WhoWhatWear

Does anyone else read the blog Who What Wear?

While 95% of the goodies they post are financially out of reach, I find it to be a fab site for inspiration and illumination. I find myself frequently pinning looks to put my own twist on, or jewelry to recreate for a fraction of the cost.

They always to a great job of Runway-To-Realway too - I mean, Elvis In Vegas is not a theme you see yourself thinking as you look at your closet, but then you see this and it seems like an option :

(images)

Check it out for some eye and brain candy - Always fun to see what's happening out there in the world!

Yo' Mama

The folks at Real Simple recently tackled all the tried-and-[sometimes not quite] true Mom fashion advice we all grew up with.

Picking the brains of experts like Stacy London from What Not To Wear, designer Laura Bennett of Project Runway, and designer Dana Buchman, among others, tips like 'matching your belt to your shoes' and 'ignoring size to focus on fit' were all put to the panel for dissection.

 Bad Mom Fashion Advice.

Image courtesy of modernkiddo.com

Here's one exerpt (courtesy of cnn.com) :

"Always wear shoes that are close in color to your pants, especially if you have big feet."
Stacy London, co-host of "What Not to Wear" and a New York City-based style expert: Wearing shoes that are exactly the same color as your pants is about as exciting as watching paint dry.
Dana Buchman, designer: Oh, my goodness. That really dates from 1910. With all that's going on with shoe design, doing that would leave you out of a lot of the excitement of getting dressed.
Jenna Lyons, head women's designer for J.Crew: That's crazy. There's nothing better than a bright shoe. As long as it doesn't make your foot look like a boat, you're fine.

Read the whole article here, and feel vindicated that sometimes yes, you should have 'gone out of the house like that'!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

"Thanksgiving" (with Karl Lagerfeld!) ~ by Danny Roberts ~ via FashionIndie.com

30 Days Update

How are you doing on  your 30 Days? I'm hoping even if you're not creating, you're seeing things in a different light as you're out there in the world. I know I've actually been turning pages of magazines with an eye for "can I make that myself somehow?" and ripping out inspiration pages left and right.

 Image courtesy of RockbrookCamp.com

Note to self... Purchase second bulletin board...

Here's my latest attempt at trying to master a new creative feat: The Chevron Friendship Bracelet. Remember those guys? Takes me back to camp bunks and taking a polar bear plunge in the wee hours of the morning in a freezing lake.

Super on-trend for summer, the old-school friendship bracelet is back and now can be created with more dextrous fingers and better taste in color than when you were nine (...well, hopefully).

First Attempt Bracelet by Yours Truly!

 Here's the tutorial I used to learn via Honestly...WTF. Clear instructions with lovely photos of each step. Fun and easy to do while catching up on all those mind expanding documentaries waiting on your dvr... like... The Bachelorette.

'Fess up, I know it's not just me.

 

Nearly Finished - Note the Puggle lounge in the background...

Inspiration Station

How are you feeling about the 30 Day Challenge in my last post? A little daunting, no?

Let me offer a little inspiration - Even if  you're not Challenge-ing, it'll be some deeeeelish eye candy.

 My fave blog for inspiration on all fronts, Honestly...WTF is not nearly as rough around the edges as the title may make it appear. The best friend duo of a stylist and photographer co-author the site from different cities, taking their own incredible photographs, offering DIY (do it yourself) projects that will blow your mind, and featuring artists who work in all forms of media.

 

Talk about dreamy...

 

Custom-made Vans for Robert Verdi, inspired by his collection of vintage Hermes scarves.

 

DIY hex-nut bracelet - I made my own based on the site's directions!

 TopShop look book loveliness

I can't even say I'm scratching the surface of this incredible one-year-old site. They're prolific post-ers, so you're sure to get something for your eyeballs to snack on daily. 

Honestly... Check it out.

