Style Head-to-Toe for around $100

I was surfing my favorite place to get some cool things for cheap: Forever 21. You have to look around or else you could fall victim to some of their most tacky items, but Forever 21 can also be full of some great finds. I love the vibe of this outfit. I guess you could call it "boho" (a combination of the necklaces, the vest, and the shoes for sure) but it's just really chill while still being stylish. The bag is awesome - accents it well, although it's a contrasting piece. Every piece draw from the colors from the dress - they stand out!
All for only $101.

LINKS
vest
dress
shoes
bag
feather necklace
elephant necklace

Lovely

I wish I had followers on this blog... or twitter... or anywhere. PARTY :)
Well, anyway, here's today's look.
I really like this look a ton. The amount I like this look is the polar opposite of the amount I like pants. Which means I like it aaaalot.
Yeah these leggings don't really pass as pants so I had to put the stretch tank underneath.
Also, I've been listening to Sublime nonstop lately - hence the titles of all my looks.

HYPE AND VIEW THIS ON LOOKBOOK

Haha photoshoots are such a struggle, I should never become a model. Yes, I'm sitting on a vent - soooo artsy.

Top: thrifted
Bottom: leggings; hand-me-down from my roommate's mom, vintage
Boots: Target
Chunky Necklace: made it myself
Chain/Fabric/Sequin Necklace: 'twas a gift

Teddy Bears

Today, it's raiiiiiining. Non-stop. Which is good because we were in a small drought, but, also, its so dreary! I stood outside taking these pictures as the rain started to fall - killer. The temperature is absolutely blissful though, I wouldn't mind staying outside in the rain if the sun peeked out a bit.


Today I found this old large T-shirt and I just thought, "jaaackpottt"
I love teddy bears. Therefore, it's sick.

Hype on LOOKBOOK

Top: old shirt I cut
Top (underneath): Bodysuit from American Apparel
Bottoms: Jeans from Delias
Shoes: Nude flats from Urban Outfitters
Bag: Oversize clutch that I thrifted
Necklace: Claire's

Tie Dye Dress

During my tie dying adventures the other day, I dyed this mens medium sized t shirt. Today, I cut it up into a halter dress. I posted it here, and was asked for a tutorial. It's a really simple no sew project :)

Disclaimers: since it's a large T-shirt only altered by being cut with scissors, it's very loose-fitting and wont take a shape unless you do something to it. That's why I added a belt. 

Also, it has a really low-cut back (basically backless)

I had no extra shirts to spare so I just used diagrams.
MATERIALS:
-Seamless oversized T-shirt (just no side seams)
-Scissors
TUTORIAL:
the step corresponds with the image above it

1. Cut along the red dotted line on both sides.

2. You'll get this basic shape on both sides. Gently and carefully stretch one of the straps (don't rip it! - sometimes getting it wet might help) Maybe even pull at the bottom of the dress a tiny bit, for length, if you decided to wet it.

Here's (below) where the tutorial can differ. I stretched both straps and kept the other to sort of hold the dress up. Flip the shirt so the straps are now going to be in front and behind you. I folded one in and I step through both that strap and the dress, and then use the other strap to make the halter. Like this:

If the dress stays up in the back pretty well without it (try it on and kind of let the back strap dangle) then you can cut it off and continue like this:

3. Cut across the dotted line here.

4. Flip the shirt so the strap that was on the side, is now a center halter strap. You're going to get this shape from the backside (haha hopefully a little cleaner  - man, I'm SO bad at drawing in photoshop)

Viola! There's your backless-halter dress. I'm no pro at tie-dying but if you want to do that, too, you can buy a kit or make your own dyes. There are tons of designs on the web you can try!

And if you're into DIY, Threadbanger.com is the place to be, so look around.

Wednesday

When I write Wednesday, in my head I still say "wed-nes-day."
Sooo I asked my mom if she had any old jeans I could mess with and she just handed me a bunch. I was stoked when there was a red pair. I cut them off and cuffed them. They're a little big so the shorts are kinda bulgy but I like 'em!

I asked my dad to take the pictures... he caught me by surprise on the first one, but it was one of the few that turned out OK. And I don't have super cool places to take photographs, and the weather is terrible right now, so say hello to the white wall in my kitchen!
Also sup horrible quality picatuuures?

