DIY Friday: Beaches, Bikinis and Cocktails with Umbrellas -- Right. Around. The. Corner.

With the winter wearing on and for those of us not in the sunshine states - spring break is almost here.  You can practically taste it. After months of suffering through the snow and slush and cold, it’s finally time to flee for some sun and fun. 

Are you looking to add a few new pieces before you pack your bags but just can’t justify spending $48 on a tank or tee?  Have no fear!  Stock up on a few basic tanks and tee’s from Target or Walmart and use a little creativity to recreate the embellished looks your favorite stores are sporting this season. 

Button Up!

I’ve always saved the buttons that come with my clothes, but I never really knew what to do with them.  That is, until I realized that they could turn my favorite white tank into something I’d see at Anthropologie – for a fraction of the cost.  

Here’s how to do it: 

1. Get a regular plain white tank top.
2. Gather a few buttons of different colors and sizes.
3. Just as you’d sew a button onto a shirt, stitch a few buttons onto your tank top as decoration.  You can stitch them around the neck, or along the bottom or side, in any order you think looks cute. Use the same color thread as the button.
4. Try also placing two or three in the back for added decoration.

Rosettes are Red, Rosettes are Blue…

Love all those cute flowery tees you've been seeing at J. Crew this spring? Spice up a plain white t-shirt with handmade rosettes and save on big!  

1. Find a Grosgrain ribbon in a color you like.
2. Take the end of the ribbon, and make a little ball, like the middle of a rose.
3. Begin to wrap the ribbon around, with the ball displayed in middle
4. As you do this, lay the ribbon as flat as possible as you move outwards so it gets bigger and resembles a rosette. (The inner edge, nearest to the middle will always be slightly gathered as you move along, to create the shape of a circle.)
5. As you layer the ribbon around and around, use your hot glue gun on the inner most edges to hold the ribbon in place as the rosette gets bigger.
6. After it dries, use a needle and thread to put a few stitches through the back of the rosette to stitch it onto your favorite shirt.

Stay tuned for more DIY projects here and at yaydiy.com to get you pumped – and cute - for spring break!