Simple Zipper Tote DIY

I don't know about you, but in the summer I am always in need of large tote bags.  They're perfect for day trips, the library, or keeping all of your journaling supplies in place!  Here is a super simple DIY for a large tote bag using a zipper pillow cover.

You will need:

A 20x20 pillow cover with zipper (I got mine from Ikea)
Sewing machine
Iron
48 inches of cotton webbing
Thread to coordinate with the cover
Pins
Fray check
Scrap canvas (about 13x16)
8x12 Cardboard (I used a cereal box)

1. Turn your cover inside out.  Flatten the corners opposite the zipper to create triangles. Be sure that the side seams and bottom seams align. Measure 3.5 inches from the point, and pin and sew.  Do this at both ends.

 Remove the point (without cutting too close to your stitching).  You can also use pinking shears here.

2. Prepare the top by folding in the zipper about 1.5 inches.  Pin in place and iron in the seam. Make sure the front and the back line up.

3. Make two 24 inch straps from the webbing.  I used the zig zag stich at the bottom of each strap and added fray check to keep them from unraveling.  Do this to both ends of each strap.  Let them dry.

4. Use the scrap canvas to create a false bottom. Fold the canvas in half, right sides together, and sew around the two sides of the canvas leaving an opening to slip in the cardboard. Turn your rectangle inside right and slip in the cardboard. Now, fold in the ends at the opening to create a clean finish and sew.

5. To attach handles, measure 6.5 inches in from each side and pin and sew to the bag by making a 1 inch square with a diagonal to ensure sturdiness. Be sure not to sew on to the zipper!

6. Insert your false bottom and enjoy your new bag!!!

If anything was confusing, please let me know... and if you make one, I would love to see!

~Charlie

My Closet Look Book - Style 4

It has been a very long time since I've done a Closet Look Book. (If you're not sure what I'm talking about, check out this post that explains why I do it.  If you'd like to see the few before this one, click here).  I took a break to really tackle my closet and to clean out all of the things I will never wear and figure out why.  If I was able to fix the problem, those things stayed.  If I wasn't able to fix it, it went to a new home!  I then created a list of things I needed to make my closet more functional and I shopped/thrifted from it to make my closet work better for me.  This has helped me a lot, but with the change in season, I've been stumped in front of the closet and have reverted back to old ways.  I thought the best way to snap out of this would be to force myself to finish what I started with my version of a look book.

A few weeks ago I thrifted this floral skirt.  It was too long for me (to the ankle), but that was a quick fix. With just a little hem this is my new favorite skirt!  It even has pockets (...I love pockets!).  Here are the outfits I've thought up for it so far.

1. Forever 21 tie-front blouse and Penny Loves Kenny flats from forever ago.  2. H&M striped button down, Old Navy sweater (buttons changed by me) and Steve Madden bow oxfords. 3. Gap boat neck t-shirt, Target sweater and Bass shoes. 4. Forever 21 ruffle-front blouse and sweater, Anne Klein flats.  

You may be thinking "It's summer and you are wearing sweaters?". I love sweaters... they're like my security blanket and I hate leaving the house without one.  I wore an outfit without one this weekend and I kept reaching for where it should have been the whole day... It was not fun! Anyone else feel naked without a cardigan/sweater?

~Charlie

Thrifted: Pyrex

I think I am finally finding my groove again when it comes to thrifting Pyrex. Both of these pieces meet the "don't turn into a hoarder" requirements (must match a pattern I already have... no starting new sets)! I actually already have the bowl, but I find the small bowls so handy that I don't mind having a duplicate.

I wish they would have had the sugar bowl that matched this creamer, but I guess that gives me something to hunt for.  This creamer is not stamped by Pyrex so it is an impostor, but I don't care. I have wanted this creamer for a while, and it matches my impostor salt and pepper shakers.  If you want a peek at my whole Golden Butterfly collection, check out this post! If you're curious about what other Pyrex I have been collecting, look here.

Do you collect Pyrex??  How do you display it?  I am in need of some tips!

~Charlie

Attempting My First Garden

I made it a goal for June to get everything planted in the garden.  I can now say that it is completed, including trying to grow a few things from seed.  I am so excited about growing my own food and helping to lessen our produce bill, even if it is just a little. Now... to not kill everything!

Here are more pictures of green leaves than you ever wanted/needed to see.... and one lonely pepper!

This year I planted: tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, jalapeños, chilis, green peppers and sugar snap peas.  I am attempting from seed: carrots, radishes, spinach and broccoli.

Are you growing anything this year?  Include a link if you blogged about it... I'd love to read it!

