DIY ~ Pearl n Crystal Stud Earrings

Hi lovelies!  This DIY I had originally intended to go up before the holidays, but the hustle and bustle prevented me from doing so.  These earrings are so fun and easy to make, I made pairs for my bf's sisters!  While I had all the supplies on hand, they are extremely easy to find/order should you need to do so, and with the leftovers you'll be able to put them to good use!  {How-to after the break!}

DIY ~ Tortoise Gem Earrings

Hi lovelies!  With the spirit of the new year in the air, it's common for most of us to begin purging our closets, getting rid of all those pieces we just haven't worn or used.  This week I will be showing you how to remake some pieces of neglected jewelry over into something you'll be begging to wear!  While the premise of these posts is not necessarily intended to be straightforward DIYs as you probably don't have the same pieces; instead, it's meant to inspire you to think outside the box with what you do have.  So head to your collection, start pulling out those pieces and let's get started!  {Click to keep reading!}

DIY ~ Crystal Spike Stud Earrings

Hi lovelies!  I've got a fun and easy DIY for you today... it's these unique crystal spike stud earrings!

Here's the inspiration, these beautiful Courtney Lee Collection Eve earrings, as soon as I saw them I knew I'd be making them!  Now they are on sale on Gilt right now for only $45, but they're sold out there too {here}  So if you really like them, you've got to check the how-to!  {Click to keep reading!}

My Outfit ~ Neutral n Easy

Hey lovelies!  As promised in yesterday's post, here's how I wore these incredible LeeMo Designs earrings!  Today was my baby girl's 6th grade continuation ceremony (seriously, I cannot believe I'm the mother of a 7th grader now!), and I wanted to wear something simple yet classy without being too dressy.  This Stylemint dress fit the bill!  Paired with some patent nude pumps from Target (which just disappear on!), it was the perfect neutral canvas to feature these statement earrings.  {Click to keep reading!}

SnS Loves ~ LeeMo Origami Diamond Earrings

Hi lovelies!  As you may know, I have such a penchant for unique, statement jewelry.  So it comes as no surprise that when Leela reached out to me to check out her handmade origami earrings, I fell head over heels in love with them!  I'm sure you will too... {Click to keep reading}

Mother's Day DIY ~ Chain n Hoop Earrings

Happy Friday, lovelies!  It's the last day of my Mother's Day DIY series, and I hope you've gotten some good ideas on things to make for mom that won't break the bank.  Please do let me know if you make anything, I'd love to see your take on it!  Without further ado, I wanted to make a fun pair of summery yet chic earring for your mom, or for someone you know who's a mom!  These are so easy to make, you'll want to make some for yourself too :)  {Click to keep reading!}

Kate Spade Jewelry Dupes at Target!

Hey lovelies!  Like everyone, I love Target.  I mean, I loooove Target.  They continue to step up their game season after season. So imagine my surprise when perusing some of their accessories, and I immediately thought they looked eerily familiar.  While they aren't spot-on dupes, there's definitely some Kate Spade inspiration in Target's jewelry.

The necklaces above are definitely similar, though not exact.  While the Kate Spade 'Field Day' Bib Necklace will set you back $278, the Target Sculptured Beaded Flower Bib necklace only costs $16.99.  Now I can't speak for everyone, but on a trendy piece like this, I'd rather save $250 (or put that towards my student loans!) and pick up the 'cousin' necklace from Target.

The earrings are also 'cousins' (see what I did there? lol), but at $8 a pop, you can get both for less than the cost of one pair of the originals by Kate Spade.  Besides, once they're on no one will be able to tell the difference!

Have you spotted any similarly inspired pieces in stores lately?  Would you rather the designer pieces (and prices!) or the bargain ones?

xx
Lia

BaubleBar's Spring Cleaning Sale

Hi lovelies!  With spring upon us (or so they say!) I am so excited about BaubleBar's Spring Cleaning sale!  If you've never heard of / ordered from BaubleBar before, they work with leading jewelry designers, the same ones who supply high-end retail stores, and curate a collection of on-trend, affordable pieces.  There's no commitment, no monthly charges, just buy what you want when you want.  The best part?  You'll get $10 off your first order when you sign up!  So click here and sign up!

