Thursday, January 31, 2019

Loft Peacock Roundup

I'm sure everyone is sick of hearing about it by now, but my part of the country is having record breaking low temps this week! Obviously, this means no outfit pictures. So to beat the cabin fever, I came up with a few posts I could put together that would involve inside pictures, or pictures I already had.
 
The Loft has been one of my go-to places for peacock pieces, so I figured I would do a round up of looks dating back to 2015. I blog for a hobby, but many people I follow on Blogger or Instagram do this for a living. I am finding that I am getting sick of seeing the same thing over and over. I totally get that they are always promoting new merchandise because every person who clicks on that or purchases that, they get a commission for. But seriously, one girl gets a knit hat with a fur pom on the top and they all get a knit hat with a fur pom on top. One girl gets ultra expensive Golden Goose sneakers, and now 2 other girls I follow get them??? I mean, I am even seeing the same poses, same makeup, and same hairstyles! There is one thing I will always be, and that is authentic. This is how I look everyday and these are the clothes I wear everyday (even if they are 5 years old)! It's easy to get down on yourself when you compare what you are doing with others, but I keep reminding myself that this is for my own creative outlet. And, it makes me appreciate the gals I follow who are like minded.
 
Okay, enough ranting. The pic below is from Pinterest, but I wore this same combo today featuring a peacock blouse from The Loft! Mine is a little less polished because I have a grey cardigan instead of a blazer, but this is something I probably would not have put together on my own (I would have never thought of the grey).
 Pretty much the exact same outfit was featured in my Chenille Crush post - just swapped out the grey sweater for a red one.
 Speaking of chenille, I got the teal number from this post AFTER I had done my Chenille Crush post. So yeah, that makes 5 chenille sweaters. This look features another peacock blouse from The Loft.
 The blouse above and this dress are the same print, just in different colorways. I felt they were different enough to purchase both. You can see the original dress post here.
 I LOVE the sweater from this post.
I NEED to repeat this outfit soon! Another pretty blouse originally shown here. 
Last week, I wore this comfy Loft sweatshirt with jeans. I love the beading and tassel detail on the peacock! This delicate little gemstone necklace from Anthropologie (from Mom for Christmas) is perfect because it doesn't take away from the design of the top.
I love throwing on this Loft sweatshirt too whenever I am stumped for something to wear. See original post here.

Sunday, January 27, 2019

Basement Refresh

The latest room we've completed in our home is the finished portion of our basement - the theme was "man cave". If you are interested in how we DIY, read on - I will link any products when I can.
 The starting point of this room, after refreshing the white ceiling paint, was deciding to do a statement wall with these wood planks we got at Menards. Since they fit so close together, there was no need to paint the wall before putting them up. We used a chalk line to mark the studs and then Jon got these up in about a day. (Window reflecting in the TV, grrrrrr!)
 We may hang a few more things on the wood wall, but don't want to cover it up too much. Now, the saga to match the wall paint. Three fourths of the way around the room, there is a ledge so we knew we wanted to do a dark color on the bottom and light color on top with the light color carrying around the rest of the room. At first we picked out the rusty red and golden tan colors from the wood. As we got to painting, it just wasn't right. We debated and debated, and then pulled out leftover paint from other rooms that we knew we liked. So it ended up the light color is the same as our living room and the dark color is on the island in our kitchen. Once that was all painted, we refreshed all of the white trim.
 All of the décor down here is stuff we already had that had made it's way to the area as we knew this is what the look would be. Everything vintage in the way of tools, gaming or cars.

