Wears : DIY Band Tee & Academy Jewelry

Against Me! was one of my favorite bands going through the start of high school. I remember the day my friend had me listen to What We Worked For, I listened to it over, and over, and over. I was instantly hooked. With most of their songs, I remember feeling like they were taking the words right out of my mouth and screamed it right back at me, and the feeling of thrill and acceptance was so strong.

I saw them a few weeks ago at The Congress Theater, and though they've done a lot since I saw them in high school and played mostly new songs, they were still impressive as ever. They played my personal favorite, Pints of Guinness, and I was more than fricken' excited... I almost had my shoe taken off of me.

Wears:

- DIY cut up shirt, because they only have larges left with this design. Which is totally easy and anyone can do this! I simply cut the neck a little boat neck style and cut the sleeves off, but cut deep into where your ribs are.

- Handmade quartz and bullet shell necklace from Academy Jewelry. This is my rediscovered favorite necklace. I won this in a giveaway a few months ago and felt so lucky. I could wear this necklace every day, and basically have been. It definitely adds to my outfits like these, when I'm a loads more casual.

- DIY cut and folded from a pair of high waisted Levi jeans that I found thifting. Also super easy! I do this to all of my old jeans that I'm just feeling bleh, over. Plus, I love cut offs. So. Much.

Today I'm out and about the streets of Chicago for the Pride Parade. It's starting right down the street from my apartment this year. I haven't seen it since high school because one year, I was side punched in the face. Not fun! I'm really certain that I'm not a huge fan of insanely packed crowds of drunk people, but I'm giving it a go this year. Trying to step out of my norm, enjoy all the celebration, hopefully spend time with one of my besties, and take lots of photos. The good thing is that my apartment is a hop away if I get sick of it!

Alexz

Wears : Lavender 90's Dress

Just a simple casual outfit post for today! This weekend is a packed one because of a short weekend and Father's Day. Tomorrow, I'm heading toward my grandparent's house to hang out. I'm not sure what we're doing yet but it's always something pretty chill. We'll probably get some Mexican food and head to my grandparent's house to relax our bellies! 

I wore this outfit to work the other day. The dress is newly thrifted and I had to simply take off the shoulder pads to wear it, but the length was perfect. It's a little big on me so I paired it with a simple brown waist belt so it would hold me a little better. My sandals are from one of my favorite vintage shops in the city. They're really comfortable but you know what's funny... they're a little small on me! My back heel sliiiightly hangs over, but do I care? Nope.

Wears:

Lavender floral 90's dress from the thrift store : $2.00

Braided rope and leather sandals from Shangri La Vintage. They're super 70's! : Can't remember the price, but I think $15 - $20!

Brown leather backpack from the thrift store : $8.00! A steal.

xoxo

Outfit post :: DIY & vintage.

I have a bit of a hoarding problem. I have numerous shirts from high school that I simply wont get rid of. This Riffs shirts is one of my favorites because of the loose fit, and simply just because it rules. I'd like to consider this shirt a favorite of mine and little DIY project I did when I was sixteen/seventeen. I created a stencil for the letters by cutting out of the shapes from a thin plastic paper, and used fabric paint to fill it in on a cheap cotton shirt. I bought all of my supplies from a Michaels Craft store. 

My vintage high waisted bell-bottoms were purchased at this little vintage shop here in Chicago called Shangri-La Vintage. They were only $23, which is awesome, but I'm assuming that because there's no tags with the brand, just the care instructions. They are ridiculously comfortable and airy, but that might be because they're a tad bit too big. Ha. Either way, they're one of my favorite jeans.

I added my favorite and only belt, and threw on my cheesy big headphones, and called it a day!

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Here are some stencils to look at for inspiration :

Source: poppytalk.blogspot.com via Mrs on Pinterest

found here and here.

I also thought these DIY stencil lettered pillows were cool too!

Thanks for reading! Have a wonderful weekend! xoxo,
Alexz

DIY - Not so cheerleader anymore.

