The truth about kilts

I bought this from a thrift store a while back and it was horribly unflattering... so I worked some seamstress magic andddd...... #fab.

I bought it actually thinking it was a kilt, like a legit kilt. Since I'm Scottish, I thought "oh how cultural of me!". Yeah.... nope. This is a faux kilt! My best friend's dad broke the news to me. He's a bagpiper and wears kilts like every weekend... aka he knows his kilts. I did some more research and found out the truth:

1. Kilts are made out of a wool tartan plaid. (which my skirt is!)

2. Typically worn by men in Scotland. (yeah.. not a man or in Scotland or using bagpipes)

3. Hems hits just above knee. (I did hem mine from there because boy was that unflattering...)

4. Apron fridge. (clearly I got that!)

5. Knife pleats. (here's the real zinger... not a single pleat on my 'kilt'. The pleats are supposed to be in the back, allowing for easy movement and flow.)

6. Buckles. (yeah I got three buttons and not a single buckle... whoops.)

7. Eva is not wearing a kilt... just a wool skirt with fun fringe and a few buttons. (whoop whooop whooop)

Skirt: similar

Blouse: similar

Jacket: similar

Bag: similar

Tights: similar
Booties: similar

(Here's a thank you card I got from helping out at an admissions event the other day... It really made me smile. Even though it was probably written as a joke since I use the word fabulous at least 30 times a day... I laughed and smiled when I saw it!)

Linking Up Today with:
The Pleated Poppy // Because Shanna Said So // Pump & Pushups  // Tucker Up // Book of Leisure // Cappuccino and Fashion  //  For the Love of Leopard

Turtlenecks & Boyfriend Jeans

I've never had much luck with finding boyfriend jeans... I just can never find the right fit. #bigbootyprobs (am I right ladies?) Well when I went home this winter break, I got these pants from my sister because she didn't want them! I might have made the rips in them myself, but I think it turned out alright.

I remember when I was younger in middle school, all I wanted was ripped bell bottoms. But anytime I went to try them on in the store, my mom would say "I'm not paying extra for jeans that have holes in them". I got it, but I still wanted them. Looking back, it was more of a fitting in type deal, and I'm glad mom didn't pay extra for jeans with holes in them. Nowadays, I think good ole mom has instilled in my brain that paying for pre-ripped clothes is dumb... ergo at-home-ripped jeans are more my style.

Did you have ripped jeans as a kid?

Jeans: American Eagle
Blouse: Lauren by Ralph Lauren
Tights: H&M
Necklaces: Thrifted
Booties: JustFab

Blogger Scene & Jamberry's

Last Thursday I went to my first Blogger Scene event!

It was SO exciting and I loved seeing all the other bloggers in the DC area. I went with another blogger friend at Understated Classics, and met so many other cool people there too!

To prep for the event, we obviously had to pick out some great outfits... that's like the #1 thing all fashion bloggers love to do. However, there's a certain pressure that we felt when picking out these outfits.... who was going to be there? Does this look represent my blog? Am I dressed too casual? Too dressy? SO MANY QUESTIONS. I just wanted to look fabulous..... then it hit me. I AM fabulous. Okay I know that's my blog name and I say the word 'fabulous' more than everyone else, but it's all about the mental state of fabulosity. 

*This is my 'take the damn picture Clare, I look good!'*

If I am comfortable, I'll feel fabulous. If I don't care that I'm dressed up a little too much or a little too casual, then I will feel fabulous. That's all I want my 2015 to be filled with-- feeling fabulous and content with my life and mental state. 

--Rant over-- Let's just talk about what I actually ended up wearing.

First off, I think turtlenecks are wonderful. It's cold on the East coast! Plus they are comfortable, especially my cashmere cranberry turtleneck. I layered some necklaces to show off that yes, I do have a neck, its just currently wrapped in cashmere. The bae of all my skirts, this gem from Ann Taylor... def the 'fab' part of my From farm to Fab styled outfit. Add black tights and booties, and I'd say I was ready for a night out with some fashion bloggers.

Oh wait, let's not forget about my nails! Have you tried Jamberry's? Well... you should. Follow this link to get a sweet deal from yours truly! My blogger friend taught me the proper technique of application (totally not as intimidating as it seems), and we did our nails before the event on Thursday.

Also how crazy is it that I ACTUALLY WON A RAFFLE PRIZE?! I feel like everyone says they never win anything.... I am def one of those people. So to hear the lovely hosts say my name was CRAZY. I ended up winning a $310 class pass to [solidcore] fitness, $30 to SweetGreen (totes perfect for a vegetarian!), an Under Armour tank top for [solidcore], and some other random goodies all courtesy of The Maxwell!

