Work Attire

 Here is a good example of what I wear to work.

When I first got hired at American Eagle, I was worried about my unconventional way of dressing. Sure, around college or the internet, you find plenty of girlies in high waisted shorts and peter pan collars, but American Eagle sells things that are a little more mainstream than all that. But I've gotten so many compliments on my "style" from customers and employees alike that it's been really encouraging. It's nice to be appreciated for just being yourself and not worrying about what others think.

The moral is: dress in the way that makes YOU feel good!

 shirt-f21

shorts, shoes, watch-thrifted from goodwill

socks-walmart

earrings-flea market

headband-my sister's

necklace-my oma's (vintage)

 I have a pretty tiny head, and I have the hardest time getting headbands and scarves to stay in place! They just pop right off!

 Have a good day!

A Dress I Made!

 Here's a dress I made! I'm pretty proud of this one. It's got a few issues, but overall I think it's the best one yet! I used the same fabric for it, just used the flipside for the sleeves. I made it probably in June, but haven't had an excuse to wear it! I usually wear shorts to work, since I need pockets and to not show my underwear when I bend over.

 Here's the super cute bow on the back!

 I actually wore this on a date night with Travis, and didn't get any pictures. So I rewore it just for photographs. I'm sure all the squirrels and feral cats in my yard appreciated how cute I looked.

 dress-handmade

necklace-vintage, a gift

shoes-thrifted from Goodwill

My Art

I don't know how much fashion-illustration I've been doing lately, but I like to post my art on here to give the blog some variety. Here are a few paintings from the month of July!

You can find more of my art at floralprintsandkissing.tumblr.com.

Hope you guys had a good week!

DIY Wave Skirt

Here's an ombre skirt I made recently! And here's how you can make it, too.

1. Get some fabric and elastic. I used a cotton poly blend in aquamarine and a 1.5 inch elastic.

2. Wrap the elastic around your waist and cut it so it's the right length.

3. Sew the fabric to the elastic with your machine, pulling the elastic tight as you go so it kindof ruffles.

 This is what it should look like.

4. Then get your dye and prepare it the way the package says.

 5. Now tape a rod or a hanger over your pot or bucket so you don't have to hold the skirt the whole time it's dying.

 6. Dip the fabric in the dye, starting where you want your lightest color. Pull it out a few inches every 10 minutes or whenever you like the color fade.

 7. I only used half a package of dye in the bucket, and added more of the package incrementally as I went so that the bottom of the skirt would be darker than the top.

 8. After you take it out and let it dry, it should look like this!

 9. Get some cardboard and your trusty sharpie, and draw whatever pattern you want to on the skirt! I used waves because I've got some obsession with the ocean.

 10. Last, sew up the two raw edges together! And now you have a skirt! Feel free to do the dip dying process again if your ombre isn't dramatic enough. I did.

 I've got some plans for this skirt, still. Here's a hint!

Olive Green Outift

 Okay so maybe my face looks a little dumb in this one. But that's only if you look up close, right? Right.

I spent the day with Travis at a nice cafe downtown and at the mall where I didn't buy anything. Travis likes his coffee, and I like my fluffly girly drinks with whipped cream.

 So here are some close ups of my pattern-mixy outfit where my face looks less stupid. I love how well my shirt matched this skirt my sister found me at the Gwill. That's what we loyal Goodwill customers call it.

I've already shortened it about 3 inches, because I thought the length was awkward. It did a weird bouncing thing when I walked down stairs.

Woooaaahhhh

 It really was a good day!

shirt, skirt, shoes, hat- thrifted from Goodwill

socks-walmart

necklace-forever 21

bag-target

Velvet Before and After

 So maybe this is my second all purple outfit this week but there are 3 really great things about it.

 Number 1: Kangaroo on mah hat.

Number 2: Unicorn on mah necklace.

Number 3: Angel baby on mah watch.

 I think I might be showing you guys my tongue a little too much on this blog. But whatevs.

I wore this skirt as a drop-waist sort of thing because it's kinda short up on my real waist. And my shirt is velvet!

This skirt is also a re-fashion from a too-short dress that I wore and photographed on this blog like 6 months ago! Check the before:

Oh man I wore the unicorn necklace last time too!

 shirt, skirt, shoes, hat, watch: thrifted

socks: walmart

necklace: forever 21

Before and After

 Here is a very frumpy me in a frumpy dress that I got at the thrift store for $1. I moved the waist up and hemmed it so it didn't have the cheesey trim.

The highlights of this dress are the pattern and the contrasting collar.

Fun stuff, right?