Cheers to 2016!

Happy New Year!

Long time no see! I've been stressing lately and am finally to a point where I'm ready to take actions and get back on track with goals and relaxation at the same time. If you're like me, you're eager for 2016 as it's a time to soar and put the worries of 2015 behind. It's a brand new year, a brand new start. A time to set goals, sure, but goals should be set every week, don't you think? This is something I'm learning in order to actually stick to them. They should be challenging yet achievable, always improving and we should set new ones all the time to keep us motivated and alive. Life is short and I can't wait to make the most of this new year and many new years ahead, fashion and everything else included!

Fashion Feels
Feeling alive can come from so many factors. For me, wearing something I feel great in can transform and kickstart my day. If I feel good, I feel unstoppable. When I'm doing it for me and not anyone else, it's the best feeling. Join me in being your true self this new year and taking risks in fashion. Fads and trends come and go, but style is forever. And yours is one to keep.

Now for the New Year's Eve fashion inspiration, I bring you a traditional black and white outfit that's pretty darn chic. The BCBG pencil skirt was thrifted as was the striped top! They pair well together in an ironic way as the skirt says edgy and the top says class. Although heels would dress the outfit up a notch, booties were better for comfort and flare, not to mention warmth!

"It's not the years in your life, but the life in your years."

Thanks for stopping by and I hope everyone has an amazing and safe New Year!

- Linds

How to Make a Jellyfish Costume in 6 Steps

Get ready to sting!

Wondering what you should be next year already? Want to try a new DIY project just for kicks? If you want to feel elegant and still make your costume, try the Jellyfish costume! Wearing all white and having dangling, flowing light fabrics at your side makes for a classy yet fun costume. You can add so much to this idea too. I had fun with battery-powered LED lights on the inside/top of the umbrella for example. You can also try to aim for light blue or baby pink tones instead of all white too! The best part is this costume can be made unique and all your own.

What you'll need:

- Clear Umbrella (large)

- Tulle (two 3-inch x 25 yards spools, depending)
- White lace fabric or ribbon (I used one 6-inch x 10 yards fleur lace spool)
- Tape
- Scissors
- Tape measure (optional)
- Battery-powered LED string lights (optional)
- Small white feather boas (optional)
- White paper streamer (optional)
- An all white outfit:
   White tights
   White dress
   White or silver flats or light-colored heels

How to get this look:

1. Measure how long you need fabric strips to be. I stood with my shoes on holding the umbrella first to see how long they would hang from the edges of the umbrella to the floor.
2. For fun layering, cut the tulle into 8 strips first (to the length you measured), and leave the width as is. To complete the layering, then cut the lace fabric into strips of 4 (also to length you measured). These are about 2 inches wide each, but can be any width of your liking, as long as you end up with 8 strips. 
3. Once you have 8 strips of lace and 8 strips of tulle, stack each lace strip on each tule strip, and tape the top of each new layered strip to the inside corners of the umbrella. (You can even wrap the strands of lace around the tulle for a great effect, but they'll naturally tangle anyways!)
4. Afterwards, you can cut even more strips of lace to fill in the other space gaps of the umbrella (I added 8 more lace strips)
5.  You're almost done! Now add LED string lights to the inside top if the umbrella by tangling it up in the metal rods, and wrap up some more tule in the top around the metal rods as well. Tape the battery box for the LED lights towards the top inside of the umbrella so you can access the "on" switch but yet "hide" it under the meshy tule!
6. Attach paper streamer edging to the outside of umbrella for a nice border using tape, and you've got your jellyfish costume put together!

Gear up in all white, and take flight as a jellyfish! Just be warned - these fabrics tangle easy which adds to the charm, but make it easy to trip on :)

Photo taken by Blake Heiss at Fish Marketing

In this look/credit where it's due

Michelle DeCourcy dress, Forever 21 tights, fabrics & boa from Jo-Ann Fabrics, LED copper wire lights from Forever21. [Random, eh?] And I borrowed this umbrella from friend, Tara! Hope you enjoyed this fairly simple DIY project and hope everyone has an amazing halloween!

- Linds

A$AP ROCKY TALKIE

A$AP ROCK(s)

If you know me, you know I love rap music. (You didn't know that!?) That said, I love the rapper A$AP ROCKY, so it's no doubt I had to find a "band T" to represent in style and comfort. 

Paired here with dark blue spandex and black ankle boots, I'm relaxed and comfy and ready for layering in the new Fall weather.

photo cred: STYLEDUMUNDE

photo cred: students.com.miami.edu

And, if you know A$AP ROCKY, you know he has one of the best styles out there. (Seriously, Google him now under "a$ap rocky fashion"). He really is a Fashion Killa, so I'm completely inspired by more than his rhymes. The black crew neck and short sleeves trim make the t-shirt graphic pop and the cotton feel is perfect for any-day wear.

What's going on:

T-SHIRT - Amazon.com

ANKLE BOOTS - Plato's Closet

BONUS: PINK BRACELET - 

Ride bracelet from Enchanted Forest ;) 

Skateboards pictured below: (Erik's)
- (Portland Timbers board)

- Pink Freud board = Roger Skateboards

- Alien Workshop

- Thrasher Board = Habitat

_________________________________________________________________________________

Dressing it up with a leather grey pencil skirt and ankle boots again for a different vibe that's still easy to put together for a last minute outfit out. Now get out there and be a fashion killa.

- Linds

Edgy > Classic

Inspired by this amazing skirt and the designer of the skirt, Michelle DeCourcy, I keep on learning to take risks and ask myself every day, who am I trying to impress? The answer should be myself! I want to feel my best every day, (I mean - who doesn't?) And what some people may think of mixing patterns or styles and such should just be white noise. After all, if we all had the same style and played it safe all the time, how boring would the world be?

