Sincerely Mo

             

Happy Weekend!! There isn't a Style Me Friday challenge this week again so it was only fitting that my inspiration come from my style crush Sincerely Jules which I posted about on Wednesday. Julie's style is right up my alley and I took advantage to copy one of her looks for today while staying true to myself. Instead of a button up, I wore a tank and printed blazer. I found the oxfords in the clearance section and it was marked down with 50% off. I love sales! Do you? Who or what inspired your look today? Outfit Details: Shorts Gap | Shirt Kohl's | Blazer H&M | Oxfords Miz Mooz | Owl Necklace Forever 21

Linking up with: Style Elixir | Simple Easy Style | Coffee Beans and Bobby Pins | Face It Catalog | Aloha Friday | The Tiny Heart

Always Do It Yourself

Sometimes it's easier and more convenient to buy pieces already made. Sometimes it's better when you add your own details and embellishments.Today I'm sharing with you guys a few DIYs that I've done this past weekend. The first is my turquoise blue blazer. I bought it when Goodwill had a 50% off sale. The blazer fit well but it had a small hole in the back. I really liked the color so I bought it knowing that I will come up with something to cover it up. What I came up with was lace. I used a lace curtain and cut it across the back of the blazer. I used fray stop to stop the ends from fraying and unraveling. I hand stitched the lace around the edges.

Next is another jacket I found at Goodwill. This jacket has many more holes but it gives it a worn in and edgy look. I added iron-on patches to the back of the jacket. I used gold stars and created a trail from top to bottom. I applied a music note patch on one of the sleeves. I also added stars to one of the front pockets as my armed forces insignia. I'm not sure what rank 3 stars are but I'm calling myself a captain. On the opposite pocket I made a patch with my last name. If you're not aware, I have a hyphenated last name and I used the second one. I got some alphabet stencils and used gold metallic paint. This was fun and easy.

Third is a army jacket that I was asked to help fix up last week. Keia was going on a trip to Miami and really wanted to bring the jacket. There were lots of rips all across the back and one huge hole at the bottom. At first, I wasn't sure if it could be repaired but I did some research and got some ideas. Mel also gave me a couple of suggestions. I glued black fabric on the inside of the jacket to cover up the holes. I then applied gold metallic paint around the edges of the holes to make it stand out. I also cut a few extra holes in round and crazy shapes to even it out a bit. I added a gold star patch to the outer edges of both front pockets and created 3 rows of gold studs across both shoulder areas. I thought I had more time than I did and because of that, took my time with the project. On Thursday after work around 6:30 pm, she texted me asking for the jacket and I wasn't done! She said it wasn't a big deal but I told her that I'd finish it for the evening. I really wanted to make sure she was able to take it with her on her trip. I wanted to add more to back of the jacket but  it was fine as it was. I think it turned out great. I gave it to her around 9:30 pm that night. Keia said she liked what I had done and that she received many compliments. Cool!

Before

After

For the last DIYs, I sewed my own patterned pockets onto solid color v-neck tees. I measured the original pocket on the shirt and cut the fabric pieces out based on the measurements. I machine stitched around the edges of the fabric. Lastly, I applied fabric glue to the pocket and pressed onto the shirt. This was done to 3 different shirts. I was going to add a pocket to my cream sweatshirt but changed my mind at the last minute and instead applied it to one of the pockets on a pair of cut-offs.

And that's it! What do you think about my DIYs?

Outfit Details:

Blazer - Thrifted Similar 

Sweatshirt - Old Navy Similar

True Religion Jeans - Nordstrom Rack Similar

Boots - Dillards Similar

Arrow Chain - Forever 21 Similar

Linking up with Bon Bon Rose Girls, DCin Style, My Greatest Hits

Plain White Ts

Thank goodness it's Friday! Oooooh Weeeee!! So, I'm back participating in Fashionista Next Door's Style Me Friday Challenge. This week's inspiration is pretty easy; the white t-shirt. I skipped last week's challenge because I didn't have a LBD and the only neon accessory I have is my PF Flyers and that wouldn't look cool with a LBD. Hmm, maybe it would with a black skater dress. Well anyway, I still don't have a black dress so I wore this outfit instead.

I love white tees. When I buy them I usually have to buy a couple at a time because it doesn't look as fresh after a few washes. The last white t-shirt I've bought was actually from a goodwill store and I wore it for this week's challenge. You can do anything with a white t-shirt. It's very plain and basic but also versatile and can be dressed up or down. I decided to dress mine up a little and by dress up I mean wear heels or wedges or anything higher than 1 inch. I paired it with a moto vest and my DIY destructed jeans, which I've also worn here. My accessories were a couple of gold bracelets, DIY chain link necklace, large gold hoop earrings, bangle watch, sunnies, and a neon belt for a little pop of color.

The weather this week has been really nice and very hot at times and it will continue on to the weekend. I have plans to go swimming in someone's pool. Anyone? No really, I plan on finishing my DIYs for Monday's post so look out for it. There's a local musical festival and an outdoor birthday party happening on Saturday but who knows what I'll be up to. I hope you guys have fun things planned for this weekend. Even if you don't, enjoy it!

