The Show Must Go On

Special Guest: my dog, Cedric :)

Orange long sleeve shirt from Target/ Scrapbook Originals vest from Union- Asheville, NC/ Lucky Brand necklace/ DKNY skinny jeans/ Blowfish boots

It's tough not having my wonderful photographer, Mekenzie Brow, while I've been on break.  Luckily my mom was kind enough to subject herself to my criticism of her photography skills, so could get these pictures.  The show must go on folks.

And can I just say... orange and navy is my new favorite color combination!

PS: Happy New Year!

Things To Do With Scrap Fabric, Part Two

If you're a fan of Mod Podge, this is a post for you!  That is the key ingredient for these two scrap fabric projects.

Materials used here: Altoid tin, sequins, Mod Podge, seed beads, paint brush, needle, thread, X-acto knife, embroidery hoop.... and fabric, of course!

Step 1: Put the fabric in the embroidery hoop.

Step 2: Use your thread and needle to attach the sequins and beads to the fabric in any design or order that you wish.  Make sure to make a good knot when you're finished.

Step 3: Use a paint brush to apply Mod Podge to the lid of your tin.

Step 4: Place the fabric on the lid and make sure to press down around the edges.  Don't worry just yet about the excess fabric that may be hanging over the lid.

Step 5: Mod Podge over the fabric for a little extra security and a shiny finish.

Step 6: Let dry.

Step 7:  Use the X-Acto knife to clean up around the edges, and cut off all the extra fabric!

The next thing I did was collect all the bobby pins I had laying on my floor/table/counter/dresser and put them in my new container! Pretty cute, huh?

As for this project, you will need: a jar (back to my jar obsession), a plate, paint brush, fabric, scissors, and Mod Podge.

Step 1:  Cut out 15-30 circles/squares/rhomboids/whatever you wish, out of your fabric.

Step 2:  Pour some Mod Podge on a plate and lay one of your shapes in the Mod Podge and then press onto the jar.  Make sure to smooth out any bubbles or floating corners.  You may get messy.

Step 3: Continue covering the jar until you get the look you want.  (PS: I chose not the cover the bottom... no one sees it anyway).

Step 4: Do an overcoat of Mod Podge for extra shine and security.  Let dry.

Enjoy :)

All Dressed Up With No Where To Go

Cover up from Belk/ Free People dress/ Tights from TJ Maxx/ American Eagle tank/ Rocketdog flats/ Lace ring from Buckle/ Lia Sophia earrings

Photo credit: Mekenzie Brow

This dress is easily my favorite thing in my closet.  However, going to school in the boonedocks means I have limited places to wear it.  Maybe I need Austin to take me on a hot date JUST so I can wear this. OR I can wear it when I go to see my friend Luke Combs play on January 19th.  Now the possibilities seem endless....

PS: I know Luke would just love it if you listened to his Eric Church cover :)

The 5 Winter Essentials

So, I'm posting this a lot later than I intended to..... but hopefully you will still find it to be useful.

These are the five things that I feel like are essential to survive the winter/ holiday season.  Keep these things either in your purse or your car...... yeah, that's also an excuse to buy a bigger purse!
1) A simple pair of gloves.  You know that miserable feeling of having to drive somewhere early in the morning, with your bare hands on a cold steering wheel.
2) Chapstick.  Of course..... especially if you plan on standing under the mistletoe this season.
3) Tissue paper. I couldn't begin to count how many times I have been on the way to meet a friend for their birthday/Christmas exchange/whatever, and having tissue paper in my car saved me a frantic trip to the store.  It WOULD be frantic, because I am a extreme procrastinator.
4) A camera. You never know when you might want to capture a cute picture of your adorable toddler cousin or catch a picture of the ugliest sweater at the tacky sweater party.  Or in my case, when I'm driving down the mountain, on my way home from school and I see a crazy icicle waterfall hanging off a rock that I have to stop and take a picture of.
5) Lotion.  Of course lotion is a good thing to have to heal your dry winter skin.... but it can also help with static in your hair.  Squirt a little lotion in your hands, rub them together til there is just a little residue left, and run through your hair--VOLIA, no more static!

