“Jeez, Bells. You didn’t used to be so melodramatic.”

Posted on October 4, 2010 by Diana

Yep, I just used a Twilight quote as a post title. What can I say? I love and hate the series at the same time. The writing quality is not so great, yet I found the stories engrossing. Bella’s insecurity and her feeling of incompleteness without Edward really annoy me. But I absolutely love the character of Jacob Black. He’s caring, loyal, emotional, sometimes erratic. And I love reading about the wolf pack and their Quileute history. So with this outfit, I decided to show my Team Jacob spirit, with a lovely little piece that you may not notice in that first picture:

That’s right: I got my Wendy Brandes Little Woolf necklace!

I love this little necklace. The charm is so tiny, and is beautifully detailed. If you haven’t checked out any of Wendy B’s jewelry before, you totally should. The quality is fantastic.

Tank: Old Navy

Blazer: J Crew (via eBay)

Jeans: Gap Curvy

Shoes: Dansko Sally (courtesy of Dansko)

Headband: Target

Necklace: Wendy Brandes

Quote: Jacob Black in Breaking Dawn (The Twilight Saga), by Stephanie Meyer

“I turned on the light”

Posted on August 30, 2010 by Diana

I made this tunic over a month ago, but I didn’t get around to incorporating it into an outfit until last week. It’s so hot and muggy right now, that long sleeves and leggings are usually too warm. But my school has a new a/c system now, and it’s freezing, so I get to wear clothes that aren’t completely seasonally appropriate.

This re-con really turned out beautifully, but I wish that the empire waist was just about an inch lower. It would be a lot more flattering. Unfortunately, because of how it’s designed, it’s something I can’t really alter. Eventually, I’d love to make something like this from scratch, so I could correct that. That is, whenever I actually have some time for from-scratch sewing.

As I’ve said before, I absolutely love my job, but the summer made me forget just how little free time I have while working. I didn’t do any blog reading all week last week, and my projects and to-do’s pilled up. I know I’ll relearn to budget my time again, but right now it’s a bit stressful. Once I get into a routine, I know it’ll be a lot better.

Tunic: Re-con made from Target tunics by me
Leggings: Target
Shoes: Easy Street
Cuff: Vintage via Sherry’s Yesterdaze
Necklace: Chocolate Cake Jewels

Quote: Don’t Bump the Glump!: And Other Fantasies, by Shel Silverstein

Shopping Plan: Week 28

Posted on August 15, 2010 by Diana

*Week 28 of My Great Shopping Plan of 2010, where I attempt to stay on a budget and fill out my wardrobe*

H&M Ruffle Cardi: $8
Target Grey Printed Tee: $5

Via Revolve Clothing Exchange

After last week, I had $158 left in my clothing budget for the month of August. Money was still tight this past week, since I don’t go back to work until tomorrow. So I decided to take advantage of the awesomeness that is Revolve Clothing Exchange in Tampa, where you can receive store credit by trading in clothes that you don’t wear anymore. I had about $18 in store credit from the last time I traded clothes, so I was able to get four new items.

Ben Sherman Dress: $12
Outlooks Tee: $4

The total for all these items was $29, but since I had $18 in store credit, I only spent $11. The cardi will be an excellent layering piece for sleeveless dresses that might otherwise be too revealing for work. The tees will be good for casual weekends, and the Ben Sherman dress will be fantastic for everyday wear, as soon as I alter the sleeves.

So, I spent $11, so I now have $147 left for the month of August. I still don’t get paid for another two weeks, so I’ll probably end up having a bit of a shopping spree at the end of the month

“I like to try a lot of different things”

Posted on July 29, 2010 by Diana

I mentioned last week that I was planning on trying a new cut for my hair and here it is. Honestly, I’m not sure what the verdict on it is yet for me. My boyfriend absolutely loves it, and sometimes I do too, but other times, I feel “meh” about it. I wanted a cut that would transition well for growing my hair out long again, and I wanted to experiment with short bangs. They can be a lot of fun, but they make me feel kind of like I have to wear eye makeup and showy earrings, otherwise I look a little boyish. They’re also making me really want to go back to contacts, because I don’t think they suit my glasses frames well. But anyhow, hair is hair. Once I get the hang of how to style it, I’m sure I’ll like it better. And I’m planning on growing it out anyway, so I planned for this to be temporary.

Have you ever had a hair cut that you weren’t sure about at first, but ended up liking later on?

