So for my birthday I had been on the hunt for a vintage sweater like you would see in the 1980s and early 1990s. With the popularity of the Coogi sweaters (the ones that look like the knitting machine blew up), they were a staple, but also very expensive. Some of the original sweaters are still selling for $150 and up second hand.
I love the crazy colors, brightness and individual personality each of these sweaters have. The only thing is I wish they would make more of them for women. A lot of them are made for men, and if there is one designed for women I feel like I have to watch it like a hawk at the store because I know there are others that will jump at the opportunity to have one. It's a shame that they are so difficult to find or they are crazy expensive. I am glad I was able to find this Tundra sweater from a vintage store from eBay. I was quite shocked at only paying about $50.00 USD for this bad boy and the previous owner took very good care of this sweater.
At one point because of how it looked on the site, I debated whether or not to alter it's shape - taking in the sides or shortening the sleeves. The more I wear it, I realize that I really like it just the way it is. When buying vintage pieces, I find myself airing out each piece. Just as my black top, I hung this in my bathroom and let it air out for about a week or so. I even helped it out a little by throwing it in a Dryel bag, which did it some good. I wanted to take extra care of this to make sure I could wear it as soon as possible.
The colors blend so beautifully with my Oil Slick Litas. They tie this outfit together, especially in the sun.
Enjoy the beautiful view. You night need shades if you look directly into the sweater. Lol
|| Sweater: Tundra/Vintage | PVC Leggings: Express | Boots: Jeffrey Campbell Litas | Necklace: Vintage | Earrings: Island Passage | Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters ||
This sweater is truly a show stopper!
My birthday was this past Saturday but I feel like I've been celebrating since the week before and am still celebrating. It never seems to last for only one day. With all of the coupons and freebies I am still enjoying the fruits of my birthday month! I have to give a shout out to my big sister Eva for my Bella slow cooker. It's so fantastic and when I use it for the first time you guys will get to see it!
People always ask me how I am able to get all of this free stuff. I simply let them know they can have it too simply by signing up for emails and rewards programs. It's just that easy. Having to redeem a free birthday gift from both Sephora and Ulta, I decided to find a facial mask that would help exfoliate my skin. Here is what I ended up with:
|| L to R || Sephora Anti-Fatigue & Energizing Mask | CK One Mascara in Black | Makeup Set with Eyeliner, Lipstick and Mascara | Origins Charcoal Mask ||
The CK One was my free birthday gift from Ulta (it's a full size tube!) and the makeup set was my free gift from Sephora. You can never have enough mascara! I have tried out the CK One and it is perfect for daily wear. It goes on quick and easy, but my favorite element is you can adjust the mascara brush to maximize your look.
I have also tried the Origins Charcoal Mask and it left my skin feeling so smooth. I instantly noticed a difference in my face. It felt moisturized but not oily. I used it Sunday and a few days later it still feels like I just used it yesterday. It is my new weekly mask.
I look forward to trying to my other goodies. Of course I didn't just go on the hunt for beauty items, but I found some fun pieces for fall that I cannot wait to wear:
|| Cardigan, Jeans, & Sweaters - Forever 21 | T-Shirts - H&M | Traveling Sketch pad - Birthday gift from my friend Julia ||
|| Boots - Aldo "Serinna" | Necklace & Ring - Forever 21 |Scarf - Birthday gift | Michael Kors bag & key chain - Birthday gift from my other older sister De'Adra ||
There were a few other gifts I received but I think the best part of my birthday was being able to relax and be thankful for seeing another birthday.
Someone I know very well has a birthday coming up! It's me! So it's my favorite time of year and the best part about my birthday is the multitude of inspiring pieces for the new fall season. I enjoyed making this collage using PicMonkey. I didn't even have to create an account to use it!
This is such an easy site to use and create using collages. I admit PicMonkey was more efficient than using Photoshop. As much as I have used Adobe, there was too much fuss trying organize photos and rearrange items to fit how I wanted them too. There are so many different choices to give your collage a personalized feel including inserting your own creations. I am using PicMonkey from now on for all my collage needs. even if you are doing an inspiration board it is perfect and so simple to use!
Now onto the beautiful creation I made using PicMonkey:
1. Sweater || H&M || - I love this sweater! The diamond print on it, although large, it doesn't take away from the casual chic.
2. Serinna Boots || Aldo || - I have been stalking these boots since I saw them in a fashion magazine. Aldo makes really stylish, yet comfortable boots and I am eager to get these on my feet.
3. Purple Velvet Skirt || Sewing Project! || - Velvet fabric has been haunting my existence since the past season. I made a pair of leggings using crushed velvet but I've been wanting to create a skater skirt using regular stretch velvet. I can't wait to get the fabric.
