Hello! Not yet ready to chat casually about my most recent hole plugging project, but fortunately I have some other quite interesting things to discuss. First matter of business: Last week Paige proposed a challenge. She called it something like "Ugly can be pretty too" or "style this piece of shit" or "make this odd thing look cool" or something great like that. Paige even made a page for this little style challenge, (which I can't seem to find right now but I will, ah here it is! All the details and how you can join in!) Of course I accepted her challenge! Of freaking course! and I came out of my nonblogular stupor to play around with it and show you what I came up with! (I JUST made that word up, Nonblogular. Use it if you want. It means specific things you do that would not end up on your blog for whatever reason. Used in a sentence: "Oh shit man, this is totally nonblogular, don't even worry about it.") Anyways, this is my solution for a somewhat poofy, nearly impractical (its super hot) but strangely incredibly beautiful blouse. I folded the button down collar into itself, belted the poop out of it, and rouged it up with my cutoffs (this is how I feel about these cutoffs) and some lace up boots. The hat brought the magic. According to the terms of the challenge, I am now to identify the new challenger, and I choose (since she told me she would kill me if I didn't choose her, and I half way believe her (just joshin!) is the magical Merl! Good luck Merly two shoes! You have a whole freaking list of eager beavers awaiting this lovely thing so you know what to do!
Second order of business: I would like to offer a giveaway here. Well, actually the lovely people at DesignerApparel.com (I know you have heard of them, and if you are so inclined to purchase great designer stuff, from Betsey Johnson, to Derek Lam, to Kate Spade, go there, seriously, you won't regret it) would like to offer you something on my blog that you have a chance to win, but I will probably end up buying since I am not qualified to win it (how freaking fair is that!) and the item is this amazing:
Blouse: The ugly pretty challenge thingy
boots, hat, belt: thrfted
Shorts: cut from AE pants
Posts
159 comments:
You make ugly look good girl!
I am obsessing over anything feather detailed so this bracelet is too cool!
I really like the juxtaposition of the toughness of the boots and hat and the prettiness of the blouse. You did a really good job in making this something that works with your closet.
That bracelet is really pretty!
Then I'm already a winner :( But getting nothing :( But I've got you in my life, so I'm already very lucky! So good to see you again! I was a bit worried though... Oh and if you didn't say that's that shirt, I'd never get that! You styled it soooo goooood! Miss you :*
Your cutoff shorts are too cool. And this feather piece is fantastic!
Sally
steele.sally@students.mcm.edu
i like the new styling challenge. thanks for the giveaway, it a unique piece. love it!
vigilanteherbalist@live.com
Super cute bangles- just the right amount of quirk for an outfit.
Love your blouse too!
Maggie
I love this giveaway piece.
noguiltfashion.blogspot.com
Love your antique look. I'm a big vintage fan - especially vintage jewelry. LOVE this bracelet...posh.
oooh - pretty! yes please!
Gorgeous bracelet (count me out of the giveaway though, le sigh). I have this thing for feathers...
You know, if you hadn't reminded me about Paige's challenge thingamajig, I don't think I'd have realised it was this top! It looks...normal! and cute! kudos christina!!
(...whenever I say kudos it makes me giggle, it's a personal joke lol. lame as heck word but i can't resist it.)
I am not usually a jewelry girl, but I LOVE this piece!! What a great design.
You always know how to make the best out of the worst.
Also, looking forward to reading on your hole plugging...project.
awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww non US resident here. I'm glad I'm still a winner in your books tho. what if I cut off all my platinum blonde? will I still do it for you????
(its actually getting shorter in 3 weekssss)
K where was I? Oh yes, gooooood job on the top. I was scrolling through your pictures and something jumped out at me and then I figured out that it was paige's uglygorgeous top!
K so I just went and read your cutoff shorts story and i got all watery eyed. awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. they need to make a movie about you cuz you seem to have so many awesome stories. it could be very thelma and louise-eske. i just watched it the other day, that might be why im thinking of it. you could be thelma at the end in cutoff shorts and a sleeveless black shirt with an eagle or something on it and that hat. I will obviously play Louise, and we can drive off into the grand canyon. except you will have to drive since I don't even have a license. Lucky for my dad I didnt develop ANYTHING until I was about 17. And I'm still waiting for my hips to come in... In other words, in daisy dukes, I would look like a 13 year old. despite the fact im twice that age.
