DIY bejewelled flip flops

20 March 2013

I originally bought a pair of five dollar flip flops so I could make these.

But then I realized that fickle me would take forever to find the perfect fabric to match the flip flops. So in the end, I just decided to go with something simpler (in terms of having to make fewer decisions, haha) and bejewelled my flip flops.

I didn’t photograph the entire process but it’s quite straightforward, really.

Supplies:

Glue gun (or UHU glue)
Glue sticks for your glue gun
Newspaper (so the glue doesn’t drip onto your work surface)
Inexpensive flip flops
Jewels (I got these from my local sewing store. And if jewels are too loud for you, you can try beads or buttons.)

Steps:

Turn on the glue gun and allow time for it to heat up (mine took about five minutes).
While waiting, decide on the placement of the jewels on your flip flops.
Working quickly, apply glue on the flip flop and adhere the jewel (be careful of your fingers as you do that because the glue is hot!)
Wait for the glue to dry.
And violá! You’re all ready to show off your pretty new flip flops!

Note: I found the jewels loosening and falling off after a couple days, which I wasn’t counting on happening since I thought the glue gun would help them hold pretty well. But I just re-attached them with UHU liquid glue, which may be a better option for this project.

I still think the original idea was really cute. Maybe I’ll try it someday when I find the perfect fabric and some inexpensive flip flops. I think I’m well-prepared for springtime and warm weather with my bejewelled flip flops and mint green nails (: My feet are definitely comfy and happy in these flip flops.

Redeeming the time

18 March 2013

March – three months into 2013 and almost ending the first quarter of this year.

While I’m still working on my goals + new year’s resolutions for 2013, I’m ready to make some big changes around here to my schedule/routine/priorities.

Source: juicycouture.tumblr.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Right now, simplify is the name of the game. And while this means that my Project Life album is still waiting to get started on, and this self-professed list-maker is choosing not to participate in 52 lists for now, I’m really hoping to slowly add all these fun stuff back as I increase productivity and still have time for everything that is important.

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I’m excited to make these changes and see where things will go.
So here we go – let’s do this.

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us — yes, establish the work of our hands.”
– Psalm 90:17

21 recipes // salted fudge brownies

16 March 2013

Slowly, but surely, I’m catching up on all these overdue posts.

I made these salted fudge brownies at the end of February. I am no bake-expert, but I am quite convinced that the secret to a good fudgy moist brownie is melting the chocolate and mixing it in the batter. Seriously good.

I may have been a little too stingy with the sea salt, but these remind me of another fudgy brownie recipe that I constantly go back to.

Forgive me that mine don’t quite look like the original post but we were in a hurry to start eating so this will have to suffice. And we had ours with roasted almond ice-cream – a really yummy way to end dinner.

You can follow the link and drool over these delicious brownies (:

11 down, 10 to go.

21 projects / DIY ring holder

13 March 2013

I was looking for DIY projects for the 21 list when I stumbled across this DIY ring holder. While I’m really not a big ring wearer, I immediately thought of my friend who was. Funny thing was that she was just telling me the other day that she needed a way to store her ring collection. So this was pretty perfect (:

I just followed the comprehensive instructions on this super easy DIY and it came together in a flash.

I covered a box with patterned paper just to pretty it up and covered the edges with washi tape. The only step I skipped from the original DIY was covering the felt with additional lace or cloth after rolling the felt and gluing them together.

(This is proof of how many rings I have, and even fewer that I actually wear, ha.)

And my sweet friend so kindly sent me a photo of all her rings displayed so nicely in the box.

Easy, practical DIYs are always a plus, for sure.
2 down, 19 to go.

Right now // Tuesday

12 March 2013

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Excited that it’s Spring Break this week!

Planning and making lists of everything I want to accomplish this week.

Hoping that this week is as productive as I want it to be.

Reminding myself to be realistic.

Remembering to be calm + steady.

Choosing to just do my best + trust Him for the rest!

Looking for ideas + inspiration.

Needing to work harder on getting things on the 21 list done.

—

What you do every day matters more than what you do every once in awhile.

Lots on my mind and plenty to do this week!
I hope your week is amazingggg (:

Hello, March

8 March 2013

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We’re already over a week into March, so I guess this is a little late.

Nevertheless, hello to the end of the first quarter of this year. Hello, sunshine and warmer weather. Hello to celebrating plenty of birthdays of friends. Hello, spring break. Hello, school. Hello, running + routine, and persevering with New Year Resolutions.

Hello, March. I’m gonna make you a good one.

Right now // Thursday

28 February 2013

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Hardly believing that it is already March tomorrow. (I’m pretty sure this thought occurs every month.)

Thinking of all the things I’m thankful for this week. Like family and friends and God-things.

Reminding myself that busy is good.

Learning to make the most of every moment, regardless of how busy things may be.

Working against hard deadlines for school and trying not to stress/panic/freak out. #breathe

Looking forward to having the whole family together and spending time again this weekend.

Trying to focus and re-order my life so things are as productive + efficient as they can be.

Choosing to have right priorities + not be overwhelmed by everything.

Needing to trust + pray more, and worry less.

Committing to give my 100% in everything I do.

Embracing wherever God has placed me now.

Being open to whatever God is/will be doing.

—

You have no idea what you’re capable of until you try.

What a week it’s been so far.
Happy Thursday! xx.

Note to self.

21 February 2013

Pinned Image

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I am really needing to be reminded of this this week.

So as the week draws to a close and the weekend approaches, I’m counting all my blessings, choosing to let my faith be bigger than my fears, and anticipating getting some rest this weekend.

I hope your week’s been good! xx.

Of love and Valentine’s.

14 February 2013

Source: sisterssuitcaseblog.com via Amelia on Pinterest

Things have been really busy around here with the first few days of Chinese New Year just past. So there’s hardly time to get into the Valentine’s Day mood. I even have a Pinterest board dedicated to all things Valentine’s, which I didn’t have any time to look at. Maybe next year I’ll get to do/make some fun stuff.

But really, love is for every day of the year so I’m just rolling along with it. This Valentine’s Day, I’ll be spending lots of time with the people I love most and getting ready for a new season of life around here. And each Valentine’s Day, I’m reminded of my God who loves me beyond measure, more than any other could.

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”
– Jeremiah 31:3

Enjoy today!

Right now: Saturday

9 February 2013

Excited that this weekend kick-starts all the Lunar New Year celebrations.

Not looking forward to what comes after these next few days but it’s all good.

Feeling guilty that I didn’t go running at all this week because it rained every single day I’d planned to go.

Eating way too many Chinese New Year goodies, but promising myself that I will go running this coming week.

Reminding myself to cherish and enjoy all the moments of the next few days.

Loving being 100% Chinese + all our (family) traditions.

Planning new things for this space (stay tuned!).

Thankful for how good God is – in all things.

—

Enjoy your long weekend!
Have a happy Chinese New Year, full of God’s goodness and blessings (: