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DIY Crayon Art
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This is the art that is hanging in our guest bathroom at mine and Boyfriend’s apartment. And yes – we made it… Out of crayons. (No joke!) I’ve been on a little bit of a DIY kick lately. Starting with making a little of my own jewelry (if you can make it, why buy it?), followed by making my own glitter shoes, and now this.
I first saw some version of this project on my Twitter friend Bethany’s blog Eclectic Musings. I pretty much followed her directions, other than the fact that I spray painted the canvas partially gold before melting the crayons. (You can see where we super glued the crayons to the canvas in the photo below.) Anyway, I hope this project gets your creative juices flowing! There’s nothing like a good ‘ol DIY to spice up a Wednesday evening, right?
Oh – and if you live anywhere at all near the Greater Portland Area – don’t forget to enter my Giveaway for $375 Worth of Services from Estilo Salon!
DIY Glitter Shoes: Elegant, Non-messy & Waterproof
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Like a bird, I’ve always been attracted to shiny things. I’ve owned multiple gold and silver skirts over the years (before they were cool – in fact, they were quite the opposite), sparkly dresses, gold shirts… you get the idea.
Thankfully, I’ve been seeing clothing (and crafts!) with gold, silver, and sparkles appearing all over the blogosphere lately. Grateful that sparkle is “IN” right now and feeling confident in sharing my childishly glittery self, I tried my hand at some DIY glitter-iffic shoes. And I must say, I’m quite proud of how they turned out. (I’m wearing the heels today!)
I’ve been seeing some variation of this craft showing up in my Google Reader for a few months now: A Pair & a Spare made full-on glitter pumps. And See Jane made glitter heel booties. And while these both look awesome, I wasn’t sure where my lifestyle would permit me to wear solid glitter pumps or completely avoid any exposure to the Oregon rain. On top of these shoes being a little TOO glittery for me, and not waterproof, I also worried about the mess (both while doing the craft, and after the fact while I wear the shoes).
So, the obvious solution is… Toned-down, elegant, non-messy, waterproof glitter shoes!! I know, it sounds too good to be true. But it isn’t!
You’ll need…
+A pair of shoes to glitter-ify! (I went with two affordable and simple pairs from Target. Patent leather pumps ($29.99 online) and leather booties ($24.99 online).)
+Martha Stewart Crafts Glitter Acrylic Paint. (It’s cheap, weather-proof, and easy to apply. I got mine at Michael’s Craft Store!)
+Two paint brushes: One large, one small
+Tape
1) Decide on a design. Because I wanted the black pumps to be simple, elegant, and wearable, I decided on a glitter toe and heel design. As far as the black booties go, I studied them and decided what would be easy to paint and wouldn’t overtake the whole shoe. (Although in retrospect, I see that these would have been really cool in ALL glitter!)
2) Tape, where necessary. Once you have your vision figured out, tape the part of the shoe you don’t want to get any glitter on. This is especially important for pumps that have a smooth surface, because it’s hard to be precise. This also allowed me to make a clean cut off line for my glitter toe. (I didn’t tape the boots at all.)
3) Paint! With careful strokes, use your paint brush to apply a generous coat of glitter paint. You’ll notice that the first coat won’t make your shoes very glittery – so you’ll need to do multiple coats. I used about five coats on each shoe. The directions on the paint say to wait an hour between coats, so that’s what I did.
And Winston spent the ENTIRE time watching me intently, while chewing on his bone. How cute is he here (and a little creepy haha)?
And the finished product:
Like I said, I’m wearing the pumps today. This is my outfit:
Complimentary Prints: Guidelines for mixing patterns in the same outfit
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Mixing patterns used to scare me. But I’ve been feeling brave lately. I’ve come to realize mixing prints is as easy to pull off as it is to mess up. (That’s supposed to be comforting, by the way.) I’m by no means an expert, but I can tell you a few rules guidelines to follow for creating an outfit made up of the perfect, complimentary prints.
Three reasons you should try mixing prints:
1) It’ll allow you to look at your existing collection of clothing in a different way, opening up countless outfit opportunities.
2) It’ll help keep you out of a style rut, where all your outfits look the same and you’re constantly uninspired by your closet.
3) It’ll make your old clothes feel new again.
Okay, now that you’re convinced…
♥Animal prints are neutral, meaning they can be made to compliment (almost) every other type of pattern. So think about investing in a few animal print accents – such as an animal print skinny belt, clutch, scarf and/or shoes (like mine!)
