DIY - SPOTTED CAMERA STRAP

I recently got one of those Fuji Film Instax cameras to replace my reallllly old polaroid camera.  I ran out of polaroid film, and it is just way too expensive to get more.  So far I'm really into my Fiji Film camera, I got the wide one so its more the same size as a polaroid then the small Fuji Film Instax.  I'm really excited to start using it more! Instant cameras are perfect for traveling and beach days!  So since I have a new camera, obviously I need a new camera strap.

Here's how I made a spotted camera strap!

What you will need:

- 1 yard of canvas ribbon (1.25 inches thick)

- 2 swivel hooks

- scisors 

- black paint

- paint brush

- sewing machine and thread (or you can hand sew)

- clear nail polish

- You may not need this one, but I also used two key hooks to attached the strap

How to make the camera strap:

Paint the strap in random spots and let dry.

Fold each end up 2 inches then cut a little triangle off the edges.

Slide on the swivel hooks then pin the strap ends to prepare for sewing.

Sew! (Don't mind my really awful sewing, I'm working on it.)

Finish off your camera strap by painting all the cut edges with clear nail polish so they wont fray.  Let the nail polish dry.  Attach the strap to your camera and take tons of pictures!

SHOPPING - THE ANTIQUES GARAGE

Right around the time I moved to NYC the Brooklyn Flea started in Williamsburg and has been by go to flea market in the city until now.  During the last ComicCon (my bf is obsessed) we walked through the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market on our way to the Jacob Javits Center.  Ever since, I have been obsessed.  Its a great flea market with reasonable prices for NY!

The Hell's Kitchen Flea Market is also associated with another flea market on 25th street and The Antiques Garage on 25th street.  I went to The Antiques Garage this past weekend and woah, its awesome! It has tons of vintage jewelry, home goods, and a bunch of other stuff too.  I walked away with a pretty cool set of mounted antlers!

Once its warmer outside, I'm sure I'll be going to all three locations pretty regularly.  If you are planning on visiting any of these flea markets, check out their website here.

DIY - MIXED METAL PETER PAN NECKLACE

Earlier this week my boyfriend suggested that I should go out with my friends this weekend while he is at work.  Although he was really trying to be nice, it made me realize what a home body I have become.  I have always preferred to stay in with a good movie and good company on weekends than go out partying (not to say I'm super lame and don't socialize), but during winter, there isn't much that I will go out in the cold for.  So in preparation for attempting to "go out" this weekend, I made a new necklace!  This one is super simple and shouldn't take more than 10 minutes!

What you will need:
- 17 inches gold chain
- 13 inches silver chain
- gold and silver jump rings
- gold clasp
- chain cutters
- jewelry pliers

Attach a gold jump ring to one end of the gold chain.  Attach a gold jump ring and a gold clasp to the other end of the gold chain.

Cut the silver chain into two equal pieces.

Attached the silver chains to the gold chain in the middle and on the sides with silver jump rings to create the peter pan collar.

Finished! 

FOOD - TRIPLE CHOCOLATE COOKIES

I never get it when people say they don't like chocolate, because honestly, I can't think of anything that makes it bad.  So if you are like me and lovvve chocolate, makes these cookies!

Ingredients: 

- 1 cup butter (2 sticks)

- 1 cup white sugar

- 3/4 cup dark brown sugar

- 2 large eggs

- 1 tsp vanilla extract

- 1 1/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder

- 1 3/4 cups flour

- 2 tsp baking soda

- 1/2 tsp salt

- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

- 1 cup white chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Cream the butter and sugar.  Add the eggs and vanilla.  In a separate bowl, sift together the dry ingredients.  Combine the wet and dry ingredients.  Bake for 7-9 mins.  Make sure to take these out while the look a little undercooked so they do not get dense and hard.

DIY - GOLD HEART LAPTOP BAG

For Christmas this year, my boyfriend got me a new sewing machine!  I haven't sewn anything for a while, so I decided to start with something mildly simple.  I made myself a new laptop bag with a huge gold heart!!!

Things you will need:

- sewing machine

- 1/2 yd canvas or material for outside of bag

- 1/2 yd thin material for inside (I used an olive green one I had lying around)

- 1/2 felt 

- rotary cutter

- scissors

- heavy duty threat

- magnetic snap 

- gold paint, paint brush

- pen and paper 

- straight pins 

- measuring tape 

Measure out your laptop and cut all three fabrics with the rotary cutter. (This the first time I have used a rotary cutter and it is the best thing ever, it made fabric cutting so much easier). I have a 13" MacBook, so I cut my fabric 28 inches x 15.5 inches. Then mark the center of the fabric on one short end and draw point of the flap 2 inches down.

Fold all three fabrics up 10.5 inches and sew the sides to create the pocket for the laptop.  Sew the top flap.  (My finishing skills are not that great, but its just for me so I didn't worry too much about it.)

Add the magnetic snap. 

Draw a heart on a piece of paper, cut it out and trace onto the non-flap side of the bag.

Paint on the heart and let dry.

Finished!

(I think I'll make a smaller version with a pattern for my Kindle soon!)

TRAVEL: HAWAII - DECEMBER 2012

I was raised in Hawaii and moved away when I was 18 to got to college in New York City.  At the time, I hated Hawaii and was so ready to leave, but now I love going home to visit and redevelop my appreciation for the culture and especially the food.  While home for Christmas I visited a few of my favorite spots and some new ones!

Cromwells Beach (near Diamond Head)

Sweet E's Cafe: I love the Kalua Pork Eggs Benedict

Zippy's: Great plate lunches and open 24 hours

Hank's Haute Dogs: featured on Guy Fieri's show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

(I had the Hawaii Dog)

Some of my other favorites in Hawaii

Pictured above: Check out the street art, eat some shave ice, jump off the rock at Waimea Bay, explore more beaches (this one is Sunset beach on the North Shore), hike Manoa Falls (some parts of Jurassic Park were filmed there), hang out with family (thats my sister and me), eat at Angelo Pietro (super delicious Italian/Japanese cuisine), eat an Acai Bowl, spend the day in Lanikai, go parasailing!

And don't forget to try a Spam musubi!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Here's to 2013!!! I have had a pretty awesome 2012 and I think 2013 will be even better! In 2012 I started graduate school, adopted the best cat ever, and moved in with my amazing boyfriend.

I usually don't make new years resolution, but this year I am going to make some new years goals.  So here we go!

Kaylee's 2013 New Years Goals

- Up my blogging game, and post at least 1-2 times a week

- Keep fresh fruits and veggies in my apartment at all times and incorporate them into more meals

- Keep up with the books in my book club