Finals Week

Necklace, Cover-up, and Tank from JC Penny/ Belt from Chico's Outlet/ Urban Outfitters skirt/ Leggings from TJ Maxx/ Chinese Laundry boots

Photo Credit: Mekenzie Brow

Maybe you're stopping by for a study break, or maybe you're all finished up--either way, I hope everyone has a successful week of final exams!

Deals and Steals

Lace top from Lucky Penny/ Charlotte Russe cover up/ Buckle necklace

Skinny jeans from Belk/ Madden Girl boots

Photo credit: Mekenzie Brow

"Deals and steals"..... literally.  My friend Cassie left this cozy cover up from Charlotte Russe in my car, and has been in no hurry to get it back.... therefore, it is rightfully mine (for now).  I thought it was just what I needed to complement all this black and gray!  As for deals, I got these Madden Girl boots on Black Friday for 40% off.  But that was hardly the best deal I found.... cardigans at New York and Company were just $15 each.  At ULTA, I got TWO of my favorite Box O' Powders from Benefit Cosmetics for only $19.  Those were worth waking up for.

Things To Do With Scrap Fabric, Part One

 More times than not, when you finish sewing projects you have left over fabric that just isn't enough to do another project with, but you don't want to throw away--because 9 times out of 10, if you like to sew, then you are a certified fabric hoarder.  Well I am going to give you some ideas on things you can do with that scrap fabric.  

This "Fabric Lid Jar Tutorial" is a project I found on The Cottage Home blog.  I was really excited about this particular project because for whatever weird reason, I have always loved jars. One jar, two jars, red jars, blue jars.... you name it.  If I finish my spaghetti sauce, I just can't bring myself to throw the jar away.... so project was hit two birds with one stone for me.  Follow "The Cottage Home" link above to try it yourself!

This project I found on Sweet Verbena's blog.  It's called the "Charmed Pencil Pouch Tutorial."  I was surprised at how quick and easy this project was.  If you're into instant gratification, this project is for you!

I was pretty excited to find some pink, sparkly felt for the lining.... as you can tell.

Enjoy!

More Than One "New Look"

H&M top/ J. Crew orange pencil leg cords/ Blowfish boots (these boots, of course)

Earrings from Chico's Outlet

The best detail of all?  Pearly buttons.

Photo Credit: Mekenzie Brow(^this girl... she's wonderful!)

Nothing says fall like orange corduroy! When I went to New York, I was on a mission to find a top to go with these pants and I did! What do you think?  This is probably one of my favorite outfits yet!

Also, I want your opinion.  Maybe you noticed that I have changed/rearranged some things on my blog, so the title picture needs a change as well. I figure I've accumulated enough photos that I can stop ripping photos off of Free People's blog to use for my blog title.  I came up with these.... which one should I use?  

Option #1

Option #2

Option #3

Option #4

Option #5

Tell me what you think!

Gaga for Gaga's Holiday Workshop!

 I about forgot.  I was just watching E! News and I was reminded that Lady Gaga opened her holiday workshop at Barney's on Monday!  And why do I find this blog-worthy?

Because...... see these pink tables?

Well, when I was in NYC we went to the Barney's workshop (where they do all the big displays for the flagship store on Madison Ave) and they were working on Gaga's stuff.  We asked what these pink things were and they explained that they were display tables for the Gaga holiday workshop and that we couldn't take pictures, because the look wasn't going to debut til this past Monday (so about a months difference).   So of course I had to oh-so-discretely take a picture with my phone.  I can at least say I haven't shown it to anyone til today... only because I feel like Lady Gaga has a good lawyer..... but I definitely struggled with not tweeting this picture.

Gaga sure didn't skimp out on the details. I wish I could go see it in person!

Yes, a Lady Gaga snow globe.  Love her or hate her--you know you've made it to the top when you can sell snow globes with your face on them.

Get the whole story here or shop the holiday workshop here!

Personally, I'm pretty crazy about this python cuff... plus, look at the tribal print inside!

