[Quick Crafts] Weekly Round Up

A few of the quick crafts I did this week that don't merit a DIY or how to because they were incredibly fast, and frankly I didn't bother to do a perfect job, as clearly evidenced by the shoes.

A white lace clutch from Goodwill becomes striped thanks to yellow paint and a mod podged piece of black lace.

 

 Clearly in a striped mood, I turned this bank deposit bag into a cute summer-into-fall transition clutch.

 

Painted a brown pair of shoes a cheerful yellow (I have a lot of yellow paint. This should be obvious).

[Halloween] DIY Pumpkin Lanterns

Totally getting into the groove this Halloween. I've never been really enamored with the idea of doing Halloween crafts, but for some reason the bug has hit me hard. I think it's a result of being in England last fall where they don't quite celebrate as hard as we Americans do for the holiday! 

This is a quick, cheap, and easy craft to do to create a few more bright lights on your patio or for your Halloween party! For those with crafting supplies, you probably have most of these already. The rest can be obtained from a dollar store.

Supplies:

For the Pumpkins:

- Glass Jars. I used old pickle jars and a few vases I picked up from the Dollar Tree.

- Orange paint. I used acrylic water based. 

- Paint brushes

- Black sharpie

- LED tea light candles. I got mine 3 for $1 from the Dollar Tree. Make sure they're the orange (or natural flame) flickering effect ones. It'll look more like a pumpkin. Get more than you think you'll need, since some are bound to be duds. 

For the Frankenstein Monster

- Large square vase or Ikea GRONO table lamp. I had some of these left over from a Christmas craft last year.

- Green Paint

- Two large screws. I used random ones from my toolbox

Directions:

1. Paint the inside of the jar orange. I didn't worry too much about perfection. You could use spray paint if you want a more even look. I did two coats.

2. Draw the eyes and mouth on with black sharpie. I free-handed mine (clearly).

3. Drop a LED light inside. You're done!

For the Frankenstein monster:
1. Repeat steps above, but attach the two screws with hot glue on either side of the face, just above the eyes.
2. If you're using the Ikea lamp, be sure to paint the OUTSIDE of the lamp. The glass is not clear, so the green paint won't shine through.

Banned Books Week!

Let's pretend this week that Phoenix is like the rest of the country and is slowly slipping into fall weather. That the 100 degree days have given way to chilly evenings where a light blanket is welcome, and where the atmosphere is just perfect for curling up with a book. Never mind that it's still hot as hell here, and that reading is less than pleasurable when the crook of my elbow gets moist from holding my book up, and my back leaves a lovely sweat pattern wherever I sit. A girl can dream of cooler days. Regardless of where one is, this week (September 30 thru October 6) is the perfect time to read your favorite banned classic. That's right- it's Banned Books Week!

Banned Books Week is near and dear to my heart. Not only do I work in libraries every day, but I'm training to be a librarian, where I will support the First Amendment by offering access to materials that might be considered immoral, dangerous, or inappropriate by some groups. I've heard customers in the past question why we still celebrate Banned Books Week. The sad truth is that there still exists many people, and groups, that would like to dictate what the rest of us read. There seems to be a lack of common sense amongst people regarding books that they dislike or would like to ban from use. I've had library patrons bring books up to me and explain that they think the material is filthy and not suitable for the library. While I encourage them to fill out a comment card, I also make sure to tell them that a library is a public space, with freedom of access. That means that you have the option to NOT read the book you find objectionable, or to close the book if you find it vulgar or distasteful.

I thought I'd write about a few of my favorite once banned books. Share yours as well!

1. Brave New World- by Aldous Huxley.
   Banned in many schools where it was required reading because it seemed to glorify sexual experimentation and had protagonists who placed pleasure before all else. Additionally, it contradicted the abstinence policy in high schools, where parents objected to what they saw as anti family rhetoric.
2. The Awakening- by Kate Chopin
   Banned because the female protagonist frankly examines her sexual feelings and chafes against the demands made against her gender. Seen as a precursor to early feminist tomes, this book has been challenged and censored since it was first published at the end of the 19^th century.
3. And Tango Makes Three- Pete Parnell & Justin Richardson/illustrated Henry Cole.
   The only children's book on this list, because I am not a child nor do I have children! This is a fairly recent book, but has made waves since it was published, because of the the “gay penguins” who are the main protagonists. It has been banned or censored because so called “family” groups have objected to the two male penguins raising an egg together, and the implication that homosexuality is a viable way to make a family. This one is personal for me as well, because I've had parents bring this book up to me at the library, in a proper rage, DEMANDING that it be taken out of the kids section, because “how do I explain to my 3 year old what gay people are??”. Get a grip. It's an adorable story about freaking penguins, and unless you're already explaining to your toddler what straight sex looks like, don't worry about explaining gay. Because I guarantee, your toddler doesn't give a shit.
4. Harry Potter- J.K. Rowling
   You know the drill. Witchcraft. Dark magic. Musn't give those children any ideas. I actually had friends who weren't allowed to read HP when I was younger, because their parents were so concerned about bad influences in the book. Oh HP. How I miss you.

