Hair: rolled back at the sides and secured at the back in an under-roll with bobby pins

Faux Gem Studs: Forever 21

3 rings gold necklace: 100yen shop (Tokyo)

Silver Studded Cardigan: DIY of a Forever 21 cardigan (tutorial here)

Long Ruffled Tank: ShopAKIRA

Rings: Tiffany, Cartier, mocha, unknown

Metallic Skinny Belt: Forever 21

Black Jeggings: UNIQLO

Grey Cable Socks: Target…?

Leather Boot-Covers: DIY (tutorial here)

Wedge-Heel Booties: Forever 21 (thrifted)

Manicure: Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips in Winter Funderland

I always try to dress up a bit on days I have class since it allows me to pull out and enjoy some of my favorite things from my closet.

        Hair: side braid with Prisila Mecha Raku Ekusute in Otome-Maki Long

Peter Pan Collar: handmade by me using Chic Steals Pattern A1101

Batwing Ala Mode Golden Yellow Top: Volcom (a recent HauteLook purchase; also avail. here)

Black Large Silicone Slap Watch: Acczilla

Clear plastic tote with chain handles: c/o Nordstrom Rack, received at their local Grand Opening back in September

Long-sleeved black top: UNIQLO HeatTech

Tummy-covering tanktop: Victoria’s Secret

Skinny dark-rinse jeggings: UNIQLO

Amrit Boot in Black: NineWest

Monday was my first day back at school for my classes, which I’m attending part-time again this semester.

Sparkle cardigan: Forever 21 (a reeeeally long time ago…) (similar here) (and here)  (also this would be sooo easy to DIY with your own cardi and some sew-on jewels from M&J Trimming!)

White tissue tee: Mossimo

Fur Bag: handmade by me

Rings: Cartier, Tiffany, mocha

Pleather swing skirt: Forever 21 (no longer avail. on their website tho)

Opaque Tights: Hue

Faux Jeffrey Campbell Glitter Litas: DIY (tutorial coming soon!)

What I wore to the Portland Blogger’s Lunch today.

Bloggers = fashionable!!  Lunch on December 4th = Holiday Party!  So I felt the occasion warranted stepping up my game with something sparkly and blogger-ish.

Pleather skirts have been a trending item lately so I picked up one from Forever 21.  It feels pretty flimsy (no hem or lining), but it held up pretty well (i.e., no tears or zipper falling out).  I hope it will stand up to repeat wear.  Apparently H&M is selling them too now, but a better quality, with a little more gathering at the waist, wider A-line, hem, and lining.

I finally finished my glittery DIY “Litas” this morning…soon to share the DIY tutorial.  Well, it’s pretty obvious how I did it, since glitter shoe tutorials are all over the place lately.  But I have a couple tricks up my sleeve that might make this project a little more…permanent.  Maybe.

There is still a small amount of shedding glitter, though hopefully that will decrease with wear.

I kept getting stopped today by people wanting to know where I got my bag.  I mean, I just made it for myself from the fur I use to make my Etsy tails, but I’m beginning to think that if I put these bags in my Etsy, people would buy them.  (The finished ones, of course, not the prototype I’m dragging around!!)  So many people seemed to want one!!  After all, this is that time of year when you start craving something furry, no?

However, the bags are far more labor- and materials-intensive than my tails because of the lining, the zipper, and the chain connection, which means I would have to charge more for them than my tails. So here’s my question for all of you, where YOU, lovely readers, get to determine the fate of this bag…

(It would have a simple satin lining, no inner pockets/dividers or anything.  Single zipper pull.  Removable shoulder-chain.  Roughly the same size as pictured.  In the full range of fur colors I stock.)

I’m not collecting a potential buyer’s list and won’t email you saying that you committed to buy it or anything!  I’m just trying to gauge what other people’s perception is.  Thanks so much for your feedback!:-)

Hope you guys had a great weekend!!

xoxox

Carly

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Zippered twill moto jacket: CRYX

Faux fur and hematite necklace: handmade by me

Ribbed Tank: Forever 21

Square cube ring: Karmaloop (from last year)

Pleated chiffon maxi-skirt: Wink

Balenciaga-style Cut-Out Boots: DIY (tutorial coming soon!)

They’re finally finished!!

      Rhinestone hoop earrings: Icing by Claire’s

Watch: Citizen Eco-drive

Ribbon-edged rope-tie sundress: handmade by me

Wedge espadrilles: Old Navy

I found an old sheet at Goodwill awhile back that was in great condition – and the perfect lightweight, tightly-woven washed denim cotton that would lend itself to a pretty summery dress.  I drafted a pattern wayyyyy back in May, intending to make the dress for Memorial Day – and then never got around to it.  Then I wanted to get it done for the Fourth of July.  And of course I still didn’t do it.  Story of my life!

In any case, I finally pulled my act together and made it this Labor Day Weekend, and broke it out on Monday to wear.  Sadly, we’re experiencing an infestation of yellow jackets in our backyard under our house’s eaves – so every time we bring food out for a barbecue or picnic we get attacked.  Thus Labor Day was heralded by a picnic indoors (though we played a little soccer in the backyard away from the yellow jackets’ nests earlier).

The advantage of using a sheet for an upcycle is that by crating the pattern carefully, one can utilize the finished edges from the sheet, and save a lot of time in the finishing of your piece.  I used a striped grosgrain ribbon overlaid over the finished edges, and cotton rope (I think it’s actually for thick corded piping) as an accent.

It’s breezy and swingy and just perfect for the hot weather that has finally returned!

Hope everyone had a wonderfully relaxing weekend and great Labor Day holiday (if you celebrate it!)

xoxox
Carly

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