Lace for a Summer Day

Yesterday I ventured to my local Goodwill to stalk up on some basic pieces for some DIY posts I am planning when I found the most beautiful vintage lace shirt. It is gorgeous and the perfect summer piece.

This light lavender drop-waist dress is a piece I have had and loved for a few years now from Urban Outfitters paired with my new Goodwill lace top. I paired this outfit with the yellow flats to contrast with the pale colors of the rest of the outfit and to add a pleasing pop. And how can you have any summer outfit without a pair of sunglasses? Well this cat-eye pair works perfectly with the vintage looking outfit. 

Closet Staples - White Button Up

Closet staples. Those basic pieces that everyone has in their closet. But even though everyone has them, people are unique and have the beautiful ability to make them look completely different.

The white button up is wonderful because it is light enough for the summer, able to be layered during the winter, comfortable enough to just hang out with friends, and professional enough to be worn to work or a job interview.

Here are just two of my favorite summer pairings with my white button up. 

This is my white button up paired with a patterned Forever 21 which sits on my hips with the shirt tucked in. The necklace is this wonderful thick gold chained necklace with a bunch on different types of peppers and coins hanging down from the bottom. I love this necklace, its a little odd but, honestly, that is why I love it. I always roll the sleeves up during the summer to help fight the heat but also because I just love the way it looks! Recognize the shoes? The tan suede ones again. I love them the are perfect for the summer and also perfect for me because they don't have the biggest heel and for someone who isn't great at walking in heels these are absolutely perfect. 

A white button up paired with navy blue high waisted shorts? Honestly what could be prettier? And falling in with Rosie the Riveter lets also add a bandana to the mix. The clutch is actually a piece that I made and I will be doing a post on it later this week (recognize the fabric? ) And finally paired with a cute pair of ankle boots with a small heel. Heels seem to be turning into another part of my summer staples. I'm not great at walking in them so what better time to practice than over the summer?

So, in conclusion, add a white button up to your closet you won't be disappointed. 

DIY Short Pockects

I got the idea for this tutorial while I was scrolling through Wanelo looking at all the pairs of shorts I couldn't afford. Like these (So cute!) ,

Unraveled -$80.00

Hooked yet? I am. And if I wasn't a poor college student I would buy these in a heartbeat but I am and I have resorted to making my own. 

Step 1. Goodwill**

Go to your local goodwill. If you like the cut off look I would suggest buying a pair of jeans and cutting them off yourself (this is what I will be doing so if you are not sure how to cut them correctly I'll show you). But, if you are just interested in decorating the pockets you can just buy normal shorts. 

This is the pair I found at Goodwill,

L.E.I. - $5.00

**This place is amazing you can find SUCH good pieces for so little! So go down to your local Goodwill and look around. A suggestion to keep in mind, don't go in there looking for anything to specific because odds are you won't find it and you will spend all your time looking for it and miss something great. So go there, find great pieces, and keep an open mind. 

Step 2. Finding a Good Fabric

Again, look around at goodwill and keep an open mind, you will know the right pattern when you see it. If you can't find what your are looking for at Goodwill, Hobby Lobby has an excellent fabric selection! And they always have a discount coupon or a sale so before you go check their website for coupons.

Here is the fabric I found at Goodwill,

$2.00

Step 3. Cutting your shorts.

The best way to get the length you want is to get a pair of your favorite shorts and use them as your measuring tool. 

You can do this by matching up the inseam of your jeans to your shorts. 

Then, with a rulers assistance, use a piece of chalk or a pencil to mark where you want your shorts to end. 

Next, take a good sharp pair of scissors and cut along the lines you have drawn, making them as straight and even as possible. 

Don't worry about the chalk lines, they will wash off easily. 

Step 4. Pinning the fabric.

Getting the fabric to the exact size is very important. 

Step 5.

Just outline the edges with the sewing machine and repeat on the other side and you are finished!

How to Dress for Job Hunting

Summer jobs. We all want them, I'm sorry, I mean need them and sometimes figuring out what to wear for them can be tricky. 

Above is my staple outfit for the hot summer job hunting days. The shorts are from Zara and have a professional quality about them while still telling employers that, yeah I have a style and I love to show it off but I can still be professional and respectful. 

The vest is just a simple cotton sweater vest (hand-me down from my mom), cut appropriately while still being short sleeved to help fight that summer heat. 

The necklace is just a simple $5.00 fake pearl necklace from Forever 21. What I like best about this necklace is it also looks good wrapped around as a bracelet, again adding a classic yet professional quality to your look.

The Urban Outfitter shoes are my favorite, their simple tan color goes with everything and the little suede bow adds a little extra fun without overpowering anything. I would highly suggest adding a pair of tan suede shows to your closet, they are honestly that useful.

The bag is just a simple bag. For this I went with functionality over fashion forward. This bag helps because it is big enough to carry a folder that holds all my resumes so I don't have to  fold them and when I present my resume to potential employers they are neat and crisp.

DIY Hair Clips

While in Anthropologie drooling over all the cute clothes that I can only dream of affording I stumbled upon these beautiful hair clips.

Beaded Daylily Clip

I fell in love. And as I looked at it a thought popped into my mind. Hey. I bet I could make this. 

Step 1. Choosing Your Shape. 

I like the flower idea so after a bit of googling and tweaking on paint I found myself the perfect template. 

If this isn't the template you want to use they are easy to find, just type in flower (or any other shape) template into google.

Step 2.  Fabric.

Find a good fabric, the thicker the better.  

