We Have Combined Our Blog & Store ...

Hello Friends!

We have combined our Store and Blog so everything is located on ONE PAGE! No more hopping around from site to site to satisfy your fashion cravings.

Head on over to www.TheUtopiaBoutique.com ... go ahead, you know you want to!

Your Glitter Girl,
DaniD

Black is a serious staple in my wardrobe... what mom doesn't use it as her go to on a bloated day? We all have these little nooks and crannies we are looking to smooth out or hide so black, despite its versatility  is a necessity. My love for black also comes with my hatred of dingy and faded clothes. It seems like you buy the perfect black T-shirt, wear it, love it, wash it ... boom it is now a dismal dark grey. 

To cure my dismal black clothing and an attempt to 

breath new life into my old pieces with this:

You can find Rit Dye... just about anywhere. I have even seen it at the gas station, weird I know... then again you never know when you might be stranded without gas and need to dye something! There are a few ways to do it some MUCH more messy than others... I prefer the less messy... 

Here is how I do it:

1. Gather all of your black clothes. Use ONE BOX per MEDIUM size load. 

(If you are doing heavy fabrics like denim do a small load of about 2-3 items)

2. ONLY add clothes that are a VERY dark grey to black. No screen printing, pattern or color details. JUST BLACK. (This works wonders on Yoga pants and black socks!) 

3. Place Dye, box is better than bottle of liquid it seems to go farther, in WASHING MACHINE. If you have a front loader place in basket. DO NOT PLACE IN SOAP DISPENSER... you will regret this later. 

4. Let fill partly with HOT, VERY HOT, water. Add in clothes and let it continue to fill. 

5. This is important... DO NOT USE SOAP! You will literally be washing away the dye you are adding. You may laugh but you would be surprised how many ask me about soap. 

6. Once the Washer starts to agitate ... let it mix the clothes up for a good 15 min then stop the washer and let clothes SIT FOR 30 Min to an HOUR. This makes a big difference at how long the dye lasts on your clothes. You don't have to but you will find yourself re-dyeing your clothes again in about a month. 

7. Let cycle finish, spin really well and pop in dryer. It is now ready to wear! 

8. CLEAN YOUR WASHER!!! Run a cycle of nothing but hot water and a cup of bleach... that is it! You are done!

9. There might be a little bit of dye left to bleed from clothes... so avoid wearing bright or white layers before the first wash. 

10. For your first wash ONLY WASH WITH OTHER ALL BLACK CLOTHES. You WILL ruin other clothes. I botched up an entire load of my daughters clothes when a black sock snuck in with her baby pink clothes... took me three days of oxyclean to return them back to normal. Wash Black clothes with little soap and COLD water... continue to stringently separate your freshly dyed clothes! 

It is pretty easy: Throw it in the washer, let it sit, rinse in cold and enjoy! 

Now go be impressed with your favorite shirt you have buried in the back of your closet! They will look as good as the day you bought them! Enjoy! 

Visit Rit.com for other Dyeing Ideas. 

DIY Wednesday: The Workout Shirt

So I may or may not have a slight addiction to working out... hey don't judge, I'm not a complete "Lunk" and I do think there are some pretty funny stereotypes when it comes to fitness "bunnies"...




So now that that part is taken care of on to the Work Out Shirts. I have 3 Styles to show all of you! The Racer, The Bow & The Keyhole.

What you will need: 

• Scissors
• Large T-Shirt (larger than you normally wear, if you wear a large use an XL or XXL)
• Ruler, if you are perfectionist like me
• Pencil (or an invisible ink fabric pen)

The Skinny Racer:

1.Line up your Shirt flat on the floor

2.Use your Pencil to mark even spots under the arms & how deep you want your neckline to go

3.Fold in half, pencil markings facing out for obvious reasons.Pull tight while cutting to avoid wrinkles and mistakes. I use my knees to pin one end down and pull it tight with  my opposing hand

Cut out the arms

4.UNFOLD and Refold 

5.Cut out neck starting at low point of neckline, come up in an angle for your V-neck

Once up to the shoulder seam next to the collar just cut off the remainder of the collar in the back

6.Use fabric from arms to make a long string

7.Gather fabric on the back of the shirt, where your shoulder blades will be

8.Tie one end of string wrap around tightly and tie off at top tucking in both ends of the string

9.Clean up any edges! 

The Bow:

1.With front of shirt facing down slide a large flat piece of cardboard in between layers

2.Use pencil and ruler to draw out 4 lines equal distances apart, about 2-3" tall. Make lines between 7-10"" in width, this is up for your personal preference of big or little bows.
3.Cut out lines for bows. 

4.Use extra fabric from arms, or if you rather keep the arms use ribbon or remnant fabric.
5. Tie middle of each section to create a bow effect and tuck in any strings

6. Clean up any edges

The Keyhole: 

1.Lay T-Shirt flat on the floor

2.Draw out with your pencil, or if you have invisible fabric ink that works best because it is easier to see. 

