Make Me Sparkly

New Address: re-join MMS at it's new location!!!

2011-08-13T23:06:00.000-04:00

Hey guys! In case you haven't heard, I have re-located to www.makemesparkly.com!! Bloglovin' has updated my feed to the new site, but if you want to continue to see Make Me Sparkly through Google Friend Connect, you'll have to re-join my site at its new location, www.makemesparkly.com!!

I won't be posting on this Blogger site in the future, so make sure you update your subscriptions so you continue to see my posts, like my most recent one about the Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty exhibit I visited at the MET, and also what I wore!!

www.makemesparkly.com

Lace and the City - what I wore this weekend in NYC, plus read about the first day of my trip (and see touristy pics) on my blog

2011-08-11T09:06:00.001-04:00

Shared on StylePage

New Post on New Site

2011-08-05T12:55:00.000-04:00

Check out how I styled my latest DIY at my new site:

www.makemesparkly.com!!

Make sure to update your readers and start visiting me there!!

New Site Launch!!!

2011-08-03T22:44:00.000-04:00

I'm ecstatic to announce my friend Tim and I are finally finished re-designing my blog, and officially launching it's new location... so be sure to update your readers and come visit me here from now on!

www.makemesparkly.com

Denim On Top, White Below

2011-08-01T23:23:00.000-04:00

studded&cutout denim shirt via Storets (last seen here)

BCBGMaxazria shorts

Claire's leopard belt

Guess shoes (old, via Macy's)

Versace sunnies via Macy's

JustFab Bombshell bag

I am really loving the look of denim shirts with white bottoms that I've been seeing all over my favorite blogs this summer. I was so happy this morning when a rainy day brought (slightly) cooler temperatures that enabled me to pull out this edgy denim number and rock the trend for myself!! I'm crazy about the resulting look, topped off with camel and leopard accessories... kinda preppy but with a definite cool twist. I cannot wait to try and whip up another denim and white look from my closet. Whether it's crisp twill shorts like mine (scored on sale!), a tiny crochet pair, or loose lace style, there is just something about topping the white bottom with a pretty chambray shirt that keeps putting a huge smile on my face!

The rainy day also brought tons of humidity... I bet I never told you guys that my hair is naturally curly! I didn't feel like fighting to keep it sleek today, so I gave it the old scrunching that I haven't done in probably years; I'm pleased with the result and might have to take the easy-hair road more often this summer. Though I will say that the humidity was SO bad that even my curls got huge and bushy by the end of the day!

I'd like for you all to know just how difficult it was for me to find this stupid leopard belt! I spent hours in the mall scouring every store I could think of for a normal-width leopard belt. All I could find were super skinny styles or black elastic belts with big leopard pieces forming the buckle, which are both cute but not what I wanted for this outfit (and I felt it incredibly necessary to have a leopard belt to wear with it). Finally, at $10 this one I found at Claire's was deemed suitable to hold me over until I can find one I really love.

PS- I am SUPER SUPER excited to tell you that I planned a last-minute trip to NYC this coming weekend to see the Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty exhibit at the MET on its very last day there. I'd been trying to fit a longer trip into my schedule since it's an eight hour drive but it never worked out, and I realized that I want to see it badly enough to make the trip in a weekend. I also discovered that there is a Harry Potter exhibit in Times Square and bought tickets for that (huge HP nerd here), plus I plan to make stops at Zara and M&J Trimmings... two places that fellow bloggers have sparked insane amounts of jealousy over, as we have nothing like those around me!!

The Sweetest Thing

2011-07-31T15:29:00.000-04:00

Party Girl halter dress via ThreadSence

BCBGMaxazria sandals (old)

Coach bag (old)

jewelmint earrings

Forever21, jewelmint, Tiffany&Co bracelets

Is this dress not the sweetest thing you have ever seen?! I'm SO in love... another amazing find at ThreadSence. PS - did you see my post about their incredible summer lookbook here?! It is the most darling soft pink color with a perfectly delicate lilac and white print that I naturally had to toughen up with my favorite studded sandals, a chunky belt from another dress and heaps of silver jewelry. It was comfortable and breezy for running errands on another sweltering summer day. I went to Borders to pick up some sale-priced reading material and I have to admit that I'm truly a bit devastated that they are closing down. I love the scent of paper and rifling through the pages of whatever kind of novel suits my fancy at the moment (I will never own a Kindl or get into iBooks); the relaxing atmosphere of the store itself and the amazingly kind and helpful employees made it a wonderful sanctuary for me and I'm really going to miss having that right down the road.

Okay, enough of the Debbie Downer/nerdy bookworm side of me. Now I'll get sappy and cliche. Some of you commented on my last post that my style keeps getting better and better and it really got me thinking about how I would describe my style. I never came up with an answer, and I'm not upset about it. In fact, I'm happy and excited to think that my style doesn't fit in to any of the numerous categories one might come up with. I like that one night I can dress up in an edgy ensemble of chains and snakeskin prints and another day I can wear a bohemian feeling dress or flowing maxi skirt and romp around in the sunshine; and I LOVE that I feel equally comfortable, beautiful, happy and stylish in looks at both extremes and anywhere in between. At the beginning of all this deep thinking, I thought that I would need to polish my style so that I would fit into SOME category, but now I don't think that I do. One of my very favorite blogs is The Blonde Salad, and in writing this post I figured out why: Chiara's style is just like mine, impossible to categorize! She's worn relaxed seventies-inspired looks, ultra-glam sequined dresses, sweet crochet and floral numbers, looks topped off with leather jackets and skull jewelry... a complete mix of everything that is always flawless and gorgeous. While I don't think I've gone to such extremes as her, maybe now I will push myself a little further into both sides of the spectrum and come up with something brilliant!

Oh, and how sweet is this hairstyle?!?! I saw it on someone's Tumblr and saved the photo on my phone, and I honestly can't remember where it came from. But I went in for a trim the other day and asked my stylist to figure out how it's done... she figured it out and I learned to do it myself!!! I'm loving braids and always looking for something more interesting to do with my hair, so I'm thrilled to have a style so cool and lovely to add to my arsenal.

I Could Never Be a Boy

2011-07-27T20:56:00.000-04:00

Alice and Olivia top via Saks

BCBGMaxazria shorts, similar style here

Michael Kors heels via Macy's (gift from Muz!!)

Forever21 and Asos jewelry

Fiorelli clutch via Asos

I bought these shorts anticipating to incorporate them into two rockin' looks: a menswear-inspired outfit and a chic summer suit. The summer suit I will wear once this crazy heat wave is over with. I want nothing to do with a long-sleeve jacket right now or anytime soon. I dove into styling the menswear look and this is what I came up with... a look that speaks nothing of menswear and assures me that I am one girly girl through and through (with the exception of preferring beer to cocktails and liking to play with power tools). I'm still not entirely convinced that I like these tailored suiting shorts. The length is reminiscent of basketball and softball uniform shorts I wore in middle and high school and, in my opinion, not very flattering on my short curvy frame. On the other hand, I'm very pleased with the way they polish off this look. Paired with my favorite strappy heels they're chic and dressy without being overtly sexy... perfect for a first date. What are your thoughts?!

Oh, and how sweet is this blouse I found on the sale rack at Saks last week? The chain detail and stacked palliates are too cool for words and really kind of amazing with my snakeskin and gold accessories. I am SO glad that snakeskin prints are in style again this fall!!Also, I got my hair cut this weekend but you probably can't tell by the photos. I have long bangs now, but bangs nonetheless.

DIY Glamourai Feather Earrings

2011-07-23T12:52:00.000-04:00

One of my absolute favorite blogs is The Glamourai by Kelly Framel. From the incredibly chic and creative "costumery" (read: outfits) to stunning interior design posts to her gorgeous Kelly Framel {jewelry} line, this blog is a daily read and constant source of inspiration to me. A few months ago, in a post titled {new bijoux}, I spotted a pair of flashy and unique jeweled feather earrings that I immediately fell in love with. They were simply decadent, but priced way out of my range for giant feather earrings I'd only wear once or twice; now they are no longer available for sale.

(images from www.theglamourai.com)

Isn't she gorgeous? Anyway, while I was shopping for crafting supplies I came across a strand of multicolored teardrop gems and knew I had to create my own version of these gorgeous earrings. I think they'll be an incredibly fun way to dress up a basic LBD or shorts suit for a summer night out. So without further ado...

DIY Glamourai Feather Earrings!!!

Step 1: gather materials

1. short black feathers
2. super glue
3. earring posts/backs
4. teardrop-shaped gems in desired color
5. scissors
6. two colors of crystal chain
7. not pictured: rubbing alcohol and q-tips

Step 2: begin gluing crystal chain around teardrop crystal, pushing links together to create a tight border and angling down slightly

Step 3: repeat step 2 with second color chain, again angling down slightly

Step 4: allow to dry completely

Step 5: glue earring posts near top of teardrop and allow to dry (see what I mean about angling down slightly? it looks sorta like a bowl from behind)

Step 6: glue feathers to back of crystal to form a spray around the sides/bottom

Step 7 (not pictured): use rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs to clean off excess glue that will likely dry on crystals... it takes lots of time and patience to get it all off, unfortunately, but well worth it so the earrings really sparkle

TA-DA!!

These are huge and crazy looking on my ears, but I think with the right updo (perhaps a Carrie Bradshaw bun?!), smokey eye and basic outfit they will look absolutely amazing!! Can't wait to show you what I come up with.

I Heart Threadsence

2011-07-21T22:44:00.000-04:00

So, if you read Make Me Sparkly or follow me on Twitter (@shelbsss35), you will know that I have been mega-crushing on Threadsence's new arrivals lately. You've even seen a few of the gorgeous pieces I have bought: a sexy blue asymmetric dress here, a silk tank with lattice sequin overlay here and a vibrant, fun jersey dress here. I discovered the e-boutique this winter and have found incredible pieces at surprisingly affordable price points consistently ever since. They recently released their summer lookbook, called Edge of the Sun, and I want to soak up every chic bohemian look and head on a long roadtrip... preferable ending up at some beach. Check it out!!

Open publication - Free publishing - More fashion

(See Their Video Lookbook Here!!!)

These are my favorite looks from the book:

I already purchased some of the items (the Sweet Hope romper, Floral Escape tie blouse and Party Girl dress are the pieces I'm most excited about) and looking through the book again while posting has made me want to buy even more!! Which looks are your favorite?!?!

