Apartment Tour

A lot has changed for me over the last few months. Besides starting a new job, I also moved into my first "real" apartment. I had apartments in college, but none that I truly decorated and made my own, so I was really excited to put my stamp on the new place. Now that it is (mostly) complete, I'd love to take you on a tour of my new place:

So I didn't end up finding a yellow couch, but red was a close second. I settled for mustard accents to satisfy my yellow craving. Also, there are quite a few thrifted finds and DIYs seen here. The lamp, end table, and vase were all DIYs, and the mirror on the table was thrifted.

My gallery wall is still a work in progress, but I absolutely love it. I got my inspiration from here, here, and here.

This is the view of my living room from the front door. It's still a work in progress as well (I need curtains and would like some more coffee table books), but I really like how it is coming along so far!
 

Cube shelves were one of those things "I just had to have". After seeing lots of shelf styling ideas on pinterest (here, here, and here), I was so excited to try it myself. I love being able to display all of the fashion books I've accumulated over the years. I also adore my new Anthropologie vase.
 

I knew I wanted to work mint into my decor somewhere, so I decided to paint my bedroom walls that color. Well, let me rephrase that...I picked out the color and then let my dad paint :) There are a lot of DIYs in this room too...my uncle made my headboard and my mom and I spruced up an old dresser by stenciling the drawers and adding knobs from Anthropologie.

After seeing this tutorial on pinterest, I knew I had to make this plate stand to display my jewelry. I found the plates at Anthropologie and got the candle stick from the dollar store. Not only did it it turn out super cute, but it's functional too. I like having my jewelry on display because I know I'm much more likely to wear something if it is out in the open and visible.

Well that's my place! You like?

The New Place + Fall Fashion Inspiration

It's a new school year, which also means I'm living in a new apartment. As much as I loved my room last year, I think I like my new one even better. My favorite part of moving into a new space is adding all of the little touches that make it feel uniquely mine.

It's a little smaller than my room last year (and don't even get me started on the closet), but I love the cozy feeling and hardwood floors.

My window seat! Cushion, blanket, little pillows, and pom poms all made by my mom and I.

I think this is the project I was most excited about, and I love how it turned out! It was super simple; all I needed was 3M sticky hooks, clothes line, and clothespins. Such a great way to display all of my pictures and favorite quotes (all taken from pinterest)!

At first I couldn't decide how I wanted to use these DIY pots, but they ended up being a great way to display all of my bangles.

We all know how much I love pinterest, but nothing beats an old-fashioned real inspiration board. These are the looks/styles I'm feeling for Fall.

DIY Extravaganza

When I got back from New York, I had a few weeks before I had to be back at school. I filled my days with quality time with friends and family and LOTS AND LOTS of crafts! My mom is also really into crafting and DIYs, so it's something we enjoy doing together. She even has a pinterest now! Here are some of the projects we worked on (all from pinterest):

Supplies: fabric, flower pots, modpodge
This project didn't actually turn out as well as I expected. The first pot pictured here turned out best, but some of the others were lumpy and the fabric didn't lay quite right. Inspired by this.

Supplies: wine glasses from dollar store, chalk paint
I love how these turned out! This project was SUPER easy and now I have wine glasses that can be customized depending on my mood. The only drawback is they are not machine washable. Inspired by this.

Supplies: more glasses from the dollar store, vitrea glass paint.
Another easy project! All you do is paint the glass, wait a day, and then bake them to seal the color. And these ARE machine washable! Yay! Inspired by this.

Supplies: ribbon, beads
No DIY extravaganza is complete without a little handmade jewelry. The only hard part about these was getting the ribbon to go through the small bead holes; we used wire from another project to help push the ribbon through. I couldn't be happier with how these turned out! Inspired by this.

I also made some tissue paper pom poms and painted clothespins for another project, which I'll be showing you in tomorrow's post on my new apartment!

