New moves

I never realized how easy peasy it is to make a flower crown! I highly recommend making your own, as you can choose any combination of flowers you like. I made the type that sits on elastic, but I've seen plenty made on top of headbands a la Frida Kahlo, sometimes with a number of wacky materials. I wanted a simple one I could wear to my best friend's wedding and to summer festivals, and I think it turned out pretty nicely!

Here's how I made mine:

Materials- elastic (Michael's), faux flower bouquet (Michaels, Hobby Lobby or Walmart), needle and thread, hot glue gun, felt (for backing).

1. Use your head to measure the elastic, leaving about an inch of room to overlap both ends.
2. Thread your needle. Straight pin ends of elastic together and hand sew. I double checked the width here before sewing just to make sure the crown would have the desired looseness.
3. Cut flowers from the top of the stems. I used fabric scissors.
4. Cut small pieces of felt for the backing of your flowers
5. Using your backing, adhere the back of each flower to the elastic with glue. The elastic should sit between the back each flower and a square of felt. 
6. Repeat until all the flowers are adhered to the headband, I checked the spacing of each before gluing. You may also want to keep in mind how much your elastic stretches as you define the spacing between each flower. 

You're done! You can check out mine on IG @pinsandplats :)

xo

So I lied

\\\\\\\\\\I can't leave this blog.

I'm not sure why, but even after all these years I keep coming back hoping to make something of this thing. Who knows? Hmmmm..

Right now though I am MEGA hungover and need a nap. Last night I went to The Local, an Atlanta bar/karaoke spot, and had a wonderful time with some new friends. I needed that. Charlie and I drank two pitchers and had shots of Fireball courtesy of Harley, which was super nice. And Harley sang "Friend Like Me" in German! Total crowd pleaser.

I had work this morning (bummer), but now I'm finally home and feeling tired but in a good way. It ihas been muy caliente here the past few days. I think it took everyone by surprise just how hot it got in a matter of days. Plus my AC is out. 

I joined a book club recently. I always wanted to and now I have. The first meeting is next month, and we'll discuss "Bad Feminist" by Roxanne Gay. Have any of you read it? Is it any good? I'm excited to order it on Amazon. It's been a minute since I ordered a book that isn't for school. I think the last one I ordered was a pamphlet on soap making, which is another dream of mine. 

Speaking of ordering, I have to order my bridesmaids dress from Modcloth! My BFF is getting married in four months, and I couldn't be happier to support her and her hubs on their special day. And I get to buy something cute! Plus it's Day of the Dead themed! Hooray for all the adorable things. here's the dress:

Tomorrow we are crafting flower crowns and wedding hangers. I also have some pretty adorable photos from the engagement shoot that I did for the couple that I'll have to share here so you can see for yourself how kickass these people are IRL. Honestly, I don't know how I feel about marriage in the first place, but I like celebrations, and this one is certain to be the best party of the year. 

Plus love! Yay!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxSam

Striking a balance

The shirt I throw on each morning is carefully calculated. It is weighed against the others with the utmost consideration as I try to find the perfect middle ground between "fashionable" and "basic-as-hell."

And for the past year or so, my style has leaned a little more toward the latter.

With gusto I have been reaching for whatever is comfortable, making way for the cotton top, the almighty denim jean. I justify these decisions by telling myself I am a college senior, I am in my mid-twenties, and most importantly -- I can do whatever I want, nah nah nah nah boo boo.

Gone are the days I spent hours online (window) shopping, curating epic wish lists of never-to-be-purchased items that would go so wonderfully with a black bowler hat, a pink lip and a fuck you attitude (wait, wait, the attitude is here to stay, I kid you not).

And that was fuuuuun! Hella fun. I sort of miss it. I was reminded of those times as I opened a tab to one of my favorite stores to purchase a pair of lace-up boots, only to realize that WAIT! I should totally look for a winter coat while I'm at it...maybe a pair of socks to go with the boots...a shirt for work...and HEY KHAKIS ARE ON SALE 

ETC ETC ETC

Haha. Yes, I said khakis. But more importantly, a coat! 

A couple years back and only a few clicks away I posted a photo of my new at the time (but still fresh as hell) winter coat. It is still totally kickass, but completely IMPRACTICAL for Atlanta weather. Seriously that ish is like an oven on mah skin.

