DIY Earring Up-Cycle {Friday Fun}

I went through a phase a couple of years ago where I bought cheap, metal costume jewelry.


You know what I am talking about, $3.99 at Forever 21 or two for $8 at Charlotte Russe.


Thus I have quite a few pairs of earrings that are now tarnished and un-wearable.  


Last fall we had our family pictures taken by my fabulously talented friend Valerie Henderson (you can find her on fb here and see her website here.  She is an amazing photographer and has been a huge inspiration to me.  I will write more about that in another post).  I knew the importance of wearing bright colors and incorporating fun accessories to really make your portraits "pop".  

I started planning several weeks ahead what we were all going to wear.  I knew I wanted to wear a pink top and turquoise earrings (I love pink and turquoise together which is obvious by the colors I chose for my new photography logo).  Well living in Oklahoma, finding bright, vibrant colors in clothing and accessories is not always the easiest thing to do (especially on a SAHM budget).  


I searched and searched for turquoise "costume jewelry" style earrings.  I thought to myself, if I could just find a pair in my favorite spray paint color "lagoon".  Then a light bulb went off.  What do I do when I want something a certain color for my house?  I spray paint it.  So why not do that to a pair of my old earrings?


It's not rocket science but one of those "why didn't I think of this earlier" projects. 

They are now my very favorite pair of earrings.  I took something old (that I probably should have thrown away long ago) and made it new again.

A Few of My Favorite Things - Home Decor and Accessories

Meet my Design Notebook:

This notebook saves me from moments of insanity where I would be wondering "now where did I see that (insert cool idea or thing here). " I have it divided into sections like walls (paint and wallpaper), DIY, furniture, decor, organization, living room, office, etc. Then anytime I see something I love in a magazine, book, catalogue, website, or on a blog I print/tear it out and stick it in here. It has been the best thing for keeping my ideas in order and in one place.

The best thing about the blog world is finding out secrets and tips from other bloggers. I thought that I would share some of my favorite things and tips through a series of blog posts.

Home Decor and Accessories

As much as I love finding something old and making it new again, every now and then youhave to splurge on an anchor/staple item for a room. A lot of times I spend the most on an inspiration piece i.e. - art, curtains, a pillow, light fixture, etc. And then fill in the rest of the room with inexpensive finds. These sites also give me lots of decorating ideas and fresh perspective on ways I can copycat with things I already have.

ZGallerie - www.zgallerie.com is one of David Bromstead's (host of HGTV's ColorSplash) favorite home decor shops. They have very modern/contemporary items. I love to mix contemporary with vintage/flea market. I went into one of their stores when I was in Vegas last week and found so much inspiration. Most of their decor is very monochromatic, which gives off a very clean and fresh appearance. You can re-create so many of their items by spray painting old decor that you have around the house. Turning it into a fresh piece of art.

I saw these Couture prints on their site and it inspired me to find similar prints online. I printed them off and framed them for a fraction of the cost. I will be hanging them in my office.

World Market - www.worldmarket.com I love this site for import goods. They have tons of unique items to add some worldy flair to a room.

Overstock - www.overstock.com Besides the fact that they ship everything for $2.95, they have great hardware, light fixtures, tiles, etc. at very reasonable prices.

I found this light fixture for my office on Overstock.

Out of control...

That is what Z said as I was rummaging through the house finding anything and everything I could spray paint white or red to accessorize my office. It's amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do to something old and overlooked. Things I had planned on selling in our GS have now become new treasures. I've always been a sucker for make-over shows and now I get to witness it first hand with silly little household trinkets.

Here is example 1: Old Tray Z had at his bachelor pad. Probably purchased at Pier 1. Cute by itself but really doesn't fit in anywhere in our house anymore. It was in my "let's get rid of it" box and I rescued it because I had a vision...

It has now become a tray to hold my desk accessories.

Example 2: This is a bird my sister got me for Christmas.