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

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

Going back to Tribal Featuring GS-Love

Happy Friday! Cheers to the freaking holiday weekend!

I kicked off my Memorial day weekend by going to see the one and only Vivian Green! She was in town last night and took us on an emotional rollercoaster mini concert style! Her voice is amazing!

Vivian's style strikes me as earthy, flowy and tribal. GS-love never disappoints as this blue jean print, tribal, capri style romper is is all that in one!

The material is kinda strectchy, but I could tell that from the website. Everyone may not know fabric, so my suggestion is to size up. I'm wearing a 3x here.

Jumper - bit.ly/ELouise

Shoes- Rack Rooms

Check the website for new arrivals GS-Love gifting my followers with 20% off of their next purchase! Tell them ShapEly Louise sent you by using discount code Elouise20 during check out!
 and be sure to follow them on Instagram  @GSLovesMe,  post a selfie and tag #GSLovesELouise for your chance to win $100 GS Dollars shopping spree.

Have a great weekend!

E. Louise

RECAP TCF: Style Brunch ATL feat. GS-Love

Happy Tuesday!

I'm coming off of a weekend high. I had the pleasure of officially meeting some women who I've been following and admiring for the last four /five years! Can we say Blogger Heaven!

I attended the TCF Style Brunch hosted by The Curvy Fashionista! The panel included Jessica Kane (Skorch Magazine/Society (+)), Marie Denee (TCF), Ty of Gorgeous in Grey, Chante' Burkette (Everything Curvy and Chic) and was moderated by branding coach Kim McCarter.

There was a very candid, emotional, yet uplifting conversation about pushing past your fears and building your brand. Things that I'm most definitely identifying with these days! I walked away feeling empowered and refreshed! PURPOSE

Plus, the opportunity to network with other beautiful ladies with the same or similar interests was absolutely there! I can't wait until the next event!

Luckily for me, I was not worried about what I was going to wear. I knew I wanted to be super girlie and one of my favorite go to shopping spots had me covered!

This dress (bit.ly/shapelylouise) from  GS- Love made me blush! I received a lot of compliments and it mirrored my mood on the inside, FUN and FLIRTY!

GS-Love wants to share the love by gifting my followers with 20% off of your next purchase! Tell them ShapEly Louise sent you by using discount code Elouise20 during check out!

Check the website for new arrivals and be sure to follow them on Instagram  @GSLovesMe and Tag #GSLovesELouise for your chance to win $100 GS Dollars shopping spree. 

Dress: @Gslovesme
Shoes: @GoJane 

Pics,pics, pics! Take a look at some of the pictures taken from the event. I hope you enjoy!

With Chante Burkette of ECAC 

Quick usie with Host and panelist Marie Denee THE Curvy Fashionista

Jessica Kane

I won a really nice bag sponsored by @88 handbags! 

Celebrity Stylist Shun Melson (OMGGGG)

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood!

E. Louise