Old Hollywood Glamour

Old Hollywood Glamour by brimalotke

Always Learning

Besides working as a shift manager I also handle social media and product description writing for a stationery company. One of the main things I do daily is organize content and post on the different platforms. This week I attended a webinar over how to use Pinterest for your business. While it was very helpful, I also learned about a website that provides images, templates, and more to create amazing visuals that you can then use for what ever you want. Some of the features cost money but there are a lot of great ones for free. 

I wanted to share one of the images I've created using Canva (the graphic design website) that incorporates stock images, great colors, and a product image from Lemon Tree. It's a simple website to use and it's very handy since it allows you to combine your own images with free (or paid) images and accents such as backgrounds, illustrations, templates, and more. I will definitely continue to create social media images using Canva and will explore the other types of images as well (think info graphics, ads, and cards). 

While I enjoy Photoshop and Illustrator, I think Canva has a slight advantage with the templates and provided inspiration. Stay tuned for more great images! I may try to start creating some for my own use with design and promoting my apparel design work.

Denim Jacket Update

Progress Picture.

Whenever I have some free time I try really hard to work on the many projects I've started and stopped. A while ago I had purchased some more patches for my jean jacket, however they've just been sitting around waiting to be ironed. Since I don't work until later today I decided why not add some more patches to my jacket?! So I put a Harley Quinn patch on the bottom left with a "KAPOW" patch right next to it that has a little Batman symbol inside the "O."

Front right pocket.

Then I added a "KABOOM!" patch on the right pocket flap. I had gotten a set of 6 little patches similar to these 2 so I plan on using at least a 3rd one for the jacket. I may save the others for future projects. When I had started this project I looked through all of my sewing stuff to see if I had an patches before going out to buy some. I only had a packet of 2 little green flowers. I figured since I've had them forever I might as well use 1 of them, so I placed it on the flap with the "KABOOM!" patch. I think it looks pretty neat for the front. I haven't decided on purchasing nay others as of now or where to put the other little ones I already have ready to go. I'm pretty excited about the progress so far and I look forward to coming up with new ways to alter this jean jacket. I am considering putting a lining in (minus the sleeves) for some more color/pattern. We'll see what happens!

Grown Up Accessories

Loving the new purse.

One of the things I decided I would try to stick to this year was only using what I get from the store for my own purchases. To elaborate, we have a points system that lets you earn stickers. Each sticker is a $1 of store credit, who ever gets the most is then employee of the month and if you win you get an additional $10 and a 40% bin which you can fill and hold for a week. I've won 4 times now, and I usually spend more than I should when I get to hold a bin. So for December I had received $31 in store credit from stickers, and since I had won the gift card sales I had a $25 gift card to the store as well as $42 cash from the store ($1 for every gift card sale). Being me I was definitely going to spend it all on clothes, because why not? :) 

However I decided to try and just get a few really nice items instead of getting a full bin. This is how I came about getting a lovely yellow Kate Spade purse basically for free. Our store priced it at $65 and we're not allowed to use any discount on designer items (you can use your employee one after 1 week though) so I decided to pay full price. I used all of my stickers, my gift card, and then used the cash they had given me. 

All in all I definitely think it was worth it. It's not everyday you get a designer purse for free. Also it's a very classic style and while I'm not a huge fan of yellow it goes pretty well with my wardrobe (which continues to surprise me). I had purchased a hot pink Kate Spade wallet a few weeks ago and it doesn't match but I love the two together.

Getting Funky with Displays

I figured I would add some more pictures of displays I've done at work. I'll add some of the walls I've decorated (which have multiple mannequins compared to just doing the outfit of the day one) when I get a chance to snag some neat pictures. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to just take the pictures off the Instagram account or not so I'm going to ask first and then I'll do some posts about the work I do for the shop's Instagram account & posting for them.
For the look on the left I wanted to do a larger size despite the mannequins being basically a size 0. So I pulled the printed long sleeve dress from the larger sizes, added an XL pink fur vest, and then focused on accessories. I wanted a little bit of shine with 2 simple necklaces and then another pattern & texture with the silver snakeskin clutch. The heels are plain black but lace up and have cool cut outs.

For the look on the right I really wanted to do something more "funky" than before. I chose a long sleeve maroon velvet leotard that has a deep v down the front with strips across. Then found a great pair of textured skinny leg trouser pants to go with the leotard. I decided on all black for accessories since the leotard is bright and the pants have many colors in them. I topped the look off with a loose blazer, black and gold purse, and platform oxfords. I'm probably going to end up buying the shoes because I am in love with them. I own a silver pair but these are too cool to miss out on owning and wearing.

A close up of the shoes!

New Year New Outfit Goals

One of the things I've decided to work on this year is dressing up a little bit more for work. Whether it's actually wearing the shoes I own (I tend to wear the same 2 pairs to work because I know they won't hurt my feet after 8 hours) or trying to add a little lipstick and jewelry to my "basic" look of jeans and a flannel. 

Pictured above is one of my more creative outfits. It's a long sleeve cotton black dress paired with very bold floral printed leggings and a pair of teal suede oxford flats. I also wore black/white striped earrings and bright pink lipstick. It was pretty dreary outside so this look helped me stay positive at work and feel pretty confident as well. Hopefully I'll start actually getting some decent photos of my own looks to post and write about.

New Year

New Year by brimalotke