Copycat Style: Fall 2013 Michael Kors Inspired Rose Gold

 

Have you ever met a designer that just gets you? Every piece in every collection is just so... perfectly "you"? Well, If I ever had a designer brother from another mother it would be Michael Kors. (I think its because Heidi Klum and I could be twinsies... on another planet, devoid of carbohydrates and 20-20 vision) Season after season, his creations dazzle me! I literally gasp from the perfection... and the price.

 

Michael, if you happen to read this, I do love your designs, I do. It's just, well, my kids have this terrible habit: they like to eat.  So, for now, I must settle with the occasional TJ maxx clearance score and search the world over for fabulous copycats. Today, I search through  *heavens open, angels sing* Target.

 

The images on the edge of the photo are all Target finds, priced under $25.00, so they wont break the bank. If you're an online addict shopper like me, just enter "Rose Gold" in the search text box, under the Women's category and you'll find plenty of amazing choices.

 

Here are my top four, side by side with their Michael Kors inspirations. Starting at the top and working down and to the right:

 

1. Merona Bracelet Watch with Round Case and Stones- Rose Gold.

Target Stores and Online, $19.00

Compare to: Michael Kors Mid-Size Rose Golden Chronograph Glitz Watch, $425.00

 

2. 2mm Czech Crystals Open ended bracelet- Rose Gold.

Target stores and online. $19.99

 

3.Silver Plated Pearl Necklace and Earing set- Rose Gold.

Target stores and online. $24.99

 

4. Women's Xhileration Aviator- Rose Gold.

In store only. $16.99

 

Target, if you happen to read this: FOR ALL STYLISH BUDGET MINDED WOMEN EVERYWHERE, "THANK YOU!"

 

And, just like that, you have an entire Michael Kors inspired rose gold jewelry set for a quarter of the price of the watch alone. Now that's Copycat Style!

 

 

Copycat In the Kitchen: Trader Joe's Mediterranean Hummus Dip

... is harder to find than you think! I am absolutely in LOVE with hummus. Its protein filled, plant based yumminess satisfies the snack craving and my kids "dip factor" alike.  You moms out there know EXACTLY what I am talking about. 
Now, usually, I just meander over to the extension of my pantry (some call it Trader Joe's) and pick up some of their amazing Mediterranean Hummus.  Alas, for some, a trip to trader Joe's is as easily accomplished as a trip up Kilimanjaro.  (I have one especially loved lady, whose son I am head over heels in love with, in mind)

So for all of you Trader deprived folks, here's a recipe I have tweaked and fumbled with and, to my surprise, may actually taste quite similar to the real thing!

Copycat: Trader Joe's  Creamy Mediterranean Style Hummus

Ingredients:
2 cans garbanzo beans (chickpeas) drained (about 3 cups)
1 t chopped garlic (or one clove)
6 T extra virgin olive oil
2 T tahini
1 1/4 t salt
1 lg lemon, zested
2/3 cup lemon juice
1/4 t cumin
1/2 t crushed red pepper
about 1/2 cup hot water

Directions:

Add all of the ingredients in to the food processor, except for the hot water, and run for 3-4 minutes. After the first 30 seconds or so, slowly pour in the water while the processor is still running. Stop blending when the hummus is a smooth, creamy consistency.

Tahini is sesame based and hardens when chilled, so make the consistency slightly less thick than you desire. It should be a tad runny.
This HUmmus dip is good out of the processor but AWESOME after it has set up for a few hours in the fridge to let all the amazing flavors combine.

Serving suggestion: Top with a drizzle of olive oil and crushed red pepper flakes. To make it truly authentic add a topping of pine nuts, dried parsley and dehydrated bell pepper. 

I love this dip with pita chips or veggies! ENJOY!

April Copycat: DIY Anthropologie Mason Jar Sewing Kit

Anthroplogie has many adorable gifts, don't they? Every time I peruse their website I find my self audibly ooh-ing and ahh-ing but then I get to their price and the sticker shock hits me like a ton of bricks. So I thought, in the name of spring, a DIY Anthroplogie Mason Jar Sewing Kit would be perfect for our April Copycat!

Copycat Cost: approx $2.50 per jar.

Here's the anthropologie mason jar in all of its $45.00 glory

INSTRUCTIONS

       To make our copy cat, simply cut a piece of fabric in a circle out of the painters drop cloth. I used a cup that was about a half of an inch larger than the lid. Separate the flat lid from the ring. Run a bead of glue on the ring. Place the fabric and batting through the ring and "pouf" a bit until you make a pin cushion like dome. Place the lid inside the ring and press together. The glue should saturate the fabric and adhere both to the ring and the lid sealing your pin cushion. Fill your mason jar with your sewing kit contents (found at the dollar store!) and once dry, screw on the lid and tie with a piece of twine.

Then gloat over the $40.00 you saved yourself!

Here's the April Copycat Project Summary Pinterest image to pin to your pinboard for future reference...

(Please excuse my terrible photography.... I'm learning!)

I am so excited these Anthropologie mason jars turned out better than I hoped!!!  I decided to make 2 dozen of them as party favors for a crafting theme baby shower! I added tags that said "Thanks SEW much." and handed them to each guest as they departed. They were a hit! I have a few left... so I will list them for purchase on my Etsy store. They really are adorable, functional and cute!

AT A GLANCE

Product Guide

Ball Mason Jar - Albertsons, 10.00 for 12

Painters Drop Cloth "linen"- Big Lots, 15.00 for 9'x12' sheet

Batting- Salvaged from an old pillow, free

Sewing Kit- Dollar Tree, 1.00

Gorilla Glue- Dollar Tree, 1.00

Twine- Walmart, 3.00 per 25yds.

Happy Copying,

xoxo

DIY He Laundry Detergent.

You know I love saving money. A penny saved is ....more money to decorate! So, in the name of having more money to make life pretty, here is a cheap, effective and all natural laundry detergent. Did I mention CHEAP?!?!

I was able to find all the ingredients at my local copy-mart. (Walmart for those who aren't fluent in copy-ese yet) I tried and tweaked many recipes from all over the interwebs but this is the one I came up with and like the best. No fillers, no artificial ingredients. He safe and perfect for sensitive skin.

PRODUCT GUIDE

1 c. Borax- Walmart

1c. WASHING soda (Its baking's much stronger counterpart), Walmart

1 bar Dr Bonners Soap (I use peppermint because it smells so pretty and fresh), Trader Joes or Online but you can use Dove mild soap as well.

Multiply the ingredients to make your desired amount. Since we do A LOT of laundry at Copycat Cottage, I make mine by the box (1 box, 1 box and 3 bars... a bit different but still effective) and store it in a pretty glass cookie jar.

DIRECTIONS

1. Grate (with a cheese grater- bought at the dollar store because no one likes soapy cheese) your entire bar of dr bonners soap. I use the fine side.

2. Measure out and add one cup of each: washing soda and borax.

3. Combine in a pretty container and mix.

4. Use 1/4c. powder per load.

That's it. No cooking, very little fuss and you save BUCKS! Now with your money savings and your time savings... go make something beautiful!

And because this is a decorating and crafting blog, i decided to add a link to some pretty laundry images from my favorite image blog: The graphics fairy. 

Happy Copying,

xoxoxo