Good News/Bad News

The Bad News: I spilled super glue all over my hand. Like, a ton. I felt like I was peeling away my fingerprints, but its finally all gone.

The Good News: Miraculously, despite dousing my hand in nail polish remover to get the glue off, I didn't ruin my manicure! So cute and cheery for winter, no?

Chanel Orange Fizz--my mamacita got it for me for Christmas.

The Even Better News: Upon surviving the little glue situation, I successfully spruced up a pair of old boots. I glued studs to strips of leather I cut from my old pair of over-the-knee boots, then sewed them around the ankles of a pair of suede boots I haven't worn in forever. Total cost? $5. Unbeatable, considering all the studded boots I wanted were waaaay more than that.

B[utton] Job

I spent a good year and a half searching for a kelly green coat. Everywhere. Finally, I stumbled upon one at the Nordstrom's sale last year. It gave me that kind of shopping euphoria that occurs when you've been looking for something forever and finally find it.

But guess what.

I never wore it.

Not even once.

I got to campus in the fall and it seemed like everyone had gotten the same coat at the Nordstrom's sale.

So since it kills me to let a purchase go to waste, I finally decided to spruce it up and make it more my style. I went to Joann's, picked up some gold buttons, and did a little swap-a-roo.

I think it looks less trendy and more sophisticated now, no? All for the low low price of $10. Much more economical than getting a new coat for the season.

I'm a big fan of replacing buttons. I put some brown leather ones on a corduroy blazer last year. Now I'm thinking about updating my black peacoat with some silver crests.

Introducing my pride and joy

I ripped a picture out of a magazine years ago of some girl wearing a marching band jacket with jeans and ballet flats. I wanted desperately to emanate the look, but short of stealing a coat from my high school's music wing, I couldn't find any way to do it.

Then, Alexander McQueen did one a few seasons back. And of course the Balmain jacket has become the new Balanciega blazer these days. Naturally, I was craving a piece of the trend more than ever.

I know Forever 21 and every other fast fashion emporium will start carrying them soon enough, but let's be real: I've never been mistaken for a patient person. I got a vest for $5 at New York and Company, bought some gold cording for $2 at the fabric store, and tediously sewed together the little concoction shown above.

I'm super stoked about rocking this over a plain black dress for a night out. The best part? It was way more economical than this number, so I still have a few bucks left over for cocktails.