{dreaming of spring}

Hullo, friends!

I've been messing around a bit with one of my favorite apps, Stylish Girl (which I very highly recommend!  It's completely freeeeeee!!)

One of my favorite features is the "Outfits" tab.  You can use items from your closet and/or wish list to create and save outfits--it's really nifty. 
Here is a little outfit I put together with some items I am currently loving.  I'm really, really getting tired of winter (I know--already?!) and can't wait for spring to hurry up and get here!  Hence all of the spring-y colors.  If you wanted to be more realistic, you could skip the necklace and add a scarf and coat instead, I suppose :)

Much love to you all <3

Basic Essentials corduroy pants, for $15, Couldn't Filigree More Bracelet, for $24, Time to Bow Bracelet, for $12, Pattern Familias Dress, for $19, Guaranteed Charm Necklace, for $24

{let's talk style: lessons from the past}

Hullo, friends!

I've been hopping around Pinterest (seriously, check it out: www.pinterest.com/thecraftyjedi) and I've really fallen in love with some of the vintage clothing styles. 
The main reason being, it is incredible how they can be so modest, and STILL be ah-door-able--seriously. 
Let's take a look at a few examples of some lovely vintage dresses (via Pinterest):

A 1970's dress

1950's dress

1915 Peacock dress



1913 Peacock evening dress




1950's day dress


I think it brings up a really good point that I wish the fashion industry would catch on to already:  immodesty does not = cute. 
Not by a long shot.  For an outfit to be "modest" it does not have to mean skirts that go down to your feet, turtleneck sweaters or bonnets.  One of the definitions of "modest" is "reasonable: not large, extreme or excessive."  In my opinion, that is definitely the key to dressing modestly.  Let's face it, we all know when we've gone over the line as far as modesty--you can tell when something you are wearing is too short, too tight, too sheer, etc... 

I mean, don't get me wrong--I am all for modern/inventive styles--that's why I love fashion, there is so much creativity involved.  It can just be very irritating and discouraging when it seems like all of the cute clothing are waaaaay too immodest. However, I think that in most cases, things can be worked with to fix the problem if you are willing to take the extra time styling it right.  
So I was thinking, how fun would it be to try to turn a normally immodest clothing item into a modestly cute outfit?  Stay tuned y'all--I'm going to do a post soon doing just that :)

What are some ways you keep your outfits adorably modest?

Much love to you all <3

high 5 for friday

Hullo, friends!

Ah, Friday! :) Time for the WEEKEND!

1.  I just finished up another commission the other day and am getting it ready to mail off :)  So excited!  (I'll be giving y'all an update on orders from me soon... stay tuned!)

2.  I picked up a cookie and was met with that sad little facial expression :D  Obviously the poor guy knew what was coming ;)  I was laughing SO hard!

3.  The best, cutest, most awesome cat ever.  (A.K.A. my cat Arwen)  Isn't she just adorable?  The found the little tie on my jacket and had a ball playing with it :)

4.  Thanks to the AWESOME picture-tutorial pictured (via Pinterest) I can now do a waterfall braid!  I am so excited, I just want to braid everything now!  (speaking of Pinterest, don't forget, you can follow me at www.pinterest.com/thecraftyjedi)

5.  And, speaking of my jacket, it is seriously the most awesome jacket, ever.  So awesome, that I seriously need to do a post sometime just about that jacket.  I could write a whole blog just about that jacket.  Love. it. so. much.  <3

I hope you are all having a lovely week--happy weekend! 

Much love to you all <3

awesome deals @ F21

Hullo friends!

Happy Monday! :)

With all the sales floating around today, I just wanted to highlight the great deals going on over at Forever21.   

Only today, F21 is offering free shipping on everything--no minimum purchase!
Here is a sampling on some of the markdowns they have going right now:



The Essential Striped Cowl Neck top
Color Options are Black, Jade and Hot Pink
Normally $15.80
Marked down to $4.74!




Rhinestone Flower Flats
Color Options are Pink, Taupe and Cream
Normally $19.80
Marked down to $9.90




Feathered Wool Fedora
Color: Burgundy
Normally $15.80
Marked down to $10.99!

Go by F21's website to check out some more deals! :)

Blessings! <3

let's talk style: mismatched earrings

Hullo, friends!

So, here's yet another trend I am finally catching onto...
I love mismatched things. Really, I just love things that completely break the rules of style--who says polka dots and stripes don't work together? They throw each other off perfectly! Who says "old" is bad? Label it "vintage" and it'll sell like hotcakes.
The mismatching rule, however, is by far my favorite. I just love how stylishly quirky it looks!
It had definitely been a widespread trend. Pretty much everything that has ever been matched has also been mismatched.
But for me, earrings take the cake. I am a firm believer that accessories make an outfit. You can have an incredible top, but if you don't style it with the right accessories the awesomeness of the top won't show. Below is a lovely example of mismatched earrings.
Beautiful, right?! Other than the obvious coolness, there is another plus to this trend: think of all the earring options I have now! Will totally save some money off of this! ;)

Pic found here: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q-jsjq1a9Eg/Tqo8EnEeQ6I/AAAAAAAAAVc/XUeQu8v9omg/s1600/_DSC0381.JPG

Blessings! <3