Out Of Order

Happy Dress

2012-02-09T11:46:00.000-08:00

When I walked into Crossroads Trading Company recently after a little shopping absence, I nearly squealed out loud when I saw these grey and teal penguin print shifts in the front racks. Mine! Penguins are my absolute favorite animal, if I haven't mentioned. For those of you not familiar with Charlotte Taylor, she's a small Wales-based designer who decided to blog about her path into fashion week two years ago. I immediately fell in love with her blog, but most of all, her wonderful penguin silhouette prints! While I can't afford Charlotte's clothes, like this gorgeous penguin print shirtdress, I've been admiring them from afar/through my computer screen. And I'm super duper happy to have a penguin print of my very own. This is such a summery, lightweight shift dress but I couldn't wait for warmer weather. I pulled on two pairs of black tights and a black shirt underneath to keep warm, which I think makes the penguins pop even more.

♥ penguin print dress {similar}
♥ black Wet Seal booties {similar}
♥ Hue tights

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2012-02-08T18:17:00.000-08:00

Eric, wearing the scarf I (finally) made him.

Just Gingham

2012-02-08T08:29:00.000-08:00

Last weekend, I let my hairs go native for once, a little uncomfortably letting it do it's own thang while Eric and I went to lunch. Maybe I'm a little inspired to embrace my messy hair because I'm finishing up Just Kids and Patti Smith's stories make me want to revert to childhood daydreams of living in a tree house and having fragrant leaves and flowers in my hair.

secondhand Gap shirt, Kill City jeans & vintage Evans bag from Crossroads Trading Co. // Forever 21 floral kitten heels

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2012-02-07T21:18:00.000-08:00

our things.

Flowers & Fur

2012-02-06T06:48:00.000-08:00

We're still enjoying the mild winter weather here in Santa Cruz. I mean, I'm still layered up, but there are plenty of people in t-shirts and shorts. I can't help loving the grey-and-rouge texture clash of the last picture. It's as though the cardi and clutch were made for each other. How mesmerizing! It almost takes the eye away from the happy psychedelic dress ;)

diy faux fur clutch // thrifted vintage dress // sale bdg cardigan from pretty mama

thrifted tooled leather belt // Cost Plus bead necklace // Wolverine western boots

IFB Links a la Mode

2012-02-04T12:40:00.000-08:00

Stylish Beauty

Edited by: Meghan Donovan of WIT & Whimsy

One thing I’ve always practiced is the belief that fashion and beauty go hand in hand. I blog about makeup and skincare sometimes just as much as fashion and believe beauty balances or emphasises a look. This week’s Links a la Mode showcase that many other IFB bloggers out there believe the same. So this week, take notes, there’s lots to learn from the following posts.

PLEASE READ IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE
If you would like to submit your link for next week’s Links à la Mode, please register first, then post your links HERE. The HTML code for this week will be found in the Links a la Mode group will be published later today. ~Jennine

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2012-02-03T17:14:00.000-08:00

There's no better way to celebrate the weekend than pizza...

Weekend Wear

2012-02-03T10:30:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I just wanna wear a lotta black...

secondhand scarf / H&M sweater / Wet Seal jeans / Wet Seal boots / random jacket

315

2012-02-02T19:42:00.000-08:00

Walking to the market.

DIY Faux Fur Clutch

2012-02-02T14:25:00.000-08:00

I've been seeing luxurious furs adorning the necks of street style stars for years, but lately even their clutches are gloriously fuzzy! Here's a tutorial to make your own simple zippered faux fur clutch, which I've discovered can also double as a pillow or lap warmer. Change the measurements and your iPad could have a jazzy fur coat, too!

My version:

Materials:
1/3 yard faux fur*
12" zipper

*Materials: You only need about 1/4 to 3/8 yard fabric for the clutch. The length cut will form the height of the clutch. Faux fur comes in many price ranges; super-soft, realistic stuff (it's called Minky) can get up to $40 a yard, while more unnatural looking (and feeling) faux furs are often sold on remnant tables for less than $10 a yard. It's also possible to find faux fur vests or other clothing items you can cut up at the thrift store or flea market. Most fabric and craft stores sell zippers in dozens of sizes and colors for less than $4. An even more eco-friendly and affordable option would be to remove the zipper from an old piece of clothing.

