DIY distressed denim shorts

This was an easy peasy naptime project - perfect for the upcoming summer weekend!

I had a pair of jeans that I held on to after my last closet purge (ok, the last 3 purges), but I hadn't worn them.Which means they had to go...ORRRR become useful. I chose the latter. I figured I could chop them into shorts and see what happened - if I hated them no harm done, right? So I chopped them, distressed them and here they are:

I used a few online sources to guide me - for the basic cutting I used the guidelines here and for the distressing I used this video (which is probably done by a 16 year old girl...who better to teach me how to be cool? ha. At least she understands the value of DIY!).

I started by measuring 18" from the waist band and using chalk to mark where I wanted to cut the jeans (no pics, sorry). Then I chopped them!

Here's how they looked then:

The general consensus on Instagram was that I definitely needed to distress them. First I practiced on the legs that I cut off, then I went to work on the shorts. It's a bit time consuming but made for a little project during one of O's naps.

You make two cuts to where you want the distressed section:

Then you use tweezers to pull out the vertical blue threads (this is the time consuming part...):

 

You end up with a section that looks like this:

 

I did a few areas of this style in different widths and heights. Then I scuffed up the jeans with some sandpaper, put in some tiny holes and tweezed the edges to soften them and they were done!

 

Friday faves - What I'm wearing with my pregnant belly!

Happy Friday!

It has been another busy week...each week is ticking by closer to my due date at the end of September (I am 35 weeks right now...or 8 3/4 months...getting up there)! Some things have come together in the nursery but there are some tricky things to figure out (anyone know a good place to take a rug to be cleaned / de-oderized??) and a lot of other things to finish up.

I have been taking photos throughout my pregnancy and looking back the changes are amazing! I'll post a series of photos once I get them organized...until then here are some of my favourite outfits that I've been wearing to work during my pregnancy:

1. Tahari Dress, The Bay
2. H&M navy blazer, H&M Mama white t-shirt; Mossimo striped skirt (Target)
3. Merona Floral dress (Target)

All of these outfits (except the white t-shirt) are non-maternity items. I have found if I go up a size or two and the cut is right I can generally wear whatever I want for stretchy skirts and dresses (which is amazing). I was also lucky enough for a great friend to give me a huge lot of maternity and non-maternity clothes that I can wear to supplement my own finds above. Here's another fun Target mint and gray maternity tshirt (and a shot of my shower curtain!):

Enjoy the last weekend of August!!

Friday faves - coloured pencils

I'm writing this in advance because last night was the IDS2013 gala...I'm sure that I had a great time and won't be writing a blog post at 7am the morning following...but I did have something fun to share so I decided to schedule it in advance to share the love.

Without further ado - happy Friday (as I'm writing this I WISH it was Friday already...I'm positive "present" me is glad it's finally here). 

Sometimes the stuff at Anthropologie just isn't me...I'm more profesh then hippie, and given that I work 5 days a week as a Corporate-Connie most of my closet leans towards work clothes. I am on Anthro's email list because I like their pretty stuff, and this week's email about pencil skirts GOT ME. Love these and am definitely digging all the colour.

 

 Chrysalis midi skirt

Brocade skirt in mint

Painterly skirt

Alva lace skirt in red

And with that I bid adieu; Happy weekend all!

Weekend recap

Phew...why do weekends go by so fast? If you are off today, hoorah for you! I was at work, so no extra time although I think I really could have used it this weekend.

So...here's the little weekend run down...

Friday night the Mr. and I went to see Rick Mercer film.  It's a super, fun thing to do (that's free!) on Friday night - make sure to watch it this Tuesday, you may see the back of my head! We also went to Milagro Cantina for dinner (tasty mexican).

Saturday morning, I went all around the city- hit up Home Depot where I got a wreath (it's on my porch but needs some zhushing...so be a bit patient on that one), then I headed to the salon to get my hair cut - usually it doesn't take long to do my hair, but I think my stylist was slow on saturday because I was there over an hour! Luxiourious, yes...until I started stressing that I would get a parking ticket (don't worry, I was safe).

