Design Trends from IKEA: Colored Floor revolution

I'm sure by now you're well aware that IKEA is jumping on the mid-century design bandwagon and releasing a whole line of mid-century inspired gems. Great. Awesome. Love it. Looks great. Except, when I was looking through the new IKEA collection there is only one thing that really, really stood out to me...

The SMEG Revolution

The SMEG Revolution is upon us. Yes, it's true. Hold on to your hats people. For those of you interested in the interior design world, those that follow interior design blogs, or, heck, even just hang out on Pinterest sometimes, you're familiar with the SMEG refrigerator. It's the vintage, candy-colored appliance of your dreams. And it costs a pretty penny to make your kitchen look like it has hopped out of the 1950s, so, for most of us, it has always been very much a dream. Well, dream no more my design friends! Your kitchen appliances are so close to being candy-colored, you should almost be able to taste it!

What I Wore: The Time Travel Edition

I've been obsessed with 70s style all summer. I don't know why or where this love of all things 70s-biker-chic came from, but I'm into it. So into it, in fact, that all I can do is daydream about moving to California and riding on the back of a motorcycle over winding trails. I better re-watch Sons of Anarchy or something.

Anyway, that's where today's outfit inspiration is stemming from. Ever since I started this weird, retro 70s obsession, I've been hunting for a pair of high-waisted, tight, bell bottom jeans. They were surprisingly hard to find. Or maybe not so surprisingly, if you're a sane person, unlike me. But find them I did and my world will never been the same.

White Hot Summer Outfit Ideas

Summer fashion trends come and go. Neons, florals, boho — we see it all on a rotating schedule. Even though I'm always in love with new summer trends, there's one that I'm always really excited to jump back into and that's white. It's called a white, hot summer for a reason! There's just something so essentially summer about tan skin, white dresses, and bright details.

Interior Design: Mint Green Kitchens

Newest update in my new apartment adventures: I now have mint green walls in my kitchen! Two walls to be exact. We left the rest of the kitchen white. In a fit of paint whimsy, I bought a whole gallon of mint green paint because I was really excited about the color, without having a plan for it. (I'm the worst) So it went in the kitchen. While I was extremely excited about it during the painting process, I started second guessing myself afterwards (naturally) and hating it inwardly for being too bright (naturally). So what does anyone do when worried about their design choices? Turn to Pinterest, naturally! I immediately turned to Pinterest to confirm that my design choice was, in fact, not insane and that we could absolutely pull off a mint green kitchen with dark wood accents and black floors (Pictures to come soon, I promise. It was already dark when we had finished painting.) - and Pinterest did alleviate all my design woes.

What I Wore: The Simple Things Edition

I am going to preface this post by saying that I am not an American Apparel girl. Generally, I think they are totally over-priced for basics. That being said, I spent way too much money at American Apparel the other day. Even though I know I can get most of the same stuff for way cheaper, they still suck me in some times. This was one of those times. I'm not a big "pants" person. If you follow my blog, you'll see that I mostly wear dresses and tights or leggings. This isn't because I think they look better on the blog, it's because I hate pants! They're constricting. What's the point when I can be in tights all day? However, I do have an unfortunate affinity for mom jeans. I think it's my irrational fear of the muffin top. Anyway, they don't make a lot of mom jeans that make me feel like I'm working it. The American Apparel Easy Jean is one of those.

What I Wore: The Galaxy Never Dies Edition

I can't give it up, you guys. No matter how hard I try, I just can't do it. The galaxy trend can never die! I will take it to the grave with me! Am I obsessed with galaxy print? Yes, obviously. But can you blame me, really? Space is just cool. Period.

Anyway, I got this party dress on Modcloth recently and I haven't worn it much because part of me thinks it's too young looking for me and another part just thinks it's too much. Now that the holiday season is creeping up on us, my goal is to turn it into a perfect party dress.

What I Wore: The Wishing for Spring Edition

Spring, oh spring, where art thou? It's time right? The weather gods are just messing with us? I would love to me able to walk outside in a light jacket again (or no jacket, but I'm asking for baby steps here). It's going to warm up to a sunny 50 degrees this weekend and in an effort to break away from winter, I'm busting out the light sweaters and floral prints!

What I Wore: The Leather Vest Edition

Am I cool enough to rocka leather vest? No. Just by asking myself that question it's obvious I'm not. But, damnit, I'm going to try! So I went with my go-to outfit option when trying a trend that I think is too "tough" for me, I mixed it in with something sweet. Balance  as always, is important in any outfit or else you start looking like you're wearing a costume if you're too "biker chic" or too sweet or too rocker, etc.

What I Wore: The I Heart Skulls Edition

I love skulls. Is that a weird sentence? Probably. But it's true! And I don't know how else to phrase it. The skull motif has been pretty popular in fashion for a little while now and I couldn't be happier. It's become slightly a problem. Obviously, when I found this dress I knew I had to have it. Even though I realize I look a little Wednesday Adams in this post. Ooops.

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!

Tuesday Trendspotting: Birch Woody Design

Birch, birch, birch, birch, BIRCH! I love it. I think it's such a cool looking tree. The wood patterns are just so different from other trees that they really do lend well to new designs in fashion and interiors. I've seen an amazing birch print wallpaper for a while now, but lately it seems like I've been seeing the white and black pattern everywhere. I'm thinking that I might need this iPhone case or these pretty vases for my apartment.

