DIY Detachable Studded Glitter Collar

So I eyed this post on rookiemag awhile ago on how to DIY decorate a detachable collar, and I've FINALLY gotten around to it. I tried the one under the section labeled "glitter patterns" because I basically eat glitter. Mmmm, glitter.

So here's the collar I cut off:

From an old collared shirt from the GAP!

And here are the materials I used:

I also added a darker blue glitter, not shown in the picture.

The fabric paint I used was Mod Podge for Fabric.  To paint on the glitter, I did what rookiemag said and mixed the fabric paint and glitter together, then slapped that onto the collar. At first, I started with a foam brush (in the picture), then moved to an old makeup brush I had. The foam brush just adsorbed all the glue and was hard to work with. I did waaaay more than the 3 coats rookiemag recommended - I didn't want much of the white color of the collar to show through.  After letting the collar dry for 24 hours, I added studs.

Here is the finished collar:

Whee!! So shiny! Sorry for the blurriness.

Are you ready for your close up, collar?!

The glitter actually came out a lot more matte than I would have preferred. I think this is because the Mod Podge Fabric paint that inevitably sits on top of the glitter isn't shiny. To get a very glittery look, I would recommend brushing glue onto the collar first and THEN sprinkling lots of glitter on top rather than mixing the glitter and fabric paint together. However, be warned, the glitter is more likely to fall off this way. An alternative might be to use Mod Podge Gloss paint rather than the Fabric version.

Here are pictures of the detachable collar being worn!

I feel so studly.

Don't touch my neck, I'll kill you!

Side view

On my lap.

I am undone! Or at least... the collar is unbuttoned.

The gold-rose spikes are pin-ons connected with chains that I got from ASOS, similar to this. I like wearing 'em with the detachable collar because then I can leave the collar unbuttoned, like in the last picture.

Lessons learned:

*Foam brushes are horrible for fabric glue. I guess I should have seen that one coming.

*Let glue dry between layers, or you'll get some glitter clumping.

*If you don't want the original color of the collar to show through, you'll have to put on a ton of layers or paint it with an acrylic first.

*If you want a super glittery collar, put the glue down first then sprinkle on the glitter, or use a glossy fabric paint.

*Don't forget painting the part around the button.

If you don't want to DIY a studded/spiky accessory yourself, I don't blame you. It did take a few hours to do. DON'T FRET, my pet. There are some really cool neck accessories out there, already done for you. Here are some of my favorites from Harlett:

A little touch of badass. Available here.

I love the geometry of this. Available here.

The spikes are perfectly placed! Available here.

If you buy anything from karmaloop, you can use rep code: PRILLAMON for an extra 20% off! Yes, I'm serious. Pretty sweet deal.

Let me know if you have any questions, are going to try this yourself, or buying something similar!

Springtime in Colorado!

Spring has sprung and I can tell from my allergies. Yay. But, on the bright side, I can break out all the Jason Wu for Target I bought! Yay!

Here's the JWu dress in all its glory:

Loooooove the pockets and the lace at the bottom!

And here it is with a dose of spring styling!

Dress: Jason Wu for Target

Shoes: Kelsi Dagger

Leggings: Tart

Purse: Mulberry for Target

Bracelet: Juicy Couture Charm Bracelet

Belt: Mettle Fair Trade

The gold belt is the bombshell belt from Mettle Fair Trade, which I've featured before. The bombshell belt is so cool - it is literally made from recycled bomb shell material, and is, of course, fair trade. It says on Mettle Fair Trade's website that their products are "produced in Cambodia within a small, not for profit income generation and skills training project owned by it's members." That is something I can get behind! I bought mine for 199.90 Australian dollars from Haute on High.

It's hard to find Jason Wu at your local Target any more, so here are some dress suggestions for getting the same look:

ASOS skater dress with open back, also in petite, now $25.07 ($32.23 for petite).

ASOS skater dress with cross back detail in blue, purple, or white, $35.81.

ASOS Skater Dress with Cut Out Shoulder in mint, nude, or navy, $28.65.

Basically, just search "fit flare" at ASOS. They have lots of options. Just make sure to choose your country's site at the top right corner so the sizing is proper. I love ASOS because of their free shipping and free return shipping, no minimum!

If you can't spring for the Mettle Fair Trade belt, you can get something similar.

Metal Plated Belt, $18.99. I might suggest sizing down because, from the pictures, it looks like it was meant to go around the hips instead of the waist. Not sure though.

Vintage gold belt, $45 on Etsy. Etsy has a lot of good options, so checking there is always a good time!

Warehouse also has a couple cute gold belts: option 1, option 2. eBay does as well - no links though, because options change so quickly.

So there. That's what I'm wearing this spring!

Karmaloop outfit contest

It's that time again... I've entered another outfit contest! Please vote for me! You need to be signed into facebook and can vote once per day.

