Friday, March 29, 2013

eShakti Dress Review


I will be honest--I've been interested in eShakti for years but had read some really bad reviews, so I had always been nervous to try them out. Over the past year though, I have seen their dresses pop up all over blogs I love and I began to think maybe things had changed. When they contacted me to review a dress, I was thrilled that I got the chance to try them out!

(Spoiler alert: I love my dress! Be sure to stay tuned for a coupon code at the bottom of the post!!)

eShakti is so unique because they make vintage inspired dresses in sizes 0-36 and you can customize EVERYTHING. You can order your exact measurements, you can change the length of the dress, the sleeves, the neckline, and much more. It's so cool that you can create it the way you want it!

There's also a bridesmaid dress section so that as a bride, you can pick a color or style of dress, and your bridesmaids can get them customized the way they want! If you have a bridesmaid who feels more comfortable with sleeves, or with v-neck, etc, they can all order what they want! And they're way more affordable than most bridesmaid dresses.

I loved my eShakti experience. It was incredibly hard to narrow it down and choose a dress. They have SO many amazing choices and they add new dresses practically every day. You have to act quick if you have your heart set on a particular dress because it might not be available the next day! That happened to me a few times - I dragged my feet and lost out on dresses that I liked. BUT, I found a dress I loved and snapped it up. (The style is available here, but in different colors.)


I'm really into navy these days and kelly green is always a favorite. I picked this dress out (it feels like it's designed to match an Emily Henderson room!)

It's very flattering and the skirt is so full - it feels very "twirly" and fun. I love the green accent around the faux belt and I always love collars on dresses! 

I didn't opt for customization because I'm not a perfectionist and the thought of messing up measurements scared me.

The weather has been too gross for me to wear it out yet but I hope to wear it on Easter if the weather cooperates. For now, here's a lame photo of my dress hanging on a hanger.


I loved eShakti so much that I bought another dress from them! It hasn't arrived yet, but I'm excited for it. I love chambray!

BUT, when I went to the site today, I found this dress that I wish I had gotten instead of the above one. I tell ya - you gotta check the inventory EVERY day!



So, here's where the amazing deal comes in. If you register as a new customer, you get an automatic $25 credit. Stack that with coupon code OWLREALLY (20% off through 4/15/13) and you'll get a great deal! My $60 dress ended up being $37.91 shipped! Pretty good deal!

All in all, I am a new eShakti fan and check the site daily for new dresses. They add such amazing styles every day. It's become a sort of ritual for my friend Dayna and I to send links back and forth of the new dresses we love.

Start shopping!

If you're new to Owl Really, welcome! Please check out my favorite posts and consider subscribing! :)

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Dress Week: Vintage Family Photos - Easter!

I'm posting the vintage family photos a day early this week - shaking things up! I haven't been home in daylight to be able to take photos of my eShakti dress, so I'll have to do that Friday on my day off. SOOO, the moment we've been waiting for: cheesy childhood photos! :)

Look at this cheese!
easter

easter2

dec 86 may 87  232

dec 86 may 87  233

May 85-June86284

May 85-June86288
Action shot!! 

May 85-June86282
All my loot! 

easter3

Hope you have a wonderful Easter, if you celebrate it!!

If you're new to Owl Really, welcome! Please check out my favorite posts and consider subscribing! :)

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Dress Week: Make Your Own Dress!

So, we've taken a look at some shopping options you have for dresses...but you can also make your own! Tutorials range from super easy to super complicated--I have compiled a ton of different dress tutorials on my new "Make A Dress" pinterest board!

I love to make the tank top/fabric skirt dress (seen here!)

make a dress

Check it out and let me know if you get inspired to make a dress!!

If you're new to Owl Really, welcome! Please check out my favorite posts and consider subscribing! :)

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Dress Week: Favorite ModCloth Dresses

Browsing ModCloth is a really, really fun way to pass time! I scoped out some of my favorite ModCloth dresses and organized them below. Check them out! (If you're reading in Google Reader, you will need to click through to see them.)








(I'm trying a new affiliate program, so if you click through and buy something, I might make a small percentage back. Just wanted to let you know!)

