Last week was all about beautiful wooden objects, and the rustic charm they can bring to any home, workspace, or dining table. Today, we’re turning our attention to another sort of ethereal, old-world material. Lace!
And we’ve got news for you. Lace isn’t just for wedding dresses and lingerie – it’s actually an awesome, stylish material that can be used to upgrade your garden, jazz up your boots, or add a little flirty femininity to a pair of denim cutoffs. Here are 30 lovely projects to get you inspired to DIY with lace.
Anthropologie-Inspired Lace Dress
How gorgeous is this dress? We seriously can’t believe it’s a DIY hack, and we definitely have to try it. (via Our Life is Beautiful)
Lace Infinity Scarf
This is great way to dress up a scarf you already have, using found pieces of lace or doilies from the flea market. (via Urban Threads)
DIY Lace Tape
Similar to our DIY Ribbon Tape, this tutorial shows you how to create your own decorative lace tape! (Free Pretty Things For You)
Lace Princess Crowns
Sorry, we had to include something princess-y, especially because these crowns could not be cuter. Our inner 5 year old at a birthday party is seriously swooning. (via Girl. Inspired.)
Lace Denim Jacket
The ’80s called – they want their jacket back. But for real, we love the Gem and the Holograms gone modern look of this jacket. (via Fashion Salade)
Ombre Lace Jewelry
These dipped pieces of lace scream summer staple accessory. (via Glamour and Grace Blog)
Pretty Lace Flower Pots
Add a bit of romance to those potted succulents by wrapping them up in lace trim, lace scraps, and doilies. (via A Beautiful Mess)
Lace Tiles
Lace also makes a great stencil, as illustrated in these beautiful painted tiles. (via Martha Stewart)
Lace Doily Dreamcatchers
These lovely dreamcatchers are simple to make and will bring you good slumber. (via A Beautiful Mess)
Lace Painted Toms
Another tutorial that uses lace as a stencil, these painted toms are totally to DIY for. (via Lil Blue Boo)
Lace Patterned Notebook
This looks like the perfect kit for getting your doodle on. (via A Beautiful Mess)
Crocheted Bull
Obviously something you need in your home, this crocheted bull is the real deal. (via Makezine)
Crocheted Stones
We’re not really sure what you would use these stones for besides decoration, but you can achieve a similar look by wrapping lace scraps around found rocks. (via Free People)
Lace Washer Bracelets
Washers and key rings meet lace and make friends in this easy-as-pie tutorial. (via Brit + Co.)
Black Lace Accessories
Head to the fabric store and start thumbing through all the different lace trim they have – some of it is so beautiful just on it’s own. (via Plan B)
Faux Lace Aviator Sunglasses
Guess what was used to create these lacy designs? Lace-inspired nail stickers! (via Studs & Pearls)
Lace Doily Table Runner
Featured in our roundup of doily projects, we couldn’t resist including this beauty again. (via Ashley Ann Photography)
Lace-Edged Scarf
We love any hack on a basic scarf – this one shows how to turn a regular jersey knit scarf into a whole different piece with a bit of lace trim. (via A Beautiful Mess)
Lace as a Fabric Paint Stencil
Use lace as a stencil for pillows, canvas wall art, and even mugs! (via Martha Stewart)
Anthropologie-Inspired Gilded Lace Bow
We think this gilded bow would also be a great way to jazz up a pair of flats. (via Small Good Things)
Lace-Backed Hoodie
Make your favorite hoodie a little more stylish by adding a peekaboo lace back. (via Brit + Co.)
Lace Stencil
Once you turn those jeans into cutoffs, you’re going to find yourself with a whole pile of denim. We turned ours into cocktail napkins with bleach-dyed designs. (via Brit + Co.)
Your relationship with your finances is one of the most important relationships you'll ever have, and you can't avoid it. That said, for many of us, the pandemic only added to our financial stress. If you find yourself feeling frazzled, just remember that financial insecurity isn't a net-worth issue — it's a mindset issue. And, we happen to have plenty of advice on how to turn your money mindset around so you can take charge of your funds once and for all.
