DIY: What Color Should I Dye My Skirt?

My shopping budget is tapped out at the moment, and it's just as well because I need to start saving my pennies for my 2012 travel budget anyway.  Since I can't shop, I figured that it was time to take a  look at my clothing and see if I could give any of my items a new lease on life.  I decided that I love the shape and fit of the Forever21 skirt seen below, but I'm not in love with the color, so it's now a candidate for dying.

I was inspired by Megan Nielsen to try my first attempt at dying several months ago and it's pretty easy but I haven't made time to dye or overdye any other items. Here are a few swatches from RIT Dye website that I'm considering:

So readers, I'll ask you what color should I choose?

Paint the Town Red

Shirt: thrifted; "Jeggings": UO; Boots: Go Jane; Belt/Bracelets: H&M; 

Necklace: Claire's: Earrings: ?

I was walking through my local drug store recently and decided to do something I've literally never done before, I bought a tube of lipstick. Cover Girl Queen Collection's Paint the Town Red to be specific.  That's not a big deal for most, but I literally never wear lipstick.  I could have five tubes of lip gloss in my purse at any given time, but no lipstick.  I have the slight fear of looking like a kid playing in make-up.  I'm still not sure if I'm feeling red lipstick enough to wear it regularly, but you've gotta shake things up make-up wise here and there right? I think next time, I'll go for a less bright color in the plum family though. Now to conquer my fear of incorrectly applying smoky eye make-up...

Fall Reading List

For me, the change in seasons means another seasonal book list since I love setting goals and making lists.  Here are four books I plan to read this fall:

Fashion 2.0.: Blogging Your Way to the Front Row - The Insider's Guide to Turning Your Fashion Blog into a Profitable Business and Launching a New Career, Vol. 1 by Yuli Ziv.  After reading about this author over at Stylish Thought, I decided to add this book to my reading list.  Business, blogging and fashion are three interests I've had for a while, so I thought it would be interesting to read Yuli's advice.


One Day It Will All Make Sense by Common.  I've been a fan of Common's music since the 90's when he went by the Common Sense moniker. Since I also enjoy reading memoirs, I decided to add this book to my list.  Common was recently in DC for a book signing at a restaurant/bookstore called Busboys and Poets, I'm a little bummed I didn't hear about it until it was too late to attend. Oh well. I'll still read the book and maybe get a copy signed another time.


Green is the New Black: How to Change the World With Style by Tasmin Blanchard. One of my eco-conscious friends gave me this book and since I don't know very much about sustainable fashion practices, I'll definitely read it this fall.


The Science of Black Hair: A Comprehensive Guide to Textured Hair Care by Audrey Davis-Sivasothy.  I first read about this book over at Mane and Chic, and it sounded like an interesting read.  Though I've never had chemicals in my hair, I feel that I still have a lot to learn about natural hair care and the science behind it, so I'll start by reading this book.

What do you plan to read this fall?

Dash of Yellow

Blazer: Macy's (boy's section); Shirt: H&M; Skirt: thrifted; Clutch: Francesca's Collections; 

Boots: Go Jane; Sunnies: Target; Necklace: Jess LC; Bracelets/Ring: H&M; Earrings: ?

Happy Monday! Hope you had lovely weekend! I was motivated to wear this outfit purely by the desire to wear this rather summery skirt at least one more time while the weather remains relatively warm.  As you can see, I'm still on my blazer kick...blazers are the main reason why fall is my favorite season fashion-wise.

Have a positive and productive week!

Add a Blazer

Blazer: Top Shop; Tank: Charlotte Russe; Maxi Dress: F21; Earrings: H&M; Shoes (not seen): Nine West
Bracelets/Ring: H&M; Necklaces: Jess LC/InPink (won in Adored Austin giveaway)

How do you wear a halter maxi dress when the weather cools down a little?  Add a tank and a blazer!

Currently reading: The Wealth Cure: Putting Money in Its Place by Hill Harper

Currently looking at: This cute face
Currently listening to: 'Best Thing I Never Had' by Beyonce 

DC Shopping: It's Vintage Darling

There is a great vintage shop in the Columbia Heights neighborhood called, It's Vintage Darling.  The store is indeed as darling as its title implies.  It's Vintage Darling has a wide array of clothing, shoes, and accessories at an affordable price point. During my first visit, I saw lovely gems from classic brands like Ferragamo, Fendi, Louis Vuitton and Gucci.  It's Vintage Darling also had a nice menswear section with funky ties, classic clothing, hats and shoes.  Now that I've found this store, I'm a little afraid for my wallet...

