Author: dreamyrealist

Categories
Fashion

What to do with all of that costume jewelry

As I was looking through my Facebook feed yesterday…you know doing my usual mindless scrolling… it was lovely to see all the posts and tags about the mamas and wonderful women in our lives in honor of Mother’s Day. Definitely giving a big shout out to mine, she’s super! Then the lightbulb went off for me and I completely forgot to share with you all the results from my first blog post  “Make a statement this holiday…statement necklace that is” Oh the wonderful use of play on words, story of my life.

In a nutshell, I dedicated my first post to my Grandma who passed away when I was around 8 years old.  I am definetely blessed that I was able to have memories of her, but my most vivid is my own amazing mother sharing with me all of her costume jewelry that she inherited. I absolutely loved playing dress up with these gorgeous gems when I was little feeling all fab!  Recently when I was back home visiting my family we were going through that one closet all families have, where there are pictures that date back to 80’s hair, randomn art projects, and journals that you didnt know were in your mothers posession.

Here is the before and afters of revamping my grandmas gems into items you can wear today and to give you all ideas if you also have family jewelry that you are looking to transform as well!

 

Before: Grandma's clip on earrings and broches
Before: Grandma’s clip on earrings and broches
After: Grandma's clip on earrings linked to new chain for amazing statement necklace!
After: Grandma’s clip on earrings linked to new chain for amazing statement necklace!
Before: Back of basic black dress
Before: Back of basic black dress
After: Back of basic black dress with Grandma's broch pinned on!
After: Back of basic black dress with Grandma’s broch pinned on!
Before: Hair tie and Grandma's floral clip on earrings
Before: Hair tie and Grandma’s floral clip on earrings
Before: Back of Grandma's clip on earring
Before: Back of Grandma’s clip on earring
After: Hair Tie and Grandma's clip on earring connected for a little glitz for you ponytail!
After: Hair Tie and Grandma’s clip on earring connected for a little glitz for you ponytail!

What kind of accessories have you found when going through your families memory boxes?  Comment below!

 

 

Categories
Fashion

It’s Wedge Sandal Season Ladies and Gents!

Time to dust off those open toed wedges ladies…its that time of the season!  As I dive into my spring and summer shoe bin the sensation of a quarter life crisis moment rises when I realize I definetely cannot rock the sky high stilettos anymore…still having a bit of flashbacks from my severe wipe out in downtown Chicago, which ended in a skinned knee, sore ankle, and tarnished pride. So this summer I want to get real with my shoe selection and strive to find wedges that feel like I have two pillows on my feet.

The first pair I wanted to highlight are from Charming Charlies for under $30.  What is great about this style is that with a bit of platform in the front you are still getting the height, but still gives you the balance you need for the feel of a shorter wedge.

Charming Charlies under $30
Charming Charlies under $30

Next look is from TJ Maxx by Kenneth Cole for under $40.  The camel colored shoe in general is always a closet staple since it can pair perfect with bold colors, black, white, etc.  Many wedges are starting to come around with the rubber sole trend for long last durability like pictured below. Also, strappy details from toe to ankle are definetely a perfect way to keep the comfort from daytime office look to happy hour ready!

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TJ Maxx, Kenneth Cole, under $40

Ready for a girls night out, but not ready for stilletos?  Then I definetely recommend a wedge with thick strap detail. This simple detail will hold those toesies in place so that there is no slipping out while dancing the night away! These beauties below are from Target for under $30.

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Target under $30

 What are favorite summer wedges? Share below!

Categories
Fashion

The Rise of the Printed Pant!

We have all heard the saying you should not wear large prints because it will draw attention to parts of your body that you want to hide.  Ummmm yeah about that…I think that idea needs to be put to rest.  The rise of the printed pant has come and I could not be more excited!  I believe that any style can be worn by any body type, but finding the right fit and color patterns are definetely key!  The pants I wanted to highlight in this post are from last season at New York and Co. for under $40!

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 I was drawn to the pattern at first glance and thought no wayyyyy could I ever pull these off.  Then my inner Beyonce emerged and I did an imaginary hair flip, pulled out the size 14, and made my way to the dressing room.  After slipping them on I immediately felt a sigh of relief that I did not have to do the traditional pants dance, you know the one I am talking about.  The lunge, jump, pull we have all had to do at one time or another in the dressing room almost on the verge of sweating to get a cute pair of jeans or dress pants on.

The key to statement pants shopping is to be on the lookout for lightweight material, especially in a poly blend for a bit of stretch but snug in the right places!  Also, the highwaisted look with the drawstring gave the look of these pants a casual feel, but can also be dazzled up a bit too.  I paired my fav tops from a basic to bold with details below to give you a visual of how to pattern clash and color coordinate as well!

H&M top under $25
H&M top under $25
TJ Maxx under $30
TJ Maxx under $30
Target under $25
Target under $25

Post your printed pant favs to my Instagram @dreamyrealistfashion or on Twitter @dreamrealfash3

 

Categories
Fashion

Top 5 Reasons why Maeve loves Le Tote!

Oh the wonderful and up and coming world of subscription boxes.  Literally you can get a box filled with treats for your pet all the way to mens shaving accessories.  Now the subscription box world has moved into the…wait…yes…you heard right…womens clothing!  Insert praise hands emoji.  This week I wanted to mix it up a bit and pass the mic to my friend Maeve as my guest blogger who is currently a Le Tote subscription holder.  Click the link to see what Le Tote is all about http://www.letote.com/static/howitworks

Here are a few words from Maeve about the top 5 reasons why she loves Le Tote!

1. Unlimited!

50 dollars a month but unlimited totes! If you get a tote on Friday, and you wear what you want over the weekend and are ready to send back – do it! They’ll send you another one as soon as they get this one back. (Though the point isn’t to get as many totes as possible in a month – the point is to get totes with clothes you’ll wear at least once while you have the tote)

2. Customizable!

I love love love how you pull clothes on their website into your closet and they create your tote only from what you’ve put in your closet. Don’t like what they’re sending you in your tote? You can approve or disapprove items in your tote before its sent! If you don’t like an item, you get about 10 other options from your tote to switch it out for. I prefer to know what I’m getting and when – so this feature is an awesome feature for me.

3. Free shipping!

Your monthly fee includes two day shipping both ways so you don’t have to worry about that.

4. Wear those clothes and send em back – or keep them.

Because the clothes aren’t brand new, and you can wear them before sending back, they all have steep discounts if you want to keep them. Anything you want to keep just don’t send back and Le tote will charge you that discounted price. All prices for items are shown to you when you look at them online before you even put them in your closet.

5. Clothes AND Jewelry

Each tote comes with 3 articles of clothing and 2 pieces of jewelry!

See photos below for the latest tote Maeve received last month!  Interested in subscribing?  Use the promo code https://letote.com/r/B1E786 for a discount!

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Follow me on Instagram @dreamyrealistfashion and on Twitter @dreamrealfash3