Thrifty Thursday : Another Thrift Flip edition

Ok, So I haven't been thrifting in FOREVER!

I had to cut back on some things a few years ago and this was one area that haddd to go! Plus I have a second bedroom full of ideas (thrifted items) that I need to either get rid of or do something with. Well, now that prom season has ended, I have extra time on my hands and so BOOM you have another edition of Thrifty Thursday! YAYY!!!

Culottes- I remember my mom wearing these in the early 90's. She bought my sister and I some too! They were big and bright red! I'm sure there is a picture somewhere of us dressed a like. Anywho, yall know I love my vintage and my prints. When I saw this culottes jumper, I figured I could revamp it somehow without the print swallowing me.

Shoulders will be out all SUMMER 2019! A pretty easy cut to the top made all the difference. But, the before does give you a look at what "they" considered plus size fashion to be back in the day. Covered, baggy and whole lot of prints! I think we've come a loooonnng way! Praise God for growth!

 

 I was in between leaving the legs as is or adding a drape. I went with the drape, because it was different. It's a simple stitch that can be removed later if wanted.

The belt, purchased from ASOS, served dual purposes. 1) it broke up the print and 2) it cinched the waist line.

Jumper- Thrifted
Belt- ASOS
Shoes- Shoe Show
Earrings- Forever 21

I hope you guys are having a great week! I'm currently en route to Houston! Saw a restaurant I wanted to try and it's turned into a full fledged Girls Trip! Cheers to Summer 2019!


XOXO,

E. Louise

I looked like Bae... The CoCo and Chanel

Happy Thursday Folks!

Do you guys scroll past the give-away announcements on social media like I do? I be feeling like it's a 100 entries already so what are the odds that I'd win anyway. Well, I tried something different last month when Fashion Stylist D. Ni'Cole was feeling generous. She was giving away a  black and white 'The  COCO and Chanel" sweatshirt... and I'll be dog-onnnn', I won!  ( Mood: If this is any indication as to how 2019 will go, I'm with it!)

 I've had the pleasure of being inspired by this GEM (D. Ni'Cole) for more than a few years now! We're both "Southern Girls" so I feel like we connect on a different level! She's launched a branded Sweatshirt and Tee-Shirt line SBDNC , that features some mind reading, classy but sassy, catch phrases that will have EVERYBODY stopping to see what your shirt says! Trust Me I Know! LOL

The Sweatshirt is Uni-Sex in size and runs big. I was in between wearing it as a shirt dress or a crop top. It wasn't as flattering as a shirt dress so the crop top option won. 

Keeping it crisp, I paired it with a black and white pinstripe shirt dress I've had for a while from Rainbow Shops and some white booties from Shoe Show . 

You can find the Sweatshirt (Here),  Booties (Here),  and a similar Shirt Dress (Here)

You should know by now, a pop of color is my trademark. Pink tassel earrings completed my look. Side note: I probably need to lay off the tassel earrings 😓 No promises tho! 

I wore this in Atlanta a few weeks ago and it was definitely what I call a conversational piece. I looked like BAE! Thank you D. Ni'Cole !!!

Hope you guys enjoyed! Have a great weekend! 

XOXOXO,

E. Louise 

Shapely Louise  

The Return of Thrifty Thursday!

It's been years!!!  Almost two years since I last blogged and longer that since I've featured a Thrifty Thursday! As the old saying goes, time flies when you're having fun  you're working hard, paying bills, and adulting every day! 😏

In the spirit of reclaiming my time, I've definitely gone through a slight transition, one that would allow me to devote time to a main passion! It's a whole new world out here now from when I started in 2011! I hope I can catch and keep up!

Top- Charlotte Russe
Skirt- Thrifted
Cape- Shein

 For Thrifty Thursday's triumphant return, I decided to go with a print and color play! Geometric prints are pretty forgiving, so I paired the thrifted skirt (it's a medium by the way) with a black pleather bustier from Charlotte Russe.

Earrings: It's Fashion Metro
Boots: Boohoo.com

Often times black/white looks set the mood, but I still love my pop of color. This cape was gifted by way of Shein.com, Metallic boots from boohoo.com, with and my red fringe dangle earrings, brought everything together quite nicely!

I'm happy to be back! Hope you guys have a good weekend!


E. Louise

Splashing into the New Year (Part I): Collab with Splashed by DKG

I cannot believe it's MARCH already!

I hope your 2017 is beginning on a high note! Notes full of renewed dreams, hope, and faith! I have quite a few things planned for 2017! One is to connect with other like minded business creatives in a effort to grow! It's only fitting that the first post of the year be a master collaboration with some of Birmingham's FINEST right! SplashedbyDKG is making waves with the freshest twist on a classic trend. So I was honored when they reached out and asked me to review a few things from their line!

