The Re-Inspired

Designer Jewelry on the Cheap

2013-05-24T10:45:00.003-05:00

If you're like me, you never seem to have enough accessories... especially jewelry. I had an amazing discovery just last week with a few Etsy and eBay shops that sell the same designer jewelry (quality included) found in stores such as J. Crew! Not only do they carry the same items, they are selling them for only a fourth of the price!! If you have a little bit of patience (shipping will take approx. one to three weeks) and a little faith in me (I promise I won't let you down), it will be worth your while!

Make sure you make it to the bottom! Some finds are only $6.99!

J. Crew Summer 2013 Jewelry Campaign

Click on the link below each j.crew item to view products in my recommended Etsy shops

Black and White Bloom Necklace | Crystal Compilation Necklace | Color Mix Statement Necklace

Crystal Feather Necklace - Clear | Crystal Feather Necklace - Pink | Crystal Feather Necklace - Lime

Crystal Floral Statement | Crystal Collage Necklace - Clear | Crystal Encrusted Necklace

From the Campaign -

Venus Fly Trap (Top Necklace)

Floral Circle (Top Middle Necklace)

Retro Vintage Gem (Middle Necklace)

Rhinestone Puff Cake in Blue (Bottom Necklace)

Color Mix Statement Necklace

Color Mix Rhinestone Bracelet

Crystal and Pastel Drop Statement Earrings

Recommended Etsy Shops for this summer's statement jewelry trend:

Recommended eBay buys - With these prices... you can't say no

Vintage Bronze Statement Necklace - $9.99 + Free Shipping
Rose Gold Glam Spike Necklace & Earrings - $19.99 + Free Shipping

Same necklace found on BaubleBar

Crystal Cluster Bib Necklace - $6.99 + $2.99 Shipping

Now get to shopping!

diy: wood plank headboard

2013-05-23T12:07:00.000-05:00

Our master bedroom headboard needed.... well... A headboard... to make more of a statement. So, we took planks from the hardware store and a little wood stain and turned them in to just that!

Don't mind the missing closet door!

Stain each plank of wood using one cloth to apply and the other to spread the color evenly.

Once each plank has been stained, allow them to sit overnight to ensure they are completely dry.

Cut down each plank to desired length

Attach planks together using the metal brackets on the top, center, and bottom of the planks

Using your nail gun, attach the sheet of planks to the wall. Starting with one on each corner and working your way in to the center of the planks.

diy: monogrammed stationery

2013-02-19T20:50:00.002-06:00

Bell'Invito Paperie

I love when my friends' birthdays come around. It is the perfect excuse to experiment with a new DIY and share it with all of you! My newlywed friend, Cori, had her birthday this week and what better way to celebrate her day of birth and new Mrs. status than showering her with monogrammed gifts?! My favorite part about this project is even after the stationary has been used, you still have the custom stamp to continue to put your name on e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g! Let's begin.

Where to buy:

**I purchased my paper supplies through Bell'Invito's DIY Paperie here.
I created my custom stamp with Photoshop (instructions below) and uploaded my design to Rubber Stamp Champ, here. It arrived within 5 business days.
Embossing supplies can be found at Michaels or Paper Source.

Part 1: Creating your monogram stamp

Select your script font. I chose Mardian from Dafont (found here)

If you are downloading your font, click on the download once it is complete and select the .ttf file. Then click install (same steps for PC users).

Open Photoshop and create a new file. Set your resolution to a minimum of 300 to create a hi-resolution image.

Insert a text box in the center of the file and type in the last name initial, in uppercase letters, with your font size set at 50pt

Do the same for the first and middle initial on either side with your font size set at 35pt. Arrange the placement of the two outside letters as desired.

Save your file as a .jpg or .png (.png is my preference so you do not lose image quality) and upload it to your custom stamp order on rubberstampchamp.com

I selected a 1"x2" stamp (found here) since my stationary is 4"x4.5".
For more stamp size options, click here.

Now the fun part...
Part 2: Creating Your Stationary

Sorry I'm blurry.

First, line your envelopes. Place the envelope liner upside down and apply glue on the perimeter of the envelope flap. Slip the liner into the envelope and press down firmly. Repeat until all envelopes are lined.

Next, grab your note cards, stamp, and embossing ink. Press your stamp into the ink pad a few times and stamp your note card.

Sprinkle the embossing powder over the monogram. Make sure you completely cover the stamped area.

Shake off the excess powder.

Apply heat with the embossing gun to the monogram while keeping at least 5"-6" in between the note card and the gun (you don't want to burn it). The powder will start to rise. Once the entire monogram has risen and glazed over, allow it to set for a few seconds, and you're done!

