It took four attempts to get the collar in, mostly because I’ve never sewn a collar before.  I didn’t realize, when I bought the pattern, that the collar was part of the dress, not the cape.

I would have to say that I’m moderately pleased with the final results of this project.  I know I have to accept that if I’m going to modify patterns, they’re not going to turn out perfectly.  Since I didn’t want this to be reversible and couldn’t imagine it without the collar, it’s a little wonky around the curved edges (should have cut the lining a little smaller) and the shoulders are definitely more Joan Crawford than I would like.

Ultimately, though, I’m sure I’ll make this again before passing the pattern on, perhaps in a bright cordouroy or cool plaid.  And big thanks to Frasypoo and Rebecca, who first suggested the very sensible idea of making such a simple item of clothing when I first moaned about not being able to find any in shops.

I have been sewing like a madwoman.
 
The boyfriend and I were getting a little frantic at Pacific Fabrics–the selection is enormous and overwhelming even for me.  For him, it was like a Turkish bazaar, a maze of color and textures with no way of knowing what to choose for our bedroom curtains.  We finally settled on two prints, one in a red paisley and the other by the ever popular Amy Butler.  I left it to the boyfriend to choose and I think he chose well.

A cape based on a vintage Simplicity pattern should be picture ready tomorrow.  Why my sewing machine hasn’t started shooting sparks yet, I’m not really sure.

I’ve said before that I don’t do shift dresses.  I’m 5′1 with breasts so I tend to look like a tree stump when I try to wear them.

For many reasons, though, I couldn’t resist this vintage wool version.

First of all, it’s got pockets.  Second, it’s neutral color is just crying out for crazy tights, a trend I’m ready to have fun with given it’s relative cheapness.

Given all of the options, I couldn’t wait to get home and pull a Queen Michelle with a round of dress-up.  Even if I look a little shapeless, I love it.  Fully lined with everything perfectly in tact, including the Bardley tag, I’m still marveling that it cost only 24.00.

Dress: Red Light Vintage
Boots: Kenneth Cole
Wedges: Steve Madden
Heels: Chie Mihara
Flats: Seychelles
Tights: Sock Dreams

Whenever I get a treasury, it’s never planned.  I usually just happen to pop in to this Etsy feature, notice that some will become free and start to panic as I try to think of a theme.

You might be able to guess who was playing on my laptop when I nabbed a treasury tonight.

Eyelet had been on my wishlist for some time–whether thrifted, as fabric, or bought new.  I scoped prices on ebay and even filled up and abandoned a shopping cart at Fabric.com.  It was only when I moved in with the boyfriend did I realize I had my own little stockpile, just waiting to be repurposed.

Since the boyfriend has a king-sized bed, my queen sized dust ruffle no longer had any use.  Expensive as it was, I was loathe to just add it to the large pile of stuff that was donated upon my move.  Only several weeks after washing, folding and storing it away did I realized what I could use it for.

Combined with what’s become a bit of a signature patchwork for me, the eyelet ruffle was perfect as edging along the hoods of these two sweatshirts.

They were both going to be for sale, but I decided I had to have the gray one.  I’ve worn it to death already and know whoever takes home the pink one will feel the same.

Now I just have to figure out what to do with the rest of the dust ruffle.

Of all the amazing trends on display in The New York Times Style Magazine, the thing I noticed the most was the nude lips on all of the models.
 
Without fail, the lips of the women in the ads as well in the photo shoots were practically the same color as their face.

On my skin, of course, it’d look more like clown crossed with a kabuki.

I never thought I’d do Indian weddings.

Wait, wait, let me back up.  I don’t mean I do weddings in the sense that I act as a reverend who is certified to marry people.  Oh, no.  And I don’t mean that I do Indian weddings in the sense that I only officiate at those weddings…or in the sense that those are the only weddings I go to.  Let me take a moment to picture myself in a sari covered in mehndi.

Thoroughly confused?  Here’s the story; I was contacted to create custom jewelry for someone with multiple weddings to go to (and oh, do I feel that pain of trying to work out multiple outfits in one season for aaaall of those friends who suddenly decide to get hitched at the same time.)  The one request was that the jewelry needed to match some very beautiful, colorful clothing–what you typically see at Indian weddings.  And it needed to be big.

No, not big like that.  Big like this.

