Summer Trends that Make Me Giddy

This summer has been scorching hot.  Like I don't want to eat because the process of taking something out of the refrigerator would result in me sweating.  But, I am not a hair up sort of girl.  That has to do with several ear surgeries as a child that has left me embarrassed about my deformed weirdo ears.  However, I have finally found a way to combine fashion and my ear fears.  A summer trend I am loving is hair scarves.  You can tie them any which way, they have a pretty retro feel, and absorb the sweat that may/may not be accumulating on your neck.  

I can be found most hot days rocking a hair scarf, even though my roommate told me I look like the help from "The Help."  This is a super short post, I know, but there is a very special reason for that...and I will share that reason tomorrow.  For now, get yo hairs up and go outside!  I know I'm going to...

So, since it's hot and I'm feeling a little dizzy at the moment, can I admit that I absolutely love the song Payphone by Maroon 5?  It's not my usual style, but it's so gosh darn catchy.  I'm sharing it, however, because the music video is the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen.  Plus all of my roommates, boys and girls, completely want Adam Levine.  Alas, it's the song I can't stop listening to today...

Does this braid make me a Padawan?

So for those of you who don't remember or who managed to make it through unscathed, being able to french braid is like currency in middle school.  All of the girls who could french braid got invited to all of the best sleepovers because everyone wanted them to do their hair.  Coming in a close second were the girls whose moms knew how to french braid, who somehow had time to do their hair every morning before school.  Then there was me...who came to school every day looking like Julie of the Wolves. 

This wasn't for a lack of trying.  I knew that the perfect french braided hair was the key to popularity, success, and most likely love.  So I toiled in my room for hours attempting to practice on all my doll's I pretended I didn't still own.  And to no avail.  I couldn't figure it out, nor could my mother or my sister.   I was convinced that it took a real live Rumpelstiltskin to be able to french braid.

Which is why I am proud to announce to you, 10 years late, I have been blessed with the magic fingers!! I have finally figured out the enigma that is the french braid.  Due to this, I have walked around campus all week with my hair styled like a 12-year-old.  You know why? Because for the first time in my life...I can.

Look at me now ladies, I bet you all want to be my friend.

I scored this shirt for 99 cents at a thrift store and it still had it's original Daytons tag on it.  It has to be at least 40 years old.  I adore it.  And the 1950's travel case is my new favorite thing, and I think it's going to be my new sewing basket...which I desperately need.  Just ask my boyfriends needle trodden feet.

DIY Cardigan Chain

I am not a jewelry person.  The only jewelry I feel I can wear are very subtle necklaces.  For real, I don't even have my ears pierced.  I feel like every time I try to wear anything more, everyone looks at me and says, "That girl be crazy. Who does she think she is?"  So begins my jewelry phobia.  I so envy people who can pull of more statement jewelry.  Nevertheless, I have been drooling over these DIY sweater clips I have been seeing on pinterest lately.  I decided to make a simpler version for myself that wouldn't make me too self-conscious, using a creepy chain and a pair of clip on earrings.  It was ridiculously easy and I think I like it!

I started this blog mainly so that my mom would be able to keep up with the projects I am doing.  As I spent last night talking with her about it, I loved how proud of me she was.  Before talking with her, I had been starting to second guess if I had done the right thing in starting this blog.  It made a few friends upset who felt as if I was stepping on their toes, as they had been blogging for a while already.  I am always worrying so much about what my friends are thinking or feeling.  After spending a few hours with my mom, however, I remembered what this was supposed to be about.  Me and her.  Sharing with her pieces of my life that she doesn't witness as I am away at school.

A song that always makes me homesick: Some Day Soon-Alexi Murdoch

Ruche Headband Knockoff

I fell in love with some headbands from Ruche, however the day I spend over $20 on a headband will be a sad day indeed.  I have been meaning to make some of my own, but hadn't stumbled across the right materials.  I managed to find all of this at thrift stores for under $1, and can now make beautiful headbands for myself.  And friends.  And their friends.

I simply measured the ribbon, and attached a small piece of elastic to the back with my sewing machine.  I decided to go with the double strand headband instead of the single, because it's a little more Elizabeth Bennet, which is what I tend to go for.  (1995 miniseries Elizabeth Bennet, none of this Keira Knightley nonsense.)  To add the flower, I used a scrap piece of white felt.  I made 5 flowers of varying sizes and sewed them together in the middle.  I attached some spare petals in the back to fill in gaps.

I went to attach the flower, but I couldn't find my hot glue gun.  Blasphemy! How could this be happening??  But then it occurred to me that I really enjoyed the headband without the flower as well.  Brilliant!  I decided to sew a bobby pin on the back of the flower, making it so I could wear the headband with or without the flower. 

Sorry for the wet hair, I couldn't wait another minute to share this project!  Are you going to make an amazing headband of your own?

Because there's more than clothes at thrift stores...

Today I went to work, and both doors were locked. I tried calling and no one answered. I have the type of job where I show up whenever (during business hours) and get my stuff done. However, today was different. My manager was mysteriously missing 2 hours after she would usually get there. Chances are she was picking up some groceries, but nevertheless it was an excuse for me to do some thrifting while I waited.

Today's treasures that weren't clothes included:
1. A floral purse (I already have a purse I am absolutely in love with and will favor till death do us part, however this has been deemed my sneaking snacks in to movie theaters purse because my other one is simply too small)
2. A wallet that matches previously mentioned favorite purse.
3. A hardcover orange copy of A Clockwork Orange that will look darling on my bookshelf.
4. A mint green make up bag that I got (a) because it is my color obsession lately and (b) it is smaller than my current make up bag. This may sound like a bad thing, but I'm hoping it will force me to consolidate and throw away some stuff.

All of that for $2! You saw correctly. It's okay to shake your head in disbelief. I also purchased some lovely clothing, but those pictures are for later!

Do you find other (non-clothing) treasures when you thrift as well?