Rock the Boat

This week's Style Me Friday inspiration is pretty simple. It's the gray tee and gray is a neutral color that can be worn with anything. I wasn't sure how I would style my look for this week but after creating a polyvore board centered around the tee and what I currently have in my closet, I was able to finalize it. I kept it pretty simple and styled my tee with a tribal print bodycon skirt and some brown boat shoes. Casual yet cute! I  hope you guys have a great weekend. I will be starting it off with happy hour at Chevy's with a few friends and also enjoying the festivities of San Francisco Pride. Don't worry, I won't party too hard.
Outfit Details:  Gray Tee - Target Similar Skirt - JC Penney Similar Boat Shoes - Macy's Similar

Linking up with: Fashionista Next Door | Coffee Beans and Bobby Pins | Face It Catalog | Aloha Friday

Puma Party

It's Wednesday! 2 more days until the weekend. Time to party! Are you ready?  This post is going to be quick since I have to get to work. My top is Puma brand and I thrifted it a few weeks ago for about $3. Score! Olive green, army green, whatever you call it,  is my number 1 favorite color in the world. It's a neutral in my opinion and goes with anything and I snatched it up when I went to the Gap outlet and they had a sale going on. Double score! All of that calls for a party right? 

Outfit Details: Shirt - Puma Thrifted Pants - Gap Outlet Similar Sneakers - Converse Necklace - Forever21 Similar
Linking up with: Get Your Pretty On | Transatlantic Blonde | Kiwi Women's Style | Style Elixir | Real Girl Glam | Because Shanna Said So | Rolled Up Pretty | Fashion and Beauty Finds

DIY: Peplum Top

It's Friday!! Time for some weekend fun. I'm going to a BBQ this evening with Mel and I'm also going to try to attend an event called Fashion Friday on the Plaza. It's a free happy hour shopping event with mobile fashion trucks and wine plus it includes a fashion show. It starts at 5 and ends at 9 and I hope I am able to make it before it ends. I may just go right after work and then head to the BBQ after. Either way I really want to go because this sounds a cool event. Who doesn't like shopping and wine at the same time? Now on to my outfit. This week's inspiration for Style Me Friday is peplum. Unfortunately, I don't own anything peplum. I kept trying to remind myself that I need to buy something peplum whether it's a skirt, top, or jacket but that obviously didn't work since I have yet to buy one. I really enjoy participating in Eboni's challenges so I try my hardest to make sure that it happens. Since I don't have anything peplum I decided to make one of my own. Believe me, I'm not naturally creative, I just wing it and hope for the best. I used a striped tee that Mel no longer wanted. The key to this project is to use a shirt or dress that is bigger than your normal size so you will have a piece wide enough for the peplum part of the top. 

Before

1. Mark  or pin on the shirt where you want the  peplum to go and add an inch. Cut across the shirt where marked. Saved the piece you cut off.
2. Take a shirt that's more fitted and use as a guide to mark where you would take in.
3. Sew along the marked lines using a tight straight stitch. Cut off the excess fabric and sew the edges using a serger or a zigzag stitch.

4. Take the piece you cut and sew around it, about 1 inch away from the raw edge using a loose straight stitch. This is usually about a 4 on the stitch length dial. When finished leave the thread about 3 inches long before cutting. Gently pull the thread and the shirt will begin to gather creating a ruffled look. This will be your peplum.
5. Take the peplum and loosen some of the gathering  by spreading it out. This is to make sure that it's the same width of the top and that it will fit your waist.
6. Place the gathered edge of the peplum over the raw edge of the shirt right sides facing each other. Sew these two pieces together using a tight straight stitch about 1/4 inch away from the gathered edge. You can sew it twice to make sure the pieces will stay put.
7. Try the shirt on and make any necessary adjustments. I had to take in the sides about an additional  2 inches because I wanted it to fit a bit tighter. I also shortened the sleeves.
8. That's it. You're done! Now style your new top and take some photos. :-)

How did I do? Do you own anything peplum?