Now, they're having this incredible Spring Cleaning sale, with pieces up to 60% off!  Here's some of my favorites.  At these prices, they all are affordable!


from L-R, top row:
Noir Spike Strand, $24
Bubblegum Bauble Bib, $24
Violet Triad Collar, $24

from L-R, bottom row:
Jumbo Amethyst Studs, $16
Popeye Sailor Studs, $16
Starfish Ring, $36
Glacier Ring, $74

Any pieces you've got your eye on?

xx
Lia

DIY ~ Pastel Statement Necklace & Earrings

Hi lovelies!  As I mentioned yesterday, I picked up an adorable clear crystal necklace and earrings on super clearance at Target and had a DIY for you using them!  I'm a bit obsessed with pastels right now, so I decided to give them the same treatment I gave my bobby pins last week.  {How to after the jump}

DIY ~ Kate Spade Inspired Splatter Jewel Studs

Hey lovelies!  Ahh the week is almost over, and I've got just the DIY for you to tackle this weekend!  Inspired by these adorable Kate Spade Splatter Jewel Earrings that cost $68, I knew I could make them for less.  Sidenote, don't they also remind you of the Carrie purse from The Carrie Diaries?  Love it.  {How to after the jump}

My Favorite Things (& Most Recent Purchases!)

Hey lovelies!  While I was on a DIY kick last week, this week I'd like to switch things up and share some of my recent purchases / favorite things with you all. I've been trying to curb spending lately, so I'm only buying things that I truly love and know I will use, all the while not buying expensive (ie, out of my budget) items.  {More after the jump}

MONDIY ~ DIY Leather n Chain Fringe Earrings

Happy MonDIY, lovelies!  Inspired by all the leather fringe we've been seeing, well, everywhere, I thought I would use some of the spare leather I had leftover from my skirt refashion and make these earrings!  Here's what you'll need:

• Leather
• Chain
• Cone end caps
• Earring hooks
• Eye pins
• Scissors
• Jewelry pliers
• Measuring tape
• Seam ripper, or something sharp to poke little holes in the leather

Cut the leather into 3 inch long skinny strips, trying to angle the bottoms.

Use the seam ripper to poke a hole in the top center of a strip of leather, repeat for the desired number of fringe pieces for each earring.  I used 9 per earring.

Thread them onto the eye pin, suede side down, if that is the side you would like to face out on your finished earrings.

Cut two 3 inch long pieces of chain.

Thread a piece of chain onto the eye pin.

I did two pieces of leather, followed by a chain.  I repeated that twice, then finished with 5 pieces of leather.

Finished threading onto the eyepin.

Thread a cone end cap onto the eyepin, push it down so it covers all the tops.

Cut any excess wire from the headpin, and begin to turn the remaining wire into a loop.

Before closing the loop, slip on your earring hook, then pinch the wire closed.

Repeat for a second earring, and you're done!

What do you think of the finished product?  They're very light weight and gorgeous!!  Be sure to send me a pic if you make these, and if you're feeling a bit lazy, I've made 2 extra pairs and listed them for sale in my new etsy shop!  Check my shop out, and please let me know if there's anything you'd like to see me add!

I hope to add lots of new items soon, including some woven thread bangles as well as my studded friendship bracelets! >> Click here for my new etsy shop!

Don't forget to enter my Shabby Apple Cameo Necklace Giveaway!  It ends tomorrow night!!!

xxooxoxo

Lia

New Vlog! Another Jewelmint Haul!

Ok, I may be *slightly* obsessed with Jewelmint, but their stuff is so cute!  And affordable.  And their customer service is *fabulous* if a piece breaks or something :)  Check it yo!



What do you all think of my newest baubles?

xoxo
Lia

DIY: 'Studded' Embroidery Floss Wrapped Earrings

Happy Monday lovelies!  I debuted these earrings in an outfit post last week here, and promised the DIY :)   Here's what you'll need:

Knot the thread onto the hoop and secure with clear nail polish.  Then begin wrapping around.  I wrapped 8 times then added a bead.  However, I could have spaced them out a little more.  To add a bead, simply thread the bead onto the floss and hold it in place on the earring while continuing to wrap the thread around.  Keep going the whole way around, then knot the thread on when done, securing with clear nail polish.

