Congratulations... 

Kelsey

from

You're the winner of the Ace Commune Giveaway!

We'll be contacting you to get a mailing address, so we can send out your bracelet! Thank you to all who entered! And thank you to Ace Commune for the lovely giveaway! 

Vintage Dress + Denim Jacket

First of all, I'm not sure what I'm doing with my bangs. They're at that stage... do we grow 'em out or chop 'em up again? Still deciding, but in the meantime, a lot of 'pinning back' is happening. I found this sweet, turquoise, vintage dress last winter for a few bucks and I knew I'd love it come warmer weather. It's a bit sheer, so I had to wear a slip underneath. (So glad I have a stash of vintage slips for this purpose!)

The denim Calvin Klein jacket was also thrift from a while back. 

Steve Madden Jellies 

The hubs' Ray Ban's. 

(I think it's time to find my own pair of shades.)

Monday Makeover - Silver Nightstand DIY

There are so many things on my To Do list for our new home. And even more items we have to purchase! So I'm all about finding creative ways to make things work within a budget and I'm a sucker for antique and vintage, so this project was a no-brainer. 

This antique nightstand has been in my family for years. Since I was a kid, actually. It's been painted and repainted and repainted again so many times. Before it was this shabby chic white (during my single years) it was three different shades of blue. Before that, shades of orange and green. It's been through several bad coats, but the shape is lovely and the wood is solid, so I knew I could do something with it.

I found a simple and sleek gray nightstand for the hubs and wanted mine to co exist in the bedroom with his, without being matchy-matchy. So I decided on silver! I also decided to paint instead of spray paint, because I had a feeling I would be better at it.

But the only silver paint I could find was very light, and I wanted to add a bit more depth... make it silvery gray instead of platinum. So I added in a little Rust-Oleum black gloss paint at the suggestion of a very helpful Home Depot man. 

This was also the paint I used to bring new life to the handle, as I couldn't find anything modern that I liked as much as the original!

Here's how I did it:

1) Sand & wipe clean. 2) Paint with primer, let dry. 3) Test color on inside drawer. 4) Paint.

This was a long process, with a lot of sanding, priming, waiting and meticulous painting, but well worth it! I'm so happy with the results. 

Hope you found some DIY inspiration! xx

Vintage Lace Dress - oh, yes!

I feel like it's time to get back to my vintage loving roots. It's been too long. The obsession is still there, but life has gotten in the way. I used to LIVE for this stuff! (See some vintage posts here.) It's so inspiring to find something from the past (for mere dollars) and have the vision to bring it into the present.

I've had this vintage lace dress in my closet for over three years now. I knew when I found it (in a sale bin on Abbot Kinney, marked down from $250 to $20) that I would love it. It's heavy, it's beautifully detailed, it's meticulously lined with gorgeous fabric, it has the cutest little bow in the back, and it's in mint condition. 

I was newly inspired when I saw this lace dress in Lucky Magazine recently. Very Valentino Spring right? I love the idea of mixing something so girly and feminine with more structured pieces, like the silver sandals and graphic bag shown.

Just as soon as my tailor is back from vacation - it's on! Stay tuned...

Casual Date Night (+lucky me)

I'm so happy that the hubs and I have been making a point to have a date night at least twice a month. We always intend to do it every weekend, but it doesn't always work out that way! It's tough having two little's at home. Your heart is always torn in different directions. The babies are only this little once. It's so hard to leave them. There are always so many reasons to stay home. But I firmly believe that a solid marriage brings a happy home, and we are never sorry we left once we're out!

I had no idea what my love had in store for me this particular night, but it was one of the best moments we've ever had as a couple together. I'll spill soon, but at times I feel so lucky that I can't believe this is my life. We're not millionaires, we don't have the best of everything, we never get enough sleep, we hardly have time to ourselves or with each other or a moments peace, but we are truly so happy. Love does that. Family does that.

And my dreams, all of them, are slowly coming to fruition. How did a I get so lucky? Looking forward to sharing it all with you guys soon.


T xx

Tee - Old Navy

(I bought it large and cut off the sleeves)

Jeans - Paige Denim

Pumps - Boutique9

Necklace - JewelMint

Bracelets - Express + Vintage

Purse - Vintage Paloma Picasso

East West Mamas: A Silk Maxi Story

If it were possible to love a dress upon first sight, without yet trying it on - this would be the case. I was so thrilled to be doing another collaboration with fellow blogger Carly over at Thirty Something Fashion and knew upon spotting this baby on Etsi Wear that it would quickly become a favorite!