($2.50 at Goodwill)

Step 3. Trace the template onto your piece of fabric.

And then cut your flower out.

Make sure to leave a little bit on the top. 

To make things easier use the little piece you left on the top to clip onto something like a clipboard or a book.

(Read Around the World in Eighty Days by the way)

Step 3. Decorate the Fabric.

Pick out some pretty beads and decide if you want enough to cover every inch of the fabric or leave some exposed. I plan on covering every inch. 

(You can buy beads at Michael's or online at Fusionbeads)

Now, you can use simple sewing thread to sew the beads onto the fabric but I would suggest (and what I will be using) is FireLine size 0.006 which can be bought at Michael's. 

Thread a needle and make sure the needle is small enough to fit through your smallest beads.

There are lots of ways to go about doing this so if you have figured out a way that works for you use it, but if you haven't I would suggest starting in the center and working your way out and around. 

The best way to do the petals is to outline them and then work inward. 

Step 4. Cutting off the extra fabric.

When you have finished beading the entire flower you can cut off the excess fabric at the top. 

Step 5. Clean up your hair clip. 

Looking at the back isn't very pretty so lets cover it up. Grab another piece of fabric, the same one you used before or a new one. This step it very important because not only does it cover the ugly back but it protects the thread from getting snagged and ripping which, if that happens, could destroy all of your work. 

Add a few dabs of super glue on the places were the thread begins for extra protection. 

Then thread your needle, this time with sewing thread and sew together the new piece of fabric with your beaded flower. Only make one stitch to start out with. 

Then cut out the new piece of fabric a little bigger than the beaded flower. (The single stitch holds the two pieces of fabric together so they don't slip and slide everywhere when you are cutting.)

Step 5. Sewing together.

Now begin hand sewing the two pieces together. 

When you're finished snip the ends and add a dab of glue to the knot.

(I used green thread for clarity but I would suggest using a color that blends in better with the fabric you choose.)

Step 6. Adding the clip.

Pick a clip that is the length of the template you used. Don't use a bobby pin! They aren't strong enough to hold the beads! Make sure that the clip is all metal and doesn't have anything already attached because the super glue won't stick to it. 

Apply a generous amount of glue to the clip. 

And stick the clip carefully on the fabric applying pressure for about a minute. 

Admire you work for a moment and then clip it into your hair! 

I hope you found this helpful!

Comment if you have any questions about the steps.

Makeup? With who? Well, this time your eyes.

So, after you have applied your foundation (see Makeup? With who? Your skin of course.) it is time to move onto your eyes, or should I sat up to your eyes.

First, start out with an eyeshadow primer. I am happy with the Elf brand although I haven't tried many so I don't have much to compare it to.

e.l.f. Essential Eyelid Primer - $3.00

Now, it is time for eyeshadow. Like everyone else in the world I love the Urban Decay Palette but it is a bit pricy, worth it, but pricy. 

So some other products that are a bit more in the "fantastically poor college student price range" are....

Lancome-Color Design-$18.00

Shimmer Eyeshadow - $12.00

e.l.f. Studio Matte Eyeshadow - $3.00

Next we are on to liquid eyeliner and the brand that I love is the....

Revlon Colorstay Liquid Liner - Buy at your local CVS

(Seriously, it is awesome.)

Now, your eyelashes!

Get a good comfortable curler, pick one side to start on and curl that side first the apply a good coat of mascara, curl again and then define the lashes with a thinner coat of mascara. 

Two types that I love when applying a thick coat of mascara are....

Maybelline Mega-Plush Volume

and

Maybelline Falsies Flared

(Check CVS for these)

And the type of mascara that I like to use for the thinner second coat and my bottom lashes is...

Covergirl Lash Perfection

(Check CVS)

Thank you for reading! Your eyes probably look fantastic now!

I have acquired the "Target" for my new favorite skirt

Target, Target, Target. I truely love that place.
They always have cute stuff, sometimes you have to look a little harder for it, but you always find something in the end.
And then you that wonderful moment occurs, that moment when you find that one piece, the one you swear you are going to take to your grave.
Now, I could be wrong (although I highly doubt I am), but I think I have found that piece. And because I love you guys so much I immediately wanted to share it with you!

Xhilaration® Juniors Belted Skirt

This skirt is cut SO beautifully, fits wonderfully, and looks absolutely fantastic on!

The only downside is the belt looks a little bit cheap but honestly it isn't bad and it looks so good with the skirt that it doesn't really matter much. 

The thin fabric is comfortably thin without loosing quality and perfect for hot summer weather. 

Now, I haven't washed it yet so I don't know what will happen but I would suggest washing it on cold and letting it air dry or, if you do put it in the dryer, run it on delicate and don't leave it in too long. 

All in all, I LOVE this skirt!

It goes with so many things and each outfit is cuter than the next and to prove to you that this is true below is a photo of my favorite pairing (so far) with the color skirt I bought. 

The shirt is a periwinkle blue (a gift from a friend so it's origin is unknown), the sunglasses are wayfarer style from Target ($15), the shoes are Kimich Blue from a year ago at Urban Outfitters, and the cardigan is BDG also from a year ago at Urban Outfitters. 

I also like to pair this skirt with a coral pink tank or a navy blue tank with a long gold colored necklace and gold colored watch.

Basically, I love this skirt and plan on going back to get it in another color. I mean, come on, this skirt is wonderful, only $18, and comfortable, can you really blame me?

Well, thank you for reading and don't forget to comment!
And tune in tomorrow for a eye makeup tutorial!