Posh Safari

2011-07-20T09:26:00.000-04:00

This is one of my favorite go-to outfits for any kind of afternoon date. The silk pleated shorts and olive equipment blouse create a perfect balance of casual preppy cool. These nude shoes have proven to be almost magical in the way they elongate my legs; it is essential to do so with these shorts because they're a bit bulky on my already prominent hips and can make me appear squashed when paired with the wrong shoes. I love the pops of color provided by my Cambridge Satchel (last seen here) and my bright coral lipstick that has since melted all over my car seat. Aaaaah summer, I cry for you for six months out of the year and then complain about the heat and humidity when you're around. The grass is always greener they say...

My new site is almost finished!!! I can't wait to show it to all of you, we've put so much time and effort into creating a fun new layout with lots of new pages and features. I can't thank you enough for bearing with me through all the craziness of moving, changing my site and now getting a new job/promotion. I've been trying to keep my posts somewhat consistent but have not been able to visit other blogs as much as I'd like to and have completely abandoned Chictopia... but I'll stop by soon and hopefully get myself back in business!!! Life is so crazy!

BCBGMaxazria top, shorts, necklace (old) and Brenna heels

Forever 21 and jewelmint rings and bracelets

Cambridge Satchel Co. 11 inch fluorescent satchel

Siren: I'm Gentri Lee's Blogger of the Week!!!

2011-07-18T10:31:00.003-04:00

I am really REALLY happy to tell all of you that I am doing my first-ever guest post at Gentri Lee today!! Gentri was sweet enough to give me her award and ask me to write a post for her wonderful blog. I finally figured out how to style my gigantic shell necklace that you all loved and the resulting outfit made me think of the Sirens from Greek mythology... such a fun and sultry look!! I hope you'll check out the rest of the photos and say hello to Gentri while you're there. She is super sweet and funny and her blog is a constant source of smiles and inspiration!! Thanks again Gentri for the award and the opportunity to be featured on Gentri Lee!!

Maxi Skirt Magic

2011-07-14T21:57:00.001-04:00

As someone of shorter stature, I was at first skeptical and a bit frightened of wearing maxi length dresses and skirts. I figured they would be highly unflattering, making me look even shorter than I am. This proved to be completely untrue. It didn't take long for me to become completely taken with the trend, and so I was super excited to see that this week's Bloggers Do It Better assignment is the maxi skirt. Being that we are in the dead of summer here in Ohio, I chose to wear an airy chiffon skirt, last seen here, with an equally airy silk tank (with a little bit of sparkle... I love sequins); any little bit of breeze that hits my skin is a cool blessing.

I am completely enamored with this look. The marvelously undone fishbone braid, fringe earrings, and tribal cuff give it a cool, bohemian vibe that I keep gravitating toward during this hot weather. I found this lattice sequined top on Threadsence and love the dressy style that still manages to not look fussy at all. And pardon the bandaid on my arm... I attended a training session for a needle-less immunization delivery system in the morning to get ready for flu season. I had to give and receive a saline shot as part of the training; even though it didn't use a needle to administer the shot, I still ended up with a little welt and slight bleeding and forgot all about it when I shot my outfit!!

Glamour Goddess sequin top via Threadsence

Forever21 skirt

Steve Madden wedges

jewelmint earrings

Forever21 cuff and rings

New Stud

2011-07-13T22:47:00.000-04:00

I treated myself to a new tote bag last week! I say this like I made a huge investment... I found this stunning Valentino Rockstud-inspired bag in an e-mail advertisement for JustFabulous, which is another one of those [style]-of-the-month clubs that seem to be popping up all over the internet lately. It is called "Bombshell" and is $39.99, plus I got a 20% discount for being a first-time buyer. I was skeptical about the quality and appearance of the bag for the price, but I am extremely happy with it. The material is soft and supple, the construction is sturdy, and the style is impeccable and trendy. I have been wanting a camel tote bag for a while. Plus, I think I've blogged more than once about my desire to own a piece of the Rockstud collection... the gold pyramid studs and skinny, structured bow add perfect amounts of edge and sophistication.

I really like the concept of these fashion membership shopping sites. It is no secret that I am mildly obsessed with jewelmint, as I wear an item from the collection in just about every one of my outfit posts... Its great that these sites are offering members unique and stylish pieces at affordable prices. You can opt out of any month if you want, and the selections are ever-changing. JustFabulous includes both shoe and handbag selections every month, and if the quality of my bag is any indication of the quality of the shoes they offer, I'm sure I'll be quite pleased if I decide to purchase in the future.

What are your thoughts on these new shopping sites? Have you purchased from them, and are you happy with the quality of the pieces you chose? I think it is probably pretty easy to produce a quality accessory, such as jewelry and handbags, at a low cost for shoppers, but I'm starting to see the same concept applied to clothing and wonder what the craftsmanship and material quality will be like for these items. For instance, there is a denim line being launched on JustFabulous and the Olsen twins have begun a tee shirt line that sells on stylemint ... Can't wait to hear your thoughts!!!

I'm Like a Bird...

2011-07-12T13:19:00.000-04:00

... A peacock that is! Showing off the goods while my tail feathers (or hemline) flutter in the breeze. How awe-inspiringly perfect is this dress I found at Threadsence for only $42?!?! I mentioned in my last post that they've been killing it with their new arrivals lately, and this is only the tip of my recent shopping spree iceberg so to speak! I adore everything about this dress: the sexy plunging neckline (something unusual for me to wear, and I got plenty of stares), the perfectly draped asymmetrical skirt, and the silky peacock-blue fabric that has the slightest shimmer and sheen. It seemed to have a dainty vintage appeal to it, so I pared it with my favorite jewelmint crystal earrings, an equally sparkly cuff, and my favorite nude pumps.

Muz and I went to Cleveland to celebrate a little something extra special... I started a new job (sort of) yesterday that comes with the possibility of promotion!! I'm still working for the same company, but am moved to a new store with an offer to become the pharmacy manager in a few weeks. I couldn't be more excited about it!! I'm closer to our new house, and my schedule appears to be more conducive to blogging and going through the yoga teacher training certification course I want to complete this winter.

We went to a Spanish restaurant called Mallorca, and I can't imagine feeling any closer to a princess than I did while we were dining. It may have been the mega-boobs from my dress, but the staff was so attentive and my meal was utterly fabulous. I had a baked sole topped with some type of baked crabmeat/shrimp mixture and a lemon-caper sauce. It was served whole on a silver platter. The waiter completely de-boned the fish right in front of me and prepared the toppings and served my side dishes. We finished the meal with some sort of almond amaretto cake that was the most delectable dessert I've ever tasted... and believe me, I've had my fair share of desserts haha!!

In other news, it has been a little more than a month, but Muz and I finally have our house nearly unpacked and cleaned to the point of it finally feeling like our home!! Thanks for bearing with me... I know my blogging game has taken a severe hit because of the amount of work I've had to do around here. Hopefully now that we are really and truly settled (and especially after I begin my new work schedule), I can get back up to par with my posts and DIYs and outfits for you. I'm trying a lot of new things with my camera and photo editing, and the new layout has been delayed a bit; I kind of feel like I've been in one of those "life comes at you fast" commercials lately to be very honest. I really do appreciate your continued reading and sweet comments, and I am hell-bent on getting Make Me Sparkly up and running full speed again soon!!

Kissing Game Asymmetrical Dress via Threadsence

BCBGMaxazria Brenna heels

jewelmint earrings

Forever21 cuff

DIY McQueen clutch, instructions here

DIY Gold Shell Necklace

2011-07-11T07:55:00.000-04:00

I came across this DIY on one of my very favorite craft blogs, P.S.-I Made This..., a little over a month ago and was smitten immediately with the idea. Erica's DIYs are fabulous because they are so easy to make and the materials are usually either cheap or something you already have lying around the house. If you don't follow her Tumblr you are really missing out...

I've been seeing nautical- and ocean-influenced fashion all over the place and happen to have a large seashell collection from a trip to Sanibel Island in Florida last summer that was just begging to be used for crafting. How genius is using gold spray paint and pretty embellishments to make a fashion-forward statement necklace to wear all summer long?!

(image from psimadethis.com)

I was a bit more inspired by the necklace in the top left corner of Erica's collage than by the necklace she actually made. I wore coral a lot this spring, and the more intense hue is sizzling and gorgeous with the gold shells... perfect for the intense July/August heat we get around here. I found some raw coral beads at a Michael's that I thought would be perfect!! So without further ado...

DIY Gold Shell Necklace!!!

Step 1: gather materials

1. gold metallic spray paint
2. sheet of felt (I recommend using craft foam, the felt was difficult to work with and not hefty enough to really support the heavy shells)
3. pretty ribbon
4. seashells -I supplemented my collection with a cheap bag I found at a craft store
5. coral beads (or pearls if you want to make one more like Erica's)

Step 2: spray paint both sides of shells - I used two coats

Step 3: assemble shells/beads into necklace design on felt or foam

Step 4: glue pieces to felt/foam

Step 5: cut out felt around shells. leave space on the ends to make tabs for your ribbon to tie through

Step 6: loop tabs under and glue

Step 7: feed ribbon through tabs and knot

TA DA!!

This project was ridiculously easy and extremely fun... Thanks so much to Erica of P.S.-I Made This... for yet another amazing DIY idea!!! I'm dying to spray paint everything gold now as it looks really pretty and not at all cheap like I imagined. My design came out a lot larger than I would have ideally liked, and I initially had a really difficult time styling it. However, one of my favorite online retailers, Threadsence, has been absolutely KILLING it with their new arrivals, and one of the dresses I purchased looks incredible with my necklace. As soon as I wear it, you'll be the first to know!!!

The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

2011-07-06T19:20:00.000-04:00

The title of this post perfectly describes my Independence Day weekend: it was absolutely wonderful and jam-packed with fun and exciting things, but some bad and very ugly things happened as well (nothing major, don't get scared). I don't have any outfit posts from the weekend, which is a direct result of the ugly part.

