Life lately on Instagram

New places and things

The last couple weeks were full of great finds! Here are a handful of snapshots from my Instagram documenting recently-made memories. :-)

About the above: A few weeks ago I bought a little chalkboard on which to write inspiration quotes, mostly ones found I pin on Pinterest. Each week I post a picture of the latest quote that helps me keep my chin up. Two fabulous finds of late are those pistol earrings from Fuego and the patterned flats by Lucky Brand found at Marshall's. There's also a picture of N and I out and about in our hometown and a beach shot from a trip to La Push!

So many bright colors in these pictures! Over the weekend I visited T and we went to a nail salon where my nails were painted this awesome minty shade with China Glaze Re-Fresh Mint nail polish. I later went to ULTA and bought some for myself. The bright flowers decorated T's dining room table and the bright pink sweatshirt photo shows how long my hair is now. I just got a trim at C. Joy Salon in Redmond. Love it! The top two pictures are of my quote chalkboard and of me at Marymoor Park.

If you are on Instagram you can follow me at @alittlefierce! I'd love to follow back!

Brightening up the weekend!

It is gloomy out on the Hood Canal but I am trying to counter the rain with these bright blue pants from Macy's and this bright pink Lucky Brand top. Have a great long weekend!

Favorite looks lately

Mixing it up!

Though I haven't had much time to write blog posts lately, I have had time to snap pictures of some of my favorite outfits.

Let me know what you think of these looks!

Leopard print tank from Guess paired with a string of costume pearls, a coral shrug from Macy's and a black belt.

Probably my favorite outfit. A southwest pattern skirt N gave me along with the lovely off-white lace top. I added the tights because it was cold out (and I wore this to work) plus the pink shoes and necklace to add a pop of color. 

Top left: Curled hair with my studded F21 denim jacket. Bottom left: Red faux leather jacket from Zara, Calvin Klein shades from Marshall's and my rad Vera Bradley phone case. Right: Mixing prints with a thrifted polka dot Banana Republic top and a snakeskin print tulip skirt from Victoria's Secret.

What's on trend?

What I learned at Trending for Treehouse

Add a belt to your outfit!

I realize I went to the Trends for Treehouse event at Westfield Southcenter Mall almost a week ago and am JUST now writing about it; but can you blame me? With the gorgeous weather we've had recently, the last place I want to be is at my computer. I'm sure you understand. :-)

For the event, which benefited the Treehouse charity for foster children, I wore a Rachel Roy dress from Macy's, Steve Madden wedges from Macy's (I didn't get a picture but trust me they are cute!), and a belt from JCP.

Mirror selfie!

Hello Spring, indeed! Look at those colors!

 

One of my favorite looks

Darcy Camden, founder of Styled Seattle, and lead stylist Sherri Garcia led the audience through this season's trends with the help of a dozen beautiful women of all shapes, sizes and ages. With a great stage presence and fun approach to giving style tips, Darcy shared some real jewels during the event including how to do a braided scarf tie. (Will feature a tutorial on here soon. It's my new favorite!)

Here are some of my notes from the fashion show:

 

Don't be matchy-matchy with scarves. Pick ones that aren't the same as the rest of your outfit as far as pattern and color.
Yellow is in, along with floral prints and polka dots.

Black and white with a pop of color is very on trend right now.

When you wear a coat, it is your outfit. Don't get a black coat. Get a colored trench coat instead.

To belt a cardigan, button the top two buttons then belt over them to create a high waist.

Belt everything.

Denim button-down shirts are a must-have.

Lace is huge right now. Lace crochet shorts with ankle boots is an especially cute look.

After the fashion show I went to the VIP lounge for a glass of wine, a mini cheesecake, a chicken salad and a huge bag full of goodies. I am telling you they packed that thing full of presents well worth the $25 ticket to get in! Perfume samples, lotion samples, coupons, gift cards and even a cute bracelet were included.

Next, I went to Macy's where I had scheduled a mini-facial with Philosophy. I walked away with far more than a super clean face, though. The ladies in the Macy's cosmetic department introduced me to a new makeup line called Inglot, which I will feature in an upcoming blog post.

I also discovered Too Faced cosmetics and got a tutorial on how to use their Natural Face palette.

Ta-Da!

I had way too much fun at Southcenter on Saturday, obviously. Thank you so much to Westfield Southcenter for inviting me out and for hosting an event that not only benefits such a great charity but also helps us all look and feel good!

Weekend assignment

A fashion for charity event!

It's Friday! I hope you're as excited for the weekend as I am. Not only is the weather going to be gorgeous; but I'll be spending Saturday afternoon at the Westfield Southcenter Trends for Treehouse event! Westfield Southcenter invited me to cover the event and -- fingers crossed -- I will get the opportunity to meet Darcy Camden from Styled Seattle.

For the last few months, I've followed Darcy on Twitter and thoroughly enjoyed her fashion banter. I think she is the perfect stylist for Westfield SC to feature at the event. I look forward to hearing all about the latest trends from Darcy during one of the stylist seminars.

All ticket sales go to benefit Treehouse, a non profit organization that helps foster children get access to education, basic material needs and social experiences. On their website, Treehouse says they do this to "help kids in foster care discover their own resilience and strength."

Both my sets of grandparents opened their homes to foster children when my parents were young. I also had a couple friends growing up who were in the foster care system. I believe it is important society does all it can to help these children, who are going through trauma most of us can't imagine, get all they need to become healthy, productive adults.

If you are looking for something to do on Saturday and love fashion, makeup and wine as much as I do, please consider spending $20 on a ticket to this event. It will benefit you and foster children! Win-win!

DIY: Recovering a stool cushion

 

Look at me gettin' all crafty!

As part of my fresh start, I am acquiring new items for my home starting with my bedroom. Coming home to an empty apartment is depressing and I want to make it my own space and my sanctuary. After buying the antique writing desk I mentioned in Friday's post, I started to look on Craigslist for a stool that could go with it.

A vintage stool with a turquoise frame and black sequined cushion caught my eye. I knew the cushion wouldn't match the color scheme I had in mind for my bedroom, which made me hesitate to buy it. I was crafty when I was a kid. But as an adult? Not so much.

I bought it. I left it as it was for a few days then went to the craft store and bought some cushioning and fabric. Last night, I went for it!


The chair in all its sequined glory

The sequined look was glamorous and you all know I love things that sparkle. But it had to go. I chose a chevron-patterned fabric, which is a very popular print right now.

Next, I unscrewed the three screws holding the cushion on to the metal frame with my phillips screw driver.

The frame stood alone, naked and cold. (I kid, I kid. But look at it. It does kind of look naked)

I was delighted to turn the cushion over and find the sequined material was fastened with tacks I could remove with a hammer and reuse with the new fabric. I had not decided until that moment how I would fasten the new fabric on the cushion. It was an adventure.

After removing the sequined fabric, the original cover was revealed. There was no longer any doubt this stool was indeed vintage. Look at that pattern!

I trimmed the cushioning and new fabric in a circle and poked small holes for the three screws. I then fastened it on the cushion with the screws before moving on to the next step.

I hammered the tacks into the fabric and cushion, folding the fabric in sections as I went until it looked like this:

I placed the recovered cushion on the frame and fastened it with the three screws. Complete! I love it!

 Ta-da! Hope you can use my narrative to conquer your own recovering project!