warm blankets challenge

hey guys!

sorry for the lack of updates lately, but i've been busy working on a new project. here's more info and just as a warning, this won't be your usual fashion inspiration blog post. ;)

I have decided to participate in a project with my friend Elaini. She is a fashion blogger on Misselainious.com (you would lover her style!) and has raised thousands of dollars for kids in India through Warm Blankets Orphan Care- such an inspiration! This holiday season, she has asked me to participate in a 12 Days of Christmas project. The challenge for me will be to style a photo shoot inspired by day 2- two turtle doves which will be posted on her blog in about a week. I had SO much fun during the shoot and I can't wait to share it with you!

With this challenge, my goal is to raise $1000 before the end of the year to donate to Warm Blankets Orphan Care. This is an organization Chico & I really care about. We met the founder, Craig, about a year ago and heard some of the most incredible stories about the kids (ask me about them sometime!).

I attached a few photos of the kids we will be helping. Warm Blankets rescues these orphans from life on the streets or worse, sex trafficking. Your donation helps put these adorable kids in loving Church Orphan Homes where they are cared and provided for. By helping give these children a safe environment, you not only save their lives but you help them to thrive. With your support, they will be clothed, fed, given an education, and most importantly loved. Your donation goes to not just changing these precious lives but also invests in helping to stop the cycle of poverty in this country.

How do you donate? Head over to Elaini's blog and click "Give Now" in the right hand corner. Please put "Alyssa DiCicco" in the comments section so my progress is tracked. All donations are made through a secure page & are tax deductible. Please know that 100% goes to the children- pretty rad. Checks can be sent to this address but please make sure to mark my name on the bottom of the check as well as "12 Days Project".  

Warm Blankets Orphan Care
5105 Tollview Dr.
Suite 155
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

No matter if it's $1 or $100+, every little bit helps! This is such a great opportunity to give back this Christmas and I really hope you are as excited about Warm Blankets as I am!

Thanks & God Bless!

-aly

cozy navajo print sweaters

it's been a while, but that doesn't mean that fashion has escaped my mind. it's definitely feeling like fall in nashville these days, so the need for sweaters is increasing every day! i can't get enough of these incredible navajo print sweaters... so much so that this is my second blog post on them! (i'll call this one the winter edition) ;) they look so cozy and cute.

one // two // three // four // five

do you have your eye on a navajo sweater?

color scheme: black & brown

my cousin bought some cowboy boots... and although i'm not a huge fan of cowboy boots, i kind of fell in love with hers. here's a pic:

black and brown. together! brilliant! and they're not too busy either. perfect combo. here are more cool ways to combine the two colors that break the old rule that they don't go together.

one- taken by my cousin paige!

two // three // four // five // six // seven

are you a fan of combining neutrals... aka black 'n brown?

lovely loafers

happy fall y'all!

i've been enjoying some great fall pastimes this weekend- going to a haunted woods & corn maze and making butternut squash soup! yum!

i'm also eyeing some cool fall loafers. when i was little i had some rad penny loafers and i actually put pennies in them! they were so fun. so now i'm here trying to bring them back. let's do it:

one // two // three // four // five // six // seven

diy: pumpkin wreath

hello!

i have quite the treat for you today on the blog...

a D.I.Y. pumpkin wreath!

here's what happened: i opened my daily anthropologie email in my inbox the other day only to find this awesome plain wreath made completely out of white pumpkins!

now of course i get this idea in my head- i'm going to make this. but how!? do i use real pumpkins? fake ones? and how do i get them to stay like that?

well after lots of thought, i was able to make this wreath for under $15!

here's what you'll need:

• 11 fake plastic mini pumpkins (took me a while to find these, but i found them at tj maxx in the vase filler section. no luck at joann's or michael's)

• off-white acrylic paint (spray paint might be good too)

• paint brush

• wooden embroidery hoop (i had one left over from another craft)

• hot glue & glue gun

• twine or string for hanging

1) if the pumpkins aren't white, start to paint them. you can also choose a different color- i thought gold could be fun, too! or keep them orange. :) also, don't forget to paint your wooden hoop the same color as your pumpkins! i did two coats... they probably could have used a third since my painting isn't that great. also- if you want to keep the stems completely paint-free, you can cover them with painting tape if you'd like.

2) once your pumpkins are dry, measure out where you plan to glue them on your hoop. make sure you leave enough room at the end of gluing for your last pumpkin to fit on, too! put a thick layer of glue on the hoop where your pumpkin will go, then hold your pumpkin down for a few seconds. keep moving on around the hoop.

3) once all of your pumpkins are glued on, go back and reinforce them by turning your wreath upside down and outlining the edges between the pumpkin and the hoop with extra glue.

4) once the glue is dry, measure your twine for hanging, tie one end to the screw on your hoop, and hang your new wreath! viola! there you have it- your new anthropologie inspired wreath for under $15!

have you made any other fall crafts this year?

elle september issue 2012

yes, i know... it's october! and i'm really happy about that, but let's face it- i'm behind on blogging and haven't shown you all of the september issue goodness. (and yeah, i even missed fashion week- how did that happen?!??)

take a look at my best of the best in elle's september issue:

britney! (i can't stop watching x-factor...)

in love with madewell. and solange's fro. having a fro would be so rad...

diane krueger in a sleek blazer inspired cocktail shift dress. gorgeous.

beautiful white sweaters mixed with brights for fall. (now i don't feel so bad for wearing my bright red jeans the other day...)

c'mon- how cute are these clarks ads?

beautiful photo... i cannot tell if this is alexa chung or not... anyone?

love the cutouts in the blue dresses.

love the shape and design of this dress. hair is perfection with this look.

mixing textiles is my favorite!

which trends are you gung-ho about for fall?

ps- check back on the blog tomorrow- it's gonna be good. trust me.

levi's

saw this commercial while watching the season premiere of new girl! so. epic.

love the styling in this video!

emmys red carpet 2012

you know me- i can't resist an awards show!

and let me tell you- there were so many hits (and not so many misses) this time around! everyone looked spectacular!

well, here i am to share some of the best looks!

emily vancamp in j. mendel

heidi klum in alexandre vauthier

julie bowen in monique lhuillier

kerry washington in vivienne westwood

kristen wiig in balenciaga

of course zooey deschanel in reem acra

all photos from harpers bazaar

what did you think of the red carpet this year?

magazine monday: marie claire september issue 2012

magazine monday is back! take a look at my favorite pieces and looks from the marie claire september issue!

trends i'm loving: military jackets, 1920s inspired dresses, and piping.

what's been catching your eye?