I haven't been excited about a pattern release in a LONG time! These made me perk up really quick! I can't wait to get mine. These are my picks:
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Are you liking any of these?
So when I got up yesterday morning, it was 45 degrees and the weather lady was strongly suggesting putting on a coat or a jacket! O_O Really? It's it's almost May!!! For the first part of the morning, I had to actually turn on the heat in the car to take the chill off. And even though I ditched the jacket, long-sleeves were still needed.
Today I went with a light-weight sweater and my faux leather skirt I made for last fall.
Butt I still wanted to put on a pair of sandals.
And even though it was really, really windy, it was a good day to be out and about. But tomorrow, I'm staying home and not leaving unless it's a life-threatening medical emergency OR unless I want to! LOL
Wearing: white bandeau neck sweater: TJ Maxx; faux pleated leather skirt: Butterick 5285; heels: Zara; purse: Nine West (similar to this one); necklace: BCBG Max Azria.
I've mentioned before that I rarely wear heels on the weekend. A lot of running is something most of my weekends consist of and I have to find a way to still be "cute" and comfy.
Well, it's not "cold" cold, but it is chilly and windy. It's currently 60 degrees and only a high of 66 today. I have no idea what I'm wearing. BUT, I am being inspired to make colorful spring blazers for times when chilly weather creeps its way back in amongst my sunny spring days. When traveling I find it helps to keep a variety of clothing. Obviously you don’t want to be lugging your garments everywhere. Luck for us, Radical Storage has secure depots dotted around, even in beautiful Rome!
Last evening, this is what I wore out:
I usually ONLY wear this jacket during the fall, but I decided that it should also be a great essential in my spring wardrobe as well.
The details of the sleeve with my vintage Chanel bag really capture the spirit of the look I was going for. And I'm really glad that I was wearing such a classic colored polish:
It's been a few years since I've made this jacket. For you long time readers, I'm sure you remember this "labor of love" project... it took 2 weeks to make.
I'm so glad that invested a great amount of time, skill and pride into this project. I can see myself wearing it for many more years to come.
Wearing: denim shirt: DKNY; optic white jeans: NYDJ; purse: vintage Chanel bucket bag; wedges: Jessica Simpson.
This is my version of New Look 6003. I saw the Zara skirt and I knew that I could EASILY make a skirt like that. and decided to save myself 80 bucks! I found the linen fabric at Hancock and I already had a zipper and lining fabric at home, so I was on my way.
I cut the size 16 pattern which fit perfectly at the hip, but was HUGE in the waist -- which I didn't figure out until I was ready to put the zipper in. I just made an adjustment at the center back to take care of that. I could've saved myself a lot of trouble by cutting a 14 at the waist and grading to a 16 at the hip.
I didn't have to lengthen the pattern because there were 3 length options. I just cut mine somewhere between view D and E. And I also slightly tapered in the bottom Not too much because I still have to walk up and down stairs and exit and enter a vehicle. And I added a lining since the pattern did not recommend one.
And for the main detail, I modified the shape of the peplum for the front and the back. I think that the look of the skirt looks A LOT like the one from Zara.
- Look #1: jacket: Simplicity 2250; striped tank: TJ Maxx (old); belt: Anne Klein; purse: TJ Maxx; pumps: Steve Madden.
- Look #2: jacket: Per Se Collection; white v-neck t-shirt: Mac & Jac (old); belt: The Limited; wedges: Lotus Boutique; purse: vintage Chanel bucket bag.
Yesterday, I had a lot of running around to do. Basic Saturday afternoon errands. And I was also getting in some family time. On Saturdays, it's pretty much guaranteed that I'll be wearing a flat or some sort of comfortable shoe. I'm usually doing a lot of parking and walking. As much as I love a great pair of heels, I love my feet, ankles and knees more!
This tunic is another oldie, but goodie! This is (OOP) McCall's 5662 that I sewed 4 years ago.
No matter how comfy I am, I love having my sparkle and shine! This nail color Orly "Gumdrop".
Wearing: tunic: McCall's 5662; pants: Simplicity 2562; sequined tank: Banana Republic (old); purse: TJ Maxx; sandals: Sam Edelman; bangles: Amrita Singh.
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!
Loving my nail color! Parisian 'Daffodil'.
Who doesn't love a little daytime sparkle!
Wearing: cropped denim jacket: Per Se Collection; sweater: Lauren Ralph Lauren: pants: Vogue 1039; shoes: Steve Madden 'Unityy'; sunnies: Karen Walker; purse: TJ Maxx; Amrita Singh bangles.
Boyfriend jeans? Or should I say "husband's jeans"? LOL
I decided to participate in the "boyfriend jean" trend. Which is basically a cut up and bleached out pair of my husband's old Levi's. And can I tell you that these are the most comfortable pair of jeans I've worn in a long time!
It's funny how anything that vaguely resembled a "mom jean" became a fashion faux pas for years. And now, boyfriend jeans are just as trendy as a skinny and a bootcut jean.
I decided to add my gingham shirt. The last time I wore it, it was part of a dressy ensemble. I love how it looks juxtaposed with torn jeans.
Creating your own boyfriend jeans are quite simple: try them on, mark where you'd like to make cuts with an exacto knife with chalk. Carefully make you cuts and use sand paper to fray the cuts. Toss in the washer with chlorine bleach and then dry. Repeat until they look the way you want them to.
Wearing: shirt: McCall's 6436; jeans: Levi's (old); sandals: Nine West; purse: Urban Expressions.
I feel in love and became completely obsessed with purple maxis and maxis in general while collecting them on Pinterest. These are three of my favorites collected from here, here and here.
I found this semi-sheer purple (it sometimes looks purple or blue depending on the light when photographed) fabric at Hancock. It's 60" wide and I bought 5 yards. That's pretty much what it took to create the dramatic flowing of what I had in mind. I didn't use a pattern. I cut 4 - 45" long pieces on the grain and sewed them selvage to selvage on the serger. I created a separate waistband and added 1" non-roll elastic and sewed that to the gathered top.
And I made a serged rolled hem. I love this fabric and it was everything that I was looking for since I couldn't find any pleated fabric, but it shredded like crazy. The more it was handled, the more it frayed.
I wore this out and the temperature was dropping as the sun was setting so I threw on my leather jacket with a studded belt. I love how it gave such a girly look an edgy feel.
Worn with my leather moto jacket; a silk tank: TJ Maxx (old); belt: Calvin Klein; necklace: Forever 21; shoes: Jessica Simpson; clutch: Nine West.
Have a Happy Easter!
