Autumn Dreams

Autumn Dreams by Feather79 featuring wedge booties

ASOS cape coat
$69 - asos.com

Dsquared pleated pants
€1.196 - luisaviaroma.com

Steve Madden wedge booties
$149 - macys.com

Forever21 backpack bag
$30 - forever21.com

Michael Kors rose gold watch
£220 - net-a-porter.com

Buy Newgate Knightsbridge Wall Clock online at JohnLewis.com - John...
£57 - johnlewis.com

If I Didn't Do It Today, I Would Never Have.

I know I haven't posted anything here in ages but I've been a very busy lady. Today I saw a DIY and I had the motivation to do it on top of many other things. I don't know if its because I believe the world is going to end tomorrow or that I just need to stop being a procrastinator or because the weather has been so rainy here in NYC that I was bored staying in that I did something. 

This is what I saw. 

And this is what I did. 

Made all of these pieces myself except one necklace, scroll for more info.

The middle medallion necklace is made by my Mom

Still working on the other have of the purple piece 2nd from right on the top level. 

What is even better than the fact they turned out great is that I got the frames for free ( I got them from work. they used to hold old pictures of construction sites) Plus it only took me about 30 minutes to make them.

All the jewelry that is on my frames are all made by me with the exception of the larger jeweled medallion in the middle of the necklaces, my mother made that one. 

If you want to make them yourself here are the directions. 

Supplies:

1. Foam core poster board, you will or will not cut this down depending on the size of frame you buy. 

2. Sectional Frame Kits ( mine are from Michaels) 

you are going to need two sets to make one full frame. Any size is up to you depending on how much jewelry to hang or your wall size. 

3. Push pins- you can buy them clear or silver or any color you desire. In the BGH picture they used fabric pins, but I used the push pins. 

4. Art hanging wire - you don't need a heavy gauge.

5. 2 Erasers cut from the top of wood pencils or taken from mechanical pencils.

Directions: 

1. Put together 3 sides of the frame.

2. Measure the inside of the frame for the foam boards

3. Cut the foam core board  to the size you measured. Place the board on a flat surface then mark the board with points first and using a straight edge make a line between the points. Using a cutting blade or a razor blade (be very careful not to cut yourself) cut through the first layer and the foam, you dont need to cut the whole way through. Lift up the board and bend the board backwards on the cut line and back cut the other side. 

4. Slide the finished board into the frame and put together the top of the frame. Don't forget to add the hanger into the channel of the part of the frame you are going to hang it from. 

5. Add pins as needed to the foam core board to hang your jewelry. 

6. To make the wire hanger for the earrings, take two pins and place them at the far ends of the frame along the top and half way down the frame. String the wire tightly between the two pins wrapping around the top pins and twisting the wire to itself to secure the wire. Repeat for second set of pins. Place the erasers on the back side of the frame to the points sticking out of the foam boards to secure the pins. 

7. Hang your frames on the wall. 

8. When hanging the jewelry start from the middle and work your way out so that the frame stay balanced when hung. 

9. Enjoy your work. 

Bonus:

You can wrap the foam board in fabric or Mod Podge it with paper. Your frames your choice. 

They Make Me Smile, Damnit I Like That.

For those who want to know who I am talking about when I say who took my pictures I am here to de-cloak them. , ooo a Harry Potter reference, Karen will love that. 

I am serious, they both work magic when they take my pictures. By magic, I mean they get me to smile. There is a huge difference when they are taking my pictures and I am taking the pictures of myself. 

I say its always great when you have someone to take your pictures, you have someone to interact with and they tell you when your shirt came unbuttoned or a hair is in the face. 

So without further ado my two photographers: 

David 

David takes most of my pictures, simply because he lives about a block away from where I live. Mostly because he keeps me amused from behind the camera. David has his own blog What's All the Rave where he writes about sports, mostly baseball (NY Mets), hockey (NY Rangers), Football (NY Jets) and NASCAR. 

Karen and her dimples

I hope she doesn't kill me for this photo but it is perfect. Karen is a Vegan, a Yankee fan, avid reader, Harry Potter and Steven King fan, and a cat lover. When she is not fostering a homeless cat or looking for Vegan items she and I are hanging out whether for going to Yankee games, shopping, the opera or getting vegan treats at  BabyCakes.

These two are the best friends that a girl can have. I have been friends with them for over 10 years and I plan to keep them for the rest of my life. 

My Blog Turned 1 This Month!

