Look at me, I'm Sandra Dee. The not-too-pure-to-be-pink, kind.

If you haven't noticed by now, I don't like to spend stupid money.  On the other hand, I do like to commit to a Halloween costume.  This year, I got the best of both worlds because this get-up cost me under $6.  Maybe a little more if you want to configure in a can of hairspray because, Holy Mackerole, my hair did not move. 

My original costume idea of being a troll failed so I had to come up with a resourceful Plan B at a short notice. Sandy, it was, since I owned all the pieces to the outfit.  The comb hair clip was the only thing I had to buy. 

I'm not going to lie, I like to be a little more original than this, but at least I rocked it :)

My Style: Sushi Dinner

Contrary to the "Nancy's Pizza" sign, I had sushi for dinner.  I wouldn't lie.

Here is a story about these jeans:

Word was going around that that Catelynn from MTV's Teen Mom worked at a store near my parents' house in Michigan.  I'm nosey and specifically made a trip to the rumored Rue 21 to see if I could spot her...and I did.  She let me into a fitting room and cashed me out when I paid for the jeans.  Are you jealous? 

And by the way, she is a very nice girl.  No, I did not ask for her autograph or even act like I knew who she was.

Sheer Ruffle Shirt from Forever 21: $22.80

Flare Jeans from Rue 21:  $12 (down from $26)

Suede Burgundy Heels from Marshall's:  4 years old

Earrngs from Forever 21: 3 years old

Watch:  gift

My Style: Rehearsal Dinner

I'm going out of order by posting pictures of my sister's rehearsal dinner, but since it is my blog, I can do whatever I want :)

After a couple practice runs of the wedding ceremony, the family and wedding party headed over to the Emagine Theater for bowling, pool, and Detroit Tigers! 

I've been told I have good bowling form.  Even in 4 inch heels, look at that pretty pink ball heading straight down the lane for a strike....

Bride & Maid of Honor

I wore...

Green Satin Bow Shirt:  borrowed from sister (thanks!)

Black Skirt from Forever 21:  $4.80

Ombre Brown/Tan heels by Jessica Simpson: $40

Leopard Belt from Forever 21: $3.80

Watch: gift

Me with my best friend/cousin!

I love my dad!

Fashion.Blog.Love.

Yesterday was a great day! I was featured on a blog about fashion blogs! This site is brilliant.  If you love fashion and if you love blogs then you'll love Fashion. Blog. Love.(go figure!)

Thanks Fashion. Blog. Love!  You made my week!!

My Style: Akira Fashion Show

More Akira Fashion Show, but this time it's about me :)

The majority of my outfit is, appropriately, from Akira.  I will admit I'm a little all over the place, yet it works. 

Obviously I've been obsessed with snakeskin lately and felt the need to add it into my wardrobe any way I could.  The only jewelry I wore was a a pair of stud earrings, a watch and couple of bracelets:  "I <3 Detroit" and a friendship bracelet made by one of my bests (I don't take these two off).  ...stayin' true to myself!

Here's what I wore:

 Polka Dot top from Pitaya:  $14

Black Skirt from Akira: $26

Snakeskin Clutch from Akira: $31

Snakeskin Shoes from Akira: $26

My Style: Sister's Bachelorette Party

As stated in my last post, this past weekend was my sister, Katie's, bachelorette party.  As Maid of Honor, I tried to think of my sister's favorite things and make sure they all made an appearance at her party:  shoes, Michael Jackson, cookies, Boone's Farm, koozies, etc.  The cherry on top was a pink schoolbus to drive us around town, in which we had a dance party to DMB's "Two Step" (on repeat).  I hope everyone at the bash had as much fun as I did!

The dress code for guests was to wear all black, except for the shoes.

Metallic Tank from Forever 21: old

Black Leather Skirt from Forever 21: $15.80

Red Peep-Toe Shoes from Agaci: $20 (clearance)

Flower Necklace from Express:  borrowed from Sister (thanks!)

{Plastic Fedora and Glitter Glove are not part of the outfit :)  I'm just channeling the King of Pop}

My Style: Street Fest

While in Detroit for the wedding over Labor Day, I went to a street fest with some of my family.  I sported my fav black bra/white tank look, paired it with a flirty skirt then threw on some metallic sandals.

White Tank from Forever 21: $3.80

Black Lace Bra from Marshall's: $4.99 (yes, $4.99!)