♥Stripes, polka dots, and plaids are also neutral, by the way. So they’re good patterns to own sweaters and blouses in.
♥Choose a base color. This should be a color that can be found somewhere in each print in the outfit. This will make your mix of patterns cohesive. Tip: If you’re just starting out with pattern mixing, choose a neutral base color like navy or black and look for two items of printed clothing that both have the base color in them.
♥Balance a larger pattern with a smaller one. For example, if you’re wearing a skirt with big, well-spaced flowers on it, offset the skirt with a shirt that has thin, close-together stripes.
♥ Mix fabrics of different textures and weights. For example, try a light, silk patterned blouse under an argyle sweater vest. Or a floral tweed pencil skirt with a cashmere polka dot sweater.
♥ Break up two or more non-neutrual patterns with a solid. For example, if you have a patterned skirt, and a patterned sweater, break them up with a neutral, solid-colored shirt.
Remember, there’s no exact science when it comes to pattern mixing. Following these guidelines will help, but in the end it’s all about experimentation and figuring out what you’re comfortable with!
Here are some more lovely photos of my subtle pattern mixing today… Notice the cohesive color in both my patterns: black. I know these photos don’t show the most daring pattern mixture that you’ve ever seen – but they were enough to inspire this post. Stay tuned for more outfit photos that showcase pattern and print mixing.
HOW TO: Get the look of a blowout with a curling iron
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Who doesn’t love the look of a salon-style, round-brush blowout? Unfortunately, giving yourself a blowout without the help of a stylist can be quite challenging and time-consuming. Luckily, my friend Emily has discovered an easy, time-effecient way to achieve the same look with a curling iron instead of a round brush (she did it on my hair – above!) The best part? It’s easy to do on yourself! No professional stylist needed! In today’s video tutorial, Emily shows you, using my hair, how to get the look of a round brush blowout using a curling iron.
The finished product:
GUEST POST: 4 Ways to Wear the Classic Button Down
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Today’s quest post is quite relevant to my style, as I wear button down shirts almost daily. Far from boring, the classic button down has been adapted throughout the years to become one of the most versatile pieces of clothing that money can buy. Allow my guest poster, Erin, to explain…
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Every woman loves a classic collared shirt. It’s a crisp, clean look that will never go out of style. This fall, jazz up that basic button down and give it the attention it merits.
For instance, take a look at this Tommy Hilfiger Luxury Linen Shirt (above). Made out of light linen, this comfortable top is perfect for summer barbecues or even outdoor adventures. However, the Tommy shirt can easily be styled for fashionable daytime attire, perfect for lunch dates, shopping, or parties. Here are four ways to take the Tommy shirt from ‘casual cool’ to ‘classy chic.’
1. Pair the Luxury Linen Shirt in ‘Flower Pink’ with dark, skinny denim or form-fitting white denim. Make sure the top is ironed and crisp before tucking into your tight bottoms. Add a thin glitter belt to your waist for a perfect shimmer accent. Cuff the sleeves, throw on some stylish flats or closed toe heels, and add some sparkle to your neck, wrists, and/or ears. Lastly, finish this look with a darling fedora. A feminine hat can quickly style the Tommy shirt/skinny jean combination. Look for colors that compliment the pink top, such as navy blue. Ta-dah! You’ve transformed the BBQ top into a fashionable daytime get-up.
2. For look number two, pair the Tommy shirt in ‘Turkish Stone’ with a cropped pant that hits just above ankle. Check out the Michael Kors zip-ankle pant in khaki or navy. This flattering cut looks fabulous with some stylish flats. Either tuck the Tommy shirt into the cropped pant or wear the top loosely, hanging a few inches over the waist. Both looks are great. You can easily add flavor to this chic, basic outfit by incorporating some wrist décor and accessories. Pair some bangles with a large wrist watch and opt for a big, colorful purse. Lastly, decorate your neck with an old-school skinny scarf tied in a knot. This elegant, flirty accessory can add personality and glamour to the outfit.
