{DIY: Operation Soft Shirt}

recently i've loved wearing mr. w's super comfy, worn-in tee shirt's with a blazer and some skinny pants. it's sorta become my go-to.. it's comfy, stylish, and so easy to move up and down and all around (a major wardrobe requirement for me as i'm a full time mom to a 9 month old on the move, and a hairstylist who has to be able to comfortably move my arms every which way.) i started doing this when i was preggers and refused to buy maternity shirts. 

well, mr. w is too nice to me to say it, but i'm sure he's getting tired of the tee shirt bandit swiping half his closet all the time. 

i decided it was high time i start investing in my own tee collection. 

i started by picking up a pack of basic white men's hanes tees the other day. only problem is, even though they are the exact same shirt i always steal from the mr., it just wasn't the same. it didn't feel soft, and cozy, and definitely didn't feel worn-in...boo..

after a little searching online i found out i could brine my tees, much as you would a chicken.

(not that i've ever done that)

this was supposed to help soften and age it, as if it were your favorite vintage t shirt!

just what i was looking for!

it couldn't have been more simple:

{via}

so that's just what i did.

{i just eye-balled the measurements.
 also, i used warm water to help the salt dissolve}

{make sure your tees are completely saturated}

{hide your concoction somewhere your crawling explorer won't find it}

after it's 3 day soak, i rinsed my tees in cold water, then just added them to my normal load of laundry. they came out super soft and comfy, as if i had been wearing them for ages...
which i now will...


cost of this diy:

pack of 3 tees: $14
salt: already had
water: free

total cost: about $4.50 a tee

i would have to call this diy a success.
it couldn't have been easier and i love the outcome!

xx

{Kitchen Reveal}

remember last week when i was asking your advice on what i should do to change up our kitchen?

well, i decided on going all out chalkboard paint.

i have always been a huge huge admirer of the high contrast between a dark wall and white cabinetry/finishes. because of that admiration i decided going for the dark and playful walls was the perfect solution to my design dilemma since i have all white cabinets and appliances in our current kitchen.

i got my diy on last weekend and must say i couldn't be happier with the outcome. even mr. w (who was supportive of, but i think fairly unsure of, my enthusiasm to paint our tiny little kitchen so dark) loves it.

DIY Advice

So I'm contemplating making a duvet cover for our bedroom comforter. I have always loved the pin tucked duvet from West Elm, and then stumbled upon this cover at Anthropologie that I love too. I actually found tutorials for how to make both of them! Now just to decide which one to make! That's where you guys come in! Which do you like better? I do think I'll make mine either crisp white or an off-white/cream color. There's something so relaxing and 'spa-like' to me about a white bed set. :)

Here's the pin tuck duvet cover. The first is the West Elm one, the second is the DIY version.




And here's the Anthropologie cover, with the DIY version.




(I am thinking this one might look better in a cream color, and maybe with a few more pills to create more wrinkles)

Which gets your vote?

Xoxo Hannah

DIY: Tree Branch Table

I've finally brought back my DIY section! I feel like I'm maybe taking a turn and coming back around to the world of regularly blogging! YAY!!!

I've always loved having a piece or two of natural unfinished wood around, something a little rustic and roughed up to balance out the more polished, glamourous pieces that may be in the space.

I love the look of this simple side table. And love even more how easy it is to make!

Ok, so the directions ARE in another language (which I don't read!) but it the pictures sort of give it away...Find a box, Paint it, Get your glue-gunning on!



NOt only does this DIY project look easy peasy, it would be so affordable too! Especially when you have parents who live on a massive farm out in the boonies like me, sticks everywhere!...

*images courtesy of manmadediy.com*

Happy DIYing!

Xoxo Hannah

DIY Pillow

Ok, I've totally been needing to recover some of our pillows on the sofa for longer than I'm willing to admit to you!
When I stumbled upon this super easy tutorial over at organizeyourstuffnow.com on recovering pillows with no measuring, no sewing involved I realized I have no more excuses! Now to go buy some fabric and get started!

For the step-by-step instructions head over to www.organizeyourstuffnow.com to get started!

Here's a before and after, just to prove how pretty the transformation is!

Before:


After:



Happy Pillow Making!

xoxo Hannah

DIY Canopy Bed

I've always adored the look of a canopy bed, but with figuring out how to put it together, and then there's the whole commitment thing...would I really want it long enough to make it worth the price?! BUT... look at this clever way to make a faux canopy bed, and quite frankly, I'm actually loving it more than real ones! I love how the drapes come all the way from the ceiling, making such a strong statement in the room.

