Added in June

June brought along some interesting items into my closet, for example this vintage black belt from Celine Paris in pristine condition for 12.41 USD (6.32)
Yet another thrift was this vintage Emmanuel Ungaro sequinned top for 7.42 USD (1.07) .
The Kiind grey #Bosslady top became mine after paying just 3.07 USD (1.07)
A vintage printed Escada Sport top for 16.57 USD and a french blouse by Sam & Lili for 50.00 USD


Grey Calvin Klein skirt for 1.07 USD and Kelly taupe block heels from Breckelle's for 11.75 USD.

Image via Ebay
A black scoop neck Leith brand sweater thrifted for 1.07 USD identical to the one above, which in case you're interested can be found via Ebay here for less than 20.00 USD.
Image via Poshmark

The window pane print blazer from Forever 21 was a hand me down from my cousin, so it was free ! There is one available here for 20.00 USD.

9 new items into the closet. 

June Edits

This month has some interesting items with some "blog history" leaving the closet. First up is my blue Armani suit worn here, label clearly reads dry clean only, but I put it in the washer and dryer, the fabric was ruined and you can see the thread hanging from the bottom of the jacket. 

If you're a fan of Sex and the City you know this dress, it's the white Halston piece that Carrie wore. In my case, I wore it six years ago, here to a friend's birthday party and that was it. I tried it on before taking it to the consignment shop and I could not zip it up. I could have kept it, but I was never a fan of SaTC. The consignment shop already sold it !
The AA Studio color block dress is also in the bag, mostly due to piling. 

                            

This lace top from John Paul Richard has been in the closet for years, it was a gift from someone who is passed away. I tried it on and it does not fit well but I had been holding on to it because of sentimental reasons, time to let go. No top can take away from me the memories I have of her. Also in the bag is this animal print black and white Michael Kors top.


I had these leather shoes custom made for me years ago, I only wore them on weekends to do gardening and they have stretched out. Then it was the gold glitter heel sandals from Nine West, bought in 2015, never worn, I tried them on a few times with formal gowns but I could barely walk in them, I passed them on to a friend. Another set of glitter flats, these EM ones were falling apart. The black patent Zara shoes which had 150 wears since purchased in June 2014... CPW was 0.14 cents!


I also got sent to the consignment shop a pair of vintage gold heels worn once here ,  but I forgot to take pictures. 
Finally a patent plastic turquoise belt, that I use to wear a lot when I first started the blog, but these days, not so much and it broke.


12 items.



Hand me down #5

Jeans Zara - Paisley print shirt Lumiere, similar - Light blue bow flats Gio Zanotti, similar- Brown tote bag Madison Coach 
Evil eye necklace Anne Klein similar here - other layered necklaces here

Today is day five me wearing an item from my cousin's closet clean out. Today's its this paisley printed shirt, worn with jeans and flats - simply accessorised with three layered gold done necklaces, which BTW were all gifts from friends. While it got me through a long day, I am not sure if its a keeper.
Linking up to Shelbee's + Oh, To Be a Muse !

Probation

Mango MNG camouflage print tee shirt  - Green trousers Burberry Britt
Brown tote bag Madison Coach - Burgundy flats French Soles 

As I was getting dressed today I thought I'd wear yet another of the garments from my cousin's Marie Kondo closet clean out. Today it was a camouflage print top with sequins and studs, paired it with my Burberry Brit green trousers. While they matched perfectly, I am the first to admit I am not sold on the look. But instead of blaming in on the top, I thinks its the pants. They are low cut and fit oddly, maybe its the pleats, while I give it some more thought: this entire outfit is on probation. 

Linking up to E&M

Item three

Black trousers - White shirt - Suede Kelly shoes Breckelle's -
Brown tote bag Madison Coach 
Window pane print satin blazer Forever 21, almost identical here

If you're a regular around here, you'll know I got two loaded bags of clothes from my cousin after she went Marie Kondo on her closet. 
This week I've been incorporating one garment from the bag to my daily outfit, this window pane blazer is my third item worn, its a keeper. 
On another note, I just realised that today I am wearing three items that were hand downs: the blazer of course, the double strand pearl vintage necklace and the black trousers. 
Linking up to E&MOh, Hey Girl !


From the bag

Black skirt Apt. 9, identical here  - Black blazer Theory identical here - Brown beaded top Worthington  -
Breckelle's suede shoes "Kelly" similar - Brown tote bag Madison Coach, similar


If you read yesterday's post, you might have an idea of where this brown beaded top came from.  Yep, one of the bags. Must admit it is not precisely something I would buy, but since I already had it I tried it.  It was a bit clingy and I am not one to wear beads on clothing so, its not a keeper. 

