Colorful Textured Layering

Hey all hope you're doing well this weekend.  Aaron usually works on the weekend, but luckily he got all of today off.  It's the first Saturday he's had off in a long time.  We visited the local farmer's market, bought some breakfast, beef pot pies, homemade breakfast sausage, and a phone case for me.  Oh yeah and some chocolate chips, cause I'm thinking about making something with them.  Then we headed over to our favorite garden center, because my gerber daisy desperately needs a new pot.  In the mid-afternoon we hung out watched the brand new Downton Abbey together, and ate some air popped popcorn.  

 Sweater-- Forever 21

Lace Tank Top-- Urban Outfitters

Tank Top-- Target

Pants-- Forever 21

Shoes-- Rocketdog

I love bright colors and combining different prints and textures.

  

This sweater is so comfy.  I wear it practically everyday in the winter.  

I don't own much jewelry, but I love these three necklaces together.  My Rocketdogs are my favorite winter shoe.  I love how colorful they are, yet they are warm, and comfortable.  

Have a good weekend, and happy DIYing, chris!

Getting Things Done Outfit

Today was productive.  I got my oil changed, and new rear tires for my car.  Aaron and I compared prices on microwaves, and bought some halloween candy.  I unpacked some boxes in the craft room while Aaron was at work.  Cooked a tasty chicken, potato, and pea dinner.  Washed a ton of dishes.  I'd love to say the sink is empty, but that isn't so.  There is a giant storm headed this way, and everyone is all riled up.  It's exciting before a storm comes, and the the buzz in the air of everyone in panic mode, trying to prepare themselves.  We'll see what ends up happening!

Trying to stay warm, yet not overdressed or bulky looking this is what I came up with.  Another casual outfit in my favorite jeans.  I love this scarf from Urban Outfitters.  

Jacket -- Target

Top -- Kohl's

Scarf -- Urban Outfitters

Jeans -- Urban Outfitters

Socks -- Kohl's

I added a little side braid on either side of my head before pulling back part of my hair.  It gives a little extra flair to an easy up-do.  A fun casual look for mostly hanging around the house.  Have a great pre-halloween weekend, chris!

Casual Fall Day

Jacket --  Heritage 1981

Top -- Target

Jeans --  Levi's at Urban Outfitters

Sneakers -- Converse Chuck Taylors

This outfit is perfect for a laid back fall day.  I love this pair of jeans, I wish I had twenty pairs of them, so I wouldn't run out of them ever.  

My favorite part about these jeans is the cute hem going down the back of the jeans.  The fit so well, and I feel attractive in them too.  Who doesn't want that from a pair of jeans?  

I also love these shoes.  They are lined with lambs wool, and I love the color.  I've had these since 2003, but I try not to wear them too often, because I don't want to ever have to throw them away.  

This outfit is all around comfortable and stylish.  The jacket is made of cotton jersey, but it's thick, and lined so it's extra warm.  I love the subtle sailor vibe to it.  

I hope you're having a great saturday, happy DIYing, chris!

Long Weekend Packing

Aaron and I are going on a long weekend trip up to Vermont for a wedding.  Aaron is the best man in his best man's wedding this weekend.  It's an eight hour trip to the location so we are leaving tomorrow.  By the time I got home from work, showered, and ate dinner it was a bit past seven.  I set to packing right away, which left no time for working on my gravestones or a new DIY.  So I decided to share some outfit ideas I'm packing.  I love thinking out what I'm going to wear and pairing everything up.   

My first two outfits are my travel outfits, for tomorrow and Sunday.  I like to wear pants and easy to layer tops.  I tend to get chilly during long car rides, and I rarely sit with my feet on the floor, when riding passenger.  It's important to me to be as comfortable as possible while riding around in the car for extended periods.  

This is my outfit for Friday.  I hope I don't need the jacket, because the sleeves are adorable on this top, but it's good to be prepared.  This jacket has a ton of cute details too, so it will be nice to wear it if need be though.  I love this pencil skirt, it makes me feel so womanly.  I'm in need of some new stockings, and I didn't have any great choices to go with this outfit, but I thought the hot pink might be fun.  

Then I'm wearing this outfit again to this wedding.  It's just so darn cute, I couldn't pass up another opportunity to wear it.  Ha!  Maybe I'll take some outfit pictures of me in a completely different location. 

Hope ya'll have a lovely end to your week, and happy DIYing, chris!

