Designer inspired Lucite clutch

Tuesday, December 30, 2014



Kate Spade clutch
Designer Inspired Bag- Kate Spade NY


DIY version of the Kate Spade Bag

It is almost the New Year and I was so inspired by this gorgeous Kate Spade Clutch that I had to find a way to recreate it, without spending a lot of money!  Since I had a little bit left on my Hobby lobby gift card I figured this would be a perfect project!  So here is my DIY!


What you need:
2 5x7" acrylic frames (or the size you want for your clutch)
1 set of hinges(mine are from Michaels 1.99, and half off)
1 clasp (from Hobby Lobby 1.99 for 2-3)
1 drawer pull (optional) (hobby lobby 5.99 and half off)
glitter Paper (from any craft store)
sticker Letters (similar)
hot glue gun
scissors
pen/pencil/sharpie
drill
small screw driver
dremmel (optional)
modpodge (optional)
Spray paint in a metallic finish (optional)



Also note that with all items on sale this costs under 15.00 to make!!!  such a steal compared to the real deal!


Step 1
Make sure you have all your materials.  I spray painted all my hardware so that it would be the same color but this is totally optional.  Mine were different colors.  Next open the frames and remove the cardboard insert, discard, but make sure you save the inside picture to use as a template for the interior lining of glitter paper.




Step 2
Using the fake photo that came in the frame as a template trace out your lining paper, measure all the sides and cut those out. note: i did this step last but should have done it second.  You can do this step a few ways coat the interior with modpodge and secure the lining to the inside of the box, making sure the design is facing the frame so you can see it.  I just glued the corners of my box to hold the paper in place creating a seam and its worked well so far.
fake photo and the paper I wanted to line my clutch with



trace the photo insert




Step 3
Take the hinges and line them up on the bottom of your boxes.  Once in the desired location mark the screw holes with a sharpie so you know where to drill them.



Step 4
Drill the holes with a drill to the appropriate size.  This will depend on how large your screws are, you will also want to be careful not to crack the frames as they are pretty thin.

I made Ryan drill the holes


Step 5
once the holes are in start to screw in the screws to attach the hinge.  I did one side at a time and had to re drill a few holes since they didn't line up perfect.  Once finished with one side move on to the next side so that the two frames end up being held together by the hinge.

I forgot to photograph this step, but here is the same step but applied to the clasp for the top


Step 6
Next I measured the top of my box and found the middle.  marked it with a small dot and placed the clasp in my desired location.  Once in place I took my sharpie and marked the holes.  I drilled the holes with a drill just like in the previous step, and attached the screws.  Once I got one side done, I realigned it so that it matched up with the other part of the clasp, marked the holes, drilled, and attached the screws making sure the clasp was secured.  I played around with the clasp to ensure it would open and close properly.


Step 7
Drill a hole on one side of the top, I centered mine with the clasp and attached the knob.  My nob came with a washer that made attaching it pretty easy.

Forgot to photograph this step as well, but here is the clutch without any of the paper lining if you like just the lucite look, also you can see the screws that have yet to be trimmed in step 8


Step 8
Once finished you have your clutch, since my screws were protruding on the inside a bit I used a dremmel to cut them down, another option would be to line your box with felt or cover the screws with a dollop of hot glue to cover the sharp points, and add some additional security.

Step 9
Add your stickers to the outside and you are done!


- You can also leave the clutch clear for a more modern look, or attach a strap for a cross body.
Let me know if you have any questions/comments.  In all it took me about 2 hours between the painting and drilling, and I just love the result.  Cant wait to show more pics from New Year's Eve!!






Love Always,
Amelia B.

NYE

Sunday, December 28, 2014

I am almost a month in on this NO SHOPPING gig and luckily Christmas came at the perfect time.  My boyfriend did an amazing job taking mental notes of my ever growing wish list.  I have been talking about and sending not so subtle hints to him for months now about this H&M sequin set, In my mind it was what I wanted to wear for NYE.  Right before Christmas we had firmed up our NYE plans with our favorite couple friends and I was just racking my brain with what I would wear for the occasion.  I took to pinterest and started looking for inspiration, I have so many cute sequin ideas, but just could never find something I was in love with, so imagine how excited I was to unwrap a sequin top and skirt!!

Now for the outfit planning...I had the main part but just needed to accessorize.  I went to polyvore and played around on their outfit creator.  I tried to uses items that I have or are similar to what I have in my closet, and I am super pleased with what I came up with.  What do you think?  Its glam and girly, now if only I had a super cute Kate Spade Clutch...don't worry I have a DIY for that coming soon!