~All images courtesy of Honestly...WTF~

Closet Case

One of the blogs I frequent, Just B, had a recent post citing a few basic goodies every girl should have in her wardrobe arsenal. I've seen a million of these in magazines, and I always seem to find them so... blah. You know the drill: White Collared Shirt. Khakis. Black Dress. Yes, I know these are good things to have, but why-oh-why do they need to be so dull?!

With that said, I appreciated B's take on things, as she shifted her list more towards shapes then a list of colors. Here is her list, and some easy-on-the-wallet visual aids gathered by yours truly:

1) Every closet needs a great blazer, classic dress, and a pair of jeans that make your butt look great!

 

Blazer by LoveCulture.com ~ $22.90

Dress by OldNavy.com ~ $39.94

 

Jeans by Citizens of Humanity via Nordstrom.com ~ $154 (but wear them for YEARS)

2) Take the time to find the perfect fitting denim for your body type. Denim is that piece you can wear with boots/flats or heels - day or night. A stretch fabric can also help you avoid pinching areas you don't want to be accentuated.

 

3) Choose a well-fitting coat like a belted trench, and look for styles that are slimming and comfortable.

Gallery Trench Coat by Michael Kors for Norstrom.com ~ $98 (secret hood!)

4) A piece that can be a classic choice to make any outfit is a basic v-neck top. A 'v' neckline is universally [flattering]. It helps elongate the neck and make you appear taller.

V-Neck Tee from Forever21.com ~ $6.80

5) Don't forget that LBD (Little Black Dress). Dress it up or dress it down - You'll never know when  you may need to grab your classic for a night on the town!

 

Sateen Dress from Target.com ~ $27.99 

So there you have it, a Just B/Wore Room combo post that will hopefully help you get your year-round closet together. My fave thing about all the visuals I found: Just think of the accessory options! You could take any one from grocery store to glam with the change of a jewel and shoe.       

Dreamland-Dot-Com

If TheWoreRoom is the extent of your fashion-y blog reading then girl (or boy, we're equal opportunity here), are you missin' out! Even if you aren't into crafting or styling, the world of Do It Yourself (DIY) fashion is out there for the inspiration-taking.

One of my current obsessions is P.S. I Made This. It's bordering on a sickness as I find myself on this page daily, new post or not.

Blow-your-mind blog-ess Erica Domesek has the single most incredible knack I've ever seen for seeing something beautiful, sucking out it's essence (in the best way), and recreating that beauty in a crazy-skilled - and generally quite simple - manner.

Maven of Recreation, Ms. Domesek in her drool-inducing craft room ~ Image courtesy of Shine on Yahoo.com

Erica's beautifully easy-to-read blog is a dream for DIY-ers and inspiration seekers alike.

Inspiration 'bulletin board' for a pompom purse DIY segment

Image courtesy of psimadethis.com

Not only does she pull her DIY ideas from runways around the world, but from the hottest trends in home goods as well. Every tutorial features a scrapbook-like layout of needs and short-n-sweet instructions.

I'm going to try this with cheap-o vessels found at my local thrift store for pennies.

P.S. I Made This also features DIY archives, so you can peruse the pages (highly recommended), or get straight down to business on a project of your choosing. And Erica's latest project: A book of her best and brightest, for sale on Amazon.com

Image courtesy of Amazon.com

So go, click forth, and be inspired. You can do it... Really!

Sneaky Slippers

Think of this as a 'happy new year' to your feet.

Heels are fantastic: Pretty to look at, legs look longer, skinny jeans look better, the list goes on. But at what cost to your toes? We've all been half way through an event and hit that point of utter agony that leaves us considering walking barefoot for miles through the unclean streets of Rome... No? Just me who did that? Well, if I'd had these in my bag, I wouldn't have had to risk life, limb, and a chance at stepping on a hypodermic (I didn't, for the record.):

Collapsible - and actually cute - flats!

These, which I recently purchased online through PacSun.com (on sale now in limited size selection in silver and gold for $19.99 + 50% off), are by Report, but there are lots of different brands and styles on the market.

