Triple digit Jeans - OOTD

You know how your friends with a bit more money or those fancy fashion bloggers coo over their new denim that is easily 1/4 of your paycheck? Yah I'm sick of hearing about it too. But I got a pair. Of course I didn't spend the whole amount, in fact I lucked out in getting these black stretch G-star raw jeans from Brigade for only $50 on super duper clearance (as in we need to make room for winter!). I can report back that ok, maybe these are the softest pair of jeans to have ever touched my legs, yes they make my butt look good and they aren't so super tight in their sizing to make me feel like a monster (although I've given up caring what a size label says years ago). I certainly won't endorse putting yourself into questionable debt over a pair but if you can swing it you should really try it. 

As for the rest of my outfit it's also on the cheap.

Pink sparkle flats by Steve Madden from DSW

Jolly Roger belt from Express men's section with 50% coupon

Tobi Polka dot sleeveless blouse from the 30% markdown section

Leopard print Grey Cardigan that I have had for so long I don't remember what I paid for it.

Brand spanking new hair cut from my friend Amie Vonderloh at Blake Rose Salon

Speaking of my cardigan and how long I have owned made me remember this smart little post my friend Jess Gambacurta  had about Cost Per Wear which I also think is appropriate to think about when investing in a fantastic pair of jeans that makes you feel and look amazing despite it's price point.

Now with the art studio set up and place for me to take photos in a regular spot I hope to continue to add to the Out of the Day posts. I am not however going to promise a steady stream of posts. I still have a lot of work to do in the real world and I am working on making time for things that make me happy such as Video games and kitty Cuddle time which I have less of now that I do have an out of house art studio to work in.

Minty Gold - OOTD

I know it's been a while since I've done an outfit. I may have another lag coming up as our house is soon to be a construction zone for a new kitchen. Then again I don't have many excuses since the weather has been surprisingly pleasant here in the OH.

Majority of my clothes were from my trip to Chicago a couple weeks ago.

Jacket - Top Shop

Mint Rhinestone tank - Top Shop

Boyfriend Cropped Jeans- Express

Gold and Silver Heels - Top Shop

Owl Earrings - Thread

Necklace - Dongdaemon Korea

Watch - Baby G

 

I was ecstatic to find these shoes and even better they were on sale for $70, the last pair and in my size. It was like the fashion gods knew we were meant to be together. I'd been lusting for something patent silver or gold since fall and these are hitting all the right marks.

To go along with my current obsession of mint and gold I got my first gel manicure in my proclaimed colors for the season. I went to Elli Nail spa per my friend Amie's suggestion and was very happy with the service and the finished product. My nails have still been flaking since the harsh acrylics I had for  my wedding and normal polish just wasn't cutting it anymore with how tough I am on my fingers. The gel is thicker and stronger so I'm less likely to snag an edge or have chipping.

Hope you all have a great weekend! I have some good stuff lined up to show you next week!
Cheers!

OTD - SLUT UP!

So I don't get to dress up to go clubbing very often anymore.  My good Friend Arnell was having his huge birthday bash and I heard they were going to this new club/bar called Double Happiness.  Little did I know it was completely rented out by our crew so I didn't need to go so overboard.  C'est La Vie!

My Slut Up bitchy picture for the night.

Just having a little too much fun with the remote for my DSLR.

Necklace is Geeky Cat by Kuma Crafts on Etsy
You can also see the eye make up the best on this photo.

Outfit Details

Dress UO - Super Sale got it for $7.00

Wide 3 strap Cinch Belt Target

Rhinestone Silver Hoop Earrings from Express

Silver sandals - Michael by Michael Kors

Tokidoki "I Love LA" bullet Watch

Military Jacket from Express

Yep that's all.... I really love the remote for my camera.  I also like making stupid faces.  I'm probably going to start putting them in instead of editing them all out from now on, because that is just me and my personality!

Cheers!

I'm Narcissistic

Sorry guys but it's just another OTD of me.  I've been doing tons of sewing yet again failing to take pictures of the process.  Last night I finished sewing and lining the entire bodice of the Singer's green 50's inspired dress for the reception.  Tonight after Harry Potter with some friends I plan to map out what fabric I will be dying for the reception dress and finalizing my fabrics for lining my reception dress and my nieces flower girl dress.  Trying to keep these layered dresses light and simple is no easy task especially in white.  You almost have to put two layers of lining or settle for something a little heavier.  I've also taught myself how to do shuttle tatting.  It was a painful learning experience in that I would think I have something accomplished only to find my 3 hours of work had to be torn out because I did one thing wrong back at the beginning and it is easily noticeable.  I'll show you pictures and tell you more about that tomorrow.  That's a promise......

