quote from my birthday buddy

"when you can take something that is a reject at the thrift store sitting on the bottom of a pile of junk and make it work, make it look interesting, that’s real style to me." -erin wasson (born on the same day in the same year as me..obvi with the same attitude ono style too ;)

 

 

Suede Purse from Salvation Army skirt

Hey its been awhile.. but I thought I would post a pic of one of my latest projects. Found this adorable DIY at Tick Tock Vintage . Just had to try my own version.. my only regret is not taking before pics.  Still looking for a better chain..this will do for now though...Cant wait to rock this in the fall...maybe ill start taking outfit pictures :)

possible DIY?

LOVE this necklace from topshop ...trying to come up with ways to DIY it :)

Ummm Am I wearing pants?

happy momma's day!

Love that my mom's college friends joined facebook.. which allowed me to find this gold mine of a picture of my mom in college... she claims its Halloween.. not sure I believe that ;)

Kanye West is ...

rockin the friendship bracelet trend ;)    (at coachella burkman bros)

dogsitting

My aunt and uncle own the worlds cutest dog.. and I was lucky enough to dogsit for them a few weeks back.. here's a few pics

what do you think she is thinking?

Respect your Elders

When each of my grandparents passed away, all of the grandkids were given a few things as keepsakes. Because of my penchant for vintage prints, crazy accessories, anything shiny, I am often also given whatever is left over. All of the gaudy costume jewelry and kooky doo-dads that no one else wanted. I must say this thrills me to no end.. and I always try to incorporate these special pieces into my everyday wardrobe.  When my grandpa "Doc" passed away he left an enduring legacy and a wardrobe full of plaid pants (which he like to wear just under his armpits) and an array of bowties. Said bowties were given to me (woo-hoo!!) and when I saw the picture below in NYLON... I knew I had to DIY my very own bowtie necklace

So I took the chain from an old necklace and looped it through the clip on the back of the bowtie..viola!

A few things I learned from this project:

1) Wearing something you made that has personal history is much more fun than buying from the store

2) I desperately need someone to be my photographer like all the really cool bloggers

3) My left nostril is significantly larger than my right.. ;) weird but true!!!

Can't wait to break out grandma "Q's" XL short sleeve sequin number and see what kind of magic I can work on it.  ( I am fully aware that my grandparents names sound like hip hop artists..Doc and Q)

Fashion Plates

When I made the move back from New York to Chicago, I started my own side business making handmade wedding plates, www.msfashionplates.blogspot.com. I started Fashion Plates because I was short on cash but long on friends that were getting hitched! So I thought of a way to use my talents for the perfect personalized wedding gift.
   I decided that since I buy all of my plates at thrift and antique stores, it would be the perfect project for Project ReStyle. You can find more samples on my other blog, and if you would like to order your own you can email me at juliesullivan120@gmail.com. Plates are $50 dollars (not including shipping)

old plates from Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Antique Stores

the perfect wedding gift!!   :)

Truer words were never spoken :)

Wardrobe Wednesday

Hello my little muffin crumbs... so I decided to start adding regular features to my blog. This coincides with my journey to get back to sketching, styling, and Fashion Design in general. I am going to take an outfit that I have worn..(with a few tweaks) and post an illustration of it on this here blog.

 It is my take on an outfit post...which I probably wont be doing until  1) I get a fab photographer, so that I am not taking creepy mirror pictures and  2) I lose just a few more lbs as to not look like a whale in the outfits  ;)
    xoxo
     Julie

College days

I found these images from the archives of University of Iowa, where I studied Art Education for 4 years. I thought it was really cool to look back at students experiences (going all the way back to the early 1900's) wandering the same sidewalks and building that I did. Its fun to think about. I feel the same way about vintage clothing. I like to think about where someone wore it and how they were feeling. Here are a few good ones I found

Wish

I saw this on PostSecret and felt it was such a universal sentiment and image. It's funny to think that probably anyone who ever owned a camera has this same picture and in most cases it was taken at a very carefree moment in their life. Who hasn't at one time or another wanted to go back to a time when all they worried about was whether they would ever kiss a boy or pass pre algebra? Anyway, the below picture was taken on my 8th grade trip to Six Flags and I scanned it in from my scrapbook a few years ago . ( My foot is the adidas shoe on the top left corner) ;)

I heart Bloglovin

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And they say that Midwesterners are the friendliest in the United States..

Not when it comes to parking in the winter!!  Someone has forgotten the fact that city streets in Chicago are Public parking... my question is.. where did he park when he got to point B...most likely in a spot someone ELSE dug out...hmmm... By the way buddy ...learn how to spell  :).

First DIY...yay! - No sew plaid infinity scarf

Step 1: Hit up your local Salvation Army for a couple Men's plaid shirts with patterns that you like. Try to find plaids that are reversible (same inside and out) . If you can try to find a plaid with a cartoon character embroidered onto it. Why you ask? Because they are hideous and I would like people to cut up as many as possible. Men and Mickey don't mix OK? In fact no one should wear Mickey unless you are under the age of 10 or a Brazilian supermodel. (just my humble opinion) I cut one of the shirts before taking a picture...oops

STep 2:  Cut the first shirt ( in my case the red plaid) right under the sleeve across the width of the shirt and make a parallel cut ..hacking off the shirt's bottom. I cut mine about four buttons wide

STep 3: Unbutton the second shirt (green plaid) and button the first shirt into the second shirts button holes. Using the first shirt's width as a guide cut the second shirt.

Step 3: Button the second plaid shirt into the first plaid shirts buttonholes...Now you are left with a GIant loop of fabric...Wrap it around your neck a few times and VIOLA..You have the No-Sew Mixed Plaid Infiinity scarf..and one less man wearing a Cartoon character clad flannel..YAY!  

Emilys music video

This is a music video written and performed by my bestest friend! I continue to be in awe of her talent. It definetely deserves a listen  :)

BeArS v PaCKeRs this weekend is going to be an EPIC showdown

See if you can guess who I will be rooting for  :)

If I ever have a little boy.....

I hope he dresses like this kid...what a lil gem..and he dressed himself..Read what he has to say here