I wanted to find a pair of comfy chairs and I envisioned leather. I’m doing it all on a “thrift” budget, so I was elated to find this pair. They are faux leather, in super good condition and I only had to pay $50 for the pair!
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At the very same sale I found this huge mirror that will be painted and placed in the wine cellar as well ($10!) and the old glass water bottle in the wooden crate for $10! I have the water bottle on top of an armoire in the living room, next to a crock full of cotton branches.

Just a few finishing touches in the wine cellar and it will be ready for the big reveal. I can’t wait to show you!

Talk soon,
 Ann

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Girls Want Pearls #48: Cross and Crown Bookmark

Welcome to Girls Want Pearls #48! Thank you for coming by for another pearl project tutorial. Today I want to show you how to make something that everyone can use ~ a cross and crown bookmark.

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I love crosses and crowns so I decided to incorporate both of those into the design.

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Supply list: Leather belt; 13 4mm pearls; 3 6mm pearls; straight pins;
elastic fabric strip, 11 inches long.
Let’s get started! The next several pictures will show you the how-to:
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Woo, that was a lot of photos! Creating this post took way longer than creating the actual project! :) And there you have it, a unique and pretty bookmark you can use yourself or give as a gift to your favorite book lover.

Next week’s pearl post hint: I’ve got your back

Love pearls and don’t want to miss any pearly posts?
You can get a reminder, just fill in your info below and I’ll email you when a post goes live and send you a monthly newsletter.
.Subscribe Now
First Name Last Name Email

Talk soon,
 Ann

Linking with: Savvy Southern Style,The 36th Avenue, No Minimalist Here, Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson,The Scoop, Mod Vintage Life, Between Naps on the Porch, From My Front Porch to Yours, Cozy Little House, Knick of Time, A Stroll Thru LifeIvy and Elephants, Jennifer Rizzo, Style Elixir, Shabby Art Boutique, Cheerios and Lattes, Reasons To Skip The Housework, Classy Clutter, French Country Cottage, C.R.A.F.T. Monday Funday , VMG206, Bacon Time with the Hungry Hypo, That DIY Party

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In The Studio: Jewelry ~ Simple or Ornate?

Hey Fashionable Friends! Just popping in with a quick post today to share what’s been happening in my jewelry design studio. I’m busy making and stocking up lots of jewelry to take to a big show in November, more about that in a later post!

I’ve been concentrating on necklaces and earrings, and will soon move my attention to bracelets. Oh how I love to wear bracelets! Well, I love wearing necklaces too, and almost always wear earrings, but there’s something about bracelets that make me feel super feminine and stylish. So as soon as I get some new ones made, you can bet I’ll show them to you right here! In the meantime, here are some necklaces, with a question to ponder…

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Do you prefer to wear necklaces that are simple…

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Or do you prefer to make a statement with something more ornate…
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Of course, different kinds of outfits are suited to different looks, but in general, do you lean towards understated or elaborate in your jewelry choices? Or somewhere in between?

You can shop for both necklaces here Big Red Button Necklace and here 3 Tier Hardware Necklace.

Have a safe and Happy 4th of July, and be sure to flaunt your red, white and blue!

Talk soon,
 Ann

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Coral Summer Picnic Wear

Hello! I hope you’re enjoying the summer days and have fun plans for the holiday weekend. I am infatuated with coral right now. I guess I always have been, but the fact that it’s a trending color makes me oh-so-happy.
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This New York & Company vest ($6 thrift find!) is a favorite choice on the occasional summer day when the temps don’t hit the 90’s. Otherwise it’s too hot as it’s made of sweatshirt material.
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I paired it with a simple white tank and jean shorts.
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I chose chunky accessories from my own line of jewelry, and added a pop of whimsy with my Tommy H. striped tennies.
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The shoes are a bit tight, so it wasn’t long before I changed into sandals.
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I’m linking up with The Rich Life on a Budget for How I Wear My…,Style Elixir, Rachel The Hat, Lena B. Actually, Not Dead Yet Style, The Pleated Poppy, Because Shanna Said So, Simply Lulu Style, Monday Mingle, Casual Friday, Funday Monday, I Feel Pretty, CC McAfee Perspective, Vodka Infused Lemonade, Remix, Rewear, Restyle

What color are you loving right now?

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