Make A Statement: In Tights

Yesterday I put on my (old) favorite pair of blue jeans.  For the record, I have not put them on in months. And this is simply because I have found comfort in other things to cover my legs. Look around any relevant clothing store or website and you will most likely find either a) a colorful pair of skinnies b) a fun printed legging or c) an awesome pair of tights that cover fun in both print and color. 

This year, I am voting for tights and will protest why everyone should own at least one pair (excluding standard black opaque or sheer)! 

Here are five reasons everyone should go out and purchase a new pair of tights:

1. They are quite cheap so you aren't making a huge investment in something you may only wear a few times

2. Everyone owns a LBD.  Spruce that LBD up with an oxblood pair of tights or add a black patterned pair

3. Tights look good on all shapes and sizes! If you are bigger, think about how diagonal stripes look good in tops and do the same thing with tights, they will create a slimming illusion! If you are short, purchase a pair that have vertical stripes to create an illusion of never ending legs! 

4. They now make opaque tights that are fleece lined! Yes, I know that sounds weird and pretty thick but its not. You can wear these tights all through winter.

5. A lot of people get caught in a rut of buying black, white, cream, and grey in clothing.  This is an easy (and relate back to #1) way to add a pop of color to any skirt or dress in your closet.

1. DKNY blackout

2. Pretty Polly fleecy

3. Pretty Polly sparkle

4. ModCloth i'm just kitten 

5. ASOS metallic 

6. House of Holland alphabet

DIY: Studded Collar

So awhile ago I found this super amaze oversize denim jacket at a second-hand store.  I love it so much but wanted to add some extra touch to it.  As I have posted before, studs are found everywhere this fall.  I went to a local craft store to buy studs that I could add to fabric but they had absolutely nothing :( Actually, I am really happy they didn't or else I wouldn't have found the amazingness of studs on ebay. You can find ANYTHING! Plus its so unbelievably cheap for a lot of studs.  The only downfall I found was that I had to wait about 2-3 weeks for them to arrive (but it was well worth it).  I have been pretty obsessed with decorative collars for awhile which is why I decided to add studs to my denim collar.  The process was pretty easy but a little rough on my fingers.  

1. Gather your supplies of 

* nose pliers

* studs (variety of sizes if you choose)

*jacket or other clothing

Thats all you need!

2. Place studs to get an idea of how you want them pinned into the fabric

3. Push stud anchors into fabric.  Use pliers to turn in anchors and secure to fabric. I started on one point, worked to the back middle, then started on the other point so if the studs met up funny it would be in the back, not the front.  This is the part where your fingers will probably start to hurt!

4. Double check to see if there are any missing spots to add more studs.  I added more to the points. 

5. Finished product!! 

I really like how this jacket turned out.  Next time I use studs I want to get the cone shaped ones. Hope you're inspired to make your own design! 

Fall Trends: 5 Must Have Items Straight From The Runway

Right now runways across the world are speaking spring/summer trends but right now its about focusing on fall.

Here are five top trends for fall straight from the F/W 2012 shows.  

1. Studs

Studded gloves at Burberry Prorsum

Studs can be found on accessories, jackets, jewelry, tops, denim, etc.  The best part is.. you can save some money and DIY!

2. White

Alexander Wang dress

This is another trend that can be found in many different items such as dresses and jackets.  This trend will also be played into fall so invest in pieces for the next season. 

3. Dark Red Lips

Yves Saint Laurent oxblood lips

Last fall and through spring we saw the bright red lip in action.  This season the red lip gets darker along with the weather. Invest in a good color that you can wear every day and with every outfit. 

4. Printed Sweater

Cross pattern sweater at Topshop's Unique

I've posted about printed sweaters before and these can be found all over from Nordstrom to Target.  This is a fun trend to pop a plain sweater.  Try layering a chambray shirt underneath with a studded collar. 

5. Oversize Jacket

Oversized jacket at Carven 

The oversize jacket takes inspiration from the 80s but this time around, forget the shoulder pads! This look is a bit slouchy but definitely comfy! Plus you will be able to deal with a lot of layering underneath. 

How many trends will you wear this season?

Fall Style: The Brooch

Some might see it as old lady swag but it's time to change that thought.  

The standard brooch is a fall staple item that can change up a whole look. It can be worn on a scarf, jacket, hat, collar, etc. 

