TRENDS: Wedge Sneakers

Hello everyone! Hope you had a lovely weekend! So.... I know everyone has seen these wedge sneakers around. I originally fell in l-o-v-e with this trend when the Isabel Marant pairs came on the scene. But now.. there's SO many more I'm in love with... All the classic brands such as Nike, Reebok, and Puma all came out with their own pairs of the wedge sneaker, along with designers such as ASH, Marc Jacobs, Giuseppe Zanotti, and the list goes on!

You can pretty much find these wedge sneakers in a variety of different colors & price points. These are all perfect for the upcoming Spring weather, can't wait! I currently have my eyes on the black/white Nike "Dunk Sky Hi".

I'd LOVE to know, which is your favorite? 

1. Rachel Zoe- Geri Sneakers

2. Nike "Dunk Sky Hi" (pink)

3. Nike "Dunk Sky Hi" (black&white)

4. Giuseppe Zanotti Lace up

5. Marc by Marc Jacobs Cutout Metallic

6. Alicia Keys x Reebok- Freestyle Hi

7. Puma "My 66"

Read More

Totally Cute Jewelry by Jill Golden

For all you girls who love jewelry, you have to check out Jill Golden if you haven't heard of her yet. All of her pieces are handmade right here in New York City, and are inspired by her travels around the world. 

Below are a few of my favorite pieces, aren't these all so unique and beautifully made?  

What jewelry designers are you wearing lately?

-images via Jill Golden

Read More

ShoeMint Giveaway

Hi everyone! Today I have an amazing giveaway for my readers*! ShoeMint has contacted me and wanted to give away a pair of shoes to 3 of my readers!! Haven't heard of ShoeMint before? It's a free, member's-only website with personalized style recommendations with new styles added every month based on the newest trends! 

Behind ShoeMint is a collaboration between Rachel Bilson and stylist Nicole Chavez, while all manufactured by Steve Madden! So you're getting high quality shoes at an affordable price of $79.98 each! They're also made of real leather and suede... amazing, no?!?

Okay, now onto the giveaway...

THE PRIZE:
A pair of shoes from ShoeMint of your choice! (There will be 3 winners!!)

*Giveaway is open to US & Canada residents only

HOW TO ENTER:
Head on over & sign up for ShoeMint for FREE by clicking HERE. Find your favorite pair, and come back to this post, and let me know in the comments which is your favorite pair!!!!!!!! Don't forget to leave your email!!!

WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN ON: 
March 26th here on my blog! 

Easy, right?! Good luck to everyone entering!!
Below are the shoes my assistant and I chose from ShoeMint! It was a tough decision with all their new styles for spring!

         The pair I'm wearing are called: Jordane

jeans are helmut lang / tshirt by Zara/ shoes by ShoeMint /Jewelry via MadeByGirl

WINNERS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN, GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED. THANKS!

 
-image by jen ramos

Read More

Pea Pods Custom Cookies

I think most people love customized stuff right? This particular shop can bring your ideas to cookies! Let's say you're crazy about CELINE handbags - (who isn't?) - Kristie, the owner, can have them made very similar just for you! Sweet!

Based out of New York, her shop is called PeaPods & I managed to pick out my favorites! Let's see, the handbags, the Brooklyn bridge, & the stash of lingerie for Bachelorette parties. 

Which is your fave? Where would you serve these cookies??

-images via  pea pods

Enjoy your weekend!!!

Read More

DIY: studded shirt

DIY Studded Shirt Hi! I'm Stephanie from Henry Happened, and I'm excited to share fashion DIYs here on MBG as one of the newest contributors. If you have ideas on DIYs that you'd like to see, definitely let me know! For our first project, we're updating an everyday basic - the white button up!

 

When it's cold outside I am a big fan of layering. At any given time I'm usually wearing about three shirts! So I like my layers to have a little pizzazz. An easy way to spruce up a plain button up is with studs. This DIY Studded Shirt is simple (no prongs to stick your fingers!), chic and easy on the wallet too.

Fair warning: Iron on studs are a little addictive. They're so easy you'll want to stud everything! And before you know it you'll be half way to buying a Harley. 

 

You will need:

• A plain button-up shirt. I like the look on a white shirt but it would also look great on denim.
• Iron on studs. You can find these at any craft store.
• An iron

 

Start by cutting the studs into individual pieces. Then remove the black backing (but not the top plastic!) and place them evenly along the middle of your sleeve cuffs.

  

Then carefully flip over the sleeve so you don't mess up the placement of the studs. And iron according to the package directions. 

 

When the studs have cooled (trust me they're hot!) you can peel off the plastic on top. That's it! 