Also, you'll need to find the zipper foot attachment for your sewing machine. The regular presser foot won't allow you to sew closely enough alongside the zipper.
What I Did: I bought a burgundy 12" zipper and bought 1/3 yard of grey and red faux fur from the remnant tables at Beverly's Fabrics.

Step 1: Cutting
Cut two rectangles out of your fur. The width should be about the length of the zipper, plus a few inches for seams. The height will determine how tall the bag is. To keep it proportional looking, make sure the clutch is wider than it is tall, but not too skinny and long.
What I Did: Since I used a 12" zipper, I cut two pieces of fabric that were 14" wide and 10" tall.

Step 2: The Zipper
Pin the zipper front side down to the top edge of one furry piece. To get past the zipper pull at the top, unzip the zipper a few inches before starting your stitch. Once you've sewn a few inches, zip the zipper back up before you continue sewing. Repeat with the other piece of fabric, making sure to line up the edges of the fabric as evenly as you can. Now you should have two rectangles of fabric joined by a zipper, and you're almost done!

Step 3: Finishing
Pin the right sides of the fabric together, edges aligned and the zipper straight and even. Before you actually sew your bag shut, it's VERY important to open the zipper up at least a few inches, so you can turn the bag inside out later. Make sure to sew carefully through the zipper ends as well. Turn your bag inside out, make sure the zipper works, and if you want, use a pin to pull out the fur caught in the seams...

Voila!

Happy Sewing!

Cross My Heart

2012-02-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

The weather here can best be described as mild—I can't believe it's already February! I always admire gals who wear sweaters over dresses, but for some reason I've shied away from doing it—before now. The breezy, summer black and white dress under my current favorite woolen striped sweater seemed the most natural pairing in my closet.

thrifted hat / Gap sale sweater / random dress from Ross / flea market bag

vintage scarf / HUE tights / Wet Seal shoes

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2012-01-31T20:13:00.000-08:00

A pretty plant at my mother's house.

Do Up Your Laces

2012-01-30T06:32:00.000-08:00

I feel like Ricky Bobby sometimes in front of the camera; what to do with my hands? I usually end up awkwardly grasping something like a piece of fabric or hair haha. Anyway...the magical dream sale corset-back pansy-print trench coat makes it's second appearance, not because I don't love it enough to wear it all the time, but because I love it so much I'm afraid to use it, like a fragile collector's item. My equivalent of a Faberge egg came from Anthropologie, the skirt I made myself, the top, bracelet and tights are from Forever 21, and lace up boots from Wet Seal.

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2012-01-29T20:46:00.000-08:00

My girl.

Stuff I Luff

2012-01-29T12:00:00.000-08:00

1. Bare legged outfits by Sincerely Jules, All The Pretty Birds and A Fine Day For Sailing make me wish I wasn't such a weather wimp - it's not really winter in Santa Cruz, but I still need tights and more layers to be comfy.

2. The simplest, coolest diy collar evah - hardware store goodies and glue or clear thread.

3. I'm about halfway though Just Kids by Patti Smith and I don't want to put it down, hardly even long enough to make this collage and recommend it to you

4. I recently picked up some apricot gelato at Shopper's Corner and am in food heaven! I hope to find a place and unearth my ice cream maker by summertime.

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2012-01-28T20:12:00.000-08:00

If I were a car paint job...

In Threes

2012-01-28T09:15:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite people ever, Angelina, has been visiting, which coincided with my being sick and bedridden so I only got to see her a few times. Ange's one of those friends whose presence is always warm, fun, open and an inspiring gift. I hope she moves back here in the near near future... though I also want to visit Brooklyn before she leaves! I need to raise money... does anyone need help with their blog layout??

