Personalized DIY

Happy Friday loves! I honestly didn’t think this week would come to a close but I’m so glad it finally is. My job has me busy (no I’m not a full-time, paid blogger) and I’ve been putting a ton of effort into it. I hit the gym a few times this week and find it really difficult to walk up and down stairs at the moment. First world problems, right?

Besides my typical activities, I took on a little DIY project earlier in the week and wanted to share it with you! I went to Michael’s Craft Store for some inspiration and found that individual wooden alphabet letters were on sale for $3. I bought an ‘E’ for ‘Elizabeth’ (I haven’t always gone by ‘Liz’), a hot glue gun, white paint, and loose pearls and clear gemstones.

I got home and painted the letter with the help of my little kitty cat, Muffin. Actually, she just sat there and watched me. I had to put on a few coats of paint because the wood was rather porous.

After the paint dried, I plugged in the hot glue gun and started glueing on pearls and gems. If I ever did this again, I would nix the gems and stick with pearls. Because the gems are clear, from a distance it looks like they’re just gaps where pearls should be.

 

Voila! It’s done and is a really pretty little desk accessory! There’s so much on my desk right now that it should come as no surprise to anyone that I rarely use the actual desk. I’d hang the letter somewhere in my room but I’m so tired of putting holes in my walls.

My little sister inspired this DIY when she and my mom were renovating the back porch. She used an ‘M’ for our last name and glued little shells on it. The project turned out so pretty and is a great accessory to have on the porch. Let me know what DIY projects you’ve taken on lately! I just might try one of them!

 

How to Make Your Desk Look Attractive

I came across an article the other day about creating a chic desk or office. The main theme of it is making the space you work in function correctly and increase the chances of you actually wanting to be in that space. Right now, my desk is piled high with summer shorts I’m trying to find a place for, candles, and my InStyle magazine. And its dusty. I just don’t want to be in that space for long.

I browsed Pinterest for awhile and finally came up with a few items that I might actually enjoy being near or on my desk. These accessories essentially make the area warm and inviting. When I’m at my desk, I want to feel powerful and ready to take on the world, even if I’m in my sweatpants. I also want to feel feminine and pretty at the same time.

Starting with the Kate Spade boxes on the left, I think these are a really good way to conceal all those papers on your desk that don’t have a home. Plus, they’re decorative and just plain cute.

The picture frame may seem odd but I have a great idea behind it- make a collage. Put a canvas backing to the frame and then tack or tape pictures from magazines that inspire you. Call it your “inspiration board”.

Monogrammed note cards are just too cute to have sitting in a neat, little pile beside your computer. These ones are from Design Darling! I love having stationery sitting around just so I can look at something pretty.

This lovely jewelry tray can double for a paper clip holder, rubber band deposit spot, or whatever you tend to toss on your desk. If I don’t keep things in a central spot, then it will walk off I swear! This tray is from C Wonder.

The ‘Stay Golden’ print is actually a little something I designed. I just loved the font and had to use it. Having inspiring quotes or words framed on your desk really keeps you motivated throughout the day.

If you work in an office, then I’m sure you’ve noticed the fluorescent lighting you get to work with. I absolutely hate it! If you can, get a small table lamp to sit at your work space to give you adequate lighting that doesn’t require sunglasses! This lamp is from Target.

Finally, get yourself some pretty Sharpie markers like these metallic ones. Writing little notes will be a lot less boring! I also suggest finding office supplies like this gold Kate Spade stapler. Pretty things like these make everyday tasks a little more enjoyable.

If you have any tips for great office or desk spaces, then leave me a comment!

A Lady’s Desk!

A Lady’s Desk by oceangirl15 featuring wick candles

A desk or an office says so much about a person, particularly a lady. Men can get away with a lack of style in their office space while women can’t. This is why ladies secretly run the world. When I become the CEO of my own company, the first thing I will be doing is decorating my office space. What do you think of this style? Let me know in a comment below!

~Liz