Holiday DIY: Pom-Pom Garland

 

Many times I find myself in situations where I just can't find exactly what I want when I go out looking for something. Stores sometimes just don't have what I want and that fact is never more apparent than when I'm looking for things to decorate my house. It's even more-so a problem at Christmas time. I am just not into pine cones, wicker wreaths, and cinnamon brooms. I like bright, obnoxious colors during the winter months as much as I do during the summer time, and because of this I find myself having to make things a lot of the time. This Christmas, I decided to make myself something that I've been wanting to make for a long time: a pom pom garland! Tinsel is too messy and regular garland is always one boring color, so why not make something fun and colorful for me to enjoy for many years to come! Today, I will tell you how to make your own pom pom garland with greatest of ease! Your supplies are a follows:

A Large Hand Sewing Needle

2-3 Yards of Knotting Cord (I used white)

Large Bag of Multi Size Pom Poms 

1. Pull out as much knotting cord as you need to make the length garland you want. Thread the cord through the needle and leave a bit of overhang so that the cord doesn't slip through while threading the pom poms. Tie off the end so pom poms won't slip off the end of the cord.

2. Pierce pom pom through the middle and pull all the way down to the end of your cord. I spaced my pom poms out at least 1.5-2 inches, but you can make a tightly spaced garland if you have lots and lots of pom poms.

3. Thread as many pom poms as it takes to fill up your cord. I like the look of spaced pom poms, but you can make a very tightly packed garland if you've got a lot of poms and a lot of time. Tie off the other end of your garland once you're done and wrap it around your tree!

If you have any left over, like I did, You can make some cute door hangs to go over doors ways to make them more festive!

This is a fun and easy way to make Christmas decorations that are all your own. Decorations that can be handed down for generations that have the story "mom made it" or "grandma made this" instead of "I bought this last minute at Target because there was nothing else". 

If you have some extra time or want an excuse to create some quiet time for yourself in this season of crazy stress, over-togetheredness, and an onslaught of face-to-face family time, get to work on your pom pom garland! Good tidings, all!

Get Your Hands on Some Vans!

Get Your Hands on Some Vans! by elbonner featuring flower print shoes

Like any person on this planet with a brain in their head, I love me some shoes! Not in a Carrie Bradshaw sense where I willingly put myself into bankruptcy in order to cram my man-feet into some tiny Manolo Blahniks. I just likes a good pair of comfortable shoes in a bajillion different colors and patterns to match with everything I possibly could. That being said, I can safely say that my favorite kind of shoe is a classic pair of Vans; Authentic, Old Skool, Van Doren, Era, Sk8 Hi, all that good stuff. They're good for skating, walking, standing, lifting, and surprisingly good when on sailboats. I've been wearing Vans since I was in elementary school when I had vast color choices like black and navy blue. Nowadays, Vans come in all sorts of cool colors, materials, and patterns and are perfect editions to your casual everyday outfits! Vans also make great gifts for people because they are good shoes at a good value that only get better with age. Vans look just as good out of the box as they do after a summer of boardwalking and block partying! If you're looking for a cool present for a special shoe-loving person in your life, do them a favor and get them a cool pair of Vans!

Sk8 Hi Slim- Simple, classic, and hugely popular this season. Keep your little ankle warm with a hi-top style that immediately adds 50 points to your coolometer. Now they come in cool patterns, like the one pictured above, and even beautiful colored suede that makes them as durable as they are stylish.

Authentic- The original Vans shoe that comes in every color of the rainbow. I love this pacific/royal blue color and think it would make a great addition to any shoe collection.

Era- I like the Era because it typically mixes prints and colors and look really cool. I have a black and leopard pair that get compliments everywhere I go! Has a little cushion in the heel and makes them a comfortable shoe for long days.

Slip-On - I love slip-ons. Sometimes I am so lazy, tying my shoes just isn't an option. These shoes make that heinous chore a thing of the past! I love the classic checkerboard style and I actually wore them for work for a while. I am loving the orchid suede pair pictured above!

