Instagram Saturday #1

I love the Instagram app. Only one problem, I don't own a iPhone. I do own an iTouch {just an older version without any camera}, so I can download the app onto my iTouch and just email myself pictures to upload to Instagram. :p See I do it the hard way...but I don't care too much. I just take pictures with my webcam on my macbook, or other times I'll just use my normal camera. Anyhow, this will be a quick way to show some updates from my past week every Saturday {If I remember that is}. Now this past week I didn't really remember to take pictures so I only have two pics to share with y'all. 

On Friday afternoon my June US GlossyBox arrived. It was filled with natural & organic products this month. Yay! I just wish it didn't come with the creamy eyeshadow. Hmm...maybe I could give it away in a giveaway soon along with some other full sized makeup products I don't want {they were never used}.

Today I bought my first pair of leopard print shoes at payless. They are wedges and are so adorable! I can't wait to style outfits around them. In fact, they will be perfect for my birthday outfit on July 5th {which btw, I'll be making either tonight, or sometime next week}.

If you want to follow me on Instagram, my username is: bramblewoodfashion

What I Wore - Whoopie Ti Yi Yo

What I'm Wearing: 1950s Sundress made by me // Belt vintage // Sparkly Bracelet J.Crew // Red TOMS // Dangly Earrings Forever 21 

Today it was very hot outside. In fact, it reached 100 degrees. Which meant I needed to wear something very cool, so I decided to wear this 1950s sundress {I used the out-of-print Butterick pattern #4513} to help keep cool. By the way, it didn't help that much. I was still very hot. Well, soon a friend will be over for an Anne of Green Gables movie night & dinner. So I better get going. :)

Why we should buy quality children’s shoes

It’s always depressingly soon after you’ve bought your child a pair of shoes and they’ve worn them a couple of times that it emerges that they are too small and that they need a new pair, right? With children’s feet seemingly growing at a rate of knots, parents are sometimes of the opinion that spending a lot of money on a pair of shoes is pointless, and that they may as well buy a cheap pair down their local supermarket.

Children’s shoes can be expensive – particularly when you consider how fast they grow out of them. But despite parents’ reluctance to fork out a small fortune on a fashion item that’s likely to be defunct before the year is out, it’s important that the shoes we buy for our youngsters meet a certain level of quality.

Leather rather than plastic

Real leather shoes tend to be softer than shoes made from plastic, which are kinder to our feet and are less likely to rub and cause sores, blisters or bunions. Leather also stretches with the shape and size of an individual’s foot, which can be a big advantage for rapidly growing children’s feet.

As leather is a tougher and more durable material, it tends to last longer than plastic. So, although leather shoes may cost that little bit more initially, they can actually prove more cost-effective in the long run. They’ll have the ability to grow with your child’s feet and be more resistant to all those inevitable knocks and scrapes that children’s shoes are subjected to.

Designer shoes

You may feel that buying your child a pair of designer shoes would be a complete waste of money, but the reasons why it makes sense to buy a branded pair run much deeper than them merely having a logo.

Designer shoes – such as Timberland shoes from Very – are generally of a better quality than many non-branded shoes. From being more intricately made, to only using the highest quality of materials, designer footwear is more likely to have a greater longevity. They’ll also be kinder to your child’s feet and help protect those tiny toes from the inevitable turmoil children put them through!

Measurements

It’s important that children have their feet measured professionally in a shoe store on a regular basis. Their feet grow so quickly, and an expert will be able to eliminate potential problems such as your child having scrunched-up toes.

In this sense, it makes sense to spend a bit more and buy your child’s shoes from a proper shoe store to ensure you get a proper fitting shoe.

[This is a sponsored post.]

I ♥ Thursday {no. 34}

It's I ♥ Thursday time! There are rules for your post and I've listed them below:

1. Be sure to have I ♥ Thursday in your post title.
2. Have the button in your post, or link to back to me and have the button in your sidebar.
3. Share anything that you are loving right now. Tutorials, fashion, crafts, music, movies, recipes, quotes, what ever.
4. Have fun!


