GET CRAFTY DIY | NEW YEAR, NEW LOOK - MY BAR CART UPGRADE + IKEA HACK

HAPPY Friday, FASHIONABLE FRIENDS!

I HOPE EVERYONE IS HAVING A GREAT START TO 2018!  THE NEW YEAR, MY NEW HOME AND CITY HAVE INSPIRED ME TO CREATE A NEW LOOK WITH THIS SIMPLE DIY.

BACK IN 2013, SHORTLY AFTER MOVNIG BACK TO NYC, I POSTED MY IKEA HACK COFFEE AND BAR CART DIY FOR UNDER $30.  THAT POST HAS SINCE been pinned over 89K times, AND IS ONE OF MY MOST POPULAR POSTS TO DATE, WHO KNEW!

SEEING MY BAR CART POP UP ALL OVER PINTEREST, FROM THE US TO AUSTRALIA AND BEYOND, As WELL AS BEING SHARED ON BLOGS LIKE Style Motivation, DIY CRAFTS MOM AND MORE, HAS BEEN A TRUE HONOR.

So, YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT SEEING others TAKE MY IDEA, MAKE THEIR OWN AND POST THE RESULTS WAS BEYOND THRILLING, I LOVE AMBER'S FROM GLAM GIRL XO!

TODAY, I'M SHOWING YOU HOW I UPGRADED, UPDATED AND UPCYCLED THE LOOK I SHARED 5 years ago to CREATE A more CHIC, MODERN & ELEGANT PIECE for $15.

I USED A grey granite MARBLE vinyl ADHESIVE THAT SEAMLESSLY ROLLED OVER MY PREVIOUS CHEVRON PRINT WITH A FULLY OPAQUE FINISH SO NONE OF THE PREVIOUS LOOK SHOWED THROUGH UNDERNEATH.  

Although IKEA NO LONGER MAKES THE bygeL CART that I USED in MY original post, they HAVE SIMILAR ONES UNDER $30 THAT WOULD WORK GREAT, LIKE THE DRAGGAN oR SUNNERSTA CARTS.

HOWEVER, If you want to splurge, the GRUNDTAL CART is a beautiful option!

I NOW have the ALCOHOL AND MIXING INGREDIENTS from the old cart in A CHIC CABINET PLACED BESIDE IT AND USE THE CART ITSELF FOR MOST OF MY BAR GLASSES AND DECORATIVE ACCESSORIES.

HOPE THIS INSPIRES YOU TO GIVE SOMETHING YOU ALREADY OWN A BIT OF A MAKEOVER OR TO CREATE A NEW PIECE WITH YOUR OWN ADDED TOUCHES.

If IT DOES, PLEASE SHARE YOURS below, i'd love to see it! ❤ 

ABOVE LAYOUT CREATED BY LIESL EHARDT using product images.

BYGEL CART FROM IKEA SHOWN ABOVE.  UNFORTUNATELY, SINCE MY ORIGINAL POST WITH IT 5 YEARS AGO, THEY NO LONGER MAKE THIS PARTICULAR ONE.

SIMILAR ONES FROM IKEA FOR UNDER $30 - DRAGGAN AND SUNNERSTA CARTS.

| BEFORE | 

MY ORIGINAL COFFEE & BAR CART THAT I HAD IN MY NEW YORK CITY APARTMENT.

SEE DETAILS FROM MY OLD CART SHOWN ABOVE HERE.

| WHAT YOU NEED |

→  A PEN

→  A PAIR OF SISSORS

→  A BOX CUTTER OR X-ACTO KNIFE

→  GREY GRANITE MARBLE VINYL ADHESIVE: AMAZON = $15

⤷  BE SURE TO CUT THE VINYL LONGER THAN EACH SHELF SO YOU CAN WRAPE IT COMPLETELY OVER EACH SICE TO GIVE THE APPEARANCE OF A BLOCK OF MARBLE.

| AFTER | 

| STYLING DETAILS |

Bar SIGN: MARSHALLS = $12.99

GOLD CONFETTI CHAMPAGNE GLASSES: HOBBY LOBBY = $ | GOLD CONFETTI MARTINI GLASSES: HOBBY LOBBY = $ | GOLD CONFETTI TALL TUMBLERS BY ACME: THE BEHIVE (FAIRFIELD, CT) = GIFT | 500 ML GOLD ACCENTED LIGHT BULB GLASSES: amazon = $1.50 (each) | GOLD STAINLESS STEEL STRAWS BY JOYECO: AMAZON = $10.99 (4 STRAIGHT + 4 BENT)