 

 I also added three studs to my shirt collar. Again, all you do is stick them on the fabric in the pattern you want and iron them on. So easy!  

Are you a fan of studs? What would you put them on?

Read More

Contributors Wanted

This Friday we are .....

I have to say, working with contributors has been a great experience. I've made some great friends in the process & hopefully the ladies got some great traffic out of it as well.  With that said, it's that time again to switch out the current contributors & bring in new FRESH FACES & posts! I'm always super busy managing my MBG Shop, painting for my Cocoa & Hearts gallery, marketing, answering e-mail & maintaining my personal life. It's STILL a lot of work, so I'm back searching for the next contributors!
 

I'd love to recruit 5-6 contributors to blog here on Made By Girl!  It's not going to be an easy task - but I'll choose bloggers for each category below. Categories are:
 

• Decor/Interior Design
• Fashion/Beauty
• DIY
• Food

Below I've outlined more details & what I'm looking for.
 

HOW OFTEN WILL YOU POST:1-2x per month for 6 months. 

EXPERIENCE: 
Yes - Must have an active/updated blog. I'm looking for bloggers who have some knowledge of programs like Photoshop & have a 'similar aesthetic' as Made By Girl. The posts you write for MBG cannot be posted on your own blog, but you can link to it from your blog.

WILL THERE BE COMPENSATION: 
Not at this time. But it's a great chance to gain more exposure and collaborate with MBG blog.

BIO PAGES:We'll be adding a page with photos & short bios of all the current contributors - here's an example. .

 
RESOURCES: 

It's very important to credit 'all' images properly.

PRETTY POST PLS: 
I love pretty & interesting posts. So pls put some LOVE into it! 

HOW DO YOU SUBMIT:

If you you want to give this a try, email me  & let me know 'which category' you're interested in. Write 'Contributors' in the email subject pls. ALSO, pls email me your blog so I can see your style! If you submitted last yr. don't be afraid to submit again!
 

WHEN WILL WE SELECT CONTRIBUTORS:

If you don't hear from someone at Made By Girl in about 2-3 weeks from this post, it means someone else was selected.  Unfortunately, we may not be able to respond to everyone. We will post the selected contributors in an upcoming post!

Thanks & looking forward to hearing from you! 

Read More

Fashion: that gives

Hey guys, Jocelyn here. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I've started thinking about the things I'm thankful for and looking for ways to give back to those less fortunate. 

So I thought, why not combine a love for fashion with helping others by purchasing products from brands that donate to charity. Here are a few brands that are carrying out good deeds...

Kayu - (clutch) For ever clutch sale, Kayu donates $15 to purchase a backpack and school supplies for a child in need. 

Lemlem - (shirt) Lemlem provides jobs to weavers in Ethiopia and strengthens the economic independence of the country as a whole.

Rachel Roy - (earrings) Proceeds from the sale of these earrings benefit victims of 2010's devastating earthquake in Haiti.

Warby Parker - (sunglasses) For every pair of glasses they sell, they provide a pair to someone in need. Plus, they let you order up to five pairs of glasses to try on at home for a week. Once you decide on the one you like, send the other pairs back for free!

Toms - (shoes) I'm sure you've heard of them. For every pair of shoes they sell, they give a pair to someone in need. 

Feed - (tote & scarf) For every Feed product sold, a specific amount of money gets donated to hunger-relief efforts, depending on the cost of the product. The tote and the scarf featured here each  provide 10 school meals to children.

Hope  you all enjoy a happy Thanksgiving with loved ones and take a quick minute to reflect on the positive things in life that make it all worth while. I'd like to share that I'm thankful to Jen for allowing me to post on her lovely blog and I'm thankful to all of you for all your kind words and for continuing to read my posts. It's beyond humbling. 

Happy shopping!

-post by jocelyn sanchez

 

Read More

Made By Girl now on Instagram!!

Many of you have asked if MadeByGirl was on Instagram. Well, I was.

However, it was a private account with family photos & so on. A couple days ago I asked my assistant Daisy, to revamp it & allow you guys to follow.  Sometimes when I get sooo caught up in work, I don't realize how popular things are getting. I almost let this pass me by! #OHMYGosh

But nonetheless, I'm now on Instagram & you can follow me here if you like.

I update almost everyday & most of the pics you will  only see there & NOT on my blog. See you there!

 

Are you on Instagram? Do you use it often?

Read More

Trend: Leather Panel Leggings

Hey everyone! Ladies, this post is for you! This past Sunday while at church, a friend of mine was wearing the coolest leggings with leather panels! I almost died when I saw them! It's not that I hadn't seen leather panel leggings before but I'd never seen them in person! Can you believe that?!? They were gorgeous!!!!!

