I found this old thing in my mom’s closet, and although I was NOT crazy about this long skirt, I really saw potential in the print. It’s unique, hide mistakes (of the DIY kind) + it’s FREE!! And if you’re on a budget, that’s the best time to show some of those old clothes you hate another look. Also, having a mother that is a pack-rat helps too.
I’m usually a ‘that’s-an-awesome-idea-but-I’ll-do-that-tomorrow’ type, but last night I got the restyle itch real bad.
First, I hacked across the skirt below the pockets (below the pink dotted line).
After that it was mostly about sewing each end together, and putting an elastic casing around the top of the restyled garment to fit around the chest. Hemming the bottom, and that’s basically about it.
I did add the elastic belting though. Black elastic belting is sold at varying widths (I got mine at JoAnn’s), but I chose the 3″ width for this. I made the belt according to my waist + just as I was about to sew it directly on the re-modified tunic/dress, I realized I could wear this multiple ways as a separate.
Here’s 4 different looks. Two with the elastic belting, and two without.
(that last picture is just plain ridiculous, lol)
Not bad huh? If you can thread a machine (get the manual!) + can sew in a straight line (or semi-straight) then you can DO THIS!! No pattern or intense measuring is necessary for this at all!! I did all measurements by laying the fabric against myself. I’ll be happy to add a tutorial if I get enough requests for it, just let me know :)
I figured a new outfit was a more than appropriate excuse to change my nail color. My nail polish choice of the day…. China Glaze’s “re-fresh mint” which is SO perfect for beautiful sunny days ;)
And as a self-proclaimed professional window shopaholic (that’s quite a mouthful) I have already selected the shoes I want for the look. Red pumps would be fabulous! But I also fell in love with these Seychelles ‘dos-i-do’ ankle boots.
*sigh* These are SO fly. They didn’t have my size at the discount retailer Marshalls + these apparently retail online for $110 bucks. Boo.
I have now conquered all my post-lent cravings. These turned out great! It’s like two teeny moist carrot cakes hugging a smooth cream cheese + honey whipped filling (literally!)
These delights weren’t hard to make, BUT I would recommend using a food processor as the directions suggest for the cream cheese + honey filling. If you do it by hand, you’ll be mixing for what seems like eons. It took me the longest to get it smooth from a cottage cheese-like state. My arm fell off. I got another one though, so I’m good. If you’re curious, get the recipe here.
And what’s good eats without good music? I’ve been digging these guys mucho lately as requested by a dear friend. Their whole album is fantastic! This is the special live recording of the song ‘Excuses’ by The Morning Benders. I think the lead singer is just so adorably shy ;)
The semester is almost over + my jacket is due this Friday. It’s been a trying experience, but I’m enjoying this. Hands on, learning + creating is my thang, so I can’t complain =)
I’ll show completed pics after Friday, but I’m pretty satisfied thus far with how it’s turning out!
Starting with the beginning….prepping the pattern pieces on the fabric. (excuuuuuse the bad photo quality!)
Finished collar, joined to jacket backside/front sides + facing.
Collar close-up
First attempt at adding the sleeves. Easing is tough! See the puckers/wrinkles around the sleeve + the fabric puffing out where the darts aren’t sewn up long enough? (look near the boobage area) NO Bueno.
Just today at home – lengthened the darts on the front of the jacket, picked out threads where the ripples showed in the sleeves and sewed over them again. Added buttons and button holes.
Close up of my first buttons + button holes! (At the moment I’m scared to cut the button holes open)
Still got hemming to do, the shoulder pads + LOTS of pressing. I chose linen fabric because it’s light + airy, but it wrinkles so badly! Anywho, finished pics coming + progress pics for the flower girl dress later too.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencils come in such appetizing + alluring colors. I’m always up for bronzy + gold tones, but I’ve been feeling very into blues + purples lately. After a stop-over at the makeup counter, I always end up with a mosaic of colorful dashes after using the back of my left hand as a practice canvas. I’m sure most of you do this too! Sometimes I have such a hard time finding colors that will pop on my skin tone. Urban Decay’s ‘Electric’ (a bright aquamarine blue) + ‘Deviant’ (a bold royal blue) were of my top picks, but these are $17 each :(
BUT thankfully, Ulta was having a sale on their store brand items. I picked up this ‘Teal Blue’ and a ‘Moss’ for only $2 each! Regularly $7 I believe. I was a little unsure I was going to be pleased with the outcome. The green tone was kinda eh…. Just looked like brown or blah on my skin. But this cheap-o blue wasn’t bad at all :D
Here’s me in natural daylight (i.e. me directly in front of the window with the shade behind me, hence the bamboo background)
Oh and how could I forget to mention my nail polish!!! This OPI’s ‘Dim Sum Plum’ from their featured Hong Kong collection that I purchased the same day. Reading the names of the colors is half of the fun of the purchase. L-O-V-E (!!!!)
Here I’m showing off my hair more than anything. I dyed my hair about a month or so ago, and I haven’t permed (i.e. chemically straightened) my hair since December (??)
I’m so proud of my new growth! I don’t even remember what my natural hair texture was like + I can’t wait to shed the chemically processed part altogether :D
Eh, but enough about me. How about something for YOU?!? The beautiful Charmaine from Life, Love & Beauty blog is having a giveaway for her readers! The prizes include:
Too Faced Natural Eye Shadow Collection
China Glaze Lemon Fizz from the Up & Away Collection
Salon Perfect Lashes # 301
Charlotte Russe Earrings
Please click on the lovely items below for your chance to enter. And yes, this giveaway is open to both U.S. + International readers. Good Luck ladies ;)
Yeah. I admit it. I’ve been ignoring my blogging responsibilities for a sec.
I have no good excuses to give. I do, however, have plenty of bad ones though.
I’m going to put the majority of blame on all of the soon-to-be-married people. Is everyone getting married this year?? Congrats if you are of course, but it just seems like everyone’s taking the plunge. And yes, I DO know everyone. I’ve been able to get really involved in some of these wedding plans unlike I have ever before, which has been really fun.
One friend of mine is getting married in June. She had initially enlisted her sister to sew a dress for the flower girl in the wedding, but she’s way too busy since she just started a new job + currently in school. She later asked me and I agreed to stand up to the challenge!! I’m not too worried. I think I may have to adjust the pattern bigger (she’s 7 years old I think) but the dress pattern looks pretty manageable. First run in muslim due this week!
Vogue Pattern #7819
It’s an adorable dress, don’t you think?
For another wedding, I’m one of the bridesmaids in one of my closest of friend’s ceremony. She’s getting hitched May 1st. She was gracious enough to purchase my dress since I lost my job and I still owe her SO big for that! But in exchange, she wanted a slide show to showcase at her bridal shower of her growing up, going to school + eventually meeting the boy of her dreams. (Awwwwww)
I created a DVD for her. Nearly 10 minutes of baby Kristen, elementary school to college kid Kristen, her travel pics + all the way up to photos of the proposal. It was a hit at her bridal shower this weekend. Watery eyes + laughter = success!
Here’s K looking lovely!
A pic of all the delectable sweets I couldn’t eat :(
And here’s a sneak peek at the video I made for her. I won’t shame her with baby photos for the whole world to see, but her travel photos are quite cute too.
Oh and P.S. – got my dress in of course, but I need some serious altering! I would considering doing it myself if it were just a hemming issue, BUT it’s more like ‘the girls’ disappear in it! *sigh* Just something else to add on to my ‘I Do’ list!