~Charlie

Thrifted: Vintage Blouses

It wasn't until recently that I started going through shirts/blouses while thrifting... man, I was missing out!

1.  I am not sure if this lovely will ever actually be worn. I have put it on a couple of times and I can't get over the collar. I was going to remove it, but it's not attached like your basic collar so that is a no-go.

2.  I am thinking that this may have been some kind of uniform, but I don't care... it has cute detail. I am thinking that I will remove the pockets and shorten the length to make it easier to wear with skirts.

3.  I love plaids and this top just needs some cuffs added to the sleeves and it will be perfect.

4.  I love everything about this blouse and I can't wait for cooler weather so I can wear it!

~Charlie

Summer Wish List

Happy first day of Summer, everyone!  I honestly don't want to waste one day of summer this year... I want to soak up every minute of it.  I know... I say that about Summer every year and end up letting it slip through my fingers.  I will not let this happen again!  Since I set monthly goals, I thought it would be good to make this a wish list instead (sometimes, making things goals justs adds pressure and I want this to be a carefree list of suggestions).

1. Take lots of bike rides.
2. Eat lots of ice cream (this will reinforce the need for 1).
3. Take road trips, big or small (We already have one planned to Ohio)
4. Beach Days (I live in a state surrounded by water... why do I not go to it more often?).
5. Movie nights outside.
6. S'mores parties.
7. Document all of the above in pictures!

What are your summer wishes/goals?  Do you think I missed anything big that should definitely be part of summer?

~Charlie

Around Here

Slowly decorating the mantel.

Spray painted the mirror and the vases and made the styrofoam ball flowers!

Been diligently hemming, taking in and restyling lots of thrifted finds.

Made s'mores with our nifty fire pot.

Finally made a bird bath!

Picked lots of berries

~Charlie

Kitchen Adventures: Whole Wheat Bread

I believe I mentioned before that Husband got a fancy new breadmaker for christmas.  We've made a few different recipes in it, but had yet to find a bread that resembled an everyday sandwich bread.  Well, I think we may have found one, and just incase you too have been searching for a more sandwich-like bread recipe, I thought I would share!

You can click here for the recipe! You will see in the recipe that you can choose honey, maple syrup or molasses as a sweetener, and we chose honey.  The bread isn't too sweet, and it is soft and dense... perfect for peanut butter and jelly (my favorite)!   I am excited to make it again and try adding ground flax and steel cut oats.

If you try it, I would love to know what you think!
~Charlie

Thrifted Restyle

I am a sucker for any type of button detailing, and that's why I couldn't pass up this slightly too big vintage 70's dress. Well, the fact that it was $1.20 didn't hurt either!  (I know it may look like one from the 80's, but I promise you it's not built like one from the 80's and I looked it up). 

The sleeves swallowed me so I decided I would attempt to remove them. From there, I took in the sides, starting under the arm and stopping at the waist. Then, I finished the arm holes and hemmed the bottom up 5 inches to hit at my knee. 

It still felt like the dress was missing just a little something, and since I am up to my eye balls in vintage lace and trim (more on that soon), I thought... why not add a little to the neckline?  Perfect! I love it and I can't wait to wear it!

~Charlie

The Curl Chronicles: Product Review

It has been a very long time since I have done anything to do with curls. I admit, I found something that worked and I have stuck with it (read here), but recently I got the itch. You know, the itch that there may be something better!  The first two products I tried were Garnier Fructis curl calm down and Curly Sexy Hair curling crème.

Both of these products smell lovely compared to my favored VO5 hairdressing, but neither compared to how well it works!  

The Curly Sexy Hair curling crème worked in well and my hair drank it up. It didn't leave a greasy feeling behind, but it did nothing to help my curls stay in shape.  A few hours after my hair was dry, it was a wispy, poofy mess! Even with multiple attempts, this product was a fail for me.

The Garnier Fructis curl calm down worked easily into my hair and left a little grease feeling, but that went away as my hair dried.  It did wonders on the frizz and my hair was smooth, but my curls didn't hold shape for very long... boo! On my next attempt with this product, I decided to put a very small amount of my trusty VO5 in my hair before working in this cream, and that did the trick! I had soft manageable curls all day with less frizz than if I was just using the VO5.  This is my new, go-to combination for curls, and it has stood up to the crazy Michigan weather thus far.  

Just a reminder... I am sharing the experiences that I had with these products, and I know that not all curls are the same! Having curly hair can sometimes be a pain and with so many products out there, I thought that I should share what has and has not worked for me!  

~Charlie

Current Obsessions

I would love to have this Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S NIKKOR Lens!