Is there a limit to how much I can write in a comment? cuz this is getting lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng and I'm not even trying to win the pretty bracelet.
the end.
Emily
Tha bracelet is fabulous. <3
cute cute cute cute cute bangles. Love the challenge too...I have this super old ("vintage") loose knit sweater vest that my great grandma made that would work well for this sort of thing - I can't bring myself to get rid of it (family connection) but haven't found a way to wear it (because it's kind of ugly). Hmm...must think...
great outfit and beautiful bracelet!
costumepartyblog.blogspot.com
Wow, what a great bracelet!
Cheers,
Molly
La Fille Atomique
Oooooh, sign me up mamacita - that is featherriffic. Lurv lurv lurv!
Merci,
Shannan
so glad your back! hope everything is ok. :)
can we talk about how AWESOME this freakin' stinker of a blouse looks here? nice work!
love the idea of this challenge--and you actually made it work...nice!
beautiful bracelet, too. Thanks for the giveaway.
Caitlin
caitlin.kundrat@gmail.com
Ohhhh, those are GORGEOUS bracelets! I hope I win! :-D
I've used the word UNBLOGGABLE before, but nonblogular is wonderful too. They are synonyms, and... I'm a geek.
Love what you did with the "ugly" top; wide brown belts are a must-have!
Love the bracelets, so cute!
schelley16@gmail.com
http://anotherdayanotheroutfit.blogspot.com/
oooh I love the bracelet! I usually opt for silver jewlery, but this feather looks amazing paired with the gold!
you did this blouse JUSTICE, girl! lovely, as ever...
I am in lust with that bracelet. I wanna win!
amprentice9@yahoo.com
LOVE the look! :) great work!
i would love to enter the giveaway!
thanks!
katie
kas3eb@comcast.net
Yay love the blouse and love that bracelet. And... I'm an Amurricun, so count me in to win!
Laura
sweetersalt@gmail.com
www.sweetersalt.com
The shirt looks nice, but I'm not totally sold!
And, I have serious jewelry envy and want....!!!!!
I have just stumbled upon you blog and I am totally enamored!!
I have been telling my hubby that i want to start shopping second hand but didn't know where to start. You are a wonderful inspiration and I can't wait to give second hand shopping a try.
The boots are great!
Kara A.
kakronti@indiana.edu
Love the bracelet. (Glad you are okay, and I hope everything has worked itself out.)
you rocked that blouse! Also, would love to win the bracelet. Too cute :)
I probably should use this time to comment on how fabulous that bracelet is and would be on my little arm, but I also want to say that you seem to be a genuinely awesome person and this blog has been very inspirational to me.
Thank you!
rebecca
seashellhell@gmail.com
You make that blouse look fantastic! I don't think I would have looked twice at it if I had seen it on the rack.
And that bracelet is fabulous!
your ability to make anything work is aspirational. feathers are beautiful. i was so glad we got to talk on the phone the other day, even for such a short time. full of love and adoration for you, c. xo
oooh please!
meg
megwentzell@yahoo.com
I've been wanting some gold accessories! abbyzahner@hotmail.com
First off, adore this look! And what a great challenge! And if you don't mind, I may have to steal it despite being tagged because it is such a cool idea.
Also, STUPID that I can't enter. BAH! Adore that bracelet!!!! Grrr... Well, nonetheless, proud to be Canadian!
;-)
Good to see you back!
Ah, that bracelet is gorgeous! Great giveaway! Thanks!
msred5@yahoo.com
Oh wow... I would not have any idea what the HEEE-ll I would do with that top. But it looks really great on you! I mean you could probably style anything. Ass-less chaps? You could totally do that!
Please put that bracelet on my wrist, now okay thanks!
the bracelet is totally amazing! i have a sweet spot in my heart for feathers.
this shirt is amazing- you're gorgeous...jeal.
