Copycat: ASOS Lace Neck Trim Blouse

Let's be honest, any shirt that has some sort of collar embellishment or flair is a collar that I want to befriend! I loved this shirt when I first saw it being worn by Jaime King on Hart of Dixie this season and it was actually was a maternity top, something that I discovered when I found out that it was an ASOS piece. I wanted to remake it immediately because it seemed like something that could be finished in a jiff using items found in my stash of supplies. (For those Hart of Dixie  fans, you can head over here to HelloGiggles to read the post with the full TV tie in!) Doesn't this scream “DIY me”! (Check out the actual shirt on Jaime by ASOS, here!)

On top of the fact that it was maternity, I also saw that they had two color options – melon and navy. I had a navy Forever 21 blouse in my closet already that was the same shape as the ASOS version, so I switched up the color a bit and went with navy as my base.

The key to this piece is a round neckline that the lace or crochet trim can be added to the edge of.

Here’s a rundown of the supplies you’ll need:

1. Lace trim or a crocheted doily (You can cut the scalloped edging from the doily to make it work if you have one at home or can snag one from your mom’s stash! I have so many in my collection that I've scored from my mama!)

2. Safety pins (These will work if you want a non-permanent lace neck.)

3. Thread & needle (For a more permanent lace neck.)

4. Your base blouse/top (I found a similar blouse in coral by Debenham's)

I began with two pieces of lace trim that I found at my local craft store. I played around with where I wanted to lay them before pinning them in place.

Once the location was set, I pinned the lace to the blouse (1) and began to hand stitch the lace directly to the top, post-pinning (2). I love things that aren’t permanent, so this is also something that you can make by just safety pinning the lace to the neckline so it’s easily removable.

In less than 20 minutes, you’ve got a new shirt that's pretty darn similar to the one by ASOS!

It’s something super easy that can work on the edge of basically anything!

It’s a dainty little addition and a super sweet touch to really add some femininity to a top.

Now what sweater to wear on top of my new shirt that allows this fab neckline to peek through??

Remake: Slinky Blue 80s Dress

I snagged this dress while I was home in NC for the holidays...

I was absolutely in love with the drapey portion of the skirt, but the top part was slightly less desirable.  Insane shoulder pads, check...

...a sequined appliqué that was falling apart on the edges, check.  Way too billowy sleeves, check.  I had a few tricks up my sleeve to make this super red carpet worthy though.

I mean the Golden Globes were last night...

I started off by removing those very thick shoulder pads!

Next came some work on the neckline.  There was a seam down the center that was just asking to be opened!

I removed the seam starting at the top of the dress...

...and stopped after a few inches were open.  The beauty of this drapey material is that just by tucking it under (or inside the dress), there was no need to sew it in place - it just fell on its own.

To tackle the billowy sleeves, I pulled a little pinch and cinch move!  I gathered the sleeves from the outer edge of the arms to the collarbone and used a large safety pin to gather all of this material.  I repeated the move on the other side to make them match.

Finally, I took off the diamond-shaped appliqué in the center of the dress.  I know, I know, I'm all about the sparkle, but it was coming apart a bit on the edges (nothing a little glue won't cure down the road) and just didn't work for the clean look I was going for.  (I'll use it somewhere else soon!)

After I removed the appliqué, my dress was ready to go!

I partnered up with my amazingly awesome gal-pal Shauna at PennyChic to style this outfit using budge-friendly accessories!

I feel like I'm ready for the red carpet!

Photog-extraordinaire, Shideh Miller, captured the look which made me want to head out to a fun soirée!  You know, a dance all night, kick-up-your-heels, kind of soirée.

Head on over to PennyChic to see the rundown of where these fab accessories are from and more fun shots from our collab day...

A full red carpet look for a minute fraction of the cost of what the celebs were wearing yesterday at the Globes??  I will take it!  I can, however, still fawn over the couture gloriousness of yesterday's red carpet.

Amy Adams' red haltered Valentino amazingness was probably my pick of the eve!  This is a dress that I need in my wardrobe.  And by need, I mean try my best to recreate it :)

I loved Elisabeth Moss's dark sequined/printed gown by J. Mendel...

...while Cate Blanchett was stunning in a lace Armani dress (she always makes such interesting and bold fashion statements).

I think Lupita Nyong'o's red caped Ralph Lauren was simply a dream.  Such a different look that she rocked like a champion!

Of those who watched the Globes, who were your faves??  I was glued to E!'s red carpet for the pre-show checking everyone's full length look.  I loved Sandra Bullock's dress when she was sitting down at her table and from the waist up...

...but when the cameras panned out, I wasn't as impressed.  Like at all.

Tons more red carpet to come as the awards season is just kicking off!!

Remake: Blue Glitter Jacket & Shell

I love glittery things as much as any 80s kid, so when I saw this piece I had to have it!  At first I thought it was made using metallic threading, however once I got it home and started to see blue shimmery flakes on the floor scattered by the washing machine before I tossed it in, I was mistaken!

I just need to be a little more delicate with this piece so my apartment/car/assorted places I go wearing it won't be left with a sparkly trail.  It's kinda like I'm a pony from the My Little Pony series.  They leave glittery trails everywhere!

Now this looks like a glitter set - a jacket worn over a matching shell, right?  WRONG!!  This two-piece is a fraud!  It's attached at the shoulders!

Not the most comfortable or easiest thing to put on.  So what if I want to wear these separate?

What happens in that case?  Let me tell you...

First thing on the agenda...separating these pieces!!  That shell has been smothered its whole life and is needing some freedom!  I took a seam ripper and removed the seams keeping these two pieces together.

I also took out the shoulder pads that were located in this stitched area.

With just one extended step, the pieces were separate and my outfit came together!

I ironed and safety pinned down the edges of the jacket to make it look more tuxedo-y.

Pairing the jacket with some vintage Calvin Klein jeans (I rolled the cuffs because they were too bootlegged and I wanted to show my shoes a bit more), a sheer Trina Turk top with a black cami underneath, a vintage purse, and some rocking heels by Report, my outfit was glammy and fun!

I love glitter on glitter, however I'm not as into it when it's matchy-matchy.

Now the jacket totally shines being worn solo.

Shines so much...or so I thought.  When I stood next to James Brown's glittery jacket at the Hard Rock Hotel in Vegas...

...I was definitely given a glittery run for my money.  His was pretty fabulously blinding, but mine came in a solid 2nd place.  I just have to up my glitter game next time I hit Sin City!