Blog Archives

Hot for Hot Pink

7/30/2012

Going over a list of style trends for Fall 2012, I definitely noticed a trend that stood out-- hot neon colors! Lemon yellows, lime greens and tangerine all top the list, but hot pink is the go-to color for Fall! The two dresses featured below were chosen as pieces that would work well in the workplace but transfer to happy hour or a dinner date later. And with a vintage 1960s hot pink dress, you really can't go wrong...

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CATHERINE MALANDRINO
Pleated pink stretch-jersey dress.
Long sleeves.
$295

Try This . . .

VINTAGE 1960S HOT PINK WRAP DRESS
Hand-constructed hot pink dress with long sleeves and A-line skirt.
$26

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Four Colors

7/26/2012

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Okay, okay....so I have a major problem with weddings on the brain. BUT I think I've come up with my ultimate color combo-- four colors that seem to blend together in a classic, sophisticated, feminine and marie-antoinette-esque way. I give you the champagne, charcoal gray, dusty rose and olive green color combo. I picked out a few things that bring this wedding color theme to life.

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Industrial & Recycled

7/26/2012

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Upcycled burlap coffee tote by BackAlleyChic $60

It's the seller showcase of the week & this week's theme is the industrial and recycled. Industrial design elements are in as far as I'm concerned. What once was thought of ass mediocre junk is now a priceless treasure (which I love). I'm also a huge fan of upcycling (better than recycling in my opinion) because there are so many unique designs out there using such awesome materials! This ain't your average notepad and drawing pencils people....check out some of the lovely Etsy sellers & their products below!

ALSO-- please leave a comment if you like what you see! I get so excited to hear from my readers...even though sometimes I feel like I'm writing for no one but myself!

Gold pen nib necklaces by PhulEffect $19.50

Upcycled Industrial Blue Vacuume Table by RustySpoke $165

Cowhide upcycled industrial stools by Chezboheme $145

Mainspring industrial hat fascinator by Canocopia $25

Reclaimed Barnwood Edison Bulb Chandelier by UrbanChandy $600

Hand forged rose sculpture by CheringtonMetalCraft $35

Industrial door key rack with metal deer by baconsquarefarm $55

Metal steampunk waist corset by Brooksbot75 $120

Steel sphere sculpture home decor by NayaStudio $25

Letterpress printer type tray used for display by fishbones1 $36

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The Budget - Minded Bride

7/24/2012

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Vintage gown from TheIndigoCowgirl $50

I have had weddings on the brain lately. Not that I'm even engaged yet (Brent--wink, wink). My boyfriend and I have been happily sharing an apartment for the last two years and every once in a while, I tag another "wedding idea" on my "dream wedding" pinterest board. Knowing myself, I will want to do as much on my own as possible--partly because I believe if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself and also because it can be a heck of a lot cheaper. I think I'd even bake/decorate my own wedding cake if I gave it some practice.

So this post is in honor of those budget-minded brides out there. We all want a fabulous and memorable wedding---just minus the $30,000 price tag. Am I right? And once again, I will be featuring a host of Etsy sellers with budget-minded brides in mind. Enjoy lovelies!

Hand-stamped silver cake forks for the bride & groom by BabyPuppyDesigns $34.00 for a pair.

Mason jars covered in lace & ribbon used as candle holders & centerpieces by loveinamasonjar $24 for a set of 5.

Ostrich feather & rhinestone brooch bridal fascinator by YellowGateDesigns $15.

Faux pink roses embellished with silver butterflies and rhinestones by ynasbridal $38

Digital print-yourself invitations with custom colors, fonts and text by seedtosprout $20 for the template.

Simple pastel-colored bridesmaid hair fascinators or brooch pins $24 for a set of 3. Custom colors available by DeesByDesign

Uncut diamond stone gold-filled engagement ring by ASecondTime $195.

Clear pale pink vintage cake stand by silkcreekgallery $22

Personalized lip balms as wedding favors by SakuraBathandBody $62.00 for a set of 30.

