Inspiration: Fashion with Sleeves Tied at the Waist

celineCeline A/W 2013 RTW

Around the end of Summer and for A/W 2013, the mini-trend of a shirt knotted at the waist was spotted again and again on the runways, celebs, and street-style. Harking back to the 90’s days of grungy plaid sweatshirts tied around the waist (and that iconic Marc Jacobs grunge collection for Louis Vuitton), the shirt-sleeves-tied-around-the-waist-style keeps cropping up in a more sophisticated palette and incarnation. alexanderwang

Alexander Wang A/W 2013 RTW

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And incidentally, this is also my next DIY in the New Year. Stay tuned!

xo
Carly

Photos from: Style.com, Tommy Ton for Style.com here, here, here, The Cut

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Outfit 12.28.13: A Romping New Year’s Eve Party

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Rhinestone Earrings: from Japan. Starfish Brooch Bra Strap Headband: DIY (tutorial here). Feathered Cape: DIY (tutorial here). Rhinestone Pyramid Necklace: c/o Charming Charlie (similar here). Persona Bangle: c/o Persona. Interlock Gold Bangle: vintage. Rhinestone-adorned Clutch: vintage (a Goodwill find). Rings: H&M, mocha, Modcloth V To Success Knuckle Ring, wedding rings. Jersey Romper: UNIQLO (similar here or here). Gold Double Shell Belt: vintage (similar here). Sertia T-Strap Sandals: STEVEN (now on SALE for half off!).

outfit12.28.13_cu5Today is a neighbor’s New Year’s Eve party with a vintage theme, and I opted for a well-worn romper with my DIY Bra Strap headband and DIY Feather Capelet to cover up. (more…)

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Outfit 12.21.13: Belated Birthday Taekwondo Outfit

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Rhinestone Stud Earrings: from Japan. Gemstone Necklace: DIY (tutorial coming soon!). Long-sleeved Shirt: UNIQLO HEATTECH. Rings: c/o Diamond Candles, DIY Pretty Pearl Ring, Forever 21, mocha, my wedding rings. Bangles: c/o Persona, DIY Spike Bangle (tutorial here). Hard-Sided Blue Clutch: ASOS (similar hereicon). Gemstone-Print Skirt from a Shower Curtain: DIY (how-to here) (kind of similar here, in a polka dot version). Wedge-Heel Lace-Up Boots: thrifted Forever 21 (similar here.)

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

And yes indeed, Saturday was my birthday. And it was a milestone birthday – wherein I turned the shocking, over-the-hill age of 35.

(more…)

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Create Your Own DIY Holiday Gift Bracelet with Persona

personabangle_1 Lately it seems that beaded bangle bracelets have gone completely DIY, with companies offering a variety of different beads and charms to completely customize the look of the bangles to the wearer’s identity. Each charm can be something meaningful or commemorative for your recipient, and with a number of beautiful and semi-precious options the resultant bracelet can become a timeless family heirloom. Persona is one such company that offers the choose-your-own-charm option for bracelets, and they kindly sent me a bangle with 2 beads and a charm to review.personabangle_2

The bracelet arrived in a lovely jewelry box inside its own sleeve, along with a soft jewelry pouch, silver polishing cloth, small gift bag, and even some folded tissue paper in case you might want to present it to someone inside the gift bag. It’s an incredibly thoughtful array of packaging and needed items for the long-term care of the bracelet, which is much appreciated.personabangle_4

This particular Bangle from the collection is rhodium-plated, and has easy-open swivel ends. They also included a couple beads and a charm for decoration. From left to right: Crystal Cove bead from the Celestial Collection, Tiger Tooth from the Highland Collection, Lucite Beehive bead from the Celestial Collection.personabangle_3

The jewelry is a bright, non-tarnishing silver – and I love that the bangle has adjustable stopper beads to prevent all the charms from sliding around (space them close together or far apart, however you want them!). It is very lightweight, though – and barely feels like I’m wearing anything (great for bracelet stacking purposes!) The charms are incredibly detailed (the tooth charm is my fave!) and I like how they look edgy and modern (as opposed to stuffy and outdated like some other brands I’ve seen).

For someone like me, who loves black, silver, and sparkles and things with an edge, these beads and charm are perfect for my personality. But what if that’s not your style?

The great thing about the Persona collection is that you can totally customize the look of the bracelets no matter what your style. If you like pinks and baroque styling, then beads from the Versailles collection might entice you. If you prefer neutrals and black, the Highland Collection might speak to you. And if sparkles are your thing, then go for the Celestial collection! You can choose Zodiac beads, affirmation beads, crystal beads, beads with Swarovski rhinestones, Italian glass beads, and marcasite beads, a well as precious metal beads of silver and gold. They also have a number of different bracelet styles so you can customize the base of your arm adornment too. In other words, you have complete control!
Check out the graphic below for a quick how-to:

HowTo-Holiday-FullLengthCorrectIf you’re looking for that perfect gift for a special someone, you could make it truly unique to that person with your choice of beads and bracelets.

Check out Persona

xo
Carly

FTC Disclosure: I was gifted a bangle, 2 beads, and a charm from Persona for review purposes. The opinions above are my own. I have received no compensation for this post. For my full Disclosure Policy, click here.