And negating last February's snowpocalypse, there is absolutely no reason to own a coat that large and warm in the South. Please, ibegofyou take it off my hands! Maybe we can swap meet or something.

I'm looking for something lightweight, for cold that rarely drops below 30 degrees in the daytime. Plus I like to layer. A lightweight duster, cocoon coat or trench would all be acceptable.

If you know of anything matching the description, please point me hither and yon! 

If you are feeling basic as hell, let's swap ideas for shaking up our wardrobes or something! I think I'm in the market for a new look but not really sure where to begin.

Muahhhh!

Obsessed with this: Content about obsessions, Birks and sketching

Hello, all! It's been ages, so I thought I'd refresh the old blog by sharing some content I'm obsessed with.

Just to let you know, the following were published months ago and are not "new." But I am not sharing them because they are new; I am sharing them because

Goodbye, November

As we are about to experience arguably the busiest week of our lives here at casa de Reardon-Rollins (finals AND moving!), I'd like to wave an ardent farewell to November by revisiting some of my favorite memories:

Summer in the sticks

Clockwise from top left: Matthew Williamson summer coat, Fossil necklace, ? socks, Laura Palmer, Kissy Face clutch, Bass loafers, Chapstick, Uniqlo shorts

Greetings from Ghost Town! Hope you've all been well and are enjoying your summer breaks, or jobs...mine is a mixture of both really.

Lately I've been thinking a lot about the direction my life is going (again? haha). I'm an editor of my school paper now, and it's super exciting! I think I'm a little afraid, though...I keep asking myself if I'm ready. But when are you ever like, ready, you know? Sometimes it's best to just dive right in. I want to create a huge binder full of ideas for my section. Do any of you have organization strategies for your blogs or jobs? 

Let me know, and adventure! The world is beyond your front door.

Valentine's Day, Revisited

Love can really suck. All my favorite movie characters know it. You can always spend your V-Day taking some style cues from a few of the best down and out film characters. Why is it that the romantic nay-sayers always have such great fashion sense?

1.  Of all the punk-bohemian, love-denouncing goddesses of cinema, Clementine Kruczynski from Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind has got to be at the top of my list. In the film, Clementine (played by Kate Winslet) and Joel (Jim Carrey) have their memories erased in order to forget their doomed relationship, only to realize that their love is near impossible to dismiss. Clementine is fickle and hard to pin down, which makes her all the more loveable. Her style is just as reflective of those characteristics: she has no less than four vibrant hair colors throughout the movie, and sports an enviable wardrobe including camo pants, a day-glo orange hoodie and various neck scarves. A few tubs of Manic Panic semi-permanent hair dye will go far when achieving Clem's look ($10 a pop at Sally's Beauty). 

2. It's hard to choose who has better digs between these two thrift-store-chic characters, so I'll just have to talk about them both: Tyler Durden and Marla Singer are the self-destructive alter-personality and the equally self-destructive girlfriend of the 1999 film Fight Club. Tyler's clothes are simultaneously the epitome of cool and the ugliest you've ever seen: he wears 70s sport-shirts and pink tinted glasses with the utmost attitude. Give a nod to Tyler's (anti) style with this trippy Taxonomy Duck shirt ($40, Topman). Marla's fashion sense is more moody and dark. The black feathered floppy hat at Nasty Gal ($38) will do the trick, especially if you plan on attending several support meetings incognito like Marla.

3. Blue Valentine (2010) is the tragic story of Dean and Cindy, who have instant chemistry but end up trying to sustain a feeble marriage. Maybe it's just the way the movie is filmed, grainy and nostalgic, but Cindy's style is so wistful and lovely that's it's worth taking inspiration from. In one scene, Cindy dances in front of a storefront wearing a cute red sweater and denim pencil skirt and biker boots. Best outfit ever. You can cop Cindy's look with the g.m.p.b. polo sweater at Uniqlo ($40).

How to hem a dress or whatever else your heart desires

Before and after. Punk granny style.

If your sewing savvy flew out the window as soon as middle school home ec ended, then this how-to is for you. There is no clothing repair more essential than sewing a hem, (except maybe sewing a button) aaaand there are multiple ways to do it! The way I'm going to explain is the a basic, legit way. I hemmed a polyester dress so I could not use iron on adhesive (get it at craft stores, works well for hemming denim, cotton, etc.). Let me make this clear: DO NOT use iron on adhesive to hem polyester fabric or any other fabric that says 'do not iron' on its tag. If you do, your fabric could melt (gross).

