Blogger Sketch Sunday [Simply Hope]

Hey guys! Its the Twenty-fifth edition of Blogger Sketch Sunday! Every week I like to post sketches of bloggers that inspire me. This week's post features Hope of Simply Hope whose blog is located in Texas.

3 Reasons I love this blog:

-Can you believe this girl is only 15? Seriously. When I was 15, I was decked out in Hot Topic attire and thought that Tommy Hilfiger was couture. This girl has an amazing sense of style. The way she puts together outfits is incredible. If she dresses like this when she is this young, she is going to be a fashion icon by the time she's 18.

-What do I admire about Hope's style so much do you ask? I love that she takes accessible items and puts them together in a way that looks so high end. Most of the items in her closet you could probably go out and buy yourself, but you wouldn't be able to style it like she can. Hope knows how to take simple pieces and make them look really fashion forward.

-This blogger also addresses the idea that the extremely fashion forward do not always fit in in everyday society. And that she puts on a brave face in the name of fashion. In high school I used think the most popular people were the most stylish, but now I look back and realize it was the outcasts that had it right all along. I feel like the blogging community is the place where all outcasts can band together and shine.

So if you've never come across her blog, you should definitely go check it out for yourself. I posted the link to it where I named the blog above.

Hope everyone had a great thanksgiving. Thanks for reading!

Rach:]

8 of 30

[leather jacket: Express, shirt: Target, jeans: Forever21, wedges: Charlotte Russe, purse: Target, cloche hat: Kohl's]

I have come to the conclusion that my closet just isn't cutting it. I mean really. Since I've started the 30 for 30 challenge I haven't been able to go shopping. And because I haven't been blindly buying random articles of clothing left and right, I've started to think about the pieces that would be worth the while to wait for. I mean those quality 'it' pieces that really define your style and elevate the rest of your wardrobe. I need more of that.

Anne Hathaway said in a recent interview that you can't rush a good wardrobe. There can't be any artificiality to your style. So I'll just have to wait and wait until the right pieces come to me. Since I can't shop right now, its the perfect time to clear my head about what I really want in my closet. Here is the list I've made so far.

'It' pieces needed:

-A pair of nude heels to go with everything

-A classic military inspired coat in navy or army green

-A leather motorcycle jacket with ALL the bells and whistles

-A chunky knit gray scarf to prepare for winter

-A sick pair of black ankle booties

I consider the brown leather jacket I have on here in outfit number eight to be one of my current 'it' pieces. Its tough but more sophisticated than your average leather jacket. Its got great knit panels in the sides for movement and some quilting detail in the shoulders for interest. Tell me, what are your 'it' pieces that you rely on to pull your outfit together? What items are on your wishlist that would help identify your style?

Rach:]

Chocolate and Ginger

Hello bloggers! This would be my customary Thanksgiving post. A little late this Turkey Day, but better late than never. This year I'm thankful for my lovely boyfriend, the friends who have stuck by me through thick and thin, my fortunate education no matter where it leads me, and just another holiday season spent with my family.

I don't have any photos of our Thanksgiving meal quite yet so I thought I'd share a few photos of the ginger cookies I made and a chocolate toffee mousse dessert Brandon and I shared at Cafe Capri a while back. The ginger cookies were made from a recipe by the Barefoot Contessa which you can find [here] and try out for yourself. I'm not a huge fan of ginger, but Brandon seemed to like them. And they made my apartment smell like Christmas, which really got me into the holiday spirit!

Hmmm. Now to survive finals until school is over so I can actually start enjoying the holidays...

Rach:]

7 of 30

[leather jacket: Silence and Noise-thrifted, jeans: Forever21, t-shirt and boots: Target]

So I recently watched The Runaways and have hopelessly found myself wishing I was a rockstar. Of course I think that deep down, everyone wants to be a rockstar. I was inspired more by Kristen Stewart's wardrobe as Joan Jett than Dakota Fanning's wardrobe as Cherrie Currie. For outfit number seven I broke out my leather jacket and leather boots. Usually I don't wear this much leather together, but to heck with it. If I plan on being a rockstar I should get used to wearing lots and lots of leather. It would also help if I could play the guitar or sing since I am terrible at both...

