DIY Beach House Headboard

I've been lusting after this Coastal Living headboard ever since we met on Pinterest/Elements of Style Blog. I had to have it. However my stereotypical Dutch family who commissioned me to redecorate our family beach house was not going to splurge on a big expensive headboard. Knowing this I had to create it all from scratch, which meant under $100! 

Copying the same lines as the photo, I used a ruler, pencil, and string to recreate the shape.

After a lot of research I found that the best way to upholster was to use an egg crate foam mattress topper (two twins on sale at Target for $7.97 each!) and put them egg side to egg side so the flat side faces out. We then stapled along the edges to keep it in place (some stayed, some didn't) and then wrapped a layer of batting around it to keep the foam in. This created a thick and cushy headboard.

I ventured off to a fabric store other than Joann's that specialized in upholstery fabric to ensure that it would last a long time. I needed to match this beachy blue and keep the fabric a soft linen. For around three yards it was $37.

Now it was time for the lovely details. The trim came from Joann's for $7 and the oversized 13/16" Brass finish nails came from Beaconfabric.com at a splurge of $42. The corners were a fun test of my folding capabilities, but I prevailed! I gently tucked a bit of the trim underneath itself and covered the overlap with a nail. Be careful as you're hammering the nails in. If you hit them too hard or too many times, you'll scratch off the finish. 

Voila! All UNDER $100!

It's Installed!!

 Now it's on to the rest of the room. Next project... painting!

How To: Christmas Shop for a 20-Something Girl

My top trendy picks for 2012 Christmas! 

If you're confused at what to buy for Christmas and she's a 20-something fabulous girl, 

take a gander at the list below... All under $100!

A little sparkle, a little sport and all GLAM!

1. 31 Bits Necklace // Petunia // $38

2. Mobilexpressions iPad case // Target // $29.99

3. Fragrance Travel Set // Nordstrom // $35

4. Gold Cocktail Shaker // Pottery Barn // $35.50

5. Crystal Snowflake Bottle Stopper // Pottery Barn // $19.50

6. Printed Backup Battery for iPhone // J.Crew // $39.50

7. Truffle White Cocoa // Voluspa // $19

8. MLB/NFL Tee & Boyfriend Pant Giftset // Victoria's Secret // $69.50

9. Metal Gleam Crossbody // Francesca's Collection // $38

10. Fun Flats VEGASSS LEOPARD & TEMPPER BLACK TAN // Steve Madden // $56-69

Z Gallerie Outlet Extravaganza!

Welcome to the wonderful world of the Z Gallerie Outlet in Gardena (Right off the 110 Freeway at Rosecrans/Western). I think I died and went to discount heaven. Everything in the outlet are pieces that are currently in the stores and online. They may be slightly damaged or broken but the majority of them are in perfect shape for at least half the price... And the best part? They have all new pieces EVERY. DAY. Oh yes.

Simplicity Mirrored 5 Drawer Chest $749.99 // In Store $1,500

Not. Even. Damaged. Just missing the pulls, how easy is that to replace?!

Dining tables, art and couches 

A sea of buffets, dressers and headboards!

 Glittered Glass Pinecones $10 & $8 // On the website for $20

Tips for Getting the Most from Your Trip!

1. Arrive early! There will be a line of eager shoppers ready to run for the item they've been hunting for. The Outlet Hours are: 

Tues - Fri 12:00pm - 4:00pm // Saturday 11:00am - 3:00pm

2. Shop online and in the regular store ahead of time. Figure out which headboard, couch, or dining room table you can't live without and be ready to tear the ticket off and make it yours!

3. If you see something you like, grab it or tear the ticket. You don't have to buy it but at least you've officially put dibs on it and no one else can take it from you. These people are brutal. Make sure you grab what ever you like. Second guess yourself later.

February Favorites: Coral & Gold

Easy. Colorful. Glam.

