Pumpkin Project

I think on multiple occasions I have told you that I love Fall, its truly my favorite time of the year because I like the weather, cool but not too cold...the layering of all the wonderful clothes and the fun of treats that one can make and give as gifts. In preparation for my book club meeting at my house, I decided that I needed to decorate my condo with a little Fall decor. I like to craft; therfore I would see what I could create from the Dollar Store (since I see many wonderful posts about the cool crafts made on a Dollar Store dollar!).

I like Pumpkins, I have a mixture of real/faux and various colors (not orange since I don't really like orange all that much). I decided to take the orange pumpkins and make them more appealing to my personal decor. I have lots of cans of spray paint from other projects that I used to quickly paint these 4 pumpkins. I just added a skewer to the foam pumpkin to allow me to spray it complete and it made it easier for them to dry without messing them up. I then glossed them with some glossy spray and again allowed them to dry. Next came the fun part. I went into my junk drawer to see what I had to decorate these with...I found pearls and push-pins! As you can see it was easy to push-pin a decorative monogram (M for Michelle) or just accent the natural lines of the pumpkin. My best one (I think) is the black and white pearls... Not all of my pumpkins were successful -- I started out with 4 but only 3 ended up on my results page.

It was fun to do, and I can keep these for next year...however I have already given one away to my boyfriend's little 5 year old as she fell in love with it and how can I say no...I mean afterall, its a dollar pumpkin!

I hope this gives you some decorative ideas for your Fall fun.

Falling for Fall
'elle

I’m not sure if I could be any more behind in updating my lovely little Fashion blog, but here goes…

On the evening of April 18th, at the Museum of Broadcast Communications, Tim (the boyfriend) and I attended the Art of Fashion event here in Chicago. I have to admit I was a little hesitant to bring Tim because I wasn’t sure what he would make of my obsession and the event in general, lots of women running around (which I knew he’d love) and girls ‘geek-ing’ out about dresses and shoes etc., needless to say once we got there (VIP-style I might add) we had a wonderful time. The ‘looks’ that people had were interesting, stunning and scary but it was a visual wonder all the same. And then the runway show started!

The even brought together 10 of the finest Chicago designers whose looks were hit or miss from my point of view. The women loved the men’s clothing (more likely the men IN the clothing); none-the-less they were impeccably tailored and I could see Tim in all of the styles shown.
We had a blast, the ‘goodie’ bag could not have been more fun and sharing the night with my favorite hipster man was all I could ask for.

Until the next post…keep walking your runway!

My mom has taught many things - how to cook and bake, how to sew, how to pay attention to the little things, and that presentation matters! In all that she's taught me, I am now wishing I would have taken up the art of crochet!! Lately she has made me some great things, you may have seen some of the things she's done for me (stunning blanket, mittens, scarves etc.)...but as I stroll Pinterest these days, I seem to be finding more and more pieces of clothing that I want to challenge my mother to make! Here are some fun things I think she could execute in no time.

Crochet is cool and making a statement, and I want it in my closet! Hoping mom will create something special for me, but if not - any crocheters out there??

Never stop being creative!
'elle

Hello Ladies, as many of you may know I have this “thing” for fashion and like each of you I’m looking forward to Spring 2014 – you also may be wondering, “how do I look hip and cool after this long, long winter vortex of a season?”…well I’m here to help!
I have gone through my literature: Vogue, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, W and a few wonderful fashion blogs and have synthesized and broken down a few of the upcoming season’s trends just for you!

Shall we begin…

Fringe – pretty much anything with fringe on it and you’re cool. Now don’t go all fringe crazy, meaning don’t wear every fringy thing you own at one time, but getting a couple of pieces – a bag or shoes with fringe will keep you on the cutting edge! Try it, I may have to – I think I have something from the eighties I can bring back out…which leads me to the next trend…

Mules – Yes, I said it mules. And you’ll laugh, but I actually own a pair of mule shoes. I kept them just in case, and the fact that they are cool green snakeskin doesn't hurt, but I digress…mules ladies ‘nough said.

Crop Tops/Jackets – Here I will caution you. Now I don’t generally like to prescribe what you should or should not wear, but it takes a certain person to pull this look off (specifically the crop top)…like someone with a flat stomach…no one wants to see a bunch of flesh rollin’ over. You cannot wear support clothing with something like this either... we saw a woman attempt that in NYC last year – it does not work!! We also don’t want to see nude spandex holding you in…just saying. Try it if you dare…after I finish my 10 day cleanse I might think about it – LOL!!

Statement/Slogan Clothing – I can totally see many of you pulling this off…as you always have such witty things to say in person or via text. I’m looking for one now – share yours if you have one already.

Nude – (the color, not talking about waking around naked!) they are saying that Nude is making a statement, and I’m all for it. Don’t call it a comeback!! (yes that is from a rap song…) but its true nude is a color you want to incorporate to dare I say it ' make an impact'.

There is more…I could go all day others include:
• Pleated Skirts
• Sports Inspired Clothing/Shores
• Statement Jewelry
• Sheer layering
• Cropped Pans and Wide Leg Pants

Enjoy your shopping, looking forward to seeing you and your style this Spring!

Spring is Coming!
'elle

Winter Wonderland

I think by now you know that I live in the winter tundra known as Chicago. As such, you may also know that this year has been particularly cold, but even with negative degree weather, fashion should still not be forgotten. That's why I love it when I come across wonderful winter attire. On the train home, I saw this woman and i fell in love with her hat. She let me take a photo -- and now I'm sharing it with all of you.

Remember just because you're bundled up, doesn't mean you can still express your inner fashionista!

Stay Warm!
'elle

Happy New Year! I hope that each of you had a wonderful holiday with friends and family. I was able to have a wonderful time with my family...we realized it had been more than 4 years since we last all 4 sat down together to share a meal...my how time flies!

What I wanted to share with you from my Christmas fun was this great coloring book. You all know that I love coloring and Santa brought me this book called The Fashion Coloring Book, by Carol + Lulu. It was perfect for that down time when everyone was watching football, but more than anything I'm excited to become my own little creative being, in the downtime here at home. Thanks Santa for igniting my spirit!




Unleash your passion!
'elle

You've seen me post about other projects that I have done and I'm quite thrilled with most of them, but one that I have to share with you is something I did last year...and now that its Christmas time it reminds me all over again of the thrill of finding something old and reinventing it into something wonderful (and useful).

Each Christmas I spend time with my family and last year, I happen to spend that time with my parents in my hometown of Norman, Oklahoma. We love to shop at Estate Sales, Garage Sales and Fair grounds...You never know what you're going to find and in Norman the prices are so cheap that I can bring it back DIY-it and make a killing on Craig's List (I've sold a few things already!!). This piece you see below was a rare find...an old printing cabinet that would be perfect as a jewelry case to house ALL OF MY STUFF! and yes, i have enough stuff...

I had to first haul this all the way back to Chicago, up 3 flights of stairs and into the spare bedroom, prep and paint the thing but in the end, it was a pure labor of love. It looks Sears & Roebuck-ish, and I totally dig it because I love my tools as much as I love my glam!

What will I come up with next...I'm going home in a few days super excited to see my family...but looking forward to my next discovery!

Happy Holidays - let the unexpected, thrill you!
'elle