Outfit Details: Top - DIY Similar Jeans - Gap Similar Sneakers - Converse Beanie - Target

Linking up with: Fashionista Next Door | Coffee Beans and Bobby Pins | Face it Catalog | Aloha Friday

Melswear: Day to Night

Day to Night by whoisthatgirlmo 

Gucci Leather Watch / Ray-Ban / Zara Regular Jeans / Zara Color Block Blazer / Zara Cotton Cardigan / Zara Sunset Printed T-Shirt / Witchery Desert Boot / Vivienne Westwood Chukka Boot / Zara Topstitched Belt / Zara Striped Tie / John Galliano Watch / Zara Leather Belt

The week go by so fast and it's time for another Melswear/menswear Thursday. Yay! This week I centered the outfits around chukka and desert boots because I wanted to create something a bit more dressier. With the boots as my focus point, I chose a pair of dark wash denim as my day to night piece. The graphic tee gives the cardigan and desert boots a look in between casual and dressy. This could be worn for casual Friday while at work or while attending a day event on a Saturday. For the night look, I completely changed the top half with an classic white button up and colorblock blazer. I know that day to night looks usually include most of the same pieces but I only wanted to keep the jeans. The leather chukka boots, gold watch, and striped tie helped dress up this look. It could be worn to a dinner and a movie or maybe a Broadway show. All of the clothing items are from Zara. I love the selection of men's clothing that Zara carries. I'm always thinking of ways to make the pieces work for myself. Sometimes men's clothing are just better. :-)
                                 

Linking up with Her & Nicole

Dotted

 

Yes! I'm wearing a dress. I do wear them from time to time but sometimes I feel like I have to work extra hard at behaving like a lady. You know, cross your legs when seated, make sure your behind is covered when sitting down so not to give a peep show, etc. etc. Maybe I should take an etiquette class? Nah! I'm not that bad. I know how to be a lady without trying. At least I think I do. You would tell me otherwise right? Anywho, here I am. In a dress. with boots. and a studded denim vest. oh yeah! with. my. friend. Owl.   I was going for a dainty biker babe look or a edgy meets prim and proper or just me! And no, I'm not going anywhere. I'm just wearing a dress. ;-) So, what do you think and how did I do? Outfit Details: Dress - TJ Maxx Similar, Similar Vest - Thrifted Similar, Similar Boots - Nine West  & DIY Similar  Necklace - Ebay Similar Belt - from a tunic Similar

Linking up with: Style Elixir | Transatlantic Blonde | Kiwi Women's Style | Real Girl Glam | Rolled Up Pretty |  Because Shanna Said So |Fashion and Beauty Finds | Get Your Pretty On | The Pleated Poppy

Current Obsession: Skater Skirts

Current Obsession by whoisthatgirlmo 

                               
I know I'm late and the skater skirt or circle skirt isn't that much of a new trend but I am currently obsessing over them. I want them like NOW. They come in many different prints and fabrics and my fav by far is the leather or faux leather skater skirt. I can wear this skirt with many different shoes such as black and white chucks, leopard print pumps, studded ankle boots, and even a pair of cut out pointy toe flats. The options are unlimited. I would have long bought myself one of these skirts but sometimes I can't justify spending anything over $5 on a trend that may be short-lived. Okay maybe $10 but that's it. I'm sure I can find one in that price frame but I honestly just want one for free. My obsession with this trend comes and goes but this time it's screaming for me to get one of my own and since I'm being cheap I'm going to have to make one myself. I'm excited already just thinking about the finished skirt. Now, actually getting started AND finishing the skirt before the summer is over is another story but I will have a skater skirt of my own.

Are you into the skater skirt trend? Which of these skirts do you like?