 Pinstripe Cropped Sleeve Jacket from Express

Baby Blue Tank top from Gap Body

Zac Posen Skirt from Target

Gold Wedge Sandals BCBGeneration from Filene's Basement

Baby Blue Swatch Watch

Gold Fang Necklace from Rowe Boutique
OPI Nail Polish in "Mad as a Hatter"

Glad it's on OTD

Hello!  It's Monday and I have a fresh green coat of hair color.  The weather has been hot, humid but sunny.  I think just being outside for this photos I needed a shower instantly afterwards.  I've been busy sewing all weekend and doing a fitting for the Singer in the band at the reception for my wedding.  The fitting went very well and almost all my sewing is at a halt until I get in the fabrics that I ordered.  I have been terrible taking progress photos of what I was sewing this weekend.  I promise to do better this week and next weekend.

Gauzy White Blouse

Banana Republic White Tank

Re-purposed Thrift Plaid Skirt (took it from a size zero to a size four)

Nike Gladiator Sandals

I am a bit in love with these shoes.  They are super comfy, sandals with this Romanesque yet modern look to them.  I can wear them riding my bike or just going out.  The only bad thing is trying to make outfits that accommodate the Hi-top aspect. I can't wear anything cropped or else it makes my legs look stumpy so it's either long skirts or mini's and short shorts nothing Capri. 

I was also sporting my gold Jaguar Necklace from Express and my Snowflake Ring from Nylon Method.

Hello Garden!

 We have been having an unexpected amount of heavy rains and flash storms here in Columbus, Ohio but I took the chance for some small dry moments to head out into the backyard for some OTD photos.  Small snag with where I wanted to shoot at but I'll address that at the end.  Time to look pretty!

 

 Express one piece Tank Dress with draping bead & chain trim

Converse Grey Pinstripe Blouse from Target

Christian Dior Bow Earrings from Best Friend 

(no really my best friend gave them to me there is no link)

Baby G- Pink Square Watch

Cream Coach Purse from Coach Outlet in Jeffersonville

White Rabbit key chain from Coach at Easton

Michael Kors Silver Sandals

I love this picture, I feel like it could very well be an advertisement for Coach or a website promo image.

 

As much as I love my Michael Kors silver heels there is no way I can get through my entire work day walking around in them, so the practicality comes in of substituting them at work with my trusty ole Silver Dr Scholl's slides. My little Girl Rambo loves to be in pictures.  Sometimes I think I should just give up and incorporate her then she will probably hate being in the photos.  This is a theory I need to explore.

Below is the reason why I had a little snag in taking my photos.  I was setting up and taking test shots when I noticed past our lovely daisies were my neighbor's granny panties drying in their glory for all to see.  This does not a pretty picture make.  A funny one it does make!  I was fortunate that the leopard prints were not out in full effect.  It really is not charming to come home from work to see across your little neighborhood fence rows of granny panties blowing in the breeze.

Over the Weekend

My Social Suicide has officially commenced.  I had to decline going to more events then I could shake a stick at this weekend for the sole purpose of getting a chunk of my wedding dress figured out.  I spent about 12 hours on the dress this weekend.  Most of that time was spent at the ironing board getting the final pleats done.  I re-evaluated my previous measurements while breaking in my reception shoes. The difficult thing with this is I know what I want the exterior to look like but before that I need to figure out how the interior is going to work.  With the dress being strapless I need to make sure it will stay up.  Also since it is empire waist that leaves not room for any supportive boning so I need to make sure that everything is tight and stays in place without it looking like the fabric is pulling or strained.  I also do not want it to be all the way to the floor since I have some fabulous shoes that need to see the daylight.

 My main work station this weekend, netflix on the laptop, connected to the speaker, bottle of water, sewing machine (Brother Innovis 80) and Serger on hand.  My narrow hem foot has been my best friend in finishing all my hems for this silk organza extravaganza.