There are a lot of fun brooches out there, especially vintage which are usually pretty cheap.

I personally have a few great pieces from my grandma's collection which I am super stoked to break out! 

1. Arrow Brooch

2. Bottega Veneta Brooch

3. Cat Brooch 

4. Vintage Chanel Brooch

5. Tasha Fern Brooch

How will you wear the brooch this fall??

Fall style: Oxblood

Right now... 

the real show is happening and I'm talking about the runway show that is street fashion.  It's fashion week in all parts of the world through September and while the trends on the $1,000,000 runways are the main attraction, I love looking at what is happening on the streets.  The people who attend fashion week are the fashion innovators and leaders of style.  Whether its in New York, London, Paris, Milan, etc, the streets are lined with the most amazing of fashions for fall 2012 and future seasons. 

Whats hot right now? 

Oxblood!

It has been spotted all over the streets this fashion week.  And I'm talking purses, pants, dresses, tops, shoes... its endless!

refinery29.com

refinery29.com

refinery29.com

refinery29.com

thefashionspot.com

stylelist.com

Will you be a part of the oxblood trend this season?

DIY: Chained Sweater

Ahh... my first clothing DIY post! 

I have only been out of school since May but I am really missing working on projects, which is probably why I did this DIY post (and there are more to come)! For fall collections, I have seen a lot of chain on sweaters and shirts, like this one:

topshop.com

Fortunately, this is a really easy DIY add on to any old sweater you might have in your closet.   Hooray for saving $$$. All you really need is patience and a general idea of hand sewing. 

Here is goes...

1. Before rolling up your sleeves and getting to work, gather your materials. These include: 

a sweater (old or new)

a pair of pliers

metal chain which you can find at a craft store or online

thread to match the sweater color

a sewing needle

pins

2. Start at the back neck of the sweater and pin one end of the chain in place so it doesn't move. This sweater (and most) has a ribbing at the top which kind of creates a good line for the chain to follow.

3. Follow the ribbing with the chain, pinning about every 2-3 inches so the chain wont move when you are sewing. 

4. Once you have reached the starting point of the chain, there will most likely be an overlap of extra chain.  You will need to use the pliers to take chains off and reconnect them.  Figure out which link fits perfectly with the one you started with.  Take the next link off, and connect the new end with the starting link. 

5. It's time to sew! I used a doubled thread.  Sew two loops around the area where two links meet.  You don't have to sew every link.  I sewed every second one so it goes, sew link, skip link, sew link, skip link, etc.  This step will take the most amount of time.

6. When you are back to where you have started, you're done!!! You can also create your own design by adding two chains around the neck, or even around the wrist. 

This is what the sweater looked like on me when I was finished...

I think it's super cute and trust me, it is so easy! 

Hope you find this helpful and send pics this way when you do your own!

Put Your Prints Up, Baby

As fall slowly rolls around the corner, I cannot put a stop to what I would like in my fall wardrobe collection. I once met a girl who was studying fashion design with an emphasis on knits so she could makes awesome print sweaters like these which is TRéS COOL!!! Prints on sweaters are a wonderful way to add quirkiness to a rather plain ensemble.  Plus they are usually funny, cute, or just a bit out of the ordinary. 

1. J. Crew French Hen 

2. Nasty Gal Kissy Face

3. Topshop Horses

4. ModCloth Posy

5. Asos Tres Cool

There are endless possibilities with printed sweaters!

GAP, you've got it right!

It has been a hot second since I have posted unfortunately, but now I am back! 

The other day I was watching tv and a commercial came on and I instantly knew what was going on.  The Avett Brothers were strumming their guitars and my ears perked up. I am a major fan of their music and were excited to see them on national telly.  

You can watch their commercial here. 

And just in case you dont, here is some wonderful eye candy...

GAP also did a wonderful job on that marketing because I went to their website and looked at what surprisingly lovely things they have in store for fall. 

gap.com

I have been looking season upon season for a nice chambray shirt that isn't too expensive and will go with many different looks.  This oversized shirt is perfect because you can tie it up at the bottom or wear it tunic like.   

gap.com

These slim cropped pants are perfect for fall with a solid smoking slipper. 

Did you know that GAP had the best scarf collection as well? 

                 

                   

Anyways, go check it out for yourself!