Top: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Cardigan: Isabella Rodriguez (Anthro) (via eBay)
Capris: Express (altered by me)
Sandals: Dansko Neve (courtesy of Solestruck)
Purse: Liz Claiborne
Headband: Target
Earrings: The Peach Tree
Necklace: Kira Ferrer

Quote: The OK Book, by amy Krouse Rosenthal

“Comic, tragic or melodramatic”

Posted on July 22, 2010 by Diana

This outfit has me believing that tunics and leggings may be my favorite look ever. Comfortable, effortlessly stylish, practical: this combination has all my favorite elements. In fact, wearing this outfit inspired me to re-con my tunic that I posted on Tuesday. I’m definitely on the lookout for more fantastic and stylish tunics, and I’m also taking a look at my closet for ways that I can re-construct some of my garments to make them work with leggings.

The only thing that I don’t like about the leggings/tunic combo is that it can be a bit limiting. Sure, you can wear different colored leggings. You can layer cardigans and scarves (when it’s not 90 degrees outside). You can change some accessories, add belts, necklaces, boots, etc. Well, maybe it’s not that limiting after all. I guess I just find it harder to accessorize when it’s so hot out. I’ll have to challenge myself to find lots of ways to remix my tunics.

What about you? Do you love leggings/tunic combos in the summer?

Tunic: Forever 21 (via Revolve)
Leggings: Target
Sandals: Dansko Sela (via eBay)
Purse: Morelle Truffle
Cuff: via Classy Consignment
Necklace: Kira Ferrer

Quote: Sylvia Jean, Drama Queen, by Lisa Campbell Ernst

Before and After : Blue Tunic Re-con

Posted on July 20, 2010 by Diana

Before

You may be familiar with my matching blue and purple Target tunics that I thrifted awhile ago. You can see the purple one here and the blue one here. While I love how they fit, I’ve never really liked the length. They were too short to wear with leggings, but an awkward length for jeans. I tried shortening the purple one a few months ago, but ended up not liking it. Yesterday, I took inspiration from some amazing re-cons I’ve been looking at lately, and created a completely new tunic.

I measured my tunic against another tunic that I like the length of, and figured out that I needed to add about six inches. I cut six inches off the bottom of the purple tunic (including the part I had cut off and re-attached). I then sewed that onto the hem of the blue tunic. This gave me the length that I wanted, but the color blocking looked odd. I decided to add some purple details at the collar to give the tunic more continutity.

Inspired by Tatertots and Jello’s recent t-shirt refashion, I decided to create some flower details. I cut circles from the purple fabric, using my lens cap as a pattern for the larger circle and a paper holder (not shown) to make the smaller circles. The larger one has three layers and the smaller ones have two. Following the tutorial, I folded the layers in half, and stitched in the middle, then folded the other way and stitched again.

After this, I sewed them onto the tunic, and stitched buttons in the middle. I chose blue buttons that were a similar tone to the blue part of the tunic, to help further continuity.

I absolutely love how the finished tunic turned out! I can see myself wearing this a lot more than the old tunic. It looks amazing with leggings and skinny jeans, and I could even wear it as a swimsuit cover up at the beach. Next, I plan on fashioning the leftovers of the purple tunic into a new dress or tunic. Hopefully, I’ll post that next week.

“The rain on the window woke me up”

Posted on July 12, 2010 by Diana

We had a very rainy few days last week here in Tampa. As in raining on and off all day, for three days. It was dreary and grey and dull. So to counteract the weather, I decided to wear some of my brightest colors in a nice, summery combination.

I generally prefer vibrant and saturated colors over dull ones, but in the summer, I like colors like this even more so. Something about the hot weather, the sun (when we have it), the humidity. I just can’t stand wearing dark or dull colors when it’s hot out. Plus, bright colors always seem to be a good mood booster, and with the dreary weather we were having, I needed all the boosting I could get.

Do you ever wear certain colors or items to improve your mood?

Tank: Target (via Revolve)
Cardigan: J Crew (via eBay)
Shorts: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Sandals: Clarks Rime
Necklace: Kira Ferrer
Purse: Morelle Charlotte
Bangles: Jill Popowich

Quote: Daughter’s Day Blues, by Laura Pegram

Shopping Plan: Week 22

Posted on July 4, 2010 by Diana

Week 22 of My Great Shopping Plan of 2010, where I attempt to stay on a budget and fill out my wardrobe

Because I went over budget slightly in June, I started off July with $113 in my shopping budget. This week, I took some of my old clothes that I no longer wear to Revolve Clothing Exchange, and got some store credit. Here’s what I decided to spend it on:

Gray Tank: ??
Magenta long sleeve: Old Navy
Red tee: Target
Coral Tank: Target
Aqua tank: Target

Thanks to the awesomeness of store credit, all of these were free. I’ve been in sore need of some new sleeveless tops for summer, and I really hit the jackpot on this trip. I won’t be wearing that magenta long sleeve tee for awhile, but I was lacking in long sleeve layering tees this past winter, so this will help out once the temps drop.