 The next project was this entertainment center. We have had this since we got married (16 years). Jon's uncle, who sadly committed suicide, made it in the 80's I believe. We used it in our apartment, our home in Battle Creek, and up until a few years ago at this house until we got a different one for the living room. The wood was a lighter color and had some imperfections on it as expected for it's age, so it got sanded and stained darker. Then, Jon made this barn door from old wood and attached the rolling hardware to hang it. He got the hardware kit from Menards. 
 The part the barn door hides is sectioned off into four quarters - so it hides some electronic stuff but also has décor.
 The handle is an old bottle opener!
 Here's a good picture to see the two-toned walls.
 Another project Jon made is this license plate collage.
 We re-tiled the fireplace. The tile that was on there before was such a light beige and blah. Plus, it had a shiny gold edge around the base that made it very dated. The large tile on the base was easy to chip out so that Jon could just slide the new pieces under the trim without having to take it off. The smaller border he was able to tile over the old stuff. Some grout and it was a fairly easy DIY!
 We had a couch and a love seat down here before (the love seat was on this same wall and the couch faced the fireplace). We sold both of those pieces and knew we wanted to get brown leather - preferable something that looked "old school library/lounge" if that makes sense. We started looking at used couches online but then also headed to a local furniture store - Vermuelen's. We found this beauty in the clearance section..... it was the floor model so it has a bit of that worn in look (which we were okay with). It's a power recliner and the brass tack detail is exactly what we were looking for!
 That kind of leather that just gets better with age!
 The trunk coffee table is another piece we have had for many, many years.
 These Model A hood vents are a flea market find from this Summer. There are 3 windows in the room and previously they did not have blinds on them. There were existing curtain rods (clunky ones at that) that I hung some curtains from our other house on when we moved in. Taking those curtain rods down and putting up simple blinds (which we had to purchase) really opened up the room. With the natural light coming in today, they just look really washed out in the pictures.
 We bought bean bags for the boys, and they LOVE them. I guess I never thought about it before, but it's hard to find bean bags and when you do they can be expensive! I mean, over $100 for a bean bag!?!?!?! I was pleased that I found these at Target and my boys are all about fuzzy things!
 We'll fuss a bit with the décor here and there, and then we may move a rug we already have in storage to break up allthebeigecarpet! I think that's all I have to say on this room. Redoing a room can seem daunting, but just think of things you already have that you can use or refurbish. Selling existing large pieces can help the budget for new pieces you might want. And of course, doing the labor yourself is very rewarding! I am very lucky that Jon is a jack of all trades, but honestly just pull up a video online and teach yourself!


Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Patches Update

 It's been over a year since I introduced my Patch Jacket Project here, and it sure has expanded since then! The weather has turned nasty here, so a mannequin is standing in for my usual outfit photos!
 Let's start by looking down the left arm. In my original post, the Chicago Flag patch was already there. My post goes into detail of this being from my 40th birthday trip and the meaning behind how the flag was designed. The 3 stars are from real United States flags that line the main street of Grass Lake (I would say there are at least 30 out?). Once the flags get too battered, our local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars groups cut the flags and hand out the stars. I love this idea! The Michigan Adventure Center is from attending Richard's 1st grade field trip. The Veterans Outreach one my Dad got for me - it's a group in my hometown of Racine, WI.
 Down the right arm, the flag was already there in my last post, but I took off the peacock I had on as it just wasn't flowing right. I added a Grand River Brewery patch - this is a restaurant in Jackson where I have enjoyed many meals with friends (there is now a location in Marshall too). The bunny BSA patch I found at a thrift shop on a special girls day out with my friend Sarah. There was a stack of patches that I can only assume a scout leader had excess of and donated. This one reminds me of our fun movie outing and thrift shopping.
Additions to the front from last time: there are 5 merit patches in a row that were my Mom's from Girl Scouts! The flowers on the pocket are from Anthropologie. The past few holiday seasons, Anthro has come out with some fun patches to embellish/personalize gifts. Last year Richard participated in his first pinewood derby. Jon had stopped at the local scout store to get some supplies and he brought this patch home. I thought he got it for Richard, but he said it was for me to remember the special event. Last year was the derby's 65th anniversary!
From the original post I already showed on the back the "Sinner" patch, butterfly, Tawas Point Lighthouse, and American Robin. I also had one of my old Girl Scout patches on the opposite bottom corner, but took that off for now as I continue to edit my collection. I took some close ups that I will get into more below, but as you can see I pick a corner and then start to build on it. I know eventually the entire jacket will be covered, but this seemed like the best plan as it's in progress. Smokey the Bear and The Lumberman's Monument (both above the belt line) are new from our last Summer vacation. We went the The Henry Ford museum about this time last year. The Haunted Woods was a Scout outing we did as a family at Camp Munhacke (which will be described later too). 
Details on the left back: Sort of wrapping around the side is my zoo collection. The two new updates since last time are Potter Park Zoo (Lansing) and Lincoln Park Zoo (Chicago). The Lemur has a rivet so he moves, and that's the first interactive patch I have ever seen! The Lost Railway Museum is a gem in our little Grass Lake town. Holy Hill is a church my family has visited our whole lives, starting with my Great-Grandma. My Mom arranges to have masses said in my Grandparents name so on this occasion I was in town and we went up for a mass for my Grandma on her birthday.
Details on the right back: Ann Arbor Hands on Museum was from a field trip I went on with Carson's class. Impression 5 is a kids museum we went to as a family in Lansing last year. The Sugar Skull Chihuahua (a remembrance of our dog Mocha who passed) and David Bowie lightening bolt my friend Jennie gifted to me. The Safe House is a really cool spy bar/restaurant in Milwaukee that Jon and I went to quite often when we were dating. Niagara Falls and Grand Canyon are both places that I have visited, but obviously before I started patch collecting. I found them at a flea market over the Summer. Mitchell Park Domes is where Jon and I got married, and we took the boys there this past Summer so they could see where we got married! Getting to visit Churchill Downs and Pike Place Market were due to work trips (loved both places)! The Camp Munhacke badge Jon got, as he and Richard had their first Scout camp experience this Summer. They stayed two nights and had such a fun time, and my heart was so full hearing their memories that I am glad Jon gave me his patch (and that is the same camp we all got to experience for the haunted woods). I have a few more patches waiting to be added, but that's all the jacket updates I have right now.
Now that Richard is into his second year of Scouting, he is acquiring many badges as well! This is the red vest they use for badges so I've had fun sewing them on as he gets them. The really big hexagon one, and the penguin one, are from Camp Munhacke. All of the little circles on the hexagon represent all of the things he did at camp. Others include Christmas Parade, Tree Planting, Movie Night, Haunted Woods, Popcorn Selling, Cake Bake, Memorial Day Parade, and Family Camp.
 It was bound to happen that the boys have gotten into patches too as they see me collecting them at places we go. I came up with the idea of putting them on their backpacks since they will quickly outgrow any clothing item. These backpacks from Target have held up so, so well! Unfortunately, they don't sell this brand anymore, but I just love them! They each had a few patches of their own, but then I let them take a few from my stash and arrange them how they wanted. Richard had yet another Camp Munhacke patch purchased at the camp shop, and a Lincoln Park Zoo patch. There are 2 vintage patches from the flea market I mentioned above (77' Lake and the blue wolf). The leafy thing, Sing Louder, Dream in Color, and eye are all from a Starbucks mug I had gotten and knew I wasn't going to put them on the mug. Carson earned The Haunted Woods and Movie Night patches from Scout events he went to (but since he's not in Scouts yet he doesn't have a vest). He selected 2 patches from the Lincoln Park Zoo and also a patch from the Racine Zoo (my hometown zoo). Relax Hard and the Zebra are from that same Starbucks mug. The Airborne patch I got at a really cool shop in the Seattle airport that sold all air travel stuff (they had some really cool vintage bomber jackets, vintage airline uniforms, etc...). Lastly, he convinced me to let him have the peacock and boom box.