I shall begin with the good or great aspects of the weekend. Muz and I went to Pittsburgh for the Kenny Chesney and Zac Brown Band concert, which was incredibly entertaining and full of amazing music; perfect tunes for drinking beer on a hot summer night. We are tailgater-extroidinares, and close to thirty of our friends (many of whom didn't even actually attend the concert) turned up to party with us from 11 am until we went into the show around 6ish. WHAT A BLAST!!! On Sunday, we attended a cookout with Muz's family and a second cookout/pool party/self-made fireworks show with a bunch of our friends. Nothing like getting drunk and setting of a bunch of giant fireworks. Another BLAST (pun intended). On Monday we met my family at an arts and crafts show and bought tons of unique goods, and got ideas for some pretty amazing DIY projects!! There ends the good.

As for the bad, Muz and I both got food poisoning from one of the cookouts we attended on Sunday and were sick for most of Monday and even yesterday. We didn't get much sleep, and we are very cranky when we don't get much sleep. The last bit of the bad is a great segue into the ugly... I got an eruption of poison ivy from being in the sun at the tailgate...

Those of you who follow me on Twitter or Instagram will recall the following photo of my left leg that I posted where I proclaimed myself worthy of a circus sideshow act entitled "The Human Bugbite:"

Well, after 7 hours of sweating beer and a mixture of sweet tea vodka and lemonade in the blazing summer sun, these marks that I thought were bug bites (as well as a trio of bumps on my left arm and a new crop on my right leg) erupted into some very nasty, very itchy, very UGLY poison ivy rashes. I will spare you the current photo, just trust me that my legs are so ugly and sore and gross and oozing. So please pardon the absence of outfit shots in the next week or so, but I really don't think there's enough airbrushing in Photoshop to make my legs look anything short of disgusting. DIYs are my most popular posts anyways, and I've got some pretty good ones in the works!!

J Brand low rise cutoff shorts in Pretty Pink via shopbop.com

Supreme cream lace top via Threadsence

Boutique 9 Gilla sandals via shopbop.com

PS1 look-alike bag via Target

jewelmint earrings, jewelmint and Tiffany bracelets

F21 cuff, F21 and BCBG rings

Everything's Rosey

2011-07-03T11:10:00.000-04:00

Don't you just despise those mornings when you hear the alarm go off once... twice... three times but you just can't seem to get out of bed? That was me on Friday morning. We are having a SUPER busy weekend and I wanted to get this posted before we left, but I failed. I had enough time to edit and select these photos, but not a lot of time to write.

I wore this outfit for a girl's night out last Saturday in honor of my friend Steph's birthday (yes, I'm quite behind on posting... there just aren't enough hours in the day lately). She lives near this area with a ton of big lakes, and there are a few places with amazing outdoor bars that look out over the water. It was still getting pretty chilly at night, and I didn't want to get attacked by bugs so I chose to wear jeans. And I can't believe this is the first outfit I've posted with a sequined top... I LOVE sequins and couldn't pass up the spectacular rose gold colors in this top.

So my friend that's designing my new website advised me to let him migrate my blog over to the new location, and I'm not sure when he'll have the time to do it. I'll be sure to keep you posted though, and just keep reminding you that if someday soon I disappear, you can find me at www.makemesparkly.com! Thanks so much for all of your love and support.

My Perfect LWD

2011-06-28T21:39:00.002-04:00

Alright, I'm going to warn you that there are a ton of photos in this post, but I am NOT going to apologize for it... I cannot get enough of the gorgeous jewel-like rainbow of colors in the plants that exploded in my front yard this past week!!!

So I worked this weekend, which kind of stunk, but I still managed to have a lot of fun. The highlight of the weekend was a surprise secret date that Muz planned on Sunday night. I've been having a tough time adjusting to us living together; we both have crazy work schedules and spend much of our spare time working around the house. It has seemed like even though we moved in together, we've spent WAY less time together lately... and it was really starting to get to me. I asked him if we could go on a date Sunday night, and then got a text message at work that day that said, "can you be ready at 7? wear something nice that you can walk in." This really got my gears grinding. I figured we'd go to a nice dinner, but what would we do that required lots of walking?!

Remember in my last post where I positively raved about how much I love wedges as a dressy, comfortable alternative to a classic high heel? I can walk for miles in my favorite BCBG wedges (I hope you aren't sick of them yet, I can't get enough) so I figured they'd be perfect for my feet. But what to wear on top?! Since summer officially started and it was shaping up to be a warm evening, I decided to dig out my perfect little white dress to wear for the occasion. I don't wear a lot of strapless pieces because I have very broad, athletic shoulders (that keep getting broader thanks to weekly power vinyasa yoga classes packed with fast-paced sun salutations) and find that a straight neckline accentuates them in a pretty unflattering way. However, a sweetheart neckline softens things up and creates a line that isn't so harsh that I appear linebacker-esque (take note, yogis). The peplum waist on my dress is also ultra-flattering, and I love the asymmetrical tiers that make up the skirt. BCBG has the same dress in a tan/rose color here currently on their website... and it is on sale!!! I kept jewelry and hair pretty simple so that I didn't look TOO dressed up, because I knew that my vision of looking nice was probably a bit more formal than Muz's...

Muz took me to a restaurant we've been wanting to try that actually sits out over the river right on top of a little spillway in Cuyahoga Falls. Our booth was right beside a giant wall of windows and the view of the little waterfall was really pretty. For the second half of the date, the walking part of the evening, we went miniature golfing. I LOVE MINI GOLF!!! And though last time we went I wore wedges and won, I didn't want to take any chances with this game (I did a lot of shit-talking en route) and changed into a pair of flat sandals. Our games were close, and we were both pretty rusty, but I ended up winning!!

On a completely different note, I'm super excited to announce that I have purchased my own little piece of the web... Very soon, hopefully tomorrow, you will find me at www.makemesparkly.com!!! I've been reading tutorials for switching things over and hope very much that nothing goes wrong because I don't want to loose all of you fabulous friends that I've made over the last few months. I'm afraid to do it, but cross your fingers for me and remember to look for me there!!!

BCBG dress (last year)

BCBGMaxazria Malaga T-Strap Espadrille

jewelmint earrings and bracelet

Tiffany&Co bracelet

Shelby's Picks: Wedges

2011-06-27T19:26:00.000-04:00

There are few things I love more in the summer than a fierce wedge sandal. They are so much easier to walk in and far more comfortable than your standard high heel, plus they make your legs look miles long; this is something very important to me since I'm only 5'1" and think that my legs look quite stocky in flat shoes. I wear wedges a lot as you may have noticed, and I love that these shoes have become quite popular and are now available in a multitude of styles, colors and heights to suit your every outfit. I rarely find a wedge I don't love, but had a blast picking out current favorites and challenging myself to not overdraw my bank account by snatching up every single pair!!

Here are some of my favorite ways to wear wedges:

1. I love how they dress up a pair of denim and make a cropped length look waaaaay better on my short legs by adding inches to my feet and ankle below the crop.

2. They look awesome with a summery dress or skirt, making it more casual and appropriate for every day wear, picnics, outdoor parties, etc. than even a chunky or low heel.

3. I adore espadrilles as you'll see below. If you pick the right pair, and its very difficult to go wrong, you can wear them boho-style with cutoff shorts and loose tops or with a business-casual-esque structured jacket. Again, you can make a wedge work with just about any look.

Espadrilles top my list of must-have sandals each and every summer. They are SO easy to wear with just about anything at just about any occassion. I would die to rock the pair of Missonis with my baby pink J Brand cutoffs, white tee and statement necklace...

(clockwise from top left, from shopbop.com unless otherwise noted)

ROSEGOLD Cali raffia sandal

Elie Tahari Rita satin espadrille

Tory Burch contrast elastic espadrille

Missoni Zigzag espadrille

Elie Tahari Angela espadrilles

Steve Madden Cynthea

Basking in Barbados wedge via ModCloth

I'm also loving wedges with a slimmer, almost stiletto-like heel for making an outfit totally glam without sacrificing comfort. I'm amazed by the unique design elements in the following pairs: studs, laser cut-outs and cool details make these definite show stoppers.

(clockwise from top left, from shopbop.com unless noted otherwise)

Ash mosaic sandal

Jean-Michel Cazabat Penelope cut-out wedge pump

Elizabeth and James Prim open-toe wedge pump

Steve Madden Whish

Iced Coffee wedge via ModCloth

Mea Shadow Regina woven sandal via Nasty Gal

I really can't believe how many different styles of wedges you can find... there's at least one to suit your every design whim.

(clockwise from top left)

Steve Madden Wildd in white floral

Steve Madden Dorothe

Steve Madden Taytum in natural fabric

Keen for Kelly wedge via ModCloth

Romantic Message wedge via ModCloth

Fabulous Fiesta wedge via ModCloth

Hanalei Holiday wedge in black via ModCloth

Naturally I had to choose the cream of the crop... I don't even have words to describe these sandals. I love absolutely everything about them!!!

Marc by Marc Jacobs ankle tie sandals via shopbop.com

N+N The Remix

2011-06-23T21:23:00.000-04:00

So I have a pretty exciting post with a lot going on in an attempt to make up for the fact that it is only my second post this week. The title means Neon+Neutral The Remix; a play off of the recent Neon+Neutral outfit I wore for Bloggers Do It Better and the fact that I'm wearing the trend again for a different look. I'm not sure how I would describe this style: the structured satchel and cardigan (an old favorite, last seen here) make it a bit preppy but the cutoffs, loose utility tank and brilliant hairstyle make it a bit bohemian. I actually wore the top half of the outfit to work today, swapping trousers and flats for shorts and sandals and adding some chunky rings for fun. Speaking of work, would you guys be interested in seeing some of the professional attire I wear to work in addition to my off-duty looks? It is an idea I've been toying with for a while as I have an endless supply of cute pencil skirts and ballerina flats... please let me know what you think!!

So anyway, I am ecstatic that I finally get to show you all the amazing Cambridge Satchel I've been waiting on for the last six weeks. I seriously cannot believe that they are able to create leather in this bright, honestly glowing shade of neon pink... I'm in love and hope neon is in style forever and ever. It is a really stiff leather and the bag is actually a little difficult to get in and out of, but I'm hoping that as I wear it it will soften up into the perfect little satchel (the 11" size is ideal for me).

I am also excited because I found some more crystal necklaces on clearance at Claire's last week and finally had time to paint one of them Tom Binns' style (thanks again to Caitlyn of Dream & Dress for the amazing idea). I think I love this one even more than my first; it isn't quite as rainbow-y and the pointy crystals give it a bit of edge that I love. I'm thinking about replacing the plain black ribbon with something cool to jazz it up even more!!