I'm totally diggin this braclet!
Well now is definetly a good time to leave a comment. My sister suggested I check out your blog, and now I just can't get enough of it! You are amazing at what you do, you take pieces from thrift stores that I wouldn't look twice at and turn them into insanely cute outfits. That eye you have is the equivelent to Rachel Zoe but costs a lot less! I look forward to see what you come up with everyday. Keep it up girl!!
That bracelet is precious!!! I'm sure would be a great piece to share between my 3 sisters and I!!!
First, love love love how you styled the blouse. Like that, it's something even I'd wear.
p.s. the bracelet is goregous too!
I love this bracelet! Anything to do with leaves I'm a fan of!
I love how you wore the blouse! Looks fresh and a little edgy, but not like you're trying too hard. Bracelet is lovely, I love jewelry with feathers on it!
The bracelet is lovely! However that blouse looks slightly itchy!
I've been anonymously following your blog for a little while (just discovered it a few weeks ago)and now that I can win a prize, I thought I would finally comment, haha (J/K sorta). That bracelet is beautiful!
I really do love your style though, you seem to have a knack for putting outfits together. It's inspiring :)
helyfain@gmail.com
You are one of those rare people who can make anything look good. Not fair. :)
-sigh- Why is it that you can make anything look good?
Ohmygoodness. That bracelet is just too precious! I'll keep my fingers crossed. (:
love your blog and the bracelet! hope all is well!
I actually like the blouse...I don't think its ugly at all! I like how you juxtposed it with the less constructed elements.
Awesome bracelet!
i LOVE those boots!
you have great style, and you seem to be as weird as i am. which is awesome :)
-Rachel
rcpavlas@gmail.com
You could make a potato sack look beautiful! Glad to see your hole-plugging isn't messing with your mojo.
That bracelet rocks!
~shari
kornrose at gmail dot com
hello u!
wodering when you'd be having a giveaway!
hope everythng is going ok!
xx
hello u!
wodering when you'd be having a giveaway!
hope everythng is going ok!
xx
HELLLLOOOOOO!!!!! LOVE that bracelet and L-O-V-E your blog. I depend on it every morning when my son is quietly playing on the floor with his animals=MY TIME! Hope you muddle thru all the yucky stuff in your life-we all have your back girl!
That shirt is far from ugly on you. I was looking at it thinking how I need to spice things up more in my closet. I could never do that neckline tho! You have guts! Count me in for the bracelet. It looks awesome.
Love what you did with the shirt! True-Second Skin style! Love the bangles too.
As a girl that grew up in Justin Ropers I love seeing them styled in a non western fashion (good lord, could that sound any dorkier!?) The bracelet is cool too.....
Pick ME! Pick ME!
PS
Google is not letting me sign in so I am anonymous....but just in case I do win my email is
akgw7402@gmail.com
I am eager to hear more about whats going on in your personal life, but if its too nonblogular, its no biggy :)
I really like the way you styled that shirt and I am excited that I am eligible to win! :)
Emily
ejlittle@ius.edu
I love this on you! I think you could pull off almost anything though....
So that makes you the one with all the luck! :)
haha that ugly pretty challenge is such a good idea! can't wait to see more of the girls style it.
..also, lovin that bracelet! enter me please :)
nesamarie at gmail dot com
That bracelet is beautiful! Sign me up - hoping for some birthday (yesterday) luck!!!
~Kristena
I don't think its possible for you to have ugly clothes. You always make everything seem beautiful. Its your gift!!
Love the bracelet!
You have such a great, easy, and low-key style. I can't wait to log on each day and see what you're wearing. Always an inspiration!
It takes skill to pull of a blouse like that. I commend you!
I hope I win the bracelet too. Thanks!
flora@jeffreyandflora.com
Love these pics! You look gorge. And the boots are hott too. And I totally need (yes, NEED) that bracelet! So cool.
Great job making ugly look good! I also love the bracelet!!
I didn't even notice if it was ugly or not. Lol.
I love feathers in jewelry!
honestly you could make a potato sack look good. I only tell my boyfriend that, so it's a huge compliment. hahaha. hope i win the bangle. it's delicious. >:) haha
marge.lai@yahoo.com
Someone gave those boots to a thrift?
