I Heart My Rachel Roy "Oma" Wedges

As I am sure you guys have already figured out, when I love something I tend to wear it over and over again. Last Friday's outfit repeats two of my current faves -- 1) the cutoffs and 2) the Rachel Roy wedges!!! Love and LOVE!

I am so glad that I finally worked up the nerve to wear cutoffs to work because I am LOVING this look!

Blazer: Up Against The Wall | Top: Target ($17.99) | Shorts: DIY | Shoes:  Rachel Roy "Oma" | Necklace: Forever 21 ($6.80) | Bangle: H&M ($3.95) | Bag: Thrifted | Sunnies: H&M (2 for $10)

This look was totally inspired by my friend Megan over at The Frugalista Diaries, but wouldn't you know it, I got my Look of the Day email from InStyle yesterday and Rihanna was spotted in NYC rocking cutoffs and a blazer too...great minds think alike?

photo credit

The Blazer:  A black blazer has to be #2 on my list of fashion must haves. I have SEVERAL black blazers actually, and they are all slightly different... this one is "the boyfriend" black blazer...I also have a black tuxedo blazer, a double breasted black blazer, one with gold buttons, one with fancy lining in the sleeves (looks fab with the sleeves rolled), a classic Kasper black blazer...hmmm is that it?  Maybe... I doubt it, but of all my black blazers this "boyfriend" blazer gets the most wear because it compliments everything so well. It is just dressy enough to jazz up jeans, (or cutoffs) but casual enough to throw on over a dress that you wanna bring down a notch or two.  True to the "boyfriend" look it has an over-sized fit through the body, but it also has great fitted 3/4 length, ruched sleeves that gives the illusion of pushed up sleeves without the extra bulk and the hassle of rolling and fussing with your sleeves all day. I love it, and the best part is I got it on the clearance rack at Up Against The Wall for about $30.  That was many months ago, but I did find this great option on online at Dillard's for $49.50 (click image to buy).




The Top: I went a little top crazy at Target a couple days ago. They have SO many cute basics right now for $20 or less.  This top was only $17.99.  Now here's the thing about shopping at Target...we all know that in like 1 - 2 weeks the price on this top is gonna drop to $13.13 or $10.80 or something ridiculous. I usually hesitate to buy anything at full price, but I made an exception for this top, and a couple others that I really liked. Anyway, they have them online too if you're interested. It's very sheer so I layered it over a black silk cami.  I love the look of black under light colored sheer fabrics. I think it's sexy! What do you think?

The Shoes: I have searched high and low on the web for these Rachel Roy "Oma" wedges online for you guys and they are truly no where to be found...unless I just suck at googling...which is always a possibility.  I did get them on clearance at Macy's and they didn't even have them online, so my thought is that they are truly gone for good, which is rare in this age of online shopping. I am pretty sure they'll pop up on eBay soon.

The Necklace: I bought this at Forever 21 a couple weeks ago.  Of course, it was super cheap at $6.80 and I just LOVE it.  I know I've said this before, but I am seriously the worst when it comes to keeping up with accessories, so I tend to stick with really cheap costume jewelry.  If I lose it, so what...I'll go buy another one. Forever 21 has the best prices on cheap and trendy accessories by far.  H&M also has some great buys sometimes, but I've noticed that some stuff is overpriced, when compared to similar pieces at Forever 21, and I am not sure the quality is that much better.  What do you guys thing? Do you buy accessories from either of these places? If so, do you think there is a difference in quality that would account for the price difference?

Thanks for Stopping By!!!

Fall Floral & Denim Cutoffs

Like I said yesterday, I am dying for fall fashions. Well, today's outfit is my attempt to squeeze a little bit of fall into my life.  This look totally embodies one foot in the fall, and one foot stuck in summer! I paired a sheer floral print blouse in warm autumn hues with summer's go-to cutoff shorts, along with my Sam Edelman "Venice" lace up granny boots and navy blue socks (are you guys sick of these boots yet?).

On the Boots-Socks combo: I realize that this combo is probably the least flattering for my legs. I have very muscular legs and I am only 5'4"...which I guess is average height, but it's pretty much a fact that shoes that hit above the ankle bone cut your leg off and make them appear shorter and in my case even more muscular.  Adding socks in a contrasting color definitely doesn't help, but I couldn't resist! I just thought they looked so darn cute and were the perfect finishing touch for this look...

 Now, I have to be honest, the socks trend is one of the reasons I stand by the motto when it comes to fashion, never say never. I was NOT feeling it at all until this past spring. Ironically, when I started to see people rock socks with clogs (the most debated spring '10 trend), I suddenly got the whole socks thing. I know, very strange! Don't judge me, please. Seriously, it is super cute when it's done right.  Don't believe me? Check out this post on Work Your Closet. She highlights several bloggers doing their thing with socks + clogs, but this is one of my favorites...

photo credit

....and here is another inspiring pic

photo credit

Anyway, all the sudden I wanted to hop on the bandwagon but I wasn't quite sure how to pull it off. I mean I liked the socks and clogs thing on other people, but I'm a novice with the socks thing so I didn't want to go to crazy, too fast.  I also fell in love with the look of booties, and in particular lace-up booties with socks. So when I bought my Sam Edelman's, I also bought a pack of socks to go along with them and today I decided to break them out!  Not bad for my first try, right?

