Runway Inspired Nail Art Tutorial and a Girls Night In!

I have long loved painting my nails.
You could almost call it a hobby.

Once upon a time (before kids) I would paint my nails every night! 

I glittered them, striped them, and played with colors.

When I would go to the store, I would always buy a new polish color - 

usually bright pinks and reds - oh how i loved reds!

I "adopted" red as a signature color in my early 20's
 (I always wanted to say I have a signature color!),
changed to nudes/pinks in my thirties,
and now, I think Nail Art my just be my thing!

I have to be honest, for the last year or so I have neglected my hands...

and I thought maybe this Nail Art was not for me...

maybe I was too old to pull it off, too lazy to worry about it....but oh how things change! 
I do adore fashion and knowing the trends and staying current on what is hot...
so I figured I had to try it!

I played with a couple Runway Inspired looks.

I created my own runway inspired nail art 
(that tutorial is a little bit further down in this post)

and the other I bought right off the shelf from Sally Hansen - the Salon Effects!

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Spring Dress Shopping with My Girl!

It must be genetics. I have always loved to shop.

I have always loved fashion. I have always had my own style.

And so does my daughter!

 At 5 she has strong opinions about what she will wear,

how she does her hair, and even creates new looks

by mixing and matching her shoes and socks, etc.

I LOVE IT! She LOVES IT!

 And besides she is adorable, so how can she go wrong?

Cherry Stix Breillat Dress, Fuchsia/Purple

 Spring is right around the corner...

and that means Easter and parties and good old fashioned Spring time fun...

and of course my girl needs some new dresses.

Sugah and Honey, Petal Pretty

I decided to shop online at Cookie's Kids and let Jules select the dresses she liked

(with motherly advice, persuasion, and the ultimate veto power, if necessary).

As I mentioned, she has strong opinions about what she wears...

and this shopping trip was no exception.

 Our Easter celebration is fairly casual.
We just have a low-key brunch and egg hunt with friends.
 I like to have the kids look nice, and Jules especially likes to have a pretty new dress...or dresses! With the prices on at Cookie's Kids, we were able to purchase a few things, including some cute (sparkly) ballet flats!

Dream Girl Hearts and Stripes Dress, Lime/Black/White

Shopping online, especially when trying to keep a kiddo focused is great.
There is no hunting for sizes or colors - our choices are right there!
And there were so many choices, including Disney and Hello Kitty!

 As soon as the Cookie's Kids website came up on the screen, all I heard was: 

"I like that!" 
"Oh that's is pretty!"
"Can I get that?"

Rare Editions Darcy Dress

We did look at the Party Dresses, but ultimately ended up shopping from the Casual Dress and Sundress categories, as those styles better fit our celebration style. You can read all about our #CookiesKids Shopping Trip on Google+

Sugah and Honey Petal Pretty Dress

 Cookie's Kids has everything so nicely categorized.

It was easy to make our way through all of the choices from Girls Dresses to Boys Suits. While, yes, we were shopping for my daughter but I did pop over to take a look at the Boy's Suits for me son. He is extremely hard to shop for (for so many reasons) and I thought I would take the opportunity to see what was available just in case he needs some "fancier attire" for an upcoming event. My son's style is also very conservative, so I find my self shopping School Uniforms for supplement his wardrobe - there is a great selection of basic collared shirts and pants! We do not have to wear uniforms at our school, but after seeing this selection and the prices, I will passing along this information to some of my friends!

As we shopped, we used the Alva sizing system to determine what size Jules would need. She is very tall for her age and shopping online always presents a sizing issue, but with this easy system, I plugged in some of her info and we had the size we needed! We selected three dresses and they all fit perfectly. The Petal Pretty dress was maybe a wee bit short, but this girl loves her leggings...under everything...so it works!

Shimmering Steps Ballet Flats

Cookie's Kids has a great history and is an American success story!

1972, a young man named Cookie and his brother Marvin went into business together. They rented a 1600 square foot store in Jamaica, Queens, fixed it up, bought inventory and Summer and Fall, and opened a day after Thanksgiving with a full stock of holiday toys. The toys were a success and they put the extra money toward buying children's clothing for the next season. When that did well, they bought more clothing. The business was on it's way.