What you'll need: dress (or whatever piece of clothing you want to make shorter, such as jeans or a skirt), sewing machine (if you don't have access to one, call a local sewing center for hourly rentals), thread to match your fabric, a bobbin, sharp scissors, a ruler, several straight pins and a handful of patience. 

Step 1: Put on the article of clothing you're workin' with. Mark a spot with your finger where you want the new hem to hit and pin it with a straight pin. Now take off the piece and lay it out on a flat surface.

Step 2: Turn it inside out. Put your finger on the spot you pinned. Now mark a new spot several inches below that. It's time to bust out those scissors! Using a ruler for a straight edge, cut your fabric horizontally across the new spot and toss the excess fabric. Whew! It's over so you can breathe now.

Step 3: Take the bottom of the fabric (keeping it inside out) and cuff it all the way up so the bottom of your cuff is where you marked your new hem spot. Lay it completely flat again and measure both sides of the cuff to make sure your hem is straight all the way across. Now pin all the way around the garment, about an inch from your new hem line. Turn it right side out.

Step 4: Try on your dress/pants/skirt. Make sure you like where your new hemline will sit after its sewn. If you don't like the hemline you pinned, take out the pins and repeat step 3. Remember: once you sew it there's no going back!

Step 5: You're ready to sew! Thread your bobbin with your matching thread and thread your sewing machine. If you don't know how to do this a sales associate/friend/YouTube video can help. Stitch all the way around your garment, using the measurements under the needle as a guide to keep your fabric straight. Stop every time you get to a pin and take it out. 

Step 6: Turn that baby right side out and admire your handiwork! And to think you flunked home ec. 

Clockwise from top left: Step 2 (the pin is circled), Step 3, Step 4

**Originally published in the Signal 

Note: Sorry I've been gone so much lately, guys! Obviously since I've been promoted at the paper, and I've been taking 15 hours this semester, and I actually have a family at home and tons of future plans, blogging has taken a backseat! In fact, since this blog was started so much has changed that we may have a HUGE overhaul here soon...

I'm talking about a major blog-over, where fashion will still play a role in my content, but "lifestyle" stuff will really be my forte. Me and my future hubby Phillip are trying to jump-start our own screenprinting company. I know - earlier last year I was jabbering on about a hairbow company...but it really comes down to my entrepreneurial whims. I feel as if I'm truly an entrepreneur at heart, and I'll keep rolling with my ideas til I find one I really love <3

Abientot, my lovelies! I hope that talking about my life can inspire you all to keep going after your dreams. I've been chugging on this bumpy road for three years, and I'm happy to see how much progress I've made. What are your dreams? How much progress have you made? Tell me some stories! I would love to in turn gain some inspiration from you! 

I go out in blankets

On freezing cold mornings I want to wear my big wrap coat, because it is so warm and wintery, and I can leave my house feeling just as cozy as I did when I awoke. But as the day wears on, and afternoon hits, that fashionable coat becomes such a burden. It's 55 degrees and sunny and the coat weighs heavy on my arm, halfway dragging on the ground. Not such a great idea anymore.

This is the winter coat I've had for two years. I still love it.

Enter the remedy, one of the best style strategies ever: layering. Benefits: it’s easier to shed thin layers and toss them your bag as the day warms up than dealing with one thick layer; if you’re bored with your wardrobe, you can just pile on a ton of random things on top, wear jeans on the bottom and voila! Somehow you look totally put together and chic; literally the possibilities are endless – bikini tops over turtlenecks? Well, why not?

Here are my tips for those new to layering as well as those fashion veterans looking to shake things up:

The way she wears this bodysuit kills me. Too chic for words.

