Saturday, March 28, 2015

How to Make a Silk Floral Paper Bag Bouquet


Today I am going to show you how to make a beautiful silk floral paper bag bouquet which I recently used in a blog photo shoot.  This is the easiest and quickest craft I have ever done and it only takes a few minutes with some simple supplies that can be found at your local arts and crafts store.

Supplies:
  • 1 Paper Bag from the grocery store
  • Scissors
  • Stapler
  • One Spool of Wired Ribbon
  • A Floral Bouquet of your Choice and Color
  • 2 sprigs of greenery (you can use any filler you desire)
  • 1-3 Bread Ties







  • Step 1: Remove the top handle and the bottom of the paper bag by gently lifting the seams from the adhesive.  This will leave you with an open rectangle
  • Step 2: Flatten the paper bag on a table and with a pair of scissors cut the bag up the left seam so you are left with an open flat paper bag
  • Step 3: Next, cut the bag into a square by removing one side and one front
  • Step 4: Turn the bag so any writing or graphics are face side up
  • Step 5: Begin arranging your bouquet on a diagonal.  I started by added the greenery first.  You can use any filler you desire.

  • Step 6: Add your flowers.  I choose a fuchsia peony bush that had 9 large blooms which was plenty big for my bouquet.   

  • Step 7: Tie your bouquet together with bread ties by twisting them around all of your stems

  • Step 8: Once the stems are secured with bread ties, you are ready to wrap your bouquet in the paper bag.  Start by folder over one side on a diagonal, followed by the other side. Secure both sides with a stapler.  




Step 9: Last but not least you are ready to add a bow.  Use wired ribbon that will easily keep it's shape.


Step 10: You're all Done!  Enjoy your silk floral paper bag bouquet!  Here are some pictures of the final product!




I hope you all are having a great weekend!  Enjoy the spring weather!
xoxoxo,

Hayley




Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Maggy London at Filoli Estate

Location: Filoli, 86 Canada Road, Woodside, CA 94062, USA
Today on San Francisco Bay Style, I am teaming up with Maggy London on location at the beautiful Filoli estate in Woodside, California.  I am honored to showcase one of her many gorgeous dresses from her Spring 2015 collection… and this one could be yours!  Stay tuned for giveaway details below.
 
Maggy London is one of my personal favorite fashion designers.  Her dresses are feminine and flirty, the prints are vibrant and beautiful, and her diverse styles are perfect for any occasion!  Whether you're at the office, on a date night out at your favorite restaurant, or out and about on a weekend excursion with the family, you are sure to find a style that suits your personality and taste!
    
The Filoli estate was the perfect backdrop to showcase this vintage inspired floral fit and flare dress.  The estate is located 30 miles south of San Francisco and is a historic site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.   It's also one of the finest remaining country estates of the early 20th century and is world-renowned for the exquisitely beautiful and well-manicured gardens.  With spring in full bloom, there couldn't be a better place to explore while taking a few snapshots of the dress that inspired me to visit their formal gardens!

This is one of my favorite dresses in Maggy London’s "Casual Daytime Dress Collection."!  I love the red and pink floral pattern which vibrantly pops against a cream canvas and is a perfect style for spring and summer.  You can wear it alone on a warmer day with a cute pair of heels or flats and add a lightweight cardigan when the evening begins to cool down.  If you are looking for more weekend casual style, I recommend pairing it with a denim jacket and a cute pair of sandals, flip flops, or sneakers!. I was pleasantly surprised when I found out this dress has pockets…who doesn't adore pockets on a dress?  I just love this extra little detail which makes her dresses so comfy and easy to wear!  


























Maggy London Giveaway
on Instagram

I'm thrilled to have teamed up with Maggy London to giveaway a $100 gift card that can be used to purchase whatever your heart desires from the Maggy London website!  Here are the rules:

1.  Head over to Instagram and follow me (@haycons) and Maggy London (@MaggyLondon)

2.  Like the the Maggy London Giveaway photo posted on my Instagram page

3.  Tag 3 friends in the comments who you think would love a new spring dress from Maggy London!

4.  In the comments, tell me why you would love to win a new spring dress from Maggy London and what occasion are you planning to wear it! 

