JEWELRY DISPLAY - part II {DIY vintage china}

I am always looking for new ways to organize and display my jewelry. In my previous post Jewelry display Part I, I showed a few ways to store bracelets and necklaces. Today, I want to show you how you can organize your rings and things. I love the idea of using pretty vintage china teacups and saucers to hold sparkly gems. I just love the pretty pop of colors trimmed in gold! You can find pretty vintage china online (I found a lot on etsy) and cost anywhere from $15 to $75 for really intricate ones. I don't know about you but I'd rather spend my money on the jewels! So off I go to my local thrift store and for less than $20 I bought a ton of glass teacups, saucers, bowls, plates in whatever size I thought I needed and then some paint and gold sharpie (I love the gold sharpie!!!) Oops I forgot to take a pic of the sharpie but you can buy it here. I am very happy with how it all turned out and cant wait to make a few more in bright bold colors. What do you guys think? scroll down to see the BEFORE pics.

black teacup "keep calm and drink tea" the other side says "keep calm and drink coffee" sitting on a peach scallop saucer

loving my polka dots

tribal inspired

this piece and the white polka dot bowl is my fav!

I should've used 2 coats inside the bowl so the polka dots don't show thru but still cute! what do you think?

BEFORE PAINTING: These have been washed and dried // They cost about $1~ $2.50 each

AFTER PAINTING: I used acrylic paint $0.59 from Joann

the inspiration

BIJOUX

For the next few days, our garage is getting a makeover! Paul is finally getting his man cave. It will be nothing like the cute cottages from my last post but it will be a cool space (unless we move all the junk back into it, then it wont be cool anymore). So you know what that means...i will be stuck at home in case the workers need something like what colors do you want the walls? why PINK of course! Since I am the one stuck here, I should be the one to call all the shots and make executive decisions. I think I am doing a pretty good job so far. Anyways, I had a few spare moments (ok, maybe a lot) today so I decided to make some jewels to take with me on my wedding/mini-moon in November. I cant believe its only 2 months away!

I love long necklaces for layering

these two are my fav!

                       I am using pendants that I've had for a while now and so glad I am finally using them! I used very delicate gold (non tarnish) chain for all the necklaces

BUTTON DOWN

My internet has been whacky lately so I am just posting yesterday's outfit today. I normally dont wear button down shirts, not really my style (too office lady) but I love the sheer fabric and print. The black collar sorta blends in with my hair and the rolled cuff makes it more casual. Off to the post office, have a great weekend!

Sheer blouse// faux leather shorts// cream silk tank// black and gold studded sandals// vintage horoscope pendant necklace

BALI SILVERS

I am really getting the hang of taking self photos. I figured out how to hold the camera up at a certain angle to capture most of the outfit :D yay!
Today, I decided to wear my silver jewelry bought from my vacation in Bali (where we got engaged) last November. Of all the things I brought back with me (besides my engagement ring) This was one of my favorite purchases. I first saw these little silver ball ornament charms at a small boutique and went crazy over them. I bought a handful in different sizes. They make clinking noises like jingle bells but not as annoying. Later on in the trip, saw them again at a market and bought even more! I like to string them all into a big ball and wear it all together. I have a couple loose ones that I may just string by itself for everyday wear. Anyways, its Friday!! I made a couple more friendship bangles last night and they are now available in my etsy store available in 3 colors and any size you want!

CORAL // LAVENDER // AQUA

Today Im wearing: LEOPARD TOP by eight sixty // METALLIC PEACH SHORTS by forever 21 // Glitter Shoes by forever 21 (last fall) // bracelets handmade and store bought

me sitting back chillax'n and sipping iced caramel machiatto // i love my big ball of silver charms from bali!

SPARKLES

Another attempt to do an outfit post with self taken photos. Today was all about sparkly things dressed down with my new fav shorts. Also been working on some new jewelry designs. Since I have so much to do during the day, I do all of my designing and handmaking stuff at night. This week (actually every week), I've been going to bed around 3:30am. I am always on "whats app" chatting with my bff Jenn as we each make and design new things, giving each other creative ideas and advice. If it wasn't for her, i would never go to bed!!! She's always telling me to get some sleep its not good for your body, like a mom but not the kind that nags all the time :)
The new goodies I made are these fun colorful bangles, keeping with my neon tribal theme except these bangles are less tribal. This is my version of the friendship bracelets. They are like friendship bracelets for grown ups! its a bit more sophisticated and more my style. They will be available in my etsy store shortly!!! These will be custom made to order in ANY SIZE. That is the beauty of handmade! Just give me the measurement of your favorite bracelet or bangle and I will make it the same size.

