DIY Project--Attack of the Lace Bridal Gown

I think it was back in January of 2011 that I purchased this dress from Urban Outfitters.  I found it on the sale rack for $10, and it was such a monstrosity of lace and ugliness that I just had to try it on!  My mom has a picture of me originally trying it on, and if I can get that from her, I'll try to post it, but here's what the dress originally looked like:

High-neck of lace, long lace sleeves, lace, lace lace lace lace!!!!! It actually reminds me of my mom's wedding dress (although I think she looked beautiful in hers)...Dad in the gray, however, that's another story :)

But of course, I saw this dress as a project.  I didn't have a clue what I was going to do with it, and figured if I failed, I only spent $10 on it, so no real loss.  So, pretty soon after I got it I decided to cut off the sleeves and pretty much the entire neckline.  I really liked how it turned out, much more modern, but I still couldn't shake the feeling that I looked like I was wearing a wedding dress.  But unfortunately, grad school overtook my entire life, and the dress has been sitting, untouched in my closet for over a year...

Until now!!!  I decided awhile ago I wanted to dye the dress black, as you all know I have an obsession with black lace, so I thought why not try a long black lace "wedding" dress!  This week I finally decided to just go for it!

So I dyed it...and it came out anything but black!  I read somewhere that when dying something, you need to go in with no expectations, because if you do, you'll be sorely disappointed.  So I went in with no idea how this was going to turn out, and this is what I got:

And you know what?  I LOVE IT!  It's a beautiful shade of purple, and has transformed into a perfect summer dress.  You can dress it up with heels, dress it down with sandals, add a belt, jacket, WHATEVER!

Too keep it from looking too "dainty", I added some funky heels, and some "not so dainty" jewelry :)

Leather & Gold Cuffs: both Ann Taylor
Leopard ring: purchased in Chinatown in NYC

Kickin' It Old School

It wasn't til a couple years ago that I started getting into vintage, and it as a little while after that that I started to think, "Well, maybe my own family has some pretty cool vintage pieces".  Unfortunately, my mom didn't keep anything from when she was younger (although looking at the pictures, I wish she would have!), so I started asking my grandparents.  My grandma has cases full of old jewelry, many of which I've already added to my collection.  But it is this shirt, that belonged to my Grandpa Frank, that I really love.  I've had it in my closet for awhile, and while looking for something to wear today, this shirt was calling my name!

It's his old bowling shirt, his name hand-stitched on the front, and the bowling alley embroidered on the back.  I always love finding vintage pieces like this, as you know it once belonged to someone special, and this shirt is especially meaningful to me because it was my grandfather's :)

Shirt: Vintage
Tank: Express
Jeans: American Eagle
Flats: Nine West
Necklace: American Eagle, personal jewelry
Watch: Michael Kors
Rings: Personal, Tiffany Atlas & Paloma's Venezia Palina ring
Sunglasses: Ray Bans

Don't You Be Wasting All Your Money, On Syrup & Honey...Because I Am Sweet Enough

For the first time in a while, I'm actually wearing real clothing on a Sunday!  Usually it's PJs or sweats all day long, while I lounge around the apartment, watching reality TV or bad movies, drinking coffee, and trying to find every excuse NOT to do homework.  Well, I delayed my last run of the week til today, hoping that it would force to me get dressed and go onto campus to finish my LAST grad school paper ever!  Words cannot describe how happy I will be when I finally turn this bad boy in--it's been a struggle, but in two weeks, when I walk across that stage in my cap and gown, it will all be worth it!

Getting a little off topic there, but as you know I do that a lot--today's outfit just makes me happy.  The bright colors, the fedora, the rings--everything about this outfit makes me smile!  Normally with a high-waisted skirt I like to tuck the top in, but today I decided to let the sweater hang over--it has a more casual feel to it.  It's the perfect Sunday outfit :)

Fedora: JC Penny (w/ vintage bird pin--my grandmother's)
Sweater: DKNY outlet
Skirt: kensie
Tights: Gap
Boots: Coach
Necklace: American Eagle
Rings: The Buckle and personal jewelry

**Lyrics: Syrup & Honey--Duffy

"Oh, You Gonna Take Me Home Tonight...Oh, Down Beside That Red Firelight"

I have finally caved.  For months I've seen the colored jeans trend splashed across the pages of fashion magazines and websites, and while I've always been intrigued, I've held off hopping on the band wagon.  I love how they look on others, but I was fearful about how they would look on me, plus I was a little perplexed as to what I would actually wear with them.