If you are in the Columbia Heights area of Washington, DC, you should definitely check It's Vintage Darling out!

Store: It's Vintage Darling
Neighborhood: Columbia Heights

Location: 3423 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20010

Facebook
Twitter
Nearest Metro Station: Columbia Heights

Hours: 

Tue - Thu: 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm 
Fri: 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm 
Sat: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Sun: 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Olive and Cognac

Shirt: Old Navy; Jeans: Gap; Belt: H&M; Bag: H&M; Necklace: Clyde's Rebirth; Watch: Francesca's Collections; Earrings: ?; Boots: Marshall's

Happy Monday friends!  Hope you had a lovely weekend!  Since Equipment blouses don't fit in my current budget, I opted for this Old Navy shirt that did fit in my budget instead.

I'll keep it short and sweet today, have a positive, productive week!

Summer Leftovers

 

Dress (worn as skirt): Zara; Shirt: Charlotte Russe; Shoes: Target; Sunnies: Target
Clutch: Francesca's Collections; Earrings: Top Shop; Necklace: Jess LC; Ring and Bracelets: H&M

It seems like fall has arrived a few days early so I had to wear a few more layers today than I did when these photos were taken several days ago. We may get a few more warm days before the chill sets in, but you can definitely feel fall in the air now in DC.  Goodbye summer, hello fall!

Have a lovely weekend!

Style Profile: Classic Noise

Photos: courtesy of Sorren, Classic Noise

For this edition of Shen's Style Profiles, Sorren of Classic Noise was nice enough to answer some questions about her style.  Sorren does an excellent job of remixing her work wardrobe in stylish ways and also shares delicious recipes with readers.  So now to the questions!

Shen Dove: What inspired you to start your blog and how did you come up with the title? 

Sorren: As is the case with most other bloggers, the blogs I was reading inspired me to take the leap. It began a year prior when I discovered ahautemess. I loved Nikki's style, tongue-in-cheek witty writing and how obvious it was that she kept it real. Funnily enough, I didn't expand my reading to other blogs until October 2010, when my friend introduced me to Kendi Everyday and her upcoming 30 for 30 Challenge. The idea of a blog can be very overwhelming, so the challenge seemed like the perfect task that would help kick start my blog and give it an initial purpose and direction.  For me, the title was the toughest part - it was also what caused me to join the challenge a week late! When it comes to commitment, I can be quite fickle. Details like titles, names, and colours always stop me in my tracks paralyzing me with the fear that I will grow to dislike what I eventually decide on the minute I've made my choice. When considering what others were doing, I enjoyed the titles that included the blogger's name in an interesting way but could not settle on the perfect adjective to pair with "Sorren."  To be honest, I think it was because I was also a little put off by the idea of being so front and centre. Long story short, I decided to scrap something along the lines of "Simply Sorren" (I mean honestly, what's a Sorren anyway?) and focused on words I thought were indicative of myself and what I was trying to do with the blog. "Classic" was thrown in the running because my sense of style usually falls on the classic, as opposed to, trendy side. Since I couldn't decide whether I'd be focusing on fashion, personal style, food or design, I wanted a word that would allow me to change direction as I wanted. I felt that "noise" was representative of many things happening simultaneously and it could therefore encompass any route I decided to take.

Shen Dove: How would you describe your personal style? Have you seen your style evolve since you started your blog? 

Sorren: In three words, I would describe my personal style as simple, classic and clean. Sometimes I like to get a little edgy, but my edgy is usually someone else's mid-week go-to (heels and shorts). I have definitely seen my style evolve since blogging. Initially this evolution was most apparent in my office wardrobe. The office where I used to work was located in an Industrial Park and was therefore fairly laid back and informal. I had begun to adopt a somewhat casual approach to my office wear and had begun to become bored with my closet. Once I began my blog I had an excuse to dress up again. It was fantastic. I realized how much I had missed styling chic, fun office-wear and began to have fun with my clothes again. Beyond the office, I have noticed that I am braver with what I wear, and also have more confidence in my choices. I definitely keep an eye out for statement pieces, jewellery and patterned pieces more so than before and am willing to take bigger risks on my purchases. However, I have yet to buy something in hopes of merely making a statement outfit just for my blog. If I'm going to spend money on it, it's got to be something I know I can wear on repeat.