                                             

Drop It Like It's Hot

In keeping up with the sporty look this week I decided to style a pair of men's drop crotch pants that I've bought not too long ago from Jack Threads. Mel has a matching pair too and she's worn hers already. I promise we won't dress like twins and wear it on the same day. Well maybe. ;-) At first we weren't quite sure whether or not to keep them because it is pretty different but different can be cool so we decided to keep them. They are really soft and comfortable and it looks like a pair of pajama pants in my opinion. I paired mine with some black combat boots and wore layers on top with a mineral wash denim shirt and an tribal print tank. The pants would also look good worn with a crop top and a beanie.  Have a great weekend and if you're going out dancing don't forget to drop it like it's hot!!
                                                       Outfit Details: Pants - Jack Threads Tank - Marshalls Similar Button Up - Ross Similar Boots - Macy's Similar, Similar

Linking up with: Coffee Beans and Bobby Pins | Face it Catalog | Aloha Friday

Melswear: Classic

Melswear by whoisthatgirlmo 

It's menswear Thursday! This week's Melswear is a bit more classic and simple with the cuffed chinos and black and white high top chucks. I added a graphic baseball tee and some printed stance socks to add a pop of color. The wooden jewelry and denim vest topped off the finished look. Of course you can't forget a fitted cap and this one is cool because it has a black and white aztec print on the brim. Would you guys rock this?

Up and Down

Monday I shared with you guys on how to make a pair of cuffed track pants. Today I'm showing you two ways I styled them. I dressed them up with heels and a studded sweatshirt which is also DIY. This look can be worn to an evening event such as a date night. I dressed them down with a pair of high top chucks and a graphic tank. This look is good for an outdoor event such as a hip hop in the park festival. Because the pants are casual both looks work well. Which look do you like best?
Outfit 1 Details: Studded Top: DIY Similar Track Pants - Target & DIY Similar Heels - Nine West Similar Bag: H&M Similar Bracelet - DIY from a necklace Earrings - Beauty Supply Similar Outfit 2 Details: Tank - Urban Outfitters - Borrowed from Mel Sneakers - Converse Bracelets - DIY Necklace - Ebay Similar

Linking up with: Style Elixir | Transatlantic Blonde | Kiwi Women's Style | Real Girl Glam | Rolled Up Pretty |  Because Shanna Said So | Fashion and Beauty Finds | Get Your Pretty On

Tuesday Special

I don't usually post on Tuesdays but today is a special day. My son attended his 8th grade dinner dance last Friday evening and I was able to take some pictures AND post them! Of course he chose which pics to post and beggars can't be choosy. :-) He said he had a good time and he took more pics with his friends. Like I mentioned in my post on Friday, children grow up so fast and my son is almost as tall as me. Now I just have to prepare for the HS wars.

DIY: Cuffed Track Pants

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a cool weekend. Mine was okay. Saturday I did absolutely nothing at all and it was great. I slept a lot and watched some movies on Netflix. Sunday I went to a birthday BBQ and that was cool but then on my way to do chores I was hit with the flu. I felt drained and my body began aching out of nowhere. I had to go home and try to sleep it off but that didn't go well since it was hard to get comfortable. I should have known I was coming down with something because I did sleep longer than usual on Saturday and I woke up with a sore throat Sunday morning. I eventually got up and drank lots of green tea and took some theraflu. Hopefully my body will kick this flu to the curb ASAP because I don't like being sick.at.all.            Anywho, before I went to the BBQ, I spent my morning doing a DIY project. I saw this cuffed track pants project over at Je M'appelle Shen a couple of months ago and I knew that I would be making myself a pair. Shen shares some awesome DIY tutorials that are easy and you should check it out if you're into making your own pieces. I already had some track pants from Target on hand so I just needed to purchase the cuffs. The cuffs were about $3 and I bought them from Joann Fabrics.

Pic 1: Before view of pants
Pic 2: To make the pants more fitting, I took a pair of  my straight leg jeans, placed on top of the track pants and traced a line alongside the edge with a marking pen. You can also use chalk. I sewed over the marked line and cut the excess fabric. I also used the serger on the edges once I cut off the excess. 
Pic 3: View of one pants leg after being taken in.

