Wednesday, August 31, 2011

21 Day Challenge: Fix it & T-shirt Tutorial




T-shirt Necklace: Handmade by me!
Shirt: JCPenney
Skirt: Macy's


So my fix it project is the t-shirt necklace. It started off as one of my favorite t-shirts, but before I got to use it a lot, it got black stains on it. I held on to it, on the off chance I'd feel adventurous enough to explore the rit-dye world. Thank goodness I found t-shirt necklace tutorials on pinterest! I was inspired!


Here is my version:
1) First you need a cotton t-shirt, preferably not ribbed, but I haven't tried it out myself.
2) Cut off the bottom seam (you can save it for another project or even use it to tie your necklace together later).
3) Cut a one-inch strip first and then pull the strip until it curls up. Based on this strip, you can figure out whether or not you like the width of the strip. If it's too wide, cut the rest of your strips thinner.
4) Cut the rest of the strips. Be a  perfectionist and measure or just eyeball it (like I do) and cut the rest of the strips all the way up to the sleeves.
5) Pull & Curl
5) Make the necklace: Cut one strip to tie all the rings together. Variation: I picked out some of the stained strips, cut it and braided it together so I could hide the black stains.

And you're done! New cute accessory!


Just linked up to: 
DIY | Everybody, Everywear

(This post was pinned!)

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

21 Day Challenge: Menswear


Vest: XOXO
Skirt: Old Navy
Earrings: 5-year gift from work
Necklace: Simply Vera Wang, Kohls $2
Shoes: BCBG $20

I never would have thought that I would be wearing this vest this summer, but it worked for this menswear challenge. I finally got to wear my pink pearl necklace, but it got lost under my vest for most the day. This is the last week of the challenge and I'm going to have to find more challenges because I want to continue. I'm hoping Kayla will do another challenge again soon.  Not sure my little photographers will like that, though!

Monday, August 29, 2011

21 Day Challenge: New Hair



Dress: Victoria's Secret ($10 with reward card)
Belt: Old Navy
Earrings: Handmade by Me
Necklace: Silpada
Shoes: Payless

Here's my new hairstyle for the day..another boho braid that then dictated my outfit. I even wore some turquoise Revlon eye shadow that was bright and stayed on all day, probably because of the  e.l.f. eye shadow primer. 

Sunday, August 28, 2011

21 Day Challenge: Jazz up your jeans



Halter: JCPenney
Skirt: Kohls
Earrings: Handmade by me
Shoes: Gift from In-laws

So I've really tried to change up my hairstyles for these blog posts, but I haven't had too much variety yet. I like my hair down the best so I usually rock that look. Here's my semi-boho braid to go with my shirt for this challenge. Love these espadrilles..there's also some hot pink along the black detailing.  I wish they were more comfortable, but I could probably wear them more on work days when I'm just at my desk. 

21 Day Challenge: Blog Inspiration



Dress: Target ($6.48)
Necklace: Handmade by me :)
Belt: Kenneth Cole
Shoes: Mervyns

Our challenge today was to re-create a look from an ad or a blog. My inspiration comes from my favorite fashion blogger, Kendi. I love her blog for her unusual outfits, pretty pictures and all-around style. I loved this olive dress on her, but when I found it at Target, it really didn't look like much.  I took it home to try the dress out and I loved the way she styled it with the turquoise necklace so here's my take on her look.  I'm still not sure about the dress..

Saturday, August 27, 2011

21 Day Challenge: Neutral with a Pop


Dress: Gift from In-laws
Necklace: "borrowed" from Mom
Purse: Loft
Shoes: DSW
Earrings & Ring: Charlotte Russe
Bracelet: JCPenney

This is such a summer picture & outfit with my hair blowing in the wind...
Summer is my favorite season and it shows in my smile. 

This challenge is neutral with a pop of color. I've been wanting to wear my mom's coral necklace for a while. It's one of those things that I "borrowed" during high school and have  incorporated into my wardrobe. I've never seen her wear it, so I'm sure she doesn't miss it. I've passed along a lot of my clothing to my daughters too. They love getting new stuff and I love the extra space in my closet. I have a hard time letting go of my stuff because of it's monetary value so when they can use it, I'm happy! Win, win!


Friday, August 26, 2011

21 Day Challenge: Closet Orphan

Halter: Loft
Shorts: ?
Belt: Charlotte Russe $1
Bracelets: Party City ($0.50)
Sandals: Payless Shoes


This challenge is to give some love to a closet orphan that hasn't seen the light of day in a while. I could do a whole 21 day challenge on just closet orphans alone.  Maybe I will, because after this challenge is done, I'm not sure what I would post about.  