Ultimate Weekend Casual

This is my ultimate casual weekend outfit.  I love this pair of jeans.  I found them on a trip to NYC to visit my friend Mamie.  I grabbed them up from the sale rack at Urban Outfitter's Times Square location.  They only cost $14, and they fit like a glove.  I always have a hard time with pants being too long, but with these being fitted at the ankle it looks cool with all the extra material.  They are Levi's, which is a jean brand you can't go wrong with.  I've had them for about two years, and they are still in great condition, especially considering some weeks I might wear them three or four times.  I like pairing them with a colorful top or a top with an eye catching print.  Today I went for both with my dip-dyed pink tank top and this lovely bird print  blouse from H & M.  

Jeans -- Urband Outfitters, Levi's

Blouse -- H & M

Tank Top -- Target, bleach dip-dyed

Sneakers -- Converse

Well I'm off to my friends house to have a little weekend fun.  Have a great saturday, and happy DIYing, chris!

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! 

August Wrap-Up

Another month gone by.  Summer is nearly done now, and fall is approaching.  A couple days ago I could sense autumn in the air.  It was dusk, and there were leaves blowing around on the street, and kids were playing on the corner.  There was an urgency to their play, knowing that soon enough it will be too cold and dark out after school to play outside.  Usually when I start getting the beginning-of-the-school-year-jitters there is a crispiness to the air around dusk, but not this year.  The days are still in the nineties, and we are luck to get a bit of relief in the high seventies in the evenings.  The humidity is high, and the mosquitoes are biting.  

Today I'm interrupting my weekly This Is Me with my August Wrap-Up.  I've managed to fit four more This Is Mes into this month, #9, #10, #11, and #12.  I think the twelfth one is my favorite from this month.  I pinned this drawing of mine from that posting, and whenever I see it I'm impressed.  I know that must sound tremendously cocky, but I'm rarely overly proud of anything I create.  So when I am please with something I've made I want to scream about it from the roof tops.  I'm super picky, and I always try to be my toughest critic.  

I've been busy with DIYs this month!  Which I'm super happy about.  I'm loving the Tri-colored Braided T-shirt Bracelet I made this month the most, but my Bleach Dip-Dyed Tank Top, and my wide upcycled Fabric Bracelet are tied for a close second.  I also made cute tiny Button Earrings, a Hair Bowtie made with ribbon, and I started getting ready for Halloween with some paper Black Rats.  

You can also check out one of my other bleach dip-dyed creation in this Outfit Post.  Which also happens to be be the only outfit post I made this month!  

Though I did share two hair-do photos, my favorite being my summer look, the Braided Crown.  I also showed how keeping your hair in a messy bun during the day can result in lush Voluminous Locks for the evening.  

I also shared two cute nail-dos in August.  My Pink Polka Dot do wins hands down, but my Sun Kissed Nails are delightful too.  

Aaron and I traveled up to New York for our buddy Derick's (unisex) Bachelor Party.  We had an awesome time with live music, good food, great friends, and fun ShotSkis!

Speaking of drinking, I've whipped up five new drink recipes this month!  I've been drinking a nonalcoholic version of my End of Summer Cocktail since the first night I mixed that refreshing drink up.  I've made a couple different white rum cocktails this month, a Cherry Rum drink, and a Kiwi & Cherries Cocktail.  I also made two sweet chocolatey milkshakes, a Peanut Butter Nutella Snicker Smoothie, and a Buckeyes Coffee Milkshake.  

Mmm Peanut Butter ... I'm still day dreaming of the Peanut Butter Pie I made near the beginning of August.  Is it too soon to make again?  I've also whipped up a couple zucchini recipes, Sautéed Zucchini, and Parmesan Zucchini Chips with a Creamy Caesar Dressing.  Another snack recipe I came up with was a Cheesy Pretzel Apple Snack.  

In addition to all these lovely things I've posted, and working (nearly) full time, I've been working every chance I get on our house.  Things are finally coming together.  Most of the downstairs is painted, and we've refinished our hardwood floors.  They are looking beautiful all aglow.  I can't wait to move in already!

So that's what I spent my August working on!  I'm excited for this new season, and all the changes it will bring.  What is your proudest creation from August?  Are you ready for Autumn?  Happy DIYing, chris!  

