Flower Wreath Tutorial

I'm not Martha Stewart. Not even close. But I'll be damned if I don't try. One craft I've never really ventured into was wreath making, but this fall I thought it would be nice to have a pretty fall colored wreath on the door and Michael's has so many shades. So I took the plunge and made my first wreath! Since it wasn't a complete disaster (like my many previous craft fails), I thought I'd share it with anyone who wanted to give it a shot too.

One note on saving money: I bought my flowers right at the change of seasons. At the end of summer, Michael's still had some fall colored flowers and they were all on sale. So I hoarded them for about a month and then turned them into this! Sometimes, it pays to have a collection of craft supplies.

What I Wore: The Flasher Edition

I'm not one of those girls that's "secretly" excited that fall is here. Fall in Chicago isn't really anything to get excited about for too long. However, I do love dressing for fall. I always have so many outfit ideas for fall. I think it's the season where I'm most capable of looking the most put together with the smallest effort. Dress, tights, and an open sweater? No problem. I do feel like I can get into a little bit of a uniform though, so this year I'm trying to break it up with a few new fall outfits. Step 1: new fall coats. 

What I Wore: The Lady in Red Edition

Let me tell you, there is nothing better for the confidence than a little rouge. I am dead serious about this. Feeling blah and don't want to put any effort into your outfit today? Throw on jeans, a sweater, and some red lipstick and you'll see. It really is that easy. I know the color on this 40s style vintage dress is one of the reasons it's totally an instant confidence booster!

What I Wore: The Holding Onto Summer Edition

Fall is here. Like really, officially here. Thankfully, it only feels that way in the mornings and evenings and the daytime is still sunny and relatively warm! Not that I want global warming to be happening, but if it is going to happen, I am okay with Chicago becoming a tropical destination. #justsayin

Until that happens, I'm going to take advantage of the warmer weather and keep wearing my lighter, summer pieces into fall. I find that sticking with the pieces that are longer, but still light are perfect for those days that go from 80 degrees to 65 degrees in a few short hours. This outfit in particular is one of my favorites because of the brightly colored skirt. Ain't nothing better for fixing a gloomy day or a gloomy mood than some bright colors. It's the little things, you know?

Tuesday Inspiration: Brocade for the Holidays

Now that we've finished stuffing ourselves after Thanksgiving, it's time to start hunting for that perfect holiday dress. I'm not ready to commit to anything yet, and I have a relatively small budget to work in, but there's nothing wrong with a little window shopping is there?

In perusing the internet for ideas, I found that one of fall's RTW 2012 trends would make the perfect holiday outfit: brocade!

Thursday Tutorial: Last Minute Fall Leaf Garland

I kind of snoozed on decorating for fall and Thanksgiving this year after all my excitement decorating for Halloween, but I still wanted a little something up and I thought that a garland would be the easiest way to do that. Also, I'm completely obsessed with garlands. Why? Who knows. Is "they're pretty" not a good enough answer? Anyway, I had all this fall leaf colored felt laying around in my fabric stash and decided that would be my easy solution: A Fall Leaf Garland!

What I Wore: The Thigh High Edition

Don't I look mad today? It was starting to rain and I was trying to get this shoot done as fast as possible so forgive me for looking so moody. Anyway, today's focus is thigh highs! Fun right? Okay so I recently got another tattoo and it happens to be on my thigh (no close ups but you can see a glimpse below) and I realized that healing it while wearing leggings or tights might be kind of annoying. However, it's also getting pretty cold here in Chicago so going bare legged is not an option for the chronically cold. My solution? Thigh highs, naturally. 

What I Wore: The Fall Florals Edition

I'm a little obsessive when it comes to florals. As in florals comprise almost my entire collection of prints. That's why I always have a little internal battle in the fall and winter, because I feel like florals are for spring and summer. Otherwise, they usually just seem out of place.

Photo Friday: Cowgirl Fashion

I am super drawn in to any kind of cowgirl or western style. I think it's because I've never really been out west so it all seems so mysterious to me. Is this really what ranch hands look like? Probably not, but damn Elle France made living life on the farm look appealing.

What I Wore: The Fall Color Blocking Edition

Color blocking is not my strong suit. It seems so simple right? A few colors on top of each other, no problem. Wrong. I think I own too many prints to successfully color block at any point. However, I do love the way that large blocks of color can bring an outfit to life all on their own. Color blocking is the one trend that I always feel stand perfectly on it's own and needs limited accessories (shocking, I know). So how do I color block? I cheat. And you can too!

What I Wore: The Grown Up Leopard Print Edition

It's not a secret that I love leopard print - at least it shouldn't be at this point - so me wearing a leopard print dress on the blog isn't really news. However, this leopard print dress is particularly important to me as it's my second piece of "grown-up" leopard print.

Photo Friday: Fall Opulence

Oh they are laying the jewels on thick for this coming holiday season. If you haven't checked out any fall 2012 fashion editorials yet it's possible you haven't seen it, but oh it's there. Get ready to be encrusted in gems and gold. Don't get me wrong, I am very, very happy about this. Cover me in feathers and jewels. It's on.

What I Wore: The Magnificent Mile Edition

Oh Chicago, you manage to steal my heart again and again. Maybe it's been the weather getting slightly cooler and the fall items hanging in all the shops on Michigan Ave, but I've been loving going downtown and walking around the city. It's reminded me how lucky I am to live in such a fun and dynamic city. And that I love hot chocolate.

