Summer lovin'

Summer lovin' by sunae-reilly featuring a floppy hat

It's not even halfway through spring in Australia right now, and already temperatures are above 30 degrees C. This means I am already trying to cover up my pale, freckly skin when I go outside and I'm in desperate need of fashionable, reasonably sun-safe outfits that can be thrown over swimmers this summer.

On Sunday while waiting for my fish and chips at The Bream Hole in Lennox Head, Jake and I decided to browse the surf shop next door. Neither of us seem to go in there often for some reason, so I was surprised at how much of the stuff in there I fell in love with! Originally I just wanted a simple black skirt which was on the sale rack outside for $30, but when I went in to try it on, I just fell in love with these high-waisted shorts! I've wanted some high-waisted denim for so long, and these are just perfect. The cross-stitch detail is so cute and adds the perfect vintage-style touch. I also found a gorgeous brown felt hat with feathers all around the base, but I can't find it anywhere online! Jake convinced me to lay-by them so I can spread out the investment (because it's obviously an investment buying $70 shorts) over a couple of weeks, so I should be able to get them out next weekend.

With these shorts, I've created two different summer looks which I think would be perfect for lazy summer days in Lennox Head, and which I know will translate perfectly from beach wear, to an outfit I can wear out to lunch, or browsing the local markets. The red saltwater shoes are an especially exciting addition to this wish list, as I've been coveting them for ages and they retail for about $110 in shops around Byron. The Iconic's price is a total bargain, and I'm pretty sure I could get an extra 10% off with Unidays as well.

The trend I am most excited about this summer is obviously hats, as I have always considered it important to shade my face while I'm outside (mostly in an attempt to fade my freckles) and the massive range available at the moment excited me so much! As well as the pretty, feathery hat I saw in the surf shop, I would love a plain black felt one, and a couple of straw ones as well for a little bit of choice when accessorising my summer outfits.

Are there any summer trends exciting you this year? Or even if it's Autumn where you are, what are you most excited about for the coming season? For me it's definitely 3 months off uni and lazy beach days!

Cute Cushions

Since getting our new-to-us lounge last week, I have been super excited about finally getting our living room looking the way I have always wanted it to look. We have a bit of a blue, white and orange theme going on at the moment thanks to my Blue Willow collection and an antique plate given to me by mum, and I am absolutely loving the pop of brightness it brings to an otherwise boring room. I would really like to bring this all together with some nice, bright cushions on the lounge but right now choice is not my friend, and neither is my bank balance!

I can't decide whether I'd like plain blue cushions with orange patterned ones or plain orange cushions with blue patterned ones. What do you think? I've put together a little wish list below of patterned cushions which I love, but besides from number 3 which, being Blue Willow, is obviously my first choice and is wayyy out of my price range, I can't decide which I like best.

Since budget is an issue, I will probably end up making whichever patterned cushions I end up with, but I'm curious - which type of pattern do you think I should go with based on the pictures below? Orange or blue? And simple like the middle two, or busy like the others?

Decisions, decisions, decisions I tell you!

Cute Cushions by sunae-reilly on Polyvore

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

DIY Rustic Jewellery Hanger

So, I have been seeing these around  pinterest a lot lately...

Via

 

 

Via

 

 

 

...and with needing good display ideas for The Corner Store, I decided to give it a go!

You will need:

• Large wooden frame
• Chicken wire (I used 5mm bird cage wire, available from the hardware store)
• Sandpaper
• Spray primer (or cheap white spray paint)
• Your choice of colour spray paint
• Staple gun
• Pliers
• Sexy male helper *optional but highly recommended*

 

How to:

1. Remove the middle of the frame (glass, backing and picture if any) and sand back any varnish or paint.

2. Wipe your frame over with a clean, dry cloth to remove dust from sanding. Give it a coat of spray primer (or white paint) and leave to dry for one hour.

3. Once dry, paint your frame with the colour spray paint you chose (I did mine sky blue), then leave it to dry (again) for one hour.

4. Give your frame another coat of paint if needed, letting it dry once again, then use some soft-ish sandpaper to lightly rub back paint for a rustic or shabby chic look. How much you sand it back, or whether you do at all, is entirely up to you.

5. Once you have reached the desired effect with your frame, turn it over and place your chicken wire over the back. Put a brick on one side to stop it rolling up if you have to and hold the other over the edge of your frame, using it as a guide to cut chicken wire to fit the back. I'm too unco to hold the wire flat and cut it at the same time, so this is where having a sexy male helper comes in handy. I used this one:

 

6. Use the staple gun to attach the chicken wire to the back of your frame. Trim off excess wire and use pliers to bend back sharp bits and then you are done!

I know its not the easiest or quickest DIY project (or the safest either, for that matter. I cut myself on a piece of glass and stabbed myself numerous times with sharp wire) but I think it is well worth it! I love my frames. I'm going to donate one to the shop, keep one to use as a message/inspiration board in my sewing room/office and I may sell the rest (if anyone wants them!).

Ahh - bright, rustic DIY goodness!