The last thing that's got me smiling is this hairstyle that I've been rocking a lot lately. I tend to get lazy with my hair when the temperature and humidity rise... and as it's been averaging 80 degrees and thunderstorming nearly everyday, my hair is a giant frizzball whether I straighten or curl it and is just hot when it is laying on my neck. I've been looking for something more interesting to do with it besides throw it in a plain old messy bun, and I got the perfect dose of inspiration at the Brad Paisley concert a couple of weeks ago. A deeper-than-usual side part that curves around the nape of my neck in curly or wavy locks is step one. Step two is to french braid down the smaller half and around to a low side ponytail on the opposite side. Create a low, messy bun and voila!! I'm obsessed.

Thanks for all of your comments for the past few posts... I promise I'll visit all of your blogs as soon as things settle down here at the house. My days are filled with cleaning and weeding and fighting bugs and buying/assembling furniture; it's completely exhausting!! And for those of you concerned about my camera (thank you for being such lovely, caring friends), it is going to be fine! The Geek Squad at Best Buy checked it out yesterday and said the only thing they could see is a few little nicks on the lens when you turn it a certain way. These are the first photos I've taken with it since the terrible accident, but I honestly can't see any kind of defects at all. They offered to send it off for a more in-depth cleaning, but said I'd be without it for two whole weeks and I don't want to abandon you completely.

JCrew cardigan

Madewell Sandbank Tank via shopbop.com

American Eagle cutoff shorts

Steve Madden crystal sandals

Cambridge Satchel Co. 11 inch fluorescent satchel

DIY painted crystal necklace, instructions here

jewelmint and Tiffany&Co bracelets

Forever21, David Yurman and jewelmint rings

In the Nude

2011-06-20T14:18:00.000-04:00

I hope that you weren't thinking you'd catch me naked, because obviously I'm not... nope, just enjoying another outfit made up of sumptuous summer neutrals. I also hope that you aren't thinking, "Shelby, we just saw this outfit... how dare you!!" I realize I've worn all of these pieces recently: the shirt, with white jeans (and also the espadrilles) here, the shorts here, and the sunglasses and bag everywhere. I really, truly, cannot get enough of all of these clothes and colors lately.

I had a terrible accident with my camera on Friday. It fell out of my bag and the UV filter I had on it shattered, covering my lens with glass shards. I'm taking it to get cleaned on Wednesday when I'm off... hopefully the lens wasn't damaged at all during the fall. I've taken photos (these shots were from a week or so ago) but can't tell if they look distorted at all, but time will tell. Wish me luck...

I visited my family over the weekend to celebrate Mother's Day, Father's Day, and my brother, dad and grandmother's birthdays. It was so nice to be home and spend time with my family that I rarely see now that I live three hours away... it isn't very far but everyone is always on the go doing something!! I also visited one of my best friends and went to the Taylor Swift concert in Pittsburgh on Saturday night. It was one of the best shows I have ever seen and I had such a wonderful time. I love her music and think she is so talented and stylish, and now I can add entertaining to the list as well. There were dancers and acrobats and gorgeous sets and fireworks and she had THE most amazing wardrobe... just an endless supply of glittery costumes ranging from red sequin minis to a bronze ombre dress with foot-long fringes to princess gowns in blue and ivory. She definitely one sparkly lady and I'd see the concert again in a heartbeat. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend too!!!

BCBGMaxazria jacket, tank, and espadrilles

Free People shorts via shopbop.com

Coach bag

Versace sunglasses via Macy's

ModCloth necklace

jewelmint bracelet

Neon+Neutral

2011-06-16T21:35:00.001-04:00

The closer we get to the official start of summer, the more decidedly bohemian my outfits become. I have noticed an increased wear in cut off denim, loose tops and perfectly undone hair and I'm certainly not complaining. I even began wearing my current favorite Coach purse, last worn here, as a large crossbody bag... it just feels right. I went to my first concert of the season, Brad Paisley and Blake Shelton, and have been listening to country music and grilling and drinking beer almost every day... my kind of summer heaven. Today brought scattered thunderstorms and slightly cooler weather, but I'm not complaining. I finally found the perfect summer knit sweater on shopbop.com and I don't ever want to take it off.

This week's Bloggers Do It Better assignment is Neon + Neutral, a trend I really love! Nothing like giving a light and easy look a fun pop by adding shocking pink, electric orange, piercing plum, glowing green or jolting yellow. Or in my case, two colors!! I'm extremely pleased with how my DIY pouch turned out (see the instructions I followed here on just B); I ended up blending neon orange and pink paints that I found for a buck to make this color, and I absolutely love it. I saw these J Brand cutoff shorts in an email from shopbop.com and had to have them in both the bright purple color and light pink a la Isabel Marant. I knew the bright purple and neon orange would look perfect together for this outfit. See everyone else's (and mine, too) neon+neutral looks here on Pretty Shiny Sparkly if you are looking for more inspiration for this wonderful trend.

In other neon news, my Cambridge Satchel shipped today! It should arrive tomorrow and I can't be more thrilled to wear it!! I was getting worried that neon would be out of style by the time I got it (haha) but looks like it'll be here just in time for summer and a few more neon+neutral looks!!

Madewell Montauk Mesh Pullover via shopbop.com

Forever21 tank and rings

J Brand cutoff shorts via shopbop.com

DIY American Apparel clutch, instructions here via just B

jewelmint earrings and bracelet, Tiffany & Co bracelet

BCBGMaxazria Malaga T-Strap Espadrille

A Touch of Tribal

2011-06-14T23:49:00.000-04:00

I'm going to begin by telling you this: I am extremely embarrassed that it is mid-June and my skin is STILL this pasty white. I'm going to follow that statement with this one: I cannot believe that I am wearing, let alone LOVING this sheer cropped tank top and a printed bandage skirt. Oh, the new places you'll go when you become a fashion blogger.

It has been quite a while since I last felt incredibly glamorous, so I decided to go all-out the other evening. I really love this look and feel totally comfortable in all the pieces, despite the familiar style adage of "don't wear printed bottoms if you have bigger hips." The fact that the printed skirt was a tight bandage style that hugged all the right places kept it from magnifying the size of my hips. As a bonus, the high waist covered up my belly button and eliminated potential muffin top, making the cropped front and sheer back of my top actually quite flattering (take note if you are in the market for a bandage skirt, and also that fabric matters!!). These heels are the highest I own and they are SO cool-looking; I love the side cut-outs and the gladiator feel and the chic gold buckle. I don't wear them too often because they're kinda hard to walk in, but they definitely give any outfit an indisputable wow-factor!!

Say goodbye to my clutch as you know it, because tomorrow it is getting a super bright makeover just in time for the neon+neutral Bloggers Do It Better assignment. I ordered a neon pink Cambridge Satchel over a month ago but it hasn't even shipped yet :-( so my DIY will have to do. I've been wearing a ton of neutrals lately and am really excited to jazz my looks up with some neon... can't wait to show you the results!!!

Report Signature heels via bluefly.com

BCBGMaxazria Britte tribal power skirt - they have pants, shorts and dresses in the same tribal print here and in the store... the print is pretty amazing

BCBGMaxazria cropped tank

Asos spiked ring, BCBG crystal ring and bangles

Forever21 and jewelmint necklaces

Aurora Borealis

2011-06-12T18:14:00.000-04:00

From the time I was a small child, I have been utterly fascinated by the magical beauty of the aurora borealis, or northern lights. The image of a dark night sky full of twinkling stars, lit up by a snaking projection of brilliantly colored light beams in red and green and purple and blue is breathtaking. Have you seen them before?!

Those are some photos I found on Wikipedia when writing this post. I'd love to head north to Alaska to see them in person someday... I can't imagine what a powerful experience it would be when a simple photo moves me so deeply!

Anyway, when I spotted this dress on Threadsence a few months ago, I knew I had to have it. The pretty pattern splashed across the front of the dress reminds me of those gorgeous northern lights, not to mention the perfect design elements of the single shoulder and longer hemline. I had to throw on a belt to cinch the waist a bit, and chose the hot pink color to brighten things up. And, at 5'1" I stand by the rule of wearing tall nude shoes with a dark longer hem so that my legs don't get completely swallowed by the dress. And also, I'm completely obsessed with these wedges...

I am still spending nearly every moment of my spare time cleaning and decorating the house in gym shorts and ratty tee shirts. I was pretty excited when a couple of our friends visited for dinner on my day off and jumped at the opportunity go get dressed up. Unfortunately for me and my lovely dress, the temperature dropped all day and I had to change before our friends got here. I still had fun running around the grocery store and preparing dinner in my pretty outfit though.

Thank you all for bearing with me during this whole moving process. I haven't been able to post nearly as much as I like to recently because of my absolute lack of doing anything but working at the pharmacy and working around the house. I haven't been able to read all of your wonderful blogs as much as I'd like to either... there just don't seem to be enough hours in the day anymore! I am trying to get things set up here as much as I can so that I'll have more time to spend with you all ASAP. I've also been working on some very cool behind the scenes things for Make Me Sparkly, so I know that when I come back it'll be better than ever!! I can't wait to show and tell!!

dress via Threadsence

belt via TJ Maxx

BCBGMaxazria wedges and cuff

jewelmint earrings

Not-So-Mellow Yellow

2011-06-08T22:13:00.000-04:00

On Saturday I attended the first bar-b-que of my summer season. The weather was hot and sunny... perfect for an afternoon of grilling, food, beer and outdoor games with my friends. I cannot express to you how much I love BBQs, but perhaps the following photos that show me skipping and dancing around the patio before we left will give you a clue.

There are a few rules that I generally follow when attending a BBQ:
1. Pull hair into ponytail. It is hot and sunny... you don't want a sweaty neck or weird tan lines. (check)
2. Wear flat shoes so that you can run through the grass and participate in classic outdoor drinking games. (check)
3. Don't wear white... you never know when BBQ sauce or ketchup or hands covered in Dorito cheese will find their way to your clothing. (oops! don't worry, no fabulous dress was harmed during participation in the BBQ)
4. Wear loose clothing so that you can eat and eat and eat and eat... (check)

I hope you enjoy this fun and silly photo shoot as much as I do!! When I purchased this dress, I really didn't imagine it styled in such a bright and juvenile way; I thought I would pair it with some sky-high heels to look all sophisticated and demure and sexy. But, the bright sunshiney yellow skirt and freshly DIY'ed rainbow accessories (coupled of course with my excitement over the impending BBQ) really brought out my inner child. I should let her out from behind the walls of all the stresses of adulthood more often...

