I'm Obsessed Thank You Very Much - Colored Faux Fur

Cold weather arrived in the DC area over this past week. The chill in the air has just served to amp up my obsession with colored faux fur. A few years ago, I got a few faux fur pieces and a leopard coat. I wear them often when the weather turns cool. Ever since I spotted burgundy fur on the runways last year, I haven't been able to stop thinking about another faux fur purchase. I especially love colors like burgundy and blue but I also like black, pink and off white. If you're not into a jacket, a collar, scarf or fur trimmed gloves may work better for you.



Luxe Rachel Zoe Faux Fur Toggle Coat with Wing Collar via QVC

ASOS Oversized Faux Fur Long Collar in Burgundy

 

River Island Faux Fur Snood in Red via ASOS



Fake Fur Jacket in Blue via Simply Be



ASOS Faux Fur Collar with Slot Through Detail in Pink



ASOS Faux Fur Funnel Snood in Natural

Long Haired Faux Fur Coat in Black via Simply Be

I am sure one or two of these soft and warm beauties will find their way into my closet this year. Which ones do you like best?

Loving Now - Black Accents

I've always loved black more than brown. Rich browns are beautiful but I guess it's the rocker chick in me that loves black. It's tough, classy, a neutral, and all round awesome. My purchases and go to items lately are no exception. 

click on the photos above for more information

This veiled beanie was a holiday DIY project for me. It was super easy and I love the results. There is a post coming soon. I snagged this scarf last spring at Target. It's not available online any longer but I've seen it in stores. It looks similar to an Alexander McQueen scarf that costs hundreds more and I love it. These 3.1 Phillip Lim sunglasses are my new faves. They were a super sale buy from Neiman Marcus Last Call ($60, originally $225). They will have to be my substitute for the Pashli. This Stella & Dot bracelet is one of my new favorites. It's in heavy rotation. I'm lusting after these Zara boots. They're fantastic but I'm not sure that they are in my budget. I'm still debating. My mom gave me this ASOS jacket for my birthday. I love it and only put it away when I need a super heavy coat. It reminds me of the jacket that Poppy Montgomery's character wears on Unforgetable. A nude eye with black liner is my go to makeup. This Revlon ColorStay pen draws a precise line and lasts all day.

Accessories - Unexpected Sources

Accessories are the icing on the cake that is your outfit. They elevate a simple gray t-shirt to evening wear status or turn a tulle skirt into day wear. Shopping for accessories is something I do constantly. The best part is finding them in places that you wouldn't consider typical.

Drugstore sunglasses
One of my favorite pairs of sunglasses and that recieve lots of compliments came from Walgreens. These sunglasses are Foster Grant and cost just $12! This style is no longer available from Foster Grant but these are similar.

{msL} and I at the beach last year, both pairs are drugstore shades

Hardware Store jewelry
Rope bracelets have been really popular in past years. I love a good DIY and I constantly look for fun new projects. I've made bracelets from rope, wire, and other hardware. Last year our beach trip turned rainy so I made a trip to the hardware store for copper wire. I made lots of rings and toe rings for the girls.

Airport gift shop scarves
I have a bit of a scarft problem. I've collected pashmina like scarves in every color. They are great for polishing an outfit. Somehow I always think a woman looks more chic wearing a scarf. My best find for these inexpensive scarves is airport gift shops.  They usually sell them in every color and for about $10. Score!

What is your favorite unexpected spot for accessories?


photo credit (scarves bottom): the gloss

I'm Obsessed Thank You Very Much - Skulls

The punk, rock n' roll vibe has always been something I've loved.  Lately, I'm more obsessed with skulls than ever.  I can't help it. They are fun and creepy all at the same time. You can incorporate them in unexpected ways without looking like you are going to a Misfits show.  I wear my skull ring and bracelet to work with my pencils skirts and blazers.  I know that wouldn't work in every office but honestly, most people don't notice and I love wearing them.

There are lots of budget options but I had to throw in some Alexander McQueen shoes and my favorite Wendy Brandes ring.  Click on the pictures above to get all of the details. I'm in love with the Butler & Wilson clutch.  They have an amazing collection of crystal skull pieces.  There was no way to include them all. The DIY skull cut out t-shirt is on my to do list.  Such an easy way to wear a skull.  I'm sure people will do lots of double takes.

What's your latest obsession?

