Chels Wears: Remixed Hipster Grunge

Pants: WalMart | Chambray & Cardigan: JCPenney | T-Shirt: Mumford & Sons

Scarf: WalMart | Fork Ring: Festival | Telephone Necklace: Wet Seal | Leather Cuff Bracelet: Charlotte Russe

Shoes: Payless (Brash)

I'm not really sure if I'd consider this look to be really "hipster" or "grunge" but it's certainly remixed. If you look at previous Chels Wears posts, specifically, Double DIY and Breaking Fashion Rules, you can pretty much come up with this outfit and I thought this basically condemned building in town made for the perfect backdrop. Please excuse the pile of trash that I am clearly offended by in the first picture.

I wore this to see the War of the Worlds show at Bricolage (which by the way, you still have a chance to win tickets to: see how here) last Thursday and it was freeeeeezing. I had my trusty photographer (my dad) take these as I was on my way to the show and wished that I remembered to grab a coat before leaving, but alas, I froze instead. In case you were wondering, the later half of fall has certainly arrived here in Western Pennsylvania, which I am not a fan of since it leads to winter. The season I love to hate. Looks like it is time to stock up on some desperately needed new boots. Four Pittsburgh winters will certainly test the quality of your footwear and after last year, basically all of my boots have had more than enough.

Chels Wears: Double DIY

Chambray & Leggings: JCPenney's | Shirt: Mumford & Sons | Boots: Voltage | Scarf: DIY | Headband: Rue 21

Leg Warmers: DIY | Purse: Target | Bracelets & Owl Ring: Charlotte Russe

First things first, yes, I am wearing leggings for pants...again. I cannot help it you guys, they are just so comfy and they fit under boots so well. Next, you might be wondering why I often have my hair up in my Chels Wears posts. Well, if you'd guess, a) I'm lazy, b) I didn't wash my hair this day, or c) I currently hate the length of my hair, as any of your reasons why this must be, then you're correct, but mostly C. After drastically cutting my hair, I'm in between the lengths I actually like which are shoulder length and mid-back length. So in about two to three more inches, it'll be perfect and will be worn down more, just you wait.

Now onto the double DIY...the leg warmers and the scarf were made about ten minutes before I left the house for my night job at Family Video. I got the idea for the leg warmers from Pinterest (surprise) and made them (and a few other pairs) by cutting off the sleeves of some old sweaters my mom had in her closet that neither of us wanted to actually wear. And the scarf is made from a cowl neck shirt dress that I was going to donate to Goodwill. Originally I planned to just cut off the cowl neck and use that as an infinity  scarf, but it wasn't big enough for my taste, so I cut off the sleeves and used the actual dress half of it. Simply sewed up the frayed edge so there would be a smooth edge the whole way around and voila! I'm planning on making this a fringe scarf eventually since I'm in love with all things fringe and it'll make it a more unique element, but for now and for the limited time I had to do this, I like it. What do you guys think?

If you recall, this is not the first time that I've cut something up and sewed it really fast before walking out the door in it. Honestly, I've been doing this since about the 7th grade. I just know that if I'm not going to wear an item of clothing the way it was intended, I might as well try it a different way. So far I think it's worked out pretty well. And this totally makes me a fashion designer, right!? haha

Two link-ups this week - be sure to check out H&K Style Journey and Because Shanna Said So.

Valentine Playlist & Snail Mail

Hoping all of you are able to send and receive your fill of love today, or this weekend if you are like me and MJ who are always far too busy to ever do anything on the actual day of Valentine's Day. Remember, we're the couple who didn't exchange Christmas gifts until mid-January. But honestly, as cheesy as it sounds, everyday is Valentine's Day with him - relationships with distance are not for the faint of heart, people!

If you know me well, then you know that I am obsessed with greeting cards. I love sending them, receiving them, making them...I am all about this business. Hire me, Hallmark. Sometimes when I'm bored I go to Rite Aid (mind you, I live in the city so Rite Aid is literally my neighbor) just to browse through the greeting cards. Which I realize makes me lame, but I want to have my own greeting card company eventually and am currently toying with the idea of opening an Etsy shop for cards and random design work so I need to look at my competition!

So, this year for Valentine's Day I wanted to send some love to everyone, though not a realistic goal, I at least sent some to 25 households through personally designed cards. And by personally, I mean I made them in Photoshop and InDesign and made six different designs. Each one was based on beautiful simplicity and song lyrics, because honestly what else do you need in a Valentine? I hope they all made it to your mailboxes by today. I loved making these. First, coming up with the design and what pictures (which were all taken by my friend Hannah) and then buying the special paper and envelopes from a little stationary shop downtown called Weldin's. Sigh. I just loved this process and I hope those of you lucky enough to get one love them too. But for everyone who doesn't receive a snail mail Valentine, I'm sorry and you're welcome to consider this post as your own special Valentine. Add the Elton John, Your Song, to the list if you so desire in that case...that's always a goodie. Happy Valentine's Day with infinite X's & O's from me!

1. For MJ (as pictured above)  - Ho Hey by The Lumineers

I belong with you. You belong with me. You're my sweetheart.

2. For my parents - Home by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

Home is wherever I'm with you. (Alabama, Arkansas, I sure love my Ma & Pa.)

3. For my brother - Murder in the City by The Avett Brothers

Always remember there is nothing worth sharing like the love that let us share our name.

4. For my anti-Valentine's friends - What's Love Got to Do With It by Tina Turner

What's love got to do with it.

5. For my friends (part 1) - Everybody by Ingrid Michaelson

Everybody wants to love. Everybody wants to be loved.

6. For my friends (part 2) - Awake My Soul by Mumford & Sons

Where you invest your love, you invest your life.