MARTINI SHAKER: TJ MAXX = GIFT | SILVER METAL MARTINI GLASS: TJ MAXX = $2.99 |  'WINO' WINE BOTTLE SHAPED OPENER: SENSIBLE STYLE = $12 | 'CHEERS' COCKTAIL NAPKINS: RAIN LOONG NAPKIN STORE = $2.50 | WINE THEMED WINE GLASS CHARMS: SENSIBLE STYLE = $14 | GOLD STAINLESS STEEL STRAWS BY JOYECO: AMAZON = $10.99 (4 STRAIGHT + 4 BENT) | gold striped straws: AMAZON = $9.99 (PACK OF 100) | NAPKIN HOLDER: GIFT

GOLD UNICORN BOTTLE OPENER: TJ MAXX = $5.99 (same one sold at mod cloth |  GOLD DEER WINE STOPPER BY CYNTHIA ROWLEY: TJ MAXX = $9.99 (2 PACK, 1 SILVER + 1 GOLD) | GOLD CONFETTI COASTERS BY KATE SPADE: THE BEEHIVE (Fairfield, CT) = GIFT (same sold at bed bath & beyond) | GOLD DIPPED WINE BOTTLE HOLDER BY CANVAS : THE BEEHIVE (fairfield, ct) = GIFT

ALL OF THE ABOVE IMAGES BY LIESL EHARDT.

DESTINATION DENVER | CHAPTER 4 - NEW YEAR, NEW HOME

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!

i'm kicking the new year off with another installment of my destination denver travel diary series. 

my new apartment became mine last month, but my move-in is finally happening this week, and i'm ready to get tHis par-tay started!

sharing the updates below and looking forward to sharing each step along the way with you in 2018! ❤

|  CHAPTER 1  |  CHAPTER 2  |  CHAPTER 3  |

IMAGE BY: DEVON EHARDT SHELTON

LOCATION: ASPEN, CO - SUMMER 2016  |  DRESS: FOREVER 21

IMAGES BY: DEVON SHELTON

LOCATION: Albuquerque, nm - december 25, 2017

boots: target | LEGGING PANTS: FOREVER 21 | SWEATER: FOREVER 21 | JACKET: BOOKERPHILS | SUNGLASSES: LAUNDRY BY SHEILI SEGAL | SANTA COFFEE SLEEVE: GIFT

CHAPTER 4  |  NEW YEAR, NEW HOME

The new year is off to a fresh start on all fronts, and as January 6th, I'll be officially moved into my new home in Denver, CO.

This has been a long time coming. Yet, I believe waiting for an apartment, with the floor and finishes I wanted, to become available in the complex with which I fell in love, from afar a year ago online and then in person in October, was worth it.

Plus, it allowed me to spend the holidays with family, continue to grow my business and save money for the move.  Ultimately, giving me a finical cushion as I become acclimated and adjust to my new city and surroundings.

This Thursday, my truly awesome brother-in-law arrives to help me pack up the truck and make the 14 hour drive to Denver on Friday, and on Saturday, the move-in begins.

As much of an adjustment as it is going to be for me, I am beyond excited to decorate my new space, one of my true loves in life, and reflect my style in the layout and details to start my new chapter! Yay!

Something tells me that 2018 is going to be a fabulous year, and I can't wait to take you along on this journey with me!  I'll be doing lots of DIY Get Crafty posts and be sharing my affordable decor details with before and afters of each space, and I can't wait!

Let the adventure begin . . . 

