DIY Wall Decor: Canvas Cutouts

Today I decided that I don't have enough on my walls (even though there is no space for anything else) and decided to make these beautifully simple pieces. All you need are a couple canvas boards, stencil designs, a pencil, tape, an X-Acto knife and some free time.

Supplies needed

Patterned stencils. My printer was acting up so I had to trace them in pencil off of the computer screen. If you can print, I highly suggest that route!!

Cut the stencil to fit onto the canvas.

Tape the stencil to the canvas with the patterned side facing the front of the canvas.

Hold your canvas in front of a light source, I held it against a window. Trace the stencil onto the back of the canvas. (Note: make sure you do this on the back of the canvas so that you won't see any extra pencil lines when you are done)

After tracing the stencils onto the canvas backs.

Now take your X-Acto knife and cut along the lines! Be careful to make sure that your cuts all reach each other to prevent ripping or stretching the canvas. 

Finished product!

And there you have it! Beautiful wall decorations that look decently expensive all for about $10 if you already had the X-Acto knife. Have fun DIYing and feel free to send my pictures of your canvas cutouts!

Dorm Organization: DIY Container

I've been packing my life away to move into my dorm next week and just realized that I had no where to put all of the quarters I've saved for laundry trips. A simple minded person might just put them in rolls but I'm all about organization that is easy to look at, which doesn't include brown rolls of paper.

Here's what you'll need:
Small Tupperware
Washi Tape
Scissors

 Easy Enough?

 Take your washi tape and start wrapping it around the container. If yours is round like mine or gets wider as it goes up, you will have small bumps in the tape but don't worry too much about them.

 After you wrap the tape all the way around the container, cut it and then start a new line right below it. You could definitely just continue wrapping the tape without cutting every row, however, I found the best results when each row was separated because they lined up more nicely.

Smooth out as many bumps as you can and you're finished! You could customize yours by using two different tape designs, writing on it, or adding other embellishments!

DIY Cereal Bars

This morning I woke up hungry and found myself automatically scrolling on Pinterest to decide what to make. I saw a DIY cereal bar and decided to try it and make it my own.

Here's everything you'll need:

Your favorite cereal

Meltable chocolate

Marshmallows

A bowl for mixing

Sprinkles if you're fun

COOKING SPRAY (I forgot to spray the bowl and taking the mixture out was a nightmare.)

Take 3/4 cup of cereal and 1/2 cup of marshmallows and mix them in a bowl.

Put the bowl in the microwave for 30 seconds and then mix again.

Add in melted chocolate and mix.

Now take the mixture out of the bowl and shape it into a bar.

I drizzled the extra chocolate over top and added some sprinkles just because.

And now you're all finished! Enjoy your homemade cereal bar and send me pictures of your own creations!

Xoxo,

Ashley

A Day at the State Fair

Boots// Famous Footwear (here), Kimono// Charlotte Russe (here), Pants// H&M, Jewlrey// Forever21 and H&M, Top// Forever21

Back to School: Supplies Haul

Not sure if I'm just speaking for myself when I say this but getting ready to go back to school requires a lot of stuff and a pretty decent amount of stress. This year I will be headed to school on August 21st, (less than a month, ahh!) and wanted to get an early start considering the transition to college is a bit more difficult than a grade transition in high school. Just deciding what things I wanted to use to stay organized was stressful, but at the end of the day I got what I will needed while feeling pretty confident about the coming semester.

Check out my video on Youtube (right here) if you're interested in seeing a full haul.

Ultimate College Packing List!

I leave for college in almost exactly a month so the frantic search for everything I need in my dorm has officially begun. Surprisingly, you need a LOT of stuff for such a tiny room so its obvious that it can be hard to remember or even think of everything you need. Which is precisely the reason I decided to create this list, to help not only myself, but anyone else who is last-minute dorm shopping and searches "Dorm Room Packing List".

