Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label budget. Show all posts

12.05.2011

Faux Fo' Sho'

out in public with the homemade vest

A while back, I wrote about a video tutorial from PS: I made this on how to make your own faux fur vest. I actually made mine a while back, and am finally getting around to blogging about it! I originally had step by step photos, but I've gotten a new iPhone since then. Darn it. Anyways, hope this helps! Just in time for the holidays!

Like I said, I followed the PS: I made this video, but I'm going to tweak the instructions, based on my experience with it.

Things to take note of...

  • Try to buy faux fur that is a little longer. When the fur is too short, it looks cheap.
  • Either cut the fabric over a blanket/tarp or outside OR get ready to vacuum the crap out of your apartment. Fur galore.
  • Buy two different furs, make one long and one short. It's so affordable, you might as well!
  • This particular tutorial creates a vest that is cut roundly, and has a drape effect in the front. If you would rather have a square-cut vest, then modify step 2. 

Materials
  • 1 yard fur (for one vest)
  • Fabric scissors
  • Marker (light color
  • Measuring tape
  • Paper
Steps
  1. Lay the fabric down on a surface, with the fur direction going down, fur-side to the surface
  2. Using the marker, trace a large oval reaching the edges of the fabric, depending on how long you want the vest.
  3. Cut out the oval shape.
  4. With your measuring tape, measure the distance between your armpits, over your collar bone.
  5. Eyeing the center of the fabric, mark the distance between your armpits. (I know it seems unnatural to mark this distance in the center of the fabric, but it works)
  6. Draw an almond shape on your  piece of paper, large enough for your arm hole to fit.
  7. Lay the almond shape vertically on one of the armpit marks (Make sure that there is at least 8-10 inches of fabric under the bottom of the almond shape. If not, then move the almond shape higher on the fabric until there is)
  8. Trace the almond shape and cut it out.
  9. Repeat on the other armpit mark
  10. Try on the vest, and tweak it to your liking. I cut belt holes in mine :> I also ended up cutting a little more off the top and sides to make it a little less bulky. 


Disclaimers
I've had a few smart a$$ boys tell me, "What's that made out of? Racoons?" to which I reply, "NO, YOUR MOMS CHEST HAIR." Sometimes, to sport a trend, you have to sport a mean streak. Plus, mean girls quotes never get old.


Hope this little diddy helps you guys out. Not really though, because I don't want yours to be cuter than mine.

10.20.2011

Nordic Bananas

Unless you live under a rock with the Geico men, you're aware of the chunky/Nordic/Navajo/knit sweater epidemic that is taking the nation by storm.


Here we have the always fabulous Victoria Beckham, and a model from a D&G runway

Comfy cute trends like these amplify my dream of living in cold dreary places like Boston or NYC. But being steadfast on the trends, you can bet your bottom dollar I will rep me a Nord in the west Texas sun. Paired with denim shorts naturally.

You would think this trend would be easy to come by and easy to afford, I mean it's a granny sweater!!!! No no no. I have seen these garments running for over $200. Like really??!? Anyone who knows me at all knows I understand brand equity and will splurge on a $60 turban from Gold Saturn or a to-die-for ring by House of Harlow for $80. But when a free people chunky knit looks the same as my moms from the 70s is when I realize the bang, or lack there of, for my buck.

This cardigan by free people is $298. Click the pic.


iCringe. I don't care if it's Saks. It's a mountain man grandpa sweater and I'm not taking out a loan to buy the damn thang.

I have already blogged about my $20 shopping spree at a consignment store. I bought like 15 things, one of those items being a Nordic sweater.... for 2 dollars.


FOR TWO DOLL HAIRS, Y'ALL. And rest assured I be working that pull over like it's from Neimans. Rest. Ah. Sured.

Off subject, one of my favorite breakfasts is toast. I like to top them with butter and honey, butter and jelly, nutella and bananas, peanut pr butter and bananas. I also recently discovered the magic and wonders of the BeFunky iPhone pic editor app. So naturally I had to take a picture of my toast, edit it on the app, and blog about it.
Story of my life.

9.22.2011

Study break: RUCHE




I fell upon one of my new favorite shopping websites on a 1 AM study break. Bloggers, I introduce to you, Ruche.
Here are some of my favorite pieces....
(click the pic)






The best part is all of it was so affordable! Ranging from about $18-50. And none of it looks cheap! Amazing. Obsessed. Lalalalalalalove. I'm hard to sell to when it comes to "vintage pieces" but I'm actually really digging this site. They also have a rad blog, and story about how the website started. Oh and did I mention they have sweet look books and desktop backgrounds??? Gotta <3 it.