You can use the embossing tools and your custom stamp on any fat service. I love adding the embossed look to my notebooks, too!

Annnnd.... I had to make myself a few set, of course!

flavor of the week: warm bodies

2013-02-08T16:06:00.002-06:00

You know that feeling you get when the movie you are watching is good because the soundtrack is perfect?

You: "Yes, I know exactly what you are talking about!" [Insert sarcastic tone here.]

I got this feeling when watching 'Warm Bodies' this past weekend. I have to admit, this film was a little dull at first, but once Feist began to play, I knew it was going to be a good one. It is not that the soundtrack introduces new artists, but the combination of songs and the mood when the songs begin to play. The soundtrack is fresh and sometimes humorous. I have selected my favorites for this week's playlist and threw in a few extra (you're welcome). Enjoy and happy Friday!

diy: ombre vase

2013-02-03T12:25:00.001-06:00

If you're like me, you have a collection of decorative accessories that you have gathered throughout the years that you cannot bring yourself to throw away (like my vast pillow collection in the living room closet). You REALLY might need them someday, right? When we moved into our new house last summer, I had a ton of things that didn't really fit the new aesthetic. The horrid green vase below, is a perfect example. The vases only had one spot in the house they could fit, size wise, but the transparent green did not compliment the navy blue bookshelves that would become their new home. They sat in the corner for a few months collecting dust until one day, I had a light bulb moment. *DING!*

I could attempt to spray paint these sad guys and if I fail, no harm. It's not like they were making a good impression being all sad and dusty hanging out in the corner. So, the vases and I headed out to the garage for a spray paint makeover.

Supply List:

Primer spray paint
Base color spray paint (I chose white)
Ombre color spray paint (I chose gold)
Painting paper (or newspaper) to protect the ground surface

Estimated Project Time: 1 Hour (Including dry time)

So I want to start off this DIY by apologizing for the inconsistent photos. This is a project I did a few months ago, but I still wanted to share this with you. NOW - with that being said, let's begin!

Lay down your painting paper and place your item on top. Paint the entire surface with your primer.

Once your layer of primer has dried, paint the surface with your base color.

**Keep at least 8-10" between your paint can and its victim. If you get too close, it can cause thick sections and drips which show very easily. Keep your can moving from left to right and release the trigger when you reach the outer most part of your object on each side.

When your base color is completely dry, flip your object upside down and begin your ombre effect. You will use your same spray technique but once you get to the point you want to achieve the faded look, you want to gradually move your paint can farther away from the object.

Once your object is completely dry, bring it back inside, and enjoy!

flavor of the week: absofacto

2013-01-27T17:49:00.001-06:00

Left: Brian Konicek | Right: Jonathan Visger

Absofacto is a brilliant pop experiment created by Jonathan Visger with the collaboration of Brian Konicek. In an interview with I Spy Magazine, Jonathan states that Brian and he keep their creations between the two of them. No one is able to hear their music... not even their friends. When Johnathan was asked about the origin of their name he said, "I chose the name because I wanted something a little bit open ended and intangible but that also felt familiar – that way the music could fully become the meaning over time. I ran across ‘absofacto’ in some argument on the internet, where this person was trying to act really smart and said ‘absofacto’ at the end of their statement. They used it as if it just meant ‘absolutely factual.’ Something about them trying to sound really intelligent while not only getting the meaning of the word(s) wrong but also misspelling ‘ipso facto’ and combining them into one word …the sheer wrongness of it stuck with me.”

Jonathan is also a member of the band, 'Mason Proper', which is conveniently included on this week's playlist. I hope you enjoy Jonathan's pop experiment along with the other killer bands below!

To read the full article from I Spy Magazine, click here.

www.absofacto.com

a new way to blog

2013-01-23T15:56:00.000-06:00

So, I am obviously very new to the actual blogging portion in the blog world but, I have been an avid follow of many blogs for quite some time now. The hard part of finding and following new blogs is remembering their titles (I am so bad with names) so I can blab about them to my other bloggy friends.

But, I have found a solution to the name forgetting and endless/unorganized book marking we have all been guilty of...

Blog loving, iPad hugging readers…. Rejoice! My new favorite pal is the amazing iPad app, Blogshelf.

Hey look that's me!

This bad boy allows you to subscribe to your favorite blogs directly from the app and keep them all at your finger tips within your endless [blog]shelves.

The app allows for easy and clean reading with the swipe functionality to quickly skim through the latest posts. Blogshelf will show you a snipet of the post and if you want to read on, tap the title and let it load. Use the “Top Blogs” and “Search” sections to find your favorite blogs and discover new ones, like The Re-Inspired. *hint*

This app will change the way you view blogs.

