Filed under: inspiration, looks, modeling, shoes, wardrobe | Tags: modeling, shoes, ideas, inspiration, fashion, wardrobe, everyday style
More from my “My Everyday Style” series. For more, check out my “Everyday Style” page to the left 
Look 6: Plaid Tights
For this one, I decided to play with the fun patterned tights that are so in right now. I found a few great pairs at Target (though they’re unfortunately not available on their website–their hosiery selection totally lacks online) and stocked up for fall/winter! Last fall my mom bought me this great basic black jumper that I typically get a lot of wear out of. When I pair it with a black short-sleeved mock turtleneck, it looks like a cute black dress! Belting at the waist makes it a bit more figure-flattering, and, well, I love my black boots 
The particular pair of plaid tights I have happen to have exactly the same pink as one of my favorite scarves, so I added that for a punch of color on the top.
Get The Look: Jumper: Nordstrom (No Longer Available); Tights (Pictured): Forever21; Shirt: Kohls; Belt: A TJMaxx Find; Boots: Cutesygirl
Filed under: inspiration, looks, modeling, shoot results, wardrobe | Tags: creativity, fashion, ideas, inspiration, modeling, photo shoot, photography, photoshoot, shoot results, wardrobe
This is part one of, what will hopefully be, a long series dedicated to getting the looks I’ve styled for my own shoots. I’ll be concentrating mostly on wardrobe, but at times will toss in makeup as well. I’ll be posting a shot from the actual shoot, laying out the wardrobe for you, and linking pieces that are available online (at the time of writing), or alternative pieces that can be used to create a similar look.
Look 1: Biker Chic
This look was inspired by a look I wore for Forever21 in the 2009 VOP Fashion & Rock show. When the photographer let me know he had a motorcycle he was interested in shooting with, I knew I had to use elements from that outfit for the shoot–it was just a perfect fit.
Shoot Results:
The Look:
Get It:
- Motorcycle Jacket: Buckle (no longer available online); Alternative Jacket: Forever21
- Tank Top: Any black tank will do, but mine is from Target
- Skirt: Forever21 (no longer available online); Alternative Skirt: Forever21
- Shoes: Cutesygirl (no longer available online); Alternative Shoes: Cutesygirl
- Tights: Forever21 (no longer available online); Alternative Tights: Forever21
Photo Credits: Gonzo Photos
Filed under: holidays, inspiration, looks, modeling, wardrobe | Tags: fashion, ideas, inspiration, modeling, photo shoot, photoshoot, shoes, wardrobe
Ponchos are coming back in style, and over-the-knee (OTK) boots are hot right now. I love the idea of combining the two with a splash of metallic leggings, a cute bright crochet beret, and being stylish, comfy and cozy as the weather gets cooler. Here’s how I’d do it:
The poncho, leggings and beret are all from Forever21, and the boots are from CutesyGirl. The shirt is on the Forever21 website, but I have plenty of long sleeved black shirts. The whole look, minus the shirt, is less than $70!
I’ve sworn off buying stuff though, so this look is just on my Chrismanukkah list 
Unless, of course, you’re looking to shoot with me and can’t afford my rates. I’m always up for a little TFWardrobe! Wouldn’t this look be cute romping around in fallen leaves?
Filed under: inspiration, looks, modeling, wardrobe | Tags: fashion, ideas, inspiration, modeling, shoes, wardrobe
In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve made a separate page for the “My Everyday Style” series, which lists all the entries I’ve made previously. It’s linked on the left menu, but here’s a link as well.
Look Five: Pretty Flowers
So I took a couple elements from the 2 outfits I shot in this past weekend and combined them to make a more work-friendly outfit. With it getting cooler here, I’ve definitely started to layer up, which is one of my favorite things to do in fall and winter. I’ve layered the white T under the flowered shirt, which peeks out (untucked) under my cute dark purple cropped sweater vest. I’ve currently got the sleeves rolled up on my blazer, but rolled them down when I went outside for lunch earlier. I’ve kept my accessories simple again, as usual, and have gone with a flat boot mostly because my feet still hurt a bit from being in heels most of the night Saturday
Get The Look:
Just a quick note that the blazer I’m wearing today isn’t the same as the one that’s linked, but it’s close enough. The purple vest is a couple years old, and the earrings are run-of-the-mill $4 hoops from Claire’s, which you can’t buy online.