Shen Dove: What do you enjoy most about blogging about style and fashion? 

Sorren: The inspiration I gain through reading others' blogs AND, in turn, the inspiration I am able to offer, to my readers, through my own blogs. The absolute best compliments I've had are when I hear about people who have been motivated to get excited about, and re-discover, their own closets!

Shen Dove: You are graphic designer and I really enjoy your posts on your design projects! Is your fashion aesthetic similar to your graphic design style? 

Sorren: Hurray! I'm so glad you enjoy those! The design aspect is definitely a part of my blog that I would like to expand on. I have been attempting to post design-related pieces more frequently but am not in the full swing yet. I definitely feel that my fashion aesthetic and graphic design tendencies are very similar. Im both cases I tend to gravitate towards a more simplistic and minimalistic approach. I admire colour, and sometimes use great big bursts of it, but for the most part I stick to neutrals with small colour accents (usually one colour at a time). I have an impulse to keep the overall look & feel clean, making most of white space - in terms of outfits this would mean not over-accessorizing - and keep any intricate design I do indulge in, contained to one area - i.e. a bunch of bracelets on one wrist rather than bracelets, belt earring, scarf, etc, all at once.

Shen Dove: How has the city/town you live in influenced your style? 

Sorren: When I first moved to Halifax, about five years ago, the city's style was very understated and laid back. Although it was a very youthful city with an influx of students from across Canada and beyond (we have three universities and a number of community colleges), it was still just a lot of jeans and tanks at the bars. Since then, Halifax's style has definitely evolved, embracing trends that other cities are seeing and now seems to travel the spectrum from hipsters to bro-dudes. Since I am mostly drawn to classic, stand-the-test-of-time pieces I tend to have a limit as to how much external forces will influence my style choices, i.e. I won't be morphing into the lead ukulele player in a wu-tang coverband. The biggest influence Halifax has had on my style is the lingering appreciation I hold for younger, flirtier, fun pieces which, as long I manage their inclusion in my work-wardrobe, isn't a bad thing.

Shen Dove: What are some of your interests/hobbies outside of fashion blogging? Do you have any hidden talents? 

Sorren: Interests and hobbies would include: Graphic Design. I like to design when I can, and when I'm asked. Lately I've worked on wedding invitations, a friend's business card and my own portfolio site. Web Design. I am also trying to get back into html and CSS. Playing producer and assistant to Jack's projects. I like helping anyway possible, from Music Video to screen printing. Reading. Anything from Bossypants to Survivor to Onward Watching movies and TV. Seriously, you would not believe how little TV I used to watch seven years ago (before my boyfriend). Luckily, TV time also means blog time. Hidden Talents: - I am a parallel parking pro. No lie. - Birthday-party planorama - Baking junkie.

Shen Dove: How do you plan to transition your favourite summer items into your fall wardrobe? 

Sorren: Tights. Lots of tights. Patterned, coloured, and monochrome tights. In fact, I think I need to go tight shopping… Also, I am going to focus on re-discovering my cardigans, jackets and boots. Styling a piece from season to season offers such a random, fantastic feeling of accomplishment that I just cannot get enough. Obviously there are certain pieces that need to be retired until the return of the warmer weather, however in the upcoming months I will be attempting to convert the majority of my dresses into fall-friendly outfits, so keep an eye out for those!

Shen Dove: Do you have any personal style rules you live by? If so what are they? 

Sorren: I don't have many, but I think these about cover it. Confidence is key. If you aren't confident in what you're wearing, don't wear it. There are go-to items in my closet that I will suddenly, for no discernible reason lose confidence in. When this happens, I just put them aside and wait for the weirdness to subside. Don't be a slave to sizing, it's all baloney. If it fits, it fits and that's all that's important - if it bothers you that much, cut out the tag. Store to store, label to label, dress to dress, I have run anywhere from a size 4 to 8 (small to medium), in tops and a 6 to 10 (medium to large), in bottoms. As long as it fits and I feel comfortable wearing it, I do not drive myself nutty worrying whether I should be a smaller size because sizes are subjective to the designer. Don't blow your money on trends, blow your money on what you like and what you will continue to like. Usually I'm late to a trend anyway making this a non-issue for me, but on the rare occasion I am ahead of the times, I hit up places like H&M to look for a trendy addition to my closet. I keep my big buys for those pieces I'll be able to wear for years, like my Halogen Jacket (2008), Boyfriend Blazer (2009), Club Monaco Skirt (2008), and BB Dakota Crop Jacket (2007).

