Thrifted Skirt Refashion

Skirt: thrifted and refashioned...Tank: Old Navy...Belt: thrifted...Shoes: J Jill via Buffalo Exchange...Bag: D&B via Buffalo Exchange...Necklace: who knows?

Thrifted and refashioned skirt?! Ohmygosh, I can't believe I sewed a straight line. Not only that, but I sewed TWO straight lines. You can't see it, but I folded the top down about 1 1/2" and then folded that in half again, sewing along the bottom edge to create the space where the elastic is slipped in. After the elastic was threaded through and sewn to the correct waist circumference, I stretched the elastic and fabric out and sewed another seam along the top edge of the elastic to keep it from flipping and bunching (it's about 1/4" seam around the top, seen above the belt) and to keep the top edge upright. I'm still a little shocked that I didn't need to enlist help or seam-rip out too many poor attempts. Am I getting better at machine sewing? 

Not likely.

By the way, here's how long, flowy, fluttery and 80/90's-tastic it started:

I'm spreading the magic and joy of my handiwork around the internets today: Pleated Poppy's What I Wore Wednesday and Rolled Up Pretty's Whatever Whenever Wednesday!

Go TIGERS!

I chose a little navy and orange today in honor of our Tigers win vs. the Yankees. To all you Yankees fans, I don't mean to rub anything in, I'm just reeeeeeally excited about getting to watch more Tigers baseball. My Guy and his dad still make very loud and excited cross country calls to each other while watching and listening to games. It's the cutest.

Pants: Banana...Shirt: via Buffalo Exchange...Cardigan: Target...Shoes: Steve Madden...Necklaces: Wish Boutique and DIY

Thriftin' the Night Away

 I have been on a thrifting rampage. While the tall-man-of-the-house is away... I spend hours and many dollars at thrift stores. Here's my loot:

 Emerald/ Shamrock green pencil skirt (I plan to throw a few darts in the back and slim the bottom of the sides so it's a little straighter) and a collection of silk scarves- little blood red silk pocket square with hand rolled edges, an Olga Greco 80's fab red and navy silk scarf, and a soft, funny, 70's inspired no-name little square of happy.

Adorable knee length micro-houndstooth pleated skirt and a possible Missoni tunic (does anyone recognize that white label?). The tunic is a little awkward in length, a little swingy at the bottom, but it is daaaang cute tucked into skirts.

 A new Target orange cardi with !!newly altered!! funny floral blouse with my thrifted fave find: the navy lightweight pencil skirt of perfection. It fits beauifully, has hanger loops all over the place, deep pockets, and the most awesome concealed pocket zipper/ side swoop button closure in the world. I will photograph the workings tonight, it's amazing.

I liked it so well, I had it immediately dry cleaned and am wearing it today. And, I'll give you two guesses about why I'm so distracted and laughing so hard while looking into the other room in these photos.

Skirt: Thrifted...Blouse: thrifted and altered...Cardigan: Target...Shoes: Biviel via DSW...Bag: Cart vendor in Beijing (faux Tod's)...Belt: Thrifted

Nail color: Sephora by OPI "I don't bite"...Necklace: DIY

I'm so happy to have this little taste of fall, it's so much more pleasant to walk the dog in the mornings. See you all mañana!

Compare and Contrast

This is totally shallow and I know it, but I popped into Buffalo Exchange last night for funsies and came across a rockin' grey skirt with pleating and waist detail. It's designer, but I don't remember what, and its 'spensive for resale ($26!)... I put it on hold and wore my closest match that is already in my wardrobe so I can go back and compare the two. Is the newbie as awesome as I think it is? Or is it close enough that I can be satisfied with what I have already? The catch is that I really love the new one, but the back zipper needs a little work, and is it really worth it at $26?

Aaaanyway, I wore basics so I wouldn't be distracted by anything other than the lines of each skirt. My Guy is heading out of town for a convention this weekend, so I really shouldn't be spending, but I really do think I like this skirt.

Told you this was shallow and ridiculous. Guess that happens every once in a while.

Skirt: Banana...Tee: Gap...Cardigan: Banana...Shoes: Le Sportsac via DSW...Belt: Target...Necklace: DIY

Quick-change

My Guy and I got to spend time with a really good friend for the first time in ages yesterday evening. Of course, I was in crud pants at work (I'm the new MR-16 lightbulb changing guru... Those bad boys get very hot very quickly.) and I was told partway through the day that dinner plans were in place. Leaving me with the following timeline:
5:45 convince boss that I need to move along.
6:05 arrive home to "pee the dog" as we say.
6:15 my Guy arrives home from school, frantically tug on a nicer looking skirt
6:20 use the flat iron to toss strategic waves in my hair so I don't look like I have air-dried half-combed hair
6:25 feed dog and race out the door for a 6:30 dinner reservation.

I was dang close to making it on time. I chose all the right back roads to avoid congestion.