These are obviously just a few of the many, many books on the Banned Books list. In fact, take any book that you read in high school, and it's probably on the list. Take any book that influenced you, made you think of new ideas, introduced you to some new concept like censorship, socialism, or Big Brother, and that book is probably on the list. Read a banned book this week, and take back the power of literature and education. Read more at http://bannedbooksweek.org/.

What I Wore- Dancing Queen

One of my favorite outfits ever.

Shirt- Target. Jeans- Torrid. Shoes- Primark (UK). Earrings & Bracelet- Charming Charlies.

One dress, 3 days

So any chubby chick knows the dangers of the "chub rub". Your thighs chafing together underneath your pretty dress, turning any dress wearing day into a hellish nightmare of discomfort and hot red skin. Ok, I exaggerate. But who enjoys wearing bicycle shorts, spanx, or leggings under every dress? It's fine in the winter, when I can wear colorful tights, but the summer months in Phoenix are unforgivable and too too hot to think of sporting anything but bare legs. I recently ordered a product from Skindura on etsy that you rub on your thighs that eliminates chafing and makes it a breeze to wear dresses. I'm looking forward to a comfortable summer!

Up now- one dress, 3 ways. 

Worn as a long skirt for work! (FYI, I don't work in an office setting, so a little boho is fine!) Dress- Liberty for Target. Shoes- Payless (old). Shirt- Target plus. Tank top- Forever21. Necklaces- Thrifted.

 

What I Wore- Golden Rays

Turned a dress that I wore for a ball this past December into a skirt. Paired with a gray tank and oversize sweater, it felt just casual enough for the weekend. I still need to hem the skirt, as it is far too long for wearing flats or sandals.

Dress (Worn as a skirt) Peacocks Uk. Tank top- Forever21. Sweater- Torrid. Necklace- Charming Charlies. Clutch- thrifted.

Long Weekend

Hope everyone had a lovely day off for Memorial Day, and took a moment to think about the soldiers we've lost. While I didn't actually have a long weekend -I worked Saturday- I did have an amazingly productive couple of days. Purged my room of a lot of clothes and misc. items for Goodwill, organized my books, and did a few crafts. Plus I got to enjoy amazing hand grilled steaks and cheesecake at my siblings house! Overall, a killer good weekend. 

Saturday I turned this:

 Into this:

With a few quick coats of green meadow spray paint. Matches my bedspread better and I love the color!

Also made time to make a mini chalkboard using chalkboard paint, cardboard, and an old frame:

Did a little organizing of my letters and my cosmetics:

And enjoyed a delicious cheesecake and a kickin' vodka lemonade.

What I Wore- Retrospect Part 2

Palace of Holyrood. Tights- Target. Dress- Torrid. Shirt- Thrifted. Scarf- Thrifted.

Posing in a Scottish garden. Tights- Walmart. Shoes- tiny shop in St Andrews, Scotland. Dress- Torrid. Jacket- Evans. Shirt- Thrifted. Brooch- handmade.

Dress- Torrid. Shirt- Target. Gloves- vintage. Shoes- St Andrews shop? tights- walmart.

Halloween outfit. Dress- Primark. Cardigan- Ross. Necklace- Primark. Headband- Peacocks.

Quick self portrait at Kensington Palace.  Dress- Torrid. Tshirt- Walmart. Gloves- Vintage. Scarf- thrifted. Bag- Target. Earrings- Forever21.

Lewes Castle, part 2. Jeans- Torrid. Zip up- Ross.

Brighton waterfront. Jeans- Torrid. Jacket- Ross.

Lewes, part 3 (technically my first visit). Dress- Forever21 Plus. Nylons- Target. Jacket- Torrid. Shoes- scottish shop.

What I Wore- Retrospect part 1

More for my own benefit, I'm going to post some of the outfits I wore as a study abroad student in the UK last fall. I only brought one suitcase and tried to utilize my clothes as much as possible. Still, I developed a sort of uniform- dress, long sleeve tee, tights, boots or flats, and my bright coat. Hopefully the next time I go I can experiment a bit more with my fashion!

Posing before the Christmas Ball. Dress- Peacocks UK. Bracelet- Peacocks. Earrings- Primark

Smelling the roses at the top of Lewes Castle.  Dress-Target Plus. Shirt- Old Navy. Tights- Walmart. Gloves- vintage. Purse- Target.

Going on a walk in Scotland. Jacket- Ross. Gloves- Target. Leggings & Boots- Torrid. Dress- Old Navy.

Posing for a photo at Alnwick Castle.  Jacket- Evans. Dress- Torrid. Tights- Walmart. Shirt- Thrifted.

Enjoying the sea at at Bamburgh Castle. Jacket- Evans. Dress- Torrid. Shirt- Thrifted.