Ways to Wear It: Adorn the Horns

I’ve been playing around with different ways to wear the vintage floral print mounted deer skull graphic tank top I bought from Urban Outfitters awhile back. The muted hues within the earth tone color scheme (including ivory, charcoal, shades of dusty rose, olive, & goldenrod) made it pretty easy to coordinate with other separates.

With the skull shirt being the statement piece to work the rest of the ensemble around, I must say – I surprisingly came up with a lot ways to wear my boho-inspired basic! From dressing it up to keeping it casual, check out all the different ways I can adorn the horns…

Outfit #1: Keepin’ it casual – layered underneath my Anthropologie gold fine-knit cardigan and paired with Free People washed black seamed moto skinnys. Worn with my Bordeaux pony hair high-top sneakers from Anthro.

Outfit #2: Another laid-back look – layered underneath my Anthropologie ivory lace tunic top (worn unbuttoned & backwards as a cardigan) and paired with H&M olive green skinny jeans. Worn with my Free Bird ivory pony hair/black leather booties and Anthro textured satchel.

Outfit #3: Casual with a bit of glam – here I layered the graphic tank underneath my Gypsy Junkies gold sequin blazer and paired it with Free People burgundy seamed skinnys. Worn with my black lace-up leather booties.

Outfit #4: Here’s a mix of business & pleasure – the fitted blazer is a tad more formal, but the lace texture & sparkly sneakers keep the look fun & fresh. Layered underneath my Free People forest green lace blazer and paired with dark denim skinnys. Worn with my Steve Madden gold glittery sneakers.

Outfit #5: Fun & Festive – layered underneath my Anthropologie olive green thin-knit cardigan and paired with my Free People light pink tulle tiered maxi skirt. Worn with my Free Bird ivory pony hair/black leather booties and a vintage tapestry clutch.

**I wore this outfit to a friend’s Christmas party. The invited called for “festive attire”. It might have been a bit of a stretch, but this was my interpretation of ‘festive attire’ – I thought the antler tank somewhat resembles a reindeer (sort of…a little….maybe??…. :/), green (well, in my case, olive green) is a Christmas color – so that works, and nothing screams festive like a full-length pink tutu party skirt (am I right?!) To finish off the look & drive home the ‘festiveness’ of the ensemble, I accessorized the outfit by wearing a big jingle bell necklace – aka a sleight bell wreath around my neck. I don’t know that I had everyone convinced on my “festive attire,” but I gave myself credit for trying…and I got to wear my pink party skirt :) (not many opportunities calling for a frou-frou tutu these days!)

Outfit #6: Takin’ it up a notch – this tank top is actually a bit longer in length. I typically tie it up one side, but could also leave it hang. Here I layered the graphic top under my Free People rust-colored velvet blazer and paired it with my Free People ivory lace-trim silky bloomers so that the lace peaks out from underneath. Worn with some near-sheer black stockings and my Jeffrey Campbell tapestry Lita booties. The vintage floral motif is almost a perfect match to the fabric my shoe-booties are made. Coincidence?…or well conceived :)

Outfit #7: Another combo that coincidentally coordinates – layered underneath my gold thin-knit cardigan and paired it with my Free People Fair Isle wool shorts. Worn with my Jeffrey Campbell Bordeaux leather booties. Color scheme of the motif = colors within the patterned shorts – check!

Outfit # 8, 9, & 10: Sticking with shorts, here are a couple other options I could pair & wear.

Outfit #11: Like the lace, but want to play around with the length…can do! From a touch of lace barely visible along the bottom to a full length maxi skirt, I can embrace the lace at any length!

And as long as were considering our options – here are some other statement soles that would look good with my statement skull shirt…

Annnd, I didn’t really accessorize any of the outfits…but if I were going to, I’d probably pick one of the antler accessories that’s part of my underground + BOUND collection – that way I could adorn a real version of the animal on my apparel!. Or I could mimic the motif and wear my black fringe studded bull bib necklace.

Welp, there you have it – 11 different ways to wear my boho-basic!

Which way is your fav?

