diy Archives - Girls Who Brunch

October 22, 2019

From Fixer Upper to Dream Apartment

I just recently moved into a new apartment. While it’s not exactly a fixer upper because it’s a brand new construction, I came into a blank space with no idea where to start. If you’re like me, you probably have a to do list as long as your arm, and you haven’t even considered your costings yet. Here are some ways to fix up your brand new space without breaking the bank.

If it’s a TRUE fixer upper:

Before you do anything with your new apartment, you must ensure that it is fit to enter. A simple hard hat may not do. Some fixer uppers haven’t been lived in for decades, and they have seen better days. They may have structural issues and are at risk from letting in damp. You need to instruct a qualified surveyor to assess the safety of your site. Top floor apartments, in particular, can let in water if the guttering isn’t sound. Look up and check the roof. Are there any leaks or slipped tiles? Many mid century apartments have flat roofs so need inspecting more regularly than most. Check your windows for drafts and cracks. If your glazing needs replacing, consider vinyl replacement windows to cut costs and ensure that you don’t lose heat from your interior. Ensure that all utilities are connected including mains drainage, electricity and gas. These are the things you might easily forget about but they’re super important!

Figuring out your budget:

It’s vital that you go room by room and construct a budget for your plans. Yes, you might want that granite quartz kitchen counter but can you afford it? There’s nothing worse than starting a project, only to then realize that you don’t have the money to finish it. List every job no matter how tiny to get the most accurate budget possible. Apartments are naturally smaller than houses but it’s easy to spend money. Once you have budgeted for your plans, get started!

The fun part, decorate!

This may or may not be your forever dream apartment, so don’t be too concerned about following trends or opting for color palettes that maximize resale value. If you aren’t planning to sell, then what’s the point? Try and opt for decor and fittings that suit your lifestyle. Go for the exposed bricks walls, the integrated kitchen appliances and the white walls to create a fresh and bright ambiance to your pad. Create an apartment that makes you excited to come home each day.

September 16, 2019

How To Get Your Creative Projects Started!

Ever wanted to get started on a creative project? And yet, for some reason, doing so can be such a hard process. You may feel overwhelmed even by the first steps, or maybe you’re confused and unsure of how to start. Thankfully, this is something you can grow and develop out of, but for those just getting started, getting started is a scary process.

So, finding measures to help kickstart your goals in this capacity can be a truly worthwhile venture. Here is how to get started:

Just Start
It sounds so simple. But sooner or later, you’re going to have to start this practice in the scope that makes the most difference to you. You cannot evade step one. As Lao Tzu said, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Just start. If you wish to be a writer, start writing something in a note taking application, even if it’s absolutely terrible. If you want to paint, buy some paints and try to paint something. If you want to sing, sing to your favorite songs and take up classes. You will tell yourself one thousand reasons as to why you aren’t ready just yet, and then by the time you’ve settled all of those you’ll tell yourself one thousand more.

The only step forward is to begin, even if you’re far from perfect, you’ll get there. Consider the term ‘writer’. Is a writer someone who writes for an online content company as a subcontractor? Is it an author? Is it someone who has written the best stand up comedy to live life as a professional? Yes, but it’s also just someone who writes. That is all you need to get started.

Get Your Ideas Down
Getting your ideas down on paper is the most important step. You might have a great idea strike you while you’re brushing your teeth, and then if you fail to note it down, or draw it, or use a mind map, or scrapbook stickers to keep yourself within this creative output, getting your ideas down is going to be a troubling issue.

Develop An Understanding
Learn from those who have developed a project you care about before. Study the greats, or those within your peer group. Join writing groups. Care for the craft, because you need to learn the rules before you subvert them. If you can do this, you are sure to develop the correct understanding to help guide your action towards skill.

Alright, now go get started!

January 14, 2019

DIY Acrylic Nails at Home for Under $10!

What you need:

Acrylic Nails – $7.99
Nail Glue – $1.99
Scissors
Nail File
Nail Polish

First, match up the correct sizing for each nail and place a little bit of glue. Do one nail at a time because the glue dries fast. Hold down the nail for about 20 seconds to make sure the glue bonds.

Once all the nails are on, you are going to take your scissors and cut them down just slightly longer than you want them. You will be filing it down more so don’t cut it too short.

Next you want to file them down to the shape you like. I like a rounded shape or a more oval shape so this is what I did.

After all the nails are in the shape you want, paint your nails whatever color you would like. Finish it off with a top coat to make it glossy.

Ta-Da! There are your final nails! They look salon worthy and for a fraction of the cost. Since the nails come in a pack of 500 you can do you nails over and over again for very cheap! My nails last about a week before they start to pop off. If you guys try this at home, tag me so I can see!

