It's homecoming time again!  I love this time of year when it comes to my girls.  As a refresher, this is what Mikaela wore last year.  She's looks so much more grown up year after year.  **sniff, sniff**

This year, I used season 5 Project Runway winner Leanne Marshall's pattern - Simplicity 1876.

I cut the smallest size straight out of the envelope.  I sewed it in taffeta with a lace overlay on the bodice and lined it in crepe back satin.  

And instead of using the belt, I added sequined trimming at the waist, for a touch of bling.  I didn't have to do any alterations all.  I would like to warn you that this dress is short!  Mikaela is 5'5", and this pattern was sewn as is.  

This pattern was not difficult at all.  However, it is very time consuming.  There are a LOT of pieces to cut out.  So if I were you, I'd allot at least 3 days to make it happen... just to be cautious.  But it's drafted perfectly and reminiscent of Leanne's Project Runway finale collection.

I really loved the layered peplum style of this dress.  I thought that the way they overlapped gave it that petal effect that Leanne is known for.  This dress is so unique and my girls never repeat the same dress, so I'll never sew this again for them.  But I highly recommend this for anyone with a young lady in their life.  Or someone that would like to wear this fresh and girly style.

In case you couldn't tell, she was thrilled!

I was looking through pictures here on the blog and I realized that it's been a while since I'd had on a pair of jeans.  So I thought I'd do something about that today. 

So I broke out the skinnies and threw on a peplum top.  I've really been enjoying the "cooler" temps this week.  Because a month ago, I wouldn't have even considered putting on jeans and going out during "the heat of the day". 

I've been sewing all week, but not for me.  I've been working on Mikaela's homecoming dress because the homecoming dance is Saturday night.  I used Simplicity 1876.  

From Instagram.

It's not a difficult pattern at all.  But there were a million pieces to cut out.  And I somehow broke the zipper last night.  Sigh... So I had to make a mad dash to Jo-Ann's right before closing time.  Good thing I live so close.  But anyway... I can't wait until she's all dolled up on Saturday so I can share the review and the pictures!

Wearing:  Top:  Vogue 8815; jeans: The Gap; pumps: calf-hair leopard print slingbacks from DSW; purse: Urban Expressions.

When I woke up, it was a cool, crisp and autumn-like 59 degrees this morning... with low humidity.  I could have shouted my joy from the rooftops!

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But here's the kicker:  It was an afternoon high of 85.  So, I had to come up with an outfit that was a juxtaposition of summer and fall.  

So I decided on a leopard print top with khaki shorts.  I added chocolate brown ankle boots and a red bag for that pop of color that I so love.    

And as much as I'm dying for boot weather, these ankle boots satiated that craving.  Well, for the moment.  Come on Fall weather!

Wearing:  top:  Butterick 5101; shorts: Old Navy; ankle boots:  Lauren Ralph Lauren; purse:  TJ Maxx.

From Magic City Post.com!

Megan LaRussa did a Fall fashion presentation at Belk @ the Summit.

 

And we also hit up Gus Mayer for some high fashion fun!

Mixed prints is a trend that I've been loving for a while and I've really been wanting to jump head first into it!

For this look, I pulled from my closet.  I chose Simplicity 4112 for the top; Simplicity 2512 and my leopard print slingbacks.

I can't even tell you how ready I am for Fall!  My mind has been on nothing but wanting to sew "transitional" garments that I can wear now and later.  

Inspiration:

It's no secret that I'm in love with all things peplum.  So I made another peplum top and I can promise you that this one will not be the last one.  I still plan to make a couple with sleeves for the Fall/Winter.  This one is New Look 6130.  

Love the neckline and my polish is Essie "Good as Gold"!

The only alteration I made was adding an inch to the waist.  I used this fabulous stretch white cotton sateen from Mood Fabrics.com.  And I added an exposed zipper to the back for that extra bit of pizzazz. 

I bought the zipper from Joanns.  It's this one and it's 24" long.

And I made another pair pants from Vogue 1143.  This time in a gorgeous bright coral lightweight stretch wool crepe from Mood Fabrics.com.  Believe me when I tell you that this fabric is beautiful.  The drape is amazing and it's light enough to wear now and I can add tights for cooler temps.

This is what I wore out last night with the husband.  This is Badgley Mischka's pattern -- Vogue 1089.  I made this dress 2 years ago.  And this tangerine linen number has been a warm weather favorite.  I made it at time when I was first opening myself up to wearing more color.  And speaking of this color, it's been one of the hottest colors this season!  

Orange Dress Trend!

Don't you love how the dress just happens to match the color of the beautiful sunset?

This is another collar style necklace that I also bought over the weekend.  I think I'm slightly obsessed.  And on my nails is Essie "Penny Talk".

And I paired the dress with my Zara shoes which are well broken in now and makes them super comfy to walk in.

In case you didn't know, color and I mean gorgeous happy colors will still be trending for Fall 2012.  Check out the Pantone Fashion Color Report for Fall 2012.

I'd been wanting to make more colorful pants for fall.  But finding a pants pattern I really like is always a challenge.  You can have a particular silhouette in mind, but finding a commercial pattern that fills the requirement is always difficult to me.  This is what I wanted in a pair of trousers:  A midrise; flat front with darts; darts in the back; fitted through the hip and thighs; flaring at the knee; a leg opening wide enough to cover my shoes while sweeping the ground.  You'd be surprised at how difficult that is to find.  Most commercial pants patterns with wide legs are usually wide from the hip down.  Now what I've discovered about myself is that I look best in the least amount of fabric.  And those pants with all of that fabric falling from the hip line just make me look bigger and wider than I am.  It's the same reason I prefer sheath dresses to those with full skirts.   

I've had Vogue 1143 by Guy Laroche in my pattern collection since it was released.  I don't know why I'd never noticed the cut of these pants before.  I guess it's because the style of the jacket was stealing the limelight.

If you've made pants before, these are pretty standard -- so I won't go into great detail.  However, I cut the size 16, in a stretch twill and added 6 inches to the length.  I wear heels and I wanted my pants long.  I ended up with a 36" inseam, which is really hard to find in RTW in really nice pants.  I used a 2" hem and followed Mimi's great tip on "Weighing Down Hems".    

And over the weekend while shopping with my daughters in Forever 21, I came across this really cute collar necklace and it begged to come home with me!  Check out this trend:

Wearing:  blazer: Simplicity 2250; top & belt: TJ Maxx; clutch: Vintage; necklace: Forever 21.