First of all, when I start seeing trends cycle back around in the period I've been blogging, perhaps I've been blogging too long!  The iconic Galaxy Dress from Roland Mouret took the fashion world by storm back in 2005.  It was seen on every single female celebrity - almost!  Well, for the ten year anniversary, Roland Mouret has re-released the Galaxy Ten Collection.  

In 2006, Vogue Patterns released their version - V8280.  This pattern was so popular that currently not only is it out-of-print, it's unvailable for purchase.  I'm happy I saved mine!

Here's my version from 2006.  I remember the construction being taxing.  I don't know if it was a difficult pattern or if it was just where I was in my sewing journey.  My dress has long left my closet.  I wasn't happy with my fabric choice.  I was still learning the art of marrying fabric and pattern.  I chose a wool flannel.  It was too heavy, too hot and just didn't wear well.  If I make this pattern over, here's what I would do differently:

With this anniversary release, Roland Mouret offered variations on the design.  I really like this peplum top.

And I love this jumpsuit and how easily the Vogue 8280 bodice can be added to pant bottom.  

I don't know when I'll get around to making this, and since the sleeve is dramatic, it may be spring so no coat will have to hide them!

I follow Nina Garcia on Instagram.  As I've mentioned before, Instagram is just a plethora of inspiration for me.  I love it.  I was scrolling one day and I saw this photo of Nina showing how she wore a blue shirt with various skirts during New York Fashion Week.   I loved all of the skirts, but the Dior car wash skirt stood out the most.  

 Other designers also showed these skirts:

photos from Vogue.com

And sewing IGer SewingCurves pointed me in the direction of the perfect pattern -- Vogue 8002! 

This pattern was released in 2004, and is long out of print.  So, I went right on over to eBay, located it and hit that "BUY IT NOW" button.  And a few days later, it was in my mailbox.  Happy Dance!!!  I already know this will be a "Fall Fashion Moment" for me, so I'm going to go ahead and plan for two:  black wool and a wool tweed.  There's no point in even acting as if one option will be enough.  Y'all know how obsessive I can become over a pattern I fall in love with.  

These will be coming soon!

So I spent my Sunday morning perusing the huge September issues.  I love fall!  This is MY season.  I'm a Virgo... my birthday is approaching... I love layering... wool, tweeds and boots!  I love seeing the foliage and feeling the crisp breeze.  I love all things fall!  I get overwhelmingly excited while planning my fall wardrobe.  I want to make everything!  My list is always a pages!  So here are some things that I've currently added.

I imediately spotted a major trend: The Bow Blouse.  They were coming at me from every direction.  I've toyed with the idea of making one for a couple of years.  

Vogue 8772

But being that I'm currently loving all things 1970's, I'm defintely making one this year.

And for added inspiration, notice the pants in this ad?

Vogue 1464 will be going on my list.

A fall maxi dress.  It's always so hot here, that I can't stand being swathed in yards of fabric in the summertime.  I like my maxis when it's a cooler.  And this beautiful interpretation from Chloe in a fall floral print is boho chic perfection!

McCall's 7242 is a great version.

A fringed skirt, which can be made by modifying a basic pencil skirt.

Have you ever walked into a retail store that instantly made you feel happy?  Well, that's the immediate feeling that Kate Spade evoked in me on yesterday.  It was the perfect setting for mingling and networking with the awesome Birmingham Bloggers.

I've been trying to inject more color into my wardrobe, because I can happily reach for black or white on a daily basis.  And the spring collection here is beaming with inspiration.  What is more colorful than that beautiful shift dress with a coordinating clutch and sunnies!

Here are some of my favorites, especially this great tote bag -- perfect for the beach or pool.

The black and white pump with the contrast red heel?  Yes!

I had to show some black and white love with this perfect knit sundress.

Colorful Idiom bracelets always give life to any ensemble.

And a great whimsical wicker sunglasses clutch is an awesome conversation piece.

What I wore: Vogue 8706

On yesterday, a gave a talk at the Hoover Library about finding your personal style and making pieces work for you.  For those of you that have been following me for years, you see what I sew and you see how I wear the pieces I make.  I believe in having a well-thought-out wardrobe.  One of my personal style mantras is, "If you stay ready, you'll always be ready."  I've seen others struggle, stress and become completely frazzled when they have an event to attend.  And no one should have to go through that.  And also, a wardrobe should consist of basic everyday pieces that you can pull from.  My talk was to offer a guide to make getting dressed a lot easier.

I offered these easy steps...

Find Inspiration!

Ask yourself, how do you want to look?  Is there a person with a similar lifestyle whose style you admire?  Also, Pinterest is a favorite tool of mine.  And my number one suggestion for inspiration, go to a department store and try on, try on and try on!  Be curious!  Try a style that you've never worn before.  A lot of garments lack hanger appeal. And you may be pleasantly surprise as to what works for you.  This is especially necessary in sewing.  You don't want to make the financial commitment of purchasing fabric, pattern and notions and also invest the time into making something you're not sure that will work for your figure.

