Rainy Days and Lace

Style & Co Dress, American Apparel Socks, Hunter wellies

It was a rainy, hot and humid Monday- not how I like to start off my spring. While some of us are experiencing more heat than we'd like or more snow than we'd care for, I find that the best way to combat the weather (and the inevitable weather-related bad mood) is to wear things that make you especially happy. I'll admit that a super-girly lace dress, thigh-high socks and silver rain boots is a bit extreme... but playing dressing up will seriously improve your outlook on days like this.

I had some fun playing with these pictures on photoshop, using some filters and other techniques that I don't usually use. Being creative and not always playing by the rules also do wonders for lifting your spirits any time you need it :)

Marble Nail DIY

Always excited when I find new nail art ideas, I saw this one on A Stylish Blur and couldn't resist doing my own version of the marble nail. A quick youtube video later, I was off and running. Here is a photo DIY:

I chose to use pastels, but it would look equally as cool with some brighter colors.

Start with a basecoat (mine was pink).

Drop some polish into a cup of warm water. (Make sure you drop it close, so the polish 

doesn't sink to the bottom!) Add as many colors as you like.

Swirl it together with a toothpick. (I found that it works better when you work 

quickly because the polish dries too much if you wait a while to swirl.)

Dip your nails. I dipped my finger straight in and then scooped 

it up and out at an angle to get the swirls in the right place.

Clean up the extra polish with a Q-tip soaked in nail polish remover. 

Give it a topcoat when it's dry and you're good to go!

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I just did it with black and gray too. The bolder (and more opaque) colors 

really make the design stand out.

This is so easy, hopefully I've inspired you to get creative with your nails!

Tutorial- How to Make a Grab Button

Taking a detour from my usual posting topics, I'll address a technical issue momentarily...

Kai recently pointed out that a great number of bloggers don't have buttons for people to grab and stick on their blogs. I never made it a point to make a one because I don't put other people's buttons on my blog (so why would they want mine?). But it is a good idea to make one for the 'blog button grabbers' even if you don't partake in button sharing.  Anything that promotes your blog is a good thing, right?

I found that making a grab button isn't as easy as plugging in your information to one of the 'blogger gadgets' (or at least I didn't see any availabe). So here is a (hopefully) easy and quick tutorial on how to make a grab button.

Grab Button- an image of your button with a corresponding text box containing 

the button's html code that users will copy and paste onto their website.

1. Make your button image and upload it to an image hosting site, like photobucket. (For reference, my image is 220 wide x 116 tall.)

2. From the Blogger dashboard, go into the "Design" tab and click "add a gadget" on your sidebar then choose the "HTML/JavaScript" one.

3. Enter the code below, changing the sample info in blue to your info:

Copy the code here:

<img src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk297/hahaha182bucket/grabbutton200copy.jpg" /><br /><textarea cols="23" rows="3"><a href="http://sprinklesinsprings.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk297/hahaha182bucket/grabbutton200copy.jpg" alt="SIS grab button" width="220" height="116" /></a>

(and add the "textarea" bit on the end as shown on the image)

•  The direct link to your image (from photobucket) will be entered twice. Once as the actual image that shows up, and then second in the text box in the form of an html code.
• After the "a href" is where your website url goes.
• After the "alt=" is the unique name you give to the button. (From this, you're supposed to be able to track (on google) who picks up your button and uses it.)
• If your image is the same size as mine, you can leave everything else how it is. Otherwise, go ahead and change the 'width' and 'height' size to match your image, also the 'cols' and 'rows'. ('Cols' is how many characters wide the text box is, and 'rows' is how many lines of text you have showing in the box.)

4. After you make the code and enter it into the "HTML/JavaScript" gadget, save it and make sure everything is working. You're done!

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Hopefully I helped at least one person (and didn't confuse you terribly)!  

Let me know in the comments if I left anything out or if you need more clarification.

xx Kara

Bohemian 70s & Tribal Influences

With the changing of the weather, I'm shedding what little extra layers I donned in winter and slipping into more easy pieces. I've adapted some 70s inspiration for my spring attire already, but lately I'm also drawn to tribal pieces. These are some things I'm loving right now.

                             Bohemian 70s                           

1. [Topshop] Tan Band Wheat Floppy Hat $44

2. [UO] Kimchi Blue Lace Dress $69

3. [Topshop] Wood Butterfly Ring $25

4. [Topshop] Glass Bead In Hoop $20

5. [ASOS] Hammered Metal Bangle $14.34

6. [Jeffrey Campbell] Skate $198

PS- How cool are those shoes?? I think I need them. Now.