At some point in March last year I started this blog, in fact my first post was March 11th 2010. 

c/o web

I feel that I have evolved so much since my first post. I have evolved so much that I actually started a new blog this past week and I actually met people in person who is in the same genre as me.

But I will not abandon this blog, no I wont. This will be my go to blog for my DIYs and my life posts.

 THIS IS MY FIRST BABY 

And I will cherish it as such. 

So to those who love me and my quirks please continue to follow me, I have so much planned for here. But for those who follow me for my fashion you can personally email me at nms1179 at gmail dot com and I will direct you there. 

   

Not to change the subject but did you ever see such cool looking cakes?

c/o web

c/o web

check out more of this Yankee Stadium cake here

So which one of my friends is going to get me the Yankee Stadium cake for my birthday?

Whatever ♥

30x30: Day 30 The Fat Lady Sings, So it Must be Over!

The last day of the 30x30 is here finally and I thought it would never come. It wasn’t the most hardest thing I have accomplished, mostly because it didn’t have strong rules. But a lot of things I have started I never really finished either, so I am pretty much proud of myself at finishing this.

 

Would I ever do this again? I question this to myself all the time, depending on my mood it could be yes and could be no. I think it would lean more towards yes if a few factors weren't an issue. Weather has been the worst part of it this year, NYC got dumped with so much snow that it was hard to be warm dry and stylish 90% of the time. Another factor I wish that wasn’t is my job and it’s wardrobe limitations, I work in a construction yard/garage and its very dirty as well as being unsafe for bare legs and open toe shoes. Granted I could change out of my work boots but I don’t think that it was fair to the whole thing.

Would this work for the normal person, yes I think it would. Perhaps I’ll try it again in the summer when the weather is better. I definitely will be doing a sort of outfit limitation when I go on my trip next month, the thing is Ill have probably around 5 pieces and 7 days to do them in. I figure that one out closer to the actual dates.

This definity didn’t stop me from shopping for more clothes or shoes, I bought a lot of those during the 30 days.

Hello, my name is Nicole and I am a shopaholic.

Haha!

There are a few things that were a positive with doing this remix.I got to be very creative with figuring out outfits, so much so that I was able to find more that 30 outfits with just 28 pieces. I also loved watching how others put together their outfits. I am also glad it got my out of the rut of wearing just tee shirts and jeans to work and always trying to figure out what to wear everyday.

I think it is now time to relax and wear some sweats for awhile, haha just kidding, I don’t actually own real sweats.

I’ll have to see when the next remix if I will do it or not.

Whatever ♥

30x30: Days 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 Finish Line is in Sight.

I had a little bit of fun this weekend, I spent the whole weekend with my friend and her family at their house. Her daughter even took my outfit shot for Day 26 and my friend and I got to spend some adult time (after the kiddies went to bed) to drink.

My friend is in the process of finishing up the renovation of her house, but the main part of the house is done and I got to use one of the bedrooms.

Isn't this bed just gorgeous.

She still has the main kitchen (this house has a second guest kitchen) to do on the first floor and a few other things like an elevator (yes an elevator, the house has 4 floors), the landscaping and some minor trim details. I can’t wait till it is all done, I will take more pictures to show here when it is all done. 

Day 25 was a windy day and Day 26 was taken by my friend’s 7 year old daughter

This was my lounge around the house with company outfit, my Aunt and Uncle came over for dinner.  I had a huge burn on my forehead from a curling iron so I had a huge band-aid on it so I covered it with my new scarf.

I almost didn’t take Day 28 because I was so sick, I actually took 3 shots and went to bed and slept until this morning. My hair was in a bun from Monday morning until Tuesday morning so that’s why its is so curly. I am not to enthused with this burgundy sweater so I am putting it into my clothing to be donated a long with the black turtle neck and the black cords.

I cant believe that I am almost done and that I made it this far with 28 pieces of my wardrobe. I almost feel like my Day 30 outfit has to be outstanding but I tell you that it wont be. I haven’t been feeling well so well so I want to be as comfortable as possible.

Speaking of comfortable I’m going to bed.

Whatever ♥

Let Your Inner Beauty Shine Through; FBFF Questions - Beauty Products

 

Its Friday people and you know what that means; Fashion Beauty Friend Friday questions. Yay!

Last week I forgot all about the questions I was just so busy and I missed out on the nominations, oh well.

30x30: Day 24 I Didn’t Come Here to Spy on You.

This is going to be a quick one, its late and I managed to squeeze out two ( and only two) pictures at my friends house.

(Target black blazer, Express grey hooded draped cardi, H&M striped shirt, fashion glasses and black ballet flats, CR denim skinnies)

Btw this is the cheesiest pose.

