Day 153 -- Business Floral

When: Thursday, January 31st, 2013

Where: Warner Brothers Records for a fitting!

It's time to let you know about one of the exciting projects I've been working on. For the past week, I've been hard at working designing, sketching, creating, stitching, and redesigning two custom dresses for a music video for a Warner Brothers Records artist! If you follow me on instagram, you got a little baby sneak peek of what the project was all about.

I'm going to stay mum about all the gory details until I know I have clearance to blab about it, but trust me... This is a good one! Working on this project was so much fun and really gave me purpose. For the first time since I quit my job, I was working on a project with a goal in sight and I could actually see results. It was great to collaborate with other creative minds and see the fruits of our labors really come together! 

Jessica, my stylist friend, who has worked with the label before, tipped me off to the fact that WBR (see how cool I am for using that acronym!?) is really casual, but I always stick to the idea that a blazer is professional and always appropriate for any business meeting. This one is fun and funky and not too stuffy, and paired with bright jeans, a neutral tee, and one piece of statement jewelry, it could be perfect for anything from the office to the bar!

Blazer: Principessa Venice | Shirt: Dolce Vita | Jeans: BDG via Urban Outfitters | Necklace: Second Time Around | Shoes: Deena and Ozzy via Urban Outfitters

A Month Without Shopping

A month ago I pledged to forgo shopping for clothing, shoes, jewelry, and accessories for the entire year. You can read all about The Challenge here.

I am proud to report, 31 days later... So far, so good! I won't say that is has been easy, because it hasn't. I'm a shopping addict and I always want the new, bigger, better thing. I'm the kind of girl who will never leave a store empty-handed.

But I will say that I haven't made a single purchase from the forbidden list!

Here's what I didn't buy:

I've had many moments this month where I almost slipped up!

The first time was somewhere in the first week when I thought to myself, "Maybe I will get that jumpsuit with horses on it." I had to stop myself and adjust my thinking! I will not be getting that jumpsuit, and I can live without it. Even looking at it again now, I'm still drooling over it.

Seeing a clearance sign hanging outside my favorite store, TJ Maxx, almost got me into a head on collision.

Popping into Forever21 to buy some accessories for a photo shoot for my line gave me serious second thoughts.

But I know the worst is yet to come! I won't be buying a dress for our trip to Vegas, I can't have a new pair of running leggings to help me pretend I'm adhering to my other resolution, and I won't be getting a pair of birthday shoes. I won't even get a New Years Eve outfit this year! How crazy is that?

The strange thing is that I'm starting to get used to it! On our anniversary, Alex offered to take me shopping, and even though we stopped in a few stores and I saw things I liked, I couldn't bring myself to say, "I want that!" It just felt so wrong. I found that I didn't need to buy anything. I didn't need a thing to make me happy... I was starting to become happy with I already had.

Day 152 -- Sixties Siren

When: Wednesday, January 30th, 2013

Where: Studio!

Sometimes it's fun to get dressed up for yourself for no reason. This was one of those days. My mom sent me this skirt in the mail last week with some Christmas gifts I forgot at home. I wanted to brighten up the neutral basic color of it with a pop of green, and as I started to layer these pieces together, I started to feel more and more Mad Men.

Inspired by my new red locks, I went for a full-tilt Joan look with a pinned up bouffant, stiletto heels, and I even tried to mimic her signature pen necklace with my own wishbone one.

Luckily, I practically live at Sterling Cooper Draper Price, because Alex's office is a total midcentry dream! I had my fun playing a sixties siren, but I eventually had to kick off my louboutins and head to the studio for some hard work. I had lots of sewing to do!

Shirt: Forever 21 | Sweater: Gap | Skirt: Ellen Tracy, gift from Mom | Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Necklace and Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Day 151 -- Expect Greatness

When: Tuesday, January 29th, 2013

Where: Daniela Corte LA Legging Launch Event

I whipped up this easy wearing dress sometime last week and when it came time to get dressed up to go and meet a fellow MassArt graduate and designer upon the exciting launch of her legging line here in LA, it seemed like the perfect little piece to throw on and go.

While I was dressing to impress, I didn't want to forget my own style. The perfect way to do that was to wear something I had designed and made myself. I love this mixture of colors and prints on this little number, and it, too, will soon be available for custom order!

I accessorized this dress with a belt to cinch in the waist -- after all, this is maternity wear, and there's lots of extra room in this baby! --, and boots to match. I played off the gold hardware with a gold necklace and topped off the whole look with a good head of rollered hair.

Since I was going out on the town, I layered on a little bit more makeup than usual -- which still isn't much, with an extra swipe of liquid eyeliner. This whole look was fun and playful and helped me feel more myself even when I was admittedly intimidated by the crowd of amazing people!

Dress: Expect sample | Belt: H&M | Leggings: Kimchi Blue via Urban Outfitters 

Boots: Steve Madden | Necklace: Forever 21 | Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Day 150 -- Love Triangle

When: Monday, January 28th, 2013

Where: Dog walk, studio

Sometimes comfort just has to come first on those days when I know I have to get a lot done and I can't worry about a pair of jeans pinching my butt while I sit at my computer, or a pair of heels making my foot slip on the sewing machine pedal.

I was feeling bogged down by my closet, having one of those "I have nothing to wear" days. I decided to venture a few feet outside of my closet onto the rack of Expect samples in my studio. This striped a-line skirt is so soft and comfortable and made me feel cool and breezy on a hot dog walk, but swathed me in warm fabric when I was tucked into work in my drafty studio.

See? You don't have to be pregnant to wear Expect. This skirt hasn't made it to my website for order yet, but if you like it, I'd be happy to make you one! It's such a perfect maxi, in my humble opinion.

