Fabric Wrapped Bangle >>> DIY Tutorial

Here is a super easy and simple DIY on how to make fabric wrapped bangles (like I wore in my previous outfit post).  I have another one I made a long time ago that I wear on a very regular basis.  I was recently gifted these wooden bangles, so I immediately wanted to make more.  Its almost so simple that you dont really need a tutorial, but just in case...

<< Supplies you will need >>

 wooden bangle

fabric strips or ribbon trim (or get creative)

scissors

hot glue gun

<< step one >>

hot glue one end of your fabric strip to the inside of your bangle, preferably at a slight angle in the direction you are going to wrap.

<< step 2 >>

start and then continue to wrap the bangle around the whole bracelet.  as you are wrapping you can re-enforce with little dabs of hot glue on the inside, under your fabric.  You dont need to on each wrap around, just a few here and there.  Also, as you are wrapping make sure to keep it tight, and going at the same angle to create the same space difference in your pattern.  (unless of course you want it to be a bit uneven and unpredictable, which is just as cool).

<< step 3 >>

Cut your fabric to be just long enough to wrap the end part around to the inside of the bangle.  Just like you did when you started, apply hot glue, and then flatten out your fabric on it.  If you miss the corners you can always add a bit more.

And there is your bracelet.  You can play with adding more than one fabric together to create an interesting pattern play.  For my fabric I choose here, I ripped my strips instead of cutting them so that the edges would remain raw like you see.  If you are not sure how to do this, all you need to do is to start a slight cut with your scissors in line of where you want your fabric to be cut, and then hold each side of the fabric in your hands and tear it apart.  You will hear a nice 'rip' sound as you do so. 

I love these wooden bangles b/c they are usually big enough for my to wear high up on my arm.  But I also love this look of adding two contrasting ones together.  Just a fun easy way for you to accessorize your outfits specifically to your personal liking!  Have fun, and send me a photo if you make one!

PEACE,
Laura

A mini risk challenge...

Yesterday we had to wake up early to go to the city to take James car in for a recall, go visit his brother at the hospital & go grocery shopping. I surprised myself by getting ready early enough to look decent AND actually snap some pics before walking out the door. All before 8:30 is a BIG deal for me. This outfit was the comfiest casual outfit. I enjoyed wearing it all day long.  Lately Ive been trying to take mini risks in outfits - things I love but dont normally wear - like this hat for instance.  I love love love hats, but everytime I have worn one I always take it off before I leave.  It just always feels funny.  But once I allowed myself to get over it, I LOVE it!!!  And another one is the color of my shirt.  As silly as that is, I have certain colors that I tend to stick to.  Do you do that?  And green is not one of them, well this shade at least.  I normally go for retro greens like olive and avacodo... But Im so glad I took another mini risk b/c I love this color on me.  (Im hoping I feel the same way with Red Velvet's dress when it arrives, blue is another color not on my normal list).  I encourage you to take this little challenge with me, even in the tiniest of ways.  Its amazing how it can change your perspective.

*I have a super easy DIY coming soon to make this bangle above*

Im sure you noticed the uh-mazing necklace Im wearing above!!!  I recently did a lovely trade with my sponsor Blessed Bee Apothecary and I could not be any happier!  She was sweet enough to even send along another necklace just because!  I adore them both so much, so completely up my alley!  She has a lovely shop, go check her out!

Time to go obsessively clean my house & start re-vamping my studio to make it more organized and creative in there for an exciting upcoming project!!!  Im over the moon!

PEACE,
Laura

New hair // Floral outfit...

My hair has been slightly ombre for a while now.  Although so slight, most people probably didnt even notice.  I decided to go a bit more so.  I think Ill slowly go more dramatic with it.  As far as hair trends go, I normally dont pay attention, but this is one look that I just cant take my eyes off of when I see.  Im extremely drawn to it.  Since I did my hair today, I thought Id sneak in an outfit post since its been a while since Ive done a real one...

<<<  Outfit details  >>>

floral top - forever 21 (reminds me of my mom)

skinny jeans - target

heels - vintage

opal geology ring - Maie Dae

double bird ring - forever 21

(I got the bird ring b/c it reminds me of my parents being together again)

PEACE,

Laura

Monday night groovin'...

Last night was the BEST NIGHT OF MY WHOLE YEAR so far!!!  We had plans to go eat some chili with our friends out in Tarpley.  Their dad makes UUU-mazing chili that he includes chocolate and guiness beer in.  Its off the hook!  We were also having hot dogs.  Yum!  I honestly did not think the night was going to go well b/c I hadnt been feeling good, and I was actually on the verge of tears as we were pulling into their driveway just from being emotional.  But I knew we both needed to get away.  And their house is like our little getaway everytime.  This family is seriously unlike any family Ive ever encountered.  Four kids, all home schooled from ages 9 to 22.  The whole family makes us feel like we are their own flesh and blood everytime we are there.  And their parents hang out with us too, its awesome!  A super kind and generous group of people... I look up to them in many many ways... In a way, they have felt like my other parents lately.

Anyway... after arriving and sitting around and chatting with the girls for a while (and getting a bit of jack and coke in me) I started to loosen up and smile.  They had the music blasting the whole time, so we were almost yelling to talk, it felt like we were in a club.  It was funny b/c they had it on the 'hottest hits' station so I had no idea what was playing!  I recognized one or two songs.  But I got a bit silly with the music anyway and started feeling like dancing.  And at some point, after our amazing dinner, the whole family was in the house and me and the littlest one started dancing.  Then everyone was dancing.  Their dad scooted the coffee table and couch out of the way and we all just busted out two steps, rap moves, and all kinds of dancing.  We kept changing the music channels to everything under the sun.  Everyone danced with everyone.  James even danced with their dad!  I was so out of breath and almost sick to my stomach but I just kept on b/c I was having so much fun.  I dont think Ive had that much fun all year long.  I felt my old self coming out for the first time in a longggg time.  It was grand!  And they are probably some of the only people that make me feel like I can cut loose like that.  Great food, Great friends, Great time!  And, we had the doors open the whole time b/c it felt so good outside!  Almost chilly.  I think that may have had a lot to do with it too!  Things are a changin'...  (or maybe it was because I wore a hat)...

What a blessing others can be in our lives.

PEACE,

Laura