So: part 1 and part 2 of the day-

Pants: Gap...Blouse: Banana, thrifted...Cardigan: Gap...Shoes: LeSportsac via DSW clearance...Necklace: DIY

DIY long strand necklace with Michaels cheapie beads. Interest in a tutorial? 

Same blouse and sweater...Skirt: China-made during my visit to see my sis...Boots: thrifted...Belt: thrifted

I am SO GLAD I changed into a skirt- the restaurant was one we'd never been to and I know our friend's MO- he's a picky eater of Americana staples (think steaks and potatoes), prefers finer dining and a killer cocktail. Dinner in chinos was not going to cut it. My Guy put on a button down vs. the plain tee he had on all day. Let's just say it was good choices all around because the food was excellent, the dining room was quiet enough for conversation and we looked like we fit into the crowd. I even got a "ma'am". And I kinda liked it.

And one more "hooray"- these boots fit properly around my skinny calves. I came to the conclusion that I would cheerfully buck up real monies to buy a nice slim riding boot and then these puppies came along. And THAT is why you stalk your resale and thrift stores.

A really lame uniform

Okay, this is embarrassing. I am wearing a reeeeeeally dull version of my go-to week-day uniform. I knew I would be erranding, stuffing envelopes, traipsing all over the house, so I went with stretchy crops, a boring ruffle topped tee the color of mud, and a striped boyfriend sweater belted with woven leather... Like somehow microstripes make up for the fact that I'm wearing muddy colors.

 Also, check out my mad skillz with the tripod. I maaaaaybe should have checked my frame height before I started so that 99% of my photos didn't have my head missing. Them shoes are taller than I realize.

Pants: Gap...Tee: H&M...Cardigan: J Crew Outlet...Shoes: Payless...Belt: thrifted

At least I got smart before I left the house and added a long green necklace... Moderately less dull?

Necklace: DIY

I didn't think so either.

Coming out a-Head

Terrible pun. Sorry, guys.
Let's be real here. A fedora at the office will never be functional. During cleaning day, neither will a feathered plume, a pillbox hat, a birdcage veil, or a wide-brimmed sunhat. Today's challenge was to adorn my noggin, so a headband, perhaps? With little jersey flowers? DIY cuteness and head adornment, I win at life today. It's Friday, thaaaaank goodness. I'm going to keep getting this enormous house ready for my boss' return, then retire to the Grad bar for evening cheap beers as the sun goes down.

Pants: Gap...Tank: Gap...Blazer: Gap...Belt: Banana Republic...Shoes: DSW

DIY headband...Earrings: Banana Republic

 I'm a walking Gap Ad. Eep. To be fair, I worked there part time for 2 years. It was only natural.

This headband was super easy to make. I cut long strips of jersey, folded them in half and started using a running stitch along the raw edges, pull them tight to make the fabric wavy and let it coil, tacking the fabric to itself occasionally to keep it's form.

Enjoy your Friday evening, I can't wait to have some time tomorrow to spend in my closet looking for a fabulous outfit involving my Sunday Shoes.

Repair Day!

After yesterday's Cat Tragedy, I choose to spitefully wear this top, the one I repaired, the one that caused a needle to be out for her to swallow. My little girl is fine, she's home and is active post needle-removal surgery. It was all totally my fault that she had access to the needle in the first place, but I'm glad to have her home and doing well.

So, about this demon shirt: I snagged it at Buffalo Exchange a while back and, while I'm drawn to tribal prints and rustic motifs, I just can't seem to find a logical place in my wardrobe for them. They're bold, which is not my MO, as I'm finding. I prefer subdued colors, classic color pairings, mildly preppy inspired, borderline minimalist looks. Ikat doesn't really have a place in that. But at $4, I made room in my closet for a boxy tank with loud olive, turquoise and black striations. I wore it once as-is and decided I really ought to alter it a little. The sewing machine I've been gifted needs repairs still and so I quit stalling and just hand stitched it. With nearly 4" total taken in, it fits infinitely better and can now become a regular visitor in my lightweight fall transition wardrobe.

Poor Eddie cat with her IV bandage.

It's imperfect, but it'll do for now.

I did bind the seam at the armpit so it lies flat and I don't have to trim the fabric.

Blouse: Target via Buffalo...Skirt: China-made...Cardigan... Target...Belt: stolen...Shoes: MaxStudio via DSW

Miles, in front of my mirror, wondering who is rattling around in the hallway.

Black in the shirt with brown accents... I think it's chic.

Kindly pardon the eye puff and bed head. I thought I would try out sleeping on uncombed wet hair for less frizzy waves. I have some tweaking to do, but I think this could be a better looking no effort hairstyle if I incorporate a curling iron for a few corrections. I just need a curling iron.

What else in in your repair piles? I'm down to nipping in the armpits of a really lovely periwinkle tank with a high, ruffled neckline. I might need to enlist a friend with a sewing machine for that one.