DIY: Paper Mache Mannequin

I bought this fashion form awhile back because I thought it would be a useful photography prop to use when I’m styling. And for only $6.95, the torso would be; but I sort of hate the way the semitransparent plastic neck & décolletage appears in photos. (Note: this is the stock photo from the website which appears to be white. To get actual idea of the appearance look at my other images)

Yes, a strong opinion, but it really did bother me! And you know when something bugs you you can never get past it. I just thought the foggy finish  killed the aesthetic of the clothes hanging from it. I tried my best to alter the appearance of the prop in Photoshop – I tried making it disappear, blending it in, changing the color of it…but everything I did just ended up looking dumb.

So for the last few months the torso has just been hanging out (literally) behind my door. Until this past weekend, when all of the sudden it donned on me – why don’t I just give my mannequin a makeover? Duhhh!

My first thought was to cover the tacky plastic with white lace, that way my mannequin would at least be white and not a murky in between color. I liked the idea of my mannequin having a “vintagy vibe” with a textured effect. I knew it would probably pose a little bit of a problem when photographing white garments on it – with little color variation between the garment and the lace making it difficult to differentiate. But I figured that was a minor tradeoff for having an overall more visually pleasing fashion form.

But then, when I got down my tote of random textiles from my closet (1 of 5 total) I came across a couple packages of sewing patterns. Perfect! Even better than my original plan! The paper would be much easier than the fabric to adhere. And the pigment of the tissue paper looked well – like tissue. The flesh-colored flimsy paper similar to skin tone would contrast with both black & white garments.

So I had a DIY day and went to work paper macheing my mannequin. (Note: not the real paper mache process, but my rendition of it)

What You Need:

– The object you want to cover
– What you’re going to cover it with (fabric, decorative paper)
– Spray Adhesive
– Scissors

What to Do:

1. First I put down something to protect the floor. I learned my lesson the last time I did a similar project involving spray adhesive. It felt like I scrubbed the sticky residue off my floor for for-ev-er – and I swear I still feel it in some spots.

2. Then I cut the patterns into pieces (doesn’t have to be perfect because they all end up blending together in the end. I made sure to get a variety of the different design details & cutting lines on the sections.

3. After that I simply sprayed my mannequin with the aerosol adhesive and stuck on the slips of paper.

Wah-lah! It’s as easy as that!

Well……..I did put a little thought into it. I had to make sure all of the words written on the pattern paper were facing in the right direction. Call it my sharp eye for the fine details…..or perfectionism – but it would’ve bothered me if the writing would’ve been backwards. I love the way my mannequin looks now! It turned out just as I had envisioned – actually, even better! (than the first plan)

And, now that my plastic person has a bit more personality, I thought it only seemed appropriate that she should have a name. Everyone, meet Skipper! :)

What do you think of the makeover I did on my mannequin? Do you think it made an impact on its appearance? Or do you think I’m crazy cuz you can’t really recognize the difference?

New Year, New Endeavor

I hope you all had a Happy Holiday and rang in the New Year safe & sound! As we begin a brand new year, I thought it seemed fitting for me to share with all of you, the new business endeavor I’ve recently begun :)

And so, it is with my great pleasure, to introduce to you…………………………………………drum roll please…………………………………………….

underground + BOUND is an eclectic collection of hand-made jewelry inspired by Mother Earth and the unique rock formations created naturally at her core. Bound together by leather, stones & bones, minerals & metals, feathers & found objects are cleverly combined to create this artsy assortment of accessories that is mystical, meaningful, & undoubtedly unmistakable!

Each piece in this diverse collection of one-of-a-kind designs is a unique representation of the earth, its abundant offerings, and the creatures that inhabit it. Minerals & crystals magically created when all of the necessary conditions combine in a particular way, at a particular time. Rocks that make-up Earth’s crust; those that comprise our mountain ranges & canyons, that were once liquid molten lava that have cooled & compressed over millions of years. Fossils & bones from plant particles & animal life; the trace evidence preserving the remains of what once roamed & flourished from the land, long before our time.

Just as no two stones are the same, each design is distinctive in its very own way. Completely hand-crafted; hand-cut premium hides are tied together to secure stones & bones; while metals & other off-beat materials add an eclectic touch to these traditionally boho-inspired baubles.

