Read Up: 2014

Going into 2014 I have a lot of resolutions... they vary in sizes and level of commitment needed but they all count for something.  One of my blogging resolutions for 2014 is to read more blogs/magazines.  Whether it be learning new things, finding new things, getting ideas and inspiration or just for fun, I'm going to read more! [Reading more books is in that long list too, but thats for my personal resolutions]

So to start this resolution off right, Here are some of my daily reads for 2014. Feel free to join along and read them with me! I promise you won't be disappointed. 

Design + Home Decor

My new favorite websites to read everyday.  I only found domino and adore within the past few months, but they have online magazines you can read for free and they're amazing!

Design Happens: HGTV is my favorite TV show. Hands down. Well, since I'm broke postgrad and can't afford cable.. They have a blog. Yep. Read it. You'll thank me later.

Adore Home: Adore Home Magazine is amazing. They have an online magazine that you can read and a blog. They're style is so fun and current you'll love it.

Domino: Another great online magazine. You have to sign up to see their website but it's worth it. They also post about useful things like... How to Throw a Cocktail Party in Under and Hour.. see, useful right?

Fashion + Lifestyle Blogs

These 3 Blogs are already my go-to reads and let me tell you I'm not going to stop.. I may have an eye for design but fashion is not my expertise. Advice-Taken. Thanks ladies!

Made by Girl: Jen knows her fashion style but she also knows a thing or two about design. Check out her amazing house tour here.

Suburban Faux-Pas: Krystin's sense of fashion is amazing and I wish I could figure out how she does it.  Hopefully on day I'll figure it out.

Life With Emily: Emily could wear a paper bag and make it look good. She's local to NC so I found her blog when I moved to Charlotte and have been reading it ever since.  Her blog is in my "top sites" in safari when I open up a new tab... guilty.

Well, there it is! I actually have a really long list of blogs I follow but these are the ones that I just had to share. Anyone would love them! Any other daily read suggestions I should add to my list?

Sunglasses & Snowmen

Today I'm very excited to bring you this DIY holiday project that I whipped up in a few short hours with minimal supplies.  Last night I attended a holiday meet-up with the local charlotte bloggers and it was so much fun. But when I heard it was an ornament exchange I got all giddy with the thought of being able to get creative and crafty for it.

So, I rounded up a few extra pairs of sunglasses my roommate had laying around (she has boxes of these things!) And then I broke out my sorority happy box from college...

As you can see, this thing has EVERYTHING a DIY-er can dream of inside it.  [not to mention it weighs about 50 lbs.]

Don't get intimidated here, there are only a few supplies needed: 

cheap/ old sunglasses

white acrylic paint

ribbon of choice

black fabric paint [could also use a paint pen]

clear glitter fabric paint

quick hold super glue

mod podge

small buttons [optional]

Steps:

[Watch this carefully... this is so easy it will be over if you blink]

Paint the lenses white

Draw the face with black paint/paint pen & a smile made of 'coal' [like the song]

Glue on the buttons  OR draw them on if you don't have buttons!

Tie the ribbon around the nosepiece | glue in place

Glue the hanging ribbon in place and the top ear section [pictured]

Seal with mod podge | let it dry

Put the lenses back in after everything is dried completely! [I let mine dry overnight to be sure] I also added a small, sparkly bow to the top of my 'snowgirl' to make her more feminine

This ornament was a hit at the blogger ornament exchange! I was so nervous it was going to be lame, wondering if I should have just bought an ornament.  Well, I worried for no reason because everyone loved it and Jaime of Sunflowers and Stilettos is the proud owner of my handmade ornament :)

[So happy to meet all of these amazing ladies last night! Can't wait for the next meet-up!]

Would you make this for your tree this holiday?