{DIY} Striped Makeup Bag...

I've been incredibly drawn to the striped pouchettes at Chapters right now, and always stop to admire them whenever I'm in the store. Mr. AiF scolded me last time we were there together with, you know, words of reason and whatnot... Pfffft, AS IF I don't need another makeup bag! What does he know, anyway? Well, I guess something he said must have sunk in, because I decided to revamp this old Zara clutch instead of caving to my baser instincts (to which shopping totally applies) and buying yet another pouch.

Want to breathe new life into an old bag too? Repeat after me: Tape, paint, dry, remove tape, acetone smudges... It's as simple as that, my friends! xx

 

{Style} Patchwork...

I've been on a bit of a shopping kick lately (I'm thinking May is gonna have to be another shopping ban month), including a mini online tryst with ASOS. Nothing too crazy, but let's just say that my virtual cart ranneth over with a striped skirt (stay tuned!) and this totally awesome blazer. I don't know if it's the vibrant colours or the in-your-face print, but I'm in love with this blazer and in a big way... And now for the credit card payments.

Happy Monday, lovelies! xx

Outfit details: top- Forever 21 (old); blazer- ASOS (get it here); distressed jeans- Gap; two-tone Adriene pumps- ShoeMint; vintage clutch- The Pretty Secrets; bracelets- Forever 21

{Style} Mixed Bag...

I love a sneak peek as much as the next girl, so when Nella Bella sent me their Filix Shopper Tote to preview from their Summer 2013 collection, I was pleased as punch. The bag is sleek and simple in design, which makes it a great go-to for work and travel (in case you haven't noticed, it's huge), and no matter how much I bog it down with the contents of my life, its handles are super comfortable under the added weight. To test this, I toted around a laptop, heels, extra makeup and book yesterday and lived to tell the tale... Now that's what I call a durable bag.

Stay tuned May 10 to see the rest of their summer collection � I know I will! xx

Outfit details: polka dot denim shirt- Winners; snake print jeans- Parasuco; spike pumps- ShoeMint; Filix Shopper Tote c/o Nella Bella; necklace- Zara; ring- Saint Laurent

{Style} Iconic...

Outfit details: Tshirt- H&M; striped skirt- Forever 21; leather jacket- Zara; pumps- ShoeMint; crossbody- Coach; necklace- H&M; ring- random NYC find

Prenzlauer Berg

I just got back a few days ago from a week-long work trip to Germany, which was great. I ended up with a couple of free days in Berlin and a brief stopover in Amsterdam on the return trip, and I was traveling with a very fun coworker, so we managed to sneak in some sightseeing, shopping, and hitting the town. Berlin is such a great city; we stayed in the Prenzlauer Berg neighborhood, which is filled with great things to see and do. I could walk around the city all day just looking at all the cool modern architecture and interesting street art.

After a solid week of eating German food, I won't be trying to put on this form-fitting dress anytime soon (this outfit was from before the trip). Now that I'm back, it's time to make up for all the sausages, potatoes and beer with plenty of salads and walking to work.

Dress: Rebecca Taylor
Bag: Botkier
Boots: Bastien
Jacket: Karen Millen

{Style} Do The Pom Pom...

Well my friends, it's official � I've become the crazy DIY lady. And despite the abundance of colourful balls adorning my torso, I actually left the house this way... Balls out, if you will. The good news is a passerby stopped to say that my outfit made her happy, which is delightful to hear when your friends have already classified your sweater as crazy-elementary-school-teacher chic... I had to add in the chic part, but you get the picture. xx

Outfit details: sweater- DIY; skirt- faux leather skirt- H&M; Carolina Lips Clutch- DVF; booties- Aldo

{DIY} Pom Pom Sweater...

You know when you see something that leaves an impression on you, only to file it away until something triggers it back? Well that's what happened here. I saw this outfit post on Design Love Fest few months ago, squealed in delight (pom poms!) then just kinda forgot about it... Until one fateful trip to the craft store where I spotted a bag of delightfully colorful pom poms just dying to make a DIY appearance.