Then I trucked over to the west end to order my fabric for my chair! yahoo...so excited to get that project off the ground (side note: these chairs became available again...and were on sale....but I was really looking forward to having a custom project that I'm sticking with the upholstery project!). I stripped and re-stained the legs of the chair on Sunday (with help from the hubby - he held the flashlight when I was doing the second coat in the garage at 9:30 last night!). After ordering fabric, I took a quick look for Christmas party dresses (if you missed my post here, I would love that blue dress but it's sold out). I saw this one:

French Connection via  

Loving this dress...it's more expensive than I wanted (particularly after dropping $$ on chair fabric), but it's a contender...ugh I hate waiting until the last minute to buy something...on the off chance someone else will wear the SAME THING to the party!

Anyways, after the no-luck-dress-speed-shop-at-two-stores, I went to a furniture store to look at a coffee table, followed by 1 HOUR in traffic to get home (grrr...a bunch of exits / on ramps to the Gardiner were closed, which meant Lakeshore (where I was) was a nightmare, and some north/south streets were also closed due to water mains breaking). Not the best traffic luck...but it didn't end there...Saturday evening we went to Costco and then to Ikea, where I was pumped to get a few fun details for Christmas.

Sunday we had a nice breakfast (homemade waffles and bacon anyone?), hit the gym (had to after that breakfast), and spent some time outside because it was warm and nice. I stripped and re-stained the legs of the chair, and then we made a delicious dinner which included stuffed squash:

Yumm....From the new issue of LCBO's Food & Drink (available in Ontario)

Sunday night was topped off with Amazing Race, and like I said before, a couple coats of stain (and yes, we could have had them done with the re-upholstery, but we wanted to have some hands-on involvement in our project!).

Hope you all had a great (albeit maybe more relaxing weekend)!

What should I wear? {Holiday fashion}

Welcome back to dark nights folks! Were you affected by the time change? I was so happy for the extra hour of sleep, but I have to say yesterday at work it got really dark, really quick. Hope you all had a good weekend - mine was good (I think I found chair fabric - yay!).

Onto some really fun stuff - I'm so pleased to be over at my friend Ashley's blog Calmly Chaotic today with a guest post on holiday party fashion. If you don't already read Ashley's blog, you should - she shares her stories of mommy-hood (to twins), the Bachelor, fashion, and currently what it's like to be a serious writer (she's taking part in Nanowrimo this month).

I'm over there sharing a little High / Low for a holiday fashion look...and it just might include a little lace, a little gold, and a lot of "want". Head over to check it out!

via

Guest Post | Would you wear your rug? (Lindsey from Recreated)

We have another fabulous guest poster here today! Lindsey from Recreated is popping over for a visit and sharing her interpretations of how fashion inspires decor (and vice versa!). Lindsey has a great eye for fashion and is always wearing an outfit I want to steal when I see her. She's also a very talented re-upholsterer. I recommend checking out her blog if you haven't already for regular decor, fashion, and furniture inspiration!

---

Hello all! Lindsey here from Recreated. I'm happy to be here today visiting Interior Groupie for one of my favourite blogger peeps Heather while she is taking a well deserved vacation. I'm a big believer that design/decor for your home inspires your wardrobe and vice-versa. You don't often find someone with very classic/refined home decor but with a very eclectic wardrobe...your personal style generally tends to follow you in all aspects of your life. Today I've put together some examples of where different flooring options inspire an outfit....hmm, or maybe the other way around.

The bright pops of coral and pink in this combo just make me smile....

via 1, 2

Hmm, some stripey grey goodness...love than dress.

via 1, 2

Holy herringbone....someday I will own a home that has herringbone hardwood floors. They look so freakin' fab.

via 1, 2

Ok so I chose the outfit photo below not just because it had the lovely teal and yellow from the rug, but also because that model looks an awful lot like the gorge Miss Interior Groupie herself, no? Hello, doppelganger. Does anyone else see it?

via 1, 2

I enjoy a pretty tile, and the colour combo of this one is unexpected and lovely.....and that burgundy leather skirt makes me weak in the knees.

via 1, 2

Thanks, Heather for having me! Happy to come by and visit any time!

