As moms, it’s often easy to lose ourselves in the very daily (and often mundane) tasks of life isn’t it? This year I’ve taken a good look at areas I want to improve in my own self, some deep inside my heart, others a bit more surface level. The goal is to be a balanced wife, mother and woman so they all have their place. One of the surface areas I’m trying to make more of an effort in is my outward appearance. Just the basics of putting together an outfit that looks intentional (and clean) with a few accessories- because, raise you hand if you’ve ever been a member of the ‘I wore yoga pants all day because they were easy, but never actually worked out in them,’ club. (Um. Guilty.)
As a mostly stay at home mom, I find comfort often wins out for me, and besides, who is going to see me? Well. The people I love most in the world is who! Of course, they don’t love me for how I look, (thank goodness!) but I sure feel a bit more presentable when I’ve put some effort into a more polished look and I can’t help but think that reflects in how I feel about myself and even outwardly act on some level. As a mom, do you ever find that it’s the small things that tend to slip at first, and then they become a piece of our identity? Beauty comes from the inside, but you’ve probably heard it said that a little mascara also doesn’t hurt? (grin)
Anyway, my personal goal this year has been to put on at least one piece of jewelry every day, let myself feel feminine, and know that as I age and change, I can still put my best foot forward. You get this, I know you do. Which brings me to simple jewelry organization. My shoestring budget and I went shopping, and we decided to bust something out together so I could put my jewelry items out where I’d see and then eventually remember to actually wear them and I would love to share this fairly simple DIY idea with you today!
Instructions for this DIY:
I found a balsa wood craft dowel (7/8′) at JoAnns for $2.49. Then I grabbed a thin strip of wood (sized 1/32 x 3×24′) for $2.99 but I used a 40% off coupon. This was so thin I could cut it with a pair of scissors. I went to Lowes next and bought a pack of gold assorted screw hooks for $3.97. I had self leveling hangers at home, along with some antique gold paint that I planned to use but neither of those items would break the bank if you needed to purchase them.
I drew a simple triangle for one end of my arrow hanger and then just did an end piece that wasn’t too complicated. That’s the best way that I can really describe it for you. The first time, the wood split when I cut it but I had plenty of extra wood and finally got both a front and end piece for my arrow.
I borrowed my man’s hack saw and cut little grooves into the ends of the dowel. The grooves don’t need to be very deep and the thin wood I used for the arrow ends fit perfectly into the grooves, with no glue needed. (Make sure the grooves both go the same direction.) I choose the smallest screw hooks for this and decided to place them 3′ apart. It turned out that the dowel wood was so soft I could press it into the marks I’d drawn, then screw them in all the way with my fingers.
Then I added some self leveling hangers to the backside. (That will be the toughest part of this project and if I’d been smarter, I might have thought to add those before putting in the screw hooks on the reverse sides. It all worked out however)
I wanted a soft antique gold finish, so I used this metallic rub all over it. (I didn’t buff it. I painted it on with a brush and let that be that. I even painted over the shiny gold hooks so everything looked even.)
I used some picture hooks that I already had to hang this and it only took about an hour from start to finish!
I can’t begin to tell you how much more I am grabbing a little sparkle for my wrist or around my neck, now that I have everything within reach. I love being able to see these items and it’s helping me take just a bit better care of myself on the outside!
Have you ever felt pieces of your pre-mom self slipping away with the chaos of daily life? How do you evaluate what pieces are worth retrieving and then how do you go about making that happen?