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The Classic Cap Toe Ballet Flat

7/23/2012

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This week's "Get the Look" feature focuses on the classic ballet flat. This flat features a two-tone look with polished low-profile heel and black cap-toe. For a touch of European chic, this flat is for you. Comfortable yet stylish for everyday wear or a cocktail party: the ever versatile cap toe ballet flat.

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CHANEL
Cream & Black Cap-toe Leather Ballet Flats
$495

Try This . . .

LIFE STRIDE
1980s Beige & Black Cap-toe Vegan-friendly Flats size 6
$24

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Mad Men party in detail

7/23/2012

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I thought I made a pretty good Joan.

Well lovelies, the Mad Men party was a success! I highly advise you to have one of your own. This post will go through everything from snacks & drinks to activities that can make your party a blast.

As you now know, I went as Joan Holloway. My costume included a can of spray-in temporary hair dye, gold pen necklace, black/pearl brooch, a black 60s rocket bra, a genuine 1960s black velvet gown, red nail polish and light gray 60s slingbacks.

Prices: $4 for the hair dye, $18 for the necklace, $2 for the brooch, $1 for the nail polish, $4 for the black rocket bra, $6 for the hair dye, the dress was free from my great aunt and $3 for the shoes.
Total costume cost= $38

I'm thinking of possibly going as Betty for Halloween, but I think I made a pretty good Joan! What I love about her character is her curves---she is by no means a pencil, but that is what makes her sexy! So I embraced my curves and went for it--so glad I did!

Our Mad Men cast-- including Kinsey, Joan, Roger, Harry, and Ken

I set up a small card table for snacks. I used bright daisies to add some color (a few dollars at the local dollar store). Beforehand I went to thrift stores and picked up some silver platters/bowls. We served chex mix, chocolate shortbread cookies, chips with two different dips (spicy cajun & chives/garlic), dinner mints and little smokies in barbeque sauce.

I'll admit, this was my first time creating globe string lanterns---and it was a ridiculous mess! But I did get two made, and they did add a nice pop of color to the room. Next time, I'll make sure to wear a smock (I was covered from head to toe in elmers glue when I did these).

I was probably most proud of my photo booth. It was an entirely DIY project that turned out quite well. I used 8 3/4" pvc pipes ($1.40 a piece), 8 3/4" 90 degree elbows and 8 3/4" pv tees. Then I bought two premade striped curtains from the thrift store for $2 a piece and a queen-size gray flat sheet for $3. I cut the sheet in half and used neon paints to paint a cityscape. The other half I cut a square into and used my computer and the free chrome app Pixect to create the "photobooth". The Pixect app lets you send your photos to facebook/email or download. I used a bench I already had, two work lights for adequate lighting and a box full of "props" (I printed Betty & Joan's heads out on cardstock and used popcicle sticks to create masks). Total cost for this project came to around $35 and took only about 20 min. to set up PLUS it is easy to take down and store for another party!

I went to the dollar tree and purchased an assortment of frames for under $10. Then I printed off a bunch of 1960s advertisements and framed them up. They made great decorations and also could be used as party favors for the guests!

I used small circular frames from the dollar tree to frame drink recipes. The recipes included a classic martini, old-fashioned and the manhattan.

My friend Derek (who dressed up as Harry Crane---and very well at it by the way) volunteered to play bartender for a little while. I used an old desk from the 40's as our "bar". The desk cost $10 at a local garage sale and has wheels on the bottom for ease of transporting.

Derek using the photo booth.

Our well-stocked bar was complete with a 60s ice box, cigarette dispenser, garnishes such as cherries and lemons and a large assortment of booze. I purchased 16 vintage 60s glasses and a 60s ice crusher. We had each guest bring a little something-something to add to the selection such as bitters, vermouth, gin, bourbon, brandy and schnapps. The bar was a definite hit.

We ended up going down to the bars for part of the night, and BOY did we get noticed!! I would overhear people say, "That's Joan!" or "It must be a wedding..." Haha, we got a lot of attention and it was so much fun! We also played a Mad Men drinking game which is described below and listened to some great big band & jazz 60s music on Pandora (what a cheap and virus-free way to get swingin' party music).