Motivation, as silly as it sounds, can start with what I'm simply wearing that day. I notice when I'm a little bit taller in some heels or booties I can feel on top of the world. Or, at least see above my fridge for once! It's the little things sometimes... 

Back to the Skirt

This stunner white lace skirt is easily dressed up with heels and a white silk blouse or tank with jewelry, or simply dressed down like so with ankle boots and a studded black tank-blouse to add flare to any lady's wardrobe. I love mixing the lace with booties for a more spunky wild vibe.

Simplicity in Black and White

What makes you feel confident? 

Your favorite vintage band tee and jean cut-offs? Cowboy boots and a boho dress? Full on suit and tie? Bright pink heels? Whatever it is, roll with that.

xo - Linds 

Disneyland's 60th

Mickey Mouse Club Dreams

I remember being in kindergarten and going to Disneyland for the first time. To my surprise, I still remember most of the amazing trip! Toon Town, Peter Pan, Pirates and Thunder Mountain Railroad still stand out, not to mention meeting all the characters I loved. There's nothing that compares to having your face hurt from smiling all day. 

I'm more than ecstatic to go to Disneyland this year come October! Landed this retro Mickey & Friends jean jacket vest from Ebay just in time for Disneyland's 60th Anniversary.

Disney gear is everywhere nowadays, so I wanted to find something older and not from Forever 21. Etsy had some great options, but Ebay had a few more affordable jean vests - just what I was looking for! Casual for layering, matches any bold color, and easily worn with tennis or sandals as pictured.

Happy Anniversary, Disneyland!

xoxo - Linds

Aztec Summer Flare

I was lucky enough to find this aztec-like gem at Crossroads Trading Co in Portland on Hawthorne! You may say it was love at first sight. I must admit though, I was intimidated by the back straps. Believe it or not, it took me something like 20 minutes to make it look the way it's pictured below. There's a lot of adjusting but it was well worth it in the end. In fact, this funky-filled dress isn't complete without it. 

Easy to pair with any sandal or flip flop, you're likely to match this colorful dress one way or another. Super light and perfect for summer, this dress is something I'll have to make an effort NOT to wear every single day.

RECAP

What's in? 
- Patterns, Patterns, Patterns! 
- Boho vibes and loose-fitted cottons
-  Get inspired
- Patterned dresses like this one found at CROSSROADS

Wearing:
- The original tag attached was from a NW 23rd Boutique called Ipnosi
- Sandals and Shades from Plato's Closet

See this look on Chictopia or Pinterest or  HYPE on LOOKBOOK

Monday Funday - Safari Edition

Let's get right into it. How cute is this Anthro giraffe cardigan?

Recently found at Plato's Closet, I knew I wouldn't have a chance to find one like it ever again! It's gently used, has a tiny hole and stain and had a button missing, but that didn't stop me from buying this adorable masterpiece. Paired with nearly khaki-looking shorts at just the right length, I knew this was a match made in heaven. Simple, cute and suitable for work all rolled into one.

Fun fact: Character Spencer Hastings (Troian Bellisario) from Pretty Little Liars was spotted in the same sweater! Preppy meets cute is definitely Spencer's thing:

Brands:

Belt - Forever 21

Tights - Forever 21

Shorts - H&M

Sweater - Field Flower by Anthropologie

Stay Wild, Fashionistas! 

- Lindsey

I want to believe. Cat edition.

Duh nu nu nu nu nuuuu (X-Files Theme song playing)

I love the X-Files and cats, (duh) so what better sweatshirt than the "I want to believe"-with-cats-on-a-flying-saucer sweatshirt?! Ordered from Etsy, this trendy sweatshirt is super warm and fuzzy and fun to layer with a funky collared shirt underneath. The grungy, 90's looking plaid jeans make for an interesting, casual outfit for any quirky fashionista.

Grungy Cat Lover

Mint Vans - thrifted from Plato's Closet 

Sweatshirt - from Etsy

Plaid pants - thrifted from Crossroads Trading Co.

Little White Party Dress

Hello, lovelies! Whether you are dressing up for a date night out, going to a big event or simply wanting to feel classy, this Michelle DeCourcy original is literally the perfect fit. Built with comfort and flare, the separation of fabric and lower waistline makes for a cozy yet classic look - sure to fancy up any day. The back dips down (pictured below) for subtle sassiness and the shoulder straps have more width than a usual party dress for a unique elegant look. Pictured below is the dress with baby pink heels to not take from the vibrance the white dress brings on its own!

The gorgeous white party dress was designed by the talented local designer Michelle DeCourcy. I was excited to attend her latest trunk show sale in Portland and lucked out with this flirty dress and a stunning lace pencil skirt. Her designs are breathtaking and diverse - from glorious wedding gowns to sexy, funky party dresses, she has the perfect balance of edge and class in her wide range of pieces.

Take a look at her Facebook page here for all the latest!

 

• See this look on Lookbook! 

Stay classy! <3 Linds

Lady Lumberjack

Ah yes - the lumberjack stereotype of Portland, Oregon is always a buzz, but what about adding some sassy lady-flare to the lumberjack look?

This inspired my post, of course! Pictured here in a plaid, nearly-flannel 70's top and a 80's red leather pencil skirt. It's such a weird mix, but it works out with a bright high waisted skirt and a cropped long-sleeve. Although it's almost Christmas-y in color, I'm going for a Northwest appeal to fulfill the "in the forest ready to chop down wood - with my booties."  ;)

All items (minus tights) thrifted!

For more lumberjack-like looks, check out this awesome flannel DIY, perfect for any adventurer.