The site also has some pretty fabulous purses and jewelry!


Well. back to studying...

9.05.2011

The Bargain Weekend.

This labor weekend was truly awesome. Hello game days at Lubbock? Nothing is better. It was my first time to tail-gate (I'm a junior. I don't want to talk about it.) Not only that, but my parents and boyfriend came in town, and good times were had with friends and last but not least (drumroll), I enjoyed my first Jack in the Box experience.

Another great thing about this weekend? The countless bargains I bagged. Yes, this means I made a stop at Forever21, but I also got some good stuff from the Chrome sale. Let's have a lookskie shall we...


Like these True Religion rolled up denim shorts. Originally $179, and NBD, I got them for $44.


  • Top left: black, oversized, long sleeved tee, by Unio. Orig: $78, sale: $19.50.
  • Top middle: Fringe Jeffrey Campbell gladiators. Orig: $98, sale: $19.99.
  • Right: Calf length sheer cardigan!! THANK GOD!
  • Bottom left: Fake eyelashes and nail polish, get on my leveeellllllllll
  • Bottom middle: My new school bag. Am most excited about this purchase.




I couldn't resist the $1.50-$2.80 items (heart tote, nail polish, falsies). I'm definitely thaaaat girl that adds like 8 impulse-register items while the cashier is ringing up.


I'm fully aware of the incomparable differences between the almighty Linea Pelle Dylan tote, and my Forever21 version, but I mean hey, they're the same shape, you get the idea, I don't have $525 extra doll hairs lying around, this will do.



And here is a close up of my Jeffries. How boho of me. Now it's time to watch Kris and Bruce Jenner renew their vows. Goodnight and happy labor day bloggerz.

P.S.

8.31.2011

The Other New Pants


The "Lacy bell bottom pants" as i like to call them because they are lacy bell bottom pants. I keep seeing these lil babies everywhere.
Naturally, they are on my to do list.


These are by $187 by Nightcap clothing, and actually sold out on shopbop.
Most of my friends wouldn't dare step into a racy lacy number like this, but I for one love it, and I'm going to post some pictures that could inspire even the toughest of critics into giving them a try.




Lace and 70s are still going big, so indulge your self! Go wild!
And don't worry, I found the forever21 version...


I'm not opposed to these at all. Not the same, but Forever21 says, "You get the idea."

My only last advice for The Other New Pants...
  • Avoid hooks and eyes
  • Chunky heels/wedges=MUST
  • No crop top unless the pants are highwaisted. Unless your Giselle, then whatever.
  • These are more like night time/going out pants to me. Don't mosey into English class in these (unless it's a Friday 8am "morning after", then we'll let it slide)


HAPPY HUMP DAY.

8.05.2011

Girl On A Budget

Or better titled, "Girl on a budget after spending too much on a bad hair appointment," but that wouldn't fit.

So here are my Ross purchases! Yes, Ross. I know

It's kind of hard to tell, but top left is a cropped white off-the-shoulder top that cinches in at the bottom. It has dolman sleeves, loose around your body, but tight around your arms. It would be so cute with anything high waisted! I originally picked it out as something I could cut the bottom of, and fringe, but after I tried it on, I knew that wouldn't happen.

Top Middle. An oatmeal colored basic top with cut outs on the shoulders.
Right. The gray stripped oversized sweater. I love it because it is very poncho-y and when I hold my arms out, it looks like a blanket was draped over me then sewn up the sides. who doesn't love that effect.

Bottom left. I took a better picture of this one by itself if you scroll down. But it is a lace cropped top with puffed sleeves, and a zipped back. I picture this with a pencil skirt. And a pretty bandeau under it.

Bottom middle. All the cute little knicka's I found. And a bra that has straps that arrange like 50 ways. Who needs Victoria's Secret??????


Top left is a red top that has cut outs on the shoulders. It's flowy, cropped, and cinched at the bottom again. Game day top????

Top middle/top right. Your everyday basic tee's. In two fun colors that I don't have!

Bottom left. A fitted white top with a half-turtle neck, and rouched (how the ef do you spell rouched?) sleeves. I see it in high waisted trousers, or skirt. LA LA LOVE!

Bottom middle. This one is really cool. It is a cropped silky gray top in the front, then drapes down and is only black lace in the back. It's 100% sassy.

Bottom right. I found this top stuffed in with the dresses. It is a sheer, flowy, cropped, leopard top. um-HELLO?!??!? We have tops like this at Chrome!!! I just found one at Ross??? UNREAL.


