DIY candy dot cardigan

Modcloth asked four bloggers (including me!) to do a DIY makeover on their charter school cardigan. I went with a really super ridiculously easy project that doesn't even have to be permanent. I used brads from the craft store to create a candy-dot border around the neckline and I love how it turned out! You can view the whole project on the modcloth blog here and watch my little tutorial video below :)

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here's an idea: TTFN sign

We're big Winnie the Pooh fans in my family and we each have a character to represent us -- mine is Tigger! I decided to pay homage to my favorite bouncy tiger with this sign above my front door :)

My apartment is on the second floor but you enter at ground level and go up a private staircase to get there, so I thought I'd put a hello sign at the top of the stairs to greet guests when they're arriving (I haven't decided what that one is going to say yet..) and a goodbye sign at the bottom for when they leave.

It was so simple it doesn't even require a DIY post -- I just bought wooden letters at the craft store (already painted white) and attached them with Command strips. The whole project cost like $12. I haven't been super cautious about being renter-friendly (I got a list of how much each thing will cost to replace when I moved in and I'm just planning on owing some money when I move out, lol) but this project is definitely renter-friendly and so fun! :)

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my cat-friendly menorah

My dad was raised Jewish and my mom was raised Christian, so I'm one of those lucky people who gets to celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah! We've always made a bigger deal out of Christmas since my dad's family was never big on holidays, but lately I've been making more of an effort to celebrate both sides of my heritage this time of year.

The one hindrance to doing so in my own apartment is that I have very ornery cats (and, I have to admit, I'm a huge klutz myself) so lit candles are just not an option. Even if I sat at a safe distance with my cats locked in another room I'm pretty sure one of us would still manage to set my building on fire. Enter -- the cat (and Kate) friendly menorah!

I purchased this wooden toy menorah from amazon and simply painted the base pink with some leftover wall paint. The candles were already colors that I'm smitten with so I left them the way they were. Now here's the awesome thing about this set -- the little flames are removable! So you can technically "light" each candle! I love it!



Target is carrying wooden menorahs this year, too. As long as the shape is pretty you can really paint it any color to suit your own style! Obviously I will always go the pastel route, but I also think it would look so pretty painted white with gold candles and light blue flames!

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daisy button restyle

Lately I've been toying with the idea of updating a lot of my clothes with quick easy little DIY projects. It's so much cheaper than buying new things but it still gives your wardrobe a breath of fresh air! And some minor tweaks can make a plain old garment look really special. There are some things (like big daisy buttons on a coat!) that would make me click "add to cart" in a heartbeat, when it's such an easy thing to just do at home myself!

So for my first project I bought some plastic daisy cabochons to attach to the buttons on my winter coat. It originally came with big round pink and gold shiny buttons which I didn't like, but I knew eventually I'd find the right ones to replace them. (Here's what the coat originally looked like.) These are actually cabochons, not buttons. They have completely flat backs, and no holes to attach them to fabric.



First I found some plain flat buttons to replace the big round ones that the coat came with. I sewed them into place using embroidery thread, and then used masking tape to tape off around each button, just to make sure I didn't get any glue on the fabric!

E6000 glue is my favorite for projects like this. It's incredibly strong and works on practically every surface. You just apply some to each object, let it cure for about 5-10 minutes, and then press the two objects together. I used clothes pins to hold the buttons and cabochons in place and then let the glue dry for 24 hours. One thing to double check is that the new buttons will fit through the existing buttonholes. Mine are a little snug so I'll probably have to open up the holes a bit.



The cabochons came in packs of 4 with varying sizes so I decided to use some of my leftovers on an old cardigan! I love how it turned out! This is such a simple, ridiculously easy project but it makes such a huge difference!

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DIY television cozy (my favorite project ever!)

Ever since I got my first tv when I was a teenager, I've had a hard time striking a balance between how much I love watching it when it's on and how much I hate seeing it when it's off. Unless you have a monochrome bachelor pad or enough money to make your tv disappear into a dresser, it's kind of difficult to fit these big dark behemoths into your decor.