DIY - Scarf Flower Pin: Guest Blogging for DCGF

I'm on the mend and today I'm guest blogging over at the DC Goodwill Fashionista's blog.  I did a fun new DIY using a scarf from Goodwill, some thread and a pin/brooch blank.  Using those simple supplies, I created a fabric flower pin.

The finished pin

You all know I love changing up items I've found at Goodwill.  I snagged this scarf for a steal and with some very simple sewing (even for those of you who never sew) created a fun flower pin.

Check out all of the details over at the DCGF blog.

My Favorite Travel Items

Tomorrow we are off on a little family vacation. I can't wait to get away for a few days. My packing tends to be a bit different when I fly than when I take a road trip. Since airline rules have gotten more stringent, I have reduced my carry on items considerably. If I check my suitcase, I usually only take one bag on the plane with me. My on board bag contains the items I'll need in flight. Everything else gets packed. I thought I'd share a few of my must haves for travel.

Clockwise from the top: Coach Chelsea Shopper, Love Quotes Rayon Scarf, Mary Kay Satin Lips Balm, Fashion Mags, Headphones with retractable cord, iPhone, Bobble, Gum

I have a Coach tote that I purchased at Marshall's more than 15 years ago.  It was a little pricey for me at the time, even though it was a great deal. The bag has paid for itself many times over and it still looks great. I can fit all of my purse essentials as well as my travel items, even my magazines. Because of this awesome tote, I only have one carry on (when I check my suitcase). They no longer make the style I own but the Chelsea Shopper is similar.

Last spring I snagged a Love Quotes scarf during a shopping trip to Loehmann's.  I own quite a few pashmina type scarves that I purchased from street vendors for about $10. I hesitated to buy the Love Quotes scarf because it was $35 (which was a steal, they sell for $70+) and most of my similar scarves cost less that $20. Now I regret not purchasing it in a few other colors. It's the softest and largest pashmina type scarf that I own. It's perfect for travel.  It serves as a regular scarf when it's chilly but also as a blanket or wrap on the plane. I use this scarf constantly and it still looks brand new. If you can find one for that amazing price, good for you!  It would have been a great purchase even if I'd paid full price. I highly recommend purchasing one.

My lips always get so dry on an airplane. As much as I love lipstick, I don't usually wear it on a long flight.  Lip balm is much better for me. Mary Kay Satin Lips, lip balm is my all time favorite.  It's super moisturizing, without being greasy and it lasts.

I can't believe that I've managed to save the March issues of Vogue and Harper's Bazaarfor this trip.  I haven't looked at them at all.  It's an amazing exercise in restraint. I usually open them as soon as they arrive. I've even surprised myself.

A few years ago my sister gave me a pair of headphones with a retractable cord. My headphones always got tangled in my bag before I got this pair. I love them.

Music, videos, audio books, Kindle app, all on my iPhone.  Enough said.

Ear popping is one of my least favorite parts of air travel.  I always carry gum with me and chew during take off.  It helps me tremendously. 

I drink tons of water but hate to purchase bottled water.  Many bottled waters are just filtered tap water.  They charge a fortune for bottles of water at the airport, not to mention the waste of throwing the bottle away when you are done.  The Bobble, is a reusable water bottle with a built in filter.  You fill it with water from a faucet or water fountain and as you drink, the water is filtered. It's a fantastic invention.

I will be traveling until Monday.  I'm going to try to do a few posts from the road about my travels.  You can also follow me on twitter.

Scarf Love

One of the things that keeps me from hating cold weather are beautiful scarves.  I love all kinds. I think my collection borders on obsession.  All of my silk and dress scarves hang on scarf hangers in my closet. All of my pashminas and winter scarves are stored in boxes (four to be exact) in the coat closet.

Part of my scarf collection (just the dressy scarves)

I told you that my collection was a little nuts.  This picture doesn't even show the winter scarves. The obsession is bad because I love everything about them. They keep you warm, they are practical, they look pretty, they are colorful, they are timeless and the list goes on. It's hard to keep from buying more. I'm always drawn to new styles and patterns. Last winter I even started making my own and giving them as gifts. I've included scarves in many posts. I've even written about buying them, tying them and DIY scarf projects.

I rarely leave the house without a scarf in the winter. They keep the chill at bay and look fab in the process. Because of that I'm always looking for new ways to wear the scarves I own.  This past weekend while I was couch surfing in my pj's, I came across this amazing video. It's hands down the coolest scarf tying video ever! I've been tying my scarves in many of these ways for years and didn't even think there was a name associated with the methods. Once it's finished, you can even click on the individual pictures to see more. The video is done by Wendy Nguyen.  She's got a cool You Tube channel. Enjoy!

