Makeover: Fun Polka Dot Skirt (Medium)

BEFORE

AFTER

                

Hi again! So many blog posts so quickly! It's wonderful! Here's another relatively easy fashion makeover. Once again, I found another skirt that fit the waist well, but just wasn't doing "enough". After playing around with the fabric, I decided I liked it best gathered to the upper right side! It really transformed the skirt to a more flirty look (I LOVED the blue lining underneath). This took me 20 minutes in total (it should take you only 15, if that). I have a video coming up soon with step by step instructions on how to accomplish this in case some of you need it! 

Materials

Skirt

Pins

Needle 

Thread (thread should be a bit darker than material's color)

Instructions:

1. Put the skirt on and gather it to the right or left upper side. You're going to have to play with it a bit to see how much you want gathered and where exactly (mine started puckering in certain places). 

2. You need to pin it in order to secure it which can be done a couple of ways... 

a. someone can pin it while it's on you

b. you can pin it while it's on you

c. you can tightly pinch the fabric while you take off the skirt..once the skirt is off and you have a free hand you can pin it! *I used 7 pins to secure my "bundle"

OR 

You can sew it while it's on. The only problem with this is that you will be able to see the thread on the outside. It's quick and easy, but may not be best for the long run! 

3. Begin sewing! It just needs a simple stitch. I turned the skirt inside out and did several stitches to secure the "bundle" of fabric. 

**Warning: this one may need a lot of adjusting! Good luck! Comment if you have questions! I apologize if my instructions are unclear (they definitely are). I'm still getting a hang of this! Hopefully videos will help.

Makeover: Gray Pleated Skirt (Easy)

                   BEFORE

                                                     

                                                                                                         AFTER

                     

*No Sew

Hi Everyone! So this is a super easy project! I loved this high-skirt I found and it fit perfectly except for the length (in my opinion). I matched it with a polka dot shirt from H&M in this picture and black heels. However, you can definitely liven it up with some color. 

Materials

Skirt

Measuring tape or a measuring stick

Fabric Pencil ( mine was yellow)

Scissors 

Instructions

1. Try it on and find the length you want it cut at (if you're not sure, always go longer than what you think you might like! It's near impossible to add once you've taken material off).

2. Mark a line 

3. Take the skirt off and measure from the edge of the skirt to the line (mine was 6 inches). 

4. Continue measuring and drawing lines around the skirt (as many as you feel comfortable. You'll be using these lines as a guide when cutting!)

5. Start cutting! Try to make long smooth strokes (less chance of jagged material) and stay even. 

6. This material cut so nicely that I didn't even need to hem it. If you're using a lighter material or you mess up cutting (aka jagged edges) you may want to consider hemming it). 

Overall tips:

*I can't stress how important it is to be cautious when cutting! Always go longer if you're unsure! If you end up messing up and needing to do a hem- you're skirt is going to be even SHORTER than originally anticipated!

*If you don't have a fabric pencil, Joanne's sells them for <$5 (I would get yellow or a color that you don't usually pick for material). 

Here's another way to wear the skirt!

Classy Outfit: Business Nautical

Hey girls! So this is one of my timeless favorites! It's great for when you're running around (either in and out of air conditioning or when it's a bit chilly out). Remember you can always take off the blazer for a less formal/cooler look. I usually match this with a simple brown purse with gold details. 

Blazer: Forever 21

Work shirt: Express

Shorts: Macy's (They're actually "Bermuda" length shorts rolled a couple of times

Bracelet: J. Crew 

Sunglasses: Marshall's

Fashion Illustration: Black with Red Splash

Saw this on pinterest and had to do my own version of it! So classy!

Classy Summer Outfits: Cute by Day, Fun by Night

Hi Everyone! So here's an idea for a great transition outfit (one that you can wear during the day and still go out in!). 

Top: Forever 21 for $18.00 here

Shoes: Marshall's

Necklace: Plato's closet 

Purse: Plato's closet similar

Classy Summer Outfit: Peplum Top with Shorts

Hi again! There's been a lot of requests for more classy summer outfit ideas, so here's another! What I love most about peplum tops is that there are item for winter or summer! 

Purse: Strawberry 
Watch: Francesca's (similar)
Shoes: Guess
Sunglasses: Marshall's
Top: Express similar at Charlotte Rousse
Shorts: H&M 

Classy Summer Outfit: Black lace with a pop of color

Hi Everyone! So here's another one of my favorite summer outfits. I usually use it for dinners or nights out about the town, but it's so versatile! 

Jewelry: Old Navy (Unfortunately, their website says they're not selling jewelry at the moment)
Purse: H&M 
Shoes: Marshall's 
Shirt: Forever 21 (similar)
Shorts: Forever 21 (similar)

DIY: Beaded Purse Polished

Found this adorable beaded clutch in gold while thrifting (I actually really love the gold, but wanted to experiment of course). My thoughts were to use nail polish to color each triangle"panel"                                

    What other colors do you think I should use? Comment below and let me know!