Washed black silk that drapes in the most deceptively simple way. The fabric and flow is simply lovely and feels like a dream on...

I trimmed a couple of inches off of the bottom and kept the remnant fabric to use as a belt...

But quickly realized that the beauty of this dress is in the ease of it.

And danced accordingly.

Dress - c/o Etsi Wear 

(Available here - in yellow and red too! They also do matching mother/daughter dresses!)

*Get 10% with code SPRING13

Gold Tassel Belt worn as a Necklace - Vintage

Shoes - Zara (Similar here.)

Now head on over to Cary's site to see how she rocked it!

Ace Commune Jewelry Giveaway!

 I just love finding new lines to obsess over, especially when they are those of authentic artistry and craftsmanship. Ace Commune is one of those lines! I discovered this gem by way of my three year old daughter, who became best friends with a little girl, who happens to have the coolest mom ever.

 I was always admiring her easy chic style and interesting jewelry, when she told me that she in fact made these gems! I couldn't wait to get my hands on a few and give you guys the chance to win something too!

This Indigo Hemp with Gold Triangle Necklace is seriously so cool. It's elegant while still having an edge. Interesting and unique, but delicate too.

And you may have noticed me wearing this Tassel Ascent Bracelet to death lately. I love it!

Another piece that is a personal fave is this Black Triangle with Tassel Necklace. I've worn it with everything from tees to dresses, layered with vintage chains or alone... I can't get enough of it! (Neither can little sis, cuz it somehow made it into her jewelry box!)

But don't just take my word on it. Head on over to Ace Commune and see for yourself! She also does clothing for the little's (I want this for Stella, and this for my little guy.) and home stuff too! Check it out!

To be eligible for drawing:

• You must be a follower of November Grey (if you are already a follower, let me know!)
•  "Like" Ace Commune on Facebook.
• Check out Ace Commune's Website and let me know which piece you'd prefer to win, the Gold Triangle Necklace, or Tassel Ascent Bracelet. (Or are you drooling over something else?) Comment back here with your entry!
• For an extra entry, follow Ace Commune on Instagram (@ACE COMMUNE) 
• Make sure to comment back here that you did the above! Good luck!

Open to international submissions
Contest ends 4/26/13 at 10pm PST
Winner will be picked via random.org & announced by 5/1/13

Pleather leggings

Leather pants are neither cheap, nor easy to wear, but I absolutely love the sleekness, don't you? There are a few ways to go about achieving this look:

A) Buy actual leather, spend a pretty penny and be sure they fit perfectly, or they will look all wrong.
B) Try the coated denim trend. They will fit like jeans and look a lot like leather.
C) Give faux leather/pleather leggings a shot!

Which is what I did! Luckily, the amazing folks over at Flat84 were kind enough to gift me a pair from See You Monday to try out! They are super affordable and super easy to wear. Just think - "amped-up" leggings.

I decided to give my new pants a test run with a worn in T-shirt, some interesting baubles, and my sexiest heels.

Which felt surprisingly effortless... surprisingly comfy. Casual, "bumped up" a notch. Already dreaming up other ways to rock them.

Hope you're smiling today! xx

Pleather Leggings - Flat84

Tee - Old Navy

Heels - Zara

Earrings & Necklace - JewelMint

Bracelet - Ace Commune

(Check back in tomorrow for an Ace Commune jewelry giveaway!)

Pasadena Rose Bowl scores!

This amazing flea market only happens once a month, and for me, only seems to happen once every few years. So I was dying to get my vintage-loving butt to Pasadena this past weekend!

I showed up all ready to go with my sun hat and lightweight vintage blouse. Of course it was freezing. And freezing turned into a light drizzle. A trek across the grass left my feet soaking wet and me shivering. (See, it's not always gloriously warm in southern Cali...) So I had no other choice but to purchase the first $5 dollar sweater I laid eyes on. In this case, a much too short and ill fitting, blue wool blend.

There is so much to see in this place that you have to FOCUS, FOCUS, or you'll get distracted by the rows and rows of things you don't need. And in my case, I needed furniture. (Look away from the perfectly distressed denim and worn in tees!)

Then I found the sweetest antique, French deco side table... not sure where I'll put it yet, but it's going somewhere! And the little Tiffany blue makeup case? That was just icing on the top. 

Love and comfort to those affected by the Boston Marathon bombing yesterday. Hug your family and loved ones today. It's the only thing that matters. xx