Gem Faire

This past Friday I went with my trusty partner in crime, Ali, to the San Diego Gem Faire. I was overwhelmed with the amount of beads, gemstones, and jewelry there was to look at. It was a jewelry makers dream! The Gem faire was established in 1989 and offers lower prices than todays market value. Some of the prices were confusing because they offer the "lower" price per foot or sometimes per inch, which can drive the price up. If you happen to have a wholesale license most of the vendors will give an additional discount. We left without purchasing any beads, but we will come back with a more focused idea for what beads we need to make our jewelry.

Miss Ali 

Wowza

This beauty ran for the insane price of $300 the beads were from India

African Beads

How to Make a No-Sew Tutu

About a month ago, my friends and I decided to wear tutu's for our friends 22nd birthday. Yes, I know what you're thinking I am in my mid-twenties and still love a good theme party, no judgement please :). We came up with the quirky idea because tutu sounds like two-two, brilliant I know. Anyways, I had never really thought about how pricy tutu's could be until I was searching one out for the birthday extravaganza. Determined to make our own my friend, Ali, found a simple and affordable way to make them. Quite frankly, this is one of the easiest craft projects I have ever done, and completely impossible to mess up. I decided to replicate the tutu for my friend who recently had a baby girl. So if you have a little girl, know someone who does, or just like to dress up, here is the method.

Materials Needed:
5 yards of tulle for a two year old or 8 yards for an adult
Ribbon
Scissors
Ruler
Total cost: $9.25 for tulle and ribbon

Materials

Step One: Cut ribbon.  Measure 20in. for the waist and tie a knot on each end at the 20 in mark, making sure to also leave 20 in. on the ends for tying. 

Role each yard of tulle

Step Two: Role each yard of tulle and then cut at 3in increments 

Cut rolled tulle into 3 inch sections

Step three: Unroll tulle and on the folded end cut in half

Unroll tulle 

Step Four: Fold tulle in half making a loop at the top and then tie around ribbon by pulling the ends through

Loop around ribbon 

Step Five: Pull tight and repeat until the ribbon is completely hidden

Pull tight 

Finished product

I apologize for the some of the pictures, tulle is very camera shy and doesn't photograph well. Just for fun here are a couple shots of us out on the town in our tutus.

Promo Code

My wonderful and fabulous friend, Maryam, has a special promo code with Francesca's Collection. It is a one-time use code to receive 30% off any regularly priced item. Wow! How fantastic is that?  It is only redeemable online. To use enter "MARYAM" at the point of purchase. The code is only valid through 6/30/11 so get to shopping! Here are a few of my favorites.

Weaving Through Bag $58

Floral Scarf $18

Blue Streak Dress $38

Grid Belt $18

June Giveaway

Hello my friends! June is well under way and I decided to do a little giveaway. As you all know from my previous posts that I am completely obsessed with Anthropologie. I think it's becoming a problem and I will soon enter Anthro Addicts Anonymous...just kidding. So in honor of my good friend, Allison Tobey, who graduated yesterday from Culinary school, I'm giving away this cute little apron. It's perfect for all those summer parties that you will be preparing for!

Here are my list of demands...haha. All you have to do to enter is:

leave a comment here so I know who you are

like my facebook page

and follow my blog by clicking the "follow" button and signing in.

Pretty easy huh? One lucky winner will be picked at random and will receive this adorable apron. The winner will be announced next FRIDAY June 17th. All entries must have a U.S. shipping address. Feel free to spread the love and tell all your friends and family, anyone can win! GOOD LUCK.

Sale!

Francesca's Collections is having an a great sale going on through June 12th. Buy one piece of jewelry get another half off! What a deal. I love Francesca's fresh and fun pieces and fair prices. Here are a few of my favorites.

Homegrown neckalace $22

Sentiment necklace $24

Beaded Bombshell Earrings

A New Leaf Earrings

Majesty Chandeliers

Boulder Cuff

Primrose Bangle

Rock on Ring

On the Rocks Ring

Check it out!

Can I Please Live in the Anthropologie Magazine?

One of my favorite, alright I'll say it obsessions, is Anthropologie. I love their fun, funky pieces and vision for the unusual. Every time I receive the new catalog I drool with excitement! I think it stems for my love of the 60s era style. Shall we take a walk through the ahmazing catalog? I think yes!

Left: I love the orange-y flowing top with the rolled cigarette jeans. The necklaces are hard to see in this picture but are turquoise. I love the pairing of orange and blue.  Right: Maxi dresses are always a must! I love the mod flower print.

Everything about this picture makes me swoon. The photographer did wonders by adding the vintage chair. It's amazing what props can do. 

Can I join this fun outdoor party?

Wide-leg trousers make me happy. I would need some very, very tall heels to pull this off, sometimes only being 5'4" is a bummer.  I love the cut-out detail on the coral top.

Blazers are such a staple to any wardrobe. I like that this one is a little out-of-the-box, and isn't the traditional black. Mixing patterns are a must and NOT a faux pas. 

Ok, ok so I guess I love anything maxi. I can't help it. The lace pullover adds an interesting twist.

The "lighter than air" skirt has been dipped to have colors cascading. 

The knot and key hole back makes this a fun beachy look.

I think I'm going to have to buy the wedges on the right. Too cute to pass up!

Seaside Bazaar How Fitting

For those of you who live in or near my funky little town have probably been to the Seaside Bazaar. It's an open air flea market that has many different and intricate vendors. You can find anything from vintage jewelry to Tibetan antiques and French linens. My friend and I strolled through on such a gorgeous sunny day.

Amazing vintage gems

These were hat pins

Shopping for a hat for opening day at the races. My dress is thrifted and my necklace is from Forever 21 talk about a bargain! 

My friend Ali, don't you just love her style?

Outdoor Loving

One of my favorite websites, VivaTerra, has the most unique furniture and accessories. Most of their products are reclaimed, recycled, or vintage. I absolutely love this about them. I've been drooling over this amazing teak outdoor chair.

This got me thinking about sprucing up my patio area just in time for summer. This unusual planter was made from an old wine barrel.

I love the thought of adding a little twist in the trees, maybe these temple bells would suffice.

To throw in a little color this recycled Moroccan rug would go nicely.

I can't decide if I'm going to make the splurge on at least one of these great pieces.

Self Realization Center

Today my good friend, Shleepea, and I took a stroll through Swami's Gardens. It is a beautiful meditation center with amazing lookouts over the ocean located in the heart of Encinitas. I have visited the gardens many times, yet every time I go it never ceases to take my breath away. It was created by Paramahansa Yoganda, who came to America from India in the 1920s. He was one of the first teachers of yoga to bring it to the Western world. The gardens are open daily and it is one of my favorite places to go and breathe deeply and put life into perspective.