I guess we can thank Kim K., or her stylist, for her single handed reboot of the 70's/90's accessory THE NECK CHOKER. (SN: you know you're getting old when trends circle back from your childhood.) 
This particular revitalization takes me back to a happier, bill free, time of watching Clueless over and over again, but I digress. In true form, the guys over at Splashed By DKG added a spin, not only is the choker blue jean, it's SPLASHED (of course), with  black beaded trim, and two snaps for size adjust-ability.

Excited ain't even the word! How many ways was I going to style these thangs! So many ideas floating about! I decided that I'm going to style it as many ways as I can! The styling capabilities with blue jean is endless so the sky is the limit. Sometimes, you have to let the accessories lead. In this case, I'm letting the choker from Splashed By DKG and my boots take the front Seat.

Choker - Splashed By DKG
Boots- Ashley Stewart
Top - Fashion To Figure
Olive Coat- Simply 10

 

Paired with an Olive duster, bustier, and tights; The choker helped to add the finishing touches to make my OOTN complete. The perfect blend of not doing too much yet still making a statement.

OWN THOSE ROOMS ladies! Head on over to www.splashedbydkg.com and check out all that they have! Use the code ERICKA10 for 10% your next order!

Thank you for Reading!

E. Louise

Transformation Tuesday: ThriftFlip Edition

Happy Tuesday!

I have been itching to post another Thrift- Flip, because I think recreating and creating are the two aspects that I enjoy the most! I'm a lot more thrift conscious these days, meaning I'm only looking for classic - potentially classic pieces to buy. There was a time when I just purchased everything that I liked! Now, I'm only focusing on the things that I love!

Olive is the new black... well not really but I'm totally feeling the color against my skin tone! I'm exploring the green family tree. The vintage neckline I absolutely love, but I wasn't so into the length. I felt like it fells within the gray (in between area), not long enough/not short enough. 

Originally, I was going to use the fabric cut from the bottom to achieve this look. BUUTTTT after about 3 hours of cutting and sewing, I quit! LOL It just wasn't enough material to finish the pleated look. I then went through my scrap fabric pile and decided to REALLLLY remixed it ! I took a risk!

Dress- Kasper /Vintage/ Thrifted
Shoes- Gojane.com 

Looking forward to doing this again! 

E. Louise 

Kente Queenin'

Kente cloth has been around the fashion world a few times and then some! It's back, like it has never left! VH1 aired a movie about the 90's music era (the Breaks) at the beginning of the year. The lead character wore a Kente crop top to a party and my heart fluttered!

Of course I HAD to go get fabric and make a crop top! Otherwise, my soul wouldn't let me rest. LOL
after I got that out of my system, more ideas begin to roll in! Leftover fabric is truly a blessing because a neckpiece was born!

It took me a second to figure out what I wanted to wear it with exactly. After a few trial runs, cream won! It's simple yet makes a statement!

Neck piece/ Dress- @shapelylouise

Shoes- Payless

Hope you're having a great week so far!

Happy Hump day!

E. Louise

I spy something spotted: Day one - Bohemian Chic

I've been so attracted to all things print. More specifically polka Dot. I looked up and my closet is full of Black on white, white on black, big dots, lil dots, and peplum dots! So much so, I decided to put together a few looks featuring the Kwame' print! (I just watched his Unsung on TVONE)

If you follow me on IG (@shapelylouise) You may remember these wide legged pants from my tribute to Solange a few months back. Well, I brought them out for this free spirited look.

Flowy was the mood of the day!  The only reason I paired the two pieces together!
I have a new job that allows me to get dressed and show my personality! I really appreciate that

Duster- Thrifted

Pants- DIY #SewnbyELouise

Shoes: Shoe Show

Happy first day of Summer! How are you bringing in the season?

See you tomorrow!

E. Louise

Bodycon Chronicles Feat. GITIonline

The infamous bodycon... a blessing and a curse! Blessing - it's ten times more fashionable than the flowered moo-moo stores had been forcing down our throats for years. Curse -most times they're too tight, too short, and we have to put on too much underneath (Spanx).

For me, it's all about finding the perfect formula. That's a mixture of fabric, design and length. When given the opportunity by  Gitionline to review an item from their site, this dress immediately grabbed my attention.  

My guess was that it would be pretty curve friendly and my guess wasn't wrong! It's the most forgiving, very comfortable, and the length is perfect! I was looking for something that would compliment my curves and Whoot there it is! (Corny I know) LOL

Dress: @GITIONLINE

Shoes: Shoe Show

Have a great week!

