DIY FRIDAY: PUFFED HALF SLEEVE TUTORIAL

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JYLARE SMITH 

Welcome back to another round of DIY Friday! I'm excited to share an easy sleeve tutorial with you today!

As much as I love short sleeves, and even long sleeves, I think I like a half sleeve the very most. They're super flattering on everyone, and add a little feminine element to a shirt or dress. I've made a couple of pieces with these half sleeves (like this cobalt one I shared on instagram), so today for DIY Friday I want to show you how to make them. They're super easy, and it's a great pattern to have up your sleeve (pun intended) for shirts and dresses, or if you want to add sleeves to a sleeveless top or dress.

For this yellow dress, I used my Tee Dress as a base, and then change the sleeves to these puffed half sleeves and changed the shape of the dress to add a hint of swing. Super easy!

dress: made by me (tutorial below -- similar here)

similar heels

similar bag

similar sunglasses

michael kors watch

Click through to see the tutorial!

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6 WAYS TO STYLE A WHITE BUTTON UP (PART 1)

Whenever I read articles or books that talk about closet essentials, a white button up blouse is mentioned. I always felt like it was more of a mature item that I didn't really need in my closet, but a few weeks ago I finally picked this one up at Old Navy and I've been wearing it like crazy. It's the perfect layering piece, goes with everything, can instantly dress up or add class to an outfit, and is flattering on everyone. So I'm joining the masses and saying that this is a piece you must have in your closet.

Today I want to show you a few ways to wear it. Since I'm sharing six ways total, I'm splitting it up into two posts, so check back on Thursday to see three more ways to wear it!



First up, business casual. I get reader requests often, asking me to do more work appropriate attire, so this one is for you. Layer the button up under a structured blazer and pair it with pointed toe pumps and a classic style bag. If you want it completely work appropriate, swap the jeans out for a pair of patterned pixie pants!

similar blazer 

old navy button up

dittos jeans, /co

nordstrom bag, similar

bcbg paris heels via dsw

similar sunglasses

Next up, Casual. The way to dress down a structured piece is by wearing something completely opposite, whether it be edgy, super casual, or very unstructured.  I went for edgy and casual with a baseball cap and converse sneakers, and then paired them with some fun leather pants to add a bit of edge. Another great option would be a flowy maxi skirt like this one, or super distressed denim. 

old navy button up

sheinside leather pants, c/o

white converse

jcrew hat, similar

lily jade bag, c/o

michael kors watch

And lastly, wear it as a neutral. Or in other words, use it to tone down your crazy clothes. This skirt from Shabby Apple is super loud, colorful, and metallic -- definitely not subtle or neutral. So I threw on that white button up to neutralize the outfit. Try pairing it with super bright tights in the fall and winter, or with patterned pants or shorts! 

old navy button up 

shabby apple skirt, c/o

similar heels

similar clutch

michael kors watch

Don't forget to check back on Thursday to see my other three looks!

PICTURES BY JYLARE SMITH

DIY FRIDAY: PLEATED MIDI SKIRT

skirt made by me, tutorial below (shop for a similar skirt here)

jcrew tee (similar)

shoemint heels

inpink necklace, c/o

forever 21 bag

PHOTOGRAPHY BY VALORIE DARLING

It's time for another DIY Friday today, and you guys, I've been dying to share this tutorial with you for months! I'm part of Janome's on-loan blogger program and in exchange for the Janome 4120QDC sewing machine that they loan to me, I do a project for their blog each quarter. For last quarter's project, I made this gingham midi skirt and after having to wait for them to post it on their end, I'm finally able to share it over here. Midi skirts are the perfect Fall skirt, so now is the perfect time to whip one up! 

This type of skirt is super easy and it won't take you more than an hour or two to create one. In fact, I want to make about 10 more for the Fall -- they're just so versatile, flattering, and fun!

Click through to see the full tutorial!

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HOW TO TAILOR YOUR CLOTHES

When I started sewing a few years ago, tailoring was one of the first things I taught myself to do. So many of the clothes I purchase often need just one little fix here or there, so knowing how to take clothes in or hem something is so incredibly helpful, and are easy fixes that will save you a trip to the tailor and a few bucks. 

I'm sharing how to tailor a structured shirt, a shift dress, and a pair of pants over on SheKnows this month -- hop over and check them out! 

DIY TAILORING A SHIRT

 DIY TAILORING A DRESS

DIY TAILORING A PAIR OF PANTS

MID WEEK STEALS: FIRST WEEK OF FALL

This week is the first week of Autumn, and although it's still plenty warm and sunny here in Southern California, I am feeling the Fall itch. Time to pull out all my winter clothes and dream of crunchy leaves under my boots, apple picking, pumpkin patches, and hot chocolate.

So I've rounded up a few of my favorite picks that just scream Fall. And the best part? They're all under $50 (except that studded bag -- but it's only a couple dollars over)

1/2/3/4/5/6/7

or shop them and a few other of my favorites (all at a steal too!!) by clicking the images below!

. . . . . . . . . . 

ALSO! I've been writing over at Babble this month -- have you checked out my posts? Here's a few recent ones!

4 Purses Every Woman Should Own, And When to Wear Them

9 Things To Look for in a Good Stroller

5 Unexpected Ways to Layer Your Outerwear for Fall

Wear Now, Wear Later: How to Transition Your Summer Dresses into Fall

3 Ways to Style the Sneaker Trend

DIY FRIDAY: ADDING SLEEVES TO A SLEEVELESS DRESS (REFASHION TUTORIAL)

These weeks are flying by -- somehow it's time for another round of DIY Friday! Lulu*s sent me this dress a few months ago, and although I totally loved it, I don't wear sleeveless tops, so it was super annoying to have to wear a jacket or a sweater over it all the time. We've been having a crazy heat wave here as well, so layers were completely out of the question.

In an amazing stroke of good luck, I found a similar printed chiffon fabric at the LA fabric district, so I brought it home, lined it with some lightweight white cotton, and whipped up some sleeves for this dress. Now it's the perfect dress -- this silhouette is maybe my favorite ever for my body.

So today I want to show you have to make a simple sleeve to add to a sleeveless dress -- it's so easy! Keep reading to find the tutorial!

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JYLARE

lulu*s dress, c/o (no longer available -- similar here, here, and here) 
similar bag
chinese laundry heels
michael kors watch

Find the full tutorial after the jump!

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MERRICK AT HOME: PAINTED LETTERS WALL DECOR

My baby turns two next month, but his poor nursery is still a work in progress, and pretty far from being done. I'm so indecisive when it comes to home decorating, so I've been putting this room off forever, and just doing little projects here and there when I find the time. But the wall above his bed was has been looking so empty and lonely for so long that I just had to do something. 

I've seen so many cardboard letter projects, and although most of the time I think they're a little too cutesy for my style, I liked the idea of something lightweight (read: earthquake safe) above the crib. I debated on colors for them for weeks (seriously -- I told you I was indecisive), but finally settled on an apple green and light gray, and I love how they turned out. Simple, modern, and perfect for a little boys room. Plus they're SO easy to make, so today I want to share with you how to make them!

Find the easy tutorial after the jump!

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