Personal Style; Emasculating a Man's White V-Neck

So, I experimented with a men's athletic white v-neck. I was hoping for more of a relaxed drape, it's still a little stiff (especially around the shoulders), but hopefully it will loosen up after a while. I thought a middle partial tuck sans belt would make it look a little more 'intentionally styled'.
 

To roll the sleeves, I pinched it in about an inch, and rolled maybe two times, like the j.crew jean cuff roll. Everything here is thrifted, except for the shirt. I love these ballet flats b/c they have a huge bow on the toe. So, I spent around $18 for the whole outfit, max.

Beyond casual with a big a messy bun. Oh, and no I didn't darken my hair. I just used the Pantene brown glazing shampoo and conditioner. It adds a punch of depth to your color, I highly recommend it. Which, is serious since I'm a hairstylist and all. (Paul Mitchell and Redken color shampoos are also awesome, just happened to grab this when I was in a hurry... Pantene usually makes me shudder.)

* linked to: clothed much's rule breaking monday

Personal Style: Golden

Yep, another fully thrifted outift. Accept for the winged tiger (panther/lion?) necklace, I made that from a vintage stamping. I have about four of them left.

I always thought gold tones were for old ladies. I guess my tastes have matured, fashion has changed, or I am now, an old lady. I'm guessing... okay hoping... it's a mix of all three.

I had this little gray jersey tunic (not a maternity shirt, thank you) for a while, but couldn't find a good top to wear under it. I've also had this sequin gap tank for even longer, and they just came together perfectly one day. Like a casual way to wear evening wear {almost}. The tank is way too big, so I safety pinned the straps like a racerback, makes kind of a cute effect for layering, imo.

I've been looking for a sailor knot type earrings for a while. Who knew I would find this amazing golden vintage pair at a garage sale for 10 cents. Reminds me a bit of the Auryn (from The Never Ending Story).

These shoes are supposed to be for my princess dress. But, I had to give them a test drive with a casual outfit. More comfortable than  imagined for extended periods of time, but not good enough for running around. I'm thinking I will need a pair of glittery toms.

Linked to *thrifters anonymous

Fashion: Blooming Lattice Cardigan

I love how last year's green anthro blooming lattice cardigan (modcloth has a similar version here) has been styled so many ways. I am in total want of a version like this, or most especially a mustard color. But, seeing how Texas weather turns hot so quickly, I'm sure I will have little time to acquire and even wear anymore cardigans this year. The girls at anthroholic paired this cardi wonderfully as well.

(4 fashion girls is an ebay store)

Cardigan belting, for or against? I might need to delve into this more...
Some grrreat belting advice from A Day in the Life for those who don't think it can work for you.

Fashion: Rolled Skinny Jeans

j. crew skinny rolled jeans

I'm a big ole jeans fan. I love paring them with a cozy, neutral but still sexy tee.  Being super short, I either get ankle length that work okay with flats, otherwise they  are always crazy long. So, I am simply loving the rolled jeans. The messier and more rugged of a roll,, or slouched a bit... the better in my opinion. J. Crews's dressing tip tells how to achieve the look here:

"With the jean fully unrolled, fold over an inch of fabric to make the ankle opening tighter. Then hold on to that fold as you roll up from the bottom to desired length (we like ours to hit just above the ankle).

       denimology, megan fox destroyed and slouched in  current elliott jeans the skinny in super love destroyed

the sartorialist, on the street palaise de tokyo, paris

 katie holmes... she is definitely a start of the trend, as I remember a lot of critics not liking this particular photo when it first came out, now of course they rave it. Perhaps it's the bagginess of the leg fit.

Sincerely Jules

blouse: Emporio Armani // skinny jeans: bdg (DIY ripped holes) // heels: Seychelles // bag: Alexander Wang // necklace: thrifted.   She gives great advice on creating the holes in her jeans:

"A good pair of denim jeans go along way. On mine, I added the ripped holes so that they look

imperfect and super worn in. 

Try this on a pair you hardly wear to test it out first. To add holes to your jeans you simply:

- grab a pair of scissors, poke a hole through the section where you want the rip

- Just cut through, the bigger the whole, the cooler it looks

- Stretch out the rip a few times

- lastly, throw them into the washer/dryer so that all the threads come out, voila!"

  dwelling and telling

Changing Ur Clothes

dressing closet, the selby

As usual, I'm always more productive when the husby is away on business. So, hopefully today, I'll tackle some projects I've been putting off for months. One of which will be the closet. I have a plethora of clothing, and wear maybe only 10% of them.  It's a physical representation of how much brain power we actually use at any given time *myth*. Due to changing body shapes, changing styles, changing from working to being a stay at home mom... who knows when I will ever be 'changing' into this things again? (see what i did there, so clever). It's time to shop the closet and get creative, or say 'bye bye'. I love those fun little shop your closet, the remix outfit of the day, cut and resew tshirts, type clothing blogs, but then it's just something else to get addicted too and I really can't let that happen, now can I? Do you have any favorite blogs like that? Right now, I'm lovin' The Daybook, Have a Cute Day, Writing Rainbows,  Totally Tessa, Kristine Machine, Righteous Republic, Clothed Much, Dwelling and Telling, Kendi Every Day, The Sartorialist, Some Girls Wander, Selective Potential,  Delightfully Tacky, Sincerely Jules, MoMoMod.... If so, please link.. or not, I suppose...

the selby

Ruffle Shirt Tutorial and Layering Cardigans

Sachiko, the talent of Tea Rose Home has a beautiful ruffle shirt tutorial here.  In fact, she has several different ruffle shirt tutorials, and many other tutorials on making wonderful things as well. They are much more sophisticated than my layered lace shirt tutorial. All are beautiful but this one with the horizontal ruffles, and the demure fabric roses is my favorite.

