DIY: Shell Heart Ring

I've had this shell heart for a long time now, I think I got it when I was a kid.  I had the brilliant idea last night to make something with it, and I easily made a ring!  This project literally took about 30 seconds!

All you need: Ring blank, E-6000 glue, and a shell heart or whatever your heart desires :)

Apply a drop of glue to the ring blank and securely press the heart onto it.  Let dry overnight.

And then wear it!  This is an easy peasy and beautiful DIY, I hope you love it!

xxooxoxo
Lia

My Top 5 Must Haves For Summer - Practical and Affordable!

In case you missed it, I did a guest post over at The Average Girl's Guide on Thursday, after the lovely Alyson asked me to share my favorite 5 must haves.  With summer practically upon us, I didn't want to highlight things that we've all seen/heard/can't afford.  So instead, I thought about the things that I literally cannot live without in the summertime.  This is such an uber practical and affordable guide, you can buy everything for around $100 - or less!!!  Make sure you subscribe to The Average Girl's Guide as well, because there is can't miss, spot on information daily on there!

Head on over to see 5 Must Haves for Summertime From Smart n Snazzy!

Let me know what you all think!

xxooxoxo
Lia

Not So Extreme Couponing...But Good Enough For Me!

Happy Friday lovelies!  I am loving the weather we are having here in CO, it's finally in the 70s and it's supposed to be up around 80 the next 3 days.  YAY!  I just wish the pool in my complex would open!


As many of you know, I recently lost my job three weeks ago, and money has been EXTREMELY tight.  But I'm strong woman, and I don't let it get me down.  I find a way to work around it.  I'm sure you've all seen or at least heard of the new TLC show Extreme Couponing, where these maniacal savvy shoppers get $1000 worth of food/products they will never use in 4 lifetimes for like $20.  That's not so much me, as I'm too practical.  I only buy stuff I know will get used within the next few weeks, maybe 2 months max.  But, I love the concept behind what these people are doing.

By simply reading the sales circulars that the grocery stores are putting out, and comparing that to coupons you have on hand or ones that can be printed out on the internet, you can save a lot of money.  I buy the Sunday paper every week at the dollar store.  I invested about 2 hours this past week, and got $166.79 worth of groceries for $55.23 - a savings of $111.56 or 67%!  I matched up the sales with coupons and really did not buy anything that I didn't have coupons for.  Here's what I got:

King Soopers... You can see everything in the picture so I won't bother listing it all lol.  Not pictured: 1 toothbrush, toothpaste, cheese, 2 pouches of dishwasher detergent tabs.

Safeway...Not pictured: 1 apple :)

I really don't think I did too bad.  Notice I didn't buy any meat, I stocked up a while back while it was on sale and have too much in my freezer! 

What do y'all think?  Do you use coupons when you shop?  Are you willing to put in a few hours of your time in order to save money at the grocery store, or is it a waste of time?

xxooxoxo
Lia

New Beginnings for Smart n Snazzy

That's right, I did it!  I hope you followed the whole series, if not, here's the links for every post:

Day 30 ~ Cobra Stitch Neon Bracelet
Day 29 ~ Satin Striped Canvas Bag
Day 28 ~ Upcycled Butter Container Planters
Day 27 ~ Woven Bangles
Day 26 ~ Upcycled Portable Chalkboards
Day 25 ~ Portable Reusable Upcycled Tic Tac Toe
Day 24 ~ Chanel Inspired Chain Fringe Tassel Earrings
Day 23 ~ Bubble Tiled Mirror
Day 22 ~ Our Easter Tree!!
Day 21 ~ Tropical Shells!
Day 20 ~ Whimsical Wire Flowers
Day 19 ~ Frame Your Tiffany's Bag
Day 18 ~ Anthropologie Swathed Hoops Inspired Earrings
Day 17 ~ Springy Punchy Flowery Placemats
Day 16 ~ Beachy Glass Wall Art
Day 15 ~ Impact Wall Decor
Day 14 ~ Pom Pom n Shell Necklaces
Day 13 ~ Satin Ring Tray
Day 12 ~ DIY Neon Feather Earrings
Day 11 ~ Upcycled Washer Charm Bracelet
Day 10 ~ Studded Knit Belt
Day 9 ~ Kate Spade Hello Sunshine Inspired Neon Trim Straw Tote
Day 8 ~ DIY Peacock Feather Earrings
Day 7 ~ Fun n Funky Statement Necklaces
Day 6 ` Anthropologie Acrobatics Inspired Necklace
Day 5 ~ Upcycled Bright Oversized Geometric Earrings
Day 4 ~ Pop of Spring Neck Warmer
Day 3 ~ Fringe Bracelet, Necklace & Earrings
Day 2 ~ Safety Pins n Chains
Day 1 ~ Indoor "Garden" That Will Not Die!