White blazer with silk lining @ Nordstrom

Coral resort scarf @ Old Navy

Gold lap top case with white chevron vinyl sticker 

Layered necklaces

DIY glitter keys

Voluspa Crisp Champagne candle 

Flea Market Finds

Going back to my Long Beach garage sale roots, I decided to check out the Pasadena Flea Market at The Rose Bowl last week. If you're looking for an exhausting day filled with entertaining people watching (including a few celebs) and some vintage furniture where you will have to barter your way down to something halfway reasonable, then this is the place to be! 

I loved these pre-wired lanterns, but the guy wanted $75 and I was over it being at a loss as to where the heck I would put them... Yet another reason why I need a big house. 

Gorgeous fuschia fabric. I would make the wood part a bright color to modernize it! Lime green, bright orange? Ideas?

Beautiful entry table! Difficult to see the gorgeous detail in the bright sunlight, but once again worth every penny it would have cost me! The guy was willing to bargain too!

Beautiful trunk asking for $100 and I couldn't justify it. :(

This beaut would have taken a bit of work, but where do you find those kind of lines anymore! #Obsessed.

In my world, this would be painted hot pink instead of gold. It's a jewelry tree, but I love its simplicity and Asian inspiration. 

Ok. This was my favorite and last find. I was inspired a la this photo that I would like to recreate in my beach house remodel. 

5 Quick tips:

1. Bring lots of cash! Some places take Debit/Credit, but don't bank on it. If you have to pull out cash, you'll be charged a crazy service fee!

2. Look for the places that are a little more rough around the edges. Here you will find the better deals. If you are immediately drawn to the perfectly manicured spaces, prepare to pay a pretty penny for your pretty finds. 

3. Wear comfy shoes and arrive early! The shopping is massive and you will not get to very many places if you show up between 11am and noon! They close at 3pm and some shut down by 2pm!

4. Eyeball your faves and head back right before they close. Vendors will tend to decrease their prices towards the end of the day because they don't want to haul it back! 

5. Get a large Bud Light while you're there and make the shopping more casual while opening up your purse strings a bit. Or better yet, smuggle in a few in a large purse and save some $$$ for shopping like Bre and me below!

Glam Dream House

When it comes to dreaming about the “when I grow ups,” I’m not the typical twenty-something. Instead of dreaming about my wedding, what my dress will look like, whether my ceremony will be in a church or outside, what color the napkins will be, etc. etc., I prefer to fantasize about my dream house. Not just the people who will fill it, yes the dream husband and children exist but that’s not the focus of my dream.

I dream of the ultimate glam-house with an excuse to have a chandelier in every. Single. Room. I Stumbled long and hard to find my favorite images that show it is possible to be glamorous in every part of you house. Enjoy!

The Entry

The hallway

The living room

The Dining Room

The guest bedroom

Guest Closet

Bathroom

The master bedroom

The closet (via Christina Aguilera)

Patio Dining

Finding Beauty in the Ordinary

Our house has quite a bit of beach house cottage "charm." The built-in distressed kitchen nook and front dutch door among other nautical flair make it truly unique. After endlessly craigslisting, we spotted this house and immediately fell in love with it not only for its distinctly quaint features, but also because we could squeeze 5 cars behind the house! If you’ve ever tried to find parking on the Newport peninsula, you would know that it is rather unheard of.

My latest addition to our rental beach house are these cute little glass vases. Being recent college grads, we tend to have quite a few people over and to enjoy our best friend “Chuck” along with the ever-so charming sale of the week bottled beer.

I simply love the concept of displaying the unexpected. Wine corks (even if they are Charles Shaw) can be beautiful when collected. Even beer bottle caps in an eloquent jar create a mash up of the boring and ordinary with the elegant and ornate. Our little corner ledge was crying out for the perfect decor. Even though we are moving come summer time, I know that I will keep these my entire life. The great thing about vases and keeping decorative ones in your kitchen is that you can adapt them to fit the season. Change out the corks and bottle caps for sea shells and sand with candles come summer time or take it to a practical function and store fruit, pasta, flour or any other baking supply. They are really something to play with while enhancing your personality and interests at the time.