Inspired

First:  Remember when I did this Fingerless Gloves DIY ()?  While I really liked the gloves I thought for sure I would place them in my drawer and maybe bring them out in the winter for a ski trip.  Imagine my surprise as I was flipping through Nordstrom's August catalog, which somehow was in my "throw away" pile of magazines.  So here is my inspired (and WAY cheaper) version.  Thanks Nordie's for the inspiration!!

*Picture taken by me from Nordstrom August 2012 catalog with my iPhone

Second:  Some of you may have noticed that I've been a bit MIA (thanks for checking on me Roni!!)

Without waxing poetic I have decided to just come clean cuz eventually it will all come out anyway.  A few weeks ago I had minor surgery to remove a small sebaceous cyst from my scalp that was infected. (fyi: sebaceous cysts are benign).  Still, it kinda rocked my world (the wrong way) and I fell into a semi depression/insomnia state that was so hard to shake.  After a couple of days, wanting to feel better, I went out make-up shopping, bought a new foundation (super-expensive, like if I spent more $$ it would equate to me feeling much better) and broke out horrendously, which only ended up making me feel worse and making my insomnia worse.  As days went by I didn't post I seriously worried about hurting my fellow blogger friend's feelings that I couldn't respond back in a timely manner, that I didn't visit their blogs, that my comments lacked substance, etc....

So I decided to turn the tables around and ask all of you:

1. Faced with insomnia what home remedies do you suggest?
2. How do you deal with blogging guilt?, responding to comments?, visiting hundreds of blogs?

Thank you in advance for any words of wisdom, advice, etc...

P.S. As you can see by the pics I am bouncing back (...slowly...)

How fun is this picture?

 I have always wanted to take a picture like this..... PEAACEE!

 

 

"take a look at  yourself and then make a change..."  (Michael Jackson)

Feeling French & Mini Ring DIY

Remember when I couldn't decide which color pumps to keep? (here)  If you've been following me for a while you know that deciding between things are just not my strong suit but I've finally made my decision, as you can see, and I couldn't be happier with these gorgeous heels!

Going out for "coffee time" at a French Bakery inspired my outfit today.  I would've preferred to wear my YSL#14 red lipstick but I hate leaving stains on white coffee cups...  So happy that the weather is cooler now in the evenings and I can wear my beloved waxed jeans.

Obsessed with my new chain link bracelet I got from HRH Collection (here).  Ordering was so easy and the package arrived at my door in no time.

Mini Ring DIY:  I loved this H&M ring as soon as I saw it on the rack but being in a hurry to leave just grabbed the first ring and left... At home I realized it fit my ring finger well but not my middle finger where I wanted to wear it.  The next day at H&M, wanting to exchange the ring, realized that I forgot the ring, but ended up getting the bigger size as it was the last one.  Back at home, fiddling around with both rings while on the phone, stacked the two together and realized I really like the way it looks and kept both!  I did a lot of realization those two days (haha).  But for an Armor Knuckle ring under $15 I say it looks pretty good!

Blouse:  H&M (old)

Waxed Jeans:  Zara

Vest:  ? (real old)

Pumps:  Jessica Simpson

Flower pin:  H&M

Necklace:  F21

Bow leather bracelet:  F21

Chain Link bracelet:  HRH Collection

Armor Ring:  H&M (2 rings worn as one)

Beret:  borrowed from my son

Handbag:  Burberry

Sunglasses:  Gucci

Nail Polish:  Illamasqua "Prosperity" (here)

 

  

Lady with the Hat

Fall fashions have hit the stores and although it's still so very hot around here I am shopping-bound becasue the dressing rooms have air conditioning!  This evening in particular was spent scoring some lovely pieces for my fall wardrobe, having some coffee and sweets and also managing to get out of an illegal U-turn ticket!  (Thanks Officer K.!!)  I think it was the hat that was my lucky charm!
I finally got to wear the blouse I showed you (here) and decided to pair it with my oh!-so-comfortable JBrand cargos.  Since most of the time we would be outside and I don't like squinting at window displays I decided to wear this great hat I told you about (here).
Thank you to all that inquired about me.  You guys are so sweet!  I am in fact well and have but three stitches to show off for my bravery!
Happy Friday everyone!

Blouse:  Angl
Pants:  JBrand Houlihan Cargo
Shoes:  Target
Hat:  F21
Earrings:  Lapis Lazuli stones - Gift
Bracelet:  Jacqueline Jarrot
Ring:  Rt.hand:  Nordstrom  Lft.hand:  John Hardy
Bag:  Christian Dior

 

 

 

 

My son chillin' California-style...

My First DIY - Leggings to Fingerless Gloves

When I first started stumbling across these three little initials, DIY, across the internet I didn't even know what they meant and then upon finding out that DIY = Do It Yourself I just simply snorted (yes, I do that sometimes)(a ladylike snort mind you) and thought: "That would be THE day, when I actually attempt a DIY!"  Well, here is THE day.

I'm really artistically inclined so I really don't know the reason behind my reactionary snort to a DIY.  Is it fear that I might mess up?  Is it my lackadaisical mood?  Don't know.  But here I went...

I got these leggings as a gift (who would ever give these to me?) years ago and really liked the design on them but disliked that they are leggings.  Being an ardent Madonna fan I have always liked fingerless gloves (lace or not).  Besides, living in sunny Southern California I really don't have need for the end of the gloves (most of the time).  So I decided to turn these leggings into fingerless gloves and hope that an outfit might be inspired by these new creations!

Do you have any leggings that could look better as gloves?

What you need?  Leggings and a pair of good scissors (so easy)

Decide whether you want short or long gloves and "cut"

Cut small triangles for your thumbs (OK so I'm not that great at itty-bitty triangles)

VOILA!!

Wild Burgundy

"We now return you to the regular scheduled program."  You hear this when you're watching something on TV and it's interrupted by breaking news, etc.  I now have this sentence on the brain as everything falls back into its regular schedule as summer closes.  And speaking of fall (thought I would let that slide?), I have been studiously going over the September fashion magazines and have fallen in love with all the Fall/Winter 2012 trends.  I was so inspired that I actually decided to incorporate a small bit of a few trends into an outfit which got its start with this really amazing blouse from Forever21.  I've had my streak of wild days and now I express that through fashion (it's written right there!).

So here we have the trend of the color burgundy (the pants and lips), dark lips, animal print (clutch and shoes {snake print on platforms}), teal (nail polish), and baroque (necklace and earrings).

As an aside I wish to express my gratitude for all that have stopped by my blog and have commented.  It looks like I have some catching up to do.

(P.S.  You'll just have to forgive the roots; had to have some minor surgery so had to postpone touch-ups!)

So tell me, what trend have you or are you going to try out for fall?

Blouse:  F21 (new)
Trousers:  H&M (new)
Pumps:  Wild Pair
Clutch:  Kohl's
Ring:  H&M
Cuffs:  F21
Necklace:  Givenchy
Earrings:  Swarovski
Sunglasses:  Local Boutique
Nail Polish:  Sally Hansen "Blue Me Away"
Lipstick:  Revlon "Black Cherry"#477, Buxom "April" on top

*got a freebie Benefit "They're Real" mascara at Sephora and I triple love it.... what do you guys think?
 (by the way: I am not getting paid to say this; I guess they're getting a freebie back! hahaha)

What do you guys think of the dark lips?