A GIVEAWAY: IT'S A T-SHIRT, BITCH

OH. WHAT'S THAT?

WHAT IS THIS?

YES. U CAN OWN A ONE OF A KIND KAWAII T-SHIRT LIKE ME BECAUSE I'M GONNA GIVE ONE AWAY FOR FREEEEEE BECAUSE I GUESS I LUV YA'LL

So,

I hope you are as excited as I am.  But as exciting and easy as getting free shit is, I have simple requests to enter to win this bad boy:

--THERE R OPTIONS. PICK ONE (BUT I MEAN, U CAN DO ALL IF U RLY LUV ME)--

Share this blog post (image or link) via any form of social media that you have (i.e. "The Facebook", "The Twitter", "The Insta", Pinterest) please hashtag it #youaintkawaiibitch or #greatplainstyle so it doesn't get lost in the depths of the internet!

THEN PLZ:

Post a comment on this page including your name & email and the social media link you posted! (This way I can find you and stalk you on the internet...and also get you entered and in the case you are ~*THA WINNER*~ i can find you :)

CONTEST WILL END 1 WK FROM 2 DAY---> Sunday, May 18th!

I've only worn my shirt out once. TO THA CLUB, OF COURSE.  I got the best looks...bitches giving the most beautiful looks of bewilderment and cool kids throwing props.  Let's ride or die together.

I will also open up the opportunity to consider ^this^ printed shirt instead of the other, if you so desire.  (Sometimes we like to make a statement without words, and instead, real tears).  If you are the winner we can talk more about which design you prefer :)

U WILL TRY 2 HIDE IN IT BUT U CAN'T. OBVI

--------

if you have any questions about the contest or you're having any problems, post via a comment or email me at greatplainstyle@gmail.com

<3

<3

<3

BEFORE & AFTER: BLK ON BLK

Today's post is the first real post introducing you into the decorating of my new apartment!  

It is a bit of a DIY post...

 

Until about three years ago, this trunk had been out in the same outbuilding on my family's property...storing old knick-knacks of my dad's from his "younger days."  When I was finally released into the world as a sophomore in college, out of the dorm life and in a REAL HOUSE, I needed some furniture...some places to keep my ridiculous amount of clothes, if we're being honest here.

So upon a questionable level of trust in me not "ruining things",  my dad let me drag it around with me.  It made it all the way to Chicago this past year.  It's not too big for a trunk and I love that!  And you know what's also super rad about a trunk?  YOU CAN ALSO USE IT LIKE A TABLE i.e. PUT MORE OF YOUR CRAP ON TOP OF IT!

So this is what I was dragging around.  I will say my favorite color has been yellow for a while now until gray took it's place (because apparently I'm into sad things now).  A little rough on the edges and with the weirdest color scheme including brown, I once again cautiously asked my dad if I could paint it.  Now three years after my initial request, he must just be used to my crazy ideas, and hey, he didn't even hate the idea of painting it at all.

^^^SO THIS IS WHAT I DID ^^^

The trunk is a weird combination of metal and wood elements.  I sanded the roughest of parts with a medium-fine grit sandpaper.  Then painted the whole trunk a matte black and added a glossy layer to the details- like the hinges and handles.

Overall, I'm more than happy with the result!  For my boring desire for an all black & white apartment I am closer to my goals, and I think this piece is interesting with the different paint textures...black isn't too boring!  I will be using this more like a coffee table (and of course, all while storing my bulky sweaters inside!)

<3 Best,

Alex

FEATURED DESIGNER: CHANTÉ GOSSETT (ROUND #2)

Hey, remember that time when the lovely Chante Gossett graciously let me borrow her designs from her recent spring collection and I ran around in them and blogged about them and then told you I'd blog about them again?

TODAY IS THA DAY I DO THAT

<3

This week I latched on to a few more of the pieces I didn't featured the last post.  I decided to try and style them as "Alex" as I possibly could to show how beautifully versatile her designs are.  It was fun to create completely different vibes from pairing pieces from Chanté's collection with the weird findings of my very own closet.

Taking current influences from Sporty Spice and the like, I paired this amazing skirt of Chanté's with some shiny pink biker shorts, a high-neck cropped tank, and a pair of cRazY Nike Air Max kicks. I absolutely love that she included this light camel/tan color in her collection as a neutral, it is so interesting to play with.