I'm OK with the blouse (a bit lacy for me) but the boots are making me turn green.
Wow, put up a giveaway and you get millions of comments! I totally in love with this look. It's like prairie girl meets gold miner. It's perfect and you can rock the hell out of some cutoffs.
wonderful. i love the femininity of the blouse in contrast with the ruggedness of the cutoffs and boots.
What a cute bracelet. I also really like that shirt with that belt! I didn't think it was ugly at all.
I loved the idea of the swap when Paige wrote about it on her blog, and I love the way you styled it! I was looking at the pictures thinking "Oh cute shirt, probably a recent find at a thrift... wait... that's Paige's ugly shirt!"
You make it look great. And great giveaway! The bracelet is just gorgeous.
jesuisvern@gmail.com
I was JUST looking at the lonely bracelet I am wearing and thought to myself, I need to get more bangles to wear! Love the feather in the mix. Also I would love to find a pair of boots like the ones you are rocking in this post- lovely!
I love love love those bangles. And I like the way you styled the ugly blouse, I cant wait to see how the others style it as well.
ah, i recongized the top as soon as the page loaded... the thing is getting prettier and prettier each time it gets styled... and that braclet is divine.
I would call that a success at the challenge, and a fun kick off to Paiges "shin-dig"
ah, i recongized the top as soon as the page loaded... the thing is getting prettier and prettier each time it gets styled... and that braclet is divine.
I would call that a success at the challenge, and a fun kick off to Paiges "shin-dig"
I wouldn't say the blouse is ugly....odd, but not ugly :)
Brianna
http://the-not-so-secret-loves-of-bri.blogspot.com/
Holy Moly, that's a lot of comments!
I may have carpel tunnel now, ;)
I really like the blouse and would style it the same, as in rough it up a bit. Oh yeah, and I'd love to win this terrific bracelet. I've yet to win a give-away ! I can feel it, this is the one!
revasrags2roses.blogspot.com
You'd win that make ugly pretty contest every time!
Love the bracelet, and I've been trying to incorporate more jewelery into my wardrobe...
just letting you know, you styled the shit outta this shirt. for realz.
It is not even fair what you just did with that shirt. Maybe I will figure out a way to wear it as pants...
I hope you're getting your head on straight over there, or maybe you're helping get some one else's head straight, or maybe the damn is being build, or reinforced, something like that. I'm not sure, but I hope it's good news soon for you.
www.morganandlua.blogspot.com
This might be one of my favorite outfits I've ever seen and definitely one of my favorites on you!!! I love the "country" feel with the boots and lace. PERFECTION. I'm gonna go find this on chictopia and favor it...right this second..!
Oh wow, this is too cute! I love how delicate and pretty it is.
hey, thanks for the nice comments. i added you to my blog and you inspired me to post a blog about blogging.
love your style and what all these women are doing and sharing. it's very cool.
poor canada getting the short end of the stick, we are so close to america, we should be included too! haha!
I love this idea of trying to style ugly things. Its one of my favorite challenges. I find myself asking friends if certain pieces are ugly or not because my sense of style has completely gone off the rocker.
naomi.
DUDE!!!
I didn't even recognize it as "THE shirt". I can't believe it!
You constantly, always and forever amaze me.
And as much as I really do love you: I would beat the poop out of you for those boots.
And I want you to know that I loved that story about your cut-off prostitute shorts. Funny and very endearing.
I cannot motherflipping wait to see Miss Merl style this piece of craziness!!!
(and by the way- I'm pretty sure my Dad is over the moon right now. Just tell your Dad how popular he'll become with the 20-30something fashion bloggers. HAHAHA!)
.Haiku
you made a terrible shirt awesome! and that bracelet is freaking amazing
I'm so glad to see Paige's challenge idea take off! Excited for what other innovations people come up with... :]
Wow that bangle is lovely. The color of the purple is sick!
Lovely bangle.
You gave that blouse a totally new life, amazing!
Ok I tried this already, but the comment form freaked out, so if it comes up twice I'm terribly sorry to spam your comments....
