Street Style :: Zara Leather pants & Kurt Geiger heels

Hi everyone! I'm writing you flying over Pennsylvania. For the rest of the week I'm heading back to my hometown, Kansas City, to spend time with my family.  My beautiful niece turns 7 years old tomorrow and I never miss a birthday party...so I'm heading back. 

Today's outfit post is a mix of a few trends for fall. The "camo" colors and leather leggings. Last year I picked up both the top and leggings from two of my favorite stores, Banana Republic and Zara. I've worn this outfit a few times. It's great to wear out for a late dinner at a trendy restaurant or heading to a friend's house for cocktails with the girls. When I'm not wearing pencil skirt and oxford shirts to the office, I take a 180 and throw on some leather and strappy heels. The heels were a purchase from Kurt Geiger in SF.  The heels were purchased the day before I moved to NY. I consider them my parting gift with beloved San Francisco. 

Hope you like the photos. They were shot by a new friend, Akil at ClearShadow Photography. He takes amazing photos. We took these photos with a friend of mine, she's the model. Then I jumped in and took some candid blogger shots.  We had a great time. Good learning experience for me.

 Place you could wear this outfit :: trendy social networking event, meeting the girls for dinner, dinner date. Where would you wear this outfit???

Top :: Banana Republic

Pants :: Zara

Heels :: Kurt Geiger

Bag :: Fendi 

 Photo Credits ::ClearShadow Photography

casual black and white

Top: Express, Pants: Macy's, Clunch: Aldo's, Heels: Zara, Sunnies: Chanel, Watch: Michael Kors

Here are a few photos from the photo shoot this weekend with Lydia Hudgens.  This is one of my favorite outfits right now. It's casual, but can be dressed up with a cute up-do and earrings.  Perfect for a night out in the city.

diy lace skirt

The skirt before it got a makeover!

You'll need an old skirt, lace fabric, scissor, seam ripper, pins, ruler

Step 1: Steam rip sides of skirt.

Seams are ripped on each side.

Step 2: Lay lace over skirt.  Make sure the lace is longer than the skirt.  Cut lace to fit skirt.

Step 3: Pin lace to skirt.

Step 4: Sew lace to both sides of skirts.

Step 5: Trim ends of lace.  Do not cut lace at top of skirt.

Step 6: Cut lace along zipper. You will have raw edges. Use a zigzag stitch along zipper to secure. The top of lace, iron and sew along top of skirt.

 

Hope you enjoy the tutorial.  Lace is one of the most popular trends for spring.  This is an easy way to incorporate lace in your wardrobe for $15! My khaki skirt is from Banana Republic.  I was going to sell it online, but I figured I could revamp the skirt.  The lace was purchased at Joann's.  Make sure you take the skirt with you, so you can measure how much lace you'll need for your project.

diy ombre lace trim shorts

What you'll need to ombre: old pair of jeans, bleach & a spray bottle

Before

Step 1: Cut one leg to desired length (I cut a little longer to test what length I liked best)

Step 2: repeat to other side

Step 3: Test pant leg you cut. Soak pant leg in warm water. 

Step 4: Mix 1/2 bleach and half water.  Spray on leg to test denim. 

Tested pant leg. 

Step 5: Soak shorts in warm water. 

Step 6: Spray heavy amount at the bottom of the pants and slowly make your ways upward.  Remember to do the same in the back of the pants.  I had a fan to help dry the shorts and see faster results.  I had to do this a few times. 

Step 7: After desired amount of ombre is complete, rinse out bleach. Afterwards, put in washer and dryer.  

Step 8: Cut shorter, if desired.  

Step 9: Cut both sides to same length. 

What you'll need to add lace: dry ombre shorts, pins, lace and a sewing machine (can be sewed by hand). 

Step 10: Turn shorts inside out.  Pin lace to inside of shorts. 

Step 11: Sew lace to shorts.  Make sure to use a zigzap stitch.  This will keep the jeans from fraying upward and securing the lace on the shorts.  Repeat on both sides.  Cut excess lace. 

Completed! Your own DIY ombre lace trim shorts! 

These shorts were inspired by a friend who was going to Coachella.  We have several DIY nights.  I brought over my sewing machine, we found our favorite bottle of red wine and we begun making our projects! These shorts were inspired by a pair she saw at Urban Outfitters.  They turned out great.  Good luck.  Let me know if you have any questions.

A few tips: make sure you do this in a ventilated area.  To speed up the process, use a fan or put these out in the sun to dry faster.