I was beyond excited when The Clutch approached me to write an article about what I do.
If you follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, etc., you know that I have a lot on my plate when it comes to creating! I'm a photographer, graphic designer, Etsy shop owner, jewelry designer, crocheter, painter, blogger, and all around craft lover. When I started writing the article about Painter Designs and who I am, my feelings and emotions about all of the things that happened in the last year, really started coming to the surface. So, I went with it!
Happy Friday! This week, I met with another creative friend for coffee and we talked a lot about what we create and how we try to promote ourselves on social media. It really made me take a step back and think, "Am I doing all of this right?"
Do you ever have moments like that? Am I sharing the right things? Am I creating the right things? Am I saying the right things? I've been hesitant to post for the last couple of days, and that's not normally how I am! Maybe its the uncertainty of the new year, or the feeling of creating in too many different ares.
My sweet artist friend Pamela Bates (@pamelajbates on Instagram) posted this week saying, "Have you noticed that most creative people are compelled to work with different mediums? I think it is an innate drive to create, and we will use whatever is available to us at the time." Her words really jumped out to me. I thought, "That's me! I love being creative in any outlet!" So, I'm going to continue creating, enjoying it, and see what others enjoy and are interested in. Check out my Etsy shop for some of the items that I've created.
Since it is Friday, here's a list of the things that caught my eye and made me swoon this week. These are my Friday Favorites!
1. Hillary Butler Painting
I absolutely love everything about this painting! I've been following Hillary Butler Fine Art on Instagram for a while and all of her paintings are absolutely gorgeous. The way the mints, blues, and turquoise are blended in this painting are beautiful! Love it!!
2. Monkees of the Westend, Trina Turk Dress
We are blessed with some awesome boutiques in downtown Greenville. If you haven't been, you need to take a stroll through downtown and check them out. Monkees of the Westend always has the cutest trendy items! If you're looking for Tory Burch, Trina Turk, Frye, etc., check them out! When they posted this hot pink Trina Turk dress this week, I instantly wanted to get this dress and be at a fancy beach bar somewhere in Florida. This adorable dress screams Spring beach trip to me! I just need a tan and a cocktail in my hand!
3. DIYinspiredhomedecor on Instagram
You know I love some good Farmhouse decor! Brianna at diyinspiredhomedecor posts the best DIY and Farmhouse decor pictures! I love all of her posts! This week, this picture caught my eye with the white and black buffalo plaid (I love this print!) I have decided that I might need this cotton wreath too! So stinking cute and Southern! Great job, Brianna!
4. He and me Hair Designs
I have been going to this salon for years. My mom starting going to David Roop (Check out the article about him by Off the Grid) when she was in her 20s and now David's daughter, Sarah K. Roop runs the salon, He & Me Hair Designs. Sarah never disappoints! I always love my hair when I leave and this week was no different! She darkened my roots and undertones and brightened up some of my blond for the perfect bayliage look. I even got my eyebrows tinted, which I was terrified of, but they look great! No more penciling them in everyday when I'm putting on my makeup. They now have an adorable boutique and event space too! Swing by and check them out on Stone Avenue in downtown Greenville!
5. TSG Greenville Master Bathroom
TSG Greenville shared this dreamy master bathroom by Frances Kinloch Still this week. I love the mix of prints, neutral tones and all of that mirror and lighting! Gorgeous!
6. Strip Club 104
One of my most favorite places to eat on Friday's for lunch is the Strip Club 104 in Greer, South Carolina. Ok, it's not what you think! It's a steak house and they only serve lunch on Fridays. If you're looking for the best burger ever, check them out and bring your appetite! My favorite burger is the Southern Comfort with fresh made pimento cheese, jalapeño bacon and a friend green tomato. All of the sides are wonderful too! Yum! I'm hungry now!
2016 was not an easy year. I lost my uncle, my grandmother, and my job all in one month. We lost two very close family friends and my great aunt. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. My dad had several eye surgeries. In the midst of it all, I started concentrating on my own business and trying to make a living off of doing what I love. I've met some great people and I've loved my experience of being an Etsy seller and trying to blog on a regular basis. However, I have struggled to stay positive some days. I'm thankful that God has been with me through it all in 2016 and I'm looking forward to see what He has planned for 2017.