The night before my girl flew back to New York we got to hang out and go to dinner, stopping to take a few photos before the light left. She's coming back in a month, so I was able to happily cavort a bit for her in my stripey H&M sweaterdress and pink vintage velvet embellished loafers (both picked up from different Crossroads Trading Companies) topped with a cardigan/dress from Target.

Happy weekend ya'll!

I'm excited for a family bbq tomorrow and the one day off Eric and I have together.

319

2012-01-27T17:12:00.000-08:00

Shot out of the car window going up West Cliff Drive...

320

2012-01-26T16:50:00.000-08:00

IFB Links a la Mode

2012-01-26T09:12:00.000-08:00

Making a Connection

Edited by: Fajr Muhammad of Stylish Thought

Can you believe that it’s almost February. Fashion week is right around the corner and that means that the IFB Conference is right upon us. The IFB Conference has opened so many doors and channels for fashion bloggers to connect and expand their *ahem* influence. Fashion week is another great avenue to network and work with brands, the media and other bloggers. In our fast-paced digital (and fashion) worlds, connection is key. Check out this week’s Link a la Mode and connect with our 20 selected bloggers. Read their post, comment and build relationships that will last past fashion week and beyond.

THE IFB WEEKLY ROUNDUP: LINKS À LA MODE: JANUARY 26TH

Color Me Blue: Face Makeup 101

Davee’s Secrets: Black Onyx

Designer Purushu: A Fashion Designer’s Workshop

Fashion Moriarty: The day I was in Teen Vogue

Fumiko Kawa: Crossing Lines

First Came Fashion: California Girl

Homes & Heels: This Weekend

I Have a Degree in This: Why I Love Fashion

Just Pandippo: I’m not a Beauty Queen

Le Love: To Market to Market

My Voguish Diaries: Chambray and Fur

Pretty Passions, Fine Fashions: Nailed It

Oranges and Apples: On Valuing Clothes

Simply Frabulous: The year of the Dragon

Style Sizzle: I Hate Beauty Trends

Style Through Her Eyes: Pinterest vs. Tumblr

Stylish Thought: The A to Z Guide to Personal Style

The Style Confessions: L.A. Woman

Tiffany Squared: The Editor Allure

Viki Secrets: The Secret Meaning of Brands

Sweet Tooth: Super S'more

2012-01-26T06:59:00.000-08:00

I got a bag of white-chocolate-covered marshmallows over the holidays, and they proved perfect when crushed up a bit, microwaved and paired with grahams and strawberry jam. Indoor s'mores, yumm!

Stick a Scarf On It

2012-01-24T11:49:00.000-08:00

There's nothing like a pretty scarf in complimentary shades to spruce up an outfit of basics!

321

2012-01-23T21:56:00.000-08:00

Muppet Green Monday

2012-01-23T07:29:00.000-08:00

Isn't that collar just crying out for some studs?? It's raining right now, but this is from last week when it wasn't quite as cool. And, this is the last outfit post with the old camera, bye bye point-and-shoot! I wore a thrifted blouse under a Forever 21 sweater, secondhand Element jeans, Wet Seal boots, and I got the plaid bucket bag on sale at Urban Outfitters.

322

2012-01-22T21:50:00.000-08:00

I've been sick in bed for most of the weekend, which has meant a lot of sleeping and a little self-pitying because I got a wonderful new lens but it's been raining and I'm too tired to take it out! I've been reduced to stalking Eric while he's reading and food before I eat it...

Out Of Order

Happy Dress

*312*

Just Gingham

*313*

Flowers & Fur

IFB Links a la Mode

Stylish Beauty

THE IFB WEEKLY ROUNDUP: LINKS À LA MODE: FEBRUARY 2ND

*314*

Weekend Wear

*315*

DIY Faux Fur Clutch

Cross My Heart

*316*

Do Up Your Laces

*317*

Stuff I Luff

*318*

In Threes

*319*

*320*

IFB Links a la Mode

Making a Connection

THE IFB WEEKLY ROUNDUP: LINKS À LA MODE: JANUARY 26TH

Sweet Tooth: Super S'more

Stick a Scarf On It

*321*

Muppet Green Monday

*322*

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