How-to: DIY Bleached Denim

I realize it’s been awhile since my last post. The end of the school year was so hectic and then all of the sudden I had nothing to do. Who doesn’t love a relaxing, lazy summer? But let’s be serious, I can only remain unproductive for so long. My latest project was so simple and turned out so well, I couldn’t resist but to share! One of this summer’s biggest trends is dip-dyed shorts and other DIY denim. This project doesn’t require much planning, but you will need some time and patience. Trust me, it’s worth it! I looked up a few different techniques to come up with the best approach for bleaching denim. So find those old shorts or that beat up denim shirt and get bleaching! Here's what you'll need:

• 2 Buckets
• Bleach
• White vinegar
• Plastic gloves
• A hose
• Rubber bands (optional)
• Spray bottle (optional)
• Outdoor space (I just used my driveway)

Fill one bucket with water and bleach and the other with water and vinegar. There should be twice as much water as bleach/vinegar in both mixtures. I used scrap pieces from the bottoms the shorts that I trimmed to experiment with different techniques and patterns. Don’t be afraid to create your own look! The possibilities are nearly endless! To get the tie-dyed look, twist shorts into random spirals and secure with rubber bands. Soak the shorts in the bleach mixture for 30 minutes. Check the shorts a few times to be sure you are achieving the look you desire. You may need to remove the shorts (or what ever you are bleaching) sooner or let them soak longer. When you remove the shorts from the bleach solution, rinse them off with the hose and then place them in the vinegar mixture for 10-15 minutes. I recommend wearing plastic gloves when working with the chemicals. After removing the shorts from the vinegar solution, rinse them off with the hose and then take off the rubber bands to reveal your perfectly bleached creation!

While the shorts were soaking in the bleach, I started working on my denim shirt! To get a distressed look I wet the shirt using a hose and sprayed the shirt using a spray bottle filled with bleach. Spray the areas you want to look more distressed and let it soak in for 20-25 minutes. After removing the shorts, I added a little more bleach to the solution since some of the bleach soaked into the shorts. To create an ombre effect on the shirt, I left about 5 inches of the shirt out of the bleach mixture. I divided the rest of the shirt into thirds and removed one third of the shirt every ten minutes. After the shirt soaking for a total of 30 minutes, remove the shirt from the bleach solution and repeat the process of rinsing and soaking that was done with the shorts. Be sure to wash whatever you create before wearing (No worries, it’s safe to put in the washing machine)! Good luck!

My Adorable Affordable Spring Fashion Finds

A few weeks ago I shared with you some of this spring's top trends. Now I'm going to show you some of my favorite pieces that I bought this season that are right on trend (and totally affordable)! 

This coat is perfect. It's the perfect length, color, and weight and it has all the little knickknacks you need on your favorite spring jacket! The hood snaps off, the longer back snaps up making the coat all one length, and my personal favorite is the adjustable draw-string waist! Best of all this perfect spring-find is only $60 from H&M. 

I love the iridescent trend but I'm not about to drop a few thousand dollars on some shiny rainbow shoes (or any shoes for that matter!). So I found a much more affordable and practical take on the trend with iridescent nail polish! I painted 2 layer of bright glossy purple, then 1 light layer of silver glitter, topped with 1 layer of sheer light blue polish and ta-da eye-catching iridescent nails. 

I personally wasn't too crazy about the neon trend. Neon for some reason clothes make me think of pre-teens on the beach trying to look hot, not exactly the look I'm going for. But then I saw these shorts and fell in love! They are bright and fun and not too short! These wedges are comfortable and low enough for every day wear while adding a pop to your outfit! Now wear did I find this bright dynamic duo? Old Navy for a total of $50!

This top is the multi-trend top it's neon, global, and a printed sheer! The top is fun and breezy and can easily be translated from day-to-night. This essential piece can be found at Target!

50 Degrees and Windy! Now What?

Anyone else feeling a little thrown off by the weather? First, it’s 80 degrees and sunny in March. Then all of the sudden, it’s 45 degrees and windy! What’s up with that? I’m starting to regret packing away my mittens! Okay, so maybe it’s not that cold but I find myself in a bit of a pickle. I just never know what to do when the temperatures drop and my spring wardrobe is calling my name. But put away those Uggs and The North Face fleeces because there is a stylish solution to this dilemma! Here are some easy outfit ideas to help you get through those chilly spring days (without feeling like you’re back in your winter wardrobe!):

Outfit 1:

• Stylish sneakers
• Leggings
• Oversized tee
• Long rain jacket/anorak
• High ponytail (polishes off the sporty look and keeps the wind from blowing your hair in your face!)

Outfit 2:

• Riding (or cowboy) boots
• Skinny jeans
• Solid or striped long sleeve tee
• Colorful light-weight scarf
• Your favorite spring jacket

Outfit 3:

• Ballet flats
• Pastel colored skinny jeans
• White button down shirt
• Pretty necklace
• Trench coat

Outfit 4:

• Flats or boots
• Maxi dress
• Scarf
• Denim jacket

Best of all, they are fashionable and functional! These outfits are so easy to throw on in the morning and are comfortable enough to wear all day. I hope these suggestions will help you feeling spring, even when it’s chilly! Even though I’m ready for sundresses, it’s always good to have a back-up plan (especially when dealing with mother nature!).

Spring 2012: The Looks

Iridescent: Swap out those metallics for iridescent! This look is a colorful twist on the classic silvers and golds. Iridescent accessories are sure to add that extra pop to your spring wardrobe! Pair iridescent pumps with your LBD or mix up jeans and simple shirt with an iridescent belt or bag.  If you’re feeling bold, try iridescent-inspired eyeshadow!