Ark & Co crochet yellow dress via Pixie Market

Steve Madden crystal gladiator sandals

DIY painted crystal jewelry, instructions here

jewelmint and Tiffany&Co bracelets

Versace sunglasses via Macy's

DIY Tom Binns Painted Crystal Jewelry

2011-06-07T22:06:00.001-04:00

Though I have been loving summer neutrals lately, I do believe that summer is about the bright and the bold and the colorful... and naturally, the sparkly!! These Tom Binns necklaces (via net-a-porter.com) epitomize every single one of those things. They are hand-painted Swarovski crystals and retail from $340 for the earrings shown below to $2175 for the incredible bib necklace on the right. Way out of my price range, but still so amazing... I really love the juicy citrusy colors.

I first came across this jewelry line, as well as a super easy DIY project on Dream & Dress. Caitlin bought a cheap crystal necklace at Forever 21 and painted it with nail polish and the results are beautiful... needless to say I was inspired to dig through my vast nail polish collection and pay another visit to Claire's and make my own. So, without further ado...

DIY Tom Binns necklace!!

Step 1: gather materials

1. Assorted crystal jewelry
2. Assorted nail polish colors
3. Newspaper to cover workspace (isn't my new patio table fabulous ;-))

Step 2: carefully paint crystals in desired colors and design. i chose to do a main design in citrusy pink, orange and yellow.

Step 3: add fun accent colors

Step 4: repeat!! this was so easy and fun, i did the above cuff, a bib necklace, and still have the earrings and smaller bracelet to play with!! yippee!

Step 5: allow to dry completely before attempting to wear

Shady

2011-06-06T13:14:00.000-04:00

So naturally after being 90 degrees all weekend while we were moving me into our new house, the temperatures dropped back into the 70's for a few days this past week. I dug out my white jeans (last seen here) and cuffed them a bit to wear on the still-warm day, paired with a light tank and my DIY bag for a pop of color. Also... another pair of AMAZING shoes from BCBG's spring/summer collection. These remind me of the McQueen armadillo shoes with their curved and humped back. The varying tan fibers making up the braids that cover these espadrilles are gorgeous and perfect. And they match everything. Prepare to see them... A LOT!!

We have nearly everything unpacked here and don't have much cleaning-type stuff left to do... YAY!! And really all that's left is decoration... YAY!! We do still have to move some more things from Muz's apartment, but have the entire month to do so. I have been taking lots of breaks, so I have some sweet outfits and cool DIY's coming up for you. Speaking of DIY, the consensus on my AA pouch is to paint it!! Thanks for all the input and suggestions... I was at the craft store this morning and plan to get things underway this afternoon or evening!!

BCBGMaxazria Eve Fringe-Panel Top

7 For All Mankind Roxanne Flood Jeans via shopbop.com

DIY Prada striped tote, instructions here

BCBGMaxazria Malaga T-Strap Espadrille

Forever21, jewelmint, and Tiffany&Co bracelets

My Pet Octopus necklace via ModCloth

Farewell, Friend

2011-06-04T09:19:00.001-04:00

As promised, here are the photos of my beloved apartment closet filled with the majority my clothing, jewelry and shoe collections. Yes, I said majority... as sickening as it is, this isn't all of the apparel I own. Moving this beast into a new space definitely gave me a new perspective on my wardrobe... I'm not allowing myself to buy any more clothing for quite some time. Or I'm going to attempt this anyway. I just didn't believe that I had so much stuff until I was forced to move it all, upon which I discovered I have an obnoxious amount of stuff! Muz joked that I would need the entire third bedroom turned into a closet to house all of this and he is nearly right.

Anyway, I still haven't gotten it all unpacked and organized. I now have to split this up into two closets and I'm not really sure how to do it so I've just given up for now.

PS- Thank you for all of the incredibly sweet comments on my last post. I've said this before, and am sure I will say it again, but that outfit is my favorite that I've posted yet!! With all the stress I've been under from moving, the comments were especially touching, so thank you all. A lot of you commented that you like the American Apparel clutch... and I like it a lot too but I have to be honest... When I purchased it, I had every intention of turning it into a DIY Celine clutch by following instructions I found here, on just B (via I Spy DIY). I've been swooning over these Celine clutches and bags for months:

I looked everywhere for a tote to DIY but couldn't find one... and I waited about one month to get my pouch after I ordered it. In other words I have been waiting very impatiently for quite some time now to do the DIY and have my very own Celine-looking bag. However, after seeing the pouch with my neutral outfit and looking at all of the other neutral clothing I have in my closet, I'm not so sure if I want to do it or not because I really, REALLY love this all-over light look. I do have a lot of other neutral colored bags so I'm leaning toward doing the DIY but I want to ask you, friends... what do you think?

LEAVE IT?

PAINT IT?

(image via just B)

Light and Neutral

2011-06-01T13:21:00.000-04:00

Today I'm taking a much-needed break from cleaning and unpacking. I hope you can't see in these photos that I am bruised all over from hauling boxes and furniture, puffy and red from my allergies to all the dust and pollen swirling through the house and just plain old exhausted!! I am making progress though... I really only have the daunting task of unpacking my closet and beauty products left before I start decorating. I had a nice, big walk-in closet at my apartment (I took photos before I packed it, I'll post them soon!!) that held almost all of my things and was organized perfectly. At the house, I have a much smaller walk-in closet plus a few closets in the extra bedrooms to use and I can't decide how to organize everything. I'm a bit OCD when it comes to organizing my belongings and it is driving me absolutely crazy that everything is still strewn about in boxes. But, I need to stop before I die of overexertion and asphyxiation (I haven't stopped sneezing since I woke up at 8 this morning).

I'm kind of obsessed with this outfit I put together. It is THE perfect summer ensemble; the light materials allow the warm breeze to blow right onto my skin and keep me cool despite the burning sunshine. These Free People shorts are an incredible addition to my wardrobe... the embroidery detail and loose fit are perfect lingerie-inspired details and the cotton is so soft and lightweight. I actually have to wear Spanx underneath them because they are SO sheer! My shirt is oversized and feels old and worn-in even though it is new. I added the belt and heels keep me from looking like I'm going out in mismatched pajamas!!!

I'm going to get a wireless router for the house (I'm at Panera right now) today, and my iPhone should be finally returned to me today as well. They couldn't fix it so I have to go get a replacement. So hopefully by tonight I'll be back to business as usual and can finally get myself caught-up on all the blogging and tweeting I've missed in the last few weeks... though I'm not sure I'll ever have enough time to catch up on the 400ish unread blog posts I have queued up!

Oh, and how sweet does my back yard look in these photos?! So many great spots for shooting now at the house, hopefully that means more outfit posts!

BCBGMaxazria Cindy striped shirt

BCBGMaxazria Brenna heels

Free People embroidered shorts via shopbop.com

BCBGMaxazria woven belt

American Apparel clutch

jewelmint earrings and bracelet

Tiffany & Co. bracelet

Moving is Neither Fun nor Fashionable

2011-05-31T10:33:00.000-04:00

Well, hello friends. I do miss all of you terribly but I have been SO busy this entire weekend I haven't had a chance to say hello until today... and I only have a short chance right now to take advantage of!

I have all of my things and most of Muz's things moved into the new house, and I gotta say it feels really good to have a new home with tons of space. I can't believe how much stuff I have... and the vast majority of it still needs unpacked. The house is really old and has been vacant for a while so we have a lot of cleaning to do before unpacking everything and figuring out where to put it all. We're making progress, and I'm off until Friday so I'm hoping to have everything cleaned and settled by then so life can go back to normal.

We had so much work to do outside, too! Cleaning the patios, trimming bushes and trees, mowing the lawn... plus we already bought a grill, fire pit, and patio dining set and spent a lot of time assembling things for our new space. We've missed having a yard and patio so much that fixing up the outdoors was first on our list... I just love being outside and we had such a gorgeous weekend for it!

So I've been sweaty and dirty and wearing the same gross gym shorts and t-shirt for the last four days because I can't find most of my old clothes yet. It sucks. So sorry for the lack of photos and outfits but you do NOT want to see me right now, trust me...

All in the Details

2011-05-29T08:07:00.000-04:00

Another wedding outfit... last one of the year, I think!! I had been waiting since November-ish to find the perfect place to wear this perfect BCBG crystal bib dress. It is the softest silk with an elastic waist that I like to belt with a skinny silver belt. I love the crystals, one-sleeve design, and the tie and cowl neck in the back of the dress... such unique and interesting details! I wore my hair up to show them off. It was a gorgeous sunny Sunday at a country club, so I was able to wear peep toe shoes and not cover anything up with a shawl or coat. And how awesome are these shoes?! I love the mix of gravelly and metallic silver leathers and platforms. The wedding was outdoors and the reception included a brunch... Muz and I sipped on mimosas and tea sweetened with peach schnapps and relaxed on the pretty patio!!

Just a quick post as I'm working today and my family is here helping us move. We all spent the night at the new house last night... I didn't sleep very well because I kept having nightmares about spiders (we found quite a few while we were cleaning last night). But, another couple of days of cleaning and getting the rest of our stuff moved in should remedy that!! Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend, and for those in the USA, happy Memorial Day!

PS- I'll be responding to all of you next week, I promise... thanks for all the love!!

BCBGMaxazria silk dress, heels and earrings

Forever21 Rings

Express bangles

JCrew belt

DIY McQueen clutch, instructions here

Lattice

2011-05-26T23:11:00.000-04:00

To me, the perfect weather is when the sun is shining, a light breeze is blowing and the air is just warm enough to be outside in light clothing but not hot enough to warrant sweating and discomfort. These photos were taken on one of those perfect days a couple weeks ago in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. My favorite jeans and flats were cute and comfortable for lounging in the sun, and I've been dying for weather warm enough to wear this lace BCBGMaxazria top for a couple of months. It reminds me of a pretty lattice fence even though it isn't criss-crossed...

I tend to take advantage of being outside at every moment possible when the weather is nice; it started when I was little and my parents would force my brother and I to turn off the television and head outside to play and swim when school was out for the summer. I hated it then, but nearly nine years of living in dorms and apartments have made me see how much I took our giant yard and everything in it for granted! I cannot wait to move into our house so I can have cookouts and bonfires and plant flowers and lounge in the grass. I started moving some of my things in yesterday and today, and as much as I am hating packing up my apartment, I get SO excited walking through my new front door. The rooms are big and open and filled with windows... soon they'll be filled with sunshine and summer breezes and all of our STUFF!!!