What is your favorite way to wear a scarf?

Easy Weekend with Flair ala JewelMint

When I was younger I would haul ridiculously large suitcases with me for weekend getaways.  I'd take a ton of clothes and only wear a few items. Years of travelling, hauling my own suitcase and TSA restrictions have turned me into a traveller that can pack for a weekend in a small carry-on bag. That means easy to pack items, double duty clothes and accessories to spice up my looks.

You all know my love and obsession with JewelMint. I love their jewelry. Every month I have to decide how many of the new pieces I can afford.  When my friends at JewelMint offered me the chance to choose three of their amazing pieces to style for a weekend trip, I jumped at the chance. Inspired by the Egyptian influences in some of the July pieces, I picked a ring, earrings and a necklace.  The pieces I chose were the Scarab ring, Isis earrings, and the Farrah necklace.  One of my favorite pieces of jewelry is a vintage scarab bracelet given to me by my dad and the Scarab ring is a modern take on that bracelet.

When choosing the items to style, I wanted pieces that could be worn together or separately and I love the possibilities in the Farrah necklace.  I styled three looks using all three pieces. Since I received my new jewelry I've worn them toether but I've also worn these stand out pieces alone at various times. 

For a day time look I paired a simple white tee with a flowy skirt, scarf and sandals. The JewelMint pieces compliment the look and give a little bit of an Egyptian touch.

Tee - Old Navy, Skirt - Lane Bryant, Scarf - Goodwill, Sandals - Simply Vera Vera Wang for Kohl's



Combining a halter style tankini, a sarong and the JewelMint pieces, I created a chic look for a pool party or the beach. I decided to wear the Farrah necklace as a bracelet to give the look a bit of a different flair.



Takini - Target, Sarong - Beach shop in Key West





Farrah Necklace as a bracelet, Scarab Ring - c/o JewelMint



  

Inspired by the caftans of Morocco I chose a comfortable maxi dress for an evening look. I added some strappy wedges and the JewelMint pieces but tied the Farrah necklace as a bit of a choker.

Farrah Necklace as a choker

I have a special offer for you my dear readers.  Do you love these JewelMint pieces or want to see more? Compliments of my friends at JewelMint, they are offering you 50% off of your first piece of JewelMint jewelry, for one week only! 

You'll take a quick style quiz and then you'll get personalized recommendations from JewelMint stylists. They have great new pieces each month. Every piece of jewelry is just $29.99 which includes beautiful packaging and free shipping.

Click on the link and when you check out, just enter the code below.

http://jmnt.co/q0Od8i

RealGirlRunway50

Code expires: 8/25/2011

Using easy to pack pieces and great jewelry, I created three outfits for a weekend trip.  The beauty is that some items can be changed up depending on your plans. How do you pack for a weekend getaway?

Swapped Summer White

It's been a while since I put up an outfit post. I'm trying to get out from under the work pile, have some fun and see some sunlight. Last night we grabbed a late dinner at our favorite local cajun restaurant, Okra's.  Their food is incredible, the service is top notch and we always enjoy ourselves. As we walked to the restaurant, I realized that the pavillion would be a great place for some photos.  Of course, I forgot to bring my camera so I got my Honey to snap a few shots with my camera phone.




Jacket - Talbots via swap (Frugal Fashionista) , Tank - Target, Trouser Jeans - Old Navy, Scarf - thrifted,
Bracelet - Occoquan Craft Fair, Sunnies - Chanel, Bag - Rebecca Minkoff via Saks Off 5th, Shoes - MRKT via DSW


I grabbed this jacket at the last Frugal Fashionista Clothing Swap that I attended. It's linen and very shirt like. It's so light, that I'm sure it will be in heavy summer rotation. A great alternative to a cardigan for a cooler evening.

Thrifty Vintage Weekends

Over the last couple of weekends I've done some thrift and vintage shopping. On our Memorial Day weekend trip, we hit up a great thrift store in Winchester, VA and an incredible antique shop called GNC Antiques & Collectibles.  Last weekend, on a whim, we visted my favorite Goodwill store in Alexandria, VA and spent the gift certificate that I won in the DC Goodwill Fashionista DIY contest.  I always find something great at that store.