By the late 1990's there were six superstores throughout the NYC area, and though they previously had different names, by that time they were all named Cookie's Kids. Also in the late '90s came an important addition to Cookie's Kids' inventory: school uniforms. It was the steady success in uniform sales that paved the way for founding CookiesKids.com in 2007, which originally sold uniforms and soon after the entire Cookie's Kids Inventory. 

Cookie's Kids now has 7 stores in the NYC area: Bronx, Brooklyn, and Jamaica...and you can shop Cookie's Kids online as well!

I was really impressed with the selection of clothing and the prices.
My daughter LOVES her new dresses! 
She has already decided the Hearts and Stripes Dress is for St. Patrick's Day

 

The Petal Pretty Dress is for Easter

And the Breillat Dress is her favorite -

I may not be able to get it off her.

It is for everything!

Be sure to visit Cookie's Kids and follow along on
facebook and twitter for updates and specials!

Now...I need to do some more shopping!

This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre   I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and CookiesKids.com #CBias #SocialFabric
 

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Retro and Rad Duct Tape Vest

OK, I admit it...I am late to the game on the Duct Tape craze.

Truly I thought, "How fun could this be?"

Well, my answer is too much fun!

My first creation was an envelope/dress up clutch for a birthday party...

It was a super fun way to wrap a giftcard!

Now I have moved on to some other projects. It was really hard to decide where to begin...my daughter was in Duct Tape Heaven looking in that big old box Scotch Duct Tape sent me.

I did a few projects, including a handbag and a coin purse.

(tutorial coming very soon!)

Scotch Duct Tape has a fun  Style that Sticks Quiz over on their site.

A quick (like 30 second) quiz leads you to your

personal (Duct Tape) style and patterns and projects that fit that style!

Just for fun I headed over and took the quiz.

Just so ya know..."I put the glam in glamour" when I took the quiz.

If you take the quiz..you will not only get to see some cool projects, but can also enter to WIN a free combo pack of Scotch Duct Tape!

I am also working on a necklace and hopefully fingers crossed some cool party decor!

Yes, I am getting a little carried away...but this is just pure FUN!

I almost forgot...I am using the Scotch Duct Tape Scotch Duct Tape to jazz up composition books and binders - it is Duct Tape after all...

nice and strong...but now super stylish too!

Now...on to the vest! 

I did not refer to any books, blogs, or websites (for projects) when working with the Duct Tape and coming up with my projects - there may be easier ways to do things...but this is what worked for me (and it was not hard).

SUPPLIES

• Scotch Duct Tape 1 Roll of Scotch Duct Tape, Violet Purple*
• Scotch Duct Tape 1 Roll of Scotch Duct Tape, Retro Tiles*
• Hole Punch
• Ribbon
• Scissors or X-ACTO Knife
• Cutting Board - I used a self healing board that has 1" guidelines.
• Scotch Blue Tape, 1" (optional)
• To make patter: Scrap paper, pencil, t-shirt
• NOTE: *You will not use the entire roll, but a lot of it!

STEP #1: Make a pattern:

• The easiest way to do this, if you do not own a vest already, is to use a (loose-fitting) t-shirt:
• Fold it in half; line up the center/fold of the shirt with the edge of a piece of paper and trace off the neck, sides, and bottom. This gives you a basic shape of a garment.  There is NO NEED for seam allowance.

• From there you can design the necklace, hem, and draw the armholes in. You will need to add a 1" extension or overlap in the front if you want the vest to "close."
• Keep in mind if you keep the side seams straight, it is super easy to tape together...I realized this after I curved my side seam (it was not that hard to tape it together but straight is super easy!).
• For the back, use the same pattern shape, but make the neck higher and round (no need for a v-neck in the back!), the hem slightly shorter, and cut the back on the fold.  You need to check your pattern - match up the front and back at the side seams, shoulder seams, etc. to make sure they match up. 

STEP #2 - The "Fabric"

• Now you need to make your "Duct Tape Fabric" - the size of each sheet will depend on the size of person you are making this for. 
• Working on my mat with the guidelines made it SO EASY to know how big my piece of "fabric" was and to keep everything lined up.
• The main thing to remember about making sheets of duct tape is that one side is horizontal and the other vertical

• I made my sheets by ripping strips of Duct Tape long in Purple Violet. Because I am a messy crafter, I lined up the strips of tape along the guidelines and then used Scotch Blue to tape down the ends (sticky side of the duct tape is UP!). I lined up my rows, secured them, and moved on to tearing strips of the Retro Tiles.

