Five Looks from Michael Kors Spring 2015 that you can Thrift or DIY

Five Looks from Michael Kors Spring 2015 

that you can Thrift or DIY

Image Source: InStyle Fashion Week

1. Crisp white dress shirt, floral skirt, cute knotted belt (instructions here courtesy of FashionRolla.com), sandals.

2. Extra long white t-shirt, with sheer or tulle calf length skirt overlay (easy sewing DIY!), cute knotted belt, sandals. 

3. Cream or white blazer with chambray blouse, neutral calf length skirt, cute knotted belt, sandals, neutral handbag. 

4. White dress shirt under a grey knit OR sweatshirt (DIY rouching?), 3/4 trousers or rolled trousers in a neutral shade, sandals, neutral handbag. 

5. The ultimate classic: crisp white dress shirt with a calf length or full length black skirt, plus black sandals or ballet flats.

All The Pretty Colors: Street Fashion in Grand Rapids, Michigan

ALL THE PRETTY COLORS:
Street Fashion in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Meet Briana! I ran in to Briana at a heavy/sludge/punk show in Grand Rapids, Michigan (I was there to enjoy the music and take pictures--see some of my photography from that night here!). I noticed her sitting on a bench, waiting for the show to start, and loved her colorful ensemble and brown eyes. Naturally, I had to inquire whether or not she liked to thrift. To my delight, she told me that everything she was wearing was second-hand, and the rest is history!

Today in street fashion, what you can learn from Briana!

Take risks

Try floor length dresses with boots 

(combat, granny, high heeled, cowboy)

Combine mustard yellow with floral print (it works!) as Briana did with the scarf in her hair

Add structure with a belt

Be natural and beautiful

 

Dark Floral for Spring 2014

DARK FLORAL FOR SPRING 2014

I LOVE dark floral and I love the idea of mixing it with black for spring--it feels very Dolce & Gabanna to me and there are plenty of dark floral patterns trending out there this season! Bright colors, aztec, moto jackets and dark/vibrant patterns are all in regular rotation as part of my spring attire, and this bright floral skirt--along with the fun black and gold clutch and little rhinestone flower ring--(from Lakeshore Rescue Mission Thrift) were the perfect edgy, spring fueled ensemble for a spring wedding I attended this weekend in Chattanooga, TN. Congrats to the sweet wedding couple for a lovely day and the union of two awesome people who I'm so glad I've gotten to know! (PS--I thrifted the cute red and white polka dot glasses while I was there, and they've quickly become my favorite...)

Skirt + Ring + Clutch = $5.00

The neat graffiti wall is JJ's Bohemia in Chattanooga, TN. =)  




CHECK OUT MY "PINSPIRATION" FOR THIS LOOK HERE:


    

Pinspiration: Aztec for Spring 2014

PINSPIRATION: Aztec For Spring

My next "March Magic" project, sponsored by Holland Rescue Mission Thrift Stores, will be spring fashion inspired! I'm taking inspirational outfits from the runway, seasonal trends and classic spring fashion from my Spring 2014 Inspiration board and recreating themMY way; thrifted! 

I wanted to share with you today one of my passions this season: bright prints for spring--specifically, Aztec! The images in this blog post can all be found on the Pinterest board.

Tomorrow I'll show you an outfit I put together with an Aztec item thrifted from Lakeshore Rescue Mission Thrift, and you can expect to see more of the outfits and ideas I have pinned come to life with secondhand clothes and accessories from Holland Rescue Mission Thrift Stores!

Stay Tuned!

 

Three dollar necklace and a two second trick!

$3 DOLLAR NECKLACE 
and a {2} SECOND TRICK!

I was so pleased to find this pretty little turquoise and gold statement necklace at Family Dollar for three bucks! They seem to always have fun, bold jewelry for under five dollars, and I couldn't resist this twisted bead piece when I saw it. (It came with matching earrings, too!) I honestly could have picked up the white version with minimal guilt at that price, but I decided to let it stay on the shelf. They also had purple and black! The rest of the outfit is one hundred percent thrifted. I've really been digging all black lately!

