DIY RHINESTONE BIB NECKLACE

Bib necklaces are the perfect accessory with anything.  Worn with a simple T-shirt or a party dress, they make a big statement.

Atlantic-Pacific

This Blu Bijoux Crystal Encrusted bib necklace is available here for $45 from max and chloe.com.

currently sold out

 This one is available on Ebay for $108.99

How about we make our own. I went to Hobby Lobby and bought a container of clear rhinestones for $15.99 but with the 40% off coupon, the price was only $9.00. I had E6000 super glue and a hot glue gun and left over black felt.

 Before I started gluing, I laid the rhinestones on the felt to create a pattern.

Satisfied with this pattern, I traced it with chalk and took a picture of the pattern, so I could replicate it when it's time to glue.

I cut out the felt and glued on the rhinestones. Be careful not to get the wispy strings from the hot glue on the rhinestones.

 I cut (2) 14 inch pieces of ribbon and sewed them on each side. Remember to cut off the excess felt around the rhinestones.

VOILA!

Looks just as good as the one on Ebay!

DIY WIRE JEWELRY Pt. DEUX

Midi and delicate rings are all the rage. *I know, I say everything is "all the rage"* But they are. When something is trending, everyone wants it. Look at Rih Rih rocking her midis, too cute!

Do you want one? Well, you could go online and buy it on Etsy or you can make as many as you want for under $4.00.

$47.00

I took 6 inches of 16 gauge wire, folded it in half and wrapped it around a highlighter pen.

$3.99 @ A.C. Moore

Take each side and fold over the highlighter with the loop in the middle.

Use round nose pliers to bend each side up and pull to elongate.

For a finished look, I put a little crazy glue on the ends and added a little gold ball.

You can make a lot of designs. Once you fit it to your finger, bend it all different ways to make one of a kind rings. Trust me, I just played with the wire and made these rings.

 I made the pic black and white to look like Rih Rih's

Check out I Spy DIY tutorial on how to make the bow rings. 

CHANEL INSPIRED BLACK AND TAN HEELS

Look at these two beauties from Chanel. I fell in love with the color combination. The black cap toe makes any shoe a bold statement piece. But, at these prices, I can't afford it, even from Ebay. And so began the hunt for a similar pair of shoes at a fraction of the price.

€325 = $447

€247 = $340

While still searching on Ebay , I found these Franco Sarto slingbacks for $49.99. I know, not the same but close.

Well, looky looky.  They done messed up now, cuz, I found almost the same exact Franco Sarto slingbacks at Unique for only $3.99, yes $3.99! See the price tag! #winning

KAREN MILLEN

About two weeks ago, my daughter and I went to the Westfield Garden State Plaza Mall in Paramus, NJ and I ran across a designer/store that I've never heard of; Karen Millen. Per the sales associate, the company is based out of London and are known all over the world for their iconic dresses.  I can't lie, I only went in this store bcuz it had my first name. But when I went in, I was pleasantly surprised.

The dressing room was spectacular.

The dresses were well crafted and structured. Rather pricey though.

I particularly like the mixture of  texture on this dress. It's so versatile. You can throw on a blazer for work and then after 5:00 put on some strappy heels and head out for the night.

Doesn't this coat remind of something Kanye West would wear walking around with Kim Kardashian in the streets of London? 

COSTUME JEWELRY

Have you ever purchased costume jewelry from Forever 21 or any accessory store only for it to lose it's "gold" look after wearing it 3 or 4 times? Or sometimes it turns green? The obvious reason is because it's not real gold. It's usually plated over brass or copper and when it comes in contact with your skin, the acid from your sweat reacts to form salts that are green and you sometimes see that residue on your skin.

I just bought these pieces and I wanted to preserve the look for more than 3 or 4 wears.

A trick that I use is Mod Podge Gloss Clear Acrylic Sealer. I bought this can from Walmart for less than $6.00.

*ALWAYS SPRAY OUTSIDE*

I took a shoe box top and covered it with a plastic bag.

Arrange the jewelry on the plastic bag and make sure they are not touching.

Spray 12-15 inches from the jewelry. Wait 15 minutes and flip over and spray the back.

After the pieces are sprayed, I recommend storing the jewelry in cellophane bags.

Voila, what a beautiful shine!

MOTORCYCLE BOOTS/BIKER BOOTS

Wearing motorcycle boots has always been en vogue. Look at Rachel Bilson rocking them with a dress, and Mrs. Tom Brady going through the airport. Whether you ride bikes for real or just want that tough girl look, motorcycle boots are here to stay.

These are available from Leatherup.com  for $79.99. I want to try this trend, but this is too much money.

Motorcycle Harness Boots

They done messed up now cuz, I found these for $5.99 at Unique!

They were kinda dull and dingy. So, I took an old cloth and washed one, look at the difference a little water makes.

But after they dried, they were clean but still dull. So I used some black shoe polish for some shine.

Here's the result. Looks good, right?

BEFORE

AFTER

Here I am at work getting my "Biker Chick" look on....

Jaclyn Smith leather sweater jacket-thrifted, Banana Republic tee-thrifted
Old Navy Rock Star jeans, H&M belt, motorcycle boots-thrifted