DIY Projects

"Patterns and pinning take too long, cut first measure afterwards."

So this week, I had an abnormal amount of free time on my hands.  So I got to crafting.  I ordered a set of drawers from the container store to keep all of my supplies organized.  It was a bit more plastic then I anticipated and a lot more difficult to put together (42 screws and bolts!), but serves it's purpose.

Bloom 3-Drawer Cart 

For one of my first projects I decided to recreate these sneakers, seen here.  I actually really liked the way she recreated them over the designer version.  So I  picked up a pair of sneakers for $18 from Payless, and went to Michaels for the glitter, mod podge, jewels etc.  A couple of hours and several coats of glitter later and I had some sweet new sneaks.

For my next project, I quickly taught myself how to sew again.  I really liked the way Maegan of lovemaegan.com embellished this plain t-shirt and made it into something almost dressy.  My variation looks way better when its actually on my body, but I have yet to officially wear it.  When I do, I will certainly take a photo of the outfit.  As you can see, this shirt has seen better days and whiter armpits.  I'm optimistic that with the right necklace, pencil skirt, tights and heels this shirt will look as good as new!

 

So just a quick little background on my family.  I'm the youngest of 3 sisters.  My oldest sister recently moved about an hour south of me and 5 minutes from a Jo-Ann Fabrics.  As much as I love Michael's, they don't have fabric, trim or organization.  I was on the hunt for some feathered trim, as I plan on DIY'ing a pretty cool skirt with it.  Unfortunately, they didn't have it, but I did pick up some cool taffeta wrapped chain.  I transformed it into a necklace that I'm 80% happy with.  It needs something else, that I haven't quite thought of yet.  Let me know your ideas.

So, I'm hoping to get a nice new camera for Christmas so my pictures won't look quite as ghetto.  If anybody knows of an affordable high quality camera, I'd love to know about it.  Until then enjoy the shoddy quality and have a WONDERFUL WEEKEND!!!!

Fabulous Finds-Fall 2011

"When in doubt, wear red"-Bill Blass



So remember I mentioned that Glamour magazine that sparked this little blog.  Well here are all the spectacular finds and products of interest that I came across in the October issue...

Hypnose Doll Lashes

[$25] Being a HUUUUUGGGEEE fan of Lancome's original Hypnose mascara and a self proclaimed mascara connoisseur, i'm absolutely in love with this innovative product.  I actually worked for Lancome for 2 years, and it's truly a wonderful brand, no doubt this will be another hit.

Aldo Hunson Bag

[$50] I absolutely love the convenience of a cross body bag, and this one screams FALL to me.  I'm loving the hint of print here, classy meets boho.

Just Fab Orchestra Bag

[$39.95] If you're familiar with websites like Shoedazzle.com and Justfab.com, you know how exciting it is to have a rather large selection of shoes and bags that are on trend and wallet friendly.  I'm a sucker for hardware and the clasp on this bag is enough to spike my interest.

Aldo Klingner Bag 

[$38] Refer to the quote above, and embrace the hottest color for Fall 2011, Red.  Another structured bag but with a long strap that has potential to go cross body.  Picture this, a crisp white button down, a pair of dark wash denim, black pumps and this gorgeous red bag.  A classic and timeless outfit.

Ivanka Trump Gurdia

[$120] This super lady like pump conjures up images from Mad Men.  Pair with a pencil skirt for a sophisticated look or match with skinny jeans to chic them up.  Bonus, the cutouts make them sexy yet work appropriate.

Steve Madden Madee Leopard

[119.95] These catty tuxedo slippers are perfect for a casual weekend outfit, complete with boyfriend jeans and a cozy cardigan and you'll be ready for Sunday brunch.  If you're feeling adventurous and work in a creative environment (one of the perks of my job) pair these little cheetahs with a dress and opaque black tights.

Madewell Fulton Felt Hat

[$45] I personally love hats, so this is a dream for me.  I wore a straw fedora all summer, but that doesn't really translate to fall.  So I found this gorgeous felt hat, and the solution to my flat second day hair.

Miss Selfridge Petites Ochre Lace Dress

[74.22] The perfect little lace tea dress for a Saturday night.  I love a dress with some sort of sleeve, especially paired with this falls interesting tights or leggings and a pair of heeled loafers.


One quick tip for all my women with thinning hair.  I was reading Vogue the other day and came across an interesting article about Viviscal.  This sounds like a more effective alternative to Biotin.  Check it out here Viviscal.


Hope you liked my picks!

All Shoes are Not Created Equal

“I did not have three thousand pairs of shoes, I had one thousand and sixty.” – Imelda Marcos

So I've been a member of Shoedazzle.com (if you're not familiar with the site click here to learn more about it) for about 6 months now.  I have purchased 3 pairs of shoes and 2 bags.  $200 + shipping and handling later, and Im pleased with my purchases.  For me this experience is less about the actual shoe or bag.  There is something about the brown box waiting for me at my front door that makes me squeal with excitement.  When I tear through the tape I am greeted by a hot pink cloth bag, that both protects my shoe/bag during shipment and later serves as a bag for storage.I must say though that the styles are unique, on trend and inexpensive.  This type of shoe brings out the bargain hunter in me, yet I also find grattification in spending.

I confess that at one time I had 62 pairs of shoes in my (then much bigger) closet,  and this was before I discovered discounted shoe websites.  So while I do appreciate those bargain shoes, my true indulgence is trying on a sparkling satin d'orsay heel or a classic leather ballet flat and falling in love.  With that in mind, I present my lust list for Fall 2011...

Steady by Shoedazzle

[39.95]This studded faux-suede knee-high boot with faux-cork platform and heel is zippered, and lightly studded.  Standing comfortably tall with a 2.75" heel and a 1" platform, Steady can be slipped over a pair of skinny jeans paired with a cardigan and a stack of bangles. 



Badgley Miscka Lacie



[$215] This magnificent navy satin shoe screams wedding.  Whether it be as a guest or as the actual bride, this shoe is classic, elegant and the perfect amount of radiance to make any girl feel a little extra special.

I'm a Virgin Blogger

“Blogging is good for your career. A well-executed blog sets you apart as an expert in your field.” -Penelope Trunk

 So here I am, and the concept for my first ever blog came about when I was flipping through the latest issue of Glamour magazine...  

[FASHION]

Typically, and i'm sure many of you do the same thing, I will look through a magazine and dog ear pages that contain items I would absolutely purchase.  If i'm not near a computer, or my bank account is a bit parched, I will toss the magazine in the corner and completely forget about that fabulously priced pair of cheetah print flats.  I mean, the fashion department at any magazine does all the grunt work, they track down the bargains and tell you exactly where to find them.  Hello budget friendly fall wardrobe, goodbye driving to the mall and visiting a million stores.  So I've decided to post the items, that I find attractive, with direct links to the retailers.  This way my wish list is in one convenient spot.  I can check off my fall necessities and I can share it with all of you.

[HAIR & BEAUTY]

I also love to teach!  Being a hair stylist/makeup artist I teach my clients on a daily basis the easiest ways to enhance their natural beauty.  So if I can share with you at least one tip or trick, then job well done.

 [DIY]
What's more exciting then making a $300 shoe out of $60 worth of materials?  When the shoe you make is way cooler!!  Hence why I've jumped on the DIY train.  I kind of pluck my ideas from other bloggers, and interpret them in my own way, and It's a really fun way to turn a boring night into something more productive .
 

Please feel free to ask questions or give me ideas of things you want to learn about.