Tassels and ACL

Last spring I designed a pair of earrings with a small bead on top and a colorful tassel dangling at the bottom. Little did I know, I was on to something. I started noticing a trend this fall with tassels as accessories. I've seen tassel earrings at Target and tassel designer necklaces in several fashion magazines. I really wanted to get back into this trend so I made a pair of antique looking earrings with a black tassel. Not to toot my own horn, but I'm in love with these! I'm planning on making a similar necklace. Keep your eyes peeled. I think you will be seeing a lot more of the tassel trend in the spring and next fall too!

I've been working on my jewelry business a lot lately (which explains where I've been instead of blogging, oops). I decided to create some jewelry to wear at ACL (Austin City Limits). I was at ACL last weekend and it was pretty awesome! I got to see Florence and the Machine, Weezer, The Black Keys...which is now one of my new favorite bands! and many more. I decided to go with a rocker look this year for ACL. I wore my burgundy shirt I bought at target (that's featured in my previous blog about Shades of Burgundy), jeans and black biker boots (biker/rain boots). To finish the look I made a black and gold spike chain necklace, which I ended up wearing as a bracelet since my blouse already had hardware on the front. It was fun getting dressed up for the concerts and had a hell of a time too!  

Next time your getting dressed for an event, try adding some personal touches to it. If you don't make jewelry, maybe add a scarf your mom made you or a pendant your grandmother gave you. It will add more personality to your look and make it even more special! Rock on my fashionistas!




antique tassle earrings

black & gold spike necklace worn at ACL

Snake Print!

I really love my new snake-print flats I just bought at JCPenny's for $30! They are super comfy and I love the multi-color metallic print they used. It makes it easy to wear with so many different outfits. These flats are part of the Cosmopolitan collection. This collection has many different shoes to pick from in different types of animal print and colors. Check out some of the shoes in the Cosmopolitan collection below...

This fall, animal print is big. Everything from leopard print skirts, crock skinned purses and snaked skinned jeans have graced the runways and flooded the department stores. If snaked skinned jeans sound a bit racy for you, try it on an accessory. A silver snake-printed purse gives a more edgy look, while a crock-printed shoe will give your outfit a sharp, chic look. Play with your wardrobe this fall and throw in some animal print into the mix. I guarantee you'll love it! Happy shopping my fashionistas!

My new shoes! Zora Ballet Flats $30



Snake-print Platform Pump $37

Olive Tall Faux-Suede Boots $55

Shades of Burgundy

Burgundy, Maroon and Raisin are the new "it" colors this season....and I love it! I love the vampy look it gives in the winter months. Pair a maroon lipstain with a blunt bang, or sleek ponytail for a super edgy look. Or switch out your black heels for blood red pumps to add some life to your outfit. 

 

I bought a dark burgundy top this weekend from Target for only $23. It's a sleevless top with metal connectors down the bust that gives it a warrior vibe. I'm thinking of paring it with a color-blocked black and snake print skirt (I also saw at Target) and a black fitted blazer I already own to complete a rocker/chic look that is still work appropiate for the office. Check out these shades of burgundy items below and have fun mixing it into your fall wardrobe. Happy shopping my fashionistas!

 

My new top from Target! $22.99

Gap $48.00

ASOS $59.61

Baker's $59.99

Baker's burgundy clutch $78

 

 

 

 

 

Lulu's burgundy hat $34.00

 

 

 



 

 

 

Colored Jeans Are Much More Fun

 

I've been on the hunt for a pair of red jeans but while I was on my search, I found a pair of mustard colored fitted jeans at JCPenny's for only $25! I know what your thinking...mustard? Yes, mustard! It was love at first sight! This fall is full of colorful jeans and pants. The trend intensified this summer with neon jeans but has transitioned into darker, more flattering colors for the fall season.

Check out some great colored jeans, and find the color that best suits you...or be daring and go for a printed jean. Happy shopping my fashionistas!

