Monday, October 25, 2010

Wicked Awesome Accessories


In the spirit of upcoming Halloween, I found a selection of spooky fun accessories! 
Many of the pieces could be worn at any time to add an edge to your outfit, though.


  1. Twisted Snake Necklace: $8.50: Charlotte Russe
  2. Stone Encrusted Skull Ring: $16.85: Asos
  3. Kreepsville Diamonte Skeleton Hand Necklace: $42.00: Attitude Holland
  4. Bat Necklace in Gold: $12.99: Girl Props
  5. Lauren Moshi Vine Skull Tote Bag: $110: Revolve Clothing
  6. Men's Skull with Eagle Wings Buckle: $20.00: Linea Pelle Collection
  8. Bride of Frankenstein Silhouette Necklace: $20.00: CABfayre (Etsy)
  9. Twinkle Twinkle Little Bats Necklace: $18.00: CABfayre (Etsy)
12. Peacock Masquerade Mask: $14.80: Forever 21







Saturday, October 23, 2010

Look-a-like: J. Crew Crystal Supernova Necklace


click image for larger view
Charlotte Russe Pink Gem Necklace: $8.50
Madewell Ice Cluster Necklace in Pink Taffy: $39.99 (Orig. $58)

Though not exact matches to the J. Crew Supernova Necklace that sold in the past for $128, the 'Pink Gem' and 'Ice Cluster' necklaces share a very similar cluster stone style, and for much less.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Ruche's Autumn Belle Lookbook

image from Ruche lookbook

image from Ruche lookbook



Have you seen the online shop Ruche? They describe themselves as a modern woman's boutique with a vintage touch. Think Anthropologie, but costing less, with many pieces priced under $50!

They do a lookbook for each season that is always inspiring, with beautiful photography and styling.

Have you ever found a clothing store that you feel like is totally YOU, like their buyer is your fashion psychic twin and knows what you would love and wear? That is this store for me.

image from Ruche lookbook

image from Ruche lookbook


                        A Few of My Current Favorites:
1. Wool Newsboy Cap: $26.99

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Knee High Socks- Not just For Grandpa Anymore!

Shoes: Alexander Wang
Didn't know your grandpa was rocking runway style all those years did ya?!

Twiggy wore them in the 60's

 
Cher and her friends wore them in the movie Clueless in the 90's

image via widespread
Now knee high socks are back in fashion and better than ever!

image via fabsugar
Kate Moss looks chilly, good thing she has her knee socks to help keep her warm!


Is the knee high sock trend a yay or nay for you? Are you or will you be wearing knee high socks this fall? 

I like how versatile their style seems to be; you can do a countryside look wearing them with boots or wear them sweet and school girl-ish with pretty skirts or uptown runway style with shorts and bootie shoes. Or wear them over colored tights for extra warmth/fashion appeal.

The good news is that they are a pretty cheap item to add to your wardrobe, you can find most of them for under $20, or even as little as under $5!


Here is a selection of Knee High Socks I found browsing online:



  1.  Open Stitch Over The Knee Socks: $14.00: Urban Outfitters
  2. Betsey Sweetheart Over The Knee Socks: $24.00: Urban Outfitters
  3. Merino Thigh-Highs: $18.50: J.Crew
  4. Juicy Couture Sequin Leg Warmers: $75: shopbop.com
  5. Bloom Boom Boom Knee-Highs: $18.00: Lori's Shoes
  6. Gipsy Over The Knee Socks: $5.90: Asos
  7. Cafe Au Lait Socks: $15.99: ModCloth
  8. Basic Needs Socks: ModCloth
  9. DKNY Hosiery Over The Knee Socks: $15.00: Nordstrom
10. Heart Knit Knee Socks: $2.99 (Orig. $5.50) Wet Seal
11. Crochet Leg Warmers: $6.50: Wet Seal
12. Opaque Trouser Socks: $8.99: Ruche


Monday, October 11, 2010

Jewelry: Light as a Feather

** Update on 10/12- Ok, feather-loving fashionistas, I did some searching for you and found that you can purchase this 18-karat gold-dipped goose feather necklace worn gorgeously as a boho headband in the photo above at NET-A-PORTER for the bargain price of $2,205! ;) 

Unfortunately it is out of my budget, but it is so breathtaking, I think it may have to be my next DIY tutorial!!...now to figure out how to approximate gold-dipped goose feathers, hmmm.