- Before -
Once, I had this adorable dress. This dress had sleeves and a very, stand-out, collar. I mean, it wasn't ugly before, but now that it's Chicago summer, I felt the need to be make it more Chicago summer-friendly! If it's even possible for polyester to get Chicago summer friendly... I do admit I could get pretty warm it in, but it's perfect for the cooler night like we had on Saturday evening.

All you need is a little DIY to make something old into something new!

- After -

Now it's more practical for the summer season! I love it. I bought this dress thrifting in Milwaukee a few months ago. I'm pretty sure it was only $3.00! I've wore it with the sleeves in the winter, but maybe only twice. I wasn't attached to the sleeves or the collar. Sure it was a cute uniform but I felt too restricted. Instead of feeling restricted, now I feel sort of very cheerleader-ish. Ha. Either way, I love how it turned out. I have so many dresses I need to alter and make suitable for my style now. But that's second priority next to bag designing and creating, and altering friend's clothing. 

To begin altering this dress, I envisioned how I wanted it to look like after I was finished with it. This dress is simple because I am just taking pieces off and finishing edges. Then I...

• I seam ripped the sleeves and the collar off. 
• When I took off the collar, it unthreaded the seam that the zipper was sewn onto the dress with. I re-pinned the zipper back to it's place and refinished the stitching for the zipper in orange thread. 
• I finished the raw edges, where the sleeves were missing, with two rows of orange stitches over a double folded seam. 

I like the small details of pops of color and double stitching gives it a professional look. A really simple altering made this dress into something new. This would even be easy with hand-sewing, if that's all you've got! You don't have to be an expert to do this, you just need patience and the willingness to get it right. I'm going back and forth on if I should be adding some buttons down the center of the chest. But then I could also add one of my vintage trims to the bottom of the skirt. What do you think? Should I add anything else?

xoxo, Alexz

Dressed in Sheer Red

I´ve been borrowing this dress from a good friend, who is a fellow donut lover, and who has recently bought me Jamba Juice with a Get-Well card the day I got in my bike accident. During our relationship, she has left me countless bunches of beautiful illustrations of kitlers, beer bottles, squirrels, and 666´s - in no particular order - at the desk at work. She let me wear this dress this past Halloween (clearly, I´ve been borrowing it for a long time) to go along with my ¨I´m nothing in particular, just creepy¨ costume.

Introduction complete, and a thank you NMM.

This week, I decided to wear it (basically in NMM´s honor, but also because it was super humid outside) paired with a black mini dress underneath, and my flat black no-lace oxfords that I thrifted in Milwaukee. I´ve been wearing dresses all week, which is great because I still have stitches on my knee, and I want to avoid rubbing. I am totally fine with this because 99% of the time, I hate wearing pants. Hate! I´d much rather wear dresses every day of my life.  

Besides for that, I think that this week flew by! Besides getting my hair colored the other day, and for dinner at Carnivale the other night, I feel like I´ve just been busy working at the salon and busy sewing in the studio! I finished another tote bag, the same that I had posted earlier in the week here. I finished a little photo shoot for those today and still need to edit them, so I will let you guys know when they will be released into the shop. 

I ran into an old neighbor on the train during my commute home yesterday and have reconnected with her. We´re hanging out on Sunday morning at her photo shoot for her vintage collection. I´m super excited to take a peak at what she has and to catch up!

I hope everyone has a great weekend. Those who celebrate Cinco De Mayo, HAVE FUN. I will be getting ¨brown girl silly¨at a friend´s house for her graduation. 

And yes, her invite was to get ¨brown girl silly¨. Funny!

Alexz

May, oh my!

Wow, I can't believe it's May! We've survived almost half the year already. Ya'll like my cuts and bruises all over my knees and chin? Cool, eh?

