Paired With Daisies

Check out this nifty little clutch I made today:

I've been needing a new bag told hold all my film! Here's a link to the pattern I used:
http://www.noodle-head.com/2010/04/gathered-clutch-tutorial.html
Thanks, Noodlehead!

xoxo

Spring Fresh

Yesterday Dylan and I made yummy smelling perfume! It's so easy and there's a number of different ways to do so. One way, is to boil small increments of water and drop in the oils you want, and then let them fuse together. Another is to mix the oils with some form of alcohol, specifically Vodka. We've successfully made deodorant sprays with the boiling water technique but yesterday Dylan made mine simply with bottled water.

First we went to Down To Earth in Downtown Wilmington (which is the best place in town to shop for anything relating to smells!) and got some Coconut, Nag Champa, and Peppermint Eucalyptus oils. You can use any mix of oils you like. I wouldn't suggest just using one oil though because you wouldn't have much depth to your fragrance.

Next we added a few droplets of each into a previously used perfume bottle. Any spray bottle would work! Be sure not to dump all of your oils in; a tiny bit goes a very long way.

Test the smell to see if you think it's lacking anything.

Fill it up with water, shake it, and  voila! (Side note: Avoid using sink/tap water. We only used a little bit and the quickly realized that bottled water was much better.)

Shake it up well before you use it and done! It smells fantastic! Very beachy, but my favourite part is the little kick of peppermint in it. Also, because it's only water and essential oils, it's safe to put on your skin as opposed to all of the extra chemicals in commercial perfume products. Not to mention, I put some of it in my hair last night and check out how deliciously curly it was today:

Pretty exciting. I highly encourage you all to make some creations of your own and I'd love it if you shared your own recipes on here for others!

xoxo

DIY: Infinity Scarf

Although Spring is well on it's way and quite a relief from the cold weather, it still has its chilly days! So, the best way to stay warm with style is definitely a scarf that you can just throw on when you're cold and throw off when it heats up. I love infinity scarfs, but I cannot believe how expensive they are, especially when I know how easy it is to make myself! It's so simple:

All you'll need is 60 inches of fabric, fabric scissors, measuring tape, pins, and a needle and thread.

Measure 60 inches long, and 9-12 inches wide from the fold. (Lengths/widths may vary according to your preference)

Cut the fabric straight down the edge, NOT along the fold.

Pin the edges together, and sew a 5/8" seam down the long side of the fabric.

Once you're finished sewing, your scarf should like like the picture above. 

Next, pull the scarf right side out, so that the seam is on the inside.

Now, this part may be confusing, but have faith! With the seam in the middle facing towards you, begin to turn the scarf inside out, but stop when the edges meet. Now the inside seam should be showing again. You want to line up the seam at the top holes so that the scarf doesn't twist.

Next, sew a 5/8" seam around the top, but leave 1-2 inches open, so that you can pull your scarf right-side-out.
Be sure to backstitch so the seam doesn't come out. Almost there!

Pull the scarf right-side-out through the hole. This may be frustrating if your hole is too small 

for the fabric to be pulled through. Don't pull too hard or you'll tear the fabric/seam.

Once you've pulled your scarf right-side-out, blind stitch the hole up with your needle and thread.

And you're done!

Stay warm! xoxo

DIY: Fishtail Skirt!

Today's How-To: Fishtail Skirt

Why pay $10 extra for less fabric and more trend? Do it yourself! It's super easy:

-First, go shopping! Almost every thrift store I've ever been to has had long grandma skirts for cheaper than a cup of coffee. Pick out one that has a lot of movement and body. Then try on the skirt.

Next, figure out how short you want the front to be. Be sure to keep in mind about 1inch worth will be taken up when hemming.

Then, take off the skirt and fold the it back to front (as displayed) so that the front middle of your skirt is one point, and the back where the tag is, is the other point. 

Lay down the skirt so that the bottom is spread out.

Now cut a straight line about 13-15 inches in from the front point of your skirt.

Once you've cut your straight line, start to move your cut down the skirt in a diagonal line.

Now try your skirt back on to make sure your cut is straight in the front and tapers down how you want it to. You may find you need to round off the bottom a little or trim a piece here and there.

Once you've made your final cuts, simply hem the bottom so it doesn't fray and you're done!