DIY- Zipper Embellishment

Hi everybody, I hope you had a great weekend. Recently, one of my friends went to NYC. She came back with a similar sweatshirt like the one in this post. I adored it and thought to myself, I can make it especially with my new sewing machine. So, I picked up this sweatshirt from the thrift store and a 24 inch black zipper from Hobby Lobby. Total this project was $7.00 and the zipper was actually more expensive than the sweatshirt. You may have a sweatshirt in your closet that you can use.  This zipper is purely decorative, but if you are skilled in the sewing department you could make it functional.  This project is so easy and I loved how it turned out. Zippers are my new favorite embellishment.

Materials you will need for this project are a sewing machine, black thread, 24 inch zipper, scissors, stick pins, and a sweatshirt.

Step 1: Lay your sweatshirt on a flat surface.

Step 2: Lay your zipper across your sweatshirt diagonally. I placed the top of the zipper a little over my shoulder. Use stick pins to keep zipper in place.

Step 3: Sew the zipper on. My sewing skills are not the best and if your line is not perfectly straight the black material beside the zipper hides your line. You can leave the zipper closed or open. For a different look, leave open to see the material between the zipper.

 This is my fabulous sewing machine I got for Christmas from my mom.

Do you have a favorite embellishment?


Linking up at Monday Mingle .

Thriftiness

Hi everyone, I hope you had a great weekend. With the beginning of a new year, many of us have made resolutions. One of those may be to spend less money. One way you can stick to this resolution is by thrifting. I recently went thrifting and purchased eight items for a total of $26.79. One of my items was this vintage sweater. I absolutely loved the bright color, boat neck, embellishment of flowers, and being vintage this is one of kind. Actually, in this post's outfit everything is thrifted except for my H&M black skinny jeans. If you think you may like to try thrifting you may want to consider these things:

1. Be open to one size higher than your normal size. Just like when we wash things they make shrink a tad, so you may wear a medium instead of that regular small.(it is used)
2. Look in all areas of the store, people sometimes put their unwanted items anywhere.
3. Thrifting can be for everyone in your family. I picked up my daughter 2 items this trip.
4. Certain days of the week are better for thrifting. The day I went one of the stores had the whole store 50% off.
5. Keep all the items you are interested in buying in the cart until the end. If you set something down someone might pick it up and then it's gone.
6. Consider current trends or styles. 
7. Have an open mind and have fun.

 H&M Skinny Black Jeans,

Ann Taylor Thrifted Gingham Shirt -Similar

My receipt totaling $26.79.

My thrifted coat on the left and the TopShop Fleece Coat on the right.  I love this look, but I consider this look a trend and did not want to spend alot.

This Forever 21 will be used in a future DIY.

These skinny jeans and Target sweater were two items I snagged for my daughter.

This vest is from Madewell.

Liz Claiborne cardigan

Rhinestone brooch

Have you thrifted anything lately? What are your thoughts on thrifting?



Linking up at Funday Monday and Monday Mingle .

Working Towards...

Hi everybody! In my last post, I made my declaration to grow out my hair. Even with something as small as growing out your hair you should set a goal. My goal is a shaggy bob with longer layer bangs. So, I have been busy on Pinterest setting up my board of bobs to be inspired by. These are a few of my favorites.

Do you have a favorite? Have a great weekend!

Changing it up

Hi everyone, don't pass out because I have two posts this week! In this post, I am sporting a casual combination including my favorite Sorel Slimpback boots. I am announcing I have decided to grow out my hair. I have had short hair FOREVER. I love my short hair, but I think it's time for a change. I am telling all of you, so it keeps me accountable and I am less likely to cut it in the next few months when it starts to look funky. Like in this photo, I will be wearing a lot of hair accessories to get me through this grow out period. I have been doing my research on things that can help me grow out my hair as fast as possible. These are a few tips I have found:

1. Try not wash your hair a lot.

2. Use a deep conditioner treatment at least once a week.

3. Take Biotin to aid in hair health and growth.

4. Drink water and exercise

5. Be patient

These two suggestions I wasn't sure about, first using Biosilk shampoo and conditioner. Lastly, an egg white treatment, the protein is great for healthy hair.

AE Skinny Jegging, Old Navy Surplus Vest- Similar, Old Navy Quilted Vest- Similar , Sorel Slimpack Riding Boots, Ralph Lauren Elbow pad- thrifted

If you have any other tips for growing out my hair I would love to hear them?


Linking up at The Pleated Poppy and Style Elixir.

To sale or not to sale

Hello everyone, I have been on a hiatus. I have taken many pictures, but nothing has stood out that said blog about this. I think part of it is this weather and on this day it was actually descent. It was a few days after we had  negative 30 temperatures with wind chills. During those cold days, I did venture to the mall. I snagged this Forever 21 Olive Moto jacket. I have been wearing it a ton. I love the embellishment of the gold spikes. It  makes the jacket edgy and feminine at the same time.With the stores starting to get spring items in, they have a plethora of winter items on sale. I heard one girl as I was shopping say, " I don't look at anything that isn't around 10 dollars". So, that got me thinking of what I ask myself when I am doing end of the season shopping. Ask yourself:

1. Am I just buying this item because it is cheap?

2. Do I already have something similar in my closet?

3. Would I have bought it at the regular price?

4. Would I rather buy four sale items or buy the shirt I really want at regular price?

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, then you should probably not buy that sale item. Back away from the sales rack and get what you really want. Don't get me wrong I have bought sale items in the past, just because they are on sale. Now I really try to be more selective, because all of those sale items add up.

F21 Moto Jacket- Similar and Similar, Rubbish Moto Leggings- Similar, Studded Wrap Around Bracelet

How do you decide on a sale item?

Linking up at Visible Monday .

Comfy and Cozy

Hi everyone! I have been on a hiatus for a while. I have been working on a few projects like redoing my daughter's room, a cool DIY at West Elm( I will tell you about later), sledding and making my house a winter wonderland. Also, my youngest brother came home from Habitat for Humanity over Thanksgiving. I loved spending as much time as I could with my family over the holiday. Lately, this is as fabulous as my fashion has been because it has already snowed 3 days here! My beanie and Sorel boots have been an intricate part of my wardrobe. My style lately has been more about warmth and comfort. I promise I will be stepping it up soon!

Mossimo Textured Beanie Hat, H&M Sweatpants, Sorel 'Joan of Arctic' Boot, Gap Vest- Similar

Linking up at Monday Mingle, Funday Mondays, and The Style Record.

Here's my sledding race with my little man.

A Few of my Fall Favs

Hey everybody, I hope you are having a great week. This post has a few of my fall fav's. First, is my fair isle sweater that I thrifted for $1.99. This screams fall and winter because it's warm and cozy.  Second, my Sorel Slimpback boots. These boots are lined and great for cold, rain, and snow and very stylish distressed look. I am so glad I read the reviews before I order them, because these boots have a small shaft which is great for me. One tip, when looking for Sorel boots, is look at Sorel.com because their sale section is fabulous. I did my research and they offered the most reasonable prices. Last for my fav's, I love knee high or over the knee socks. One of my favorite brands for these type of socks are Free People, but the price point is a little high at $24.00.  So, my solution has been leg warmers. instead of wearing them outside of your boot, wear them on the inside. The leg warmers allow me to adjust for the look of over the knee or at the knee. I have found a great selection of leg warmers at Marshall's for $4.99.

Fair Isle Sweater- Similar

Sorel's Slimpack Riding Boot

Do you have a fall fav?

Linking up at Monday Mingle, Style Elixir and Visible Monday.