I’m still a little surprised that I, with my simple, every day style of jewelry, came up with these ornate pieces. 

But apparently, I do Indian weddings.

(Don’t forget, the discount code is in effect until the end of today.)

Do I really want my armpits to smell like my morning drink?

No.  No, I don’t.

Tooled leather is usually found in belts, purses and other accessories.  Before it’s big revival a few years ago, most of it was vintage; my own belt and purse were bought at the Fremont Underground Antique Market 10 years ago.

But as jewelry?

Sunny Rising not only proves that jewelry can be made from leather, but has me questioning my love of stones and beads.  The gorgeous pendants, cuffs, and other accessories are all drool-worthy–detailed, gorgeous pieces that would undoubtedly get compliments. 

This is one to save to the favorites, just to see what she comes up with next.

Edited to add: I’m so flattered and excited to have gotten 200 hearts that I’m offering 15% off all items in my shop through the weekend.  Just use the code 200 in the message to seller and wait for your revised invoice.  Thanks to everyone out there who liked my stuff enough to bookmark it!

Watching Bell, Book and Candle this weekend, I was reminded of how certain actresses from that era get overlooked despite being just as talented and gorgeous as the more known icons.

Kim Novak is certainly one of them, most likely because of her at-the-time beyond taboo relationship with Sammy Davis, Jr.  Hitchcock also didn’t think much of her simply because he couldn’t have his preferred leading lady, who’d gone and married a prince.

Even I have to admit to dismissing her after seeing Vertigo back in college.  I found the movie disappointing and her performance negligible given that she was merely a tool for torment–playing out Hitchcock’s psychodramas didn’t really give her much room to do more than stand in eerie light and say her lines in a quavering voice.

However, in Bell, Book and Candle, she’s definitely allowed to shine.  I was even able to ignore the enormous, period eyebrows she (and others) sported throughout the late 1950s.

Unfortunately, the DVD transfer available from Netflix is incredibly grainy.  Nonetheless, her cowl necks, hooded capes, and exotic jewelry are still striking (she is playing a witch, after all.)

Just try not to be distracted by her eyebrows.

Discovered via Kori’s cute blog, Emma Pink is seriously challenging my recent vow to not purchase anymore shoes.

With sweet, original accents and fun colors in prices ranging from 40-70 dollars, this site has me trying to figure out how to block shoes the way parents block mature content on their home computers.

They’ve even got a couple of pairs in the mustard yellow that, despite being everywhere, is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.  Especially that last pair.

Kori, you may have some explaining to do to my credit card company.

I don’t think I’ve ever been as excited for mail as I was when I received these wonderful things from two very wonderful people.

First are the charming Bon Jour post cards from Shona of La La Dex Press.  The colors are even richer than I expected and she included these pretty extras.

Second, I would like for you to meet Vermilion.  While I’ve always loved Dawn’s creatures with their expressive eyes and fun details, I kept waiting for the perfect combination of colors to truly win me over.  When I saw Vermilion on Dawn’s blog, I knew the feminine print of the vintage fabric, formed into the signature rabbit shape (though I love Dawn’s walruses as well) was just perfect.  I told Dawn so in a comment and laughed out loud when I saw the description she later put together on Etsy.

I am so glad she’s mine.

Thank you Dawn & Shona.  For the first time in my life, mail has made my heart race.

No, not that floofy stuff that goes under prom dresses.  This is a line of clothing that hits the perfect mid-range between falling apart after 12 months (looking at you, Forever 21) and ridiculously, rent priced expensive (hello,  Mike & Chris.)

Though they carry a full line of clothing, it’s Tulle’s coats that really have me checking my closet to see if there’s any room left.

Bright colors and classic shapes that include lots of 1950s peter pan collars and bracelet sleeves make for a truly wonderful look.  Even better, the prices are in the 50-150.00 range that other brands no longer seem to think are their target market.

The only drawback is you’ll have to shop elsewhere if you’re looking for tutus.

While I browse M&J and peek into the ribbon room at my local fabric shop, the green felt bag with it’s fun purple eyelets sits incomplete.  The eyelets somehow help me to believe that he’s okay with only being half-finished and doesn’t envy the completed projects around him.

As you can see, I couldn’t resist picking up two more sweaters at a local thrift store.  I didn’t even take the time to snap shots of them pre-scissor party just because I loved the colors so much and couldn’t wait to transform them into something a little more appealing than shrunken, pilling sweaters.

