What I'm Wearing | A maxi dress in winter!

Casual Sunday afternoon look!

You know you don't have to wait until Spring or Summer to rock your maxis!  Well, that's how I feel!

Just add boots, a jacket and a scarf and you're cool weather appropriate!

Wearing:  denim jacket: Old Navy (old); cashmere blend pashmina scarf (similar HERE); maxi dress: Mission Maxi; boots: Circa Joan & David; sunglasses: Karen Walker; earrings: Marc by Marc Jacobs Zip It Studs.

What I'm Wearing | Red with Neutral & Gold!

If you can't tell, I've REALLY enjoyed my red and pink pants.  And their starting to show it some.  I'm already planning a new red and pink pair for spring and summer.  

I'm thinking the next pairs will probably be straight-legged and slightly cropped.  I want the option of wearing flats and heels with them.  

I love a little bit of daytime sparkle!  My choice of a neutral shoe!

Wearing:  Military jacket: McCall's 5190; pants: Vogue 1039; pumps: gold glitter Steve Madden 'Unityy'.

Review: Vogue 8797 | Hi-Low Hem Shirtdress

Happy Shrove Tuesday!

  This is the first pattern I've sewn from the new Vogue Patterns spring collection.  It's 8797.

The description states: Loose-fitting top or dress has collar, yokes, back pleats, back longer than front and narrow hem. A: stitched hem on sleeves. B: sleeves with seam opening, pleats and button cuffs. Semi-fitted, tapered pants have waistband and side zipper. Purchased belt.

I cut the size 16 and used a crepe de chine-like fabric.  I bought it a while ago from Jo-Anns and I'm pretty sure it's a poly print.  But I love the explosion of colors and the weight and drape of the fabric.  Look at how it flows.  It's very fluid and it'll be perfect for those mild spring days.

I wanted the back hem to have a slight bit of drama to it, so I extended the "low" hem by 3 inches.

And I also changed the buttonhole orientation from horizontal to vertical.  I looked at shirtdresses on sites such as Net-A-Porter.com and studied the buttonholes on similar dresses they had available and the ALL had vertical buttonholes.  I also decided to ask Mr. Google.  In my research, I found that the reason that this pattern had horizontal buttonholes was (1) because it does not have a placket; and (2) because horizontal buttonholes stay buttoned more securely.  But when deciding whether to place buttonholes horizontally or vertically, it's determined both by function and fashion.  I choose "fashion".  I thought the original design caused the shirtdress to look dated and not in a cool vintage-y sort of way.

I also added a double yoke to the back and finished off my seams with the serger. 

I really like this pattern and the "hi-low" hemline is so on trend.  I would LOVE to make one of these in several colors for spring.  Who knows... if I get time, I may make this one in another color!

Inspired by Pinterest: Yellow + Black leather leggings!

Whenever you fall into a wardrobe slump, Pinterest is definitely the place to go to find that much needed inspiration.  Last week, I was feeling really drained and just didn't have the energy to even think about taking a photo or blogging.  But I'm always online and checking out Pinterest.  

Pinterest via Chictopia.com

While browsing, I repinned the above.  It's really a simple outfit and I knew I had all of the components to make it happen.

It started out really chilly today and I was prepared to go head first on this look with a knit beret and coat.  But the mercury rose so quickly that I ditched the hat and coat and was damn near ready to peel off the leggings!

So I guess you can say my look is a "modified" version!  And I added wedges instead of pumps.  I had a lot of walking to do today and I was also pushing Isabella around, so I needed more stable footwear.  

Wearing:  J. Crew sweater; bag: Urban Expressions; leggings: McCall's 6404; Steve Madden Wedges.

Sidenote:  I'm currently cutting out pieces for Spring.  When the mercury sticks, I want to be ready!

*NEW* Shoe additions!

Zara | "I Basic Sandal" - $50

 When I first saw this sandal, it was love at first sight!  It also comes in black, but I couldn't resist the orange.

Zara | "Combined Sandal" - $90

I love the black/turquoise/metallic combination.  This shoe will take a simple black or white ensemble to the next level.

Now, if only spring will come!

What I'm Wearing | Baby, it's cold outside: Cape + Cargos!

The crazy weather went from allowing me to be bare-legged, to putting back on the outerwear and over-the-knee boots.  It was cold, windy and 35 degrees today!  