 

The one night I went out was to a friend's 30th Birthday Party which was just a house party with a bonfire & pinata.   I wore mostly casual but most importantly I got to break out my new Dr. Scholl's (yes I will wear old lady shoes) flat wooden sandal and you can see my natural hair color. 

Allison Rose "Love your Librarian" T-shirt

Gold hoop and Gold Panther Choker from Express

Pink skirt from TJ Maxx

Baby Blue Swatch

Silver Metallic Dr. Scholl's Sandals

Finally my hair color as it was Saturday.  I plan to put some baby blue into it and get more of that blondish yellow out of it.but overall keeping to a green/turquoise coloring.

Another Chicago Day

Chicago's weather threw me for a loop (ha ha get it? Chicago, Loop).  Anyways I thought it would be toasty hot there but turned out to be quite chilly.  Luckily I over packed and so I wore layers upon layers to keep my wee self warm.  On my way to Chicago I actually turned back about 15 minutes onto the highway to go back and get this Navy Cardigan and am I ever glad I did!

This is what I was initially going to wear then I walked outside.

And then I came back in and put on some pants.

Navy Cardigan from Anthropologie

Knot Heart belt from UO

RVCA Storm dress from Karmaloop

Grey American Apparel tank dress

Express Re-Rock Bootcut jeans

Sam Edelman gladiator Sandals

Turquoise stone ring from Anthropologie

Strawberry (Ichigo) Head necklace from Hazel by Haoshi

My Friend took me to some of her favorite spots in Chicago such as this Cereal Bar/Seafood restaurant.

Then to the Margie's Candies

My one request for this trip was to hit Kuma Corner!

 

A most delicious burger as big as my face!

I got the "Lair of the Minotaur"

Caramelized Onions, Pancetta, Brie, Bourbon Soaked Pears

Altering Time

This shirt was once a dress.  Another treasure I procured from the Flea Swap at The Gangway.
The dress looked roomy enough until I tried to put it on.  I could barely zip it up and the bell shape was completely lost. I took out the side seams and went to the maximum safe seam allowance to no avail.  I ended up chopping it in half and using the bottom fabric to inset a box pleat to the back seam where the zipper was to make it into this cute shirt. It worked out really well since it also helped to balance the design since there were already the box pleats in the sleeves of the dress making another one with the larger bow in the back.  I was so in love with the sleeves I couldn't just part with this without trying to make it work.  It's funny because everyone who has seen is so far has asked me if it's vintage.  I'm not sure myself.  Someone else made it I can tell b/c the inside isn't professionally finished and I can see someone else has taken it in and out several times.  Whomever originally sewed this garment together was not an especially experienced sewer but they got the job done and it looked great from the outside.

With it I am wearing my silver little Tomcat locket, Express Re-rock ultra skinny jeans, pearl white globe earrings and my new Gold BCBGeneration shoes.

Getting back in the Groove

 I know I haven't done an OTD in a while.  My excuse is that I am totally done with Winter clothes but here in the Midwest that damn groundhog cursed us with an extra long snap of cold.  I have been surviving although begrudgingly.  Layering is my best weapon to stay fashionable in these random rain, hail, snow, sun conditions.  My hair has also lengthened quite a bit over this winter, you also may have noticed there are no fun colors in my hair lately.  The lack of color is due to a promise I made my best friend, that I will have "normal" colored hair for her wedding as her Maid of Honor.  Let me tell you that is a lot of love right there.  I'm not even sure I would do that for anyone else in this world. 

 

I am wearing

Mossimo Grey Striped Shirt - Target $15 on sale

Black tulle dress (re-draped by moi) - $15 on sale

ReRock Skinn Jeans - Express $25 with 50% coupon

Betsey Johnson Tartan Heels - DSW $79.99

Curiouser & Curiouser Necklace - Untamed Menegarie on Etsy

Random Swarovski Crystal earrings - made by me

 

I found it sort of amusing that the most expensive thing I am wearing are my shoes which would cover the least amount of my body aside from the accessories.  The dress I am wearing is normally just a straight A-lined skirt.  It had these ties to cinch the back which I found kind of pointless since it is an entirely elastic smocked back.  I use those ties and hiked up bunches of the tulle into a nicely draped bundle and set them in place with a bow.  Amazing how a little pinching and propping can change the look of an entire garment.  I took the cue from some of Style Rookie's own personal wardrobe outfits.  Amazing what these young kids can still teach and remind us in fashion.