Delight in the Sunlight: 2014

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Street Style (for less)

Over the last few years, "Street Style" has grown in popularity around the world. This look is defined as "any offbeat or avant-garde fashion inspired by the contemporary culture of urban street people."

How great! While I'm doing one of my favorite pastimes "people watching", I can actually find ideas for new outfits. (Unless I'm looking at "the people of Walmart" -- Ha!) The outfit below would cost more than $8,000, but with a little searching, you can snag the look at a fraction of the cost.

(Source: Street Style - Leopard Coat by lgb321 on Polyvore)

MANGO black shirt
$39 - johnlewis.com

Oscar de la Renta coat
$5,050 - farfetch.com

Maison Martin Margiela jeans
$98 - vestiairecollective.com

Simone Rocha flat shoes
$260 - ssense.com

Salvatore Ferragamo black purse
$3,299 - luisaviaroma.com

Movado watch
$150 - macys.com

A substitute for the leather print faux fur coat is a more reasonable $178 at Nordstrom.

And a very similar black bag is available at Pink Soda for $47.

Finally, you can buy a pair of similar flats for $32 at Sole Society.

"Street Style" can reveal great trends, but with thoughtful shopping you can create your own new and less expensive look!

Monday, December 22, 2014

DIY Mercury Glass Ornaments

Mercury glass has always caught my eye, with its vintage, textured look. And during the holidays, mercury glass ornaments are a wonderful addition to our Christmas tree.

DIY Mercury Glass Ornaments

Making your own mercury glass ornaments requires few supplies and little time. Supplies include: clear glass ornaments, Krylon Looking Glass Mirror spray paint (available at many craft stores and on Amazon.com), metallic gold craft paint, a spray bottle of water and a hair dryer. Using these few supplies, you can create beautiful ornaments in a few minutes. First, spray the inside of the clear ornament with the Krylon spray paint. Then add the metallic gold craft paint, using a blowdryer to swirl the paint for about 20 seconds. Finally, spray a mist of water inside, and you're done! New or old, mercury glass ornaments will add a classic touch to your Christmas tree...

(Source: All's Fair in Love and Design)

(Source: Little Green Notebook)

(Source: Teal and Lime)

(Source: Every Day Home)

Friday, December 19, 2014

DIY Holiday Tree

Creating a beautiful Christmas tree - that also has personal touches - can be especially time-consuming. But I recently discovered a site, TomKat Studio, that shows how to create the lovely tree below in a short amount of time.

The Polyvore board above DIY Holiday Tree shows most of the details.

The site's creator Kim Stoegbauer crafted a beautiful handmade garland,
with instructions at TomKat Studio.

I love my children's preschool ornaments decorated with

glitter and macaroni. In fact, I have a small tree covered

with these keepsakes. It will always be my favorite tree!!

But on our family's larger tree, personalized frames

with more current pictures would look wonderful!

Kim personalized her tree with beautiful handmade photo frames.

Easy instructions for this project can also be found at TomKat Studio.

For a little more twinkle, you can add fairy lights available at Amazon for $14.

They are available here at: Amazon.

And by adding some glitter ornaments and a few mercury glass balls,

you'll have a personalized tree that takes little time or money.

Then you can enjoy the holidays with your family and friends -

without spending a lot of time and money on your Christmas tree!

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Festive Hostess Gifts

Getting ready for an Open House? Holiday party? Or family celebration? Now's the time to start thinking of a creative gift for your host!

FESTIVE HOSTESS GIFTS

All the gifts above can be found on Polyvore.
(And there are links for each hostess present in the set above.)
Two of my favorites are the St. Nick Candy Bowl and the
Snowman Goody Jar. Both are cheerful and fun --
the kind of gift that will bring smiles
to your hostess and other guests!

St. Nick Candy Bowl
(Source: Dot & Bo)

Snowman Goody Jar

(Source: Zeckos)

Throwing a party is a lot of work. But with a little planning you'll bring happiness to your host with a thoughtful and clever gift!

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Let It Snow

Snowy weather doesn't mean your outfits have to be drab and dull. Combining a fresh mint sweater with gray jeans is a fabulous look! You'll instantly feel happier knowing that you've added a touch of sunshine to a snowy day!

(Source: Chicwish boat neck top)
chicwish.com

(Source: Ravn white jacket)
$775 - net-a-porter.com

(Source: 7 For All Mankind mid-rise jeans)
$140 - theoutnet.com

(Source: Pointed toe pumps)
sheinside.com

(Source: Pinterest)

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Simple Ways to Style Your Home

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/12528665/?claim=2jfz69wkdzq">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Weekends are a great time to add some new style to your home. And you can spend little to no money to do it! Below are a few lovely rooms, followed by suggestions on updating your space.

(Source: Better Homes & Gardens)

(Source: View Along The Way)

(Source: ajchomefinder)

(Source: Brabourne Farm)

(Source: Shelterness)

A few tips to create a new look in one room in a weekend:

Sketch out the room.

Remind yourself to keep it simple.

Get rid of clutter and any items you aren't in love with. (Would you buy it in a store?) Also pitch dying flowers and plants.

Move furniture around the room, into new rooms, or donate to charity.

Clean and paint old furniture. Paint or add wallpaper inside bookcases.

"Buy" from other rooms. Find throw, pillows, accessories, plants, etc., for a new look with no cost.

Use spray paint; it's inexpensive and easy. Paint picture frames glossy black. Or add color and texture to vases and other accessories with special spray paints.

Overall, a few changes can transform the atmosphere of your home - and make a change in you! Many of these ideas, based on the philosophy of Feng Shui, can create positive effects in your life. Creating change in your home can create positive changes in your energy and happiness. A traditional Chinese saying goes, "If you want a change in your life, move 27 things in your home."

So use some of your free time to bring a new look to your home and a new outlook to your life!

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Vintage Christmas

Vintage Christmas style has become popular worldwide. Of course, vintage items can be found in old boxes of family keepsakes, in antique shops, and on eBay. But if you don't have the money or access to these items, there are easy and inexpensive ways to bring the vintage holiday look into your home!

Vintage Christmas by lgb321 featuring christmas tree light
Handmade Wreath - tutorial

(Instructions at: A Retro Christmas)

Cracker sets - tutorial

(Instructions at: Jane's Journal)

Gift tags

(6 tags for $6.26 - Source: Occa Home)

Free!
Vintage Clip Art and Cards

(Source: Vintage Holiday Crafts)

Christmas Ornaments - diy

(Instructions at: The Cottage Market)

What vintage treasure do you love? Glittery angel tree toppers, "Shiny Brite" ornaments, tiny bottlebrush trees? With a little creativity, it's easy to add vintage cheer to your home!

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Super Stocking Stuffers for $10 and under

As a child, my stocking was typically filled with lots oranges and apples. My parents were "Children of the Great Depression," so they didn't spend more than a few pennies on anything in my stocking.
With my own family, I've always tried to save money, but I also want them to find special gifts in their stockings as well. Santa wouldn't have it any other way!!

Over the years, I've found several things at the Dollar Store: inexpensive chocolates, simple toiletries, etc. But there's always room to add at least one or two nicer gifts -- and still stick to your budget! And this can be a task when you have multiple stockings to fill like I do! Here are few suggestions, many found on Polyvore: