Nov 19, 2010 | DIY, Fashion
Scottie-print scarf: DIY. Chiffon ruffle blouse: Victoria’s Secret. Denim bustier: Forever 21. Assorted pins: vintage; from Japan; Lamb Tac Pin: Girlprops.com; kilt pin handmade by me. Pebble-print silk skirt: Banana Republic. Dainty Lace Ankle Socks: SockTheory.com. Striped espadrille wedges: Old Navy.
Day 17 in my 30 Days of Outfits Challenge: November 17.
Can you tell what runway show I was inspired by?
photos by Marcio Madeira, Style.com
Yup! Miu Miu S/S 2010. It was such an amazing collection with so many fabulous pieces…you could really take each look apart, bit by bit, and find yourself with so many versatile and chic accessories, jewelry items, and unique clothing.
I felt somewhat springy today (even though the weather was anything but)…and so wanted to try mixing patterns and colors and just going crazy with my outfit.
Can you guess what I made my scarf from?
…A pair of little girl’s pajama pants!!!
Yes, I found the pants at the Goodwill Outlet in Spring. The print reminded me of the Miu Miu collection, they felt satiny, and were still in great condition.
So I washed them and then did the following:
1. Separate the legs into two separate pieces by cutting all the seams apart.
2. Sew the legs together at the waist, so you have one long piece. Cut the ends on an angle so they look more “scarf”-like.
3. With right sides together, stitch around the edges, leaving about 2″ free.
4. Turn right-side-out and press.
5. Stitch remaining hole closed.
Very, very simple! I had been searching in fabric stores for a silky print similar to the ones in the Miu Miu show, but the fabric stores here aren’t progressive to carry anything similar. Silky pajamas have a number of great, fun prints – that are definitely very Miu-Miu-esque and look fabulous as an accent piece!
I bought this blouse something like 15 years ago and have not worn it once. Not once! The tag is still on it, I’m ashamed to say. Well, now I’ve worn it!;-)
A great way to jazz up a top is to pin on a variety of brooches and pins. I chose to do so smack-dab in the middle, which is a bit unusual, but (I think) it works. I made the bottom brooch from a kilt pin and bits of rhinestone jewelry, beads, and findings I had lying around.
And espadrille wedges are so not confined to summer! You can certainly wear them all year round (though you may have to switch up your leg-coverings;-)
What do you think? Is anyone going to try embellishing with brooches differently…or start searching for that perfect pair of pajama pants to repurpose into a scarf?;-)
Oh, and Katarina from She sells sea shells has posted more of her outfits in this Challenge. Have you checked out her blog yet? Please visit and say hi!
xoxox
Carly
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Nov 19, 2010 | DIY, Fashion
Studded Beret: DIY. Striped LS Tee: Mossimo (Target). Beige embroidered bustier dress: Twenty8Twelve. White Pearl-Button Gloves: DIY. Polka-dot belt: vintage. Polka-dot tights: unknown. Velvet open-toe heels: DbDk Fashion.
Day 16 of my 30 Days of Outfits Challenge: November 16.
I’m getting behind in posting these! Double time, double time!
After a couple days at home with Lil Tot (who is on the mend, by the way – thank you all so much for your well-wishes and thoughts!)…I’ve gotten a little tired of the schlumping-round-the-house uniform I’ve been in lately.
So I went all out (and maybe went a little Parisian in the process?? Or at least what I think of when I hear the phrase “Parisian”)!
I’ve always felt that hats just don’t suit me…but sometimes I just want to wear them regardless! I bought the beret at Target, and added a variety of sizes of pyramid studs (from Studsandspikes.com) to add a little bit of edge.
I also love wearing tube dresses or bustier dresses over tops. It takes a summery piece into winter, and transforms a cocktail dress into a more casual outfit.
The shoes I found at the Buffalo Exchange recently, and I’m still going back on forth on whether to rip off the bows or not. Maybe I will and add shoe clips to them so I can clip them onto any part of the shoe…a great little trick to make something that’s embellished more versatile!
The gloves I bought in Japan – they’re UV-protectant gloves that Hub said make me look like Michael Jackson – and I didn’t like the bracelet-length style, so I shortened them and added 2 little pearl buttons to make them look like a little vintage 40’s pair that the Portland vintage stores will charge $25 for.
Lil Tot’s fever has now gone down to around 99 – 100 degrees, and his sinus infection seems to be draining slowly, so hopefully a couple more days at home will have him back to normal!
xoxox
Carly
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Nov 17, 2010 | Fashion
Viscose turtleneck: Forever 21. Crocheted chain necklace: handmade by me. Rope belt: Gap. Skirt made from 3 men’s shirts: handmade by me. Reversible Black Tights: Hue. Colin Stuart Devon Convertible Boots (in Cordovan): Victoria’s Secret.
Day 15 in my 30 Days of Outfits Challenge: November 15. Now past the two-week mark!
Today was not the best of days. Lil Tot’s fever went up to 105.2 and I took him to the doctor.
She suspected it was stemming from his sinus infection that he had even before we left for Paris in mid- October, and despite a 2-week course of antibiotics it had either gotten worse or he had come down with something else on top of it.
So she prescribed a new, extremely strong antibiotic that costs $147 a bottle (WITH insurance – or, rather, with our crappy insurance that is a short-term policy and the only insurance that will cover children now thanks to all Oregon insurance carriers refusing to insure children under the age of 19 until January 1, 2011 – which is a lovely loophole all companies enacted beginning September 1 so they can get out of complying with Obama’s health insurance reform bill). Um, sorry. Slightly ticked off at insurance companies right now.