Inspiration Tuesday: Jewel Tones

Jewel tones are my favorite year round, but fall is when they really start hitting the stores and I couldn't be more excited to go shopping this season. I'm pretty pale and usually dark haired so those rich greens, purples, and blues suit me very well. At least I like to think so. Anyway, my closet is full of it and it never feel more appropriate than in that time in late fall, just before the Christmas season starts rolling in (you know, somewhere around early October now). So I pulled together three outfits using some of my favorite shades for some outfit inspiration. The first one is a little edgy and punk rock for a night out at the bar. The second one is a complete work ensemble if I worked somewhere that prohibited the wearing of jeans. And finally a date night outfit! Er, that is, if I had any dates to go on. Whomp, whomp. At least I'm prepared! Now if only Polyvore magically transported all the items you pulled into a collection into your closet, that would be perfect.

Tuesday Trendspotting: House of Harlow and Winter Kate Fall 2012

Ok, that's it. It's August, the summer shorts and tank tops are being put on sale. You can now buy your bathing suits for next year for less than half the price. It's time to talk fall. I'm working on developing an idea of what I want my wardrobe to look like this year. I work in an office, a regular nine-to-five, but it's a really relaxed atmosphere so I don't really need lots of tailored tweed, but I do still need to look profesional. Somehow, magically, House of Harlow and Winter Kate have managed to put together a collection of fall looks that are fun, playful, and classy. I think I found my ideal wardrobe. via Fabsugar

Sunday Moment of Zen: Burberry Fall/Winter 2012

I know I'm jumping the gun again in talking about fall and winter already, but you know as well as I that the store are starting to stack up on sweaters, blazers, and all things pre-fall already. So there's no use ignoring it, it's time to get excited! The question is, which collection to be most excited about seeing ripped off in store like H&M and Forever21? For me it's the Autumn/Winter Burberry collection. And it has been since it debuted in early spring of this year, so you know I'm in love. I just adore the full bodied shape of the coats and that this fall collection is bringing back the belted coat. The collection of belts is adorable as well - big statement bows and animal heads. My goal for the winter is to find a similar elastic belt with a big wolf head buckle like in the picture below. How awesome would that be (inner squeeeeeeeee)?

via Style.com

Tuesday Trendspotting: Minimalist Chic

Every time I start browsing next season's collections, I feel a little weird since it's still so hot outside and I have't even worn all my summer dresses yet. But I can't help and get excited about fall's new looks. And by fashion standards I'm late in the game as it is, so I'll just start talking tweed, leopard print, and merino now without guilt.

I have always claimed that summer is my favorite season. Of course, growing up it was and for good reason. Summer equals no school, pool parties, and infinite ice cream. However, since my free and careless summers are a thing of the past, I'm starting to realize that fall is a much more accommodating season and it's definitely become my favorite season for fashion. Although that might also have something to do with the fact that I'm a tights and leggings kind of gal. It's harder to look presentable in a mini skirt and bare legs at the office. Which is one of the reasons I went ga-ga over this collection from Juliette Hogan. It's minimalist but gorgeous. All the pieces I would be able to wear to the office and then out to the bar once the weather started cooling down and I adore that. I've never been one that stuck to strict "office wear" so I think all of these piece are conservative enough to wear to a meeting, but don't drown your personal style.

Photo Friday: Lanvin Fall 2012

If you haven't heard already, Lanvin's Fall/Winter 2012 ad campaign is exploding as big news in the fashion world. Why? Because they're not using models. Well, they ARE using models, just not professional models. Part of the Fall 2012 campaign feature real people - yup, you heard it, real people - to show you that photoshop can make anyone look gorgeous.

All of the people chosen for the campaign look gorgeous all dolled-up in Lanvin and shot professionally. There is no denying that. Paired with the over-crowded, dark, vintage-y backdrop, these models fit the scene perfectly. Honestly, had it not been pointed out to everyone in the fashion would that these were not profesional models, I probably wouldn't have thought twice about it. Well played, Lanvin, well played.

Tuesday Trendspotting: 50s and 60s Never Die

I know, I know, you've barely started working on that tan and here I am talking about Fall/Winter 2012. Well I'm sorry, I know it's hard to accept but Fashion does not wait! So neither do I. Ok well, I do. As in, I wait to buy but not to look. So check it out. 2012 is bringing back the beehive! I talked about before how that sweet picnic in the park 60s style was coming back for the spring (I failed at making it the theme of my spring wardrobe unfortunately) and it did in a big way, but it seems that the beehive, cat-eyes, pencil skirts, and capris and in it to win it. The retro craze may have started with MadMen, but it's taken on another life now and I couldn't be happier! I mean I always saw myself as a greaser's girlfriend at some point in my life. That point should be now.

The Fall/Winter 2012 collection from Dsquared2 borrows heavily from that punky, Rebel Without a Cause attitude while combining it with some very classic pieces of the 50s housewife. A little tough and a little sweet, my favorite combination. Obviously, I want every single piece in this collection.

What do you think? Love the 60s style or hate it?

Sunday Moment of Zen: Nature Break

Sunday, oh lazy Sunday. Here's a little something pretty and colorful for you. Living in the city I don't get to see much forest, so I take what little escapes from urban life I can get. This little video is of Yosemite National Park in the Fall.



Enjoy! Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!