Things That Make Me Smile [photos]

Happy Monday everyone! Hope your Halloween weekend was exciting! I'll post our costumes a bit later on in the week. To start the week off here are a few pictures of things I am loving right now...

My belated birthday present from my great friend Amy. Yay for more outfit posts!

Nothing warms my heart more than a big pot of soup during the fall and winter. I made an amazing Italian Wedding one that was delish!

My lovely vintage sparkles! I wore it for my costume this weekend. It's a bit big but so fabulous.

I can never eat just one dessert from the amazing Babalu in Santa Monica. Friday night we had pumpkin cheesecake and chocolate pecan pie [not pictured]... they were heavenly!

Happy Monday everyone!! xoxo

Halloween 2010: Lady Gaga Costume [DIY]

I'm completely obsessed with Halloween. It's by far my favorite time of the year [well.. it runs a close second to Christmas...] I love when the weather starts to change, the leaves turn colors and everything gets that "crisp" feeling. October means scary movies for the entire month and by the time the 1st rolls around, I am usually waist deep in our costume plan. This year is no different. I can't wait to share this year's selections with you guys but I normally never tell so that it won't ruin the element of surprise. So I thought I would share with you our 2010 outfits.

I started working on them around mid-August which may seem extreme, but allowed me to slowly get a fabulous finished product. I find that DIY Halloween costumes are always so much more fun than buying that generic one in a plastic bag. And I couldn't be more proud of what I created. Let's take a look:

DIY Lady Gaga Costume

I love dressing with the hubs in a matching or relating costume and this brilliant idea of Lady Gaga & Justin Bieber hit me in the middle of summer. My favorite part about wearing this costume is that I created half of it! Those crazy glittered crystals are actually 10+ mini crystals glued together. They took a bit of time and perfecting but the final product was amazing and I probably spent a total of $3.00 on them. The crystallized sunglasses were another DIY project. The glasses cost $2.00 on eBay and the crystals probably $3.00.

Lady Gaga Crystal Sunglasses

The only thing I actually did purchase specifically for the costume was the glitter bodysuit and the wig. Each were $14.00. I had just planned on wearing a plain dancer's leotard but I came across this bodysuit while shopping in Forever 21 one day and thought it was perfect. The rest of the items were straight from my closet. The bottoms were from another DIY Playboy Bunny costume as were the tights. Those shoes are one of my favorite pairs I have! Lastly I borrowed the bow from the amazing Pursuit Of Shoes who was Lady Gaga the year before that. Billy's costume is all completely borrowed with the exception of the sunglasses ($3.00), t-shirt & necklace (his own) and the wig ($8.00 on Amazon)

So all in all I saved so much money by completing these projects and scrounging around my closet. The total bill for me $36.00 (Just as an example the Lady Gaga costume at the store is $50.00 for the dress not including the $20 wig, $15 bow, $10 sunglasses, $10 accessories, shoes or whatever else you want to add) If you haven't thought of a costume yet - don't worry! You still have time and I'll give you some tips.

1. Hit up your local thrift stores and Goodwill. That's where we found a good amount of Bill's costume for this year and so many of my past costumes.

2. Ask friends! Chances are they might have that one item you've been looking for {a la Lady Gaga Hair Bow} that can save you some extra $$ and they'll feel good about their pieces being used more than once

3. Be creative! Do a bit of research. Check out blogs. I discovered how to create those glitter crystals by watching a 15 year old make them on YouTube!

4. Lastly, have fun!! Go crazy and enjoy yourself. It's the one time of the year you can dress up so take advantage!

What DIY costumes have you done? I want to know. Send me some photos and you could be featured! bedazzlesafterdark[at]gmail[dot]com. Happy weekend everyone!!

p.s. if you want to know how to make the above just comment below or email me and I can tell you!

Currently Inspired By: Seeing Spots

I'm totally obsessing over polka dots right now! The key to this trend is picking pieces that are in basic colors and toning them down with menswear separates or leather items. A bow here and there or a tiny bit of lace trim is extremely feminine and lovely. But anymore "sweet" details than that and it's veering into age in-appropriate territory. Try a tough leather jacket or a pair of slimming black pants. As a beauty bonus, do a strong lip and tons of mascara. Whatever you choose... have fun! Happy Wednesday! xoxo