My husband is always such a trooper when it comes to being my great photographer.  He stood in the cold and wind, taking pictures of me!  He's such a great guy!

This cape has become one of my favorite outerwear pieces this season.  If I must wear a coat, I'd rather grab this!

Wearing:  cape: Vogue 2924; black cashmere turtleneck; purple pashmina scarf; pants: Banana Republic skinny cargos; boots: Circa Joan & David;  bag: Urban Expressions

R.I.P Whitney...

What I'm Wearing | Ivory + Sparkle + Shine

Last night was Date Night:  Cocktails while watching the Lakers vs. Knicks!  Go Jeremy Lin!  And we saw "Safe House".  Great movie with plenty of action from beginning to end.  I highly recommend it!  Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds were excellent!

The temp starting dropping last night and it was windy, cold and misty by the time the night was over.  Seems as if everytime I wear these pants, it begins to rain.  Jinx!  And today it's freezing, so I have to pull a dreaded coat out of the closet.

If you've noticed, I take "Date Night" pretty serious.  It's that special time that my husband and I carve out for ourselves so that we can just be "us".  And I dress for the occasion.  If we were still in the dating stage of our relationship, I would have gotten all dolled-up to go out with my boyfriend.  So why not do that for my husband?!  And he does the same for me.  I think when you stop putting forth effort, that's when marriages go down hill.  After 20 years, we have to keep it fresh and fun!

Wearing:  blazer: Vogue 8333; top: sequined pullover (old) from Know Style; pants: Vogue 1059; shoes: calf-hair leopard slingbacks: last seen here; green clutch is same as here.

What I'm Wearing | Pink + White + Blue

Yesterday, it was a bit breezy but nice enough to be outside sans coat.

I had a lot of errands to run so I wanted to be cool and comfortable.

Am I the only one that notices how high the temperature is set in department stores?!  That's truly not conducive to me shopping.  It makes me want to get what I need and get out as quickly as possible.  Maybe if it were more comfortable and I didn't feel like I was melting, I'd probably browse a lot longer.  You hear that retailers:  cool it off!

Wearing:  top: Burda 7368 white linen tunic; pants: Vogue 1264 pink ciggies; scarf: Jason Wu for Target: clutch:  Urban Expressions; wedges: Lotus Boutique.

Review: Vogue 8631 + Jason Wu for Target

So as busy as life has been lately, I ALWAYS make time to sew something!  I needed a quick fix and this pattern had been in my "to-sew" stack for a while.  So I got going on it.  

I cut view A.  As many other reviewers have stated, this patterns run BIG!  Like seriously huge!  I would normally cut a size 16 in a jersey dress like this, especially since it has pleats and pockets.  I like to insure that everything lays properly.  But this time, I cut the 14.  And I still could have cut a 12 on top.  I had to nip and tuck at the bodice.  And a FBA definitely was not necessary.

When I measured from the waist to the hem, I was good with the length out of the envelope.  So I didn't have to make any lengthening alterations.  I skipped all of the bias binding.  I can't figure out why all of that was needed.  I used a 5/8" hem allowance and kept it moving.  

I used this satiny jersey fabric I found at Hancock.  I feel in love with the bright neon yellow color and thought it would be perfect for spring.  I thought the poly-jersey would be a nightmare to work with, but it wasn't .  I had not problem sewing it with my ballpoint needle.  And it pressed fine.  Disclaimer:  My iron will beat any fabric into submission!

If it weren't for the fact that I bought 11 patterns from the new Vogues that were just released, I'd might consider sewing this one again.  But alas, there are only so many sewing hours in a day!

I also made my way to Target this morning for the Jason Wu for Target sale and scored this really cute black trench coat for $55.

Just like when the Missoni for Target was released, again I heard about chaos ensuing with shoppers and resellers in the stores.  Well, we Southerners are truly lady-like and laid back.  Because when I went to Target at 9 am (an hour after the store opened), there were less than 10 people in the sportswear department.  And there was definitely no foolishness.  I bought the trench, a scarf and a clutch purse (I'll show you those later).  I looked at the dresses and skirts.  They were too "cutsie" for me and definitely too short.  

Shoes: Steve Madden; clutch: Street Level from Lotus Boutique

Congrats to the Super Bowl Champions New York Giants!