I saved this for last because it is my ABSOLUTE favorite find! It is a bright pink cardigan. It looks remarkably organge in this picture, which is weird, but it is bright pink. It is fitted in the arms, falls below my hips, and has big drapey pockets. It looks good with my dark hair! (oh and my dark eyebrows...)

And here is the picture of the black cropped lacy top. This is the back of it. Lovey????
TGIF, EVERYONE!!! Listen to Katy Perry!!!!

8.04.2011

Eyebrow Drama

Yesterday was going to be a great day. It was my last day of summer school (also known as Last Day of BSing Stats Tests), it was my day off work, and it was a day of pampering!

7:52 am.
I woke up later than planned for my 8 am final, but still made it on time because my professor was also late (gotta love Tech). Then when sitting down to take the test, I experience another mini crisis: didn't bring the calculator! HA! I actually went into a math final... SANS CALC! Seriously Augusta???? I was kicking myself the whole test. So I did what I could then when I was done, I asked teach if he had a calculator I could borrow. He said yes "but dere ah dees-play err-ors." Um.. just give me the freaking calculator. Luckily his broken ass display screened calculator pulled through for me, and I was able to figure out slash guess the answers I hadn't finished yet.

Phew. Test over.

9:30am
Pour bowl of cereal. Realize I have no milk. Go to Leonards to buy milk. See 99 cent chocolate muffins at Leonards. Cave in. Then awkwardly buy milk. Go home. Eat muffin and stare at bowl of cereal with sliced bananas. I put it in the fridge (my roommate must wonder what the ef I'm doing 89% of the time).

10:00am-2:29pm
Blog. Shower. Put on make up and self tanner for what it's worth. Blog yet again (no life????). Half ass attempt to clean room. Watch shark week (where the ef is Andy Samberg??). Attempt to eat hours old cereal with milk this time. It tastes weird. Throw it away and make turkey sandwhich. Satisfied.

2:30pm
I find myself to be explicitly excited for my hair appt taking place in 30 minutes by this time. I had googled pictures and saved them on my handy dandy iPhone to make it easy for the stylist to know EXACTLY what I was aiming for. Here are the pictures.

I wanted this cut... Don't get me started on her "fashion line" but when it comes to her hair, I am a follower.

I wanted this color. I liked the dark ass brown softened by lighter BUT NOT BLONDE tones. Wouldn't mind having her face either.

And this is where shit gets real.

3:00pm
I sit down in the chair, with a new hair stylist. My old one had left the salon (red flag???). I show her the pictures, then we go through the color samples of hair. For some reason I get talked into picking something UNLIKE Penelope's hues. I pick this dark reddish brown. Whatever.

3:45pm
Eyebrow time. For this visit, by a salon not known for being one of the best in town, and even further I was given a new girl, for some reason I decide it an appropriate time to do something retardedly drastic. Something that should be saved for ACTUAL professionals. Augusta decides to get her eyebrows dyed the color of her new hair color. How cute.

3:55-4pm
Hair dresser has waited about ten minutes since applying eyebrow dye. She examines them and tries to wipe off a little bit with a rag. Well... naturally, the dye wiped off, but had left an evident stain.

LET'S RECAP HERE. When she applied the eyebrow dye, she didn't do it to match my eyebrow shape exact, she just swabbed on basic strokes mimicking my brows, but TWICE AS THICK as my brows' size, mind you.

Back to the story- After swiping a little off she utters, "Hmm.." I didn't think twice about her gestures, I was engrossed in an article in OK magazine about Kim Kardashian's vs. Jessica Simpson's weddings coming up. She then takes me to the sink where we rinse my hair and wipe off the rest of my eyebrows. She takes me back to the chair, where I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, without a magazine to distract me.

"HOLY #$%^&*()%$#$%^&*()%$"

-Was my first thought. So.. my eyebrows... they were free of hair cream, yet stained the exact same shape. I looked in the mirror with wet hair, and what looked like magic-markered brown eye brows. Like a little 5 year old drew clown eyebrows on me. I'm not being dramatic!
For once.

So I'm a reasonably nice person, and don't say anything.

4:15
"So what are we going to do about my eyebrows..." I push, as she starts to cut my hair. She puts down her weapon and makes a "thinking" pose. She has no idea. It is evident. She walks 3 steps to her right and assesses the opinion of a prominent-looking woman, no doubt the owner of the joint.

The owner is a very severe, older looking human with neon feathers attached in 3 places on her head. Her eyebrows are perfect however. She takes one look at me...."Mm" she chokes out. The stylist starts going into this talking frenzy about the chemicals she's already used to try to reduce the stain.

"Did you try soap and water?" The owner asks.