3.Trace out your racer back, I used one of my Workout tops I had already or you can use a sports bra. It doesn't have to be the same width, as a matter of fact it probably wont, you can continue the arm holes and neck line with a ruler.

4.Trace out your Key hole shape UNDER your Racer back. For me I did a half moon but you can get creative and do something else. 

5.Finish up by clearing the neckline and sleeves as followed above

Optional:
Take bottom hem and fold in half FRONT TO BACK

Use ruler to cut an angle, front being 2-4 inches above the hem and back being right at the seam of the hem. 

Flatten back out front facing up and round out any edges on the bottom hem for that Hi-Lo look

Let me know how they look!! I would LOVE to see what you all come up with! Tag us on Pinterest, Facebook,Twitter or Instaghram! 

Your Fitness Bunny,

DaniD 

  

Euphoric Inspiration For a Ravishing Season

Inspiration comes in many forms and can rear its, sometimes, ugly head at any occasion. As spring attempts to decide whether or not IT will show its face, Summer Movies are already picking up momentum. The Great Gatsby is by far one of the MOST anticipated movies of the season. Being the first in a long string of epic movies it sure looks the part of laying down the groundwork for nothing less than perfection.




The decadence of The Great Gatsby radiates such allure making it the perfect stage of the forthcoming trends, giving us fashion hungry individuals something to feast upon. Watch out Plain Jane... Overly Opulent just showed up at the door and she looks Ravishing!  Glitter, glitz and rhinestones never looked so good.

Still hungry? Don't fret, I have plenty more up my rhinestone encrusted sleeves... stay tuned ladies and gentlemen we are in for a glamorous ride.

Your Glitter Girl,
DaniD

Tutorial Tuesdays - Lush CoalFace

I have always had pretty decent skin... until I hit my mid 20's. Once I hit that milestone for some reason (wearing more makeup, stress, hormones, pollution ... who knows and who cares) my skin was breaking out and it was gross. I successfully meandered my way through my teens with nearly flawless skin and as a responsible adult couldn't keep my skin clear to save my life. It wasn't just my face either but my chin, neck, ears, shoulders,back... ect. Don't get me wrong this was not all at once and no I don't look like a leper (even though some days that is what I felt like). Like so many others I have tried some crazy things... some of those things were crazy expensive too. They work for a second but then I would go right back. So I started to experiment here and there. LUSH has some amazing products and they are all natural... which I loved BUT outrageously expensive. I came up with an easy version of LUSH's CoalFace... be prepared to be stoked!

Price at LUSH : 13.95 for 3.5oz                   DIY Price: abt 1.50 for 8oz. 

What you will need:

• 1 Cup - Coconut Oil 
• 6 capsules - Activated Charcoal
• 2 Tablespoons  - Baking Soda

That is it... seriously... that is all you will need. They have a few more products to their wash but mostly just fillers. 

Mix It Up:

First, start with half of your Coconut Oil in a bowl. If you have never used coconut oil don't freak out that it is solid, this is one of the things that makes this work so well. Coconut Oil has a higher melting point, is mild on the skin and has antibacterial properties to it. 

Second, add in your charcoal by removing them from the capsules, I had to cut mine open so it can be a little messy but cleans up a lot better than I was expecting. You can find Active Charcoal at most health food stores or Pharmacy's. It may be difficult to find so ask around. No please do not use Charcoal Briquettes or Aquarium filters... you would not believe some of the looks I got while on the hunt. I was able to find it and man was it worth it! The charcoal, just like if you were ingest it, purges the gunk from your pores AND helps them shrink back down. 

Finally add in the Baking Soda and last bit of Coconut Oil. Mix it up really well and transfer into a dish you want to sit on your bathroom counter. 

HOW THE HECK DO YOU USE THIS MESS?! 

I'm sure you are wondering how you use this black solid messy looking face wash. I will admit when I first added the charcoal I was a little freaked out... "Great. What the heck have I got myself into now!?" was the actual thought that went through my mind. 

1. Use a warm washcloth to open up your pores and to wipe any excess dirt or makeup off your face. If you don't get it all off don't worry the oil wash does a great job even with waterproof mascara!
2. Take a small amount at a time and wipe on your face. Create a nice even coat that isn't too thick to the point of it running down your face. Apply it like a mask and avoid your hair, eyes and mouth. Let it sit... I go about with other things like brushing my teeth, removing the week old nail polish or doing squats... really anything that only lasts a few min. 
3. To remove the wash just use the same washcloth soaked in warm water to gently wipe the concoction from your skin. 

Rinsing your face by splashing water on it will only make a mess and will get you nowhere. Again you are using oil to extract the oil and dirt from your pores and basic chemistry tells us that water and oil don't mix. Using a warm wet washcloth to wipe the excess away will be sufficient enough. With your face clean you most likely won't need any moisturizer and your skin should be able to regulate its own oil production at that point. However if you have really dry skin you may need to put a small, I mean REALLY SMALL, dab of plain coconut oil on your finger and gently spread it under your eyes and even it out over your face and neck.