Lusting After: Leopard Smoking Flats

The Darby Loafer - J.Crew $275.00

Thought we could start Monday off with something lovely that's on my current wish list! These adorable leopard smoking flats/loafers have been spotted all over the blog circuit lately. I too have been struck by this new twist on the latest leopard craze. However shelling out almost $300 for a pair won't be happening anytime soon so I'm determined to find a look for less. I'll be sure to post the options when I find them. In the mean time... aren't they so pretty! Happy Monday! xoxo

image via JCrew

My Best Friend's Wedding [Photos]

I promise I had a good excuse for being such an absentee blogger a few weeks ago... and here it is: My BFF's wedding! Jenna and I have known each other for 11 years and I couldn't ask for a better best friend. Words that come to mind when I think of her: Kind, Sweet, Caring. No matter what happens in our lives, she's always been there for me - even when I'm not being the greatest friend. She's taught me a lot about life and I'm so incredibly thankful to have someone like her in mine. So on October 1st, I got to watch her take the first steps towards her new life with her amazing husband, Sean. The wedding location was a gorgeous estate in North Carolina. And even though the entire week before had been filled with a major heat wave/rain storms, Saturday morning brought perfect Fall temperatures and pure sunshine all day long. Along with an absolutely beautiful wedding, it was great to catch up with my wonderful group of friends from High School. Here are some snapshots courtesy of her photographer {Evoke}and yours truly. Hope you enjoy!

 

Her gorgeous gown that was so perfect! I looooved it!

Poll: Who Wore It Better - Kate Middleton or Cat Deeley

Princess Catherine & Cat Deeley

It's a battle of the Catherines! Both British beauties have been spotted in this gorgeous Beulah London red long sleeve gown with billowing sleeves and a plunging neckline. Yet they each added their own style and personality into the looks.

Princess Catherine (a.k.a. Kate Middleton) was spotted wearing hers at St. James Palace for a charity gala (where over $1 million dollars was raised!) Her signature brown locks were flowing and she accessorized {of course} with that gorgeous sapphire diamond ring. Cat wore hers back in early spring for the BBC special "Royally Mad." She swept that gorgeous blond mane back in an updo with jet black eyeliner. The SYTYCD host's mega-watt smile was the only add-on needed. So now I'm asking you lovelies...

Who Wore It Better?

1st image via Twitter, 2nd image DailyMail UK

Outfit Post: Missoni For Target & Sole Society

I guess that I am finally getting more and more comfortable with my outfit posts... So when I put this look together I couldn't resist snapping a few pics. I love pops of color with neutrals - especially when it's pink. Thankfully the hubby was home and could take them so they turned out a bit better than my usual self-timer on a stack of magazines trick. :)

Poll: Bangs Or No Bangs

That is the question.... on my mind lately. I know I will regret it the second I do it but I've been itching to get them lately. What are your thoughts?!?!

Bangs or No Bangs

Images via Polyvore

Look Of The Day: Olivia Palermo in Mulberry

Olivia Palermo wearing Mulberry

Today's LOTD is from a few weeks ago, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I saw it. Olivia Palermo's styling is absolute ridiculousness. I don't think the girl has ever NOT worn an amazing outfit (If she has I want proof!) And even though I was quite underwhelmed and less than impressed with her guest judging on last week's Project Runway episode (seriously... what a snooze!) I'll let her slide because of this fabulous outfit. The former The City star showed up to Mulberry's Spring 2012 presentation wearing a top, heels and clutch from the line. It's so feminine and incredibly stylish. I love the proportions of the metallic top and slim pants, reminding me that I must find black skinny jeans as soon as possible. Do you guys have any recommendations on where to get some? Plus I need those bow front pumps. So adorable and could totally be achieved with DIY shoe clips.

What do you guys think? Hey it's Thursday which means it's almost Friday! Yippeee! xoxo

image via People

Outfit Post: BDIB - Animal Print

When Kristina over at Pretty Shiny Sparkly finally posted a new BDIB challenge I was so thrilled with the theme - animal print! I'm super into leopard right now {along with every other fashionable gal out there!) and I knew I already was already set with an outfit post from the summer. However today marked the first official day of cooler weather in the LA area and I for one couldn't wait to pull out a sweater I scored a few weeks ago that's totally crazy and amazing at the same time. Let's dive into my look shall we....

In ♥ With This: Ryan G & George C

Ryan Gosling & George Clooney

Ok, so I know I've been a terrible blogger lately! But I promise I have good excuses :) And even though I've been a little swamped I couldn't resist sharing this little photo with you all. If you didn't already know I have quite the obsession with Ryan Gosling (you can check out my Pinterest board dedicated just to him here....) and when paired with George Clooney... I mean come on! Hope you enjoy the Tuesday eye candy!

image via Zimbio