do you like my grown up friendship bangles? :D

KEEPSAKE {organized hoarding}

A few weekends ago, I spent an entire afternoon sorting through some old hidden things that I just forgot about. I was going through some necessary purging trying to make space for more stuff but I just could not let go or give away all theses things I found and once loved. I have a ton of costume jewelry, trinkets and buttons that I collected over the years. At one point, I decided I was going to give them away to other people's little daughters and make them happy but part of me wanted to keep holding on to them! I sat there with all these little treasures spread out on the floor all around me thinking, if I had all this when I was little, I would be the happiest little girl in the world! And then, I had the greatest idea!!! Since Im such a sucker for saving and collecting containers and boxes, I decided to group these little treasures and keep them in these boxes for my future daughter(s). I hope one day to have a few little Emily's (at least 2) and little Paul's (im ok with just 1). I remember when we were little, my mom would give us a little treat in the afternoon if we were good. They were just a piece of candy but wrapped in pretty construction paper so its like a little present. Im sure none of my siblings remember this but I remember it because stuff like that sticks to me. I wonder if my mom even remembers? MAMA, if you are reading this, do you remember???
Anyways, I have a good stash of keepsakes for my future daughter(s), probably enough to last a few years (save money on buying presents so I can buy shoes, eh eh eh). Now, I know if we had a little Paul, he may feel left out so Pauly, I hope you have some cool stuff stashed somewhere in your mom's basement! I had so much fun sorting through everything and felt like a little girl again :)

Do you guys have things you've been holding on to to pass on to your kids?

tins and containers filled with keepsakes

grouped items by theme. this box is "little lady"

organize necklaces so they don't get tangled // keep buttons, rings, beads and gems in little pouches

i use to collect little apothecary jars and perfume jars. Im sure I have more stashed somewhere!

Tins can also be used to keep precious things. I use to have them scattered everywhere but ever since that wild fire a few years ago near where i lived in Arcadia, I thought my place was going to get burned down and I gathered all my really precious things so that when the fire comes, I can grab my bag and run. It turns out I was just paranoid. The fire was not even close :P  The note in the pic is a letter I wrote to in high school. Its taped up with 10 layers of tape and meant to never be opened. Dont be nosy, just nod and move along, it is to an anonymous person. The photo on the bottom is me when I was little with my favorite grandma. She was such a strong lady. She passed about 12 years ago and Im so lucky to have one of her rings (in the red box). The other little ring is from my aunt.  And the other photo is me and my lil' sis, our grade school photos.

You can also use cute tin cans for storing and organizing makeup. Here I am using it for lipsticks

The cameo on the right is MEEEE! I dont remember where my parents took us but this guy cuts out cameos (free hand). I've kept it for over 20 years!   I found the oval frame at the flea market and been meaning to switch out the cameo with my own.

THE WEEKEND

Hope everyone had a great weekend! the weather was perfect here in Cali, sunny with light breeze. Saturday was yet another fun and busy day for us. Went down to our jeweler to see my custom band. It is not nearly finished, it is just a plain band shaped to fit into my engagement ring. Our jeweler called us back to help design the ring and to make sure we are involved in the entire process of making the ring. Im so excited and cant wait to see it finished! Im also getting a second band made to wear on the outside of the engagement ring (heeeeeee :D) but we wont put the diamonds in 'til later on maybe for one year anniversary. Anyways, the rest of the weekend was just hanging out sipping home made iced tea, chillax'n at our new fav coffee house and doing a little bit of work.
Also another exciting thing this weekend, my BFF, opened her own etsy store called PLENTIFUL JENN She has amazing style and also very creative. I love her handmade tribal fringe top!!!

handmade tribal fringe tshirt- $12

i love my new coiled hammered ring, it is like wearing 7 of those little gold stacking rings!

Ok, i tried to do an outfit post but I have no one to take photos of me and my arms are only so long so for now, I guess you can only get a glimpse of half of the outfit :D Anyone want to be my photographer?

homemade shaken berry bliss iced tea sweetened with German rock sugar. To get the froth, you will need to use a tea shaker and shake it up real well. So refreshing :P

TREATS- for bums

Sorry for the lack of post. This week has been uninspiring and blaaaaaah. Its just one of those weeks where you just want to chill and do nothing and be lazy. I am definitely feeling a bit guilty for bumming around but I promise next week will be a new week!

Just like giving kids a piece of candy to cheer them up, I gave myself these awesome tan faux leather sneakers. I love the look of converse but its a bit too casual and sporty for my style, these are still casual but just right.

