How to Rock the Band T-Shirt

Proudly displaying the latest musical interest on my shirt was something I used to do everyday.  Seriously.  My senior year of high school I broadened my musical interest from that of bubble gum pop to other types of music that I would discover via friends and reading magazines.  There was a new world of music out there and I relished in it.  Back in the day I would blow my cash on shows almost weekly and then I would buy the t-shirt to make sure everyone knew about the band I just saw.

As I have grown older I've packed away all those band shirts.  They are faded and gross but still reminders of fantastic shows that I got to see at least once in my life.  This particular shirt is Zach's.  I found it rummaging around in his shirt collection and I convinced him to keep it for me.  Onelinedrawing was a show I remember most fondly because it was small, intimate, and his stage presence was by far the best I had ever seen.

Nostalgia aside, I wanted to show that you can style up a cute band shirt just as easily as a fancy blouse.  The key was to keep it on the casual side with roughed up leather flats and a vintage denim skirt.  To give it some style I added the felt hat (its fall doncha know) and then the elastic belt to make it cohesive and a bit pretty.  So think twice before totally throwing away your memorabilia from concerts past!! 

Go ahead and have a listen to onelinedrawing!!  Smile is a great song.

Shirt, Zach's
Skirt, Vintage
Flats, Target 3 years ago
Hat, Vintage
Belt, Vintage

Ridding of Excess

Today was the day I realized I had way too many clothes.  Like WAY too many.  I'm sure we're all a little guilty of having too much stuff from time to time but I seriously had about four bags of stuff that I didn't wear anymore.  Most of it was too big since my weight lost (I wrote a bit about it here) and the rest was just stuff I had for over a year and didn't wear.  I do have a few rules for wardrobe turnaround and one of my most important rules is, "Donate what you haven't worn in a year's time".  I don't think I'll miss that stuff and I'm glad to have some space back in my bedroom.

While I rummaging around my closet and bureau I happened to come up with this outfit and I rather liked it!  Forest green tights, a cream colored blouse, tailored shorts and a nubby vintage cardigan were the perfect pieces for this cool fall day.  I wore this to the little cafe with Zach and then to the local consignment store to sell my clothes.

By the way, do you ever feel victimized when you go into consignment places and they seem to hate your clothes?  I was annoyed.  There were a couple of really great pieces that they wouldn't take because they were from Target.  As if what we have to offer in this area is so high brow that you wouldn't dare buy a Merona Collection dress (it was like $60) at a consignment store in Norfolk, VA.  They have a list of designers they prefer which includes Emilio Pucci, Chanel, and Gucci.  Um...we live no where close to Rodeo Drive.  Ok, so my rant is over:)  hehe..

Cream Blouse, Ann Taylor
Shorts, Target
Tights, H&M
Brogues, Steve Madden
Cardigan, Vintage
Bag, UO

Vintage Accomplice

Do you have one of those friends that know you right down to the very shoe size you wear?  My friend Diane is exactly that type of person.  She is a thrifting and vintage hunting extraordinaire with an awesome eye for fun clothes.  In all honesty, I probably would've passed on this dress in the store, but she saw it and thought it would look cool on me.  She even sent me a picture of it and I told her I wasn't really a fan.  But she got it and I tried it on and it became a quick favorite in my closet.  She knew I'd like this dress way before I even gave it a chance...which is quite funny:)

The coolest part of this outfit is how many compliments I got just wearing it around work.  They commented on how pretty and bright  it was and also made notice of my hair.  They couldn't decide if I was in costume or not, but that's okay!!  I felt good in this outfit. 

To add some fun flair to my bright blue dress, I gravitated towards my pumpkin spice stockings I got from Topshop then I added some cute brown accessories to really punch out the fall time.  Did I tell you guys yet  that I'm obsessed with this season?  I swear that I better get a chance to go on a haunted hayride or something this October just so I can say I really experienced a good fall. 

Vintage 70s Dress

Stockings, Topshop

Wedges, Modcloth

Vintage Belt

Totally Torkelson

Well, I think I can finally say that we are totally and completely  into the fall season.  At least if you look at my photos and can see just how dim 6:00 pm looks.  It's always a sad time when the daylight fades away into shorter and shorter days.  I know I'll need to find better times to take outfit photos come November when they cancel Day Light Savings Time.  I'm not looking forward to that at all.  