Linking up to Top of The World Link Up



Two bags

Black and white graphic drawstring dress Collective Concepts - Black patent bow flats Kate Spade -
Brown tote bag Madison Coach - Black cropped cardigan H&M 

Pearl necklace with gold tone handcuff clasp closure Forever 21, similar here in silver and here in stainless steel

Over the weekend I got a call from my aunt, happens my cousin had done a huge closet clean out. She asked me to come over soon and see if there was anything from the clothes that I wanted... When I got there I understood the tone of the call. My cousin further explained that she had been reading Marie Kondo and as a result, well there were fifteen large white plastic bags loaded with clothes, many with tags still on. The content included tops, formal gowns, cocktail attire, you name it. The dress I am wearing today was part of that huge closet clean out. Honestly speaking it looked better in the mirror. I had to tug on the neckline area as its too open and it was not comfortable to wear, so I am passing it on. Oh, and in regards to the post's tittle "two bags" its how many I walked away with...

Drawstring dresses:


Wearing your DIYs

Blue printed dress DIY - Light blue bow flats Gio Zanotti 

It's been a while since I've had time to work on a DIY project.
The one posted yesterday was actually executed about a year ago.  
Anyhow, today I am wearing two DIYs: a dress and a straw bag (the DIY on the bag is actually the handle). 
The inspiration for making the dress can found here in my "Sew Some Day" Pinterest board and how I added extra wears to the bag by giving a second life to the handles can be seen here
Leave your latest DIY adventure link in the comments !
Linking up to I Do De Claire'sShelbee's

Fixing your hand bag handle

It's happened way too many times: new bags, old bags, expensive and not so much. Whatever material the handle has been covered with, it begins to crack, tear, peel or just plain fall apart. This is what happened to my extra large straw bag and I was not ready to let go. Keep on reading if you want to know how to repair your hand bag handle. 

Depending on the type of bag, choose your materials. In my case since the bag is informal and straw, I went for leftover fabric from a dress I made. If it were leather I'd probably buy velvet or satin ribbon.

You will need: a pair of scissors, material of your choice and stainless fast drying glue for fabric.

Step 1: Clean and remove all the previous material or as much as you can. I used a dry cloth and then a toothbrush. Afterwards I used a damp cloth and then let air dry for about thirty minutes. This will help glue adhere better.
Step 2: While the handles dry, cut the fabric in several long strips or one long one. 

Step 3: As the handle straps have dried, begin to cover with glue the part where the handle begins, close to the bag. Wrap the fabric around the handles tightly, do it adding glue where needed. Always making sure you cover the damaged handle. If you cut the fabric in several long strips like me, you will have to stop to get another piece of fabric and continue glueing until you have reached the other side of the handle. Once there, cut off any remaining fabric and add glue to the edges to keep it in place and then use a clothes pin to hold it.
Step 4: Let it dry for at least one day before use... and voilá you've added more wears to your bag !




Quiet style

Black trousers Mossimo - Cream drawstring top Kenneth Cole - Black flats Me Too 

Gold tone bag chain that belonged to this bag worn as necklace with vintage brooch

While I am not wearing any particular trend today, sometimes while getting dressed I ask myself if I am wearing too many of them at once. 
For me there is such a thing called too much "on trend", which I shy away from, as I think it may seem as a desperate scream to look stylish. I prefer quiet style. 
An example would be wearing a cold shoulder top paired with a floral skirt, the it belt matched with fish net stockings and velvet shoes. Oh, lets not forget the bag, the Cut Gaia Ark one... 
While I have probably everything on the list except the belt and bag I prefer to wear trends separately, let them have their moment. Well, maybe just two at a time. How about you ? 

Linking to Shelbee'sE&M

Pin Clutter

Trousers NYDJ - Green Cardigan 525 America - Green tee shirt Charter Club - Suede shoes Breckelle's
Satchel Stella Rittwagen - Vintage pins: cameo, silver filigree flower bouquet, green stone gold tone brooch.  

Last week I chose to challenge myself on wearing pins and brooches in multiple ways. I did several days in a row and then I took a break. Today I thought I'd make another attempt, this time with a pin clutter on my green cardigan. Most of these are vintage with the exception of the small orange flower. As for the bag, I recently re discovered my Stella Rittwagen bronze like satchel and thought it was time for it to see the light on day, purchased in 2015, there is not a single post where I am wearing it...

Linking to E&M + Straight A Style

Similar Satchels:




Ruffles & Bows

Grey blazer Suizie Shier - Ruffle tee shirt Talbots  - Black trousers Mossimo - Light blue bow flats Gio Zanotti
Satchel bag Stella Rittwagen


I'm a sucker for a good bow and ruffle, as long as they are correctly placed, not overdone or overpowering the entire look. Because we've all seen that, specially if you were conscious in the 80's.
I think bows and ruffles are family, so it was an easy match to pair these subtle pieces that share family ties and colour: ruffle tee shirt and bow flats. Which do you prefer, bows or ruffles ?