DIY: Embellished Blazer

For a short week, this week has been long! I am very happy the weekend is here and since I seem to be getting a cold I will be resting. Well, this inspiration for this DIY again comes from my trip to NYC. I felt so inspired while there and got many ideas for DIYs. I can't imagine what it is like right now for Fashion Week in NYC- inspiration everywhere. Recently,  I came across this blazer at the thrift store for $3.99, but this DIY could be also done to a jacket or shirt. I plan on embellishing many items.

These are where some my inspirations were from :

Zara: Jacquard Blazer with Chain on the Shoulder

Zara Blazer with Spikes on the Shoulder

Items needed for this project are blazer, appliques, needle, black thread, and scissors.

I knew I wanted something with chain on my shoulders and I was all prepared to make a chain embellishment myself.  Luckliy, I found these appliques from The Flying Trapeze at Hobby Lobby. These were very inexpensive at $3.99 each. They are very detailed and fabulous.

Step 1: Remove the applique from the package and find the point where you want the applique to start. Think of this applique as a patch, everything has already been sewn to a felt patch. I held mine down, you could use a stick pin to keep it in place.

Step 2:  Sew around the felt with black thread. You will completeing go around the appilque until it is securely on. Then once you come to the same spot you started tie the thread in a knot and cut. Then, you will need to repeat on the other shoulder of the blazer.

Make sure when sewing this on, you just sew through the top layer of the material. I took a picture of the inside of the blazer, so you could see it did not go through the inside material.

I also changed the button on the blazer from a plastic button to a metal button to go along with the embellishment.

This is what your applique should look like on your shoulder.

 I think this blazer turned out great! Nothing is better than planning a project and it working out!

I bought these and didn't know if anyone would be interested in me having a giveaway for these. Just leave a comment if you would be. They would look great on a flannel shirt or jacket.

Linking up at Sunday Style.

Have a great weekend.

Next USA Mummy project

I have some exciting news!  I was asked by Next, a UK based retailer, to participate in their "Next USA Mummy project." I said yes, one, because I am a "mummy" and two, I checked out their clothing and really liked it! For this project, my son received an apparel item and was to tell what he thought of the item. Well, this was easier said than done! It was a little harder than I thought to get a 5 year old to cooperate. But we made it through it and I was so excited to be introduced to this website. They have fantastic merchandise not only for children, but adults too! I loved his navy hoodie and of course I had to wash it already because he spilled something on it. It washed well and did not shrink or lose its color- that's important info for us mums, (yes, I like just saying that)! This is our video, wish us luck!

	Check out Friday's post! There is a really cool DIY!

Storming through fall with a tulip skirt...

I hope everyone had a great long weekend. Well, I think this storm picture is fitting because I feel like lately everything is pretty chaotic. My 5 year old son broke his leg and had to start kindergarten in a cast. He has been great, but it still makes for an exhausting time. Besides that, this time of year is a difficult one for dressing, because we are all ready to get those fall clothes out, but it is still very hot. So, into my early fall wardrobe I incorporated this new tulip skirt from Forever 21 with a pair of my low military style boots from Steve Madden. This fall, it seems like everyone will be wearing a pair of low boots.These boots can go with many outfits. For me personally, I love the fit of this tulip skirt much better than a high-low skirt. I think for a smaller frame this skirt adds some definition.This skirt has unlimited possibilities for the fall, so I am sure you will see it in future posts.

Abstract Tulip Skirt- Forever 21
Steve Madden Boots- Similar

These are a few tulip skirts I like!!!

Sabine Zig Zag Tulip SKirt

Zero + Maria Cornejo Mini Skirt

Alice + Olivia Tulip Draped Skirt

Which is your favorite? Have you purchased a new pair of booties?
Linking up at What I wore Wednesday.

Make a Statement...

Happy Friday! I have been looking forward to this weekend all week. I need that extra day to work on a little project that I will tell you about next week. I am one to speak my mind, but actually this post is on statement necklaces. Over at Marionberry Style, Marion has made her link up for this month based on the trend of statement necklaces. I looked up "statement" in dictionary and one definition that stuck out to me was its meaning of a nonverbal message. I think that is exactly what a statement necklace does, it is a form of your style you want to portray. Most of the time, statement necklaces tend to be on the bigger side. I guess because this makes them more noticable. In this photo, is one of my newest statement necklaces. It is actually a thrifted necklace and I love it because it has a "J.Crew" feel. I paired this plum colored necklace with my past season mustard flowered dress from Madewell. A statement necklace can enhance any outfit. My favorite way is wearing mine with a simple t-shirt and jeans.

