Au Revoir Graphic Tee

I am loving the graphic tees that are so popular right now. When you can make them yourself it's even more fun because the possibilities are endless.

One of the advantages of being crafty is that when I see something I like I can make it. And usually I can make it for a fraction of the price. As I took my daily stroll through the photos on People.com I saw this t-shirt worn by Kate Bekinsale and my daily mantra of "I can make that!" ran through my head. The shirt she has on is $78. I made mine for less than $5!

Source: People.com

Kendra's Miami Fashion Challenge - South Beach Day to Night

I was recently contacted by Kendra Thorton, a well-know travel expert, and asked to participate in her Miami Fashion Challenge. Here are a few words from Kendra about the challenge:

"I'm creating a fashion challenge for bloggers! I'm going with my husband to South Florida. We planned our vacation on gogobot, which helped us find the perfect hotel and gave us several ideas for where to go while we're exploring the area. I love South Beach. It looks like a paradise but with a lot of art, history, culture and of course, fashion. If you could help me pick out some outfits for my trip, I would be so grateful. These details provide a better idea of what we'll be getting into during our stay.

There are a variety of hotels in South Beach that looked absolutely stunning, but one really stood out to us. The Delano South Beach Hotel is known for its posh exterior and luxurious suites. From the plushly decorated rooms to thespa on the roof, I fell in love the moment I Saw this hotel and knew that it was the right place to spend our romantic getaway. My husband thought so too. He even splurged on a spa day for me at the hotel's spa Club Essentia.

I'm thrilled to be going to South Beach. I plan on getting some rest and relaxation at the beach and spa before heading out to explore all of the different parks and gourmet restaurants that are located right on the beach. While we are going around Miami, I would love some posh yet casual outfits that make me feel comfortable no matter what we're doing. We'll also spend a lot of time at the beach and maybe even take a boat out to visit some of the islands around the bay. I can't wait to see all of the fashion finds that you select. As a mother of three, I think my wardrobe needs a serious upgrade for this trip..."

I deciced to create an outfit for Kendra that would go from day to night. After all, a vacation should be about things being simple and easy! The day portion of the outfit is perfect for sightseeing and shopping, while the night portion is dinner and dancing ready.
 

 

South Beach Day to Night by snapsofginger featuring gold jewelry

Calypso St Barth blue dress
calypsostbarth.com

Nine West thong sandals
lordandtaylor.com

Dorothy Perkins black shoes
dorothyperkins.com

KOTUR clutch
$910 - net-a-porter.com

Accessorize beach bag
accessorize.com

Gold jewelry
$40 - oliverbonas.com

Alicia Marilyn Designs chain necklace
boticca.com

Pieces sterling silver earrings
$55 - pieces.com

Pink Slate Boutique - I'm a Winner!!

 

Do you ever enter blogger giveaways? I do occasionally and guess what... I won!! What did I win you ask? A gorgeous scarf and $15 credit.

Here's the story: My New Favorite Outfit blog (one of my favs) featured Charming Lucy blog (also one of my favs) who was hosting a giveaway for Pink Slate Boutique.

I was able to choose any scarf from their site. I ended up choosing the one that Susan was wearing in her photos because I just loved it.



With my credit I ended up buying a beautiful navy and matte gold necklace and earring set.

(How do you like my vampire pale look??!!)

 

 

My experience with Pink Slate Boutique was phenomenal. They were quick to contact me after I won and, after ordering, I received my pieces very quickly. The pieces are great quality and gorgeous!! So much so that I have already ordered another necklace set.

 

 

So go visit their website today! Be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram so you're in the know when they have a sale.

DIY Jeweled Belts

 

Thursdays on the blog are going to be devoted to being thrifty. Money saving DIYs, crafts, tips, etc.

To start the series off I decided to create 2 DIY jeweled belts. We all need a little something sparkly and special to pump up an outfit for the holidays. It's even better when you have everything you need to make it!!

I am a bit of a jewelry freak. I have tons of it and that is not an exaggeration! A year or so ago I bought some gemstone brooches from a local boutique. I wasn't quite sure how I would wear them but figured they would come in handy. Well I have worn them exactly 0 times... until now!

Supplies:

• Belts - I used a wide, stretchy one for version 1 and a skinny one for version 2
• Brooch Pins -  any type will work.

Version 1: A wide stretch belt

I chose to create a cluster with 4 brooches but the options are endless really. You could line multiple ones up in a row, use one big brooch, create a square "buckle" shape, or cluster different shapes and sizes... Just use your imagination and you can have a different look every time.

My belt has a metal clasp so I twisted it around to be in the back instead of the front. I simply pinned the brooches in a cluster in the middle of the belt.

 

Version 2: A narrow skinny belt

For this version I decided to use 3 of the brooches lined up in a row. I again turned the belt so the buckle would be at my back, then pinned each brooch around the belt as shown below.

 

 

 

What I love about this project is that it doesn't ruin the belts or pins. I can take them apart and wear them separately or change them up any way I want. And it only takes minutes!!

Black & White Ponte Dress, Killer Shoes, and the Fashion Police

"I've got a code 9 here... curvy girl wearing horizontal stripes. Send back-up immediately!"

Ok, I think by now we all know there are no real laws of fashion anymore. But at one time, being curvy and wearing horizontal stripes was a big no-no. And in a body-hugging material? Forget it!

