Friday, September 30, 2011

Diy: Button Ring Bracelet


I've always wanted one of these pieces. They are so punk and beautifully exotic. I finally decided to make my own.

I choose the two the silver and pink buttons because I wanted this to be a very neutral piece.

Anyway...

Let's begin.

Items you will need:


Jewelry Pliers
Two Buttons with Back attachments(i.e. no buttons with wholes)
Chain
Adjustable Ring
Jump Rings
Clasp Set
Craft Glue(Not Pictured)


Using the jewelry cutters, cut off the back to the button.



Put some glue down on the back of the button.

Using your jewelry pliers connect three jump rings. Place the jump rings on the back of the ring, as seen above, so that one jump ring is hanging off the button. That jump ring with be used to to connect to a chain.



Once you have the jump rings in place attach the adjustable ring. Make sure the jump ring is still handing out, as seen above.

Set aside and let dry. This will need to set over night, but it will be dry enough to attach to the bracelet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Measure out a chain that would fit around your wrist. At each end of the chain attach a jump ring and one part of the clasp.



Fold the bracelet in half and in the middle, using your jewelry pliers, detach the chain.  Attach a jump ring to each end and attach each jump ring to the button.


Measure out another chain that would run from your ring to your bracelet. Attach another jump ring to one of  the jump rings attached to the button, as seen above. Attach the chain that will run from your bracelet to ring.

The other end of the chain attach another jump ring and attach it to the jump ring on the adjustable ring.

Blah... so many rings!



Finished!!!!!



A very simple piece and of course you can use any colors you would like. Like I said I wanted a very neutral color scheme.

<3 Zerila


Thursday, September 29, 2011

Happy Birthday Dad!!!


Cake time!!!

Also tons of these:



Maryland Blue Crabs with Old Bay seasoning. HMMMMMM! Yummy in my Tummy!!!!!!

FYI- Blue crabs is WAY yummier then lobster. Just saying. 

Quick question: Do you guys have Old Bay where you live? I here this amazing spice is a regional thing and they don't have it anywhere else? Is this truth?

Another Quickie: I here some people boil their crabs and not steam them? Who wants soggy crab meat?

<3 Zerila

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Must Remember: Shopping For Someone Else.... NOT ME

I went shopping during lunch and after work today, looking for a present for my Dad's Birthday. I always have a hard time shopping for my Dad because if he ever wants something he just goes out and buys the item he wants.
Of course while on my search I found tons of things I want. I was strong for everything except for these two items:


I found this top in the clearance section at Marshall's for only $10!!!!!  I think this would be a perfect look for work with a cardigan.


I also found this eyeshadow at Target by Milani called "Girls Luv Pink".


It is very sparkly.


It is a very light pink, you can barely see the color difference in the swatch above. I will be using this color with a dark purple. Since I have hazel eyes, purple just makes my eyes POP.

I did eventually find presents for my Dad. Here's hoping he likes them.

<3 Zerila

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Time For Some Changes

Evidently I missed the year anniversary of my blog. It was back in August! I have no idea how I missed it!

I've been doing this blog for a year now! A YEAR! Craziness!

I have gone from an average of 2 views a day to an average of 40.

I have gone from 0 to 10 Followers! You guys are so awesome for putting up with my ramblings!

I did my first DIY video and I do plan on doing more.

I've also been making a few changes.

I finally figured out how to make buttons for my blog. It only took me half a day. I learned how to do it from this Oikology blog. I only have the one button right now, but eventually I will be designing more.

I also finally made some pages. I currently only have the three, but I plan on creating a few more. Making the pages was a lot more complicated then it should have been.

I'm also creating a new blog header. Here is a draft I have. What do you think?



I've also taken the Blogging Day out of my titles. It was cute at first, now I find it annoying.

I will be making more changes over the course of the next month.

Let me know if you have any suggestions.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

30 Day Song Challenge: Day18 - A song that you wish you heard on the radio.


Ayumi Hamasaki has such a beautiful voice. This song is my favorite and it is also the 18th most expensive music video ever made. It cost 1.6 million to make. 


<3 Zerila

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Blogging Day 293: DIY Wrap Bracelet by Whitney Sews

I am a subscribe of Whitney Sews on YouTube and she did this awesome video on how to make a wrap bracelet:




This is what I ended up with:


I didn't have any leather rope so I used hemp rope I had, which works just as well. I also ran out of the  pink beads I was using,so I ended up finishing the bracelet with the metal beads. Instead of wrapping them I just knotted them on. I think the metal beads adds a nice touch. Don't you think?