Sweater: Gap | Shirt: Truly Madly Deeply via Urban Outfitters | Belt: H&M | Skirt: Expect sample Shoes: Deena and Ozzy via Urban Outfitters | Earrings: Forever 21

Day 149 -- Animal Instincts

When: Sunday, January 27th, 2013

Where: Melrose Trading Post, grocery shopping, errands

 

When I asked Alex to help me pick an outfit for the day, his only suggestion was "something girly and cute." This is the best I could come up with. It's not very girly, and it's not even very cute, but I love this edgier side of me! I'm still able to be frilly, but having a harder, sleeker look is fun every now and then.

The print on this dress is so amazing to me. I love anything at all with an animal printed on it, but this takes it to the next level. Zebras, tigers, leopard print, and geometric shapes? Hell yeah!

 Jacket: BB Dakota | Sweater: Gap | Dress: ASOS | Leggings: American Apparel

Boots: White Mountain via TJ Maxx | Bag: Furla, gift from future MIL 

Sunglasses: Raybans via Rue La La

Day 148 -- Lush Layers

When: Saturday, January 26th, 2013

Where: Dog park, studio

Life has been so crazy lately, I haven't had a chance to keep up with my blog. I had so many exciting projects under my belt right now, and I can't wait to share more about them as soon as they have developed a little bit more.

I am obsessed with these photos. Alex always does a rough test shot of me before he starts snapping away, but when the first one came out all blurry and warm, we decided to keep going with that style. These photos seem very French Vogue to me, very voyeuristic. I love how off kilter they are.

I started off this outfit with this emerald green sac dress. I've always thought that redheads look amazing in green, so now that I'm a member of that club I wanted to jump on that bandwagon too. The way the two colors play off each other really highlights my new do!

Since it's still a bit chilly outside, I layered on his cashmere camel extra long sweater for warm and the way it kind of created a drop-waist 1920s look really surprised and pleased me. I know I'm going to have to up my fashion Mcgyvering even more now that I can't go shopping. Finding ways to make my old pieces look new really counts these days.

Dress: Old Navy | Sweater: Vince via Wasteland | Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Day 147 -- Modified Modern

When: Friday, January 25th, 2013

Where: Sassoon Academy

I'm always looking to help out a friend, and today was Erik's hair coloring final test with Vidal Sassoon. We decided to go for a rich, red-orange, and I'm obsessed. Matthew touched up my fringe and have me a super sleek blowout. I feel like a fembot.
 

To go with the Sassoon, super modern look, I piled on the black layers a la Margiela. When I came home, Alex was so freaked out by my outfit, that the failed around crying, "I didn't know you were goth!" Too funny.

I love this look, especially because it is something different for me. I don't think I'll be sticking with this way of dressing, but it was fun for one day. After all, it's not like I can go out and buy a new wardrobe, at least not until next year. So, a modified modern style might be my new thing.

Jacket: BB Dakota | Sweater: Gap | Blouse: Forever 21 | Dress: Forever 21 | 

Boots: White Mountain via TJ Maxx

Day 146 -- Berry Nice

When: Thursday, January 24th, 2013 -- Our Anniversary!

Where: Out to breakfast, dog park, movies, and drinks!

For our anniversary, we took the day off an just enjoyed ourselves. We ate such a big breakfast that we actually had to cancel our dinner reservation because we were so full!

I slept in so much, that when it finally came time to roll out of bed, I didn't have much time to figure out what to wear. I threw on an old favorite, my little blue dress. Matching blue tights, lace up boots, a bow belt, and heather sweater completed the look.

I didn't bother to wash my hair, so a quick french braid helped cover some day-old strands, and my trusty multicolor Marc bag held everything anyone could ever want for a day out of the house

My matching tights kind of freaked Alex out at first, but it's really nice having someone who always supports my fashion choices and encourages me to take risks. I love you, Al! Thanks for taking my picture every day, complimenting me on my unique looks, and pushing me to do my best.

Dress: Coincidence and Change via Urban Outfitters | Tights: Forever 21 | Sweater: Staring at Stars via Urban Outfitters | Shoes: Steve Madden | Belt: ASOS | Necklace: Maya Brenner, gift from Alex | Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs, gift from Alex | Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs via Nordstrom Rack

Day 145 -- Dots and Dresses

When: Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013

Where: Trying on wedding dresses at Lovely Bride in West Hollywood

The last time I went wedding dress shopping, I wore polka dots too! Must be a theme for me.
 

I love the quirky print! It's so recognizably Marc. And on days when I'm not feeling my slimmest, the tent foundation and tie at the waist conceals my imperfections and makes me feel so comfortable.

When I wore this dress before I matched a coral sweater to the bright red dots. This time, I pulled the marigold color out and layered this slouchy sweater over top. Maybe there's more than one way to style this dress, I just haven't figured it out yet.

One of my New Years resolutions was to wear heels more often, and I think I've been doing a pretty good job at it. If you look at my first 100 days of daily outfits posts, you'll see I only wore heels a handful of times. Over the last week, I've really stepped it up (no pun intended!).

Although I didn't find my dream dress, I sure felt good doing it! As fun as it has been trying on dresses for my upcoming nuptials, I don't think my dream dress actually exists... yet. So I'm going to make it. And as much as I'd like to blog about making it, I can't have my fiance snooping about and seeing it ahead of time. Stay tuned, you'll get to see it in a year...

Dress: Marc by Marc Jacobs via Marshall's | Sweater: H&M | Shoes: Dolce Vita 

Jewelry: Alexis Bittar