Look two is a combination of one of Chanté's printed tops!  I chose to keep with the white and off-white palette, and added a "furry" skirt in the mix along with those trudgeworthy kicks.  I love this look maybe the most because it's so simple from the front, and then you get to see Chanté's beautiful print in the back, with a little high-to-low, too!

When I originally met with Chanté about featuring her designs, we talked about this jumpsuit, and weren't going to include it (for obviously some silly reason!)...but lucky for me she threw it in the batch.  Unfortunately for her I'm going to steal it.

As a one-piece, and one of perfection, I couldn't really think of a better way to show it off than just stunt a little harder in it.  And add some see-through accessories...

HI

Lastly, is this cute little number of a dress:

with some shiny boots, I had a hop in my step.  The cut of this dress is so very playful I couldn't stop twirling around like a little girl.  A VERY STYLISH ONE

Please be sure to check out Chanté's website if you haven't yet.  She is doing the loveliest of things!  I want to thank her again for letting me spend some quality time with her work and I hope you enjoyed seeing her designs in action :)

<3

Alex

SUMMER in the CITY

OH DEAR BLAWG,

it's been a long stint, has it not?

I am sorry to have left you, high and dry, but I will be back with lots and lots of goods the next few weeks to make up for it.  I recently got the opportunity two weeks ago to travel to Austin, Texas with a group of amazing photographers & models to shoot for a fall campaign (I can't really tell you too much...SECRETS R SECRETS!)  But I am using my being gone for that as an excuse.

OH.

and another excuse!

I moved last weekend to a new studio apartment in Hyde Park, here in Kansas City.  My things are finally finding their own spots here in the apartment, and I've got a lot to blog about.  Get ready to adventure with me soon into designing and decorating the place :)

Until then, I have a random post about shoes...because we all love shoes and they make us happy and also I didn't have to photograph my face.

So.

THE TOPIC:

~*SUMMER FOOTWEAR*~

I think it's the lack of socks, I don't know, but summer kicks are (in general) a pain!  I get so used to wearing the same pair of boots all winter...and NOW WHAT.  Nothing seems to go with the outfits I'm wearing and I am looking like a real hot mess (literally sweating).

PRAISE THE HEAVENS FOR BLACK FLATS.  

There are a lot of cute heels for the summer, a lot of ugly ass sandals for the summer, but most importantly there are the things that you'll want to actually wear out in public every day.

I recently snagged the above pair on sale and couldn't be happier.  They transition well from my work day, to my everyday, to everywhere in between.  Being open on the sides they are easy and breezy, too, so think about that when you are looking for a new summer pair!

And what else will you find me wearing this summer?

NOTHING BUT THESE THINGS. PER USUAL.

<3

with better material next time,

Alex

FEATURED DESIGNER: CHANTÉ GOSSETT

As many of you may know or have figured out (because I failed to tell you), I have been living in the Kansas City area after my move back from Chicago.  There are a lot of beautiful and creative people I know here in Kansas City, and I feel as though my blog could be a lovely place to share these splendid people with you.

The first girl on my mind was none other than-- Chanté Gossett

1st off, she's a total babe

2ndly, she's mega talented

About a week ago I sat down over coffee to chat with Chanté about life things and Kansas City things and it honestly felt so great to just soak in all of her positive vibes-- as we both find ourselves trying to flourish in a city that's in (what seems like) beginning stages of rapid growth and development within its artistic endeavors.

We talked about her upcoming plans and what's in store in the near future for her--

AND LET ME TELL U

Chante is bringing the fire

AND I FEEL THE HEAT

Being the con-artist I am, and Chanté being the sweetest human ever, I found myself blessed by the presence of the pieces from her most previous collection hanging in my closet this past week.

So with that,  I decided to saunter (yes, I've actually been practicing my sauntering) around the house  in Chanté's designs.  I couldn't have felt more like a modern-day princess if I tried.

I decided to try my hand at mixing up her pieces for this post because it is so incredible how well her separate pieces work with each other.  (be sure to check out her website for the original looks from her presentation show and more!)

^^^ hiiii, stealing this ^^^

Chanté gets my vibe and I get hers.  She designs with her models in mind..with real people she knows or has in mind, and I think that's a big key in how her work is to be understood and read.  I actually came to know Chanté as she worked on an outfit designed for me to wear for her first collection in the 18th Street Fashion Show.

