Last Sunday was a fabulous day filled with lots of baubles, bloggers, and mimosas!! Nola Fashion Council outdid themselves this time, bringing in some AMAZING special guest bloggers and local trunk shows!

I brought a pair of earrings from my Chloe + Isabel collection as a giveaway to one lucky blogger. I pulled names, and the winner was Keiko! I loved that they matched the dress she had on, and think they are perfect for her style! Wish I could have had something for all you ladies (Eat.Sleep.Wear., My Style Pill, Saucy Glossie, & Brooklyn Blonde)! Maybe next time!

Was loving these gals from St Claude Nola and Kate, who generously let me snap some pics with her camera, after meeting her and mentioning that I ran out of the house without mine!

I was dying over their mini crawfish claw necklaces (sad I did not get a pic). I also loved this dinosaur one, and walked home with the other, Stay By Mar one, for 50% off!

Me and my bestie for life sipping on some champs! Found out that amazing map mural covering the walls of Ste Marie was hand painted! Wow! I had never looked at it up close before. Love the colors too.

And here is our attempt at some outfit pics with an iphone, after a few mimosas, with hair blowing in my face!

Outfit: Dress: Thrifted (and hemmed) (similar) // Shoes: Antonio Melani (similar) // Purse: Everybody’s Buying Vintage (similar & worn here) // Sunglasses: Revival Outpost //  Neon Necklace: DIY // Other Necklace: F21 // Studded Cuff: Gifted from Ciera // Link Bracelet // Spike Bangles // Earrings

Thanks to my brunchity brunch bunch for your always pleasurable company!

Can’t wait to see what Nola Fashion Council & Ste Marie have in store for us next time!

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I did another designer inspired outfit shoot, this time inspired by the pepper print pieces in Dolce & Gabbana’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection. The entire collection featured 50′s inspired silhouettes with bold vegetable prints inspired by outdoor markets in Italy during the Summertime. Love, love, loved this whole collection! I was especially fond of the cropped bustier top with the full skirt, when I first saw it being worn by Dree Hemingway during Coachella.

I found this dress a few years ago at a local second hand store, but tend to only wear it casually around Jazz Fest time (it being a red beans & rice Jazz Fest dress and all). This Dolce & Gabbana collection inspired me to style it differently that I have before, and dress it up a bit so hopefully I will wear it more often!

So that is how I interpreted chili peppers being worn in Italy to red beans on my dress in NOLA! Would you rock this Jazz Fest dress all year round, or strictly save it for festin??

I am so excited to be attending this brunch tomorrow hosted by NOLA Fashion Council! There will be trunk shows by local designers including Stay by Mar, St. Clause NOLA, and Katie Grace. I am most excited to meet some of favorite bloggers that will be attending as the special guest bloggers, My Style Pill, Eat.Sleep.Wear, Keiko Lynn, Brooklyn Blonde, and Saucy Glossie! Oh and for the 25 cent mimosas of course! Anyone can attend, just call and make reservations if you would like to come brunch with us!

Here is a sneak peak at my outfit for tomorrow!

There will be lots more seriously stylish pics to follow! Until then, CHEERS! Happy Saturday!

Most of you have probably tried some of the main trends for Spring/Summer already like pastels, florals, and neon. My three must try looks for Summer though, are not your average sundress and sandals ensemble!

The sizzling, tropical paradise look actually combines all of my favorite trends right now – floral print, animal print, mixing prints, and fringe! If this look is too bold for you, simply try just a tropical print paired with neutrals or solid colors. A cat eye (weather it be your sunnies or eyeliner) is a great addition to this look. Top it off with some fun jewelry that ties into the theme, like a coral branch necklace, or a lion’s head bracelet and ring.

WARNING: When wearing this look, you will be ready to make whatever you do that day, or night out, your own relaxing/wild/care-free/fun tropical paradise, so don’t plan anything too serious!

Look1 : Top :: Necklace :: Earrings :: Sunglasses :: Bangle :: Image :: Bracelets :: Heels :: Skirt :: Ring

I’m so excited about this next look, which shows that shiny metallics are not just for holiday time or special occasions! It’s Summer time! The sun is shining bright, and you should be too! Also, that unfortunate misconception some have, that you can’t mix metallics…paaaalease! Get over it! Try one statement metallic piece and some mixed metal accessories if you don’t want to go head-to-toe. If you are weary about mixing separate pieces on your own, try ones that have the work done for you, like this Tri-Tone Bangle Set or Tri-Tone Sticks Necklace.

WARNING: This look will will turn some heads, and may slightly blind those not wearing protective eye wear when the sun is shining. Don’t be shy though, keep shining on!

Look2: Top :: Fanned Necklace :: Bangle Set :: Sticks Necklace :: Clutch :: Ring :: Bracelet :: Skirt :: Wedges

What better time to try this last look, than for the 4th of July? This look is usually portrayed a bit more on the edgy side, involving cut-off jean shorts (often inappropriately short, showing some cheek), midriffs,  side-boob, and lots of stars, stripes, studs and spikes. “Flag Fashion” is really big right now, and can be modified to your comfort level in many ways, so don’t be scared to try this look out other than on a patriotic holiday. Check out how to make your own American Flag Cutoff Shorts from my last DIY post.