Here's the outfit:

Top: Wildfox (bought from Karmaloop)

Shoes: The Lorissa Pump by Sam Edelman (bought from Karamloop)

Jeans: J Brand Coated

Armor Rings: Melody Ehsani (bought from Karmaloop)

Lightning Necklace: The Extras (bought from Karmaloop)

Spike Rings: Noir (bought from Karmaloop)

Clutch: Lucky Mag

In terms of high fashion, it's a bit toned down because, honestly, this is the Karmaloop outfit contest, not the Vogue outfit contest. I figured a more everyday-wear outfit (sans heels) was more appropriate. Besides, I know it says "outfit contest", but it's more a "most votes wins" contest, so it's more like a popularity contest, eh? I should stop entering these; they always break my heart. But here I am trying again anyway! Oh wells!

Let me know if you like my outfit!

little lace dress

It seems like, in the past year, everyone's been doing their own version of a little lace dress:

Bluemarine lace dress, $1750 at Nordstrom

Nightcap clothing lace dress, about $350

Jean Paul Gaultier Lace Dress, $395 at Bergdorf Goodman

French Connection Lace Shift Dress, $301.87 at ASOS.

French Connection Nero Lace Dress

Dolce and Gabbana Lace Dress

This ubiquitous look, while both darling and daring, can be a bit expensive (a good bit...an awesome bit). Honestly, I am quite smitten by the lace mini's both subdued and overstated sexy siren call. That's why I was overjoyed when I found this gorgeousness at Forever 21 for less than $25:

Ain't she a beaut? (the dress, I mean)

Grrrrr, creepy serial killer

Which shoes do you like better with the dress... the heels or the combat boots?

Back from vacation with an outfit post

Hi everyone! Sorry I haven't posted in awhile - I was on vacation and didn't really have internet connection. It's very sad; I had internet withdrawal symptoms (basically, I was a grumpy b*tch without internet)! Who knew I was addicted to the internet?!?!

I will post more on my FABulous trip (yes, even without internet) to France and Italy later, but for now I'll do a DIY outfit post.

So, first let me start by saying I really REALLY love this Rebecca Minkoff Rumi Dress:

Isn't it just beautiful? I love the draping of the skirt! Image cred: shopbop and coturesnob

so much so that I almost bought it - until the price went up to almost $400 (originally the price was around $325). Since that is wayyyy too much for my college student budget, I decided to make the skirt portion of the dress myself!

I bought this skirt on eBay for about $15, including shipping.

A bit too bridal party for normal wear.

It's a skirt from David's Bridal, in a champagne color. There are 3 layers to the skirt, 1 mesh layer and 2 lining layers:

All 3 layers.

The 2 lining layers.

The skirt is an A-line skirt with a rounded hem. I decided to use one of the lining layers to make my Rebecca Minkoff-like skirt. I had to remove the top band to separate the layers. Here is what one of the lining layers looks like separated from the rest of the skirt:

One of the lining layers - this was used to make my skirt!

To make the skirt, I obviously need to cut the front short and keep the back long. I wish I could tell you a fool-proof way to do this, but it was honestly trial and error on my part. I definitely ruined one of the two lining layers trying to get this right! In case it helps, here is what the cut looked like on the finished skirt:

The skirt is folded in half. F stands for "front of skirt" and is on the right side of the picture.

From right to left, I would say 3/4 of the skirt is a slow drop from the front of the skirt to the bottom of the skirt, then a cut back up for the last 1/4 to avoid a tail. Also, when resewing the band on the top of the skirt, be careful where you scrunch the skirt as it will determine where the folds of the skirt will be.

And finally, here is what the finished skirt looks like!

Love the drapey folds!

It's no Rebecca Minkoff, but it satisfies my drapey high-low cravings! Honestly, I love it. What do you think?

Outfit post

Aside: Please vote for me (April) in this fashion face-off battle! I'm in second place right now and really need votes! I'll love you forever!

I've been watching a lot of "My So Called Life" recently. Honestly, I was spurred to watch it by a Tavi Style Rookie post - and it turns out I love the series. The style on the show is rubbing off on me. I want to live in large plaid layers! Here is my "My So Called Life"-inspired outfit (without the crazy hair).

It's only natural I'm wearing two different legwear as my watching of "My So Called Life" is Tavi inspired, and Tavi did the mismatched legwear first. Ever. Okay, maybe not ever. But still.

Get the look:

Dress Layer - Free People Space Dye Slip - Buy at Revolve

Plaid Layer - Free People Tiger Eye Tunic - Buy at 6pm

Necklace - Lucky Brand - Buy on eBay

Leggings - I got both of these at ASOS on sale

Shoes - Steve Madden Zorba - Buy at Dr Jays or Bealls

Aside: Please vote for me (April) in this fashion face-off battle! I'm in second place right now and really need votes! I'll love you forever!