Source: 27.media.tumblr.com via Kris on Pinterest

Just hang some curtain rods on the ceiling and attach whatever curtains you like! When you're tired of the look, simply take down the rods and you can reuse them somewhere else in the house!

xoxo Hannah

DIY: Unconventional Art

I think is such a great way to turn your favorite pieces of jewelry into decoration for not only your body, but also for your house!

Simply put display in a shadow box filled with pushpins that has a "front door". Then, you still have easy access to your prized pieces when you want to wear them!

Source: bhg.com via BHG on Pinterest

What do you think?

xoxo Hannah

Floor Inspiration

You may know her as Buddy Garrity’s wife on the hit show, Friday Night Lights, but Merrilee (McCommas) McGehee is famous to me for her AMAZEballs design and execution on this amazing floor!!



Simply using some tape, a few layers of paint, and a lot of time and patience you can create such an amazing feel in a room for such little cash!

xoxo Hannah

*photo courtesy of http://blog.katiemaennle.com/

DIY: Glowing Garden Orbs

Check out these beautiful garden orbs I found over at www.theartofdoingstuff.com!
They literally cost $3 to make!!!
And it's easy as pie!

Simply take:



Add:



And Viola!!!




So easy and sooo beautiful, right? I love the romantic glow of lighting like this, and it's so easy it almost seems too good to be true, right?!


What are your tricks for making your patio more romantic and intimate?

xoxo Hannah

DIY Paper Chandelier

I'm TRYING my hardest to think of where in my tiny four room apartment this could go!!!! I want to make one ASAP!!!



These pictures pretty much explain how easy this chandelier was for graphic designer Gabrielle Guy to make. Simply glue strips of scrap paper onto a paper lantern, allow glue to dry, then light and enjoy!!!




Now, where to put this, hmmm....


xoxo Hannah Williams

*Photos courtesy of Designsponge.com

DIY Headboard Silhouette

How adorable is this DIY Headboard silhouette?!?! I love love love the idea of having this as your child's headboard! What a great way to remember as their growing how precious and tiny they were! And as a chalkboard, it's a great way to leave little notes for your sweet little one every morning. Or even instructions for your sitter on what to do when they wake up if you won't be there to wake them!

It could also make a very elegant bed for a grown up's room as well!




xoxo Hannah

DIY: Beautiful Easy Vases

What an adorable way to ring in Spring?! (Are you starting to notice a theme to all my recent posts?!) I'm CRAVING all things Spring!!!



After finding some bottles with great shape and detail, remove the labels, clean the inside and let them dry out completely.

Next, pour a good size dollop of paint into the bottom of the bottle. The color options here are endless. This set is monochromatic, but a few contrasting pieces would be just as lovely.

With the paint in the bottle, you will have to slowly rotate the bottle to get the paint to coat the entire interior of the bottle. This might require two coats. (Acrylic paint will work for this as it will adhere to the glass, but note that you shouldn't fill the bottle with water later.)

Let it dry thoroughly before you add flowers and enjoy!

xoxo Hannah

*courtesy of apartmenttherapy

DIY Paperplate Party Decorations

These darling (and super easy) party decorations are a great and uberaffordable way to decorate for Valentine's Day this year!

The key to making them is to bend the sides of the plates down in order to form a triangle. Then simply glue together, and spray paint or even glitter-ize if desired!

Check out more photos of the entire tablescape at Hostess with the Mostess
(http://www.hostessblog.com/2011/01/i-heart-valentines-day-this-party-theme/#)

xoxo Hannah

DIY: Jewelry Frames

No matter how hard I try, I feel like I can never keep my jewelry drawer organized and 'tangle free' for more than a week or two before it's somehow back to a ruffled mess! I have always admired the concept of creating a framed jewelry holder. I love the look of these, with the already intricate and beautiful frame, attach a screen cut to size on the back using a stapler, and simply hook your earrings directly into the holes of the screen! I'm sure you could also find a way to attach your necklaces and bracelets by attaching some sort of mini hook into the screen, then attaching the jewelry on the hook. I will hopefully have the time in the very near future to make myself some of these!

Dip Dyed Candles

These candles seem to glow before they've even been lit. The dime-a-dozen pillars were dipped in beeswax tinted with crayon shavings -- raid the kids' art supplies and your color options will be virtually endless. Group candles of different sizes, with wax bands of varying heights, for a striking scene on a sideboard or as a centerpiece.