To start, feeling secure begins with a strong foundation, and there's no better time than now to get started stacking the bricks. It's easy to get swept up in the January "new year, new me" mentality, but really? Any time is the right time to get yourself in order. You don't need to wait for a new year, a new moon, the right moment, or a sign from above. You don't even have to start on the first day of the month — you just need to start.
Introducing NerdWallet: A Safe and Reliable Money App
To help with that, we've put together a list of the just-right-for-you ways that NerdWallet can help you monitor your financial outlook. Haven't heard of them yet? NerdWallet is a personal finance company that helps consumers make smarter financial decisions. Their website and app let you compare different financial products, find articles and tools to make financial decisions with confidence, and keep tabs on your finances (hey there, credit score, I see you!) all in one place. Plus, NerdWallet has over 75,000 glowing reviews in the App Store (and a 4.8 star rating) if you want to read up on any more testimonials.
Tim Chen, NerdWallet's CEO and co-founder, started this financial journey in 2009 after his sister needed help finding a credit card. Even with an economics degree and a Wall Street background, it took awhile for Tim to find the right recommendation (so don't feel too bad when it takes you a while, too). Their mission is to bring clarity to all of life's financial decisions.
So it's safe to say that NerdWallet is a pretty good sherpa for your journey, too.
Get the most from your money
Did you know that the money you park in a savings account can lose value? Harsh, but true. If your money isn't earning interest that's on pace with inflation it will actually be worth less to you in the future. And if the bank charges fees? Forget about it. Make sure you're earning the interest you deserve and come out on top. NerdWallet has researched dozens of financial institutions to help consumers find the best options. The hard work has already been done for you, so you can just select the account that works best for you and your nest egg.
Keep an eye on everything, securely
Once everything is set up, tracking and managing your finances is what will keep the money machine running smoothly. You can create an account either through the site or the app and link your bank accounts, then keep tabs on all your finances in one place. Get a clear picture of your saving and spending, get insights into how to master your money, and even build your credit score all in one place.
Get extra credit points
Do you have the best credit card for your lifestyle? Some cards give cash back on every purchase, ones with travel perks, and ones that charge way less interest than you're paying now. NerdWallet takes the guesswork out of choosing the right credit card with simple side-by-side comparisons of different credit cards so that you feel confident choosing the right one. Whatever you want to do, NerdWallet can help you find the best credit card to get it done.
Know your options for settling down
Mortgage rates are pretty low and it looks like they're going to stay that way for awhile, so buying a home might be the move sooner than you think. But there's so much more to a mortgage than just the interest rate! To help you choose a mortgage lender, NerdWallet has in-depth reviews on multiple lenders in a mixture of categories so you get the home loan with the mortgage rate, term, and fees that's right for you.
Settle an old score
NerdWallet helps you monitor your credit score for free and helps you see how little things (like raising the limit on your credit card or paying your bills on time) can increase your score. NerdWallet partners with TransUnion® to provide your VantageScore® 3.0, based on information in your TransUnion® credit report. Your score and credit report information are updated weekly. But that's not even close to all:
- They provide you with tips from experts on how you could build or optimize your credit score
- You'll get a detailed look at your credit score and all the factors that go into it—your payment history, credit utilization, the age and type of accounts, balances, and any recent inquiries
- The credit simulator tool gives you an idea of how your credit score would change if you applied for a new credit card, closed your oldest credit card, or got a new auto loan
- You also get free, unlimited access to your credit report
When it comes to managing your money, safe and reliable is where it's at. Establishing a healthy relationship with your finances begins when you take control and practice habits that build wealth. Signing up just takes a few minutes. Set your intentions to build a solid financial foundation, it will only strengthen your relationship with your finances. And don't be afraid to get a little nerdy while you're at it.
Photo via Shutterstock