3. Feeling a bit more feminine? The Tommy shirt can look amazing with a high-waist, pleated skirt that hits a few inches above the knee. Opt for a skirt with a playful, charming pattern to add interest to the outfit. The contrast of the skirt design with the solid color top will look amazing. The Tommy shirt/skirt duo is a girly, fabulous combination. Rather than tucking the Tommy top into the skirt, try tying the bottom pieces in a semi-loose knot, accentuating your small waist and revealing the flattering cut of the skirt. Throw on some shiny flats and wear thick layered pearls to complete the look. For the preppy chic ladies, rock a sweater over the back and shoulders, adding a fun layer to the Tommy shirt.
4. Most women immediately gravitate towards jackets and sweaters to cover their dresses. However, the Tommy Luxury Linen Shirt can look incredible over a simple dress, creating a sophisticated daytime outfit. For instance, pair the Tommy shirt in white with the J.Crew Crossover dress in ‘Heather Indigo.’ This beautifully draped dress is the perfect canvas to style. Just as you loosely tied the Tommy tee over the skirt, use the same technique with the dress. The white color on blue looks sharp. You can wear virtually any shoe with this combination—oxfords and boat shoes look fantastic, but you could also sport a glitter flat or pump. Also, have fun with accessories. Wear a cute fedora or sunhat, sunglasses, and perhaps a chunky jeweled necklace.
So there you have it! You have completely transformed the basic button down Tommy shirt and created four incredibly stylish daytime outfits! You can create all four looks quickly and easily, and you can mix and match accessories and shoes to create even more combinations. Buy the Tommy Luxury Linen Shirt today at usa.tommy.com. It’s on sale for $69.99, down from $128. Before purchasing this versatile, timeless piece, don’t forget to look for Tommy Hilfiger coupons, you can save even more!
About the author: Erin Prickett is the fashion consultant for CheapSally.com. When she’s not working she enjoys finding great deals on apparel, shoes and accessories and recommends using Cheap Sally coupons for Tommy Hilfiger.
HOW TO: 5 ways to tie a scarf
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Baby, it’s cold outside. Luckily, scarves are both warm and fashionable. While keeping you cozy, scarves remain effortlessly stylish. This makes them a perfect transition piece for moving from summer to fall (kind of like tights). Looking for more variety in your scarf wrapping, I hope you find this video blog helpful for finding new ways to tie your scarves!
Oh – sorry for vloging from my closet. It’s the only place in my apartment that is quiet and away from puppy and boyfriend (they’re very a little distracting :)). I know the lighting isn’t great, but it’s the best I can do for now. Let me know if there are any other tutorials you would like to see on my site! I’d be happy to make them, all you have to do is ask!
Ps. I know you’re all super pumped now to go buy some scarves! I’ve found some of my favorites (on a budget) at Forever 21, H&M, and TJ Maxx. And of course, Nordstrom has some beautiful scarves as well!
GUEST POST: The Ultimate Guide to Wearing Black Tights
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Today’s guest post provides a comprehensive guide to looking good in black tights, written from the perspective of former underwear model Cindy Prosser. (Um, so you know you should listen to her – she obviously knows how to look good!). Fittingly, Cindy is also a writer for Bare Necessities. Bare Necessities is a fabulous online store filled with all sorts of womanly goodies ranging from lingerie to hosiery to sleepwear (more on them in a post coming up!). Oh, and guess what else Bare Necessities sells? A large selection of black pantyhose!
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GUEST POST: The Ultimate Guide to Wearing Black Tights
As fall approaches and the weather cools, women everywhere are shifting their wardrobes from summer’s gauzy styles to the structured pieces that come with the bite in the air. One of fall’s hottest fashion trends is black tights. Black tights can take you from day to night and look funky and flirty or sleek and sophisticated. No matter which look you’re going for, consider seeing how black tights can enhance your current wardrobe.
Black Tights Can Help Transition Spring Dresses Into Fall
One of the best ways to wear black tights is with a fun, flirty spring dress. Pairing some opaque black tights with a brightly colored shift dress or A line can take a spring dress well into fall.
If there’s a chill in the air, consider adding a big, chunky cableknit sweater, but add a thin belt in a contrasting color to keep your look from being shapeless. You can choose shoes like a low bootie, pumps or even flats in black or a color found in your dress. This look can work with nearly any type of shoe, so don’t be afraid to try something new.
Peeptoe Shoes Can Work With Black Tights
A couple years ago, it would have been taboo to wear black tights with strappy sandals or perky peeptoes. This fall however, black tights with open shoes are seeing a huge surge. Wearing black tights means you don’t have to worry so much about shaving your legs or if your pedicure isn’t perfect. Celebrities like Ashley Simpson and Jessica Alba have been sighted pairing black tights with open shoes so there’s no reason why you can’t rock this look even if you’re not a celebrity.