4. Slow Cooker || Bella || - I was in Walmart a few days ago and stopped dead in my tracks when I saw this cooker. Not only is it the best color in the world (and my favorite) but it has received great reviews and is under $40!
5. LIGHTS Little Machines (F) | Clean Bandit New Eyes (R) || Vinyl Records || - There is no greater way than to get the party started than with an upbeat record. I am a fan of LIGHTS and have recently become addicted to "Rather Be" by Clean Bandit. Both would be guaranteed to stay on my record player for the long hall.
6. Gummy Bear Studs || Vinca USA (Nylon) || - When I saw these I could not resist adding these to the list. They are a combination of two things I love teal and gummy bears! So adorable!
7. OtterBox Case for iPhone 5 || OtterBox || - I figured I'd eventually buy one of these since they protect your phone from literally everything, not to mention it would be hard to loose your phone with a case as bright as that!
8. "Cosby Sweater" || EBay || The one thing I look forward to when it gets cold is the ability to wear sweaters. I love all kinds of sweater, but I especially love bright sweaters that resemble ones that Bill Cosby used to wear on TV. The downside is they are usually men's sweaters and have to be tailored to fit, but I don't mind because the colors are undeniably fierce!
Do you have a wishlist? This is mine!
Lightweight sweaters are totally allowed for summer. I love cool summer days where I have the chance to wear one. Fashion is one of those things where you can follow rules or break them. Now you won't see me wearing any of my heavier sweaters because where I live, I'd melt. But when I can, I do. This lace skirt has been a fun challenge to style. It is a skirt that can stand on its own or blend into the rest of the outfit. These two seemed like a perfect pair. This is what I usually wear when I head to grocery store or farmer's market. It's a no fuss way to be stylish and remain comfortable. In previous posts with this skirt, I kept it all black, but it was time to give this skirt a pop of color.
|| Sweater: H&M | Black Crop Top: Forever 21 | Skirt: Target | Sunglasses Urban Outfitters | Purse: Betsey Johnson | Shoes: Dolce Vita ||
So as I began to layer this outfit, I loved how this part of the outfit looked together. Realistically this is more temperature friendly for this time of year.
As winter starts to slowly fade away, I know for a fact one thing I will miss is wearing all of my fun sweaters. I love the sweaters that are crazy prints and patterns, but especially those that use as many colors as possible. I was pleasantly surprised when I realized my Oil Slick Jeffrey Campbell Litas went very well with this seriously bright sweater. Another thing I love about winter is wearing tights. I'm always on the lookout for fun colors, styles and crazy patterns that are still very flattering. I've recently come across Pretty Polly tights. They are a brand from the UK and they have great quality tights. I have the tights below, plus another pattern and they are fantastic. They are not too sheer and are very warm.
|| Sunglasses: Urban Outfitters | Earrings: Island Passage | Sweater: Staring at Stars | Shorts: American Eagle | Tights: Pretty Polly Pretty Suspended | Boots: Jeffrey Campbell Litas - Oil Slick ||
I found this sweater over the Christmas holiday at Island
Passage, a store I frequent every time I go to Wilmington. In continuing my
hunt for awesome sweaters on sale, I stumbled across this Line & Dot Bird
Applique Angora sweater. I love sweaters that are so detailed like this one.
Even though it is black on black, the contrast between the beading detail and
the actual sweater make this truly stand out without trying. I paired it with
black shredded jeans, but you can wear it with regular denim or any colored
denim. I consider this such a great
purchase and I will wear it as much as possible.
As the fashion world begins to look to spring trends, I love that I am able to find a lot of really cool sweaters on sale. In fact, sweaters are one thing I like to buy from around Christmas time and after because many of them usually are on sale for great prices. I always seem to be in luck when looking for all kinds of sweaters. I get most excited when I find brightly patterned sweaters and unique black sweaters.
This time around I found a MINKPINK sweater on a sale rack. There were two different sizes, a large and small, but they had two different prices. The large was marked at only 35% off and the small was marked at 50% off - for the exact same sweater. It really pays to look at the entire sales rack to make sure you are getting the best price possible. Had I not looked, I would have missed it. So I asked the woman working at the store about it and she said she'd honor the 50% in the event I needed the larger size.
Well, I am happy to say because I am on the smaller side of life, the small fit much better. This is actually the second item I own from MINKPINK, (the other being my floral pants - shown here - which I did purchase from ModCloth) and both are smaller than my normal size. I had to alter the pants so they would fit (I bought a large and needed a medium). I usually where a medium in sweaters for a regular size fit, but even that size here would have been too big. Another deal breaker with the size was the sleeve length in the small fit much better because the large went over my hands. Although it's not easy to see, but it has metallic teal yarns woven throughout. But I am overall happy with my purchase!