GET CRAFTY DIY | $3 HOLIDAY HOME DECOR + GIFT IDEA - MATCHES FILLED ORNAMENT

HAPPY WEDNESDAY, EVERYONE!
I hope everyone in the u.s. had a safe and happy thanksgiving last week.
TURKEY ASIDE, IT's NOW TIME TO start PLAYING ChRISTMAS CAROLS, stringing TWINKLE LIGHTS, DECORAting AND HAVing SNOW FALL ON MY BLOG, OF COURSE!  
WHILE AT MY LOCAL DOLLAR TREE, PICKING UP SOME OF THEIR ADORABLE HOLIDAY STICKERS AND GIFT BAGS, I PASSED SOME LARGE, CLEAR PLASTIC ORNAMENTS. 
AT THAT MOMENT, THIS SUPER SIMPLE AND AFFORDABLE DIY THAT I'M SHARING WITH YOU TODAY WAS BORN, AND EVEN BETTER THE WHOLE PROJECT ONLY COSTS $3! 
I'M CURRENTLY USING IT AS A HOME DECOR PIECE, BUT IT WOULD MAKE A FUN AND USEFUL HOSTESS GIFT TO BRING TO A FRIEND'S GET TOGETHER, PARTY OR GIRL'S NIGHT OVER THE HOLIDAYS PAIRED WITH a COZY CANDLE. 
I SHARE A COUPLE ADDITIONAL, AFFORDABLE STYLING TIPS FOR THIS PROJECT BELOW, LIKE SPRAY PAINTING THE SILVER ORNAMENT TOPPER GOLD TO ADD A CHIC TOUCH THAT MATCHES THE STAND. HAPPY CRAFTING! ❤

ABOVE DIY IDEA AND LAYOUT CREATED BY LIESL EHARDT

USING IMAGES FROM THE DOLLAR TREE cited below

4" CLEAR PLASTIC CHRISTMAS BALL ORNAMENT DOLLAR TREE = $1 /PER UNIT
BOX OF 300 GREENLIGHT DIAMOND BRAND MATCHES DOLLAR TREE = $1 / PER UNIT
CLEAR GLASS 16 OZ. CANNING JAR WITH LID DOLLAR TREE = $1 / PER UNIT

|  HOW-TO CREATE IT STEP BY STEP  |

CLEAR GLASS 16 OZ. CANNING JAR WITH LID | dollar tree = $1

sEPARATE THE LID FROM THE JAR - YOU ONLY NEED THE gold ring part

of the jar FOR THIS PROJECT, which will act as the stand.

4" CLEAR PLASTIC CHRISTMAS BALL ORNAMENT | DOLLAR TREE = $1

REMOVE the silver ornament topper FROM the ornament.

BOX OF 300 GREENLIGHT DIAMOND BRAND MATCHES | dollar tree = $1

FILL THE ORNAMENT WITH MATCHES.

USE AS FEW OR AS MANY AS YOU LIKE TO GET YOUR DESIRED LOOK.

PLACE THE silver ORNAMENT TOPPER BACK ON the ornament.

there is a striking strip on each side of the matche's box sleeve.

slide the box sleeve off of the matches and cut out the striking stips.

you will get 2 large striking strips from each box sleeve.

cut one of the large striking strips in half.

PLACE GLUE ALONG THE INSIDE OF THE GOLD JAR TOP.*

* I USED ELMER'S FOR PICTURE PURPOSES BECAUSE MY HOT GLUE GUN IS PACKED AWAY FOR MY MOVE, BUT I HIGHLY RECOMMEND USING A HOT GLUE GUN FOR THIS PART

TO FILL THE RIDGES in completely AND HAVE IT SECURE ALMOST INSTANTLY.

LINE THE INSIDE OF THE JAR LID WITH THE 2 STRIKING STRIPS.

This becomes the way you can light the matches and is all part of the holiday decor, together in one place.

works beautifully and is hidden when you don't need it.

|  ADDITIONAL STYLing TIPS  |

➝  ADD A TOUCH OF RUST-OLEUM METALLIC GOLD SPRAY PAINT TO THE SILVER ORNAMENT TOPPER FOR A chic accent.
➝  FILL THE CHRISTMAS BALL ORNAMENT WITH A THIN STRING OF BATTERY OPERATED STARRY LIGHTS FOR A MAGICAL GLOW.
➝  OR FILL THE GLASS PART OF THE CANNING JAR, LEFTOVER FROM THIS PROJECT, WITH A THIN STRING OF BATTERY OPERATED STARRY LIGHTS.*
*(the jar IDEA was SUGGESTED BY DANIELLE ROBINSON FROM CLASS-Y COOKIES.)

USING ONE OF MY STYLE TIPS ABOVE,

I SPRAY PAINTED THE SILVER ORNAMENT TOPPER GOLD.

THIS TIES THE LOOK TOGETHER, BUT YOU CAN LEAVE IT

SILVER FOR A MIXED METALS LOOK.

DIY matches filled ornament - dollar tree = $3  |  champagne Gold SHIMMER christmas trees - target one spot = $1 - $3  |  Gold candle liner* - IKEA = $7.99 *(I used the lid from their njutning boxed candlES |  MINI THER-E-PE INDIAN CHAI SOY CANDLE - TJ MAXX = $3.99