Transient Expression

Jewelry Rack

Rachel — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:18:49 +0000

With an old unused frame, a little spray paint, a few tools, and some help from Mother Nature, I made myself a jewelry rack last week. I can’t take credit for the idea, since it was mostly inspired by this one that I found on Pinterest.

I didn’t take step-by-step photos for this project, but here are some rough instructions:
1. Find an appropriate wood picture frame and remove the backing and glass. Lightly sand the frame to rough up the finish, wipe off the dust, then spray paint with several thin layers.
2. Find dry branches and use a saw to cut them to a size that will fit in the back of your frame. (If you don’t have a saw, pruning shears might also work).
3. Screw cup hooks into your branches at even distances apart. I used the 3/4-inch size.
4. Using small nails, attach your branches to the back of your picture frame with the cup hooks facing the front and upright.
5. Hang it up and add jewelry!

Filed under: DIY

Misty Woods

Rachel — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 04:32:08 +0000

It may be super gray and misty around here, but all that rain means that it’s excessively green even in the middle of winter. Maybe it’s good that I don’t have much green in my wardrobe–I’d blend right in.

(The dress is from H&M a couple of years ago, and everything else is similarly old and/or secondhand.)

Filed under: Uncategorized

Sunday Street Style

Rachel — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:18:13 +0000

Lately it’s been nothing but gray and rainy around here, which clearly means I should be wearing bright colors to make up for the monochrome environmental palette. Taking my cue from these ladies definitely couldn’t hurt.

Top row: Glamcanyon, Stockholm Streetstyle
Middle row: The Locals, Streetstyle Aesthetic
Bottom row: Stockholm Streetstyle, Vanessa Jackman

Filed under: Uncategorized

Jewelry Organization

Rachel — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:05:23 +0000

Lately I’ve been trying to figure out how to organize my jewelry and accessories. Right now everything is packed away in various boxes, and I’d like to find a semi-temporary solution so I can access everything again. This is tough, because I have quite a collection (mostly vintage, thrifted, or handmade), but if I can’t see it I forget to wear it. My cats are another problem: If they can reach jewelry, they like to mess with it, pawing at it and tossing it onto the floor. This all means that I don’t want to tuck everything away in a drawer, but I also can’t have it sitting out on a dresser in a pretty dish or display (too bad, because there are so many lovely options). I’d like something that is:
-Aesthetically pleasing
-Wall-mounted
-Inexpensive
I’ve been combing Pinterest for DIY ideas, and these are a few I’ve come across that look like they might work for me.

I’m thinking I might rig up some combination of the first two using a frame I found in the back of a closet and some paint.

How do you store your jewelry? Any advice on what works best?

Filed under: Uncategorized

Sunday Street Style

Rachel — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:09:31 +0000

Since I’m late with this one and it’s been awhile since I’ve done Sunday Street Style, I decided an extra-large helping of stylish street fashion was in order.

Row one: Fashionistable, WDUGT Street
Row two:The Sartorialist, Street Fashion Style
Row three: Stockholm Streetstyle, WDUGT Street
Row four: It’s My Darlin’, The Sartorialist
Row five: Street Fashion Style, Stockholm Streetstyle

Filed under: Dress

Terrarium

Rachel — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:54:44 +0000

Nothing seems to sap my blogging mojo like moving, but I’m trying to get back into the habit by tackling some projects I’ve been meaning to try. Most of my craft supplies are in storage indefinitely, so I decided to make a tabletop terrarium because I had everything on hand except for the container, which I bought at a Goodwill for $2. I collected all of the plants and moss and the empty snail shell in a walk around my parents’ large yard.

I guess if I only fulfill one of my resolutions for 2012, “Make more terrariums” is as good as any.

Filed under: DIY

Links I Like

Rachel — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 23:44:36 +0000

Since I’ve been moving/sick/taking a break from the internet, I’ve missed a lot of great stuff lately. I’ve been trying to catch up a bit, though, and here are some of my favorite projects and links I’ve come across so far in 2012.

Super cute (and easy!) shoe fringe tutorial.

We got rid of almost all of our mugs when we moved, so perhaps I’ll replace them with these versatile chalkboard mugs.

When I get my jewelry supplies back I plan on making one of these nest necklaces in silver.

Small things are cute, but tiny things are even cuter, as these tiny plants potted in shells illustrate.

I’m always looking for new podcasts, and here’s a list of some that I love and some that I haven’t heard yet but can’t wait to try out.

Finally, if Santa was especially kind to you, here are some great photo tips for DSLR beginners.

Filed under: DIY, Links

Rachel — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 06:19:57 +0000

Today I was determined to take some outfit pictures even though my tripod is (I think) packed away in a pod that hasn’t yet reached this side of the country, and there was no one around to be my photographer. My method involved propped my camera up on a garden bench, which didn’t actually work that well. But I snapped a few shots to prove that I am working the plaid and layering just like all of the other girls and boys of the Pacific Northwest. Don’t tell the hipsters, but the other day I was cold so I even snuck in a fleece hoodie.

My favorite boots: Anthropologie
Cardigan and plaid shirt: Free swaps
Jeans: Anthropologie
T-shirt: Target

Filed under: Dress

12 for 2012

Rachel — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 07:57:42 +0000

Happy New Year! Normally I don’t make any resolutions on January 1, but this year I decided to set some loose goals for myself just so they would be on my mind.

1. Spend more time with friends and family
This will be a lot easier since we moved back to the West Coast, where a lot of the people I love are located.
2. Grow my business
I have big plans for my Etsy shop this year, including some new products that I can’t wait to introduce!
3. Find and move into a cute house in Portland
We’re currently living in my parents’ house (they’re out of the country), but we want to move into our own place later this year.
4. Walk at least 30 minutes per day
Have you seen this video? It makes a pretty compelling case for a daily walk!

5. More DIY projects!
6. Make some terrariums
When we moved I had to get rid of most of my plants, so I need to rebuild my collection. I have Terrarium Craft to help with inspiration, and access to plenty of pretty rocks and moss.
7. Reach out to a community
I’d love to meet more local artists and creators and become a participating member of the vibrant DIY scene in Portland.
8. Sew more
I was lucky enough to receive The Colette Sewing Handbook and The Burdastyle Sewing Handbook as Christmas presents this year, and I’m excited to try out projects from both.
9. Take more pictures
10. Cook more
I want to branch out and try new dishes, and two new cookbooks from my mother-in-law look like they’re full of tasty recipes. This year I’ll be baking from the Green Market Baking Book and trying out some vegetarian dishes from Plenty. And I’m already been working on my cocktail mixing skills with drinks from The Craft of the Cocktail.
11. Get more tattoos
12. Read more books
The local library is calling my name.

Did you make any resolutions for 2012?

Filed under: Uncategorized

Season’s Greetings!

Rachel — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 06:53:23 +0000

Just a note that I am still alive and planning to come back to blogging soon! After packing up/shipping/getting rid of all of our stuff, over Christmas we drove across the country and arrived back on the West Coast at 2:30 am on Christmas morning. In three days we drove ourselves and our two cats through Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho and finally, Oregon.

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Other than losing my wallet on Christmas Eve (probably at a gas station somewhere), and Steven getting a speeding ticket on the same day (seriously, what a mean cop in Wyoming to give him a ticket for going 9 mph over the limit the day before Christmas!), the trip was mostly uneventful. Unfortunately I’ve been sick since before we moved, and most of our stuff isn’t due to arrive for at least a week, so I’ve kind of been lying low. But I’m so grateful to be home, and really looking forward to sharing my new corner of the world with you.

Filed under: Uncategorized