HAH. SOAP AND WATER?????? I was thinking more along the lines of harry potter potions to remove this MINOR mistake, but SOMEHOW an every day soap and water slipped my mind. And also my stylist's mind. She felt stupid for sure. She said she'd do that right after she cuts my hair.

"Nope. Now," says the boss (people no doubt hate this bitch).

And like a dog with its tail between its legs, my hair dresser retrieves soap and water.

4:45pm
Scrub. Scrub. Pause. Scrub. Scrub even harder. Let's just say that as I type this, my eyebrows are raw, peeling, red, and SO SO sensitive. I put baby oil on them. Why? I have no idea. Why not????

Every now and then she'd ask, am I scrubbing to hard? Does this hurt? Are you sensitive? I wanted to calmly scream, "WOMAN, I DON'T CARE IF YOU TAKE A CHAINSAW TO MY FACE, JUST FIX THE SITUATION."
But I refrained. Ok so after a solid 25-29 minutes of scrubbing the hell out of my eyebrows, she seems satisfied.

Which worries me. I mean as much as I enjoy the thick brow, I am no dang Audrey Hepburn, and cannot pull it off.

But at the same time, I was so tired of my pale, light brown/wanna be blonde eyebrows that are strikingly similar to this..

Any who.
By this point, the whole staff is involved. This is a confined salon, RATHER small. I was getting looks of pity and even confusion from everyone. A little girl was getting feathers put in her hair by a gay man, and she couldn't tell whether I wanted to look like a clown, or if it was a mistake. Poor thing. So easily impressionable at her tender age. Will probably go home and draw on her eyebrows now.

Oh and lets not forget the looks from the receptionist. You know, OH HONEY, you know, your problems are real when the receptionist wearing Ed Hardy is giving you looks of pity. That was my life today. The receptionist wearing Ed Hardy was giving me looks of pity.

Then we have the awkward young married couple, and even more awkward Dad with his 2 daughters. The girl getting her hair done next to me is also 20 years old. She is a nanny, is from Lubbock, and went to Trinity high school. Did I mention I'm a huge creep??? Slash ease dropper???? She says the words, "My husband" and I just think "Ohh laawwwwwwd" and she goes on and on. Then low and behold, HUBBY WALKS IN! Oh joy! He is in his construction gear. He walks in to the already over crowded, highly judgmental, environment. He sees my eyebrows before he sees the human that is myself under them.

And then.... the look of pity. The look of pity from the young married couple.
AS IF THE 5-YEAR OLD GIRL, AND TRANNY RECEPTIONIST WEREN'T ENOUGH.

And all while this is going on, a poor Dad is AWKWARDLY- EVER SO AWKWARDLY- blow drying his daughters hair???? WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?? Isn't that the gay guy's job? I'm so confused! Forget my eyebrows, we got a straight man doing hair in the building!
CHAOS. MADNESS. ANARCHY.


Moving on-, 4:58pm:
At this point, I am over my eyebrows. I am over my hair. I am over this dorm-room salon, young married couple, and metro-sexual father.
"How do you like your hair styled?"
ANYTHING I JUST WANT TO GET OUT OF HERE. "Blow dried and teased at the top."

...

5:10pm:
My hair is blow dried. My hair is short. I have a stunning resemblance to Brittany Murphy, pre Clueless Make-over (may she, and her eyebrows rest in peace).

"Your hair is doing a natural flip out thing in the front, is that okay?"
"Sure."
My hair is teased, straight, and flipped out at the bottom. I now look like Flo from the progressive commercial.

So whatever. Self confidence is over-rated anyway right? I proceed to go pay for my hair and try my hardest to exit building immediately. Ed Hardy girl rang me up at a whopping $120. ONE HUNDRED TWENTY AS IN ONE HUNDRED TWENTY DOLLARS OF UNITED STATES CURRENCY?????? I could have done what this bimbo did at my own house and effed up my own eye brows for only $10, but whatever. What-err.

This leads me to go therapy shopping.
The salon is conveniently located by a little area of fun shops. Next door, we have a lingerie boutique. It's actually fairly classy, and many brides register there. Thongs. Corsets. Awkward crotchless pantise. Okay, I've seen enough. Outgoing.

Next stop, is a well known LBK boutique. I found 2 things I wanted among a sea of sale items. Both of which were Sam Edelman shoes. Both of which were size 6. Both of which I tried my damndest to wedge my size 7-7.5 foot in. Fail. I also felt like I was in The Buckle, I was in there 13 minutes, and was asked if I wanted water 98 times. LEAVE ME ALONE I'M UGLY.

Proceeded to walk in and immediately out of a typical Lubbock-ized boutique, complete with bedazzled Miss Me jeans, Rhinestone cross purses complete with matching necklaces, jumbo pearl chokers and bedazzled EVERYTHING. My eyes hurt. I ran out. Me and my eyebrows, that is.