Blazer: Express; Fitted T-Shirt: Gap; Flowered Shirt: Forever21 (no longer available online); Cropped Sweater Vest: Express, but older; Earrings: Claire’s; Jeans: Express; Boots: Dirty Laundry, by Chinese Laundry
Filed under: inspiration, modeling, shoot results, upcoming shoots, wardrobe | Tags: creativity, drown the gown, fashion, hobby, ideas, inspiration, modeling, photo shoot, photoshoot, reuse bridemaid dress, storytelling, trash the dress, wardrobe
While planning wardrobe for an upcoming shoot, I’ve decided to take a look at yet another bridesmaid dress I have. It’s one I’ll most certainly never wear again, so I might as well shoot in it, right? Inspired by a designer from the VOP Fashion and Rock Show, Dawn at Brilliant Stranger, I’ve decided to not just accessorize the dress differently, but to revamp it with the help of scissors, my sewing machine, and perhaps some other fabric and lace remnants I have laying around. This moment of “oooh, so that’s what I can do with it!” is the inspiration for today’s entry.
There comes a point in every woman’s life where her closet has a few dresses that just… don’t work anymore. Often, it’s bridesmaid dresses, but for some lucky women, it’s prom dresses too (or even formal dresses from college). Very rarely can they be worn again, and a lot of times it’s hard to part with something you spent hundreds of dollars on and wore once… and besides, then what would you do with those dyed-to-match pumps?
But instead of letting them sit in your closet (or worse, the bottom of your hamper) unused, why not do something with them? If you’re a model, it’s simple to say “shoot in it!”… but not as easy to do so. After all, most bridesmaid dresses look like bridesmaid dresses (don’t deny it, you know what I mean!). The easiest option (and a rapily-increasing-in-popularity one) is to simply do a Trash the Dress shoot.
Having done a few Trash the Dress sessions, I find them quite a lot of fun. Especially when the dress is one I have no emotional attachment to I’ve worn dresses where they’re not supposed to be worn (a decrepit bridge, in the lake, around heavy land-movers), and I even cut one up for a shoot, as a play on “well you can always shorten it and wear it again!”. I’ve included a few shots of my trash the dress sessions below, because they’re quite fun!
Past simply getting in a lake, rolling in the mud, or climbing a tree in your gown, leaving it dirty, but likely cleanable and then ready to wear again donate, you can opt to literally trash it. Rip it, cut it, burn it (though it is not recommended to do this while actually wearing it)–go crazy! You can also make it into something different, either by refashioning it into another wardrobe piece (a new skirt or wrap, for example), or using it for part of a costume. The options are endless!
Here are some fun ideas for bridesmaid or prom dresses. Some involve simply reaccesorizing, whereas other ideas involve fully reinventing the dress!
- Bridesmaid Revisited: Painted Maxi Skirt
- How to Actually Rewear Your Bridesmaid Dress
- eHow: Wear Your Bridesmaid Dress Again
- How to Recycle Your Prom Dress
- Recycle it as a Costume!
Some of my Trash the Dress shoots:
From left to right:
Rob Domaschuk, “You Can Always Cut it Short and Wear it Again” Version 3
Walter of Studio B Photography, Trash the Prom Dress
Greg Kolack, “Fearless Rachel” Out on an Unused Portion of RR Bridge
Walter of Studio B Photography, Drown the Gown
Filed under: hobbyist, inspiration, looks, modeling, wardrobe | Tags: fashion, ideas, inspiration, modeling, shoes, wardrobe
Sorry for slacking. I had a crazy week last week that ended with my husband having his appendix out (thankfully it didn’t burst) and spending 2 nights in the hospital. Good news is he’s doing great and is going back to work today I’ll be updating a lot this week, but first…
As a continuation of the “My Everyday Style” series, I’ve decided to do this one a little different. I’ve used mostly pieces I’ve had for quite some time, which changes what you’ll be getting linked to below a bit. However, this outfit is one that’s easily a favorite outfit of mine, and being that I wore it last week, I just had to include it. It’s definitely an outfit I’ll wear numerous times this fall, and one I’ll do variations of constantly (it’s actually rather similar to another outfit I’ve already done, which I’m sure you’ll notice). It’s also a classic look that can be worn year after year.
Look Four: Simple & Classic
Again, this look is pretty simple and one that can be worn fall, winter, and even into spring. It can even be worn year after year, either as is or with updated accessories. As an added bonus, it’s a great “work to play” look that won’t leave your feet begging for mercy at the end of the day. A nice fitting blazer, white T, vest, boot-leg jeans and motorcycle boots make this a great menswear style that, with the additions of a bright scarf and great bag, become more feminine. If you’re going to duplicate this look, make sure your jeans, vest and blazer aren’t too baggy and fit you well. You don’t want to lose your shape!