JCPenny's
a.n.a skinny jean $12

Forever 21  $19.50

JCPenny's
Buffalo Urbania $40

NY&Company
gold foil jeans $59.95

The Limited
$74.90
 

NY&Company
Red Leopard Jean
$59.95

The September Issue

Whoo hoo! It's my favorite time of year! The time when the September issues of every major fashion magazine have hit the stores with new fall clothes inside. I love fall fashion! The clothes are more luxurious, have richer colors and hair, make-up and accessories take on a more vibrant life.

I received my Glamour mag September issue in the mail and was happy to see that Victoria Beckham had a hand at this issue. She is one of my fashion icons and although I love fun/playful/edgy looks, I love her elegant and structured style. Check out some of her looks and looks for less below to help inspire your fall shopping. Happy shopping my fashionistas!

VB in a Balenciaga Shirt
and Opening Ceremony high waisted pencil skirt

Get the look for less at Kohl's

Simply Vera - Vera Wang skirt

sale price $24.99

Banana Republic:
Pencil Skirt $89.50
Blouse $69.50



Victoria Beckham dress and

Christian Louboutin boots

The look for less - ASOS dress
$144.76

 

 

 VB in Galaxy dress and
Christian Louboutin shoes 
                                                                                                                      J. Crew belt $48.00







Pink Aldo Platform heels
$34.99



Swimsuit Season!

It's that time of year again. Some of us dread it but there is no reason to. Swimsuit season is here and with so many selections out there, it's hard not to find a swimsuit perfect for our body and budget!

Check out http://www.6pm.com/ This site is great. They have all types of swimwear, at great prices but what I love the most is that the models are all shapes and sizes! The models all have different body types so it's great to find one that has a similar body type to yourself so you'll have an idea of what it will look like on you.

I have a very short torso...I'm pretty much boobs and legs, lol, so I bought a swimsuit last summer that has a band across the lower waist to give me a longer leaner look. I love it! Have fun finding a swimsuit(s) that works for you. You can never have too many, right? ;)   Don't forget the sunscreen and a cute floppy hat.

Happy summer my fasthionistas!

http://www.6pm.com/product/7913362/color/151
 $89.99

http://www.6pm.com/product/7807491/color/284062
$31.99 (for a Michael Kors swimsuit - you can't beat that!)

http://www.6pm.com/alejandra-sky-rui-wooden-beaded-bikini-eggplant
 $26.70

My awesome swimsuit..can't get the pic upright :)

Recycling Fashion

As some of us may already be doing during these penny pinching times, we find creative ways to mix and match what clothes we already have…maybe just adding a new belt or new shoes. Recycling your wardrobe is a great way to save on cash while also pushing your creativity. From what I recently discovered, some fashionistas are taking recycling to a whole new level.
 
Check out www.recyclerunway.com/atl/. There are some amazing dresses made from things you wouldn’t believe! I love the yellow caution dress but might stay away from the rusted nails dress, lol. If you’re daring enough to try that one get your tetanus shot first!

These designs may inspire you to start a new spring project creating your own piece from recycling things around your home. If you feel so inclined, send me a pic and I’ll post your creative piece to inspire our other fashionistas! I'm going to make an attempt this spring to create my own recyled couture. Stay tuned to see what creative mess I make ;)

Happy recycling my fashionistas!

Made out of bicycle tires

My favorite!

Very cool, rusty nail dress and purse

Made out of cereal boxes! Seriously!

SXSW Style X Report

I attended the South By Southwest festival this weekend in Austin, TX.  Style X is a new portion of the festival that was born last year and is a free event. It gives new up and coming fashion designers, make-up artists and stylists a chance to show off their talents.

There were lots of great clothes, shoes and accessories but one great booth that I visited was accessories by Elliot. He’s a pretty cool guy from Dallas, Texas, who has some amazing purses and wallets that had an essence of Andy Warhol paintings. Each purse/wallet had a theme, from everything Austin to Wonder Woman to the purse I purchased of The Beatles. You can check out his collection at http://www.ezduzitbyelliott.com/

While I wandered, I saw some amazingly dressed people. One person in particular I just had to talk to because she really stood out, was Jenny, a stylist here in Austin. I loved her red sequence jacket but I could not stop starring at her shoes! That is something I could see Lady Gaga wearing at the Grammy’s. I applaud anyone who can walk in heels that high. You go girl!

