What I Wore

Eric says I'm getting daring with my "business casual" by wearing animal print leggings to work but I say who cares... I'm wearing a blazer to balance it out, right. I might not wear these leggings for a really important meeting but then again I might :)  What really is business casual anyway?

Ignore that pumpkin that looks like it's perched on my head.

And here is it again with the addition of a scarf. I was going to dinner and a speaker event at a church that evening with friends and knew it would be chilly.

Teal dress: Target, similar 3/4 sleeves
Blue blazer: Loft Outlet
Black belt: The Limited, similar
Animal print leggings: Victoria's Secret, pattern is called Black Spots and are on sale for $15!
Black flats: Anne Klein iflex bam bam, also have seen at Marshall's
Black scarf: simple pashmina (I bought all of mine super cheap in London several years ago)
Silver earrings: The Limited, similar


Linking up to What I Wore Wednesday

Fall Mantle

Considering it is now December... holy cow! It is definitely time past time to show you my fall mantle. I just switched it out for Christmas yesterday so I can share that one soon hopefully prior to Christmas haha.

This would also be a great time to introduce our new mirror! This is the one and only thing we have hung in the new house. We purchased it in September and so the first season I decorated the mantle for was fall. I am still totally in love with this mirror. It is somehow modern but classic all at the same time.

I went with a pretty simple fall mantle this year and put out my fall burlap banner, dryer vent pumpkins on top of candlesticks, a few small pumpkins/gourds and a string of fake fall leaves from Michaels.

 

Here is a wider shot of that side of the family room. I have some of my old color scheme (bright green and purple) mixed in with the new color scheme I am building. I hope to make some new pillows and switch more things over to the new colors in the spring but for now it's fine. The teal chairs are from World Market and are comfy with fun nail head trim. I added a simple fabric pumpkin to the side table with the new aqua glass lamp I bought at HomeGoods. Yep I hadn't even taken the tag off yet. I like to put something in a spot a debate about it for a week or so before taking the tag off in case I decide to return it. This lamp now has its tag off and and a permanent residence in our home!

Can't wait to show you the Christmas mantle soon!

Football Team Burlap Banner

 

So after making my fall banner and also seeing a similar Tigers banner at the Clemson vs. Wake Forest game, I knew I just HAD to have my very own Tigers banner to hang up at tailgates. I am sure you want an awesome Tigers banner too... or perhaps whatever college or pro football team you cheer for so here is how to DIY.

 

It was pretty easy to make especially if you have a cutting machine like a Silhouette or Cricut.

 

 

 

Football Burlap Banner

 

Materials:

- burlap

- mod podge

- cardstock

- twine or something to hang it with

- glue gun or clothespins

- craft paint

- foam paint brush

- ribbon

 

Start by cutting out enough burlap trianges. I did 8 since I wants TIGERS plus 2 for tiger paws. Mine are 8.5 inches across and 10.5 inches down. It's best to brush mod podge (half school glue half water) over the triangles as this helps the paint adhere better later. Let that dry for an hour or so. 

 

Next you need your letter templates. I used my Silhouette software to pick a font and size my letters. And then I fed cardstock into the machine for it to cut out my template. You want to leave enough space in between the letters to cut them out separately since you need the negative space to make the templates. If you don't own a cutting machine you can cut letters out of cardstock using an exacto knife or make friends with someone that has a cutting machine :)  I also believe some libraries have die cutters with the alphabet and some shapes... this is what I used one summer in college to make letters for a bulletin board.

Here you can see all the templates layed out on the triangles ready for painting. I use catalog or magazine pages underneath to catch the paint that goes through.

Hold down on the cardstock while you use a foam brush to blot paint onto the burlap to make sure that it doesnt shift.

This was after a second coat.

Next you need to attach your triangles to twine or string. I attached all the triangles to twine using mini clothespins from Walmart. Make sure you leave extra on the end for tying up your banner. I plan to hot glue the triangles to the twine eventually but just ran out of time before we needed it. Plus I think the clothespins are kinda cute so I may even keep them after it's hot glued. Then you can tie ribbon in between the triangles in your team colors. I found orange ribbon and purple and black tiger striped ribbon at Walmart.

When I hung the banner I used more clothespins to attach it to the tailgate tent but you could also use the extra twine you leave at the ends to tie it up.

Now we have a fun DIY Clemson Banner to hang up whenever we tailgate or even at the house when we are hosting a viewing party! And you know in Clemson we tailgate our hearts out. And in style... if you don't believe me just ask Southern Living

What I Wore

This is what I wore to work on our first really cold day and also a day I had a big presentation at 8am. This was taken after a long day at work right before running out of daylight. I'm wearing my new fleece lined tights for the first time and I must say they were nice and warm and comfy. Kept me warmer than my work pants... definitely recommend if you like to wear dresses in cold weather! I think this would also be a great outfit for dressing up for Thanksgiving.

I'm sure you must also be wondering about that amazing looking fall burlap wreath on the door behind me. You are in luck... here's how to make one for yourself. 

Black blazer: Ivy & Leo Boutique; similar; similar; similar but with collar similar but with collar these are great affordable classic blazers
Black and white dress: Ivy and Leo boutique in Charlotte
Black fleece lined tights: Bare Necessities - you can search for an online coupon too
Tan boots: BCBG
Cobalt Belt: Target on sale
Cobalt necklace: Towne and Reese
Blue and pink earrings: Towne and Reese they are out of blue/pink but have blue/green and yellow/teal

Since you probably don't have microscopic vision, here is a close up of the earrings.

Linking up to What I Wore Wednesday