Stupid me, I didn't ask her which brand they were - but they looked very similar to number 1 - (My favorite). I'm considering getting a pair of these BEAUTIES for the fall/winter season, I bet they'd go great with a pair of booties! 

NOT ALL of the leggings you'll come across will be REAL leather, many will actually be faux - so MAKE SURE you read the descriptions carefully! Below are 6 different styles to choose from.

Would you sport this type of legging? Which do you like best?

1. oak

2. rag & bone

3. bcbg

4. tasha

5. bar iii

6. bcbg

Read More

DIY: How to Make Studded Sandals

Monday is here again....hello all! It's Anna, and today, I'm sharing a fun little DIY project to embellish and add a little edge to just about anything. 

I am really digging anything black, leather and studded these days, so I decided to make my own. I started with these sandals and ordered these 12mm studs. With both in hand, I got to work:

I began embellishing my sandals by centering the stud on the strap. 

The 2 claws will cut through to the backside by being gently pressed. 

Continue working your way out while keeping the same distance between each stud.

Once your studs are in place, bend the claws inward on the backside. 

Enjoy! They've fast become my new best friend. 

-post by anna weaver

Read More

Klury: A Luxury Fashion Exchange

Klury is a cool site where you can buy pre-owned (good condition) designer clothing online. Also, if you have designer clothing you want to get rid of - you can also sell them on Klury, neat huh? 

It's a great way to add some designer pieces to your wardrobe without spending a fortune!  Featuring fashion items by designers like DVF, Alexander Wang, Manolo Blahnik & more! I selected a few of my favorite pieces on sale right now! Happy Friday!

How do you feel about pre-owned fashion? Would you ever consider shopping on sites like Klury?

-images via klury 

Read More

Design: Glammed Up

Hi Made By Girl readers! It's Amanda again. When Jen posted the new Chanel No 5 print in her shop, I've knew I had to get it and style a room around it. It's the perfect added touch to any room... and it's classic! Here's how I would style it and some quick tips when adding pink accessories to the home. 

How do you add pink to your home?

1 Sofa | Throw | Leopard Print Pillow | Pink Pillow 

2 Greek Key Rug 

3 Mirror Accent Table 

4 Coffee Table | Glam Centerpiece Bowl | Mini Bauble Box | Letter Sorter | Tin Cans 

5 Books: Impact | Herb Ritts L.A. Style | Louis Vuitton Marc Jacobs | Tom Ford

6 Brass Lamp 

7 Gold Pig 

8 Ikat Box 

9 Iron Feather 

10 Ottoman

______________________


-post by amanda dietz

Read More

Coming Soon to Cocoa & Hearts

Cocoa & Hearts will be adding several new paintings sometime tomorrow! Are you on the mailing list?

Stay tuned. 

UPDATE: Available now here!!!

-images by jen ramos

Read More

Michael Kors does Black

These days we're all about color. What the HECK happened to BLACK?
 

Anyone else sort of miss it? I love the whole color craze, neons & so forth, but once in awhile I like to play it safe & dress all in black. There's something cool & mysterious about black, don't you think?

Below are some of my favorite picks from the Michael Kors 2012 collection - pretty cute stuff! In fact, so nice I'm considering exchanging these Alexander Wang booties I bought last week (that didn't fit, ugh) to a pair of open toed MK booties you see blow. These are HOT! 

Are you still wearing all black? Or have you ventured into the COLORS trend this season?

hair calf bootie

suede open toe bootie

MK iPad stand

studded tote

iPhone wristlet

faux leather leggings

faux leather tweed blazer

suede ankle pump

-images via michael kors

Read More

Fashion: Mixing Prints

Hello again MBG readers! It's Lauren, and today I thought I would bring you some styling advice on how to properly mix prints! Mixing prints can seem a little bit daunting. I know I used to be extremely hesitant when it came to pairing bold prints like leopard and floral. I mean, talk about breaking any type of conventional styling rules! 

Mixing prints started to become all the rage when the major powerhouse, J. Crew started debuting styled looks that featured combinations of gingham + paisleys, graphic prints + stripes, stripes + polka dots, and many more daring combinations. And then there is Blair Eadie, the queen of print mixing - made famous for pairing double polka dots and chevron with floral. {Who would have thought to ever pair the two?!}

Fashion houses and bloggers have broken down any timidness us ladies had about mixing prints. Something so unconventional has turned into something that just works. Here are my 6 tips to remember when mixing prints.

image sources {clockwise}: The Everygirl / British Vogue / Atlantic-Pacific Blog / Pink Peonies Blog / Atlantic-Pacific Blog / Bourbon & Pearls Tumblr / Refinery 29

-post by lauren wickman

Read More