I found so many amazing pieces at GNC Antiques. I had to narrow down my choices based on my budget. I could have gone nuts and bought jewelry, acessories and even furniture. I fell in love with this vintage ostritch fan from the 40's but the price was a bit more than I wanted to pay.


Vintage Ostritch Fan

 Here's the loot I snagged on my shopping trips!

I really love vintage bags but many times they are too small to make them practical for my daily life.  I like big bags and to be honest, tiny bags only work with my curvy girl frame, for a night out.  Otherwise, they can look like I'm carrying a little girl's bag. This one is big.  It fits all of my daily needs and still has that ladies that lunch look.

Vintage jewelry is so much fun. You know that you won't see your jewelry on anyone else. When I'm hunting for costume pieces, I always reach for those that are unique and even a bit quirky. These earrings and pin fit that bill. The earrings are big but they have a clip back.  I love the sparkle. The pin is like nothing I've ever seen. It's funky and the cascading beads make it a statement piece.

Recently the preppy look has returned with a vengeance. For me, preppy always included my Pappagallo (Bermuda) bag. When I was younger, I didn't exactly care for my bags like I should have. My original Pappagallo bit the dust long ago. I found this one at the thrift store in Winchester for only $5 and it included 3 additional covers. In case you aren't familiar with this type of bag, the covers can be attached and removed via the buttons to change up your bag. One of the covers is a rust colored suede. Such a steal! My Honey bought the bag, covers and a great scarf for me.


Barely there sandals are a staple of my summer wardrobe. I love the braided straps of this pair. I'll style these with a sundress or some slim summer pants. I'm even thinking of creating DIY options to change up the look. I'll get back to you.




My scarf collection is ridiculously large but I can't help myself. Silk scarves are truly the best buy at thrift stores, but I've told you that before. They can totally change your outfit and give a basic dress a whole new look. I scored all of the scarves below for $3 or less. The striped one is actually a long belt sash.

Looking beyond an item's original intention is something I do often when thrifting.  I found this watch band. It's stainless steel and I plan to wear it as a funky bracelet instead of a watch band. The buckle on top will look great stacked with some of my other bracelets. It's different and unexpected. I got it for only $1!

Best of Blog World - My Recent Picks

In addition to writing this little blog, I'm also an avid blog reader. I have Google Reader on my laptop and my iPhone.  When I have time, I check out other blogs for fun reads and inspiration. I thought I'd share some of my favorite posts from recent weeks, with you. I know you're scratching your head trying to figure out what the things below are and why they are in my blog this week.  Well, read on my friends, all will be revealed.

• Fabulous local blogger (and friend), Allie of Wardrobe Oxygen has a great blog about dressing your body, shopping economically, music, her beautiful daughter and lots of other fantastic tidbits. Her post about Bras this week made me nod my head yes and laugh.

• An amazing and quick DIY vest from Kirsten of Studs and Pearls! It's even great for those who think they aren't creative or can't sew.  You only need scissors and a scarf.

• I love the fun and sunny manicure on The Looks for Less.  I'm planning to try it soon. It may be a bit bold for some but you could tone it down by using more muted but Spring like colors.

• Kimberly of Fab Finds Under $50 is one of my favorites. This Daily Outfit post illustrates exactly why I love her blog. She's put together a fun and accessible outfit, gives you fantastic organizational tips and throws in a yummy recipe. Multi-tasking at its best.

• Emily of Cupcakes and Cashmere has great style and is always trying out fantastic recipes. I made marshmallows from a recipe she published during the Holidays. I can't wait to try this homemade Pop Tart recipe!

I hope you have as much fun reading these blogs as I do.  Maybe you'll even find a new idea, recipe or project.

Earth Day Eco Fashion

A NOTE ABOUT THIS ENTRY: This post was intended to go up on Earth Day. Due to computer issue or user malfunction, whatever you prefer, it's going up today.

Years ago when I thought of ecological fashion, visions of hemp shirts came to mind.  The idea of eco fashion has changed dramatically over the years.  Vintage has become more popular and people want to save money.  It doesn't mean tattered clothes that no one wants to buy. It means carefully sought gems that have been restyled or upcycled into something new. As a thrift store and vintage shopper and clothing swap attendee, I wear eco fashion constantly.  The items you are reusing aren't ending up in a landfill. They are being recycled, upcycled and reused by you. 