 Sleep

Blanket
Comforter
Pillows (2)
Body Pillow
Decorative Pillows
Fan (If you don't have AC)
Foam Topper
Mattress Pad
Sheet Sets (2)
Throw Blanket

Clean

Cleaning Supplies Box
Cleaning Rags
Dish Sponges
Dish Soap
Dish Towels
Wall Flower +Refills
Hamper/Laundry Bag
Detergent
Dryer Sheets
Paper Towels
Trash Bin
Air Freshener
Clorox Wipes
Glass Cleaner

Work

Backpack
Desk Drawer Organizers
Extension Cord
Surge Protector
Desk Lamp
Laptop +Charger
Laptop Cooling Pad
Laptop Lock
Chair Cushion (Do you really want to sit on a wooden chair?)
Headphones
Phone + Charger
Wallet with:

• School ID
• Driver's License
• Insurance Cards
• Debit/Credit Cards

School Supplies:

• Agenda
• Calculator
• Flash Drives
• Pens
• Pencils
• Highlighters
• Markers
• Tape
• Stapler/Staple Remover
• Hole Punch
• File Folder
• Post-its
• Notebooks
• Folders
• Index Cards
• Paper Clips, Binder Clips, etc.
• Scissors

Bathe

Bath Towels (4)

Hand Towels (2)

Wash Cloths (2)

Toothbrush Cap (YOU WILL DROP YOUR TOOTHBRUSH)

Poufs (Loofas?)

Robe

Shower Caddy

Shower Shoes

Toiletries:

• Tweezers
• Shampoo 
• Conditioner
• Body Wash
• Razors
• Shaving Cream
•  Cotton Swabs/Balls/Rounds
• Tissues
• Makeup remover and wipes
• Face Wash
• Toner
• Eye Cream
• Moisturizer
• Toothbrush/Toothpaste
• Floss
• Mouthwash
• Deodorant
• Perfume
• Lotion
• Heat Protectant
• Leave in Conditioner
• Anti-Friz Serum
• Dry Shampoo
• Tampons/Panty Liners
• Comb/Brush

Eat

Microwave/Mini Fridge (If one isn't already provided)

Snacks and Drinks

Food Storage Container(s)

Keurig (or other one cup coffer maker)

K-Cups

K-Cup Carousel

Chip Clips

Plastic Eating Utensils

Brita Water Bottle

Brita Water Pitcher

Extra Brita Filters

Insulated Travel Cup (Coffee to go anyone?)

Paring Knife

Mini Cutting Board

Sandwich Bags

Tupperware

Dress

Clothing (Pack for the season, trade out your winter clothes when you go home for Thanksgiving)

Pajamas

Underwear/Bras

Socks

Shoes

Sunglasses

Accessories

Hanging Shoe Organizer

Hanging Sweater Organizer

Dresser Drawer Organizers (For undergarments)

Felt Hangers (50)

Command Hooks (To hang belts and scarves)

Lint Roller

Manicure Kit

Nail Polish

Nail Polish Remover

Hair Straightener/Curling Iron

Blow Dryer

Mirror

Makeup Storage

Makeup Brush Storage

Makeup Brushes

Makeup:

• Primer
• Foundation
• Concealer
• Powder Foundation
• Bronzer
• Blush
• Highlighter
• Eyebrow pencil
• Eye primer
• Eyeshadow
• Eyeliner
• Mascara
• Eyelash Curler
• Lipstick
• Lip gloss
• Chapstick
• Setting Spray

Just in Case

Ear Plugs

Safe

Duffle Bag (For weekend trips)

Ice Pack (What if you fall and hurt yourself)

First Aid Kit

Sewing Kit

Sleep Mask

Umbrella

Cold/Flu Medicine

Pain Relief Medicine

Cough Drops

Throw Rug (Tile floor gets cold in the winter)

Floral Meets Denim

Today I found a dress in my closet that I do not remember purchasing or ever wearing before. Figuring it deserves to get some type of use, I threw it on and added a denim shirt, left unbuttoned, to take away from its strong pattern and because it works so well with the subtle hints of the blue in the dress. Some white wedges just seemed appropriate since it is that sunny season and I'm starting to feel pressured to wear all of my lighter colors before the leaves start falling.

Xoxo

Ashley