Cute and Comfy

H&M dress/ Tights from Lucky Penny/ Blowfish boots

Photo credit: Mekenzie Brow

Hair pin also from Lucky Penny

Every girl should own a sweater dress. You look like you're trying.... but you're really just trying to be comfortable.  However, don't settle for the first sweater dress you see.... fit is pretty crucial.  The right one is the perfect combination of fit (in the right places) and wiggle room.  I got this dress from H&M while I was on my New York trip.  Believe it or not, that was my first ever H&M experience.  I racked up with two sweaters, this dress, and a long sleeve top all for $70.  Pretty darn good, if you ask me.

PS: Sorry for the lack of pictures.... we were getting rained on!

Bragging Rights

J.Crew sweater/ earrings from Farmer's Hardware-Boone, NC

Silver jeans/ Tony Llama boots

Photo credit: my sweet, wonderful grandparents

Clearly, these earrings are what makes the outfit; and if the looks of them wasn't enough to sell me on them.... the $5 price tag WAS.  Deal of the day!  And when I thought it couldn't get any better..... they are super light. Win.

Warm Wishes

Cropped cardigan from Belk/ Dress from Lucky Penny/ Corral boots

Photo credit: my sweet, wonderful grandparents

I wore this outfit probably two weeks ago, thinking that I was going to say goodbye to warm weather. Wrong-o.  It just refuses to get cold and stay cold......which is fine with me.  So since we are pretty close to making out our Christmas wish lists, can I just ask that we skip winter all together?

HNC goes to NYC

My first trip to NYC was a great experience.  I feel really fortunate that my family saw to it that I went on this trip! Now, where to begin....

On Thurday, we went to professional visits.... first stop: Tommy Hilfiger flagship store on 5th avenue.  This is me (in my Anthropologie "heritage raincoat", courtesy of my wonderful boyfriend, Austin) in front of THE Tommy Hilfiger flag.... a red, white, and blue collection of all things American--cowboy boots, Ford logo, part of a car, an indian headdress, typewriter, varsity jacket--you name it.  This store had four levels, decked out to match the "Meet the Hilfigers" marketing theme... it even had an antique case for ties that Tommy himself found at an antique show!

Next stop: Carlisle.  Carlisle is kind of like Avon or Partylite in that they have women selling their product, as opposed to having a store.  It sounded like these women had to have a certain social status (and a beautiful home to host in) to be able to sell Carlisle.  This is in one of the show rooms.

I love the purple!

The closet in Carlisle... which is only a fraction of the closet that I aspire to have.  I am wearing a Free People blazer, an American Eagle tank, a skirt from Mast General Store and my Lucchese gray goatskin boots.  We went on two other professional visits, one being Stylesight, which is a trend forecasting company.  I didn't even know this was something people did until this trip.  Apparently, they are able to pick out the color palettes, patterns, and silhouettes of future fashions 18 MONTHS before they are in stores.  Pretty cool, but there wasn't much for us to take pictures of.  The last stop was the Barney's workshop.  They make the window displays for the Madison Ave store.  We weren't able to take pictures there because apparently, Lady Gaga and Barney's are collaborating for the holidays and we got to see the display tables (made specially for Gaga's line) but the look wasn't going to debut til Nov. 20th. I'll be interested to see how it all turns out!

Friday morning we went to FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) and saw the Daphne Guinness exhibit.  If you don't know her, you need to Google her, she is incredible.  They had a database of 3,000 pieces of clothing and there was ohhhh... about.... 100 pieces in this exhibit.  But it absolutely amazing, I wish we were able to take pictures.

Later on Friday afternoon, we went on a Grayline tour and stopped in SoHo.... this was in Free People... I loved their displays!

My friend Jordan and I near Chelsea Market.

Vogue sunglasses/ top from Lucky Penny/ black skinny jeans from Belk/ Rocketdog flats

Saturday morning we got to go to Mood Designer Fabrics.  In case you don't know, Mood is the place were Project Runway contestants get their fabric!  I loved this store!

Any girly-girl would have been drawn to this.

Me, standing all proud with my vintage-printed suede (which you will see once I make it into something.... it's too pretty to spoil so soon).

Back to SoHo! Not like I could afford anything, but I had to go into AllSaints Spitalfields and just drool. Their clothes were beautiful, that was no surprise; but I was surprised at their giant wall of old sewing machines! No picture could do it justice--it was awesome!

A few close ups!

Glad I am able to share my trip with you all! It was absolutely inspiring!