Hot Pink Pants

At around 4 PM today, I finally crawled out of the fifth circle of hell (also known as a sinus infection).  I am finally feeling better after spending my entire weekend (Friday night + Saturday + Sunday) in bed and until 1:00 on Monday when I had to put on patchouli oil to cover up the fact that I didn't even want to shower.  It really is amazing when you stop coughing and are able to breathe... how much more sleep you get.

So pink pants.  YEAH!  After my failed search of finding pink pants, in which even my grandma was trying to help, I decided to take matters into my own hands.  DIY has never really failed me except for when it comes to spray painting anything with laminate (ugh).  So, I ordered the same pants I have in black, but in white, from Lands' End Canvas and dyed them.

Dying is an easy process and there are far too many how-tos on how to do it.  I used the Jacquard iDye (even though I am totally a RIT girl, JoAnns didn't have the color I wanted).  Dying something is 10% dye, 20% knowing exactly the type of fabric you are dying 3% salt or vinegar if its a manmade fabric (oh, dyer joke right there haha oh I crack myself up) and 67% just having the balls to do it.


I normally do my dying in the washing machine, and I've never had the problem of left over dye staining my clothes.  But, I wanted to put together a few tips when it comes to dying.

1.  Know your fabric!  Cottons, add salt.  Manmade fabric? (polyester) add vinegar and use special dye.  Also, think about topstitching too, most likely the thread won't take the dye
2.  Read the directions on the dye.  Read the directions on the dye.  Read the directions on the dye.
3.  If you use the washing machine, time your agitation cycle prior to dying.  Yes, sit in your laundry room with a stop watch and see how long it takes.  This is very important as you will most likely have to run your agitation cycle a lot.
4.  Once you are done dying, run one empty washer cycle with hot water and detergent.  Then run one empty washer cycle with cold water, detergent, and bleach.  This should get your machine ready to wash your clothes again.

Shirt: jcrew, hand me down
Necklace: made by me, inspired by ...love Meagan's awesome tutorial
Belt: Gap (and oh so old)
Pants: Lands' End Canvas 100% cotton white pants, dyed pink
Shoes: Target (and only $6... hello summery black flats I've been wanting for two years)

Killer Coral & DIY Necklace

Yes, this post is very picture heavy.  Sam was taking shots of me in this outfit, and they just kept turning out better and better. 

Can I just get something off my chest?  I had the oddest morning.  I decided to forego washing my hair this morning so I could sleep in a little bit, and I was going to use the new dry shampoo that I got.  BIG MISTAKE.  I understand that dry shampoo gives a certain amount of texture and "dirty" volume to the hair...  giving a little fun bedhead-ish style.  However, this stuff made my hair look so dirty, the last time it was that dirty looking, I was in Mexico on a mission trip and couldn't wash my hair for a week.  DISGUSTING!  So, I had to emergency shampoo my hair and spray on some leave in conditioner and get my bangs dry before running out the door.  If anyone has any dry shampoo tips, let me know, I'd love to hear them.

Okay, I feel better.  Onto the outfit!!!  I was so excited at how GREAT this outfit turned out.  Last Monday night I decided to work on a little DIY necklace project while I was watching Gossip Girl.  There really was nothing to this... I just took a black t-shirt, cut it into strips and started playing around with knots and shapes.  I wish I had some better shots of the blazer.  It is a khaki and white striped blazer with 3/4 sleeves and lots of cute pockets.  I was a youth leader for my church back in my hometown for an event one weekend 5 or 6 years ago, and I had completely forgot to bring something to wear to church that Sunday.  I maniacally ran into Old Navy during an hour of free time we had, and pulled together this outfit of light blue chinos and this jacket.  The chinos are long gone, but this little jacket has stayed with me.  I just loved the shape and the stripes are adorable.  Moving on, the skirt was a fabulous thrift store find at a hidden gem here in Nashville.  I think I paid $4 for it.  Its most likely vintage, and 100% silk with pockets and its in AMAZING condition. 

Khaki and White striped jacket: Old Navy
White V-Neck T-shirt: Urban Outfitters
Dark Coral Silk Skirt: Vintage, My Sister's Closet (Consignment Store)
Black Pumps: Vintage, Clothing XChange
Black Jersey Necklace: DIY, made by me!