<center><a href="http://www.bramblewoodfashion.com/"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lD9u1GFptCc/T7UPuuQ-bZI/AAAAAAAAGmY/F_pfdftQupU/s215/I%2520%25E2%2599%25A5%2520Thursday%2520button.jpg" /></a></center>

Source: debutantesanddarlings.tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

This is simply lovely.

Source: burberry.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Love this Burberry owl tee. Of course, I love most anything with an owl on it.

Source: essie.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Adorable essie nail polish in the color, cute as a button.


I'm also loving the movie Hollywood Canteen {1944}. The above clip is of Dennis Morgan singing, You Can Always Tell A Yank.

What have y'al been loving? Link up your I ♥ Thursday post below:

What I Wore - Keeping it Simple

What I'm Wearing: Black Sundress, Sandals, Owl Necklace, Bow Post Earrings Forever 21 // Black Tank, Cream Cardigan J.C.Penny // Oil Cloth Bag Cath Kidston {early birthday gift from friends} // Sparkly Bracelet J.Crew {Kids section} 

Normally I try to do an outfit post on Tuesday, but yesterday I had a full day of shopping with my best friend, Achaia & her sisters, and my mom & sisters - meaning I was too worn out from shopping to do an outfit post for y'all {even though my outfit was real cute!}. Anyways, we had a blast hanging out with our friends & doing some summer clothes shopping! I bought a mug from Anthropologie, the gold sparkly bracelet from J.Crew, a pale pink top from H&M, and this black dress & a black floral blazer from Forever 21.

What you might not be able to tell from the pictures is this dress has a very deep v-neck in the front & back. To make the dress modest, I threw on this black tank underneath - now you can't really tell that it has a deep v-neckline. I could also play around with different tops underneath {to wear as a jumper} or I can wear tops over the dress like a skirt. Anyhow, I'm happy to finally have a LBD {Little Black Dress} in my wardrobe.

Have you done any summer shopping yet? 

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Check out my sponsor page for prices & details on uploading your ad.

Guest Post @ Simple Delights

I'm so excited to be guest posting over at Simple Delights today. Be sure to go check out the post.

Bloggers Do It Better // Coral + Mint

What I'm Wearing: Mint Skirt made by me // Floral Blouse refashioned by me {Christopher & Banks} // Nude Pumps, Earrings, & Chevron Stackable Rings Target // Belt Forever 21 

I really wanted to link up to Kristina of Pretty Shiny Sparkly BDIB {Mint + Coral} challenge, except sadly I didn't have any mint clothing - at first that is. I did have this mint fabric in my stash that I've been wanting to turn into a skirt for years {it takes a deadline to get me to sew the skirt}. Of course, to be in time for the challenge I sewed this mint skirt up just this afternoon. Then of course, the coral shirts I did have washed out the mint skirt too much. Enter a blouse my sister gave me last night. It has coral & pink flowers all over it, plus it doesn't wash out the mint skirt. Only one problem. I didn't like the sleeves or the fit of the blouse. I quickly chopped off the sleeves, removed the tabs that were on the sides, and took in the sides a bit. Finally, an outfit perfect for the challenge.

Would you wear coral & mint together?

p.s. The reason I have a bandage on my finger is because I gave myself a second-degree burn while frying doughnuts yesterday. 

What I Wore - Polkadots & Lace

What I'm Wearing: 80s{?} Faux Wrap Polka-dot Skirt won in a giveaway from MoMoMod // 80's Secretary Blouse secondhand & refashioned by me // White Tank J.C.Penny // Yellow Necklace Kohl's // Vintage inspired pearl Earrings Claire's // Heels Target 

If you can't tell already, I'm obsessed with polka-dots. This skirt is no exception. Even though it is a faux wrap skirt, I love it to pieces. You see, I tend to stay away from all types of wrap anything; they tend to have a habit of flying open on me. Not good. Another thing I love about this skirt is the fit. It fits like it was custom fitted for me. I've never had a ready-made skirt fit like this before for me, as I'm an odd size.

