DIY: Joan's Pen Necklace from Mad Men

I totally heart Mad Men and have been a fan since the get go. I think the period element of it was what really got me caught up in it the most. The 60s costumes are just killer. Hello Giggles - DIY - Mad Men - Pen Necklace Supplies

Mad Men is one of those shows that makes me want to work in advertising, albeit an advertising world in the 60s where shift dresses and scotch at all times of the day is welcomed. I’d also appreciate working with dudes who look like Jon Hamm because that’s a reason right there to get up and head into the office early. Each time I see Megan Draper on screen, I want to get into acting classes just so I can hang with her and rifle through her closet of vintage deliciousness.

New Dress A Day - Megan Draper - Mad Men

But, I think I’m most obsessed with Joan Holloway and her look. Is it weird that I dyed my hair red and brought a picture of Christina Hendricks with me to show my stylist exactly what I wanted? And pinky swear, I’m not single white female-ing her :) There’s been one piece of Joan’s wardrobe that she always wears that I’m obsessed with. She has the coolest gold pen necklace and it’s something that makes for a fab DIY.

Hello Giggles - DIY - Mad Men - Pen Necklace Supplies

Here’s a rundown of the supplies you’ll need for the necklace...

Hello Giggles - DIY - Mad Men - Pen Necklace Supplies

1. Jump ring (Something large enough that will fit around the clip of the pen. I went with Darice's jump rings in 10mm that fit perfectly under the clip.)

2. Gold chain (Grab a chain from your jewelry box or find chain at your local craft store like this by Blue Moon Beads.)

3. Click pen – (anything from the office supply closet will work!)

4. Metallic spray paint (I used Krylon metallic gold spray paint)

Because of the spray painting element, I took my pen outside to paint. An easy trick is to grab some thread or twine and hang the pen from a tree or clothing line so it dangles. I used a nail that was in a tree to hang my pen and then put newspaper around the trunk to avoid turning it gold while I sprayed.

Hello Giggles - DIY - Mad Men - Pen Necklace Supplies

When the piece got completely coated in paint, I let it dry and then painted one more coat.

Hello Giggles - DIY - Mad Men - Pen Necklace SuppliesHello Giggles - DIY - Mad Men - Pen Necklace Supplies

I added my jump ring to the clip of the pen (feel free to glue it in place to secure) and then attached my chain.

Hello Giggles - DIY - Mad Men - Pen Necklace Supplies

How's that for a new accessory that matches the one Christina Hendricks wears on the show? And, the best part is that it still works!

Hello Giggles - DIY - Mad Men - Pen Necklace Supplies

Now I'm ready to make that Avon account mine!

Hello Giggles - DIY - Mad Men - Pen Necklace Supplies

Now, all I need is some shaping undergarments, ahem bra, and a slight touch up on the hair dye front to really match Joan!

Jo's NDAD Creation

Happy Memorial Day weekend, friends!! This piece that Jo created is a total hit. It shows that sometimes when things don't turn out or fit the way you'd like them to, you can always make it work taking a different route. Check her piece out!

I love to refashion clothes and came across this top at a second-hand store. It was probably less than 8 UAH (which is $1 USD) and I honestly thought that it would be okay as a top.

New Dress A Day - Vintage Dress

Once at home and realizing that it was hideous I started to play around with it and...

...moved it down around my waist where I discovered that it fit perfectly and would make a great dress.

New Dress A Day - Vintage Dress

I used remnants of a men's dress shirt that I had previously used for another refashion to sew a bodice and then stitched the front buttons of the skirt closed and sewed the skirt to the bodice.  

New Dress A Day - Vintage Dress

I also used the original straps on the new dress. I love how it turned out - the fit is perfect and I love knowing that I can make really great clothes out of things that were previously really ugly!

I LOVE this so much, Jo!! I think it's perfect for the summer and you totally went for it, turning things that were not something you'd wear into something so gorgeous! It totally feels like J Crew - you nailed it! Can't wait to see your next piece!!

Goodebox Giveaway

Happy holiday weekend, friends! I've been a bit behind in posting as my amazing dad just had an operation yesterday. I've been in a different mindset over the past few days, however everything went well and he's recovering like a champ! So, there's lots to celebrate :)

To kick of the weekend, my wonderful friends over at Goodebox are offering a fab giveaway for you guys! They are an awesome subscription service that sends out monthly boxes of eco-friendly, organic, natural, eco-sensitive health, beauty, and wellness products to try out.

Goodebox - New Dress A Day

I've never actually tried Tom's toothpaste, so it was awesome to get a full-sized tube (along with a coupon) to try it out. Plus those organic cotton socks...

Goodebox - New Dress A Day

...are now my new favorite pair!

Goodebox - New Dress A Day

I've been playing around with all different kinds of eye cremes and there was an awesome Pangea Organics sample that I lathered all around my washed/pre-bedtime eye area!

Goodebox - New Dress A Day

Because everything is small and totally tote-able, I brought these with me on my San Fran road trip.

Goodebox - New Dress A Day

The Eco Armour shave foam (in that cute green bottle) is my new favorite now - there are a bunch of essential oils in it that not only smell really good, I think they've helped me with the ingrown hair front as well.

So, it's time for you guys to get your hands on some goodies of your own! One lucky winner will get a three-month subscription while another lucky winner will win a box of May's goodies.

To enter, follow the details in the rafflecopter description, and leave a comment with your favorite sustainable beauty routine/product/regiment. I've started to use real aloe from the plants in my yard to soften my skin - it seems to grow everywhere in LA, so I've taken full advantage of adding it to my daily skin care routine as well as adding it into my fruit/veggie smoothies!

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