Tomorrow I am going back to my friend’s house to have a sleep over (code word for I will be drinking to much to drive home so its planned that I sleep at her house) and hang out with her Saturday. I am not sure when I will be getting home to post my outfits but it will most likely I will be doing a triple post on Sunday.

Johnny Walker Black I will dream of you tonight.

Whatever ♥

30x30: Day 22 & 23 Amateur Photography, Modeling and Thieving

Ok, I am willing to admit these two days haven't been my best days either taking  photos or modeling my clothes. I am doing my best because I am in a bit of pain. I kind of put on a good face for day 22 but you can see I am pale as hell and sickly looking and I was wearing a lot of makeup.

Still there is no excuse, I am sure there were a few models during fashion week that had the flu or stomach poisoning on top of their eating disorder. Now granted its not fair that I am comparing myself to a professional model, but technically I am modeling my clothes, wait I should get paid for this!

I only have a few decent shots of me so they will have to do.

Day 22

I managed to take this pictures before I changed in to my equivalent of sweats and ran out of the house to my doctors appointment. But this is what I wore to work minus the shoes ( I wore my grey boots. I wore the shoes the rest of the day.)

My equivalent of sweats are leggings, tee shirt, flannel shirt, a large sweater and a pair of flats. I want to thank David (it used to be his, wait I think he lent it to me) for my new large AX hooded sweater its very warm and comfy.

Maybe when these 30x30 days are over (in seven days) I’ll take a picture in my “sweats.”

(Thrifted brown cardi, H&M black sheer blouse, black ballet flats, and blue silk scarf, ON straight legged denim)

30x30 Day 21: Illegal Leopard

First off this outfit is illegal, I kinda wore it Day One. The difference between day one and today is that I wore a grey sweater and brown boots where as today I wore a black draped cardi and grey boots. I kind of got dressed without thinking, I mean my outfit was all set to wear but I switched jeans last minute because the original ones were a bit dirty. 

(H&M leopard shirt and brown braided belt, F21 black draped cardi, Target denim skinnies, unknown grey boots)

30X30 Day 20: Poison Ivy

I think I’m coming down with something, my cheeks are on fire and my nose wont stop dripping. But I am managing to get this post done tonight.

As for my outfit if you don’t like the belt, I agree. But I like it, I just have to find the right thing to wear it with. My friend David said it looked like I had a backward back brace on. I’ve had the belt for years and I do not remember where I got it.

(Spotted Moth green cargo jacket, H&M grey sweater and beige button-up, unknown black corded skinnies, belt and grey boots, vintage silk scarf)

30x30 Day (17) 18 and 19: Double Your Trouble

Ok so I have been a bit lazy, I didn’t post last night because all I wanted to do was to veg out in front of the TV and that’s exactly what I did last night and what I am going to do right after this.

So to keep things short here is day 18 and 19.

Day 18

(Old Navy striped cardi, H&M beige ruffled shirt, AE beige corded skinnies, grey boots, red belt)

30x30 Day 16 Tree Hugging

Today I killed a bug and I feel bad about it. It was a hornet flying around my office and I brutally killed it. I am allergic to bee stings and I didn’t want to take my chances. I don’t even want to explain how it was brutal, it was done so I didn’t have to get within a foot of it. I mean why was it in my office? It is 30 degrees outside, don’t bugs hibernate? And how did it even get inside?

I do not like killing nature’s things if I don’t have to but this was a special case. I am not a vegan like my friend Karen who doesn’t consume animal products whatsoever because she doesn’t believe in killing another life. I hate that I am a meat eater and that animals have to suffer in order for me to enjoy food. I could become a vegetarian but animals would still be harmed whether or not I eat their products. There is animal products in almost everything we consume everyday, from soaps to clothes to medical items and so much more. I commend my friend Karen because she reads every label on every item in order to make sure no animal bi-product is in it. I live in a matter of convenience, its lazy thinking, but I have to live with the conscience thought that an animal gave its life so I can enjoy its product.

So today I hug a tree and I will pray that the bug didn’t suffer a horrible death. I promise I am not kooky, but I don’t like anything to suffer, ok well maybe an x or two.

(MNG yellow cardigan, H&M white tee, Old Navy jeans, Madden Girl boots, handmade flower necklace)

30x30 Day 15 Can You Meet Me Halfway

Wow, halfway through already! I cant believe I made it this far. I tell you though, it hasn’t been with out a struggle. I have had lazy days and days I couldn’t figure out what combinations I wanted to do. I also had to work around snowy cold days.