Craziness, right??  I'm so proud of myself for doing this.  It's amazing what a bit of motivation and determination can do!  It's really changed the way I think about things, and how I'd rather reuse things for another purpose and make something my own rather than buy it. 

That said, I still love fashion, I love the inspiration I get from trends, and I love making a statement about myself with my style.  So, I'm going to start posting about a lot more than just DIYs!! (But I still will be doing DIYs)   I haven't quite come up with a posting schedule yet, but I plan to soon!  Also, I will be doing monthly giveaways too, first one will be announced once I reach 100 GFC followers!

Is there anything special you'd love to see on Smart n Snazzy?  Let me know!!

xxooxoxo
Lia

30 Days of DIY: Day 30 ~ Cobra Stitch Neon Rope Bracelet

Taking it back to summer camp, only chic-er!  I've been meaning to make a bunch of these and finally made one tonight.  I used some rope I bought at Home Depot, but I've also bought some jump ropes at the dollar store to use as well!

You will need rope, scissors, lighter, clasp, jump ring(s).

I ended up using about 7 feet of rope (1 foot per inch in circumference of your wrist).  Attach the clasp by folding the rope in half and looping it through.  Add about an inch to the circumference of your wrist and then attach the jump ring the clasp will attach to there.  Now, begin your cobra knots!  Keep going until you reach your jump ring that marks the end.  When you are done, cut the excess rope and use your lighter to singe the ends.  Let cool for a few seconds, and then press into the woven bracelet - it will 'melt' in. 

There it is!  I plan on making a bunch of different colors and stacking them.  I think they will look super cute with a tank an shorts this summer, what do you think?

I've really loved doing this 30 Days of DIY posts, and it's definitely challenged me.  Although a little late, I was able to wrap it all up, and I am so proud I did!  I'm working on some BIG changes for the blog, stay tuned, I'll be announcing it all tomorrow!  Thanks so much for following my DIYs!

xxooxoxo
Lia

30 Days of DIY: Day 29 ~ Satin Striped Canvas Bag

For $4, I have a cute new striped tote for spring!  I used a satin ribbon belt with a flower attached, and a tote from Joann's for $4, along with some Liquid Stitch, and I have an awesome tote!  I've been wanting to try out Liquid Stitch for a while now, and I'm really pleased with the results. 

My supplies.  I first detached the flower from the belt.

And laid out the ribbon.  One side of it was a matte finish and one side had a shiny finish.  I decided to do two stripes matte and one shiny.  I put the glue on the ribbon, and pressed it firmly down.  When I went all the way around, I snipped the excess and put extra Liquid Stitch on the end.

Almost halfway done!  

I really like the noticeable difference in the matte/shiny stripes.  I also glued the flower below one handle, I thought it made the perfect finishing touch.  This took about 10 minutes, plus the recommended 24 hours to dry thoroughly, and is so rad!  What do you think my ladies?

xxooxoxo

Lia

30 Days of DIY: Day 28 ~ Upcycled Butter Container Planters

Hi lovelies!  I've been trying to really reduce waste and challenge myself to come up with new ideas for things that would normally be thrown away.  If you've been following my 30 Days of DIY series, you would be familiar with some of the projects like this.  These are old butter plastic tubs that I painted and (once I go and get soil) will be planting some of my plants in!

I spread out some newspaper outside and collected my spraypaint and scissors.

Take the scissors and cut out a few drainage holes in the bottom of the tub.

Here's what I did.  I also add rocks to the bottom of all my pots as well to assist with drainage, so I didn't make the holes too big.

I spraypainted the tubs black.  It took about two coats.  I also applied a thin coat to the inside, a little heavier on the top, so that the look was more uniform.

Then I took some white acrylic paint, and decorated my tubs.

 

These would look lovely spraypainted white and then decorated with more colorful paints. 

Yes, I set the plants in their little green pots inside these for the purpose of the picture.  I need to get some soil :)  What do you think of this?  Is this something you will do?  I want to find more tubs now!! 

xxooxoxo
Lia