Tag Archives: leather

Black and White, an Outfit for the Night.

The entire outfit was assembled around the headpiece, which I can proudly say I MADE!! Sparkly, sharp and extremely beautiful; it’s an accessory that flows with my personality like no other. As I stated on Instagram, I actually have one more of these pretty pieces which (someday) will be posted for sale. More details about the piece will come then.

Black and white is still a hot color combo for the season and pretty easy to put together. You can’t really screw up black and white ya know? I had been saving this peplum, houndstooth skirt for the perfect occasion, and it went great with this outfit. Garter tights are super trendy right now and hot hot hot, I suggest getting a pair NOW if you like the style. Just make sure to stay away from drunk Argentinian broads at bars who are likely to accidently burn a hole in your fabulous new stockings with their cigarette butts. (UGH!)

As usual I feel that every outfit is made by the accessories, so I had to pile them on. I like to sparkle so much when I enter a room, that people need sunglasses to look at me.

Glitter, rhinestones, sequins, diamonds…. I love em all.

I loved this entire look (which I styled in about 25 minutes). The makeup, hair, clothes, shoes, and even nails worked together to create a visual symphony of a chic black and white ensemble that received quite a bit of positive attention out on the town. Ahhhhh, I love dress up.

Details on outfits often include where I found the item and its cost, because I think one of my specialties is dressing well on a low to middle income budget and still looking like a million bucks. It’s all about hunting for treasures and scoping out affordable places to shop such as sample sales, flea markets, thrift stores, etc. Spend less on clothes, and invest on shoes or accessories!

Wearing:

Fascinator: Rebecca Glam (made by me)

Shirt: Velvet Heart (Found at a sample sale $10)

Skirt: Sensational Collection (found at Ross for $8)

Belt: TJ Maxx (for $6)

Garter tights: eBay (about $12)

Bag: Betsey Johnson (sample sale score for $20, bag retails around $200)

Shoes: Prickly, by Jeffrey Campbell (the only item I’m wearing that was expensive at $230, however you can find these shoes on sale currently for half the cost.)

Oh Jeffrey Campbell, how I love thee…

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Alright guys and dolls… if you’ve been following me, you know about Jeffrey Campbell shoes. I was late on the trend, but discovered JC at the beginning of this year and it really was love at first sight! What’s not to love about he variety of textures, fabrics and colors? What’s not to love about the the wedges, the heels or lack there of a heel?! Or what about all those intricate, rich looking embellishments?!

JC shoes are really like pieces of art you can wear. Normally I am not one to frivolously spend on shoes, however I don’t see it as buying up a bunch of shoes. Instead I see it as building up my art collection. Isn’t that a great justification?! Justified or not… I am addicted to JC shoes and may need a family and friends intervention at some point.

I recently added these 3 pairs new pairs to my collection (all on sale of course!):

I definitely need to consider some sort of shelving system because my shoe collection… uhhh, I mean ART collection is out of control!

Do you like any of these and would you dare to wear any of these? The heel less platforms aren’t as difficult to walk in as you might think!

Buy Jeffrey Campbell shoes:

Nordstrom

Solestruck

Karmaloop

Madonna reads my blog.

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So, a recent article from August 4th shows Madonna wearing the exact same Jeffrey Campbell shoes I’ve been rocking for months. The only possible explanation is that clearly she reads my blog and follows my style.

Madonna, stepping out in the Prickly shoe, by Jeffrey Campbell. (As seen on MY feet months earlier.)

Thanks Madonna, I’m really flattered.

Leopard love.

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Going out for a night on the town calls for an edgy, fashion forward ensemble that is sure to turn heads. For this night I chose to embrace my love for leopard print.