Keeping in mind that I had to buy the giant size, those with more human sized clompers will find these even more convenient for tucking in an evening bag. However, I picked up the XL (11-12), and they are much closer to the 10.5/11 side of the spectrum. If you're on the cusp, order a size up.

Keep in mind that these are slippers, not shoes. Nearly as thin as thick socks, they aren't meant for traversing the outdoors or schlepping between home and work - More for comfort at the office or relieving pain on the dance floor.

I'm pretty sure a pair or two in gold or black will be sneaking into my closet pretty soon too.

Multiplicity

Okay girls, it's summer. You have all these cute little tanks: Spaghetti strap, racer back, one-shoulder, on and on it goes. And can you wear a regular bra with any of 'em? No.

*sigh*

I hate bra shopping with a passion. But it must be done, and never am I happier when I find one that's comfy, useful, and makes everybody (and by everybody I mean myself and those two other girls below the neck) happy.

Here's my winner: The Victoria's Secret BioFit 7-Way Bra

Allow me to sing it's praises for a moment:
*Comfy.
*Outside of with or without regular straps, there are 5 other ways to wear it. Five!!
*Comes with regular and clear strap sets.
*EASY to change the strap configuration. No, really. No... Really!
*Seamless & easy wear under every fabric.

It does rock the boat at $55, but let's do the math: 7 ways/$55 = $7.86 per bra. And remember for a moment: Straps not only keep everyone more comfortable, but keep the bra from ending up around your waist. That alone may be worth the money, and just to sweeten the deal, Vicky developed another secret in the non-slip fabric used to create the bra itself.

The only problem? There's no guarantee you look like Alessandra Ambrosio when you put it on.

A girl can dream.

Beauty & The Brain

Have you met Marie Claire?

Allow me to introduce you. She likes fashion, the newest beauty scoop, and health and relationship advice. She also has a penchant for world issues concerning women, a drive to promote self-esteem in the every-girl kind of woman, and has - *gasp* - a brain.

 Photo courtesy of TheHollywoodGossip.com

I'll admit it: I've had my days on the plane with US Weekly and People. I dabbled in Cosmo in college. I always come back to InStyle on the newsstand. But Marie Claire is my go-to gal. The only magazine I've ever found that I literally read cover-to-cover, and think about certain pieces for days/weeks/months afterwards. The writers don't dumb down their articles to be in a 'girly' publication, and the interviewers print what's said to their faces, demure or not.

Photo Text: "Keep a high self esteem even after taking off your high heels. Marie Claire Magazine: It's stylish to be intelligent."

Photo courtesy of AdvertNews.com

Fave sections included in every issue:

*What I Love About Me: A random assortment of girls from the streets of a single city, their photo, what they like about themselves and why.

*In the Bag: A whats-in-my-purse for celebs - Fluffy, sure, but a peek into the lives of some pretty interesting ladies. This month is Christiane Amanpour. Don't you want to see what a CNN powerhouse has tucked away?

*Big Girl in a Skinny World: Size 18 Ashley Falcon gives a rundown of what works, what doesn't, and where to buy what looks great. Always a reminder that it's the presentation, not what the size tag says, that ultimately matters.

*Campaign: In-depth look at a women's issue that is crying out to be recognized and acted upon. It will make you mad. It will make you cry. It will make you want to DO something. And that's great.

Photo courtesy of theyrep.com

I could go on and on. Tim Gunn's column 'Gunn Laws'. The multi-page editorial fashion spreads that always include a 5 or 6 question interview with the model (yeah, she's a real person, not just a hanger! Wow!!). The 'Designer Dossier' featuring a different fashion mastermind every issue.

Natalie Portman graces the pages - Photo courtesy of socialitelife.celebuzz.com

But I'll stop. Go grab your own copy, tear out that annoying little sheet begging you for a subscription, and send it in immediately.

Girl You Should Know

She's inspired and inspiring. Clever and crafty. She's Marisa Lynch, blogger and refashonista extraordinaire.

