Holiday DIY

Happy DIY Friday!Today I'm sharing some seasonal crafts to get you in the spirit without breaking the  bank.

I'm so over Ugly Sweater parties! I've been at least one every year for the past five years ... bor-ring; and worn every ugly sweater under the sun (including one that light up ... pretty epic. But in New York Ugly sweaters can get expensive (especially in the west village!), so when I got invited to an ugly sweater party, but didn't want to spend $30+ on one, I found a literal loophole. With a little glitter glue and a $8 pull over from Old Navy, I was able to create an "ugly" sweater for under $10!

All you need is a pull over and glitter glue! I opted for washable glitter glue so I could remove the "ugly" after the party, but any glitter glue will do. I also turned my sweater inside out for the same reason. If you want to un-ugly your sweater post party, simply soak that sucker in hot water and hand wash it. All of my glitter glue came off with a 30-min soak, and I used a lint roller to removing any clinging sparkle specs. 

My pink ampersand is one of my favorite pieces of wall decor in my apartment (thank big thanks to my amazing friend Katrina who made this for me a few years back, I'm obsessed!). So for the holidays, I paired it with DIY "mix" and "mingle" signs to give it a festive twist!

All you need is a little paint or glitter glue and two canvases, frames or a mix of the two. You might also want to add gold stickers (see mingle) finish your art with a layer of modge-podge to give it that special shine. This project will cost about $10 per piece.

To add a layer of whimsy to your holiday outfit, try using a ornament as a quirky statement earring!

 Simply string a stud through the wire of a small ornament and ta-da, you'll be trim-tastic and ready to go! Oh, and this was the final touch for my Ugly Sweater outfit! I only wore one ornament to compliment my asymmetrical bob, but a set of two works just as well!

 

Dear Santa

It's the most wonderful time of the year, when I over-trim my tree, deck the hall until their dripping in dazzle and just go Coo Coo for Christmas, but this year has been a little bit different! Since I've been working like a maniac, with only one day off all month long, I've fallen a bit behind on my seasonal celebrations. Plus, my family flyes in on friday (from AZ) to spend christmas in the city, so we are skipping the big gifts this year to splurge on shows and such for some fowler-family bonding! Despite my recent lack of shopping (I've been all work and no play lately, boo) I'm still completely content with having a less "materialist" christmas this season and investing in memories instead of mementoes. All these frugal factors have resulted in a slightly less Christmas-crazed Courtney and therefore a wish list full of functional (yet fabulous) gifting goodies that I'm sharing today!

Oh, and yes I'm wearing ornaments as earrings, tune in tomorrow for more on that plus a day full of holiday DIY's!

In my stocking:
I've been a good girl all year ... who are we kidding,
that's a lie; for starters, I've broken every fashion rule in the book, mixed
my matches and turned skirts into dresses if only for a day. Nevertheless, I'm still hoping Santa will stuff my stocking with something swanky!

 always dreamed big!) 

Under the Tree:
I guess you know you're officially an "adult",
when you stop the pleading for a pony and move skin care to the top of your Xmas list. I mean what's next a vacuum cleaner? Actually I could really use a new one, put me down for one of those too ... but let's make it high-gloss red, I wouldn't want to grow up too fast. Anyways, here's a peek at my grown-up-ish Christmas list, centered around a clear complexion and vinyl vices to fuel my record addiction.  

Side Note:
Every mess of a twenty-something needs a retro record player,
it's the perfect addition to any apartment. Bad day? Pull on your favorite party dress and twirl to She & Him volumes 1 and 3. before falling to the floor and listening to Back to Black (how amazing is Amy Winehouse?), it will surly cure any awfulness the day may have thrown your way.
And if not, there's always prozac.

// Vintage Cashmere Sweater, Thrifted // Skirt: H&M (similar here and here, plus obsessed with this leather one that's 50% off!) // Shoes: Jcrew // Belt: H&M (similar) // Earrings: DIY (tune in tomorrow) // Jewels: Jcrew // Bowtie: Vintage Silk because I'm ridiculous and splurge on stuff for my pup!

What are you wishing for this year? Sit on my metaphorical blog lap (leave me a comment) and tell me all about it!

Parks & Puffers

Last Saturday, NYC turned into a winter wonderland when we were showered with what I like to call "movie snow" (because it was pretty and perfect) all day long. So to celebrate, I spent Sunday playing in the aftermath at Washington Square Park with my french fella: Waffles

Sweater: Forever 21 (similar here or here) // Puffer: Old Navy (love this one) // Skort: Zara (similar) // Bag: Coach (similar) // Rainboots: Burberry (Half off here // similar for $15) // Scarf: Old Navy // Gloves: Target (similar) // Sunnies: Karen Walker (also here) // Jewels: Jcrew // Vintage

Washington Square Park is one of my favorite spots in the city. We picnic there in the summer and enjoy long walks in the Fall, so It only made sense that we had a chilly adventure on this cold day in December. I wanted to wear something comfy for our park playdate, but was so over wearing a coat and determined to go without, despite the 30 degree weather (must be my Arizona roots coming through). I adorned myself in arctic activewear, and paired a slouchy sweater and puffer vest with lots of layers (I'm wearing an additional two sweaters underneath the spots) and fur lined leggings. And since snow boots are bulky and often ugly, I turn to rainboots on snow/slush days. Waffles also pulled on a pooch worthy puffer to keep out the chill.

Photocred: Stephanie Whitaker

CMC @ Club Monaco

My local Club Monaco (5th Avenue) got a monster makeover! So I had to pop by their celebratory blogger event with Cupcakes and Cashmere last week to see this beautiful boutique for myself!

images via styleintel

The store is the ultimate flag ship, complete with a Strand Bookstore, flower shop and coffee shop. 

The event was crowded, classy and a wee bit crazy. So I put my bulky Cannon Rebel away, and turned to my Iphone and the amazing app: LandCam!

The Golden One // Jewels & Gems // Cheers!

via landcam

Bring Me Flowers // Mannequins // Bloom Bright

Love for Landcam:

My amazing and talented friends created this fantastic all-in-one app

a few months back, and I have been obsessing over it ever since! Make sure to download yours today, you'll see the difference in your pictures and posts.

download here

Shop Strand // Gifting Galore // A Voracious Reader

via landcam

 Sweets & Soles // Layering Love // So Chic

via landcam

I had such a blast at the event. This beautiful store will definitely become my new club monaco of choice from here on out. Plus It will become the monthly location of my Book of the Month Club, a new segment coming to CMC for 2013, stay tuned!

Tartan Twirl

I am a firm believer that there are no rules when it comes to fashion: I wear white far after labor day and mix my matches on a daily basis. But there is one pattern that is just perfect for winter (or fall): Plaid.

Dress: Tommy Hilfiger (Sample Sale Find, love this one) // Coat: Zara (my 2012 coat, see my 2013 one here) // Fur: Michael Kors, a cold weather must-have (similar) // Turtleneck: Forever 21 // Sunnies: Karen Walker (also here) // Boots: Bacio 61 (Also here) // Bag: Coach (similar) // Jewels: J.crew X2

Pattern-up! Shop twirl-worthy tartans:

I never though I would add a plaid party dress to my clothing collection, but when I saw this twirl-worthy tartan for almost nothing at the Tommy Hilfiger Sample Sale last month, I had no choice but to take it home. A sleeveless fit and flare is my go-to dancing dress, but when it's cold outside, uncovered arms can be too much to bare! I solve this closet conundrum, with a basic turtleneck: layer one under your favorite frock this season, pair with booties and tights to dress down the dress, or add a statement necklace and stilettos for a glitzy-party twist.