XO,

Early summer ensemble

It's shoulder sesaon right now...somewhere between Spring and Summer. We have had a taste of the amazing weather to come, but it's not consistently sunny, nice or warm. That being said, it's not humid or gross either so I guess beggers can't be choosers. I've decided that I'm going to embrace the current season - getting the most out of my beloved trench coat and boots that I miss during the summer.

All that said, I'm definitely yearning for some summer fashion...here's a cute look I would love to pull off (shopping spree anyone?)

via my Polyvore

Earrings: Astley Clarke - $790

Dress: Impanena Dress via Svpply - $150

Belt: Banana Republic - $49

Clutch: Michael Kors - $195

Shoes: Christian Louboutin Echasse via Barney's - $760





Friday faves - New year's Eve

Tomorrow marks New Year's Eve - what are your plans? I'm wishing for a little sparkle and celebration for all of you for the big night. Enjoy!

Images clockwise from top left: 1, 2, 3, 4

Images clockwise from top left: 1, 2, 3, 4

Images clockwise from top left: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6



Friday faves - Christmas style in the closet

Happy Friday!! We are getting so close to Christmas, hard to believe! Tomorrow, the Mr. and I are hosting a Holiday Open House - looking forward to having some of our friends, new and old, drop by to spread some holiday cheer.

With the holiday spirit flying around, I've put together a collection of some of my favourite looks for the season. Keep in mind that these looks are my wishes if I had an unlimited budget and access to all US stores! :) Enjoy popping into my day dream, and have fun getting ready for whatever holiday events you have coming up!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Friday faves - toasty toes

Happy Friday! I don't really want to admit this, but we are in NOVEMBER...therefore approaching holiday season, and with that - gift buying. So, for those of you crazies prepared people who have already crossed things off your to-buy list, or for those of you realists who are saying "Woahhh....way too early!" here's something I STRONGLY encourage you to add to your idea list. Maybe it's an idea for what YOU want from Santa this year, or maybe it's something you can buy to have on hand for that friend that is impossible to buy for...either way, each and every one of you should be buying these this year:



Restoration Hardware - Foot Duvets

(a) They are called FOOT DUVETS - how can you go wrong? I have had mine for 3 years now and I can vouch for their duvet-heaven-ess

(b) They are $25. Seriously??? Some people blow that on coffee in a given week. They are arguably the most affordable and useful piece in any Restoration Hardware.

(c) They are DUVETS for your FEET. What more can you ask for? They have a super-soft lining and the outer material is exactly like duvet material, but in a variety of colours. Need I say more?

You're welcome. Enjoy.

 

Giveaway - WINNER!!

And, the moment you've all been waiting for...

The winner is...ANNA! Here is her winning comment (selected at random using random number generator...):

What a beautiful piece!
Her shop is full of gorgeous pieces! The very vintage necklace is my fave! Thanks for the chance to win!

 

 

Congratulations Anna! PS - if you haven't checked out Anna's blog In Honor of Design, you simply MUST - it's one of my favourite reads.

 

Thanks to everyone for entering, following, reading, and playing along! Make sure to check out http://www.blushbeads.com/ for more pieces and great gift ideas (for yourself or for others, right?).



Trick or treat & Last day to enter the giveaway!

Happy Hallowe'en all! Hope everyone has a goulishly good day. I'll be waiting for all the kidlets in their costumes to come and collect some goodies!