To get you started, here are a few of my favorites –

Home & DIY

Fashion

Music

flavor of the week: peter & kerry

2013-01-22T23:03:00.000-06:00

London's Peter & Kerry began as a impulsive side project. Both being solo artists, they became close friends through a year of record label activities and decided to collaborate. Even though neither one had done a full collaboration in the past, they wrote their first EP, 'Clothes, Friends, Photos' within just a few days. After it's release they have received press from blogs, magazines, and radio stations. I hope you enjoy my two favorites songs by Peter & Kerry, "The Shadows" and "Knees".

a perfect manicure... everytime.

2013-01-17T22:33:00.002-06:00

If you're like me, you cringe at the site of your bare nails. I feel incomplete without a manicure!

I used to get acrylic but it was killing my nails (and really starting to show)... so I switched to shellac.... annnnd my nails were still feeling the pain. I surrendered and went back to the good ole' polish but, who wants to pay $20-30 for a manicure that is going to chip within 24 hours? NOT ME! So I had to find a new solution....

That is when I discovered press-on nail polish. I know, it's not a huge surprise (yet), we have all seen the Sally Hanson selection at the drug store... but what young professional wants to wear lace and leopard on all ten??

I began to research online... if Sally Hanson was making these miracle strips, someone else had to be riding on this bandwagon. And low and behold... my nails found their saving grace.

Meet Incoco. A company that specializes in press-on nail polish offering a large variety of
sophisticated colors. The best part? One set is only $7.99!

These puppies come in 16 double sided, pre-sized strips along with a buffer/nail file, cuticle stick, and nail polish remover.

Follow the 7 simple steps and you have an amazing manicure within minutes!

application step images provided by Incoco.

DEAL ALERT:
Incoco is currently having a sale until February 16th, 2013.
A large selection of their manicure sets are currently being sold in a pack of two!
Stock up! You will be hooked!

diy: statement earrings

2013-01-16T22:43:00.000-06:00

So I have a slight obsession with unique jewelry. It all started a few years back when I wanted to make my girlfriends bracelets for the holidays. When they expressed how much they enjoyed them, I thought, "I could turn this into a small business". So I did for a year or two... and then life happened so, I recently stopped designing.

BUT - I will find any excuse to get back into it and make a little treat for my~~self~~ friends.

My friend, Jennifer, came to me requesting I make the jewelry for her bridesmaids to wear on her wedding day. Lucky for me, I am one of them (So I get to keep a pair of these bad boys!).

With that being said, this DIY post is inspired by the making of the statement earrings that will be worn for my good friend's spring wedding. ENJOY!

These gorgeous earrings were my inspiration.
By Auden Amelia II for $348 via ShopBop

I will show you the materials I used and how I executed the DIY version of these amazing statement earrings. The best part? They were only $18!! You can use this technique with any statement earrings you have been dreaming of owning but your wallet is screaming, "Not a chance!"

First off - the supplies:

various sizes of loose rhinestones
stone settings the same size as your selected rhinestones
rhinestone chain
plated earring posts
earring post backings
stiffened felt
super glue
scissors
exacto knife (if you need to cut out the center of your felt)
needle nose pliers
wire cutters
pen

Once you have all of your supplies in order, you will begin attaching your rhinestones to your stone settings.
**Do not add the stone to your top setting just yet. we need to put the earring post through the back before the stone.

Place a small amount of super glue inside the setting before placing the rhinestone inside. Once your rhinestone has had a minute to dry, use your needle nose pliers to press down the tabs in front of the stone... like so...

After you have placed all of the stones in their settings, begin to play with the placement of your stones on top of the sheet of felt.

When you are happy with the placement of your stones, gently trace around your stones.

Take your scissors and cut a few mm inside the drawn outline. This way, you should not see the felt backing once you place your stones on top.

Now, we are going to turn this felt into an earring! Take your top stone setting and your earring post and see how they fit with each other...

This is where you start to manipulate your supplies to work for you. Since my top stone setting was too small for the posts, I used my wire cutters and cut off each side to allow it to fit in the setting...

Once you have your post through the setting, add a small amount of super glue and insert your stone.

Allow your setting to dry for a minute or two. When your setting is dry, punch the post through the top portion of the felt cut out.

Begin to glue the remainder of your set stones on to the felt.

Measure out your rhinestone chain to finish off the bottom of the earrings and glue in sections as you wrap around the center stone.

Once you have completed your earring, trim the edges of felt with your exacto knife where it is needed... and ENJOY!

Resources:

Jan's Jewels

SweetheartJJ via Etsy

felt & earring posts - Michaels