I am looking forward to my day off tomorrow. Since it is actually Tuesday night, I am talking about Wednesday. Planning ahead guys. I've heard it's going to be 81 degrees out, but I've also heard it's going to be gloomy. EITHER WAY, I am SO excited for 81 degree weather. Bring on the humidity. I have a pretty full schedule tomorrow... including errands downtown, getting my hair colored - I'm going lighter!!, squeezing in a photo shoot, laundry - this is on my maybe list since I have to go to the laundry mat, and a surprise dinner at a real fancy and fun restaurant. I don't get to do those much at all, so I am looking forward to having a good time and good company.

Monday night, I found time to get some sewing done. I've been trying to work at different bags, and I apologize for being spazzy with it, but it seems to be a good way to work for now. 

I finished this tote bag! The scalloped pocket is probably my favorite, but that blanket is the gift of texture, and the print on it is amazing. I'm going to have to take another picture of this as it's finished, so hopefully  I can get that photo shoot in tomorrow. I really love the lining, but that'll remain a little surprise for a little bit. As for the pocket and the straps, I had bought that pastel blue leather at this antique store in Oklahoma from my road trip a few weeks ago - and I really like the contrasting colors and hardness..

Tonight, I have been occupying my time watching random French animated films on YouTube.  

I leave you with this video that I just finished enjoying.

Good night, and good middle of the week!

Alexz

Outfit Post & Bike FAIL

A lot of the blogger girls I connect & network here in blog world always have the cutest outfit posts. I like the idea of being able to see the style behind of the blogger, being able to see whats in their closet, what their hair looks from one day to the next, how they combine colors/textures/styles, what designers they´re supporting, and their finding their originality.

I realize that these shared outfit posts are a huge inspiration to me. I am constantly finding inspiration through the trends of those bloggers and see myself gaining inspiration for my personal style. I want to share some of my select favorite outfits if I´m able to remember to take of a picture of myself. I wouldn´t get too attached to these posts though because I don´t see myself as being a ¨fashion blogger¨, and I also don´t want to feel like I always have to share.

What I´m wearing: I wore this outfit for a late afternoon bag photo shoot, after I worked a morning shift at the hair salon. I liked it because it was comfortable enough to be able to run around at the salon in comfort, yet dressed up those big ol´shoes. 

I´ve worn this sweater a lot recently. A lot, meaning others prrrrrobably noticed. The owner of the hair salon I reception for brings in bags of her not wanted clothing once in a while (awesome, I know!). This is what I made out with in her recent drop off. It perfectly hangs, hardly touches me, and is super breathable. I´m a huge fan of over sized shirts and a good flowing drape - ha. Oh, and this sweater has pockets (!!!).

My perfect wedge (at least perfect for now) that I recently thrifted with my newest gal pal, Priscilla. I´m so comfortable wearing them and I feel like they can go with almost anything in my closet!

Lastly, let´s not forget to mention, my perfect, my solely, worn-in pair of black skinny Levis. ´Nough said.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

As always, thank you for reading! I hope you´re all having a great week. I myself have had a pretty wild, and rough, week. If you follow my Instagram, you´ll see that I had a reaaaal fun fall on my bike Tuesday. It was my first city bike fall! I have been stitched up with a total of 8 stitches on my chin and 7 on my knee from road rash. Nothing too traumatic. I am going to have to go through the pain of not picking or scratching at my scrabs after they form... one of my many habits. Sorry if that grossed you out, ha!

I´ll get back to that another time though. I have spent way too long on this post - and I think the drowsiness of my pain pills are hitting me. ;)

xoxo, Alexz

Yoga and new shoes!

This week has been filled with a lot of earl gray tea (with milk, please), sewing and trying to become more efficient with my sewing, planning future projects with swatches ( probably the most organized I've been with the thought process of a bag ever), and yoga. I'm doing that week free at Core Power and my first class was Sunday. I actually haven't done a yoga class since 2007. I've done Pilates and I've done yoga at home, but this was my first class in years and it was hot yoga! Holy crap did I love it. I definitely need this to help clear my head from my crazy life outside this blog. I felt more clear and refreshed... and dripping in sweat. Literally watching my sweat drip down my leg.