                                    Tribal                                  

1. [Dillards] Marc New York "Tribal Print" Dress $100

2. [Topshop] Long Angle Stud $20

3. [Topshop] Embroided Gold Bead Neck Purse $30

4. [Topshop] Mixed Bangle Pack $30

5. [ASOS] Warehouse Tribal Jumpsuit $98.62

6. [Forever 21] Tribal Inspiration Necklace $6.80

7. [ASOS] Statement Leather Cord Wrapped Chunky Bangle $21.52

8. [SSENSE] Pamela Love Tribal Spike Cuff $645

9. [House of Harlow 1960] Tribal Circle Pendant $145

Also...

Kai from All Kinds of Complicated featured me (and some of you!) on Friday. 

Diana from dianapantz is starting a book exchange. Go here for more details!

1 Year Old

 American Apparel hat, UO shirt, Abercrombie shorts, Elizabeth & James sandals, F21 necklace

I had a wonderful weekend visiting my family... but it all went by so quickly! (Doesn't it always?) We spent our time catching up, pointing the differences between our countries, going over some ancestry information, and forming an assembly line to make the fastest apple pie ever (which also happened to take place after midnight). So fun :)  Thank you for all your comments also... I'll be responding to them soon, now that I have some time.

In other news... its Sprinkles in Springs' one year anniversary today! It's gone by so fast. Thank you to everyone for reading this and for all your sweet comments, they really make my day! I hope to be blogging for many more years to come :)

 (my favorite tree that I see when I look out the window)

analogous colors

ASOS straw fedora, UO men's tee, PacSun jeans, F21 belt & ring, Target flats, BCBG bag

I wore this while running a few errands today and decided to dress up the old t-shirt and jeans by choosing some unexpected colors. Also taking my new bag & hat for their first trip out :) I love being inspired by all the bright color combinations this spring and would love to make this trend the main focus of my look, but I just don't have many bright separates in my closet. I'll have to settle on admiring the street style shots outside fashion week for now. (All bets are off if I find myself in a Zara soon... did you see their new lookbook? drool..)

Hope you guys had a fun St. Patrick's Day. My fun's just getting started- I have a bunch of family coming to visit this weekend, including a couple from across the pond! We're practicing our English accents in anticipation! (I want to say just kidding, but we totally are)

its all in the details

A few details of some new things to be featured here soon...

a Felt Hat in the Field

 

American Apparel hat, Target blouse, Sam Edelman boots, F21 necklace, Vintage bag

After much web surfing for the perfect floppy felt hat, I always came back to this one from American Apparel. There are cute ones all over the place but since I'm not a hat person, I usually just admire from afar. But that wasn't the case this time around because, for once in a blue moon, I ventured to the mall with my sister (who was home this week and took these photos as well as the ones in the last post.. thanks Meg!!) and saw the hat in person and fell in love. (90% of the time, I shop online because I feel like I find better deals, and also because I like to think about my purchase and not feel rushed by salespeople. Is anyone else with me on that? But then again, nothing compares to seeing things in real life...) 

I got the blouse at Target and it's this really soft, stretchy, lace material that looks like crochet (which I tweeted about- yes, I just renewed my interest in learning how to use twitter... took a while! So if any of you are on twitter, I'd love if we could follow each other!) tweet tweet

Casual Neutrals

Urban Outfitters blazer, Forever 21 blouse, Guess shorts, BCBG bag, ASOS ring, Dolce Vita for Target shoes

I recently bought this blazer for the warmer months and finally broke it out for some early springtime fun. This look started out as a casual outfit to wear out shopping, but I threw on the blazer to dress it up. I got the sandals at Target after learning about the Dolce Vita/Target collaboration on Josie's blog. I'm also debuting my new pretty pink ring (which I saw on Jamie Lee's blog and had to buy!) Thanks for the inspiration, girls!

Bright Alleyways

Gap denim jacket, Collective Concepts dress, UO studded bag, DVF boots

I brightened up a dreary Sunday afternoon with this printed dress for a trip to church and Starbucks (caramel frappuccino, yum). It has come to my realization that subconsciously, I have a growing collection of silky printed dresses bought on Gilt. I've never been a dress person, but when I shop online that's apparently what I go for; so I'll be wearing them all throughout spring and summer.

Also, the winner of the custom shoes designed by Eliana is...

Carrie of This Free Bird  

(who also happens to be the Feb BOTM)

Congrats, Carrie and thank you to everyone who entered!

Blogger of the Month (March): Estelle

This month's featured blogger is Estelle from Ash & Belle. She has quickly become one of my favorite bloggers; inspiring me with her laid-back style, beautiful photos, great use of colors (and florals! and clogs!). She also has a great penchant for thrifted pieces and borrowed items (schooling shopaholics like me on the art of being frugal with style). Here is my interview with the naturally gorgeous and effortlessly stylish, Estelle.

Location: Melbourne, Australia

Occupation: Full time journalism student and part-time editorial assistant

Age: 18

How did you first get into blogging and why? After years of reading other people's blogs, I decided to start my own to stop myself from being lazy! I'm studying to be a writer and I thought that having a blog would make me want to write regularly!