The blouse is a recent refashion project I did. In fact, I think I did it last week. The only thing I did was chop off the long sleeves. No sewing involved on this project. This does make me want to find a ton of 80s blouses to refashion though, or even non-80s blouse. In fact, I have a old blouse/jacket from Christopher & Banks that I want to refashion sitting on my bed right now. I might do a quick post showing how I refashion these blouses. If I remember to take pictures that is.

Anyhow, I did make those doughnuts in today's I ♥ Thursday. They are delicious! Except the glaze didn't turn out too well, it came out sort of brown {I didn't use normal store bought powder sugar}. So the doughnuts are cinnamon sugar & plain instead. Which is still fine. *smile*

I ♥ Thursday {no. 33}

It's I ♥ Thursday time! There are rules for your post and I've listed them below:

1. Be sure to have I ♥ Thursday in your post title.
2. Have the button in your post, or link to back to me and have the button in your sidebar.
3. Share anything that you are loving right now. Tutorials, fashion, crafts, music, movies, recipes, quotes, what ever.
4. Have fun!


<center><a href="http://www.bramblewoodfashion.com/"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lD9u1GFptCc/T7UPuuQ-bZI/AAAAAAAAGmY/F_pfdftQupU/s215/I%2520%25E2%2599%25A5%2520Thursday%2520button.jpg" /></a></center>

Source: leannebakes.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I'm planning on making these glazed doughnuts later this afternoon. They look so good.

Source: galmeetsglam.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I love the look of this polka-dot skirt with a tee. I already own everything, just need to put the outfit together & wear it. 

Source: sunshineandpearls.tumblr.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I've been loving my chevron stackable rings from Target this week.

Source: shop.nordstrom.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Love this Chanel nail polish in the color, Distraction. It looks like the perfect coral nail polish.

Source: hm.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I really love these kelly green wedges from H&M, they are simply adorable.
Link up your I ♥ Thursday post below for this week:

TV Fashion Inspiration - Mad Men, Doctor Who, Once Upon a Time, etc...

I thought it would be fun to share some outfits inspired by TV shows. I tried to keep the items under $50, but sometimes it was hard to find certain items within that price range. But of course, this is all just for inspiration. 

Mad Men

Joan // Mad Men by bramblewoodfashion featuring lip makeup

A 1960s inspired outfit for today that a secretary might have worn back in the '60s. I love '60s fashion, so this one was easy to recreate. In fact, I should put together an outfit like this sometime for myself - I have everything to do it.

Doctor Who

Bow Ties are Cool by bramblewoodfashion featuring an oxford shirt

Here I recreate Matt Smith's look as the 11th Doctor for a girl. I think this outfit really capture's his look. Eep. I really love this outfit. I want to own everything in this outfit, right down to the bow tie. Of course, if you don't want to wear a bow tie, you can switch it out for a headband.

Once Upon a Time

Some Day My Prince Will Come by bramblewoodfashion featuring butter london nail polish

I love Mary Margaret's style from Once Upon a Time. It is very feminine and vintage-y. To recreate the above look find a floral skirt, and lacy top to capture the feel of the outfit. A belt is also a wonderful touch to add to the outfit.

Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey - Lady Mary by bramblewoodfashion featuring christian dior perfume

Downton Abbey. Many would think it would be hard to capture this era for modern wear, when in fact it can be quite easy. Here we have a lace dress, pumps, large hat, clutch, and very girly details with the accessories & jewelry. And it works on capturing the 1910s era for today.

Looking back through all these outfits, I can't pick one favorite - I love them all.

Which one is your favorite?