How to look better in the clothes you already have.....

You can look better in the clothes you already have by following these 5 simple tricks!

This blogger shows how simple alterations make the difference!

1. FIT! Make sure your clothes fit the way they are supposed to fit you. Pants that are too long and clothes that are too baggy are easy fixes with a trip to the dry cleaners. I take anything ill fitting in for tailoring. Within a few days and usually $5-20 per garment charge....it's well worth the time and the money. inexpensive clothes tailored to you, instantly look more expensive!

Buttons shouldn't gap! Either wear open or use fashion tape!

Make sure your clothes aren't too small either. Nothing worse looks than clothes that are toooooo small! For more on fit, visit this bloggers tips!

Really Bradley?!

2. CLEAN! This seems simple, but you would be surprised how many people overlook this! Make sure your clothes are free of loose strings (especially around buttons). This is an easy fix with a few snips from some scissors (don't pull!)

Lint roll items to remove dust, hair, or lint. Remove pills on sweaters with a pill remover, razor, or a hair curler (go here for how to).

Don't wear clothes with stains, makeup or other spots (especially the often overlooked: COATS!)

Dry cleaning clothes will also keep your clothes looking better for longer, especially cheap items from stores like H&M and Forever 21.

Don't forget to clean your shoes and handbags. Don't let your footwear get scuffed up and worn out, covered in mud or in salt. You can wipe with a damp cloth, magic eraser (especially on athletic shoes) and use restorer (for leather). Soles can be repaired at a shoe cobbler.

3. LOOK! Make sure your clothes look the way they are supposed to! If wrinkled, iron or steam. A crisp white button up oxford will look terrible if wrinkled and not properly starched. Store sweaters and shirts properly to avoid them from being stretched out in the shoulders or sleeves.

4. PAIR! Pair your outfit with the right accessories: jewelry (always earrings), belt, handbag, scarf. These items can make an inexpensive or plan outfit look high end and amazing.

5. BEAUTY! If your hair and makeup is a mess, it doesn't matter if you are wearing a top designer runway dress! Amazing hair and makeup can make a jeans and t-shirt outfit look like a million bucks. It doesn't have to be a ton of makeup (overdone can be trashy). Hair just needs to be maintained with no roots and trimmed free of frizzy ends, basically clean, and styled. Groomed eye brows and manicured nails are a must!

Watch Out

La Mer, "St. Tropez"

$169, here

 

Marc By Marc Jacobs

similiar $250, here

 

 

Movado, "Bold"

$850 here and $650 here

 

Chanel, "J12 Black"

$11k, here

 

 

Rolex, Vintage

here

 

 

Shine Bright Like a Diamond!

When I first got engaged, I babied my ring! I cleaned it all the time and took it off when I applied lotion or hair products. Years later and now married, I forget I'm even wearing it and needless to say it's definitely gotten dirty.

 

I came across this at home ring cleaner recipe that is supposed to really make your bling sparkle and decided to give it a try.

 

 

Here's what you need:

• Small bowl
• Aluminum Foil,
• 1 tablespoon Baking Soda
• 1 tablespoon Dish Soap
• 1 tablespoon Salt
• Warm Water

Here's how:

1. Heat water in microwave 1-2 minutes (I did 1 min. and 30 sec).
2. Cover bowl with aluminum foil.
3. Pour baking soda, salt, dish soap into bowl ( I didn't measure, just kinda eyeballed it). Top with warm water and mix together gently with a spoon. Mixture should become bubbly.
4. Let ring soak in mixture for 10-15 minutes (I let my ring rest on the spoon so I could easily fish it out).
5. Remove ring and rise with cold water. Dry with a soft cloth.

for more go to:
http://www.food.com/recipe/jewelry-cleaner-180133

I have also tried Windex (go here) and also toothpaste (yes used an old toothbrush, water, and paste and literally brushed my ring seen it here). Neither seemed to clean as well as this at home mixture.

A girl can dream.....

My Dream Designer Christmas List :)

Burberry Brit Cotton Check Blouse, $295

Burberry Giant Check Print Scarf, $350

Speedy 35, Louis Vuitton, $790

 

Marc by Marc Jacobs Gold Blade Watch, $250

 

 

Christian Louboutin Pigalle 85 Patent Pumps, $625



Frye Heath Harness Disc Boots, $358



Christian Dior, J'adore Parfum, $62-105

 

 

 oh and one last thing an Hermes Belt :)

 

New City-Same Blue Box

I have long heard of this "too good to be true" Nike Women's Marathon held each year in San Fransisco. As one runner described, the race is so unique featuring a, "Ghirardelli chocolate mile, bra bar, pre-race expotique and probably the most talked about feature, the Tiffany & Co. finisher’s necklace served upon silver platters at the finish line by handsome tuxedo clad local firefighters". Proceeds of the race go to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In other words, this is my kind of race!

 

 

 

If only it was closer....well now it is! I was so happy to open my email and see a message from Nike informing me that this same race is coming to DC! The only drawback is that it is only offered as a half, instead of a full.

 

Registration is open now and the price is discounted for college and graduate students! The race is only open to 15,000 people, so it will sell out quickly.

 

 

Here are some of the awesome Tiffany and Co necklaces for the finishers of the San Fran race! I can't wait to see what mine will look like :) In addition to the necklace, runners also get a Nike Dry Fit t-shit.

 

For more info and to sign up, visit NWM26.2

Big Necklaces

 

I can't get enough of big necklaces!

 

 I love the look, but am having some trouble finding just the right ones for me and my smaller frame.

I really like the pairing of these bigger pieces with casual wear (tshirt, chambray shirt) and the elegance it can add. These big beauties can range from the basic chain to some big bling.

 

 

 

 

 

Saying Sunday

I found for sale here

Get Bubbly

Right now the J Crew Bubble Necklace is popping up everywhere on fashion blogs. This statement necklace screams vintage, but at the same time still yields a modern clean flare. The necklace comes in a variety of colors which currently include; navy, pink, aqua, white, and Kelly green. Cost is $150 for the 18 inch piece (2 inch extender option) and their online site boasts that is is made with an 18 kt. gold electroplated brass- sounds fancy, huh?


With a quick search on Ebay, I saw over 600 necklaces- many of which were under $20 (including shipping)....are they in fact actual J Crew?? Well no one can be sure, but you definitely can get the look for a lot less. They also have more colors such as coral and yellow.

Etsy also has a good selection of the style. Also a good variety of colors and also with slight variations, such as a small piece (with less rows of drops) and some with ribbon instead of chain.

If you are really crafty, there are also online tutorials on how to make your own bib necklace. I saw one here and also here. Both sites disclaim that this is not a DIY project for the beginner level!

Here are some ways to rock this a-mazing necklace:

As you can see, this necklace can really spice up an outfit- whether it is a dress, blouse, or even a t-shirt.

Happy Shopping :)

accessorize me

"dressing is a way of life" -Yves Saint Laurent

Accessories I'm loving....

Coastal Arm Candy

ADORABLE and SEXY

VINTAGE

Beautiful Statement

Clutch

Clean Colors

Cat eye

Floral

Classic