OOTD - Studded Boots and Socks

Um...I think maybe Target should sponsor this post or something. I am really into pairing feminine pieces with harder pieces. I just love the way the studded motor cycle boots contrast with the flowy, floral skirt. It just takes the outfit to a whole new level.

I'm also really in love with the extra warmth and texture the socks add to the outfit. If I graded myself I would give myself an A+ (extra credit for all the colors...colorful outfits just do it for me). Based solely on my own grading criteria of course.

OOTD - Leg Warmers

I was on the fence about leg warmers as I feel it's one of those trend that a lot of people make fun of but, I secretly really liked them. I'm a huge fan of any type of knitwear. If I could wear sweater bras, I would. Seriously, slap a cable knit on it and I will put it on my body.

So, here I am saying, if you don't like leg warmers...too bad! I do! And I really love them with heels. I was saving up for these from Urban Outfitters until I found these similar looking wedges at Target with a buy one get on half off sale. I am pretty pleased with them. They are comfortable, easy to walk in, and adorable.

I kept the rest of my outfit very basic to let the legwarmers and heels be the shiny star. Also, anything a Midwesterner wears instantly becomes 43% tackier and since I was already rocking something that others might consider questionable, I wanted to keep it as chic as possible. 

Now it's your turn! Go out and rock something you've been afraid to try!

OOTD - Fox Sweater and Ankle Jeans

One of the trends this season that has had me utterly captivated is the animal motif sweater trend. I'm not completely sure about this, but I think it was J. Crew that first came out with them? But, as usual, I was late in discovering this trend.

At the end of summer, I was browsing the aisles of Target, already clutching a few treasures, when I passed the women's clothes section. And there, hanging innocently on a rack, completely unaware that it was about to change my life forever, was a neon colored fox sweater. I dropped everything and ran to my love. I quickly shuffled through the rack to find my size, to find the sweater that was going to come home with me. But, the rack was sparse, clearly picked over already. There were only a few left and none in my size. "No bid deal," I thought, "I'll just get it online."

Of course, this was not going to happen either. The sweater wasn't even pictured online anymore. Complete devastation descended upon me. I immediately set out on a hunt for a different fox sweater. Every sweater I found was either sold out or hundreds of dollars, or both. Owl sweaters I could find. But, the sly fox sweater remained elusive. Until, I ventured on to Modcloth.

Modcloth had two of the most adorable animal motif sweaters I had seen yet. This and this. But, the price! Was I willing to spend that much? I had to think on this one. The next day, I decided to take the plunge. But when I logged on to my computer, I saw I had made a huge mistake. They were sold out. Again, I had discovered something I couldn't live without and again I lost it before I even had it.

Then a couple weeks later I got the email from Modcloth that the friends of the forest sweater was back in stock and there were only three in my size! I didn't hesitate for a second and I'm really glad I didn't because it was sold out the next day.

A couple other noteworthy points, this is my first pair of ankle skinny jeans. I tend to wait forever to warm up to trends because I listen to critics who say, "you can't wear that with your body shape!" I didn't start wearing skinny jeans until a year ago and I really regret it. I really liked Torrid's ankle zip stiletto jeans but shyed away from them because I read an article that said if you have short legs, don't wear ankle skinnies. But, I was picking up a sheer black button up and I found a $50 off of $100 coupon code. Since the shirt was already 50 dollars I thought the risk of buying the jeans was pretty low.

Basically, I love them because they make me feel like Audrey Hepburn. They make my feet and ankles look really dainty. I think the trick here is to wear shoes that are open along the top to visually elongate that part of your leg to counteract the cropped jeans.

Don't ever let anyone tell you what you look good in! Always try it for yourself!

Also, two dollar whimsical statement ring? Score!

See ya later, Alligators!

Style Imitating Art Time!

This week's Style Imitating Art was nothing short of daunting to me. The colors and the overall aesthetic of the art is quite different than my own. Husband, on the other hand, loved this one.

South Wind, Clear Sky by Katsushika Hokusai

 I drew inspiration from the strong but minimal colors and graphics. I barely have any red because it clashes with my coloring so, I am literally wearing every red piece I own in these pictures. Most of this was pulled out of the deep recesses of my closet and I actually had to pull the grayish green (they are more green in person) tights out of my bedroom garbage where I had thrown them a few days earlier for having a holes behind the knee. Luckily, you can't see the holes in these pictures. The red and green are right on for the picture and the belt's crackled pattern ties in quite nicely to the cracks on the mountain.

I find it so interesting how doing this always gives me a greater appreciation for art I wouldn't normally pay much attention to.

See ya later, Alligators!

OOTD - Leather Skirts and Book Clubs

Hello world! How are you? I did something really exiting this week! My cousin and I decided to start a book club (with a boozey twist) and our first meeting was this week. Each month we are going to pick a book and create a drink to go with it. For the first meeting, I picked Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Very fitting for the month, no? It was the most fun I have had in a long time. There was so much wine and laughing and zombie candy. I absolutely cannot wait for next month!

