Friday Fashion: How I Would Wear Stripes with Florals

What I love about mixing floral prints with stripes is that it's pretty foolproof.  Pretty much any combination of stripes and florals will look good together (as long as the stripes are black-and-white).  I saw these two images awhile ago and completely fell in love with the look of stripes and floral prints together.

via Sunday Crossbow

via Life Unsweetened, which is a blog that I highly recommend

So then I created my own outfits with stripes and floral print.  I made them in Polyvore, of course, since I still haven't bought a black and white striped shirt or black and white striped jeans.

This is the super bold version:

Pattern Mixing: Stripes and Florals 1 by jaythejedi

I feel like if you're going to go this bold with your prints, you should stick to neutral colored shoes and accessories, in similar shades.  I think this would be a super cute outfit for date night or even for work, depending on where you work.  And each piece in this outfit is under $50! (Okay, the dress is $51, but it's close.)  You can recreate this look even more affordably if you already own some similar pieces or if you shop at thrift stores.

This is a more subtle way of mixing your stripes and florals (as subtle as you can be with black and white striped jeans, anyway!)  You could make it even more subtle with light grey and white striped jeans.

Pattern Mixing: Stripes and Florals 2 by jaythejedi

I couldn't really decide on one floral top, so I made an outfit for three different tops.  I would definitely wear all three of these outfits.  I think the brown bags and shoes that match the top add a fun touch while still keeping it more subtle.  I would add a blazer, cardigan, or jacket with each, because I live in Seattle, but I ran out of space, so you can use your imagination.

I think that mixing florals with stripes is a really cute and fun idea for spring.

Oops

I had every intention of actually posting the Friday Fashion today that I had postponed from last week. I swear that I did.  But then I ended up working today.  And instead of the 4 hours I normally work, I worked 9 hours and 40 minutes.  It was fun; I got to help my boss design some really cool new jewelry, but I am tired.  And I am going to hang out with my friend soon, and make (and eat!) gluten-free brownies and watch movies.  It's for my birthday.  You know, the one that I had on January 28th?  We haven't had free time at the same time to celebrate until tonight, so I will not cancel.  I'll post the Friday Fashion tomorrow.  For reals this time, hopefully.

On Being Content

Lately I've been finding myself trudging through certain parts of life and waiting for others.  Working during the week and longing for the weekend.  Wishing the weekend lasted longer.  And I guess that's pretty normal, but when have I ever been normal?  So starting today, I am making a decision to enjoy every part of my life, every day, every minute, every second.  I will find something to be happy about.  Because I don't want to spend my life waiting to live it.

via mary.fran on Flickr

via Matthew Sanzone on Flickr

via workisnotajob

via Jessica Hische

via piece of cake/peace of mind (which is a fantastic blog, by the way)

Happy Earth Day: 40 Ways to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

Whether your motivation is being kind to the planet or just saving some money, finding ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle will help you to achieve your goal.  Here are my favorite five ways to save both money and the planet.  You can see the other 35+ on my Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Pinterest board.

via Family Handyman

I found this one in a blog post about Holiday Decorating Tips, but it is useful year-round.  Use a paper towel holder to store supplies such as tape (of the washi, Scotch, and duct variety), ribbon, trim, twine, lace, and more.  This is especially helpful for those of us who have small spaces instead of a whole separate room for crafting.

via Craft and Creativity

For your thinner ribbons and trims, Tic Tac containers are a great storage solution.  This recycling idea is originally from Instructables, but I like the photos on the Craft and Creativity post about it much better.  It's pretty self-explanatory. Just roll up your ribbons and trims and put them in empty Tic Tac containers.  This will keep them from getting tangled together and make them easier to keep organized.

via Apartment Therapy

This is one of my favorite things.  It is by Dutch designer Isabel Quiroga and I found it on Apartment Therapy.  You can make your own by either using old furniture that you no longer use, buying some inexpensive furniture from a thrift store, garage sale, or estate sale, or (if you're really lucky) finding it being given away for free by the sidewalk (usually in June and September in college towns, when students are most likely moving).  As you collect your furniture treasures, clean them up (if necessary), then paint them all the same color, or contrasting colors, or whatever you feel like.  Then stack them up however you would like.  They can work as desks, dressers, shelves, and probably a lot more.  The only limit is your creativity (well, and your ceiling height, I suppose)!  I love how you can make it so unique and personalized to your own tastes.

via my blog

I like this one because as a jewelry maker, I constantly need more and more jewelry storage solutions.  I have already bought all of the jewelry boxes at my new favorite thrift store (true story), so I had to think outside the box.  And in this case, outside the box meant inside the bottle.  If you don't drink wine, like me, you can either get n empty wine bottle from a friend, use a sparkling cider bottle, or use something else, like a vase.  To see how to make your own, check out my post.

via Wrapped Up in Rainbows

I am so in love with cute satchels right now.  I don't have one of my own yet.  For now I am content with browsing dozens of pictures of them on the web.  I love this satchel redo on Wrapped Up in Rainbows.  She took a plain tan colored satchel and made it into the beauty you see in the photo above.  You can do the same if you have a satchel, or any other bag made of the same material, lurking in your wardrobe somewhere.  Maybe you don't use it anymore because it's so plain, but if you give it a makeover, it will be ready in time for Summer!

So whether you're into saving money or saving the planet (or both!), I urge you to try these DIYs ranging from super simple to rather time-consuming.  And if you want more, be sure to check out my Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Pinterest board.  Right now there are 43 pins, including these 5, and I am always adding more.  Have a great Earth Day.  And if the weather where you are is anywhere near as nice as it is here in Seattle today, go enjoy the outdoors!