I'll settle for ogling at these heels from Sam Edelman. The Loretta. Perfect for a rockstar-wanna-be, no? Classy chic business in the front. Hardcore kick-ass party in the back. I love them from every angle possible.

Rach:]

Blogger Sketch Sunday [In Her Stilettos]

Hey there bloggers! Its the Twenty-fourth edition of Blogger Sketch Sunday! Every week I like to post a few ballpoint pen sketches of bloggers who inspire me. This week's edition features Diya from In Her Stilettos whose blog is located in Austin, TX.

3 Reasons I love this blog:

-If I were to describe this blogger's style, I'd say she's a ballerina gone rock'n roll with a love for luxurious textures and vintage patterns. Diya's style is all her own. She stands by her choice of dress and what's more awesome than that? I completely agree with her philosophy that you should be able to dress however you please no matter where you are going, even if you're just going to the grocery store.

-Her outfits are all about TEXTURE TEXTURE TEXTURE. Fur vests, ruffled jackets, lace tights, patent leather, chain fringe, ruched skirts, tweed jackets, beaded tops, brocade blazers, and velveteen coats. She's got it all and she's not afraid to use them. In combination or just emphasizing one piece at a time, Diya's wardrobe is all about the texture. The different feels give her ensembles depth and add stunning visual interest.

-She's a great vintage find hunter. I love seeing other bloggers' thrifted treasures and Diya always seems to have a few good ones. From classic blazers to chunky boots to eye-catching belts, her finds always add a unique touch to her look. Reading her about her great finds makes me nostalgic for the amazing thrift shops of Austin.

So if you've never seen her blog, go check it out for yourself! The link is located where I named her blog above.

Rach:]

6 of 30

[Audrey Hepburn sweatshirt: Forever21, skirt: Forever21, leggings: Target, heels: Plato's Closet, clutch: Karen Millen]

Ah finally, I have time to post outfit number six. Well not really, I should be studying for my Calculus 2 class. But I am procrastinating terribly. All I have to say about this outfit is that its the most comfortable ensemble ever. Stretchy tights with a frilly skirt and a loose sweatshirt. Its the perfect combination of girly and relaxed.

Rach:]

5 of 30

[blazer: thrifted, shirt: Target, jeans: Macy's, wedges: Charlotte Russe, hat: men's Forever21, purse: DIY from Goodwill]

I saw a studded satchel bag in a magazine that I decided I must have, but didn't have the funds for. Instead I found this blue leather clutch at the local Goodwill back home for $3 and modified it myself with an old gold studded cuff and vintage chain that I already had laying around. The result was pretty close to the one I saw in the magazine, so I'm pretty satisfied.

If the shoe fits, can you resist buying it?

I used to have a major shoe addiction a few years ago. When I moved into my dorm my freshmen year in college I brought over 20 pairs of shoes with me. All organized in separate boxes in stacks lining my tiny dorm room closet. Try explaining to your Dad who is helping you move your stuff in that a few of the move-in boxes are filled purely with shoes. I managed to rehabilitate myself over time and kicked the addiction. Now however, I feel the symptoms of shoe obsession coming back and my bank account is very scared. Fortunately I can't buy anything until the 30 for 30 challenge is over. Thank god something is preventing me from relapsing. I feel myself in emotional downturns, wanting to make a mad dash to the mall to buy a pair of sky-high black peep-toes. I must RESIST! I'm settling for long sessions of online window shoe shopping. Check out these beauties...



[Topshop]

Thankfully these are overseas and not within reach. Now if only my mouse could just stop hovering over the 'Add to cart' button for hours...
Who else is fighting a shoe addiction out there?
Anybody want to start a support group with me?

