DIY: Fancy Peacock Fedora

You can get this fedora on Etsy.com for $50 + s&h. OR! You can make this little number yourself!

Before I sought out this hat on Etsy, I came up with the peacock feather fedora from my own brain.  I bought a plain Fedora from Wet Seal for $10.80 not too long ago.  Though it would match with pretty much everything the way it is, I felt that it needed to be spiced up.  Originally, I thought I'd pick up with of those flowered hair clips or pins that are everywhere.  But, since I haven't been shopping, I haven't been able to do that! 

Conveniently, I had a pair of peacock earrings hanging out on my dresser--yet to be worn--see, I don't need to shop.  To be honest, I don't know why I even bought them because I'm noticing that at my old age I aim for simple studs to decorate my ears.  Anyway, I'm glad I got them.  They're from Forever 21 and were $4.80.  Sorry there is no link to them; I can't find them on the F21 website.  Trust me, they're from there.  I wouldn't lie. Instead of a flower pin, I figured the peacock earrings would be a much more fantastic way to spruce up the hat!  I simply staggered them on the hat.  See here:

(do you notice my studs ;) )

Like I said, the idea of this hat was in my head long before I found the Etsy version.  Actually, it was AFTER I created mine that I did an online shopping search to see if there were peacock fedoras for sale .  I was curious to see what was available and at what price they were being sold. 

My answer: $50 (the cheapest!). 

Do you know how excited I was to know that mine cost me roughly $16?  Pretty excited!

Sooooo, not only do I have a pair of earrings to wear at some point in time (if I ever get over my ridiculous complex that I'm too old for these earrings), but I also have my fedora to either wear as-is or jazz up with other fantastic accessories (that I plan on purchasing once June 9th hits (if I can stay strong, this is a verrry difficult challenge for a "shopping is my hobby"-single girl-who lives alone, like me!))! 

I must say... I like my innovative, less expensive, DIY project better than the Etsy version.

Things like this make my day!!!

Color Blocking -- Everyone is doing it...

The big trend this Spring is color blocking.  If you don't know what it is, it means creating an outfit by combining colors to compliment eachother.  People have been doing it for years, it just seems that lately it is all over the place.

I'm seeing it everywhere--in my favorite fashion blogs, stores, on celebrities.  

Caitlin at Style Within Reach

Rouched Color Block Dress from Express: $89.60 (down from $128)

I think if you're going to buy this, even with the discount, use an Express coupon.  They send those babies out all the time.

Leighton Meester Spring 2011

The nice thing about is that it doesn't require you to go out and buy something new in order to create the look for yourself.  Most of us have plain colored items in our closet. 

Just be smart about the way you pair them up. 

Here is how to do it yourself:

1-Orange Dress from Asos: $46.16
2-Pink Faul-Leather Belt from Old Navy: $12.50
3-Pink and Orange Paisley Crossbody Bag: $14.95
4-Dollhouse Wedge Sandals from Amazon: $27.56

OR!

1-Teal Top from Forever 21: $7.50
2-Blue Lace Skirt from Target: $29.99
3-Pink Cross Body Bag from Forever 21: $14.80
4-Turquoise/Khaki Beaded Necklace from Forever 21: $5.80
5-Navy Wedge Sandals from Payless: $49.99

Have fun shopping in your closet, because that is really the only place you need to go to create this look!!

No likey.

To each their own, but I personally don't understand the look and it doesn't seem comfortable. 

Maybe she really likes her new sandals and wanted to make sure every detail was

shown so she buckled them over her jeans. 

I snuck a photo of a girl I saw standing on the EL plantform while waiting for the train home from work the other day:

And while we are on the topic of sandals, I highly suggest that you avoid buying any sandals from Forever 21.  While I'm a big fan of that store in every other regard, it is not a go-to store for sandals.  I've been a victim of several pairs breaking on me while walking down the street or accidently kicking the leg of a chair. 

It's pretty inconvenient, not to mention a waste of money.

Mission Accomplished

I had said last week that I wanted some white pants.  Boom. Done.