HERE'S MY 2 SECOND TRICK:

I tie my dress shirts!

I love wearing high waisted, long skirts. Often, I pair them with collared shirts so that I can also rock bold bib necklaces and scarves. For me, letting the shirt tails hang out looks sloppy and adds a lot of loose girth--not something I love to do. If I belt them to accentuate my waist, I can sometimes end up with a bit of a peplum look, and depending on the shirt, I might like it. I'm still not always thrilled at the way it shapes my body. For that reason, I often tie a knot in the shirt instead! I leave the last button undone and tie it right at my waist. It's a little bit of a feminine, vintage look, and I feel that when you do it with more of a formal piece like a high waisted skirt, it looks quite polished too! Make sure to tie it at the smallest point of your natural waist line...and watch the curves appear. ;)

STILL LIFE: Mobile Ketchup

LIFE IS SOOOOO BUSY.

I'm playing "ketchup" with you today. Here are some mobile shots from the last few weeks that will get you up to speed on what's been going on, if you are so inclined to be interested!

1. Straight goofin'. Bumped my hair for work; kinda felt like a weirdo.
2. Loving leopard print and plaid, as usual! Always inspired by this pin on my Love Plaid board.
3. Stole my boyfriend's shirt; wore it under a cozy sweater in my Let Your Tail Hang Out post.
4. Perfect little pumpkin on my porch. Gorgeous fall weather!
5. Behind the scenes pic of a wedding shoot I recently did. See the whole album here at my photography page!
6. Num Num Num...breakfast! Sauteed kale, zuchinnis, garden veggies and egg whites with feta, whole grain english muffin, and cold apple cider from my boyfriend's grandfather's farm!

1. Thrifted polka dot blazer and a necklace from an old DIY! Lovin' the yellow...
2. Bought this leopard print scarf for FOUR DOLLARS. You can get one, too, here! The boyfriend was taking my picture and wouldn't give my phone back. Wahhhh!
3. Selfie from the wedding, a little pin curl action and some 1950's style glamour.
4. Another shot of the camel/B&W stripes and leopard--dig that combo a lot!
5. Teal nails/pink lips/gold and teal eyes
6. More deliciousness: sauteed and curried butternut squash with raisins, peppers, cardomom and turmeric over whole grain couscous. SOOOO GOOOOD!

Mystery Animal Print

? MYSTERY ANIMAL PRINT ?

Mobile pic outfit post!! What kind of print do you think this is? Before I left for work this morning, my boyfriend and I speculated over what this design was supposed to be (he snapped the outdoor shots on my iPhone)! I think it is reminiscent of some kind of strange tiger, but he was reminded of a fox--which I can also see.  What do you think?

OUTFIT DETAILS: 100% Thrifted (Total cost $11.00) Shirt, skirt, necklace and heels were all thrifted at Hope's Outlet in Grand Haven, Michigan with a cost totaling $7. Vintage Coach bag and brand new black tights in package were purchased at Goodwill in Grand Haven, Michigan for a total of $4.

 

Salmon Ruffles: Clearanced, Gifted and Thrifted

SALMON RUFFLES

Today in the blog I have something clearanced, something thrifted, and something gifted. Can you guess which is which?

OUTFIT DETAILS: Merona tulle dress,  gold cardigan, brown tights and boots, gold accessories, gold Michael Kors crossbody purse, manicure done with L.A. Colors nail polish in yellow, silver and blue.

Salmon and Roses: a new favorite color combination!

SALMON AND ROSES

I'm so in love with this color combo! I like to pair salmon with unsuspecting colors as I've mentioned in prior blogs, and I find that I can often use it in place of red (where I am accenting with red).

PS--If you like my (no heat)hairstyle, for this look I simply slept in braids. See a before/after Instagram shot I took a week or so ago when I styled it the same way, here!

OUTFIT DETAILS: 100% thrifted. Just recently bought this cute, crepe-style vintage blouse; a mock silk with rose print!