I'm completely exhausted from all of the packing and moving, but replying to your comments and visiting your blogs is a welcome break from all the labor. The next four days are going to be insane, so bear with me if I fall off the blogger earth until after the holiday. I'm working all weekend and both my and Muz's parents are visiting from PA, plus some of our friends are coming over for a thank-goodness-we're-done-moving-and-thanks-for-helping-and-guess-what-its-Memorial-Day cookout with our brand new grill we are buying ASAP!!! Phew...

Plus I still don't have a cell phone. The iPhone fixers weren't able to fix it, so I'm waiting for them to send it back so I can trade it in at the Apple store for a new one. The Genius surprised me by telling me I'd get a hefty discount on a new phone by giving them my broken one... it pretty much made my day as it is going to save me $400-$500. Thank goodness I blabbed to him about my stupidity in washing it with my darks haha... sometimes my hyper and chatty nature is a good thing I suppose.

BCBGMaxazria Lily Lace top

MEK cigarette jeans via MetroPark

DIY Prada-Striped tote (instructions here)

Sam Edelman flats via Nordstrom Rack

Versace sunglasses via Macy's

jewelmint earrings

Forever21 cuff and rings

Lilacs, Plums and Sunbeams

2011-05-25T07:05:00.000-04:00

Ooooh la la! Kind of obsessed with this photo... and verrrry obsessed with this ModCloth dress. The sweetheart neckline and pretty purple bows down the bodice are perfect details on a simple summer dress; it was just begging to be worn on Saturday's perfect summer day!! It was really hot, and Muz and I had a busy day that called for simple styling: we picked up the keys to our new house, went to a picnic party in the afternoon and participated in a bowl-a-thon that night. Simple flat sandals are essential for an outdoor get together unless you plan on aerating your friends' lawn, and bowling called for simple accessories. I'm always freezing so I packed my lilac jacket, last seen in one of my favorite outfits here.

Can you tell that somebody went outside without sunscreen this week? I took Wuthering Heights to the pool on Friday to do some reading in the sunshine, completely unaware we were pretty much having full summer sun. Only about two hours later I went inside with a skunk stripe of sunburn on my arms and legs from how I was sitting and holding up my book. It looks much more ridiculous in real life than in these photos though by now it is almost faded to normal. Don't worry, I learned my lesson... next time I'll slather on the SPF!!

Dinner at Dusk dress via ModCloth

BCBGMaxazria Abree draped front jacket

Steve Madden crystal gladiator flats

jewelmint Rachel earrings

David Yurman ring

Versace sunglasses via Macy's

PS- Hines and Kym won Dancing With the Stars!!!! Look at all of those Terrible Towels at the Pittsburgh viewing party! YAYYYY congratulations Hines!! I've worn Hines Ward's jersey on every Steelers Sunday for as long as I can remember and I never thought I'd enjoy seeing anything as much as I enjoy seeing him play football. I love DWTS anyways, (for my foreign friends, it is a show where celebrities are paired with professional ballroom dancers... they learn and are judged on all the ballroom dances throughout a few weeks and viewer voting plus judges scores advance them through the competition) but having my favorite athlete competing made the show extra exciting this season! I cheered and clapped like a little kid every week watching him dance. He's an incredible athlete and dancer, and I'm THRILLED that he won!!

I Heart Pixie Market

2011-05-24T07:55:00.000-04:00

Hi friends!!

I don't usually do posts like this.. but I'm just so darn excited about two pieces of clothing I just got, I had to share with you right away. Because of my work schedule and that I'm beginning to move my things into the new house this week, I have a really good feeling I won't be actually shooting any new outfits for you. I DO have plenty of photos stocked up from my week off, so I'll hopefully have some time to put a few quick outfit posts together of looks from last week... I'm trying my best but just don't have enough time to do everything I want to!!

One of my all-time favorite bloggers, Leandra, genius behind The Man Repeller posted a while back about a really cute dress that she bought from an online retailer called Pixie Market. I didn't think it was very strong repellant (see me twirl around in it in this post); it is super short, has a sweet georgette-pleated chiffon skirt and sheer sleeves that make me feel like Carrie Bradshaw. Anyway, I've been hooked on browsing the Pixie Market shop ever since. The clothes they sell have a wide price range and are by many different designers, some that I've heard of and some unknown, and the styles are usually very interesting and unique. I got an e-mail from them one day last week advertising new "Summer Brights" arrivals and purchased the following two items immediately. They came today and I absolutely love both... I'm not sure how I'll be able to stand waiting to wear them!!!

House of Balfour lilac cutout back shirt

Purchasing this shirt the product of a few different things: my current obsession with lilac color, my love of simple clothing items with surprising details and this look by the glamourai (another must-read for me). At first glance, it is just another collared shirt... but the cutouts in the back are super cool and really pretty! I'm a little concerned because it is very sheer and the cutouts dip below my bra and any tank I'd layer underneath it, but I sure do love a styling challenge (or any challenge, really). I love Kelly's boyish look, but I'm excited to put together a romantic and feminine outfit with my silky sheer dream.

Ark & Co crochet yellow dress

I'm not quite sure why this is called a crochet dress because the top is a very stiff and incredibly gorgeous white lace and the bottom is a soft cotton with eyelet-like vertical stripes. I don't really think I need any words to explain why I adore this dress, it is one hundred times more beautiful in person than on the model. I'm very lucky to have been on vacation and blogging when the e-mail went out, because the dress was featured in the e-mail and sold out within hours (they say they're restocking it soon!). I can't wait to try it with a bright belt and strappy wedges... perfect for a picnic luncheon!

Since I placed this order, they have a few more pieces I'm totally dying for and trying really hard not to order. I'm trying to save money for a grill, patio furniture, and any other items we may need to fill our giant new house... but it is SO difficult when these cute little things pop up in my e-mail every day!!

Jeffrey Campbell snake woven platform

(hello?! perfect summer shoe... the thick snake platform and cool strappy top... I really do NEED these...)

Leopard by Belle Sauvage watercolor mesh dress

(how pretty is this print? and the mesh v-neck is cool too... and would make it easy to transition this into fall and winter with some black tights...)

bright coral shirt tunic

(you know I'm obsessed with coral and asymmetrical hemlines, you may not know that I'm kinda obsessed with cutout shoulders)

And no, Pixie Market has nothing to do with me or Make Me Sparkly besides taking my money and sending me stuff that great outfits are made of. I'm just bursting with excitement over my two purchases and straining to not purchase these three pieces and to not spend any time browsing their shop. Luckily for me I'm going to be so busy for the next week I won't have much time to spare. Thank you for continuing to read and comment... I'm really trying to get around to visiting everybody's blog but there just aren't enough hours in the day!! Soon these moving shenanigans will be over with and life will be back to normal!!

Light Jeans

2011-05-23T07:38:00.000-04:00

I'm not very pleased with how these photos came out. It was a weird weather day, and so it was either too bright and sunny or too cloudy for proper lighting. Also, I shouldn't have gone trekking through the soggy lawn at my apartment complex to take them... it was wet and muddy from all the rain this past week and I was very uncomfortable taking these. But, in the name of showing you my outfit before I went out, I took the photos and am sharing them with you!!

Enough complaining. I love this outfit!! Again, wearing my very favorite blazer (last seen here over a striped dress), Muz and I met a couple of our friends for dinner at our favorite restaurant... Mariachi's!! It is the BEST cheap Mexican food around, we absolutely love it! I was living dangerously wearing a white shirt and light wash jeans, because usually I end up with the delicious fresh salsa splashed all over myself, but I made it through the night unscathed. So what do you think of the light jeans? I've tried them with a few different outfits, but I must say that this is the first look I've really and truly loved with them. They are super comfortable and lightweight, perfect for spring and summer, but it is going to take some time to get used to the light color I think (I hope!)!

Got a Dot Date Blazer via ModCloth

BCBGMaxazria white tee

AG Adriano Goldschmied The Stilt Rollup Cigarette Jeans via shopbop.com

Charlotte Russe wedges

Versace sunglasses via Macy's

Forever21 rings

jewelmint bracelet

My Pet Octopus Necklace via ModCloth

DIY McQueen clutch, instructions here

Rhapsody

2011-05-22T08:56:00.000-04:00

Being on vacation made me feel super relaxed and thus, super lazy. This outfit really shows that as there is nothing easier to wear than a light maxi skirt (last worn here) and oversized sweater. Also, kind of weird, the day I wore this outfit I received an e-mail from a lady at American Apparel regarding that last look... I am featured on their "Best of Seen and Submitted: Maxi" feature! I'm so excited I had to share with you, and also let you know if you wear American Apparel items on your blogs you should submit it to them!! I piled on lots of jewelry, including my DIY Gemma Redux necklace and the effect is decidedly bohemian. I rarely do bohemian, as I like at least one structured item in an ensemble, but I really love this look.

I met Muz and one of our friends at their workplace for lunch. It was day two of my cleanse, so all I had was my trusty juice... but it surprisingly didn't bother me at all to watch them eat in front of me. The cleanse has been much easier than I thought! One thing not much easier than I thought is packing... it is not going well at all. It is giving me a lot of anxiety to have all of my things in boxes and my rooms torn apart and barren. And I am constantly marveling at how much stuff I have! Also this weekend has been crazy busy, so I plan to answer your comments sometime next week. I'm so grateful for them, and so glad you all keep visiting and leaving love!

BCBGMaxazria sweater

JCrew pocket tank

Mossimo satchel via Target

American Apparel chiffon maxi skirt

Charlotte Russe flats

DIY Gemma Redux necklace

Forever21 and jewelmint jewelry

Accidentally Preppy

2011-05-20T16:41:00.000-04:00

I know exactly what you are thinking... "Shelby, how can you be accidentally preppy?" Let me assure you, it is possible to walk into your closet with one look in mind and come stumbling out with a totally different vibe to your outfit; I did it just the other day with this look! Here's how it came together:

- I love this romper so much I wanted to style it again (see the first outfit here), and I kinda wanted to try wearing it as a top. The thing is, the bottom half of the romper is very full shorts, so I had to find a very full and longer skirt to totally cover it up. This suede pleated mini fit the bill perfectly.

