Song Love {July}

I'm kicking it back to the old school days music wise this month.  Here's some of my favorite "oldies," but goodies...

"The Word" by Sara Groves


"Even In My Youth" by Erin O'Donnell


"Lord Move, Or Move Me" by FFH

Musical Love,

-Bess-

Ex Libris Simple Bookish Art DIY {+ Free Printable}

Today I thought I'd share this quick, bookish, thrifty DIY that I created ages ago & have had hanging in my living room ever since.

Find a pretty bookplate you like {one you feel okay about cutting out of the book}.  Reader's Digest books are great for these - check used book stores, thrift shops, & yard sales!  Carefully cut out the page using a craft knife, frame, hang, & enjoy its bookish charm! 

Bookish Love,

-Bess-

P.S.: Since you'll be removing the page where you'd typically inscribe your name {declaring your ownership}, I thought I'd offer up these  printable bookplates inspired by the nautical one I found in a real tome {see pic above}.  Hope you love em!

Click on the image, then right click & save to your computer {or copy & paste}.  Open in a word document, resize if necessary, print, & enjoy!

CONDITIONS OF USE: My printables are free for personal use only.  Feel free to share them on Pinterest provided you credit & link back to http://bessbag.blogspot.com/ {Bess' Bag}.  If you want to blog about these printables, or share a project you created using them, it would be fabulous, just be sure to credit & link back to http://bessbag.blogspot.com/ {Bess' Bag} (feel free to use 1 or 2 photos, but please don't share the actual printable on your site - just add a link to it).  Thanks & enjoy!

Floral Crown DIY {Inspired by "Sincerely Kinsey"}

Browsing around "Sincerely Kinsey" - a sweet photography/DIY blog I read - I came across Kinsey's tutorial to make a "practical" floral crown.  There's something almost dress-up/fairy-pretend about a halo of flowers that has always made me want one, cause this girl would wear a princess dress to Disney World if I could get away with it!  

Even though floral crowns are really in at the moment, it's still hard for me to think I could pull one off most days.  However, the pretty practicality of Kinsey's crown is perfect!  Click here to view her tutorial!

I was able to find the same flowers Kinsey used in her tutorial!  {They're from Hobby Lobby.}  I used a thin wire headband {camouflaged, but pictured above, also from Hobby Lobby}.

I cut the flowers, leaving a few inches of stem, & wrapped each wire stem around the wire headband.  With a couple remaining blossoms I made an additional hair clip, for those days when something smaller than a headband is wanted.

Thanks, Kinsey for the fantastic inspiration!  You no longer have to wait for a music festival to be a princess of the flora!

Handmade Love,

-Bess-

Bess Style: Independence Day

It's been a rainy, simple home-style Independence Day today.  Here's what I wore {nothing fancy, but I realized I haven't done one of these posts in a long while & today would be a good day to start em up again} =)...

top {it's got red & blue fireworks all over it}... Faded Glory {Thrifted}

boyfriend jeans {rolled at cuffs}... Merona {Target}

leopard print sneakers... {Walmart}

How was your Fourth of July?  What did you wear?

Style Love & Happy Independence Day,

-Bess-

It's July 4th!

For You

Love,
-Bess-

P.S.: Take that first step into the unknown...

4th of July Trust {With Printable}

There's lots going on in America right now, & as Christians we need to take a stand for what is right & true.  We need to pray for our leaders & for our nation as a whole... & remember our ultimate allegiance is to our Lord Jesus.  It is in God we trust!

I hope these tooth pick flags will help you, & those celebrating with you on July 4th, remember this truth.   

version 1:

version 2 {what I used in top photo}:

Click on the flag set you like, then right click & save to your computer {or copy & paste}.  Open in a word document, resize if necessary {these need to be shrinked down some}, print, cut out, add glue, wrap around toothpick, & add some tasty eats!

CONDITIONS OF USE: My printables are free for personal use only.  Feel free to share them on Pinterest provided you credit & link back to http://bessbag.blogspot.com/ {Bess' Bag}.  If you want to blog about these printables, or share a project you created using them, it would be fabulous, just be sure to credit & link back to http://bessbag.blogspot.com/ {Bess' Bag} (feel free to use 1 or 2 photos, but please don't share the actual printable on your site - just add a link to it).  Thanks & enjoy!

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ."
-Philippians 3:20 NIV {emphasis mine}

Love & Trust,

-Bess-