Priscilla and I went thrifting last week Friday. Priscilla found a few awesome summer pieces and this really pretty ring. I lucked out big time and found some really cute shoes! Oh, and I also purchased a hammock. A single seat hammock. We rigged/attached it to a metal rack at the thrift store so I could sit in it and "test" it out. Well, of course Priscilla asks if I feel safe, the hammock falls, and I fall hard on my butt. 

It was hilarious and I was sold.

Do any of my readers do hot yoga classes? Any tips or good feelin' results from it?

Happy Thursday!,

Alexz

Take a peak at my work space!

I've been in the process of moving around a lot, but here are some
snap shots of my current WORK SPACE.

I decorate with items I've collected by hunting down or stumbling across, or they have been given to me over the years. I recently put my sewing machine on top of the drafting table I used to use when I was in elementary school (literally I has I <3 Nick drawn on it with glitter glue pens), and I don't know why I didn't think about it earlier. My chair and my window frame were found in alley ways. My bed and my clothes are in this room right now as well. My TV sits on a chair with a furry blanket underneath it.
It's a comfortable room in a large house. I wanted everything to be together, I think I make it work.

Thanks for looking!

xoxo,

Alexz

Designer Feature ::: Hound

HOUND's designer and founder, Jennifer Beeman, is based out of Chicago and having a local connection to her might be why I love this line so much, but I love it for so many other reasons too. Her spring/summer 2011 line was inspired by the shadow lines from light going through woods. It's so clean and so peaceful. 

Her items are so great though because they capture a light, airy, classic straight line fit. I love the bold pastel colors and the simplicity of everything. Though she seems the lines straight and gives each piece a vintage whimsical vibe. It makes me want to go camping, or hiking at Starved Rock. It's only an hour and a half away. Once my car is out of the shop, I'm going to try to plan a camping weekend so I can hopefully be as inspired by something similar like Jennifer was.

Here are some of my favorite items from her Spring/Summer 2011 book. 

Can we please talk about how beautiful these pictures are?!

Are you familiar with any local designers? Who are your favorite?

xoxo,

Alexz

Our [two?] dream rentals.

I posted our apartment on craigslist (yes, the one we just moved into). We had really good news that the un-paying previous tenants below us were evicted and their 3 bedroom is for rent.
For only a little more, we had to jump to the opportunity. Now, our own studio for each that are totally separate from each other and the bedroom is in our future- and so is a living room AND dining room. Can I also mention that all my kitchen cabinets are white with windows so you can see the dishware through them? *melt.* Dream cabinets.

We move in this week. They just finished cleaning and changing the blinds and polyurethane the wood floors. We'll still have access to our 2 bedroom so it'll be like renting two places at once! We're going to take our sweet time walking a single item down at a time. Yep.

In front of my sewing machine: bird feathers, vintage beach photo to imagine i'm somewhere else,
vintage pattern to remember to make, and a drawing book

xoxo,
Alexz

Altered: A Large Women's Shirt.

FROM THIS:


TO THIS:

How?
First, I cut off the sleeves into the shape I was imagining. I sewed the sides in to roughly fit me. I added two darts in the front and two darts in the back so a more fitted feel. I sliced the back of the collar so I could add a button closure. I braided some pieces of scrap. I sewed a scrap of leather on top of the raw part of the braid for the collar and I added two round studs, just for the heck of it.


PAIRED WITH THIS:

I sewed that skirt the other night too. It's light, it flows, and it makes me feel super girly.

Also, can I mention that I just bought sandals yesterday?
It'd be maybe my.... second time buying sandals? They feel so funny.
I don't know if I like them yet but they're pretty squishy and comfortable since they're from that Born brand. Does anyone have any sandal suggestions or very open flats that they could recommend?

xoxo, Alexz.