5. Bonus entry: Check out today's blog post (Maggy London at Filoli Estate); post a comment below, and follow me on your favorite social channels!  Links are included in the blog side bar!

6.  The contest will run until Tuesday March 31 at 11:59 PM midnight PDT and a winner will be announced on Wednesday April 1st!  Good luck! 

xoxoxo,

Hayley









Friday, March 20, 2015

Red Lipstick & Heels




Happy first day of spring everyone!  I intended to celebrate this occasion today by wearing a pretty feminine and floral dress with open toe sandals!  However, the weather forecast was still a bit chilly so I opted for casual chic style instead!  

Remember back in the fall and winter time when I layered everything with cozy and warm puffy vests in a rainbow of colors? Well now I have a new layering obsession for spring and it's called - blazers!  A month of so ago, I looked in my closet and realized that I only owned one blazer... and of course it was black.  A black blazer is definitely a closet staple must have, but I really wanted to punch up the color for spring!  This 24 inch ponte knit blazer is the perfect lightweight layer for the season and it comes in various colors including coral and navy which are perfect for colors for spring!

I paired it up with my favorite "go-to" ripped skinny blue jeans and a black and gray leopard top for a little roar in my look!  Don't forget to add some sparkle with your accessories!  This beautiful crystal choker necklace is from Chloe & Isabel and my crystal dotty bracelet is from Purple Peridot. - currently on sale for $12.99!!

Last but not least, don't forget your red lipstick and heels!  Follow these simple guidelines for a casual chic look when you want to dress up your everyday casual style!  

I hope you all have a great weekend!  

xoxoxo,
Hayley

SHOP THE LOOK: 

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

#LoveExpress






I have been eyeing this black and white striped blazer from Express ever since I saw it hanging in the store!  First of all, who doesn't love stripes?  Secondly, black and white are neutrals that go with just about any color!  I decided to pair it with this hot pink silky v-neck tee (also from Express), a pair of comfortable blue jeans, a pretty statement necklace from Chloe & Isabel, and my favorite black bow flats!  

To shop this entire outfit, simply click the shopping links below.  I hope you all have a fantastic Wednesday and week ahead!

xoxoxo,
Hayley 

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Happy St. Patrick's Day!


Happy St. Patrick's Day fashionistas and shoe lovers alike!!  Are you wearing your green today?  Did you know that leprechauns are solitary creatures who spend their time making and mending shoes and have a hidden pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?  Well I've got some fabulous shoes linked below that will be sure to bring you good luck and happiness!  How about these green shamrock suede heels by Camilla Elphick?  These are super cute and perfectly fit for your St. Paddy's day celebrations and beyond!  

I hope you find that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!  Have a safe, fun, and happy St. Paddy's Day and enjoy shopping shoe lovers!

xoxoxo,
Hayley

SHOP:

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Instagram OOTD Roundup: Week of February 23, 2015

Happy Tuesday everyone!  Its been a while since I have posted my weekly #ootd roundup from my Instagram page.  Check out my daily "outfit of the day" photos and if you see something you like, you can shop it directly below each photo or visit my Shopstyleit page!

The weather here in the San Francisco Bay Area is starting to warm up and the spring flowers are starting to blossom!  I am so excited that Spring is just around the corner which means warmer weather, open toe sandals, shorts, and sunnies!  The time on the clock has sprung forward to daylight savings and I am looking forward to longer days and shorter nights.  It's the perfect time to get out and walk the dog after work, do some outdoor grilling, and tackle those projects you have been putting off!

This past weekend was opening day for Little League Baseball and lots parents all over the US participated in the cap ceremonies with their kids.  This is the first year my boys are playing National Little League and they were placed on the Farm Mudcats team!  Baseball is a great sport to get kids outside and learn about listening, direction, respect, and team spirit while getting outside, exercising, and having so much fun!   It's a great distraction from being on the computer and playing video games!

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend! Have fun shopping!

xoxoxo,
Hayley
Collin & Jack: 3/7/2015 Mudcats
Opening Day: National Little League








My niece Brianna sporting a cute nautical themed outfit on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.  Shop her outfit below and follow her on Instagram here 



My niece Brianna sporting a cute nautical themed outfit on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.  Shop her outfit below and follow her on Instagram here