E. Louise

The most rewarding $12 ever spent

Happy Friday Everyone!!!

I went home to spend some time with my Mom one day and it happened to be on a Wednesday. Senior Citizen Day at Roses (the discount store). So guess who had to take her... ME! But, for real I love Roses so I asked her not to leave me! LOL

I  usually find some cute and reasonably priced graphic tees or pencil skirts in the clothing section.  But on this day I found the best $12 investment EVER!

This solidifies my you try it on rule. You can't be turned off by size. As this is a xl. But the fabric is soooo forgiving. I just want to wear it over and over.

Jumper: Roses Discount Store

Shoes: Shoe Show

Hope you all have a great weekend!

E. Louise

Faith Over Fear : it's A lifestyle Change

What better time to wear a message tee than Easter? Faith over Fear, I've been actively practicing this for the past few years. Each year I feel like I'm being challenged or taken to another level of difficulty, constantly being put in positions where I have to trust God more and more. I remind myself of all that he has done and that serves as reassurance that everything is going to be ok. Faith over Fear is a lifestyle change...Literally.

I’ve been trying to figure out how raw or transparent I wanted to be. The last time I spoke on this (last Easter) I had a decision to make. I lost a lot of sleep trying to figure out my next move. *Insert Drum Roll* I can proudly say I CHOSE TO STRUGGLE! 

So here’s the thing, my lease ended a few years ago but no one in the office caught it and I wasn’t finna say nothing!! I toyed with the idea of moving back with my mom (Montgomery), my sister (Birmingham), or heading to the Hollywood of the South (ATL)  all financially  safe choices.  None of which I went with. I decided to re-sign my lease for another year. It was most definitely a faith move. But when I tell you I slept so good afterwards. I felt like that was confirmation from God that I had made the right choice. I try not to lose sight of that, but it gets a little cloudy at times.  He gave me hope.

I went through a shameful period. I was ashamed to tell people I was unemployed. Like instead, I would give wayyy too much info. "I was a recruiter, but I got laid off, now I'm working two jobs just trying to make ends meet..." Blah, Blah, Blah. All because I wasn't confident in the changes that God was/is making in my life.  Not seeing that I was being placed in a position to grab hold of REAL freedom. That Create your own way freedom. That I work for my damn self FREEDOM...He gave me freedom.

I went through a withdrawal period. I was pretty uncomfortable. I'd been applying for jobs, and getting rejection after rejection after rejection. So much so, I stopped alerting people of my interview opportunities. I was trying so hard to reposition, not to be a burden or needy. But I felt so discouraged, worried, and rejected that I withdrew.  He gave me time.

Before I was laid off I kept having recurring dreams of me being put in situations where I would HAVE to come out fighting.  One dream in particular, I’d been kidnapped, I sat in the corner for a while, really sad and afraid. Out of nowhere it hit me!  My thoughts: Hell they may kill you anyway, might as well go out fighting! So I did!  Then I woke up. I wasn’t sure what it meant then, but I can take a good guess now. He Gave me the Will to fight   

At the turn of the New Year, I made the decision that I was not going to fill myself with worry in 2016! I've stayed true to that so far. I had to change my attitude and accept where I am at this point in life. I realized that my attitude was preventing me from progressing and moving forward. I was too busy trying to recreate what was, when I should've been creating/dreaming/shouting about what could be! I was limiting my high-life points without knowing it. Now, I'm ok with working two jobs and devoting more time tailor making my own dreams. Because, I truly believe the best is yet to come!  He Renewed my spirit.

T-shirt: DIY

Skirt/Vest: Thrifted

Shoes: Shoe Show

To be continued...

Cheers to being GREAT!

Happy Tuesday!

E. Louise

The Bigger the Better... CLUTCH

Happy MONDAY...

I'm working at Joann Fabric and crafts part-time so I get 1st dibs on the remnants or leftover fabric. So, I'm digging through the bins and what did I find?!?! A Gem! More Leopard Print Faux Fur!

Faux fur or fur will forever be a trend during the winter season and instead of making the typical vest or jacket, I decided I wanted a clutch bag...Like a Bigger than life, leopard print, faux fur, Clutch bag!

It ended up being about a 30 min project. Using Velcro instead of a zipper, would've cut that time in half!

Jordache Jean Jacket/Dress/Belt : Thrifted
Shoes: Citi-Trends 

I thrifted this dress last year and #Thriftflipped it to resemble a bodycon. I've really been crushing on velvet lately, partially because It's so forgiving! 

Wishing You a Great Week!

E. Louise