Paying homage to Mother Earth, native cultures, and the unconventional ethos of nomadic lifestyle; underground + BOUND boasts earth elements, unlikely pairings, tribal adornments, folkloric patterns, & intricate designs. u + B accessories are meant to emulate the natural beauty & great spirits of the materials they are made of and accentuate the beauty & spirit of those who wear them. They are meant to be adorned, admired & appreciated.

underground + BOUND embodies the bohemian fundamentals of fashion; encouraging the importance of individuality – inspiring one to embrace their own personality and express it through the unique way they dress. Whether you prefer the bold necklaces made of bone or the more subtle studded pieces, the not-so-average knotted necklaces or the styles made with stones, u + B offers something for every brazen bohemian, prairie princess, free-spirited fashionista, hippy-at-heart, & gypsy soul.

Highlighting the exquisiteness of Earth’s bounty and the spirit of the beings that dwell upon her, underground + BOUND is a manifestation of the precision, perfection, and creative beauty that’s been around since the very beginning of time.

I sort of started underground + BOUND on a whim. Contagiously creative & rather crafty, I began making a couple pieces of jewelry for my personal collection after I couldn’t seem to find exactly what I was looking for in any retail stores. I never originally intended for it to be more than just a pleasurable pastime, but after countless compliments I received while wearing my creations & requests from friends, family & complete strangers for items of their own, I decided to turn the leisure activity I loved into a legitimate business.

Thus, underground + BOUND was born – my artistic imagination coming to life.

Similar to watching a circus act, creating my collection has been both terrifying & exciting at the same time. The balancing act of building a new business while juggling my normal day-to-day responsibilities has been challenging at times; but seeing it all come together and introducing my work for the first time has been met with equal feelings of relief & exhilaration!

Always curious, passionate & in-motion, not a minute goes by that I’m not brainstorming something for the business. From conception to distribution, I relish in the entire creative process that goes into making each & every piece in my collection. From initiating a design in my mind to picking out the perfect materials to make it, the many hours spent cutting leather, manipulating metals, intricately knotting, stitching stones & bones – seeing my pieces evolve from what was once just a drawing on paper to a product ready for someone to purchase is such a satisfying feeling. I pride myself in offering unique designs made of quality materials & strive to create authentic connections with my customers. Whether it’s creating compelling marketing materials or collaborating with customers on custom pieces, shipping merchandise or sharing inspirational photos on social media, I truly enjoy being a one-woman operation.

Click on the photos below to see these item, and others, listed on Etsy!

Antique Brass Studded Bull Skull Black Genuine Deerskin Leather Fringe Statement Necklace

Clear Quartz Crystal Genuine Deerskin Black Leather Wrapped Open Collar Necklace

Black Genuine Deerskin Leather Hand-Cut Fringe Antique Brass Studded Statement Necklace

Genuine Deer Antler Black Leather Diamond Macramé Statement Fringe Necklace/Wall Hanging

Genuine Buckskin & Saddle Brown Deerskin Leather Natural Banded Agate Stone Braided Lariat Tassel Necklace

If you like what you see, be sure to stay connected with my brand new brand via the social media links below…
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Underground-Bound/1454969688115232
Instagram: undergroundandbound
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/undrgroundbound/

And as always, I love feedback, so leave a comment & let me know what you think of my designs!

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

I know I cannot wait to see what this New Year brings for me & my new business. May your coming year be filled with health, happiness, magic & lots of new dreams!!!

New Format…but not because of a Fashion Falling-Out!

As I start to refocus on my blog & pump out more post you’ll probably notice I’ve made a few changes – the most major being the images you see. Instead of styling each outfit & photographing it on my mannequin, Lola, I’ve started creating clothing collages made up of all the elements in the ensemble. Think very Polyvore-esque.

To do this I had to first take a picture of each and every article of clothing & accessory I own. Yep, that means E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G!

– Every tank top, t-shirt, blouse, sweater, blazer, jacket
– Every pair of pants, shorts, skirt
– Every onesie, every dress
– Every hat & handbag
– Every scarf, belt, pair of shoes & boots
– Every bangle, every cuff, necklace, ring, earring – even those pesky little studs
– Every pair of dressy stockings, tights & any other necessary undergarments (within reason – obviously I’m not going to put my panties out on blast for everyone to see :/)

Then, using Photoshop I edited each image to remove the background.           Time consuming? Touché

It sounds like a lot of work…and I’m not gonna lie – it was! It was quite the undertaking at first! There were times I questioned if what I was doing was worth it; but, piece-by-piece I persevered. And what I have now is a database for getting dressed!