Ladylike: This style trend goes hand-in-hand with the popularity of pastels! So get out those classy bling and look for pieces with sheer insets. Even if this sweet look isn’t your style, you can still embody the trend with a classy and fabulous attitude!

Sporty: If the ladylike look is too feminine for you, you’re in luck! This spring you can look sporty while being totally chic! A great way to rock this look is to add some athletic looking such as sporty shades, sweet kicks and rubber accessories.  My favorite way to wear this trend is with a nylon anorak. The jacket works for both fashion and function and looks great with your day to day outfits!

Perforations: Perforated leather goods are all the rage this season! If you don’t want to splurge on a leather accessories, especially one with holes, get faux leather (as long as it doesn’t  look tacky!). I love the look of perforated leather shoes, bags, and belts, but I’d love a perforated leather bracelet. Experiment and try the perforated look in other materials besides leather!  

Bold Prints: Spring is known for floral prints, but it’s time to mix it up and try something edgier! Whether it be tribal or futuristic, this spring is all about big bold prints! Whatever route you take, own it and you’ll be turning heads! If you are like more traditional prints, don’t be afraid to mix and match your prints! Who says you can’t wear a striped top or floral dress with polka dot shoes?

Show a Little Skin: With weather heating up, you’re probably itching to get to the beach! In the meantime why not show a little skin? We’ve been seeing a lot of sheer apparel lately. Mix it up with sheer print! For something new try a plunging neckline or a high-slit skirt (just not at the same time...). For a more playful look, a classy take on the crop top! The most important thing about showing a little (or a lot) of skin is to be tasteful about it. Only wear what you’re comfortable in! If you’re unsure about wearing one of these looks, trust yourself and save it for another occasion.

Spring 2012: Color Trends

As season after season goes by we are seeing similar trends repeating themselves metallic, sheer, color-blocking and colorful pants. And don’t worry, they’re still in but spring will be bringing some new twists on these trends! Some of the top spring trends included iridescent, perforations, pastels and bright orange! In honor of the official start of spring, I’ll share some of this spring’s color trends with you!

Pastels: These soft milky colors are perfect for spring! Personally, I'm dying for some mint and/or peach jeans but pastels look so pretty and feminine on any article of clothing! If pretty and feminine isn’t your thing, try pastel in a smaller dose with nail polish!

Neon: On the opposite end of the spectrum, neons are also in for spring! What a better way to get excited for summer than some neon apparel! If you don’t think you can pull of neon, think again! Neon pink looks great on everyone, you just have to pick a style that flatters you! If you don’t want to put any neon clothes on your body try a small neon bag!

Bright Orange: This past fall, I had a weird obsession with the color orange and I’m regretting not stocking up then! Bright oranges are in this spring and they will translate great into summer and maybe even fall! I really want an orange bag and orange cropped jeans! (Have you noticed I really like colored pants?)

Neutrals: Wearing head to toe neutrals, might make you feel like you’re on a safari, but that’s the point! This spring’s fashion is all about escapism and what better way to escape than on a safari? Plus, your global accessories will look great with this style!

Spring Cleaning for Your Closet!

The weather is heating up and spring is quickly approaching! Maybe it’s time to do some spring cleaning in your closet! For starters, donate any clothes that you know you won’t wear and you won’t miss. If you’re looking to make a little extra cash try to sell it to a consignment store! Also get rid of any worn out clothes that have gotten a little too much love (sometimes these can be hard to part with). I personally like to hold on to clothes that are a little too big or small because they could potentially fit again in a few months, but pack them away for some wiggle room in your closet. I’m sure you’ll fill it quickly to get some new spring clothes to replace them! The same rules go for accessories, if it’s beat up, get rid of it! If you are hating that bag you bought impulsively bring it along with the clothes to donate or sell. If you are into crafting like myself, try to rework pieces you have. Make old jeans in to a bag or vest! Bedazzle a bag or beat up tee! If it doesn’t work out, you weren’t going to keep it anyway!  

Now let’s talk about somethings you should have in your closet. Trench coats and great jackets are necessary to get through the spring! Don’t be afraid to wear something colorful! Ankle pants are great for spring weather its a chilly or warm day! Plus they look great with nearly anything wedges or flats, tank tops or sweaters! If you don’t want to spend extra money on seasonally limited pants, roll the pants you already own to achieve the cropped look! My personal spring favorites are skirts and dresses! They are so easy to throw on and always look adorable! I love wearing them with my cowboy boots but you really can’t go wrong! If you’re stocked up on these spring staples, you’ll have a stylish season every year!

My Recent Infashuation: Maxi Shirts

Getting bored of your usual winter look? Try a maxi skirt! I used to picture maxi skirts as s flowing white or floral skirt that you would wear on a warm summer day. However, my latest infashuation is maxi skirts for the winter! I recently bought two ( a black one and a gray one, both a jersey knit) but it took me a little while to gather up the courage to wear them! It wasn’t that I didn’t know how to wear a maxi shirt, I just didn’t know where to wear it (I didn’t want to look like a total diva!). When I finally did, I got a lot of complements and didn’t feel overdressed (even though I was just going to class!) So if you’re interested in this look but not quite sure how to pull it off here’s some tips:

• Wear a simple top and tuck it in
•  If you need some height, wear heeled boots (flats and combat boots also work well with the look)
•   Wear an interesting belt or statement necklace
• Pair a fitted maxi skirt with a chunky sweater and suede booties
• Extra chilly outside? Wear tights underneath for warmth!

If you think you can pull it off (or act like you can) then everyone else will believe it! The most important accessory when trying a new look is confidence! A bonus to the maxi skirt? The look can be carried in to spring!