Arm Party | Handmade Accessorizing

Earrings used to be my must have, do not go without accessory but that changed to bracelets some time ago.  I especially love custom and hand made jewelry so when I heard about the Arm Party I was all over it.

The hosts of the fabulous exchange are:
Leonora of Yellow Heart Art and Ilene of Much Love, Illy

I usually just make things on a whim, I dig around in my supplies, searching for things that I find to meet the crazy vision that has randomly popped into my head.  This usually steers me way off coarse and leads to under production of things that should happen but to the production of fabulous jewelry.

To design my Arm Party bracelet for Janeen my exchange partner I did not veer to far of my usual creative course.  I did check her blog out to troll for ideas and thanks to the Arm Parties handy, dandy, little google doc, I had an email telling me what colors she was in to.  I made her two bracelets, one using vintage buttons and the other using tee shirt scraps.  Go check  Wild Vanilla Designs to see her reveal of the goods I mailed for the Arm Party.

The bracelet I received from Janeen was crafted for me with thought.  She went through my blog and totally "got me".  She inclosed a sweet note card and my bracelet was tucked in a pretty little bag.  The clasp is my favorite part and I am obsessed with it.  The purple wire is killer.  Her work is very detailed and done flawlessly.  Here it is...

How about a front shot...

I am a pleased party par taker.  I love the look of three in one.  The metal is beautiful and does not irritate my skin.  The colors are the business!  Looking forward to seeing other designs in the Arm Party link up.

Anyone have a favorite, unconventional, material they like to use when creating jewelry?  I love to repurpose so unconventional material is usually the method to my madness.   Designs for jewelry is not my specialty, it is my favorite hobby.  My craft is being a Makeup Artist and licensed Esthetician, the premise of this place is sharing tips, beauty DIY's and skin care info.  Please stick around and poke through some posts!  XOXO

I will be back later today with my usual Tip Off Tuesday!

You can find Janeen at here site Wild Vanilla Designs or on twitter @wildvanilla.
 

Hot to Wear Basic Black in the Spring

I never give up on my basic black staples.  I can't, it is the core of my wardrobe and my favorite thing to wear.  Black always looks polished and put together.  

For spring pair it with some bright accessories to make it fresh for the warmer weather.  Wearing layers, items made of thinner materials and cut for spring such as tanks and halters are more ways to take black into spring time.

• Try some spring makeup trends.  This year pink lips is a favorite.
• Do a spring time manicure.
• Accent with light and bright colors.
• Wear warmer weather styles and materials. 

Looking for more ways to get the most our of your wardrobe?  Read What to Wear in Transitional Weather for more spring time options.

What to Wear in Transitional Weather

Spring, it's warm, it's cold, it does what it does.  All you want to do is break out the skirts, sandals and tank tops at the first sprout of green grass.   Go ahead, pull out your faves and pair them with some warmer wear to transition from one season to the next.

Transitional Wear by amariebeauty featuring checkered tights

These pieces are great for transitional weather and for getting more wear out of your favorite finds.  What do you wear, what can't you wait to wear when transitioning from winter to spring??  Do share.

Trends Simplified: A Piece of Pastel, Not the Whole Cake.

I love black, so I planned on skipping the pastel thing all together until I became obsessed with it.  The colors are just catchy.  I do not have, or want, the kind of style that screams Easter Bunnies little helper and I know many of you out there can relate.  So here are a few ways to try pastels just a little bit.

Piece of Pastel by amariebeauty featuring sheer scarves

Add any of the accessories to your regular ensemble for a pop of the spring trend.  Get a little bolder with an outfit like pictured above, use a neutral of your choice to anchor it and make your own.

Who is trying pastel and how?

Working Out Work Out Wear

I posted how to wear the comfy work out wear here.  Let me tell you I put those outfits together from experience stemming from not wanting to wear pants...ever.  Here is a look I upgraded using accessories and our friend layering.

P.S. Those flats are a rocking little pair of Bisou Bisou that were originaly almost $70!

See more ladies style by clicking the button below.

Spring Shopping with Absolute Mommy

I am ready for spring in more ways than one and the fashion outlook is good. 