But yesterday, on one of my random trips to American Eagle (pretty much the only store I can find jeans that fit me!), I decided to try on a pair and see what all the fuss was about.  And I'm here to tell you, ladies and gentleman...I'm hooked!  These colors are so much fun, and, as I've said many times before, add that POP of color some outfits are just screaming for.  For those of you wanting to try this trend, I say dive in. I highly recommend American Eagle versions--they have tons of colors available (I bought red and light yellow), they fit great, and they're extremely reasonable priced.  Whenever I'm leery about trying out a trend, I make sure that I'm not spending a lot of money on it, because, as the lovely Heidi Klum says on Project Runway, "One day you're in...and the next, you're out!"

Shirt: Elle from Kohls
Necklace: My personal jewelry (pendant purchased in Paris)
Jeans: American Eagle
Bracelets: The Limited, Vintage, Tiffany & Co (Venetian Link; Return to Tiffany Heart Tag Charm Bracelet) , Ralph Lauren (Macys)
Watch: Michael Kors
Rings: Tiffany & Co (Paloma's Venezia Palina ring; Atlas ring-no longer available)
Wedges: Coach 

*Lyrics: Fat Bottom Girls-Queen

Sass, Class & Leopard

Today's post really doesn't have much inspiration.  I have to admit, my mind is kind of fried from writing what is currently a 35 page paper due in one week...and unfortunately I'm far from done.  (If you need any more proof that I'm burnt out, I just tried to spell 'not' as "knot")...

I bought this dress awhile ago hoping to wear it for Spring Break in Vegas...but it was a little cold, and I haven't had the chance to wear it since.  But inspiration struck last night (I think it was because I was watching Bridesmaids and Kristin Wiig's character always looks so cute with her blazer/dress combos)...

Love her outfit!
http://nygossipgirl.com/blog5/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bridesmaid.jpg

...and I decided to pair this blazer and dress together.  Nothing special, but a little sass, a little class, and a lot of leopard :)

Happy Hump Day! :)

Blazer: Oxford & Regent (from JC Penny)
Dress: Forever 21
Tights: Gap
Boots: Target
Necklace: AE
Cuff: Ann Taylor
Sunglasses: Ray Ban

Getting Ready

Getting ready to go out at night...girls let me ask you--is there anything more stressful than this?!  (Ok, I may be over-exaggerating a bit, but as any girl knows, it can be a daunting task).

Should I wear this or that? 

 Does this make me look fat?  

Does this shirt match with these shoes?  

Does this outfit need a belt or necklace...and if so, what necklace...or maybe some rings and a bracelet?  

Guys wonder why it takes girls so long to get ready...it's not so much the actual "getting dressed" part, it's the decision!  And don't even get me started if you have to PACK outfits to go somewhere--it's one thing to have your entire closet at your disposal--but to have decide (sometimes days before) what you're going to want to wear out, without knowing how you're going to feel that day, is something I hate.  I am someone who needs options...even if it means packing three different pairs of heels just to decide on one to go with a specific outfit.  Again, this concept is lost on guys--but then again, do they ever really look as hot as we do? :)

Jenna and I, when together, are a mess when it comes to deciding what to wear out.  Since we are no longer "undergrads", we can't quite get away with what we used to wear (aka very little material, a lot of skin, sky-high heels).  So, how do you assemble the "perfect" going-out outfit??  Well ladies, here's my 3-step secret to looking amazing when going out: 

1.) Try on TONS of options

 2.) Pose in front of the mirror, analyzing the outfit from every angle, making sure all the parts that need to be flaunted look perfect in the chosen option :P

And finally...

3.) Depend on your friends, knowing they will not, under ANY circumstances, let you go out looking nothing but your best!  

