My close friends know that when I'm into something, I'm really into it. As in, I'll care more about a little detail than anything else...at least for a while. When I got my new business cards a few weeks ago, I was dead set on having some that stood out. I purchased the thick, luxe edition business cards from Moo.com, but I wasn't crazy about the colors for the exterior edges that they offered. I have a deep love for cool business cards (think Brad Goreski's or these), so I wanted mine to stand out!

I decided to paint the edges myself since I didn't have the money for professionally painted ones and Moo.com's options weren't my favorites. I used this tutorial and they ended up great! I've received compliments on these every time I hand them out!

For this project, you'll need time to set the cards out, separately, to dry once they're done. Like the original post said, I left my cards over night and they all were perfectly dry by morning!

Otherwise, you'll need:

1. Two heavy duty clamps. I used what my dad had in his garage, but you can easily go to Home Depot or Lowes and get the exact same thing.
2. RISO paint. I used this vendor from Etsy and they were great! Don't let the fact that they're out of Japan scare you off - the paint was absolutely what I was looking for and they arrived a week or so after I ordered.
3. Some sort of painting sponge brush. I used one that we had from ages ago and it worked fine. A circular sponge brush may work better if you're looking to concentrate the paint more.
4. Your fine ass business cards! Need to be thick card stock, so if they're not then order some thick ones and get started!

To start, take a handful of your business cards and make sure that they're all perfectly even around the edges. I can't stress this enough! Take extra time, since it's key to not messing up any of the cards. Accept the fact that you will lose two cards - the bottom and top - in this DIY, since they will get paint on them. I know. It's sad.

Once you've got the cards squared away, put a clamp on one of the short edged sides, making sure not to move any of the cards. Once you've got that down, you're ready to begin!

Take the paint and put a dab bigger than you would expect onto a stack of paper. Don't put it directly on the sponge or the cards, since that will make it harder to evenly spread. Dab with the sponge and lightly dab the paint onto the cards to evenly distribute it. I tried painting stokes down the edges, and the paint came out streaky (just like the original DIY said...duh), so stick to dabbing and filling the paint in until it looks even. I also pressed down on each side with my fingers as I painted so that the paint wouldn't get between the cards.

Once you've done that to the three sides without a clamp, take your second clamp and clamp down the opposite side of the cards from where the original clamp is. When you do that, make sure not to touch the paint on its edges, as that will mess them up and you'll have to go back and paint again. Once you've clamped that side down, you can take the other clamp off and paint that side!

As for the waiting time, this is the least fun and most annoying part of the project. You just have to let the cards sit there. I did this project around 4:00 in the afternoon and left the cards in a bunch for around 20 minutes. Next, I took the clamp off and (carefully as I could) separated them individually onto sheets of paper to dry longer. I left them there for the night and in the morning my cards were dry and pretty!

I'm so happy I painted mine and I love the way they've turned out! I get compliments on them all the time, but it's such a simple project. The edges pop inside wallets or on the side of a table, so you really do see the work that was put in.

Let me know if you (have or will) paint your business cards! I'd love to see some!

Super easy succulent terrarium DIY

Remember this post where I basically complained about how awful I am at gardening? In some post-exam studying frustration (does anyone else get that?) I decided to do something about my non-green thumb and get some succulents. After looking up how easy it is to kill succulents (apparently not very?), I went down to my local gardening store and picked up these three. I'd like to say that I picked them out because they are visually appealing or that my research showed that they would live well together, but honestly it was because these are the three types that my store had. So there.

To make the terrarium I used a large glass bowl with an asymmetrical opening that I had from having tried a terrarium once before. Just FYI, my first terrarium didn't work because I tried to put in three different types of plants, which all needed varying amounts of water and sunlight. Duh, Emily.

There are a bunch of different how-to's online, but I went with Martha Stewart's succulent terrarium directions because I didn't have activated charcoal and had no idea where to get some.

All I bought was my three succulents, a small bag of sand, a small bag of gravel, and a large bag of desert potting soil. Since succulents are generally native to dry areas, you need that type of soil since it is better for water drainage. I wish that I could have found a small bag of it, because you don't need much, and now I have a massive bag of desert potting soil sitting in my laundry room. Luckily, the bag was only around $4, so I didn't waste much.

Ready for instructions?