October 25, 2017

Holiday Cards with Basic Invite

The holidays are coming in and they’re coming quick! I don’t know about you, but I love receiving holiday cards from people! I think it’s such a cute way to spread some holiday cheer! That’s why I wanted to introduce you all to Basic Invite. Basic Invite is a line of stationary that you can use for almost every major life event, and they’re perfect for the holidays! Whether you’re looking to create a holiday or Christmas card to send out to family or friends, or want to create an invitation for that holiday party you’re throwing, Basic Invite is the perfect place for you!

My favorite thing about Basic Invite is that you can really customize your card to whatever your heart desires! They have unlimited color options both for your card and even the envelopes that the cards come in. They really care about every little detail, which is amazing! Another amazing thing that Basic Invite offers is the ability to order a printed sample of your card before you place your final order. I hate those websites that just give you a small snapshot of what you’re ordering without letting you actually see it in person. Basic Invite allows you to get your own sample so you can see exactly what your invitation or card will look like before you order a bunch so you know you absolutely love it.

Another thing that’s really great with Basic Invite is that they have pre-made templates if you don’t want to create your own. You can look at their Holiday Party Invitation templates, or Christmas Party Invitations. They offer over 250 card designs for you to choose from, so you will be sure to find the perfect card!

Basic Invite is now offering you guys 30% off using the coupon code: HOLI30. That’s a really amazing deal, so if you are looking to make the perfect holiday card, or party invitation this holiday season be sure to use that code and save you some money!

Also, be sure to follow @basicinvite on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter for more information!

Thank you to Basic Invite for sponsoring this post.

August 26, 2015

How to Create a Gallery Wall

“Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known.” – Oscar Wilde

When Becca and I moved into our new apartment, we discussed putting up art work in our living room. I had a gallery wall in my old apartment which was filled with a lot of personal photos as well as some other artwork. Sharing a common space, we decided to both pick out artwork that we love and tried to create a cohesive gallery wall. I’m absolutely in love with this gallery wall that we have, it’s one of my favorite parts of the apartment. We mixed quotes, with some of Becca’s sketches and other personal touches. My favorite part of the wall is the California board, which my friends back on the east coast put together at my going away party. It has random notes from all of the people I love back home. Having a gallery wall is a great way to display some of your favorite items.

Here are a few tips I have for those of you who want to create your own gallery wall:

1. Pick out your favorite artwork. Whether it’s inspirational quotes, drawings, pictures or whatever else you want, choose the items that mean the most to you.

2. Create a layout. Before you start hammering things onto the wall, lay out all of your pictures on the concrete floor and make sure each item has a specific location.

3. Choose a color scheme. This is optional, but I love having things look super cohesive. We decided to go with pastels and golds in our gallery wall. Everything, although different, looks very similar because the colors flow.

4. Hang it up. Bite the bullet and just start putting things up. If you don’t like it you can always remove it.

5. Enjoy!

November 5, 2014

Make Your Own Dreamcatcher

When I was in sixth grade, my step-dad’s mom, whom I didn’t know very well yet, asked me if I collected anything. She loved collections and was known to randomly give gifts that made her think of you. As far as I knew, I didn’t collect anything, so she, being a lover of all things feng shui and mystical, gave me a dreamcatcher – the first of many – to start off my collection. Since then, I have accumulated too many to count and hang them everywhere, and anytime I see one, I have to resist the urge to buy more. The great thing about dreamcatchers, though, is that you can make your own! There are so many different ways to make them, and you can customize them with anything beautiful you’re looking for a use for – beads, fabric, jewelry, etc. Here, I show you how to make one with items you probably already have laying around.

DSC_0405 copy-01

Directions:

1) Take your leather cording and make a knot around your metal hoop. I used an old hoop earring, which made it easy to tie the cord around the backing.

2) Wrap the cord tightly all around the hoop. You may have to twist the cord around the hoop every once in a while to make sure it is tightly secured.

3) Once you have wrapped the cord all the way around the hoop, knot it off. You can either cut the excess cord off, or make a loop with it to hang the dreamcatcher from later. I opted to cut it off.

4) If the applique you chose is larger than the hoop, you can simply snip off any excess to make it fit inside the hoop.

5) Once your applique is the right size, take your needle and thread and sew around the edges of the applique, connecting it to the hoop. I chose to double my thread to fill in some of the extra space, but this is optional.

6) Finally, add your finishing touches! I cut strips of fabric with some added beads and tied them along the bottom. I also used the extra leather cord I had and attached feathers to the bottom with beads. I simply looped a piece of thread around the top to hang it, but you can also tie it to a twig for a more bohemian feel. Get creative!