Witchy Work Wear

Well this was from earlier this summer, but, but honestly my business attire won't change much with the seasons. Here's another version of my weird goth business casual attire. Naturally almost all my work clothes are black just like everything else in my wardrobe, and I love how sleek and edgy a black suit is. Paired with the skinny studded belt and my favorite skull necklace, it's just enough to push the boundaries. 

And let's talk about these shoes!

Three Casual Dresses for Three Personalities

I haven't posted in a while as the past week or so has been crazy! I was in Orlando all last week to visit Universal Studios and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with my two best friends. They are two of the most gorgeous girls I know, and we all have such a distinct sense of style that reflects our individual personalities. And, conveniently, we're all huge Harry Potter fans who each pledge allegiance to a different House. I thought, what better way to celebrate this than with a blog post? 

First up is Quincy, my darling blonde Hufflepuff. We've also dubbed her the "bombshell" of our little trio. Her style centers around clothes that are colorful, flowy, and simple, and this outfit epitomizes both her style and bright personality. I love her color-blocking and how she coordinated the white belt with her white sandals to tie everything together. Perfect summer chic for a nice dinner night!

Color blocking perfection.

White accessories tie everything together.

Next up is sophisticated Stacia, the Ravenclaw. We've fittingly classified her as the "intellectual," and she almost always dresses the part. There's rarely a time where Stacia isn't looking polished. She keeps this outfit versatile with a blazer, so she can go from casual summer chic to polished in an instant. To go along with our Harry Potter-themed outfits, her dress is the dark blue of Ravenclaw, and she's accessorized with a replica of Hermione's Time-Turner necklace. And she too is right on trend with her high-low asymmetrical dress.

Polished and sophisticated with a blazer.

Casual, classy, summer chic without!

Time-Turner necklace and a subtle smoky eye.

Lastly, yours truly, Zoe the Slytherin "rebel." This dress was another one I picked up during my round of summer shopping a few weeks ago. (Once again epic fail on being work appropriate.) I love this dress because the cotton makes it casual and comfortable (all my other dresses are tiny black ones with faux leather, cut-outs, slits, etc....so not exactly wearable on a daily basis), and it's really easy to change the look by accessorizing. The best part? Only $12 at Forever21! I bought the corset for a pirate Halloween costume   a few years ago but have gotten a ton of wear out of it since. I would wear it every day if I could. It gives any outfit an edgy, goth feel, and helloooo defined waist! And of course, had to rock my Slytherin necklace for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

Flats and the long tail keep this dress from looking too scandalous.

Obsessed with this corset!

Slytherin <3

The spiked flats -- perfect for all the walking around Orlando!

Floral Dress, Combat Boots and DIY Studded Jacket

Floral dress + combat boots. I have coveted this look all spring, but, alas did not own a floral dress and have been rather hesitant about buying one. When you've trained yourself to be drawn to all things black and studded and edgy with patterns of skulls and stripes, suddenly trying to look for something as feminine as floral becomes a foreign task. I also feel ridiculous in anything too girly, so I didn't think I could pull it off. But then, a miracle happened...

The complete look.

I've been on the hunt for a casual summer dress, and figured if I could find a floral one I might as well kill two birds with one stone. I discovered this dress at H&M last week when I tried (and epic failed) to buy a work-appropriate summer wardrobe. Check out this pattern! It's black, floral, AND it has skulls. And the flowy, lightweight material makes it the perfect summer dress! Even better? It was only $10. Score!

Close-up of the dress.

I'm still on my DIY kick, and decide this little cropped denim jacket needed an update. I love all the studded denim vests and jackets that are out right now (obviously, I have a denim obsession since I incorporate it into just about every outfit...), but I figured it was something I could do myself instead of spending the money on a new one. 

Before.

I used the same conical studs from Studsandspikes.com to stud the jacket as I did my boots a few weeks ago. I studded the front of the collar, a line down each shoulder, and around the top of the sleeve. It probably took me less than an hour, and it gave me something to do while I listened to the Harry Potter books on tape! Yes, like cassette tape. Not only am I in denial about growing up, but also that it is the 21st century, apparently...

The finished vest.

The last few items to complete the outfit: fishnet tights, a cuff bracelet, skinny black belt, and my trusty combat boots. I picked up the tights on sale at Hot Topic; I can never bring myself to pay full price for tights because I can rarely wear them more than once or twice without managing to get caught on something. I adore fishnets -- they're another accessory that adds instant edge to any outfit -- and I thought the little details on the back were super cute!