Kisses Skirt from Forever 21: $13.80

Earrings from H&M: $2.80

Sandals: borrowed from sister (thanks!)

Watch & Necklace: gifts

It's hard to believe summer is over :(

***

Side note...

Fashion comes in all forms; you just have to own it..like this guy I saw walking around: 

 He did all of the drawings on the jeans himself.

I'm a big advocate of Detroit and felt akin to this man.

He's pretty much a rock star.

My Style: Swanky Wedding

This past Friday, I went to the wedding for one of my longest friends.  No, it is not the wedding affiliated with the winery trip...that is next weekend!  A super busy schedule, but so worth it.  Helping one of your lifetime friends into her wedding dress is surreal and such a special moment...

The wedding was absolutely gorgeous, just like my beautiful friend!  It was at the swanky and classy Detroit Athletic Club in downtown Detroit, which overlooks Comerica Park.  I think the bride and groom will have a very happy life together considering the Tigers won that night  8-1!!!

I was honored to do a reading at the ceremony. Here are a few pictures from the wedding.  

Congratulations to Brent & Jennifer!

(I was really excited that The Bible matched my nails and shoes.  These kinds of things are important)

Here's what I wore:

Purple Ruffle Dress from Forever 21: $24.80 (2 years old, never worn..my bad!)

Red Peep Toe Heels from Agaci:  $19.99 (Clearance)

Grey and Gold Beaded Necklace from Forever 21: $9.80

Stud Earrings from H&M: $2.80

Watch: Gift

Bangle: old

Gold Clutch Purse: borrowed from Sister (thanks!)

 

My Style: Wine Tasting

Last weekend I went wine tasting for a bachelorette party in Northern Michigan.  We had a great time sipping the day away and celebrating the upcoming nuptials of my fabulous friend, Stef! 

Here's what I wore:

Sheer Floral Tie Shirt from Marshalls: $12.99

Navy Button Shorts from Urban Outfitters: $10.99

Brown Wedge Sandals from Target: $7.48

Woven Cross Body Purse from Crossroads Exchange: $8

Bracelet & Earrings at least 5 years old from Forever 21

Watch: gift
Sunglasses from Marshalls: $9.99

 

Can't wait for the wedding!  Less than 2 weeks away :)

High Low Skirt...Dress...Skirt...

One of the latest trends is the high-low skirt.  They aren't quite yet all over the place, but they're catching on and I like!  This past weekend, my friend Nikki asked me to help her figure out how to wear her "new skirt".  I'm not going to lie, I got clothes-envy when I realized it was the high-low look I've been wanting!  

Nikki's is from Nordstrom and it is not a $teal.  Being so pricey I wanted to make sure Nik got her money's worth.  Here are three ways she could wear the skirt, but the options don't stop here.  I loved discovering the versatility and seeing that not only can it be worn for the rest of the summer, but will take her into colder temperatures as the season changes. 

(Isn't she pretty?)

Style #1:  Wear as a high waisted skirt with a plain white tank.  I suggested allowing her pink bra to show through the white shirt (you know I love this look), which unfortunately you can't see it in this picture.  Then we paired it all with some neutral flowered sandals.

Style #2:  Tie drawstring on the skirt around the neck so it appears as though it is a halter dress.  Cinch the waist with a thin belt and throw on those flowered sandals again.

Style #3:  Let the skirt lay low on the hips and wear with a comfy sweater.  Nikki had some fantastic boots that had to be shown off and matched the sweater pretty perfectly. 

For the night she went with wearing the skirt as a dress. 

The options to wearing this skirt (or sometimes a dress) are endless.  Here are a couple less expensive high-low skirts I found that can be worn the same ways I styled Nikki. 

High Low Skirt from Venus: $19 (down from $39)

Black High Low Maxi Skirt from Von Maur: $36

Have fun playing dress up :)

What's your favorite style Nikki wore?

DIY: Fringe Shirt

This project  really didn't take much brains to figure out.  I was inspired by all of the fringe shirts I saw at Lollapalooza (yes, I'm still on a Lolla-high) and knew I could easily do this myself.  Let's face it, it's way more fun to make something yourself and know that nobody else has it.  Such satisfaction!

So, let's get to work.  Here's how I did it:

Step 1:  Scour your drawers for an old t-shirt you don't care gets ruined or visit the thrift store to make such a purchase. 

