Project Style #FNO

So it finally came, the day that seemed as far away as my due date, September 6th, the live style off at Victoria Gardens where I was selected as the wild card contestant in a challenge with 4 other girls to put together an outfit with a $200 dollar gift card to the mall in one hour. I chose to use a model, my friend Maricela, as I felt more comfortable dressing her body than mine that just gave birth 2 weeks ago- that and she has really rad hair. Did I mention this is an outdoor mall? And it's summer? And the stores are spread out like going to another land within Disneyland. Good thing I hydrated with a Hot Dog on a Stick lemonade before hand yay yer #foodcourt.

With my model, Maricela before the competition began. Photo credit: Victoria Gardens FB.

Taking off! 

 The set-up

The first piece I found was the skirt at Guess on the clearance rack, still cost $75.00. It was a black sheer pleated maxi skirt with a mini tribal skirt attached underneath. Since it was so basic, black and white, I knew I had to bring some color.

 From left to right- Maricela, Baby mama, Ellen K (host), and a fellow contestant. Photo Credit: Victoria Gardens FB.

 I told her to work it like Selena on the runway. And then the stage would collapse and I would scream, "But those are my children!" Photo credit- Victoria Gardens FB

That's where the neon shoes came in. I have visions of owning a pair of neon bubblegum pumps and had seen many pairs at Macy's. I ended up purchasing a pair from the sales rack by BCBG for $22.00. HARD CORE SCORE.

 Homegirls since our UCR folklorico days. Viva la danza, viva la raza.

For the top, I left it up to Madonna's daughter's line "Material Girl" also at Macy's. A hot pink sleeveless tank with cut out detailing in the back. The basic yet trendy tank allowed me to bring it with accessories which I also got at Macy's. A gold cuff bracelet, gold collar necklace, and some gold earrings 30% off. Hell, at this point I was able to even throw in a purse which was a small black quilted faux leather one with a gold tone chain. Oh how I wished it were Chanel. I still had $13.00 left on the gift card but the look was complete. We went to the dressing room in Macy's and headed back to the stage where we were the first to arrive. Baby daddy was there and taking photos for me. Finally the event began which was hosted by Ellen K from KIISFM 102.7.

 Group photo. Host Ellen K in the middle. The girl with the striped skirt and black jacket won the $1,000 gift card. Lucky girl, lucky girl. She's going to have a good Xmas this year. Photo credit- Victoria Gardens FB.

I'm an emocita pesimista to begin with- translation- emo pessimist so I didn't have high hopes of winning. Not because I dont believe in myself, just because I don't like to be let down. But then Ellen K went to the audience and asked a random lady which look she liked the best and she said mine because it was "classy." Then Ellen asked Sonia Casta~neda, Youtube beauty guru and she said me as well but maybe she was biased because we are both moms. And then they announced the winner, and it was not me. Afterwards people kept coming up to me telling me I should have won which was really nice. Not cause I was hurt, but because I knew they appreciated my work, my art, styling and the fact that they didn't even know me meant it was sincere. This challenge was truly a challenge for me because as those of you who know me know, I don't really shop at the mall too much. I invest in shoes and then my clothes mostly come from thrift stores. I was unmoved by many of the clothes I saw in the stores. But that's all me, not them. In the end, I fell in love with Maricela's complete look which I know a lot of people did as well. She looked so hot. I'm lucky to have her as a friend/willing participant in my styling dreams. Remember, she is also the model I use for my Etsy shop. I pay her in clothes.

 

Baby daddy got a fresh cut for the show. I'll be pregnant again soon. 

 

Dont ask me how we ended up posing our eyes alike. With Izzy aka Isabelsmells, a nice woman who voted for me through out the competition and I didn't even know her in real life until this moment! 

With fellow baby mama, Sonia Casta~neda, Youtube beauty guru and judge. 

If I could style for a living I'd be the happiest girl in the world. Ok woman, cause I'm 28 and pretty sure I was the oldest contestant. If anyone wants to hire me, I'm ready to work. Fashion is my passion. Always has been. In the words of Antoine Dodson, "Thank you! I live, I live."