This outfit screams fashion forward, fashion savvy and fashionista! I found the shirt at a small boutique in downtown LA and it was priced at $72, which is CRAZY. It’s not a name brand, it’s not quality material and it’s NOT worth $72!!! The guy running the joint tells me he’ll give it to me for $55, which is STILL crazy. I continued about the store and then found the same shirt on a mannequin, and I sighed heavily… once I see something ON a mannequin a new wave of “must have” comes over me. I decided to try it on…. JUST TO SEE how it looks on me, you know? Of course I was falling for this shirt, and I was falling hard. It truly was love at first sight, I just tried to ignore it. I finally asked the guy, “How about you give this to me for $40…” I was hoping he’d say no, because I really didn’t even want to spend $40 on a shirt. Of course he said okay! Even at $40 this shirt is overpriced considering the quality (its polyester), but I justified the cost due to the unique appeal.

Gold accessories matched the leopard and black perfectly. The necklaces are from a flea market, the big gold pyramid ring is from a sample sale, and the gold cuff is from H&M.

I wanted my hair to be sleek, sexy, voluminous and high fashion. I pulled the sides tight and pinned them underneath the teased hair at the crown of my head.

On my ear is an ear cuff I found on Etsy from the seller Antickquities. It is made with brass clock hands. This ear piece has a steampunk feel and is definitely a unique detail of the outfit. This piece actually came with another, to wear on the other ear, but I’m only wearing one at a time. The pieces were a great bargain at $11.

My leopard pants were found at TJ Maxx for 20 bucks, total score! The entire outfit tops my gorgeous Jeffrey Campbell spiked Lita’s for that really edgy feel.

My cute lil bag is a leather Betsey Johnson bag that retails for $200. I happen to work with the lady who reps Betsey Johnson and Steve Madden here in LA, and she totally hooked me up with this bag for $20!!!! A huge part of my fashion skills are made up of hunting, finding and scoring deals. You can do this by shopping at off price stores like Ross, TJ Maxx or Marshalls OR at smaller private boutiques you can sometimes bargain with them. Many boutiques and shops in downtown LA are totally down for bargaining, like the shirt from this outfit. Thrift stores are another great place to score amazing finds for dirt cheap.

The outfit was a hit and really fits my personality. Another fashion mission, accomplished.

It’s all about the accessories.

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Another plain jane outfit spruced up with accessories! If you don’t already own a plain white, tailored button up shirt, I highly suggest you get one. They go with so many different outfits and looks, indeed a staple item in any fashionista’s closet.

I don’t invest a lot of money in any staple article that is white. With white articles of clothing you have to worry about the three D’s: dirty, dingy and damaged…. all too soon. This shirt I picked up from a local low end boutique for about $10, it’s not the greatest quality, but it fits great and will last me through the next couple seasons.

My jeans are skinny cut Levi’s and they are from Kohls at $40.

How about that belt?! That is one solid chunk of leather and metal. The belt is by Brave. Brave is a leather company that makes women’s and men’s belts and other small leather goods. This belt retails for $120 in stores and online. Of course, I didn’t pay that much! I found this belt at downtown LA’s Friday Sample Sale. Usually at sample sales, the showrooms sell everything at cost (wholesale) price… this belt being $60 wholesale…. but the guy sold it to me for $15!!! Wooo! Major score! I love how chunky and industrial it is.

The ring I’m wearing is a fancy shmancy armor ring that I found at Wet Seal (of all places!) It’s a great statement piece of jewelry.

No purse today, just a little wallet clutch that my girlfriend gifted to me. It’s sparkly black patent leather and the handle is built in “brass knuckles.” Not only does this clutch carry all my cash and cards, but I could bust somebody in the temple if I had to. In self defense of course.

One of the best ways to spruce up a some what dull outfit is to slide on some bold statement shoes! These shoes are by Jeffrey Campbell and are the most expensive part of the outfit (a little bit over $200). Don’t get me wrong… I don’t go spending that much EVER on anything… except the occasional pair of shoes. Shoes are worth it!

Accessories can make your entire outfit go from blah to WOW! In addition, you can take the same basic articles of clothing and create entirely different looks using accessories. Look for an upcoming entry, where I create a whole different style using the same jeans and white button up. Until then, cheers to my lovely readers! I appreciate your views more than you know!