Edit Your Closet

Do you find that you have a closet full of clothes and you still have nothing to wear?  If so, that's a problem.  At least twice a year, usually seasonal, I like to take everything out of my closet.  That way I can touch every single garment.  I can remove anything that I haven't worn in a long time and probably will never wear again.  I remove things that are too big or too small.  And you can pass your well-loved items on to friends or family, or you can donate to a charity, or consign.  

And also, stop buying and sewing wardrobe orphans!  Wardrobe orphans are random items that were purchased or sewn, probably on a whim that are rarely worn and may not go with anything else in your closet.

Build Your Wardrobe and Dress Without Stress!

Based on your lifestyle, you have to decide what essentials you need.  My wardrobe essentials or as I like to call it a "base wardrobe", would consist of:

With functional pieces as the base of your wardrobe, you can now add in fun and trendy pieces.

From l-r: Adrienne of Adrienne's Essentials; Shundra of Mrs. Crafty Chick; Kim of It's Sew Kim; La'Shara of Kurlylicious.

And per usual at an event like this, there were plenty of networking and pictures!  I want to thank everyone that came out to support.  And Talbot's for supplying me with great clothes.  And especially, the Hoover Library for extending the invitation.

I'll be hosting a seminar at the Hoover Public Library on finding one's personal style and making pieces work for you!

I'm going to provide solid tips on:

* Finding Inspiration

* Closet Editing

*Steps on How to Build a Wardrobe for Your Lifestyle

*Dressing without Stressing

*Putting Looks Together for Every Occasion

Talbot's is my sponsor and I've pulled some great looks to demonstrate wardrobe building.

If you're local, I hope to see you there!

Last Thursday, I attended a Birmingham Blogger event at Talbot's, hosted by the fabulous Jeniese Hosey of  The Jenesaisquoi.

We were invited to preview the summer collections at Talbot's and they are cute!

My favorite was all of the beachwear, that I wouldn't need a beach for!  The caftans are fabulous and would be daywear for me!

This is what I wore: top: Vogue 2540 and pants: Vogue 9032.  I do love a great black and white ensemble!

While I was there, they had a drawing and I was the winner of this great head-to-toe look!  How amazing is that!

I'm a sucker for separates and these pieces and accessories will be rotating throughout my wardrobe all summer.

Especially this awesome bib statement necklace.

I had a choice on the bag and the shoes.  I went with the wicker clutch because I love a white bag for summer and this one can be worn with the chain strap or used as a clutch. 

And a great pair of flat white sandals are a must have.

A couple of weeks ago, I attended Belk's Girls Night Out to support blogger buddy Alexis Barton of Same Chic, Different Day who was hosting the event.  I wore an oldie, but goodie - Vogue 1258 (Out-of-print now).  I re-discovered this dress about a month ago as I was purging my closet preparing donation bags.  I tried it on and it fit better than it originally did, so into rotation it went!  So while at Belk, I was there absorbing the atmosphere and sipping on wine, I did some exploring and some trying on!

This fabulous Elie Tahari Emory Floral Print Sheath Dress - $428, jumped off the rack at me!  I had to try it on!  

It's neoprene and mesh!  A floral neoprene at that!  Can I just tell y'all that I've been searching high and low for a similar print and I've had no luck thus far.  But I'm not giving up.  I absolutely loved the details.  This is a dress that can easily be made.  I could use a ponte knit or a stretch twill, but I really want a floral neoprene on a black background.  Notice how the darts are sewn.  I hope you can see it.  On the inside, the seams were left raw.  I've noticed that in ready-to-wear, neoprene is never finished on the inside.  And on this dress, nor is it hemmed.

I also wanted to try this tailored jumpsuit.  What drew me to this is that it has a front invisible zip, even though it's a little low-cut.  I've never really had much luck with ready-to-wear jumpsuits because due to my height, they always seem too short in the rise.  

But this one fits well and it was even comfortable when sitting.  And I was also impressed with the length.  It stopped where it was meant to according to how the model is wearing it.

Trina Turk Emmalyn Jumpsuit - $328

Let's look at the inside...

The bodice of this jumpsuit is fully-lined with a facing.

Here's the back.

And they even used hem tape.  This is a detail that I don't often see.

And of course, I had to buy something and what an amazing buy it was!  I found the DKNY Feather Hem Lace Dress that originally retailed for $495.  Brace yourself... I found it on clearance for... $19.98!  Yes, 20 bucks!  I paid for this dress with pocket change!  I very rarely buy ready-to-wear, so this purchase makes it worth my while!