Akira Summer Sale: Everything's 20% Off!

Sale alert! Akira Chicago is having their summer sale from now till July 25th, and everything is 20% off! Free standard shipping on orders over $75, and free return shipping on net orders of $75 or more.

Featured Items:

Slim Fit Denim, now $31.20

This is their best selling denim, a basic staple to your wardrobe!

Machine Destroyed Denim

From left: Distressed Skinny Jeans & Super Destroyed Denim, both $39.20

From left: Distressed Denim Shorts & Distressed Denim Mini Skirt both $31.20

Head over to Akira Chicago and shop their site-wide sale!

Reader Request: Brown flats & Brown Cardigan

From my reader Darla:
Lately I've been on the search for a pair of cute brown flats, something simple but still stylish and cute and I haven't been able to find any that fit that description. As well I've been looking for a cute simple brown cardigan, something with a v-neck and not so long, about 22" long.

I want to know if you have any suggestions on where i can find these items,
either online or in a store. Thank you.


Is brown the most unpopular color or what? I now understand how Darla couldn't find the perfect brown cardigan, since most stores have the basics in other colors, or have drapey and long cardigans. Took me awhile to find some brown items! Also, I know H&M has a lot of the basic cardigan that Darla is looking for in a variety of colors, but I'm not sure if it comes in brown (I myself have a black and a blue one). Maybe check there too!

If any other readers have suggestions for Darla, please comment and let her know. Hope this helps!

Flats

From left: Zip Front Ballerina Flat $16 from Go Jane, Blowfish Serge Knotted Ballet Flat $34.95 from DSW, Classified Colman Tan Imitation Suede Hardware Flat $22 from Lulu's

Cardigan

From left: Cotton & Linen V-neck Cardigan $49 from Victoria's Secret, Ruffle Trimmed Cardigan $49.50 from Gap, Basic Cotton Cardigan $9.99 from Pink Ice

PLT Beauty: Essie Matte About You Matte Finisher

Essie has just released its matte finished "Matte About You", which can instantly turn any glossy nail color into a smooth matte finish. Coincidentally, OPI is also releasing its Matte Collection about this time. It will definitely be more convenient and cheaper to get a bottle of matte finisher and turn your favorite colors into a matte finish than to get a new bottle of matte polish in your favorite color!

Some matte/glossy ideas that Essie has provided, which you can create with Matte About You and your favorite nail color.

This is a really good idea compared to a whole new collection of matte colors, but there will definitely still be a difference between an original matte color and a color used with a matte finish. There will still be some gloss with the matte finish. For examples, visit All Lacquered Up to see the differences between OPI's matte collection and the same colors used with a matte finish!

Reader Request: Oversized Blazer

From my reader Amy:
Hello, I was reading your blog and came across the post "June Shopping Roundup". I really liked the oversized blazer, and have been trying hard to find one here with no success. Could you help me out? I would love to get my hands on that blazer. How does it fit? Thanks!

The blazer fits very well on me, not too large and not too small, and I'm a size 6 (like in H&M sizing). It also comes in both gray and black colors. If anyone else is interested in this blazer, or any other item in my June Shopping Roundup, let me know and I'll provide you with more details!

Some additional pictures of the blazer:






Email me at pretty.lil.things.blog@gmail.com if you're interested in this blazer or any other items!

DIY Time: Cutout Leggings

A couple of days ago I wrote about the legging trends for this summer, and I mentioned that I was digging the cutout legging trend. Well, I've decided to create my own cutout leggings! Here are step by step instructions on how I did it.

Materials needed:

• Long black leggings
• Fabric chalk/pencil for markings
• Tape measure
  
• Scissors
• Clear Nail Polish (optional)
  

Difficulty: 2.5/5
This project is very tedious, and it's much harder to cut on fabric than you might imagine!

Step 1: Get a pair of long black leggings (or any color you like). Pick one that is thicker and is made of a better material, preferably long and up to the ankle.



Step 2: Flip it inside out so that you don't dirty the outside when marking. You won't want the cutouts to go all the way to the bottom, so start marking about 4 inches above the bottom of the leggings.



Step 3: Using the fabric chalk, mark how you want the slits to be cut. For mine I made them 0.5 inches apart, but it's really up to you (definitely make it at least 0.5 inches though, because the sides of the slits tend to curl up) Make them of different lengths and sizes, with the cutouts shorter towards the bottom and longer towards the top. You can make the cutouts stop wherever you want, for me I made up to my about my thighs. Note: Make sure the slits you mark are not too wide, because after cutting it actually appears much bigger than when you wanted it to be (see picture below)!



Step 4: Start cutting! Remember, DO NOT cut too wide because, the hole becomes a lot bigger when you wear the leggings! So some of them can simply be a slit, because it will open up when you put it on.

Just a little slit will turn into a larger hole.

This is how it will look after cutting.

Step 5: If your scissors can't cut that well or you're like me and can't cut that well, use a pair of smaller scissors and trim around each slit.


Step 5 (Optional): To prevent fraying, you can apply a coat of clear nail polish around the edges of each slit. However be warned that it might itch a little when you wear it!

And ta-da! You're done with your new cutout leggings!

Stay tuned for more DIY projects in upcoming posts!

This Weekend Only: 7 for $25 PINK panties

PINK panties 7 for $25 in stores this weekend only at Victoria's Secret! That's two more panties than usual. Time to stock up!

Sales & Coupons Week of 7/10

EDIT: added today's special Forever 21 code.

• Forever 21: Today Only! Get 10% off orders of $50 or more with code FBTENOFF, offer expires 7/10/09.

• Alloy: Save 15% off your online order with code SHOP15, offer expires 7/13/09.

• Armani Exchange: Free shipping with code AXFSJULY, offer expires 7/12/09.

• dELiA*s: Save 15% off your online order with code HOT15, offer expires 7/16/09.

• Karma Loop: 20% off entire order with code JN11465, offer expires unknown.

• The Limited: Save $20 off your order of $60 or more or $30 off your order of $100 or more with code 322, offer expires 7/19/09.

• Mac Cosmetics: Free shipping on any order with code CRAFT, offer expires 7/13/09.

• Old Navy: 15% off orders of $75 or more with code SAVENOW, offer expires 7/11/09.

• Target: Save $5 off your order of $50 with code TCBBYPAT, offer expire 7/11/09.

• Urban Outfitters: Save 25% off your online order with code 25OFFSALE, offer expire 7/14/09.

• Victoria's Secret: Free shipping on orders of $75 with code 75FREESHP, offer expires unknown.