My main issue though was getting the pictures done, finding locations and people who were willing to take my pictures. I was able to take my own pictures but I had to find places that were secluded that I wouldn’t be bothered by nosy people.

I've also lost two pieces of my wardrobe one to a hole in the arm pit and the other in a friends house. Luckily those two pieces I haven't yet worn so I will replace them with something else that I have in the rest of my wardrobe.

So here is Day 15.

(H&M black tunic, unknown grey boots, grey tights bought 7 yrs ago Wal-Mart, purple lace tank, white military belt bought at army/navy store, chain lapels handmade by me, Express hound's-tooth coat given to me by my friend Karen.)

30x30 Day 14 Pounding the Pavement

I feel like I walked 10 miles today. I took the day off from work since I knew it was going to be a nice day and I needed to run some errands. I was up and down streets, in and out of stores and I backtracked a bit.

Ok so apparently I only walked 2.1 miles, but its still a decent walk.

I just found this here, I thought its pretty cool.

(Spotted Moth – green cargo jacket, Express blue button-up shirt, Target jeans, Spotted Moth brown boots, handmade locket necklace, NYC vendor glasses)

My Body is a cage; FBFF Questions - Body Image

Friend Friday is here again folks and that means some Q&A with me. This one is a doosey (sp?) It’s all about the body image. I have to say even before I saw these questions on FBFF I was questioning myself the same questions.

30x30 Day 13 Should I Use 13 or Is It Bad Luck?

There are some buildings that do not have a 13th floor, I mean there is a 13th floor but it isn't marked, apparently it is bad luck. I was tempted to skip 13 and number this day 14 and then I could cheat and really only do 29 days, but my pictures came out so good that I decided that 13 is my lucky number.

Before I go on there will be no post tomorrow as I have to go to a job site in the city tomorrow and for that I have to wear construction boots, helmet and vest and clothing that I don’t mind getting a bit dirty. Sorry. But I will continue on Friday, where I will be in the city since the weather will be fantastic, the weather people are saying 60’s.

And with out further ado.

(Target black ribbed turtleneck, H&M tan skinny pants, unknown grey boots, copper locket necklace made by me)

30x30 Day 12 Dont Mean A Thing If You Aint Got That Swing!

First of all I must say I had fun with this shoot. It wasn’t my first location choice, I was supposed to be behind here at the water’s edge, but something at the park drew me over.

Half the swings were knotted but this was was straight but it was a little high to touch the ground while sitting in the swing. I got the swing pretty high, I haven’t been on a swing in years, but I remembered how to do it.  I used to love the old NYC swings that were a flat metal seat that you could stand on, I miss those days.

(H&M blue and white striped shirt and skinny belt, Charlotte Russe skinny jeans, Madden Girl Boots, Express grey wrap sweater, unknown Russian hat, brass sign language “I Love You Pin”.)

30x30 Day: Lets Count Together 9 10 and 11

 

Ok I'm behind a bit on my posts, but hey I’m a very busy woman.

But to make up for the missed time I am posting three days in one. I skipped today and one day last week just so you know. I just had a crazy work schedule and today I’m kind of sick. I wore the work appropriate version of sweat pants. i.e.. large jeans baggy top and sweater hoodie.

I’m almost running out of day hours, I’ve got to head to bed after this, so I’ll get posting.

I’ve got some “splayning” to do.

Day 9 I wore a thrifted light brown cardi, H&M flowered scarf and striped shirt, Target denim skinnies, unknown boots and belt.

Day 10 I was walking in the city all day so I was bundled.  Spotted Moth green jacket and brown shoes, Lands End black fleece, H&M tan button-up shirt, Old Navy striped cardi and denim jeans, NYC vendor scarf, unknown black satchel purse.

Day 11 I wore H&M leopard sheer blouse and ballet flats, F21 Black draped wrap, AE beige skinny cords, unknown red belt taken off a dress

There you have it, days 9,10 and 11.

I’ve got some awesome and not so awesome shots these days. Day 9 I did my own shots, my friend Karen took the day 10 shots and my friend David took my day 11 shots.

 

Now for your viewing pleasure, wonderful back shots.

Whatever ♥

Framing, Highlighting and Complementing

I have been blog spying lately and noticed a few people have had the same questions to answer and it was linked back to a Friend Friday. I investigated a bit more and it led me to Katy’s blog and found out how I could get involved in this Friend Friday thing. So now that I have joined her group and checked out a few new blogs, I am diving right in.

Today’s lesson is about color.