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Steals and Deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Two of the largest shopping shopping days are almost upon us and I’d be remiss if I didn’t share some great deals, discounts, and coupon codes for all of you to take advantage of. Here are a few deals & steals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday that have caught my eye (plus some great pieces from my favorite e-tailers!):

Buckle buckle_blackfriday

From left to right: Big Star Maddie Flare Stretch Jean $152, Gimmicks by BKE Cowl Cropped Sweater $68, BKE Southwestern Print Maxi Skirt $29.95

Get an additional 10% off sale denim and denim crops, and an additional 15% off sale tops, sweaters, outerwear, shoes, belts, watches, backpacks, wallets, and bags

Buy one, get one FREE:  Select sale jewelry already marked 1/3 and 1/2 off. The 2nd sale jewelry item of equal or lesser value is free.

Thanksgiving Specials at Buckle

(Until 12/2)

Choies

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From left to right: Blue Textured Flare Skirt $42.99, White Shirt in Lotus Print $18.89, Silver Sequin Natural Heeled Court Shoes $35.99

Use coupon code WG5OFF69 for an extra $5 off orders of $69+

Use coupon code WG10OFF109 extra $10 off orders of $109+

Shop Choies

Karmaloop

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From left to right: The Sequins Tablet Sleeve in Gold $18, The Quilted Faux Leather Pants $80, The Ice Cream Earrings in Raspberry Sorbet $38

Use code BLKLIGHT for 40% off + **Free Shipping!

Shop Karmaloop

Lulu’slulus_blackfriday

From left to right: Dress the Population Lola Iridescent Sequin Dress $199, Pearls Night Out Gold and Pearl Necklace $25, For Love or Lemons Love You Knot Black Velvet Bralette $72

Many items on sale for 90% off

**Free Ground Shipping + major markdowns on sale items Friday 11/29

Shop Lulus.com

Modclothmodcloth_blackfriday

From left to right: App Plus Student Backpack $24.99, Party for the Course Dress $49.99, Piece of Mind Earrings $5.99

**FREE International Shipping on all orders of $150

Black Friday – 100’s of items 50% off @ ModCloth

(Until 12/1 at 9pm PST)

Modify Watches

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You can customize your watch by choosing the style and color of face, and the color of band. Over 3000 combinations are possible, and affordable: around $40-$60 per watch! (My favorite are the glitter faces and bands;-)

Everything on the website is 30% off AND every 10th order they are giving away for FREE!

Shop Modify Watches

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From left to right: Gold BellShaped Bag $30.59, Floral Print Slim White Dress $29.69, Contrast Cuffs Simple Design Blue Blazer $30.99

Get 15% off for Black Friday with code BlackFriday15%

(Until 12/5)

YesStyle

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From left to right: Alice Go Home Wool Blend Long Coat $150, 77Queen Platform Lace Up Ankle Boots $48, Ringnor Set Skull Accent Buttoned Slit Back Sweater $34.20

Use CYBERMONDAY for 15% off plus **Free Standard shipping on ALL orders with no minimum purchase requirements.

Cyber Monday Week 15% off Coupon

(Until 12/2)

Also, YesStyle will be giving away one iPhone 5C . Simply Likeand Share their Cyber Monday Week contest on Facebook, and you will have a chance to be an iPhone 5C owner!

Emilie M.
emilie-m-cyber-monday-promotion
Get 40% off site-wide and 60% off clearance items sitewide!
(from 11/29 until 12/5)

The 5-piece “Essentials Box” is FREE with code IWANTITALL on any purchase over $100 (2 days only until 11/28)

Shop Emilie M. Handbags

Happy Shopping!

xo

Carly

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Review: Sunglass Warehouse Sunglasses

sunglasswarehousereview_1Pictured above: Oversized Round Style #1985 Sunglasses c/o Sunglass Warehouse, random vase, Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in #245 Audacious, Giles & Brother Railroad Spike Cuff in Brass, Heather Hawkins Tiny Gemstone Necklace

At LuckyFABB I ran into a representative from Sunglass Warehouse, who later sent me a lovely pair of Oversized Round Style #1985 sunglasses to review. Since then I have been wearing them nonstop! I noticed that their prices were extremely affordable (under $12 for the above pair!), which made me think that the sunglasses themselves would be pretty cheap-feeling.

When I received them in the box I was a little disappointed to find that there was no case or pouch for them and that they were just wrapped in bubble wrap for shipping. However, when I peeled off the wrap I was pleasantly surprised to feel how thick and sturdy the frames were. I’m pretty used to the sunglasses put out by Forever 21 and their ilk, so the thickness and the quality came as a nice change from the flimsy and cheap sunglasses I’m used to.sunglasswarehousereview_2

I’ve been wearing them constantly for driving and being outside- and one of the nice things about them is that they’re slightly curved so hug my face, and don’t cause any weird reflections on the insides like flat sunglasses do. Plus, after 3 weeks of daily use, they show not ONE scratch despite how much abuse I’ve heaped upon them. (And an extra pouch I had from another pair of sunglasses that broke long ago work for housing these, making up for the lack of a case.) If you’re looking for quality sunglasses, at an affordable price, I’d really recommend Sunglass Warehouse for them (and don’t forget to use their Face Shape Widget to help choose which ones would be perfect for you!)

Check out the Great Sunglasses at Sunglass Warehouse!

I’ll be doing a fabulous sunglasses DIY with a pair from Sunglass Warehouse soon, so stay tuned!

xo
Carly

FTC Disclosure: I was sent one pair of sunglasses for review purposes from SunglassWarehouse. The above opinions are my own. I have received no other compensation. For my full Disclosure Policy, click here.

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