Shen Dove: Thanks for the interview Sorren! So stop by and visit Classic Noise if you don't have it bookmarked yet!

Everybody, Everywear: Colored Pants

Top: H&M; Pants: H&M; Shoes: Zappos; Clutch: Francesca's Collection; Jewelry: H&M/Etsy; 

Watch: Francesca's Collections; Glasses: UO

For the first time in several seasons, I'm actually looking forward to wearing pants this fall mainly because I've seen them in such great colors in stores, magazines and on fellow bloggers. I now think that a pop of color in your pants or jeans really adds so much to an outfit.  I'm still a skirt collector, but I don't mind wearing pants from time to time also. 

After typing out my outfit components above, I realize that most of this outfit came from H&M. But that's okay! You like what you like right? 

Colorful at Sunset

Dress (worn as vest): UO; Skirt: Old Navy; Tank: F21; Belt: UO; Shoes: Nine West; 

Clutch: purchased in the Bahamas; Jewelry: H&M/thrifted/Francesca's Collections; Sunnies: borrowed from my Mom

Happy Monday, friends!  Hope you all had lovely weekends!  There's nothing like the end of a season to make you want to wear all of your favorite pieces while you can.  These shoes are obviously a summer favorite and I' wearing them as much as possible for the remaining few weeks we have left of summer! I was inspired to wear this sleeveless dress (another favorite) as a vest after seeing this blogger's outfit. I find myself inspired by the style of bloggers even more so than fashion magazines these days. 

I'm starting to get a excited about fall, but the only thing I'll really miss about the summer is having more hours of sunlight in the evenings.  I've already noticed that the days are a bit shorter than last month...I'll have to adjust the times that I take my photos accordingly.  

Have a positive, product week!

Currently reading: ReWork by: Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson

Memories of Less Rainy Days

Top: Gap; Skirt: H&M; Clutch: Francesca's Collections; Necklace: vintage: Bracelet: gifted; 

Bracelets and watch: H&M/Francesca's Collections; Sunnies: Target; Shes: Dolce Vita for Target

Hope you've been having a fun, fashion filled week despite the rain (if you happen to live in an area that's been rainy)!  

Btw, this outfit was actually from a few days ago before all of this rain decided to revisit the East coast...

Happy Friday!

Currently wishing for...rainy day footwear

This week's rainy weather forecast made me realize that I'm lacking in the rainy day footwear department.  Here are a few options that I'm currently wishing for.

1. Storm by Cougar Sienna Rain Boot

2. Hunter Andora Black Rubber Wedge Rain Boot
3. Burberry Rubber Rain Boots
4. LR Rain Bootie
5. Hunter Turks Rubber Flat
6. Rainy Day Bow Ballet Flats

Lace and Denim

Dress: Modcloth; Vest: F21; Shoes: Nine West; Sunnies: Borrowed from Mom; 

Jewelry: H&M/Francesca's Collections

 Hi friends, hope you had a lovely weekend! 

I love this dress, but rarely wear it, because the color and style of it feels a bit dressy, but I decided to wear it anyway, because clothes are meant to be worn! I topped the dress with a denim vest to make it a bit more casual. 

Let's make this week a great one!

Double Dotted

Top: H&M; Skirt: thrifted; Shoes: Vintage (Salvatore Ferragamo); 

Belt: Marshall's; Bag: Target; Earrings: local vendor

I'm still loving the summer weather, but I've officially reached the point in the season where I'm a bit uninspired by my wardrobe. I'm kind of looking forward to the layering options that fall weather brings to give a different look to item that I've been wearing for the last few months.  Can anyone else relate? 

Maybe I'll see some items on my fall wish list when I go to Georgetown DC's Fashion Night Out next week.  Anyone else going?  I'll see you around if you are local and decide to go!

Have a great Labor Day weekend!