I found her via a friend's Facebook post, and haven't missed a day since. Her idea in essence sounds simple enough: Get a clothing item for $1 at a thrift store and tweak it to make it modern and wearable.

The hard part: Repeat for the next 364 days in a row.

But this is exactly what Marisa is doing on her blog New Dress A Day, and with only 113 days left to go, I'd say she's cruisin' toward success. At this moment, she's even a dollar in the black. Not to mention getting interviewed by Time Magazine recently.

And as a bonus, not only are her results consistently fab, but her clever commentary and step-by-step pics of the road to each refashion only amp up the enjoyment and suspense until the finale photo.

Day 241: My personal fave.

I'm not looking forward to day 365 and $0 left, but I'll be hanging on every stitch until then.

All photos courtesy of NewDressADay.wordpress.com

Pashmina Afghan

If you're an Andy Samburg fan, you got a giggle out of my title. If you don't know what I'm talking about, watch this (um, not kid-friendly for the record) first, get a good laugh, and come on back.

I kid you not, however: Pashmina afghan is about the best title for this most fabulous of wardrobe pieces. Part cardigan, part pashmina, part blanket, all chic, this... we'll call it a wrap for short, has become one of my wardrobe staples.

I picked up one in my fave shade - An acidic yellow-green - for the jaw-dropping bargain basement price of $14.99 during the last end-of-season sale.

Cotton-cashmere, people.

The regular price of $58 is back in effect currently, but let me tell you once and for all: Beyond worth it. It's the coziest thing you'll ever wear while looking pulled together, and it can be styled six(!) ways.

Check it out:
Directions courtesy of VictoriasSecret.com

• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Open Cardigan

  • Throw it on and go!
• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Over-the-shoulder

  • Toss one side over the other shoulder.
• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Tie-front

  • Tie a knot at your waist and let the ends hang loose.
• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Belted Cardigan

  • Throw it on, then add your favorite belt. Belt not included.
  • Wear it cinched at the waist, low-slung on your hips or somewhere in between.
• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Cross-front Tie-back

  • Throw it on, then gather the panels in front and twist them around each other twice.
  • Holding on to one corner of each panel, pull them out to the sides & around to the back so the panels hang down and cover your hips.
  • Tie the corners in a knot.
• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  One-shoulder

  • Turn one sleeve inside out.
  • Slide the other arm all the way on.
  • Wrap the loose end around your body from back to front.
  • Wrap the other side across your front and under your arm.
  • Pull the ends together in the back and knot.

So even at the full price of $58, with six styles to suit your mood, that evens out to only $9.66 a sweater.

Bargain.

And I promise you, this is not a buyer's remorse kind of purchase. Wear it to the office, wear it to top off evening wear, wear it with yoga pants.

Buy it, wear it, love it. And if you're anything like me, live in it.

Penthouse Kicks, Basement Prices

Forget sugar plums. The vision dancing in most of the female heads I know? Shoes.

The names come easily to mind: Laboutin, Choo, Ferragamo. A girl can dream, right? But even 'bargain' brands like Steve Madden and Me Too can wipe you out in a hurry if you've got enough room on the Visa. But there's a sneaky name out there that no one connects with being well heeled: Old Navy.

Yep, there's a hidden treasure within that old standby of tees and $5 flip-flops. It's one I've utilized for years, and still every time I say "Old Navy" in response to the 'where did you get those' gasp, I just get a second incredulous question: "Really?!?"

Sample set:

The above are still available here! In silver or gold.

Best part? Didn't pay more than $20 for any of 'em. And a little added sweetness - A few were purchased in sales tax-free states.

Yummy.

Now most of the gems above - which I might add are all super wear-all-day-standing comfy - probably aren't findable any more. But here are a few on the website this minute for your purchasing pleasure:

Under $30 - Image courtesy of OldNavy.com

Under $10 - Image courtesy of OldNavy.com

Under $15 - Image courtesy of OldNavy.com

Giddyap. Stomp the yard. Work the runway. Bring sexy back.

And do it without breaking the bank.