Pic 1: I marked the pants at the top of my ankle and cut off 3 inches so it wouldn't be too long once cuff was added. The amount you need to cut will vary based on the fit of the pants and your height.
I sewed a loose stitch around the end of the pants, 1 inch from the edge. Don't cut the excess thread. I then pulled the excess thread to gather the pants around the ankle. This took a couple of tries because I'm just too darn rough so make sure to gently pull the thread.
Pic 2: Insert the cuff inside the pants. Make sure the pants are inside out. Place the cuff about 1/4 inch above the stitch line that you gathered and sew it around and onto the pants.
Pic 3: View of cuff sewn in place.

Pic 1: Front view of finished pants
Pic 2: Side view of finished pants

I think I did a great job! Since I came down with the flu I wasn't up to taking any pictures of an outfit with these pants. You can dress these pants up or down with heels or sneakers and I can't wait to show you guys what I come up with. Until then!

Linking up with Yolo Mondays | Monday Mingling | Miscellany Monday | BeBetsy | Frugal Foodie Mama

Around The Way Girl

One of the hot color trends of Spring is black and white. This is the inspiration for this week's Style Me Friday challenge. I decided to pull out my inner New Yorker/Jersey girl and created an around the way look. The v-neck I ironed on some letters myself because I wanted a graphic like tee that I haven't worn yet. I was limited in what cool phrases I could come up with because I didn't have any Hs, Cs or Es and probably some other letters too and my final choice was Stylin is my drug. I love styling myself and Mel and anyone else who'll allow me to. Will you?
 My look says I'm ready for another weekend to go kick it with my girls. Ha! I mean kick it at home. I think this weekend is going to be busy though. My son is having his 8th grade dinner dance tonight and I hope we can get some good pictures. I'm excited but in awe at the same time about how fast children grow up. I thought about chaperoning but I didn't want to be THAT parent. :-)  Happy Friday and have a great weekend!!
Outfit Details: Blazer - Target V-neck - Target and DIY Similar Denim - Ross Similar Belt - Old Navy Sneakers - Adidas Hat - Mel's Lids Earrings - Target Similar Bracelets and Necklace - DIY

Linking up with: Fashionista Next Door | Coffee Beans and Bobby Pins  | Simple Easy Style | What Jean Likes | Face It Catalog

Melswear Is Dope

Melswear by whoisthatgirlmo 


It's menswear Thursday and I didn't get a chance to style Mel this week so I created a board. This is a cool weekend fit to just chill with some friends or maybe do a little shopping in the city. I kept the outfit casual and cool. Mel may or may not wear everything on this board(she went to bed early) but I'm almost sure she would. I like it and I even added a cap because it's what she loves. What do you think about this outfit?

                          

Linking up with Her & Nicole

Mixing it Up

 

The week seems to be going by pretty quickly. Maybe it's because of the beautiful weather and summer is almost here. Who knows? Lately I've been wearing shorts shorter than 5 inches and showing more skin and I love it. I used to associate short shorts with looking trashy or just plain on doing too much. But anything can be worn with class. :-) This particular pair of shorts are 3 inches which isn't so bad. As long as the butt cheeks are covered everything should be cool. I decided to mix and match some prints and patterns for my outfit and the key for me was to use prints in the same color family. The graphic tank has a dark red print on front and it added a little pop of color to the cream and black. The tank and aztec print cuffed shorts paired with the animal print wedge sandals and statement necklace gives the outfit a casual chic look. Not too dressy and not too casual. It's all about comfort for me even though wedges feel like pumps and stilettos in my opinion. Usually I'll just sit down all day or only walk short distances. Beauty is pain sometimes. I wore this last Sunday when we tried to go see the movie After Earth with Will and Jaden Smith but it was sold out. Next time.
How's your week so far? Do you wear shorter length shorts? What length is too short for you?
Outfit Details: Converse Tank - Ross Cute Cynthia Rowley Shorts - TJ Maxx Cute & Cute Calvin Klein Wedges - Nordstrom Rack Exact Necklace (Gifted) - Lydell NYC

Linking up with: Kiwi Women Style | Rolled Up Pretty | Get Your Pretty On | The Pleated Poppy | Real Girl Glam | Style Elixir | Fashion and Beauty Finds | Because Shanna Said So | My Thrifty Chic | Transatlantic Blonde