DIY Watercolor Mug and Planter

dig-water color-planeter-succulent-pink-turquoise-mug-white-gold-

 This photo hooked me.

The idea was brilliant. The cost was minimal.  The ingredients were already in a drawer upstairs. The impact was bold. Within 10 minutes of seeing the photos, Jessica and her daughter were dipping mugs in their favorite nail polish colors.

Instead of using it as a mug, Gabriella opted for a succulent planter. And, with that, she is the proud 4-year-old owner of this adorable, trendy succulent planter!

succulent-pink-aqua-planter-mug-water color-nail polish

Warning: this looks easy, and it is; however the nail polish is totally fickle and it took us several tries to get it right {we dipped dispensable products just to see how it worked}. And, the nail polish hardens almost immediately, so you have to drop and dip – quick, quick, quick!

You’ll Need:

  • White ceramic mug. You can find them for $1 at Wal-mart
  • Deep container you want to throw away or use for paint only
  • Nail Polish
  • Warm Water
  • Gold Leaf Paint
  • Pink Aquarium rocks
  • Succulent
  • Dirt and Rocks

How to Make It:

  • Fill the bowl with warm water.
  • Add a drop of nail polish to the water, and it should spread.  You can use a toothpick to help create a ‘swirl’ your looking for. For us, sometimes the nail polish spread like it was supposed to, and other times, the drop sank to the bottom of the bowl. It’s hit or miss.
  • If you want to use an additional color, drain the water, and repeat the steps.
  • If you mess up, or there’s s spot you don’t like, just use a cotton swab or pad soaked with Nail Polish remover to remove the nail polish from the mug.
  • Pat dry with a paper towel and let dry for 2 hours.
  • If you want a gold handle, add painter’s tape on the mug around the handle, and paint the handle gold with Gold Leaf Paint.

To make the mug a planter, add dirt and rocks to the cup, insert the succulent and top it off with pink rocks.

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pink-aqua-white-mug-rocks-succulent-planter-gold-water color

{photos via j. sorelle}

ikea hacks

So, they are called Ikea Hacks. When a talented individual sees potential with a low-priced item from Ikea, they purchase, customize with a fabulous embellishment or full transformation with their DIY ideas – and that’s an Ikea Hack. Yes, there is even a site dedicated to Ikea Hacks – Ikea Hackers. Definitely check it out.

When I see some transformations – and I mean these are some transformations – from Ikea furniture, I am amazed, and blown away by people’s talent and creativity. I’m beyond impressed with the projects below that make the price tag for their furniture look high-end and unique.

The Ikea Malm Dresser {there are many variations and sizes} makes for a perfect blank slate and with O’verlays, the creativity is endless. Check out all the O’verlays here.

Ikea Lack Table
Lacquer and Linen made a beautiful transformation. For tutorial, visit here.

Little Green Notebook turned Ikea’s Vika Table into a glamorous white and gold workspace. Tutorial can be found at White and Gold Design.

Centsational Girl always amazes me with her keen eye for home style and she totally impressed me with this upgrade of the Besta, Billy and Brass Bookcases from Ikea.

Ikea Hackers featured the Expedit Bookshelf in a unique and rustic way. Directions here.

House and Home Ikea Tarva Dresser makeover is bright, colorful and we love the ombre effect.

{images via Laquer and Linen, Little Green Notebook, Ikea, Centsational Girl, Ikea Hackers, House and Home and O’verlays}

fall inspired entry

As we get our homes ready for the changing weather, and we grieve the end of summer and try to embrace the chill of fall, we can go so many directions with fall decor. Warm, earth tones, shimmer and glam or rustic elements. Decisions. Decisions. Here’s some inspiration…tell us {e-mail, comment, facebook, etc}, what fall ‘look’ do you like best?

CHIC ENTRY


3 Wise Owls, Z Gallery {$19.95}
Gold Zag Tray, Etsy {$98}
Nate Berkus Multiple Taper Candleholder, Target {$19}
Nest Sphere, Z Gallerie {$9.95}
Parsons Console Table, West Elm {$350}
Between a Rock and a Lamp Base, Land of Nod {$79}
Clarissa Glass Drop Medium Round Chandelier, Pottery Barn {$399}
Nate Berkus Two Tone Mirror, Target {$34.99}

RUSTIC ENTRY

Jillian Totes Baskets, World Market {$24-$39} for under the table
Reclaimed Wood Console
, Hudson Goods {$695}
Birch Log Bundle, Shop Terrain {$22}
Love Nature Candle, Shop Terrain {$38}
Frame Chalkboard, How Does She {DIY tutorial here}
Sunset Quince Wreath, Shop Terrain {$98}
Rope Knot Table Lamp Base, Pottery Barn {$150}

{images via Shop Terrain, Hudson Goods, World Market, Pottery Barn, Jayson Home, Target, West Elm, Etsy via Up In The Air Somewhere, Land of Nod, How Does She}

if this shoe were a party

We did a feature last year, If this shoe were a room. You all seemed to like, so in honor of NYFW Shoe Week in NYC, we’re introducing…

IF THIS SHOE WERE A PARTY.

Sometimes the perfect inspiration for an outfit or a party can be found in your closet…or by looking down. If your feeling stuck on a color scheme or ‘theme’ to a party, just look at shoes. I promise, you will be inspired. And, you can shoe shop while you’re at it…who doesn’t love that?

#1: Sacha Black Shee Footwear
Shee is a designer this year at NYFW Shoe Week


IF THIS SHOE WERE A PARTY…it would be a Palm Springs 30th Birthday Party featured at 100 Layer Cake. You have to see the full gallery here because it’s gorgeous!

#2: Sam Edelman Shay Bootie, Nordstrom {$159.95}

IF THIS SHOE WERE A PARTY…it would be a Vogue On Safari Party for Tim Walker . It’s fabulous. A safari party with a chandelier, sign me up.

#3: Licorice by Kate Spade New York, Piperlime

IF THIS SHOE WERE A PARTY…it would be a girly, neutral setting with white, tans and champagnes. These neutral shoes would be the perfect accessory for such a beautiful setting.

#4: SixtySeven Baxter Bootie, Nordstrom

IF THIS SHOE WERE A PARTY…it would be a camp-style, rustic-chic shindig. More photos from this outdoor camp wedding from The Sweetest Occasion here.

#5: Valentino Couture Bow Platform Pump, Nordstrom

IF THIS SHOE WERE A PARTY…it would be a pretty, lovely party full of pink peony’s, feminine touches and woman-to-woman conversations. This pink peony dessert table featured at The Party Wagon is just stunning.

{images via 100 Layer Cake, Vogue, Nordstrom, The Sweetest Occasion, Piperlime, The Party Wagon}

tea for two

A beautiful couple, a vintage-styled table {set for tea for two}, antique furniture {LOVE, LOVE the couch}, soft pink and whites tones, anemone flowers and even a pocket watch accessory for the groom…this shoot, photographed by Stacey Bishop Photography, really is lovely and quite pretty.

This stylized wedding shoot was created out of the love for all things classic and lovely. From a historic home, antique furniture and details, classically styled attire to the soft color scheme of the flowers, this gorgeous bride and groom take us to a simpler time without compromising style!

VENDOR LOVE
Photographer:  Stacey Bishop Photography
Floral Designer: Flower Allie
Etsy Designer: DeLoop
Etsy Designer: Sofisticata
Makeup Artist: Makeup By Amy
Bakery: Old Town Baking Co.
Hair Stylist: Doug O’Connell
Second Shooter:  Brittany Dow Photography

Submitted via Two Bright Lights