VANS OFF THE WALL

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Birthday Braggery: I Have The Greatest Friends and Family EVER

Sorry I've been a little MIA as of late, but I have been celebrating a lot (soooo much cake)! I had my birthday last Saturday, my dad's was last Monday, and my mom's was today so there have been lots of gift giving and receiving! Since I'm the luckiest girl on earth, I got all kinds of cool stuff from my friends and family. They know what's up! My mom and I have a little shopping trip the Friday before my name-day and I picked up a few (too many) cool things! Commence photo-collage!

 Started off the blessed week with some much-needed Trader Joe's sale-flowers to lighten the mood 

My mom and I went to World Market where I found this sweet bag for $22! I've been looking for something like it, but have found that some similar bags can cost a chunk of change. This was an ultimate find! (I apologize for my messy room and poor-quality selfie)

Went a little shoe insane here! I don't know if Toms are cool or uncool, all I know is that they have some really cool prints (hello, palm trees!) and I love them so all the haters can take a frickin' number. The Vans are also really cool. They're like a sunwashed coral color and look like they belong on the inside of a watermelon! I really likes the blue and white pair because they are almost shibori-like and serape printed flats have been on my must-get-eventually list for quite some time. Quadruple shoe-score!

I was kicked-in-the-butt-by-love by these tops from H&M's new Concious collection. They're partially made from recycled materials and are super soft and silky. Great for summer time sweat problems (people have them!). They come in these great earthy tones that are richly pigmented and look great with lots of cool accessories! I was afraid this blouse would make me look like Jerry Seinfeld and his Puffy Shirt, but it looked really good when I wore it out for my birthday dinner with my friends!

 

I also picked up two tank tops from the same collection, one in orange and this creamy colored one. I can't wait to pair it with some cut-off shorts and sandals once it gets a little warmer out. Great for nights out when you know it's going to be hot (no pit stains!). 

Not super exciting, but still really cool are these Andy Warhol sticky notes that I picked up at World Market. That place is like a dream come true. It has stationary, it has candles, it has jewelry, it has beer, it has English chocolate; what more could you want?! I am always using post-its and these sticky notes were just too cute to pass by!

And last, but not least, my friends spoiled me rotten with some really cool stuff! I got a custom painting with all of my favorite colors, a book all about shibori dying techniques, a loaded Starbucks card for my iced caramel "Ralph Machiattos", and a protein powder that has COFFEE IN IT to keep me hyped and ripped at the gym! But, the best present of all was getting to hang out with them all night, eating Mexican food, quoting Team America, and just shooting the shit. Because really, what more do you need?!

I had a great birthday, but it wouldn't have been a fraction as good as it was if I didn't have the great friends and family I have to celebrate it with. Those are really the greatest gifts of all! If you're special day is coming up, or if you just feel like celebrating, hit up your friends and enjoy what you've already got! Happy Sunday, everyone!

Money Grubbers: New Wallets for Spring!

Wallets for Spring! by elbonner featuring green bags

I have a confession to make: I hate my wallet. I didn't hate it when I bought it, but it was my first foray away from a large wallet since my Roxy Velcro wallet phase that probably lasted longer than it should have. The wallet I have now can't hold bills that aren't folded, the soft leather is very floppy and it's small enough to get lost in the cavernous abyss that is my giant purse. I am, for what might be the first time ever, on a hardcore wallet hunt. I have never had a problem getting wallet because almost every one I've ever had has been given to me as either a birthday gift, Secret Santa present, or a "I bought this and hated it, now you get it" present from my mom. I am excited at all the new possibilities that wallet shopping can bring, but unfortunately, my old nemesis has reared it's head again. It's almost a law of nature that the one thing I really want, whether it be purses, shoes, or even Greek yogurt, is the most expensive one I find. I am having this problem with my current wallet obsession. Cleobella is an awesome retailer of handbags, but they make these "Mexicana" wallets that are just the dogs bollocks. They come in every bright, obnoxious color you can imagine and they just look super cool. Of course, they are $138 a piece, but maybe I'll find $200 stuffed in the pocket of something (never ever going to happen) and spoil myself with a fabulous wallet.