So early Sunday morning I got up, poured myself some coffee and dragged Mr. AiF to my mini home office to get cracking. There's not really much to this DIY (it's sew easy... zing!) so I spared you the step-by-step deets, but here you have it, friends � Pom pom city! Stay tuned tomorrow to see the end result... xx

{Style} Writings on the Wall...

Outfit details: striped blazer- H&M (old); lilac jeans- Joe Fresh; peplum top- H&M; clutch- vintage Saint Laurent; spiked pumps- ShoeMint; necklace + bracelets- Forever 21; ring- random NYC find

{Style} Fluro...

Well friends, we made it � Happy Friday! Hope you guys all have nice, fun-filled weekends... Mine's going to be pretty movie-centric, with equal parts cleaning, shopping (ooooh yeah) and snuggle time. Try not to be too jealous. xx

Outfit details: sweater- Gap; faux leather skirt- H&M; booties- Aldo; polka dot tights- Joe Fresh; clutch- BCBG; necklaces- Forever 21; flower ring- J.Crew

{Wedding Bells} The Inspiration...

Pretty much the minute Mr. AiF proposed back in December, I started pinning wedding inspiration like a crazy person... Fast forward a few months, and not much has changed. Now don't get me wrong, we're nowhere near ready to actually start planning a wedding (we can't even agree on a year!), but since I plan on sharing that journey here with you, I figured I may as well start with the little things.

So with that said, here's a peek at some of my favourite pins, which � wonderfully enough � actually seem to coordinate. Looks like I may have inadvertently stumbled upon a theme, ladies and gentlemen... Now let's just hope the mister approves.

Clockwise from top left: Rosecliff gown via Bhldn // Valentino Rockstud Patent Leather Sandal via Judy Pak Photography // bouquet via Style Me Pretty // rustic barn wedding via Time Bomb Baby // vintage-inspired cake via Green Wedding Shoes // banner via Style Me Pretty // geronimo balloons via The Wedding Tree

{Style} Ruffled...

Outfit details: blouse- Forever 21; vest- Old Navy; floral leggings- Zara; pumps- ShoeMint; leather clutch- vintage; necklace- Zara; two-finger ring- H&M

{DIY} Neon Rope Bangle with Pendant...

I've been sitting on this DIY for weeks now because I haven't had any spare time to craft... I know, I know, tisk tisk. Anyway, I thought it would be fun to bring life to an old, thrifted bangle, so after picking up some neon thread and a pretty little pendant from Michael's, I was in business. This project was super easy and inexpensive to make, and I'm obsessed with the result... Hey, anything neon is fine by me!

Want to make a bracelet of your own? Here's what you've got to do:



1. Start by securing the rope to your bangle with some glue to hold it in place while you work. The nature of the materials make them hard to adhere, but it will help to have the end temporarily secured.
2. Start wrapping the rope around the bangle, pulling tight as you go around.
3. Continue to tightly wrap the bangle until you get about three quarters of the way around the bracelet.
4/5. Weave the end of the rope through the pendant and out the other side, pulling it through and positioning it on the bangle.
6. Keep wrapping the bangle until the base is no longer visible.



7. Release the glued end and tie a double knot to secure the rope in place.
8. Cut the ends off closely.
9. Singe the ends of rope slightly to avoid fraying.
10/11. Paint the pendant with nail polish in colours of your choosing. Add two or three coats depending on the thickness of the polish used.
12. While your bracelet dries, use the leftover rope to play with your cat or any other willing participant... How cute is Meows?!

And that's it! Thanks for reading, lovelies! xx

{Style} Changing Directions...

No, I'm not talking about some life changing decision or epiphany that the title of this post might suggest, but about the stripes of my shirt... What, you know not to expect anything more than superficial musings from me by now, don't you?

Happy Monday friends, I hope everyone's week is off to a smashing start! xx

Outfit details: striped blouse- Forever 21; skirt- American Apparel; leather clutch- vintage; pumps- ShoeMint; ring- Saint Laurent; necklace- Pamela Love