Giveaway: Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Happy October 1st!!  This happens to be one of my favorite months for a few reasons... First - My birthday falls smack dab in the middle (10/15!  Where my Libras at?)

Second - Halloween is one of my most favorite days and what's better than a little dress up?

Third - It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I couldn't be more supportive!  We should be aware 12 months out of the year, however having a full month dedicated to education/awareness/support is such a good thing.  So to ring in the month, I'm hosting a giveaway of a special LOFT t-shirt, created in support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation...

...as well as a gorgeous Cargo lipstick in shade Sagarmatha!

To enter, leave a comment below of the size of the T-shirt you'd like as well as your favorite month!!  Perhaps it's the month of your anniversary, the birth month of your children, or perhaps it's the month where you won the lottery/silent auction raffle/got called down on The Price Is Right!! (PS, that last one totally happened to me...need to transfer that clip and get it up on YouTube so you can see the ridiculousness of college Marisa slapping everyone's hands on the way down to Contestant's Row!)

Fun month ahead filled with more goodies in store to win!!!

31 Days of Thrift: Day 15

I found a whole lotta scarves at Housing Works and it's been fun trying to think of new ways to make them work aside from just wrapping them around my neck! DAY 15/31:

#17 – Scarf

I also grabbed the jeans I picked up on my same visit to pair with.

I loved the print on this scarf so I thought it would rock as a top!  Wanna see how I did it??

My scarf was ready to be twisted and pinned!  Here are the steps...

1. I wrapped the scarf around my neck, making sure an even amount of fabric was on each side.

2.  I pinched a bit of fabric from each side at the bust area and safety pinned it together.

3.  I finished pinning down the front of the scarf to secure the piece on both sides.

4. Next came the back.  I grabbed each side of the scarf right at the area of my back where I wanted the piece to fall (I had to make sure that it was still high enough to work with a strapless bra) and pinned this area.  I continued to pin down the rest of the back to keep it fully closed.

After all the measuring and pinning, my new scarf/top was ready for its debut!

It's kind of the most perfect thing to wear when it's SO hot out.  Makeshift halter, check!!  I love the back too...

You can always pin and repin the area to get in and out of it easier as well.  I loved the color so much - it matched the heather-y grey/purple shade of my kimono to a tee, creating an easy transition from day to night.

Kimono: Vintage // Jeans: H&M // Shoes: 9 West // Bag: Vintage // Necklace: Forever 21 // Sunnies: Urban Outfitters

I need to start getting all the super hot weather outfits out-of-the-way before the temperatures really begin to go down here in Southern California.  Who's feeling true fall temperatures already?  Fill me in...I've been seeing tons of photos from friends of their apple and pumpkin picking which I'm totally jealous over.  I need to find some of these picking spots near LA - any locals out there have recommendations?  I'll gladly accept, make delicious apple cider, and take pics/send virtual sips your way!

Mandy's NDAD Creation

The best part of Mandy's outfit description was when she described her piece as something her dog couldn't even look at.  Who doesn't want to see how that turns out, right?  I'm obsessed with it...check it out!

Prepare yourself for an awesome plus-sized recreation!  I received a call from a good friend last month asking me to help her clean out her mother’s closet after her passing.  In the mix I found this homemade dress.

I loved the pattern and the toggle closures and the weird wrap/tie thing but man, this was a lot of print.  Even my dog couldn’t look at it for long periods of time.

Ruh roh!! (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

I cut the sleeves and a good amount of the length. 

A few stitches later...

...I had a great breathable top that looked unlike anything anyone has ever seen!  It was perfect paired it with a pair of dark wash denim capris and nude wedges.

I received a ton of compliments on it and made sure to send a copy of the photo to my friend.  She was so happy to see someone enjoying something her mother had made many years ago.

Thanks for such an inspirational blog!

Mandy, the big question is...does your dog like it now??  You nailed this piece and look FAH-bulous!  More, please!!