Look For Less- Rachel Bilson

Rachel Bilson's style is relaxed and effortless. This Diane Von Furstenberg Azumi Tangerine Mini Skirt gives this outfit a pop of color, which is a trend this spring. As you guys know,  I love polka dots, and this Marc Jacobs shirt is fabulous.

This look for less below is based on Rachel's outfit. The total price is $169.00. All of these pieces featured could be incorporated into your spring wardrobe.

Jacquard dot popover- J.Crew, 1969 cropped denim parka - Gap, H&M Skirt

I hope everyone has a great weekend. If you have some extra time, some great reads are Willow Decor Gorgeous Grey/Gray Kitchen Tradition with a twist by Jamie Salomon for some great interior design tips. Also Geneva's A Pair and A Spare Wardrobe Rehab, in case you get the urge to do some spring cleaning in your closet!



*** Look for a giveaway next week...

DIY: Butterfly Terrarium Spring Centerpiece

The beautiful weather put me in the mood to work on a few spring projects! I told you once it gets warm, I will also be doing household DIYs. So for DIY Wednesday, I decided to conquer this butterfly spring centerpiece featured in Martha Stewart's magazine Real Simple (Thanks to my great friends that save their magazines for me)!

This is the exact centerpiece, but the one featured in the magazine had a dome over the centerpiece.

For me, the butterflies are what makes the centerpiece with their vibrant colors. This centerpiece is so easy to make and you might have many of the supplies needed around your house.

Supplies needed are large and small butterflies, bird nest, moss, rock, sticks, gold spray paint, feather, glass terrarium, scissors, E-6000 glue (or hot glue), and newspaper. Most of these items can be found at your local craft store.

 Step 1: find a large rock and spray paint it gold.

Step 2: Find five sticks and tie them with anything at the bottom to form a tripod. I used some plastic jewelry string, but regular string would work also. You will also need a feather.

Step 3: Take the sticks and the feather and lightly spray sporadically.  Let the rock, sticks, and the feather dry.

Step 4: Place the stick arrangement, rock, and feather in the terrarium.

Step 5: Select which butterflies you want to use and glue them in your desired placement.

Step 6: Then place the bird nest behind the stick arrangement. I used moss covered balls I already had.  Two other options would be to use regular moss or natural stones. One other option I incorporated was to use old scrabble letters to form the word "spring." I glued them together with E-6000 glue.

This large terrarium was purchased in December at an after Christmas special for $25.00 at a vintage shop.  I love it and will keep it out for every different season. They do sell similar ones at West Elm, but are a little more expensive. This centerpiece is very easy and not time consuming. I had all the supplies, except the butterflies.  You may have many of these supplies, or can always improvise. 

Do you make different centerpieces for the seasons? Where do you get your ideas? Would this be a centerpiece you would try to make?

Plaid in the Spring

Hope everyone had a great weekend! It was a busy one for me, filled with birthday celebrations. These busy weekends and weather are giving me the itch for spring break. On one of my recent thrifting trips, I came across across this 60's mod-vintage plaid sleeveless dress. I adore the 60's era. I felt like it was a time of simplicity and class. This dress was a steal at $4.99. This will be a dress I will also be wearing in the fall, but this lightweight wool dress was perfect for a crisp spring day.

Usually, when we think of plaid we think of fall. But this spring, some designers incoporated plaid in there 2012 designs.

 

Do you own anything that is 60's inspired? What do you think of that era?

DIY: Turquoise and Cameo bracelet

Well, I have had a burst of creativity! This bracelet is a inspiration from Amedeo NYC's cameo bracelet (as seen in first photo) that retails for $750.00  and the Tom Binns design (as seen in the second photo).

Amedeo NYC

I love vintage items, but I have never really been into a cameo. Personally, a cameo seemed old fashion rather than vintage. I love the modern feel that both of these designers have put on this cameo bracelet and I was determined to make one myself. These steps will allow you to create an awesome turquoise and cameo bracelet for under $15.00 and I must say, this is my favorite DIY up to this date.

My version of a cameo bracelet.

One of the many materials you will need for this project is a cameo. Hobby Lobby has this great line called Metal Gallery. I like this line because I like the vintage feel. I got this cameo for $2.00.

Other materials needed for this project are this stretchy cord, craft glue E-6000, turquoise beads, metal bead spacers, rhinestone rope, scissors, paper plate.  For my beads, I had an old turquoise necklace that was broken. This same type of bead and metal spacers can be found at your local craft store.

Step 1: Apply the rhinestone rope around the cameo using the E-6000 craft glue.

Set the cameo of to the side to dry, while you work on the bracelet. This is a picture of the old necklace I used.

Step 2: Tie three elastic cords together. I cut mine to 18 inches. Then start threading the beads onto the string in your desired pattern.  Measure the elastic around your wrist for the correct length. After one cord of beads is complete, tie a knot at the end. Repeat this step until all three strings are completed.

Step 3: Tie the three cords together in a knot and cut. Then put E-6000 glue on the back of the cameo and place over the knot on the beads. I placed the cameo here, so the bracelet has a continuous flow and the knot is never seen.

Step 4: Put the bracelet around something to let it dry.  

I love the look of this! I would love to hear what your think.

Thrifted abstract dress

I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend. I caught up on some well deserved sleep and enjoyed the beautiful weather. The next couple of weeks, I will be featuring some of my thrifted finds. This abstract dress, by Silence + Noise, and red patent leather pumps, by Steve Madden, were both thrifted.  I was really excited about this dress because I own nothing like this.