But because I live in the lame world of reality, I will probably be looking at my old haunts like Target, H&M, and Urban Outfitters to find myself a fun new money-holder. Now, these places are in no way a downgrade, in fact, I might find something even better than what I originally lusted after. For now, I'm still shopping around for the perfect wallet, but I can gaurentee this: it will be neon, it will be big, and it will have at least 4 Pita Pit cards in it because I always tell the cashier I forgot mine. Organize your life and get a new wallet!

Cleobella Mexicana Wallet
Cooperative Colorblock Zip-Aorund Wallet- Urban Outfitters
Merona for Target Zip-Around Wallet

Keep It Together: Workout Clothes That Keep You Solid

I don't mean solid like that one Lean Cuisine you bought, but it wasn't your favorite so you never really wanted to eat it and it's been in the back of your freezer since Saddam Hussein was still alive. I mean solid like a stack, brick-house of a lady who yearns to keep the jiggle to a minimum during her workout!

Something I have noticed from my many workout trials and tribulations is that I just can't workout in running shorts; I gots to have that spandex! One spring I decided to make the transition from compression running capris to running shorts because everyone always looks so damn cool in their little Nike or Lululemon running shorts. I slapped on a pair, started off on my run, and got tired so quickly I had to shorten my run distance. I thought long and hard about what could have slowed me down; I'd done that run a hundred times before with no problems and then it dawned on me. What was happening during all that pathetic jaunt I called a run? A whole lot of thigh jiggle. I can't help it; I've got large thighs no matter what, and after a few more experiments I concluded that I have to have some sort of compression when I'm doing high impact stuff like running or HIIT workouts.

Now, this may not be the case for everyone, but I just feel better with a little more support. Luckily, the world of workout wear is on my side and everything is coming up spandex! I have compiled a few of my favorites that are not only super functional, but are also super cute. 

1. With Love From Paradise: Can I get a pair of these in every Aloha print ever? Great for yoga, gym workouts, walking; just about anything that involves using one's legs. I'm obsessed and hoping I can convince someone to get me a pair of these for my birthday. Totally unique and great for those who are tired of black stretch pants.

Photo: With Love From Paradise

2. Roxy Outdoor Fitness Standard Running Tights: Love these things to death. I got the purple and it's such a great color. Not too attention-grabbing, but better than your old blown-out Soffe shorts. Great for running, lifting, anything you can throw at them. I didn't spend my runs constantly pulling them back up so that's always a plus. Keeps everything high and tight just how I like it!

Photo: Roxy.com

3. Lululemon Wunder Under Crop: I tell myself I'm not paying that much for a pair of workout pants, but they are sooooo damn good. I still have my first pair I bought when Lululemon first got an online store and they are still just as good and stretchy as they were on day one. I know they have had quality issues as-of late, but I haven't really come across any obvious problems. Maybe I'm just super easy to please, or these make my butt look so good that I don't even care. If you've got the money to shell out on Wunder Unders, just get some already!

Photo: Lululemon

4. Seea Pacifica Surf Leggings: I've been seeing a lot of surf leggings coming out lately and I think they're great. I really don't enjoy wearing board shorts, but I also hate destroying my inner thighs from skin,wax, board friction (cringing thinking about it). These leggings from Seea aren't strictly for surfing and can be worn for any activity where you need some protection with a little stretch (oh god sounds like a condom reference). I could see myself wearing these at them gym and absolutely anywhere else leggings are appropriate which, for me, is everywhere worth going. 

Photo: Seea

There are so many great workout pants that will keep you jiggle-free during your workouts.  When I was younger I was always under the impression that crazy spandex was only worn by male figure skaters and Ben Stiller in Heavyweights, but how wrong I was! I know I write about workout clothes on here like once a month, but it's fun for someone else to find awesome stuff and do all the hard work for you. Get yourself into some spandex and have a great workout!