Not matter what your age, every girl still puts a lot of thought into what she wears out!
Me and my beautiful mom, looking very stylish :)

The result of a lot of 'tried on' outfits...I think we did good!!
On me: Ann Taylor Blouse, Urban Outfitters Skirt, Ann Taylor Cuff, AE Necklace, Franco Sarto Heels
On J: Forever 21 shirt, shorts (maybe Target??), Urban Outfitter Necklace

Real friends--use each other to get pictures with RB :P

Flower Power

Apparently I was in a hippie mood today, because what I ended up with was a very 70's-themed outfit today, complete with three different styles of flowers!  I'm glad wide-legged pants (aka Bell-bottoms) has come back into style, because I've always been a fan.  I can still remember when I was in 4th or 5th grade and my aunt took me and a friend shopping--for some reason I wanted a pair a bell-bottoms (they must have been popular back then too!), and I just thought I was the coolest thing ever wearing those!

But my rule with wide-legged pants, and I think I've said this before, is the top needs to be tighter or appear tighter than the pants.  You don't want to put two billowy pieces of clothing together--that will do nothing but hide your shape (and everyone knows you want to EMBRACE it, right? :p).  By belting this top, I'm able to accomplish the balance of clothing shapes while still adding a little shape.

Blouse: American Eagle
Tank: J Crew outlet
Earrings: Forever 21
Belt: Forever 21
Jeans: American Eagle
Wedges: Simply Vera (purchased for $6.00--they were 90% off at Kohls one day)

**Here's a shopping tip: shop the sale racks at Kohls.  They constantly have 60%, 70% even 80% off racks and many times you can find great things.  Also check out there discount shoe selection.  There's not always a lot to choose from, but every once and a while, you'll find a great deal, like these wedges!

And as for the bun, I don't know if you guys have seen or read about the latest "sock bun" craze--but I'm telling you, you really should.  I used this website (http://www.beautylish.com/a/vcvzi/how-to-sock-bun), but I've seen it on so many blogs, it's impossible not to find some sort of tutorial.  I was a little skeptical at first, since my hair is still fairly short, and all I could find was a white ankle running sock (they recommend a darker-colored dress sock), but I figured I would try it out....and I'm super excited that it worked!  All you do is cut the end off of the sock, roll it into a donut-shape, pull your hair through, and wrap it around the sock, trying to cover it up as much as possible.  I had to use a few bobby pins to hide some white spots, but I love it because it will hold it's shape, and it feels really secure (one of my pet peeves with hair is something that feels like it's going to fall out--so this is key to me!).  So I recommend you try this if you're looking for something new to try with your hair.  And I'm proof that even if you have shorter hair, this look will still work for you!

"Sequins are SO 80's"

My opinion on sequins is very 'wishy-washy".  I feel they can either complement an outfit, or make you look like a 1980's Dallas character.  So, on my latest trip to the consignment store last week, I found a shirt that caught my eye--the shoulders were covered in gawdy sequins.  I immediately pictures a woman wearing it with tight leather leggings, belted with a giant blingly belt buckle, and hair big enough to own it's own zip code.  But I grabbed it to try on anyways...because sometimes piece like this intrigue me.  Once I tried it on in the dressing room, it actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  It was a little big in the arms/middle region, but it happened to be 40% off, bringing it down to $8, so I thought, "Why not".  I like a fashion challenge, and I had my eyes set on this piece!

What I ended up doing was pairing this top with a pair of dark-washed skinny jeans, nude heels, a belt and just a few accessories.  I wanted the sequins to speak for themselves.  And, surprisingly, I actually was happy with how it turned out!  Not bad for a quite "going out" outfit!  The belt helped take away the bulk of the middle section, and in order to tackle the baggy arm material, I took two rubber bands and wrapped the sleeves around each of them and rolled the sleeves up.  This kept the sleeves from constantly rolling down, and the rubber bands were unseen by tucking them under the shirt material!

I'm sorry guys, normally I hate taking pictures into mirrors, but I wanted you to get an idea of the whole outfit.  Not bad for what I first deemed an "old lady" top :)