Blouse: Talbots (similar, similar)
Skirt: Ann Taylor (similar, similar)
Tights: H&M 
Booties: JustFab (similar, similar)
Necklaces: Original Design (similar, similar)
Nails: Jamberry Metallic Rose Gold (SHOP)

Thanks again to The Fashionably Broke for hosting this great event! See you next time!

Linking Up today with:

The Pleated Poppy // Because Shanna Said So // Pump & Pushups  // Tucker Up // Cappuccino and Fashion// Book of Leisure

New obsession: Arm Knitting!

So, as you might have been able to tell.... I loveeeee crafting. Any type of  crafting, literally. Anything from spinning wool, needlepoint, basket weaving, crocheting, jewelry-making...& so many more; I've tried it all.

There's just something about holding something handmade. Knowing that what you create is unlike anything anyone else has made; there are no other exact duplicates. Being a crafter is about reminiscing in the art of something that now people spend their money on... not their time.

I think a lot of my desire to craft comes from my grandmother. My grandma Jeanne (my namesake!) is the true craft-guru though. She has made every single one of her grandchildren, and many other family members, a baby blanket by either crocheting or quilting. She used to make ornaments for the trees, magnets for the fridge, outfits for baby dolls, dresses for us girls, wall hangings for gifts... she does so much I can barely even think of it all to explain to you guys. My point is: Gramma Jeanne is the Queen of Crafts.

I like to jokingly say that I am Jeanne's prodigy.... well craft prodigy at least haha! Every time I make something new, I got to show Gramma. She has been fascinated with my classes I am taking at school and seeing what I'm making in them (soon to be a post-- my final Apparel Design II project!). But she has really gotten a kick out of my scarves I've made with ARM KNITTING!

Every time she has a visitor, she calls up the house and says in the cutest way: "Eva, you know what I want!" and I scurry out to her house with my iPad and a scarf to show her and her visitor my latest projects.

This particular scarf I had made while I should probably have been studying for a final exam..... (but I got all A's and one B last semester sooo this was worth it!). It was made in my dorm room all while my roommate oo'ed and ahh'ed at the process.

I had used this youtube video and finished in just under 40 minutes. I decided to make it bulkier than her's.... because of all people, don't I seem like the big accessory kind of gal?

I may have a new addiction to arm knitting.... so far I have made 7 and am only getting started. So for  the lovely ladies in my life, you probably got a scarf for this holiday season. #muhahaha

Here are some of the other blanket scarves I've finished... modeled by my lovely younger sis, Grace. 

This black scarf was for my older sister, Hanna. 

This cream scarf is for myself. I love long scarves so I couldn't resist trying all the ways I could wear it. My favorite is the third option!

The two above were just some leftover yarn that my mother found hideous, so naturally I annoyed her until she thought that I was giving it to her (which I didn't because... I'm her favorite).

At first, I was going to crop this, then I laughed so much I just couldn't. Me and my sis look so similar sometimes, especially our 'Just take the picture. Wait is my face is it? Oh, I better sort of smile' face.

What's your craft of choice?? Have you arm knitted before? Let me know!

New type of blanket scarf?

So I have tried arm knitting. It is amazing. I'll be posting about that process pretty soon!

Anyways, the scarf is totally warm and comfy and fabulous and gigantic and..... like a blanket. Therefore, I think its only proper to also call it a blanket infinity scarf.

Oversized accessories are always fun and especially when it is what adds the bit of color to the outfit. I made the scarf with blue reluctantly, (basically the craft store only have blue and gray..) but I am pleased with the turn-out, especially with this outfit.

The jacket was a thrift store find and I love the 3/4 length sleeves! So chic with a long sleeve underneath. My sweater was my sisters but she never wore it soooo, MINE NOW! I accentuated my waist with this yellow skinny belt and my black pencil skirt. Loving this outfit for the winter, and as long as there is no snow on the ground.... I'll be stomping around campus in my little black booties.

These earrings are from my friend Ashley's sister. She is a jewelry designer for Square Peg Meg! Everyone check her out.... she is super talented and I am in LOVE with the earrings.

Sweater: Thrift (similar, similar)
Skirt: Target (similar, similar)
Tights: H&M (similar, similar)
Belt: H&M (similar, similar)
Jacket: Thrift (similar, similar)
Boots: Just Fab (similar, similar)
Scarf: Eva Original (similar, similar)
Earrings: Square Peg Meg (similar, similar)