Dressing For Less

I love playing with the Polyvore site!  It's like shopping without a budget.  I've created a few outfits here and there to give you all an idea of my personal tastes & style.  

I was surprised at how much fun it was.  Then I was surprised that I was surprised.  Did I loose you yet?  What I mean is that fashion is a creative expression of who we are and being that I'm a creative person, why was I surprised that I enjoyed this creative outlet? 

Anyhoo...as I've grown into my style (and age, ahem), I've come to realize that I shouldn't just purchase some random shirt because it's a bargain.  Don't get me wrong I LOVE a bargain, but I should also LOVE the shirt.  Get it?  Okay, I digress.  

So, the other day I created an outfit on Polyvore & posted it on my blog.  Normally the enjoyment and the process ends there.  However, I happened to go shopping shortly after creating the online outfit and happened to stroll by the coat on the left.  

Dressing For Less by joyframes featuring vest jackets

So cute!  The picture really doesn't do it justice.  It has an adorable ruffled collar which counteracts the biker feel and I just fell in love.  I thought, I'll just check it out...no obligations.  Then I saw that it was on sale for $40.  I was hooked!  A coat I loved and a bargain?!  Who could argue that combination?  

All of a sudden, the Polyvore site took on a whole new light.  Sometimes, it's overwhelming to shop and pull together multiple pieces for an outfit.  Typically when I shop, I find a pair of shoes on one outing, a pair of jeans on another outing and so on.  Then I try to pull together pieces later at home.  Sometimes they work and sometimes I find out that I need to purchase an additional item to complete the outfit.  With Polyvore, I can create an outfit (at least something similar) and then have a goal in mind when shopping. Can you tell I'm a task oriented person?  

Breaking it down, the faux leather jacket I bought was $40.  It is a soft leather that could compete with the texture of an older real leather jacket that I own.  The inspiration jacket is made by JCrew and is real leather, but the price tag is also real...$595.  

Something about Fall makes me want to toss the flip flops & make-up-less days and be a little fussy.  In a good way.

enJOY!

Fall Outfit

Fall Outfit by joyframes featuring stud earrings

A mix of rough & feminine ~ my kind of style!

Oh, to rest that weary head...

LOVE the combination of contrasting textures & colors

+ sometimes art is all you need!

Did someone say "art"...check out that headboard!

Clean, eclectic, modern, vintage...love it all!

Now, go rest that weary head. 

enJOY!

Marble Magnets Tutorial + an Etsy Update

If you haven't made Marble Magnets before, they are way simpler than you may think.  

The materials you need:

craft punch

glass marbles
scrapbook paper
scrapbook glue (Diamond Glaze or Glossy Accents)
Rare Earth Magnets
Super Glue

Instructions:

1. First, I prefer to wash my marbles because they sometimes have a coat of dust.

2. Use a paper punch that is about the size of your marbles and punch the scrapbook paper.  

(Sorry, I don't have photos for most of these steps) 

3. Place 1 drop of your scrapbook glue on the paper circles that you punched out.

4. Place a (dry) marble on the paper & push down to work out any air bubbles.

5. I add an extra step of trimming loose paper ends from around the marble.  A little time consuming, but they look much more finished.

6. Place 1 drop of super glue on each magnet.   

 I prefer the rare earth magnets because nothing bugs me more than a magnet that falls every time I try to hang something up.  What's the purpose of a magnet that won't stick?

7. Take your completed glass marble w/ paper from step 4 & press it firmly on the magnet.

8.  Let dry and you're done!

Here are a few coming soon to my etsy shop:

enJOY!

Lost my marbles + an Etsy Update

I was working on a custom set of marble magnets to compliment one of my Antique Ceiling Tin Memo Boards for a wedding when I lost my marbles.

I've desperately needed to stock up my Etsy store and I love to offer marble magnets to compliment my memo boards.  So, I thought, I'm already making a few sets for this wedding, why not add a few more.

Well, these critters multiplied and I ended making well over 200.  Maybe even 300.

 Yep, lost my marbles.  

I would compare it to knitting (though I must admit I've never knitted).  From what people have told me, it's not complicated, just time consuming.  But, you get in a rhythm and before you know it you have a scarf.   Or, in my case 200-300 marbles.

I've added several sets to my Etsy shop, but need a break before I add the rest :|

enJOY!