It wasn't even hard.  I got them from Target for $24.99

The rest of my outfit is as follows:

Black Striped Shirt from Urban Outfitters- Clearance $19.99

Black/Grey Snakeskin Clutch from Akira- At least 3 years old and I don't remember the price

Red Pumps from Agaci- Clearance $21.99

Black Watch from Forever 21- $18.80

Black Miscellaneous Bangles- Old and laying around

Black Bomber Jacket (in hand)- Borrowed

Here is another photo of me with my really fashionable cousin and sister!

***

I also got a dress from Pitaya for $18 marked down from $59.  The belt was missing, but I've got plenty of my own to pair with it.  I can wear this dress a million different ways and I think I'll get a lot of use from it!

***



As of Monday, May 9th, I challenged myself to go an entire month without buying anything fashion related.  This should be interesting, even though I have plenty of options to mix and match in my closet.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

In honor of Mother's Day, I would like to take the time to post about my

one-of-a-kind, loving, supportive, quirky,  hysterically funny and, of course, stylish momma.

I am definitely my mother's daughter.  We share good and bad, but never ugly! 
She's inspired my fashion sense and savvy spending.  My mom has always taught me to be resourceful with my clothes.  If there is a rip or button missing, she has found some sort of way to still make an item work, either with a broach, fashionable buttons, etc.  If she doesn't like a long tunic, she will shorten it to make it just a top.  These tweaks have taught me how important it is to think about the garment on the hanger and how to make it an outfit, not just a shirt or a skirt.

I love what my mom wears.  She always looks good: age appropriate, yet youthful and fresh.  I must say that her wardrobe is pretty predictable, but I still like it.  I put together an outfit I would wear at 27, inspired by the fashion taste of my very stylish 50something year old mother. 

1-Tie-Dye Top from Forever 21: $19.80

2-Black Bermudas from Old Navy: $19.50

3-Lucky Brand Peace & Dove Necklace from Macy's: $32.00

4-Peace Sign Cuff Watch from Overstock.com: $18.49

5-Tribal Ankle Strap Wedge Sandals from Agaci: $22.50

1-My mom loves tie-dye.   Half of her wardrobe is probably some sort of fashionable tie dye.

2-In the summer, she wears bermuda shorts all the time.  They're a staple for her.

3-Peace signs.  Everywhere.  Just like her tie-dye. 

4-Again.  Peace signs.  Everywhere.

5-She likes sandals with a heel.  The only time I ever see my mom wearing flats is when she is wearing sneakers to take our dog (best dog ever!) for a walk. 

Fashion advice in the words of my mother:  "Always dress your best and wear lipstick.  You never know who is looking on."

And I always remember this because as they say...Mom is always right :)

Happy Mother's Day, Momma.  I love you <3

White'n up!

I'm an old fashion kind of gal and like to wait to wear my whites until after Easter.  And since it has come and gone, it's time to lighten up the wardrobe.  My mission this weekend is to find a pair of white jeans.

1-White Skinny Jeans from Old Navy: $25 (down from $34.50)

2-Style & Co. White Bootcut Jeans from Macy's: $44

3-MNG by Mango White Jeans from JCPenney: $39.92 (down from $49.90)

You can pretty much wear white jeans with anything you would pair with regular denim.  Here are a couple examples to take your new whitey tighties from day to night :)

Day

1-Striped Turquoise Tank from Forever 21: $4.80

2-Turquoise Bangles from Forever 21: $9.80

3-Pink Studio Mustard Sandals from Amazon: $38.03 (down from $79)

4-Tan Satchel Bag from Fred Flare: $18

Night

1-Black and Gold Bangles from Forever 21: $7.80

2-Black Ruffle Front Tank from Forever 21: $14.80

3-Snakeskin Clutch Purse from Asos: $26.90
4-Black and Gold Bead Dangle Earrings from Forever 21: $7.80
5-Blue BCBG Snakeskin Pumps from Amazon: $31.60 (down from $79)