• To complete the "fabric" tear a piece of Retro Tiles in the appropriate length. Line it up to you vertical guideline and place on top of the sticky side of the Purple Violet. Continue to tear strips of Retro Tiles and place side by side (the Purple is horizontal and now you are placing the Retro Tiles vertically to make the fabric). Once you get the first vertical strip down it goes quickly.

• Once your "fabric" sheets are done, cut out the pattern. I fit the 2 fronts (cut two, one facing each way) on one sheet and folded the other sheet in half and cut the back from their. Now double check your shoulder and side seams.
• Now it is time to tape it together...I used matching tape. Line up the side seams and using the matching tape, tape together (there is overlap on each side). Again I had curved side seams, so instead of y garment being flat, I rounded it over my thigh and taped it together. Repeat with the shoulder seams.

• Turn "inside out" and repeat the side and shoulder seam connection with the matching tape.

• TRIM the tape in the armholes, neck, etc. using an X-ACTO knife or scissors.
• You can finish off the hem or front of the vest with more tape; press half of the tape down on one side of the pattern and fold over the other half, trim again if necessary.
• For the tie, use a single hole punch and punch one hole in each front of the vest (line them up!). Then take a length of ribbon and knot it a few times on the back side of the vest. Repeat on other side.

Super fun, no?!

Scotch Duct Tape has over 10 colors, 16 patterns
and 10 combo packs of Scotch Colors and Patterns Duct Tape

Be sure to take the Style that Sticks Quiz
over on their site and enter for a chance to win!

Connect with Scotch Duct Tape!

Website

Facebook

Twitter

You Tube

Pinterest

Have you created anything with Duct Tape?

This post is a collaboration with Scotch Colors and Patterns Duct Tape, whose celebration of unique personal style led to this post.  Get started to win some free samples. 

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Let's Talk Fashion: Stylish Dress Book Review

I have mentioned before that I attended design school and worked in fashion for many years. And truly a day does not go by that I do not think about re-entering that field. I adore fashion and it holds a special place in my heart.

Any time I have the opportunity to play with read about and indulge in fashion I am a happy girl. Recently I was sent the Stylish Dress Book: Wear With Freedom by Yoshiko Tsukiori, published by Tuttle Publishing.

"Japanese style has long been admired for its grace and artistry. Add to that a sense of fun, and you have the Stylish Dress Book." - Tuttle Publishing

When I received the book, I immediately fell in love.

The book is GORGEOUS! Beautiful photos, great styling of not only the garments but the book itself.  The book contains full color photographs of the designs as well as complete instructions and patterns to make these fun and fashionable dresses.

I adore the dresses in this book.

There are beautiful and whimsical fabrics used, and the dresses exude a fun easy style that is totally chic and fashionable. Many (most) of the dress are easy to wear tunic or babydoll styles reflecting a relaxed style.

I did not have a chance to break out my own sewing machine yet and try a few of these, but I am putting it on  my list. I absolutely adore quite a few of the garments in the book and can see them fitting into my wardrobe effortlessly.

You can purchase the Stylish Dress Book on Amazon or at Barnes and Noble.

Do you sew?

What's your favorite style of dress?

disclosure: I was provided with a copy of the Stylish Dress Book for review. All opinions are my own.

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A Perfect Summer Cardigan from Fresh Produce

I have a background in the fashion industry

and I L-O-V-E clothes (and all pretty things).

I am also very picky (very picky) because of this.

When I find a brand that has great quality and style at a great price,

like Fresh Produce, I do a "happy dance!"

I am no longer interested in "just anything."  I refuse to spend money on junk anymore. I really look for quality clothing and if I can find something made in the U.S.A - wooo-whooo - there's a winner!  I want style and to look current, but I also like those pieces to be versatile. Pieces that I can accessorize differently and really make a part of my wardrobe. Fresh Produce delivers on my wants, needs and expectations.

Last year I was able to review some pieces from Fresh Produce and LOVED them. I then had the chance to stop in at their store in Old Orange during the SoCal Social. I could just hang out in the store all day long! So, you can imagine I was thrilled when presented with the opportunity to review another great piece from their collection.

