Blogger Feature: Laura of Wrinkle In Time Vintage

Blogger features on The Daily Dani are back! First up, Laura from Wrinkle In Time Vintage! Laura is an Aussie blogger and fashion student, and I'm so happy to be featuring her on my blog!

3 words to describe your personal style? 
Vintage, preppy, casual.

What is your favorite/most versatile accessory? 
I think shoes are amazing accessories and really set the tone for the whole outfit! A casual outfit can be completely dressed up with a formal pair of shoes.

Where do you find inspiration for your outfits? 
I take a lot of inspiration from other bloggers and also street style blogs. I love seeing amazing outfits created by other people, especially if they have expensive designer elements. I love recreating expensive outfits with inexpensive items!
 

I splurge on shoes and save on clothes! I mostly buy good shoes as they’re really uncomfortable if you buy cheap ones. I save stacks of money on clothes by shopping at op shops a lot.

What was the last clothing purchase you made? 
I’ve just had my birthday so I’ve had lots of pieces bought for me! But the last clothing item I bought was a vintage trench coat.

Where do you see fashion evolving in the next few years? Trends? Styles? 
I think after the huge trend of colour blocking we had last year things will slowly start to tone down again, I definitely think fashions shift towards pastels is a sign of this. I’m definitely looking forward to neutrals and lighter tones being popular again.

I feel most myself when I’m wearing: Honestly... my pj’s. I always feel much more confident, relaxed and myself when I’m comfortable and my pj’s are the comfiest thing I own!

Make sure to visit Laura over at her blog, Wrinkle In Time Vintage, and say hello! Check back every Monday for more blogger features!

31 Bits Giveaway!

{Top: Old Navy | Skirt + Belt: Target | Sandals: Rainbow | Watch: Nordstrom | Necklace: c/o 31 Bits}

Have you all heard of 31 Bits? I hadn't, but when they contacted me with some info about their amazing company, there was no doubt in my mind to share them with you!

31 Bits is a socially-minded business here in Southern California started by 5 college students. They use fashion and design to empower women to rise above poverty. They work with women in Northern Uganda who are making jewelry out of recycled paper. By selling the jewelry here, they not only provide a sustainable monthly income for the women, but also education and development programs that prepare the women for future careers. They are able to send 80% of their profits directly into their programming in Uganda! Their jewelry has been featured on E! News, NBC Los Angeles, in People Style Watch, and Jessica Alba was recently photographed rocking a 31 Bits necklace!

Watch this video to see more about what 31 Bits does in Northern Uganda!

Amazing programming, isn't it? Any form of uplifting women and supporting female empowerment is right in my book!

31 Bits was kind enough to send me this gorgeous orange necklace, and are even kinder to offer a piece to one of my readers!


To enter, you must:

• follow The Daily Dani via Google Friend Connect.
• Head over to the 31 Bits Shop and leave a comment here telling me your favorite piece! (Please leave your e-mail, too, so I can contact you if you win!)

Bonus entries:

• follow 31 Bits on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram & leave a comment telling me you did so!
• follow me on Twitter, Bloglovin', Pinterest, or Instagram & leave a comment telling me you did so!
• Pin an outfit from The Daily Dani!
• Tweet about this giveaway - make sure to mention me (@daniicalifornia) in the tweet! You can copy + paste this one to make it easy:" I entered the @31bits #giveaway on @daniicalifornia's blog The Daily Dani & so can you! http://dailydaniblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/31-bits-giveaway.html"

The giveaway will run through 7/23, Monday night, at 12am PST, and the winner will be announced 7/24, Tuesday!

GOOD LUCK!

Here are a few of my current favorite 31 Bits pieces!

*Announcement*

{Dress & Shoes: Target | Cardigan: Old Navy | Belt: Urban Outfitters | Watch: Shock Boutique | Tortoise bracelet: J. Crew | Link bracelet: derng | Heart pin: bando}

I was house sitting last weekend and managed to take these photos by myself with my self-timer! I'm pretty impressed by my half-balanced on a stair step without a tripod skills. (Never mind that I had to take 30 photos to get these 4 good ones. At least I got the 4!)