1. Buy your NO MORE THAN THREE succulents, because seriously, you will underestimate how big they are (like I did), and you will struggle to get them to fit in the bowl (like I did). 
2. Pour in a two inch layer of gravel. I bought one little bag from Lowe's thinking that it would be enough (I was wrong), so my gravel layer is only about one inch thick, if that. Cross your fingers that it's fine! I would definitely buy more than you think you'll need.
3. Pour in a one inch layer of potting soil.
4. Next, put in your biggest succulent first. I put my biggest one in last and regretted it immediately. You may have to tear off the bottom part of its roots to get it to fit in, but dig it a little hole in the potting dirt and you should be fine.
5. Pour in another one inch layer of potting soil, then pat it around the succulent so that the soil is about level. (NOTE - this is where Martha and I differ. She said to put in a two inch layer of potting soil FIRST, then put in your succulents. I had a hard time moving around all of the soil after the first succulent, which is why I say to put only a bit, then put the rest in later.)
6. Put your next two succulents in, from largest to smallest. I'd suggest putting them as close to the sides of the glass as you can get, because you don't want them cramming up together.
7. Pour in a one inch layer of sand around the plants, but try not to get it on top of the actual plants. It will happen, but try to get it around them instead of straight up dumping the sand.
8. Take a straw and blow off the sand that is in/on the succulents so that they look prettier. I tried to do that and didn't do a great job, but I was also just ready to get it done.

Then you're done! After buying all the supplies, actually making the terrarium took about an hour for me, but that was due to the fact that I was doing it on my kitchen table and was worrying about getting debris all over my table and floors. Here's to hoping I've gained a green thumb through this whole experience!

DIY Dreaming

In a long list of things I'm too lazy to do, the majority of DIY projects are high on the list. Often times I find really fun projects on Pinterest and end up never getting around to them...because I have to do laundry, or there is a really important (fill in the blank) I have to get to. A few months ago I was given a set of end tables that double as storage units. They need just a bit of love and some spray paint. One of them has been in my bedroom for months, half spray painted. I think that speaks for itself.

But I think I have found the right types of projects for me. As in, not many steps, not many supplies, not much time taken, and relatively small. These are some of the projects that have caught my eye lately, and actually got me to start on a gallery wall that I've been wanting to do forever. Note I am in the process, and not "close to finishing." Baby steps, here.

What do y'all think? Are there any DIY projects y'all are trying?

custom glitter garland / bar cart garland / birch wood candle holder

gold dipped balloons / gold dipped vase 

IKEA dresser hack / gold polka dot napkins / gold painted mug

DIY To-Dos

Though it seems like I don't have time for anything much now besides school and work, one of my true loves is finding fun DIY projects on Pinterest. Everyone has heard about the chain + thread bracelet and the painted plant pots, but I'm hoping to get some major DIY crafting done over Thanksgiving and winter break!

Are there any DIY projects y'all are seriously eyeing? Here are some of mine!

Neon Rolling Book Tray

via Fargevandring

Dip-Dyed T-Shirt

via Wit & Whistle

Painted Mason Jars

via Kootut murut

PVC Clutch

via a pair and a spare

Chain Camera Strap

via a pair and a spare

Current Obsessions

Photos: Net-a-Porter, la casita, Pinterest, kate spade, Pinterest, Stitch Design Co., Pinterest, Pinterest

1. Like everyone else, I first saw this sweater on the Atlantic-Pacific blog. If that baby weren't $160, I would wear it, sleep in it, and sweat in it. It is, after all, still in the 80s here in SC
2. I pinned this photo a while back, but I never got around to actually doing the DIY. It looks so cute without being formal (or costing much!)
3. I'm a total nap person, and after a stressful week I can't wait for my nap time. As in like a two hour nap. I don't understand how people can "power nap." Like, what is that?
4. Kate Spade polka dot pumps. Nuff said.
5. I've been dying for a pair of strappy heels or wedges like these. I know Zara used to have some, but they're since sold out. Not that I have anywhere fancy to wear them to, but I could show off my minty green pedicure that I'm super proud of.
6. I'm obsessed with paper- particularly business cards. I love me some thick weight paper, foil, and letterpress. Give me all of the above and watch me keel over.
7. Also, I want a tattoo. Not a big one. Just a cute one. 
8. But am I cool enough for a tattoo? Another internal struggle to add to the list.