Mad Men Drinking Game
This is a fairly basic game and all you need are some episodes of Mad Men (available on Netflix or DVD/Blu-ray), some drinks and these rules:

For every sexist comment made, guys take 1 drink.
If Pete Campbell gets shot down, take 1 drink.
For every cigarette lit, take 1 drink.
If Betty gets angry at someone, take 1 drink.
For every time Roger cracks a joke, take 1 drink.
If Bert Cooper takes his shoes off, take 1 drink.
If someone cries, take 1 drink.
For every time Peggy seems frustrated with her job, take 1 drink.

A word of caution---we all went through about 4-5 drinks doing this game...so be prepared!

The party was such a success, I think I'll have another one next year after season six :) I hope you enjoy and feel free to comment or leave suggestions for more Mad Men party ideas!

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Sew your own yoga shorts

7/20/2012

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It's DIY Friday and had to share this awesome tutorial by TK Rainy on Cut Out & Keep. This tutorial will tell you how to take an x-large tshirt and turn them into one-of-a-kind yoga shorts/pants. Click the image below to see all the steps for making your own yoga shorts.

EXTRA TIPS:

Use a really, really long shirt or dress for longer pants.
If you can find a spandex/fitness shirt, use that for a more form fitting shape.
This could be a great project to do with friends---tye dye your shirts for extra customization!

See Yoga Pants Keep That Logo On Your Tshirt! and 1000's of others - or share your own on Cut Out + Keep

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Get Healthy , Get Happy - A Seller Showcase

7/19/2012

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Kiwi slice pillow by BfiberandCraft $40

My new job as a web editor for the university is awesome. However, going from standing on my feet for 8-10 hours a day in a retail job to sitting in a desk chair, I've noticed some changes. I'm tired more often, eat more and the stairs to my apartment have got me winded. I used to work out regularly and think about what I ate. But now I've fallen into bad habits and I need to break out of them.

So in honor of my plight this seller showcase will focus on some awesome Etsy sellers who are dedicated to the idea of handmade love with a healthy twist. From fruit shaped pillows to custom fitness journals, it's never too late to get bikini-ready.

"Keep Calm" fitness shirt in pink by redbrickwall $22.50

Custom fitness journal by ArtfulRising $12

5 Document Health/Fitness Log by TidyMighty $12

Gourmet granola gift set by TheHealthyNut $35

Peppermint Vaporizer weight loss & stop smoking aid by FemLogic $38.95

Custom hula hoop by HoopMama $24

Black organic cotton yoga shorts by eleven44 $38

"A Body in Motion stays in Motion" stamped bracelet by riskybeads $15.95

"Eat Your Veggies" Print by TheLemonPeel $22

Handpainted Weight Loss Motivator Kit by SunnyBelleDesigns $16

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Mad Men Party Edition 2

7/17/2012

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Okay, so my Mad Men party is officially scheduled for this Saturday July 21st. It looks like around 12-15 people are showing up which is just about what I was hoping for! I had written a previous post on hosting a Mad Men (or 1960s theme) party, but I'd like to give a few more details since some of you lovelies might want to host one of your own! My main goal: create an atmosphere that is both modern but obviously influenced by the 1960s.

Atmosphere

There are many things that contribute to a party's atmosphere. The hardest part is deciphering what makes a 1960s Mad Men party different from a retro hippie party. A good way to look at it is to think of the 1950s. Mad men and women were still very clean-cut hardworking pavement-loving characters-- not so much the love van grass-smoking type (although one may argue that Peggy and Kinsey are the exception). I'll start with some key components:

Music
Since this is a 1960s party, I wanted 1960s music! You can actually buy the Mad Men soundtrack from Amazon for around $12. You can also find plenty of 60s compilation CDs for a low cost such as 60's Gold.
One item that can really bring that 1960s atmosphere is a record player. You can find them new for around $150 at the store or you can buy an original one online. Just make sure the needle is in good condition! I recommend picking up some 60s records to go along with it: *The Grass Roots *The Cowsills *The Beatles *The Tempations *The Mamas and the Papas *Frank Sinatra.

