Happy New Years + Free Download

It's been awhile...as in almost five months, but I'm promise, I'm still here! I may have been slacking on the posts, but I've been reading yours! I promise to make Andrea Everyday a priority in 2014, complete with a new photographer and (much) more frequent posts!

To celebrate the new year, I've designed a wallpaper for your computer screen and iPhone. Feel free to download and enjoy...please credit back to www.andreaeveryday.com.

iPhone wallpaper

laptop wallpaper

Have a safe and fabulous New Year!

xoxo,

back to work shopping.

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As I mentioned last week, I'll be starting a new job this coming Monday...and the best part (okay not the best part, but it's still pretty awesome) is that I get to dress up again for work! I don't know about you ladies, but I really enjoy getting dressed up for work. I'd much rather put on a nice dress and heels instead of jeans and a t-shirt. When else do you get to show off all your amazing shopping finds?!?!

Here's a few of the things I've picked up in the past couple of weeks getting ready for my new job, or "back to work shopping" as I call it. Why should the kids in school have all the fun, right?!?

My favorite find above is #6. I'd been searching for a black pleated skirt for a long time, and found the perfect one at H&M...in the kids school uniforms!!! That's right...$9.95! Best. Deal. Ever.

Hope you're all having a great week!

xoxo,

diy: work-out tank top

Happy Monday!

So if you're ever on Pinterest I'm sure you've seen the DIY workout tank tops, and I thought I'd give it a shot myself over the weekend. I have so many race t-shirts that just don't fit the way I'd like (ie they're HUGE) and thought this might be a great way to get some use out of them. For this example, I decided to use a cute t-shirt I got in the kids department at Old Navy :)

This is a super easy DIY project...all you really need is a t-shirt, pencil, and a sharp pair of scissors!

First off, lay your shirt out on a flat surface and lightly draw a curved line where you'd like to cut the sleeves off your shirt. You can use an existing racer back tank as a pattern if you like, but I just decided to go for it!

Next, cut off both arms from the t-shirt, trying your best to make sure both sides are even.

You'll want to cut off the neck of the t-shirt next...and be sure to make the front lower than the back.

The next thing I did was cut off the bottom hem of the shirt (save this piece!)...then turn the shirt sideways to cut a small amount off the front of the shirt (see photo below). This will make the tank top fit better once you're done!

Taking the hem of the t-shirt that you saved, cut off about 8 inches, and tie this around the back of the tank, creating the "racer back" look. Make sure you tie a really tight knot...or you could sew a nice seam, but really, this is supposed to be easy! :)

Once you've tied your tight knot, trim off the ends and turn it around so you have a clean band of fabric (see photo above).

Try on your new racer back work out tank top and you're done!  What a great way to make use out of all those old t-shirts you have lying around :)

xoxo,

my life lately.

The past couple of months have passed by in a whirl wind for me! I started a new job at the beginning of June, only to receive another offer for my dream job two weeks ago! So I will be starting yet again another new job in about a week and I couldn't be happier!

Here's a few images of my life lately taken from my instagram feed. It's been a busy couple of months, but I've managed to have a few adventures here and there as well as begin my training for the San Jose Rock n Roll Half Marathon in October...wish me luck!

Happy Friday!

xoxo,

H&M Online Shopping Now Available in the US!

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It's been awhile, but today is August 1st and that means that online shopping is now available at hm.com in the US! Let's all say it together...FINALLY! Shipping is a flat $5.95, and unfortunately you cannot return items in-store that were purchased online...but I'll take what I can get!

I've displayed my top ten picks from their site above...a lot of blacks and greys for fall and I LOVE those tortoise shell heels!

Anyone one else out there pumped about the new hm.com?

xoxo,

Update!

I am alive! My apologies for the lack of posts over the past month...I started a new job and I've been so busy that I haven't even had time to think of post ideas, do research, take photos, etc.

As my schedule begins to even out I will begin posting regularly again! More to come soon! :)

xoxo,

diy: painted wood bead necklace

 
Since I still haven't gotten around to taking new "What I Wore" photos, I thought I'd share a simple DIY project I worked on last week...and yes, this project is Pinterest-inspired!

Supplies

• 10 wood beads (I used 1" beads, but you can use smaller or larger if you like!)
• blue painters tape
• five of your favorite shades of acrylic paint
• small sponge brush
• plate or palette
• twine or cord

Begin by placing the painted tape horizontally across each bead, making sure the ends overlap so you have a clean line.