I really like how these turned out, and from a distance, they look as though they are studded.  I love this design, and haven't seen anything like it anywhere yet, have you?  If you decide to make these, please send me a pic!!

xxooxoxo
Lia

DIY: Disney Couture Pirate's Life Inspired Earrings

I love these Disney Couture earrings.  I love skulls, and coupling that with the embroidery floss wrapped hoop makes for the worlds most perfectest earrings ever.  Now at $48, they are definitely affordable.  However, I'm not going to spend that much when I can make it for nada using materials I already have!

I really apologize for not taking pics of the actual process, but I used four different colors of embroidery floss, about a yard of each per earring, a pair of plain hoop earrings, some plastic skull beads, and gold spray paint.  I spray painted the beads with 2 coats, they maybe could have used 3.  The process for the earrings is the same as for my Anthropologie Swathed Hoops inspired earrings.   I pretty much just eyeballed a quarter of the way around for each color, then knotted in the next color, trimming the ends.  When I was about halfway through with the third color (green), I threaded the bead onto the embroidery floss and then onto the earring, then resumed knotting the floss around the hoop.  This was a very easy project, and there are so many possible variations!

Do you love my "Pirate" earrings?  I actually don't think of them as pirate earrings.  Just awesome colorblocked earrings with a rad gold skull :)

xxooxoxo
Lia

30 Days of DIY: Day 24 ~ Chanel Inspired Chain Fringe Tassel Earrings

We've all been lusting after those gorgeous gold and black super long fringe tassel earrings.  I've wanted to recreate a similar vibe, without using spray paint and attempting to copy them too much.  I found some white chain at Joann's, and was smitten.

All you need is the chain, earring hooks, and jewelry pliers.

I kept folding the chain in half, and breaking it into two.  Over and over again until I had 8 chains (for one earring), for a total of 16.  Here's 8 chains with which I made one earring.

Open the hoop at the bottom of the earring hook.

Slide all 8 chains onto the hook, and close the hook. 

There's one earring, repeat for the second.

 Here's both!

 

How springy / summery are these?  Can't you picture them with a tank or maxi dress?  I can't wait to rock them!

xxooxoxo
Lia

30 Days of DIY: Day 18 ~ Anthropologie Swathed Hoops Inspired Earrings

Sorry I'm a day off.  I lost my job yesterday and took the entire remainder of the day and just cried and had a pity party.  Well I woke up early this morning with my big girl panties on, and got started.  This has been very humbling and shocking to me, but I must persevere.  I also have big plans to do alot more with my blog than just DIYs so please keep with me and be looking out!  Also, I will post 2 DIYs tomorrow, to catch myself up :)
I digress.  These awesome earrings are inspired by the Anthropologie Swathed Hoops.  I thought to also use embroidery thread, but I did the (what we used to call when I was a kid) "Chinese Staircase" knot.  Did you guys call it the same?  I had these old gold hoops I was about to throw away (eeek!) but thankfully, I did not!

Materials:

• Hoop earrings
• Embroidery thread (about 1 yard per earring)
• Scissors
• Clear nail polish (I used a top coat) 

Knot the thread onto the earring, right behind the post.  Cut the excess thread, and apply clear nail polish so the thread doesn't fray, and also so the thread is kind of adhered to the earring (so apply it liberally!)

Here's a pic of how to tie the knot.

Halfway complete...looking good!

And the first is done!!  When you complete your last stitch, pull it taut and cut the excess.  Again, apply clear nail polish liberally.

A closer view of the end.

Here is the finished earring.  So cute, right?

And the finished set!  I took something I was about to throw away, and since I only used about 1/4 - 1/3 of the skein of thread, spent about a dime on!  You could make it multi-colored by knotting another color in every inch or so.  Just knot it to the thread you're using, pull tight, and cut the excess.  You can also do this if you do not use enough thread.  What do you think?  Are you going to make these? 

xxooxoxo
Lia