Decor

Popular colors in the 1960s were turquoise, jade, mint green, light pink, sunshine yellow, cherry red, pumpkin orange, light blue and black/white. Think bright and modern. See the image gallery I put together for ideas on 1960s Mad Men party decor.

For a really cool and personalized Mad Men decoration put the "Sterling Cooper" name label on the front door. Simply cut out letters from black card stock and tape them to the wall. (Or, just use stick-on letters from the craft store)

1960s record player from cellardepot

Lighting
The '60s were really about modernizing the home. The use of curves and clean lines in furniture and light fixtures was commonly used. If you have any period or reproduction 60s lighting, go ahead and use it! Other whise, there is a tutorial on how to make your own low-cost string globe lanterns.
Since this is a party, you will want to keep things dim. For the room where people will gather the most, keep the lights at around 50%. For the kitchen or area where food/drinks are served, keep the lighting at around 70%. If you can, have an outdoor area set up with candlit lanterns, string globe lights or 1960s candle holders.

1960s globe floor lamp GallivantingGirls

Use plastic homco decorations on your walls! They are actually pretty easy to find at your local garage sale or thrift store. They will instantly add that hollywood regency style that the Mad Men series is so good at portraying.

TV dinner trays make excellent serving trays for appetizers and snacks. Tuck napkins and utensils below the tray to save space.

Period magazines are generally a low cost decor that may also serve as entertainment for your guests. Find them at antique stores or etsy. Some magazine titles to look for: Esquire, Look, Life, The New Yorker & Playboy.

Find low cost 1960s end and coffee tables at thrift stores and garage sales. They will generally have clean lines with formica tops.

Look for 1960s bar glasses. They will often have a stream-lined or geometric look to them. Look for smaller glasses with silver rims or small splashes of color. You can find these easily at thrift stores and you can give them away as party favors to your guests!

Decanters will really add that "Mad Men" touch. Find 3-4 decanters you can fill with liquor such as vodka, rye, scotch, bourbon and gin.

1960s ash trays don't have to be used for cigarettes, but if you do have smokers, place one or two outside on a patio or porch. Other whise they make great candy dishes!

1950s & 1960s tablecloths are fairly easy to find in the linen section of thrift stores. Look for mod and bright prints to add to the festive atmosphere.

Op art is perfect to recreate Roger Sterling's office look.

And don't forget . . .

Lucky strike cigarettes-- use them as a prop even if you don't smoke!

Your camera! Don't forget to take pictures during the party-- buy a 1960s camera for even more of a die-hard Mad Men look.

1960s Fedora Hats for the Men

If you have a hard time finding period decor, you can always try your local Target, Walmart or handmade upcycler on Etsy! Vintage & retro decor is in, so it isn't too hard to find 1960s period look-alikes.

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She types in Charcoal Gray

7/16/2012

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Today's "Get the Look" feature is focused on the understated secretary look. Sensual yet modest. Comfortable yet chic. These two styles shown below reflect the hip-hugging fashion of the 60s--(When bullet bras worked wonders and women weren't afraid of showing off their curves). Both reach just below the knee, feature short sleeves and a nipped in waist. The dress you wear to work, cocktail party or heavy date.

She types in charcoal gray and looks fabulous doing so.

ROLAND MOURET
Eliza pleated wool dress
$2000

VINTAGE FOURELL
Gray cotton 1960s boucle dress
$68

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Bonfire Blog

"My name is Bailey Bryans. I am owner and founder of Bonfire Vintage. I am a painter, photographer, sculptor and all-around lover of art and DIY ideas. I am also a self-taught web/graphic designer and seamstress."

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Hot for Hot Pink

Like This?

Try This . . .

Four Colors

Industrial & Recycled

The Budget - Minded Bride

The Classic Cap Toe Ballet Flat

Like This?

Try This . . .

Mad Men party in detail

Sew your own yoga shorts

Get Healthy , Get Happy - A Seller Showcase

Mad Men Party Edition 2

Atmosphere

And don't forget . . .

She types in Charcoal Gray

Bonfire Blog

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