This Is Me #13

Last week I was happy to have a break from my Saturday series This Is Me.  Which made me think, if I'm not enjoying a series, why keep at it?  I should revel in everything I create for my blog.  So it got me thinking about how much I enjoy putting together a fun outfit, and sharing my style with ya'll in outfit posts.  In a way sharing outfit photos are still in line with the idea of This Is Me, but instead of five tidbits about myself, I'll share photos of myself.  

Romper -- Urban Outfitters

Tank Top -- Target

Stockings --  Urban Outfitters

Necklace -- Handmade DIY

Belt -- Target

Braided Bracelet -- Handmade DIY

Yellow Bracelet -- inherited from my step-grandmother

Ring -- Forever 21

Cowboy Boots -- Cowtown, NJ

When I saw this romper at Urban Outfitters I was drawn to the fabric immediately.  I love the color, and the pattern is fantastic.  I was hesitant to try it on though, because I don't usually wear short shorts, and though I love the look of rompers, I never thought I had the right build to pull them off.  I tried it on, and I really liked it, but I decided not to buy it.  Then I spent a week thinking about it, and when I found myself back in Urban Outfitters I knew I had to get it.  I bought it to wear on my honeymoon in New Orleans (April 2011).  

I wore it on the honeymoon, but felt a bit naked the whole time.  The shorts are mega short, and the top is way low cut.  When I got home it got hung in the closet, and hadn't made it's way out since.  I've thought about, and I've even tried it on occasionally, but I never felt comfortable or appropriate in it.  

After I got home from working on the house today I wanted to put on something that would make me feel stylish and pretty.  This romper did just that, and I found a way to wear this without feeling totally exposed.  Pulling on some dark stockings underneath helped keep the shorts in place, and my thick thighs covered up.  I also wore a tank top underneath because otherwise my bra would show in the front, and with the tank top in place I didn't need to worry about showing more than I wanted to.  The dark belt helped break up the top and bottom of the romper.  I love my cowboy boots and accessories with this look, they all play off each other so well.  

Do you have any piece of clothing you don't feel comfortable in, but love anyway?  I dare you to experiment with restyling it.  Who knows you might even find a way to feel amazing wearing it!  Have a lovely weekend, and happy DIYing, chris! 

Tri-colored Braided T-shirt Bracelet

Another DIY I left until the end of the day, but I'm really happy with the results of this crafty project I threw together.  I made a tri-color braided bracelet.  

I used three different t-shirts in yellow, orange, and blue.  I love these colors together, they complement each other so well, and they're unisex!  I used scissors to cut three strips of each color.  The strips each measured a half inch wide, and eight to ten inches long.  I used the needle and thread to sew the strips together at the beginning and end.  

I also sewed all three colors together, and then I braided them together.  At the end I sewed the two ends together.  I left the different length ends, because they add a fun flare.  Like a mini pom-pom.  When sewing the ends make sure to go through all the strips of fabric, that way it's nice and secure and wont come unraveled.  

A simple craft, with great results.  Anyone could do this with some extra fabric, and twenty minutes to spare.  I'm fairly certain of seen similar bracelets at Forever21 sold for around five bucks.  This only cost me time. 

I'm thinking up an outfit to wear this with, and when I'll have my next chance to show off my latest creation!  I wear my DIYs proudly, and it makes my day when someone complements them.  I work with children, and it's the highest complement when one of them tells me my bracelet is cool.  

What's your latest creation?  Do you love to show it off?  Have a lovely day, and happy DIYing, chris!  

Braided T-shirt Bracelets

Today I made a few braided t-shirt bracelets.  I had a bunch of scraps leftover from the headband I made for Annabel, so I decided to use them up to make bracelets (and I added in a blue t-shirt too).  I have a tattoo on my left wrist, and I have to cover it up for work, so I'm always looking for new chunky fun bracelets.  I loved these cause I didn't need to buy any material to make them, and I can make a bunch in a short period of time.  

First, I started out with cutting off a sleeve from an old t-shirt. 

Then, I cut up the seam to open up the sleeve.

Next, I cut the end stitching off, and cut the shirt into 1/2 inch strips.  Don't worry about being precise, it will still look good if it's not perfect.  

Now pick up three pieces and tie them in a knot on the end.  

Ask a friend or family member to hold the piece above the knot, and begin braiding.

Check the length as you go, and when it's long enough to reach around your wrist tie a knot in the end.  Cut off the excess on the ends.  

Overlap the two ends and using a small t-shirt piece tie a knot in-between the ends to form the bracelet.  

Cut off the ends and you are done.  Repeat the process, and make as many as you want!  Play with combining colors, or making just solid-colored bracelets.  

Happy DIYing!