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So the video for America’s Next Stylish Blogger is now up, with celebrity publicist Kelly Cutrone breaking down the looks…
Apparently she didn’t like mine AT ALL – saying that she had no idea what was going on, she hated the accessories, it was too much, etc.
I do have to address her criticism by saying that what my blog is all about is DIY’ing your own pieces…and I didn’t have enough time to make myself a blouse, pants, or shoes…so in order to showcase my brand, I went to the max with the jewelry. (Again, it’s what’s happening in fashion right now.) If you follow this blog, you know that I’m always trying to use accessories in new, funky ways. ANYONE can pair the blazer with a pair of jeans and a shirt and leave it at that- the whole point of the exercise, I thought, was to do it well – i.e., thinking about colors, textures, lengths, embellishments, etc; creating a look that was pleasing to the eye and appealing. And in my book that also means being creative and adding things I made myself! Though I know “doing it well” is certainly in the eye of the beholder LOL!
This is really what “my brand” is all about: funky, trendy, DIY, the runway look for less…I think that looking at my photo, this definitely comes across. (Though you have to read the description to hear about the DIY part.)
I also wish they wouldn’t keep reminding everyone that I’m a “mom” and being like “you’re a mom, would you wear this?” Chic Steals is not about, and never has been, fashion that is for “moms” (whatever that is, anyhow). It’s about finding that designer look for less – what’s hot, what’s trendy, what’s on the runways. It’s not about an outfit you can wear to go grocery shopping with Tot in tow. (I don’t wear any of the outfits I post when I go to Fred Meyer, for example. Trendy fashion is not really day-to-day clothing, if you know what I mean.:-) I also mention my Mom status so rarely on my blog if you’re not a regular visitor you may miss it. Sure I have a child, but my passion for making things, keeping up with trends, and scoring a deal are not related to having a little one.)
I also take it they mean “from Oregon” in that I live there? I’m from NJ originally! Shout out to all the Joisey kids out there!:-P
Okay, rant over! Just to clarify some things for anyone who cares:-)
Please vote if you haven’t yet! (Scroll down to the voting widget below the video) Oh, and you can vote once day! Please do, and each day you’ll have an extra entry to win that shopping spree!:-)
xoxox
Carly
Hey I think the boyfriend vest is great and your accessories complement the look – not overdone! Keep doing what you're doing =)
Thanks for the sewing eBook mention, by the way – and for the contribution. Do you have any projects in the wings?
Kristen
Editor
FaveCrafts.com
Hey Kelly! Thanks so much for your support! (Vote if you can!:-)
I'm working on a couple refashions of men's button-down shirts into dresses, and a dress made out of a tank top + men's t-shirt…tho I haven't had a lot of time to work on them!:-( I will let you know when I have something that I've finished!
Thank you again!
xoxo
Carly
you know, it's just funny to me how one person could say “oh it's just terrible, i don't get it” and then the next person could tell you it's the most wonderful thing.
Personally, I liked it more than the others- some of the others were too 80s/early 90s flashback, and i really didn't see what she saw in that texas lady– i'm from tx— Dallas in fact, where all the erm, dallas ladays with money are lol— i've seen trendier women than that– i got what she was going for, but i just really didn't think it was worth all the praise. and heck- cutrone's personal style is all black apparently? so's mine for the most part, but there's a LOT you can do with black. and fix that frumpy hair! haha I like what you're doing here, so pssshaah. ^__^
I have to agree with a lot of Alex said.
If the gals in the video are any indication of what style they think is fashionable it looks to be K-Mart 1989 (seriously, I got my Mom that same black top for XMas from K-Mart in 1989).
Every competition has a certain thing they are looking for and theirs may just be more bland and conventional.
I will say to you the same thing I told my son when he entered a local talent competition – you have a choice – you can try to figure out what they want to win the competition and try to do that, or you can just be who you are and let your style shine. My son didn't win, but he was the only one that did comedy and he did stand out from the crowd and brought an element of fun to it.
Your DIYs are awesome and I hope you continue to showcase as many of them as you can.
I'm gonna agree with Kathryn- KMart was totally my thought haha! 😀
And too, I really like the DIY style you've got going on here, AND it's something that more people can easily do. I love too how you use the resources you've got and find something to do with them in wonderful new ways (like the ugly baggy sweatshirt turned fabulous Chanel cape!!) stuff like that is wonderfully original and creative 😀 !!!
Thank you ladies – it is really nice to know that at least somebody at there says “go for it” rather than “you suck, we don't get you, take it off” whatever.
I'd totally encourage anyone, of ANY age group, to have fun with fashion, try putting your own stamp on things, wearing it and loving it…
I was trying, at first, to aim to win the competition and then realized there was no way I could since my little blog is still growing and I don't have a huge fan club or tons of supporters…at least not yet! And certainly the average visitor to Bluefly.com is likely more conservative so won't be voting for me.:-( But it's all good, I'm having so much fun styling the pieces, getting feedback (good and bad, believe it or not!) just to get my name out there…plus I'm hoping one of my friends or readers wins that Bluefly $1000 shopping spree! That would be utter awesomeness!
Thank you for your support *hugs*
xoxox
Carly
Wow O.o i didnt get her view at all, I think it is because she doesnt follow your blog, so she didnt understand it. but even if you were trying to calibrating the looks it was very well done, like it doesnt match but they go well together and i think it is in and i think the jewelry went well with it.