Day 15: The Half-Way Point

What I'm wearing: Equipment blouse via TJ Maxx, J.Crew outlet skirt, Steve Madden wedges via DSW, DIY necklace (inspired by this)

This outfit is possibly my favorite from my 30 for 30 so far. Sometimes an outfit just comes together, and it's love at first sight! This is also the blog debut for two beloved items that I acquired this summer: my Equipment blouse from TJ Maxx and my Steve Madden mary-jane wedges from DSW. The wedges are SUPER tall but still easy to walk in. I wore this outfit to my cousin's bridal shower on Saturday, and I was towering over everyone! I'm also a little obsessed with my new necklace I made as part of the craft fest my mom and I have been having. I made it in two other colors as well...it was so cheap and easy! Keep your eye out for a big DIY post coming soon with all of the projects I've been working on!

Day 13: An Easy Outfit

What I'm wearing: J.Crew outlet chambray, Gap Always Skinny jeans, Target sandals, Hand-me-down scarf, J.Crew tote, Vintage earrings and bracelet

I'm officially in back-to-school mode, spending my days shopping and crafting to get ready to move into my new apartment in Columbus. Easy outfits like this one are a must for days filled with running errands all over town. When I arrived home from NYC, I had an unexpected box waiting for me from my aunt, filled with lots of little presents like a Christian Dior book, a fabric flower, and some hand-me-down scarves that she doesn't wear anymore. This scarf is one of them, and I absolutely love that I can easily throw it on and add a ton of color to my outfit. Also keep an eye out for a post coming soon about all of the DIY projects I've been working on. For a sneak peek/where I got my ideas, look here, here, and here.

Ta-Da!

Remember that dress refashion I was talking about the other day? Well this is it! I'm loving the way it turned out and cannot wait for warmer weather so I can wear it! Unfortunately, it snowed today so I think it may be awhile, but I'm already dreaming up cute combinations for spring. This is the first time I've ever transformed an item already in my closet, and it's exciting to feel like I have a new piece of clothing, even though it didn't cost a cent. I can't take all the credit though; my mom did all the labor on this one (I'm still not too handy with the sewing machine, although it is a goal of mine!). I've also been working on some beaded jewelry lately, so hopefully I'll have some pictures to share soon. Have you guys done any DIY's lately? I need more ideas...once I start crafting, I just can't stop!

Getting Crafty [Spring Break Edition!]

Because this spring break has had many unforeseen circumstances, my long list of things I wanted to do while home only has a few things crossed off. But you know me; I ALWAYS make time to go to the craft store a time or two. Here is what I've been working on...

These are my finished flower pins. I was at Michael's craft store the other day and was reminded of Kendi's simple DIY post when I passed all of the fake flowers. I picked the most colorful ones I could find, and I can't wait to debut them with a great spring outfit.

I've been longing for more color in my wardrobe. Color is huge for spring/summer. I can't afford a whole bunch of new clothes, so accessories are the way to go. I've been on the hunt for colorful belts and jewelry, but I've been having a hard time finding jewelry that matches what I have in mind while staying on budget. What's a girl to do when this happens? Make your own! Can't wait to show you the finished product!

During my closet cleanout, I came across this old Forever 21 dress in my closet. It's empire-waisted and very "babydoll" looking, and the dress is a little short. I haven't worn it in a few summers, so I was thinking about giving it the boot. Then I realized that it would make a great skirt! According to the instructions I've found online, it should be pretty easy to convert, but I'm not a very skilled seamstress. I'll probably be enlisting Mom's help for this one! Before and after shots will be coming your way once this project gets underway!

