Top Four Halloween Costume Ideas for 2014

Halloween can be a fun holiday because it gives you the opportunity to dress up in cool costumes, but just because you’re dressed as a character that you’re not in real life, doesn’t mean you should abandon your standards or dress with different values than you have in real life.

We all have heard the stigma that, "Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it," as quoted from the movie Mean Girls, but this couldn’t be more FALSE.

This Halloween season we – as ladies of the Top Buttons community – have the potential to change the status quo amongst our peers. In order to make this a more tangible goal, we’ve created a Pinterest board with tons of creative ideas we’ve seen on the internet, but here’s four of our FAVORITES, proving that you can have the look for less money, without having the look of less clothes.

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1. Be FOOD for Halloween!

We all know there’s an endless variety of food choices. Why not wear your favorite food? This gives you the opportunity to be extra creative in expressing your interests. We’ve included a few of our favorite foodie looks!

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2. "You're one in a minion," so why not dress as a Minion?

The Despicable Me movies may be a little old, but their notable Minions are the face of modern cartoons. A minion costume is a simple look to create, and can probably be put together with some items from your closet, the dollar store, or even a thrift store.

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3. Represent a Social Media Site!

This costume idea is so cute because it can represents today’s teen culture AND is good for a group of friends to do together. Purchase some basic colored Tee’s and paint the designs or print them out and apply with an iron-on. These ladies chose to pair their outfits with jean shorts and colored leggings, but you could even spice it up with tutu's!

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4. Save the day and be a Super Hero!

The greatest thing about these costumes is that it can be altered for as few or as many people as you want, because there’s so many heroes to choose from! Super hero shirts can be purchased occasionally at Wal-Mart,  or even made with some paint or iron-ons. Matching tutu’s can be made by buying tulle fabric at your local craft store, cutting it into strips, and tying those strips onto a belt or elastic. (For detailed instructions, check our Pinterest board)

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All in all, this Halloween season is not just about what costume you choose, but the memories made in the process! Post YOUR costume ideas on Instagram and Twitter and don't forget to tag us. We would love to see what you come up with!

DIY Perfume Tray

Trays are a life saver for me. They take items that look jumbled and miraculously make them look organized and pretty. Trays however can get a little pricey especially when you use them as much as I do! Thats why I love going to thrift stores to purchase them. Thrift stores are excellent for bargain hunting! All you need in order to be successful at thrifting is an open mind, patience, and a creative eye. I always look at objects and imagine them a different color. I found this tray that was totally not my style but, I knew the shape would work for my bedroom if it was painted white.

I snatched it up for $1.50 and whipped out my trusty white spray paint and this is what I got... (drumroll).

This turned out to be the PERFECT tray! I wanted something simple, white and girly that I could display my perfume and jewelry on. All I did was clean the tray, sand it, and spray it with 3 coats of white spray paint. It was ready to use in no time!

Style, whether it's clothing or home decor is attainable on any budget. Just as we express our unique personalities through our clothing we can do it through our style at home and we don't have to go broke doing it. I find diy's at times to be more fun then going out and buying a brand new item. Re-purposing something is like putting your own individual stamp on it.

What are some of  YOUR favorite DIY projects? Let us know in the comments below. For more thrifted finds click here.

Happy Styling,

Rebekah

{photos and styling by: Rebekah Miura}

Target is 'The One Spot' for All of Your Needs

Upon the entrance of nearly every Target store there lies a sectioned called The One Spot full of inexpensive knick-knacks and treasures. Believe it or not, they offer an assortment of beauty products, DIY project materials, and even fashion accessories. TopButtons has done the hunt for the must-have items so that you don't have to.

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Pictured above are just some of the items The One Spot carries. The selection will vary from store to store, but each one is worth a perusal. Some items come in travel-size packs or even sample sizes, which is the perfect dose when you don't want to splurge to try out a new product.

1. Burt's Bee's Intense Hydration Lotion - Most often associated with their Chapstick, Burt's Bee's is a brand to trust. It'll leave your skin feeling smooth and healthy.
2. Kwik Mani/Pedi Kit - This is both cute AND functional. Now you can carry all your manicure essentials in one compact case. The boot comes in a variety of prints.
3. Jergens BB Body Perfecting Skin Cream - This is one of the biggest beauty releases of 2014! Everyone loves their BB Cream, and now you can lather it on your entire body for the same effect. It's shea butter hydrates the skin, while its other ingredients add a shimmer and help with skin-strengthening.
4. Garnier Skin Renew: Dark Spot Treatment Mask - This NEW intensive treatment clings to your face and captures bacteria caught in your pores. You'll feel like a new woman in just 10 minutes.
5. Scotch Lint Roller - I'm sure you've been stuck in a situation where you've had lots of lint or dog hair on a black pair of pants. Fear no more! Scotch has a compact lint roller that will fit in most handbags.
6. Shout Wipe and Go - You no longer have to panic when you spill sauce on your white pants moments before an interview or important event. Carry these Shout wipes in your purse and they'll clean the stain right out of nearly anything.
7. Chevron Pencil Cup - This cute pencil cup comes in a variety of colors and is the perfect addition to dress up any desk or home office! (Our Fashion Cents Contributor - Alexis - has a floral one!)

