Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

Every year I start thinking about what to be for Halloween in like, August/September.  Extreme I know, but its my favorite part of the holiday.  As a kid I was ready to get my costume as soon as they were put out in the stores (I was a bit over excited-- sorry mom).  Now that I'm older (and paying for my own costumes), money really needs to go to other things (bills, gas--growing up kind of sucks doesn't it?) and now I'm slowly learning how to make a dollar stretch.  And that means figuring out how to make a costume out of what I have, and buy the least amount as possible (or making things myself).

And so I began searching with some serious purpose through hundreds and hundreds of pins.  Thank goodness for such a strong sense of D.I.Y on the web.  Now because I work at a library, the costume obviously has to be family friendly (and of course easy to move in).  And then I stumbled up it: Mary Poppins.  I was "pinspired", if you will, by Lauren Conrad and Keiko Lynn.  It was cute, it was easy, and best of all I was able to make about 90%o of the costumes from pieces I already had in my closet (or that my sister had in hers, lol)!

Lauren Conrad: Halloween 2012

Keiko Lynn: Halloween 2013

The hat was actually must easier than I thought it would be.  Get out your glue guns y'all.  It's time to get craftin'!

Here's what you'll need:

• 5 pieces of stiff black felt
• 2 branches of fake flowers (I got red & white.  And they even sell them at pretty much any dollar store!)
• red ribbon
• hot glue
• black thread and needle

1. The body of the hat I made by hot gluing (or if you have time you can just go straight to sewing it together) two of the sheets of felt together (I connected the two pieces with a strip of scrap felt along the seam of the two pieces).  Then, I fit the whole thing around my head, trimmed accordingly and glued (I overlapped a bit).

2. Using the body of the hat I traced the top piece of the hat on another sheet of felt.  I left about an inch around the traced circle (so that there's one circle inside the other).  Cut tabs about an inch apart around the hat (from the outer circle's edge to the trace line of the inner circle) so that attaching it to the body of the hat was much easier.  I then hot glued a few (like four) of the tabs to the inside of the hat to keep it in place as I sewed the top on (if you're pressed for time, hot glue the whole thing and trim the extra felt).

Left: hot glue // Right: Stitched around the edge where the top of the hat meets the body (also helps to hide any hot glue mess, and softens the harsh lines of the top of the hat).

3.  To be honest, for the brim I eyeballed most of it. Again I used the body of the hat to trace a circle (that becomes the hole to allow you to put the hat on), and then I guesstimated how wide the brim should be.  I eyeballed a couple of inches (maybe seven or so) off the traced circle (I overestimated, and then as I tried on the hat I trimmed accordingly).  I then attached it to the rest of the hat with hot glue (after cutting out the center of course!)

4.  For my own taste, the inside of the brim was too stiff (and a bit scratchy when I tried it on), so what I did was dampen a hand towel, turned the hat on its top and draped the damp towel over the hat brim and left over night (don't soak the towel, you don't want a soggy hat).  The next morning it was softer and much less rough on my forehead.

5. A simple red ribbon was hot glued around the hat, and then a few fake flowers.

Ta-da!  You've got yourself a hat (a total of about $7-$10) that Mary Poppins would be proud of!  :)


If you don't have some of these pieces, shop these similar looks (that can be worn together or separate time and time again, long after Halloween is past):

Both skirt are from Charlotte Russe (and they're both on sale now!):
For a little fashion-forward edginess, this faux leather midi skirt is a steal at only $15!!  (Plus, how awesome would this skirt look for day or night wear?!)
They also have a more high waisted midi (also on sale, $20!!) that could be paired with a cute cropped top!

This tuxedo-pleat shirt is perfect for Mary Poppins, and when Halloween is through, can be paired with jeans and flats, or dressed up with a blazer (and also, another sale find!)

Mary Poppins' lace up boots can also double as a cold weather staple!

Black stockings, also a wardrobe essential.  Need I say more?

Her red bow tie?  I used this cheerleader bow from Michael's.  $3, easy-peasey!  (Just hot glue a safety pin or two to secure to your top)

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious--say that ten time fast ;)

Fab Find Friday

Friday=payday.  And while it's nice to treat yourself, it's not so nice to drain your bank account-- the struggle is real, am I right?  What is nice, is the fact that while you may not be able to buy that new bag for $200+, you CAN find some awesome look-alikes at a fraction of the cost, leaving you and your wallet a whole lot happier.

Gigi Uber Clutch (Gold Wash Embossed Python Leather) VS. Francesca's Katerini Snakeskin Clutch 

Kate Spade Cobble Hill Small Devin VS. Francesca's Dawson Zipper Flap Crossbody

Céline bag (coveted by everyone, yet out of this broke girl's price range) VS.  H&M  handbag ($2,000+ less!)

Happy Friday y'all, and remember, treat yo' self!  :)

Star Studded

Okay, so I'm totally obsessed with nail studs (it can't be helped, see my other studded manis, here and here).  I'm even more in love when it's combined with a matte (you can buy the nail color already as matte or you can get a matte topcoat). I personally prefer the matte topcoat because you can then turn ALL of your pretty polishes into matte polishes (for all my fellow broke girls trying to stretch a dollar, lol).  I have the N.Y.C. brand matte and it's amazing on both my nails and my wallet).

