Greater Baltimore Leadership Association

Jennifer Robinson's outfit: Carmen Marc Valvo red taffeta dress with bugle beaded and sequined collar from Nordstrom Rack; Aldo silver glitter strappy stilettos, above left; silver and crystal teardrop earrings from H&M; and no handbag — “The dress has pockets. Everything is in my pockets.” ( Karen Jackson/photos for the Baltimore Sun )

An academic adviser at University of Maryland University College, a psychiatric discharge coordinator at Baltimore Washington Medical Center and a graduate student, Jennifer Robinson, 29, still creates time for do-it-yourself projects.

“I've repurposed the coffee table with sand and paint. I've done wine bottles and spray painted them to use as vases. I like taking [one thing] and making it your own, instead of just buying it,” said the Catonsville resident.

So naturally she went into DIY mode for the Greater Baltimore Leadership Association's “Winter Wonderful: A Masquerade Ball.”

“I downloaded Michael's coupons, went to Michael's and found the mask — I had the paint at home — so I immediately went to the rhinestones. It took me less than hour to make. Then I dried it with the hair dryer,” she said.

HER STYLE:“All my friends say I dress like a cute soccer mom, even though I'm not a mom. I love oversized sweaters and knee boots.”

TIME MANAGEMENT: “I even plan sleep. Because I want to get to work early, I'll go to bed at this time, and make sure I get enough sleep.”

DIY INSPIRATION: Mom's homemade Halloween costumes. “It was never a costume out of a bag.” For a Statue of Liberty, “She went to a fabric store and got green fabric. We made the torch out of a paper towel roll. I colored the flames for the torch. And I carried a book.”