For how big of a paper nerd I am, I don’t share NEARLY enough stationery DIYs here, so we’re working to change that! Right now, I am SO madly, deeply in love with envelopes that have colored edges. I don’t know what it is… they look so crisp but also kind of cartoon-y!? We took some plain white envelopes and gave them a pretty rainbow edge makeover in honor of St. Patrick’s Day and I am DYINGGGG over how pretty they turned out! DIY Rainbow Edge Stationery Total Time: One Hour High-Quality White Envelopes (Low quality tears too easily!) Craft Paint in Rainbow Colors Makeup Sponges or Foam Brushes (One for each color, ideally!) 1. Washi tape is too sticky on it's own to place directly on the envelopes, so you have to remove some of the sticky first. Do this by tearing off a piece and sticking it to a t-shirt several times. 2. Lightly place the piece of tape about 1/8" from the edge of one side of the front of the envelopes. 3. Dip a sponge into your first color and dab it over about a 1" section of the exposed edge.

Repeat this with the other colors, overlapping each one slightly so it blends. 4. Immediately remove the tape after you finish painting one edge. Do this slowly, so as to not rip the paper. 5. Repeat on the opposite edge and let dry completely, then complete the other two sides. 6. After the front is completely dry, it's time to do the back! Follow the same steps above for doing the flap of the envelope. 7. Then tape two pieces of tape about 1/8" apart along the bottom diagonal lines on the back of the envelope. Sponge in-between the lines and let dry. 8. Use the same steps as the front of the envelope to do the notecards, if you want a complete set! Photos by Jeff Mindell | Styling + Craft Production by Annie Steward | Creative Direction by Kelly Mindell Your mail is about to get a whole lot more colorful, huh!? Excited to share the other paper-centric posts we have planned! And Happy St. Patrick’s Day!I hate to admit it, but lately, I’ve been feeling a little chilled by Torrid.

Believe me, I love the store. crysis hoodieIt has revolutionized plus-size fashion in just six short years, making age-appropriate fashions accessible to teenagers and young adults in a way that had never been done before. bape shark hoodie zipperIt’s been my haven since freshman year of high school, right before it went from goth to glam and got really well-known for offering cutting-edge styles.bbc 3m hoodie No longer did I need to stuff myself into elastic waistband jeans, over-sized (and ugly) tees/tops, and hideous flowered stretch pants. hoodie kajakI could now buy real jeans that actually fit me nicely, cool screen tees and fashion tops, and even cute dresses that actually showed off my curvy figure. btr hoodies

Half my wardrobe consists of their clothes (the rest an assortment vintage stuff I stole from my mom and grandma and a handful of items from Target, Avenue, and Lane Bryant) and I don’t even own a single pair of jeans that didn’t come from the store.camo mopar hoodie So why am I feeling so dissatisfied with Torrid lately? Well, let’s start with the fact that even when I comb through the site every few weeks (since the closest store is a bit far from my college), I can barely find anything worth while anymore. It’s not that the fashions are necessarily ugly – in fact, most items are usually stunning and edgy (did I just use edgy unironically?) – they’re just not practical. While I always want to be stylish and attractive, a plaid corset top or a pink foil halter just isn’t going to cut it on my campus. I’m no longer in high school. I need to convey a certain level sophistication, a certain looks that says, “I’m both smart and fashionable, but neither too nerdy or too gaudy.”

Sure this stuff is always cute and looks great on the models, but most of what I see these days just doesn’t work for me. I need something wearable, especially in the cold New England winters. But just look at these sweaters! Not ONE of them is practical for the every day. Sure, I want to stand out, but come on! I really just can’t picture myself in something like this: (Sorry, I’d rather not wear something that looks like it has Charlie Brown’s upset mouth all over it) (“Booger” doesn’t really go with my coloring. Have anything in “Amethyst”?) (I have light eyes. I need something a little less…bright. Of course they also sell great normal clothes, but I am not about to spend $35 on a short-sleeve top like that. Heck, I’m barely willing to spend that much on a long-sleeve sweater! I’m a college student. Mommy and daddy don’t chip in for my wardrobe anymore. I just can’t afford $40 a top. This black pique short sleeve jacket is gorgeous and wearable.

I could just picture myself donning it, especially over a long colorful shirt like the one picured. It would look great with my hourglass figure. The problem is Torrid is charging $50 for it.For that tiny little thing. Sure, these are well-made products that last for years, but that kind of pricing is just outrageous. Torrid attracts younger customers who probably aren’t the professional women that a store like Lane Bryant appeals to. Most teenagers/young adults just don’t make that kind of money, and if they do, they’re probably not looking to spend it all on clothes. That jacket and the shirt under it or a pair of jeans would run me $100 alone and that’s just not feasible. This past weekend, I did end up spending $100 on clothing. At New York & Company (sizes up to 18) I was able to buy seven items for the same price as I would have been able to buy two items at Torrid. An example of two my new tops:Just enough of conservative without being boring, and just enough of cuteness without the cloying.