Pourquoi Pas?

Why not kiss someone today mes cheris? Whether its a French bisous or a little sugar for your honey, make someone smile today with a little love.

Be sure to follow me on Pinterest for lots more photo inspiration!

What will you dare to do today?

Fashion DIY: Exercise Your Closet

That is right...I said exercise your closet, don't throw it away! If you are anything like me my dears, you have a closet and maybe dressers and storage boxes full of clothes! Do you wear them all? Yeah, me neither. That is where Fashion DIY becomes crucial!

Every season I try and weed through my addiction to pare down the fat which is a pretty daunting task...especially since I own many clothes that are too good to part with (from before I lost weight in France...and yes, I realize this is a good problem to have). Now that I find myself sans sewing machine in NYC (a fact that is killing me btdub) I can't actually fix these items, so they just sit there taking up very valuable Manhattan square footage. So what is Fashion DIY well its creating ways to upcycle your clothing, or shop in your own closet if you will!

Here's an easy fix that does not involve sewing skills or any real seamstress tools:

Color Dyeing

I recently bought a corset top from Forever 21 that I later gave me buyer's remorse (which is a sickness I almost never get). Of course when I tried to return said top...Forever 21 with their non-existent customer service policy, how very un-American, would not allow the brand new frock (that had not even left the bag) to be exchanged. So what was I to do? Dye it!!

Totally cute corset top...but in peach...which I later realize that under the my sheer summer tops, just looked like I was naked because it was the same color as my skin. Whoa! was I ever uncomfortable!

 1. Find the classic RIT dye at your pharmacy, in a color your choice (I happen to be a sucker for teal)

2. Mix (following package instructions) with water and bring to boil. 
3. Soak garment for instructed time. Note: more or less time should be altered for desired color. Looking for a pastel? Less. Deep jewel tone? More.

4. Thoroughly rinse and wash garment and allow to dry.

5. Style accordingly! 

And Voila! Fashion DIY at it's finest! Now my once bare-all corset top is a cute pop of color under my sheer summer pieces. Je l'adore! There is always a way to re-work your closet, you just have to get creative. Don't be afraid to play around with old pieces..try and wear them in unconventional ways, or dye them in the latest hot color. That Fashion DIY may just be the little CPR revival your wardrobe needed!

Go try your own Fashion DIY 

and report back!

Bonne chance mes cheris!

Happy Independence Day

Happy Independence Day my fellow Americans! I'm so glad to be able to celebrate this 4th of July in New York City (and the States)! Still working on hammering down some exciting plans...hoping for a rooftop somewhere along the Hudson River to see the amazing Macy's fireworks display going off along 6 barges...YES SIX!

As the Macy's fireworks display has me pumped about this Independence Day, here is some eye candy to keep you full of creativity and ideas on how to stylishly patriotic this 4th!

Happy 235th Birthday America!

psst...You've never looked better :)

Fashionspiration: Fashion Archive

I thought I'd pull out an oldy but goody from the fashion archive of The Embellished Life vault! The sad thing about blogs is you put up so much information from the beginning, but it takes time to build readers so your early, inspired pieces get seen by very few people!

This dip into the fashion archive is for some visual inspiration from the fashion photography world. Please gain inspiration today from the works of Richard Avedon, Annie Leibowitz, and Thomas Legrange (as pictured above) among other greats.

FASHION PHOTOGRAPHY IDOLS:

RENDERED SPEECHLESS

Diary of a NYC Fashion Intern: Merchandise the Mannequins!

How is your summer getting along darlings? I must say Summer in New York City is positively smashing, between the Alexander McQueen Exhibit at The Met and Shakespeare in the Park to Brunch at Balthazar how is a girl to choose? Fortunately, NYC is always going and so is the work. As my days as an NYC Fashion Intern come to a close I hope you've enjoyed the sneak peak at the bottom of the ladder. 

But sometimes a fashion intern gets a chance to be a bit creative... merchandising the mannequins!

 I did some merchandising for the boutique downstairs. 

From glam rock to pretty princess, it's always fun to dress up the windows!

This was a white dress, that is now modeled on a guitar stand with...

Yeah, studded chucks...nuff said. 

I could not be more in love with this petticoat tutu skirt!

So what are your thoughts on my merchandising skills, not half bad huh?! Too bad its a totally different direction from marketing, it would be a fun side job to merchandise the mannequins all over NYC. Maybe in another life, but this one includes being a NYC Fashion Intern which isn't half bad either :)

Pourquoi Pas?

Why not take a load off today mes cheris? I know this fashionista has been prancing circles around this city and needs to book some major R&R time ASAP! Today I'm sleeping in, lunching in Madison Square Park, maybe going for a run in Central Park and around Columbia University...either way, catching up on  my zzz's and my serenity will be To Do list priority Tres Importante!

{merci Lynne}

How will you give yourself a break today?

Pourquoi Pas? Dance with the Drama. Dare to be Fabulous.

The only thing keeping you from fabulous is fear. That's it. So rather than let fear hold you captive, why not dare to be fabulous? Push the envelope, or better jump off the cliff into all the daring creative sparkplugs of fashionspiration you have ever had. You have to dance with the drama to find any results, and I will tell you it is scary as hell, but in the end you are so fierce you will have those heads turning and mouths drooling. Guaranteed.

Here are some inspirational photos from Pinterest to get your creative juices flowing. If any pics give you an idea for your style...Write it down and then play with what you have to make it work.

Dance with the drama.

Dare to be fabulous.

embrace being unique.

I Can Pack for That: Singapore! Special Edition

Mes cheris my absolute favorite thing about blogging is hearing from all of you! The blogging community is the most amazing around and I love it when I get to talk to each of you directly, so when I heard from Kate last week...I was thrilled to respond and help!

Kate has been a total fan of the latest I Can Pack for That series I started, to give helpful travel packing inspiration boards for different travel destinations. Kate emailed me with a dilemma because she has a business trip coming up...to SINGAPORE! Right now, Singapore is HOT and RAINY. What is a professional fashionista to do? Good question! So...let's see what magic we can make. **SPOILER ALERT** This is a two part Packing How To post!

Concern #1: WEATHER

1- Bring light layers you can mix and match.

2- Be prepared: rain gear, sunnies, adapter, bug spray

3- Maintain a staple color i.e. nude and black

I Can Pack for That: Singapore by fashiondiva304 featuring leather peep toe pumps

Concern #2: 30 HOUR FLIGHT!

1- E-READER for books, mags, & games

2- Laptop for movies and conference prep

3- Two Carry Ons: I ALWAYS use a large travel purse and a rolling laptop bag. 

I can fit as much as possible without breaking my back this way.

4- Be Comfy: Cardigan, blanket, mask, pillow, and an MP3 

5- Be Fresh: Hydrating Skincare, change of clothes, toothbrush, and makeup.

6- I always carry a journal to pen my travels!

I Can Pack for That: In Flight - 30 hours by fashiondiva304 featuring a wheeled luggage

Packing for travel can be daunting so if you feel you will be overwhelmed, start a few days early and slowly check things off your list. Be sure to pack by outfits so you know you have enough, and plan pieces that can change with each other to double your wardrobe. Singapore was definitely a special case with such extreme weather on top of a long flight, but you can always adjust where needed!

Be sure to send in your requests 

for any other locations!