Mixed Animal prints!  I adore print mixing of all kinds.  It's a bold move to put together clashing prints and not look like you've gotten dressed in the dark or going through some emotional issues! LOL  I'm wearing my black long-sleeved Vogue 8815 peplum top with my McCall's 6038 zebra print pencil skirt.  When I bought these sandals from ShoeMint.com, I knew I had to mixed these prints into an outfit.  Kinda matchy-matchy, but I like it!

Lemon, lime and leopard!  This was my way of "stepping into spring"!  The pants are Vogue 1143 in the "Color of the Year - Emerald Green".

This is another ShoeMint.com purchase.  I'd been wanting a pair of metallic silver heels.  And they're perfect as a neutral for spring.

Another day of pleasant weather where I was feeling the spring in the air.  I'm wearing Simplicity 2250 - white blazer.  I'm seriously going to start working on another white blazer next week, before this one is threadbare.  I wear it just that much.  Also, my colorful silk chiffon caftan which is New Look 6051 over Vogue 8774 - corduroy jeans.  I had just noticed I hadn't worn these all winter.  They'd gotten pushed back in the closet.

Heidi Merrick "Huntington" Dress -- Shopbop.com, $437.00

To recreate this look, I used Butterick 5522 as my base pattern.  As you see, the original design looks pretty boxy and shapeless.  I decided to use this pattern because I wanted an a-line fit.  I've had this pattern in my drawer since it was first released.  I always thought this was a cute dress, being that it was a Trina Turk knockoff.  I never got around to making it because I was deterred by the reviews I read. Most referred to the dress as being "tent-ish".  When I think of that, I instantly think "maternity-ish" and after being pregnant three times, I ran screaming from that look!  But after seeing Cidell's version, I completely changed my mind.  Sometimes you need to listen to your instinct instead of  completely relying on reviews.

To achieve my inspiration look, I first lengthened the pattern by 2 inches.  I made a 1 inch non-dart FBA and changed the sleeve to a slimmer style.  I cut the back, front and sleeve pattern pieces into block sections and created new seam allowances.  And I also used an exposed zipper because that was a detail of the original design.  I used cotton jersey fabric whereas the original used silk crepe.