I started my spring shopping courtesy of Absolute Mommy and today I am posting some tips about wearing the runway trends in a real world way.   Click here to read the rest and see the sandals I scored at Forever 21.

accessories spring 2012 by amariebeauty featuring vintage jewelry

Gold Hues Under $50

gold by amariebeauty featuring flat sandals

 

Vintage looking metals and pastels are the choosen ones this spring.  The metal is easy, bronze, silver and gold tones are easy to wear and pair with things.  Pastel is not everyone's cup of tea, but I will share some ways to work it in in small doses but today I am thinking gold.  Not nineties rope chain gold but this gold, current, modern, clean and stylish.

Tip Off Tuesday: How to Save Your Handbag

To preserve the life of your handbag minimize the load.  The word is seventy percent full and thirty percent free of stuff to keep your bag's shape and handles intact and looking good.

Nicole Miller Avery Cross-Body Satchel

I wonder will this help me find stuff in my bag in under a minute?  Doubtful, but I am optimistic.

Striped Happiness

Do you love stripes but hate the way they look on your body?  No need to swear them off completely just start looking for them in other places.  You can get the same striped look wearing them on your shoes, scarf, bag, or small accessories. 

How about a little inspiration.

Stripes by amariebeauty featuring striped sunglasses

Valentines Day Looks

It’s the notorious day for love and crazy consumer spendy.  If you are going out or staying in, single or coupled up, take time to love on yourself.

• Wear heels.
• Style your hair differently then your normal do.
• Do bold makeup.  Not all over, pick a spot.  Think cat eyes OR red lips.
• Use your ‘good’ perfume.
• Sport a shiny red manicure.

Do the things that make you feel happy.  No need to rush around getting sucked in by the craziness.  Give something simple like a framed a photo. Give something handmade, by you or another creator.  Keep it simple and purposeful.  Make it your own and enjoy yourself and your people.

Valentine's Day by amariebeauty featuring steve madden heels

Basics for Uptown

personal photo

I compiled a list of casual wardrobe essentials that consisted of lots of basic pieces for every day wear.  This next set of clothing applies the same principal for dressed up looks.  Start with some solids that can be mixed and matched together and with your casual wear.  You can easily dress up your basic pieces for meetings, appointments and evenings out by adding some elements from your dress wardrobe.

Here are 8 ways to mix and match your casual wardrobe with your dress wardrobe.  

• Add a blazer to jeans and a tee with heels.
• Put heels on with jeans and a tunic or shirt dress.
• Dress down a dress with a cardigan, leggings and flats.
• Pair suit pants with a white button down and long necklace.
• Use a clutch with leggings, layering a tee, tank and sweatshirt.
• Wear a shirt dress with tights, boots and a blazer.
• Put a cami under a white button down, leave it unbuttoned and pair with jeans.
• Pair a fitted tee with suit pants and flats.

uptown staples by amariebeauty featuring a fitted lace dress

Comfy gets Cuter

Comfy by amariebeauty

Comfortable clothes are a necessity for working out and want for everyday living.  Being 'just' comfy can become a habit and with all kinds of busy hectic lifestyles that's okay.  You can take your easy clothes and turn them into more stylish outfits for running errands rather than just shlepping on the workout wardrobe and hitting the town.  After all you never know where the day might take you and its always nice to look prepared.

Any accessory is helpful in pulling an outfit together.  It gives the I care, I tried, about how I look feel.  Seriously try it…even with yoga pants, especially with yoga pants.  Picture it.  A cute tunic, jacket or tee, comfy stretchy pants and casual flats.  Now throw on an accessory and all the sudden you have the messy up do of outfits.

Speaking of up do’s…  
Give your casual/busy girl hair do an upgrade. Skip the simple pony tail and do a high bun, side bun, messy bun, okay I like buns but here is some other ideas…

• side braid
• low pig tails
• fishtail braid
• faux bob

Source: Uploaded by user via liz on Pinterest

Mom Mode Wardrobe Essentials

These items were put together with the lifestyle of a Mom at the fore front.

Mom Mode Wadrobe Staples by amariebeauty featuring a shirt dress

When you are trying to build your adult wardrobe think about styles that fit your body type, identify your personal style and translate into your daily life well.
 
Basics are good start when you simply can’t buy everything you want.  Having the right basic pieces help you mix and match and create more outfits.  Using accessories can give an outfit a sense of style and make it your own.
 
Always start with under garments that do the job right.  Proper fit is key to how clothes will hang on your body.
 
Run with your signature color, you know the one.  The color that you are always drawn too and makes you feel your absolute best.  Be on the look out for sales on those type of pieces and invest in some quality keepers.  For the more trendy items that help fill in the gaps pick inexpensive items.