And for an evening out, why not add some drama and a play on texture.

This ruffle dip hem blouse is definitely serving its share of drama.  And very effectively at that!  I really thought that I was over high-low garments.  But this amazing top drew me back in.

To balance out the volume of the top, I went with a slim silhouette on the botton with my amazing guipure lace skirt, which is Vogue 8916.  Anytime I see lace like this, it always reminds me of Dolce & Gabbana.

And to accessorize, I wore a statement necklace and I mixed metals all the way through this look.  Lots of silver and gold.  And for that "pop of color", I went with magenta pumps.  I have to use color. It is indeed spring!

There is just something so classic and elegant about a black and white ensemble.  And I just can't get enough of these wardrobe staples.  There are so easy to mix and match with other pieces in my closet.

And one of the things that I've been craving most is a black guipure lace skirt.  And why not a white top with dramatic sleeves to pair with it!

For the top, I used Vogue 8945.  It's actually a pattern for a dess, but I love the sleeves... so why not a top?  I cut the size 14 and I only used the front darts.  I didn't make the darts in the back because I wanted the top to fit a little boxy.  I plan to wear it with pants and to leave it untucked.  My fabric is this unusual Italian Pearl Solid Textured Cotton Blend (Content: 53% cotton, 26% nylon, 16% rayon, 5% linen).  

This fabric has a crisp hand, similar to a bottom weight linen.  And it's woven with glossy threads.  I found a that a very sharp Microtex needle worked best for sewing this.  This fabric has no stretch at all, and it would also work well for tailored garments.  And it would make a divine full skirt!  

My skirt is Vogue 8916.  I used Bemberg lining from my stash and cut the lining in the size 14, straight from the envelope.  I added 3 inches to the length of the skirt so that it would fall below the knee.  I felt a midi length would be much more elegant.

My fabric is Black Cotton Guipure Lace.  The fabric is 36" wide.  I cut it on the cross grain.  I eliminated the darts.  For this particular guipure lace, the motifs are smaller.  So instead of working around the motifs in the seams, I just cut the seams straight.  And since this lace is so delicate, I chose a skirt with a waistband.  I underlined the waistband with the lining fabric and used silk organza from my stash to stabilize it.  And for the hem, I cut around the motifs at the selvage line.