Squeeze a small amount of each shade of paint onto your plate...you really only need a small amount.

Using your sponge brush, apply the paint to each bead (two beads for each shade of paint). Allow to dry just slightly, and paint two more coats to ensure a solid, well covered color.

Once each bead is painted, gently place on waxed paper to dry for about 30 minutes.

When the beads are dry to the touch, carefully remove the painters tape from each bead.

Next,  string the beads onto the twine...be sure that each color is facing each other (see image below).

Once the beads are strung, simply tie the ends of the twine into a knot (making sure that your necklace will easily slip over your head). Now you're ready to pair your new DIY necklace with all your favorite summer outfits!

I hope you enjoyed...happy Wednesday!

xoxo,

j crew factory stock-up sale.

1. wilma necklace  |  2. bubble stud earrings  |  3. pinball stud earrings  |  4. link bracelet  |  5. bead & crystal necklace    6. linen mini skirt  |  7. pencil skirt  |  8. polka dot shift dress  |  9. pleated dress  |  10. jersey tank dress

Just in case you're planning on doing some summer shopping this weekend, J. Crew Factory is holding a "stock-up" sale in stores and online. Jewelry is 40% off and skirts + dress are 30-40% off. Here are some of my favorite pieces from their site, enjoy through June 9th!

Have a great weekend!

xoxo,

friday finds.

[Nick and I taking a 'selfie" in Santa Cruz last weekend]

The past few weeks have been fairly busy and unfortunately my blog has sort of taken a back seat. I'm still trying to find the time to work full time, run, and maintain a blog. Let's just say it's a work in progress!

Hope everyone has a great weekend...enjoy the warm weather!

["Shit Bloggers Wear" - a hilarious new blog any fashion blogger will appreciate]

[It just felt like a glitter and leopard kind of day - dress last seen here]

[My view of Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz last weekend]

[I scored this clutch from J. Crew Factory for only $45 over Memorial Day weekend thanks to their 50% off sale...I think coral may be my new signature color!]

xoxo,

link love.

As you may have noticed, I haven't been posting my regular "What I Wore" posts the last few weeks. Due to both Nick's and my busy schedules, I haven't seemed to find the daylight hours to take photos! I'll do my best to take outfit photos over the weekend, though I'd like to introduce a new feature today..."Link Love." Enjoy!

1. Etiquette for a Lady has been a daily read of mine for the past few years and contains some lovely quotes!
2. I love this DIY color-block shower curtain...and Martha Stewart has a super easy tutorial!
3. Eat Drink Chic posted these fun DIY cloud magnets...so easy!
4. I love this tiffany blue rug from Shades of Light...
5. The Proper Pinwheel recently featured these DIY dipped neon pots...love!
6. Another daily read of mine, Bippity Bobbity Boo...amazing inspirational photos and she updates daily!

xoxo,

this vs that: striped dress + pink heels

1. Ray Ban sunglasses via J. Crew, Kate Spade earrings, Kate Spade Saturday dress, Kate Spade heels  |  2. Forever 21 sunglasses, Target earrings, Forever 21 dress, Mossimo heels

xoxo,

healthy banana oat peanut butter cookies.

Don't worry...long name, short recipe :)

Despite the recipes I've featured (to date) on Andrea Everyday, I normally eat a fairly clean, healthy diet. I try to stick with fresh, unprocessed foods when I can, and I wanted to feature a recipe of the same sort. So now I bring you my recipe for "Healthy Cookies." These are really simple to make, and only contain five ingredients!

Healthy Banana Oat Peanut Butter Cookies

• 3-4 very ripe bananas
• 1 3/4 cups dry oats
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Mix all your ingredients together in a bowl...make sure you mash the bananas very well!

Next, spoon onto a baking sheet about three inches apart and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Using a spatula, carefully remove each cookie from the baking sheet immediately after removing from the oven, and place onto cooling racks or a large plate. Don't wait until the cookies have cooled, or they'll be stuck!

That's it..short and sweet! Just about the easiest recipe there is! Enjoy!

xoxo,

this vs. that: striped tee + shorts

1. Kate Spade Tali Sunglasses, J. Crew Painter Tee, J. Crew 3" Chino Shorts, Banana Republic Nicola Platform Wedge |  2. Forever 21 D-frame Sunglasses, Forever 21 Breton Striped Tee, Old Navy Everyday 3.5" Shorts, Mossimo Cork Wedge

Happy Wednesday! Here's a little inspiration for some warm weather shopping...at a discount!

xoxo,