**** DISCLAIMER****

If the charcoal mix is too harsh for your skin try just using plain coconut oil in between the days you use the mix. Coconut Oil is great as a stand alone and will clean out your pores by itself. The Baking Soda acts as an exfoliant and an extractant and the Charcoal works deep in your pores to purge the gunk. 

You might see some of your pores react to the purging, just like getting a facial from a spa, and have pimples come to head or come from nowhere. If so try the wash for about a week, if you still are not seeing your skin clear up then discontinuation of use might be necessary. I am not a doctor and all I can speak on is personal experience and basic chemistry. 

DIY-er Extraordinaire
DaniD

DIY Wednesday - Organizing Your Fashion Finds

Organizing your closet may be one of the most dreaded things a woman can tackle when it comes to her home. When we moved from New York to where we are now we had to downsize drastically. First place we lost our prime real estate was in our closets. I have, out of sheer necessity, had to get creative with how I organize a lot of our spaces. In my home there is no nook or cranny that doesn't serve multiple purposes. My once sanctuary became a catch all crammed to the ceiling, literally, with WAY to many things from all over the house. Here is what I came up with to ease my closet anxiety.

• Door Space. There is some serious PRIME REAL ESTATE on the back of that door. I use both sides. The front of it has hooks for tomorrows outfit and the back, or the inside, has a pocket shoe organizer. I own about 4 of these pocket shoe organizers and only one has shoes in it but I will get into that later. 
• Seeing Rainbows. There is something to be said about everything has its place. For me I may have taken it a bit too far. My clothing is color coordinated, to the extreme. Now I'm not saying you need to do this BUT how this helps me is I don't have to stand in my closet hunting for something only to find out it was staring right back at me. Most of my clothes are hung up tops, bottoms, work out clothes, tank tops... so you can see why I might get lost in the abyss of nearly everything I own. My husband and I share one dresser... and we both have A LOT of clothing. Which brings me to my next topic. 
• GET RID OF IT. I hate just throwing stuff out and would hang on to things I had for over a decade. I have yet to run into someone who doesn't still have clothes from their college days, high school, or when they were the perfect size and swear they will return. If you are guilty raise your hand... yes my hand is raised. Purging your closet can be frightening or exhilarating, but you don't have to do it all in one blow... with this economy it is tough to just throw something out so donating it is great. Or you can do what I do, a Clothing Swap. I host a party with a few clothes friends swap clothes and anything that doesn't make the cut gets sent off. I have added some really fun new pieces to my wardrobe while getting rid of a ton that were just taking up space. 
• Shoe HAVEN. Now that fun shoe organizer I was boasting about... doesn't hold all of my shoes. I only put my sandals and flats in it. They are only meant to have one shoe per slot ... but that wasn't good enough for me. All of my thin shoes double up in one slot to maximize its purpose. I have an inexpensive shoe rack on my floor for my tennis shoes and larger shoes. High heels nestle nicely inside of each other and slip right into one pocket. I try to keep like things with other like things, too much sesame street as a child I guess. If this option doesn't work for you then getting creative with tension rods and shelving might be a better suit. 
• SO Many Purses. In my closet there is, and I have noticed this in a lot of closets, a weird spot where nothing fits. It is that awkward spot in the corner where the bars overlap... you know what I'm talking about. I hang my boots, yes I hang them with pant clip hangers, and purses in this little nook that no one can see. Would I rather them be on display like candy?! Absolutely... do I have the space... not a chance. It is another way to fill space that otherwise is a dark empty space of nothingness. 

The ideas for organizing one's closet are endless and the tough economy forced a lot of us to get creative with what we already have. Repurposing "junk" to hold your valuables has never been so trendy but if saving a few bucks here and there lets me buy that nice shiny new thing then I say bring it on! 

Keep me posted on any Organizing tips and tricks... we all have something fun to share. 

Your Glitter Girl, 

DaniD 

Inside The Mind Of The Founder

I would like to take this time to introduce myself... just call me... DaniD. My life revolves around taking the simple things in life and making them unnecessarily complex, what can I say I'm a woman. My love for all things fashion bloomed at an early age. As life progressed I became more ... practical... the simpler things made more sense. Don't get me wrong simple isn't bad but simple should never be boring.

With a meager budget I wanted more. I wanted more than just yoga pants and an over sized shirt, the work uniform of a stay at home mom, I wanted to wear pieces that reflected my style while still being relevant. Without deep pockets I set out to find items to fill my closet that would bring confidence and comfort, after all I do have two kids. Amidst my hunt, an epiphany hit me like a ton of bricks... I was not the only one who wanted these things. And that Ladies and Gentlemen is how The Utopia Boutique was born. A little slice of heaven for everyone to feast upon no matter their budget.

Founder of The Utopia Boutique,
DaniD