It probably wasn't super safe, but I covered my first tv in faux concrete acrylic medium so it looked like a big slab of cement. For my last tv I covered the frame in vintage contact paper. Neither of those were perfect (and neither of them covered the screen, which still looked awful when it was turned off) but they definitely helped.



I recently upgraded to a pretty big television (42") and in my tiny pastel room, it just stuck out like a sore thumb. I finally came up with a way to hide it when it's not on, and I wish I had thought of this sooner! It was SO easy to whip this up, and it's equally easy to take it on and off of my tv. And I love it!!

I also spray painted the base light blue (Valspar satin "Encounter") and decided to hang one of my favorite Bette Davis photos from the top when its not in use. It's just on a skirt hanger, so it literally takes 2 seconds to hang it up or take it down and it's lightweight enough to not be doing any damage to my television. Just another simple way to make the tv blend into my room a little more ;)



To make your own tv cozy, first you have to measure your television. Make sure you get exact measurements so that the fabric will fit snug. Also, make sure you actually measure it, don't go by the size of your screen. The advertised screen size is measured diagonally, so my 42" screen is actually 38" across.

Next you want to measure your fabric. Draw out a rectangle that measures the width of the tv by the height of the tv. Then you want to add the depth + 1 inch to each side.



Hem the edges and then sew the corners to create a box. It's kind of like you're making a fitted sheet for your tv! If you're confused at all about what I mean just take a peek at your bed sheet lol :)

Now sew elastic right above the hem. You want to be stretching out the elastic while you're sewing so that it bunches the fabric. Once the elastic is in place, you're done! Just slip the cover over the front of the tv and you're all set.



I found that on my tv the fabric was sagging a tiny bit in the middle (not entirely sure if it's because I wasn't pulling the elastic tight enough while I was sewing or because my tv screen is so big) so I devised a little elastic suspender. I just threaded elastic through small alligator clips (I got mine on etsy) and knotted them tight. One clip at the top and bottom of the cozy helps keep it nice and snug on my tv screen!



When I showed my brother he said "you must be the only person on the planet who would buy a 42" HD television and want to HIDE it!" lol! I just can't stand the way modern tvs look, and don't think we should have to sacrifice the prettiness of our rooms at the altar of entertainment :)

Also, an added bonus to using a cozy -- it also functions as a dust cover! yay!

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what's old is new again

Last week I found a really pretty suitcase at a vintage shop in New Hope, but one side of the bag was completely faded. It was only $20 though (and these tend to be so much more online, especially with shipping!) so I snatched it up anyway.

I got some fabric markers in the same colors of the suitcase, and just touched up all of the colors! It was like paint-by-number.. a little bit time consuming but really easy! I think re-doing the black outline is what made the most difference but even the vibrancy of the green and blue is incredibly noticeable.



This was such an easy project and it gave the bag a major facelift! :) I've been using the suitcase on my trip and so far the colors are holding up great. It even came into contact with some rain and the colors didn't run! I'm definitely going to keep this in mind from now on when I see really faded items, now that I know it's such an easy fix!

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if you like it then you should have put a coat of paint on it

Recently at Target I overheard a woman lamenting the fact that the (easily paintable!!) item she loved came in a color she didn't. I wanted to run over to her and preach the gospel of paint. But, being a shy person who avoids talking to strangers at all costs, I decided to avoid the soapbox for the time being and pour my passion into a blog post instead ;)

Paint allows you to see potential in things that you'd otherwise avoid. It can turn cheap toys (like... plastic dinosaurs) into cute decor, and ugly flea market finds into treasured possessions. And it's fun!! If you haven't seen a horrendous color disappear while you're waving a can of spray paint over it like a magic wand... well you simply have not lived, my friend!

Here are some of my favorite paint transformations!



Thanks to spray paint, I turned a bright red french fry bowl and a neon yellow clearance basket into pretty purple organizers for my closet! The same color also came in handy for my DIY lipstick holder!



Packing orders for my etsy shop requires the use of some terribly ugly utilitarian supplies like tape dispensers. The green one began life in a dull beige hue, and the peach one was originally black. I'm so much happier working when my office supplies are this pretty :)



This lamp was a flea market find almost 10 years ago. It was black and rusty and the original wiring was frayed. A little sandpaper and spray paint and it looks as good as new! My mom and I re-wired it, and now it's a one of a kind lamp that is right at home in my bedroom.



