That one time I didn't make it to Belmont, but I have a fabulous derby hat to show for it.

Yup, the title says it all. That one time I didn't make it to Belmont, but I have a hat to show for it. As you may know, D and I have a going on 5 year tradition that we go to Belmont for the big race. Every year we try to top our outfits from the last year, and this year I decided to make my own fabulous hat. Because the hats are everything at these races. Well the hats and pearl necklaces. Anyway, I made my own hat (see inspiration pic below). How fabulous is that hat with the gorgeous peonies? So I made my own version of the hat was all ready to go. 

Unfortunately we never made it to the races. It was a nasty combination of a car breaking down, a washer overflowing and flooding the apartment, and bloody fingers needing stitches (okay I'm exaggerating a tad, still bloody but no stitches needed) -- that prevented us from going. But there was no triple crown this year anyway so it's not like I missed anything special, right? Right!

This years inspiration photo.

Sorry I've had this pic saved on my computer so long I don't have the original source listed.

So I got to crafting with my little hot pink glue gun. 

And a bunch of flowers and ribbons from the craft store. 

So I hit up my local AC Moore and found all the faux flowers I needed for the desired color palette. I decided I wanted a mix of pinks, dark pinks, and whites, with a contrasting black ribbon for a chic and classic look. Plus the black would allow we to wear it with almost any color dress. I started with a basic straw hat (hat I originally bought for the races a few years ago) and lined the base of the hat with the black ribbon. Then I snipped off all the flower stems and went to arranging until I thought it looked good. Like so:

I decided I wanted to have all the flowers on one side of the hat for a more dramatic effect. Much like my inspiration photo. Once I had the placement of everything I liked, I snapped a photo and started hot gluing! 

My mom got in on the action since she is a natural born flower arranger by heart. She helped me with the proper placement of greens and even created this pretty  black plaid bow on the back of the hat for added texture and interest.

And there you have it. The most fabulous hat I ever made that I never got to wear. I guess there's always next year. I'll be ahead of the game with my entire ensemble picked out. Plus this could always double as a southern belle Halloween costume. Because you know it's never too early to be thinking about Halloween :)

xo Steph

diy: chalkboard tutorial

It's no secret that I have a love of all things chalkboard. I'm not sure what it is about chalkboards, but they are fun and remind me of my childhood. And it allows me to leave cute little notes, decorate for holidays and parties, create menus -- you name it. I've been on the search for a cute chalkboard for our apartment but only found ones on etsy.com for $200 a pop. So NOT in my budget. Then I discovered on Pinterest you can create you own with a mirror. Which was perfect because whoever lived in our apartment before us left a mirror that I didn't need. 

SWEET - I'll make my own chalkboard on the cheap!

What you'll need:

Any mirror you want to turn into a chalkboard

foam paint brushes

gray primer 

(preferably in gray so it doesn't show through)

chalkboard paint

(I really liked Rust-oleum brand)

chalk to start decorating when it's all finished!

 this was one of the easier projects I've done so far -- and definitely one I've been most happy with! The directions are simple. I took apart the mirror from the back to remove the actual mirror from the frame. Since I was happy with the way the frame was already I didn't have to do anything with it -- but if you wanted to repaint the frame this is when you would do it. Next you simply put 2 coats of primer on the mirror -- wait until it dries to start the next step. I waited 4 hours.

 Once the primer is dry, you can paint the first coat of chalkboard paint. Make sure you stir it well so the paint is even. And don't be concerned like me when you start painting and it comes out all streaky and uneven. Let it dry before you apply the next coat {three coats total} and I promise it will come out dark and even!

 Never mind the mess in the background ; )

and I forgot to take photos of the dry and blank chalkboard because I got too excited to write on it -- but here is the final product -- all ready for Valentine's Day! 

and below is my menu board for Superbowl Sunday.

Overall I'm really happy with the way it came out and how I saved myself a few hundred bucks from buying one online.

Can't wait to share all my chalkboard creations -- coming soon! xo

Anyone else love chalkboard everything as much as me?

-Steph

linking up with The Tiny Heart for Look What I Got