DIY Gemstone Statement Necklace

These last few days at work have been crazy and stressful. After a particularly trying day, I headed to Michael's to find a project. In the past I would deal with my stress by a good junk food binge. Since I can't do that anymore I've starting finding projects to relax me. (Along with buying a new pair of heels. That ALWAYS helps too!!)

I have seen several different versions of this statement necklace project on Pinterest and ended up using a idea from each one to create my own.

Materials:

• Felt
• Plastic Canvas
• Gemstones
• Ribbon
• Craft Glue

First, I cut the plastic canvas into a crescent-style shape. (You can create any shape you like, the possibilities are endless here)

I ended up changing the shape of the necklace at the end...

Next, I cut the felt to match and glued them together.

The next step was to determine what pattern I wanted to create with the gemstones. As I mentioned above, I changed the shape of necklace at this point. I didn't like the full crescent shape so I trimmed it to a semi-circle. I experimented with a few designs and finally decided on covering the entire area with the gems.

Next, I glued the stones to the backing by applying a drop of craft glue to the back of each gem and placing it back in position on the felt. (This was a fairly tedious process but thankfully, I had a good episode of NCIS to watch while I worked.)

The last step was to attach a length of ribbon to the outer corners of the backing after the gems had dried overnight. I attached with craft glue but also added a couples stitches to make sure everything was secure.

I really love how this turned out. And you get such bang for your buck! Excluding the craft glue, I only spent $5 for all the materials. I used half of the gems and have enough felt and backing to make at least four more necklaces.

I want to try this project again with jewel-colored stones of varied sizes. Maybe this weekend!!

Mint and Black Chevron

I have been saying for a while now that I'm ready for Spring. I'm pretty sure this dress is evidence of that. When I saw it I fell in love with it. The chevron... the minty color... the shape... and the adorable tie closure at the back of the neck.

Dress: via Ross // Shoes: via Ross // Necklace: via New York & Company

Linking up for:

I got a little abstracted...

I am just now getting around to showing you my Black Friday purchases. I didn't really buy much for myself - just this abstract floral print dress from Target and a few necklaces from GroopDealz.

I ordered the dress using my new Target Red Card debit card. Do you have one yet? It works just like a debit card but you save 5% on every in-store and online purchase and shipping is always free. That's a win-win in my book!!

This outfit is perfect for the holidays. I can dress it up with some different shoes and a great clutch for a party or wear it as-is for our Christmas luncheon at work.

Dress: via Target - exact // Necklace: via GroopDealz // Bracelets: Local Boutique // Shoes: via Shoe Carnival

Isn't this necklace gorgeous??! Have you tried GroopDealz yet? They have fantastic accessories and clothing at amazing prices. I ordered 4 necklaces from there and I love every one of them. I can't wait to find ways to wear them all.

Liniking up with Mix & Match fashion for:



and

The Tiny Heart/Penniless Socialite for:



 

Day 2: Shop your Closet challenge - The Outfit Formula

Today's assignment from The Wardrobe Code was to create 2 outfits using the Outfit Formula:

• A Basic
• An Item of Interest
• A Finishing Piece
• Accessories

We were encouraged to push ourselves out of our comfort zone. Since I'm comfortable dressing up and have trouble finding casual outfits, I chose to go with that. I did a day and nighttime outfit.

Outfit 1: Basic - jeans, Item of Interest - button tab-sleeved blouse, Finishing Piece - loose weave cardigan, Accessories: two-tone riding boots and statement necklace

 

Cardigan: (old) via Belks // Blouse: via JC Penney // Jeans: via Old Navy // Boots: via a flash sale site // Necklace: via Beall's Outlet

 

Outfit 2: Basic - skinny jeans, Item of Interest - sequin sweater, Finishing Piece - Houndstooth scarf, Accessories: stud clutch, shooties, statement necklace, pave stud bracelet, muted gold post earrings.

 

 

Sweater: via JC Penney // Skinny Jeans: via Old Navy // Shooties: via TJ Maxx // Scarf: came on my peacoat // Clutch: via Lane Bryant // Necklace and Earrings: via Beall's Outlet // Bracelet: Forever 21

 

 

 

 

What are your thoughts? Did I follow the formula? I feel like I over-accessorized the second outfit... The scarf was a last-minute addition because I realized I didn't have a Finishing Piece. I think I should have nixed the necklace when I added it.

 

 

The Breakdown:

 

Outfit 1:

 

Cardigan: Belks, $10

Blouse: JC Penney, $7

Jeans: Old Navy, $25

Boots: flash sale site, $90

Necklace: Beall's Outlet, $7

 

 

Outfit 2:

 

Sweater: JC Penney, $30

Jeans: Old Navy, $25

Shooties: TJ Maxx, $40

Scarf: came on my peacoat, $0

Necklace: Beall's Outlet, $7

Earrings: Beall's Outlet, $2

Bracelet: Forever 21, $5

Clutch: Lane Bryant, $25

 

Linked up for:

 

 

Day 1: Shop your Closet Challenge

The first assignment of the Shop your Closet challenge was to choose 5 of our favorite pieces of clothing and 5 accessories (shoes, jewelry, scarves, etc.) Here are my pieces:

Blouse: (old) via Walmart // Skirt: via Lane Bryant // Dress: via Target

 

Skirt: via JC Penney // Sweater: via New York & Co

 

Bow Heels: via Marshalls // Leopard Flats: via New York & Co //Black Shooties: via TJ Maxx // Necklace: via Catos // Earrings: via Beall's Outlet

 

The purpose of this assignment is to have pieces ready to go for tomorrow. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!!

 

What do you think of my choices?

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 



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!!