Such pretty plumes- Feather themed jewelry accessories are so light and delicate. They are the perfect touch to an outfit whether you are going for a an angelic ethereal look or free spirited bohemian.

image via NET-A-PORTER


1. Necklace de Plume: $41.99: ModCloth
3. Earn Your Wing Ring: $17.99: ModCloth
4. Trimmed Feather Earrings: $3.80: Forever 21
6. Feather Carved Hoop Earrings: $12.00: Arden B.
7. Etched Feather Necklace: $6.80: Forever 21
9. Peacock Feather Ring: $12.90: Windsor

** Update on 10/12- Today I found these beautifully delicate silver Gorjana Feather Earrings on shopbop.com for $65.00! They only have 3 pairs left.
Gorjana Feather Earrings
Gorjana Feather Earrings
FREE SHIPPING at shopbop.com. Exclusive to Shopbop. These sterling silver dangle earrings feature a feather detail. 2.75" long including French hook. * Made in the U.S.A. - Silver





Saturday, October 9, 2010

Look-a-like: ModCloth Dainty and Demure Top

ModCloth's beautiful 'Dainty and Demure Top' retailed for $44.99, but unfortunately it is now sold out.

Keiko Lynn did such a pretty look with this top on her blog.

I purchased the Forever 21 'Blush Sheer Lace Top' that is a really close look-a-like to the ModCloth version for $24.80 a few weeks ago at my local f21 store. It is also now sold out online, but may still be available at your local f21 store

I love that this style top is so versatile, it looks just as good worn casually with my fav jeans as it does worn over a dress.

The 'Olivia Blouse' is a similar style top that is currently available online from Alloy for $29.90, yay!

Here are two clickable looks I put together using the 'Alloy Olivia Blouse':



Michelle Williams to play Marilyn Monroe

photo via Reuters

Michelle Williams has been cast to play icon Marilyn Monroe in a new movie that has recently begun shooting called 'My Week with Marilyn'. 

According to The Daily Mail, the movie is based on Colin Clark's diaries about Marilyn Monroe's time in London in 1957, shooting the Laurence Olivier film 'The Prince and the Showgirl'.  Clark was assigned by Olivier to keep an eye on Marilyn, and had to stay with her everyday. 

The movie is scheduled to come out in 2012.



photo via dailymail

This first image of Michelle Williams in character as Ms. Monroe was released yesterday by The Weinstein Company.

 Do you think Michelle Williams will be a good match to play Marilyn Monroe? I know Michelle is an amazing actress as seen in 'Brokeback Mountain', but I imagine playing the screen goddess Monroe is going to come with a lot of expectations.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Look-a-like: Isabel Marant Ruffled One Shoulder Dress

This sold out gorgeous pink one shoulder silk dress with silver silk belt tie from Isabel Marant Etoile retailed for $290. 

I spotted the very similar and still lovely looking Forevermore Pink One Shoulder Dress with a satin belt at Lulu's for the much more budget friendly price of $37.00. 


Wednesday, October 6, 2010

DIY- Color My Rhinestone World

For this DIY I was inspired by the awesome blog tutorial from the glamourai where she showed how she "antiqued" the rhinestones on a new f21 necklace using Sharpie markers. 

I loved how the color from the sharpies gave a more sophisticated color and depth like is found on real vintage estate jewelry to the new clear bling-y stones and couldn't wait to try it myself. 

I decided to try using Alcohol Inks to color the stones instead of the Sharpie markers for a similar look with a wider range of colors and it worked beautifully. 


 
Alcohol Inks are found in the stamping and scrapbook section of craft supply stores under the name of Tim Holtz Ranger Brand Adirondack Alcohol Inks. They usually come in a three pack set of colors for a retail price of $9.99 or a single color for $3.50, not bad! They are a permanent , fast drying & transparent ink that you can use on many different surfaces including glass (or in this case rhinestones). 

