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Lace

    Outfit

    Vintage Plaid Skirt

    February 2, 2015
    Photos by Sarah Veyna
    Outfit Details:
    Forever 21 Clutch/Wallet
    Lace Peter Pan Collar Top (Similar here and here)
    Vintage Plaid Skirt (Similar here and here)
    Franco Sarto Stilettos (Similar here and here)
    This outfit is proof that you don’t have to spend tons of money to look like a million bucks. Believe it or not, this vintage skirt was only $3(a fact that I’m extremely proud of)! I purchased it two weekends ago when I attended a sample sale at Shareen’s Vintage with my friends Sara and Shantal. I had never been to one of these types of events before, and was surprised at how serious most of the women in attendance were about finding the perfect bargain; it seemed like most of the best items were claimed within a matter of minutes. Luckily for me, nobody else thought that this skirt was worthy enough to add to their wardrobe. I was immediately drawn to it because it is a piece that can easily be dressed up or down, and I think the plaid print on it is really fun and beautiful.
    The rest of the items featured in this post weren’t that much more expensive than this skirt. The peter pan collar top I’m wearing was less than $10 at a small boutique, and the shoes were marked down from about $100 to $35. My secret to finding good quality items for such low prices is patience and a little bit of research. I have been known to monitor the price of certain items for weeks until they go on sale, and I’m always on the lookout for promo codes. Every once in a while, I also stop by stores like Ross and Nordstrom Rack to check if they have any good deals; sometimes you have to be willing to search through racks and piles of random clothes and shoes in order to find something that is perfect for you. Even though my current shopping habits are out of necessity, I don’t think I’ll ever change; I just really enjoy the rush and sense of accomplishment of getting a great deal.

     

     

    I hope you all had a terrific weekend.  Mine was both fun and super productive. On Saturday I went to see the Hello!Exploring the Supercute of Hello Kitty Exhibition at the Japanese American National Museum, and it was awesome! I’m working on post for later this week so that I can tell you more about it. I also turned in my first grad school application. I’ve been talking about the process for months, so it’s good to finally feel like it’s coming to an end; I’m so grateful that I have so many supportive friends and family members that were willing to give me feedback on my application. I have to say that regardless of whether I’m accepted into a program or not, it’s been a very positive experience to take time to map out goals and think about the future.
    xoxo,
    Helen
    Outfit

    Flowers in My Hair

    June 24, 2014
    Photos by Sarah Veyna
    Outfit Details:
    Free People Lace Dress
    Belt (Borrowed from my sister)
    Seychelles Pumps in Beige (Old)
    I featured parts of this outfit in my DIY Floral Fascinator post a couple of weeks ago, but I wanted to give the whole ensemble the attention it deserves. After looking for a white lace dress for the longest time, I finally settled on this one from Free People when I found it on sale about a year ago. What I love the most about this dress is that the fabric has beautiful peach-colored embroidery which gives it a very romantic feel. When I originally bought this dress I had planned to wear it with a floral crown to give it a bohemian look. But, let’s be honest, boho chic is not exactly my style. Wearing a floral fascinator with this dress gave my outfit a girly and vintage vibe, which I think better reflects my personal style.
    My sister took these pictures about a week ago because I went to Portland this weekend, and didn’t want to be bothered with having to post pictures from my adventure immediately after I got back. I’m still letting all that happened on my trip sink in a bit before I try to piece it all together on this blog. I am planning to post a couple of pictures later this week, but in the meantime you can catch glimpses of my adventure on Instagram.
    I had been planning my trip to Portland for months, and I’m so glad that it finally happened. Lately I’ve been feeling very unsure about how I want to grow these next few years, and taking a vacation gave me time to really give the matter some thought and gain some clarity. I’ve been feeling very bored and stuck in one place for the past year, and spending time with friends and exploring a new place gave me the opportunity to think about what really makes me happy. In that vein, my weekend adventure also gave me the opportunity to start considering other things and be open to big changes such as applying to grad school, and possibly moving somewhere else. I don’t know what my game plan is just yet, but that’s just what makes new adventures even more fun.
    xoxo,
    Helen Grace

     

    Food & DIY

    D.I.Y. Floral Fascinator

    April 9, 2014

    Photos by Sarah Veyna

    Outfit Details:
    Free People Lace Dress
    M.A.C. Lipstick in Rebel
    D.I.Y. FascinatorAs promised, today I’m bringing you a D.I.Y. post and teaching you how to make a floral fascinator. Whenever I think of Springtime fashion, some of the things that come to mind are floral prints and accessories. This fascinator is a great way to add a bit of life to your outfit. Plus, it is very easy to make, and makes for a great accessory for an easter or wedding outfit–or any outfit, really. If you’re interested in adding one to your wardrobe, here’s instructions on how to make your own:

    Supplies:

    1 Hair Clip, 12 Glass Beads, 1 Stiffened Felt Sheet, 3 Fake Flowers in 2 different colors (1 big, and 2 small), 2 Feathers, A Needle, Thread, and Scissors
    Step 1

    Step 1:

    First, you are going to start off by cutting a square piece of stiffened felt in a rectangle that is 3″x 5.” You can experiment with a bigger size, but keep in mind the size of your hair clip if you do, because you don’t want the fascinator to be too heavy and fall off.

    Step 2: 

    Place the clip against your piece of felt, and make sure that the grip of the clip is facing the outside end of the rectangle. Sew on the hair clip to your piece of felt. I recommend criss-crossing your stitches so that your clip is better supported and doesn’t slip off later.  If you want, you may also use glue to add some extra support.

     

    Step 3:

    Once you have sewn on your clip, turn the piece of felt around and sew your feathers on the opposite side. You will sew a feather on each corner of your rectangle. You want to make sure that you sew your feathers on the end opposite of the hair clip, otherwise your fascinator will be inverted.

    Step 4:

    Separate your fake flowers from the stems, and get rid of any pieces of plastic in the flowers. You will only be using the fabric petals for this project.

    Step 5:

    Next, you are going to sew on a flower over each feather. To do this, first pull a needle through the felt and all of the fabric petals.

    Step 6 and 7:

    Before you pull the needle back through the felt, pull your needle through two glass beads. After you’ve sewn on those two beads over the fabric petals, pull the needle through the felt and fabric petals again, and repeat. This will be the center of your flower.

     

    Step 8:

    Repeat Steps 4 and 7 on the opposite side.

    Step 9:

    Finally, after you have finished sewing on your two small flowers, you’re going to take your bigger flower and sew it right underneath them, creating a “triangle.” Make sure to repeat steps 4-7 as you do this, and you’re done making your floral fascinator!
    I hope that this floral fascinator tutorial was easy enough. However, please let me know if you have any questions. I’m still learning how to develop these posts, and would appreciate any feedback on how to make this tutorial better and more clear. I will make sure to update this tutorial based on any questions that you may have.
    Thank you for stopping by my blog, and have an amazing rest of the week! I hope that I have inspired you to get crafting this weekend.
    Much Love,
    Helen Grace