NYE


H M midi skirt
$39 - hm.com



Kate spade purse
renttherunway.com


Kendra scott earrings
neimanmarcus.com


Party hat
partycity.com


Nars cosmetic
net-a-porter.com


Deborah Lippmann glitter nail polish
gilt.com



Love Always,

Amelia B.


A Year without Shopping

Monday, December 22, 2014

Yes you read right, a year, that is 365 days without buying clothes, shoes or accessories, NO SHOPPING.  May the good Lord help me.

I have decided to jump on this trend for several reasons.  The main one is that I want to prove to myself that I can do this, that I don't always have to go running to the mall every time I have a new event pop up on my calendar or buy something just because it's trendy.  I use shopping as a crutch, a way to feel better about something, maybe it's a bad day at work or to reward myself for doing something good.  I get instant gratification from scoring an awesome find or good deal, which can be dangerous if you continue the habit.  I have taken a good hard look at where I am financially and I am not happy with the end result.  My savings are not where they could be and even though I have 3 huge closets full of beautiful clothes, what will that get me.  Can I use them as a down payment on a house, to travel somewhere fun, plan a wedding (if I get engaged that is), etc.  No they cannot, they cannot help me in my career unless I am making a career change then maybe, but what I am getting at is it is time for me to grow up and start being an adult and that means making drastic decisions to get to my end goal.

What sparked the decision:
The other day I was looking for a sequin dress to wear to a friends birthday outing.  I had to have something new..which looking back wasn't necessarily true.  Her theme was sequins and sparkle so I searched everywhere for something.  I settled on this pretty Forever 21 dress, now I got it 20% off and an additional 10.00 off  making it around $17.00 so not a major splurge, but after I got home I wasn't 100% sure.  Then I found this gorgeous rose colored sequin midi dress from French connection at TJ Maxx for 49.99 original price $448.00, and I had a gift card for 50.00 that I won from this instagram post... so it still didn't cost me anything.  But when I got home I looked through my dress closet to see that I had a beautiful Anthropologie sequin top dress with tags on it still, a sequin romper with tags, and a few other sequin dresses...so you get where I am at, I didn't need another one.  That got me thinking that I have so many things in my closet I have worn once or haven't at all.  So I decided on December 4, 2014 I would not shop for a year.  Part of me wishes I would have prepared for this and let myself have till the end of December but then again I think going cold turkey is the best for me...well with a few exceptions.  I can use gift cards that are given to me, I can buy for others such as holiday gifts, and if something needs replacing then I can replace it, but it has to be in bad shape.  I am making Ryan keep me honest, so he has to OK the replacement.  There is one last exception I have granted myself and that is a Dress or outfit for my Birthday, because this will be the big 3-0!  And I know what I want to wear for it, so I will watch it like a hawk and if it goes on sale maybe a special someone will buy it as a b-day gift..hint hint.  I really don't want to shop so I am going to try not to buy it myself but I am throwing that exception in, maybe its cheating maybe not but I am letting everyone know upfront..if you want to keep me honest (gift cards to Anthro please..haha JK, no but seriously)!

I plan to blog my journey and post my creative outfits that I come up with out of my own closet, and clothes I make.  I have an entire closet full of beautiful fabrics that I have never made anything out of so maybe this challenge with spark the creative in me.  What I find funny is that I am only 3 weeks in but I have seen a major difference.  For example my 2nd to last pay check of the year is much lighter than all my others because I have to pay taxes on my company car and it all comes out of one check!  Its a big deduction and right around the holidays when I could use a little extra cash.  Last year I was really hurting, but this year with not buying extra things for myself I have some extra funds left over and it feels so nice!  A little extra cushion for my savings and an added payment to my credit card!

I have seen several women do this and I was most inspired by an article I read on Yahoo, about a woman who's debt and shopping was getting out of control.  As I read her story I couldn't help but feel how easily she got to her worst, and how easy it could be me.  Ryan has been a huge factor, I want to start out together on the right foot and for me that is getting in the best financial shape I can.  Paying off debts getting the best credit possible and creating a cushy savings account for what have you.  This is only a small step in the right direction but I am really looking forward to this new year of not shopping!
I know I will need tons of support and prayers!  Has anyone else done this no shop thing?  Any advice, tricks, tips?

Love Always,
Amelia B.