1. I'm amazed by you ladies, you and Paige managed to make this blouse much less hideous than I initially thought it was! It's even *gasp* pretty! Just goes to show you it's all in the styling.
2. Sign me up for the giveaway because this bracelet is fan-freaking-tastic! I'll be crossing my fingers and rubbing my lucky rabbit foot (if I had one...)
that bracelet its beautiful..the cold metal and the airy feather are a match made in heaven!
Kelly
What an amazingly gorgeous bracelet. wow. that one is a showstopper. so subtle yet so powerful.
That blouse reminds me of the 70's bridesmaid dress that the "New Dress A Day" gal used to make a pretty top like yours! Love it.
Ooooooh, I LOVE FEATHERS!!
Probably started when I was a kid, wishing I was Native American, sigh.
l-belle@hotmail.com
www.purplepinafore.blogspot.com
OOO so pretty!! I want it, give it to meeeee!
xoxo, Ashley
freehoneystyle@gmail.com
Is it really weird that I knew your cut-off were American Eagle because of the pocket design? Once a 7th grader obsessed with the mall, always a 7th grader obsessed with the mall...
I'd say you did ugly the right way!
If that makes sense. haha.
uhmm.. it turned out pretty freakin good. That would be a translation for you. :]
It's actually a really cool idea. Something interesting and challenging. hmm. I'm getting my gears turning, here.
Oh, and the bracelet is amazing!
Sucks that you can't enter the giveaway. :(
-Megan
Before I read you're blog I was looking at this shirt thinking Holy Cow! How in the world is she pulling that off so well??? I love how you have made this crazy shirt so fantastic.
LOVE that outfit! And love that bracelet too!
Lisa
abby17063@yahoo.com
Love the challenge, and love the bangles.
I feel naked with out bangles. These would be superb!
Your outfit is so stunning! I have a sad obsession with all things lacy...
Sadly I'm not eligible for your give-away, being an Aussie... still leaving a comment on your awesome blog though! You have such great style.
I adore your top.
Please enter me to when that hot bracelt, as well.
stopmunch@gmail.com
I can't believe that THAT is a collared shirt...freakin fantastic. My natural instinct would've been to pair that shirt with a flowy velvet skirt, pointed hat, and a dude in some chainmail. So props to you for taking a Renaissance Faire-esque shirt and making it cool.
This bracelet is amazing! The mix of pretty and tough makes it perfect. I'd wear it all the time!
Such an awesome giveaway.
This shirt is all sorts of wrong but somehow you make it work! Well done!
The bangle set is awesome. I'm new to your blog, and I'm wondering if you've ever explained how you keep your hair up under the hats. I love the faux-bob you have goin' on.
I'm digging the lacy top like that! What a cute bracelet too!
email: kristen-eg@hotmail.com
Really neat! count me in :)
simple & classy. i want.
I love your restyle. I'm excited about tracking this blouse through the blogosphere.
The bracelets are beautiful! I would wear them all the time.
Gorgeous bracket! Also..i want say that I love how faithfully you style your thrift items. So many people /bloggers sell out and only sell new items. You demonstrate so much more style and taste by using thrift items so consistently.
Cute bracelet. Would love to own it. Thanks.
wesavemore at gmail dot com
you´re funny! love your posts :)
I always really like your purses! Since reading this blog I already look at things I see in thrift stores differently, so this challenge will be interesting to follow. And the bracelet is ridiculously good.
Ah, crap. I love the bangle set but alas I'm Canadian! At least I've expanded by vocabulary to include "nonblogular" so I still feel like a winner!
I've got an international giveaway for another lovely piece of jewelry going on though if you'd like to enter!
http://idlefascination.blogspot.com/2010/07/giveaway-chains-of-love.html
Ooh I would love to have that bracelet!
Beautiful!
(Also, can you give away your sense of style while you're at it? Or maybe just halves it with me? Thanks.)
Samantha
That bracelet is gorgeous!