Step 2:  Try the shirt on and mark to where you'd like the fringe to reach on your waistline.

Step 3:  Cut off the bottom hem, then cut thin strips of the t-shirt up to the designated line going all the way around the shirt.  I'd say make them about 1/4" thick.

Step 4:  Throw that baby on and style your shirt using what you already own. 

Tada!

And it only took me about 15 minutes :)

Yellow Shirt:  Thrift -- $1.99

Skinny Jeans:  Forever 21 -- 4 years old

Turquoise Sandals:  Target -- 1 year old

Colorful Beaded Necklace:  Forever 21 -- 5 years old

Watch:  Gift

Full Circle

I seem to post lots of ideas and opinions, but rarely share how I wear clothes, myself.  I figured it has been a while and it is time to show some of my own style.

Here's an outfit where I pull together IKAT and those great new ORANGE espadrilles I recently purchased.

Dress: Marshall's $19.99

Shoes: Marshall's $19.99

Necklace: borrowed from Mom

Watch: gift

Bracelets: old and laying around

My sister's wedding shower was yesterday and this is what I wore for her special day! 

She looks gorgeous, doesn't she?

Bride & Maid of Honor

Sister's ensemble: 

Dress: Marshall's $29.99

Shoes:  DSW $31

Watch:  Macy's $29.99

Weekend Update

In short, I just had the best weekend of my entire year so far.  I love DMB and had a blast with my two buddies who were with me all 3 days.  Here are my outfits I wore:

Day 1-Friday

Black tank from Forever 21: $4.80

Floral shorts from TJ Maxx: $5.99

Black sandals from Urban Outfitters: $19.99

Aviators from TJ Maxx: $7.99

Black cross body bag from TJ Maxx: $14.99

Day 2-Saturday

Purple dress from Crossroads Exchange: $12.00

Red belt (old as can be) from Forever 21: I don't remember

Brown sandals from Nine West: $19.99

Leopard sunglasses from Urban Outfitters: $14

Brown cross-body bag borrowed from Sister!

Day 3-Sunday

Printed dress from Forever 21: $17.80

Turquoise stone sandals from Target: $19.99

Brown dunglasses from TJ Maxx: $12.99

Brown cross body bag borrowed from Sister!

(I decided to pass on wearing the black/white striped dress as posted below.  By the end of the day, I was so dirty and I didn't want it to show all over my clothes!)

I've been in the best mood all week and smiling and laughing out of nowhere thinking about all the great memories of this past weekend!  I've also only listened to DMB for the past 7 days.  <3 <3

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.

Spring Favs

Today in Chicago it was 72 degrees and sunny!  April has been so so rainy and it felt great to finally have a break from the gloomy weather!  The sunshine inspired me to peek through my Spring/Summer wardrobe.  I felt the need to share some of my favorite accessories that are going to take me through the next couple of seasons :)

A couple are old, a few are new...

Yellow Michael Antonio Pumps from Akira-2 years old

Pink Flip Shade Sunglasses from Ragstock for $5- New this Spring

Colorful Beaded Necklace from Forever 21-5 years old

Leopard Skinny Belt from Forever 21 for $4.80- New this Spring

Tan Woven Clutch Purse from Crossroads Trading for $8- New this Spring

Birthday Girl!!

My Birthday was a couple weeks ago.  I planned on treating myself to a new outfit for celebrating and anticipated a little splurge, but that frugal voice inside of me allowed Style at a $teal to prevail!  I actually loved what I ended up wearing.  It was perfect for the location and low key vibe, yet special enough to say "Birthday Girl".

One of my best and longest pals from Michigan came to visit me for the weekend :)

Here's the breakdown:

Gold Stud Earrings from H&M: $3.99

Gold "Kari" Necklace: Gift

Black Lacey Bra from TJ Maxx: $4.99

Sheer Turquoise Tank from Forever 21: $10.80

Skinny Leopard Belt from Forever 21: $4.80

Black Boyfriend Watch from Forever 21: $18.80

Grey Zipper Jeans: Giveaway from sister

Black/Cork Peep-Toe Pumps:  Gift

Total: $43.38

I only bought the tank, belt and watch new.  Everything else, I already owned.  So, technically, I only spent $34.40 on my birthday gift to myself!