So this is what I wore to the meeting.

What is that? Oh, yeah! A (faux) leather skirt! I have been lusting after leather skirts since I first started seeing them last fall. I was over the moon to find a few at Forever 21 + and despite the low price, it feels really luxurious. The material is buttery soft and I am in love with the exposed zipper and the quilted side panels. I debated between the one I got and this one here because, the color and the cut are much more my style. But, the final decision was made because I have piles and piles of colorful skirts and zero blacks one. Thus, I might get more use out of this one. I am so thrilled that I made the choice that I did. I have worn this skirt twice since I got it in the mail this week and that doesn't even seem like enough. It somehow keeps making it's way into my hands when I am getting dressed in the morning.

I bought this lace peter pan color awhile ago but, this is the first time I am wearing it. I am considering this collar an unintentional splurge because I discovered this tutorial, that shows you exactly how to make this collar for a couple of dollars. Oops...But, I still love it and I am excited to incorporate this into more of my outfits.

See ya later, Alligators!

Halloweenies and OOTD

Hello, how has your week been going? These past couple of weeks have really been one crazy zig-zag ride of ups and downs for me and my family but I'm looking forward to all the great Halloweenies to come!

Things I want to do before Halloween:

1. Go to Haunted Houses

2. Watch Nightmare Before Christmas

3. Drink More Chai Tea Pumpkin Lattes

4. Make Rockin' Halloween Costumes

5. Watch a Really Gory Movie

6. Go to a Pumpkin Patch

7. Listen to my Awesome Halloween Playlist

Shirt - OneStopPlus - $14 - Save

Scarf - JCPenney's - Approx $15 - Save

Belt - Torrid - $20 (three pack) - Save

Skirt - Target - Approx $20 - Save. I bought it years ago when I was pregnant and it's actually a very dowdy skirt. It's in-between long and short and the fabric is lacking. I have almost gotten rid of it a hundred times but I am glad I didn't because when I hike it up and roll the waistband it becomes the perfect skirt for this outfit. So, never throw anything away!

Tight - We Love Colors - $15 - Save. They are a wonderful quality for the price.

Shoes - Goodwill - $5 - BIG SAVE! I love thrifting! It's good for your budget and it's good for the planet. You don't get that combo a lot so, what is not to love?

Bag - Ebay - $9 - Saaaaaaaaave! Fell in love with this bag on another blog and knew I had to have it in my life. I was very excited to find it on Ebay for only nine dollars and with free shipping!

Hudson's Birthday Bash: Part 2

Take a virtual tour of Hudson's Vintage Hot Air Balloon Adventure with these loads and loads of pictures! 

Some of the many decorations I made: I tied a bunch of balloons to a basket to a create hot air balloon and stacked vintage suitcases up next to it. I also made a hot air balloon mobile with scrap book paper, an embroidery hoop, and fishing line.

Food Spread: I kept it inexpensive by making it picnic themed and serving sandwiches, fresh fruit, cheese, puppy chow, and apple cider. The gorgeous (and delicious) cake was made by my wonderful sister.

For party favors, we sent home milk and cookies in a brown paper bag with a hot air balloon stamped on it.

Decorations on Table: I bought a map poster from allposters.com, backed it with cardboard and stenciled, "Oh, the places you'll go!" on it. I also decorated the table with a picnic basket, globe, and beret. The table cloth is an old bedspread that I cut apart.

Party Activities: I had four stations for the children to play in, a hot air balloon photo booth, sensory table, art corner, and a tissue paper pit for babies. Other than the photo booth each activity represented a country.

Photo Booth: I got a big chunk of felt on sale at Joann Fabrics and used fiber fill as fluffy white clouds.

 

Sensory Table: Indian Bazaar. I used poster board to make Indian-esque architecture and filled a tub and two platters with lentils, split peas, black beans, and lima beans. This was a big hit!

Tissue Paper Pit: The Hidden Tombs of Egypt. I used a blow up pool and filled it with squares of tissue paper and cellophane. I found gold poster board at Michael's and cut it out to look like a pyramid.

Art Corner: Monet's Studio in France. I covered a table in packing paper and set out markers, chalk, and crayons. I made the Eiffle with black poster board and drew on the details with a silver sharpie. Bonus: I am going to use the paper the kids colored on as wrapping paper.

They're not pictured, but I also made "scrapbook pages of Hudson's journey around the world" using vintage postcards, scrapbook paper, and Hudson's one year photos, and placed them around the house. 

Everything I used at the party was made with supplies from Michael's and Joann Fabrics, bought at Goodwill  and Etsy, or re-purposed from my own home (besides the map from allposters.com). I actually spent very little and it turned out incredible.

 It was an awesome party and Hudson sure had a blast! Thank you to everyone that took time to make it so special.

(another way to save money is to have a very talented brother-in-law who will take all your kids' pictures for you. hehe)