Earlier this week I told you about the fashion show I attended and a local design team that designs and makes upcycled items.  The ladies of Ginger Root Design embody eco fashion.  Their pieces are one of kind designs that have been created from damaged items, vintage clothes or vintage fabric. They create these amazing necklace tie creations fashioned from vintage neckties and in some cases vintage buttons. See a before and after picture below:

You can see more of their items on their facebook page.

I've refashioned a few items. Here are the ones I've shown in previous posts...




DIY Collar
Before                                                                  After                                                                   Outift     



Men's Tie as a Belt

The items I upcycled were picked up at Goodwill for a steal.  I took their basic idea and changed them to make them better, for me.

The Unsung Hero

It's long been my belief that the scarf is the unsung hero of the accessory world. You all know I love items that can be worn multiple ways. Well my friends, I'm here to tell you that a scarf is the pinnacle of multi-duty items. When I say scarf I'm referring to the silk or satin type, not the knitted, winter type. Although I dearly love my warm winter scarves and cozy Pashminas, they definitely don't have the year round versatility of a beautiful silk or satin scarf.

Givenchy Scarf - thrifted $3

Scarves are easily one of the biggest bangs for your buck when thrifting. Most people don't give the scarf rack or bin a second glance. I'm sure for many people it calls to mind stuffy ladies at country clubs and grandmas wearing bad polyester dresses. The most I've ever paid for a scarf at a thrift store is $4. On discount days I've paid less than a dollar. When picking out scarves at a thrift store I look for several things:

• What material is used in this scarf?
• Are there any stains?
• How can i wear it?

Material
Many times tags and labels have been removed from scarves by the time they arrive in the thrift store. Educate yourself a bit by checking out silk scarves and blouses at another store. You'll be able to spot the real silk scarves in no time. Satin scarves are usually made out of polyester but they can be just as pretty and versatile.

Stains
Beware of stains.  Many times they are set in and you won't be able to remove them.  It's best to either dry clean or hand wash silk. You can't use harsh detergents to remove stains. If you love the scarf and can either hide the stain or are willing to take the chance on cleaning it, go for it.

Wear
I have scarves in all shapes and sizes. I tend to wear the long rectangular scarves and the large square scarves most often. I've passed on some small square or kerchief type scarves that I found for a bargain because I wouldn't wear them very often. It's not a bargain if you won't wear it. When I look at a scarf I see endless possibilities. There are so many ways to tie them.

The beauty of a Hermes scarf is out of my price range. I hope to one day find a Hermes scarf in a thrift bin. I know it's delusional but a girl can dream. Leave it to this illustrious fashion house to publish the best ideas for scarf tying ever!  You can purchase the cards or you can download them FREE here.  Free is always better.

Spring Picks for the Budget Girl - The Mix

The beauty of the Spring Picks list is that you can mix and match these items to create outfits for all occasions. The March cover of Elle showed Katy Perry wearing some of the items on the list. If this outfit is too much of a mix of colors for you, try just one brightly colored piece.

Bold Colors, Obi Belt

Take a few classic pieces but give them a modern twist by adding a funky bangle and neutral booties.

White skirt, Breton Striped Top, Bangle, Cat Eye Sunglasses,
Lady Like Bag, Neutral Booties 

Keep your outfit from looking dated or like a costume by mixing eras. Your bohemian 70's inspired peasant top becomes edgy by adding some big metal bangles and wedge booties.

70's Inspired Top, Wide Leg Jeans, Biker Jacket, Bangles, Neutral Booties

Neutrals like a shirt dress, pants or skirt can take you anywhere. Your shirt dress can be summer office appropriate but dressed down for a backyard BBQ by adding flat sandals and tying the scarf at your waist.

Neutral shirt dress, Bright Scarf, Rose Gold Watch, Lady Like Bag, Bangles, Neutral Booties

A sheer sweater can take a short sleeve or sleeveless dress (or top) from day to evening. By adding an obi belt or sash, it can look intentional instead of like you are just cold.

Bright dress, Sheer Sweater, Rose Gold Earrings and Bracelet, Neutral Booties

By adding a biker jacket to this flowy maxi, it went from "sweet and girly" to a "tough and rocker".  The contrast lends a sense of modern cool to a sophisticated skirt.

Biker Jacket, Maxi Skirt, Neutral Tee, Scarf, Lady Like Bag

With just ten basic pieces and some inexpensive accessories, you can have a spring and summer of mix and match outfits. One of the things 30 for 30 reinforced for me was to be more adventurous. Try new combinations and test your style limits.