Fashion DIY: Exercise Your Closet

That is right...I said exercise your closet, don't throw it away! If you are anything like me my dears, you have a closet and maybe dressers and storage boxes full of clothes! Do you wear them all? Yeah, me neither. That is where Fashion DIY becomes crucial!

Every season I try and weed through my addiction to pare down the fat which is a pretty daunting task...especially since I own many clothes that are too good to part with (from before I lost weight in France...and yes, I realize this is a good problem to have). Now that I find myself sans sewing machine in NYC (a fact that is killing me btdub) I can't actually fix these items, so they just sit there taking up very valuable Manhattan square footage. So what is Fashion DIY well its creating ways to upcycle your clothing, or shop in your own closet if you will!

Here's an easy fix that does not involve sewing skills or any real seamstress tools:

Color Dyeing

I recently bought a corset top from Forever 21 that I later gave me buyer's remorse (which is a sickness I almost never get). Of course when I tried to return said top...Forever 21 with their non-existent customer service policy, how very un-American, would not allow the brand new frock (that had not even left the bag) to be exchanged. So what was I to do? Dye it!!

Totally cute corset top...but in peach...which I later realize that under the my sheer summer tops, just looked like I was naked because it was the same color as my skin. Whoa! was I ever uncomfortable!

 1. Find the classic RIT dye at your pharmacy, in a color your choice (I happen to be a sucker for teal)

2. Mix (following package instructions) with water and bring to boil. 
3. Soak garment for instructed time. Note: more or less time should be altered for desired color. Looking for a pastel? Less. Deep jewel tone? More.

4. Thoroughly rinse and wash garment and allow to dry.

5. Style accordingly! 

And Voila! Fashion DIY at it's finest! Now my once bare-all corset top is a cute pop of color under my sheer summer pieces. Je l'adore! There is always a way to re-work your closet, you just have to get creative. Don't be afraid to play around with old pieces..try and wear them in unconventional ways, or dye them in the latest hot color. That Fashion DIY may just be the little CPR revival your wardrobe needed!

Go try your own Fashion DIY 

and report back!

Bonne chance mes cheris!

I Can Pack for That: Miami - 4th of July

Well its finally the 4th of July and I hope you are all off to some excited places this long weekend! I will be celebrating here in New York City, but my mind I believe is off dreaming of sandy beaches and pina coladas a bit closer to the equator. Miami and its hypnotizing music and alluring scene would be a fabulous place to celebrate Independence Day don't you agree?!

As a Southern Bell myself, I must admit, as of late, I am jonesin' for some sweet tea, long beaches, and warm water to splash around in...oh to be able to travel right now. Well for those of you that do get to venture off to some exotic location I give you a little how to pack for a long weekend...Miami style!

I Can Pack for That: Miami by fashiondiva304 featuring denim short shorts

How would you pack for Miami my dearests?

Fashionspiration: Fashion Archive

I thought I'd pull out an oldy but goody from the fashion archive of The Embellished Life vault! The sad thing about blogs is you put up so much information from the beginning, but it takes time to build readers so your early, inspired pieces get seen by very few people!

This dip into the fashion archive is for some visual inspiration from the fashion photography world. Please gain inspiration today from the works of Richard Avedon, Annie Leibowitz, and Thomas Legrange (as pictured above) among other greats.

FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY IDOLS:

RENDERED SPEECHLESS

Birthday Girl Glamour

It's a grand ol day for the birthday girl as I adventure around 

and enjoy New York celebrating... ME! 

Just wanted to quickly share with you the most beautiful dress I have ever tried on...it is certainly the perfect birthday dress if I've ever seen one! Farah Khan does amazing work and this dress twirls and sparkles and makes me feel like an old Hollywood starlet...now if only I had an event to wear it to!

Have you felt like a princess lately?

Diary of a NYC Fashion Intern: Merchandise the Mannequins!

How is your summer getting along darlings? I must say Summer in New York City is positively smashing, between the Alexander McQueen Exhibit at The Met and Shakespeare in the Park to Brunch at Balthazar how is a girl to choose? Fortunately, NYC is always going and so is the work. As my days as an NYC Fashion Intern come to a close I hope you've enjoyed the sneak peak at the bottom of the ladder. 

But sometimes a fashion intern gets a chance to be a bit creative... merchandising the mannequins!

 I did some merchandising for the boutique downstairs. 

From glam rock to pretty princess, it's always fun to dress up the windows!

This was a white dress, that is now modeled on a guitar stand with...

Yeah, studded chucks...nuff said. 

I could not be more in love with this petticoat tutu skirt!

So what are your thoughts on my merchandising skills, not half bad huh?! Too bad its a totally different direction from marketing, it would be a fun side job to merchandise the mannequins all over NYC. Maybe in another life, but this one includes being a NYC Fashion Intern which isn't half bad either :)

Fashionspiration: Happy Hour

Another office to happy hour look to get your taste buds drooling! Remember a blazer makes anything look profesh! I layered my blazer over a flowy chiffon and pearl top that I bought in Ireland for a soft but professional ensemble. And again, I'm aware 98% of you could not wear these shorts to work, so bring on the pencil skirts! Just pull out these ripped jean shorts and make this quick alteration before hopping over to the nearest watering hole for happy hour drinks with your colleagues. 

 Fashion tip #131: Shorts in heels make you have legs for days!

Add some fun heels like these Charlotte Ronson suede pumps

 for something great in your ensemble from head to toe!

Spotted. A special chica reigning as Happy Hour Queen. 

Be sure to enjoy your throne.

MUST HAVE!

I hope your Father's Day Weekend was fabulous my dearies. I had a lovely chat with my Daddy, although I wish I could have been in town to actually spend time with my family...they're pretty great. I'll leave you with a quick thought today or product if you will.

I have wanted Tom's for a while but didn't feel like there was one that particularly my style, but I just love what the company is doing for people in need. For every pair purchased, a pair is given to someone in need overseas. More companies should have this structure of giving. Well I have finally found my MUST HAVE Tom's!

Source: lovely-little-things.blogspot.com via Kim on Pinterest

{Merci Kimmy}

Lace Tom's. Very me. Very amazing.

Savage Beauty: The Exhibit of Alexander McQueen

Spotted, on the steps of The Met, basking in the sun and ready to take in the beauty of her once beloved designer's collection, Blogger Girl is beaming in the beauty of The City in the summer... As promised my darlings, I am reporting back on the phenomenal Alexander McQueen Exhibit at The Met!

Savage Beauty is from start to finish my favorite fashion exhibit thus far. Alexander McQueen was a true visionary, an artist whose medium was clothing. Constantly pulling from all art forms for his fashion shows, he was notorious for Wowing his audience time and time again. Every collection was a complete 180 from the last. He was truly the darling of the fashion world and set the bar high as he ushered us in to the next century of style.

At The Metropolitan Museum of Art, between now and August 7th, you can explore the inner workings of Alexander McQueen up close and personal. I never thought in my life I would get to study his entire collection at one time, in one space...much less at all. But to see all the intricate folds, impeccable tailoring, and even a summary of the background of the collections was so inspiring. These are the things I dreamed of studying in my school classes, I'm so glad I get to study them for fun now!

{merci johnsimondaily.com for all exhibit photos}

{Merci The Cut}

I seriously cannot impress upon you enough how utterly amazing this exhibit is. If you are in New York this summer you simply must stop by and take it all in. And if you are, let me know!! I will definitely need to be booking time to see this again!