Aside from the socks and booties, I was also pretty proud of my little DIY cutoffs.  1) considering that I used to make cutoffs in Jr. High, I think it is pretty much unacceptable to pay anymore than $20...no $10 for them just because they are in style.  When I see them in stores priced at $172 (hello True Religion) I am pretty much disgusted. Are you kidding me? I get paying $200 for a pair of well made designer jeans that you are going to wear for years to come. But, cutoff shorts...seriously? No, I just can't justify that by any means. So, I decided that if I was going to wear cutoffs, they'd have to be a DIY. I found an old pair of Mossimo capri pants in my pile o' jeans and went to town.  I am sure you all know how to do this simple DIY, but in case you've never tried it here is a quick video, courtesy of The Haute Pursuit.



2) I have been wanting to wear cutoffs to work. I have mentioned before how laid back my office is so I was pretty sure that I could get away with it, but it is still a place of business and I don't want to push it.  There is a fine line between casual and inappropriate, and all it takes is one overboard outfit to ruin it for us all. I don't want to be the cause of our new office dress code, if you know what I mean.  So, by making my own cutoffs, I was able to make them a little bit longer than the average pair of cutoffs I've seen in stores.  I was also able to use a denim that was not too distressed.

Now that I had the perfect cutoffs, it was all about styling them to make them work for the office.  My original thought was to wear a blazer a la our stylish friend Megan over at The Frugalista Diaries, but I was also very inspired by our friend Ari over at La Catrina. She rocked a black sheer blouse with cutoffs for a look that I just adored. What I loved about both of these looks was that they dressed up the cutoffs, and that was the look I was going for today...

Blouse: ancient, no tag | Shorts: DIY (old Mossimo capris) | Belt: stolen borrowed from mom (thanks, mom!) | Shoes: Sam Edelman "Venice" | Socks: Hue (3-pack for $5 at Nordstrom Rack) | Clutch: thrifted | Sunnies: Target ($16.99) | Leather Cuff: farmer's market | Bangle: H&M ($3.95) | Earrings: Target

What's the dress code at your job?

Would you be able to get away with wearing cutoffs to work? 

Are you allowed to wear jeans to work at all? 

Don't forget to enter the giveaway to win a gift card for a pair of jeans from Old Navy!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!! 

 

Featured Fashionista Next Door: Tex

I am always thrilled to feature fellow fashionistas here on The Fashionista Next Door!  I have to say that I absolutely LOVE today's fashionista.  Her style is right up my alley.  It's feminine, it's chic, it's everyday glam, it's effortless...should I go on?  I am not quite sure how I found Fashion Butter but I am glad I did! Sooooo, without further ado, meet Tex!

Couldn't you guys totally see me wearing this dress!!?!  The best part? The dress is a one of a kind Fashion Butter original! That's right folks, this little diddy is completely DIY. You guys know that I am obsessed with DIY bloggers.  I feel like this is a talent that I am lacking soooooo I live vicariously through you all...Lol!  (btw, I have not forgotten about my DIY trouser shorts).

Anyway, I love everything about this dress, which Tex dedicates to our dear friend Mrs. Roper...that's right, Mrs. Roper of Three's Company! ha!  After all, she is the QUEEN of the printed caftan!  Well, this isn't quite a caftan but I am pretty sure Mrs.  Roper would approve of the lovely print! My fave part is definitely the crocheted collar... FAB.U.LOUS. 

Tex gives the run down of how she put the whole thing together and it sounds soooo easy. Still, I have a feeling it is probably a tad bit harder than it sounds...

"The black crochet collar you see on this dress was part of a tunic I had in my closet.   I loved the idea of the crochet neckline but wasn't into the material it was originally attached to anymore, so I decided to attack the entire thing with the seam ripper."

"After removing the crochet collar from rest of the tunic, I took apart the body of the garment section by section.   Then, like the magic that is Larry Dallas in a leisure suit, I instantly had my sewing pattern appear right in front of me (which I already knew fit me - yay!)   Using some brown and black print material I picked up during a trip to Bali several years ago, I pinned, ironed and sewed the dress according to the lines of the original piece of clothing.   I did leave extra material for a longer hem, and at the end of the project added the tapered side vents.    Honestly, the hem was all trial/error and some freestyle sewing, but I really like the way it turned out.  Regal Beagle, here I come!'

Seriously, how much do you LOVE the Balinese fabric?  It really is quite gorgeous! and I love the asymmetric hemline.  It adds a little something, something that I adore. Tex, we are loving this dress! and I love the simple accessories with it....no muss, no fuss! stack on some bangles (or thee bangle) and go, is right up my alley as you all know :)

Tex really is wonderful, and of course, you can find more of her fabulousness on her blog Fashion Butter! Go...now! Oh, and she's also got a wonderful giveaway going on right now for one of these beautiful sterling silver initial rings.  The last day to enter is Friday, July 16 so hurry on over and check out the details and entry rules.

Since my blog is fairly new (less than 4 months old) I kinda feel like a small fish in a really big ass pond, so I was THRILLED to learn that Tex was a frequent reader of my blog...aaaaand she even leaves comments, which I very much appreciate (from all of you!).  I was very honored when I received her Featured Fashionista Next Door submission, and her timing was perfect since I am still in convention mode over here!

Would you like to be the next Featured Fashionista Next Door? Email your submissions to fashionista.next.door@gmail.com!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

DIY Fashion: Maegan's Gucci Inspired Cut Out T-shirt

If you don't know, you betta ask somebody!  Meagan of ...Love Maegan  is the queen of DIY Fashion (imo)... Check out today's post, a Gucci Inspired Cut Out T-shirt.... definitely a DIY masterpiece fit for a frugal fashionista like myself.

(p.s. if you're a blog addict like myself follow this blog immediately, and if  you haven't jumped on the blog bandwagon just yet, Meagan's blog is a good place to start.

*smooches*