- My feet are STILL messed up from wearing wedges all weekend to that wedding I attended a few weeks ago now. I had to do a lot of running today and wanted the comfort of flats for my poor feet. I'm totally obsessed with the look of these lace oxfords (see evidence here and here) and have wanted to wear them with either shorts or a skirt.

-I've been on vacation all week with nothing to do and nowhere to go. My iPhone is somewhere in Florida being tested and (hopefully!!) fixed so I don't even have anyone to talk to. I've been reading Wuthering Heights, an old favorite, and taking in the tiny bits of sunshine everywhere I go. I'm also doing a three day BluePrintCleanse which requires me to drink fresh pressed juices all day long, with lots of water in between. The point to all this rambling is I needed a large satchel to carry around my book, juice and water as well as all my normal things while I was out running.

Pleated mini skirt, check. Oxfords, check. Satchel, check. And the prepster was born... Incidentally, this week's Bloggers Do It Better assignment was preppy menswear. I was going to sit it out because I want to stay true to my own personal style in participating in these challenges; I really am not into interpreting the menswear trend so literally as to wear a tie around my neck. I hate wearing collared shirts alone for goodness sake! However, I'm submitting this look, even though it is girly preppy... hey, I'm wearing oxfords!

Sugarhill Gallop of Style romper (worn as top) via ModCloth

BCBGMaxazria suede pleated skirt and turquoise stone multi-finger ring

Mossimo satchel via target

jewelmint necklace and bracelet

Let There Be Delight oxfords via ModCloth

DIY Lanvin Silk Flower Necklace

2011-05-20T08:44:00.000-04:00

Going right along with my edgy-badass-meets-sweet-little-lady type of style, I really love big bulky jewelry... especially necklaces! I was inspired by an episode of Gossip Girl last year to create several Gemma Redux look-alike necklaces with braided chains and natural stone beads; my two favorite creations can be seen in the first two photos of this super old post. I'm going to work at incorporating them into more outfits. Anyhow, I came across these Lanvin necklaces on Nordstrom's website the other night and knew I had to try to make my own...

I love the pretty silk flowers that look like rough, undone corsages and the mix of two different heavy duty chains that add weight and versatility. I do like that the purple necklace has both silver and brass chains, as mixing metals is still a big trend right now and a look I really love! These necklaces could be worn to dress up a basic tee or dress down a fancy dress. And with the whole fabric store at your fingertips, you can choose any color you want!

So without further ado...

DIY Lanvin Necklace!!

Step 1: gather materials

1. pliers and wire-cutters

2. scissors

3. clasps

4. large skirt pins

5. two different heavy chains

6. needle and thread

7. silk in desired color(s... I plan to make another one!!)

Step 2: find your desired chain length (think 1/2 necklace for each chain) and open up one link with pliers; remove extra links

Step 3: link two chains together the same way you took them apart!

Step 4: cut out flower petal shapes in varying sizes and lengths, assemble into flower shape

Step 5: sew petals together, no need to be careful and precise... just make sure to sew through them all

Step 6: cut an uneven strip of silk and fold like an accordion into a circle to form the flower's center

Step 7: sew the center on the flower

Step 8: attach skirt pin a bit more than halfway down one side of the necklace... pin through flower, a few chain links, and through flower again for stability

Step 9: open links and add clasp... just like when you attached the necklaces together

Step 10: try it on and trim up any flower petals if you need to (I trimmed a lot cuz it was awfully floppy!)

TA-DA!!!

I'm super excited to make my dark purple one just like the original Lanvin to wear in the fall, but I thought bright, icy blue would be a fun spring color to wear now! Though cutting the silk and working with the heavy chains was a bit difficult the necklace was VERY easy to make.

Relapse

2011-05-18T08:08:00.000-04:00

The weather has relapsed toward winter from the lovely sunshine and 70's; it is 50 degrees and raining for the fourth day in a row. I had to run an errand yesterday afternoon and found some cover to take shots of my outfit while I was out. I usually don't run errands in pointed stilettos but this pair is one of my top favorite pairs of shoes and it cheered me up to wear them (and I wasn't doing too much walking). I've been trying to avoid wearing black and gray since winter ended, but I suppose these black skinny jeans (last worn here in the snow) shouldn't be completely ruled out for spring. I lightened up the outfit with this gorgeous lavender jacket that I bought yesterday during a routine shopping spree at BCBG. I'm in love with everything about it: the color, the draping, the soft linen fabric... it is absolutely perfect and I plan to wear it with everything.

On another note, I'm having a really hard time packing up my apartment... I have so much stuff I don't know where to start!! I think it is difficult, too, because I'm not moving for two weeks and I'm afraid of packing up something I need... and also because I wait until the last minute to do everything! It also doesn't help that I have the wonderful fashion blogger world to distract me...

Hey, has anyone else been having problems with the server rejecting photos you are trying to upload? Nearly two-thirds of my photos get rejected each time I try to upload a batch and I have to repeat the upload a million times to get the photos I want... it takes forever and is so annoying, and I'm wondering if it is just me or if it is Blogger's issue? Anyway, I hope you all are having a wonderful week!

BCBGMaxazria embellished top, crystal bangles and Abree draped front jacket

Rich and Skinny leather inset jeans via shopbop.com

gifted scarf (thanks Liz!!)

River Island mini lady bag via Asos

jewelmint Rachel earrings

Express mixed metal bangles

Forever21 ring

Carlos Santana heels via Macy's

nail color: Essie Turquoise and Caicos (sorry I didn't take a pic, too dark inside)

Shelby's Picks: Rompers

2011-05-17T18:11:00.000-04:00

I didn't think I'd meet something I loved wearing as much as an easy summer dress when the weather warms up, but a few years ago I purchased my first romper and immediately fell in LOVE! Though they can be a little difficult to wiggle out of when you need to use a restroom, rompers (or jumpsuits or playsuits etc...) are by far the easiest item to wear and amazing because you can find them in just about every style imaginable. I only have photos posted of myself in one romper, seen here, because the weather hasn't been warm enough to wear them yet. I also featured a gorgeous Missoni romper in one of my Sparkle of the Week posts; I styled it three ways to show just how versatile these pieces can be!

Some tips for selecting and styling rompers before I show you my picks:

- Fit with the top half is crucial, and it can be difficult to find a romper that is perfectly suited to both your torso length and waist/bust size. If you are short and curvy like me, you'll have the easiest time finding a flattering style by looking for rompers that have a blouson top; with these styles you won't have to worry about the top half not fitting right, because it is supposed to be blousy. If you are taller, you will be able to play with more styles that are fitted in structured on top like the Spotted in the Garden romper from ModCloth that I just bought. I have to send it back because it is too long on top and bunches really weird around my waist, and I'm so sad because the rest of it is perfect.

- Fit on the bottom half is crucial, too, but easier to deal with than the top (at least in my experience). The bottom of a romper obviously is shorts, so make sure they fit properly and you'll be fine.

- Don't show too much skin to avoid looking cheap and easy. If you find a style with super short shorts, make sure it has a more conservative top, and vice versa. For example... I have a silk romper with basically tap-shorts on the bottom, but the top is 3/4 sleeves and collared. Another jumpsuit in my closet is strapless on top but the bottom is mid-calf length.

- Have fun styling! Add layers with a blazer or utility jacket and oxfords for a casual look or pile on jewelry and strap on stilettos for a sexy night out.

- Belts, both thick and thin, can help define your waist and flatter your figure.

Shoshanna ruffle shoulder romper via shopbop.com - I love the sweet ruffles and one shoulder detail. It would look so cute with a colorful belt and wedges for a picnic in the park.

Guess Carolina romper - This style is a great example in versatility. The black color and lacy top could be amped up for a night on the town with a pair of black strappy heels, stacks of bracelets, and dangly earrings. It could also be styled with a pair of oxfords and a sleeveless trench belted over it for a casual look.

Halston Heritage tiered chiffon romper via shopbop.com - I love the peach color and ruffled neckline, and I bet the chiffon fabric is divine. I'd wear this with a crisp white blazer and nude heels.

Nocturne in Noir romper via ModCloth - I love the illusion neck and side ruffle details on a basic black romper. Metallic heels and jewelry would make this amazingly sexy.

BCBGMaxazria Marcelle silk short jumpsuit - I tried this on and couldn't handle the bold snake print, but the longer sleeves and cowl neck make this super edgy and sweet at the same time.

IRO Alexia romper via shopbop.com $220 - Love the gold burnout pattern and casual fit. It would be perfect on anyone, and would look great with a fun belt.

Columns and Rose romper via ModCloth - The fitted top with the side ruching and loose shorts on the bottom would add some serious curves to a lean body type.

BCBGMaxazria Hockley short jumpsuit - This looks like something I want to relax in all day long when I'm not really feeling like putting much effort into getting ready.

Forever21 embroidered floral jumpsuit - A longer, strapless style in a fun summer color. Love the lace on the top and sash at the waist.

Twenty8Twelve Ava romper via shopbop.com - This print is so gorgeous for spring and reminds me of a black romper that I own. It would be so beautiful on... I'm dying for it!!

Covered

2011-05-16T07:24:00.000-04:00

I finally got my order of spring- and summer-ready jeans, and I couldn't be happier with the white skinny pair I'm wearing here and a pair of cropped light wash I'll post soon! Wearing white jeans is pushing the danger zone a bit for me, because I have the worst luck with dropping food on new clothes and ruining them, but I'm going to be super careful with these because I really love them! I last wore this tank and jacket together layered with a few different pieces here on a snowy day, and was excited to show the gorgeous strappy back detail now that it has warmed up a bit. We had gorgeous weather all this week, but on Saturday the temperature managed to drop 10 degrees and make way for thunderstorms just as Muz and I were heading out for the afternoon. Luckily, he remembered an old covered bridge he found down in the valley and took me there for photos during the rainstorm... unluckily it is down a bunch of twisty back roads and I don't think I'll be able to find it without him for future photo shoots.

I'm on vacation this coming week, with no plans of actually going anywhere... and apparently the dropped temperature and rain isn't going anywhere either. I'm a little bummed that the weather is going to be gloomy all week, but since I need to pack up my apartment for the upcoming move, it is probably a really good thing that it is going to rain. That way, I'll be forced to stay inside and do work with no sunshine to distract me into going outdoors. Plus, I've been stocking up on DIY ideas during my endless browsing on shopping and style websites, and I'll (hopefully) have plenty of time to complete my projects this week... I'm really excited because I've got some great ideas I can't wait to share with you and wear myself!!

