Shoe Staples for Travel

Shoe Staples by lauren
 

I've already started thinking of what to pack on this seven month trip. Thanks to Polyvore something that I am brand new to, but loving, I created this sampling of footwear. I want to pack light on the way there because I have a tendency to shop like most women. I have also heard through the rumor mill that maybe, just maybe there is great shopping in Japan. I was thinking five pairs of shoes. A flat, sandal, wedge sandal, athletic shoe, and a pair of everyday flip flops.

 

Do you think I'll be safe sticking with neutrals?

Is there an everyday sandal you recommend?

How about another type of everyday shoe?   

 

I'd love to hear what shoes YOU would take on a seven month trip to Japan.

Sew Busy

My writing here has come to an all time slow. For me this used to be a place I would come to document what has been going on in our life, where we are living, and the ups and downs of baseball life. Although we are moving to Japan in the coming months and that will provide plenty of stories to write about, this little spot here has lost its luster.

I used to love blogging and the community that comes with it. I liked being a blogger and taking pictures of everything I cook, paint, sew, or craft but...it's exhausting and I haven't found near as much joy in it as I used to. I find that I get SO caught up in how many followers, page views, etc. I'm not saying it's wrong to do that because I realize that blogging for many is a business and those things are important to succeed. For me,it drives me crazy. It brings out the worst in me and I pretty much hate the blog monster I turn into. This slow down has helped me realize this and I am going to try to focus on only writing when I feel like it. 

Since I've had so much extra time you probably wonder what I've been doing. We have slowly been updating rooms/spaces in our little home, teaching a Sunday school class, Christmas shopping, signing Japanese baseball contracts, and sewing. I have spent SO much time making fun things and this time lots of them are for me.

For so long I was trying to make my sewing successful and profitable and it just wasn't working for me. I'd get frustrated and start to see sewing as a job instead of a hobby. I see other bloggers making it work and I give you so much credit because it isn't easy. So instead of sewing for others, I started sewing for me, things that I needed or wanted that I knew I could make. I've discovered an even deeper love than I had before. I have found several sewing blogs and immersed myself in reading and learning tips and technique. 

My stocking via imagine gnats / Brandon and Tag's still unfinished (oops)

tiny fur vest for bff's baby girl - via See Kate Sew

a little Christmas dress - pattern via Shwin Designs

fancy baby bubble skirt - via handmadebabyclothes

denim dress - via laurendarlings

new favorite dressy sweatshirt - via laurendarlings

Those are some of the projects that I have LOVED working on over the past few weeks. I hope that you are having a stress free holiday season and are able to enjoy time with family and friends.

LD

Wild Things

Happy Friday friends. I don't have much for you today just a little something.


It's been since early February since I've been to Hobby Lobby. Earlier this week we made a trip. I wasn't looking for any particular fabric, just seeing if anything caught my eye. That's usually how my fabric shopping trips work. I walk around and wait until I see something that I know I want to use. I get a gut feeling that I can't leave without that fabric or I'll only think about it until I get it.


I kept looking and looking. I kept going back to the animal prints. I've always liked animal prints and even did a few small projects when I first got my machine. I just couldn't figure our what I would do with animal prints when NOTHING I've been sewing lately has been this style.


Then I found two other pieces to match that were even more out of my element. But I went with it and had a slight vision in my head of something that could be awesome. I knew I had to get them.

I don't know how it happened but it turned into this.

And I love it!


The end. 

A Messenger Bag

Here is my new messenger bag. 

I kinda love it. 

It's perfect for spring, summer, and the beach!

If YOU want one, I'm taking custom orders.

laurendarlings@gmail.com 

I'll even throw in a CHOOSE JOY bracelet.

My sister ended up going home with a bag in these lovely colors. 

Hope you're having a lovely Monday.

New Wristlets

The latest additions to the laurendarlings shop for only $8 + shipping. Enjoy!

Be sure to email me if there are colors you want but don't see in the shop. I'm pretty flexible. Thanks!

Hi-Lo Skirts

The weather here in Florida has been quite awesome. For some reason when I packed for six weeks I didn't bring a lot of fun warm-weather clothes. I didn't bring winter boots and sweaters, but very casual shorts and boyfriend tees. There is nothing wrong with this look, it's my favorite, but I've been in a comfy/casual look slump for a while. Too long actually. 


Before we started dating, the mr. said one of the things that caught his attention (besides the camo shorts) was that I dressed up. I don't tend to do that too much anymore because we usually don't have many places to go. Now due to our lack of a full functioning kitchen we tend to dine out most nights of the week in turn I have a reason to dress up again. Plus I know my husband likes when I put in a little bit of effort to look nice for him. 


So since I've started sewing and we are a little bit settled here I've been dying to make a skirt or two. I received an email the other day with some dresses/skirts and I fell in love with the style. The Hi-Lo style. The Pinterest search began. Here is what I found for my skirt making inspiration....now if only there was an easy tutorial online. I'll just have to do some experimenting. But please if you've seen one, send it my way.

Source: farm7.static.flickr.com via Love on Pinterest

Source: fancytreehouse.blogspot.com via Quinn on Pinterest

Source: prettystuff.tumblr.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Source: theblondesalad.com via Célèste on Pinterest

Source: brandymelvilleusa.com via Rebekah on Pinterest

Research - I need YOUR help!

It dawned on me that I did pay attention in some of my college marketing classes. In order to market and sell products, you have know know what your consumers want. Not that hard of a concept. Anyway..

