Inspired By | African Wax Prints

WhatIWore: A couple of summers ago I collaborated on a really cool project to bring African wax prints to life through modern silhouettes. Our proceeds went to Giving Back to Africa, a non profit started by an IU professor who was raised in Congo. Through a series of photos and photoshopped arrows, we worked with our colleagues in Kinshasa to pick out the fabrics, assign them patterns and have them sewn up. Along with some other Bloomington women, I did a bunch of sewing too! The results were so beautiful and I hovered by one skirt all night long to make sure I won the auction (seen here). 

While I was researching ideas for our little fashion show, I came upon the genius that is Stella Jean, an Italian based designer with Haitian heritage. She combines tradition wax printed cloth into retro and ladylike silhouettes. I really love her work! 

Last week I had the chance to do a little sewing using a large piece of African Wax Print I received as a gift, so I pulled together this set of images to get inspired. Aren’t these patterns beautiful? See more ideas on my Pinterest Page.

What I Wore | Sunshine

WhatIWore: Good morning, friends! Hope everyone had a nice weekend! These photos remind me of sunnier days - it’s all rain rain rain here lately. Ever since making my flower crown, I’ve been playing around in my closet for different ways to wear it. While it definitely inspires more of a bohemian sensibility, I thought it would be nice to add it to a more mainstream style outfit too. And you’ll never guess where I got this skirt…

Well, maybe you can…Goodwill! I used to be a big thrift/second hand shopper and it was always a great way to get inspired with pieces that not everyone has (plus easy on the wallet too!) And I KNOW no one else will have this skirt because it’s handmade. It really reminded me of this outfit (which I no longer have, sad face) so for $4.29, it was all mine! 

When: June 18, 2015

What:
Flower Crown: Self Made (tutorial here)
Shades:Karen Walker ‘Super Duper’ in Crazy Tort
Tank: Target (maternity from last summer!)
Belt: thrifted
Skirt: thrifted
Bag: Little boutique in Hong Kong
Sandals: Clarks, gift

Where: Coffee Shop for breakfast and a walk before the heat set in

DIY | Flower Crown

WhatIWore: Looking for a fun and easy project for your next day at the park or festival? Try a flower crown!! I made my first crown a week ago and since I’ve made…eight of them, including the one featured here, which I’m giving away (read on!) Here’s how to make your own:

SUPPLIES:

1. Florist Tape
   
2. Florist Wire
   
3. Florist Stems (thick gauge)
   
4. Assorted Faux Flowers
   
5. Wire Cutters (or old scissors)
   

Start by picking out your flowers. I think smaller blooms work best but you can definitely go bigger if that’s the look you’re going for! I look for blooms that have varigated coloring and a realistic stamen/pistols.

Let’s start with the shape of the actual crown. I use two floral stems formed to the shape of my own head and joined together on each side by wraping them in wire. Once I’ve tried on the crown to ensure it’s the correct size (just a bit bigger than your head circumference so its comfortable), I’ll wrap it in florist tape.

Now you need to remove the flowers from their bunches with a 2″ stem attached, give or take a little length.

Using short pieces (4-5″) of florist wire, wrap the stems of your flowers to the crown. Each time you add a new flower, layer it over the previous wire. 

Once you reach the end of your crown you can reverse the direction you layer your flowers (to hide the wiring) OR just cover the remaining wire and stems with more florist tape!

And that’s it! I like to do partial crowns but you can absolutely complete the entire wreath, just make your starting circumference a little bigger to account for the additional wire/flowers.

Let me know if you make your own! I’d love to see photos and do a little gallery on facebook! 

Would you like to win this crown for yourself? To enter, use Pinterest and pin any What I Wore image of a flower crown and tag it #WIWFlowerCrownDIY. I’ll announce the winner next Monday!

What I Wore | Stripes and Floral

WhatIWore: Of all the pretty pattern mixing a gal (or guy!) can do these days, stripes and floral are probably my favorite. A two colored stripe can work with so many different kinds of prints, but I’m a sucker for flowers. I like the way this combo came together, although I think I need to alter the skirt to fit a little better. How do you rock pattern mixing most?

When: June 17, 2015

What:
Shades: Karen Walker ‘Super Duper’
Tee: J.Crew Factory
Skirt: ModCloth
Backpack: Vera Bradley, gift
Sandals: Target
Lipstick: NARS Scarlet Empress

Where: Library Play Date and Coffee/Work Sesson 

See Also: How I’ve styled this skirt and tee (one and two) before.