Not all statement necklaces have to be big. One of my favorite statement necklaces is this simple monogram necklace. My husband got this for me three Christmases ago.

Here's a few statement necklaces that I fancy. Which is your favorite?

Anthropologie- Kuychi Necklace

ASOS Statement Pharoah Necklace

ModCloth- Statement Art Necklace

Forever 21- Pearlescent Peter Pan Collar

Forever 21- Angular Gemstone Necklace

Check out this chain bracelet DIY if you have time over the weekend from Swellmayde.

Have a great weekend!!!

Shedding Skin- Getting the Skinny

Happy Wednesday, on a recent trip to Target I was happily surprised by the selection of animal print skinny jeans. I especially loved these Mossimo snakeskin skinnies.  I love the neutral tones that can pretty much go with any shirt. Another detail I love is these skinny jeans are not skin tight, which is great because it seems like they are making jeans tighter and tighter! I paired them with this silk shirt I thrifted. So, if you have been eyeing a pair of animal print skinnies, definitely head to Target at $23.00, these are a steal!!

Target: Mossimo Snakeskin Skinny Jeans

A couple of other pairs of Snakeskin skinnies I found are below, if you are not near a Target or prefer something with some color!!

Madewell:Textile Elizabeth and James - Low Rise Skinny Python

notnotnot7 For All Mankind The Skinny Jean Snakeskin

ASOS- Denimocracy Skinny Jeans

Do you have a favorite?
Linking up at What I Wore Wednesday at the Pleated Poppy and she has a great Giveaway going on, so make sure to check her out!

When shopping....

Hope everyone had a good weekend. I was out and about getting last minute school stuff and I noticed the stores are obviously very busy. Most of us will be doing some fall shopping to add a few pieces to our current wardrobe. If you are not sure what looks good on your body style, stores offer a personal shopper. If that is not for you, but you plan on going shopping with a friend. Here are a couple of tips:

1. Make sure to take a friend that will give you an honest opinion, you don't need to hear "yeah that looks good on you" when it really doesn't match your style or body type.
2.Have a list of the items you definitely need.  For example, everyone should get a new white collared shirt every Fall.
3.If you have a small budget for Fall invest in some new accessories to add to your current wardrobe.
4. If you like to shop by yourself, research on the Internet or magazines to gauge what looks good on your body type. When you go into a store, sometimes what happens to be on the mannequin may not be right for you.
5. Last, but not least, make sure to look at yourself from the front and behind in a mirror. Something may look okay in the front, but not so good on the back. 

These tips are straight forward, but I think that is why many of my friends ask for my opinion, because I am going to tell you if it looks good and I truly believe you should always go with what makes you feel good, not others!

I am posting today one of the last of my favorite vintage dresses. Now, this style is reminiscent of the 70's, but I love the details on the sleeves and neckline.  The dress really seems to flow. I added a new wide belt that I recently purchased.

Linking up at Visible Monday and Thrifters Anonymous, check out these fabulous ladies.

DIY- Embellished Cropped Coat

 Well, DIY Wednesday is back! While I was New York, I noticed a huge trend is embellishing pretty much everything from denim to leather with studs, bullets, diamonds, or sequins. So, I have been a busy girl embellishing a few items. One is this cropped blazer that I purchased at the thrift store. I wanted to add some pyramid studs and I thought they would look awesome on the collar and shoulder.

Cropped Trousers- Forever 21

 For this DIY, you will need to find a blazer or coat that could use some embellishment. Also, pyramids studs and they are sold at many craft stores. I purchased the kind that I could push threw material. They sell many kinds even iron ones. If you can not find them at your local craft store check out M&J Trimming.


Some examples of a few things I saw in the New York Zara Store to get this inspiration are:

Studded Denim Jacket

Jacket with Zips and Studded Lapel

Leather Jacket with Studs

 For the project:

Step 1: Start with the shoulder, then spread studs 1 inch apart. You will need to push them threw and then fold over to fasten.

 Step 2: Choose what part of the lapel you want to embellish. Make sure to start from the outside and go in. Make sure you have a pattern planned before you start and that the studs are seperated equally.

Step 3: Continue the pattern, until you get to the bottom of the lapel. Lastly, make sure you go back and checked that each stud has been fasten securely.

I think the jacket turned out smashingly. You should definitely give it a try! It can bring that old jacket to have some new life!

Have you purchased anything lately with embellishments?