Tag Archives: winter

What I Wore: Bold Black Stripes & Crocodile Clutch

Happy Monday, everybody! I hope you all had a great Easter weekend. (If you’re into that stuff.) Anyhow, I’m back from South Jersey with a new fashion illustration and a bit about the Borgata in Atlantic City; thanks for viewing!

bold jailhouse stripe chiffon blouse with black mini skirt and crocodile clutch stripe fashion illustration

Today’s Illustration:
bold striped blouse $ Forever21, ponte mini $ Bloomingdale’s, suede lace up bootie $$ Lord & Taylor, crocodile clutch $$$ Alexander Wang or $ Target

Last weekend VNg and I went to AC with two sets of couple friends. (Yay, triple date weekend!)  Our friends had a deal at Borgata so that’s where we stayed and played.  Generally, I’m not a huge fan because I ALWAYS lose… and I can’t stand smelling like smoke after.  But, dinner at Bobby Flay’s restaurant was well worth it!

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DIY Valentine: Custom Mug & Hot Cocoa

I recently had a request for an affordable DIY valentine; what a great idea!!  (Vday is so close to last year’s holidays which can add up.  I’m definitely on a budget after gifting & travel.)  So, today’s post is a fun and easy project that is a great gift (for a guy or gal!)

(As a bonus, I also made this easy to print card – just click the image below to download the file. You can print on regular letter sized paper and fold it into quarters.)

My free download; print out this valentine's day card at home!

VNg & I enjoy cozying up to share hot chocolate; he especially loves all the marshmallows he can get.  (Btw did you know they have heart-shaped marshmallows?! Perfect for this project!!)  Anyway, he prefers gifts we can experience together (rather than something purely material.)  So, I love the idea of making something unique and personalized that you can share.  Your Valentine will really appreciate the time and thought you put into this gift.

This project is inspired by Kate Spade mugs I sketched a few weeks ago.  They sold out pretty quickly… but I was thrilled to find they can be easily duplicated (for a fraction of the price!)

DIY Valentine - Use a gold sharpie and some old mugs to make a personalized gift and a bag of hot cocoa mix.I think the cost of this project should be less than $25 depending on how you approach it.  (Basically, don’t count on staying under $25 if you’re gonna buy your mugs from, say, West Elm.)  However, I found one for $9.  I also really like the idea of using mugs (since they’re typically solid colors. And, I found a set of two for $16.) Grab a gold Sharpie for about $2 (or two for $4.) Be sure to buy the “paint” marker version.  Add the cost of the cocoa powder mix and you are good to go.

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Lots of Layering: My Winter Essentials

I don’t know why but I’ve been having a hard time getting out of bed.  (Maybe the trifecta of cold weather, gloomy skies, and action-packed weekends?)  I need to get in the habit of planning my outfit out the night before but, ’til then… leaving myself thirty minutes to get out the door makes me appreciate my winter wardrobe staples.

My illustration of ten winter essentials for layering. Silk scarf, leopard belt, easy tee, chambray button down, marled socks, leggings, leopard booties, grey cardigan, grandpa cardi and touch gloves from Ralph Lauren

Today’s Illustration:
printed scarf  ($ J.Crew Factory), leopard belt ($ asos and $$ Nordstrom), boat-neck stripe tee ($ asos and $$ G -Star), chambray shirt Topshop (or $ asos and $$ Madewell), marled socks ($ J.Crew), touch gloves ($$ Lauren Ralph Lauren), grandpa cardigan ($ Urban Outfitters and $$$ Brooks Brothers), pocket cardi J.Crew (or $ Target and $$$ Miu Miu), leggings Zara (or $$ Bare Necessities), leopard bootie LOFT (or $ Madden Girl and $$ Sam Edelman)

My uniform tends to be a button-down shirt and my favorite Zara leggings (or basic skirt).  They’re easy to dress up or down and even easier for layering.  When it’s 15 degrees outside, 60 at your desk and 40 in the conference room – layering is key.

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Frigid Friday: Boxy Sweater & Bootcut Jeans

Finally, the weekend is here!  I’m pretty excited it might be the end of the freez-ocalypse too.  It’s been so cold in my office lately – I’ve been opting for chunky cozy sweaters.  Here’s my latest fashion illustration for your Saturday enjoyment.

fashion illustration, boxy cowl neck sweater, flare denim, michael kors tote

Today’s Illustration:
boxy cowl neck Express (or $ LOFT & $$$ BCBG), leather belt J.Crew (or $asos), denim Levi’s (or $ asos and $$$ Bloomingdale’s), stamped initial necklace (or $$ Max & Chloe), chain earrings Club Monaco (or $ asos), lace up ankle bootie Steve Madden (or $$$ Tory Burch), nylon tote Michael Kors (or $ Zappos)

I’m not sure why – but I dusted off my bootcut jeans and have been rotating them in my wardrobe recently.  I guess I’ve been thinking about trying to get the most out of my clothes.  And, re-discovering something in your closet is almost as good as shopping.  And you’ll feel proud of yourself for getting the most out of your clothes.

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