Let's kick this New Year off with a new Friday Favorites for 2017! Here's a look at what caught my eye and made me swoon this week.
1. Alice + Olivia dress
I was in Charlotte this week and this Alice + Olivia dress caught my eye at Neiman Marcus. I love the timeless and classic shape of the dress. The lipstick and mascara bottles give it a fun retro look. Pair it with some black pumps and it could totally take the place of a little black dress!
2. Mugs at Anthropologie
How cute are these icon mugs at Anthro?! I saw them at South Park Mall on Thursday and I was so tempted to get them all! Hey, if I can't have a real French Bulldog or Corgi, at least I could have one on my coffee mug, right? They even have a typewriter one on their website. Adorable!
3. Blinc mascara
My mom always gives me the best makeup sets for Christmas! This year, one of the sets was filled with different mascaras. This week was the first time I had used Blinc mascara. I was pleased with how smooth the wand distributed the mascara. However, I was totally in shock when I washed my face that evening! I had no idea the mascara had a tubular effect and wraps each lash with mascara. Therefore, when you wash it off, tubes that look like your eyelashes, come off so easy without tons of black residue. It's the craziest thing! If you haven't tried it, you need to! Just be aware that it will look like your eyelashes just came off in your washcloth. I might have had a minor heart attack! haha!
4. Fresh Sugar
This Fresh Sugar lip balm kit was also part of my Christmas from my awesome mom. (It's no longer available on Sephora's website, but it might be available at Sephora locations). There are so many great colors in this kit! I've never been able to wear very dark shades of lipstick, but there are great sheer shades of pinks and wine colors that layer perfectly. The Fig color is actually one of my favorites and surprisingly it isn't overly dark! Plus, it feels like I'm doing my lips a favor with the hydrating and lip protection that's built right in!
5. Messy Bun Beanie Hats
I started seeing these Messy Bun Beanie Hats all over social media before Christmas. So, I decided to give it a try with my crochet skills. These hats were selling like crazy and I couldn't make them fast enough for people to buy and give as Christmas gifts! They're super cute and cozy! The perfect accessory for winter! Check them out on my Etsy shop!
6. Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask
One of the things I really want to concentrate on this year is skincare. This year will be a big birthday for me... (I'd rather not discuss that). But, I feel like I really need to start a great skincare regime. I got a sample of this Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask and I've been using it a couple of nights a week. It smells wonderful and I feel like I can really tell a difference in my skin the next day. My face feels and looks more vibrant and healthy! You should definitely give it a try!
I've seen all of these gorgeous pins and posts lately with beautiful green wreaths attached to mirrors in living rooms and dining rooms and I just fell in love with that look! Since I would consider myself quite the DIYer, I thought I would attempt it!
Well, hanging a wreath to a mirror wasn't quite as easy as I thought it would be originally.
Our dining room mirror is attached to the wall with two nails and two hooks on back of the mirror. At first, I thought I would just attach a string and the ribbon to the wiring at the back of the mirror... So, that totally messed up that plan.
After some thinking and Googling, I decided to get some 3M Command Strip Hooks. I probably won't always want a wreath over this mirror throughout the year. So, I didn't want to cause any damage to the wall or to the mirror. Therefore, hanging it directly above the mirror frame on the wall, was the easiest thing to do.
So, I went to the store and found these little guys.
First, I measured the width of the framed mirror, because I wanted to make sure that the wreath was centered. I measured it as close to the top of the frame that I could. After I found the center point of the mirror, I used chalk and made a small dot on the wall right above the mirror to mark the center point.
Next, I used two of the Command hooks, since they are only good for 1/2 of a pound each, I wanted to make sure that the hooks would hold the wreath. I put a Command Strip on the wall on the left side of the chalk mark and I put another command strip on the right side of the chalk mark. (Make sure to follow the instructions that come with the Command Strips). After you attach the hooks, apply pressure to the hooks for 30 seconds each, to make sure that they are adhered correctly to the wall.