Thankfully, we are learning that the silhouette and cut of a piece are just as important as the print. We can wear body-hugging or body-skimming clothing instead of shapeless tents and (gasp!!!) look good in them!

This black and white stripe, a-line ponte dress is fitted on top then skims over the lower half of my body. I can wear it with flats for a more casual look or dress it up a little for Fall/Winter with tights and heels as I did in this post. It works well with booties and riding boots too.

I added a thick belt to define my waist a little more. I feel like I tried every colored necklace I had but either the shape or length was wrong so I went with good old basic black.  I think this look would be great with a pop of color somewhere. Any ideas?

Black and White Stripe Ponte Dress: (old) via Old Navy - similar, similar // Black Satin Calvin Klein Shooties: (old) via TJ Maxx - similar, similar // Black Beaded Necklace: via Bealls Outlet - similar, similar // Black Beaded Bracelets: (old) via a local boutique, similar, similar // Sequin Earrings: (old) via New York & Company -  similar, similar

Pssst!!: Old Navy has 25% off online through Oct 30

 

 

 

The breakdown:

 

Ponte Dress: Old Navy, $10

Heels: TJ Maxx, $40

Necklace: Bealls Outlet, $8

Earrings: New York & Co, $10

Bracelets: Local Boutique, $1

 

Linking up for:

Coral Sheath Dress and a Chunky Statement Necklace

 

Dress: Liz Claiborne via JC Penney - similar, similar / Necklace: via Cato - similar, similar /Earrings: via Bealls Outlet - similar, similar / Ring: via Bealls Outlet - almost exact, similar / Heels: Janine Pointy Toe Pump via Payless - exact, similar

  

 

Do you ever build an outfit around a certain piece? I have been building outfits around this amazing gold necklace at least once a week. A statement necklace can take an everyday sheath dress to the next level and make it something to be remembered, especially when it's as bold and colorful as this one.

 

The breakdown:

 

Dress - JC Penney, $20

Necklace - Cato, (gift)

Heels - Payless, $25

Earring and Ring Set - Bealls Outlet, $5 



Inspired

Autumn's beauty. It will be quite a while before we see leaves changing in this part of the U.S. but until then, we have these gorgeous colors to enjoy.

via

                              via

 

 

The vintage-inspired jewelry and bold fashion of the season.

 

via

 

via

And of course, food! There's something about Fall that makes me want to bake.

 

 

I Fell in Love!

I innocently opened a link Anthropologie tweeted and the next thing I know, I'm in love. Their Paris Inspired Outfits really caught my eye. Especially the sequins, snakeskin shooties (on the model wearing jeans), emerald skirt, and colorful print dress below:

Sirene Sequin Skirt / Embossed Snake Shooties / Emerald Flounce Skirt

 

 

Chromatique Dress

 

I'm pretty much guaranteed to love anything with sequins. And that emerald color? Amazing! Growing up I avoided wearing anything green because that's what redheads were "supposed" to wear. Now its one of my favorites! Those colors in the dress are just plain gorgeous.

What are you favorites from the collection?

 

 

Kick it in neutral

Nude Blouse, New York & Co (old), other good options here and here; Black Ponte Pencil Skirt, Lane Bryant; Black and Champagne Stone Necklace and Bracelet, New York & Co (old), other good options here and here; Nine West Giraffe Print Heels (old) via Ross, other good options here and here. 

 

 

 

 

 

Neutral colors can look very polished and sophisticated when you add some interesting elements like a long necklace and unique pair of heels.

 

The breakdown:

 

Nude Blouse (actually a tunic tucked in): New York & Co, $35

Black Ponte Pencil Skirt: Lane Bryant, $26

Long Necklace: New York & Co, $15

Gold Bracelet: New York & Co, $15

Nine West Giraffe Print Heels: Ross, $15

Gwynnie Bee

 

 

Jessica Howard Asymmetrical Sheath Dress In Navy via Gwynnie Bee; Briolette/Ribbon Necklace; Nude Heels (old), Other options here and here.
 

 

 

 

Have you heard of Gwynnie Bee? "Gwynnie Bee is a monthly subscription service for size 10-28. You pay a monthly fee for access to an unlimited wardrobe and unlimited free shipping."

 

Your choices include hundreds of dresses, skirts, blouses, cardigans, and blazers to put into a virtual closet. Depending on which subscription service you choose, they ship one or several pieces from your closet. The pieces arrive clean and pressed; and the box includes the prepaid shipping bag to mail the piece back when you are done. You can keep it for a day or for months. And if you love a piece you have the option to buy it.

 

Gwynnie Bee is a great way to explore news styles and experiment to find the best pieces for your shape. You have nothing to lose with their 30-day free trial.

 

Ready to give it a try? Use this code now: http://goo.gl/mUuwR

 

 

Just Ducky (or mallard)

Mallard Sheath Dress from Monroe and Main; Belt from another dress, good options here and here; Earring and Necklace Set from Bealls Outlet, good options here and here; Suede Calvin Klein Peep-toe Ankle Booties via Ross, good options here and here

 

 

 

 



I just love when an outfit I put together in my head works out! This mallard green dress is going to be so versatile. I have a lot of ideas for it already. And how amazing are these heels??!! I usually wear them with tights in the winter but I'm definitely going to be pulling them out more often after seeing them with this outfit.

The breakdown:

 

Dress - Monroe and Main $30

Belt - from another dress $0

Shoes - Ross $30

Jewelry Set - Bealls Outlet $8

 

Another fun outfit for less than $100!!