A Leg Up on a Colorful Spring

This spring, one of my must haves is a pair of colored jeans.  I'd like them in several colors and styles but I'd settle for one stand out pair that is a great color and fits well. Pants aren't my friend. Finding ones that fit my apple shape is a challenge.  I know that even my well proportioned friends have a tough time finding pants. I'm leaning toward a pair of  Not Your Daughter's Jeans.  If I'm lucky, I will find a pair at Nordstrom Rack sometime soon.  If not, I think I'll have to break down and splurge on a pair.  There are so many options available, that I went searching for a few favorites.  I've found them in all sizes and colors.

Just click on the picture above to view where to buy these jeans.  Many of them are sold in more than the color you see here.

Do you already own a pair of colored jeans?  If not, are they on your list for spring?

Trends - Spring Pastels

The warm weather we are having in DC this week is making me yearn for lots of fun new spring ensembles. Nothing says spring to me more than the pastel trend that is everywhere right now. Maybe it's the memory of getting a new dress for Easter or the fun candies that always filled our house this time of year. This weekend I'll have to go through my spring and summer clothes to pull out a few on my fun pastel items.  Pastels are an easy trend to wear no matter your coloring or body type.  The colors are popping up in clothes and accessories.  You can incorporate a little or a lot of spring pastel color into your outfits.  Try mixing and matching colors or pair one items with a pastel print.  Don't want to go all out? Try a neutral all over and add accessories. Here are a few items I'm loving right now.

I'm going to sport a few of these items with the new mint shades that I created!

How are you going to wear the pastel trend?

DIY - Shades of Couture Juicy Couture Indie

Earlier this week I saw a photo from ELLE Spain on Pinterest.  The look was cool but what really spoke to me were the sunglasses. That cool mint sherbet frame was a standout. I knew when I saw them that I had to come up with a great DIY. The shades are by Juicy Couture. They are the Indie style in their Shades of Couture collection. It's hard to find the pastel shades but they are available for $114!

I already owned a pair of retro shades similar to the Juicy Couture style.  I purchased them last summer from Goodwill for $3.  Our local Goodwill stores sell brand new merchandise for a steal.  I didn't have any mint colored paint but I knew I had some mint nail polish.  I thought, why not. I'll try using nail polish.  It even has a built in brush.  I started by wiping the plastic part of the frame (that I'd be painting) with nail polish remover.  The acetone helped to remove the coating from the plastic and helped the polish to adhere better. 

I painted three thin coats on the upper frame to get complete coverage. I decided not to paint the ear pieces.  I waited several hours between each coat of nail polish.  I was going for an enamel look and wanted to ensure that the coating was even.  After I got the desired color and coverage, I painted a clear coat on top. 

SUPPLIES

Sunglasses                         $3

Mint nail polish                   $1  Full bottle $4 (already owned)

Clear nail polish                  $1  Full bottle $5 (on sale but already owned)

                                           _________________

TOTAL                                $5 (with tons of polish left over)

Shades of Couture Indie       $114

SAVED                                 $109!!

I'm really excited with the way these sunglasses turned out.  They look amazingly similar to the original and they cost just a fraction.  It only took me about an hour total to produce these standout shades.  I'm sure I'll be wearing them all spring and summer long.