I have an old 50mm lens from my dad's N4004s, but I have to manually auto focus. It isn't the end of the world, but you know... it is nice to dream.  If you would like to dream with me, you can find it here!

Yes, I am still watching...

Via

The new season started last week and the episode was so good. I am excited all over again! Anyone else out there still watching Pretty Little Liars?

The song Suggestions by Orelia (yes discovered from PLL) is my perfect sad song right now.

I am also obsessed with the Of Monsters and Men album all over again. I have been listening to it on repeat for a week! If you haven't listened to it, I blogged about it here.

Last, but not least, the Bad Girls Don't Die series...

Via

I am currently speeding through book two and I can't get enough. I will give a little review soon!

~Charlie

Kitchen Adventures: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

If you're in need of cookies this weekend, these may be up your alley. I tried out this chocolate peanut butter cookie recipe from Picky-Palate, originally named "When the Chocolate Cookie Went Rolling With the Peanut Butter Cookie".  I didn't love the consistency of the cookie, but my husband liked it and so did others.  The cookies came together easily... my only tip would be to half the chocolate batter because you are left with lots of just chocolate batter. 

While making the cookies, I thought up this little trick to keep the measuring cup clean (I am sure it is not a new idea, but it was new to me!).

If you try them, I would love to know what you think, and if you have any recipes you think I should try, please let me know... I would love to!

~Charlie

What's in My Bag

I thought that since I got a new purse and it is all clean and organized, it would be the perfect time for my first "What's in My Bag" post.

Pretty straight forward.  I don't go anywhere without my something-to-read, so there is always a book or Kindle in my purse. In the heart pouch are all the little personal things... hair ties, eye drops, a million bobby pins, more chapstick, and random meds. Yep, I shove all of that into the pouch so I don't have to fish for it on the bottom of my bag.  Also, the Up & Up hand sanitizer smells so heavenly... I love it!  The new bag is a Fossil. You can find it here if you like it... it is in lots of colors!

Have you done one of these posts?  I would love to creep what's in your bag!

~Charlie

Thrifted

It has been a while since I thrifted Pyrex.  I have chosen to be very picky with my purchases since my collection is barely contained within, on top of, and underneath our cupboards (there is at least one piece in every room of our house, but no need to call hoarders... it's tasteful, I promise). Then... sometimes you come across a find and you can't help yourself!  This was one!   

The crazy daisy pattern is my second all-time favorite vintage Pyrex/Corningware pattern (the first being golden butterfly, of course!). These two nesting bowls are in amazing condition and were a steal. Now, I just have to hunt down the large one and the set will be complete.  

The yellow measuring cups (vintage tupperware... is that a thing?) are the same ones I grew up with and my mom still uses. There is just something about having the same tools you learned with that makes cooking more comforting, right? I also picked up the green scoop measures to leave inside the flour and sugar containers.... again, like my mom does and it's just convenient!

Any finds lately?

~Charlie 

Photo an Hour - June 2nd, 2012

My first ever attempt at a photo an hour and I did it... thanks to phone alarms and the help of my husband!  Here is my Saturday, June 2nd broken down by hour!

9 AM - Yep, we sleep in around here on the weekends!

10 AM - Poking around, drinking tea and getting ready for the day.

11 AM - Made it to the big street sale!

 

12 PM - Still going strong at the sale.

1 PM - Home with some loot (Ernie approved)!

2 PM - On our way to lunch, listening to a guilty pleasure from my college days (also a garage sale find)!

3 PM - Picking up paint for the bedroom.

4 PM - Painting!

5 PM - Break time with some iced green tea. 

6 PM - Clean up! (If you think that was too fast... it's because we only painted 2 walls).

7 PM - Bookstore date while the room dried.

8 PM - Putting the room back together!

We ended the night with family, friends and a little bonfire. 

~Charlie

June Goals

It's that time again! I don't know how May went for you, but it flew by for me!

1. Keep up with my blogging schedule.  For the first time since I started blogging I have filled my entire schedule with posts. I am super excited to have it all planned... now I just have to make it happen!

2. Plant veggies. The raised bed is in... dirt is being delivered today. I can do this!

3. Make S'mores outside.

4. Go on a picnic. 

5. Finish the quilt already!! This seriously is going to happen... no excuses!

May goal recap (because goals mean anything if we don't hold ourselves accountable!)

1. Update shop. - Check! Even made a few sales :).
2. Sew something from a pattern. - Check. Even if it was a little bag, it totally counts!
3. Make time for art journaling. - Check. Started a mini one!

4. Wake up earlier. - Meh! I was doing well till I got sick so I have to keep trying.
5. Start running. - FAIL! Oh well... We can't have it all!

Do you have any goals for June?

~Charlie