  Her stuff is modern, youthful, and has that certain something about it in a level of interest that keeps you hooked. I think this is why I feel very at home with her clothing

...it's seriously stuff  I WANT TO WEAR 

and  MAN, I FEEL LIKE FIRE IN IT

Subtle; sometimes with beautifully hand-dyed gradated flowing fabrics,

it's equally as bold with the incorporation of leather, geometric cut-outs, and strong silhouettes.  

and oh, her prints? SET TO KILL

This look actually combines a top from the latest collection, with the shorts I wore for 18th Street from Chanté's first collection!

I honestly cannot wait to see more from this lady, and I hope she'll keep letting me wear her stuff.

I'll be posting a second installment of looks within the next week that incorporate pieces of Chanté's designs with some pieces I already have in my closet, so stay tuned!  

In the meantime please check out her amazing website for more pics & info: 

CHANTÉ GOSSETT

<3

BLACK MAGIC

I've always done weird things, and those weird things generally make it full circle...making my appearance  ~ "a little weird" ~

MY FAVORITE.

So the other day when I was being weird (looking for an eye patch....just, ya know, because i might want it for photos or something) I came across a cute lil...

S   N   A   K   E

A black and white striped rubber snake...nice and fake. I didn't know what I would do with it, but I knew...like an eye patch I would need it for something.

DEAR LORD, I'M A MESS.

But I found something to do with it----

wEiRd?

I

LIKE

IT

DO U LYK IT?

& because it's rubbery it's pretty comfortable

 .... for having a huge thing on your neck.

I honestly can't wait to wear this IRL

U SHOULD TRY IT 2

R U TRENDING?

R U THE TRENDIEST BITCH THAT U KNOW?

no, that's me
<3

But you can be the trendiest bitch that other people know (if they don't know me)

HOW?

~* TreNdY mAkEuP iS tHe KeY *~

You know I have been on that orange lipstick grind forever now (with no intent to stop even if it stops being trendy, i love it so) but I am always still trying to find something new and exciting.  I mean GAWWD, looking at my same face every day is such a bore I can't do it.

So when I saw images the day following the Chanel Couture S/S 14 show, I about cried.  Then I fixed my makeup.

hello.

um.

hi.

yes.

So I put it off recreating this look for a while because (strangely) I did not pack glitter in the suitcase I still live out of.  Finally, after being emotionally scarred-- realizing the shade of foundation I've been using for 2+ years is no longer in production...I BOUGHT MYSELF A FEW NICE THINGS-- LIKE--

You know what's great?  NYX brand is actually pretty great.  Now that its at most Targets too, that is great 4 us rural folk who don't have Sephoras/Ultas/etc but wanna be bEaUtiFuL, too!

SO WHEN I GOT HOME I WAS LIKE

NOW WHAT

~ because to be honest-- I look pretty plain without dark eyeliner on my top lids, and for 3 seconds I began to regret my purchase ~

then i remembered the Chanel Couture makeup look 

then i failed a few times and burned my eyes with glitter

then i cried happy tears when i looked in the mirror

I LOOKED LIKE A BOSS

I FELT LIKE A BOSS

I BECAME THE BOSS AND TOOK ALL YOUR $$$

My version is a lot more subtle than the Chanel couture version, obviously!  But I think it still works well and isn't overwhelming in the slighest...maybe still too wild to wear in the business office...but we all know I'll probably try :P

To get the vibe right:

1. Begin with a base of eyeshadow.  I like a crisp white or light cream color (matte if you have it!) on the whole of the lid

2. Slap on your favorite black eyeliner.  I run a pencil first, and then set and define things better with a felt tip eyeliner marker.  It can be pretty heavy, so go for it!

3. Begin, in dabs, to apply the liquid crystal gold liner just below your lower lash line.  Let dry and continue to build up in layers, smoothing it out into more of line as you go.  Follow the wing of your black liner when you get to the corners

My lower lashes are stupid long for some reason, so I just went with it and let them be glittery, too!

4. Add some mascara to the tops

5. EASY

6. DONE

also consider lining your lower waterline with white to make your eyes reflect light even more...it is crazy how bright your eyes will twinkle with this look!

<3

Alex