This bracelet takes awhile to make. I suggest popping in a movie while you are making it. I ended up watching Thor, very cool movie, while I made mine. 


30 Day Song Challenge:

Day 17 - A song that you hear often on the radio

I actually like this song. Kelly Clarkson is my American Idol :)

<3 Zerila

Friday, September 23, 2011

Blogging Day 292: DIY: Turn Your Clip-On Earrings into Pierced Post Earrings

I love beautiful vintage earrings. Unfortunately,95% of the time, they are clip-on earrings. When I wear clip on earrings they always hurt and feel as if are trying to pierce my ears AGAIN.

After awhile I finally figured out I could convert them into pierced earrings.

Awhile, as in- I have a nice collection of clip-ons that I has been growing over the years and earlier this week I thought up this crazy idea.

I know (points to hair) blonde. It takes awhile to process ideas.

Let's begin!

What you will need:


Clip-on Earrings
Craft Glue
Jewelry Cutters
Posts and Backing

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

First Step:



Using your jewelry cutters, cut off the clip on your earrings.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Last Step:



Glue the posts to the back of your earrings. Let set over night.

Done!!!



Very simple! Even I can do it!


30 Day Song Challenge:

My computer was lagging like crazy last night, and I was unable to post my song yesterday. So, here are two songs for you to enjoy today.

30 Day Song Challenge: Day 15 - A song that describes you.

Yes, I am crazy.
The video is even better because I found a Fullmetal Alchemist AMV .


30 Day Song Challenge: Day 16: A Song I used to love, but now hate

When this first came out I could not get enough of this song, but then they played it 24/7 and now it annoys me. I think it was a big deal because of Dawson's Creek.

 No, I did not watch Dawson's Creek... how dare you think that. Bad Reader! No cookies for you!


<3 Zerila

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Blogging Day 291: CCProse YouTube Channel

I was searching for something on Youtube and I came across the CCProse YouTube Channel.

CCProse is a channel that is basically a combination of a regular book and an audio book. 

Here is the first chapter of my favorite book, 'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte, as an example.



How awesome is this! School kids today have it SSSOOO easy!(OMG! Did I type this?!?!?!? If there was an doubt I am officially an adult for saying that!) I would have loved this site when I was in college, let alone high school!


They have a huge list of books and I have only read six books on the  list!

 SIX!!!

Not anymore! I think I'm going to start listening with 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'.

Last thing: They also allow input from the subscriber on which book they will work on next! I personally would like them to continue with the Anne of Green Gable series. I love Anne, she is so spacey and imaginative.

This CCProse YouTube Channel is going into my awesome website list!
 

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Blogging Day 290: Happy 21st Birthday BRO!

My youngest brother turned 21!

GO HIM!!!!

I've also reealized that I am no longer a 21 year old and can not live on less then 8 hours of sleep. I've tried, but I can not. Well, technically I can. I just will not be entirely functional. Functions like patiences, deep thought and walking in straight lines tend to be not working.  Plus, they say it helps with weight loss.

No more staying up til 1am...crap.

30 Day Song Challenge: Day 14 - A song that no one would expect you to love

This song makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside... which is why people would be surpirsed I liked it. Not a big fan of country love songs.



I think I need to go kill some Zombies on Resident Evil to get this romantic lovie dovie feeling out of me...

<3 Zerila

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Blogging Day 284: Earthquake Day

According to earthquake.usgs.gov/ there were four big earthquakes today.

Alaska 6.1
New Zealand 6.0
Japan 6.2
Fiji 7.3

CRAZINESS! Mother nature moves a lot!

Ever since the earthquake in the Maryland, I've been checking out this website. It has a mother load of information about earthquakes. I totally geeked out over it! 

I'm going to add this website to my 'Awesome Website' list. I don't want you guys thinking I'm this dumb blonde who only likes make-up and clothes. Don't get me wrong I do, but  I also enjoy finding things out. Ask me a question that I don't understand the answer to and I will google the heck out it until I do!

Now onto the super girly part of the blog.
30 Day Song Challenge: A song that is a guilty pleasure.

This group is actually a guilty pleasure of mine. I can not get enough of their songs! 

<3 Zerila

Blogging Day 283:I Made Butterbeer!

My friends came over for dinner last weekend to hangout on the cheap. We are doing cheaper things to hang out since we are going on our cruise and have plans to go to comic con next year. Must save tons of pennies.

Anyway, two of us are Harry Potter fans and I  decided for dessert we should make butterbeer!!!

IT WAS SSOO GOOOD!!!!

This is the recipe we used:



It was an awesome recipe except I would not add the salt,  use cold seltzer water and you may need to add alittle more then two tablespoons of mixture to each drink.

