Archive for September, 2008

Like many of you who also grew up in the 80′s and 90′s, I flaunted ruffled socks and big bows on a regular basis. I guess something in me decided it was time to translate these fashions from year 1988 to year 2008, age 5 to age 25.

I wore this outfit to work last Friday, where I presented the latest on fashion blogs to my colleagues. 

I’m not sure what I’m more excited about…that I found a pair of nostalgic ruffled socks or that I discovered a new use for this over-sized frumpy skirt.

While the skirt normally comes down past my knees, I used two small safety pins to sinch it tighter and rolled the waist down a few times to bring up the length, which is held in place by the belt. 

Wearing:

• Top: Sanctuary
• Skirt: Marshalls
• Neck bow: Sequin belt from a Bebe top
• Socks: Forever 21
• Pumps: Steven
• Belt: Came with a dress

Here’s how I converted the look from day to night (swapped skirt for dark skinny jeans):

I always have a hard time dressing for work meetings because those who don’t know me might be taken a back by my outfits at times. Trying to stay somewhat true to my personal style, I added a chunky gold belt (love red and black with gold accessories).

I’m not sure if I succeeded, but at least I didn’t see any looks of confusion from passersby. Either way, everyone has fashion challenges…mine is the fear of dressing ordinary.

Wearing:

• Top: Forever 21
• Skirt: Nordstrom
• Belt: Fossil
• Pumps: Steven
• Headband: DIY

Jumpsuits caught my eye awhile back, but I honestly never thought I would purchase a full-length style. I changed my mind when I found the simple, sleeveless black one-piece in the outfit pics below.

Not only is it super comfortable, it’s also incrediblty versatile which makes for great layering looks. Yesterday, I wore it to work with a lacy black top layered underneath and a black studded belt around the waist.

 Wearing:

• Jumpsuit: Forever 21
• Lace top: Nordstrom (from 4 yrs ago)
• Belt: Hot Topic (from Halloween costume 5 yrs ago)
• Pumps: XOXO
• Bracelet: Express

MTV is working with fashion designer Kira Plastinina to select three lucky winners to create limited edition tees to be sold exclusively on her website. The winners will be flown to NYC to meet Kira, where MTV will be there to record and air the whole experience.

To enter, go to kira.mtv.com and upload a quick video of your designs and say why you want to win.

Sounds pretty cool and I have a fun idea for a tee…I’ll let you know if they bite.

While getting ready yesterday morning and contemplating which headband to wear, a little light bulb clicked on a new, effortless DIY. If you like the look of bow headbands, as Leighton Meister’s character wears so well on Gossip Girl, try tying a stretchy headband once around a regular.

You probably won’t even need to buy anything new to make this work…simple enough, right? Detailed pics below:

The “base” headband I used is thick, but this can also work with a skinny headband.

The stretchy headband I used is the latex and from American Apparel. I have two of them and have actually used them for belts in the past!

My bow had a natural angle in one direction, so I chose to wear it facing forward.

It may not be super cutting edge, but this is one of the easiest DIY’s ever. Let me know if you try it yourself!

Photo credits: Fashionista, Gossip Girl Insider