Yes, $147 a bottle. (It’s $218 without insurance, so I guess it’s good we have something, even if it only covers the generic prescription at 67%. WTH???)
And this medication is so strong, Lil Tot spent the rest of the day in the bathroom experiencing its…um…side effects. But at least the fever responded and headed down to 102.1 degrees.
105.2 was a little scary.
By evening he was a bit better and even ate some dinner. Thank goodness for small favors!
I love Arielle de Pinto‘s crocheted chain necklaces, so I attempted to make one too. I can’t crochet very well, but I liked the jumbly look I ended up with.
The skirt I made from 3 men’s button-down shirts. I used the instructions in the Japanese book Kakkoii Couture Remake, which were awfully vague and mistaken in some places. I managed to figure it out and cobbled this together. It can be worn hanging down as a maxi-skirt or in a bubble-shape by buttoning the buttons up to the placket. Or as a dress. Or as a top. I’ll be sharing my revised how-to with all of you soon!
Ugh, I can’t wait for this week to be over. Hopefully my poor baby will be on the mend soon. (And go figure, he got sick after his birthday party last year as well – from the neighbor’s child who brought H1N1 to the party!!)
xoxox
Carly
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Nov 16, 2010 | DIY, Fashion
Silver Horseshoe Necklace: won in a sweepstakes from Lucky Magazine. Ice-Cream Applique T-shirt: DIY. Sweatpants: Victoria’s Secret. Slippers: Who cares?
Day 14 in my 30 Days of Outfits Challenge: November 14. Yes, I am adhering to this challenge so faithfully that I’m even posting my lolling-around-at-home-in-sweatpants outfit!
Lil Tot is very sick.
He suddenly woke this morning at 4:30 AM with a temp of 101.7. I gave him some ibuprofen and he went back to sleep. By 8 AM his temp was around 102. Throughout the day, though I kept giving him ibuprofen every 6 hours, put him in a lukewarm bath, placed a compress on his forehead and an ice-wrap around his neck, his temperature kept rising and the medicine wasn’t bringing it down.
He finally fell asleep at 6 PM with a temp. of 103.9 degrees Farenheit. He woke up 45 minutes later and puked up the few grapes he’d eaten during the day, along with most of the juice he’d drank that afternoon and the Bendryl I’d just given him to ease his dribbly nose from his sinus infection (which he’s had for 6 weeks!!). Of course.
He spent most of the afternoon prior to this lying in a heap, crying and unresponsive. Of course he always gets sick on Sunday, when the doctors’ aren’t open!!
I know I may look relaxed here, but believe me, this day was anything but relaxing.
So when your child is sick, all bets are off when it comes to fashion.
The shirt was a fun DIY using fusible web and quilting fabric. It’s actually a similar design to a Wildfox Couture t-shirt I saw awhile back and for the life of me can’t locate the inspiration photo. (If anyone’s seen it before, please let me know!! I think they manufactured both a yellow and a pink version.) Ohwell. You’ll have to trust me on that one.;-) Tutorial coming soon!
And yes, my hair is in pigtails. I never wore it in pigtails as a kid. I figure I better do it before I’m like 80 and I’m officially not allowed to by The Fashion Police (or other Concerned Citizens).
Hope all of you enjoyed a better Sunday than we did! (Especially poor Lil Tot) 🙁
xoxox
Carly
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Nov 14, 2010 | DIY, Fashion
Band Jacket: DIY. Whipped Cream Heart Necklace: handmade by me. Cowl-Neck Sweater Vest: Old Navy. LS White Tee: Forever 21. Rabbit Ring Set: mocha (Tokyo). Scrunch-Leg Leggings: handmade by me. Wedge-Heel Boots: Metro7 (Wal-Mart).
Day 13 in my 30 Days of Outfits Challenge: November 13.
I put his name on the front side in fondant letters, though I blurred it out above.
Lil Tot’s 5th birthday party! I finally finished up the cake. My first time using pre-made rolled fondant – I think it turned out pretty well!
Today’s was a bit of a throwaway outfit. I had to wear something appropriate for a kid’s birthday party; something that allowed a lot of movement since I would be running around after the kids, doing set-up and clean-up; and something that was easily washable if when I get cake on it.
The jacket I made last year for a weekly challenge in America’s Most Stylish Blogger Competition. That was the week my ranking in the challenge finally jumped two spots ahead – so maybe a lot of people liked the jacket?? 😉 (My tutorial on how to make it is here, BTW.)
The leggings I made by doing a ruboff of a pair I already owned; I’ve also bought Easy MCCall’s M6173 pattern and can’t wait to see if a pair made from a store-bought pattern fits better.
The necklace I made: a heart-shaped pendant with little rosettes of faux “whipped cream” and Swarovski crystals. Unfortunately the chain makes the whipped cream dirty so I have to figure out a solution before I can sell these.
The birthday party was a success; the kids all had fun and Lil Tot was so happy to spend a non-school-day afternoon with his friends. The cake was a hit too!
We had a visitor in the evening who ate all the cat food Hub left outside. He’s getting bolder and now comes right up to the window to eat the food (the visitor, not Hub). We’ve had many arguments about not leaving cat food outside for the neighbor’s cat since it is, well…the neighbor’s cat. And there are two raccoons who come together to steal the food, and it’s obviously encouraging them to get increasingly familiar with our home. (The other one is just outside of the frame.)
I don’t know what I am doing here.
In other news, Lil Tot has a 103-degree fever today (Sunday), so I’m not sure how my outfit will turn out for today, or even if I’ll be able to wear something nice with all the worry and running around. We’ll have to see! 🙂
xoxox
Carly
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