So my closet orphan is the halter top. I think its been maybe 5 years since I've worn it! Crazy!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

21 Day Challenge: Monochromatic


Shirt: Loft
Skirt: New York & Company
Earrings: gift from work
Bracelet: Kohls 
Shoes: TJMaxx

Finally, some summery colors! I bought this outfit last time coral was the color of the moment, at least 5 years ago. Love how trends reappear every so often.  I also love how girly and floral this outfit is. This is more like my summer work uniform:  a skirt, tank or shirt and a bracelet that doesn't make noise or gets in the way of typing. I'm also a dress girl, but I've learned that it does limit the remixing possibilities, unlike separates. This is one of the many things I have learned from this challenge and style blogs. 

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

21 Day Challenge: Dressy/Casual


Shirt: H&M
Skirt: from Marshalls $3
Necklace: Kohls
Bracelet: Charlotte Russe
Earrings: Gift from work
Shoes: Target $10

Another newbie today with my damask skirt, plus some pattern mixing with my leopard shoes.  I never would have put this outfit together, but I like it. I think heather grey is the ultimate in casual and I've loved the color since high school.  
I really need to get some bright happy summer colors into these challenges though!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

21 Day Challenge: Layer Accessories


Dress: Esprit
Scarf: Old Navy $1
Belt: freebie with a dress

For this challenge, I got to wear this scarf for the first time and I never would have thought to pair it with the belt if I hadn't seen Kayla's inspiration post about layering accessories. I love the look and even thought up another idea for re-using the scarf for a future look.  I'm wearing fall colors again, but still happy to be reviving old stuff from my closet. 

Monday, August 22, 2011

21 Day Challenge: Get Creative & Remix #2

Dress: Old Navy
T-shirt (<$5) & Necklace ($8): Simply Vera Wang from Kohl's
Belt: freebie with dress or skirt
Bracelet: Charlotte Russe?
Shoes: BCBGirls from Ross $20

Just got back yesterday from camping and had taken a pic of my attempt at colorblocking in camp attire, but I missed the deadline to link up. Probably better anyways because it wasn't too impressive. I'm bummed I wasn't able to complete all the challenges, but I'll try to do as many as I can from now on. 

Here is my unconventional outfit and remix #2. I used my remix dress as a skirt for the first time and I liked the look, but I wasn't happy with the comfort level over the course of the day. My shirt was tucked under my belt and it would not stay in place, probably because my dress is silky.  


This is my world premiere of the floral shirt. If I wasn't doing these challenges, I would have waited until the fall to wear it.  I tend to save my clothes for the perfect weather, the perfect outfit and/or the perfect occasion.  So I end up wearing the same things over and over again. Yay for wearing more items out of my closet! 

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

21 Day Challenge: Mix Patterns





Tank: Charlotte Russe ($2)
Skirt: Victoria's Secret (free with secret rewards card)
Earrings: Forever 21 ($1.50)
Bracelet: Anchor Blue ($4?)
Shoes: BCBGirls  from Ross ($20?)


Mixing patterns is another trend I've been wanting to try out and this outfit was exactly what I had in mind. I'm loving stripes and have gone a little crazy with it so I have a lot to choose from in my closet. It's perfect for mixing patterns, especially with florals.  I like how this tank is floral, but not too girly, even though it has ruffles along the top. I got it at Charlotte Russe when they used to be at my local mall. They always had the best clearance section, but they closed it earlier this year. I miss it :(
Thanks for checking in! I'm having too much fun with this blog!

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

21 Day Challenge: Tuck In







Scarf: Pier I (about $2 with coupon)
Belt: Wet Seal ($1)
Tank ($2 with coupon) & Skirt: Target

For this "Tuck In" challenge, I've been wanting to try out the scarf and belt combo so I'm really enjoying trying new things.  Since I started following style blogs and pinning on Pinterest, there's been a bunch of ideas I've been keeping in my mind. Maybe this challenge and blog (if I decide to keep it going), can help me shop my closet instead of in the stores. This time, I'm wearing the scarf and belt for the first time, yay! 

Monday, August 15, 2011

21 Day Challenge: Re-mix



Dress: Old Navy
Necklace: H&M ($15)
Shoes: Carlos Santana from Ross (about $20)

I've been thinking about starting an outfit blog, so when I found the 21 Day Challenge, I thought it would be a good way to try it out. The first prompt was "Remix" so we had to pick something we could remix 3 times over the challenge. I wanted to choose something that I could wear to work and I've already had fun planning out how I can re-use the grey dress.  Plus I shopped my closet and wore the necklace and shoes for the first time!