For this project you'll need:
-Rhinestone Jewelry Piece (I got mine at Forever 21)
-Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Inks (I used the ink colors: cranberry, lettuce, eggplant that comes in the Farmer's Market Set and ginger that comes in the Cabin Cupboard Set)
-Rubbing Alcohol (use this to lighten or remove the ink color from stones in case of mistakes)
-Q-tips (to apply the alcohol ink to stones)
-Rubber Gloves (recommended to protect hands from ink stains)

It's really easy to just rub or dab on the ink colors where you want them on the stones using Q-tips. The inks go on sheer so the stones still sparkle through the color and the color is build-able to darker by dabbing on more layers of coats. 

If you want to lighten the color in any areas you can lightly dab the area with a q-tip dipped in plain old rubbing alcohol until it gets to be the desired shade. 



With this necklace I was going for the soft pastel colors that were popular in rhinestone jewelry of the '40s and '50s, like seen in this brooch from vintage rhinestone jewelry seller Jewel Pigs

or this brooch also from vintage seller Jewel Pigs

Oooooh, or this pretty pink and green vintage necklace from Garden Party Collection



Here are the finished results after applying the alcohol inks.







I purchased the Rhinestone Necklace used in this tutorial recently at my local Forever 21 store for $19.80. I can't find this particular necklace currently online, but any of the following rhinestone jewelry pieces would work great with this technique!

  1. Eloquently Rhinestone Bib Necklace: $17.80: Forever 21
  2. Flower Bib Necklace: $12.80: Forever 21
  3. Rhinestone Orchid Bib Necklace: $29.00: Arden B.
  4. Large Vintage Crystal Ring: $20.00: Lori's Shoes
  5. Statement Flower Necklace: $12.00: Wet Seal
  7. Gardenia Flower Ring: $6.80: Forever 21
  8. Cut Out Shield Bling Ring: $10.00: Wet Seal
  9. Rhinestone Floral Ring: $7.00: Wet Seal
10. Vintage Shield Ring: $9.00: Wet Seal


The Alcohol Ink Sets I used in this tutorial are available below at MisterArt.com *on sale* for $7.60 (Orig. $9.99). If you try this technique I would love to see photos of your results shared in the comments section!!

Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink Sets  farmer's market
Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink Sets farmer's market
Adirondack Alcohol Inks are permanent, fast drying, transparent, acid free dye inks specially formulated to create a vibrant, polished stone look. They're ideal for use on glossy paper, dominoes, metal, foil, shrink plastic, glass, and other slick surfaces. They're also great for airbrushing Adirondack Alcohol Inks come in eight separate sets, each with three different colors (.5 fl. oz. bottles): Farmer's Market set contains the colors cranberry, lettuce, and eggplant. Mountain Vineyard set contains the colors espresso, raisin, and pesto. Nature Walk set contains the colors wild plum, butterscotch, and stream. Rustic Lodge set contains the colors bottle, terra cotta, and denim. Cabin Cupboard set contains the colors caramel, ginger, and latte. Tuscan Garden set contains the colors red pepper, mushroom, and oregano. Miner's Lantern set contains the colors rust, stonewashed, and pitch black. Cottage Path set contains the colors slate, currant, and meadow.











Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink Sets  cabin cupboard
Ranger Adirondack Alcohol Ink Sets cabin cupboard
Adirondack Alcohol Inks are permanent, fast drying, transparent, acid free dye inks specially formulated to create a vibrant, polished stone look. They're ideal for use on glossy paper, dominoes, metal, foil, shrink plastic, glass, and other slick surfaces. They're also great for airbrushing Adirondack Alcohol Inks come in eight separate sets, each with three different colors (.5 fl. oz. bottles): Farmer's Market set contains the colors cranberry, lettuce, and eggplant. Mountain Vineyard set contains the colors espresso, raisin, and pesto. Nature Walk set contains the colors wild plum, butterscotch, and stream. Rustic Lodge set contains the colors bottle, terra cotta, and denim. Cabin Cupboard set contains the colors caramel, ginger, and latte. Tuscan Garden set contains the colors red pepper, mushroom, and oregano. Miner's Lantern set contains the colors rust, stonewashed, and pitch black. Cottage Path set contains the colors slate, currant, and meadow.