Outfit Details:

Tee - Thrifted Similar and Similar

Gap Jeans - DIY Similar and Similar

Chain -  DIY Similar

Earrings and Bangles- Local Beauty Supply Store Similar and Similar

Belt - Target Similar
RayBan Sunnies - Found it! :-)

Watch - Burlington Coat Factory Similar

Wedges - Nordstrom Rack Here

Moto Vest - H&M Similar and Similar

Linking up with Coffee Beans and Bobby Pins, Face It Catalog, Blog She, What Jean Likes,

Black and White Sun Burst

So I've been working on getting my daily schedule in order and things are going as planned so far. I've been getting in the bed no later than 11 pm and actually getting OUT of the bed around 7 am. I've also incorporated walking to and from work twice a week. It's a bout a 35 minute walk at a quick pace. This is my way of being active since any other form of exercise makes me sick. The time management spreadsheet I've created is making my life and time a whole lot easier. Yes! I can continue living the life of a blogger. Breaks are what we need from time to time. Don't be afraid to take them. :-)  Today's post is centered on the black and white trend. I bought these pants at H&M and the tribal print is sickening. I mean don't you feel dizzy just looking at them? I kept it casual and threw on a pair of the good ole chucks, a cropped denim vest and a black and white driver hat. Mel purposely had me stand in front of the sun to create the sun bursting illusion. I think it looks pretty cool.

Eyes wide open 

Outfit Details:

Pants - H&M Similar

Top (old) - Sway Similar

Sneakers - Ross Similar

Vest - Random store in mall Similar

Accessories - Target, Forever 21, DIY

Linking up today with Kiwi Womens Style, Style Elixir, The Pleated Poppy, Fashion and Beauty Finds, Because Shanna Said So,  Rolled up Pretty, Transatlantic Blonde, Get Your Pretty On

Getting it Together

Good news! It's Monday and I'm not hating that fact. The week is off to a great start. I'm usually wishing I didn't have to do anything. So far, so good. Bad news. I've been a horrible blogger this past weekend. I have not done ANYTHING blog related period. Nothing at all! I don't think I got on the internet. Okay, that may be a lie. I window shop like every day. I think I may have needed a break. I had to create a time schedule because I've been going to bed late. No one wants to see Mo without any sleep. Uh uh. no way. More good news! I have some cool DIYs coming up. Hopefully I'll get them done before the end of the week. You're going to think it's "Amazeballs!" At least I hope you do. So I'm on track to getting things together. I think. Btw, I just made a sandwich with the good, bad, good news. ;-) I hope your Monday is going well too!

Outfit Details:
Top - Nordstrom Rack
Pants - H&M
Blazer - H&M
Shoes - Target
Necklace - Forever 21
Bracelets - DIY

Linking up with My Greatest Hits.

Tribal & Lace + Neon

Hey! Today's post is going to be short as I have a long weekend ahead. I'm wearing this nice tribal printed high low top that I found at F21. The top half on the back of the shirt is lace. This detail is what really sold me on buying it. I kept it simple with some black skinny pants and threw in a pop of neon, not with a bag, not with a statement necklace but with my kicks.Yeah I know, I'm different. Well, just a little. I included the usual stack of diy bracelets and a pair of hoop earrings.

caught dancing

What neon pieces do you have? Hope you all have a great weekend!

                                               

Outfit Details:

Top - Forever 21

Pants - H&M Similar

Sneakers - PF Flyers

Bracelets - DIY

Necklace - Forever 21 Similar

Linking up today with: What Jean Likes, Coffee Beans and Bobby Pins, Fashion Delights, BlogShe

Melswear: Cool Stripes

Thursday! One day to go. Mel went out last night with her sisters to see the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. This gave me the opportunity to style her again. Most times styling is fun but sometimes it isn't. I was getting a little frustrated because I didn't have very much time to fully choose what I wanted and I still had to take the photos. Blogging ain't easy Suzy. At first I was going for a preppy look but we didn't have all of the pieces I wanted so that left me really trying to hurry and get it right. I wanted to give up but she convinced me to keep going and that helped to make things a little easier. All you need is support and a little push sometimes. In the end it wasn't so bad. I just need to know how to work under pressure. This look is a mix of sporty casual and dressy. I decided on semi-dark cuffed denim, tie and cognac dress shoes for the dressy part. A white linen button down, striped sports jacket and snapback for the sporty casual part. Here's Mel and her oh so serious face. :-)

Outfit Details:

Jacket - Ross Stores Similar

Button Down - Old Navy Similar

Jeans - Hudson Similar

Shoes - Stacy Adams
Tie - Gifted Similar

Bracelets - DIY

Watch - JC Penney Similar
Cap - Lids Similar

Linking up with Her&Nicole for the Lovely Blog Hop.

The Green Factor

It's Friday Ya'll! Time for a Style Me Friday inspiration. This week is focused on the monochromatic trend. You know, when you wear all one color from head to toe. Each item doesn't have to be the exact shade of the color. I actually think that's what helps to NOT make you look like a piece of fruit or something ridiculous. I knew this week's inspiration would be a challenge especially since you couldn't wear all white or black. Plus I don't have that many colored pieces of clothing. Eboni made it a little bit easier by allowing us to apply the trend on the top half versus full body. Of course, it wouldn't really be a challenge if I choose to style it that way. I tried purple and of course it made me think of Barney. Not good. A lighter purple top like a lavender would have worked better. The brown was decent but I didn't think it was colorful enough. It was like looking at a chocolate candy bar with hair. No way! Mel said the peach/orange made her think of "Orange you glad I didn't say banana". I thought I looked like a orange sherbet popsicle. Or maybe I was getting hungry. I have a few green/mint pieces and all I could think of was that I might look like the world's tallest leprechaun. Fortunately, I didn't and the all green outfit was both our favorite. I added green and gold accessories and threw on my white glasses. If you're thinking about trying this trend, go for different shades of the same color.  It flows better.

What do you think about this trend? Which colors would you try it with?

Outfit Details:
DKNY Denim - TJ Maxx Similar
Top - Nordstrom Rack - Similar
Oxfords - Target
Necklace - Forever 21
Ring - DIY
Bracelets - Beauty Supply, Goodwill, Converse Similar Similar Similar

Linking up with: Fashionista Next Door, Aloha Friday, Coffee Beans and Bobby Pins