Layer the second: button-down/sweater combo. Can't go wrong. Via sartorialist

When all else fails, throw an Edwardian-style collar over everything. Instant royalty. Via hel-looks

• The first, bottom layer: It's best to wear something really tight on the bottom, as this helps insulate your body and keeps everything else from looking too bulky. Think thermals (Forever 21 always has them) and long sleeve tees (Target, Gap, Old Navy...), or, my favorites, turtlenecks and unitards (American Apparel has heaps). I like to keep this layer the most basic, adding interest as I go.
• The second layer:  This is when things start going awry, in a good way of course. Button downs and cardigans are foolproof over layer 1, as are said button downs under sweaters/sweatshirts. The latter option may not require a first layer, which is okay, because there are no real rules to achieve the look; the most important thing is to experiment to your heart's content. This would be a great moment to revive some of those lonely pieces pushed to the far corners of your closet. 
• The third layer: Outerwear is my favorite part of the process, because it is by far the most fun. Keep things light with an anorak, denim jacket or quilted vest, or go with a heavier, perhaps wool-blend jacket depending on the weather. Personally, I look forward to the day someone, anyone, wears a poncho or straight-up blanket in lieu of a jacket/coat. This is also the point where I put on my socks (a crucial moment), beanie, big belt, scarf, whatever, etc. Experimentation is key, plus it's fun. Warning: you will end up with a pile of clothes on your floor.

  There you go! That's it. I always cater the outfit to the weather, but the splendid thing about layering is that you can do it in any season. It's all about creating texture and dimension in an outfit, so consider mixing different textiles - chiffon with leather, silk with knit - to make your outfit interesting. Ultimately, HAVE FUN. Happy layer jamming.
**A condensed version of this article can be found here, on the Signal's website. My name is not Joshua Yu though, so they really need to change that! Lol. It's funny because they still have my bio at the end :P

Love yas/

Ribbon! Fabric! Glue!

WHEW. I cannot tell you how excited I am for this semester to be drawing to a close! Tomorrow is my last day of class, so Saturday begins my week-long Thanksgiving break! Hoorayyyy! The flurry of happiness is slightly dampened, though, by the fact that I still have assignments and exams once class is back in session on the 26th (I have a persuasive speech, group research project and multiple upcoming finals BOO) but rather than get overwhelmed, I'm going to take things one day at a time, spacing out schoolwork with days to chill in between :)
And by chill I mean spend time with my wonderful family, read and write wonderful things and get wonderfully crafty!! That's right - it's HOLIDAY CRAFT TIME. 

A snap of me and Becca(my sister)'s recent DIY madness

I have been posting craft ideas like a mofo on Pinterest these days! To me, winter holidays mean two three things: food, family and CRAFTS, but mainly crafts, ya'll. So I'm busting out the glue gun with wreckless abandon - I will literally be gluing buttons to everything in my path. But for real. When you're on your own for the first time, you probably have little more than a couple strings of colored lights to your name. Not only do DIY decorations cost less and hone your craft skills, they also look so gosh dern festive! Here are some neat ideas I'd like to try this holiday season:

Adorable tree craft with BUTTONS.

Pom pom garlaaaand. I first saw this craft in Bust's book on how to be awesome basically, and have wanted to do it ever since!

Sticks with glitter! Festive, easy, lovely. Throw them in a vase and enjoy.

Okay so technically I've made little xmas boxes via matchboxes before when I was a kid (my Mom instilled the love of DIY in me at an early age), but I want to make some more! I especially can't wait to try making them out of aluminum foil boxes :3

Speaking of DIY...I got some black and silver pyramid studs recently, which I used to jazz up my plain denim jacket. YESSS

What do you get crafty with?

You are Eeyore. I am tigger. Let's Bounce.

It's a super gray day at school. Beige buildings on gray sky, puddled pavement, drip drip dripping leaves. Plop! Right on my head. 

It's sort of nice in Atlanta though, at least to me (someone explain why they hate rain. My fiancee just texted me saying that the gloom was ruining his day. I personally love rain, thunderstorms, wind, clouds, and earth elements in general! Bring it on Mama Nature! Perhaps I'm just a product of my east-coast raisin'). I get tired of the warmth peeking out beneath the cover of a day that starts out cool, but by afternoon is a sweaty 80 degrees, and you wonder, why Georgia, WHY? Why is it hot in October?? But it's a week into November now and we haven't had a warm day yet. *Knock on wood*

So with the day being "gloomy" as it is, I decided to put the most minimal effort ever into getting dressed this morning. 'Cause that's what rainy days are for. But no, I didn't wear sweatpants, silly, as I am too high and mighty or perhaps I am just rightfully concerned about putting my best foot forward or whatever they say...but I did schlep on a pair of trusty jeans and...wait for it...a t-shirt! Blue jeans and a white t-shirt, a gray hoodie and a brown leather jacket. Boom. Loafers and multicolored mittens. Double boom!

