budget fashion

OOTD: Polka Dot Love

May 12, 2014

OOTD: Polka Dot Love

May 12, 2014

Happy Mother's Day! Hope you are all enjoying this gorgeous day with your mothers and loved ones. It's gorgeous weather today, after all the crazy bipolar weather we've been having in NYC. I wore this out to dinner with my mother and family. I loooove polka dots, they must be my favorite print. Something about them that's just so fun about them.

polka dot top- New Look (similar style HERE)
blue skirt- Forever 21
lace-up heels- Prova Peretto (similar style HERE)
clutch- DIY (view post HERE)

Edgy DIY Clear Clutch

Apr 27, 2014

Edgy DIY Clear Clutch

Apr 27, 2014

image credit: Styleholic Blog

my DIY version

Clear accessories are all the rage this season. While shopping around for a clear clutch, I couldn't find one that I quite liked. That and I found them to be ridiculously overpriced. So I decided to make my own! I love DIYing and this was fun to make and it wasn't difficult at all. I was able to get all my materials at NYCs Garment District. You can easily get these items at craft stores and online as well.

What You'll Need:

Multi-hole punch
Studs with screw backing
Clear vinyl (the one I used was about 2 mm thick)
Purse closure
Paper to trace your pattern
Scissors
Pencils
Marker

Optional:

1 yard of chain
jump rings

1. Trace your pattern on paper. I used this this pattern from Styleholic and I modified it a little. The measurements are written on the paper in case you prefer my pattern as well.

2. Cut your pattern out and tape it to the vinyl and cut it out carefully.

3. Fold the sides up to create the shape. I also folded in the edges to make it sturdier and it just looked neater to me. I made marks every inch and I used the multi-hole punch to make holes. That's where the studs are going to be applied. I suggest making a few practice holes to make sure that they are the correct size.

4. Screw in the studs securely.

5. The closure was a little tricky because it requires some precision. I first marked where I wanted the closure to be on the clutch. And the closure comes with prongs so I marked where those go as well. I made tiny holes with scissors to make inserting the prongs easier. Be very careful, so you don't make any holes in the back of the clutch.

6. I marked and cut out where the top part of the closure was going to go and screwed it in, using the screws that they came with. There's lots of different closures available. I chose this one because it's more secure and I liked how it looked.

And your clutch is done! You can add a chain to your purse if you'd like. I made two holes along the sides with my hole punch and I attached a chain using jump rings. I feel like it added a little something to it.

Buy a cute little pouch to keep your personals in, I got mine at H&M for under five bucks! Clear clutches go great with bright colors, making it a great staple for the Spring and Summer.

New Year's Eve OOTD

Jan 2, 2013

New Year's Eve OOTD

Jan 2, 2013

LOVE Marcella dress (find it here)

Luichiny "Eye Doll" shoes

Spiked bracelet from Dusk Jewels

Happy New Year! First OOTD of 2013 and it is what I wore New Year's Eve. You guys should know by now that I LOVE dressing up for the New Year. I love welcoming the new year dressed to the nines.

I wanted to wear white to try something new. Searching for the perfect white dress was a little tough though. And then I found one, nice and simple with enough details to make it interesting. AND it was on sale, woo! I ordered this dress In Love With Fashion. It is a site based in the UK and they have great clothes. This is my second time ordering from them and I've been very satisfied both times. I got my items super quick! The prices are great and they are always having sales as well.

I only got one good picture of my makeup. I wanted a J-Lo inspired glow. I mostly used the Naked Palette 2 and I loved how it came out!

PRODUCTS USED

FACE

NYX Photogenic Primer (purple one)

Black Opal Stick Foundation "Truly Topaz"

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer NW35

NYX cream blush "Glow"

ELF Blush "St Lucia" from bronzer/blush duo

Urban Decay eyeshadow "Vanilla" (as highlight)

Ben Nye Contour No 2 Powder

EYES

UDPP

Maybelline Color Tattoo "Bad to the Bronze" (lid as base)

Latina Bella eyshadow "Flan" (highlight)

Urban Decay "Suspect" (lid)

Urban Decay "Tease" (crease)

Urban Decay "Blackout" (outer corner)

Urban Decay "Hustle" (lower lashline)

Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner "Perversion" (lashlines and lower waterline)

Red Cherry lashes #505

Maybelline Falsies Mascara

LIPS

NYX Slim Lip Pencil "Natural"

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick "Nude Delight"

Wishing everybody the best for 2013!

DIY Collar Necklace

Sep 12, 2012

DIY Collar Necklace

Sep 12, 2012

lipstick: Wet n Wild MegaShield lip color "It's a Girl"

Collar necklaces are a BIG trend this fall (see my post on fashion trends). They come in a variety of styles. I decided to get my DIY on and make my own. I followed the instructions on Henry Happened to make mine. I bought my supplies at Michael's in the Upper West Side. I got everything for less than $15.00. It was fairly easy to do, you just need patience and a good eye.

Here is how mine came out. I used slightly different shades of gold for a subtle contrast.

I can't wait to wear it against fall colors, particularly oxblood and eggplant.

Summer Must-Haves

May 15, 2012

Summer Must-Haves

May 15, 2012

It's been a while since I've done a fashion post. I'm dedicating this one to items that every girl should have for this upcoming Summer. I have items with different price ranges so there's something for everyone. Enjoy!

Maxi Dresses

They are most definitely a must-have. They add elegance, flatter all body types and you can skip shaving your legs. Bright prints are nice for the day while a sleek style with tasteful cutouts adds more sultriness for the nighttime.

maxi dresses by beautywithbrainss featuring a racer back dress

Neon Colors

The 80s always seems to find a way to come back. The modern way to wear it is to use a neon color as an accent color and not all over to avoid looking like Vanilla Ice. Bolder girls can even pair two neon colors together as a form of color blocking. For example a neon top and shoe.

Neon by beautywithbrainss featuring a neon nail polish

Chiffon

This fabric is quite lovely. It adds a nice, fairy like feel to an outfit. It's delicate and ultra-feminine. I am loving it especially in hi-lo skirts. Hi-lo skirts are great if you want to show some leg but have the elegance of a maxi skirt. They look best when worn with a heeled shoe.