Top: DKNY
Bottom: vintage recon
Belt: thrifted

P.S. It's like Highlights Magazine, but less hectic: can you spot the difference in these two photographs?

Tie Dye

One of the reasons I have still have dye all over my body. They were already pretty trashed white shoes, so I figured "why not?"

Once Upon a Time...

... I was featured in Women's Wear Daily
And I forgot to post it up here. And I just wanted to share because honestly... it makes me feel kind of cool :P
Link to WWD article.
I don't have a subscription, and if you don't either you can look at reviews and pictures here and also here.

I'm the second picture in each one.

Photo by Meghan Colangelo

Some of my favorite outfits are worn by the girls pictured first in each link. Mostly Kerry, because she's classy, well put together, and she has such a great style that's all her own.
Look around at the articles!

Tuesday

I picked this dress up a long time ago and I usually belt it but when I threw it on I just felt really clean, pretty, and in the most hippie-worded sense: free spirited. It just flows so nicely (and isn't as short as it appears while I sit down) It's a chiffon fabric and the bead detailing on the neck (below, right) make it look super fancy and sometimes I take that vibe and play with it, adding tons of jewelry and bright colors. 

But today I felt like taking it back to it's most basic form. I always spend so much time putting outfits together and doing myself up, I liked the idea of taking the outfit apart. Maybe it's cliche, but I took off my shoes, took off my bag, and there are sort of outrageous masks lying around me - guess I took those off too. Anyway, here's today's look. Simple, it flows, I like it :)

Dress: random boutique in Pasadena; tag says Bizz Princess
Shoes: Urban Outfitters
Briefcase: vintage

Monday

I know it's Tuesday but I didn't get the chance to upload this yesterday!
Truth be told I can't give you a specific type of event you can wear this at. I'd wear it to class! It has a bit of my favorites: lace, florals, mid-waist belts, and boooots. It's a little less summer, a little more autumn, but I never let the season tell me what to wear!
(Unless of course it's snowing, then those shorts stay INSIDE. I learned my lesson last time I did that...)

Top: thrifted
Bottom:Urban Outfitters
Belt: thrifted
Shoes: I got them a while ago and I forget where, but I know they were $9 :)

P.S. my knee is green because I tie-dyed some stuff yesterday and got it on me...

Update:

I have a lot of tan lines now.
I just watched Degrassi and it was great.
I'm listening to Owl City and the lyrics of "Hello Seattle" really confuse me.
It's 1:15 AM and I have not slept much, why am I awake?
Today, I made brownies.
Today, I tie-dyed a shirt and some canvas shoes.
I have a bruised eye.
I think, tomorrow, I will sew.
Owl City tunes are catchy.
My brother's pet mouse is literally throwing itself at the ceiling of his cage to escape. I wish he'd let him go :(.
He's so cute!
I'm home now and I miss the beach a bit. Alas, however, I will make up for lost days on this thing.
Hello.

The Swimsuit Edition

There are a million different styles of swimsuits now, but I searched one of my favorite places to buy extremely unique items: Etsy! I've put together a list of my favorite swimsuits on Etsy, but there are so many more. Check out a few of the many awesome suits you can find on one of the best places to shop. These sellers are fantastic creators.

 by anazara 
I love the shapes and color-block design - super modern.

by MollyBbikinis
She makes the cutest swimsuit tops. These are two looks I really loved. They are nicely detailed and really simple and pretty.

by ArielSimone 
Very unique and edgy. I love how outgoing, creative, and cute these are!

 by ruffeoheartslilsnoty
I love neon colors and the cutout design of this swimsuit combined with all the color-blocking is so fun!

by ladramaqueen
Everything is very retro and cute. I adore the femininity of these pieces.

My Top 15 Best Dressed at the ESPYs

ESPN hosted its annual sports awards last night and so today I put together a collection of what I found to be some of my favorite outfits. In no particular order.

Brooklyn Decker looking like Barbie in a soft-pink dress. Although a little low cut, the dress is so clean and pretty it does not scream "scandalous." The color compliments her really well. Her heels are the perfect accent, too, a neutral color but topped with adorable bows.