Maybe it's my favorite because how soft it looks, or the calm, grain color, or even how it is paired with this cardigan in the perfect shade of robin's egg blue. Do visit here to see the step by step instructions (with clear photos) on making this shirt. Then, find a nice, light, cardigan you can layer over it. How about one of these?

 vintage 1960's cornflower blue ~ revive vintage

 vintage 60's embroidered sunny yellow cardigan ~ annetheia vintage

 vintage 60's fuzzy baby pink angora cardigan ~ the greedy seagull

 

 vintage 1950's pale yellow cardigan ~ bonjour dolly

Fashion: Hobo Chic

the sartorialist

 For some reason, I've been dressing like a fancy hobo lately. Don't get me wrong, I still wear my white or grey v neck jersey shirts and jeans all the time, but when I dress up... it's always something so hobo chic.

idee fixe blouse modcloth

I'd like to think my hobo chic dressing is somewhat quirky and yet, classy like in these pics... but I'm afraid on me... it looks more like frumpville, secondhand, bag-lady girl. And that isn't a good look. Certainly not a picture worthy one.

ruffle front skirt by love to love you

But, I suppose it's true.. I mean a stress-eating girl has got to find a way to hide a growing muffin top somehow, right? Flowy, loose fitting shirts and low rise pants are key. And no tie back tops... too easily mistaken for maternity. Ruffles always help, and so do cross waisted styles and side ruching.

pocket pinafore ruffled blouse by necessity is the mother

Maybe... I can wear something with a waist soon... It's to the gym after our move in a few weeks.

 

Natural Pastel Beauty

wish

In keeping with this weeks accidental pastel theme, I wanted to focus a touch on soft, ethereal beauty. As a stylist and make-up artist, I haven't excercised my creativity lately in this way, so my gift certificate to Ulta will be put to good use this week. (Thanks, Mom!)

To get the look, I wanted to start with this lovely pastel makeup. It's so colorful and soft, the nude lips and simple, swept back hair keep it simple and pure. Tutorials : the pastel look, shimmery smokey eye, dramatic lips and lashes,  white frosted eyes, and dramatic basic black eyeliner.

Why does this pastel smudge work? Because the colors are shimmery, blended, in the same color family with soft lines under the brows, and the colors compliment the eye color. I've seen people attempt to acheive this that end up looking more like mermaid costume club makeup, such as here.

A low, easy, soft double twisted bun would work nicely with such bold eye colors, don't you think? Directions on how to get the look on Cookie Mag here.

13 bees 1970's ivory sweater

Throw on a soft blouse or light sweater, a colorful and chunky bangle in blues and greens,

wrapped cotton yarn bangle by Mindy Giehll

1980's teal pencil skirt from max and chloe vintage

Add your choice of bottoms, could be anything dressy from a colorful skirt, or laid back such as some lightly distressed cropped jeans with some green vintage espadrills and you are ready to go with your neutrally colorful look.

vintage green canvas wedge sandals shopREiNViNTAGE

*This dressing guide post is included in Kimba's diy day.*

Draped in Comfort

London

These are some of my favorite 2009-10 styles captured by Scott Schuman, aka The Sartorialist, from all over the world. Now if you want to see some true, homegrown fashion, then check out his vintage photos contest. And if your man dresses a little shabby, he too can get a nice taste of style ideas as well.

Alessandra, Milan

While most of the masses are getting a tizzy for Spring time dressing in brighter colors, I am grasping at straws here hoping to wear my wonderful fall clothes a little longer. I think the idea behind it is, the styles are tried and true. They've been tested, are comfortable and easy to know which will remain a classic style and which ones will fall by the wayside come next season.

Maria Carla, Milan

Maybe it's a Texas thing, me hating the summers and all, but I think I just happen to love layering and simple muted tones with layers and wanting to wear them all the time. Fall/winter styles being in the clearance section right about now sure helps as well. Even though many of these styles features boots, distressed jeans, trenches and scarves, a sprinkling of light dresses and blouses can be found in those classic muted hues I love.

Paris

There is an effortless chic in the way the clothes hang, as well as soft barely noticeable details that really complete the outfit, such as a crisp cuff, rolled hem, a simple pleat or ruffle. Scott has a way of empasizing these details that one may easily passover, and the comments on each post shares his sentiments.

Chloe cape, Paris

Sau Paulo

West Village, NYC

Paris

Marais, Paris

Melbourne

Manhattan

Ninth Ave, NYC

Joana, Brazil

Paris

Milan

Milan, love the comments here

Ninth Ave, NYC

Milan

NYC

Sydney

Sydney

Sydney

Paris

Milan