Preview Of My Shabby Chic Beginning

Well, I have officially moved in to my new place.  It’s crazy how you don’t realize how much stuff you have until you move. Mine mostly consisting of clothes, clothes, more clothes, shoes and a TON of tag sale/flea market junk.  A HUGE thank you to my family and friends for putting up carrying my junk and for the help with painting.  I owe you all xo

I still have a LONG way to go in terms of decorating, but here are a few sneak preview shots of my romantic not-so French country cottage.  It’s more like a condo close to i95 and the Post Road, but hey, a girl can dream.

I can’t wait to share the finished rooms with you!

Stay Fancy!

Jess

Birchbox Remix

Every month I look forward to getting my Birchbox in the mail.  What is a Birchbox? “Birchbox delivers the best products and the best insider secrets, without any fuss. Every month Birchbox members will receive a curated box of luxe beauty samples. Each box will span beauty categories and deliver exciting products that fit into both your day-to-day routine, and into those days when you want to turn up the drama a notch.” -Birchbox

When I first signed up I had to join a waiting list, but boy was it worth it!  I look forward to getting my box each month that I will literally run to the mailbox when the mailman comes to deliver it.  You never know what you are going to get in the box, but items range from make-up, nail polish, perfume, snacks, hair supplies etc.  Totally worth the almost 10 bucks a month, I promise.

Anyways, for those of you who don’t know me, I have a slight hoarder problem when it comes to nice shopping bags and boxes.  I have been saving the Birchbox box each shipment and have collected quite a few, just in case I ever needed it.  This past weekend I went to my good friend’s bridal shower where I got her a gift card.  I felt bad just getting her a gift card in a card and wanted to make it look extra special when she opened the gift.  That’s when my creative wheels were turning and I decided to turn a Birchbox into a gift card holder.

Here is what the box looked like before:

I first took a 12×12 inch piece of scrabook paper and used a paper cutter to make a strip 12×3 inches.  This was just enough to cover the logo on the box top.  I prefer to use Elmers Craft Bond glue stick for all paper crafting.  It is the ONLY one I use because it is THE BEST.

After covering the logo and gluing the strip on (I just decorated the lid of the box, not the bottom) I then decided it needed some contrast.  I have been quite obsessed with burlap lately, so I added a strip on to the craft paper.  I held on the burlap by hot gluing under the sided of the lid (picture below)

Next came my stickers.  I used “The Bride Stickers” from Jolee’s and the Bride Crystal Rhinestone sticker.

I also added on some ribbon.  I glued on the strips of ribbon with the hot glue gun the same way I added the burlap.  I also tied and added the bow hot gluing it on and placing the ring sticker from the bridal sticker packet in the middle of the bow. 

Lastly, I added some brulap inside of the box to bed the gift card.  I bought a clear plastic shrink wrap bag, put some monogram towels in and tied it with burlap and the same ribbon I used on the box. I chose to put a gift card in the box, what are some other fun items that would fit in that you can gift?  I would love to hear your ideas!

Not-So Vintage Picture Frame

Well, another evening my boyfriend is working until 4am so it’s time to put on my crafting and blogging cap.  As I have mentioned in my previous blog post I am STILL unpacking and decorating our new condo for about 4 months now.  In my old room everything was black and white and being that I am a slight hoarder I just could not get rid of a square picture frame that I bought, so I utilized it in our new home.

Every day when I would sit in the living room this picture frame would STARE at me like an annoying pimple you cannot get rid of.  It just did NOT fit in with my decorating style at all and something had to be done. Just look at it – gross.

I really LOVE the look of old vintage chipped paint – here is how I made my new black picture frame into a not-so vintage one:

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First, I took the frame and rubbed a candle along all of the edges and corners.

I then put a rough white coat of paint trying really hard not to make it look perfect. (I am a perfectionist)

Once it dried, I took a paint scraper and went along the edges where I put the candle wax.  This gave it that “chippy” old look as if the picture frame was banged up a few times.

I then lightly brushed a slight layer of brown around the edges.

Finally, I took a fan brush, and went over the brown paint with white again.  I also went along one more time and chipped some paint along the edges with a paint scraper.

And there you have it – AHHH much better, don’t ya think?

Cheers! – J