January Jones appears backstage with Shaun White and Zac Efron. I love the structure of her dress (Versace). The neckline is interesting, and the negative space in the dress shows some skin in unconventional places, in an elegant way. I'm a fan of its asymmetrical look, top to bottom. Also notice the detail of the fabric; the difference between the main part of the dress and the band that wraps around the neck and down keep the dress from being too plainly white .


Carlos Bocagenra's guest is wearing a great blue dress. It's gorgeously form fitting and the lighter blue accent the shape of the body in all the right ways. Plus I just really like the use of two blues. And Bocagenra's shirt and tie combo doesn't look too bad, either. Overall, the couple is very well put together.


Jennie Finch's little black dress has a little pizazz with a nicely draped sleeve, that uses a metal zipper as a fringe.


Cheryl Burke. First off, I love shiny things. The dress is a good color and draped very well. And the shoes are killer.


Erin Andrews looks gorgeous. (Again, shiny.) The banded dress seems to be a popular look now and I love how these work with the body (the different directions and sizes). It's flattering and cute.


Jenn Brown in an insanely fun dress. The frills, the mesh, the off-the-shoulder look, and the fact that it is yellow, all around works very well.


Hailey Baldwin with her father, Stephen Baldwin. The detail on her dress is gorgeous! I love the waist detail all the way up to the shoulder. It's very young, very pretty, and a great color on her.


Jill Wagner. The color and pattern is awesome and the contrasting back is unexpected, intricate, and way cool. I'm also sort of in love with the construction of the dress around the hips.
Plus, I love her shoes!


Niecy Nash showed up in this sparkly number. I really like the pattern. To me this is a fun, insanely cute, young and glitzy party dress.


Marisa Miller is gorgeous. The drape-work and detail of her dress, despite being simply black, is beautiful - and she wears it so well.


Ashley Greene is another beautiful girl. She showed up in Versace, as well. Some will disagree with me, but I love this dress, too. Versace is doing very well with negative space and mixing retro styles with modern looks and ideas. I think this dress is daring and I don't see many people being able to pull this off, but it works here. I love this look and Greene wears the color so well.


Rudy Garcia has an awesome look here. The red works throughout. He pulls off shorts and Converse Chuck Taylors on the red carpet.


Zac Efron with Ashley Greene. Efon managed to pose for just about every single picture like a model. I very infrequently see a dark brown look so good with another dark blue/black. This look is so clean and sharp - and he's not even wearing a tie.


Andy Samberg appeared onstage as "Paul the octopus." Need I say anything else?

Here's something that I put together a while ago. I'm so attached to high-waisted skirts that show off the body, yet I love the idea of a loose, ultra-girly outfit. It's sort of a chiffon blouse which I find so gentle and elegant. I would let this frock fall over the petticoat, and if you add a hat like that: perfect!

Contents:
Top: Urban Outfitters
Bag: Urban Outfitters
Bottom: Wetseal
Shoes: Forever 21

Daywear

I spent today traveling down to North Carolina. I am pleasantly situated by the beach as of now. :)
In the airport during my lovely layover, I played around on photoshop with some saved images I had. ("Free" internet always has a not-so-free catch)
Here's a look based around my favorite new style: lace T-shirts. I love lace, but the versatility of a lace T-shirt makes is so great. This is just a little, "day-time in the city" kind of look. It's actually really basic if you think about it - light neutral colors, a T-shirt and shorts. However the lace detail automatically adds substance to the outfit, complimented with a soft pair of shorts. Accessories are always subject to change but I wanted some things with a sense of romance, or class (at least that's what I sort of see in it). The shoes are walkable, the hat is practical, and everything is a little old-fashioned. Love.

Contents:
Hat: American Apparel
Top: American Apparel
Bottoms: Ella Moss (at Nordstrom.com)
Bag: Dooney & Bourke
Shoes: Cole Haan

Oh wow. So I've been absent from this for a while (not that any of my loyal followers noticed - count 'em: zero). Mostly school hit and I found other things to do, and lost-cause-blog was not at the top of my "To-Do" list. But hello random person who stumbled upon this. I plan to update this thing almost regularly this summer.
Then again, I also planned to work out daily and actually complete all my sewing projects. My summer resolutions are just that of my New Years - I get extremely hopeful, yet I ALWAYS underestimate my laziness.
Well before I bore you, lose you, or insanely interest you with my rambling. I bid you random reader, ADIOS for today.