I've worn this skull cuff bracelet in a few other posts, but I've never done a close-up. It is my favorite accessory. I picked it up in Paris a year ago, despite my friend trying to talk me out of it because it was too extreme. Maybe I have this bracelet to blame for finally indulging in my love of edgy fashion. :)

Skull cuff bracelet and black nails.

 

Last minute outfit

So I really wanted to write a blog post today, but also had no excuse to leave the house. I spent the day in my pajamas doing my annual reread of Harry Potter. Luckily, I was saved from my solitude (ok, I was thoroughly enjoying it, but was ready for an excuse to get out) when a friend texted me and asked to meet up. Which meant getting ready in a hurry. And this is what I threw on.

I guess there's been a definite theme to my outfits lately: black on black + denim. Today was no different. I did my summer shopping this past weekend, and have been itching to wear these new shorts from Forever 21  ever since. (My goal was to buy work-appropriate clothes...I bought things like the shorts, a cut off t-shirt, skull headband, and skull dress...fail.) I love the high-waisted trend going on right now. I have a rather long torso proportionately, and the high waistline helps to lengthen my legs and shrink my torso. Plus, what's not to love with those spikes?!

The jacket is also from Forever 21 from a few years back, but I had grown bored with the plain denim. I sewed on these cute shoulder epaulettes from Hobby Lobby for a cheap wardrobe update. I absolutely love weather like today where shorts and a jacket are appropriate! And once again, the studded boots make a reappearance (told you  I'll wear boots all summer, even with shorts!).

My favorite article of clothing to wear when I'm getting dressed in a hurry and need something that's guaranteed to be cute and flattering is a black tee. I got this one at the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame last summer. It's simple, but the slim fit and v-neck make it flattering, while the skull design gives it edge. (It's rare I go a day without wearing some sort of skull apparel, and there was no time to accessorize!) And paired with the black shorts and boots, this outfit goes from simple to statement.

What are your go-to items when you want to look cute in a hurry?

Black on Black: It's All in the Details

Who says monochromatic outfits have to be boring. Unsurprisingly, I often find myself in head-to-toe black on a regular basis (it's not like black is my favorite color or anything...), but I find the single color combo to be anything but lackluster. And, especially in the springtime, far from making you fade into the shadows, black is the best way to stand out in a crowd.

Today's outfit was all about the little details to keep an all black outfit exciting. I didn't want to overdo the accessories because I wanted the focus on the fun shoulder details (I learned that they are called "epaulettes" the other day) on my shirt. I broke up the rest of the look with a few more fun accessories: my studded belt that I wear almost daily, spiked flats, and a wristful of black bracelets.

The shirt I got at Goodwill (and now that I've graduated college and have to be a mature adult, I will no longer try to wear it as a dress). The jeggings are from Hot Topic. The spiked flats are from Target, and they were the best $20 I've ever spent. Here is a close-up of the flats from Target's website. I refuse to wear sandals in the summer, so these are my alternative, and I adore them. Also, this is the first and only pair of flats I've owned, because I've never found a pair that a) are comfortable or b) don't make my giant feet look like boats.

And lastly, a close-up of the bracelets, two of which are from Hot Topic (typical), the other from Sequin. I love mixing up which bracelets I pair together to create new looks

What are your thoughts on black on black outfits?

Lace-up dress and ripped-up tights

I'm once again loving the spring weather so that I can wear more of my little black dresses I love so much. I picked this one up at a thrift shop, and loved the witch-y feel the collar and the lace-up detail in the front...almost like edgy Hogwarts robes or something. At least that's what I like to tell myself. 

This dress is perfect for the cool spring weather because it's a rather thick and not breathable material. Also, tights are a necessity since it's a tad shorter than I would like. But it was too cute to pass up and the stretchy material meant it fit well everywhere besides the length. I shredded the tights myself to wear with this, as plain black, opaque tights made the outfit too boring and one-dimensional. Oh, and I love any excuse to toss on a denim jacket. Why can't we get more than a couple weeks of cool spring weather in the Midwest??

The boots are a cheap Target pair that I studded myself and blogged about a few weeks ago. You can read that post here.

Here's a close-up of the cool collar and lace-up detail at the neck of the dress. And of course, I'm not without my Slytherin necklace!

What do you think? How do you break up a black on black on black outfit to make it fun and interesting? What are your favorite spring articles of clothing?

Everyday Slytherin Outfit

Well, it's finally spring here in the Midwest! (It was snowing this weekend...come on!) Fall and spring fashion is my favorite. I love being able to wear layers, light jackets, and boots, but I hate when it's so cold you have to bury it under thick winter coats. So what better way to celebrate the coming of my favorite season than with my first official outfit post?