Handmade By Yours Truly

What I'm wearing: Forever 21 slouchy top, J.Crew outlet long cardigan, Gap Always Skinny jeans, Aldo boots, Handmade necklace (by yours truly)

The past few days, I've been gravitating towards looser, more comfortable clothing. I think its partially because of post-holiday pudge and partially because I like to be comfy while running around doing all the things I want to finish before I head back to school. I wore this yesterday for a day of working on necklaces for my Etsy shop (coming in 2011!) and for dinner with some girlfriends from high school. It was only a small portion of our big group, but it was really nice to catch up with everyone who was there. I purposely chose an outfit that could showcase my new necklace. On Monday, I found these beads at JoAnn Fabrics, and I fell in love. I used to make a lot of beaded jewelry, but it's an expensive hobby. But these beads were on sale, so I gave in and bought them. I really like how it turned out, and you can look forward to seeing more necklaces like this one in my Etsy shop. Here is a little sneak peek of what else I've been working on for the shop:

I had so much fun at JoAnn's picking out different color combinations of fabric and buttons. I love black and white things, so a black and white necklace was a given. I'm excited to launch my shop in the next week or two, and I hope you are too! Stay tuned for Best Foot Forward's first Etsy giveaway :)

Day 22- Simple Outfit, Statement Necklace

What I'm wearing: Loft sweater, Gap striped tee, Gap Always Skinny jeans, J.Crew flats, Handmade necklace, Lauren RL earrings, Kate Spade tote

You caught me. This is almost the exact same outfit I wore on the first day of challenge. But today was all about the necklace, so I needed a simple outfit to showcase it. For those of you who follow me on twitter (and if you don't, you should start!), you know I've been working on some DIY necklaces since I got home for break. This is the first one I've completed, and I LOVE it! Next time, I'm going to tweak the shape a bit, but besides that, I really like how it turned out. Today, a random girl at Target even stopped me and told me she liked it. Pretty darn impressive for my first test drive.

I'm thinking about opening up an Etsy shop with similar items. Thoughts? Any color combinations you would like to see?

Day 17- Chugging Along

What I'm wearing: Old Navy jacket, Forever 21 button down, Gifted scarf from London, Gap Always Skinny jeans, Nine West boots, Vintage earrings

It's so nice to be getting back to my normal blogging routine. I missed not getting to take regular outfit pictures towards the end of the quarter, which seriously prolonged this 30 for 30. Most people are finishing up right about now, and I'm still chugging along at day 17. Surprisingly, I'm still feeling inspired even though its getting later in the challenge. Last time, I was pretty much freaking out at this point because I had no idea what else to do with the items I had chosen. I wore this outfit today, knowing I needed something comfortable to wear for a productive day. My day included picking up books at the library, getting my phone looked at at the Verizon store, dropping my computer off to get fixed (currently blogging using my parent's clunky old desktop...blahh), and stopping by Michael's Craft Store and JoAnn Fabrics. I love that there is a little strip mall near us that has a Michael's and a JoAnns right next to each other; it's like crafting heaven. I've been working on some fun projects with my mom, and I can't wait to show you all when we're finished!

It's that Time of Year: Winter Break is Here!

It's official...I'm finally on winter break! Its been a pretty brutal quarter, so I'm beyond excited to go home to Cincinnati and enjoy some "me" time. Here is what is on my agenda:

1. Watch as many Christmas movies as possible. Love Actually, The Santa Clause, Elf, and Home Alone 2 are among my favorites.

2. Visit the Wedded Perfection: Two Centuries of Wedding Gowns exhibit at the Cincinnati Art Museum. No I'm not getting married anytime soon, but I still think this exhibit sounds really interesting.

3. Do some thrift/vintage shopping. A friend from class let me in on a little secret and told me the best Goodwill to go to in Cincinnati, so I'm excited to check it out.

4. Finally finish The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo which I started back in August. Needless to say, I've been a little busy.

5. DIY's galore! I've been wanting to get crafty for a few weeks now but haven't had time with finals. I'm excited to try some ideas from Erica Domesek's book P.S.-I Made This as well as some other projects I've found around the web, like this one from the blog The Tortoise and the Hare

I've been wanting to make my own rosette bib necklace after seeing the one I talked about in my last post about Etsy. If it turns out okay, I'll be sure to share pictures :)

6. Finally getting caught up on outfit pictures and finishing the 30 for 30! My goal is to be done by Christmas (I want to be able to wear any presents I may be getting on Christmas day!)