If you're new to Owl Really, welcome! Please check out my favorite posts and consider subscribing! :)

Monday, March 25, 2013

Dress Week: Top 20 Vintage Dresses Under $20

Growing up, THE EASTER DRESS was a really big deal for most girls, so the week leading up to Easter, we're celebrating dresses! Each day, I'll be here with some favorite dresses and even an eShakti review - all coming up this week - capped with a vintage family photo Friday of Easters' past!

First up: my top 20 dresses under $20 on Etsy!

1. Colorful Floral Summer Play Dress


2. Vintage 80s Adorable Grunge Mini Rose Dress


3. Floral Button-Down Shirt-Dress


4. Vintage Floral Hippie Mod Dress


5. Vintage 60s Sleeveless Ivory Lace Tunic


6. Orange Shift Dress MOD Knit Vintage Dress with Belt


7. Vintage 60s Yellow Textured Sleeveless Mod Mini Dress


8. Bubblegum Girl Pink & Purple Dress Mod


9. vintage 1960s mod shift yellow polka dot dress


10. Vintage 80s cute baby doll DOLLY square print mini dress S


11. vintage 1980s blue and white dress


12. cute geometric pattern 60s retro pink


13. vintage 1980s lady carol of NY petites striped dress


14. Vintage Fun 60's/70's Neon Housecoat/House dress


15. 1960's green/gold poly knit sleeveless maxidress


16. Vintage 70's Deep V Bohemian WIld Flower Paisley Print Belted Slip Dress


17. Vintage 70s mod hot pink pleated short DRESS


18. Vintage 80s Slouchy Boho Floral Dress


19. 1970's Pink and Grey Floral Cotton Day dress With Pink Piping


20. Floral Zipper Dress


Chcek them out and stay tuned for more dresses this week!

If you're new to Owl Really, welcome! Please check out my favorite posts and consider subscribing! :)

Friday, March 22, 2013

Imagine a World Without Hate

I have to share this immediately. We just saw this commercial on TV and it made me sob uncontrollably. It is so, so powerful. The video is embedded below--if you're reading in a Reader, you might have to click through to see it.

Imagine a World Without Hate:


If you're new to Owl Really, welcome! Please check out my favorite posts and consider subscribing! :)

Friday Fun: Vintage Family Photos + Louisville Zoo


It's been a weird and stressful week. Life decisions are hard! So, how about looking at some cute photos of vintage animals...or should that be vintage photos of cute animals? :)

If you're new around here, each Friday this spring I'm posting vintage photos from my childhood that my mom scanned for me!

Up today we have a family trip to the Louisville Zoo! I'm thinking these photos might be from 1986ish. Hard to tell how old I am below!
oct 84 -may 85  252

oct 84 -may 85  253

oct 84 -may 85  254
 
He looks SO majestic!
oct 84 -may 85  255

oct 84 -may 85  256

oct 84 -may 85  257

oct 84 -may 85  258

oct 84 -may 85  260
 
The Louisville Zoo always had an amazing polar bear exhibit. I haven't been there in at least 10 years, so I'm not sure if it's still the same, but the exhibit was designed so that you could get really cool views of them swimming underwater. It was always one of my favorite parts!

oct 84 -may 85  261

oct 84 -may 85  262

oct 84 -may 85  263

oct 84 -may 85  264

oct 84 -may 85  265

oct 84 -may 85  266

oct 84 -may 85  267

Next week I hope to blog EVERY DAY. I have a plan, I just need to buckle down and write!

If you're new to Owl Really, welcome! Please check out my favorite posts and consider subscribing! :)

Friday, March 15, 2013

Friday Fun: Vintage Family Photos + Puppies!


april 84- sept 84  181

This was Bugar. Pronounced Booger. I only know it was spelled Bugar because she has a headstone in the backyard that my mom carefully painted her name on. She was my parents' dog when I was born and I'm pretty sure we were best friends.

Somehow, Bugar had puppies. (Wasn't she spayed?!? Tsk tsk, mom & dad!) :)

LOTS of puppies!

april 84- sept 84  045

Look at that one little brown one! So cute.

april 84- sept 84  065

april 84- sept 84  060

Was I in puppy heaven, or what??

april 84- sept 84  059


Just a girl and her pups!

If you're new to Owl Really, welcome! Please check out my favorite posts and consider subscribing! :)