Fresh Produce is quickly becoming my go-to resource an for casual clothes. The colors and styles are just fun, fabulous, and perfect for my life. You can read the super fun story of how the company began here! 

The clothing also has a great fit. I am no model and I am not a model size (and no one in my family can take a photo - so the shot below is the best I could do!), and the clothing fit true to the size guide and was comfortable.

I quickly took a peek at the women's cardigans and selected the Standing Ovation Cardigan in South Beach Blue. I always select black, so this deep gorgeous blue was a great compliment to a summer wardrobe. It is a versatile piece that will compliment everything from my jeans to my dresses.

I wear this cardigan all the time with my favorite jeans and ruffly tops...but thought I would try something a little different. Now, don't get me wrong, I LOVE a flowing long cardigan, but on a whim I tied this up and it looked so cute with my striped dress - the perfect match! My hubby even said he liked it...and he usually keeps his opinions to himself on these matters.

I look forward to adding some more Fresh Produce pieces to my wardrobe throughout the year. One thing I know I will be looking at is the beach cover-ups for women....
I really needed a super cute cover up for my Hawaii trip!


Fresh produce carries a vast array of styles, colors, and prints. And...now, Fresh Produce ships to over 200 countries, so women outside the US can enjoy the colorful styles too!


Be sure to check out Fresh Produce when shopping and keep up to date with them on Facebook and Twitter


What is your favorite summer clothing?

disclosure: I was provided with a garment for this review. I love it and my opinions are 100% honest!

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DIY! Painting and Designing T's!

I have not painted a T-shirt since high school...

at least not one that I would wear.

I did paint some puffy ghosts and pumpkins
with my son about 5 years ago...

but seriously I will not be blogging about that!

That is about the stiffest article of clothing

(and I use that term loosely)

I have ever seen.

BUT my daughter gave me the perfect opportunity to try it again...the right way! And with the help of DecoArt So Soft Fabric Paint, I think we had SUCCESS!

This is surely not the fabric paint I remembered from my youth. So Soft has a really nice  "So Soft" hand when it is dry. It is easy to paint with - and I used a variety of different brushes/items to do just that...and when it dries it feels comfortable and relaxed (yeah no stiff T-shirts!)...and I had fun being creative and coming up with designs.

These designs are my own and I will figure out how to load them here,
so you can print them if you want.

I think my T's turned out awesome!...
And, I may be partial, but I do think my model is awesome too! 

SUPPLIES

• T-shirt or garment of choice
• Variety of brushes (see below for each T)
• DecoArt So Soft Fabric Paint. Colors for T's follow
• Cardboard or something to place between the layers of the shirt to protect back/side/etc.
• Image/Design
• E-xacto Knife
• Freezer Paper
• Iron/Ironing Board

Ballerina Shirt: 

So Soft Fabric Paint: Fuschia, Baby Pink

So Soft Fine Glitter Paint in Celebration Pink

Brushes: Medium pouncer, small/tapered regular brush

Surfer Shirt 

So Soft Fabric Paint: Bright Coral, Bright Avocado

So Soft Glitter Paint, Lemon Drop

Brushes: Medium Pouncer

Old Toothbrush

Flower 

So Soft Fabric Paint: Fuschia, Baby Pink

So Soft Fine Glitter Paint in Celebration Pink

Brushes: Medium pouncer, small/tapered regular brush

DIY IT!

It is super easy and fun to create custom garments!

Go check out the full tutorial at The DIY Club! 

The new Project Party starts October 1!

What will you enter?????

Pick a garment!

PRE-WASH YOUR GARMENT!

Design It

I wanted to do something fashion-y but thought my daughter would give me "the stink eye" if it was not pink and fluffy...so I drew a (slightly) fashion looking drawing of a ballerina. I decided to paint this in all pinks other than the hair. Just because - it is a design thing.

The surfer was from a previous project as was the flower. The surfer called for bold colors and I wanted to try something light, soft, and blended for the flower.

Place it!

Determine the placement.

Paint it!

Surfer

Flower

So, what do ya think?

Ready to try your hand at fabric painting!?

I am making some towel and placemats too!

This is a sponsored post. See my full disclosure by clicking on "Disclosure" up in the navigation bar

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