OOTD: Basement Finds

Full disclosure, I’m broke.

As a recent grad still struggling to find her dream job my cash flow is rather limited and while I have a shopping addiction I’ve had to get slightly more thrifty. My parent’s are very practical people and while I hardly inherited any of their frugalness I have learned that fashion is not the same as style. Style advice #1 Fashion is cyclical. This doesn’t help hoarders (sorry!) but seriously, everything will come back in. With a top trend this fall centered around 1970s fashion I decided to raid the boxes collecting dust in my parent’s basement.

Sometimes this is more fun than actual shopping. Each piece is linked to a memory and story your parents tell you. You get to laugh at some hideous things, try on quirky things and discover some hidden treasures. Here’s what I found:

1960s Fringe Suede Vest

Yeah my parents are old. My dad purchased this amazing fringe suede and leather vest (that is excellent quality) on a high school trip to Mexico in the 1960s. I’m so thankful he held on to it all these years and he loved seeing me style it

Oversized Denim Jacket

Vintage Mango jacket from my mother’s early 1980s wardrobe. Thankfully oversized looks are in and this denim jacket is perfect for tossing over your shoulder for an effortlessly cool, fashion girl look.

I paired these together with a $20 paisley dress from H&M and suede booties. It’s the perfect 1970s inspired fall look but the best part is the stories that go along with it

xx

Modern Lamb

#ELLECANADAOOTD: Street Style Feature

I’m so thrilled to be included in Elle Canada’s Street Style Hall of Fame. Thrilled? Hmm, maybe stunned, bewildered, unable to comprehend if this is real life? It’s really exciting to have been included among some of the most stylish Canadian women who have established fashion blogs and 100K plus instagram followers. It’s giving me the motivation I need to keep blogging, styling and reaching out to people.

Follow the link here to check me out on their website and get the details on my outfit which (spoiler alert) Cost under $50. Obviously they had to edit down the interview portion so here’s the whole thing:

Name AND Instagram handle: Devon Butler @devonariana

City: Toronto

Profession: Recent Grad aka Funemployed

What are you wearing: This look cost under $50! I found the skirt on a sale rack at Marshall’s for $10. TEN. DOLLARS. I styled it with a black H&M crop top, a Brandy Melville velvet choker and nude shoes from Primark.

What’s your style philosophy: Don’t get stuck in that high school mentality which says you must fall within a specific narrow category. Explore, expand and evolve.

The most prized possession in your closet: Vintage Dior Ivory silk trousers from Réciproque Paris

Whose closet would you love to raid: A schizophrenic combination of Keira Knightley, Every Jenner/Kardashian, Emily Ratajkowski and a 1930s and 40s Cinematic Costume Design warehouse that only exists in my dreams.

Do you believe in having a style icon? If so, who is it?: I prefer general inspiration. Some days I channel Kylie Jenner, some Katherine Hepburn. It might seem bizarre but I don’t like to limit myself. My style depends very much on how I feel that day.

What is one thing you wish you could tell your younger self?: Don’t waste your Birthday gift money at Hollister. Also, sell your Princess Diana beanie baby now

If you could sit front-row at any fashion show, what would it be: Balmain or Zuhair Murad

Who would you want to sit next to?: Kimye

One thing you’ve always wanted to know about the fashion industry: How do I get hired in it?

What’s the best style advice you’ve ever received: My parents are practical people which has taught me to utilize what’s in my closet, be creative when putting together outfits and only splurge on staple pieces. Also, my sister has a very minimalist style and would constantly nag me about having “too much going on.” I learnt to go easy on the accessories and not use fashion as a way to hide my insecurities. Self-confidence overpowers anything you are wearing.

One fashion rule you live by: Fashion is meant to be fun and experimental. I like to take risks and try new looks. It’s good to get out of your comfort zone.

The best part about summer fashion: Getting to show lots of skin without fearing frostbite.