When I last backed up my computer I had over 2,500 files in my “clothing catalog”. To be clear – I don’t own 2,500 things! There are duplicates, detail shots, and I took multiple photos if there were multiple ways to wear something.

But now that all of the initial grunt work is done, when I go to style an outfit, all I have to do is drag & drop the individual “floating” garments into a collage, similar to the way one would when getting dressed.

In the end, it’s actually quite an efficient way of doing things! Before, I would steam everything, get Lola dressed, then pin, tuck, or tape things to make sure it looks good (some of the manipulation tactics I’ve come up with are rather clever :), move my furniture out of the way, then wait until the perfect time of day to have a photo shoot – when there’s just the right amount of natural light (when the sun’s not too bright that it creates a glare, but it’s not too dark out that it casts shadows). That ‘ideal time’ is usually during early to mid-afternoon (but now that it gets dark so early there’s an even shorter window of opportunity), which is not very conducive for someone who works during the day. :/

However, now, with my new system in place – I can create new looks whenever I want! Whether its 10am or 2am, I can jump on my computer, open up my fashion files, & style!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Talk about a streamlined approach to styling! It’s clean, consistent, & straightforward. I use this format for the look books I create for clients. It truly is a fool-proof guide to getting dressed!

So…what do you think of the new look?

BTW – Don’t worry, Lola and I didn’t have a complete fashion falling-out! She still gets a lot of love with other projects I’m working on…and she’ll comeback for a cameo in future posts :)

Styling to Take Center Stage Once Again

I’m embarrassed to admit that it has been for-ev-ER since I’ve published a new post! It wasn’t my intention to put my blog on the back burner & I know taking such a long break from the blogosphere is a big no-no; but, what can I say, it’s easy to lose track of time and before I realized it, months have gone by since I’ve pressed the publish button.

My extended hiatus has to do with a number of things, those being 1) struggling with a bit of writers block (happens to us all), 2) spending little time at home (transcribing your thoughts is one thing, taking pictures to support what you’re saying another, then editing the images, and finally sitting down at a computer to combine all of the parts. Then there’s proofreading, making the necessary changes, rereading it again…you get the idea), 3) my introduction to Photoshop (learning how to use the program is a feat in & of itself; but once you know how to use all of the functions it’s hard to stop playing around with all of the features – leading to hours spent of altering photos!) And 4) yet another exciting new endeavor that I’ve been working on – which I’ll be sharing with you shortly :)

But enough with all that! Even though I haven’t shared any new stuff with you lately that doesn’t mean I’ve stopped styling! I have a back log of looks that I’m excited to show you!

So on that note, here’s a “casual comeback” outfit I came up with a couple weeks ago. Here I paired my Free People plaid corduroy skinnys (a fabric which also makes a comeback during the Fall/Winter season), with my ivory “rockin’ the stage” graphic tank from Urban Outfitters layered underneath an Anthropologie fine-knit cardigan. When I wore this outfit originally I was able to opt out of outerwear entirely (a nice option to have at the end of October), but now that it’s December that’s no longer the case. Depending on the chill factor I add on the necessary layers. In early fall, I got away with just wearing my dark brown moto jacket, but now that it’s gotten a lot colder, I throw on my Arden B brown faux fur vest for a little extra insulation.

The rich burgundy hue from within the primary plaid bottoms really brings out the tonal shades of red from within the rock band cotton top. Although it would’ve coordinated seamlessly, I thought the gold grandpa cardigan that I have would’ve been a little too matchy-matchy; so I went with a muted, earthy olive one instead.

For accessories, I stick with my usual suspects (my pocket knife pendant, forearm cuff & fist full of rings) and add on my ivory leather & gold metal mismatched earrings when I’m not wearing the fur vest (it gets to be too much going on if I wear them both). For footwear, like my layers, in the fall I went with my tonal tan Sperry’s and with winter – my brown buckle boots from Free People.

Which combo do you prefer – the matchy-matchy gold cardi that coordinates perfectly with the plaid pants or the alternative autumnal shade of olive that slightly off-sets the color scheme?