Friday’s Fab Finds: DIY Necklaces

Happy Friday! Or should I say, Harry Potter Day? How many of you were up at midnight to see the last Harry Potter movie? I’m going tonight with my husband and I’m really excited, although a bit sad. I grew up with Harry Potter. I read all the books, I saw all the movies. I kind of feel like I grew up with the characters. Does that make me a total nerd? Yes? Okay, let’s move on to something that will redeem myself, DIY necklaces!

I know, here I go again with the DIY stuff. Don’t worry, I don’t plan on attempting these. (The chandelier is still something I plan on tackling, don’t worry). While I was perusing the web for DIY projects (for an upcoming wedding) I stumbled across these incredible DIY statement necklaces and knew I had to post about them. Making a statement necklace, for your bridesmaids or for you, is not a small feat. However, they are very do-able (from my standards, that says something) and very budget friendly, all you need to do is hit up your local crafts store! Plus, wouldn’t this make a really sweet gift for your girls?

DIY Ribbon Necklace

• This is one of my favorite tutorials because it’s easy and the end product is absolutely stunning. It looks like something you’d find at JCREW! This statement necklace would be gorgeous paired with a navy bridesmaid dress, don’t you think? For the complete project, check out Ink & Button’s post on Ruffled!

Pearl & Ruffle Necklace

• I absolutely love this one because it looks EXACTLY like a necklace I bought from Anne Taylor. I love the vintage flair and the elegant ribbon tie. This would be a gorgeous necklace to wear as the bride! (And imagine the faces of your guests when you said you did it yourself!) For the tutorial, check out Refinery 29!

Rosette & Pearl Necklace

• I love, love, LOVE long necklaces, especially when they are paired with rosettes. I mean, pearls and rosettes are the way to my heart, remember? This would be stunning paired with a vintage & lace strapless gown & a rosette headpiece. I think I’ll wear it to my vow renewal 🙂 Check out Mrs. Priss for the whole step-by-step!

After looking at how easy these are, I may have to try one on my own. Or, who am I kidding, just buy one from the amazing talented women mentioned above.

Wednesday Wedding Wonders: Stella & Dot

I have a few things to knock out of the park today. One of them being thank you cards. I am setting aside AT LEAST an hour today to really plow through them. But before I get started on that, I just have to share my newest obsession. Stella and Dot.

[Image via]

I have spent hours on this site, oogling and drooling over every little piece of gorgeous jewelry. They take statement necklaces to a whole new level. And for that? I’m eternally grateful. Instead of just showing off my favorite pieces (that I’ll happily eat ramen for a month to afford) I thought I’d try something different. Like, build a wedding off a few of their most stunning pieces! Most brides find their inspiration for the big day from their dress, their theme or their venue, but not usually their jewelry. But when I see these pieces, inspiration takes over my brain, taking me everywhere from the dress, to the shoes to the centerpieces. So brides, why not try something new? Get a fabulous necklace and build around that?

Wedding Day Necklace Tips by Erin of Sparkle and Hay

I don’t know what to say about Erin. All I know is that without this girl, I would be completely lost. She has been such an incredible source of inspiration and friendship, I’m  just so blessed to “know” her. Thank you Erin for posting while I’m honeymooning!

Hi Realistic Brides!  Erin from Sparkle & Hay here and I am so, So, SO thrilled to be guest blogging for the sweetest sweetheart of them all Miss Claire as she is basking in all of her lovely newly-wedded glow.  Claire & I “met” nearly a year ago, at the time both brides to be in the midst of our wedding plans, and it has been so much fun and such a pleasure sharing our journeys and I am beyond excited that Claire’s big day has finally come (and now already dying to see the photos!)

For me, one of the most fun things about a wedding is seeing how a couple infuses their personality into it – from the décor to the food to the ceremony to their fashion/style.  I’m going to focus on the latter in this post – and am dedicating it to one of the most iconic accessories of all time (particularly for weddings) PEARLS.  Whether traditional or alternative, pearls are a mainstay in the wedding industry and I just love, love, love seeing a bride walk down the aisle in her pearls.

Perhaps they are a dainty strand, a family heirloom, your “something borrowed”or “something old”…

perhaps they are modern; colored,funky & chunky and making a statement…

(landlockedbride)

or a boho-chic cluster, layered or coupled with other stones …

I love their versatility and ability to morph to fit into every (should she want it) girls wedding dreams.  I also LOVE how available they are (mostly the costume variety).  So inspired, I did a little search for pearl projects this morning and discovered this AHmazing & simple tutorial by PS I Made This for how to make a chunky accent necklace!

Takin’ it back…to the 30’s.

I’m very excited about my theme. Like, smiling right now, giddy butterflies inside excited.  I knew when it came to my wedding, I wanted something traditional but with a fun, elegant twist. After doing extensive reasearch, I fell in love with the vintage-inspired theme.  There’s just something so classic, elegant, unique and…well, me, about it. After a bit of a crisis, “My bridesmaid dresses don’t fit this theme, I’m going to have to change everything, nothing will match..I have no idea what i’m doing!”, my coordinator reminded me of one very important thing pertaining to my wedding. A theme is just a theme, it needs to fit you and your personality, not the other way around.  I think I was meant for a vintage wedding even before I started researching because my fiance, not even meaning to, picked out a ring that has such an amazing vintage vibe!  So below are a few inspirational photos I’m using to design my perfect vintage wedding. 

MY RING!! My fiance did such an amazing job. And the cushion set diamond and oranate filigree gives this ring a vintage flair!

Easy, DIY signs! All you need is some wood, paint and your imagination!

I’ve never been a bird person, but I simply love this idea. It’s not only creative, it’s cheap, DIY and very vintage!

Since we are having an evening wedding, lanterns on the trees will add elegance to the night sky. I also love the idea of using old mason jars. [Must be the southern girl in me!] Another DIY, cheap project!

I really wasn’t into the all white floral design until my coordinator showed me some photos. Now I’m obsessed! There’s something so elegant, classic and beautiful about an all white display. You can spice it up by adding a few statement flowers or a bright sash!

I’m obsessed with statement jewelry and you better believe I’ll be wearing a bold necklace on my wedding day! I love the diamond, pearl, big flower design of this necklace. I might actually buy it right now!  For necklaces like this one, visit Magpie Vintage.

I’m obsessed with this cake! I love the black and white design, the little splashes of red and the big bow on top! For our wedding, we would probably forgo the bow for some fresh flowers!

Minus the red, which isn’t my taste, I love the candlestick & floral centerpiece idea! The pewter candlesticks add a vintage vibe while the flowers keep it elegant and beautiful.

I think these are probably the cutest cookies I’ve ever seen! Even though the cost per cookie of these range from 3-6 dollars, it might be worth a splurge to have a batch on our sweets bar!

These are just a few of my favorite vintage inspiration pieces! I’ll continue to share any ah-ha! pieces I find and hope you all can do the same!