How to Dip-Dye with Tinted Wax
Melt the wax in a double boiler or in a slow cooker with a nonstick insert. Let leftover wax solidify, and it will pop out easily. (Wash the pot or insert well afterward to use it again for food.)

Tools and Materials

White pillar candles, assorted sizes, $3.50 to $10 each, jamaligarden.com
Bleached beeswax beads (for melting), $13 for 1 pound, sculpt.com
Double boiler or slow cooker
Vegetable peeler or knife
Crayons, in various colors
Wooden spoon
Taper candle
Ceramic plate or baking sheet
How-To
1. Place wax beads in a double boiler or a slow cooker, filling about a quarter of the way. Melt wax, adding more chips for a higher wax line.

2. Use vegetable peeler or knife to shave bits of crayon into wax (totaling about a quarter of a crayon). Stir to blend. Let any bubbles settle, and dip a taper candle into wax to test the color (once beeswax dries, it can be broken off, so you can use the taper for the next batch). Add more shavings for darker color. Remove wax from heat.

3. With a slow, even motion, dip base of 1 pillar candle to the desired height. Hold candle in melted wax for 5 to 10 seconds; remove, and set candle, tinted end down, on plate or baking sheet to dry (once wax hardens, the candle should be easy to remove). If making multiple candles, return wax to heat as needed to maintain proper consistency.

Read more at Marthastewart.com

xoxo Hannah

DIY Feathered Headbands

These feathered headbands would be the perfect accessory to your upcoming New Year's Eve festivities!

Tools and Materials
Scissors
Fabri-Tac fabric glue
Scrap of ribbon
Needle and thread
Button
Plain headband
Clothespin
Hot-glue gun and hot-glue sticks
Feather pad (hackle) or selection of feathers to create one

Nonstick surface, such as a hot-glue mat or leftover label-backing paper

Fashion Headband How-To
To make a feather pad (hackle)
1. Select nice-looking feathers. Snip excess fuzz from around quill with sharp scissors.

2. Place a small dab of Fabri-Tac onto a nonstick surface. Arrange feathers with quills meeting in the dab of glue. Let dry for one hour. Peel feathers from nonstick surface.

To create a ribbon flower
1. Sew a running stitch on one side of ribbon with a needle and thread.

2. Pull thread while sliding ribbon down to create flower.

3. Hot glue button to center of ribbon flower.

To Assemble Headband
1. Look in mirror with headband on to determine placement of feathers. Mount feather pad to headband with Fabri-Tac or hot glue, and secure with clothespin until dry.

2. Add ribbon flower at base of feather hackle with hot glue and secure with a clothespin until dry.

Resources
All tools and materials available at most crafts stores.

xoxo Hannah

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Fashion Headband - Martha Stewart Crafts

DIY Peony Gift Bows

Here's a great last minute gift wrapping idea from Martha Stewart that's simple, easy, but looks like you took extra time making that special someone's gift look perfect!

With a little scissor work, basic self-adhesive bows are transformed into sumptuous blooms. For each "flower," cut the loops of one small bow and one large bow at an angle. Then affix the small bow to the empty center of the large bow. Coil a short length of matching ribbon; place the coil in the center of the small bow, and secure with double-sided tape. Showcase a single bloom, or pair with more matching ribbon.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Gift-Wrapping Ideas

xoxo Hannah

DIY Christmas Tree Tumblers

Oh the many possibilities this DIY drinking glass project creates! Gifts, candle holders, special party glasses... the list goes on and on! With just some glasses, a paint pen, and a bit of patience, these are an adorable way to add some extra flair to your holiday party this year!
You could paint drinking glasses as demonstrated. You could also use the same treatment on candle holders or on old Mason jars. You could simply trace an image by putting it on the inside of the glass and painting the outside. Or if you're feeling artsy, go ahead and free hand it! Silhouette glasses for each family member maybe? Or how about monogram glasses? You could also recreate your child's favorite animated character to make their new favorite drinking glass!
You'll simply paint the design onto the glassware with a paint pen (available at art and craft supply stores). After letting the paint dry the recommended amount of time (in most cases, 24 hours), bake the glasses in a 325 degree oven for 40 minutes. Make sure to NOT preheat the oven as sudden changes in temperature may break the glasses. Rather, put the glasses in the oven, set the temperature, let them bake for the proper amount of time, then turn off the oven and let the glasses gradually cool inside it. Then just fill with your favorite beverage or a candle and enjoy!

xoxo Hannah