Either way, you guys should definitely give it a try. It was super fun and easy to make. We even got the mustaches with the beer.

30 Day Song Challenge: A song from a band you hate.

I do not know enough of the band to hate them ,but this song annoys me.




<3 Zerila

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Blogging Day 282: DIY: Flower Tie On Ribbon Headband


This is a simple DIY for a beautiful tie on head band.

Items Needed:


Needle
Thread
Beads
Fake Flowers ( I got mine from the Dollar Store)
Ribbon
Felt ( mine is sparkly)
Glue Gun (not pictured)
Pins(not pictured)

~~~~~~~~~

Step 1



The length of the ribbon depends on your head. You basically need enough to wrap around your head and tie into a bow. Then length I needed was 62".... which is almost as long as I am tall. I wanted a lot of extra ribbon after I tied it on.


Cut a square piece of felt. How big depends on how big you wish your flower piece to be. I cut out a 4x4" and I honestly did not know what this headband looked like until I pieced it together.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Step 2:



There is not clear formula on how to put the flowers together. Put your first flower down and using your needle and thread, attach it to the felt. Sew the bead in the middle to secure the flower and then move onto the next flower.


The sewing does not need to be perfect. As you can see I'm all over the place.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Step 3:


Once you have all the flowers you desire on your felt turn it over and attach the ribbon. You will want to first figure out where you want your ribbon to lie. Test the placement out by pinning the ribbon to the felt and in front of the mirror tie on the headband and adjust accordingly.


Once you have found the perfect place, loosely sew the ribbon to the felt.

~~~~~~~~~~

Step 4:


Any excess felt you have at this point fold over onto of the back of your piece.



Any pieces sticking out in the front, cut off.



Using your glue gun, glue the excess to the back of your piece. If you do not have any excess, cut out a similar shape of felt as your piece and glue together. This way it will protect your stitches, secure the ribbon and look nice.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Step 5 (Optional):

I could never stand tie on headbands because they would always move and securing them with bobby pins did not help! Here is a little tip that helps A LOT to keep your head bands in place.