I am in the process on working on some new goodies for my little shop. Poor thing is empty as can be right now. I'm chomping at the bit to get stuff made but we are kinda moving this week which is a pretty big deal.  I'm actually planning a March re-opening in case you were wondering so sit tight. 

Spring and Summer are upon us and I have just enough time before it does to get busy.  It's easy in the summer to switch out bags depending on your activity. It may be a day at the beach, outdoor concert, or dinner on the patio. But you'll agree with me you need a cute bag. 

I need YOUR help. It's a small favor really. I'm doing some research. Research on what features YOU like in a purse, clutch, wristlet, tote, etc. 

{Measures 10"x6}

Tonight I made this beauty and I was really wanting some feedback. Someone to sit and brainstorm and design with me. I like it, but do you? Does it need to be skinnier? Sturdier? Should I add a strap? Is it to plain? Less is more right... see what I'm saying.  I need opinions other than my own and you all are the perfect friends to ask. 

Big or small. Square or rectangular. Multicolored. Solids. Patterns. Fancy. Casual. Straps. Strapless. Zipper. Trendy. Pockets. Just to name a few. I might be missing something that is really important to you. So let me hear it.  What do you love in a spring/summer bag?

I love a Challenge

This week I took a small challenge I failed to complete I'm human. I'm busy. I'm trying to plan a wedding for Pete's sake.  One of my daily reads - Little Miss Momma - had a headband challenge last week. I love this blog because its fun, fresh, and real. Anyways as a result  of the challenge I wore a headband  a few days once. I did accomplish a few things I wanted to for my blog and hopefully a future successful shop. 


A tutorial:
I created my own headbands and a tutorial on how to make them. My first ever on my sloooooooowly growing little blog. 


Got Re-inspired:
Having headbands on the mind made me dig back in the archives to these headband photos that I shoved away. I love making these fun blossoms to go on headbands but lately I haven't been focused on that. I think maybe I should stick to them and keep developing to see what they could turn into.

[Wearing a spring Blossom]

Well thats that. Here are my photos from the headband challenge week.

[ Photo from tutorial - easy easy easy]

[Twist on an old headband I made and now love.]

The last photo is a photo of another headband I made this week. Fall is almost here and I love wearing felt. It is going to be tolerable when this one hundred degree weather fades. So excited to be creating fun fabulous headbands again. Thanks Ashley for the kick in the caboose, not that I needed anything else to distract from wedding planning. 


If it isn't to much trouble for you could you head over and 'like' my link for a chance to get featured on her blog? Thanks friends. 

Easy Headband Tutorial & Giveaway

Tutorials are way more work than I thought they would be. Make the product step by step. Take photos along the way. Make sure hands and nails don't look nasty, or at least I did because I'm weird like that. Model the finished product or find someone to model. Edit photos. Watermark photos. (which I tried for the first time, hopefully it gets easier OR I get a program that makes it easier) Realize photos are forgotten to explain the tricky parts. Then post and explain everything. Enough about how hard it is and I'm excited to share my VERY FIRST tutorial. 

Supplies:

7/8" gross grain ribbon 

1/4" braided elastic (black or white)

Scissors

Lighter

Cut between 15 and 16 inches of ribbon color of your choice.

 Cut 5" elastic.

Hold flame near end of the ribbon, not on it, to finish the end preventing frays.

Fold top half over elastic and sew down. 

***If you are using ribbon that is not the same on both sides - sew elastic, like picture above, to the side that will show. You will see why in a few steps. For example if you have a leopard print on side a and tan on side b, make sure the leopard print is side you are looking at and folding over onto elastic. Sorry there is no photo explanation. 

Fold bottom half over elastic sew. 

Repeat on other end. 

Almost done..

Flip ends in so that finished side shows. 

Wear any way. All ways. Enjoy your new headbands for summer!

That was fun. I want to do another one right now. They are worth the hard work. Can't wait to see what fun headbands y'all make. 

Now even though they are easy to make, I'd like to give one of these AWESOME headbands away to three lucky readers. Leave me a comment telling me which color or print you would love this headband in & where you would wear it. Winners will be announced Monday night. Go on now --- tell ALL your friends!

P.S Nail color is Fiesta by Essie

Toes

It is summer, thus making it prime time for my mild case of OCD to be in full swing. I am always on the lookout for new colors or fun ways to paint my nails, toes and fingers. I was on a hunt for a 'shattered' or 'crackle' nail polish and found something that I think is just a touch cuter. The cashier at Sephora, where I was looking for a shattered polish, had a few of her nails painted this fun sparkly way with Teal and Gold. It was awesome! I knew I wanted to try it immediately. The look is created by concentrating glitter at just the tip or end of the nail. Its no real pattern but that is what makes it fun, you can't mess it up. 

[French Affair-Only Gold for Me-Wild About Shimmer]

 First you pick your base color. Let dry. I used French Affair by Essie because it was 50% off at Walgreens and a great summer hue. Then I used Wild About Shimmer brushing just on the tip. Finally I follow with a drop of Only Gold for Me on the end. I use my finger to push the polish back onto the nail. I tried using the brush but the big glitter chunks stuck and defeated the purpose. Its not the most simple way but it was the directions I was given. 

It is hard to tell how sparkly and fun it really is in pictures. I tried and tried to capture it, I did my best. I was wearing my favorite type of summer sandal: the wedge. These are by Unlisted and I believe I snagged the bronze beauties at Shoe Carnival for under $20. Let me know if you have any fun painting pointers.

I am linking up at http://www.iheartnaptime.net/ 's Sundae Scoop. Go check out some other awesome crafty blogs.