Vintage Gets a Makeover

                                            Before                                         After                                                       

             Once again another thrift store find ($3.00 with discounts) that was so old, the tag was illegible. The dress came down to my ankles and there was this...interesting...bow attached to the collar. So why did I pick this up? I didn't, not originally at least. I visited three times before I finally bought it. Surprisingly there was barely any sewing needed! I still can't decide if I want to take off the sleeves or not! Decisions..decisions....

Comment below with questions, like, or post to social media if you think this is pretty cool!
~M

Paris is Always a Good Idea ❤️

DIY: Embellished Purse (Thrift store find)

I found this wonderfully plain leather purse at the thrift store and thought it had so much potential! Originally, I was going to add fabric to it and give it a funky/modern look. However, I found this gold trim and couldn't resist! With the help of some fabric glue, it really came along wonderfully! 

Finished Product!

Materials:

1. Fabric Glue

2. Trim (of your choice) 

Instructions:

1. Figure out where you want to place the trim (so many options)

2. Place a trail of glue over the area (I used A LOT) 

3. Place the trim on 

4. Repeat!

* I would let one area dry before proceeding to another. Have fun!

Classy Summer Outfit

 

Shorts: Express (On sale for $29.99)

Shirt: Francesca's sale ($24.00)

Necklace: Forever 21:  ($12.00) 

• A little tip: I never read sizes! If you like something and it fits well (or you can take it in/out) go for it! 

DIY Fringe Crop Top (From Dress to Crop Top)

Unfortunately, I did not take a picture of the original dress. This red lace crop top was a mid-knee dress (American Rag). I had found the dress at the thrift store for $4 and knew I just had to do something with it. I cut the dress to about three inches above my belly button and sewed a fringe around it with a simple stitch! There was a red fabric underneath the lace (so it wasn't originally see-through, which I cut out!) It worked out so well that I cut an old (partially ripping) lace peplum top I had and added beads to the edge!

 I would definitely recommend sewing the shirt inside out (unless you want to edge of the fringe to show). 

It's such a perfect way to revamp old dresses and shirts for summer concerts and festivals! In total time it took me about 1/2 hour per shirt. 
Peplum top: $15 + $10 for the fringe 
Dress: $4.00 + $15 for fringe (I messed up so I had to rip out some and redo it! Warning: if you're using fringe be careful! It's hard to rip out and redo).

Fashion Illustration

Saw this idea on Pinterest so I tried painting my own! I used the app called "Overgram" to add the font ❤️ Hope everyone's having a wonderful day!!

Francesca's Discount Jewelry Retouched

So of course, I found this adorable bracelet on sale at Francescas! However, it was this orange color (sorry, bracelet is backwards in photo). Unfortunately, I dont have much orange in my wardrobe...

When I got home I whipped out the nail polish and painted away! I chose to do tan and white (boring, I know!) because it would match with so much! For those that are interested, I used Sally Hansen's nail polish! As you can see, I need to take a pin and finish up the sides! Not too bad though! If youre worried about the nail polish coming off, you can always add a clear coat. 

More coming!

But in the meantime, keep in mind:

Free People Outfit Copycat

Lace Up Those Boots

Boots: (Grammy's Attic) 

Dress: Forever 21 (it was a high low dress that I cut and re-hemmed) 

Bracelets: American Eagle 

Leg Warmers: were leggings that I had gotten a while ago as a gift and never wore, I cut them off at the upper thigh and hemmed the top. 

Inspired by: Free People's Outfit

Falling into Autumn Business Attire

Blouse: (17.80) Forever 21 similar ($49.99)

Watch: Francesca's ($30)

Shoes: Guess (from Marshalls $40) similar ($66)

Shorts: Guess (from Plato's $15) similar ($17.80)

Purse: 10$ Strawberry  similar ($40)/ similar ($195)

Necklace: Forever 21 similar ($10.80)

Inspired by: 

 

The Perfect Pink Skirt

Classy in Pink Chiffon

This outfit is perfect for when you want to be business casual (but still fun in the summer). The wedges are great because they give you the height and have same effect as heels - without the pain! 

Pink Chiffon Skirt:  Francesca's ($38)

Shoes: Guess (bought at Marshalls for $30) similar (39.96)

White Blouse: Forever 21 (similar) ($19.80)

Watch: Francesca's (similar)  ($28)

Gold Chain Bracelet:  Express ($22.90)

Clutch: Pier One similar (12.48) **on sale

DIY: Crackled Phone Case Design

My phone case is an "incipio" that is extremely durable but not too bulky. However, it was white, and therefore quickly became dirty. I tried painting it several different colors of nail polish (hence the slight bits of turquoise you see in the picture below) but it came off quickly. I had just bought the lavender Essie and started painting it on. As soon as I did, it began to form these crackles (I have absolutely no idea why). The final product below was how it naturally turned out when I painted long strokes on the case. After the purple dried, I added the gold sequins in some areas. I can't promise you this technique will work-but if you have an old case, it might be worth a try!