Blueberry and Strawberry.  And I think I can get at least two more bags out of the tattered remnants of sweater I’ve got left.

And because I don’t have enough to do, all this fabric has three very different intentions.  You’ll just have to wait and see what they are.

I love this cute plaid jacket from Alloy.

I’ve never ordered from there before so have no idea about the quality.  Anyone know?

I dislike jewelry boxes.  I dislike any means of stowing things away so that they’re not constantly visible to me; this is why I didn’t use a dresser until recently and haven’t ever owned a jewelry box.

My earrings generally sit in a tray, as do my bangles and bracelets.  Until recently, these trays lived on a large hutch while my necklaces hung from the corners of a book case.  Given that most of this furniture is now in our living room as opposed to the personal space of my former studio apartment, I had to figure out a different set up.

Some very inventive means of hanging necklaces gave me the idea that hooks would really be the best way of getting my jewelry off of the furniture and out of the living room.  I browsed Etsy, then ebay and finally gave up and went to Anthropologie’s web site.

I would have ordered this one from ebay but the seller seems determined to sell 6 with a shipping rate of 20 dollars.  In fact, most of the hooks I liked on ebay were sold in lots of 6.  Who’s stockpiling fleur de lis embellished hooks out there?

The style of Anthropologie’s hooks was really what I had in mind when I initially set out on this quest.  I wasn’t disappointed.  And, if anything, I spent the same amount of money as what I would have paid for a lot of 6 off ebay.

I’ll be sure to post pictures the minute they arrive.

Apparently it takes me more than a year to reach one page worth of favorites on flickr.  Fifty two plus weeks for 36 photos.

Given how inspiring these images are (some of you may recognize your photos among them), I really should spend more time browsing there.

Credits:

1. Subway, 2. Sihl @ Bahnhof Selnau, 3. Untitled, 4. bird – crane, 5. Untitled, 6. Wear and tear, 7. M.I.A., 8. Penders Fireplaces, 9. Look To The Sky, 10. Concourse Shuttle, 11. Untitled, 12. I’m a gold belt., 13. Holy Smoke, 14. Belly Dancing, 15. Untitled, 16. BOL 31, 17. The Shores along Dallas Rd., 18. laundry day, 19. purple, 20. Point Defiance Zoo, 21. parking-garage, 22. providence 045, 23. Rosie Hearts Shoes, 24. wings, 25. dreaming of a cup of hot coffee, 26. A Perfect View., 27. Lonesome, 28. Brother Delwin, 29. Lamp in the corner, 30. Green bike, 31. our fair city, 32. "everybody on the floor", 33. farmer, 34. um dia de chuva, 35. Untitled, 36. Untitled

I first saw these shoes, and became acquainted with the wonder of Faryl Robin’s line, when Emily Style posted an outfit featuring this exact pair.

 
Though I hit up any number of shops in Portland, including the one Sara recommended, I didn’t really drop a lot of money.  I’m a little too fixated on various housewares needed to make our new shared apartment feel complete at the moment.  These shoes, however, I could not pass by.  Nordstrom Rack is quickly becoming my temple of bargains–marked with a 35% discount, these were $32.00.  Zappos is currently listing them at $125.00.  And being that we were in Portland, they were tax free to boot.  What is that?  Like 110% off?

You know you’re addicted when you can’t sleep in your luxurious hotel bed because you want to make jewelry so badly.  And you’re on vacation.

The results of this early morning craft session in our hotel suite in Portland will make their way into the shop all week.

Tell me I’m not the only one who gets up unnecessarily early to make stuff?

I loved them first.

Well, last fall anyways. 

Though finding a pair of brogues, or oxfords, wasn’t as easy as it is now, I was on a mission last fall and wouldn’t let fake leather deter me.  I really should have waited for that perfect vintage pair–or at least something that wasn’t made of off-putting synthetic that makes feet cry.  Because that’s what these puppies did to me–so off to the consignment shop they went.

Oxfords are everywhere this fall, in every heel height at every price range.  Of course, many of those within my price range are still made of….something man-made, which I am simply not going to risk messing with again.

And of course, the oxfords I’m drooling to own are more than my rent. 

Options that aren’t likely to break my bank include these from La Redoute and these by Frye.  The only question remaining now is which one.