Using your glue gun, glue down lines of glue on the back of your flower piece and let dry. The texture of the glue will help keep the hair band in place. I tried this out on this head for the first time. I wore it to work and did not have to adjust the piece at all. You can also add glue throughout the ribbon to help keep that in place as well, but since I used a lace ribbon I did not try that out. Maybe next time.

~~~~~~

All Done!



Just a few simple items to make an elegant headband.


I wore this to work and got tons of compliments. I tend to try out my DIYs on my co-workers, they help with feed back.


Enjoy! Remember: Have Fun, Don't Stress, and Make it Your Own!


30 Day Song Challenge: Day 11 - A song from your favorite group.
2NE1 Of course!!!!!

I choose this song, because I think this is one of the only songs I have not yet posted on this blog! 2NE1 Rocks!


 

<3 Zerila

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Blogging Day 281: Torrid Haul

I  have a black fedora, but I wanted one I could wear for the fall. Black is more of a winter hat color.


I love the print on this top! I've never been a fan of this style of top, but when I saw the colors I had to get it.


A simple pink tank top. I'm learning I need to add more color to my wardrobe. Tanks are easy to translate into winter and fall by adding a cardigan.


I love this color and I think it would be perfect for my vests. I 've become a fan of the vest these days, but lack the shirts to wear with them. I have a black one that would look fabulous with this top.





I have one wristband bracelet like these and absolutely love it. They are very comfortable to wear and they are beautiful. I always get tons of compliments when I wear my wristband.

 
That is all I was able to get because I'm on a major budget! I'm going on a cruise this January and next summer I plan on going to Comic Con. I must save so many pennys!

I'll keep an eye out on Torrid and twitter any cool sales.


30 Day Song Challenge Day 10 - A song that makes you fall asleep

Utada Hikaru is another favorite artist of mine. I like her so much that I bought her CD, and I have only bought about 10 CDs my whole life.

'Flavor of Life' was the main song for the Japanese version of 'Boys Over Flowers' TV show.



You might her know her best for her work with Kingdom Hearts.

Simple and Clean


My favorite song and music video, Passion:


<3 Zerila


Monday, September 12, 2011

Blogging Day 280: My Very First DIY YouTube Video

I have been working on this video all weekend long! I did not realize how much work goes into a simple 10 minute video!!!!

 
Now for the unfolding!

Presenting Zerila's first DIY YouTube Video:

 
YEAH!!!!!
I'm so proud of my little video!

I hope you enjoyed it!

<3 Zerila

Since I know I'm behind in posting my 30 Day Song Challenge, here are the videos to catch you up:

 
‎30 Day Song Challenge: Day 04 A Song That Makes You Sad:

It takes ten seconds and I'm in tears.

0
 

30 Day Song Challenge: Day 05 - A song that reminds you of someone

My high school sweet heart, he was a sweet guy and this was my sappy song to him.

Day 06 - A song that reminds you of somewhere
I was born in Scotland and then later my father was stationed there for a tour when I was in second to fifth grade. I have yet to see a land more beautiful then Scotland and doubt I ever will.

 
Day 07 - A song that reminds you of a certain event
When I was in college ,the first social I planned for the BCM was a pizza party and we watched Veggie Tales. It was awesome!

 


‎30 Day Song Challenge: Day 08 A song that you know all the words to.

A beautiful song I used to torture my parents with.



‎30 Day Song Challenge: Day 09 A song that you can dance too.

I've been practicing there moves. It's hard not to be addicated to this song.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Blodding Day 277: All I See Is Rain


This is what the weather map currently looks like right now.


weather.com

Just so you can get the full effect:


nasa.com

It is very soggy in Maryland right now. In fact certain places have been evacuated because the flooding is so bad. I've been thinking maybe a boat would be a better mode of transportation right now.

As for the furture:

weather.com


At least there is hope that I will see the sun on Monday. Bright right now is when it's light gray and not dark gray outside. 

Light Gray = Sprinkely Rain
Dark Gray = Run for shelter because you are about to get drenched! Maybe even scorched!

The thunder has been intense! It has been shacking my office and my house. Evidently last night we had a really bad storm and it rained ALOT! First words I heard this morning are," Check your room for water, because the other side of the basement has about an inch of water."

THANKFULLY!!!! There was no water!!! Yet...

Plus side to all of this is that they finally finished my deck, so I've been taking my evening naps outside on the deck listening to the rain fall on my the roof. It's pretty nice till the sky flashes and the thunder wakes me up.

I hope the rains stops for a bit so we can dry a bit. I'm not interested in a river in my backyard.

<3 Zerila

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Blogging Day 273: Go Check Out Your Local Borders NOW!

As everyone knows, Borders is closing. A friend mentioned they were selling their shelves for 3/$100, so my family and I went to check it out. Also, the lure of books being up to 60% off was a pretty sweet deal. 

We ended up not buying  the selves because the lean and it would look awkward, but I found this instead:


It cost $58 something. I'm going to use it to organize my make-up and other things. As soon as I am done I will show you. WISH ME LUCK!

<3 Zerila


30 Day Song Challenge: Day 03 A Song that Makes you Happy





The Little Mermaid is one of my favorite Disney Princess movies.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Blogging Day 272: Is No One Taking Checks Anymore?

I recently had my debit card stolen about a month back. Actually, I had my debit card numbers stolen because my card was still in my purse...weird. Evidently they can take your numbers and "program" them a new card.

ANYWAY...

I decided not to get a new debit card because I have found that I spend less money when I have to run to the bank to grab the cash I need to spend. I have to think twice about every purchase I do. I also started using checks again for when I go the the grocery store. After awhile I noticed certain stores not taking checks anymore.

The first store I noticed was Whole Foods. WHOLE FOODS, a GROCERY STORE doesn't take checks anymore! Granted, I do not shop at Whole Foods a lot. This is a 6x a year treat. Well, maybe more now that I learned they make AWESOME Indian food.

The most recent place I learned was Five Below. I was grabbing a few things and went to the counter and went to write out a check and he said they no longer take checks. I was so frustrated. Unfortunately, I only had enough money to buy one thing and explained my situation with the whole card thing. He stated it was because of the economy. A lot of people are writing bad checks and a lot of stores do not have a checking system for checks, so they are no longer taking checks. All of a sudden it made more since. If I owned a store, I would most likely do the same thing.
Still annoying though...

Has anyone else run into this problem?

<3 Zerila

30 Day Song Challege: Day 2 Your Least Favorite Song

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Blogging Day 271: Contest Winner

This month I am giving away an awesome Hot Fuchsia bow ring I made.



Let's begin!

My lovely contestants:



In my awesome wine glass you go.


And the WINNER IS:


Congratulations!!



Next month's item I will post in the next few days.


<3 Zerila

Allan and my cousin are doing this awesome 30 Day Song Musical Challenge. I will be posting the challenges on my blog.

 Day 01- Your Favorite Song

Journal With Me 9/19/20

  Journal - Santa Gave it to Me :) Wood Background  Background Paper: Craft Smart, Cedar Lodge Paper Pad, Michaels Fiskars Paper-cutter: JOA...