So since I didn’t spend anything on these, I still have $113 for the month of July. And Boden is having a sale. I think I know where I’m spending my money this week

Shopping Plan: Weeks 20 and 21

Posted on June 27, 2010 by Diana

Weeks 20 and 21 of My Great Shopping Plan of 2010, where I attempt to stay on a budget and fill out my wardrobe

Since I was crazy busy last week (see this post for details), my shopping plan post this week covers two weeks. When we left off on week 19, I still had $25 in my shopping budget for the month of June. I’ve been trying to not shop too much, because I know that money is about to get really tight near the end of next month. Still, I managed to find some pretty awesome deals these past two weeks.

Keen Sienna Mary Janes, $20 on eBay

I’ve been stalking Keen Sienna Mary Janes for a long time, but I never found any at a price point I could handle. I’ve been wanting more comfy, casual flats in fun colors. When these showed up on eBay (new, in box!) for this low of a price, I couldn’t pass them up. They’ve instantly become one of my new favorite pairs of shoes, and I will be wearing them a lot.

After these, my black Keen Barcelonas, and my yellow Born flats, I think I’ll be set for stylish flats for awhile.

I also made a trip to Target, in search of a new swimsuit for my trip to Siesta Key last week. And I found one of those magic Target reduced price items that only happens once in awhile.

Target Tankini, $5 on sale

Black and white print that will go with my solid swimsuit bottoms? Check. Cute x-straps on the back? Check. Support for the girls? Check. Within budget? Check.

Of course, then I also bought two pairs of capri leggings, one black and one gray, for $6 each. Which put me slightly over budget. But I’ve been looking for capri leggings that don’t dig into my midsection for awhile, and these were perfect. No pictures right now, because it’s been in the upper 90s the past two weeks. Once it cools down, I’ll be wearing these leggings alot.

So with the shoes, the swimsuit and the leggings, I spent a total of $37, which was $12 over budget. I’ll subtract $12 from July’s budget, so I’ll start off the month with $113.

Siesta Key: Part 1

Posted on June 25, 2010 by Diana

Well, that was a bit more of a blogging break than I had originally intended. I stayed in Siesta Key, FL, with my boyfriend, Carlo for three days last weekend. (Is there a better word for a long-term, committed but non-married relationship? When you’ve lived with someone for three years, it feels odd to still call them “boyfriend”). I had blog posts all scheduled, and thought that I would write the next week’s posts on Sunday. But Sunday also happened to be Father’s Day, so after lots of family time, I was too exhausted to write anything. Then I had three days of all-day work training, leaving me even more drained. So forgive me for not writing any posts this week, but I just did not have the energy with everything else going on.

So now, on to telling you about my awesome vacation!

Swimsuit: Target, Sandals: Old Navy

Siesta Key Beach is absolutely gorgeous! It was kind of bittersweet to be here, because I know that the oil spill is lurking out there in the Gulf. It hasn’t come this far South yet, but no one really seems to know when it will get here and when it will get cleaned up. I tried to savor my time at the beach as much as possible, because I don’t know how much longer the water will be this beautiful.

On the happier side of things, this was one of the first times that I really didn’t feel negative about my body in a swimsuit. So many times before, I’ve dreaded wearing swimsuits, but I found one that flatters me and that helped a lot. But more than that, I also feel more confident. It’s not an issue of accepting or masking certain “negative” areas of my body to me any more. I have curvy hips and thighs, and that doesn’t bother me. It’s how I’m made, and I’m not trying to fight it. I eat nutritious foods, I exercise my body, and I try to take care of it with products that are good for me and the environment. I’ve finally come to the point where I really recognize that I don’t need to fit into a certain image or body shape. I am who I am. I am made in a completely unique shape and size, and I love that. Seeing this picture and not immediately worrying over my “flaws” helped me to realize that I’ve finally come to a really good place in my self-perspective.

Back to the vacation. Do people play shuffle board in other states, or is it a Florida thing? I’ve always associated playing shuffle board and being at the beach, so Carlo and I played a rousing game with our friends who were also staying in Siesta Key.