Berkshire Luxe Net Pantyhose available at BareNecessities.com
Opaque Vs Sheer
Opaque tights can look edgy and fresh, but they’re not the only black hosiery that you should have in your wardrobe. Sheer tights are sleek and sophisticated, but they need to be paired with the right outfit and shoes, such as a stunning bright sheath and stilettos, to avoid looking dated. This look can be incredibly sexy so consider wearing sheer black hose the next time you want to make a big impression on a date. Whether it’s a first date with a new boyfriend or you’re looking to rekindle the spark with your husband or significant other, see what impression some sheer black hosiery can make.
Unless you work in a very conservative workplace, such as a law firm, avoid wearing sheer black tights with your business suits – if hose is required in your office, stick with a nude sheer. For a sexy, sophisticated, nighttime look, use sheer tights with a subtle pattern. Fun, funky patterns, whether they’re sheer or opaque, should be restricted to day time wear or a night out on the town at a concert or club.
Shorts With Black Tights And Heels
Shorts and tights together were a top trend in 2010 and the look is still going strong. One pair of tights can coordinate with a number of different pairs of shorts to create completely different looks. For a professional, day time look, wear a pair of baggy tweed shorts with black tights and heels, while a pair of cut off denim shorts works with a white shirt and bohemian vest to create a fun, one of a kind look. When you pair shorts with tights, you’ll stand out from the crowd, no matter whether you’re going for a professional or fun look.
Black Dress, Black Tights, Red Shoes
A plain black dress plus some black tights equals boring, right? Not if you pair them with a colored pair of shoes and matching accessories. Avoid looking like you just came from a funeral by adding a pair of red shoes. If you’re really feeling flirty, find a great pair of hot pink, lime green or even a funky animal print like zebra or leopard.
Black tights definitely don’t have to be boring. Whether you pair them with a brightly colored dress or a pair of distressed denim cut offs, you can create looks that are as unique as you are. There’s no real right or wrong way to wear black tights so pull out a few wardrobe staples, add in some new accessories and see the many looks you can create with black tights.
More Undergarment Resources from Cindy:
13 Ways to Get a Great Bra Fit (for the Rest of Your Life!)
The Ultimate Bra Fit Checklist for Looking Good and Feeling GREAT
6 Shapewear Tips For Looking Slim While Staying Healthy
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About the Author:
Cindy Prosser is a former underwear model turned freelance writer and mom. She’s not ashamed to admit she looks gorgeous in black tights, which honestly isn’t that difficult but you have to count your victories :) When not glamorously overdressing for grocery store visits she stays busy writing for Bare Necessities.
Image credits:
Spring dress with black tights (Jessica Alba)
Open-toe shoes with tights (Emma Roberts)
Patterned black tights (Berkshire Pantyhose)
Black tights with shorts (Zoe Des Chanel)
Black tights with red shoes (Victoria Beckham)
Fall 2011 makeup tutorial: How to get retro spider lashes
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Every season there are some new, funky makeup styles that hit the runways. This Fall, one of my favorites is spider lashes. Spider lashes are a retro, feminine style, reminiscent of 60′s and 70′s models like Twiggy. Long, clumpy, spider-like lashes will make your eyes pop. Since this is a style I have been wearing a lot lately, I decided to create a video tutorial for how to get this look. Sorry for the silly face that YouTube decided to create a freeze frame of. I never said the camera loved me.
New jewelry system: One step closer to completing my closet
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As I mentioned before, I’ve been working diligently to create my dream closet and I’m not going to post photos of it until it meets all of my closet needs in an ascetically pleasing manner. That being said, I’m one step closer to being finished now that I’ve ordered these from Etsy:
They’re vintage button thumb tacks and I’m going to use them on a cork board to hang some of the jewelry that I wear most often (and to inspire myself to remember to accessorize). I’m hoping this will be a beautiful and efficient way to display my jewelry so that it’s easily accessible as I’m putting together outfits. If you like this idea, check out these other cute, homemade thumb tacks from Etsy.
As you may remember from this blog post, I use jewelry holders from Urban Outfitters (pictured below) to store the bulk of my jewelry.