BCBGMaxazria Tiiu Cargo Pocket Tank (available in many bright colors since I bought it, grr)

BCBGMaxazria Ozzy Double Layer Jacket

7 For All Mankind Roxanne Flood Jeans via shopbop.com

BCBGMaxazria heels

Forever21 cuff and rings

jewelmint bracelet

Tiffany & Co bracelet
My Pet Octopus necklace via ModCloth

Sparkle of the Week

2011-05-15T09:49:00.000-04:00

I don't post outfits of what I wear to work (...yet, I'm playing with the idea of starting this once I move into my new house and have better indoor lighting), but my daily uniform consists mostly of professional knee-length dresses or outfits including pencil or a-line skirts. I'm always drawn toward colorful and printed skirts for some reason... J Crew has an AMAZING selection every season, and Express is great for basic pencil skirts. I found this YSL beauty the other day while I was browsing for new work wear; I was immediately drawn to the bold hot pink color and I like the contrasting gold-ish stripes at the waist and hem. A-line skirts are great because they are flattering on just about every shape and they are fairly versatile pieces... they can be styled way beyond what we imagine as typical office looks that I would wear to work. I decided to show you two atypical stylings for this skirt: one look includes a cropped bustier top that could be worn with the skirt tastefully covering your belly button and showing just a hint of belly midriff, and one is a chic casual look with a grecian feel from woven gladiator sandals and winged jewelry. I am obsessed with both looks, I hope you love them too!

Yves Saint Laurent a-line skirt via mytheresa.com

Look 1: Playful Day

Christian Louboutin Panier 120 espadrille sandals via Net-A-Porter.com

Tom Binns hand-painted Swarovski crystal bracelet via Net-A-Porter.com

Mara Hoffman embroidered bustier top via shopbop.com

Alexander Wang Angela pochette via La Garconne

Kate Spade shimmer triple chain necklace

Look 2: Gladiator Summer

Yves Saint Laurent a-line skirt via mytheresa.com

Steve Madden WYNELL wedge

BCBGMaxazria Torri voile tunic

Gemma Redux Eos pendant necklace and bracelets

Rebecca Minkoff Cheetah Clutch via shopbop.com

Native

2011-05-13T19:20:00.000-04:00

This is the outfit that I wore to Muz's friend's wedding on Saturday. I was told that the wedding was going to be a more casual affair than the last wedding we attended, to which I wore this dress, so I wanted to choose something less formal and more fun to wear. In fact, this wedding was at a lovely old chapel in the middle of all these estates and farms in Virginia and the reception hall looked like the inside of a log cabin and had a "50's summer camp" theme, complete with a bar-b-que buffet and one of my favorite beers in a self-serve keg. All of this made me extra glad that I wore a dark printed dress that is machine washable though I somehow managed to make it through the night without any incidents.

I first saw this dress on Liz of Late Afternoon, which is probably my very favorite fashion blog and the one that inspired me the most to start blogging outfits on Make Me Sparkly. I just love her style and the photos she posts are beautiful. Anyway, you know that bold prints are something I don't usually wear, but I loved everything about this dress the moment I saw it: the asymmetrical hem, one shoulder, side pleating at the waist, tea length, and light material make it absolutely perfect for spring and summer. Surprisingly, I love the print too... it reminds me of a beautiful Native American pattern! I added a hot pink belt since the waist is a bit loose on me and kept jewelry simple since the dress is so loud. I like wearing dangly earrings with one-shouldered dresses, and I also like stacking up bangles on the sleeveless arm and leaving the other wrist bare. Nude wedges, last seen here kept my legs from being swallowed up by the longer length and were the second offender in killing my feet. They're almost back to normal in case you were wondering!

*I posted this on Tuesday or Wednesday night, but Blogger broke down and lost the post and all of the wonderful comments you left! If you commented on this post and it was your first time visiting Make Me Sparkly, please comment again so I can pay your blog a visit and say hello!!

Warehouse tribal print one-shoulder dress via Asos

Steve Madden RIDDGGEE wedge sandal

Forever21 earrings

Express mixed metal bangles

belt via TJ Maxx

Coach clutch (last worn as a crossbody here)

Monticello

2011-05-10T07:22:00.000-04:00

Today I have a mega-post! This past weekend, Muz and I traveled to Charlottesville, Virginia to attend the wedding of one of Muz's oldest friends. Neither of us had ever been there before, and weren't really sure where we were going or what we'd have time to do or even what else would be around. When Googling "things to do in Charlottesville," we discovered that Monticello is there and decided to visit.

First, about my outfit... then I will explain to you all about Monticello. Remember this mint green blazer from my blazer picks post? I ordered it pretty much immediately after publishing the post, and I am beyond pleased with my selection. The mint color is so light and refreshing for spring and I love rolling up the sleeves to show the coral contrast. It has lovely gold and white buttons on the double breast... it is perfect! I wore it with just a plain light tee and jeggings since it was pretty warm outside and we were doing a lot of walking. And I love the combination of gold and pearls... kinda gives the outfit an old-school preppy look suitable for walking around at an old president's house! The wedges, however were not suitable for walking around all day. I wasn't a smart packer and forgot flats (also we hadn't planned on visiting a place like this) and between these and the wedges I wore to the wedding my feet are swollen and in such pain! Even two days later! Oh well, I love the look!

Balloon Alexa blazer in mint green via Storets

BCBGMaxazria white tee, pearl necklace and gold cuff

Forever21 jeggings, bracelets and earrings

Steve Madden wedges

Coach crossbody

Versace sunglasses via Macy's

Meet my lovely paparazzo for the day, Muz. He was so wonderful and took such pretty photos of me! Thanks, love! We were also having a contest to see if photos he took with the Camera+ app on his iPhone would turn out as nice as the photos I took with my Canon DSLR... results are still pending!

So about Monticello. For those of you who, like me, aren't very in to history, Monticello was president Thomas Jefferson's home for most of his life (and depicted on the back side of the nickel... go ahead, take a look... I did). It is very well-preserved and maintained, and you can take a tour of the first floor of the house and the gardens, and you can wander all throughout the basement/store rooms and grounds! It is an absolutely stunning place and we had amazing weather... the sunshine and vibrant colors and flowers everywhere gave it almost a magical feel. I always dream of traveling across the world and am somehow shocked when I find a magical place only an eight hour car ride away.

I learned that Thomas Jefferson wasn't just a politician. He was a farmer, a scientist, an inventor and a scholar (he could read in seven languages!). I want to share a few of my favorite photos from the day, which couldn't have been more perfect. We managed to see all of this, take a guided tour of the house that was utterly fascinating, and still make it to the wedding on time. See, a magical place!

One Lovely Blog

2011-05-09T17:33:00.000-04:00

Lily of Lilies and Lace gave me the One Lovely Blog Award!

She is beautiful and very sweet. Her style is so unique and chic, I love visiting her blog for inspiration!

the rules:

1. link back to the person who passed you the award

2. share 7 random things about yourself

3. award 15 blogs

4. drop them a note and tell them about it

7 random things about me:

1. I'm terrified of spiders, snakes and birds.

2. I own 105 pairs of shoes (I nearly passed out when I counted, how did this happen?! hahaha) and 24 handbags/clutches (two of which I made myself).

3. I'm a bookworm. A few of my favorites are the Harry Potter series, the Twilight series, Water for Elephants, the Time Traveler's Wife, the Count of Monte Cristo, the Devil Wears Prada, the Other Boelyn Girl and Bergdorf Blondes. I hate watching movies adapted from my favorite books because I ALWAYS like the books better and feel like Hollywood ruins them. They did a good job with Harry Potter but I still think the books are waaaaay better.

4. I love dark red wine. My favorites are Bordeaux, Meritage and Cabernet from Chile.

5. I hibernate in the winter as much as I can. Nothing like curling up with a glass of red wine, an afghan that my grandma knitted me and Sex and the City reruns while its snowing outside. Other favorite activities are crafting and bubble baths.

6. I have a brother, Derek, who is three years younger than me. I tortured him a lot growing up, but still managed to turn out to be a wonderful young man. He reads this, as does his best friend Wes who might as well be my brother too. Love you both <3.

7. I'm very bad at sitting still and relaxing. Two nervous habits are biting my nails and pulling out my hair. Terrible, I know, but I'm working on it...

people i'm passing this award on to:
Pinky Promises
gold N turquoise
Express yourself by fashion
elle VOX
Deniz Saatcioglu
glamazon's blog
The Second Star to the Right: a fashion neverland
Sache e Bombom
StylingPhotoDiary
The Summer of June
Qin at the Disco
MFashion
Fragancia
My Fashion View by Susie Heymer
The Milk Avenue

Easy Breezy

2011-05-08T10:39:00.000-04:00

Another casual look for another gloomy day. It's not that I really enjoy the rolled-up jeans look, but all of mine are too long to wear with most shoes. I don't mind skinny jeans worn full-length and slouchy at the bottom with heels like here, and I also love the look of a well-tailored boot leg or flare jean with a pointed heel (haven't blogged a look yet). However, with most sandals, oxfords and flats I like a slightly cropped length to really show off the shoes and thus, I have to roll them... for now. I did buy about three pairs of cropped skinny jeans in various lighter washes on shopbop.com the other day to hopefully alleviate this problem, but I haven't received them in the mail yet. I typically like really dark denim as you have probably noticed. I found with the onset of lighter weather and the new use of color and print in my spring wardrobe, I'm really craving lighter jeans. We'll see what happens when I actually have them in my hands...

The silk blouse I'm wearing is my absolute favorite! It is the most pretty lilac color and made of a really soft shimmery silk. Confession... I don't know about all of you but I tend to make messes wherever I go and whatever I do; this shirt has tons of little stains and spots all over it from me wearing it all the time that the dry cleaner is unable to remove. It brings me to near tears every time I pull it off its hanger.

Sorry I've been so absent this week, promise I'll make it up to you! Hope everybody had a fabulous weekend!

BCBGMaxazria blouse and Ozzy double layer jacket

MEK cigarette jeans via MetroPark

Coach Kristen spectator hobo

Forever21 jewelry

Express adjustable belt

Let There Be Delight oxfords via ModCloth