7. Celebrating my two year anniversary with the boy! As now, the plan is to spend a romantic evening in Columbus, hitting up all of our favorite places.

8. Vegging out! I can't wait to just relax and enjoy this time of year.

What are your big plans for this holiday season?

Early Morning Awkwardness

The first things I reached for after hearing this morning's forecast? A cozy sweater and leather boots. This will pretty much be my go-to from now until March, so I hope you're prepared. Also scarves...I absolutely adore them and how they can pull together a cold-weather outfit. Today's chilly temps finally gave me a chance to wear my DIY cardigan I posted about here, which definitely perked me up despite having an 8 AM class all the way across campus.

What I'm wearing: Thrifted cardigan with DIY bows, Banana Republic outlet jeans (2007), Aldo tan boots, Vintage earrings

Yes, I realize that I look kind of awkward and stiff in these pictures, but it was cold, my camera was acting up (and eventually died), it was early, and I'm still not feeling very well. I'm hoping to be feeling better soon because I have a lot I need to get done before I go home to Cincinnati this weekend. But back to the outfit...these jeans don't see much daylight anymore, but it was laundry day and they were my best option that was clean. Plus, they looked nice with the light colored boots. I've always heard you should wear dark wash jeans with darker boots and visa versa so you don't break up the leg line. Can you tell I read too many fashion magazines?

DIY- Bow Cardigan

During my trip to the thrift store last week, I picked up an oversized grandpa-ish sweater and then set to work making it over using The Glamourai's tips from luckymag.com. I have had a picture of a similar sweater in my inspiration folder for a long time, just waiting for a rainy day (and a little motivation) to make it happen.

The original sweater ($2.99)

I bought light blue ribbon for the bows which I think nicely complement the cream color, and I also replaced the buttons with pearly ones that blend in with the cardigan a little better. I'm not all that great with needle and thread, so Mom helped me out with the sewing part. I really enjoy this time of year before I go back to school because we usually do fun projects together, like this one.

The final product

I love it and cannot wait for cooler weather so I can wear it! I have had some Do-It-Yourself disasters in the past, but this cardigan was extremely easy to make and turned out really well. Now I'm on a DIY kick where I want to go around changing buttons on everything or adding tons of ribbon. I can't wait to decide on my next project!

Day 26- Internship Inspiration

This week is my last in Cincinnati before moving back to school, and I feel like I have so much to do! I have lots of little projects to finish up (like a DIY bow cardigan thats only half-way done) as well as packing. Thankfully, I'm feeling much better today so hopefully I can get a lot accomplished. Currently I'm sorting through piles of dvds, magazines, and books, trying to decide what to take with me. Speaking of books, has anyone bought/read Erica Domesek's book based off her popular blog P.S.- I Made This? I've been experiencing DIY fever lately, so I thought this book might make the perfect addition to my collection of fashion-y books. It got good reviews on Amazon, so I'm definitely considering making the purchase.

What I'm wearing: Love 21 ruffle blouse, Ann Taylor Loft shorts, J.Crew belt (sale), Banana Republic outlet sandals, Self-made earrings

This top had yet to be worn in my 30 for 30 challenge, so today I was determined to find a way to make it work. I wasn't doing anything too fancy, so I decided to dress it down with shorts. This outfit reminds me a lot of the trend/inspiration research I was working on at the end of my internship. It was research for a "romantic" collection which involved light pastels, nude tones, and girly embellishments like ruffles. I can't wait until the collections I helped research for start popping up in department stores and catalogs. It won't be until 2011, but it will still be really exciting and gratifying to see something I was a part end up in stores. On a completely seperate note, who is else is planning on tuning in to CBS tonight to watch the making of Fashion's Night Out? I really wish I had still been in NYC for the big night, but I guess watching a documentary of it will have to do.