OOTD: Like A Rolling Stone

My style is constantly evolving, and I mean on a daily basis. I can’t say I have a set style, I love to play around with various trends and looks. Some days I feel Kate Middleton, some days Kim Kardashian. Lately though, I have been feeling the grunge look. I’ve long shied away from the grunge trend since my high school punk days (when I had ratty, fried pink hair and wore cheap studded belts and rainbow socks) Even though that was 10 years ago (yikes) I’ve feared going back to that style at risk that I’ll end up looking ridiculous. But, as I’ve learned, with the right accessories and styling, punk/grunge can look incredibly chic.

Here are the pieces I’m wearing.

1) Rolling Stone’s T: An old T-Shirt I bought from Rue 21 MANY years ago that I cut into a crop tank.

2) Light Denim Jacket: Forever 21 (Tossing it over your shoulders is instantly chic)

3) Gold Sunglasses: Le Chateau

4) Jeans: LL Bean Signature (highly recommend this brand for staples)

5) Gold Glimmer Body Chain: Nasty Gal

Let’s talk fashion, style and life! Twitter: @Modernlamb and Insta: @devonariana

xoxo

DIY Flower Dress

I am by nobody’s standards, a fashion designer. I tried sewing when I was younger since my mother is phenomenal at it but I never had the patience nor the talent for it. This is my disclaimer, if I can do it. You sure can.

I got inspired by a dress I saw in a small Vermont shop that was sadly not for sale. I was on my way home after completing my master’s thesis and as such, had lots of free time on my hands and was looking for a project to take my mind off my unemployment and impending adulthood.

So I got to work. If you want to try your hand at it here’s what you’ll need:

Basic Dress

Matching Thread

Needle

Sewing Scissors

Flowers

Optional: Beads or pearls for adornment

Optional: A mother or other family member who can help you

This is the dress I used as the base.

I had this basic H&M dress in my closet for probably three years and never wear it. You can use any colour or style dress you want (I actually wanted strapless but couldn’t find just a plain one) or even do just a skirt or top. I’m pretty sure this dress cost me only $15.

Next were the flowers. Michael’s or any craft store usually carries these. They are typically sold in bunches like this:

I used 3 bunches which wasn’t enough to cover the whole dress though. I would have had to double it if I wanted the entire dress covered. I also liked these flowers because they have multiple colours and tints to them (blue, purple, brown) which gives it some dimension. Of course you can use whatever flower best compliments your dress and mix several together.

Next came the part I was most worried about. Sewing on the flowers. Yes, I did this all BY HAND. Surprisingly, I discovered I might actually have some patience. I loved sewing each flower on and once I got the hang of it I would spend an evening sewing while watching television.
I made a cross stich (2 stiches that make an X) then secured it by knotting it twice. Cut the thread, then move on to the next flower. I sewed the flowers very close together so that they overlapped on the bottom half of the dress, I wanted to do this throughout but decided I wanted to wear it to my graduation and didn’t have the time so instead I gradually sewed them further apart so that they completely dispersed by the top. I actually really liked the way it turned out. I repeated the same thing on the back.

I can’t give an overall time on how long this took me because I worked on it on and off for a week. An hour here, an hour there. I was very surprised how quickly it came together.

My mom suggested I sew beading onto some of the flowers and I haven’t done that yet but I am going to get around to it soon. I did however sew on the sporadic pearl from a necklace of mine that broke years ago.

Overall this cost me around $50 for all the supplies and took about a week of very lax work. I’m pleasantly surprised by how well it turned out and by how much I enjoyed the process.

Even if you don’t think of yourself as patient, talented or creatively astute, this is a great diy project for that one of a kind dress to wear to all your summer weddings.

Insta: @devonariana

Take a Beauty Risk: Lipstick

I’ve been searching for a cool blue lipstick for ages. Everything is either really expensive (I cannot justify spending $40 on a blue lipstick) or extremely cheap, which leads me to believe it will end up looking tacky and Halloween-y.

At last. I found this blue shade from MAC, dubbed “matte royal.” At only $16 it was the perfect price and hue and now I can take on that night channeling my inner badgirlriri.

Instagram: @devonariana