moroccan nights

Summer is here and I really want to make my outside space a bit more cozy! I picked up these wood pallets today and I am planning a little DIY project! I think I am going to try to build a daybed of some sort?! I just purchased a really beautiful Moroccan style lamp and some outdoor pillows. I am going for a Moroccan get-a-way feel! A couple of sheer white curtains and a few more hanging lamps and I will be on my way to pure outdoor bliss! Will post pics as soon as my project is complete! Cocktails ladies?! xxx 

life lately

I have been so busy lately I have barely had time to breathe! But here are some instagram pics of what has been going on over yonder! Hollywood Life, San Diego Road Trip, Mexico Adventure, Joshua Tree Music Video (my hubby and I filmed a music video for the super talented Annet Artani!) Besides that just gathering trinkets and threads, shopping up a storm as usual, and getting ready to resell it all!!! (well maybe not all of it) Happy Friday and don't forget to follow me on instagram!!xxx

diy bleach out !

Have old t-shirts laying around? Here is a really simple way to give it a fresh new look. First find a t-shirt you want to destroy. I didn't have any rubber bands laying around, so I decided to use twine. [which turned out to be a blessing in disguise] Next wrap your shirt in different size knots. I went crazy! After you make your knots take the twine and wrap it around the entire shirt in different places. After you are happy with your wrapped up tee, grab yourself a bowl and some bleach. I wanted to make sure my shirt got completely bleached out so I filled up about half of my bowl with bleach, then added warm water to the rim. I let my shirt soak overnight and in the morning I hung it for a couple of hours. Throw it in the wash machine and presto! You have yourself a new shirt!!! You can't really mess up, so have fun destroying your clothes and let me know how your bleach out goes!!! xxx

wildcat !

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Sometimes you just need to have a fun photo shoot with your husband! He doesn't mind a little under boob showing, so why should I?! I feel like a WILDCAT! prrrrr.... I'm wearing a leopard Michael Kors jacket and well, nothing else! I cropped it off at the privates and had some fun in photoshop! Besides that I just finished bleaching out a t-shirt and it looks way cooler than I thought it would! Is it just me or do things look better destroyed?!!! DIY pics coming up very soon! nighty, nite xxx

d.i.y felt soap

D.I.Y. Felt Soap Tutorial! 

Starring the lovely Kat O'Neill and yours truly. 

#1. What you will need : Soap, Roving, Felting Needles, Scissors, Nylon, and a Large Bowl 

Cost: About $15 - $20

I purchased 365 Chamomile, Lavender and Aloe natural glycerine soap from Whole Foods for $1.99 per soap. *Crafter Tip: Kat said it is very important to buy a good soap because during the massaging process your hands will dry out if you don't! I purchased the roving rolls and needles from Michaels Craft Stores. The Roving Rolls were $4.99 per bag (you can create about 3 soaps roughly per bag) and the needles were about $3.99. I cut up a pair of old nylon stockings, I am sure you can grab a cheap pair just about anywhere if you don't have any lying around! Once you have all of that all you will need to do is grab yourself a large bowl,  a pair of scissors and you are ready to go! (You may want to have a towel or some napkins handy because it can get a bit soapy!) 

#2. Set the Mood with some Good Tunes! We were jammin' to The Devil Makes Three... Kat's choice, and I must say it was a mighty good one!  #3. Prep your supplies and get ready to have some serious crafting fun! Don't forget to take a photo using the roving as eyes, you will regret it!!!

#4. Ok, Lets Get Started! Wrap the roving around your soap. You can wrap it however your little heart desires as long as there is no soap exposed when you are done. The next step is to choose the color for your design. Hearts, polka dots, stripes, letters...etc.! Break apart a few small pieces and begin to layer. Use the needle to help shape your design and also to keep the roving in place. When you're finished with your design gently pierce the soap with the needle tying down any loose edges. I over jabbed mine a bit, it's a pretty good anger release! haha....

#5. Gently insert your soap into the nylon. Make sure you tie it really tightly so the soap inside cannot move around. #6. Fill a large bowl with some hot H2O. #7. Dunk your soap into the hot water. 

#8. Massage your soap (pretend you are washing your hands) for atleast 15 minutes. You will be able to feel when your felt is starting to latch onto the soap. (it won't be as puffy!) #9. Rinse your soap creation under cold water. (while still in the nylon) #10. Unwrap Soap and let dry!!! 

The entire process takes about 1 hour from start to finish (not including the drying) I would wait about 24 hours before you, as Kat would say: "Wash yo' Self"! After the soap runs out inside, you are left with a super cute homemade body scrubber! But, I didn't dare use mine. I think they are way too cute! Instead I have them filling up and old crate in my bathroom! They make really cute gifts as well. This was my first time so my soap wasn't exactly perfect, but it looks handmade and smells really yummy so I am happy! I can't wait to make more of these cute little creations and play around with the designs! Thanks Kat for showing me how to make this and can't wait for the next d.i.y. craft night! xxx

christmas [love].

I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday! Mine was filled with friends, family, yummy treats, and gorgeous goodies! I am so thankful for everyone who celebrated with me and for my family back home who was here in spirit. I got some really cool presents! Handmade felt soap! Monkey bread to die for! Homemade fudge! My bracelets are so lovely, my coffee machine is so handy, my giant wine glasses are amazing, and my moccasins are sooo snug! So many great gifts. Thank you everyone for an amazing Christmas, now get ready for New Years 2012! 

diy coasters

Here is my first batch of handmade coasters, what do you think?! I have so many more ideas for the next set, I cannot wait to make more! I love seeing my art around the house, and I really love the fact that my husband will stop ruining my favorite wooden trunk with his water rings! These will be available for purchase on etsy as soon as I have a few more sets made! So excited. xxx

bohemian punk

 

There is something about this whole bohemian - emo - punk rocker mix that really has me falling in love... xxx

Get the Look:

Gold Bangles ---- H&M

Friendship Bracelets ---- Urban Outfitters

Diamond Bracelet ---- gifted to me, but here is something similar on Amazon

Spike Friendship Bracelet --- One of my DIY projects... want one? 

message or e-mail me: dana.calabrese@hotmail.com

fiona's [lovely] trinkets!

I have been meaning to post pics of my bag of goodies from fromfitoyou.com ... so here they are! I ordered the pick-a-mix :mittens, mushrooms, gingerbread men, candy canes and one of your choice! They come packaged very nicely so they would make a great gift! Who doesn't love little handmade trinkets?!

Thanks Fiona, you did an amazing job and my house thanks you for making it a tad bit cuter! xxx

chalk and [vintage] dresses

Today I went for a stroll around the Silverlake reservoir and found it to be extremely inspiring! Maybe it was the spanish lake front home that I have my eye on, or just the fall air setting in! Whatever it was I got the itch. ( All you creative people out there know exactly what that is...!) So as soon as I got home I had to throw on my baby blue vintage dress and play... after 10 minutes of trying to play model and photographer my fiance decided to feel sorry for me and grab hold of the lens. I would have never guessed a little play time would turn into a full on photo shoot. Out came the nikon and the lights and a fish eye later came some really cool frames! As soon as I edit a few I will post them! Happy Labor Day Weekend everyone!!!! Check back soon!

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