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Ease the Winter Blues: Tropicalize Your House!

Tropicalize Your House! by elbonner featuring Zara Home

Most of the Eastern Seaboard, South, Midwest, and Northern states have had it with all this freaking snow. I'm over, you're over it, we are all over it. I've just about finished my week off which would have been a thousand times better if the weather hadn't been a total crapfest. With only one day of sunshine in the past 12, I'm looking to other things to lift my spirits. What better way to brighten your mood than to add some tropical fun to your home?! I'm all about fun prints, bright colors, and beachy accents. You can incorporate these things into most color palettes. Have mostly neutrals? Throw in a neon pillow, throw, or vase to shake things up a bit. I think everyone needs to embrace brights a little more and bring some color into their lives!

1. Pineapple Tealight Holder from Zara Home: super cute and subdued way to get some color and fun into your home decor. Will be great lit up out on your deck for a summertime BBQ too when the weather heats up!

2. Bath and Body Works 3-Wick Candles in "Coconut Leaves" and "Aloha Waikiki": These scents warm up any room and bring beachy clean scents to your house. Coconut leaves is a fresh green fragrances with a hint of coconut, citrus, and vanilla and Aloha Waikiki is straight up plumeria and tiare blossom. Not too sickly sweet and far from all that cinnamon nonsense you get at Christmastime.

3. Sisters of Los Angeles Beaches Glasses: These glasses go from the mornings orange juice to homemade margaritas without skipping a beat. I have all four of these and they are always a fan favorite. It's a great way to brighten up your beverage routine.

4. CWonder Ikat Dinnerware: I love printed plates and bowls. It's little things like these that can really brighten up your life. Your day may have sucked ass, but at least you have the most beautiful dinner plates around!

5. A Funky Rug: Now, a bright orange rug may not be your cup of tea, but the concept of a bright area rug is a great way to bring some life to a room. It's like putting art on your floor! There are so many cool rugs out there at places like Ikea, World Market, and even Target so you have no excuse not to chuck out that boring jute rug and get something with a little more life to it!

6. Beachy Wall Art: If you want to create a beachy haven, what better way to do that than to put beachy pictures on the wall! Everywhere you look can be a tropical paradise. You could even go for some bright, punchy prints of patterns if you don't want just photographs. I like this one from Goldfish Kiss at Society6 because it's part photo, part life inspiration, and totally drool worthy subject matter. Society6 is a great place to find original artwork for a great price and they have plenty of bright prints for any room!

7. Bright Pillows/Poufs: Have a plain, brown sofa? Most of us do, so spruce it up with some fun pillows! If you don't want a bunch of pillows on your sofa or want a cool little accent for your bedroom, invest in a fun pouf that can be used as a seat, footrest, or clothes holder like all of my furniture has eventually turned into! Big plus, most prints on Society6 can be made into a pillow! If you find a beachy print that you don't have the wall space for, you can make it a pillow instead!

Now, a tropical home space may not be everyone's cup of tea, but if sure helps having bright things in the house if you succumb to the winter sadness. Light yourself a delicious candle, snuggle up with a tropical pillow/throw, and enjoy a beach cocktail in a fun glass to take the edge off of this never ending snowpocalypse!

Bikini Madness!!!

Bikini Madness by elbonner featuring a strapless bikini

Oh my god I love swimwear! It's the number one indicator that summer is on the way. Neons and brights are back and making a huge impact on summer swimwear. I also LOVE the flowy tank top suits that have magically appeared. There are new swim brands popping up all over the place and I can't be happier. So much fun! If I had all the money in the world I would have a bikini closet, live by the beach, and never have to mop my kitchen floor. Since I don't live in an idyllic dreamworld, I'll have to settle with perusing the newest swimwear trends on the internet.  The above suits are some of my favorites, so get excited northern hemisphere, it's bikini season!

Seea
Tallow
Basta Surf
Tori Prayver
Mikoh
Mara Hoffman
L*Space
Beach Riot

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