ESPECIALLY when it's 75 degrees in the middle of January!  

I always talk about the crazy weather we have here often.  Because from day-to-day, you never know what you're going to get.  Just like it was in the mid-70s today, it can rain tomorrow and the temp can drop to 30 degrees.  Then we could have snow the next day.  

When I saw this look on Tumblr, I knew I had all of the components (except the cute striped clutch) in my closet.  So I pinned it as a reminder.

It was chilly this morning and 70 degrees by this afternoon.  Perfect outfit for layering.

Jacket:  Vogue 8480 (I changed the covered buttons to gold buttons).

This is another Date Night look!  We went to see Red Tails and it was EXCELLENT!  I highly recommend it!

It was rainy today, so it created a warm and humid night.  I wanted to look winter-appropriate but cool at the same time.  So I pulled out one of my all time favorite projects:  my crocheted lace dress**.  This dress is 6 1/2 years old and I protect it like an heirloom!  It's great and it will flow right into this Spring's "romantic" trend.

The back of this jacket has always been my favorite aspect.  It's a great "walk away" look.  

Today, it was pretty chilly.  It was in the mid to high 40s, but that's chilly for the Deep South.  But I'm afflicted by a condition that leaves me with the inability to drive in a coat.  So if I'm just going somewhere that I can park and dash in, a blazer it is!  One of the benefits of living in a driving city.

Have I told you guys how much I love me some Isabella!  She is such a joy.  I get to keep her most of the day on Mondays and Wednesdays.  And I plan on spoiling her rotten.  She's "Mimi's pretty girl"!  As soon as she gets a little bigger, I'm going to make her a pretty little dress.  Probably around Easter.

I've been loving the denim on denim trend since the beginning of Fall.  I feel as long as the pieces are different shades, it's trendy and not a fashion faux pas.  

And since I needed a jacket, I decided to top the look off with my tweed jacket.

Date Night Look!

This is McCall's 6436, view D.  The description says: Loose fitting, front and back darts and front band. View D: Collar, collar band and pleated two piece sleeve.    

The most awesome thing about this pattern is that it's sized based on bra cup size.  I used the size 14 and the D cup.  Ladies, you know what that means, don't you?  No FBAs!  And it has horizontal bust darts that I prefer.

I didn't have to lengthen because I made this shirt with the intention of wearing it tucked with this high-waist skirt.  And when I wear it with pants, it'll be untucked.  I found this fabric at Hancock.  It's a pink and black gingham shantung.  It's a poly, but I think it's great.  I'm not even a pink kinda girl, but this fabric called out to me.

And I also found the sleeves to be the right length even though I'm wearing them rolled up.  Notice that I used a black silk dupioni for the cuffs.  This was unintentional.  I didn't buy enough fabric to allow for matching the pattern and ran out.  When I returned to the store, of course it was no where to be found.  There was no way I was scrapping this project, so I just went with black.  It was a "Tim Gunn/Make it work!" moment.  I didn't use the instructions at all, so I can't tell you anything about them.  I've made quite a few button front shirts, so I just went for it.

StriVectin-EV™ Get Even Brightening Serum- StriVectin-EV™ bring a highly potent, quick

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Clarins NEW Extra-Firming Day Cream- Clarins revolutionizes the face of firming with

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Estée Lauder ANR 30 Year Anniversary Bottle- The revolutionary repair serum inspired by

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Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Premiere Intense Moisture and Renewal Activation Cream

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Biltmore Bath and Body 20 percent Shea Hand Cream - A super-emollient hand cream

consisting of 20 percent Shea Butter, sunflower seed oil, and sweet almond oil is blended with a

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Clinique Moisture Surge Intense Skin Fortifying Hydrator - This rich cream-gel moisturizer

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Lancôme Absolue Precious Cells Eye Creme-This cream brings the ultimate in skincare that

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“Big Pony” by Ralph Lauren- “Big Pony” rides onto the scene in four amazing scents. All

four colorful fragrances are bright, playful and energizing, and set upon a floral backdrop, yet

each expresses a clear point of view. Based on a duo of ingredients, each fragrance pops with a

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 #1 The Sporty Fragrance. Catch her if you can. This Floral Citrus scent features

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#2 The Sensual Fragrance. A Floriental Fruity with the key ingredients of Cranberry &

Tonka Mousse, this fragrance is for an alluring flirt with a romantic spirit. Playful and

irresistible, this modern woman follows her heart…and she just might break yours.