Tuesday Love: Nach Jewelry

Awesome jewelry collection alert! I'm drooling over Nach Jewelry. Each piece is a handmade out of porcelain and most of them are tiny animal figures. I love animal jewelry, it's kind of sickness, so of course I was all over this pretty, colorful collection. If you've been following along, you know I'm a big fan of accessorizing and I love finding new pieces of jewelry because jewelry always fits and it can sit in a drawer for years and come out being a brand new on-trend piece. Perfect, no? The pieces are a little pricey for my budget, but they're gorgeous and on my wish list for sure. I know I'll be on the lookout for cheaper, knock off pieces in the stores this fall. Anyway, don't take my word for it, check them out and tell me what you think in the comments!

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

Tuesday Trendspotting: Midriff Madness!

Baby, it's hot outside. And humid and muggy outside. What better way to stay stylish and cool then to wear an adorable skirt and a cute midriff top? Now I talked about how I feel about showing off my midriff in one of the past outfit posts, but you have to admit it is a cute look. If only I was more comfortable wearing them more often. I own a couple midriff tops that have been sitting in my dresser for a few years actually. I've just never had to guts to put them on and flaunt around town with my beer belly hanging out. But hey, if you got it, flaunt it!

Long story short, just because I don't think that I can rock the midriff top look personally does not mean  that I don't think it's a cute trend for other people. So I picked out some of my favorites that I've found around the internet, all of which I would totally buy to let collect dust in my dresser.

on Etsy

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.

Tuesday Trendspotting: Hats, hats, hats!

Hats! Hats! Hats! Summer is the season for some of the cutest hats isn't it? Seems that way at least. Winter always brings about some knit and crochet hats, but nothing like the wide brimmed and structured goodies in the summer time. Or maybe hats just seems easier to wear when below zero degree winds are not blowing them off your head. Anyway, I've never really been a hat girl, just an admirer. I have the hats-look-totally-weird-on-me complex so I've always stayed away from buying them. As of last summer I've been trying to get over my hat-phobia and it's a slow process. In the meantime, I've been an admirer and it's been a great season to be that.

I've collected outfits and inspiration from some of my favorite fashion bloggers around the web to show you what I mean. I recently picked up a little hat from a thrift store in my neighborhood (pics to come in tomorrow's outfit post!) and I'm trying out the whole hat thing. I am not promising amazing things. However, I hope this collection of hat centered outfits inspires you to pick up a few new dome-toppers!

Mandi from Making Nice in the Midwest

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?

Thursday Tutorial: DIY Red Ombre Hair

So I have to admit that I've felt like a pretty bad blogger the past few weeks. Not that my heart's not in it anymore, because it is. I've just felt completely swamped by life. Part of this feeling led me to believe that I needed a new or at least updated hair do. Naturally, I'm a girl and that's what we gals do when we feel like something needs to change, we change our hair. There you go fellas, Ladies 101. 

Anyway, when trying to figure out what to do with my mess of hair without spending a ton of money, I decided the biggest change would be in getting both a cut and a color. Picking out a color for my hair was the hardest part, but I finally settled on red, even though I know how quickly red fades and what a pain in the butt upkeep is on it. This is why, if you saw yesterday's outfit post, you will see that I have since given up on red hair and gone back to something dark. BUT if you have the patience to re-dye your hair every month and not wash it often, here is a tutorial for how I got my Red Ombre Hair! 

A few things before I start this red ombre hair tutorial:

a.) Bleach is very corrosive. It will burn. Try to keep it off your skin as much as possible and always wear gloves when applying. 

b.) My hair had a LOT of layers of dye before I started so I knew I would have to leave the bleach on for longer periods of time to get it as light as I wanted it. If you don't dye your hair often, this will take less time. Try bleaching a little test piece first. 

c.) This is kind of a LONG process. Expect it to take at least a few hours.

DIY Red Ombre Hair Tutorial

Tuesday Trendspotting: Floral Dude Shirts

As we know, flowers come back in style every year for spring and summer. That is just something that will never change because it's just such a logical print to have around during that time. The size, shape, and style may change every year, but the print will always be floral. When I was on ASOS the other day I found an interesting trend in florals: masculine florals. Now I don't know anything about men's fashion (which is why I don't talk about it much) so maybe this is something that comes around every year too, but I can't say I've seen a whole lot of men in floral print shirts that weren't overweight or on a vacation in the tropics.

Anyway, I'm not sure I totally hate this look. I have to say that I am more of a fan of the big print florals than the tiny print for guys. Although, I suppose anything that I've seen in the past dubbed as masculine florals has been the tiny prints.

ASOS

ASOS

ASOS

ASOS

ASOS

ASOS

This is a completely biased opinion because I'm having a small love affair with this male model, but I feel like you need a certain kind of "look" to pull off masculine florals well. If you have some tattoos and look a little rough around the edges, it seems kind of sexy. No? Just me? Alright, I'll shut up now.

What do you say? Masculine florals: Love 'em or too Hawaii Five-0?