This time around I found a MINKPINK sweater on a sale rack. There were two different sizes, a large and small, but they had two different prices. The large was marked at only 35% off and the small was marked at 50% off - for the exact same sweater. It really pays to look at the entire sales rack to make sure you are getting the best price possible. Had I not looked, I would have missed it. So I asked the woman working at the store about it and she said she'd honor the 50% in the event I needed the larger size.
Well, I am happy to say because I am on the smaller side of life, the small fit much better. This is actually the second item I own from MINKPINK, (the other being my floral pants - shown here - which I did purchase from ModCloth) and both are smaller than my normal size. I had to alter the pants so they would fit (I bought a large and needed a medium). I usually where a medium in sweaters for a regular size fit, but even that size here would have been too big. Another deal breaker with the size was the sleeve length in the small fit much better because the large went over my hands. Although it's not easy to see, but it has metallic teal yarns woven throughout. But I am overall happy with my purchase!
|| Sweater: MINKPINK | Tank: Old Navy | PVC Leggings: Express | Boots: Irregular Choice ||
This sweater was a birthday gift and have worn it quite a bit since I got it. It's a different looking sweater which is right up my alley. The reds and oranges in it remind me of fall. From first glance the outlines look black but they are actually navy.
The background is the first time you get a peek into my creative space where all the magic happens. Maybe one day I'll give you guys a tour, but for now enjoy me, my sweater and my record player.
(And I promise the fur that you see on my coat rack behind me is fake.)
The background is the first time you get a peek into my creative space where all the magic happens. Maybe one day I'll give you guys a tour, but for now enjoy me, my sweater and my record player.
(And I promise the fur that you see on my coat rack behind me is fake.)
|| Sweater: Staring at Stars (Urban Outfitters) | Necklace: From my Mom | Black Tank: Old Navy | Leggings: Target | Cut Out Boots: Call It Spring | Lipstick Color: RiRi Woo & Wild Thing mixed together ||
(Record Player: Amazon | Record Stand: Urban Outfitters | The Donnas - "Gold Medal" Record)
This is the time of year for tights. As it get cooler I love to wear them. Mixing purples and blues are so fun, the end result always comes out chic. Another twist to this outfit are the shorts. They are herringbone, which is a very popular fall fabric, adds more texture to the outfit, but still complements it nicely.
|| Scarf: Forever 21 | Sweater: Forever 21 | Shorts: Forever 21: Tights: Hue | Bag: Betsey Johnson | Shoes: Seychelles ||
Oh the shoes! I love these babies so much!
This is the time of year where there is no excuse to not have at least 3-4 pairs of colored tights. Well I own over 30 pairs of tights. From black lace to orange polka dots to lots and lots of solids, there are endless possibilities to making a fab fall outfit with an extra punch.
|| Sweater: Lucca Couture | Shorts: Forever 21 | Solid Red Tights: HUE | Oxfords: Aldo ||
Happy first full day of Fall! So as you all can tell I've been busy over the weekend since I hadn't posted anything recently. Have no fear, I was just celebrating my birthday the ENTIRE weekend, (even though my birthday was Friday). Here are some highlights of the what I did!
I decided to do my nails. The nail polish was a gift from my mom, but the rest was all me. Props to those that are true nail artist because this takes work!
And there is my tattoo. I actually did this on my birthday after having lunch with my friend. It hurt of course but now I barely feel it. Since it's on my right arm, it only stings if I bend too quickly, but my tattoo artist Jason Hassel did such an amazing job!
I decided to do my nails. The nail polish was a gift from my mom, but the rest was all me. Props to those that are true nail artist because this takes work!
And there is my tattoo. I actually did this on my birthday after having lunch with my friend. It hurt of course but now I barely feel it. Since it's on my right arm, it only stings if I bend too quickly, but my tattoo artist Jason Hassel did such an amazing job!
Of course my birthday wouldn't be complete without doing a little shopping. All of these will be in upcoming posts, but here is a preview in the meantime...
It's fall so sweaters and cardigans are truly in order! And as you can tell, I absolutely love graphic Intarsia sweaters especially the ones that remind me of Bill Cosby's from back in the 80s.
This last piece I actually found at a vintage shop. I saw it tried it on and knew it had my name on it!
And no birthday is complete without an amazing dinner! Any food Asian inspired and I'm there! I wish I didn't have to travel so far to get this!
(By the way as I post this, it's making me incredibly hungry!)
All in all I had a great birthday and thanks to everyone that gave me a shout out either via text or on Facebook.