1. What color dominates your closet?

Wow this question threw me for a loop; I really thought it would be something more colorful but it’s gray, but not overwhelmingly so. Now granted I have mostly only my winter wardrobe out, but it seems to be that I have a lot of grays and silvers. In the summer I would say I’m very colorful with a focus on purple. But I also tend to lean towards black staples, like a turtle neck or a blazer, or some sort of sweater wrap. I figure that I could always add color to the black foundation.

2. If money weren't an issue how would you change the color emphasis?

For winter I’d like to be in the navy blues tones. Navy blue seems to go great against my paler skin in the winter. And it’s very crisp against the cool whites and grays of winter. In the summer I’d like to have nice beachy colors for example pale blues, soft yellows, white, maybe a bit of a berry tones.

3. What is your mantra about mixing colors?

Mix it all but everything in moderation. Now you can wear Kelly green and yellow but you don’t want to look like a Green Bay Packer. It could be a nice yellow sweater over a white top with a pop of green by the way of a belt, jewelry, or some ballet flats. Everything in Moderation. There used to be a thing about mixing brown with black and blues and blacks almost have that same vibe. I say pfft. A nice brown boot with a black blazer is fine but everything else has to be neutral. Even wearing all of the same color is too much, so do an accessory to break up the color. On the same level I find that matching the shoe to the belt and or purse is a bit much. Use those items to highlight your wardrobe.

4. For you, how do you incorporate color into your outfits?

Accessories, Accessories, Accessories! No really. I have a friend who will remain nameless, but she knows who she is, who wears a mostly black wardrobe but she is afraid to wear accessories. Now this girl is petite so she cant wear huge scarves or chunky jewelry but she can do a nice belt or a cool shoe that have a bit of color. One day after watching me do a few 30x30’s maybe she’ll take the plunge and try some color. I also use colors to brighten up my mood as well as use bright colors to enhance my positive attitude.

5. Which blogger(s) do you think do a good job of incorporating color into their wardrobe?

Wows there are too many to list. Almost everyone knows Kendi from Kendi Everyday and if you don’t check out her blog you should, she does a great job in putting together colors that you wouldn’t think went together. Also Liz from 26 and Counting is very subtle with her color integration but she does it so well, she could be a muse for those who want to add color slowly into their everyday looks. But I must emphasize there are so many out there.

It is not about making two colors work but more of finding ways to enhance each color by framing, highlighting and complementing.

I am still learning about colors and using them, but there is always a new way to join colors together that never would have crossed my mind. It does help to see what other people do and try to carry that in to my own looks.

To get an idea on how others thing of color check out the Friend Friday list

As with everything in life you want moderation, right? Whatever ♥

30X30 Day 8 Wicked Awesome Apps Wednesday

 

This is going to be a short but  hopefully sweet post. Because I am presently occupied with something that finally arrived last night.

Tada! My new iPhone!

I’ve been setting up and playing with this baby all night and all day since it hit my hands. I think it’s the coolest phone I’ve had yet. I am currently watching a Netflix movie on it as I type. (don’t ask me what, I wont own up to what I'm watching, and no its not any of the Twilight movies) Never mind about that.

So on to the 30x30 deal.

(H&M grey sweater, Express navy shirt, AE corded skinnies, Madden Girl brown boots, handmade necklace.)

Ok that’s it. Back to my new little toy.

By the way this movie really is starting to suck.

I still wont own up to it. Whatever ♥

30x30 Day 7 If Its Tuesday This Must Be Belgium

If you are wondering, the title today its from a 1969 movie. Check it out here.

Just so you know I’m in a bit of a rush in getting this post out. I was supposed to get my new iPhone delivered to my house but the driver at FEDEX screwed up. He said no one was home but my father said he saw the truck and no one rang the bell. WTF? So now I have to go out of my way to go and get it myself, but I have to wait until 8 pm. Oy gevalt!

I didn’t take a pic last night of my outfit for today so just deal. I was tired last night and didn’t have the energy to get it all set up to photograph it.

I did wear a blazer for EBEW blazer Tuesday. I kinda felt like I was in my mom’s blazer in a way, because she is always wearing a blazer. Plus the blazer is a little big on me so I used a mitten clip to kind of bring it in, in the back.

(Target black blazer, H&M white tee and black draped cardi tied like a vest, Old Navy jeans, Madden Girl brown boots, reddish belt bought at TJ Maxx)

I forgot to put back on the black cardi here, but you’ll forgive me, right?

Ok, I've done it the quickest post I’ve put up so far.

I want my iPhone now! Whatever ♥