Saturday, July 9, 2011

A Picnic in the Park: Inspiration

AAhh summer: Bike rides, beachin' it, bbq's, and, of course, picnics! I've always been a fan of stealing airline blankets for future picnic use and, well, 'tis the season! Below are some fun items that I've always enjoyed on a picnic and perhaps you will too! (From left to right, starting at the top)A Picnic in the Park






1) First of all, what's the point of loungin' in the sun if you have nothing to show for it afterwards! This MAUI BABE lotion is THE GREATEST! it can take you from "January Office Body" to "Bronzed Beauty" in a few short sun sessions. But remember, there's no sunscreen in it! So remember to load up on that first!!

2) one word: HAVAIANAS! I recently got to spend some time in Brazil and finally got what the big deal with these flop flops is. They may just be the most comfortable pair I've ever owned, and they come in every color as well as some awesome patters! Just Try on a pair and I bet you'll never buy another brand of flippy floppies ever again!

3) I dont understand why people limit board game adventures to the family living room. I say: BUST THAT SHIT OUT! and bring a game like scrabble or connect four along your next park outing. I was recently given this AWESOME travel scrabble game and it has served me well! The new game sets are waterproof and fold up ever so neatly so get one for yourself! and maybe one as a gift! You (and the gift recipient) won't be disappointed...

4) Plaid shirt: Picnic Chic... 'Nuff said.

5) A Crossword puzzle (this may not be for you, but I never leave the house without one... I encourage you to just give it a shot. I suggest a monday crossword for beginners, and I bet you'll be hooked in no time. Plus, studies show that exercising your brain every day with activities like crossword puzzles and other brain games can prevent mental deterioration. Here are a few words commonly found in crossword puzzles and their definition to get you started...
  • Aerie: High nest
  • Epee: Dueling sword
  • Nee: Formerly called, or precedes a maiden name
  • Poi: Polynesian food

6) Everything is better with music. Grab some portable speakers and create a soundtrack to your life! Here are a few tracks on MY soundtrack that really get my feet tappin'.
  • Got to Give it Up: Marvin Gaye
  • Steppin' Razor: Sublime
  • Down and Out in New York City: James Brown
  • Mais Que Nada: Sergio Mendes
  • He Got Game: Public Enemy
  • Hold Ya: Gyptian (the Billy Blue & Nicki Minaj as well as the Major Lazer remix are both great versions too!)
  • Beautiful: Damian Marley

7) Key necklace... nothin' special, just thought it went nicely with the outfit. I've got a necklace with keys that I've collected from some of my travels on it...I would, and probably have, worn it to the park.

8) Wayfarer sunglasses. Any so-cal resident will tell you these are a must. and now that EVERYONES knocking the ray-bans off, you can score a pair for $5 at places like Venice Beach and Swap Meets. Sweet Deal, sweeter look.

9) Jean shorts. Cause Daisy Duke aint the only gal who should be rockin these. Throw on a leather belt with bronze or antiqued looking buckle for a more polished look.

10) And last but CERTAINLY not least: The Quintessential Picnic Item: A WINE (and cheese) KIT! Trust me: once you've discovered collapsible plastic wine glasses you'll never go back to paper cups.. and c'mon.. face it...you're far too classy for a dixie cup!

***A little extra*** also, I recently stumbled across this ADORABLE modern take on a picnic basket. check it yo: MODERN PICNIC BOXES
Well, there you have it folks: A plethora of picnic paraphernalia! Hope this post gets you packing up for the park!
Enjoy!
-Sarah

Plaid blouse
$15 - delias.com

River Island black sunglasses
£5 - riverisland.com

Havaianas Mens Brasil Flip-Flops
$22 - piperlime.gap.com

Friday, July 8, 2011

Stripes Ahoy! Style & Inspiration

Thank goodness it's summer! And what's so fantastic about summer? (besides the BBQ's, beach trips and your excellent tan...) Getting to rock the nautical look of course!! I'm obsessed. I wait around all year till the weather is appropriate to sport the stripes and, BoNUS, it's a style thats popular year after year! So here's a little collection I threw together to inspire your own seafaring styles and nautical notions.
Bon Voyage!

