A Purse Makeover and a BAD Dog

Hey Everyone!
I've got some exciting stuff going on around here that I'll share with you all in a couple of weeks, but in the meantime I had to share a little purse project I've been experimenting with.

I picked up an old prom purse from GoodWill over the summer for a buck, thinking I might try my hand at re-making purses. It looked something like this:

But that isn't it because I forgot to take the before picture! On mine the bow was smaller and centered, and there was a l-o-o-o-ong shoelace strap. First thing I did when I got it home was to cut those off. Then it sat in my pile of  "stuff" for about a month while I looked for a funky fabric to recover it. I found one I liked at Joanne's and had a 50% off coupon, so the 1/2 yard I got (because I'm paranoid) cost around $5.

Here it is after I added the new fabric on the ends. I used Elmer's spray adhesive to attach the new fabric, which was a HUGE mess! Fortunately I pretty quickly figured out that nail polish remover takes off any over-spray because the inside of the purse was positively sticky when I was done!
But when I finished recovering it, it looked pretty cute!

Front:

 Back:

I even managed a finished surround around the snap! (Thanks for those instructions, Ma!) Though you may also notice that sewing in straight lines is not my forte...

I was pretty pleased, as you might be able to tell from the number of photos I took! I imagined a cute blue beaded tassel, and maybe a larger blue beaded strap just large enough to loop it over the shoulder, and what a cute piece that would be!
So it sat up on my mantle for awhile while I hunted around for beads and hardware for the strap, which I finally found yesterday. I relocated it all to the coffee table so that after breakfast this morning (while watching the Nate Berkus show!) I could finish my clutch and maybe even take it on an upcoming trip!

BUT THEN!.... OOoooohhhhhh, but THEN!!!!

I came down the stairs this morning to this horror!

 Ok, I didn't find the dog looking contrite like this, but he got that way pretty quickly once the screaming started!

And it's not even like he just pulled the fabric off and I could use the excess to redo it- he ATE a third of the damned purse!!! Of course, it's hard to work myself up into a real lather about it since I'd sunk less than $10 and three hours into the project, but how OBNOXIOUS!!!

I'm thinking about punishing him by making him wear a dunce cap.

Ha ha! It would certainly put me in a better mood- he HATES hats!! : )

The Real Manors

Well, I like to pretend.... but if you want to see some gorgeous actual manors (that you can rent!), go check out this post that Greet over at Belgian Pearls put together. Absolutely dreamy! And a good source of decor inspiration, too!

The Bang

Hey All!
The other day I got a good Groupon for a salon near me that I hadn't tried yet. It was for a cut and single process color for just under the price I normally pay for a haircut. I figured, why not? I haven't had my hair professionally colored since the "Great Pumpkin" incident of '97 (don't ask!), but I figured with fall coming up it was a good time for a change from the highlights (they weren't looking very good with my winter-white skin!)
I also have been riding that retro feeling for awhile now, and I knew I wanted something a little more polished in a cut, but something still sexy. Which led me to the question: to bang, or not to bang? I knew I didn't want that long in-your-eyes fringe that's all the rage right now. I've had that before and it drives me crazy and frankly doesn't look very good. So... maybe something a little more Bettie Page,

 

 or Audrey Hepburn?

 Well, I still hadn't made up my mind by the time I got to the salon, but the stylist was really wonderful about helping me choose the right color, and then helping me decide on the fringe issue.

So here I was before: (Though it was never this styled!)

And here's the after:

And pulled half back:

I kind of love it! It's SO different from what it has been in a long time that I keep startling myself in the mirror! Of course now I'm back trying to re-figure my makeup and clothing so it makes sense with the new dramatic do... oh the things women have to deal with!
Happy Fall!

Oh, and if you're in my area and want to check out where the magic happened: Allure Hair Spa in Northborough , MA.

Cool Style Quiz

Hey Guys!
I know some people hate these quizzes, if you're one of those people you might want to excuse yourself now! (But come back later, I'll have more on things like mascara and DIY projects soon!)
Well Meg over at Pigtown Design pointed us, her gentle readers, toward a fun style quiz. Check out what your style might be here!
My results:

Results: You most resemble a "Bespoke Classic".

Details...

Center hall, formal dining, stately living. Your kitchen is your prize. Decorative, finished… elegant. Resort, retreat, getaway - all inside your bedroom. Players have their exits and entrances… your home the stage. Your relaxed table atmosphere is enjoyed by everyone. Your 3rd coffee and just beginning to be productive. Pre-war, upper east side attitude. Always intriguing, never clumsy. .

Suspected "Bespoke Classic"

- Princess Diana
- Fred Astaire
- Ralph Lauren
Love it!!
: )