I have really enjoyed these projects, and I love how each patch is a memory. I am seeing themes as well...... Zoos (Binder Park, Potter Park, Lincoln Park)....... Field Trips with my kids (Binder Park, Ann Arbor Childrens Museum, Michigan Adventure Center)........ Our now annual Summer vacation (Tawas Point Lighthouse, Lumberman's Monument, Smokey the Bear)........ Work Trips (Pike Place, Churchill Downs)........ Scout Memories (Pinewood Derby, Haunted Woods, Camp Munhacke) and once I add back in some of my Scout badges, the jacket will bear 3 generations of Scouts (My Mom, Me, Richard). Other patch projects I've thought about? I have this really cool bag below from Anthropologie (from years ago) that is screen printed to look like an old travel bag with its own patches/stickers. I laid a few vintage flea market patches on it to see if I would like to add patches to it someday. Hmmmmm.



I should also mention that I am now the proud owner of this patch vest below! We were at an antique shop during our Summer vacation and I came across this for $25!!! Just knowing that this was someones life work, I just could not leave it there. Just knowing how much it took to not only collect the patches, but also sew them on. Don't put it past me to actually wear this someday - seriously! I do not plan to take any patches off or add any - this piece is being preserved as is.
If you're still here, you must be a patch lover too or at least appreciate my collection. Again, you can look to this post to see the beginning stages of my jacket and more in depth detail of the patches I started with.


Thursday, January 17, 2019

Shimmery Sale!

I love peacocks. I also have an affection for velvet. So when I saw this skirt it immediately reminded me of a peacock feather. If you've ever inspected a peacock feather up close, you will know that it is velvety and shimmery. The ombre colors on this are so gorgeous!
I didn't really have exact color matches, so I played it safe and went with black and added a beaded peacock feather necklace I made a long time ago. I know I've complained about it here before - the tights versus no tights argument - and I really feel that on midi length skirts or dresses the addition of tights make your legs look stumpy. In addition, I usually don't wear flats with tights - again I think it adds to the stumpy - but the weather is making those decisions for me. 
Most everything I've been posting recently has been/will be items I've purchased on super sale as we all know it's prime clearance season for retailers. Modcloth is currently offering an extra 40% off sale items! I think it's for another day or so. This is the Aesthetic Honesty Velvet Midi Skirt.


Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Patchwork Sweater

I just realized the last outfit I posted was.... black jeans..... and a grey top. Kinda boring, I know, but we are in that weird post holiday/mid-Winter time where wearing a dress or skirt takes so much more effort because of tights, layers, etc.... I do have some fun outfits I'd like to share soon so hopefully that happens. Until then, take advantage of all of the super cheap Winter deals! I got this sweater 60% off - it's out of stock right now, but that can change on a daily basis so once it is in stock again I will link it. 
What drew me to this sweater was the patchwork style with the different textures and colors. These are the special details that elevate a simple outfit. It's oversized fit is perfection this time of year!
Patchwork Sweater - Loft
Rock & Republic High Roller Jeans - Kohl's
Booties - Sole Society
Sunglasses - Target


Thursday, January 3, 2019

Ease into the New Year!

I'm embarrassed to say how much I have worn this top since my Mom gave it to me for Christmas! But easy pieces are what it's all about as we try to get back into routine after the holidays. I've seen these twist front tops for quite a while now, and now that I've tried one I am hooked! This one is a brushed fleece so it is super soft and comfy! Mom got it at TJ Maxx but since I love it so much I decided to look up the brand...... looks like you can find them at Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack. I'm certainly tempted to pick up a few more in other colors! Just do a search on "Gibson Twist Front".

Paired with my favorite black jeans and favorite booties, I threw on a fun necklace to feel put together. Can you tell I've been into charm necklaces lately? I got this one at Kohl's a while ago - it's their Vera Wang brand - and it's a perfect neutral piece with its different metal tones. I like to wear it with black, grey, and white.
Gibson Twist Front Top - TJ Maxx
Rock & Republic High Roller Jeans - Kohl's
Simply Vera Charm Necklace - Kohl's
Booties - Sole Society