I Heart Sevenly

Today, I'm sporting a super cute fitted chocolate brown V-neck t-shirt with my flared jeans and a khaki little jacket.  Yes, of course, I'm still wearing heels with it ... let's not be crazy.  It's casual, but thanks to the new dress code at work (so that we look and feel more like a "cool" technology company), it's totally appropriate.  The tee has a large swirly script phrase on the front that says "Live Life". 

While stylish, it's even better than that.  This tee was purchased and just arrived this week from an amazing company called Sevenly.  Each week, Sevenly offers a different t-shirt design to support a cause for people in need around the globe.  For seven days (get it), the tees are available and the proceeds are donated back to the cause.  The purpose is to drive awareness for the charity, do social good and provide financial support for the worthy causes that might otherwise go unnoticed.   

My tee supported an organization in China focused on saving the lives of baby girls that are at risk of being killed or abandandoned due to the cruel laws that limit the number of children a family may have.  I couldn't be prouder to have the chance to support this cause.

Now, I follow Sevenly on social media and their website.  I'm sure this is just the start of a very thoughtful addiction to new tees AND helping others!  Proud of Sevenly and the great works they do for social good around the globe!

    

It's a Cinch!

Topping my fashion "to do" list right now is a search for a (or a few) belts.  Luckily, I came across a great collection of reasonable belts at Piperlime.  And to make the deal even more smashing ... there are tons of options on sale so deeply discounted that they are under $20 each!  What a deal!

Piperlime is a gap owned concept store and they offer free shipping (and free returns) on all of their merchandise.  So, I cashed in on the recent sale and found a few adorable new belts!  All of these cuties, and plenty of others, are on sale NOW so hurry over to Piperlime and pick up a few new looks as quick as you can!





Happy Shopping!

~charmed, b

Necklace Scavenger Hunt

So many necklaces ... so little time, well - so little time to locate the perfect one to wear when you are rushing out the door late to a meeting, event or even just for errands!  Try as I might to stay organized, it seems that my obsession with fun necklaces has outpaced my ability to keep them all orderly stored in my closet. 

Inspired by the notion of those fabulously stylish jewelry boards that experts use at jewelry shows and remembering that bestie S told me she had made herself one of these years ago, I made two adorable (and spacious) storage boards to keep my fun finds organized and easy to grab in a snap!  In under and hour, I had completed the project and hung my little gems.  Now, these two are hanging perfectly at the end of my closet and ready for use!

 The Dish (what you need):

• inexpensive shadow box (these are on sale in the framing dept at craft stores frequently)
• foam board
• batting
• muslin fabric
• push pins
• glue gun
• tape

How To Voodoo (what you do):
1.  Begin by cutting all your supplies to size.  First, cut the foam board the same size as the opening of the shadow box.  Cut the batting and muslin a bit larger so that it can wrap around the foam.
2.  Use hot glue or adhesive to attach the batting to one side of the foam board.  Pull tight and flat as you go.
3.  Wrap the batting around the foam and pull tight.  Tape to secure it into place.
4.  Lay the muslin fabric flat and repeat steps 2 and 3, except do NOT glue the fabric to the board or batting.  Be sure to pull tight.
5.  Assemble your shadow box by popping the fabric wrapped foam board into the back.
6.  Add push pins (clear are preferred) to the top in a straight row.  I used the "two finger" technique and inserted each pin "two finger" distance from the top and "two finger" distance from the pin next to it. 
7.  Hang on the wall and add your necklaces.

The shadow boxes

Batting laid out around the foam board

Secure the batting

Secure the fabric

Two finger measurements

Finished product

These shadow box organizers are just perfect for organizing your fave accessories.  Have some fun with the project and use some fun fabrics to coordinate and jazz up your dressing area!

~charmed b

This post is partying over at Savvy Southern Style

So Dang Cute

On a little lunch break boutique shopping excursion this week (pretend you didn't see that Dear Hubs), I came across one of the new styles of Dang Chick t-shirts and I knew it just had to be mine.  Dear Hubs, a big SUV full of friends and I are heading to the Zac Brown Band concert tonight and when I saw this Dang Chick's shirt, I knew it was the perfect tee for the show!

If you aren't familiar with the Dang Chicks line, it's just adorable and witty.  Their shirts and other accessories are all jammed packed with "dang" attitude and are just so fun to wear.  Country star, Miranda Lambert, is a big fan and sports her dang Texan style when she performs. 

While I have resisted many of the cute styles each season, the new "dang southern" design just HAD to be mine!  Besides proudly sporting my southern heritage, sweet tea got a shout out on the design as well ... adorable!