Now, I needed to attach the ribbon around the wreath and then create a bow to cover up the hooks on the top. I simply cut one strip of ribbon to loop around the bow, for it to hang at the appropriate length, in the middle of the mirror. I honestly, just eyeballed this part and didn't measure. (I hate to measure anything if I can get by with it!) Then, I used two safety pins to quickly attach the ribbon at both ends, for a sturdy and seamless loop. You could definitely stitch up the ends to make a loop, but I wanted this to be as easy to remove as possible and didn't want to waste my plaid ribbon, when I changed it out. Hey, I'm thrifty!
For the next step, I needed a bow to cover up the small Command hooks above the mirror. I found this awesome video by Michaels on YouTube and used it to create the plaid bow. Where she uses pipe cleaners to attach the bow together, I used floral wire. Surprisingly, I have no pipe cleaners in all of my craft stuff! So, I just cut off about an eight inch piece of craft/floral wire to wrap around the bow and secured it in the back like you would a twist tie. This excess will be what you attach the bow to the original loop that you created and the hooks, so make sure that you wrap it around and it is pulled tight in the back of the bow.
You can see in the picture above, where I wrapped the wire around and looped it around throughout the back of the bow.
I am so happy with the finished product! No, it wasn't as easy as I thought it was going to be, but it looks beautiful for the Christmas season, and its nothing permanent that did any damage to the wall or mirror! Happy decorating and DIYing friends!
Check out my next post on my first wreath flocking experience!
Follow me on Instagram for more shots of my Christmas decorations!
Happy Friday yall! This week we took a much needed mini vacation with some great friends and headed to the coast. We spent a long weekend in Florida and stopped to sight see on the way down and on the way back. This week's Friday Favorites is vacation inspired. ;) Here are some of my favorite things from our Florida trip!
1. The Conch House
The Conch House in St. Augustine, Florida has been one of my favorite beachy restaurants for over 13 years now. It's like going to the Caribbean without ever leaving the states. They have a ton of outdoor seating, but my absolute favorite places to sit are the little tiki huts that they have above the marsh. They all have a great view of the marina and of the St. Augustine lighthouse. It's a great place to watch for fish, dolphins, and even alligators. You definitely have to get a pina colada and the calamari. They will be the best you've ever had!
2. The Red Pineapple
If you know me, you know about my obsession with pineapples. So, of course the name of this store made me curious to see what was inside! This little boutique in downtown St. Augustine is adorable! (Even if I didn't see any pineapples inside). They have everything from cute clothes, jewelry, home decor, etc. It's like Anthropologie and a small town boutique collided and made a perfect little store! Check it out if you're in the area!
3. Bracelet @ 29 Olives
This boutique in downtown St. Augustine was super cute! I loved this "Be Brave & Keep Going" bracelet.
4. Converse
I bought my first pair of Converse in Jacksonville, Florida over 13 years ago. So, how fitting was it to get another pair while I was there this time? I actually still have those black Converse and wear them from time to time, but I wanted a gray pair. I got these at DSW at the St. Johns Town Center. I think I've worn them everyday since we got back from our trip. Love them!
5. Homewood Suites Jacksonville at the St. Johns Town Center
I'm super picky about hotels and this is one of my favorite places to stay in Florida. It's an awesome location, the hotel staff is amazingly nice, the rooms are clean and spacious, and did I mention the location is great!? Target, The Cheesecake Factory, PF Changs, Panera, Dillards, Nordstrom, Anthropologie, Louis Vuitton, JoAnns Fabric, Pottery Barn, DSW, etc are all within walking distance. It's a shoppers dream! Literally, any store or restaurant you could ever think of, are all in one location. Definitely visit the St. Johns Town Center and stay at the Homewood Suites!
6. Teri Whitner Art - Ornament
On the way back home, we stopped by Charleston, South Carolina and went to the Market. The beautiful handcrafted pottery by Teri Whitner caught my eye. We came home with these two ornaments, but all of the bowls and platters were amazing! Check out her etsy shop!