WARNING: You may get mistaken for a hipster, redneck, or rockstar, while wearing this look. Who cares? Make it your own, and rock the American Girl Grunge style with pride! ‘Merica!

Look 3: Star Earrings :: Necklace :: Black Bracelet :: Red Bracelet :: Ring :: Bikini Top :: Peace Earrings :: Boots :: Shorts : Top :: Sunglasses

Which one of these looks will you be trying this Summer? Or would you rock them all like me? I would love to know which is YOUR fav!

I am so excited I finally made a pair of these American Flag shorts I have been wanting for a while now! And honestly I have to say, from all of the ones that I have seen online, mine really do look the best! So, let’s get into how to make these awesomely American shorts!

You will need:

- A pair of jean (Preferably vintage, high waisted, relaxed fit, with a  light wash) or cut off jean shorts

- fabric scissors

- masking or painters tape

- measuring tape

- fabric paint

- stiff paint brush

- star stencil or stickers

- studs (optional)

STEP 1-3: MESURE, LINE UP & CUT – Line up the inseams of your jeans (not the waistband). Measure and mark the inseam of your jeans (I measured about an inch longer tan I thought I would want, just in case) then measure from the bottom hem to the inseam. Subtract about an inch from this measurement and them measure from the bottom of the outside of your jeans on each side. This creates a slight angle upward on the outside which is more flattering. I lined up a pair of cut offs that are the perfect fit to compare to my measurements. Next, cut one leg, and then line up that piece to the other side to make sure you have the same angle. Try them on, and make adjustments as needed to length & angle.

STEP 4-5: TAPE & PAINT – Tape off all the areas that you do not want to be painted – The waistband, belt loops, pockets, the middle crotch part, and the sides. Next tape the stripes. Use a scrap piece of tape to measure the width in between each stripe. If you are using star stickers, place those on at this time as well. Now, time to paint! I suggest not using the spray kind of fabric paint, because it seeped under my star stickers a bit so I had to touch them up by hand with white paint. (The spray kind does give more of a washed out look though if you prefer that, as opposed to the red that I used which looks a little more opaque). You will need to paint, not spray if you are using a stencil for the stars. So for the regular fabric paint, pour some out on a plate, and apply with a stiff paint brush. Let dry according to the directions on the bottle. I left the tape on while it dried, and took it off the next day.

STEP 6: STUD – These are really easy to apply, and only take a few minutes, so I really suggest this last step to make your jeans even more rockin! you can order pyramid studs from online, or I found these at a local leather factory (Tandy Leather Factory). You will need a sharp tool to puncture holes in the jeans. I used a piercing tool called a brad setter, that I found at Michael’s. Insert the studs along the rim of the pockets, in the stars, in between the stripes, or anywhere you like!

And now for the last step, and most fun, style! I chose to style my shorts with all vintage and/or thrifted items (except the bracelets).

I found this Halston top at my last visit to the thrift store! Um hello? White, collared, button up, lace trim, Halston! It was the perfect find for a classic white cotton shirt for Summer and the perfect vintage style when tied up at the waist with these shorts!

I used one of my navy Whiting & Davis chain mail purses from my accidentally accumulated collection (obsession!), my new Chloe + Isabel stud bangles (that are a new staple in my wardrobe) and this red medallion bangle.

I finished off the look with my All-American, red All-Star Chucks!

I hope you embrace your patriotism and go make a pair of these shorts for yourself. Oh, and you’re welcome in advance for all the compliments you will get when wearing them! ‘Merica!

I fell in love with these Alice + Olivia wide leg floral pants when I first discovered them through pinterest, and even more when I saw this fun, retro looking photo from their website! I came across my version of these when I was scoping out local boutiques for my ‘Fashionably Festive in NOLA‘ blog post. When I pulled these from the overly crowded racks at Retro Active, I immediately thought, Flowy, high-waisted, wide-leg, floral pants – Alice + Olivia! And for only 20 bucks, I could not pass them up!

I found some props at my parents sign shop that I thought could mimic the scene in the A+O  photo shoot, and these vintage chairs in our backyard fit right in as well.

Get the A+O look above: Top // Pants (or shorts) // Similar Shoes

Get my look: Top: Kensie (I suggest this top for Summer) // Pants: Vintage (Similar) // Shoes: Messeca // Belt: Vintage (Similar) // Necklace: Chloe + Isabel // Earrings: Chloe + Isabel // Resin Bangles: H&M (Similar) // Spike Bangle Set: Chloe + Isabel // Ring: Handmade by me

This photo, from the May Issue of Glamour Magazine, inspired these next two photos of me sitting on the kitchen table. I spotted the pineapple at the last minute and decided to use it in the last few shots, and ended up liking those the best! Not to mention it goes quite well with the Hawaiian style floral.

Stay tuned for more designer inspired looks. Next up is a favorite look of mine from the Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2012 collection.