What does an average day look like for you? An average day for me starts with me changing my outfit at least three times, before hopping on a city bound train early in the morning, usually with a piece of toast wedged between my teeth. The city is where its at for me- its where my university is and where my office is located. I work/study til about 6pm, then its back home and I'm ready to party! Just kidding...I usually end my night snuggled in bed with some sort of fantasy novel and a cup of tea.  

What do you think is the best/favorite thing about blogging? The best thing about blogging is that you get to connect with people who love and understand my obsession with clothes! People on the street in your home town might think you're a bit weird for wearing a certain outfit but in the blogosphere people are much more open minded.

How do you handle it when you just can’t think of anything to write about? Ohhh this happens to me so often! I usually look to my best friend and my boyfriend....I've generally kept them hidden on the blog because both of them are WAY more stylish than me and they make me look so lame in comparison! I usually get my inspiration from those two- they're both very creative.

Who do you look up to within the blogosphere/fashion industry & why? My favourite blogger is Gala Darling. I look up to her because her writing style is so witty, unique and uplifting and she is a girl who really knows what she wants, and is confident and endearing enough to help others realize what they want too! The way she dresses turns heads and whenever I need a pick my up I read Gala Darling. She is amazing and totally my inspiration. In terms of fashion, my favourite blogger right now is Kathleen Carla from Inspirafashion. Oh and Jane Aldridge from Sea of Shoes. She is so damn cool.

Would you like blogging to become your full time job? No, I don't think so. It's more of a hobby for me, but who knows?

Where do you see yourself blogging wise in the next 6 months, and 5 years down the road? I see myself owning a camera and a tripod so I can take my own photos and not have to annoy my friends to take photos for me! Five years down the track...I just want to be still blogging, even if it might be about something else!

What do you do when you aren’t working on your blog? I work at a magazine, so deadlines take up a lot of my time. I love weekends because I get to relax, I'll usually get lunch with my friends or go thrifting with my boyfriend....we always buy the most pointless stuff. I bought a couch once.  

What advice would you give to new bloggers? I'm still new at this so I'm not sure! Ash & Belle is 3 months old, but I guess I can say that in that time I've learn that you should always reply to people's comments...if they've taken the time out of their day to write to you, I think its only nice that you should do that back. It creates a fun, encouraging atmosphere too!

What mistakes/ realizations have you come to throughout your journey as a blogger? Is it harder/easier/more fun than you expected? I've realized that you just have to persevere. I think when you start blogging you'll always feel a bit silly, writing on the Internet to a seeming audience of no-one. But slowly people will start reading, and I wish someone had told me that I should just trust in that. Blogging can be difficult, especially in the way you have to discipline yourself to keep motivated and enthusiastic, but all in all it is very rewarding. I love talking to other bloggers, or being approached by people who say they read my blog. Makes me so happy!

What networking do you do that you feel helps your blogging business? I don't really network that much. When I started my blog I contemplated linking my posts to Facebook but I decided that I didn't want just anyone reading my blog. I wanted my readers to be strangers...is that weird?

How would you describe your personal style? If my style was a person, I think it would have a multiple personality disorder! I go through different phases- girly, tomboy, minimalist, eccentric cat lady. The things that remain constant are that I always wear something vintage and I don't like wearing heaps of jewellery. I wear my gold Casio watch everyday and that's about it usually. The best compliment I've ever received is that "You can pull off anything" so I try to tell myself that and take risks with what I wear. 

Where do you get your style inspirations? I can get inspired by really weird things, like wallpaper or second hand books or old ladies who have no idea that they look awesome. Recently I went paint shopping with my boyfriend and was so inspired by all the different colour combinations!

Who are your influences/ fashion favorites? I try not to dress like celebrities because in this day and age I think it looks totally obvious that you're copying. But I must say, Mary-Kate Olsen, Kate Bosworth and Isabel Lucas never get it wrong!

What role does your budget play in shaping your style? Budget is EVERYTHING. On a day to day basis, my outfit is made up of more thrifted items than items bought from a store. I have a really small budget for clothes and you can see that coming through my outfits. I'm generally very honest about how some of my clothes are just stolen from my friends, my mum or my boyfriend! I have this rule with myself that I never spend over $50 on clothing unless its REALLY special. I really think that buying second hand clothing is the way to go- my friend is a buyer and she says that the chain stores just copy vintage anyway!

If you could trade places with any other person for a week (famous or not, living or dead, real or fictional) who would it be? Elizabeth Bennet

What is your secret dream? To be a Victoria's Secret model! They have the life, I swear.

What are some things on your bucket list? To run my own magazine, to get married, to make the perfect lemon meringue pie, to go backpacking by myself (still plucking up the courage to do this one).

Thank you, Estelle! 

To see more, visit Ash & Belle Blog