Rings are Forever 21 and H&M.

This manicure was super easy to do!  After you paint your nails as you usually would, instead of using your regular top coat, apply a coat of the matte instead.  That's it, super simple!  And if you want to add the studs, just apply a dab of nail glue and carefully (and firmly) apply a stud (these star studs are an Amazon find--only about $2 for a bunch!).  Sometimes I add a little extra glue around the edges and then apply some of the matte topcoat over the glue (try to avoid the actual stud, unless you want that matte too) so that the glue isn't shiny against the matte.

Happy Manicure Monday y'all!  :)

Ring A Ding Ding

I love a fresh manicure, and even better?  I love dressing them up with sparkly new rings!  In honor of my last two manicure posts, I've compiled a little ring-bling-totally-affordable wish list (with two dreamy splurges!).

shop Ruche (from left to right): Square Off ring, Golden Light ring, Promise the Moon (ring in onyx)

Forever 21
(top: left to right) Rhinestone Bar ring, Plated ring, Bar ring set
(bottom: left to right) Bow ring, Geo Faux Gemstone ring set, Hammered ring set

Charming Charlie (left to right) XO Skinny ring, All the Above ring set, Ampersand Sign ring

H&M animal ear 2-pack // Kate Spade (middle and right) Goreski Glasses ring (I actually just bought the matching bangle!  See here), Sailor's Knot ring

P.S. ...don't forget to add a little sparkle to your Halloween mani this year with this bejeweled chic creepy crawler from Charming Charlie!

Creepy Crawler ring

For more ring picks, check out Classically Cait's board here on my Pinterest!  :)

Good as Gold

Happy #manicuremonday y'all!!  :)

Another week, another manicure!  And as you'll see, I just can't get enough of the studded mani. I love how they allow you to make a typically girly or a plain polish manicure a little more edgy and dressed up without going overboard. 

[From left to right: Sally Hansen "Miracle nail thickener--a base coat that gives you a little extra, Maybelline New York "Onyx Rush", Milani "Good Morning Sunshine", wax pencil and nail studs from Amazon, clear topcoat]

Here's how I got my new mani:

1.  Apply your base coat.

2.  Apply two coats of black polish, letting dry between coats.  (Make sure the black polish is completely dry before moving on to the remain steps).

3.  On both the middle and index fingers brush on gold polish.  For more of a gold leaf look, I wipe off most of the polish so that there's very little polish left and brush on almost in a criss-cross pattern.

4.  On your thumbs and pinkie fingers apply a dot of nail glue towards the base of your nail, then either with a wax pencil or a pair of tweezers, apply a stud.  Let sit for a second or two before carefully applying gentle pressure to the stud for better adherence (I then apply more nail glue on top for extra hold, and then right after, a top coat to smooth it all out).

5.  On your ring fingers apply two dots of nail glue one right above the other, apply studs.  Top with glue and top coat as in step four.

6.  Apply top coat to index and middle fingers.

Accessorize with golden rings (don't forget the midi rings!  As a girl on a budget I typically pick these up at Icing or Forever 21 --both super affordable) and voila!

**Check out my other studded manicure here.

#monogrammonday

Who doesn't love a good monogram?  I admit, I like to monogram whatever I can: my accessories (jewelry, totes, etc.), my laptop, and of course, my phone (remember my monogrammed star-spangled case from etsy?).

A few weeks ago I discovered an app perfect for my monogram obsession: the Marley Lilly monogram builder (also available as an Android app); it let's you customize your phone's wallpaper.  You can pick from 4 different monogram fonts as well as an assortment of backgrounds,  frame shapes, and font colors.

Be warned: you will spend quite a bit of time mixing and matching fonts, colors, and patterns; the possibilities are endless! (And did I mention?  It's FREE!!)

You can access the Marley Lilly shop and blog straight from the app, as well as their newest products, flash sales and other deals.

Happy monogramming everybody!  :)

What A Stud!!

For the past couple of months I’ve been getting my nails done at a salon—and that adds up quickly!  So now I’m back to doing my nails myself.

Today I went with a simple nude and gold stud manicure.  It’s super easy, and the supplies are pretty cheap if you know where to look (Amazon, *hint, hint*!)

Step 1: Start with your base coat (I personally used Sally Hansen ‘Miracle nail thickener’).  Let dry.

Step 2: Pick your nail color (Essie ‘Topless and Barefoot’ is what I have on in the picture).  I usually apply two coats, and allow some drying time in between coats for better coverage (I think it also helps with avoiding a streaky finish, especially when using lighter colors/thinner polishes).

Step 3: Apply a drop of nail glue (I got mine in a nail jewel art kit from Dollar Tree!), using a tweezer or wax pencil apply stud to desire spot (in my case, right above the cuticles), and press gently (I got both the wax pencil and packet of gold studs on Amazon for about $1 each!).  Let dry and then apply another drop of glue on top of the stud—enough to cover to the sides of the studs (I like to make sure the studs are REALLY glued down, lol).

Step 4: Apply your top coat and let dry.

Voila!  Add some cute midi rings (from Icing stores and Forever 21 have great, affordable options!) and chic at-home nail art doesn’t get much easier than that!

Good luck!  :)