Get The Look:
As I already noted, the items in the set are based more on pieces I’ve had for quite some time. So really, I’d only be able to link the boots and maybe the scarf. So instead I’m going to pull similar items for you so you can duplicate the look. All the items I’m linking are ones I’d buy to get this look if I didn’t already have the pieces.
Blazer: Express; T-Shirt: Gap; Earrings: Target; Jeans: Forever21; Purse: Target; Scarf: Forever21; Vest: Express; Boots: Dirty Laundry, by Chinese Laundry
Filed under: inspiration, local events, modeling, photography, shoot results | Tags: breast cancer, breast cancer awarness, charity event, creativity, emotions, ideas, inspiration, modeling, photo shoot, photography, photoshoot, pink for october, pink ribbon campaign, shoot results, susan g komen
The AG3 Breast Cancer Awareness poster is finished!!
100% of the proceeds from the poster will be going to the Susan G. Komen foundation. It’s only $15 for a 24×36″ poster! Here’s a tiny sneak peek
Filed under: inspiration, looks, modeling, wardrobe | Tags: fashion, ideas, inspiration, modeling, shoes, wardrobe
Here’s my third set of the “My Everyday Style” series. I wore this last month and it was super cute. The denim jumper was a great find, and is definitely a versatile piece I can wear pretty much year round. The only minor beef I have with it is that it ties in the back and can get kind of uncomfortable in the car.
Look Three: Denim Jumper
Another jumper, though this one’s from Target and ties in the back. I’ve paired it with, yet again, a white T, but this time black tights, legwarmers under grey boots, and a great scarf from, again, Target (Men’s section–don’t be afraid to venture there, ladies!). And again, minimal accessories.
Get The Look: Jumper: Target; Tights: Hue; White T: Hanes; Legwarmers: No Idea (They’re Old); Scarf: Target; Boots: Cutesygirl
Past Entries: My Everyday Style I, My Everyday Style II
Filed under: inspiration, looks, modeling, wardrobe | Tags: fashion, ideas, inspiration, modeling, shoes, wardrobe
As a continuation of the “My Everyday Style” series, here’s a second look I’ve put together. I promise not every look will have a white T and black boots
Look Two: Plaid & Lace
I’ve opted to have fun with some of the patterns that are in this fall by pairing lace tights with this plaid jumper. A white T underneath the jumper makes it more fall-friendly, and a wide belt at the waist makes the jumper a bit more suited to my age and body. Add my favorite black boot, and accessorize with a skinny leather headband, and we’re good to go!
Get The Look: Jumper: Forever 21; Tights: Forever 21; Headband: H&M; Belt: Steve Madden; Boots: Cutesygirl; White T: Hanes
Past Entries: My Everyday Style I
Filed under: inspiration, looks, modeling, wardrobe | Tags: fashion, ideas, inspiration, modeling, shoes, wardrobe
Occasionally someone asks me about my personal style and how I dress every day, and more often than not I answer “jeans, a white t-shirt, and converse” with a company hoodie thrown in the mix for when I’m cold. I’m fortunate enough to have a “real world” job that allows that kind of casual wear on a day-to-day basis, but it gets pretty darn boring. Especially to someone like me, who’s rather creative by nature. So I’ve decided to overhaul things a bit and move towards more “my style” and less “but it’s comfortable“.
So I’m going to put together a few outfits I’ve already worn or are planning on wearing this “fall” (it’s been rather cool here for a Chicago August). I’ve done some wardrobe updating with new pieces recently, but am still falling back on some classic basics I just can’t live without–white T’s, black boots, my black blazer, skinny jeans. And yes, since I’m sure you’re wondering, I’d model in every one of these outfits I’ll be doing this in installments, to keep the posts shorter.
Note that some of the items I’m using in these looks aren’t the exact same as what I have at home, but they’re close enough based on what I was able to find online. As always, I’ve linked what you can buy online
Look One: 09/09/09
I figured I’d start with what I wore today This one’s going to be tough, because some of it (mainly the blazer) you can’t get online I’ve paired a longer greyish purple blazer with a white T, black vest, denim leggings, and black boots. I’ve left my accessories minimal. Believe it or not, this is a pretty comfortable outfit! Leggings are way more comfortable than jeans, and these offer a bit more coverage for the office than standard leggings (and they have back pockets–win!). I’ve gone ahead and linked what I could.
Get The Look: Blazer: Unknown; White T: Hanes; Vest: Express (Couple Seasons Old); Denim Leggings: Forever 21; Boots: Cutesygirl; Watch: Raymond Weil; Earrings: Claire’s
