Braided-hair headband: bought in Tokyo

Pointy Sunglasses: Forever 21

Ruffle-detail Tunic Blouse: Romantic Standard Clothing (bought at mocha in Shibuya, Japan)

DIY Feathered Bangles: handmade by me

Leggings: Old Navy

Canvas Espadrille Booties: Percy Bootie (from Alloy.com, no longer available)

Trying out the milkmaid braid – my hair isn’t really long enough to do it properly, so I started my braids halfway up my head and pinned them to my crown, then added a thick braided hair headband I got in Japan to the front to create the illusion of a thicker braid.  My braiding’s kind of sloppy in the back – maybe next time I’ll do it better!

If you’re wondering how to make your own milkmaid braid, there’s a great video from WhoWhatWear on the how-to here.

Recently the trend of braids in the hair has just exploded; as a result it’s a lot easier to find braided headbands – try the Tonytail Braided Headband, which is kind of a stretchy all-around-the-head-band, or if you’re looking for a thicker braid on a hard headBAND, I found a bunch on Ebay.  You might be able to find some in Claire’s or other stores that cater to the Juniors market.  And of course you could always DIY it with hair cut from a cheap wig, braided, and glued onto a headband, or with a hair elastic attached to the bottom!  (Hmmm….maybe I should write the tute for it…?)

I’ve been waiting for warmer weather to bust out this shirt I also got in Japan last summer – I love how weirdly unique it is.  If you click on the link above and check it out in Romantic Standard Clothing‘s online store, you can see how they kind of pinned up the ruffle layer so it stays up for the store photo – but I like it floppy and down.  (Did I just write that???! :-/ )

Also trying out my new lipstick: Make Up Forever Rouge Artist Intense #40 (satin bright orange) with MAC Clear Lipglass layered over the top.  I love how orangey it is!  Plus tried doing something different with no eye makeup; kind of nude like at the Jil Sander S/S ’11 runway show.

DIY Zippered Leather Clutch: handmade by me

Ball-top rings: can’t remember

Cube Ring: Karmaloop

Ring with slit: Jumpring-closing Jewelry-making tool (similar here)

Nails are still Maybelline Orange Blazes.  I love the cube ring I got from Karmaloop.com – it’s so unique!  I get compliments all the time about it.  I wish I could tell you where to get it but apparently it’s sold out everywhere, from Karmaloop to NastyGal to 80’s Purple.  Sorry!

My clutch I made from an old leather jacket I used last year for a couple tutorials.  Following my instructions here for the pouch body, then add a zipper as a closure (Style Scrapbook has some instructions here on how to add that zipper).  I added a 1″ pyramid stud for interest in the front.

The reason why I look so ticked off in the first couple photos – and then the rest of the photos are blurry – is b/c while my husband was shooting the shots Lil Tot was watching and begging to jump in the photo too, and then stepped on his leg, and my husband yelled at him, and then Lil Tot burst into tears, so finally I just said forget it, I’ll use the self-timer, and brought Lil Tot into the photo with me.

He was quite happy.  That is pretty much the progression of most “photo shoots” that I manage to wheedle my husband into when Lil Tot is around.  It’s getting to be a little stressful, and making me feel like Worst Mother in the World for creating a situation like that.

Can you see my “little helper” peeking out?

Needless to say, I will probably choose to have the self-timer as my photographer from now on, which probably means lots more blurry photos! >:<

Hope everyone’s having a great week!

xoxox
Carly

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