DIY: Cobble Time

Did you know that cobblers aren't reserved strictly for peaches or other stone fruits?  Although they are perfectly delicious, human cobblers (not delicious) are people who mend shoes.  With a deep dish biscuit crust.

Anyway, shoes are pretty freakin' important to me and all the other ladies with whom I blog, so I thought it was high time to fix up the sole train.  Here's a small, inexpensive fix for a pesky problem.



Many of my shoes, however beautiful, lack traction in the sole.  I once completely wiped out walking down a newly waxed hallway in the English department, and got some nice new bruises. Deal breaker? No. Dangerous? Yes.  Will you walk like you're on an ice rink, and therefore look less awesome? Double yes.

You will need: Scissors, glue (non-toxic and weatherproof, $6 at Michael's), and small adhesive disks.



The disks are usually used for furniture (think the legs of a chair or the feet of a coffee table). I found them at the Dollar Tree for $1.



Spread the glue in a thin layer over the sticky side of the disk, then adhere to the shoe. Try to place according to where you distribute your weight, like the balls of your feet.



I don't have amazing posture, so I put an extra support on the far right of my shoe, since I tend to wear out that part.  Keep shoes stationary and exposed to air, allowing the glue to dry.  When the glue is dry, it will become clear.



Enjoy your new-found stability by runway walking down a bowling alley, a Slip-'N-Slide, or a giant buttered piece of toast.  It costs less than $2 per pair of shoes, and now you can charge your friends to fix their shoes!  You're welcome ;)

XOXO,
Jenni

Rad Red

I went clearance shopping with one of my friends from my old job yesterday & came back empty handed.  It was a sad time.  But will we were clearance shopping we did a little window shopping as well.  We went into Express & New York & Co just to see what all the chic ladies were wearing this fall.  We saw a lot of fur & a lot of red.

This made me realize how much I really do love red.  Recently I've been thinking about starting to wear lipstick.  Megan has some pretty rad red lip color in her about photo, I know for sure, but I dunno how the other ladies here at est. 1839 feel about lip color.  I think they'd be on board.

At any rate, I have these awesome red shoes that I got for $2 or so while thrifting ages ago.  I love them! They are perfect for nearly any outfit & they really jazz up jeans.  If I feel like a chic casual day at work, I can throw on my dark jeans & these red shoes and no one knows I needed a break!

I wish I had more red in my closet.  Red is a color that is great to bring some life to wintery outfits.  Red scarves, red shoes, red nail polish.  Red is so classic!

Rad Red by fivesixteenthsblog featuring slim skirts

How do you feel about red?

Do you rock the red lipstick?

DIY: Change Your Clothes

So, I have this dress. I got it for $4 at Ross, and because it was such a good deal (and my size), I couldn't pass it up. I like the graceful, flowery print, and the fit was unexpected on a simple sundress.  But I didn't love the neckline. 

It was so boxy, and square, and changed the otherwise interesting fit of the garment.  I'm not really interested in cleavage, but it needed something.  So I changed it to a sweetheart neckline.

Step 1: Spread your garment on a flat surface, face up, and decide where you want to make a change.  I simply pulled the points in until they formed obtuse triangles (I think) and gently marked the corners with dots inside the folds.

Step 2: Thread your needle.  Carefully.  I used only about six inches of thread, and doubled it, so that it would be stronger.  And easier to hold when knotting the thread.  Match up your marked points, then insert the needle, pulling your doubled thread through to the point where you can make another stitch.  Continue sewing up to the seam, then repeat on other side.  

(Note: I had to move to the other side of the garment, since I can't do diddly with my left hand, apparently.)

Step 3: You're as close to done as I got for today, though I may come back and embellish with some buttons.  If you choose to do this, studs work nicely on little frilly dresses.

So, now what do you do?  Why, reinterpret Alice in Wonderland, of course!

Dress: Ross; bow: Forever 21, tights: DKNY, amazing shoes: Poetic License (at Gabe's), jewelry: Betsey Johnson (Nordstrom Rack)

Artwork: Urban Outfitters

Little quirks like this make your clothes look and feel tailored and expensive.  Yes, I'll have to hand-wash this now, but it's worth the wear.  Do you have any awesome projects in the works?

XOXO,
Jenni

We Love Today: "Nudity"

When it's too darn hot outside, everyone wants to be naked, but nobody wants to be arrested. It's a catch-22! Here's how I deal with the heat, and how sometimes those naked pieces can bolster your wardrobe.



Shoes are a good place to start your career in acceptable nudity.  There's something sexy about barely-there shoes, and I tried a very sheer pinkish topcoat instead of my usual brights. I personally prefer my coral nails, but it was fun and a good excuse to buy $2 nail polish from Charlotte Russe.



Yep, that's my underwear drawer. Notice the set right on top - nude bra, nude panties.  These aren't the sexiest things I own, but they are incredibly useful, and I would recommend them for every woman.  I hate to break it to you, but everyone can see that white bra through your white shirt.  Sorry!  Just for the record, I prefer bras by Jockey.  More expensive, but so worth it.                



I found this beautiful little shift dress at Kohl's, by Lauren Conrad, for $18.  It's a little big on me, but all I had to do was add a belt, put up my hair, and choose some fly accessories.  The shoes are Steve Madden, which I got at Ross.  If you're not crazy about heels, wedges will definitely work, as will black.  It also works for fall/winter with tights and a coat that covers the hem, preferably worn open, and at night.

Other than pulling a Madonna, what indecent fashion exposures lurk in your closet, waiting to sell you a watch?  Let us know here, and follow us on Twitter!