Each summer, I find my undying obsession with Harry Potter strengthened. Maybe it's because I was conditioned growing up for the new books/movies to be released in the summer. Even years after the last book/movie release, I still find myself feeling the same way. I just recently began my annual re-reading of the series, and I've found it infiltrating every aspect of my life.

I've literally worn all the Slytherin gear I own this week (usually multiple items at a time...I don't have a problem or anything...), but this was the most subtle take. I called it "Everyday Slytherin" because it felt to me like what an edgy Slytherin might wear in the real world. I've also worn this outfit in one of my more "pirate" fashion moods by switching up my accessories.

Pretty much everything I am wearing I bought at Hot Topic, including the gray jeggings, skull sports bra, Slytherin necklace, and combat boots. The button up shirt/vest, which I bought at a thrift store. 

Also, on a different day this week, I decided to rock my Slytherin tie with a t-shirt and jeans. Because why the hell not? It's alarming how many times I buy something for a Halloween costume and end up wearing it in "real life." The tie can be purchased from the WBShop.

What do you think? How do you dress to your obsessions? 

Edgy Looks for Lips

Usually, I'm all about the eyes when it comes to makeup. And by that I mean I smear black eyeliner everywhere, slap on some mascara, and I'm good to go. It was only recently that I really learned how to do much else with my makeup (err...I barely knew what foundation was until a few weeks ago; one of my friends essentially had to teach me how to be a girl). I've been doing a lot of experimenting with my makeup and testing out some new products lately, and I've been having way too much fun. I've also learned the power of quality products; it's amazing how much better my makeup looks (and lasts!) when I don't just buy the cheapest stuff I can find.

Reasons I've loved lipstick lately:

1.  Laziness. Lipstick makes me feel pulled together when I don't have time or motivation for much else.
2.  Boredom. I love trying new looks.
3. Weather. I went to Hawaii for my last college spring break (sob, I feel so old!) and eyeliner and ocean and heat are not a great combo.

Here are edgy lipstick looks I've played with the past few weeks and the colors I recommend.

1. Black. I read the post How Do You Wear Black Lipstick? on the blog Sincerely, Boots, and was inspired to give it a shot. I was surprised how wearable the article made black lipstick look; I'd always thought it would come across as too costume-y. My only problem? I didn't own black lipstick, but wasn't willing if I wasn't sure I'd wear it. My solution? Black eyeliner. I outlined the lips in pencil and filled them in with a gel eyeliner (which had more of a lipstick-y texture). Topped it off with some gloss, and voila! My black lipstick is in the mail as I type this.

Black.

 2. Purple. Next look, purple lip stain. I am OBSESSED with Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain (I'm wearing blackberry wine). It lasts almost all day (I wore it on the flight to Hawaii a few weeks ago and didn't have to reapply! I've learned my lesson wearing eye makeup on planes...I always manage to sleep so that it comes completely off one eye). Also, this purple color is great for green or hazel-eyed girls like myself. My eyes usually look brown, but the purple lipstick really brings out the green! Mascara, brows, lips, done.

Purple.

3. Red ombre. I love classic red lips (once again, I swear by the Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain, this time in bold classic red), but I wanted to make them bold and edgy. (Well, bolder and edgier; red lips already make a statement). I outlined my lips in black pencil (eyeliner again), applying extra at the outer corners of my lips. Then, starting from the center to keep some true red, I applied the lip stain, blending it with the eyeliner as I got the border of my lips. Paired with big waves and a black mesh dress, the looks was perfect for a night out, or with relaxed hair and a denim jacket for a more casual look.

Red.

Red.

Which is your favorite? What is your signature lip color?

Rockin' Ruby

In general, I like to dress myself by first deciding on a character or theme...unsurprisingly, usually "witch" or "pirate." Ahem. I loved dress-up as a kid, and I never quite grew out of it. I find it fun to embrace a new character or personality just by changing outfits.

My outfit inspiration for this week? Ruby from Once Upon a Time. I adore that girl's edgy, over-the-top style; and I used her for inspiration to try some things that were a bit out of my comfort zone.

I got the armwarmers as a gift from a friend, and I loved them but never felt I could pull them off. I thought they looked like something Ruby might wear, so I gave it a go. Perfect way to jazz up a plain white tee. 

Also. Pigtails. Aside from Halloween, I probably haven't worn my hair like that since elementary school. But worn low with a bit of teasing and colored extensions, I felt sassy rather than silly.