Rach:]

4 of 30

[blazer: Elizabeth and James, jeans : Forever21, Audrey Hepburn sweatshirt: Forever21, heels: Plato's Closet, clutch : Forever21]

May I present to you my favorite shirt at the moment. Its loose, comfy, and features an awesome screen printed graphic of my favorite fashion icon, Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's. I actually dislike any other stereotypical shots from the movie that are promoted everywhere. This one of Holly Golightly looking through the window at Tiffany's in the early morning from the opening scene though, always sticks with me.

Alright, so you'll have to forgive me fellow 30 for 30 remixers, for I have a confession to make. I just bought these black jeans from Forever21 this past weekend. BUT! Only because I needed a pair of black pants to wear to a wedding I was hired as the photographer for. I plan to switch out these jeans for another pair on my list so don't fret. I'll stay under 30 items, I promise. It was a pretty quirky and unique wedding and I had fun taking photos. I worked for Texas A&M University's newspaper, The Battalion, as a staff photographer for a semester, but now I think wedding photography might be where I want to go next. Starting off slow and steady. I'll post a few shots from the wedding in a later post.

Gosh I feel so behind on these remix outfits. I'm only on outfit number four. It just hasn't been good weather to shoot pictures in lately. Its getting really dreary and gray. Also I'm posting this after last night's all-nighter that I pulled for my studio Animation class. I textured my Pig character Maurice! Check him out in the video below.

Rach:]

Blogger Sketch Sunday [It's How U Wear It]

Hello there, this week's Twenty-third edition of Blogger Sketch Sunday is a little different because these drawings are not of a blogger. I was commissioned by a lovely and energetic lady to produce an artwork for her blog header. She requested three fashion drawing-type figures dressed in military inspired clothing posed like something you would see in a boutique store window. This blog header differs in many ways from previous headers I have drawn in that A] Her blog isn't up and running yet, but was waiting on my header to get up and going. B] This is actually a much larger work than my sketches so there is much more detail. and C] COLOR COLOR COLOR!!! I present to you my first fashion sketches in color. I used watercolors with an ink pen for this piece. Do you like the color added? Or should I stick to black and white?

Rach:]

3 of 30

[jacket: Hollister, t-shirt: Target, jeans: Macy's, wedges: Charlotte Russe, hat: thrifted, bag: Target]

These first two photos were taken in front of a church that my photographer insisted on shooting in front of. It turns out there was a church service going on inside, so I'm sure everyone heard me complaining about my heels hurting and my really awesome yelp at a spider I found. On the way back we stopped at this really old rusty gas station off the side of the road. I'm pretty sure the pumps doesn't work anymore, but I really liked the look of the rust and the peeling letters.

Thanks for reading guys! Hope you like outfit number three!
Rach:]

2 of 30

[blazer: Elizabeth and James, t-shirt: Target, jeans: Macy's, bowler hat: Forever21, heels: Plato's Closet, purse: thrifted]

This outfit includes some of my best thrifted finds EVER. When I came across this Elizabeth and James blazer in a thrift store in Houston, I almost died. I bought it for $20 when I know the original retail price was probably above $400. I normally despise anything with real or faux fur, its just not my thing. But the faux fur trim on the bottom of this blazer is perfect, its subtle and accentuates the hips nicely. I bought this black croc Hermes-birkin-bag-wanna-be at a Goodwill if I remember correctly. And the heels are from Plato's Closet, which I'm not sure really counts as a thrift store. I usually never buy shoes secondhand, but these were in never-worn-before condition and are surprisingly comfortable.

Oh and thanks to the random girl downtown who told me she loved my shoes by the way, if by some small unlikely chance you are reading this blog. As for the rest of you guys, lets hear it for outfit number two!

Rach:]

1 of 30

[Dress: Forever21, Blazer and Purse: thrifted, Heels: Simply Vera for Kohls]

Alright, here is outfit number one. I hope I'm off to a good start. I really love the color of this blazer, its a shade of green reminiscent of the recent military trend going on. I believe I found it in the little boys section of goodwill. All great blazers for me come from there.

Rach:]