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Two fashionable items that Alexis took home were a pair of white-framed sunglasses for $1 and a straw fedora for $3. Both items are super versatile and perfect for Spring. The One Spot also carries hair clips, headbands, and jewelry and handbags from time to time. Keep your eyes open for what your local Target may carry. Every trip is as affordable as it is surprising.

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Pictured above are some of the items Alexis saw at her local Target's The One Spot. TopButtons purchased the rest of the stock on those buttons pictured in the bottom left. We think they're as cute as button and perfect for crafting.

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To save even more money, visit The One Spot during a shift in season or holidays. A lot of their inventory is catered to the current and ever-changing events and seasons, so their stock is always changing. When they have left-overs on their old stock -- for example, right after Christmas -- they discount those seasonal items 50-70% off. With prices already so inviting, these deals are steals!

Feel free to comment below and share your Target finds with us!

DIY: UPCYCLING A DRESS INTO A TOP

Shorts, dresses, shirts, shoes! We grow out of our clothes but sometimes are still in love with them. Well, Miss Danielle has a solution to upcycling our dresses into shirts.

Now while there are no green thumb-like requirements, you will need to have access to a sewing machine* (or be handy with a needle and thread). Other staples include:

• Dress(es)
• Measuring tape/ Ruler
• Scissors
• Thread
• Sewing machine*/ Needle

First off, select a dress that you are willing to cut up. It could be a dress that has shrunk or is too short, or it could be a dress that you have had for years and want to bring to life. Next you will need to measure the length you want the shirt to be. You will then cut the garment leaving you with the start of your new top! *Before cutting the garment, keep in mind that sewing the hem will change the desired length of the top.* Once you have scrapped the remains of your OLD dress you will then measure out the length of the hem. Using a sewing machine is the quickest way to hem a garment, but the good ole fashion way with a needle and thread will give you similar end results. If you are NOT capable with either option, take your garment to a local seamstress or tailor. This option is stress free and most shops will charge no more than fifteen dollars. For a DIY post on How To make a Chevon Knuckle Ring, click here!

So next time you go to toss an old dress or even your JEWELRY, stop and think of the option of upcycling!

-Jenna O.

--Tops featured above are the result of upcycling--

Makeup by: Ashley Carrel

Photo credit: Sarah Powers

Images Edited by: Jen Duarte

Color Block Nail Art

Nail art is THE THING TO DO right now! If you spend anytime on Pinterest or Instagram, you will see countless images of nails decorated with everything from glitter to chevron patterns. You will also find an endless sea of DIY nail art tutorials. Nail art was all over the runway at New York Fashion Week and will be a top trend this Summer. To achieve the above look, you can either take the picture to your local nail salon and have them re-create it. Or you can do it your self!

Here is how you can re-create this look on your own:

1. Start by picking three colors. You will need one light shade for the base,  one medium shade, and one darker shade. The colors above were all OPI colors: “Sweetheart", “French Quarter For Your Thoughts" , and “Black Onyx.”
2. Paint on two coats of the lightest shade as a base.
3. Take the medium shade and sweep it from left to right across your nail.
4. Take the darkest shade and sweep it from left to right across your nail.
5. Paint on a top coat. And let your nails dry.

It takes a steady hand to do this. If this is too hard for you, tape strips can be cut and placed on the nail to serve as an outline to keep the lines straight. Make sure each coat of polish is dry before you put the tape strips on your nails!

Nail art adds a fun twist to your regular one color manicure. Have fun playing with different colors and patterns. Branch out and use nail art as a way to accessorize this season.

Happy Styling!

Rebekah

Photo by: Reagan Miura

DIY Chevron Knuckle Ring

Knuckle rings are a trend that I am absolutely LOVING right now! I have been seeing them all over Etsy and Pinterest. Recently, I was just about to pull the trigger on ordering some, when the thought crossed my mind, “why don’t you just make them yourself!” So…off to Michaels I went! Today, I am going to show you how simple it is to make these fun chevron knuckle rings. The supplies: 1. Wire cutters 2. Thin wire (16 or 18 gauge wire seems to work well)

Start by cutting off about 2-3 inches of wire.

Take the wire and bend it into a point. You can start off using your fingers to shape the wire into a chevron pattern.

You can also use the end of your wire cutters to help reinforce the shape.

Next place the wire on your finger at the height that you want it.

Wrap the wire around your finger and twist together.

You can use the end of your wire cutters to help mold them together. Be careful with the edges of the wire, they can be sharp. You can sand them down a bit with a nail filer to take off the sharp edges.

And you are finished!

Article by: Rebekah Miura Pictures by: Reagan Miura

It’s Not That Black and White

  I’ve been checking out these stunners for far too long and finally had to lay my hands on them.  I’m not really the type to run after every single trend out there but you have to love print trousers.  This black and white Aztec printed trouser is a statement in itself.  It would simply look just as amazing with a simple black top lightly accessorized with a few bangles and a necklace. However, if you decide to play on a bright colored top, you might choose to keep the accessorizing minimal. Chances are, you've already created a nice work of art.! I just couldn't resist adding my oversized DIY bow as a cherry on top of it all. It’s not that black and white. Just have fun and play around with the look!

You can find similar items by clicking these links.   Pants | Sweater

Post by: Sandra Eneh