Dress Similar- Mod Cloth

A tip I will share about thrifting is before I go, I think about the current trends in fashion. This will give you a focus, because thrifitng can be overwhelming at times. When I came across this abstract dress, I knew it was a trend this spring as shown below.

 When you thrift, you can still stay with the current fashion trend, but at a much more reasonable price. Do you have an thrifting tips? Do you have a favorite place that you like to go thrifting? Have you thrifting anything recently?

DIY: Tassel and Rhinestone Bracelet

As I was perusing my March edition of Lucky magazine, I came across this tassel necklace by Jay Godfrey. His website was having a little technical difficulty, so I just took a picture so you could see where my idea originated.

I wasn't quite sure if a tassel necklace was for me, so I decided to make a bracelet. All the materials needed can be found at your local craft store and this project can be done in less than an hour. These are the steps to make your own fabulous tassel and rhinestone bracelet.

Supplies needed for this project are a lobster clasp, metal chain, tassels, rhinestone edging, pliers, scissors, all purpose craft clue, and a paper plate.

First, using pliers pull apart one of the links to separate the chain. Make sure to measure the chain around your wrist. Also, pull seven separate links off  needed for later. Then, set the chain off to the side.

Second, you will need to tie a tassel to one link as shown. This set will be repeated.

Third, before you cut the end of the tassel tie off, apply glue and let dry. This will deter fraying and adhere the tassel.

This is the rhinestone edging, this can be found in the material section. I was lucky enough to buy this at the thirft store because you will need a foot and a half.

Fourth, I measure the circumfirence of the tassel and cut the appropraite length. Put the glue on the back and place around the tassel, you will need to hold for about 10 seconds and place off to the side.

Fifth, place each tassel on the braclet and close the link with the pliers. I placed each tassel on evey other link. I used a total of seven tassels.

Sixth, apply lobster clasp to the end of the bracelet with pliers. It closes perfectly into a link.

Finished project - I actually like it better than the necklace. I think the rhinestones enhance the bracelet.

I hope you all have a great weekend!  

Visions of Polka Dots

  Hopefully Mother Nature is not playing with my emotions, because I adore this great weather.  As I have posted before, for late winter/early spring, a great outfit for work is a simple dress, with a scarf. I had been searching for a pair of these polka dotted tights and saw them in a couple of stores, but I have pretty bad luck with tights. Usually my dog jumps on me and then they are no good, for this reason I do not invest much money into tights. I found these polka dot beauties for $10.00 at H&M and  I had a coupon, so I got them for $5.00. These are one of my favorite pairs of boots, but I probably won't be using them much if the weather stays like this, so I thought I would give them one last wear.

 Dress- Old Navy Similar, Tights- H&M Similar, Scarf and Sunglasses- Forever 21, Boots- Naughty Monkey Similar

 Do you own a pair of polka dot tights? Do you have a favorite brand of tights that you buy?

Fashion Star

 Usually I do my DIY projects on Wednesday, but I am postponing it until Friday. This is due to the following reasons: first, I have an extremely busy week; second, the weather is fabulous and we were outside all day, and I watched Fashion Star last night at 10:00 on NBC.  It was worth it though!  I love the concept of the show.  It showcases 14 designers and they are mentored by a panel of 3 mentors:  Jessica Simpson, John Varvatos, and Nicole Richie. These 14 designers have an opportunity each week to have their line purchased by three buyers from Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue, and/or H&M. At the end of the season, one designer will get a contract for six million dollars for their collection.  There were six designers who had their lines bought last night. Out of those six, I had three favorites. My first is Orly Shani whose line is called Tuc and Wes, which is Cut and Sew backwards (clever). Her design was a convertible mini skirt. I liked her skirt because it was really two skirts in one. I love this concept even though this might not be a skirt I would wear, just because of the length.

Orly's line is available at SAKS today.

My second favorite designer was Sarah Parrott.  I loved her new take on the little black dress that was purchased by H&M. She made this shift dress (shown below) in black, black leather, and teal. This would be a dress that I would wear and might be a future purchase. I think besides her design, I think it is fabulous that she is a mom and has not had any professional training.

Sarah's Shift Dress available at H&M.

Last, for the men, I loved Nzimiro Oputa sport's jacket. I adore this classic look on men and can't wait to see more from him.

Nzimiro's Sports Jacket is available at H&M.

 My last few thoughts on the show are:  I wish I knew how these 14 designers were picked for the show. I found it interesting that many of the designers that received buys did not have have any professional training, but had drive, heart, and humility.  The designers that were arrogant, I felt, got a reality check, and I am interested in how they will learn from this experience for next week. There were a few designers that I could see causing some drama on the cast, (Oscar), so we will see how that pans out. Did you watch the show? Do you think you will? Did you have a favorite designer?

Wanted Wedges from Tobi

I haven't done a post in a while on a website, but this weekend I came across a website called Tobi. Something that really caught my attention was their shoe selection. Wedges of all colors are a must have item for spring and summer. I love all of the brightly colored wedges.  On the Tobi website, I found some fabulous wedges that won't break the bank.  I would love to hear which one is your favorite!

Joia Classic Printed Wedges $48.00

Finder Zig Zag Wedges $48.00

DV by Dolce Vita Shelle  Sandals for $89.00

Cilo Aztec Wedges for $33.00 (Wow)

Finder T- Strap Wedge Sandals $48.00

Worthy Wedges $44.00