And now to other news!!!  I am in love!!!  In love with this crazy pretty dress!!!  I got an email about the Last Hurrah Sale that Modcloth was doing and I immidiatley started browsing around trying to find something that would be cute for the coming cooler months.  Although this dress is short sleeved and mini, I figured I'd be  able to layer on the warmth.  Plus I couldn't get enough of this Torkelson collar action.  Please tell me you've seen that show The Torkelsons so you can get the reference!!! 

I used some 90s influence to accessorize my outfit by adding some knee length socks, some weird thrifted oxfords, and then the crocheted beret!  I love the way it turned out.  It always makes me happy when I throw something on and it brings me back to my youth.  I totally would've worn this same outfit in 1996.  

Dress, Modcloth

Socks. Target

Vintage Oxfords, Thrifted

Vintage Beret, Gift

Ralph Lauren Belt, Thrifted

DIY---Repainting Ugly Laminate Furniture

I've been wanting to share a little bit more about my home and I thought it'd be cool to show you all how to repaint a practical but ugly bookcase with wood laminate.  I was skeptical that I'd be able to paint over wood laminate but it worked very well, so I'll share with you my process.

First things First!!!  Sand the hell out of it!!  I highly recommend using the electric sander since you want to really scratch up the slippery wood laminate in order for the paint to stick to it.  So yeah, sand the hell out of it.

So onto the next!!!  Pick out a good quality primer.  Zinsser is an excellent choice since its water based and covers really well.  Depending on how dark your wood piece is, prime it to the best coverage.  I primed my piece once but it could have stood another coat of primer.  Now let that baby set for one whole week!!!  Trust me on this one.  It needs to set to prevent scratches during the reassembling process.

One week later paint on the desired color!!  I chose this very vibrant charteuse green to add some vibrancy to our dining room.  When you paint anything (furniture or walls) always start by cutting into the corners with a cutting brush.  This saves time and allows for the best coverage.

Once you're done cutting into the furniture, use a good quality foam roller and paint on your first layer.  Allow this layer to dry for about 3 hours (or longer depending on what the paint can says) and then do the second coat.  This piece should dry completely for another couple of days before you reassemble it.

Now, Presto Chango!!!  You've got an entirely new piece of furniture!! 

If you want to know how I covered up that weird hole (this bookcase was originially a media center I think) then I will do another DIY post for making a cute pushpin board!! 

***Credit to A Beautiful Mess goes to the Stick Pom Pom things in the milk glass vases.  Learned that from her;)

Check Out My Facebook!!!

Hello Everyone!  I finally made a Daily Fashionista Facebook Page for my blog!!  I don't know why I didn't do this sooner since it's so easy to set up and I can finally start sharing my blog with my own Facebook friends!!  All in all I'm super happy and I hope you do me the favor of Liking my page by clicking the widget to the right.  Or going straight to the page!!

Since this is a whole new format for people to follow along with my journeys in discovering personal style it would be really cool if you could share this with your followers via Twitter and/or your own Facebook page!!  

The Saucy Print

Leopard print is saucy.  I always find it to be the most seductive of fabrics, which is why I often avoid it.  I hear my mother in the background saying, "That's not appropriate for someone your age" and ever since then its scarred me for life.  Until I came across this pretty leopard print skirt that was part of a suit.  Leopard print suit for the office is a bit much in my opinion, but I'll deal with just the skirt.  I paired it with my sheer chiffon blouse and my new pointy toe flats and then added a splash of blue in my necklace.  Leopard print is appropriate for my age!!!  Let's just ignore the fact that I'm 26 and I still listen to the fashion advice my mother would give me when I was 15.

Oh and sad news folks.  I'm afraid my next photos will be a bit subpar to my standards.  My lens for my Nikon got busted.  You may have noticed that some of the pictures have been a bit too soft and fuzzy. It will be about a week before I'll be able to use my SLR and will need to rely on my old standby Canon point and shoot.  But on the positive side I'll be getting a 50mm with an auto focus for the camera!!  I've been wanting one of those for a long time and now Zach and I are finally just going to get it.  It will be a super early Christmas gift to the both of us. 

Blouse, 2nd hand from friend

Skirt, Thrifted

BP flats, Double Take 

Necklace, Vintage Shop

Sunnies, Forever21
Parrot Ring, Modcloth