My IKEA dresser was originally completely unfinished wood, but I decided a couple months ago to spruce it up by painting the frame the same grapefruit shade as my door and closet. I also switched out the standard knobs. The flowers are from Anthropologie and the cats are from Urban Outfitters.



While I had the paint out, I also decided to paint my office desk! It too was unfinished wood and needed a little pick-me-up. I love unfinished wood (the desk behind me in my outfit pictures doesn't have any stain or paint on it) but sometimes a bright coat of paint is just so much better!



For the dressers in my closet I did the same thing that I did in my bedroom and just painted the frame. I think covering the original plain birch wood with mint green helped make these look more at home in my 60's beauty parlor themed dressing room!



Last but not least, my absolute favorite paint makeover! It was so easy (and cheap! I didn't even use one full quart of paint) and it made SUCH a huge difference! My room feels so much bigger and brighter since I painted my bed frame mint green.

And I mean, isn't it a nice thought that when you're shopping for a bed -- or a dresser, or a lamp, or a table -- that the only thing you really NEED to consider is the quality and basic structure. Even if it's the most hideous hue you've ever seen or covered in a blinding pattern fit for a fun house, as long as there is paint on this planet it doesn't matter. Just something to remember next time you're at Target and see the most beautiful vase you've ever laid your eyes on in the most apalling color known to man ;)

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diy clip in bangs [guest post]

Hi there, my name is Ally and I blog over at now that's pretty. Today I'm here to share a little DIY that can totally change your hair but doesn't require any awkward cutting or growing out periods. The other day I was out shopping and saw clip in bangs (we call them winges over here because they are fringe wigs...oh yeah we call bangs fringes). They looked pretty cool but were uber expensive so I decided to make my own. The only downside to the DIY version is that you have to wear a ribbon to cover the seam but there's nothing wrong with a little encouragement to decorate yourself with bows right?



You will need:

Hair extensions of the same colour as your hair- I had some from when I'd been growing my hair out but you can usually get them in chemists and beauty stores quite cheaply. If not you can use a wig and then cut the hair away from the net (keeping the hair fibers on the seam).

A needle and cotton
Scissors
Hair straighteners



The making- 1) First straighten the hair you're working with, it makes it easier to manage and judge length. 2) Cut off the existing clips or attachments. 3) You will now be left with hair on a seam. Do this until you have a few layers because you need the bangs to be nice and thick. 4) Layer up your seams and sew them together (You don't have to be very neat here as long as its relatively strong). Also at this point check they are the right width for your head. 5) You now have the hair you will be working with! 6) Re-attach some clips- one in the middle and one at each side. 7) Finally cut your bangs. It's better to cut a little at a time than to suddenly realise you've cut it way too short. 8) Yay! All finished! I left some little tendrils at the sides as well because they make it look a little more natural.



The styling- 1) Unclip all your fastenings. 2) Clip your bangs on. 3) Use a straightening iron to slightly curl your bangs under. This makes them look less rough. 4) See? Much better. 5) Since you can still see the seam you will need to cover it. You can get a little creative here, I usually use a ribbon but in the past I've used plaits or curls of my own hair. 6) Ta-daa!

Have fun with your new hair style!

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quick & easy hairdos [guest post]

Hello wonderful readers of Scathingly Brilliant! I'm Britney from Scout and today I am blogging for Kate while she is away. I am sure that we can all understand the hardship that Kate is going through. I recently lost my dog and its so heart wrenching that at times it is unbearable. You've spent their life thinking you are prepared but up until it happens you never realize just how much it will hurt. Lets all send Kate hugs and love from all around the world. Lots of them!!!

In honour of Kate (and her brilliance) I'm going to show you a few quick and easy hair-dos to make your day better if you are feeling a little uninspired and sad!! When I am a little down and even if I have no where to go I'll do my makeup, hair and get dressed up. Its amazing how it can make a difference!