I wore this to a dinner party celebrating some friends' recent engagements! This dress is another gem I found at Target recently. I saw it and immediately wanted to go on an African Safari. Not a nitty-gritty African Safari, though, more of a Real Housewives of Atlanta African Safari whilst wearing Louboutins. If I had Louboutins. You get the drill.

Announcement: By the time you read this, I should be in or just out of surgery. I am having a septotomy (getting my deviated septum corrected) and tonsillectomy. I'm a longtime sufferer of stuffed noses, restricted breathing, headaches, and excruciating sore throats, and hopefully this will help with all of that! I am going to be down and out for awhile (approximately 10 days, hopefully less, but maybe more), but I've got a couple of posts scheduled for you in the upcoming days! Think: outfit ideas, beauty, blogger features, & a giveaway! Keep checking back to The Daily Dani to see what I've prepared for you while I'm recovering!

Neigh.

{Blouse: Dorothy Perkins | Blazer: Forever 21 | Jeans: Urban Outfitters | Wedges: Modcloth | Bracelets: Chloe + Isabel, Nordstrom}

How unusual, I'm wearing my Modcloth loafer booties again. I just can't help it - they are so comfy and go with everything! Love 'em! Also, I've said it before and I'll say it again, I love an animal print! I wore this Friday night to... guess where? Another piano bar. I just can't stay away, apparently!

Sunday Song: Toto

I first heard this song in 2005 on Trippin' on MTV with Cameron Diaz. Do you remember that show? Summary: Cameron Diaz traveled around the world with different celebs each episode. In this particular episode, she went to Africa with Justin Timberlake, Talib Kweli, and Jimmy Fallon. When they get to the Gong Rock in the Serengeti, where music was perhaps first made, Jimmy & Cameron pull out an iHome, start playing this song, and they all begin adorably dancing and singing to it. So I fell in love with it, and all of them. (Who doesn't love Jimmy and Justin? Come on.) 

Don't worry, y'all. YouTube is magical and even has 12-year-old clips of Trippin'. (Start at the 3:34 mark.)

You've got to admit, anyone who can incorporate the lyric "As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti," into an actually decent song is incredibly talented. And also weird.

Rust + Leopard

{Blouse: Romwe | Shorts: Vintage via Urban Renewal via Urban Outfitters | Booties: Modcloth | Watch & Orange bracelet: Nordstrom | Black bracelet: Chloe + Isabel}

I wore this Tuesday for another night out with Melissa. Yes, a Tuesday night out. I guess if a Tuesday is followed  by a holiday, it's technically a weeknight, yeah? At least, that's what our friends kept telling us after they were an hour late picking us up. ;)

I've had this blouse for awhile but have been waiting for the perfect occasion to wear it, and I suppose going out in Hollywood was just that! Every time I get dressed to go out and heels are on the agenda, I usually try on a few pair, but always end up turning to my trusty Modcloth wedges. They go with everything! They're perfect! Do you have any go-to items that complete any outfit?

Flower Power

{Dress: Target | Cardigan: Old Navy | Huaraches: JustFab | Watch: Urban Outfitters | Black bracelet: Chloe + Isabel | Love bracelet: StyleLoveLiving}

I was serious when I said I was having a no-pants summer. I also had a one-outfit weekend. Ok, I only wore this dress 2 days in a row, but who could tell? I picked it up at Target on clearance for about $12 because I locked eyes on the sassy vintage floral from across the store and I thought it was perfect for a family BBQ Sunday and then for babysitting Monday. I suppose it wasn't "perfect" for babysitting, really, but it did its duty. (Its duty being to cover my rear end and to not be pants.) I wonder how many more times I can wear it over the next week...

P.S. Did you all check out my guest post on Sarah's blog yesterday? Take a look-see!