New treats: arm candy. White leather chevron and arrow necklace worn as bracelet (found at random shop); Rose gold double arrow bracelet (old); vintage double link bracelet

this past week, I made and shipped out a few of these pouches. I think im done painting these and will be designing some new ones. I already have something in mind, cant wait to get started!

BAUBLES- hand crafted gems

For the past week, I've been up all night playing with beads and chains and creating fun colorful necklaces to go with my tribal pouches. Each of the pieces I created are unique enough to wear along but looks amazing layered all together! I made them so the lengths, colors and styles all compliment each other. Some of the beads are vintage new old stock so my supplies are limited, once I run out, there will be no more! I enjoyed making them and I will enjoy wearing them even more! I hope you like them too :)

bright fun colors, I love it layered all together! I will be rock'n these baubles with my tribal pouch

The blue one is called "magical potion blue" named by my sister. Much better than what i was calling it before "bright blue"

Tan leather triangles, hand cut leather fixed to gold triangle charms. I love these 2 pieces together. The neutral colors will go with many things! The shorter dainty gold one is the most versatile of them all, it will go with any of my necklaces!

RINGS 'N THINGS

Hope everyone had an awesome long weekend! We didn't make much plans for the weekend but it ended up being fun and productive. On Saturday, after meeting up with our buddies for brunch, we went to get our wedding bands. I'm getting mine custom made to clip into my engagement ring, it is so lovely and I cant wait for it to arrive! If you know me,  I am probably the most easy going girl when it comes to all things wedding related. I haven't planned a thing or shopped for a dress or set a date. I am so easy going that I am letting my groom have the wedding of his dreams! :) What I do care about is the honeymoon. I have 2 places picked out. One of which was originally going to be my wedding destination (it might still be, we'll see!) Back to rings n things, I recently ordered these dainty rings to wear everyday. They are light and pretty and so versatile. I normally love wearing statement cocktail rings but since I wear my beautiful engagement ring everyday, I wanted something subtle with a bit of sparkle to wear on my other fingers. I ordered these from Kristin of SISTER LUCY. You'll find a lot of shops on etsy that will offer the same or similar rings but I chose Sister Lucy because she has reasonable pricing and who wouldn't want a piece of something from Hawaii?! Kristin was so helpful and ships very quickly. I will be ordering from her again! After ring shopping, we went and walked all over downtown, hit up the fashion district, little Tokyo, ate spicy ramen, took the metro down to Hollywood and highland and ate some more! By the end of the day we were both tired from all the walking. I feel like I lost 5 lbs (but i didn't). The rest of the weekend was full of lazy afternoons, Starbucks breaks and home maintenance. I am well rested and ready to start another busy week!

We wondered around downtown and passed by this area several times but I cant believe I never noticed this! We rode the trolly up and down. Fares are 25 cents if you have a metro pass. We bought an all day pass to wonder all over LA, like tourists!

these rings are hammered to give it the sparkle. Sister Lucy will make any size you want including half or quarter sizes

Since my wedding ring will be custom made, I had to leave my engagement ring with the jeweler. Its weird not having anything on that finger and a few times, I freaked out thinking I lost the ring so I've been stacking 2 of these on my ring finger until I get my ring back. Four leaf clover ring is from a boutique in Manhattan beach.

TREASURES- flea market finds

new additions to my vintage jewelry collection

Chanel looking earrings, necklace and gold locket watch

little white beaded clutch with cute gold rimmed mirror inside

fendi earrings

WORK IN PROGRESS- the before

Here are a few things I've been working on lately. I have a very long mental list of projects to do. I didn't forget about the 2 dresses from this post. It's almost complete but I ran out of bobbin cases so I wasn't able to finish the hem. Hopefully, I can get myself to go to Joann's one of these days to pick up a few extra bobbin cases. These are the before pics of what I am working on. Stay tuned to see the AFTER!

pretty white dress

water color floral jumper from the 80s

wooden tray

size 16 maxi dress

remember this from my "jewelry display" post?

CLOSET and JEWELS

I know I haven't posted since last Friday. Been having too much fun being out and about enjoying the wonderful sunny weather and taking new pics for my ebay store. But I knew it was too good to be true, the nice weather went away and it started pouring last night! BOO, I hate rain! I will stay home and do some closet and jewelry organization.

A peek into my closet, it is JAMMED PACKED even with slim velvet hangers!

one day I will have a giant closet big enough to put a center island like this one

and have pull out drawers for all my jewelry

but for now, i keep some of my rings in these cute cast iron claw foot bath tub soap dish

i collect brooches, but never use them