I drove along and ended up at Ross. This was supposed to be just a quick run through, since it had been months since my last (unsuccessful) Ross trip.

Two hours Later:
I found everything. Amazing heels, awesome finds in dresses, tops, most just $7.90 and the cutest undergarments for just $2.50!!!! I tried on item after item, and rang up over $100 worth of goods.

It was a little embarrassing?????? I never realized that I, a Chrome employee, could find so many must-haves at a place like Ross???? Who am I? Whatever. I wanted more than I could actually buy. #whitegirlproblems

For my next blog, (I promise it won't be a novel) I'm going to post my Ross purchases.
Until then, enjoy your normal eye brows.
xoxo

8.01.2011

Update yourself


If you want small changes that upgrade your wardrobe BIG time, then jump on these trend bandwagons. Fool people that you are in fact, a fashionista.

THE TURBAN
Ahh, the turban.
The inspiration...




The celebrity frenzy...



The one we all wish we could afford...
(Free People, $288)



The one we can afford..
There are even more on Forever21's site that are under $5 and just as cute. And I totally get that the idea of wearing a trend that correlates with terrorism is a mildly bizarre concept, but...
It's just too cute.

Jump on the tur-bandwagon, thnx.


THE CAT EYE
There is a slight chance I talk about the same trends over and over, but I promise my fall trend blogging is chomping at the bit. I just feel it necessary to cover all style bases before we slide home-run into a new season. can you tell i don't watch baseball?

Basically, toss your overused, oversized, square sunnies to the side and embrace a new shape and attitude. Yes, I said attitude.

The inspiration...



The celeb frenzy...



The lusties... (Dior, $275)

The musties... (Urban, $10)


Sad and yet so meaningful how the picture grows smaller as the desire for the cheaper pair dwindles....


THE MAXI
No this is not an awkward feminine product commercial- this is the NEW THING. Is your skirt above your knee? Lame. Knees are lame. Your knees are lame. Buy a Maxi. Spring was all about sexying up the idea of a maxi skirt/dress by sheering it up. Fall is all about adding that high thigh slit into a non-sheer material maxi. So weather you want it sheer, slitted, or plain-jane, just make it a maxi.

The inspiration....


The celeb frenzy...


And all I have to say is IF NICOLE RICHIE DOES IT- IT'S COOL.

THE HIGH WAIST
You don't have to be Steve Urcle to be this cool.

The inspiration...


The celeb craze...



what did i tell you about nicole.

The lustie...

(Bergdorf, $746)
(Free People, $138)

The mustie...

(Yesstyle.com, $31)
Just be sure to tuck your shirt in your wear a cropped top. Otherwise it completely defeats the purpose, thus putting you back in 2009.


THE FRINGE BINGE

I think I've seen this bag more just around town and on street style blogs than I've seen it in boutiques or magazines. None the less, it is definitely an "IT" bag!

The Inspiration... (our mom's closet from the 70s, let's be real now)

The celeb frenzy...



I'm even totes magoats okay with the 70's inspired head piece. Ahem,
OH-What do you know! Nicole Richie did it! AKA it's gold.


The lustie bag.. (Marc Jacobs, $1,516)
The mustie bag... (Target, $79)


THE BRIGHT PANTS
You're probably reading this and wearing blue jeans... typical. That's where I come in. You need a denim that screams, "I'M SINGLE, HETEROSEXUAL, BUT I CAN PULL IT OFF AND LIGHT THE WORLD WITH MY PANTS," or something to that effect. Let us recap the inspiration...

Haha, I'm kidding.
Or am I....


The celeb buzz...


We have Kim Kardashian's blue J brands in our boutique.... (duh...)

The lustie... (J Brand, $176)


The must-ass... (Forever21, $24.90)


The thing that sells premium denim is its quality, fit, and uncanny ability to last your whole life (assuming your fat ass doesn't gain any weight post kids/marriage). So top lines like J Brand, Paige, Seven for all mankind, and vendors like that always jump on the trends of course, but they are just that(!!!!)- trends. Unless you've got a pocket full of sunshine and hundreds, don't spend that kind of money on trend denim. But a dark wash boot cut or skinny jean tailored to your height--that is the denim that is worth the money. And don't buy it after you've had mono for 3 weeks and weigh less than you did in high school. Be your normal weight so you can (hopefully) be able to wear them as long as they last!

That is my denim soap box. Okay. Back to blogging.

THE BABY TOP
The crop top. Any top you own, you can cut in half and that will suffice.

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