This Old Sack

One way to save money & be eco-friendly is to

buy household needs in bulk.

We like to buy a sack of rice & have it handy when

we're in the mood for some Asian or Latin cuisine.

And how cool that the sack is both striking & sturdy:

But I know it can even be more TADA!...

...with some festive embellishments like strands of yarn,

pompoms, sequins, flowers & a cute elephant pin.

Use this to store current craft projects

{ex. scrapbooking, knitting, etc.}

or to carry a bunch of magazines.

Have a nice day!

Canvas + Leather

It's all about bag make-overs this week.

And let me tell you, I've been obsessing over

canvas bags with leather trim:

via Infusion

via cryptictextures

via buckaroousa

Aren't these fabulous?

Pretty yet utilitarian & fashionably laid back.

I found this blah bag at the top of my closet:

It's canvas with a cute print in the inside flap.

I bought it at Target some years ago

and very rarely used it.

Inspired by the above combinations,

here's how I made it TADA!:

I added a leather closure that I bought from the sewing

supplies shop {alternatively, you can re-use an old belt}.

Attach it to the bag by sewing.

I might change the strap to match the closure later on.

But now, the bag has a little bit of attitude,

ready to be used on a regular basis!

BAGS: From blah to TADA!

How are you dear Lovelies?

Have you welcomed Spring with some closet cleaning?

I have and I found a bunch of bags that need a little love.

You'll see how I transform them all this week.

Today, we begin with this:

It's an amenity kit from a flight a few years ago.

This pouch is quite dapper, reminding me of

fabric used for a man's suit.

But from blah...

It's now TADA!

I thought a bright flower

{made of felt & attached with hot glue}

would add some color & burst of femininity.

I think I'll use the bag for my set of nail lacquers.

So girl-y indeed!

Appetizer Station

Hooray it's Friday!

We've rummaged through the kitchen

cupboard and ransacked a few thrift stores,

{with a side trip to get some super glue}

all in the name of making our own cake stands.

Here's my final idea for the week:

Blah: a flat basket & a Japanese tea cup.

{Assembled using super glue}

TADA!: An ultra-chic cake stand!

I think this is a modern way to serve appetizers like

cheese & crackers, antipasto or chips & dip.

{Just line the basket with parchment paper or a

smaller plate to keep the grease off the basket.}

Have a major-ly GOOD weekend ya'all!

Fit for a Tea Party

Here is today's blah:

Pretty plates, a candle stick, salt & pepper shakers.

I found these in my kitchen waiting,

waiting, waiting to be used.

Well I told them, "Today's your lucky day!"

I'm giving them a blah to TADA! transformation.

And super glue was all I needed.

TADA! A gorgeous cake stand if I should

say so myself.

Let's add another layer, using an empty shaker &

a medium-sized plate.

Apply super glue in between & let dry.

Ready for another layer?

Why not?

TADA! A multi-tier dessert stand that

will be your excuse for a tea party!

Whether it's home-baked goodies or

bakery-bought treats, this stand will welcome

each sugar-dusted confection with open arms!

Sweet Endings

Don't you enjoy it when food is displayed

in a pretty way? I believe that we eat

with our eyes first and what we see

helps tremendously in the whole

dining experience.

That's why I love it when a cake

is served on a cake stand.

It's not done all the time, but

when it is, it makes me smile.

I'm making a few cake stands

this week and just because there's

"cake" in the name, doesn't mean

it can't be used for other things.

Blah: single piece China (made in England & Japan)

that I found on separate trips at the

Salvation Army thrift shop.

Just attach them together with super glue...

TADA! A mini cake stand!

Use this to serve chocolates or biscuits -- the ones

that go well with after dinner coffee or tea.

I promise you, your guests will have

smiles on their faces!

Cookies for Company

Thank you for coming over today!

This week, I'm neck-deep into making my own

cake stands. I just find these adorable &

extra points if they're home made.

Here's an easy one using glass & ceramic:

You may have a bunch of unused plates, a glass jar

or a votive holder in your cupboards.

Individually, they may lack

personality -- a little bit blah.

But pair them together...

...they become TADA!

With the help of some super glue,

they are now elevated plates that

command attention.

Use them to display cookies & sweets

for your next gathering.

Bon appetit!