Bleach Dip-Dyed Outfit

I woke up for work at four this morning!  Though I was in my car, on my way home by ten.  Not bad, right?  With the hour plus drive both ways I didn't feel like doing much when I got home.  Aaron and I are on opposite schedules, so anytime we end up at home together I just want to hang out on the couch and relax with him.  He worked on the house this morning, and got home at the same time as me, so we hung out until he had to go to work at four.  We watched Drive and Restless.  If you like to stare at Ryan Gosling then Drive is good, other than that there isn't much else to that movie.  Restless is a typical Gus Van Sant movie, super beautiful and extra moody.  I definitely cried a couple times. 

After Aaron left for work I tried to take some outfit pics.  I just threw this together to show off one of my newly created bleach dip-dyed shirt.  

Such a great easy light summery outfit.  Though my pictures had to be cut short, because I was literally being eaten alive. 

When I got inside I counted my bug bites, and on my legs alone I have over 125 bites!  Yesterday on the news they reported someone in Philadelphia was recently diagnosed with malaria.  Ahhhh!!!!! It's taking everything in me not to google the symptoms.  

Watch out for those misquitoes, and happy DIYing, chris!  

Cute Hot Summer Outfit

Since I haven't been getting dressed up lately I haven't been making an outfit posts.  When I got dressed up yesterday (for my brother's engagement dinner) I knew I had to have Aaron snap some photos.  I wore this outfit in the spring on a rainy day, but I restyled it for the hot summer days we've been having. 

dress -- H & M

slip -- thrifted vintage

belt -- Target

necklace -- my cousin made the pendant, and the chain was a gift

bracelet -- inherited from my step-grandmother

sandals -- DSW Mix No. 9

My cousin made the glass pendant for this necklace, and I always get at least one compliment when I wear it.  The gold chain is an antique from my mother-in-law.  She gave me the diamond for my engagement ring on it, and when I got the ring the jeweler was really impressed with the chain.  Apparently they don't make this type of chain anymore, because it's super delicate.  He cleaned it for me, and gave me a large silk lined padded box to keep it in.  

I almost feel off the rock when I was stepping onto it, and Aaron was sure to snap an action shot.  :)  

This is the only pair of sandals I own, and they are perfectly summery.  

I'm not really sure what I'm looking at or doing in this photo, but it makes me think of Alice in Wonderland.  Maybe I'm about to fall down a rabbit hole.  

I love all the colors in this dress' intricate pattern.  The blue lace and silk slip is the perfect addition to lengthen this short dress, and make it family appropriate, while still keeping it dainty and feminine.  Oh, and don't worry that weird stuff on my knuckles is just paint.  No, I don't have some gross skin disease, but I do have super veiny hands and wrists.  

And before I go here's an outtake.  Goodnight, and Happy DIYing, chris!

Barefoot Days

Happy Father's Day!  I always make Aaron pose for a pic before we trade spots, so this photo is for Aaron's doodah, Happy Father's Day, David!!!  We love you, and miss you bunches and bunches!!

Now for my outfit.  I did some light gardening, and then hung out at my grandparent's.  It was overcast most of today, which made for perfect spring weather.  Not hot and humid, or cold and rainy.  This outfit is great for a relaxing day outdoors.  

Top -- hand-me-down from my mom

Tank Top -- H & M

Capri Jeans -- Kohl's

Shoes -- Dirty Laundry with DIY pizzazz

Bracelet -- made by me

This top was my mother's when she was a bit younger than I am now!  I love the girlie sleeves, and the embroidered eyelets.  I don't own any white tops, but I cherish every fiber in this shirt.  It's too thin not to be worn with a top under it, and I like to wear this super bright pink, or any bright color really.  This outfit is a perfect spring look for me.  I could wear variations of this everyday.  I'm not big on open toed shoes, but it is necessary to wear a light weight shoe and sock in the summer.  Honestly, I'd rather just be barefoot all day.  My pup thinks anytime I put on shoes means we are going for a walk.  Wouldn't it be nice to lead a barefoot life?  

I know I haven't been good at posting any DIY tutorials this month, but I did make this awesome bracelet recently.  I wasn't sure how it would turn out, so I forgot to take any step by step photos, so I'll have to make another one to share with ya'll how I did it.  I'm really proud of how this turned out.  I didn't follow any instructions off of someone's blog, or a tutorial from a book.  I made this up all on my own.  :)  I want to make more in different colors.  Maybe add some beads.  Experiment with different clasps.  All sorts of ideas for this new technique I made up.  

Hope ya'll had a lovely weekend, and happy DIYing, chris.