My heart was a hysterical, unreliable organ.

Hello, lovelies! I'm back! I had to take a little break to figure some "things" out, live life, take care of school paperwork (it's a bitch, that financial aid), and generally be awesome. And I'm so excited, because I realized that I have so much news to share! But before I break into that, let's talk shoes. While shopping at Urban Hipsterfitters yesterday, I spotted a b-e-a-yoootiful pair of Sam-Edleman ankle boots, and I thought to myself, "I don't really have a pair of ankle boots!" Even though, of course, I actually do, but not the sort that I've deemed perfect to go with each and every outfit I own (do those really exist though? Anybody?). And without so much ado, here they are:

^^Sam Edelman Petty Boot preeeetty boot :P

These are so fantastic..I can't describe it in words, but you can be certain that I'll try: the love child of cowboy and Chelsea boots, all wrapped up in soft black suede. My mind started racing with the seeming catalog of street style photos in my head, flipping through images of girls and boys in cuffed trousers and boots, their ankles exposed in sockless rebellion!

credz

Two babe'n ladies captured by Phil Oh

I don't know if you've picked up on it yet, but I have a penchant for menswear turned ladieswear, which should actually be the term for this sort of look...trousers cuffed, blazers bared, oxfords laced. I'm more intrigued these days, by the way a person wears her clothes rather than what the clothes are themselves. Although I do believe in a "curated" wardrobe, where each piece you own has a significance. But more on that later.

So as much as I love "the boots", I'm not certain they're the ones for me (based on monetary reasons). So after eons (15 minutes) of searching for a pair that were comparable, I came across these babies:

TA DA!

This is what I found at more than half the price, at the always fantastic A-sauce. And I'm telling you, these are my new super shoes that I will wear everyday, with everything. The fall wardrobe planning has commenced!

So where have I been lately? Hmmm? Well here's a good part of that explanation: I've been MIA becaaause....I've been planning to open my own Etsy shop! YAYYY! I've always wanted to start my own business, but I could never settle on what I wanted to sell! I've tossed around different ideas, including opening a vintage shop, making/selling re-purposed clothing, and starting my own indie magazine (an idea that I still fully believe will come to fruition one day). But after an enlightening visit to American Apparel and continunous daily inspiration via Pinterest, I came to the conclusion that I want to make and sell unique accessories: hair bows, head bands, collar pieces and the like! So, with the help of my business partner and sister Rebecca, we will be opening an accessories store to showcase our original pieces. I'll be posting the link to the store within the month, so make sure you hit that ;-)



Vacation, all I ever wanted

So this is where I leave you for the moment - my own vacation three long days away, making lists of all the things I'll be doing while on Hilton Head Island. I'll be bringing updates here of course, the best updates reserved for those of you readers who leave a comment detailing your vacation plans - past, present, or future. It doesn't make a difference: memories are eternal!

Don't forget to wear your sunblock ---xo

Stay Young, Go Dancing

It's been a few months since I started this blog, and because I was moving to a new city and trying to sew my life back together if you will, I didn't have a lot of "free" time on my hands. But finally I do and it is FANTASTIC! It's summer, it's hot, my legs are shaved and I'm running the AC full blast. So I'm stoked to test out my somewhat new Nikon DSLR (I actually got it two years ago, go figure.)

Nice, wonderful camera..me:little to no knowledge of how to operate said camera.

So I'm learning! I love my camera apps, but I'd love to take some great pictures myself with a little better, ehem, quality. 

So moving on to some fashion bits, I've always loved browsing through the mens and boys sections at thrift shops (once I found a real schoolboy's blazer in the boy's section O.O!). So I thought I'd raid my boyfriend's closet and come up with some fantastic looks from them. Of course, we're all aware that one could simply waltz into J.Crew and purchase a menswear-inspired sayyy, oxford shirt. But I personally like to, firstly, get that authentic and original look, and secondly (and more importantly), not have to shell out the Benjamins for a shirt I could find in my man's dresser. Let the days of yore where you stole your dad's work shirts not be lost!

By the way, the photo above^^ is from the Madewell fall '12 lookbook. Here are some more of their I-stole-my-boyfriend's- clothes/got-dressed-while-I-was-still-half-asleep looks to tide you over while I compose an awe-inspiring lookbook of my own:

Ogle-worthy, no? 

Img cred: blogs.babble.com, thefrisky.com