Doing Denim DIYs - Crop Step and Crop Fray

I've never been a big fan of pants in general or jeans specifically. I always found them uncomfortable and would wear denim skirts (still do) to get my denim fix.

That's kind of funny because I live in, essentially, the home of denim, where a 100 year old partnership still lives on to produce American denim and some of the best selvedge around.

But lately I've been embracing pants more - patterned especially - and finding I also really love the denim jean/heel contrast.  But while I like wearing it more, I absolutely am not into spending a lot for it.  Maybe it's my long-standing anathema or just the fact that I'm not tall and lanky, but I just can't bring myself to spend a lot, even if I like it.

Sure maybe there are some magical technologies built into the fabric weave or the structure of the cut, but I probably won't ever find out. My range generally runs from JCrew at the top end to mostly Old Navy.  Maybe I'll be won over some day by some vintage Japanese selvedge but I can't really ever picture me buying $1000+ jeans.

However, I was nearly won over to the $200 camp by a pair of Mother Denim Crop Step Fray Jeans, especially when paired so perfectly by Emma Roberts.

I really like this look. Lots of ankle. A classy heel. It's polished and casual and the lack of a full hem keeps it from looking too "done"

But then I thought, I can do that!  I mean, sure the main jeans need to be good too but I've been recently wearing a pair of straight legged jeans that I'd cropped and frayed myself, why not give this a shot too.

So, I took advantage of the Old Navy Labor Day sale to stock up on a bunch of jeans I needed - from a pair for wearing outside with the animals, to new grey and mid-wash blue skinnies, to the pair to give the crop step fray action.

And I'm happy with the results, especially for $20 (50% off sale!)

I'll have to get a better shot but I like how the cropped but still longer back really frames up the shoes in the front.

And at the end of the day, it really is all about showing off the shoes!

Crafty Crafterson

I would not call myself a "crafting" type of person.  I like to make stuff for myself sometimes but not all the time.  Generally, I just don't have the time, the space or the patience.  But every once in a while I get in the mood and spend the whole day churning out a bunch of project.

And I have to admit this is a Pinterest-fueled post.   I saw a bunch of cute ideas on there, ran to Michael's and bought a whole ton of stuff to make.

I started off easy with a fun centerpiece.  I love that I can switch out the contents each month - chestnuts in November, cranberries in December, etc.

That took just a few minutes, but then it got out of hand as I dug though all my supplies and pulled stuff out.  I have now determined I have waaaayyy too much stuff.  Dang!

Shakers for my glitter = more glitter manicures to follow

Storage for my nail plates - a simple project.

I've had this piece of black coral since I was a kid.  It became a necklace for my neighbor.

And this necklace went to the little girl across the street.

1 embroidery hoop and 40 yards of black tulle later and I have my new favorite wreath for Halloween.

The Fall wreath was simple - a wreath hoop and two strings of the faux fall leaves.  Wired on and I added a ribbon too. Done!

A gaggle of ghostie pins for me and my friends...

I actually did 3 other projects too (11 in all!) if you can believe it but those are going to have to come in a separate post. I was exhausted by Sunday night!

Stay tuned!