****The Long Weekend - What I Wore****

BIRD PRINT CROP TOP - H&M, AQUA SKINNIES - (Similar pair HERE), SUNGLASSES - H&M, CREAM STRAPPY D'ORSAY SANDALS - BCBG

It the beginning of a long weekend for me and I'm super excited.  Beach plans on Saturday giving me a chance to rock my new bikini from H&M.  Before I decided on the two piece did try on a neon, color blocked wetsuit sort of contraption that I fell in love with.  Unfortunately my arms were suffocating in it and they did not have a larger size....let the hunt begin and here's to a swift accomplishment as my 35% off coupon ends on the 27th. Also on my weekend agenda...a small handful of DIY projects....plus I desperately need to clean out my car.  

About the pictures...the scenery was taken (with my phone I might add) on a walk I took a couple weekends ago.  Its a super quiet neighborhood that has a small, never congested beach and the best view of the water. The outfit was just something I threw on in the spirit of a beautiful day last weekend.  I've managed to accumulate a few crop tops but never seem to wear out much.  I've started Pilates back up on account of bikini season and plan to put the midriff baring tops to use.  Hope you guys also have Monday off or more depending on what lucky gig you have and have a great weekend!!!!

****DIY Lanvin Raffia Earrings****

I have a twisted love affair with affair with Barneys.  Being that I am not a frequent charger (rather not one at all since I don't have any) nor am I attached to any significant amount of wealth, my frequent trips to their locations and website always end with me empty handed.  I'll touch, dream and even try on but very rarely to I splurge.....even upon entering their outlet locations and seeing Balmain at an additional 40% off the already steeply discounted goods. However I still go back time and time again.  While browsing the jewelry section online one day I put tons of images into DIY Inspiration folder and my first project up is my version of the lovely Raffia Mask and Flower Earrings from Lanvin.

THE INSPIRATION:

WHAT YOU NEED:

• Raffia
• Pearls, Gemstones or any other smaller beads you have 
• Jump Rings
• Eye Pins
• Earring Posts
• Needle Nose Pliers
• Wire Cutters
• Round Nose Pliers
• Scissors
• Jump Rings

WHAT TO DO:

• Begin cutting off small sections of the raffia and tie around your jump ring

• Continue until whole jump ring is covered and their is very little give between strips. 

• Now keep going until 4 jump rings are bursting with raffia

• Trim those wild ends

• Use another jump ring to attach two of the raffia circles together.  

• Gather your chosen beads and get to adding a bit of glam

• Attaching the beads can be difficult depending on how thick the raffia base is but a little bit of trial and error with your round nose pliers will help you find the right width of the loop  
• As you attach your  beads, take some time to fluff up your raffia and create the right amount of character

Just about all of these supplies were already hiding out in my various craft boxes so that is why I chose to use all black raffia.  I will definitely be making another pair using lighter colors and different beads.  As with so many DIY's the possibilities are endless so get creative and have fun if you give it try.  Also feel free to send over some pics of your project and I will definitely showcase them!!!

****Hello May****

Ushering the month of May with the lovely help of pastels...

****Shadow Play NYC - Etsy Finds****

Just in case you're like me and still find yourself in love with prints that take you away from the confines of this planet and transports you to another galaxy, let me introduce you to Shadow Play NYC.  Discovered over the weekend on Etsy, this shop is full of printed frocks and mini skirts that could call my closet home any day. 

Want something for yourself?  Head on over to their Etsy shop(click the pink link) and happy shopping!!!

****The Great Illusionist****

I thought it was going to be a match made in heaven. A fun bold print.  A sleek fit. A plethora of shoe options...the list went on forever the minute I saw these pants floating around the blogging world.  I figured it would end up being that one item never to see the light of day in any of my local H&M's and I was fine with that.  The unattainable doesn't keep me up at night.  Then I snagged the magazine during one of my frequent lunch break shopping trips and saw the price.  It was at that moment I knew I had to have them. So I stalked and stalked and grilled the sales associates about them.  Are you getting a second shipment of this floral delivery?  Is this everything?  Did any other store receive more of a selection than you?  Do you have a style number?  DO YOU KNOW WHAT PANTS I AM TALKING ABOUT???? A tad bit on the psycho spectrum but I needed to know and then one great day I received confirmation that they will infact have them March 8th.  

PERFECT.  

Perfect that is until I tried them on.  I am getting really particular with fit these days. Gone are the days of coming home with skirts that need to be hemmed, dresses that I think I could have taken in, and pants that aren't oh so perfect.  Every month for almost a year I have been able to let go of items bought under these familiar circumstances and now all I see is money wasted.  As much as I love these pants, I had a interesting problem with the crotch....just a bit too much extra material creating the unwanted bulge when I sat down and a weird illusion that my crotch continued down a inch or so further than it really did (I'm quite sure everyone has encountered this all too common problem). 

Okay no problem, I will just try the next size up.  

Even worse....bad idea.  

The next size down?  

Yes..thank god......but only if I wouldn't feel awkward sitting down in a very specific series of steps to avoid any unwanted splits.

Guess it just wasn't meant to be.  And that's okay because the dress in that print fit like a charm and I definitely went home with the sheer blouse that pairs insanely well with my graphic black and white striped cropped pants.

****Just In 005****

Eat your heart out Alexander Wang  and fashion lovers alike.  I just walked away with a sporty, preferated leather number that cinches into the most darling peplum skirted top for $20 courtesy of H&M.  While everyone else was fighting to the death for whatever was left of the Marni collection, I managed to shop comfortably at my store and uncover what shall be my go to piece this spring, summer and fall.  And with the price tag coming in well within my budget, I grabbed a pair of super skinny cropped pants in a flattering black and white vertical stripe.  Did I truly need either piece?  Not at all but when life gives you nothing but rotten fruit (which is exactly what Walmart sold me by way of two mangoes that were meant to be chopped up in my fruit salad but decided against it) it can't hurt to buy something that will make you forget...even if only until you exit the store.

****In Bloom - DIY****

In the wake of the Jason Wu x Target catastrophe and H&M's notoriously selective allocation of designer collaborations, I cannot wait till March for Marni's scrumptious pieces to hit.  Besides, with the hype growing over the partnership the possibility of resellers swarming stores and grabbing up the good stuff before we can get to it is very high.  That is unless H&M decides to crack down on such unfair practices.  None the less I am getting off topic.  In many of the pictures floating around all I can see is a neckline in full bloom and I all I kept thinking was I want it.  

Which brings us to this DIY.

WHAT YOU NEED:

• White Orchid Stem
• Needle Nose Pliers
• Wire Cutters
• E-6000
• Chain
• Cord End Caps

WHAT TO DO:

• Remove excess stem
• Take cord end caps and attach to either end of orchid cluster.  Add a dab of glue of extra security if you need it.  With my caps I had to squeeze either end around the stem tightly so glue wasn't needed. 
• Attach chain to caps
• Wear out

I chose orchids only because out of all the faux florals at my craft store these looked the least cheap.  You can use any flower you find appealing and if its too much bloom don't hesitate to trim down the flowers.  Just make sure to snip right at the main stem so no one can tell it was plucked.  Super easy and you didn't have to fight for it....lol