First and foremost a pretty little half-up beehive. If you want to do a full beehive its super easy to just tuck in all the ends! I would have to say this one is my favourite! And it is remarkably easy too! I love the vintage, 50s feel this hairstyle gives. Plus it can make any outfit so much more prettier!! Who doesn't like a beehive?



1. Part the top section of your hair from the bottom. 2.Tease the top section all up!! Try and avoid the very top as this will show at the end and I'm betting you'll want it to look smooth! 3.Use a bun ring to add extra volume. 4. Simply tuck it in under the teasing. 5. And pin it down with bobby pins. 5. Tease the side sections out more and then clip at the back (with more bobby pins). 6. Spray and smooth with lots of hairspray. 7. Add any finishing touches. I added a big white bow as a homage to Kate! 8. And wear it with pride!!




The Tinkerbell Bun is just as easy, perhaps even more!!! I recently purchased this pretty floral hair tie from a New Zealand accessories store but you can find similar (possibly prettier) here, here (this one has butterflies!) and here. All you need here is a bun ring, a hair tie and any pretty decorative things!



1. Start with your hair out. 2. Put it into a silly (but fun) high pony tail!! 3. Grab a bun ring. 4.Pull the pony tail through the ring. 5.Drop the hair down (making sure it covers the ring completely) and tuck in the edges. 6. Decorate!!! With anything you like!




This is the easiest!! So simple! You can just put it up and go! Generally when I am at home and want my hair out of my face I'll go for this. I've used a scrunchie-esque bow. The bow itself has wire in it so it keeps itself in great shape!!! And its in a pretty red polka-dotted pattern. Whats not to love?



1.Start with a head of teased and voluminous hair. 3. Bring it all into a pony tail and wrap the hair tie around a few times. On the last time through don't pull it all the way. Leave some tucked in. 4. If needed add some bobby pins until you are happy with the shape. 5. Done!



I sure do hope I've given you some Kate inspired inspiration!! She sure is one amazing gal. Am I right? So lets all send her our well wishes and hugs. If you are going through something similar reach out!! Take steps to make yourself happier (like putting your hair up all pretty even if you aren't leaving the house). Its not easy. But people always tell me it will get easier! And I am pretty sure the passing of a loved one gets easier when you are surrounded by more love, friends and family.
Britney

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Taking decent product photos with no fancy equipment whatsoever

As a shop owner, I often have to take photos of my products to list online. I like to do this without any fancy equipment whatsoever -- I don't even have a camera. Seriously. 

I thought I'd share how I do it, in case anyone else is interested, or intimidated by suggestions that say you need super expensive DSLR cameras and lightboxes and reflectors, etc. Now obviously my photos aren't quite as amazing as the ones taken by people who DO have all those things. But I think I manage pretty well with what I have, and I'm usually pleased with the results of my photo shoots.

To take my pictures I use: an iphone, two 20x30 pieces of foam board from the dollar store, masking tape, 1/4 yard of fabric from JoAnn's, and mid-morning sunlight. Optional: tin foil.



1. Score the back of the foam board so that you can bend it in half. You don't want to go all the way through and cut it, just score it so that it folds evenly. 2. Prop the foam board on a table that's facing a window. Don't use any artificial lighting. I usually take pictures somewhere between 10am-12pm. In the summer the good light lasts a little longer but at this time of year the shadows start getting very harsh not long after noon. 3. Tape your fabric to the top of the board, and pull it to the end so that it creates a seamless background. You don't want it to fall into the crease in the foam board. 4. Prop up another piece of white foam board next to the backdrop, facing your light source. This will help bounce the light back and reflect any shadows on the other side of your product.

In my home we have a giant window on the other side of the house, so light comes into my room from both sides. But if you don't have any light source on the other side, you might want to try covering the foam board with tin foil to better reflect the light. When it's positioned at the perfect angle (adjusting it will help you figure out what angle is best) it really works wonders at softening up harsh shadows!



Here's an example of a photo I took with this backdrop, lightened a tad in Photoshop. Like I said, the results obviously aren't as good as they'd be if you *do* have lots of fancy equipment, but I think they're not too shabby either :)

ps. The dinosaur brooch is available in my shop!

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