That worked fairly well for me when I had a nice nook in the wall of my old apartment to display large jewelry holders, but I don’t have the same designated nook in my new place. Unfortunately, in the new apartment, my jewelry holders have become an afterthought in our decor, tucked away in one of our storage closets, only to be forgotten about when I’m deliriously getting ready for the day at 6 in the a.m. (I’m NOT a morning person). Hopefully, my new hanging jewelry system will prove to be more efficient.
Unfortunately, my new system doesn’t give me any ideas for what to do with my watch and my rings at the end of the day. Do you have any ideas? What system do you use to display your jewelry?
10 of-the-moment styles and how to wear them
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Sometimes updating your look is as simple as remixing what your already own and adjusting the way you think about your style. Recent trends with their casual, 70′s vibe are very conducive to this strategy. With easy-to-wear pieces, simple accessories to add, and a few beautiful basics you probably already own, you can create an array of chic new looks with very little effort. Below are some fun of-the-moment styles that fashionistas everywhere have been embracing this season. I thought I’d give my vanity a day off and skip photos of myself and instead feature my favorite trends on some of my favorite bloggers who inspire my blog and my style every day.
Hanneli captured this photograph of the half-tucked shirt beautifully. I love this style because it’s easy to wear, and you don’t have to worry about the tuck being perfect (sometimes tucked-in shirts can be fussy, don’t you think?). But beware, this style can look very sloppy if it’s not properly accessorized and worn with tailored and polished clothing. (It’s supposed to look like glamour not grudge.) I suggest skipping the t-shirt and using a button up as your half-tucked shirt (like the model is wearing), and pairing it with neatly tailored pants or shorts, and some heels or wedges. Add a necklace and some bracelets to look ultra put together (but not preppy), and you’re good to go.
Trendy shorts are making such a comeback this summer. Different styles are popping up all over the place, ranging from retro textures like lace, crochet and leather (see below), to soft, almost pajama-like materials and silk. (And of course, there’s the denim cutoff.) But silk has to be one of my favorite shorts trends this season. It’s sophisticated but easy to wear at the same time. The classically beautiful Katy from my daily read, Sugarlaws, demonstrates the delicate simplicity of such a style.
I don’t care how you feel about floral. Everyone seems to have an opinion but it’s undeniable that a floral sundress paired with a black blazer is the perfect look for a windy July evening. The lovely Chelsea from Just Zipped shows us how to wear this style flawlessly. Loose, romantic hair, a summer glow and a big smile are all the accessories you need. (The meadow of yellow flowers is optional.)
By contrasting a masculine, denim button-down shirt with an ultra-feminine lace skirt, Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere shows us how you can wear this style and still feel girly, with just a little bit of an edge. Other interesting ways to wear denim shirts? As a jacket over a sundress, with jeans (I know – originally a faux pas…), tucked into a skirt, and tucked into white or black pants.
The always-lovely Audrey Marie from A Lovely Escape shows us how gorgeous coal can be. Form her lipstick, to her blouse, to her ring – she’s got it right! I happen to be very partial to this look because coral is one of my favorite colors. But if you’re not ready to go “all-out coral” just yet, take baby steps by pairing coral lipstick with clothes in more understated colors, like black, cream, or navy.
The military jacket is another example of a great masculine piece that is fun to offset with seriously feminine fabrics, like lace and floral. Trade out your blazer for the military jacket when you’re wearing your favorite LBD, sundress, or floral top. Or wear it like Taylor from Stirling Style, paired with tailored jeans and a striped top for a casual dinner.
The overwhelmingly fabulous Rumi from Fashion Toast uses Bumble & Bumble Texture Cream to give her hair the textured, messy look that she has become the poster girl for. But the best part is that you don’t have to be a famous blogger to pull this look off – summer is a perfect time to experiment with low maintenance texture in your hair.
The notion that you need to offset brights with neutrals is no more. Khatu from I am Khatu shows us the right way to do color blocking. Bright top, contrasting bright skirt, bright belt, bright clutch. It’s impossible not to love this look.
Stylish Ashley from Breakfast at Saks demonstrates how perfect and tasteful a tied-front shirt can look. Looking for tie-front shirts? Nasty Gal has lots of them. Or just play around with your favorite button-up and find a style of tie that works for you.
The Blonde Salad‘s Chiara couldn’t look more fashionable in these leather shorts. Pairing the them with a crisp white button down was the perfect move. Another great way to wear leather shorts is with a cream crochet top. Check out NastyGal.com for more ideas.