#3 The Free-Spirited Fragrance. Eccentric, rebellious and independent, this Floral Green

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Parisian Beauty Brights 5 Piece Nail Polish Set- Vibrant, trendy, and fun! This collection of

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Benefit Hervana Powder- Seeking a flush of enlightenment? Swirl on hervana… our “good

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I'm going to try all of these products out and I'll be letting you know what works for me and which ones didn't.

I'm still in love with color blocking and I can't see that love affair waning anytime soon.  I plan to carry it right over into spring!

My red pants have become one of my most favorite clothing items this season.  I make it a priority to wear them at least once a week.  

Do you all remember this jacket?  It's McCall's 6207.  I usually wear it with jeans, but this time I decided to pair it with these pants.  I hate driving in a coat and this blazer was perfect to layer over a sweater without being cumbersome.

On yesterday, I attended Belk's Spring 2012 Fashion Tour with VP Trend Merchandising & Fashion Director Arlene Goldstein.  It was so much fun and extremely informative.  You guys know I live for fashion and trends and to not only read about, but to have someone take you by the hand and tell you what's hot was pretty great. 

Belk breaks their trends down by style statements.  It's a lot of fun and I want to give great examples because this has me really hyped about the upcoming season... so I plan to do these in a series of posts.  So I'll start by giving you a quick summary:

American Originals

A timeless nod to the classics, this trend is built on simple sportswear elements with authentic nuances that reflect a chic, modern vibe.

Shape Shift 

Streamlined and architectural, Shape Shift, the next statement, offers maximum style with minimal effort. Asymmetry, strong angular sleeve treatments, obtuse layering and stand collars are just a few of the dynamic details that define Shape Shift.

So Pretty

Next, from romantic, soft hues to lingerie affects and garden florals, it’s bloomin’ beautiful and Belk is calling it, “So Pretty.” Look for handcrafted touches, tonal embroideries, corsage embellishments—ruffles and pleats add the perfect touch to this romantic spirit. Lace, the ultimate in fem fabrics, continues to increase its approval rating.

70’s Glam

Yves Saint Laurent continues to leave his footprint on the face of fashion. 70’s Glam, the last style statement, is a living testament to the designer’s legacy. The world was his catwalk, his runway. Daring color, modern safari and Boho chic describe this elegant trend. From safari influences and highly sophisticated materials to maxi lengths and wide legs, this decade is bursting with inspiration

In the next days, I'll go more into detail about these trends.  They are pretty awesome... no matter if you plan to buy RTW or sew them up yourself.  

The first project I had to get under my belt was something that I've been wanting to make for a couple of seasons now -- a faux fur leopard coat.

I've been seeing leopard (and the others) everywhere.  I devoted a Pin board to my obsession.  And I've been dying for a coat.  

So I finally got around to making one.  

I used Vogue 1128, a coat from Anne Klein.  Here is the description of the pattern:  loose-fitting, lined coat A with collar, dropped shoulders, welt pockets, back has yoke, pleats and tucks, below elbow length sleeves and button closing.

The pattern had very simple lines -- what one would look for when using faux fur.  I found the fabric at Jo-Anns.  It's listed as "cheetah" when it's in fact a leopard print.

I used a bright pink lining and I didn't have to make any alterations to the pattern. It sewed perfectly right out of the envelope.  I softly tailored this project by block fusing the fabric.  I used a size 14 needle and had absolutely no trouble sewing or cutting the fabric.  

You can't tell from the printed fabric, but the coat has pleats on each side of the back.  I thought that was a cute design detail.  And it would really show on a solid color.  I never thought I would like a drop shoulder style, but I really like this coat.  It has a very retro-vibe going on!

And black suede Steve Madden Lennaa pumps.

I'd like to introduce you to my beautiful new 2 week old granddaughter Isabella.  She's the brand new light of my life!