Oct 29, 2011

A Terrifically Tacky Tutorial

DIY: The Tacky Collared Shirt

This is a very simple tutorial with very little supplies, enjoy!

Supplies: Old T-Shirt, Pretty Fabric, Scissors, One Cute Button, and A Needle and Thread.

Step 1: Cut out two moon shapes for your collar. Mine have two layers so they are thicker. Also, I recommend applying a very little amount of clear nail polish to the edges to keep them from fraying.

Step 2: Line up the collars to the edge of the neckline. Sew across the top of each collar. I simply sewed across both of them.

Step 3: Sew your button in the middle of the two collars. This will hide any uneven-ness. 

Presto! You are now ready to wear your tacky shirt! If you notice that your collar is uneven, which I am noticing now, simply trim the edges and re-apply clear nail polish.

Enjoy, and don't be afraid to be silly!

Xo Chloe.

Oct 28, 2011

Bucket Filler Friday

Steffy, of Steffy's Pros and Cons is so fashionable! Her style is so unique, but so lovely! The pictures on her blog are always so crisp and pleasant on the eyes. This is one of my favorite posts. Her shop, Tea and Tulips Boutique, is one of my favorites. She sells adorable clothing at reasonable prices. I love how she has the items styled in outfits, to give you an idea of how to wear it.
If your closet is in need of inspiration, read: Steffy's Pros and Cons!

<</The Paraders\>>
Rachel owns one of the best vintage Etsy shops (Well in my opinion!), called The Paraders Vintage. I am a huge fan of sixties style dresses, and her shop is full of them! Her blog, The Paraders is equally as wonderful! I love her dating vintage clothing posts. They are so helpful to read before going on a big thrifting tip.  No longer do I have to question the era in which my clothing came from!
If want to learn all you need to know about vintage, read: The Paraders!


Arielle, no not like The Little Mermaid: It's pronounced R-E-L. I hate it when people mispronounce my name too! Her blog, Humble Pie is adorable! Her blog design is definitely on the list of my favorites. One of my favorite posts is her Flashback Friday post. I love that she collects pennies! Plus, this post is very unique and fun to read, it's like a mini history lesson! Also, her Lady of the Week posts, are amazing! I love the fun facts she gives about the "lady," in this case Shirley Temple.
If you want to read an adorably informative blog, read: Humble Pie!


Oct 24, 2011

Stuff I Luff

The pastel colors of this dress are gorgeous!

I want to upgrade to a Canon Rebel xti so bad! 
(Any opinions on this model would be greatly appreciated!)


This necklace is simple, but interesting.

These nesting bowls are amazing, I love the colors!

This camera clip would be so convenient! 
(This is going on my Christmas list!)

Susannah's scarfs and headbands are adorable!


Xo Chloe.

Oct 21, 2011

52 Weeks of Instax: Wk4

(Amy made this awesome picture! Want to use it? Click here!)
If you have not noticed yet, I can never keep this post to one picture. Well, this time I am! Are you proud? 

The Ugly Mug is our favorite coffee shop. They have a bagel menu! Also, they make soap out of their award winning coffee. I found that quite impressive. 

Have a lovely Friday! Sorry, no-Bucket Filler Friday today. Next week for sure!

Xo Chloe.

Oct 18, 2011

Celebration Date Night.

To celebrate Dominick and my 4 years of love, we went out and about.
First we went to Noodles & Company. Dom didn't like the Pad Thai very much, overall it did not impress us as much as we thought it would.
Next, we visited a vintage shop, but I did not get any pictures, sadly. Although, I did talk to the owner about maybe doing an interview for Lazy Explorers! So, stay tuned for that! We went to Urban Outfitters and I must say, they have way better sales online. Everything is so overpriced there, I couldn't believe it. (Or maybe I am just getting used to thrift store prices) 

As we were walking down the street, I noticed a homeless man sitting outside an empty borders (So sad!), with some jewelry laid out on a piece of fabric.
Yep, that's him! He was the nicest guy! So well mannered! He must not be doing too badly with his sales, if you notice the Starbucks cup next to him. Anyways, you could tell he put a lot of time into the jewelry pieces and I just had to have one.
He knew all of the names of the stones he used and everything! I am so happy I stopped to talk to him.
After that, Dom and I wandered into the coolest area ever. 
 
And you know we had to fit thrifting in this date! Dom is so sweet!

Woot woot for four years! 
Xo Chloe.

P.S. I am recently started making headbands. I am considering selling them in an Etsy shop, let me know what you guys think!



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Guest Post: Amy's Thrifty Tips


Hello Lazy Explorers readers! I'm Amy from A is for Ampersand and I'm so happy to be guest posting on Chloe's pretty blog.

Thrifting is a topic near and dear to my heart. We recently bought our first condo in downtown Salt Lake City, and while a huge decor budget would have been nice, we didn't have a lot left after buying the home. So--we turned to the local thrift stores to make our house a home, and I'm so glad we did.

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Today I'd love to share a few tips with you guys on decorating your home with thrifted items.

There are no rules. If you love it, you love it!

I think that anyone wanting to decorate their home with thrifted items needs to first clear out any notions of what is "right" and "wrong" with decorating. I'm definitely no interior designer, and I'm sure they'd hate me for saying it, but it's YOUR home--buy what YOU like! While thrifting for your home, don't let yourself get caught up in feeling nervous about what someone else might think or if it's too weird. Go with your gut.

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Go with an open mind and don't be afraid to have vision!


The trick to successful thrifting is easy--go with an open mind! If you see something that might be interesting but isn't perfect, think of ways to alter it--could a quick coat of paint make it usable? Could you use it as something different than its original use? Could you break it down and use certain parts? Could you cover it with fabric? Mod Podge? The possibilities are endless!