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Making Something out of Nothing: Awesome AND Easy Napkin Rings for ANY occasion!

A while back I was having the fam. over for Easter... and it was my very first time hosting a holiday for them so, of course, I wanted to make it extra special! This meant table decorations, tablecloths, fabric napkins.... the usual... but it was still missing something... NAPKIN RINGS! Nothing makes a table look fancier than some napkin rings! But the guests were arriving in a few hours, certainly not enough time to make a target run to buy some...so what does a crafty gal do? She makes her own!
You really only need three things (plus some scissors):
  • A glue gun (or regular Elmers glue or fabric glue, but then you have to wait for it to dry )
  • An Empty toilet paper or paper towel roll
  • A scrap of Fabric (any kind... i used burlap cause its also what I used to make a table runner, and you don't need much.)
And heres how I did it....(you're essentially just wrapping the paper roll in fabric and glueing it in place... pretty simple! But just in case, here are some directions!)

Step 1:
Cut the paper roll into pieces that are 1/2 - 1 inch wide (depending on how thick you'd like the napkin ring to be.)

Step 2:
Cut out a strip of fabric twice the width of the paper roll and about 4 inches long
Step 3:
Center the paper roll on the fabric. At the end of the fabric strip, place a dot of glue and adhere the fabric to the paper roll.
Step 4:
Fold the fabric over the edge of the roll and glue in place. (you will be glueing the fabric to the inside of the roll)
Step 5:
Glue down the other end of the fabric so all ends are nice and flush with the roll.
and you're done! So easy! and, like i said, you can use ANY fabric! Maybe you need some last minute fourth of July themed napkin rings?
Be creative and enjoy!
Happy (almost) 4th!!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Terrific Terrariums! An Ecosystem in a Jar!



If you're anything like me, and enjoy flippin' through design magazines, I'm sure you've also noticed the sudden popularity of desktop terrariums... no, not the ones that house lizards and snakes... the ones with cute little plants inside! These guys are EASY to make and so fun to assemble to fit your (and your home's) style! Also, they're a thousand times easier to care for than a house plant. I went with succulents as my plant of choice, but there are many options.
(the following directions are for a succulent/cactus garden, but its all the same, all you need to do is swap out the cactus soil for regular indoor potting soil, and lose the sand)


You will need the following:
  • an awesome jar/container/apothecary jar/any other creative idea for a container! (as long as it's awesome) ;)
  • activated carbon (sold at fish/pet stores)
  • pea pebbles
  • cactus/palm soil
  • succulents (go for the super tiny ones...)
  • sand or gravel for the top (not necessary... but it makes it look "finished" if you ask me)
  • small brush, ( a paint or makeup brush should do the trick. )
  • and if you're feelin funky, possibly a tiny figurine to put in your tiny ecosystem! (Mine is a lil' man sitting on a log playing a guitar. Picked him up at a flea market in Brazil!) be creative! anything can work!


Step 2:
Clean and dry the glass container. Layer the bottom of the jar with 1 and 1/2 inches of pea pebbles. This provides good drainage for your little plant friends. "Learned the hard way" tip: WASH the pebbles first! You'll be surprised at just how dirty they are right out of the package and it will make your jar look the same.

Step 3:
Add a 1/2 inch layer of activated charcoal on top of the pebbles. This serves as a filter for the plants and will nix any odor or extra moisture.

Step 4:
Add a 1 inch layer of soil on top of the charcoal/pebble layers. Place your new plant friends in your desired arrangement and pull the soil back to plant em. Start with the smallest plants if you are planting multiple plants. Add enough additional soil to cover the plant's root system and fill the holes. After you've got em just where you want, even out the soil and press around the plants to insure they are snug as a bug in a rug in their new home!

Step 5:
Pour enough sand in to make a layer that completely covers the soil. (about 1/2 inch) then use that lil' brush to give your succulent leaves a nice cleanin'. Brush off all the extra sand and dirt and BAM! Terrarium project done!