Carlenspiration: August 2012

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Miracle Coffee Table Makeover

One rainy Saturday, my mom and I set out on an adventure in Mobile early in the morning to find some cute junk at yard sales for my new apartment. It was really rainy and yuck so we wound up at an indoor rummage sale at the Shriner's Temple. It's a good place to buy cheap collectibles and base items for all the cute and inexpensive projects you see on Pinterest. (By the way, if you aren't already, follow me on Pinterest with the link on the right hand side of my blog -->)
So I found this coffee table. From the 80s. For $5!!

But it was a little scratched and worm so my Dad, the handy carpenter, sanded it with a machine sander to buff the rough spots out.
Then he painted the bottom half a lovely and lively mint green color, the top half a wood stain brown.

We let it set for a few hours, then came back and he painted an antique brown in the crevices around the joints of the table and to fill the Knicks on the top, then wiped the excess for an antique look.
Finally, we sprayed two coats varnish to seal in the paint job.

It was a great chance to catch up and bond some with my Dad on the weekend of his birthday. Happy Birthday, Daddy! Thanks for being so detail-oriented, hard-working, and such a Christian example in my life.

I don't know what I would do without such an amazing father. I really enjoyed spending time with my parents in the country and seeing Dad's puppies growing up! Also, Chuck the Pooch enjoyed getting to roam around with the baby nuggets!

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

DIY for the Ewok Baby Chuck

Doggie collar DIY

I would do mine in MUCH preppier colors (of course).

My puppy has to match his stylish daddy.

I will have to do this DIY for Charles Bass Barkley; the laziest, cutest, and sweetest puppy in da world!

Instagramazing!

Instagram Necklace

Instagram Socialmatic Camera

Follow me on instagram: carlypugh

Sharp mugs

I found a tutorial on Craft Gawker for decorating coffee mugs with sharpies!! So I went hog wild. I created one of my own on a plate with quotes from the first chapter of the first Harry Potter book (The Philosopher's Stone) and went over in orange all the words that were HP related for extra emphasis. I love emphasis; sometimes you can never place enough on things that matter!
Then I baked it at..350? I think for 20 mins. :)

I've been thinking about scarves..

I used to never like scarves. I think a rock hit me on the head one day and I suddenly decided I was in love with them.
Anyhow, I have several dresses and tops in my closet that I am currently thinking of ways to turn them into a scarf.
Long scarf? Ruffle scarf? Head scarf...'50's housewife style? Soft scarf? Patchwork scarf? One of those cool scarfs where you use fabric paint to write a quote on it?
I'll keep thinking, because although it's August, this is South Alabama and I won't be in need of one until October. Or else I will have a heat stroke.
Thoughts?

Easiest Refash EVER

So I had this dress. I hated the style of it, with the tank top bodice part and the too-high waisted skirt that was attached, and also that halter/necklace/art that was also attached. You can't see it, but attached to the necklace thing was a ribbon that tied around my neck like a halter...or a noose. It was uncomfortable (to say the least) to keep it tied at a comfortable length. Or just to keep it tied in general.

So I refaced this into a skirt because I love the bottom half. The bottom half was adorable and that very popular jade color everyone is wearing with some cute tiered ruffles. So, why get rid of the whole thing when just the top half is offensive and awkward? (Much like someone I used to be friends with...)

The dress as is.

Look at that off-the-wall colored necklace?

What were you thinking, J. C. Penney?!

I forgot to document it, but I literally just cut as much of the

tank top part from the dress as I could without mutilating

the seams or the elastic-y part of the waist band. You can see the red

handle of my scissors in the bottom right corner. If you want,

you can use seam rippers but this project was elementarily easy!

So I paired it with a simple little off-white cotton tee,

which was perfect for the beach. This is my niece, who is 8,

riding the ferris wheel for the first time! So brave. She is holding

my hand so I won't let her chicken out! *Tear*

They grow up so fast!

Anyways, be sure to check your closet

for fashion SAVES you can perform to have something

new and FREE instead of buying the latest trends. I revived

this poor thing from the throes of my vast closet!

And found just the event to wear it to!

I'm thinking for fall it will look adorable with flats or boots!!

Monday, August 6, 2012

Untitled #480

I'm loving the teal/lime bright color combo! Brown accessories let the bright color stand out without being too gaudy. And the dress is super cheap. :)

Untitled #480 by tinysouthernbelle featuring a shift dress