Check out the collection and find a "dang" attitutude that you love!

~charmed b

Claim To Fame

It's one of those random things that comes up at cocktail parties ... how someone's cousin's boyfriend's friends know a celebrity and had some juicy gossip to share.  Or maybe it's that random happening of a brush with stardom in an airport (a la my cross country flight with drunk Eddie Money as a seat mate), but these are the interesting sidebar conversations that add a little interest to the everyday. 

This weekend while in Philly with my wonderful inlaws, my dear MIL told me that she recently sold a cavalier to Project Runway finalist Laura Bennett.  For background, MIL breeds and shows Cavalier King Charles spaniels.  Laura's little pup is the same tri-color breed as my diva dogs (but couldn't possibly be as cute).  MIL shared that Laura was a great lady and how much she enjoyed meeting her and working with her.  MIL said that Laura came to their house in Philly a few times over the past few months and now Laura, her big family of eight and their new furry addition are happily settling in in her NYC digs.

For those that can't quite place Laura, she was the firey red head from Season 3 of the hit show Project Runway.  Her designs are mostly conservative and she tends to focus on evening wear, but has had huge success with a private label brand with QVC.  Last year, she authored the book Didn't I Feed You Yesterday? A Mother's Guide to Sanity in Stilettos.  As a firm believer in super high heels (yes, still even at 7 months preggo), I have to say "Amen, sister!" and cannot wait to download this and read it asap! 

And last random Project Runway / Laura Bennett tie in, the next Season of Project Runway is casting in NYC in just a few weeks!  So, stay tuned for new episodes coming soon!

~charmed b

Like Butta ...

Spring is in the air here in the Atlanta area.  With spring break just wrapping, parents rejoice they survived the long drive to and from the beach and littles everywhere cry at the thought of returning to school!  For me, spring break is a gentle reminder that it's time to get my pedicure in shape for spring sandals! 

One of my favorite rituals of getting a pedicure is picking out a fun new polish.  While I stick with traditional on my fingertips, the little piggies get a more colorful option from time to time.  One of my favorite polish lines is the Butter London nail polish line.  The polishes are not only beautiful colors and long lasting, but "3 free" and do not contain formaldehyde, toluene or DBP. 

While I'm a big fan of Yummy Mummy and The Old Bill for everyday wear, spring break calls for a brighter, cheerier selection to fit the mood of the week.  Snog, Primrose Hill Picnic or Blowing Raspberries will do just fine! 

So get your little pinkies in tip top shape ... coat them with a little Butter!

~charmed b

Black Swan

The name couldn't fit this crafty idea any better if I do say so myself! (Well, it was that or Angry Birds; which as a sidenote Dear Hubs has been playing like a junkie!) Today's lovely is a great way to give a second life to any little handbag or clutch in your closet that's a little past her prime.

Carrie and her feather bag from Sex and the City



Feather clutch, available online

If you are like me, little clutch purses have multiplied in your closet over the years and you just have too many that have lost their luster and are not the dynamo they once were. While Kate Spade might have a heart attack to see what I did to one of her bags, this little idea saved this bag from Goodwill and will be the perfectly cute accessory for my next big night out! Perfect for dressing up jeans and a black top or even appropriate for a cute basic cocktail dress; my little Black Swan will just the sassy accessory I needed!
From start to finish, including feather clean up (which takes more time than you would think!), I was fashion forward in under an hour!

The Dish (what you need):

• A clutch or small handbag
• Glue - prefer glue gun
• Fabric glue (optional)
• Feather trim (available at craft stores in the floral section or fabric section)
• Coordinating ribbon

 How To:

 1. Shake out feathers to remove any fly aways (no pun intended)

2. Begin attaching feathers on the side of bag. Pay close attention to have the feathers hang longer than the bottom of the bag (but not too long). For my bag, I measured one ruler width up and drew my glue line. The ruler or drawing a straight line helps you to keep your feathers straight across the bag.

3. Continue wrapping the feathers around the bag on fresh glue. Press to secure as you go.

4. Once you complete a full rotation of the bag, move up another measured width and continue with a new rotation. Don't worry, you can cover the section where you moved up a "row". Important to note, if you keep your rows close together, your purse will be very full and fluffy. If you prefer for the bag to lay flatter and not be as full, spread out your rows (you won't use as many feathers).

5. Wrap final rotation close, but not exactly on the top of the bag. You need to leave a tiny gap.

6. Trim any feathers that refuse to lay flat in place.

7. Wrap a coordinating ribbon around the very top of the bag to hide the ugly glue seam and give a nice finished edge to the bag.

From very drab...

To fun and fab!

Voila!

~charmed b