 I attend a couple of fashion panels given by fashion experts from around the country. I really enjoyed their take on fashion and how it’s changing with the use of technology.  I had the pleasure of talking to Sarah Nami Ahn, a doctor turned fashion designer.  She earned her Ph.D. and worked with neurons in the spinal cord. She soon realized this was not her passion and began to study fashion. After only 6 months of school, she won a design contest where her winning design was sold in Nordstroms and Dillards. You can see her clothing worn by actresses seen on Bravo and HBOs True Blood. Check out her collection at http://onnami.com/ 

The finale of the day was the fashion show. I loved that the models were musicians from bands playing at the festival.  But I’d have to say my favorite event of the night was the crazy homeless looking guy who danced on the runway wearing a rubber boot on his head and slapping his @ss. He later announced on his bullhorn that he was running for president and passed out bumper stickers asking for support. If elected, he promises everyone gets a pony and protection from the zombie apocalypse. That was a great way to end the night J

Check out pics below and links to some of the great fashion from the festival. Happy shopping my fashionistas!

Elliot in front of his booth - ez.duz.it

My New Beatles purse

Sarah Nami Ahn



Jenny - Austin Stylist





Crazy Homeless Guy :)



$2 Dress… Yes please!

I was wandering the mall one weekend and found this really cute poke-a-dot dress at JCPenny’s. It's very retro and I loved the teal color and the ruching in the front skirt. It was $60. I tried it on and really liked it; but alas I did not need it so I put it back. As luck would have it, I was wandering the mall again. Something caught my eye. I turned and saw that dress hanging there in a different department. I went over to take a look and could not believe the price tag… $2!!! It was missing a button on the sleeve but it came with an extra that I could sew on. I went to the register to make sure this was right and it was! I couldn’t believe it. And at two dollars, I could pay cash and didn’t have to use a credit card (I’m trying to get rid of those). So I left the mall that day, a very happy camper.

So the lesson I learned here was some things are worth waiting for. If you find an item that you can’t live without or is hard to find, buy it (if you can afford it). If you don’t need it, come back later and if it’s still there (and hopefully at a discount) it was meant to be. Happy shopping my fashionistas! J

The Oscars!

This past Sunday, I sank myself into my sofa with no intention of getting up for a while so I figured I'd watch the Oscars, and I'm glad I did. Not only did I get to see Borat spill what he pretended to be human remains on Ryan Seacrest, but I also got to see the great fashion on the red carpet. They were a lot of great looks I'd love to steal and fotunately, I can at a much lower price. Check out some looks for less below:


Want to look smashing like Angelina Jolie? Rent this Vercase dress for 4 days for about $225...Just don't walk with your leg out like she did ;)
http://www.renttherunway.com/







Get Gwyneth Paltro's look for less at Dillard's with this Raulph Lauren dress for $180.00.
 http://www.dillards.com/product/Lauren-by-Ralph-Lauren-Dress-One-Shoulder-Gown_301_-1_301_503024894

Snag a daytime version of Penelope Cruz's dress at http://www.modcloth.com/ only $109.99. 

Also check out www.modcloth.com for a super cute shorter version of Michelle William's dress for only $74.99!

Happy shopping my fashionistas! :)

Valentine's Day

Dare to be different on Valentine's Day.

Everyone's wearing red today. Why not be different and stand out in an amazing dress, like the white lace dress below from H&M for only $29.95! You can instead accessorize with subtle hints of red. Try red bling, shoes or bag (all under $50). If you want to go for a really fierce look, add some red lipstick. I wear L'Oreal's Sunset Red to add some drama. And it's only about $8 at the grocery/drug stores! Happy Valentine's Day my fashionistas!

www.hm.com/us/
$29.95

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ilexiadesigns?section_id=6528172
 $23.00











http://www.zappos.com/michael-antonio-loveme-suede-red
$49.00














http://www.zappos.com/call-it-spring-mudra-red
$42.00