You should convince them to do the same giveaway on another blog so then you will be eligible there ....
sarah.ifft[at]gmail[dot]com
So I started the whole eatting right for my blood type that I read about in your blog. Saturday will wrap up week one. I miss you wheat!! Then I saw this bracelet and I thought...Wheat WHO? I have since starting thinking...I want YOU Bracelet. I will cross my fingers and toes for the rest of the week!!!
I love odd Victoriana, so I don't know how ugly that blouse is to begin with - but I love the way you styled it! The ruggedness of the boots and cutoffs balance the ruffly girliness of the blouse, and you're right about the hat. It does bring the magic!
The bracelets are awfully cute too. It looks like they slide or adjust a bit?
Ahh they are amazing! & great job with the shirt!
Well done! You took pretty ugly to pretty pretty.
Must. Have. Bracelets.
Still around enjoying your unique {fashion & writing} style. You & karlascloset are the best at making 'ugly' clothes pretty.Beautiful Bracelet giveaway! Fingers crossed xx.
I'm a huge fan of objects in nature applied in a man made way. Gorgeous bracelet, I think I'd love to own it hee hee. Still love the blog~!
bangles! woohoo! i'd love to win!
dananeely[at]gmail[dot]com
haha, I actually think the blouse is really gorgeous!
And I work with birds, so of course I'm a fan of all things feathered ;)
A feather tickles the intellect, adds speed at the heel of the willing heard, adorns the boas of those who despise the shackles of naked living, and provides a comfortable bed for those who find heaven on earth. ;)
Looove that feather detailing!
i love how you wear this bold blouse. love the whole outfit! no ugliness left...
www.wardrobexperience.blogspot.com
love the feathers detail..
=X That would go great with all my other feather rings, earrings, bracelets...
[Droollll]
http://yasmeenbuttons.blogspot.com
My gosh that bracelet is beautiful! I would wear the sh*t out of it!!
You totally made that work! The bracelet is gorgeous, by the way.
You totally made that work! The bracelet is gorgeous, by the way.
That is NOT that shirt! I just saw that post the other day and was wondering what you'd do with you. I didn't doubt you, I promise! Holy wow! See, brought me out of lurker forever status because I am amazed at how you made that shirt look! I have to say it again. WOW! I'm loving the boots too. And the feather on that bracelet is amazing too.
Aww, that bracelet is amazing! As are the sleeves on your blouse...so cool.
Love the bracelet!
I love the boots too... I will am on the search for brown worn boots like that. I used to have a pair years and years ago that I wore until the soles fell apart. Ever since I parted wtih them I haven't been able to find anything as close. The ones your wearing are teh closest thing I have seen. They have to be worn/torn : ) Thats just how I like it.
You make anything look pretty!!! Sorry about the leak. Hope it gets fixed soon!!
absolutely amazing. i cannot get over the feather, nor do i really want to.
I'd like to enter in the contest, that's a beautiful bangle! And you can make anything look gorgeous! ♥
Lovely feathery bracelets! Hope I'm the lucky winner!
xoxo,
www.hollyinheels.com
Love the bracelet. Love your style. Thanks for the chance!
AUGH! If I don't win I might end up having to buy that bracelet too.
ou find the most amazing thing while thirfting! i love the bracelet too :)
Beautiful bracelet, love the feather. and I love your blog, your beautiful self shines through.
samantha.hanback@gmail.com
Love your boots! I am on a major bracelet kick lately and I love Alex and Ani jewelery - woot!
That bracelet is insanely beautiful. I don't usually like bracelets, but this one is something really special.
you make that crazy top look so chic! you've styled it to perfection. i
i'm obsessed with wing-related details. the bangle set is beautiful.
oooh! i hope i'm not too late! i'm in central time. and it's 12:55 am here (what am i doing up so late??!!?) so that means it's 10:55 pst...right?
Sometimes I get compliments on the 'ugliest' things simply because they are unique. Ugly worn with irony is hip, ugly worn with grace is bohemian and ugly worn with confidence is the birth of a trend!
I posted once, so only count me once, but in the event that I do win this, here's my email!
elle.jo.richardson@gmail.com
I totally didn't think about leaving it the first time. :) Hope you're having a fantastic weekend!
I think that is so beautiful! nicely done!
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