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Take home ONLY what you love


The problem with thrifting is that it's addicting. And with this new thrifting addiction, you MIGHT quickly become a hoarder if you're not careful. Trust me. It will happen because there are so many gems to be found!

To help me figure out what to take home and what to leave on the shelf, I took a little inventory in my head of what I want my home to feel like--I love all things 60s and 70s with funky colors and a cozy vintage feel. So, whenever I go thrifting, if it doesn't fall into these categories, I don't take it home. And if you're still having trouble deciding, just ask yourself--do I REALLY love this? Or is it just ok?

Making a mental inventory of what you want your home to feel like will make all the difference while thrifting. You can even make a little checklist on your phone or whatever with items you'd love to thrift. My list includes pyrex, crewel pieces, and paint-by-number pieces.

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Mix and match vintage with modern pieces


To keep things balanced and fresh, try mixing your newly thrifted pieces with some existing modern pieces you might already own. This wall below is a mix of thrifted pieces along with a couple of prints I recently purchased on Etsy. The pieces still compliment the same vibe I'm going for but keep the house from looking like grandma's, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. :)

The $10 1962 Record Cabinet

Look in unlikely sections. You never know what you'll find!

Last but not least, search everywhere in the thrift store! Things are always incorrectly categorized or abandoned in strange places, so look everywhere. I found that owl clock up there in the lamp section and these curtains in the sheets.

I'd also recommend allowing yourself plenty of time if you want a good thrifting trip for this very reason. You want to be able to look closely and look everywhere, so give yourself a good chunk of time, wear comfy shoes, and don't take any winers with you.

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That's all there is to it! Decorating with thrifted items is an incredibly cost-effective way to spruce up your home. Plus it's an adventure! You never know what you'll find, but you always know your home will be one-of-a-kind.

Happy thrifting! And be sure to visit my blog for more thrifty adventures!

Oct 17, 2011

Four Years, Four Whole Years.

Today marks the day, four years ago, when I started dating my best friend. We were only first entering high school, and now we are in college. It is crazy to think about. I am just so happy we met and I could never imagine life with out you, Dominick. I love that we can be goofballs and it is perfectly normal. Also, I love that we have big dreams, that is an important part of life. Thanks for four years filled with bliss, and thank you ahead of time for the many more to follow. 

Xo Chloe.


Oct 15, 2011

Stuff I Luff



This dress would be perfect for a ska show!

Look at this cute little birdy knob! It would spruce up any old dresser!

This soap is a wonderfully creepy addition to any bathroom on Halloween!

I have always wanted a sleep mask like Holly Golightly!

This is the funniest book ever, and most definitely in season!


Xo Chloe.

Oct 14, 2011

Bucket-Filler Friday & MFV Giveaway Winner!


Mallory is her real name, but her hubby calls her Beencie. Isn't that the cutest? Yes, yes it is. Her outfits are always adorable, and I don't know if you have seen their wedding pictures, but if you haven't go now. Her dress is gorgeous. I am in awe, it is perfection. Also, her thrift finds are fantastic, she got a lomography fisheye camera, for $12! That doesn't just happen everyday! 
If you are looking to make "Awh!" sounds, go to Beencie.

A is For Ampersand
Amy is the uber rad blogger behind A is For &. Her fashion style is unique and wonderful. She is probably one of the last people on this Earth who wear other jeans besides skinny jeans. She has definitely inspired me to try out some bell bottoms. Her home is absolutely amazing, I love the way it is decorated. Also, her Etsy Shop is wonderful. I own the Caturday Print, it is such a lovely addition to the shelf collage on my wall! 
If you are looking for some retro style inspiration, go to A is for &.

One Sheepish Girl
Merideth is a shy blogger who loves to knit. Her photos are always so lovely and inspiring. Her This and That posts are my favorite. I always love to read what she has to say, she is always doing something interesting. Also, she posts some of the best tutorials! My favorite is the 52 Weeks of Instax Frame, this is such a cute idea! You can buy some of her knitted creations from her Etsy Shop. I am in love with this crochet teacup!
If you are looking for some crafty inspiration, got to One Sheepish Girl.

Xo Chloe.

P.S. If you would like to start your own Bucket-Filler Friday posts, link back here please! Also, if you could let me know, I would love to read your posts!

P.P.S The winner of the Maggie's Farm Vinatge Giveaway is.....-Drumroll-...Mary, of Wish Upon This! Be sure to head over to her blog and congratulate her!


Have a wonderful Friday!

Oct 13, 2011

Outfit: Lace Collar

I am super excited about this dress because it is the first on e I ever shortened myself!
It took my quite a while, but I am very happy with it. Woot!

Floral Dress: Thrifted (Hemmed it myself!)
Cardigan: H&M
Tights: Thrifted (Brand new in the pack!)
Satchel: Thrifted
Shoes: Kohl's



It is actually kind of funny, these pictures were taken on a median by my school. There was this lady staring at me so I have way more outtakes than actual good pictures. 
Here is one of the outtakes:

This is my uncomfortable face, haha. (Oh gosh..) I was simply trying to find a new location to take outfit pictures and look what happened! 

Tip: Do not take outfit pictures on a raised median where there is a lot of traffic, people will stare.

Dom and I went to Michaels after that most awkward experience to pick up a few things.
I bought water balls and a plastic container for an egg drop lab that I had in my Physics class (In case you are wondering, my egg broke). I also bought some felt and adhesive flowers for some headbands I plan to make. If all goes as planned, I will be selling them in my upcoming etsy shop!



Xo Chloe.