While many of my neighbours in my neighbourhood decorate their houses for Hallowe'en, I'm holding out for the holidays. We do have a pumpkin though (we're not complete prudes). Here are some great Hallowe'en decor ideas that are much too late for this year, but maybe I'll get inspired to do something next year! (who am I kidding...I'm just not that much of a Hallowe'en gal...but I do like these!):



via I heart shabby chic

via Apartment Therapy

 

With all the Hallowe'en excitement, don't forget to enter the giveaway for this beautiful bracelet from BlushBeads:



The draw closes tomorrow, November 1 at 5pm EST - make sure to enter so I can meet my entry goal!!
See the original post to enter: http://interiorgroupie.blogspot.com/2011/10/giveaway.html

My man, JOE

Did you guys watch the Joe Fresh 2012 Spring Fashion show live like I did? They streamed it from Toronto Fashion Week...pretty cool to watch it unfold. I haven't been to Joe in a little while, but I am a huge fan and have been since the collection was launched in '06. I decided to hit their website which has undergone a huge re-do, and now has all of their items availabe on hte screen to drool over. Here are some of the ridiculously hot items I'm swooning over:

Don't you want all of this stuff??

 1 - Wrap Belt $19;  2 - Multi-Chain necklace $14; 3 – Mohair Cardigan $39; 4 - Mesh Hoops Necklace $14; 5 - Cascade blouse $39; 6 - Felt Flats $29

And...

1 - Striped skirt $39; 2 - Fringe mini $39; 3 - Melange long sleeve tee $16; 4 - Desert Boot $79; 5 - Merino Dolman sweater $49; 6 – Plaid scarf $12

For those of you in Canada - you can find JOE locations here. For my American readers - don't fret! They're bringing JOE cross-border, and you can read all about it here.  In addition to the amazing women's wear I've featured here, they have active-wear, men's and kids/baby gear.

PS - don't forget to enter my giveaway!





Friday faves - silky

What a nice short week this was...happy Friday all!

I am loving silk blouses into fall...they look so good with structured pants and skirts for work. I was able to pick a casual one up in Chicago this past weekend, but am still looking for more to add to my office options. Here are some pretties:



Wyatt via Bluefly

Classiques Entier - via Nordstrom

Theyskens Theory via Net-a-Porter

via Pinterest

via Victoria's Secret

via La Garconne

via Express

Diane von Furstenberg - via Nordstrom

Friday faves - back to school

Thanks everyone for your comments on my painting question! Keep those comments coming...

How excited is everyone for the long weekend?  Ahhhhh back to school...As much as I love love love summer, I am a huge nerd and always loved back to school. New backpack, new clothes, new shoes (indoor AND outdoor), new hair cut, new pencil crayons. I always loved the "new" ness of the new school year. Even though I am no longer in school I still relate to that good old back to school feeling...happy September, all :)



via

Remember when you had to wrap all your text books in paper bags?? I love the stamps on these ones - via Pinterest

If I was wayyyy cooler in high school or uni this is the bag I could picture myself carrying - via

Using that bag as inspiration, here's a sweet back to school outfit - via Polyvore

I hope that everyone has a fabulous long weekend!

What to wear?

Saturday is the big Canadian Design Bloggers Meet-up in Toronto (will you be there?).

via

Tommy Smythe from Sarah101 / Sarah's House will be the keynote speaker - amazing. I find him entertaining on the shows and am looking forward to hearing him speak / meeting him. I read we are to have business cards for this event - such a great idea, but so little time. Hopefully I can pull something together for that.

Something I will need to pull together regardless of time is an outfit - what to wear to an event like this? A number of stylish, decor-minded people whose blogs I stalk (follower is just a nice word for stalker, let's get serious) will be there and this marks my first opportunity to mingle with these like minded people. I have to look my best.  Thoughts?  Basic black? Fun summer dress? Killer shoes?



via

I'll let you know what I decide - in the meantime, let me know if you will be attending and I hope to see you there!

Friday faves - Anthro

It's April now...full fledged spring must be around the corner!

I received an Anthropologie catalogue in the mail a little while ago and just got around to looking at it. While I tend to not buy much there because I'm not convinced of the quality of their clothes (for the price), it is fun to look at. Here are some of my faves:



I love the combination of these pieces.
Antilles Tank - also available in turquoise
Cinchona Cardigan

Canopy Lookout Dress - This just screams summer


Kingston Road Dress - picnic anyone?


I love the look of a gauzy white shirt on a hot day.
Fanning Button-up


Flights and Fancy dinnerware


Glasswing Duvet Cover